bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gastrointestinal Tract and COVID-19
Authors: Pambu Aaron Lelo , Zinedine Abdellah
Published: August 2021

The current outbreak of the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 (coronavirus disease 2019; previously 2019- nCoV), epi-centered in Hubei Province of the People's Republic of China, has spread to many other countries caused an extreme burden for healthcare systems globally. Coronaviruses are traditionally considered nonlethal pathogens to humans, mainly causing approximately 15% of common colds. In this century, we have encountered highly pathogenic human CoVs twice. In this chapter, the authors propose to focus the gastrointestinal physiopathology of the infection of SARS-Cov2. This chapter will develop subject like the gastrointestinal manifestations of the infection to SARS-Cov2. The second part of this chapter will develop the role of the gut microbiome in the SARS-Cov2 diseases susceptibilities. And then the authors will show the etiopathogenesis of SARS-Cov2 associated diarrhea. As reported by previous studies, the SARS-Cov virus entry into host cell is mediated by the interaction between the envelop-anchored viral spike protein and the host receptor named angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2).
SARS-Cov-2 and Associated Heart Failure
Authors: Aimrane Abdelmohcine , El-Mansoury Bilal , Sabir Said , El Baz Soraia , Zouhairi Nadia , Echchakery Mohamed , Draoui Ahmed , Hicham Chatoui , Fdil Naima , Sellami Souad , Ferssiwi Abdesslam , Bitar Abdelali , Rais Hanane
Published: August 2021

The newly emerged pandemic of coronavirus-induced disease of the year 2019 (COVID-19) has become the utmost health concern worldwide. Patients with COVID-19 are highly susceptible to develop hypercoagulable state increasing the risk of causing venous and arterial thrombosis at both small and large vessels. Additionally, in patients showing co-morbidities, for instance patients with inborn errors of metabolism linked to heart failure, the complications and mortalities are even higher than in any other case. In such frail patients already showing health concerns, the COVID-19-induced pneumonia may cause acute or chronic cardiovascular complications. Indeed, several reports of thrombotic complications in association with other complications has been presented, such as large vessels storks, clotting of catheters, and myocardial injury. Nevertheless, knowledge on the COVID-19-associated cardiovascular diseases remains scarce. Thus, in this chapter, the authors represent an overview of the available data on the induced heart failure related to COVID-19.
Insights Into the COVID-19 Infection Related to Inherited Metabolic Diseases
Authors: Fdil Naima , Sabir Es-Said , Lafhal Karima , Rada Noureddine , El Fezzazi Redouane , Amine Mohamed , Maoulainine Fadl Mrahib Rabou , Bouskraoui Mohammed
Published: August 2021

People with respiratory problems and people prone to decompensations are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. These characteristics are often present in patients with inherited metabolic diseases (IMDs). It is therefore conceivable that patients with IMDs are at a greater risk of infection and may present a more serious form of COVID-19 disease. Currently available data about the impact of COVID-19 on patients suffering from IMDs are very scarce and no study has been able to confirm this hypothesis. In this chapter, the authors have tried to show that the severity of COVID-19 infection in patients with IMDs is specific to the group that the disease belongs. Indeed, lysosomal storage diseases caused by impaired degradation and accumulation of metabolites in lysosomes leads to dysfunction of lysosomal and possible impairment of the COVID-19 egress process. The fact that COVID-19 disease may be considered itself as an IMD was also discussed to highlight the interference which can exist between COVID-19 disease and IMDs in a patient.
Nutrition
Authors: Ahmad Muhammad Haseeb , Afzal Muhammad Faizan , Imran Muhammad , Khan Muhammad Kamran , Ahmad Nazir
Published: August 2021

Nutrition is a known aspect that plays a pivotal role in the strengthening of the immune system. Populations with poor eating habits have more risk of severe COVID-19. Micronutrients such as vitamins, including vitamins A, B complex, C, D, and E; minerals including, zinc, selenium, magnesium, and copper are mainly present in plant based foods like legumes, fruits, and vegetables to build different types of immune cells that are helpful in supporting the immune system and promote the host health. Insufficient consumption of these nutrients may result to reduce the resistance to infections as well as an increasing in disease load. Garlic, black pepper, and basel leaves are known as ancient herbs which is helpful to boost the immunity. Numerous studies observed that a powerful antioxidant bioflavonoid quercetin and a glutathione may prevent the risk of COVID-19. In conclusion, foods from plant source show a vigorous role to boost the immunity for all aged groups to control COVID-19.
Cultural Values and Its Influence on the Enactment of Leadership in Public Sector Organisations
Authors: Idris Pg Siti Rozaidah Pg Hj
Published: August 2021

This research contributes to our understanding of leadership in public sector organisations by examining the influence of national culture on the enactment of public sector leadership in the context of Brunei. It followed a qualitative interpretivist research approach employing semi-structured interviews involving public sector leaders in Brunei. This research contributes to existing debates that claim that public sector leadership is context specific and contingent upon cultural backgrounds and the national cultures of specific countries and emerging nations. The findings suggest national culture appear to have a constraining influence on public sector leadership, where tension exists between abiding to Islamic work ethics and cultural tribal activities, particularly relating to the issues of fairness and justice regarding recruitment, selection, and promotion.
Research on Performance of the Classifying Models Based on Chinese, Pakistani, and Other Genres
Authors: Ejaz ud Din  , Hua Long , Lu Zhongyu
Published: August 2021

In recent years, with the increase in the amount of audio on the internet, the demand for audio classification is increasing. This paper focuses on finding the performance of the classifiers, uses Python for the simulation part, compares the performance, and finds the best classifier. Two experiments are performed for this paper; for the first part of the experiment, Pakistan and Chinese music samples are considered, and classifiers are used to classify these music samples. It is found that the artificial neural network (ANN) has lowest accuracy of 81.4%; additionally, support vector machine (SVM), k-nearest neighbor (KNN), and convolutional (CNN) accuracies remain between 82% to 86% based on the dataset. Random forest model has the highest accuracy of 94.3%. It is considered to be the best classifier. For the second part of the experiment, other genres such as classical, country, and pop music were added to the previous dataset. After adding these genres, performance of the classifying models varies slightly; it fluctuates between 75% to 84%. These results can be used for music recommendation applications.
Towards a Comprehensive Model of SCM Adoption and Practice in the Fast Fashion Apparel Industry
Authors: Abu Jahed Mohammed , Quaddus Mohammed , Gurung Anil
Published: August 2021

Along with the phenomenal growth in fast fashion, the industry is beset with many challenges. Topping the list are design, production, and supply of the fast fashion apparel (FFA). Adoption and effective use of supply chain management (SCM) practices in the FFA industry have become indispensable to achieve this. However, there is a gap in the fast fashion literature on the appropriate modeling of adoption and practice of SCM. In addressing this research gap, this study builds a comprehensive model of SCM adoption and practice by extracting relevant factors and variables from FFA manufacturing firms via qualitative field study. This study is one of the first to analyze SCM adoption from the diffusion of innovation theory perspective in the fashion industry. While existing literature does not clearly differentiate between SCM adoption and practice, this research underpins that the diffusion of SCM practices within FFA firms must go through stages of adoption and practice for successful wide-scale implementation.
Using Patch ECG Device During Lower Third Molar Surgery
Authors: Prkic Ana , Tomasic Ivan , Lesin Antonella , Becic Tina , Govorko Danijela Kalibovic , Mikic Ivana Medvedec
Published: August 2021

This study aimed to evaluate cardiac activity changes during lower third molar surgery concerning gender and anxiety levels. Thirty healthy subjects who required lower third molar surgery filled out Norman Corah dental anxiety scale (DAS) before surgery. A patch ECG device (Savvy, Institute ''Jožef Stefan'', Ljubljana, Slovenia) was applied to the patient to evaluate heart rate (HR) and heart rhythm. These parameters were assessed in 8 different intervals. Periods of the highest mean HR values—incision and flap elevation compared to the period with minimal mean HR values—during suturing showed statistical significance difference (p<0.05). The most common outstanding ECG finding was sinus tachycardia, especially in anxious compared to non-anxious patients. Extraction difficulty score was correlated with the procedure duration time and with the abnormal ECG findings in the period of tooth extraction. Significant cardiac activity changes are detected during surgery. Physiological manifestations of anxiety may be evaluated successfully using a patch ECG device.
Commerce Web-Portal Redesigning Based on Usability Evaluation
Authors: Sakulin Sergey , Alfimtsev Alexander , Kalgin Yuri , Devyatkov Vladimir
Published: August 2021

Redesigning of the whole portal or some of its webpages does not always lead to a positive result despite the designers' expectations. Nowadays the opinion on how to carry out the redesign of web portals varies. A web portal being in service and in a wide use, a sudden change in its design may result in a drop of the number of clients. The usability evaluation has become important to make a decision on what design of webpages to choose. The paper proposes a method to redesign of commercial web-portals which is based on usability evaluation of some webpages. The evaluation can be undertaken by surveying the staff of the business organization where such a web portal is being developed. The hierarchy made of the Choquet integrals aggregates the results of the questionnaire and allows for the interdependencies between individual metrics of usability. Then, a decision about the redesign of a certain webpage is made on the basis of the aggregated results. The described experiment has shown a great impact of this innovative approach.
Effects of Utilitarian and Hedonic Emotion on the Use of Online Banking Services
Authors: Hung Wei-Hsi , Tseng Chih-Lang , Chang Fang-Kai , Ho Chin-Fu
Published: August 2021

The online banking service is the key element for the development of e-commerce and e-businesses. It provides users with convenient daily transaction services, such as wire transfer and online payment. Past studies on online banking services mostly focused on their functionality, whereas little pay attention to users’ hedonic feelings or a sense of pleasure. Besides, discussions about post-adoption behavior are also immature. Thus, this study aims to explore the impacts of customers' positive or negative experience of using online banking services on consumers' emotions. Furthermore, a discussion of post-adoption behaviors, including recommendations, complaints, and continuance intention is also provided. The result shows that positive user experience will have a significantly positive impact on the generation of utilitarian emotion. As for the sense of utilitarian emotion, users concern more about whether their goal could be achieved successfully via their operations or not, such as completing wire transfer transactions in the online banking environment.
Social Media Exploration and Exploitation by Small and Medium Enterprises for Business Continuity
Authors: Goel Lakshmi , Donaldson Janice
Published: August 2021

This paper aims to examine social media usage by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the context of business continuity. A key concern for businesses in times of disasters, such as the COVID19 pandemic or hurricanes, is continuity. This is especially true for SMEs that lack the expertise, awareness, and ability to dedicate specific resources to disaster planning and management. SMEs are quick to explore social media for functions such as customer acquisition, perhaps due to greater flexibility and agility than large companies. However, SMEs are constrained by a lack of resources, limiting the extent to which they can exploit social media. We collect data from 68 SMEs and analyze the extent to which they explore and exploit social media tools. Our findings suggest that the firms fail to exploit their social media presence to leverage long-term strategic benefits, which would be helpful during a disaster. Our contribution includes ways to analyze social media exploration and exploitation and suggestions to strategically manage social media use for business continuity.
One-Stop Smart Urban Apps and Determinants of Their Continuance Usage
Authors: Zhang Bingqian , Peng Guochao , Xing Fei , Liang Xinting , Gao Qi
Published: August 2021

This study aimed to explore factors affecting continual usage of one-stop smart urban apps, which is the key to realise the vision of smart cities. A questionnaire (involved a total of 578 users/citizens) was carried out to test the research model, which was established based on existing user behavioural theories and recent literature on smart cities. The results, derived from confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling, confirmed that lower costs (measured by cognitive effort and perceived risks), as well as higher “smartness” (measured by output usefulness, output velocity, and the quality of offline services), would lead to better user satisfaction. Moreover, system quality has indirect influence on user satisfaction (i.e. citizens only feel dissatisfied when system pitfalls affect output usefulness and output velocity of smart urban apps), which together with social influence will determine citizens’ continuance usage intention of smart urban apps.
PUBLICAÇÕES SOBRE ENSINO DE BOTÂNICA: O QUE OS ESTUDOS DOS ANOS DE 2017 A 2020 MOSTRAM?
Authors: Marques Costa Ana Mikaele , Freire de Brito Selma , Araújo Mota Ana Paula
Published: August 2021

O ensino de botânica é marcado por diversos problemas, resultando no pouco interesse dos alunos. Assim, existe uma busca por métodos alternativos e eficientes para o ensino de botânica. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi realizar um levantamento bibliográfico acerca das pesquisas sobre o ensino de botânica realizado de 2017 a agosto de 2020. A pesquisa foi feita utilizando a base de dados Google Acadêmico e a base de dados Scielo, com busca avançada usando a expressão “ensino de botânica”, após isto foi realizado uma seleção de todos os trabalhos deixando de fora aqueles que apresentavam o termo botânica ou ensino, porém não apresentavam contribuições para o ensino de botânica. Os resultados da pesquisa mostraram que foram publicados 128 artigos no período pesquisado, sendo 2017 o ano com mais publicações. Destacando-se como as temáticas mais pesquisadas: estudos teóricos, práticas, uso de jogos e plantas medicinais. Assim, conclui-se que a temática ensino de botânica vem sendo pesquisada em diferentes abordagens, que buscam uma forma dinâmica para apresentar os conteúdos e também análises das formas que está temática vêm sendo ensinada. Observa-se também que ainda são necessárias pesquisas que busquem alternativas para facilitar o ensino.
EXPERIÊNCIA DE ELABORAÇÃO DE UM MODELO DIDÁTICO COMO ESTRATÉGIA ATIVA DE ENSINO E APRENDIZAGEM EM ANATOMIA DENTAL
Authors: Martinez Saez Daniel , Rezende Costa Xavier Amanda
Published: August 2021

A Anatomia Humana exige a compreensão de conceitos abstratos e cabe ao docente ser um agente facilitador do aprendizado, pela aplicação de metodologias inovadoras.  Este trabalho apresenta uma experiência didático-pedagógica, pautada na construção de um modelo didático para estudo da anatomia dentária, a partir de materiais de baixo custo, fácil aquisição e simples utilização em sala de aula. A proposta fundamentou-se na reprodução de um dente humano, para utilizá-lo como recurso aproximativo, e se obteve um modelo didático com representações anatômicas macroscópicas e microscópicas. Esta experiência por modelização demonstrou ser uma alternativa para o processo de ensino e aprendizagem e, para preencher uma lacuna de material prático existente nos laboratórios de Anatomia. Assim, o docente, como facilitador da aprendizagem, pode trabalhar a realidade por meio da observação e toque, tanto quanto auxiliar o estudante na compreensão da organização espacial e estratificada das estruturas anatômicas que compõem o dente e periodonto.
ESTABILIZAÇÃO CIRÚRGICA DE FRATURA UNILATERAL COMPLETA DE RAMO HORIZONTAL EM MANDÍBULA DE CÃO DOMÉSTICO - RELATO DE CASO
Authors: Pimentel Poliana , Pereira Marques Amanda , Carnauba Vicente Paulo Usignolo , Viana Diego Carvalho
Published: August 2021

Fraturas de mandíbula são comuns em pequenos animais como cães. Sua importância está diretamente ligada a importância funcional desse osso já que tais fraturas podem ser responsáveis por alterações anatômicas capazes de prejudicar a mastigação, a fonação e a deglutição de animais afetados. Como não é possível seguir um padrão acerca das correções e métodos utilizados nos tratamentos devido fatores como o tipo de fratura, localização, raça, idade do animal, a presença ou ausência de dentes, faz-se necessário que cada caso seja detalhado e criteriosamente estudado. Este estudo tem como objetivo relatar o caso clínico de um animal da raça shit-tzu que apresentou uma fratura simples, completa, oblíqua e unilateral do ramo horizontal medial de mandíbula esquerda, em que a correção foi feita através do posicionamento firme de um fio de aço inoxidável, maleável, 2.0 hexagon e cirúrgico no osso afetado. A técnica utilizada apresentou-se adequada para o animal que estava sendo tratado por permitir que ele retornasse a suas atividades normais após o período de repouso.
DESENVOLVIMENTO DO JOGO DIDÁTICO “PERFIL - EDUCAÇÃO SEXUAL” COMO FERRAMENTA INTEGRADA AO ENSINO NA EDUCAÇÃO BÁSICA
Authors: Miranda Jean Carlos
Published: August 2021

A partir do entendimento de que a atividade sexual entre adolescentes e jovens pode vir a se tornar um problema social em razão de infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (IST) e gravidez indesejada, é notória a necessidade de debates a respeito de questões relacionadas à Educação Sexual, como por exemplo, iniciação sexual, gravidez precoce, anatomia e fisiologia dos órgãos reprodutores, ocorrência de IST e métodos contraceptivos. Além disso, existe uma limitação das escolas ao tratarem sobre esse tema, uma vez que as aulas, em sua maioria expositivas, não abrem espaço para discussões e levam ao desinteresse e à distração dos alunos. Por essa razão, nosso objetivo foi desenvolver o jogo didático “Perfil – Educação Sexual”, que trata de questões sobre o sistema reprodutor humano, os métodos contraceptivos e as principais infecções sexualmente transmissíveis, como ferramenta auxiliar na abordagem de temas relacionados à Educação Sexual. O kit do jogo didático é comporto por 1 manual de regras, 6 peões coloridos, 1 tabuleiro de 60cmx30cm, 1 dado e 34 cartas com dez dicas cada. Apesar de os jogos didáticos contribuírem no preenchimento de lacunas e facilitarem a apropriação do conhecimento por meio do entusiasmo, é preciso atenção para não desviar o foco do seu real objetivo e, por essa razão, o professor deve usá-los de maneira consciente, para que se atinja os objetivos propostos.
A Peptide Derived from IKK-Interacting Protein Attenuates NF-κB Activation and Inflammation
Authors: Liu Hansen , Yan Zhenzhen , Zhao Yunpeng , Ma Xiaoyuan , Zhang Honghai , Wang Xueer , Zhuang Wanxin , Zheng Yi , Liu Bingyu , Zhang Lei , Gao Chengjiang
Published: August 2021

The IκB kinase (IKK) complex plays a vital role in regulating the NF-κB activation. Aberrant NF-κB activation is involved in various inflammatory diseases. Thus, targeting IKK activation is an ideal therapeutic strategy to cure and prevent inflammatory diseases related to NF-κB activation. In a previous study, we demonstrated that IKK-interacting protein (IKIP) inhibits the phosphorylation of IKKα/β and the activation of NF-κB through disruption of the formation of IKK complex. In this study, we identified a 15-aa peptide derived from mouse IKIP (46–60 aa of IKIP), which specifically suppressed IKK activation and NF-κB targeted gene expression via disrupting the association of IKKβ and NEMO. Importantly, administration of the peptide reduced LPS-induced acute inflammation and attenuated Zymosan-induced acute arthritis in mice. These findings suggest that this IKIP peptide may be a promising therapeutic reagent in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases.
An overview of acid mine drainage research in Canada
Authors: Udd J E , Ferguson K
Published: August 2021

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is recognized as one of the most significant environmental problems facing the mining industry in Canada. Not only can it cause severe environmental impacts, but it can strain the financial resources of a company. AMD can continue to be
produced for decades, centuries, or perhaps millennia after mining has ceased. The solution to the AMD problem has been divided into four areas: prediction, prevention, treatment and control. Two task forces have recently been formed in Canada to coordinate AMD research. The national Reactive Acidic
Tailings Study (RATS) was established to examine the problem associated with acidic tailings. In 1987 the program was expanded to include research related to AMD from open pits and waste rock. The second research group is the B.C. task force established in February, 1987 to focus on some unique
aspects of the AMD problem in the Province of British Columbia, including emphasis on waste rock, pre-mine prediction and environmental monitoring. This paper outlines the history of these task forces, examines their structure and objectives, and summarizes ongoing research and possible future
research topics.
Fire-retardant conveyor belts: testing and standards
Authors: Mintz K J
Published: August 2021

Conveyor belts installed in an underground mine am be a potential source of a major fire, thus the need for fire-retardant belting. A Canadian Standard, CAN/CSA-M422-M87, incorporating a small-scale flame test, a drum-friction test, a flame propagation test and
an electrical surf-ace-resistance test, has been developed to meet the varied needs of the mining industry. It is recommended that mines use Types A and B belting described in that Standard, because they will have passed the large-scale flame propagation test, rather than Type C, which does not
require that test. Belting that has been approved by the U.S.A. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) may be much less fire-retardant than any Canadian-approved belting.
Medication nonadherence in Nigerian heart failure patients
Authors: Ale Olagoke Korede , Busari Abdulwasiu Adeniyi , Irokosu Emmanuel S , Akinyede Akinwumi Akinyinka , Usman Sikiru O. , Olayem Sunday O.
Published: August 2021

Background:

Anti-failure therapy is vital to the reduction of morbidity and mortality associated with heart failure (HF). Medication nonadherence (MNA) has been identified as a major limiting factor for the attainment of therapeutic goals. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and characteristics of MNA in HF patients attending Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Lagos.

Methods:

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study involving 202 previously diagnosed HF patients attending an outpatient clinic in LUTH. Data were obtained from patient's medical records and the use of an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Medication Adherence Report Scale 5-items was used to determine MNA.

Results:

Of the 202 HF subjects, 68% (n = 128) were aged 31–60 years, 65% (n = 132) were females, 58%, (n = 116) were taking ≤4 pills/day, 54.5% were taking pills twice daily, and 72.3% (n = 146) had comorbid conditions. The overall prevalence of MNA was 69.3% with ACE inhibitors having the highest MNA of 73.2% and angiotensin receptor blocker/neprilysin inhibitor having the least MNA of 0%. MNA was independent of age, gender, educational status, pill burden, duration of HF, history of HF admission, functional status, and specific comorbidities (P < 0.05). However, the presence of three comorbidities was associated with lower MNA (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

There is a high prevalence of MNA in Nigerian HF patients. Measures aimed at improving adherence are imperative to improve outcomes in these patients.
Training trends and practice pattern of intestinal anastomosis among Nigerian Postgraduate Trainees
Authors: Balogun Olanrewaju Samuel , Jeje Emmanuel A , Atoyebi Oluwole Ayoola
Published: August 2021

Background:

The concept of mentor-mentee skills learning in surgical education has been the bedrock of training and knowledge acquisition over many years. Techniques of intestinal anastomosis are one of the fundamentals skills to be mastered in the early career of trainees in surgery. This study aims to evaluate the training trends and current practice of intestinal anastomosis amongst Nigerian postgraduate trainees.

Methods:

A cross-sectional survey using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted on surgical trainees who attended the 2020 annual revision course of the National Postgraduate Medical College in Lagos.

Results:

Response rate was 74.1%. The age range of respondents was 29–52 years with a mean 35.5 ± 4.6 years. Majority of the respondents had their future career interest in general surgery and were in the second (43.3%) and third (38.3%) postgraduate year in surgery. Nontraumatic emergency abdominal conditions (71.7%) were the most common indication for gastrointestinal anastomosis. Majority of the respondents practice prophylactic use of bowel preparation and nasogastric tube placement for elective colorectal procedures. Two-layer anastomosis using synthetic absorbable suture was favored by most respondents. This was the technique of choice regardless of the segment of the bowel involved in the anastomosis. Fifth postoperation day was the most preferred time for the commencement of oral intake. Twenty respondents gave an estimated anastomotic leak rate of 0%–10% and this was attributed to systemic factors by 71.7% of the respondents. Two-third of respondents rated their current anastomotic skills as good even though 86.7% of respondents desired further formal training in intestinal anastomosis.

Conclusion:

Nontraumatic emergency abdominal conditions were the most common indication for intestinal anastomosis. The traditional two-layer anastomosis with synthetic absorbable sutures was favored over other anastomotic techniques. Majority would commence oral feeding on 5th day postoperation. Self-rated anastomotic leak reported by a third of respondents was ≤10%.
Unexplained pulmonary thrombosis as a sole presentation of COVID-19
Authors: Ekete Ogochukwu A. , Ogundare Adewale S. , Ifediora Nnaemeka C. , Ozoh Obianuju B.
Published: August 2021

Recent reports have shown that thrombotic complications occur rather frequently among patients who have the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Clinical presentation of pulmonary thrombosis is usually in association with moderate to severe symptoms of COVID-19 and manifests with worsening symptoms and features of atypical pneumonia on imaging. We report an unusual case of extensive pulmonary thrombosis in a young otherwise healthy adult without any typical COVID-19 symptom nor features of atypical pneumonia on imaging.
Bilateral Watershed Infarcts in Infective Endocarditis
Authors: Sathyan Soumya , Abdul Kharim N. N.
Published: August 2021

A 62-year-old male who is on maintenance hemodialysis for end-stage renal disease presented with sudden onset weakness of bilateral lower limbs, confusion, and disorientation overnight. Investigations revealed methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus in the blood culture and echocardiographic features suggestive of infective endocarditis. Imaging of brain revealed bilateral watershed infarcts in various sites.
Correlation of the Severity of Obstruction in Coronary Arteries with Serum Free Testosterone Level
Authors: Badrinath A. K. , Venkatram M. , Babu S. Suresh , Karthik J.
Published: August 2021

Background:

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death in India. There was increased incidence and prevalence of CAD in males than in females. There have been several studies going on across the globe to find a similar equation in males between testosterone and CAD. This study aimed at correlating the serum free testosterone level in CAD patients with the severity of obstruction of the coronary arteries proven by coronary angiogram. This was the first study in South India to correlate the serum free testosterone levels with the severity of obstruction of coronaries.

Objective:

This study was designed to correlate the serum free testosterone level in male patients above 40 years with proven or newly diagnosed CAD with the severity of obstruction of coronary arteries as evidenced from coronary angiogram.

Materials and Methods:

This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted from November 2015 to August 2017 in a rural-based teaching tertiary care hospital in Puducherry, India. The sample size was 40, calculated using the formula n = 4 × σ2/d2 from the previous study of serum free testosterone in men with coronary artery atherosclerosis done by Lucyna Siemińska et al.

Results:

Of 40 patients in the study group, 30% had CAD, 20% had hypertension (HTN), 45% had diabetes mellitus, 45% were smokers, 37.5% were alcoholic, and only 5% had family history of (H/o) CAD. In the study, ejection fraction was < 60 in 80% and ≥ 60 in 20%. In the study, 42.5% had single-vessel disease, 27.5% had double-vessel disease, and 30% had triple-vessel disease. The mean serum testosterone was 4.5 ± 3.1 and the median serum testosterone was 3.3, which showed that most of the patients with CAD had their testosterone levels in the lower range of normal.

Conclusion:

From the observations made in this study, it was clear that the skewing of serum free testosterone levels toward the lower side of normal can be taken as an indirect evidence that serum free testosterone is inversely related to CAD. There was no significant difference in median testosterone levels with respect to the type of disease. However, a statistically significant positive association between H/o systemic HTN and serum free testosterone level was observed in patients with CAD.
The Value and Limitations of Cell Blocks in Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology
Authors: Bharati Vandna , Kumari Neha , Rao Shalinee , Sindhwani Girish , Chowdhury Nilotpal
Published: August 2021

Background:

Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is recommended for diagnosing bronchial neoplasms and evaluating mediastinal lymph nodes. However, it may not be possible to subtype or definitely categorize many bronchial neoplasms on FNAC smears alone. Obtaining adequate diagnostic material is often a problem. In such cases, cell blocks made from FNAC material may serve as a useful adjunct. Aim: To study the value and limitations of cell blocks in adding diagnostic information to EBUS guided FNAC smears.

Material and Methods:

One hundred and eighty-five cases of EBUS guided FNAC having concomitant cell blocks were reviewed. The cases were evaluated for the extent of adequacy, of definite benign/malignant categorization and of definite subtyping in malignant tumors in these cases. The proportion of cases in which cell blocks added information to FNAC smears alone for the above parameters were calculated.

Results:

Cell blocks provided additional information in 31 out of 185 cases. Cell blocks were necessary for subtyping 24/59 malignant tumors, definite categorization into benign and malignant in 10/140 adequate samples, and increasing adequacy in 6/185 total samples. A total of 45 samples were inadequate in spite of adding information from cell blocks to smears.

Conclusion:

Cell blocks added clinically significant information to EBUS guided FNAC and should be used routinely. To make it more useful, alternative methods of cell block preparation (including proprietary methods) may be evaluated.
Immunoexpression of TTF1 and p63 Differentiates Lung Adenocarcinomas in Sputum Samples
Authors: Veena V. S. , Saritha V. N. , George Preethi Sara , Rajan K. , Jayasree K. , Sujathan K.
Published: August 2021

Context:

Differentiating NSCLC as either adeno or squamous type and identification of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) mutations is clinically relevant for lung cancer patients for selecting treatment. Thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) and p63 were demonstrated as useful markers for histologic typing of lung cancer. Mutation and overexpression of EGFR has been reported in a subset of non-small cell lung cancers. If these markers can be validated for the differential diagnosis of adenocarcinoma in a sputum sample itself, it will be highly beneficial for lung cancer patients.

Aims:

To evaluate whether immunocytochemical expression of TTF-1, p63, and EGFR proteins in sputum samples can be used for differential diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma by comparing with that of the corresponding tissue samples.

Settings and Design:

Ninety sputum samples and matched tissue samples were used for the study.

Subjects and Methods:

Monolayered smears and cell blocks of sputum and the corresponding tissue samples were immunostained with the standard ABC method. The expression patterns of these markers were analyzed statistically and compared with clinic-pathological parameters.

Statistical Analysis Used:

Chi-square test and paired t-test.

Results:

The p63 protein had a positive expression in 73.9% of SCC whereas TTF1 had positive expression in 75.8% of ADC. The EGFR expression was positive in 27 cases of adenocarcinoma, 21 cases of SCC and 19 cases of NSCLC.

Conclusions:

Immunocytochemistry of the aforementioned antibodies in sputum samples can be used as supplementary evidence for the subtyping of NSCLC.
Protecting Rural India from COVID-19
Authors: Kumar Raman
Published: August 2021

The population of India is 1.380 billion. Sixty-five percent of the Indian population lives in rural habitat. However, the healthcare facilities are largely concentrated in urban areas. The first peak of the COVID pandemic peaked in September 2020 gradually declining till mid-February 2021. Rural India has often travel to urban centers for treatment and disease management. The second wave started in March and peaked with a daily number ranging more than 400,000 till May 10th. It is now spreading into rural India. The culture of access to healthcare among rural populations is different from the urban areas. Facilities and infrastructure are also scarce as compared to the urban areas.
Case Report: Post-Chikungunya–Associated Myeloneuropathy
Authors: Patwardhan Ameya , Nalini Atchayaram , Baishya Priyanka Priyadarshini , Kulanthaivelu Karthik , Krishnareddy Haripriya , Dutta Debayan , Chawla Tanushree , Chowdary Ravindranadh Mundlamuri , Yadav Ravi , Vengalil Seena
Published: August 2021

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an arbovirus endemic to South Asia with frequent outbreaks. A wide spectrum of neurological complications has been described in Chikungunya infections. Myeloneuropathy is a rare complication seen in Chikungunya and is proposed to have an underlying immune mediated pathogenesis. We report a case of a 45-year-old man presenting to the emergency services with acute onset of quadriparesis, breathlessness, urinary retention, profound pain, and sensory disturbances 6 weeks after the onset of high-grade fever and arthralgia. On examination, the patient had Medical Research Council grade 1 flaccid quadriparesis with prominent wasting and areflexia with distinct sensory level at T4. Immunoglobulin M CHIKV antibodies were positive, tested twice at a 1-week interval. He had notable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in the form of patchy T2 hyperintensities involving the entire length of the cervical and thoracic cord with normal brain imaging and extensive short tau inversion recovery hyperintense signal changes on muscle MRI. He was treated with five cycles of plasmapheresis and intravenous methylprednisolone followed by oral steroids for 8 weeks. At 20-week follow-up, the patient had improvement in upper limb weakness, but paraparesis persisted. The case highlights the presence of unusual MRI findings and also the importance of early recognition of after infective neurological complications, and prompt treatment with immunomodulation may be beneficial.
Impact of Traditional Healers on the HIV Care Cascade in Senegal, West Africa: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Benzekri Noelle A. , Sambou Jacques F. , Ndong Sanou , Diallo Mouhamadou Baïla , Tamba Ibrahima Tito , Faye Dominique , Sall Ibrahima , Diatta Jean Philippe , Faye Khadim , Sall Fatima , Cisse Ousseynou , Ndour Cheikh T. , Sow Papa Salif , Malomar Jean Jacques , Hawes Stephen E. , Seydi Moussa , Gottlieb Geoffrey S.
Published: August 2021

Consultation with traditional healers (THs) is common among people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. We conducted a prospective longitudinal study to determine the association between consultation with THs and HIV outcomes following 12 months of antiretroviral therapy (ART). HIV-infected individuals presenting for care and initiation of ART in Dakar and Ziguinchor, Senegal were eligible for enrollment. Data were collected using interviews, clinical evaluations, laboratory analyses, and chart reviews at enrollment, 6 months after ART initiation, and 12 months after ART initiation. Among the 186 participants, 35.5% consulted a TH. The most common reason for consulting a TH was “mystical” concerns (18%). Those who consulted a TH before ART initiation were more likely to present with a CD4 count < 200 cells/mm3 (44% versus 28%; P = 0.04) and WHO stage 3 or 4 disease (64% versus 46%; P = 0.03), and they were less likely to disclose their HIV status (44% versus 65%; P = 0.04). Those who consulted a TH more than 6 months after ART initiation were more likely to report poor adherence to ART (57% versus 4%; P < 0.01). The strongest predictor of virologic failure was consulting a TH more than 6 months after ART initiation (odd ratio [OR], 7.43; 95% CI, 1.22–45.24). The strongest predictors of mortality were consulting a TH before ART initiation (OR, 3.53; 95% CI, 1.25–9.94) and baseline CD4 count < 200 cells/mm3 (OR, 3.15; 95% CI, 1.12–8.89). Our findings reveal multiple opportunities to strengthen the HIV care cascade through partnerships between THs and biomedical providers. Future studies to evaluate the impact of these strategies on HIV outcomes are warranted.
Assessment of trace metal contamination by geochemical normalisation in sediments of two lagoons: A comparative study of the Kpeshie and Muni lagoons, Ghana
Authors: Dorleku M. K. , Tay C. , Kumi K. M. , Amoah D. K. , Yawson L. , Hodgson I. O.
Published: August 2021

Heavy metal contamination status of bottom sediments of two lagoons was compared by the employment of Enrichment Factor (EF) analysis for Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Cupper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni), Silver (Ag), Zinc (Zn) and Mercury (Hg). Kpeshie Lagoon recorded enrichment (EF ≥ 1) for Cd, Pb, Ag, Hg and Zn, whilst Muni Lagoon recorded enrichment for Cd, Mn, Ag, Hg and Zn as metals of anthropogenic influence. Kpeshie, situated in a highly urbanized area, has 75% spatial distribution of Pb enrichment. The assessment shows that Ag and Hg are the most enriched metals in the sediments of both Lagoons, reaching extremely severe levels. Only Mn showed statistically significant difference in mean concentration of metals for both Lagoons. Pearson correlation matrix indicated that Pb had a strong relation with Ag, Hg and Zn (r = 0.956; p < 0.05) which is significant in Kpeshie. It also had a strong association with Ag and Hg but not with Zn (r = 0.240) in the Muni. The study clearly delineates Pb as a pollutant that designates the urban status of Kpeshie. Its associated metals; Ag, Hg and Zn which may be coming from a common source are from industrialized zones.
Türkiye’nin 2007-2013 Dönemi Avrupa Birliği Kırsal Kalkınma (IPARD) Fonlarını Kullanımı Üzerine Bir Araştırma
Authors: Yusuf ÖZTÜRKCİ
Published: August 2021

Avrupa Birliği (AB) aday ve potansiyel aday ülkelere sağlamış olduğu mali yardımları Katılım Öncesi Mali Yardım Aracı (InsturumentforPre-accession Assistance-IPA) olarak tek çatı altında toplamıştır. Türkiye, aday ülke statüsünde bulunduğundan IPA çatısı altında bulunan beş bileşenden de mali kaynak sağlamaktadır. Bu kapsamda ülkemiz beşinci bileşen olan Kırsal kalkınma (Rural Development) bileşeninden (IPARD) yararlanmaya başlamıştır. Türkiye için tahsis edilen Kırsal Kalkınma (IPARD) fonlarının kullanımını sağlamak üzere, Tarım ve Kırsal Kalkınmayı Destekleme Kurumu (TKDK) 2007 yılında 5648 sayılı kanunla kurulmuştur. Tahsis edilen fonların kullanımı için kurulan TKDK’nın fonları kullanabilmesi için AB’den yetki devri alma şartı getirilmiş ve Türkiye tarafından yetki devri 2011 yılında alınmıştır. TKDK ilk aşamada 20 il koordinatörlüğü, ikinci aşamada 22 il koordinatörlüğü olmak üzere 42 ilde faaliyetlerini sürdürmektedirler. TKDK program dahilinde hayvancılık kapsamında et (kırmızı ve kanatlı)ve süt üretimi gıda işleme kapsamında et ve et ürünleri, süt ve süt ürünleri, su ürünleri, meyve sebze işleme ve pazarlama, kırsal alanların kalkınmasına yönelik arıcılık, tıbbi aromatik ve süs bitkisi yetiştiriciliği, zanaatkarlık, yerel tarım gıda ürünlerinin üretimi işlenmesi ve pazarlanması, kırsal turizm, kültür balıkçılığı gibi yatırımları desteklemektedir. Programın ilk yedi yıllık uygulama döneminde (2007-2013)  10.693 proje ile sözleşme imzalanarak yatırıma dönüştürülmüş, tahsis edilen 854,6 milyon avroluk bütçenin %99.52’sini kullandırmış, program süresince yaklaşık 6.7 milyar TL’lik yatırıma ve 3.15 milyar TL’lik hibe desteği sağlanmıştır. Desteklenen yatırımlar sonucunda 57 bin yeni istihdam oluşturulmuştur. Proje başvurusunda bulunan kişi ya da temsilcilerinin kadın ya da genç olmasına öncelik verilmesinden dolayı 40 yaş altı 4.572 yatırımcı ve 1.055 kadın yatırımcı desteklenmiştir. Bu çalışmada Türkiye’de IPARD fonları ile desteklenen yatırımlar hakkında bir inceleme yapılmış ve konu hakkında bilgilendirme amaçlanmıştır.
An Erd\H{o}s--Hajnal analogue for permutation classes
Authors: Vatter Vincent
Published: August 2021

Let $\mathcal{C}$ be a permutation class that does not contain all layered
permutations or all colayered permutations. We prove that there is a constant
$c$ such that every permutation in $\mathcal{C}$ of length $n$ contains a
monotone subsequence of length $cn$.
Complexity aspects of the computation of the rank of a graph
Authors: Ramos Igor , Santos Vinícius F. , Szwarcfiter Jayme L.
Published: August 2021

Special issue PRIMA 2013

We consider the P₃-convexity on simple undirected graphs, in which a set of vertices S is convex if no vertex outside S has two or more neighbors in S. The convex hull H(S) of a set S is the smallest convex set containing S as a subset. A set S is a convexly independent set if v \not ∈ H(S\setminus \v\) for all v in S. The rank \rk(G) of a graph is the size of the largest convexly independent set. In this paper we consider the complexity of determining \rk(G). We show that the problem is NP-complete even for split or bipartite graphs with small diameter. We also show how to determine \rk(G) in polynomial time for the well structured classes of graphs of trees and threshold graphs. Finally, we give a tight upper bound for \rk(G), which in turn gives a tight upper bound for the Radon number as byproduct, which is the same obtained before by Henning, Rautenbach and Schäfer. Additionally, we briefly show that the problem is NP-complete also in the monophonic convexity.
Diversities and the Geometry of Hypergraphs
Authors: Bryant David , Tupper Paul
Published: August 2021

Special issu PRIMA 2013

The embedding of finite metrics in 1 has become a fundamental tool for both combinatorial optimization and large-scale data analysis. One important application is to network flow problems as there is close relation between max-flow min-cut theorems and the minimal distortion embeddings of metrics into 1. Here we show that this theory can be generalized to a larger set of combinatorial optimization problems on both graphs and hypergraphs. This theory is not built on metrics and metric embeddings, but on diversities, a type of multi-way metric introduced recently by the authors. We explore diversity embeddings, 1 diversities, and their application to Steiner Tree Packing and Hypergraph Cut problems.
On the numbers of radial orderings of planar point sets
Authors: Dıaz-Banez José Miguel , Fabila-Monroy Ruy , Pérez-Lantero Pablo
Published: August 2021

Combinatorics

Given a set S of n points in the plane, a radial ordering of S with respect to a point p (not in S) is a clockwise circular ordering of the elements in S by angle around p. If S is two-colored, a colored radial ordering is a radial ordering of S in which only the colors of the points are considered. In this paper, we obtain bounds on the number of distinct non-colored and colored radial orderings of S. We assume a strong general position on S, not three points are collinear and not three lines 14;each passing through a pair of points in S 14;intersect in a point of ℝ2 S. In the colored case, S is a set of 2n points partitioned into n red and n blue points, and n is even. We prove that: the number of distinct radial orderings of S is at most O(n4) and at least Ω(n3); the number of colored radial orderings of S is at most O(n4) and at least Ω(n); there exist sets of points with Θ(n4) colored radial orderings and sets of points with only O(n2) colored radial orderings.
On permutation complexity of fixed points of some uniform binary morphisms
Authors: Valyuzhenich Alexandr
Published: August 2021

Combinatorics

We study properties of infinite permutations generated by fixed points of some uniform binary morphisms, and find the formula for their complexity.
Snarks with total chromatic number 5
Authors: Brinkmann Gunnar , Preissmann Myriam , Sasaki Diana
Published: August 2021

Graph Theory

A k-total-coloring of G is an assignment of k colors to the edges and vertices of G, so that adjacent and incident elements have different colors. The total chromatic number of G, denoted by χT(G), is the least k for which G has a k-total-coloring. It was proved by Rosenfeld that the total chromatic number of a cubic graph is either 4 or 5. Cubic graphs with χT = 4 are said to be Type 1, and cubic graphs with χT = 5 are said to be Type 2. Snarks are cyclically 4-edge-connected cubic graphs that do not allow a 3-edge-coloring. In 2003, Cavicchioli et al. asked for a Type 2 snark with girth at least 5. As neither Type 2 cubic graphs with girth at least 5 nor Type 2 snarks are known, this is taking two steps at once, and the two requirements of being a snark and having girth at least 5 should better be treated independently. In this paper we will show that the property of being a snark can be combined with being Type 2. We will give a construction that gives Type 2 snarks for each even vertex number n≥40. We will also give the result of a computer search showing that among all Type 2 cubic graphs on up to 32 vertices, all but three contain an induced chordless cycle of length 4. These three exceptions contain triangles. The question of the existence of a Type 2 cubic graph with girth at least 5 remains open.