All Articles in february, 2023

Disruption to contrast agent supply chains for radiology investigations has become an additional consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Various recommendations, including dose reductions and choices of alternative agents, have been made to help account for this limited availability. This case demonstrated how two separate CT venograms with different contrast agents, undertaken on the same day for the same patient, yielded different results; venous thromboses were more prominent in the subsequent scan. Although there was some evidence of venous sinus thrombosis on the first scan, repeat imaging was required to further characterize the lesions identified. The case exemplifies the notion that diagnostic imaging should always be guided by a detailed history and examination. It also raises the discussion point of whether more strict or uniform protocols should be developed to facilitate contrast administration for radiology investigations. It is important that appropriate doses are always administered to maximize diagnostic yield.

The creation of the information society is associated with the creation of new intellectual, cultural, spiritual and material values, as well as with new principles and methods of social and interpersonal communication. Achieving this goal is impossible without changes in teaching methodology, teaching technologies and teacher’s work.The article is an overview and focuses on the following issues. In the information society, the era of biocomputers and quantum computers is coming, which will use not only artificial intelligence, but also artificial consciousness for simulation. Artificial awareness builds the foundations for the development of robots that will be widely used in various fields of industry and science. - Artificial awareness combined with artificial intelligence can be an innovative method in education and communication; - Quantum computers and biocomputers will find wide application in human education and social life;

The pathogenesis of an ovarian disease is connected with PTN and its receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor Z1 (PTPRZ1). Paclitaxel is the first-line drug for the therapy of ovarian cancer. With the increment of paclitaxel chemotherapy, paclitaxel obstruction happens in the late phase of therapy frequently. By treating A2780 and SKOV-3 cells with PTN, we found the development of the two cell lines was enhanced. Different concentrations of PTN were added to A2780 and SKOV-3 cells treated with paclitaxel and the results of MTT showed that the inhibitory effect of paclitaxel on these two cell lines was weakened. The results of apoptosis assays showed that PTN could slow down the rate of apoptosis and its concentration dependence in both cell lines. To further investigate the impact of PTN on the paclitaxel responsiveness of ovarian malignant growth cells, A2780 and SKOV-3 cells were transfected with sh-PTN-1, sh-PTN-2 and sh-NC plasmids. The results of PCR and Western Blot showed that both RNA-interfering plasmids could inhibit PTN in A2780 and SKOV-3 cells. The results of MTT showed that the inhibitory effect of paclitaxel on cells transfected with sh-PTN-1 expanded compared with the benchmark group. Apoptosis assays showed that the complete apoptosis pace of A2780 and SKOV-3 cells with sh-PTN-1 plasmid induced by paclitaxel was accelerated obviously compared with the benchmark group. To summarize, the results suggested that PTN could enhance the resistance to paclitaxel in ovarian cancer cells, which provides a groundwork for studying on drug resistance of cancer cells to paclitaxel and a new perspective for ovarian cancer therapy.

Indonesia is the fourth largest country in the world by population and has made considerable progress since the 1960s in terms of economic growth and structural transformation. But in recent years it has become apparent that the health of the nation is far from satisfactory. The purpose of this article is to review recent literature on health problems in Indonesia and to outline the policy challenges which face the government. Since 2001, the provision of primary health care has been decentralized to sub-provincial levels of government but they lack often lack the resources, and trained staff to provide adequate services to rural populations in particular. The literature suggests that while most health indicators have shown some improvement in recent years, there are still large variations by region and social class. The country is still far from achieving the goal of universal health coverage.

Background: Chronic kidney disease is a progressive loss in renal function that is more accepted as global public health importance and its magnitude is overgrowing in the least developed countries like Ethiopia. No data was found in Debre Birhan Central Ethiopia on the magnitude of chronic kidney disease among type 2 diabetes patients. Methods: Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 327 at Debre Berhan Referral Hospital from March to June 2019 in Adult (≥ 18 years) type 2 diabetes follow-up patients who volunteered to give informed written consent were included in the study. Systematic random sampling was used. Data were collected by interviews using structured and pre-tested questionnaires. Descriptive statistics of the continuous and categorical variables were done. The bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression was done to show the net effect of explanatory variables on chronic renal disease. Results: A total of 327 study participants were involved in the final analysis. The Prevalence of CKD among type 2 diabetic patients was 15.9%. A significant association was found with age > 60 years [AOR 3.5 (95% CI 1.8-6.8)], alcoholic patients [AOR 2.4 (95% CI 1.2-5.1)], glycated hemoglobin levels above 7% [AOR 2.5 (95 CI 1.5-4.1)], higher level of LDL greater than 100 g/dl [AOR 2.7 (95% CI 1.9-4)] and lower level of HDL [AOR 2.9 (95% CI 1.4-6)].Conclusion: The magnitude of chronic kidney disease among type 2 diabetic follow-up patients was 15.9%. Estimated GFR should be determined for diabetic patients at regular intervals of time for earlier diagnosis of chronic kidney disease.

The last four decades have been particularly marked by devastating diseases. During this period, humanity hasexperienced plagues such as SARS, bird Flu, Ebola, Chikun-gunya, COVID-19 in addition to diseases that were already decimating populations.

Phytoplasmas belong to the parasitic group of mollicutes, which represent a phylogenetically coherent group of pathogens that colonize a wide spectrum of hosts and insects [1].

Introduction: In an earlier study, we described and validated a VKA dose-finding algorithm (B2A), based on a novel bidirectional factor (BF). We designed a prospective study to evaluate the B2A in a daily care setting. Methods: In this open-label prospective study, we compared the outcomes of the B2A over the year 2020 with the outcomes of the previous year (2019), using regular algorithms. The outcomes were the duration of Time in the Therapeutic Range (TTR), the percentage of automated dose proposals (PAuP) and the percentage of accepted dose proposals (PAcP). The data were obtained from three anticoagulation centers in the Netherlands, in four locations. The outcomes of this study were based on a non-inferiority level.Results: The TTR over the year 2020 was at least non-inferior compared with the standard of care treatment. The percentage of automated proposals increased in all centers to approximately 96% of all dosages. Conclusion: The B2A performs non-inferior compared with the existing algorithms and in some aspects even better.

Aim: To determine the correlation between mammographic features of breast cancer with molecular subtypes and to calculate the predictive value of these features. Materials and method: This is a retrospective study of breast cancer patients presenting between January 2017 and December 2021, who underwent mammography of the breast followed by true cut biopsy and immunohistochemical staining of the tissue sample. Breast carcinoma patients without preoperative mammograms, those unable to undergo histopathological and IHC examinations and h/o prior cancer treatment were excluded. On mammography, size, shape, margins, density, the presence or absence of suspicious calcifications and associated features were noted. Results: Irregular-shaped tumors with spiculated margins were likely to be luminal A/B subtypes of breast cancer. Tumors with a round or oval shape with circumscribed margins were highly suggestive of Triple negative breast cancer. Tumors with suspicious calcifications were likely to be HER2 enriched. Conclusion: Mammographic features such as irregular or round shape, circumscribed or noncircumscribed margins and suspicious calcifications are strongly correlated in predicting the molecular subtypes of breast cancer and thus may further expand the role of conventional breast imaging.

The main focus of this study concentrates on evaluating the quality of groundwater in and around the zone of pattamadai where the production of the mat in this region is a landmark industry, which is using dyes in a larger volume. The primary work starts with the collection of water samples from 13 boreholes and 13 hand-dug wells in different time intervals in the month of March 2021, which is a dry season. As per standards the water quality parameters have been evaluated and observed to be within the range. All the physico-chemical parameters for the samples have been studied for boreholes and hand-dug wells as all the values are observed to be within the range and are highlighted in the results.

Hyperglycemia due to abnormalities in insulin production, insulin action, or both characterizes the metabolic disorders known collectively as diabetes [1]. 

The problems of guaranteeing the best possible social and health services in every part of the world to combat any form of disability and limitation of participation for all, as indicated by international ethical-political documents, are still very great. A critical point that could favour this progress is to enhance the integration between the growing potential of rehabilitation science (medical and clinical evidence, technologies, and training of numerous operators..) and the ability of communities as a whole to stimulate, support and qualify these interventions with the participation of citizens (families, neighbours and associations) who can voluntarily actively carry out important synergistic actions in many fields. This could develop in any socio-economic condition; in developed ones supporting and finalizing any treatment in common life and in developing countries offering competencies and knowledge to the strong funding actions of community projects aimed at populations with disabilities in this part of the World. The community of rehabilitation professionals, national governments and rulers, and international institutions (UN, WHO..) must well understand this aspect and make it their own in training, in the definition of care protocols, in the definition of the organization of socio-health and rehabilitation systems in each country in relation to the different local economic and cultural conditions.

Fox, et al. [1] reported on the relevant cardiopulmonary findings in a series of autopsies of patients deceased from SARS-CoV-2 infection. In particular, regarding the histologic examination of the lungs, they observed bilateral diffuse alveolar damage with a lymphocytic infiltrate, thickened alveolar capillaries, fibrin thrombi within the capillaries and small vessels, and entrapment of neutrophils, without any significant neutrophilic, infiltrate within airways or the interstitium. 

Ono S, Kondo S. Molecular Theory of Surface Tension in Liquids, in Structure of Liquids, series Encyclopedia of Physics, Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. 1960; 3/10:134-280. Rowlinson JS, Widom B. Molecular Theory of Capillarity, Oxford University Press, Oxford. 1989. Jaycock MJ, Parfitt GD. Chemistry of Interfaces, Halstead Press, John Wiley & Sons, New York. 1981. Adamson AW, Gast AP. Physical Chemistry of Surfaces, Wiley-Interscience Publication, John Wiley & Sons. 1997. Rusanov AI, Prokhorov VA. Interfacial Tensiometry, Elsevier, Amsterdam. 1996. Baranov SA, Dikusar AI. Kinetics of Electrochemical Nanonucleation upon Induced Codeposition of Iron-Group Metals with Refractory Metals (W, Mo, Re). Surface Engineering and Applied Electrochemistry. 2022; 589(5):429-439. DOI: 3103/S1068375522050027. Baranov SA. Surface energy for nanowire. Annals of Mathematics and Physics. 2022; 81-86. DOI: 10.17352/amp.000043. Baranov SA. Surface Energy, and Production Micro-and Nanowire. Journal of Nanosciences Research & Reports 2022; 4(4):1-4. DOI: doi.org/10.47363/JNSRR/2022(4)142. Baranov SA, Rekhviashvili SSh, Sokurov AA. Some problems of simulation of the thermodynamic properties of droplets. Surface Engineering and Applied Electrochemistry. 2019; 55(3):286-193. DOI: 5281/zenodo.1228887. Sears GW. A grown mechanism for mercury whiskers. Acta metallurgical. 1955; 3(4):367-369. Cahn RW. Background to rapid solidification processing. Liebermann HH. (ed.) Rapidly Solidified Alloys, Materials Engineering Series. Dekker, Parsippany, NJ. 1993; 3:1-15. Khachaturyan AG. Theory of structural transformations in solids, Dover Publications, New York. 2008.

Jatropha dioica sesse ex cerv is a specie native to Mexico and Texas, commonly known as “sangre de drago“, its name is due to its colorless juice turning dark at exposure to the wind. This mini-review aims to collect information about the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Jatropha dioica. The phytochemicals identified are diterpenes, (citlalitrione, jatrophone and riolozatrione), β-sitosterol, oxalic acid and ellagic acid. The stems, whole plant, or the root of J. dioica in traditional medicine are used to avoid hair loss, as an antibacterial, and antiviral, to strengthen teeth, and to heal some injuries among others uses. Among the biological activities attributed to Jatropha dioica are found in antiviral activity, antifungal, antimicrobial, chemopreventive, anti-hyperglycemic and cytotoxic. However, the little information about the chemical composition of this species and the scarce scientific studies validating its pharmacological properties make J. dioica an interesting species to study.

A 25 years old pregnant woman had a painful labor in her 38th week of pregnancy. Because of a previous delivery by a cesarean section, she underwent a second cesarean section. Her past medical and family history was unimportant. We performed the surgery under spinal anesthesia. The surgery was uneventful and the baby was in a good health. After 9 hours of surgery, she complained of painless swelling in the parotid glands. Physical examination and laboratories were normal. We started rehydration with normal saline and one dose of hydrocortisone (100 mg IV route). Close monitoring showed no problems in swallowing or any purulent discharge. Two days later, we had a complete resolution of the swelling. We discharged the woman with her child with no complaints. Our case is one of the rare cases of anesthesia mumps after spinal anesthesia. Physicians should be careful in considering such rare cases. Early diagnosis and management is the key.

Renal impairment is one of the most severe non-communicable diseases around the world. Especially patients with diagnosed/newly diagnosed renal impairment who needed surgery are more focused on preoperative and postoperative preparation. Serum creatinine is the prime biochemical marker for assessing renal function and the level of impairment is widely measured by this marker as well as Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR). Objective: Factors responsible for fluctuating serum creatinine during preoperative and postoperative periods and minimizing the process of serum creatinine is the ultimate goal of this study. Method: 37 patients participated in this cross-sectional study who were previously diagnosed/newly diagnosed. They were admitted to different tertiary-level hospitals for emergency or elective surgery. 15 patients were admitted in the renal function impairment stage and 22 were admitted as normal patients’. Values of creatinine at the pre-admission stage and 2nd/3rd post-admission follow-up were compared. Results: 0.41 was the average of 22 patients’ creatinine between pre-admission and 2nd/3rd follow-up. The responsible factor like prolonged staying, immobilization, co-morbidities, different preoperative antibiotics and NSAIDs were also inducers for creatinine elevation. After postoperative hemodialysis rapid decrease of creatinine is seen in normal patients but this decrease is very much minor in CKD-diagnosed patients. 

Chronic foot and heel pain is a clinical dilemma that Pain Physicians often encounter in their daily practice. In the younger active patients, this is often attributed to plantar fasciitis but other rarer etiologies should also be considered. In patients who present with pain over the medial calcaneus, entrapment neuropathy of the inferior calcaneal nerve, the first branch of the lateral plantar nerve (FBLPN), also known as “Baxter’s nerve” must be considered [1,2]. Initially described in 1984 by Baxter and Thigpen, it is often overlooked as a cause of medial heel pain, particularly in athletes, where it may coexist with plantar fasciitis [3]. The nerve has a tortuous course in the foot and can be entrapped as it passes through the fascia of the abductor hallucis, travels in close proximity to a plantar spur or the medial calcaneal tuberosity, or gets enmeshed in scar tissue from prior surgery [1,3].

Monitoring the life cycle of physical assets (PA) implies addressing issues, such as PA’s energy efficiency and its replacement and definition of the most proper moment to renew. The goals of this article are: to present a characterization of energy sources and analyze the PA life cycle in a food sector company. First, it will be characterized the costs and the expenses of the organization’s energy sources, then, a study about the replacement of PA is presented; Traditional methods were used, such as economic life; The models that underlie it are discussed throughout the article, using actual data, for validation. Three methods for depreciation of PA are used: Linear Depreciation; Sum of Digits and Exponential. Other methods were used to determine the Economic Cycle for replacing PA: Uniform Annual Expenditure (MRAU); Minimizing the Average Total Cost (MCMT); and the MCMT-Reduced to Present Value (MCMT-RVP). The equipment of the study was bakery ovens (gas and electrical). Results and conclusions from the application of the methods used in the evaluation of these PAs are presented.

A comprehensive study was carried out to assess the microbiological, nutritional, biochemical and essential oil characteristics of three Egyptian traditional cultivars seeds, namely, cumin (Cuminum cyminum) and coriander (Coriandum sativum) spices as well as basil whole herb (Ocimum basilicum) collected from different Egyptian export centers as being ready for export. The found values for humidity in dry seeds of cumin (7.4%) and coriander (6.4%), as well as total ash and ash insoluble in acid (in cumin 7.7% and 0.74%, but in coriander 5.3% and 0.55%, respectively), were lower than the maximum limits indicated by the Egyptian Specification Standards (ES) and by International Standards Organization (ISO) for cumin and coriander seeds. Analysis of essential minerals in seed spices and herbs indicated that they were rich in K, Ca, Na, Fe and Zn. The total bacterial count was low content in seeds of cumin and coriander as well as fresh whole basil herb. The microbiological load in all tested seed spices and herbs was found lower than those indicated by the ES and ISO for cumin and coriander seeds. Yields in hydro-distilled essential oils (EOs) were the highest in cumin seeds (3.762%), while both coriander and basil herbs had lower amounts (0.285% and 0.686%, respectively). EOs contents were found higher than the maximum limits for cumin (1.5% - 2.5% on a dry weight basis), but within the limits for coriander (0.1% - 0.5% on a dry weight basis) as indicated by the ES and ISO for cumin and coriander seed oils. Gas chromatography of extracted EOs from seeds of cumin and coriander as well as basil herbs indicated the presence of 41, 35 and 47 compounds, respectively, where cumin aldehyde was the major component in cumin volatiles but was linalool in volatiles of both coriander seeds and basil herbs. EOs of basil herbs grown in Egypt were of the high linalool chemotype which was characterized by high contents of linalool and relatively lower amounts of eugenol. However, the major compounds in the three tested EOs from seeds or herbs grown in Egypt are in accordance with literature reports from different parts of the world. Volatile oil components in EOs of the three tested Egyptian spices and herbs were classified into groups, based on the relative area (%). The proportion of the major and the other main components in EOs from seeds of cumin and coriander cultivars were within the ranges indicated by both the ES and ISO for cumin seed oils (cumin aldehyde between 15% - 46%) and for coriander seed oils (linalool between 65% - 78%). The aim of the present work was to Assessment study certain commonly used Egyptian spices and herbal products for characterizing their physical, biochemical and microbiological properties.

Objectives: To examine the effect of dietary supplements on diabetic risk progression, blood glucose level, and lipid profiles.Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted at Rajavithi hospital, Thailand. Participants with prediabetes were randomly allocated to three arms of dietary supplements: placebo (PL) or curcumin plus fish oil and vitamin D (CFD), or curcumin plus fish oil (CF) for 24 weeks. Primary outcomes were the progression of glycemic status and the progression to overt diabetes at 24-week and 36-week follow-ups. Secondary outcomes were changes in glycemic profiles (fasting plasma glucose, 75 g OGTT 2-h plasma glucose or HbA1C), body weight, BMI and lipid profiles.Results: A total of forty-seven participants (PL, n = 16; CFD, n = 15; CF, n = 16) were included in the study. At the 24-week follow-up, the participants with worsening glycemic status in the intervention groups were lower, CFD, CF and Placebo, 14.29%, 13.33% and 31.25%, respectively. However, the primary outcome, progression of glycemic status, was statistically different, with p - value = 0.046 (p < 0.05) when excluding previous diabetes in the study. As well as the incidence of type 2 diabetes at 24-week follow-up was not statistically different between the three groups, 14.29%, 13.33%, and 12.5%, p - value = 0.699 (p < 0.05) in CFD, CF, PL group, respectively. The secondary outcomes also failed to demonstrate the effect of dietary supplements on blood glucose, lipid profiles, weight, BMI and blood chemistry.Conclusion: The combined dietary supplements which contained curcumin-fish oil-vitamin D,could lower the glycemic status progression in prediabetes at six months follow-up and were well-tolerated among the participants.

In our study, we aimed to show that alternative iron salts containing different additives are safe to use in patients who have type 1 hypersensitivity reactions to iron drugs and need iron replacement therapy.Materials and methods: Between January 2022 and June 2022, patients who had previously developed type 1 hypersensitivity reactions with iron preparations and needed iron replacement were included in the study. The study was designed retrospectively. Skin tests were first performed on patients to demonstrate a type 1 hypersensitivity reaction. If skin tests were negative and there was no history of life-threatening anaphylaxis, oral provocation tests were continued. If the absence of variability in symptoms and perimeter values, the drug allergy test was considered negative. Results: Twenty-two patients were included in the study. Twenty-one of the patients were female and one was male. Iron deficiency anemia was found in nine patients, and low iron stores in thirteen patients without anemia were found. Type 1 hypersensitivity reaction developed with Iron 3 Carboxymaltose in 7 patients, Iron 2 Sulfate in 5 patients, Iron 2 Glycine in 4 patients, Iron 3 Hydroxy Polymaltose in 4 patients, Iron 2 Fumarate in 1 patient and Iron 3 Hydroxide Sucrose in 1 patient. Allergy tests with all alternative iron drugs containing additional additives were negative.Conclusion: If patients with allergic reactions cannot be referred to allergy clinics, we think that oral iron salts with different additives can be used after the first dose is given in the hospital under general anaphylaxis precautions. We show that oral iron salts containing different additives can be safely used.