bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethical Considerations for Implementing AI-Based Solutions in Digital Health and Medical Analytics
Authors: Das Bidyut , Khatua Debnarayan
Published: December 2024

AI is rapidly transforming the landscape of digital healthcare, offering groundbreaking potential to enhance medical practices. However, with these advancements come critical ethical challenges. The aim of this chapter is to explore these challenges and propose strategies to address them. AI offers transformative benefits like improved patient outcomes, precise diagnoses, and more effective treatment plans, but it also raises significant ethical concerns. This chapter focuses on patient privacy, data integrity, algorithmic bias, fairness, and accountability in clinical decision-making. Key issues include potential data breaches, biased algorithms that may lead to unequal outcomes, and unclear responsibility for AI-driven decisions. Ethical considerations must be integrated during AI system design and monitored continuously to ensure alignment with ethical standards. By prioritizing transparency, fairness, and patient safety, AI can enhance healthcare without compromising ethical integrity.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Healthcare
Authors: Mir Faizan Fayaz , Nisa Khair Ul , Mushtaq Ziema , Ansarullah Syed Immamul
Published: December 2024

This chapter analyzes how AI and ML are revolutionizing healthcare, particularly in disease diagnosis, while addressing ethical and practical challenges. It also explores the role of AI in managing pandemics, focusing on equitable healthcare outcomes through responsible adoption. AI and ML have demonstrated significant potential in early detection, personalized treatment, and predictive analysis for diseases like cancer, cardiovascular conditions, and neurological disorders. These technologies could alleviate the global healthcare burden by enabling more accurate diagnoses and minimizing late-stage interventions. However, challenges such as algorithmic bias, data privacy, and transparency must be addressed to ensure fair outcomes. The paper also highlights AI's role during the COVID-19 pandemic, including outbreak prediction and resource management, positioning AI as a vital tool for preventing future health crises. While AI and ML offer immense promise, their success relies on overcoming ethical hurdles and fostering human-AI collaboration.
Securing the Weakest Link
Authors: Ahmad Farooq , Dolly Bably , Khan Zohaib Hasan
Published: December 2024

In today's world, where digital interactions and online transactions are crucial for both personal and professional activities, social engineering attacks have become more common and sophisticated, threatening data security and organizational integrity. These attacks exploit a lack of awareness to gain illegal access to systems. While research includes various studies and methods for preventing these attacks, a thorough analysis of effective strategies is lacking. Current methods involve health campaigns, frameworks with human security sensors, user-focused approaches, and vulnerability models. This chapter thoroughly examines different types of social engineering attacks, such as phishing, vishing, and pretexting, highlighting the human element as the weakest link in cybersecurity. It then delves into prevention methods, stressing the need for awareness training and behavioral changes among users as a key defense. This chapter seeks to equip readers with practical insights and tools to protect against social engineering attacks by integrating current research and best practices.
Protecting Against Social Engineering Using Wireshark
Authors: Mishra Manvi , Hussain Md Shadab , Singh Sudheer Kumar
Published: December 2024

In the domain of cybersecurity, defending against social engineering attacks remains a critical challenge. This abstract explores effective strategies and real-world examples of using Wireshark—a powerful network protocol analyzer—to mitigate the risks posed by social engineering tactics. Social engineering attacks exploit human psychology rather than technical vulnerabilities, making them difficult to detect through conventional security measures alone. This chapter delves into various strategies for leveraging Wireshark in defense against social engineering. Key aspects include configuring Wireshark for optimal security monitoring, setting up filters and profiles to capture relevant traffic, and decrypting SSL/TLS communications to uncover malicious intent hidden within encrypted data. Detection techniques encompass monitoring DNS and HTTP traffic for signs of phishing attempts, identifying malware communications, and conducting behavioral analysis to spot anomalies in network behavior
Continuous and Assertive Transformation to Promote Interculturality, Equity, and Social Justice Through Inclusive Leadership in Education
Authors: Pérez Muñoz Silvia Daniella , Cortés Ruiz Sandra Viridiana
Published: December 2024

The situation that concerns Mexico in the educational domain aims to leave behind those barriers that prevent the intercultural growth and development among managers, teachers, students and parents, which for many years was relegated by political, economic and social situations. Likewise, it has been identified that in order to achieve the goals set and obtain as a result a quality, inclusive, equitable, fair, empathetic and resilient education; first of all, it is necessary to recognize that a leader is the key to carry out diverse actions in favor of inclusive and intercultural education; Through his actions, skills and strategies, he tests a management profile that allows to generate within the educational institute under his charge, an optimal, comfortable, inclusive, respectful, free environment, among others; achieving that the staff and school community, have the certainty that they will be guided and accompanied during the academic process being the beginning of a collaborative work and proactive construction with the educational population.
Programmer Profile in Terms of Job Vacancies Compared to University Vocational Training
Authors: Carrillo Maria Fernanda Trejo , Díaz Esteban Martínez , Becerril Dulce María Monroy
Published: December 2024

As part of the problem of the study, it was found that programmers are not clear about what are the skills and digital knowledge they need to acquire to enter the labor field, therefore, the objective of this study was to channel the requirements requested by IT consultancies when hiring a programmer, in order to obtain a technical profile for a software developer in the year 2024. The methodology used was a comparative evaluation of the web platforms where companies publish the vacancies they request, filters were used to determine only those that corresponded to software developer positions in Mexico City. Likewise, a matrix was made by platform to compare the academic degree, years of experience and technical knowledge requested by the IT consulting firms. As part of the results, it was found that companies are looking for programmers with specific technical knowledge in programming languages, web programming, databases, interfaces, software architecture, web and mobile applications as well as some soft skills: communication, teamwork and proactivity.
The Impact of Fly Ash and Sea Sand on Strength and Durability of Concrete
Authors: Patah Dahlia , Dasar Amry , Fakhruddin Fakhruddin , Shintarahayu Balqis , Apriansyah Apriansyah
Published: December 2024

Fly ash is a solid waste produced by power plants. To overcome the bad effects on the environment, fly ash is used as a substitute for cement in making concrete. Apart from that, the innovation of aggregate replacement materials in mixing concrete also has several alternatives, one of which is the use of sea sand as a substitute for fine aggregate. This research was conducted to determine the best proportion of sea sand use 10–40% with two treatments (washed and unwashed) and the use of fly ash of 20-30% on the corrosion resistance of reinforcing steel and the mechanical properties of concrete. The research results show that using up to 30% washed sea sand and 10% unwashed sea sand can increase compressive strength when compared to normal concrete. The use of up to 30% fly ash together with 20% sea sand has the same compressive strength as normal concrete. Apart from that, the use of sea sand and fly ash together has a low-risk category for reinforcing steel corrosion (10% risk of corrosion).
Research of Warp Structure Modelling for Calculation of Two Guidebars Warp Knitted Fabric Parameters
Authors: Chu Dieu Huong
Published: December 2024

Abstract. Warp knitted fabrics were known as rather complicated structures. Until now, only geometrical models for general warp knitted structures were presented. Calculation of two guidebars warp knitted fabric parameters using geometrical models was limited. This paper presented an extension of available geometrical models for simulation warp knitted structures parameters such as fabric thickness, looplength, warp and weft density, fabric area porosity, fabric mass density. The theorical parameters were compared to experimental parameters to verify the built fabric model during the calculation of the geometrical form warp knitted structures. The proposed geometrical model was applied for two types of tricot-tricot fabric knitted from polyamide and polyurethane with different yarn counts. The results showed the differences between theorical parameters calculated by the model and the experimental parameters were 1% - 4% for fabric area mass, up to 9% for the fabric warp and weft density and about 90 % difference in fabric area porosity, which recommended the built model could be applied to calculate the fabric parameters and need to continue developing for of the physico-mechanical warp knitted properties.
The Mechanical Properties of Laterite Substituted with Cement and Bottom Ash
Authors: Lhajai Sakda , Jamnongwong Marupatch , Thanasisathit Nuttawut
Published: December 2024

Bottom ash (BTA), a by-product of coal combustion in electric power plants, is commonly regarded as waste, presenting challenges in its management. Conversely, laterite, typically used in road construction, has become increasingly expensive due to its high quality. This study aims to investigate the mechanical properties of laterite replaced with BTA and cement. The replacement of BTA ranged from 10% to 50% of the dry weight of laterite, with cement contents of 1% and 3% of the dry weight of the laterite-BTA mixture. Experimental tests, including unconfined compressive strength (USC) and splitting tensile strength (STS), were conducted. The results indicate that replacing laterite with BTA and cement enhances strength by 2 to 8 times that of unstabilized laterite, with 20% BTA replacement yielding the highest strengths. This approach not only provides cost-effective road construction materials but also contributes to sustainable practices by conserving natural resources and reducing pollution.
Katechon. Filosofia, politica, estetica
Authors: Monateri Francesca
Published: December 2024

Non disponibile.
UNA DEMOCRAZIA ALTHUSIANA PER L’UE? SU UN LIBRO DI GIUSEPPE DUSO
Authors: Rugge Giacomo
Published: December 2024

L'articolo presenta e critica l'ultimo libro di Giuseppe Duso, pubblicato da FrancoAngeli nel 2022 con il titolo Reinventare la democrazia. Dal popolo sovrano all'agire politico dei cittadini. Il libro, che è la felice sistematizzazione di un lungo lavoro di ricerca e di analisi, è diviso in due parti: la prima è dedicata alla critica e all'evidenziazione delle incongruenze dei principali concetti politici della modernità (come l'uguaglianza, la libertà, la sovranità e la rappresentanza); la seconda è dedicata alla proposta di un nuovo modo di pensare e strutturare la democrazia, con particolare riferimento all'Unione europea. A tal fine, Duso propone di ispirarsi e attualizzare le idee del filosofo e giurista tedesco premoderno Johannes Althusius (1557-1638), in particolare il suo concetto di federalismo. Dopo aver ricordato i contenuti della prima parte del libro, l'articolo presenta le riflessioni degli ultimi tre capitoli, che contengono la proposta intellettuale dell'autore. Seguono alcune riflessioni critiche, che evidenziano gli aspetti ancora poco chiari o indefiniti dell'argomentazione di Duso, e alcune conclusioni.
PENSARE LE REGIONI
Authors: Galli Stefano Bruno
Published: December 2024

Da un punto di vista storico, l'idea di Regione - nella cultura politica e istituzionale italiana - affonda le sue radici nel cuore dell'Ottocento. Nasce con Cesare Correnti nel 1852 e, per ragioni statistiche, viene adottata a partire dall'Unità del 1861. Da allora la divisione territoriale della Penisola, creata senza consultare le popolazioni interessate e neppure fondata su seri studi storici linguistici e culturali, non è mai cambiata, nonostante le numerose sollecitazioni che si sono succedute nel tempo e che qui vengono illustrate, da Minghetti a Miglio, dalla Fondazione Agnelli alla Società Geografica Italiana.
Molto più di un mercato. Viaggio nella nuova Europa
Authors: Letta Enrico
Published: December 2024

Non disponibile.
Potere | informazione | diritti. Racconti di un decennio travagliato
Authors: Melzi D'Eril Carlo , Vigevani Giulio Enea
Published: December 2024

Non disponibile.
Intersex plumage in Plum-headed Parakeet (c)
Authors: Choudhary Rounak , Sharma Vivek , Jangir Dipesh Kumar , Dutta Subroto
Published: December 2024

This note reports the first documented case of intersex plumage in a Plum-headed Parakeet from India.
Commento
Authors: Dioni Silvia
Published: December 2024

La società contemporanea, perlomeno quella occidentale, attribuisce grande rilevanza agli aspetti di riuscita personale e capacità di adattarsi con successo alle sfide esistenziali. La genitorialità non fa eccezione: sentire di essere buoni genitori, capaci di fronteggiare le transizioni e le difficoltà dello sviluppo dei propri figli, nel rispetto degli ideali vigenti è, nella gran parte dei casi, un potente motore del senso di efficacia e affermazione di sé. Non solo: durante la gravidanza, ma anche prima, la capacità di concepire e partorire un bambino intatto e perfettamente sano costituisce una fonte di autostima per i genitori, in particolare per le madri.[...]
ClpB chaperone as a promising target for antimicrobial therapy: A narrative review
Authors: Udari Sachini J. , Shamodhi Sayoka , Nelumdeniya Rumesh M. , Ranatunga Udayana , Senadeera Nimesha N. , Ranaweera Chathuranga B.
Published: December 2024

The Clp/Hsp100 family, part of the ATPase associated with various cellular activities (AAA+) superfamily, includes caseinolytic peptidase B (ClpB), a highly conserved protein found in bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and plants. Notably, ClpB is present in all ESKAPE pathogens: Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp. ClpB plays a crucial role in reactivating and disaggregating proteins, enabling pathogens to survive under host-induced stress and conferring thermotolerance to bacterial cells. Infections caused by ESKAPE pathogens are particularly challenging due to their resistance to broad-spectrum antibiotics and biofilm formation, posing a significant global health threat as they are often multidrug-resistant, extensively drug-resistant, and pan-drug-resistant. Given its absence in human cells and its essential role in bacterial survival under stress, ClpB is a promising target for antimicrobial therapy. Targeting Hsp100 family proteins could lead to the development of novel antifungal and antiprotozoal treatments. This review explores the function of ClpB in the survival of ESKAPE pathogens and the protozoan Plasmodium falciparum. Relevant research findings were compiled using academic databases, and data analysis was performed using Clustal Omega Multiple Sequence Alignment and Boxshade tools.
Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Patients with Total Joint Arthroplasty before Dental Procedures: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Alshmari Rawabi Bader , Alharbi Shahad Fawaz , Majrashi Ashwaq Bishi , Alharbi Mariam Raja , Al-Moshiqah Anas Sami , Alsaqami Shahad Ali , Almarshadi Ruqayyah Hatim , Alnashar Nisreen Ibrahim , Alshammari Atheer Khalaf , Aldanyowi Saud Nayef
Published: December 2024

Background:

Total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is followed by periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). At present, PJI is observed to have a rate of incidence of 1% to 2% in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients and 0.3%–2.9% in total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients. LaPorte et al. in 1999 observed that in individuals who have had THA, PJI may result from temporary bacteraemia that occurs after a dental operation. Bacteraemia from dental procedures has the potential to infect distant areas, especially prosthetic implants. Antibiotic prophylaxis for individuals undergoing dental procedures who have THA or TKA is also controversial because the pathophysiology is unclear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis due to insufficient evidence regarding the benefits and potential risks of giving prophylactic antibiotics before dental procedures for patients with TJA and a non-infectious oral condition.

Methods:

We systematically checked four databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Web of Science) for any relevant studies till 3 March 2024. In the studies that were considered, individuals who had undergone dental procedures after having undergone hip or knee arthroplasty were examined to see whether there was a correlation between dental procedures and PJI. The risk of bias was assessed using two tools. Newcastle–Ottawa Scale for cohort and case–control studies. National Institutes of Health tool for case series.

Results:

Seven included studies, four of which were case series, two were cohort and one was case control. Our analysis of the case series revealed a non-significant relationship between dental procedures and PJI. The proportion was 0.07 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.04; 0.12). These results were supported by analysis of infection among prophylactic and non-prophylactic patients. The odds ratio was 1.1 (95% CI 0.65; 1.85, P = 0.72) indicating a non-significant difference between the two groups.

Conclusion:

We found that antibiotics do not provide infection coverage in patients with TJA. Therefore, there is no need for antibiotics before dental procedures.
Assessing the Efficacy of Trans-septal Suturing versus Nasal Packing Following Septoplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Alrobian Alanood Abdulrahman , Alsulami Fahad Awadh Allah , Shajeri Mohammed Abulghaith Ali , Alharbi Deema Fahad , Humaidan Mohammed Fahad Al , Alabdulaal Maria Raji , Alfagieh Arwa Mohammed , Alawad Fatema Hani , Alarfaj Abdullah Ahmed
Published: December 2024

Background and Objectives:

Septoplasty is a common procedure aimed at correcting deviated nasal septums to enhance nasal airflow. Post-surgery stabilisation and bleeding control are achieved through either nasal packing or septal stitches. The relative effectiveness and safety of these methods remain a topic of debate. This study aims to compare outcomes and risks, including bleeding, pain, septal issues, nasal obstruction and patient satisfaction, associated with stitches versus nasal packing after septoplasty.

Methods:

A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, SCOPUS, Cochrane and Web of Science, covering the period from 2000 to March 2024. The inclusion criteria encompassed randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the use of stitches through the septum and nasal packing in patients undergoing septoplasty. Study quality was evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Data synthesis employed a random effects model, computing risk ratios (RRs) or mean differences (MDs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran’s Q test and the I² statistic.

Results:

A total of 25 RCTs were included, with 22 in the meta-analysis. Stitches through the septum were associated with significantly lower rates of adhesions (RR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.19–3.48), hematomas (RR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.6–3.42) and nasal crusting (RR = 2.86, 95% CI: 1.17–6.97) compared to nasal packing. Patients with stitches experienced significantly less post-operative pain (MD = 5.43, 95% CI: 4.26–6.61). No significant differences were observed in terms of bleeding, infection, septal perforation or residual septal deviation.

Conclusions:

Trans-septal suturing offers advantages over nasal packing by reducing post-operative morbidities such as adhesions, hematomas, crusting and pain, while being equally effective in controlling bleeding and maintaining septal positioning. However, more high-quality research is needed to further guide clinical practice.
Impact of White Blood Cell Variations on ICU and Hospital Outcomes in COVID-19 Patients: A Prospective Study in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Aleid Ahmed Fadeil , Alharbi Amal Bayen , Alharbi Nada Sulaiman , Almehmadi Abdulaziz Mohammed , Mufti Amara Marwan , Almajed Ruba Abdullah , Alanazy Wateen Bader , Alluqmani Yazeed Ahmed , Mutair Abbas Saleh Al , Kharaba Yman Mohammed
Published: December 2024

Background:

The purpose of this study was to assess the value of white blood cell (WBC) count fluctuations as a predictor in Saudi Arabian patients with COVID-19 receiving intensive care unit (ICU) treatment.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study using the data from patients’ records targeted major hospitals in Saudi Arabia and was conducted between June and October 2020. In the study, the WBC count changes, especially the WBC subtype, such as lymphocytes and neutrophils, were observed and tested for associations with the patient’s outcomes employing more sophisticated statistical techniques. Results: The present work identified the overall survival rate of the patients with lymphopenia defined as WBC count below 1. 9%, compared to 25 from this 42% of the patient had declined to about 3% if he or she had a normalised WBC count of 7 days or 14 days or even after 28 days. Moreover, it was found out that the mean ICU length of stay (LOS) was 40% lesser on average for the patients whose WBC count came on to a normal level within the first 2 weeks of the admission. Conclusion: I believe these observations stress the utility of WBC counts in guiding healthcare practitioners in handling critical COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU. Periodic haematological screening may likely augment the quality of standard clinical practices and the latter’s impact on the affected patients.

Results:

The results clearly show that changes in WBC count are rather significant in patients admitted to the ICUs, namely and with such an increased mortality of 25% in case of lymphopenia <1. 0 × 109/L and an average of 40% reduction in the LOS in the ICU in patients with WBC normalisation after 14 days. Patients exhibiting significant changes in WBC counts, particularly in lymphocytes and neutrophils, showed higher morbidity and mortality rates. These results underscore the prognostic significance of WBC counts in managing severe COVID-19 cases.

Conclusion:

The study emphasises the importance of WBC count fluctuations and their usefulness in identifying the outcomes of patients in ICU with COVID-19 that in patients with leukopenia, lymphopenia rate is 39%, 9%, compared to 25% similar to patients receiving a higher directed dose of between 150 and 200 cGy, 2.2% for patients on imatinib and 3% for patients with normalised WBC count. It suggests the integration of regular haematological monitoring into ICU treatment protocols, enhancing clinical decision-making and informing public health strategies during the pandemic. This research contributes to the growing knowledge of COVID-19, emphasising the importance of haematological parameters in critical care.
Prevalence and Clinical Profiles of Status Epilepticus in Adult Patients Presenting to the Emergency Room in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Aleid Ahmed Fadeil , Althikrallah Farah Mohammed , Ahbail Ali Ahmad , Alhashem Siraj Fadhel , Alonazi Raghad Harran , Basfar Lena Mohammed , Albotuaiba Azzam Othman , Alomar Hanin Abdullah , Alhodibi Mostafa Habeeb
Published: December 2024

Introduction:

Seizure disorders encompass a broad range of neurological conditions. One of the most severe manifestations is status epilepticus (SE), which is characterised by extended seizures or consecutive seizures without the restoration of full consciousness between them. While SE is undeniably a medical emergency, there exists a notable dearth of research on its prevalence and clinical profiles amongst adults frequenting the ER in Saudi Arabia. This study aims to fill this research gap, focusing on the understanding of SE’s prevalence, clinical characteristics, awareness levels and management strategies within this specific demographic.

Methods:

To address the study’s objectives, a cross-sectional survey was designed and implemented. A total of 1848 participants, reflecting a diverse demographic landscape, were chosen. The survey captured various aspects, including participants’ age, gender, educational background, employment status, city of residence and specific details pertaining to SE. This encompassed the frequency of their ER visits, their level of awareness about SE, their knowledge about the condition and their familiarity with the associated emergency management protocols.

Results:

The data revealed that a significant portion of the participants belonged to the younger age bracket, with 39.0% aged between 18 and 24 years. Females made up a substantial 70.1% of the survey pool. Interestingly, despite the potential familiarity with SE, a vast majority, or 63.6%, were unfamiliar with SE’s emergency management protocols. Only a small fraction, 2.6%, had been diagnosed with SE Amongst them, a vast majority, 94.8%, experienced SE episodes that lasted < 5 min. The inclination to seek emergency medical attention for SE was minimal, with only 1.3% indicating such actions. Similarly, just 2.6% required hospitalisation due to SE, received specific treatment for the condition or faced complications linked to SE. Significantly, for the overwhelming 92.2%, SE did not appear to play a detrimental role in their quality of life. Notably, the survey identified hypertension and diabetes as predominant risk factors for SE.

Conclusion:

The study provides a comprehensive exploration of the occurrence and intricacies of SE amongst adult ER visitors in Saudi Arabia. The findings underscore not just a relatively minimal prevalence of diagnosed SE but also an alarming knowledge gap about the requisite emergency protocols. Such disparities, especially when paired with the evident limited access to emergency SE care, accentuate an urgent need. There is a clear call for enhanced awareness initiatives and an augmentation of healthcare infrastructures and protocols to better address SE within this demographic.
Apremilast induced intolerable dizziness: A rare unlisted adverse effect
Authors: Chawla Harsimran Singh , Rafi Mohammad , Varkey Sonny K , Kumarie M Manitha , George Ben
Published: December 2024

Apremilast is a small-molecule biologic that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and Behcet’s disease. It was approved by the European Union in 2015 for psoriatic arthritis. Apremilast is generally well tolerated, with gastrointestinal side effects and headache being the most commonly reported adverse events. We here report an unusual case of an adult male patient who developed progressive nervous system adverse effects namely dizziness and lightheadedness shorly after initiating titration doses of Apremilast for plaque psoriasis. The drug was permanently discontinued on day 4 as the patient could not tolerate vertigo and tiredness. Dechallenge was positive in this case.
Comparison of various protocols and dosage schedules of rituximab used by various researchers in pemphigus: A review article
Authors: Chavda Vruti , Rathod Santoshdev P. , Parmar Pradipsinh , Brahmbhatt Swati , Parmar Hinabahen , Jagati Ashish
Published: December 2024

Objective:

To compare the effectiveness of various protocols available in literature, dose, schedules, and the side effect profile of rituximab in pemphigus (vulgaris and foliaceus) patients.

Materials and Methods:

Publications related to treatment with rituximab in pemphigus were identified by searches of electronic databases in PubMed from January 2002 to June 2023. A total of 43 papers, which included 35 case series and retrospective studies, four randomized control trials, and four open-label pilot studies, were analyzed, and a narrative review of the studies was presented.

Results:

There are a total of 13 different protocols by which the rituximab infusion has been given. The most common is the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) protocol (53.4%) followed by the lymphoma protocol (15.5%) and low-dose RA protocol (7.4%). Low-dose RA protocol showed complete remission (CR)—82.6%, relapse rate (RR)—20.4%, duration of remission (DOR)—75.95 weeks, and time to relapse—76.35 weeks, while with RA protocol, CR was seen in 78.3% patients with RR being 28.57%, DOR—79.96 weeks and time to relapse—78.38 weeks. In lymphoma protocol, we noticed CR in 66.7% of patients with RR of 32.1% while the time to relapse is 63.3 weeks.

Conclusion:

We have observed good results with RA protocol and low-dose RA protocol than other regimens of rituximab used to treat pemphigus vulgaris and foliaceus. However, there is a need for a multicentric trial on a large scale for detecting the effective dose of rituximab depending upon the severity of the pemphigus and will help to lay down effective protocol for induction and maintenance of disease-free period, as there are no country-specific guidelines available for the Indian subcontinent.
Lichenoid drug reactions: A retrospective clinical, epidemiological, and histopathological study of 55 cases
Authors: Bhoite Ketki Shekhar , Mahajan Sunanda Arun
Published: December 2024

Background:

Drug-induced lichen planus is a relatively rare cutaneous drug adverse effect of several drugs presenting with pruritic, violaceous to hyperpigmented, and flat-topped papules and plaques with either generalized or localized distribution. Several drugs are known to cause it and have a variable latent period even for the same drug.

Objectives:

1. To study the epidemiology and clinical presentation of lichenoid drug eruption. 2. To study the causative drugs and their latent period. 3. To study the histopathological findings.

Materials and Methods:

We conducted a retrospective study wherein 55 biopsy-proven cases of lichenoid drug eruption from May 2020 to May 2021 were studied for their age and sex distribution, clinical features, examination findings, and causative drugs and their latent period, and the histopathological findings were analyzed.

Results:

Out of the 55 patients, 33 were males and 22 were females, with an average age being 51 years. The most common causative drug was anti-tuberculosis therapy with a latent period ranging from 1 month to 7 months. Others were oral hypoglycemic agents such as gliptins, anti-retroviral therapy drugs, carbamazepine, NSAID, and rare being beta-HCG and chemotherapeutic agents. A total of 25.45% patients had a localized involvement, and the remaining were generalized. A total of 23.63% had mucosal involvement, and 21.81% had palms and soles involved. The most common histopathological findings were parakeratosis and acanthosis with lichenoid band of lymphocytic infiltrate with moderate presence of eosinophils.

Conclusion:

Considering the variable presentations of lichenoid drug eruption and the several drugs causing it, it becomes necessary to diagnose it early, differentiate it from idiopathic lichen planus, and decide about the continuation of the drug depending upon the risk-benefit ratio.
Atypical presentation of dermatophytic skin infections and their antifungal susceptibility pattern
Authors: Bora Archana , Rathore Laxmi , Khullar Shivani , Maurya Vinod Kumar , Puri Pooja , Khatri Prabhat Kiran
Published: December 2024

Objective:

Dermatophytosis is a type of superficial mycosis affecting skin, hair and nails. The disease is becoming prevalent in India. With antifungal formulations containing potent steroids and also due to antifungal resistance the clinical presentation of the disease is changing. In Skin OPD many cases of dermatophytosis are being encountered with an atypical presentation that cannot be diagnosed only on clinical ground. These fungal infections mimic clinical pictures of non-infectious conditions and require microbiological evaluation for confirmation. In this study, we are evaluating the antifungal susceptibility pattern of dermatophytes with atypical skin lesions.

Methods:

This is a cross-sectional study. In this study, skin scrapping was examined for a fungal element using a KOH mount. Samples were cultured on sabouraud dextrose agar. Species were phenotypically identified using LPCB mount and colony characteristics. Antifungal sensitivity testing was performed as per CLSI M38A2 guidelines.

Result:

A total of 24 patients were recruited into the study, who showed an unusual presentation of dermatophytic infection. Patients with a history of the application of topical antifungal formulation containing steroids were found to be significantly associated with unusual presentation and recurrent infection. Fungal growths of, Trichophyton mentagrophytes (n = 14), Trichophyton rubrum (n = 5), Trichophyton tonsurans (n = 2), Trichophyton concentricum (n = 1), Microsporum gypseum (n = 1), and Microsporum canis (n = 1) was observed. MIC of most of the isolates was higher for fluconazole ranging from 0.06 ≥ 64 μg/ml and terbinafine ranging from 0.03 ≥ 32 μg/ml.

Conclusion:

Most of the patients with unusual presentation had a history of chronic use of topical steroids. Trichophyton concentricum and Microsporum gypseum may give an atypical presentation without any history of topical or systemic steroids abuse.
Pellagroid rash secondary to cabozantinib
Authors: Chandrashekhar Rane Meghana , Arun Mahajan Sunanda
Published: December 2024

Cabozantinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor used to treat advanced renal cell carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and medullary thyroid cancer. Adverse cutaneous events include hand-foot skin reaction, generalized pigment dilution and/or hair depigmentation, xerosis, scrotal erythema/ulceration, and nail splinter hemorrhages. Here we discuss a case of pellagra like rash in a 61 year old man having renal cell carcinoma induced by cabozantinib not described in literature so far.
Titanium Elastic Nail in Boxer’s Fracture: A Case Report
Authors: Ghosh Soham , Keshkar Sanjay
Published: December 2024

This case report aimed to assess the outcome of antegrade intramedullary fixation with titanium elastic nail (TEN) in displaced fifth metacarpal neck fractures (boxer’s fracture). An adult male presented to us with a fracture of the neck of the fifth metacarpal with angulation in his right dominant hand. Antegrade intramedullary fixation was done using the TEN system (TENS). Post-operatively, the patient obtained anatomical reduction, and the healing time was 6 weeks with no sign of nonunion. The head-shaft angle of the fifth metacarpal and the range of motion (ROM) of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint were evaluated. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire were used to assess upper arm function. The head-shaft angle of the affected side and ROM of the MCP joint were significantly improved post-operatively following antegrade intramedullary fixation using TENS. No marked difference was observed between the affected and unaffected side in the head-shaft angle and ROM. Therefore, antegrade intramedullary fixation with TENS is recommended as an easy, reliable and minimally invasive surgical technique for treating displaced boxer’s fractures.
Can AI be a Poet?
Authors: Veremchuk Eldar
Published: December 2024

The article deals with the problem of AI-generated poetry. It aims to investigate the difference between human-authored poems and the ones created by AI. The paper hypothesizes that AI poetic generation abilities are restricted by the algorithms, which influence its creative output. The research procedure included a gradual comparative analysis of the original human-authored poems “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost and “Ozymandias” by Percy Bysshe Shelley with the ones created by AI on their basis. The analysis considered seven aspects: title, structure, rhyme and rhythm, grammaticality, vocabulary, meaningfulness, imagery and poeticness. We argue that AI-generated poetic output can easier be unravelled when contrasted to the corresponding human-authored poems. We presume that the online available highlights of literary criticism (author’s message, imagery, narratives) appear to be obligatory components in the AI’s poem creation process. The obtained result can be useful for conducting further research on the generative linguistic and creative abilities of AI, their development and improvement.
Ubu roi : une œuvre polymorphe
Authors: Vitez Primož
Published: December 2024

Ubu roi, cette exhibition théâtrale sur un homme grotesquement extroverti, enfantin, gigantesque et glouton, foncièrement amoral, est une œuvre littéraire par laquelle l’auteur réalise sa position critique à travers l’art performatif, une mise en scène théâtrale-textuelle utopique. L’idée de l’utopie se situe surtout au niveau de l’expression linguistique dont Jarry se sert pour articuler le sens transhistorique du pouvoir politique et de la nature humaine. La poétique du théâtre jarryque est une synthèse de nombreuses nouveautés formelles, graphiques et phoniques, ainsi que de toute une variété de couches linguistiques qui se combinent en une invention unique et incomparable. C’est un jeu constant avec les genres linguistiques, du français littéraire esthétisé, avec une forte touche poétique, au verbiage le plus profane ; de la langue enfantine à la rigueur de la terminologie militaire ; de l’ironie fine au littéralisme transparent du style théologique ; du latin classique au discours détendu des gens de la rue.
Angleški večbesedni glagoli in njihove slovenske ustreznice
Authors: Viršek Žiger Gal
Published: December 2024

The paper discusses the findings arrived at during a master’s thesis contrastive analysis of English multi-word verbs and their Slovene equivalents. The first part provides an overview of different descriptions of multi-word verbs in English linguistics and prepositional verbs in Slovene linguistics. The second part presents the analysis in question, which was based on two dictionaries – Collins COBUILD Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs and Veliki angleško-slovenski slovar Oxford – used to extract the English multi-word verbs and their Slovene equivalents.
Značilnosti jezikoslovnega opisa določne in nedoločne oblike slovenskega pridevnika ter določnosti pri nekaterih slovenskih jezikoslovcih
Authors: Premrl Podobnik Mirjam
Published: December 2024

Some established Slovene linguists in their works, included the grammar of the Slovene language, Slovenska slovnica, do not seem to present an unambiguous distinction between relational adjectives on the one hand and qualitative and material adjectives on the other. Uncertainties arise in the following areas: 1. The interpretation of denominal adjectives like gozden/-dni and sodoben/-bni. Should we regard both forms (definite and indefinite) as a qualitative adjective or should we consider its definite form a relational adjective when it appears as a part of a fixed phrase? A review of Slovene and foreign scientific literature shows that the later interpretation is more appropriate. 2. Should we consider the definite form of adjectives in (occasional) fixed phrases (sodobni turist) a relational adjective at all, or should we rather consider it a relational use of qualitative adjectives? The article leaves this question open. 3. Is definiteness as a semantic, grammatical and textual category presented appropriately in Slovenska slovnica, especially in connection with the definite and indefinite Slovene adjectival forms? The article shows that the presentation is misleading. The main purpose for debating the inappropriate passages in the linguistic descriptions of the abovementioned phenomena lays in the author’s need to establish an efficient interpretative apparatus in order to study the relationship between the definite and indefinite adjectival form and definiteness, especially in those contexts where the choice of one or another form is difficult. The author thus decides to talk about the qualitative, material and relational use of adjectives, instead of qualitative, material and relational adjectives.
Approximating optimization problems in graphs with locational uncertainty
Authors: Bougeret Marin , Omer Jérémy , Poss Michael
Published: December 2024

Many combinatorial optimization problems can be formulated as the search for a subgraph that satisfies certain properties and minimizes the total weight. We assume here that the vertices correspond to points in a metric space and can take any position in given uncertainty sets. Then, the cost function to be minimized is the sum of the distances for the worst positions of the vertices in their uncertainty sets. We propose two types of polynomial-time approximation algorithms. The first one relies on solving a deterministic counterpart of the problem where the uncertain distances are replaced with maximum pairwise distances. We study in details the resulting approximation ratio, which depends on the structure of the feasible subgraphs and whether the metric space is Ptolemaic or not. The second algorithm is a fully-polynomial time approximation scheme for the special case of $s-t$ paths.

Comment: arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:2109.00389
Efforts to Motivate Youth Indonesian Christian Church of the Royal Family, Salatiga, Central Java in Spiritual Maturity
Authors: Kristanti Kartika Dewi , Tanasyah Yusak , Risakotta Margreth Luciyanna , Kurniawan Mieki Cynthia
Published: December 2024

This study examines the various efforts undertaken by the Indonesian Christian Church of the Royal Family in Salatiga, Central Java, to foster spiritual maturity among its youth members. Recognizing the pivotal role of youth in the church's future, the church employs a multifaceted approach to ensure their spiritual growth and active participation in religious life. Key strategies include structured Bible study programs, youth fellowship activities, leadership training, and community service projects. The church also emphasizes the importance of mentorship, with older, spiritually mature members guiding the younger generation. These efforts are designed to address the unique spiritual needs of young people, providing them with a supportive environment where they can explore their faith, develop a personal relationship with God, and grow in their understanding of Christian principles. The effectiveness of these initiatives is evaluated through qualitative methods, including interviews and participant observation, revealing significant positive impacts on the spiritual lives of the youth. This research contributes to the broader discourse on youth ministry by highlighting successful practices that can be replicated in similar contexts to nurture spiritual maturity among young Christians.
Inovasi Penggunaan Limbah Pertanian sebagai Media Filter Air Melalui Pengolahan Air Skala Rumah Tangga di Halmahera Barat
Authors: Ahmad Badrun , Saputra Muhammad Taufiq Yuda , Alkatiri Hilda
Published: December 2024

This community service aims to improve the quality of life of the people in Braha Village by providing affordable access to clean water. Currently, the water condition in Braha Village is murky, especially during the rainy season. This is due to poor sanitation, direct disposal of domestic waste into the ground, and leaking septic tanks, which are close to residents' wells, causing the water to become turbid. By utilizing agricultural waste as a water filter media, the community not only obtains clean water but can also reduce water treatment costs. Through a socialization process and the creation of simple water filtration technology, the community is encouraged to utilize local waste such as fruit peels and leaves as filter raw materials. The results show a significant improvement in water quality, as well as increased public awareness of the importance of maintaining environmental cleanliness. This innovation is expected to serve as a model for other villages in Indonesia to address similar problems.
 
Pengabdian masyarakat ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan kualitas hidup masyarakat Desa Braha melalui penyediaan akses air bersih yang terjangkau. Saat ini, kondisi air di desa Braha berwarna keruh, apalagi pada saat musim hujan. Hal ini karena buruknya sanitasi, pembuangan limbah domestik ke tanah secara langsung, dan septik yang tidak kedap air, berdekatan dengan sumur warga menjadi penyebab kekeruhan air. Dengan memanfaatkan limbah pertanian sebagai media filter air, masyarakat tidak hanya mendapatkan air bersih, tetapi juga dapat mengurangi biaya pengolahan air. Melalui proses sosialisasi dan pembuatan teknologi penyaringan air secara sederhana ini, masyarakat diajak untuk memanfaatkan limbah lokal seperti kulit buah dan daun sebagai bahan baku filter. Hasilnya menunjukkan peningkatan kualitas air yang signifikan, serta peningkatan kesadaran masyarakat akan pentingnya menjaga kebersihan lingkungan. Inovasi ini diharapkan dapat menjadi model bagi desa-desa lain di Indonesia dalam mengatasi permasalahan serupa.
Ergenlerde Mutluluğun Kaynağı Olarak Yaşamın Anlamı ve Bilinçli Farkındalığın Rolü
Authors: Tekeci Melike , Erdogdu Yüksel
Published: December 2024

Öz
Bu çalışmada ergen bireylerin mutluluk düzeylerinin bilinçli farkındalık ve yaşamın anlamının yordayıcı rolünü ortaya koymak hedeflenmiştir. Gerçekleştirilen çalışmada ilişkisel tarama modeli kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın katılımcıları, 2021-2022 yılında İstanbul ili içerisinde 17-22 yaş grubu içerisindeki lise, lise mezunu ve üniversite öğrencilerinden oluşmaktadır. Çalışma grubu, 500 gönüllü katılımcıdan oluşmaktadır. Araştırmaya 296’sı (%59.2) kadın, 204 ‘ü ( %40.8) erkek toplamda 500 kişi katılmıştır. Çalışmada “Ergen ve Yetişkin Bireyler İçin Bilinçli Farkındalık Ölçeği”, “Yaşamın Anlamı Ölçeği” ve “Mutluluk Ölçeği’’ kullanılmıştır. Katılımcıların demografik özelliklerinin belirlenmesinde “Kişisel Bilgi Formu” oluşturulmuştur. Pearson Momentler Çarpımı Korelasyon Katsayısı ile çoklu regresyon analizleri kullanılmıştır. Pearson Korelasyon Analizi sonucuna göre mutluluk ile aranılan anlam, yaşamın anlamı, dikkat ve farkındalık, yargılayıcı olamama ve bilinçli farkındalık düzeyleri arasında anlamlı ilişki bulurken, bulunmaya çalışılan anlam, reaktif olamama ve kendini kabul etme arasında belirgin bir ilişki bulgusu bulunmamıştır. Regresyon bulgularına bakıldığında bilinçli farkındalık ve yaşamın anlamı alt boyutlarının mutluluk üzerinde anlamlı yordayıcı olduğu, bununla birlikte sırası ile yaşamın anlamı ve bilinçli farkındalık düzeylerinin de mutluluğu anlamlı düzeyde yordadığı bulgusuna ulaşılmıştır.