bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Projects and Reality: Industrial Construction in the First Five-Year Plans in the Central Urals
Authors: Kamenskaya Ekaterina
Published: January 2021

This article considers the peculiarities of designing industrial enterprises and their settlements in the USSR during the first five-year plans. Referring to the Pyshminsky Electrolytic Copper Plant (Rus. PMEZ) and Medny Rudnik, the settlement around it, the author carries out a comparative analysis of its designs and their implementation. The author refers to the collections of the State Archive of Sverdlovsk Region, periodicals, and materials related to plans for the economic development of the Urals and the USSR. Analysis of the main decisions demonstrates a gradual departure from the project in each of the points, often caused by subjective reasons. The plan of the settlement combined ideas of new Soviet everyday life and real conditions, reflecting national trends in the life of an individual enterprise and locality. The construction of the PMEZ and its settlement is compared with other projects from the first five-year plans (Uralmash, Magnitostroy, etc.), singling out typical and specific features. The author pays special attention to the reasons for a significant discrepancy between what was initially planned and what was implemented, such as insufficient funding, constant short-ages of materials and equipment, lack of personnel, changing administrative trends, the specialisation of regions and industrial complexes, and architectural policy. Many elements of the projects were unrealistic, and some solutions that were implemented but proved unsustainable reveal serious problems in the field of industrial design in the USSR between the 1920s and 1930s.
International Specialists in the Construction of the Magnitka in Journalism and Ego-Documents
Authors: Kamynin Vladimir , Lazareva Elena
Published: January 2021

This article analyses a complex of journalistic and historical sources on the relationship between Soviet and international specialists during the construction of the Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (colloquially known as Magnitka). The authors demonstrate the relevance of this topic for contemporary Russian historiography, as many of its aspects have not been studied until now. The article considers questions connected with the role of international engineers and workers in the construction of the enterprise. Journalistic sources are particularly valuable because the facts are described by participants in the events themselves; however, due to the subjectivity of human perception, it is necessary to compare such information with other documentary evidence. The article analyses the reasons for both the positive and negative attitudes of Soviet and Western experts towards each other. Special attention is paid to the topic of the mutual perception of Soviet and international specialists during the First Five-Year Plan. The study reveals that when analysing the issue, it is necessary to take into account the main factors of the authors’ subjective perception, such as their country of origin, level of education, profession, positions they held, their contacts, and the influence of the Soviet political environment. As a result of these factors, Ya. S. Gugel, head of the construction of the Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works, journalist S. D. Narinyani, and the American worker D. Scott perceived and interpreted the relations of Soviet and international participants in the construction of the Magnitka differently. The study concludes that the basis for mutual perception was not so much personal qualities as different approaches to solving production problems. The peculiarity of the Magnitka was the clash of two tactics: “Western conservatism” vs “Soviet adventurism.” Principles of strict adherence to the technological process lay at the basis of international, primarily American and German, experience, while the basis of Soviet mentality was the “Bolshevik pace”. The historical value of journalistic sources is that the authors of the early 1930s directly assessed the contribution that international experts made to the establishment of Soviet industrial giants. At the same time, they were subject to the rules of the propaganda war between the USSR and Western powers.
Party Political Course and Ukrainian History in the USSR
Authors: Lazarev Yakov
Published: January 2021

This article offers contextual analysis of unpublished editorials from one of the issues of Voprosy Istorii academic journal, published in 1955. The issue focuses on the problems of studying the history of Ukraine and was written by N. L. Rubinstein, an outstanding Soviet historian and historiographer. The historian discusses the problems related to the history of Ukraine between the fifteenth and nineteenth centuries, as well as the formulation of the academic heritage of pre-revolutionary historians and the “school” of M. S. Grushevsky. The need to overcome a dependence on the conceptual heritage of “Ukrainian bourgeois-nationalist historiography”, which, according to the historian, practically leveled the achievements of Ukrainian scholars, is a red thread through the article. A kind of “familiar track effect” caused significant gaps in the study of Ukrainian 17th- and 18th-century history, as well as the dominance of negative assessments in understanding the process of integration of Ukraine into the Russian state. For the first time in Soviet historical science, the unpublished editorial voiced the need to overcome the monopoly on the study of Ukrainian history held exclusively by institutions of the Ukrainian SSR. In this regard, Rubinstein paid special attention to the Institute of History of the USSR Academy of Sciences, which, in his view, had to be transformed into a key organisational centre for future research. All this suggests a potential divide in the academic study of Ukrainian history in the USSR and its conceptual rethinking, since Rubinstein was highlighting existing research issues. Via the case study of the unpublished Rubinstein editorial, the author demonstrates how the production of academic texts and regulation of research in the USSR were closely intertwined with administrative academic positions and personal connections of Moscow academics and Ukrainian historians (sometimes informally). Under these conditions, the directives of the party leadership at the centre and in the provinces fell into a certain dependence on the internal organsation of the academic community. Existing personal connections opened the way for a kind of academic lobbyism. This kind of lobbying paved the way for the entry of controversial ideas, interpretations, and conceptions that did not fit into the existing ideological framework in the difficult political conditions of the day.
The Economic Policies of the Khrushchev Decade: Historiography
Authors: Artemov Evgeny , Vodichev Evgeny
Published: January 2021

This paper analyses the historiography of the economic policy of the Khrushchev decade, revealing debated issues and gaps in the study of the field. The authors review works published on this issue, relying on the principles of historicism traditional for historiographical research, i. e. grouping methods based on the classification of problem fields in academic literature and methodological approaches used in scholarship. As a result of the research, the authors conclude that despite a solid groundwork in the study of the economic policy of the Khrushchev decade, a few fundamental issues have not yet been resolved. In particular, there is no universal periodisation. It is also not clear at what expenses were planned for increasing the economy’s efficiency, why this could not be achieved, and what role was played by scientific and technological progress. Additionally, it is not quite clear to what extent this was based on borrowing foreign technologies and/or practical mastery of the results of research produced in the country and how the military-industrial orientation of economic policy was supplemented by the consumer-oriented component and what consequences this led to. Furthermore, there are no special studies on several aspects of the integrated economic policy, such as investment, fiscal and monetary policies, price and income regulation, and the planning and financing of the defense industry. The authors consider the study of these topics, along with deepening the historiographical directions that have already been developed, an urgent task.
Uma espiritualidade biopolítica? Etnografia entre freiras, crianças e adolescentes portadores de HIV/AIDS
Authors: Brum Asher
Published: January 2021

Resumo: Paul Rabinow e Nikolas Rose entendem que a população gerida pelo governo biopolítico se configura em diversas “coletividades biossociais emergentes” fundamentadas na transformação da natureza pela cultura e pela técnica. Desse modo, meu objetivo é analisar uma dessas coletividades para problematizar o papel da espiritualidade no contexto biopolítico contemporâneo. Meu objeto é um grupo composto pelas Irmãs Franciscanas Angelinas, por voluntários e por famílias, pessoas unidas em torno da questão do HIV/AIDS entre crianças e adolescentes. Argumento que as autoridades religiosas dessa coletividade produzem uma forma de espiritualidade atravessada pelos discursos biomédico e farmacêutico e que tem como sentido a sacralidade da vida. Analiso o material etnográfico que coletei em 2019 na cidade de Campo Grande (MS).
Agenciamentos afrocatólicos: modulações, tensões, transformações nas festas religiosas em Salvador
Authors: Ramos Cleidiana , Tavares Fátima
Published: January 2021

Resumo: No artigo, propomos abordar os agenciamentos das festas religiosas em Salvador que acontecem durante o verão, chamando a atenção para visibilidade midiática e a diversidade da cultura afrocatólica. Para a compreensão desses processos, tomamos como principal referência as reportagens do jornal A Tarde ao longo do século XX e início deste século (o mais antigo periódico em circulação na cidade), cotejando com a literatura especializada sobre o tema e com nossa participação em edições recentes das festas. São apresentados disputas, articulações e acontecimentos transcorridos nessa extensão do tempo: as festas se expandiram e se encolheram, entretecendo consigo o espaço urbano, apresentando diferentes performances religiosas que estimulam as transformações festivas.
Nursing Care Perception and Satisfaction Levels of Surgical Patients
Authors: ÖZŞAKER Esma , SEVİLMİŞ Hüda , ÖZCAN Yasemin , SAMAST Merve
Published: January 2021

Objective: This study was conducted to examine the Nursing Care Perception and Satisfaction Levels of Surgical Patients.
Materials and Methods: The sample of this descriptive and cross-sectional study consisted of 300 patients aged 18 and over, who accepted to participate in the study, who were hospitalized at a university hospital surgical clinics between 17 December 2018 and 15 March 2019. Data were collected with the “Patient Information Form” and “Newcastle Nursing Satisfaction Scale” and ”Perception of Nursing Care of Scale” created by the researchers. Percentage, mean, t test, ANOVA, Kruskal Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test and Pearson’s correlation analysis were used to evaluate the data.This study was supported by Ege University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit(Project Number: TLP-2019-20440).
Results: The mean satisfaction score of the patients hospitalized in surgical clinics was 79.86 ± 19.31 and the mean score of perception of nursing care was 68.03 ± 9.87. It was found that there was a statistically significant relationship between the total score average of the Newcastle nursing satisfaction scale and the total score average of the perception of nursing care scale (r =, 665; p =, 000). While there was no significant difference between gender, marital status, residence, social security, previous hospital experience and satisfaction with care (p> 0.05), a significant difference was found in terms of education level and chronic disease status, type of hospitalization, number of patients in the room. (p <0.05).
Conclusion: Surgical patients were highly satisfied with nursing care, there is a significant relationship between their perception of nursing care and nursing care satisfaction levels, as the educational level of the patients increased, their perception of satisfaction decreased.
Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography, Percutaneous Biliary Drainage and Metallic Endoprotesis Applications in Malign Biliary Obstructions
Authors: BAYRAM ILIKAN Gülşah , AKMANGİT İlkay
Published: January 2021

Objective:We aimed to present the effectiveness of percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, percutaneous biliary drainage and metallic endoprotesis applications in patients with inoperable biliary obstructions.
Materials and Methods: Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiographies(PTC) and percutaneous biliary drainages (PBD) were performed in 44 patients with inoperabl malignant obstructive jaundice who had been hospitalized in the radiology department of our hospital over a three years period. Six patients (13.6%) underwent external biliary drainage(EBD), 27 patients (61.4%) underwent internal-external biliary drainage(I-EBD) and metallic stents were placed in 11 patients (25%) on average 6 days (1-34 days) after I-EBD. The mean total bilirubin(TB), ALP, ALT, AST, GGT values taken before and after drainage in all patients were compared.
Results: Biliary drainage was technically successful in all patients.İn the first two weeks after biliary drainage, 38 cases (86%) had a general condition improvement, weakness and itching decreased. The mean TB;19,41 ± 9,09; 9,39 ± 15,34, ALP; 701,27 ± 352,53 ; 357,48 ± 268,70, ALT; 122,45 ± 75,42; 62,91 ± 61,90, AST; 129,14 ± 84,31; 94,93 ± 118,79, GGT; 684,48 ± 428,83; 322,39 ± 253,26 values taken before and after drainage in all patients were compared and a significant decrease was found in the post-procedure values (p<0,050). In the follow-up, minor complications were observed in 10 patients (22.7%).
Conclusion: It is necessary to prevent inoperable patients from entering hepato-renal failure in order to prolong life time as much as possible. PBD and stent applications significantly improves impaired liver function, allowing the patients general condition improvement. Low complication rates and quickyl improving general condition of patients without need for another surgery gradually increase the value of this radiological intervention.
The Effects of Immunophenotyping with Flow Cytometry on Prognosis in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: AYDİN KÖKER Sultan , OYMAK Yesim , VERGİN Raziye , İNCE Dilek , GENEL Fearh
Published: January 2021

Background: The identification of immunophenotype subgroups is very important for the diagnosis and prognosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia(ALL).
Material and Methods: The study included 105 children with ALL(65 males, 40 females; mean age 5.9±3.8 years) who were treated TR-ALL 2000(modified) BFM treatment protocol.
Results: The distributions of EGIL classification were pro-B ALL(n=1), common B ALL(n=46), pre-B ALL(n=40), pre-T ALL(n=8), cortical T ALL(n=6), and mature T ALL(n=4). Leukocyte≥100,000/mm³, lymphadenopathy≥2 cm, mediastinal involvement were commonly identified in T ALL group. T ALL had a poor response to chemotherapy according to 8th-day peripheral circulation blast counts and 15th-day bone marrow aspiration(BMA) blast counts. The recurrence, mortality, and death rate in the induction period of treatment were frequently detected in T ALL group. The variables that had prognostic potential, as indicated by univariate analyses, were leukocyte count, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and lymphadenopathy at the time of diagnosis, 8th-day steroid response, 15th-day BMA response, risk group, recurrence, and immunophenotyping. Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that only the leukocyte count(HR 2.51, p < 0.001) was a predictor of prognosis.
Conclusion: Immunophenotyping may be effective in the diagnosis and prognosis of ALL, identification of risk groups, and in risk-based treatment planning. T ALL had a poor prognosis.
Relationship of COVID-19 Pandemic with Anxiety, Anger, Sleep and Emotion Regulation in Healthcare Professionals
Authors: SÖĞÜTLÜ Yakup , SÖĞÜTLÜ Lütfiye , GÖKTAŞ Seyyide Şifa
Published: January 2021

Objective: Epidemic diseases have caused significant mental reponses throughout the society and especially healthcare professionals, as well as those who have been infected. Healthcare professionals have a big role in the fight against the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19). When the literature is reviewed in terms of risky professions, as the cases increase, the psychological influence has increased significantly among the healthcare professionals dealing with the care of patients as an occupational group. The aim of this study is to research the effect of pandemic on anxiety, anger, sleep and emotion regulation in healthcare professionals.
Method: The study included 261 doctors and 145 nurses. Data were collected by the Sociodemographic Data Form, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAEI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS).
Results: State anxiety levels 50.5%, anger levels 34.8%, insomnia severity levels 35.4% and 36.1% of emotion regulation difficulty levels were detected of healthcare professions. It was determined that the state anxiety level increases the levels of trait anger and insomnia severity, the level of emotion regulation difficulty increases the levels of trait anger and the level of insomnia severity increases the level of trait anger of healthcare professions significantly.
Conclusion: We consider that the study will be guiding in terms of the degree of mental response of the healthcare professionals and the psychological and social support to be given to this group after the pandemic.
Effects Of Age, Body Mass Index, Complete Blood Count Parameters, and Biochemical Parameters on Stable COPD Patients
Authors: EMİN Muhammed , BALCI Aydın
Published: January 2021

Aim: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is worldwide and mainly affects the elderly. It is often impossible to define COPD with specific lines, and it has no complete cure procedure, mostly established by guidelines. The GOLD guideline uses a sectional COPD evaluation approach to group patients by symptoms and former history of exacerbations. The concurrent detection of various biomarkers reflecting different pathobiological pathways might help recognize patients with an increased risk of death. Studies showed that obesity is related to decreased lung function in the general population due to respiratory mechanics, muscular discomfort, and breath control.Material and Method: Ninety patients with COPD, whose mean age was 62, and 74% were male, were divided into four groups as A, B, C, and D according to the GOLD classification, were included in our study. Analyses were conducted to investigate the association between biochemical parameters, BMI, age, gender, and disease severity, according to GOLD subgroups.Results: It has been demonstrated that COPD patients are generally over the age of 40 and age correlates with the severity of the disease consistent with previous studies. Our study has shown that COPD usually occurs over the age of 40, and there is a relationship between advanced age and the severity of COPD.Conclusion: Our results are consistent with previous studies where COPD patients are usually over 40 years old, and age is linked to disease severity. While the BMI values of the patients in group B were higher than those of group A, it was compatible with studies showing the relationship between obesity and severity of COPD; being higher than C and D groups was consistent with the studies revealing the obesity paradox. Crp, Procalcitonin, Sedimentation, Calcium, Magnesium levels, and other complete blood count values showed no significant difference between GOLD groups.
Sparfloxacin Distribution in Human Saliva
Authors: M Kolaci , L Deda
Published: January 2021

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the penetration of sparfloxacin in mixed human saliva after a single oral dose of 400mg in Caucasian healthy subjects.
Comparison of the Efficacy of 3 Anti-Viral Regimens Containing Kaletra, Ribavirin and Sofosbuvir in COVID 19 Disease
Authors: A Davoudi , N Najafi , E Sphandyari , HA Kasgari , A Tayebi , A Akbari , M Tabarestani , AM Beyzaee
Published: January 2021

Background: New therapeutic options are urgently needed to handle the ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). As some antiviral therapeutic regimens are assumed to be helpful, we decided to compare the efficacy of kaletra, kaletra plus ribavirin, and kaletra plus ribavirin plus sofosbuvir, as three different therapeutic regimens in covid 19 patients.
The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Computed Tomography Image Reconstruction: A Systematic Review
Authors:   Medical Radiation Imaging and Radiation Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, Lee Theresa , Seeram Euclid ,   Medical Radiation Imaging and Radiation Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
Published: January 2021

Background Current image reconstruction techniques in computed tomography (CT) such as filtered back-projection (FBP) and iterative reconstruction (IR) have limited use in low-dose CT imaging due to poor image quality and reconstruction times not fit for clinical implementation. Hence, with the increasing need for radiation dose reductions in CT, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in image reconstruction has been an area of growing interest. Aim The aim of this review is to examine the use of AI in CT image reconstruction and its effectiveness in enabling further dose reductions through improvements in image quality of low-dose CT images. Method A review of the literature from 2016 to 2020 was conducted using the databases Scopus, Ovid MEDLINE, and PubMed. A subsequent search of several well-known journals was performed to obtain additional information. After careful assessment, articles were excluded if they were not obtainable from the databases or not available in English. Results This review found that deep learning-based algorithms demonstrate promising results in improving the image quality of low-dose images through noise suppression, artefact reduction, and structure preservation in addition to optimising IR methods. Conclusion In conclusion, with the two AI-based CT systems currently in clinical use showing favourable benefits, it is expected that AI algorithms will continue to proliferate and enable significant dose reductions in CT imaging.
Does pes planus influence standing balance in elementary school-age children?
Authors: Takács Mária , Nagymáté Gergely , M. Kiss Rita
Published: January 2021

Purpose: No any research in literature was found to investigate the effect of pes planus on standing balance in school-aged children. Any kind of change in the arches (height, flexibility) may increase the possibility of a change in standing balance. The aim of present study is to determine the influence of pes planus on the standing balance of school-aged children based on independent time-distance and frequency based parameters. Materials and Methods: Subjects included 177 children (105 neutral and 72 with pes planus). The parameters were determined from the motion of the centre of pressure (COP) on a platform equipped with pressure gauge sensors, on which the subjects were standing for 60 seconds with both feet and open eyes. Results: When comparing the neutral and pes planus groups, none of the 17 time-distance and frequency based parameters showed any significant difference (p≥0.169). Conclusion: The results show that pes planus does not affect significantly standing balance; the differences (however not significant) between the two groups showed a poorer postural control in school-aged children with pes planus. It may be compensated by the increased ML dimension of the base of support.
The elements of fluid mechanics of bile flow through biliary drainage catheters
Authors: Li Wenguang
Published: January 2021

Obstructive jaundice in the biliary tract can infect blood and result in mortality with a high rate. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) with catheters is a useful solution discharging the obstructive jaundice. However, the elements of fluid mechanics showing clinical performance of a PTBD catheter have been documented little so far. In the article, empirical relationships between bile flow rate and pressure gradient in PTBD catheters were studied in terms of equivalent friction factor for the first time. Firstly, an equivalent friction factor in a catheter was raised and determined based on existing in vitro experimental data of bile flow through the catheters with different materials, various inner diameters and lengths under various pressure differences. Then, an empirical correlation of bile flow rate through a catheter was established based on pressure gradient, inner diameter and bile viscosity. The correlation was used to identify effects of catheter inner diameter and bile viscosity on the bile flow rate under the physiological bile pressure difference across obstructed common bile ducts. The feature of minor hydraulic losses in the catheters was clarified, too. The proposed equivalent friction factor was proportional to Reynolds number in a power of -0.654 in comparison with a power of -1 for the fully developed laminar flow in circular pipes. The bile flow rate through a catheter was proportional to inner diameter, kinematic viscosity, and pressure gradient in the powers of 3.2, -0.5 and 0.74, respectively. The minor hydraulic losses could be significant when Reynolds number was greater than 100.
Tranexamic acid in primary total knee arthroplasty: ideal route of administration
Authors: Gupta Rakesh K. , Potalia Raj Singh , Majumdar Pradyumna Krishna , Singh Parth , Neogi Avik
Published: January 2021

Background & Study Aims: Consensus is lacking regarding the optimal route and dose of administration of Tranexamic acid (TXA) so this study was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of topical, oral and intravenous routes (iv) of TXA with routine hemostasis alone in patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Materials and methods: A prospective randomized trial was conducted in patients undergoing primary TKA. Patients were divided into four groups of 50 each; group 1 received intraarticular TXA, group 2 received oral TXA three hours before surgery, group 3 received IV TXA just before tourniquet release and group 4 did not receive TXA. Post-operative drain volume (PODV), fall in haemoglobin (Hb) level and the required amount of blood transfusion were evaluated. Results: PODV and drop in Hb level respectively were (158±90 ml and 1±0.5 g/dl) in group 1, (328±149 ml and 1.7±0.7 g/dl) in group 2, (311±151 ml and 2.1±1 g/dl) in group 3 and (589±115 ml and 3.2±1.2 g/dl) in group 4. The difference in drain volume between all groups was statistically significant except between groups 2 and 3. Transfusion requirements were significantly greater in group 4 (p< 0.001). Conclusions: Intra-articular, oral and IV TXA were observed to be safe strategies and more effective than tamponade effect alone to reduce drain volume and transfusion requirements after TKA. Additionally, intra-articular TXA was better than oral or IV TXA with respect to drain volume and post-op drop in Hb
Állatkísérleti modell kidolgozása rácsos mikroszerkezetű titán implantátumok értékelésére
Authors: Csernátony Zoltán , Kovács Ágnes Éva , Csámer Loránd , Zhang Lei , Manó Sándor
Published: January 2021

A csontszövet az emberi szervezet egyetlen olyan szövete, mely teljes regenerációra képes, a sérü- lések gyógyulását azonban számos tényező befolyásolhatja. A csontdefektusok pótlására már szá- mos mesterségesen előállított, nemfémes és fémes anyagot is kipróbáltak. A beültetésre használt fémekkel kapcsolatban hatalmas fejlődés tapasztalható, a titán és tantál kiemelkedő jelentőségűvé vált. Ezekkel az anyagokkal kapcsolatban számos kísérleti állaton próbáltak és próbálnak tapasztalatokat szerezni. A modellállatok kiválasztásánál a legkülönbözőbb szempontok jönnek szóba, a mozgásszervi sebészet is számos modellállatot használt az elmúlt évtizedekben. Az állatfajok széles spektruma a kutatások különböző mértékű előrehaladottságával csak részben magyarázható. Az állatkísérletek során különböző rácstípusú fémek viselkedését vizsgálták és vizsgálják abból a szempontból, hogy a csontszövet melyikbe tud eredményesebben belenőni különféle paraméterek tükrében. A különböző fémekből, fémötvözetekből készült implantátumok előállítási módjaként teret nyert a 3D nyomtatás, ennek gyors fejlődése és terjedése fogja lehetővé tenni, hogy custommade módon és megfizethető áron, kivárható időintervallumban álljanak rendelkezésünkre a szükséges pótlások, speciális implantátumok.
EVALUATION OF SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC, LABORATORY, AND PROGNOSIS OF EXTRAPULMONARY AND PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS AMONG CHILDREN IN SULAIMANI CITY FROM 2014 TO 2019
Authors: Salih Khalid
Published: January 2021

Background 

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem in both developing and developed countries. Children with Tuberculosis is also achieve epidemiological indicators in terms of forming the future Tuberculosis pool. The diagnosis of Tuberculosis is difficult in children because there is no standard clinical and radiological description. 

Objectives 

We aimed to evaluate and compare the sociodemographic, medical history, laboratory, and radiologic findings of childhood pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB.

Patients and Methods

The medical records of childhood TB patients aged from 1st month of life to 15 years old for six years between the  1st January 2014 and the 31st December 2019 were reviewed. All patients with pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB were included. A predesigned questionnaire was used to document information of patient’s record which included; demographic data, medical history, radiological, laboratory finding, and prognosis.

Results

Sixty medical records files of children with tuberculosis were recorded in this study. 47 (78.3%) of them had extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) and 13 (21.7%) had pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). female patients were more in both; PTB 8 (61.5%) and EPTB 25 (53.2%0, totally 33(55.0%) compared to the male with PTB which were 5 (38.5%) ,and 22 (46.8%) EPTB with no significant difference statistically (p=0.59), TB was more common in children less than 5 which account 31 (51.7%) especially EPTB were 29 (61.7%) then 2nd most common age were 11-15 year and were 21 (35.0). Least involved were between 5-10 and they were 8 (13.3). There was a significant difference statistically between the incidence of PTB and the incidence of EPTB in deferent groups, regarding the age (P value 0.01).

Conclusion

Age, living in a rural area, and contact history were significant variables in our study and all three parameters were more common in EPTB. laboratory finding. (TB skin test, GeneXpert test, ESR and chest x-ray)are an important tool for diagnosis and differentiation of PTTB from EPTB.
BURR-HOLE DRAINAGE WITH DRAIN VERSUS BURR-HOLE DRAINAGE WITH DRAIN AND IRRIGATION IN TREATING CHRONIC SUBDURAL HEMATOMA: A CASE-CONTROL STUDY
Authors: Salih Ari , Nadhim Ari
Published: January 2021

Background 

Chronic subdural hematoma is a common neurosurgical condition. Its prevalence is increasing worldwide due to the increasingly aged population. Craniotomy, twist-drill craniostomy, and burr-hole drainage and drain with or without irrigation are among the very first lines of its management.

Objectives 

We used burr-hole drainage with drain versus burr-hole drainage with drain and irrigation to find out which method is better regarding the outcome of chronic subdural hematoma treatment.

Patients and Methods

a case-control study design was used to inspect retrospectively both techniques in 47 patients. Twenty-one patients were treated with burr-hole drainage with drain only, and 26 were treated with burr-hole drainage with drain and irrigation.

Results

We found no statistically different association between the two types of operations and their outcomes (P value= 0.083 and Pearson’s R Correlation= 0.029).

Conclusion

As long as there is no differences between the two techniques, irrigation is not necessary after burr-hole drainage of chronic subdural hematoma. It requires more time, more exposure of the patient to anesthetic agents, and increases the risk of both infection and pneumocephalus.
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PRE-TRIGGER SERUM PROGESTERONE LEVEL AND CONCEPTION RATE AFTER A FRESH EMBRYO TRANSFER IN IVF-ICSI CYCLES
Authors: Abdullah Zhiyan
Published: January 2021

Background 

High progesterone (P4) level in the late follicular phase during in vitro fertilization (IVF) - intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles had been claimed to have associations with decreased pregnancy rate; however, the evidence is still not clear.

Objectives 

The aim was to determine the effect of serum P4 on pregnancy outcomes among IVF-ICSI cycles.

Patients and Methods

The prospective observational study was conducted on 997 patients who underwent IVF-ICSI cycles in the International Private IVF Center in Sulaimani from January 1st, 2017 to January 1st, 2019. Blood samples were collected for serum P4 on the day of the ovulation trigger. Ovum pickup was done 36 hours later, and serum P4 was correlated with IVF-ICSI outcome in terms of positive conception rate. The patients were subdivided into four subgroups depending on different age groups, conception rates and serum P4 were studied in each age group.

Results

The average serum P4 for positive and negative pregnancy groups among patients was 0.766 ng/ml and 0.803 ng/ml, respectively, with a statistically significant difference (P-value=0.035). Also, P4 for positive and negative groups was 0.852 ng/ml and 0.804 ng/ml, respectively, for the age group of 35-39 years (P-value=0.014). 

Conclusion

Pregnancy may still occur with high P4, and the need to identify the subgroup of cycles with elevated P4 does not signify implantation failure or reduction, is still in question. Therefore, more studies are needed before making decisions like freezing all embryo or cycle cancelation based on the level of serum P4 alone.
THE VALIDITY OF ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC QTC INTERVAL IN PREDICTING LEFT VENTRICULAR DIASTOLIC DYSFUNCTION IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS
Authors: Kareem Hemn , Al-Hamdi Amar
Published: January 2021

Background 

The QT interval extends from the onset of the QRS complex to the end of the T wave. Thus, it includes the total duration of ventricular activation and recovery and, in a general sense, reflects the duration of the ventricular action potential. The QT interval on electrocardiography is temporally aligned with diastolic dysfunction. 

Objectives 

To determine the significance of corrected QT (QTc) interval prolongation in predicting left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in hypertensive patients.

Patients and Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in the echocardiography department of SHAR teaching hospital from December 2018 to May 2019, on subjects diagnosed as hypertension; twelve lead electrocardiography was done to obtain QTc using Bazett formula. Echocardiography was performed using M mode, two-dimensional image, pulse wave, and tissue Doppler to calculate left ventricular diastolic dysfunction according to the published guideline.

Results

In this study, 64 patients who have met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled, 45.3 %( n=29) were male and 54.7 %( n=35) were female. 25 subjects (39.1%) met the criteria of diastolic dysfunction, and 39 subjects (60.9%) had a normal diastolic function. The mean QTc value of the diastolic dysfunction group was 459.2 ± 14.7 ms, while the mean QTc of normal diastolic function group was 402.8 ± 26.4 ms (P-value <0.001). The diagnostic value of the prolonged QTc interval (QTc >450 ms in male and > 460 ms in female) in determining diastolic dysfunction is 68 % sensitivity, 97.4% specificity, 94.4% positive predictive value, 82% negative predictive value and 85.9% accuracy. Among all variables; only ejection fraction (EF)%, echocardiographic LVH, tricuspid regurgitation (TR) velocity, E/e’ and left atrial volume index (LAVI) had statistically significant relation to QTc.

Conclusion

Electrocardiographic QTc interval is a simple but useful and accurate measurement for predicting diastolic dysfunction in hypertensive patients providing its high sensitivity and specificity.
VALUE OF TRANS-ABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND-GUIDED PERCUTANEOUS LIVER BIOPSY IN PATIENTS WITH FOCAL OR DIFFUSE LIVER LESIONS IN KURDISTAN CENTRE FOR GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY IN SULAIMANI CITY
Authors: Gharib Dana , Mohammed Mohammed , Al-Karboly Taha , Faraj Heero , Mahmood Kawa , Qazi Nasr , Salih Karok , Azeez Omar
Published: January 2021

Background 

Percutaneous Liver Biopsy (PLB) is commonly used for assessing the histopathological status of the liver and thus deciding on diagnosis, prognosis, and management plan of patients. 

Objectives

To assess the value of Percutaneous Liver Biopsy in decision making in patients referred to Kurdistan Centre for Gastroenterology and Hepatology (KCGH), and searching the common causes of liver enzyme abnormalities especially in patients with the unknown clue of diagnosis.

Patients and Methods

This study was performed in Kurdistan Center for Gastroenterology and Hepatology, between April 2018 and January 2019; Sixty-three patients have been included in this study, which was referred for PLB with different intentions; after appropriate pre-procedural preparation PLB was performed with the aid of a radiologist, and post-procedural follow up of patients was done for 6 hours in the ward. 

Results

The reason of referral for PLB was diagnostic, prognostic, and management in 79.8%, 14.3%, and 6.3% respectively. Common diagnoses in a diffuse parenchymal liver lesion with or without elevated liver enzymes were AIH in 15.8%, DILI in 14.3%, and NASH 14.2%. Percutaneous liver biopsy changed the preliminary diagnosis in 52.3%, and management plan in 34.9% of cases. As PLB is an invasive procedure, 31.7% of patients developed complications, which is in decreasing order including right upper quadrant pain 15.9%, right shoulder pain 5.9%, combined right upper quadrant pain, and right shoulder pain in 3.2%, and vasovagal reaction in 3.2 %.

Conclusion

Percutaneous liver biopsy is a valuable investigation in deciding on diagnosis, the prognosis of liver lesions, and it will help the management plan. The three most common diseases which should be excluded in every patient with diffuse parenchymal liver lesions or elevated liver enzymes are AIH, DILI, and NASH.
PREVALENCE AND EFFECT OF IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA IN CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE
Authors: Mahwi Taha , Aziz Blnd
Published: January 2021

Background 

Anemia is progressively recognized as significant comorbidity in the context of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 

Objectives 

To determine the extent of iron deficiency anemia in both exacerbation of COPD and stable COPD.

Patients and Methods

A prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2017 and January 2018. Two groups of patients were enrolled, group A included those patients admitted in the emergency rooms for the management of acute exacerbation of COPD and group B comprised of those patients with stable COPD visited the consultatory medical department. Inclusion criteria included those patients known cases of COPD and categorized according to the GOLD criteria. 

Results

The study included 150 patients. Group A contained 100 patients. Seventy-nine (79%) were male with a mean age and standard deviation of 66.77 years ± 12.07 years. While the other groups (group B) comprised of 50 patients, 39 (78%) were male with a mean age of 59.86 years ± 9.87 years. The inflammatory marker was significantly more positive in group A (89, 89%) compared to group B (6, 12%), P-value 0.0001. Overall, the low iron profile was found in 15 (15%) patients in group A, and in 2 (4%) patients in group B (P-value 0.0559). Both iron and non-iron deficiency anemia were more prevalent among the exacerbation group (group A).

Conclusion

Anemia is a relatively common finding among COPD patients (both IDA and non-IDA). It is more prevalent among those patients developing frequent exacerbations.
SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF FRACTIONAL ERBIUM-YAG (2940NM) LASER IN THE TREATMENT OF MELASMA IN SULAIMANIA CITY
Authors: Tofiq Kazhan
Published: January 2021

Background 

Melasma is acquired pigmentary disorder, characterized by brownish symmetrical patches, mostly in the sun-exposed areas of the skin. Many treatment modalities have been used, one of the advanced technologies attempted is Lasers. 

Objectives 

To assess the safety and effectiveness of Fractional Erbium(Er) -Yag laser treatment for Melasma, in addition to, determining the demographic and clinical criteria of the study group.

Patients and Methods

Thirty (30) patients diagnosed as Melasma, were included in our study. All patients interviewed and treated by Fractional Er-Yag Laser, which ranged from 1to 4 sessions. The demographic and clinical data, degree of patients’ satisfaction, and side effects were recorded and analyzed.

Results

Out of 30 patients, included in our study, 28 were females, their mean age was 33.7 years, 17 women were housewives, parity ranged between 0-4 children, only 3 patients were outdoor workers. Twenty (66.7%) patients were married, 9 were single. Daily sun exposure was more than 4hrs in 5 patients. Illness duration ranged from 6moths to 16 (mean 5.15) years. About 60% were previously treated. Two-thirds of the cases had one or more associated conditions like polycystic ovarian disease PCOD, Anemia, thyroid diseases, or were on oral contraceptive pills OCP. Areas affected were in 50% of all the three: Centro-facial, malar and mandibular. Fitzpatrick skin type of patients was type III in 18 (60%), 11 patients were type IV, and one was type II. One or more immediate side effects reported in all 30 (100%) patients. Long term side effects like hyperpigmentation happened only in one patient. Patients’ satisfaction about laser treatment was very good in 8 (26.7%) patients, good in 12 (40%), seven patients mentioned little improvement and one patient said that laser made his condition worse. 

Conclusion

Fractional Erbium-Yag Laser in the treatment of Melasma is a safe and effective therapeutic approach.
HIS BUNDLE PACING, THE FIRST EXPERIENCE USING A CONVENTIONAL PACEMAKER LEADS
Authors: Alhamdi Ammar
Published: January 2021

Background 

The classical pacing site at the right ventricular apex has been noticed to induce left ventricular function deterioration and heart failure over long pacing periods. Trials of right ventricular outflow tract pacing have been reported to reduce this problem in a few patients. 

Objectives 

His bundle pacing has been lately found to minimize pacing-induced cardiomyopathy significantly.

Materials and Methods

Patients included are those with high degree heart block, who needed conventional pacing and those with an indication for cardiac resynchronization therapy, where His bundle pacing was done as a substitute to a failed coronary sinus lead positioning for left ventricular epicardial pacing. His Bundle Pacing was done by blind His pacing site assessment through continuous ventricular pacing at the presumed His bundle site under fluoroscopy views. The leads used are conventional pacing leads. His bundle pacing was indicated by almost normal width paced QRS.

Results

His bundle pacing was successful in 30 patients from a total of 45 referred patients (67%). Fifteen patients with second or third-degree heart block who needed conventional pacing and 15 patients with an indication for cardiac resynchronization therapy, where His bundle pacing was done as a substitute to a failed coronary sinus lead positioning for left ventricular epicardial pacing. The 15 patients with high grades atrioventricular block did not show evidence of heart failure and dilated cardiomyopathy. The 15 patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy indication showed marked narrowing of the paced QRS, improvement in NYHA functional class, significant improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction, and reduction of cardiac size.

Conclusion

His bundle pacing is more physiological than right ventricular apical pacing and right ventricular outflow pacing as far as narrowing of the paced QRS, left ventricular function stability, and reduced incidence of pacing-induced cardiomyopathy. It is recommended in all conventional pacing indication. Whether patients with atrioventricular block or in cardiac resynchronization therapy indication when coronary sinus/left ventricular lead failed. Future availability of special leads and delivery system, improvement in leads, the design and positioning techniques at the His site may well improve the success rate of His bundle pacing and may replace left ventricular epicardial pacing in cardiac re synchronization therapy.
INCIDENCE OF CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE AMONG INFANTS OF DIABETIC MOTHERS IN SULAIMANI
Authors: Ahmed Mohammed , Hassan Adnan , Abdulrahman Alan
Published: January 2021

Background 

Infant of diabetic mother (IDM) is those infants born to mothers who suffered diabetes mellitus. There are two types of IDM, Gestational diabetes and Pregestaional diabetes. Both have the effects on morphogenesis of infants’ cardiovascular system and increase the risk of congenital heart disease.

Objectives 

To find out the incidence of congenital heart disease among infants of pregestational diabetic mothers.

Patients and Methods

In a prospective study that included 32 infants of pregestational diabetic mother (PGDM) age less than 7 days at the neonatal intensive care unit NICU of Sulaimani-Shar hospital and NICU of Sulaimani-Maternity hospital during the period April 1st, 2018 to March 31st, 2019.Echocardiography and abdominal ultrasound were done for all babies. 

Results

There were 32 infants of PGDM during the study period. Mean mothers’ age was 35.43±6.49, Last hemoglobin A1C (mean±SD) 7.23±1.17. Males and females were 17(53.1%) and 15(46.9%) respectively. Gestational age; 21 (65.6%) were term and 11 (34.4%) were preterm. Birth weight (mean±SD) 3.45±0.69. Twenty-eight (87.5%) were delivered by caesarian section C/S and 4 (12.5%) by normal vaginal delivery NVD. Echocardiography finding revealed 24 (75%) infants had CH, most common CHD were hypertrophic cardiomyopathy HCMP (40.5%), PDA (28%), ASD (18.9%). Most cases of CHD are term, male, delivered by caesarian section, mothers’ body mass index between 25 to 29.9, type 2 diabetic and less than 5 years diagnosed. Abdominal ultrasound showed 26(84.4%) were normal 5 (15.6%) were abnormal. 

Conclusion

According to our study, most of the newborn of PGDM had congenital heart disease. Most common CHDs were hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, PDA and septal defects.