bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determination of Cutoff Diameter of Great Saphenous Vein as Indicative of SaphenoFemoral Junction Incompetence in Cases of Varicose Veins
Authors: Lahel Ranjit Singh , Chail Amit , Kumar Sangeet 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Introduction:
Saphenofemoral junction (SFJ) incompetence is the most commonly attributed etiological factor in varicose veins of lower limbs with a consequent increase in the caliber of the great saphenous vein (GSV). This study aimed to assess GSV diameter to determine its cutoff diameter value for predicting reflux at the SFJ, in cases of varicose veins.

Methods:
This hospital-based prospective study was conducted on 156 patients (245 diseased limbs) over a period of 2 years, involving patients referred from the outpatient department for evaluation of varicose veins or those being evaluated as a part of preoperative assessment.

Results:
The cutoff value of GSV diameter to detect SFJ incompetence was determined at 5.4 mm with best sensitivity of 74.3%, specificity of 78.5%, and accuracy of 75.1%.

Conclusion:
GSV diameter assessment is of immense clinical importance as it can help the treating physician to filter out the false-negative cases solely being diagnosed based on reflux at SFJ, especially those with an absence of obvious clinical signs.
Role of Chemoprophylaxis in Outbreak Control of Pneumonia in an Institutional Setting
Authors: Diwate Sunil , Nema D. , Yadav Arun Kumar 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background:
The outbreak of pneumonia among young healthy recruits in military training establishments during winter months is well documented. Rapid gathering of recruits from all parts of the country in crowded living conditions exposes them to a variety of pathogens. The objective of the present investigation was to identify causes, establish diagnosis, imply control measures, and develop future strategies after the occurrence of pneumonia outbreak during winter.

Methods:
The outbreak was investigated using standard epidemiological methods and medical case sheets, X-ray findings, laboratory findings, etc., to describe the epidemiology and guide the control efforts.

Results:
Over 3 months, 67 cases of pneumonia occurred among recruits with an attack rate of 11.1/1000 recruits/month. Radiological positivity in the form of consolidation in chest X-ray was found in 100% of cases with complications like pleural effusion in seven cases, of which intercostal chest tube drainage was required in two cases. The outbreak responded rapidly following mass chemoprophylaxis with tablet azithromycin 500 mg in five doses.

Conclusion:
The outbreak of pneumonia occurred among young healthy recruits (age – 17–23 years) residing in an overcrowded dwelling. Mass chemoprophylaxis was a suitable strategy along with conventional remedial measures such as health advisories, health education, hand hygiene/respiratory hygiene etiquettes, and segregations of affected squads to control the outbreak.
Prescription Audit of the Outpatient Department of an Ophthalmic Tertiary Care Public Sector Hospital
Authors: Sahran Deepti , Seth Sankalp , Gupta Shakti Kumar , Dada Tanuj , Pandey R. M. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Introduction:
Prescription audit is a type of vigilance activity, which is beneficial in clinical practice in terms of reducing the burden of disease because of medication errors. The aim of the audit was to study the prescribing practices of the outpatient department of an ophthalmic tertiary care public sector hospital. The objectives were to assess the drug use pattern and to recommend suggestions, if any, to improve the prescribing practices. This was a prospective, cross-sectional descriptive study.

Materials and Methods:
A study was conducted over a period of 1 month (February) to audit the ophthalmic prescriptions received at free generic pharmacy of the tertiary hospital. Data was collected using a predetermined sample size (625) and random sampling strategy. Audit of prescriptions was done and WHO drug prescription and usage indicators were analyzed.

Statistical Analysis Used:
The data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2010 and Strata 11.

Results:
Out of randomly selected 625 prescriptions, patient identification details were not properly mentioned in 23% of prescriptions. Some errors were, missing name in 8 (1.28%), missing age in 68 (10.88%), and missing gender in 65 (10.4%) prescriptions. Regarding drug prescription indicators, the doses and correct strength of drug was mentioned in 7 (1.12%) prescriptions and the route of administration of drug was not written in 17 (2.72%) prescriptions. Out of the total 1543 drugs prescribed, only 134 (8.68%) drugs were prescribed in generic form. One hundred (6.48%) drugs were prescribed from the WHO Essential Drug Formulary (EDF), 115 (7.45%) drugs were prescribed from the National EDF, and a total of 129 (8.36%) drugs were prescribed in the form of fixed-drug combinations. An average of 2.47 ± 1.51 drugs were prescribed per patient. Polypharmacy was not significant as more than five drugs were prescribed in only 4% of prescriptions.

Conclusions:
Prescription writing errors were common which include incorrect mention of patient details, route of administration, and correct dose and strength of drugs. Awareness against polypharmacy was high. Efforts should be taken to promote the usage of generic form of drugs. Standardization of prescription writing and regular conduct of audits is the way forward.
A Case Series of Pathological Gambling with Suicidal Ideation
Authors: Sharma Pankaj , Dubey Amresh , Ivaturi Nagesh Venkata , Rajput Mayank 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
With the recent advances in technology, gambling, an activity which was previously restricted to casinos and card rooms is now readily available at the click of a button in the form of online gambling, wagering, and card games. The rapid surge in availability of this addictive activity has resulted in the increasing incidence of pathological gambling (PG) among groups of society which were otherwise shielded from this ailment. Here, we present a series of three cases of PG involved in online gambling who presented with similar symptoms of depression and suicidal ideation. All three individuals had a similar work environment and were detected at their respective primary care with symptoms of low mood, reduced sleep, low appetite, and suicidal thoughts in the background of heavy financial debt and family problems owing to an irresistible urge to gamble in online games. The individuals had experienced an initial temporary success in these online games and thus developed craving to be continuously engaged in them at the cost of their personal and professional duties and well-being. Once the individuals were drained of their monetary savings completely, they resorted to borrowing money from their colleagues, relatives, and financial institutions to further gamble and win back their losses, resulting in the further aggravation of their financial burden and depressive symptoms. These individuals posed a dilemma for the treating physician whether their suicidal ideation was a result of depression or an aftermath of PG and the humiliation associated with it.
Tropical Pyomyositis in Immunocompetent Hosts Posing Diagnostic Challenges: A Case Series
Authors: Shukla Rajat VSM , Dubey Indra Prakash , Kumar Ajay , Kompella Kiran Kumar , Khan Sohil , Mohanan Kirti , Singh Abhilash 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Pyomyositis is an acute pyogenic infection of the muscles and tissues which results in localized pus collections and abscess formation. This entity at times becomes difficult to diagnose due to lack of specific signs and atypical or nonspecific manifestations. This condition is a mimic for a wide range of differential diagnoses due to which the patient often receives many unwarranted antibiotics. Furthermore, the deep location of the muscles makes the clinical signs in apparent leading to misdiagnosis as rarer entities such as inflammatory myositis. In the last 1 year, four such interesting cases were admitted in this tertiary care center with different clinical presentations. All these cases were healthy, immunocompetent individuals who presented to smaller hospitals with clinical presentation of muscle and joint pain with fever. The muscle groups affected were different in all these cases. All four patients were transferred to this hospital due to the diagnostic dilemma between inflammatory and infective myositis. After a thorough workup including imaging and tissue diagnostics, they were labeled pyomyositis. This further stresses the need for physicians to become acquainted with this potentially life-threatening yet curable infective disease entity. The patients were managed with antibiotics for a minimum duration of 3 weeks and a maximum duration of 8 weeks for complete recovery. Pyomyositis in immunocompetent hosts was related to factors affecting the muscles without any strenuous exercise or direct trauma. Comprehensive evaluation of the muscles is facilitated by assessment of fluorodeoxyglucose uptake on positron emission tomography–computed tomography scan. The initial therapy consisting of cephalosporin and teicoplanin was found effective in our patients. The minimum length of in-hospital treatment was 4 weeks. This series further reinforces the fact that tropical pyomyositis is not exclusive to immunocompromised persons.
Brain natriuretic peptide for prediction of mortality in patients with sepsis
Authors: Mohamed Amani K. , Mohamed Nagwa Abd El-Ghaffar , Tawfik Nalgaa Abou-Elfatta , Mohamed Marwa Yahia 
Published: March 2024

Introduction
Worldwide, sepsis is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Patients are at high risk for irreversible organ failure and a lethal course. About 60 000 individuals die from sepsis annually, and survivors have a reduced quality of life. In addition, sepsis places a considerable economic burden on the society. Early and comprehensive treatment improves outcome significantly. Brain natriuretic peptides (BNPs) are powerful predictors of death and major events in patients with stable coronary disease and pulmonary embolism. Several prospective studies have been carried out to investigate the potential role of BNPs in predicting mortality in septic patients in ICUs. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate BNP for the prediction of mortality and myocardial dysfunction in severe sepsis and septic shock.

Patients and methods
This prospective study was carried out on 50 patients including group I, patients with sepsis, group (II), patients with severe sepsis, and group III, patients with septic shock. This study was carried out in the ICU of the Internal Medicine Department, Al-Zahraa University Hospital, in the period between January 2013 and March 2014 with written consents from our patients according to the ethical committee of the university. BNPs were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results
There was a highly statistical difference in the mean±SD of the BNP levels in group III (901.77±259.6) compared with group II (610.84±102.46), P value less than 0.01; also, there was a statistical difference in the BNP levels in group III (901.77±259.6) compared with group I (217.4±81.16), P value less than 0.01, whereas there was a statistically significant difference in group II (610.84±102.46) compared with group I (217.4±81.16), P value less than 0.05. In terms of the correlation between the BNP levels and other parameters of the patient groups, there was a highly positive significant correlation between BNP levels and the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE II) score, the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, and white blood cells count. A significant positive correlation was found between BNP levels and prothrombin concentration (PC). There was a nonsignificant correlation between BNP and age, creatine phosphokinase, creatine kinase-MB, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, prothrombin time, international normalized ratio, and length of stay.

Conclusion
Our results suggested that an elevated BNP level may prove to be a powerful predictor of mortality in patients with sepsis. Future larger and more adequately powered prospective studies are warranted to clarify the prognostic value of BNPs in conjunction with other biomarkers.
Effect of carbon dioxide laser with botulinum toxin compared with carbon dioxide alone in treatment of periorbital syringoma
Authors: Khedr Mona Abd Al-Aleem , Afifi Wafaa , Said Marwa 
Published: March 2024

Background
Periorbital syringoma is a benign adnexal tumor of eccrine origin that mostly affects middle-aged women. It consists of bilateral, multiple, yellow to flesh colored to brown firm papules.

Aim
To assess the effect of fractional CO2 laser with topical botulinum toxin compared with fractional CO2 laser alone in the treatment of periorbital syringomas.

Patients and methods
This split-face prospective study was carried out on 30 patients presented with periorbital syringomas. All patients were subjected to history taking, clinical examination, examination for site, number of syringomas, and photographic documentation. The patients were treated by fractional CO2 laser and immediately followed by 0.1 cm of diluted Botox (by gentle hand massage) in the right eyelid, whereas the left eyelid was treated by fractional CO2 laser only. The patients were subjected to two sessions with 4–6-week interval.

Results
There was a statistically significant increase in the response to treatment by fractional CO2 laser followed by topical Botox (P=0.039). The percentage of improvement was 95.5%.

Conclusion
The use of fractional CO2 laser combined with topical botulinum toxin in treatment of periorbital syringomas has better results than the use of fractional CO2 laser only.
Systolic time intervals and its relation to intraventricular dyssynchrony of the left ventricle in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Ahmed Ali Hasan Asmaa 
Published: March 2024

Aim
To assess the value of systolic time intervals [as simple echocardiographic parameters of left ventricle (LV) systolic performance] and its relation to intraventricular dyssynchrony (by speckle tracking) of the LV in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Patients and methods
All the studied individuals were subjected to ECG and transthoracic echocardiography to measure LV dimensions and systolic function by conventional and speckle-tracking echo. Left ventricular pre-ejection time (LVPET), left ventricular ejection time (LVET), and the ratio of LVPET to LVET were also measured (LVPET/LVET). Two-dimensional strain to measure time to peak negative strain value of the LV segments was averaged to calculate TPS-SD.

Results
The enrolled population were 153 cases, divided into 123 patients and 30 normal individuals. There was a significant lower LV global longitudinal strain % in the patient group. Moreover, insignificant shorter LVET was seen in the patients. LVET had an inversely significant correlation with QRS duration and dyssynchrony index. The LVPET and PET/LVET ratio had a significant linear correlation with QRS duration and dyssynchrony index measured by two-dimensional strain (r=0.4, P<0.01).

Conclusion
Systolic time interval can be easily and accurately measured in patients with DCM and may be considered as an indicator for presence of LV intraventricular dyssynchrony.
MixFace: Improving face verification with a focus on fine‐grained conditions
Authors: Jung Junuk , Son Sungbin , Park Joochan , Park Yongjun , Lee Seonhoon , Oh Heung‐Seon 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe performance of face recognition (FR) has reached a plateau for public benchmark datasets, such as labeled faces in the wild (LFW), celebrities in frontal‐profile in the wild (CFP‐FP), and the first manually collected, in‐the‐wild age database (AgeDB), owing to the rapid advances in convolutional neural networks (CNNs). However, the effects of faces under various fine‐grained conditions on FR models have not been investigated, owing to the absence of relevant datasets. This paper analyzes their effects under different conditions and loss functions using K‐FACE, a recently introduced FR dataset with fine‐grained conditions. We propose a novel loss function called MixFace, which combines classification and metric losses. The superiority of MixFace in terms of effectiveness and robustness was experimentally demonstrated using various benchmark datasets.
Cognatic portrait of the indigenous languages of Tabuk City, Kalinga, Philippines
Authors: Quimosing-Ocay Abigail 
Published: March 2024

Tabuk City in Kalinga, Philippines is a melting pot of diverse ethnolinguistic groups. Kalinga alone is known for its unique 46 ethnic groups, which include nine (9) in the locale of Tabuk City - Biga, Culminga, Dallak, Ga’dang, Guilayon, Malbong, Minanga, Nanong, and Tobog. Observations tell that these indigenous languages profess similarities that members of these groups do understand each other though they make use of their own indigenous language.
Hence, the study aimed to portray the linguistic cognates among the indigenous languages in Tabuk City, Kalinga. Specifically, the study found that there are cognates among the indigenous languages in Tabuk City as to lexical, morphological, and syntactic features. As to lexical features, there are cognates in the categories of counting numbers, pronouns, body parts, living things, and non-living things. On morphological features, there are cognates as to word formation processes, while as to syntactic features, cognates are found in the resemblances in sentence structures among the identified indigenous languages. Significantly, the study provides reference material for Mother-tongue teachers in teaching indigenous languages.
Finally, the study illustrates in a cognate map that Malbong, Nanong, Minanga, and Tobog indigenous languages denote higher resemblances as compared to the cognates among Biga, Culminga, Dallak, Guilayon, and Ga’dang.
Meningkatkan Hasil Belajar IPA Melalui Model Pembelajaran Learning Cycle 5E Pada Siswa Kelas IV SDN 101 Makale 4 Kecamatan Makale Kabupaten Tana Toraja
Authors: Kabanga Theresyam , Tulak Topanus , Buli Sarah 
Published: March 2024

Model pembelajaran adalah suatu perencanaan atau suatu pola yang digunakan sebagai pedoman dalam merencanakan pembelajaran di kelas. Setiap model pembelajaran mengarahkan kita ke dalam mendesain pembelajaran untuk membantu siswa sedemikian rupa sehingga tujuan pembelajaran tercapai. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk meningkatkan hasil belajar siswa pada mata pelajaran IPA dengan menggunakan model pembelajaran Learning Cycle 5E pada siswa kelas IV SDN 101 Makale 4 Kecamatan Makale Kabupaten Tana Toraja. Adapun manfaat dari penelitian ini diharapkan dapat memberikan kontribusi terhadap perkembangan ilmu pengetahuan dalam bidang pendidikan, khususnya memberikan informasi berupa gambaran yang menyatakan bahwa dalam meningkatkan hasil belajar IPA dapat dilakukan melalui penggunaan model pembelajaran Learning Cycle 5E. Sehingga hasil penelitian ini dapat dijadikan teori pendukung bagi guru untuk meningkat kualitas pembelajaran. Pembelajaran Learning Cycle merupakan salah satu model pembelajaran kontruktivisme. Model pembelajaran Learning Cycle (pembelajaran bersiklus) yaitu suatu model pembelajaran yang berpusat pada siswa. Dalam model pembelajaran ini guru dituntut untuk memotivasi siswa, sehingga ikut berpartisipasi aktif dalam kegiatan pembelajaran. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan adanya peningkatan hasil belajar siswa pada mata pelajaran IPA kelas IV SDN 101 Makale 4 setelah pelaksanaan model Learning Cycle 5E dalam kegiatan pembelajaran. Terbukti dengan nilai rata-rata siswa pada siklus I 63,45 dengan ketuntasan belajar 65%, dan nilai rata-rata siswa pada siklus II 81,47 dengan ketuntasan belajar 95%. Sehingga kesimpulan dalam penelitian ini adalah hasil belajar IPA siswa kelas IV SDN 101 Makale 4 dapat meningkat melalui model pembelajaran Learning Cycle 5E.
The Application of AI and Computer Science in the Context of International Law and Governance “Opportunities and Challenges”
Authors: Ness Stephanie , Singh Navdeep , Volkivskyi Mykola , Phia Wong Jest 
Published: March 2024

Purpose: The purpose of "Governing Artificial Intelligence: Ethical, Legal, and Technical Opportunities and Challenges" is to examine the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on various societal aspects and to underscore its potential benefits for human rights, social welfare, and economic growth. The essay emphasizes the necessity of regulating AI systems in a fair, transparent, and responsible manner, especially in high-risk sectors.
Materials and Methods: Research Design: The essay employs a literature review and analysis approach to explore the ethical, legal, and technical challenges associated with governing AI.
Method of Data Collection: Data collection primarily involves gathering information from existing literature, reports, and expert opinions. Analysis and Presentation: The data is analyzed qualitatively to provide insights into the complexities of AI governance. The findings are presented systematically to address different dimensions of the topic.
Findings: The essay presents a comprehensive analysis of the ethical, legal-regulatory, and technological challenges in governing AI. It highlights the need for robust governance frameworks to ensure the responsible development and deployment of AI systems.
Implication to Theory, Practice, and Policy: The study is informed by various theories on ethics, governance, and technology. Validation of these theories is achieved through a critical examination of existing literature and empirical evidence. Practitioners are recommended to adopt principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability in the development and deployment of AI systems. Additionally, continuous monitoring and evaluation mechanisms should be established to ensure compliance with ethical standards. Policymakers are encouraged to enact regulations that promote the ethical and responsible use of AI technologies. This includes establishing clear guidelines for AI development, deployment, and accountability mechanisms to address potential risks and ensure societal well-being.
Unveiling the Impact of Demographic Factors on Disease Survival: A Multifaceted Examination across Diverse Medical Conditions
Authors: Cherukuri Lakshmi Sahitya , Rajput Rohan Singh , Neema Shantanu 
Published: March 2024

Purpose: In this research, we studied the intricate interplay between demographic indicators and survival rates across various diseases, aiming to address the gap in comprehensive analyses across multiple conditions.
Methodology: Drawing from a dataset encompassing 9105 critically ill patients from five medical centers in the United States [1], admitted between1989-1991 and 1992-1994, our analysis spans eight disease categories. Leveraging techniques such as Cox-proportional hazard models and machine learning algorithms, we explore the influence of socio-economic status, gender, race, and education on survival outcomes.
Findings: Our findings underscore significant demographic disparities in disease survivability, with ethnicity, gender, and education level showing varying impacts across different medical conditions. Notably, Asians exhibit lower hazards for certain diseases but higher hazards for others, while females demonstrate better survival probabilities compared to males. Moreover, individuals with higher education levels tend to have slightly increased hazards for certain conditions.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice, and Policy: The call for comparative analyses across multiple diseases using comprehensive datasets marks a pivotal shift in research strategy. It aims to highlight the interplays and shared risk factors across diseases, contributing significantly to the advancement of theoretical frameworks, the refinement of healthcare practices, and the shaping of informed public health policies. This approach seeks to bridge a critical gap in the literature, offering a foundation for interventions designed to enhance disease management and improve population health outcomes comprehensively.