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A Novel Method for Forensic Examination of Bribery Cases Using Alpha-Naphtholphthalein
Full text linkBackground: Corruption is one of the major issues of India and other third world countries. Anti-corruption Bureau, detective agencies and various Forensic Science Laboratories make use of indicator dyes/detective dyes, such as, Phenolphthalein and Anthracene for catching a person involved in taking bribe, red-handed. This study aims to solve the issue of fading out of colour and fluorescence due to extraneous substances, often encountered in case of traditional dyes. To overcome the limitations faced in case of traditional dyes, a new and innovative approach by using ?-naphtholphthalein [3,3-Bis(4-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)-2-benzofuran-1(3H)-one] has been developed. Results: The sensitivity of the method was evaluated and limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were found to be 243.2005 ?g/mL or ppm and 736.9712 ?g/mL or ppm respectively, with a regression coefficient of 0.987. Conclusion: Two pathways have been suggested in this study – Aerosol spray method and the traditional wash-solution method. The resulting wash solution and the turquoise blue coloured solution have been analysed using Acid-Alkali test, pH test, Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), Colorimetry and UV Spectrophotometry
Analysis of Writing Errors on the Abstracts Submitted for the Research Conferences Hosted by Arsi, Jimma and Wellega Universities
Full text linkThe objective of this study was to analyze writing errors on the abstracts submitted for the research conferences hosted by Arsi, Jimma and Wellega Universities. The study used qualitative research method and case study design. The data collection tools were document review and interview. The study used purposive and availability sampling techniques. Findings revealed the common writing errors were grammar, subject-verb-agreement, spacing and mechanics (spelling, capitalization and punctuation). The basic causes for the errors were lack of knowledge of English, lack of attention given to the language and lack of practice of editing own writings. The strategies to mitigate writing errors were through practice of proofreading and editing of own writings before submission. The data from table 5 showed as the highest writing errors were made on grammar (31.8%), spacing (28.2%), subject-verb-agreement (27.3%), spelling (26.4%), capitalization (6.4%) and punctuation (4.5%) respectively. Thus, the study recommends the researchers/authors of the abstracts to deeply scrutinize their English language on the above identified errors, give due attention to the rules and grammar of the language and develop the practice of editing own works before submission. Likewise, it is better to work together with colleagues who are better in English language, have the practice of editing own works and ready to admit comments and feedbacks given to learn from the errors committed. In addition, Ethiopian universities should do on their lecturers/researchers English language competencies to fill their language skill gaps via short term training
Impact of Coronavirus Pandemic on Immunocompromised Patients: A Detailed Review
Full text linkBackground: The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been stressful for everyone across the globe and even more so for the immunocompromised population, bringing with it an enormous emotional impact on their lives. Fear and anxiety regarding this novel disease created a state of panic among the public. The aim was to review published cases of COVID-19 and to discuss pandemic related anxiety and stress in immunocompromised populations and describe their presentations, diagnostic processes, clinical characteristics and outcomes.
Methods: Using specific keywords, a review of scientific literature was conducted in databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar including systematic reviews, meta-analysis, case series, and case reports. Of 35 articles, 22 studies were reviewed.
Results: Of the 22 studies involved, a few of the studies had significant data. Among 603 ovarian cancer patients, 88.6% were worried, 51.4% anxious, and 26.5% depressed due to COVID-19 related delay in care. Among 167 people living with HIV patients, 25% reported generalized anxiety disorder. In another cross-sectional study with 500 respondents, anxiety (aOR = 1.73; 95% CI, 1.25–2.40, p-value = 0.001), depression and anxiety (aOR = 1.80; 95% CI, 1.28–2.53, p-value <0.001), and mental health deterioration (aOR = 1.94; 95% CI, 1.48–2.55, p-value <0.001) on basis of fear of the COVID pandemic was noted.
Conclusion: As a conclusion, these articles demonstrated that patients with immunocompromised states had more symptoms of anxiety and fear as compared to the immunocompetent patients. Most of the patients had concerns of fear about future health implications, concern over social implications, and possible financial difficulties encountered and remained infectious for a longer duration with severe anxiety symptoms
The Action of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) in Cardiovascular Disease Treatment
Full text linkAtherosclerosis, or coronary artery disease, is an inflammatory disorder capable of affecting large arteries. It is also the main cause of cardiovascular disease and stroke, and its main causative factors lie on lipid accumulation in, and inflammation of, large arteries. The aim of the current study is to investigate the need of conducting better therapeutic assessments in more clinically relevant animal models of ischemic stroke, as well as the action of platelet rich plasma in modulating inflammatory processes in cardiac injury cases
Impact of COVID-19 on Physiology Research: Global Lessons Learned and Future Recommendations
Full text linkThe Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused massive changes in not only the medical field but every aspect of the world. As the whole world moved from in-person to remote, students found themselves in a predicament where they were forced to take school online, from home. This would mean that all projects, research, tests, and meetings were conducted over Zoom or other online meeting platforms. Labs were shut down or only a limited number of people were allowed to enter to conduct the necessary research. In this paper, the field of physiological research throughout the world will be discussed, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the research process of all anatomical fields and experiments themselves. An extensive literature review of many published reports has been conducted for the study. The purpose of this is to better understand the impact of COVID-19 on the vast area of physiological studies and research. Experiments that were being conducted were halted, which could change the entirety of the results. A major issue found is that volunteers were at a minimum, specifically in the ages greater than 65 years, were scarce as they refused to volunteer due to COVID-19 risk or various other reasons. As the volunteers began to drop, experiments conducted by students were forced to change to an online-only format. Medical students were forced to conduct physiological research from home as they spoke with volunteers over the phone. This not only changes the results coming in but also the learning progression for the students. This comprehensive literature review analysis summarizes how, among multifarious short- and/or long-term consequences of the pandemic in practically every sphere, the area of physiological research was drastically impacted
Evaluation of RT-LAMP and Dry Swab RNA Extraction Free Method for Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Full text linkBackground: A novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), emerged in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. Due to high infectious rate of SARS-CoV-2, detection of positive patients is one of the key points to controlling the outbreak. The gold standard for diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 remains RT-PCR. In the current pandemic, a more rapid and high throughput method is in growing concern.
Objectives: To evaluate the RT-LAMP and dry swab RNA extraction free method in diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infection, using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) as gold standard.
Methods: A laboratory based cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out from September 2022 to October 2022 at molecular laboratory of No (1) Defence Services General Hospital. Ninety-four nasopharyngeal swabs were collected and tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 infection by RT-PCR (gold standard), RT-LAMP and dry swab method.
Result: In this study, 68 (72.3%) out of 94 patients were positive for SARS CoV-2 infection by RT-PCR. The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of RT-LAMP was 76.5%, 100%, 100% and 62%. The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of dry swab method was 66%, 100%, 100% and 53%. Hundred percent sensitivity was occurred in RT-LAMP and Dry swab method with Ct<20. In Ct 20-30, sensitivity of RT-LAMP and Dry swab method was 94.8% and 89.7%.
Conclusions: RT-PCR method exist as a gold standard for diagnosis of SARS CoV-2, it required molecular laboratory; RT-PCR machine and reagents; they are expensive; trained technician; and it takes several hours to get the results. Although sensitivity and specificity of RT-LAMP and dry swab methods are inferior to RT-PCR, they can be performed easily in the short period of time (less than 2 hours). Therefore, faster, cheaper and easier alternative molecular diagnostic methods should be considered for diagnosis of SARs CoV-2 infection
Spatio Temporal Assessment of Vegetational Health in Ede South Local Government Osun State, Nigeria
Full text linkPlant health is a major concern of any Agricultural concern as they determine directly or indirectly the level of Agricultural production and by extension, the food security of any country. The assessment was carried out using integrated remote sensing and GIS techniques in Ede South local government of Osun State, Nigeria. Temperature, Relative humidity, Soil Type and Moisture content were the environmental factors considered. Vegetational Indices (NDVI, SAVI, NDWI, SIPI) were assessed in tandem with LST and environmental factors such as Temperature and Precipitation on a multi temporal basis. NDVI values decreased within a range of (-0.56 to -0.02) from 2017 to 2019, with a subsequent increase from 2019 to 2021 by (0.02 to 0.47). Moisture content measured through NDWI decreased within a range of (-1 to -0.08) from 2017-2019, then increased from 2019 to 2021 by (0.01 to 0.46)The vegetation of the area was very unhealthy around April, 2019 as a result of very low levels of moisture content, hence moisture content is an important environmental factor of plant health as a decrease in the moisture content of the vegetation in the study area led to a corresponding decrease in the vegetation health of the study area. Variance in moisture content was found to be the principal factor in the variation of the vegetational health condition over space and time. Spatio-temporal assessment of vegetational indices should be encouraged for assessing the contributory factors influencing vegetational health conditions as integrated GIS techniques have proven beyond doubt the capabilities of spatial analysis
Design and Simulation of Four-Wheel Engagement of Regenerative Brake System
Full text linkThe project employed Simulink MATLAB package to design and simulate a regenerative brake that utilizes four electric motors to engage the vehicle’s wheel. The engagement of the electric motors is telescopic in nature, such that one electric motor engages the wheel per time depending on the degree to which brake pedal is depressed, with emphasis on the drive axle, and then the dead axle. The results from the simulation showed that vehicles torque decreased from 294.47Nm to 12.27Nm, while the regenerative brake torque increased from 0Nm to 147.61Nm, showing that the regenerative braking significantly decelerated the vehicle’s speed by about 96%. This is reflected in the voltage as the terminal of the electric motor starts at its peak at 3.08V and thereafter drops to 0.03V, while the current harvested from the vehicle peaked from 614.15A and progressively decreased to 421.04A as long as the vehicle is in motion. However, the study showed that about 48.67% of the energy that the regenerative brake system would have saved was lost when the friction brake was activated alongside the regenerative brakes
Protecting Patients from Viral Respiratory Infections: Correspondence Regarding Klompas et al., NEJM June 14, 2023
Full text linkCorrespondence regarding Klompas et al, in NEJM June 14, 2023; titled ''Strategic Masking to Protect Patients from All Respiratory Viral Infections'', a plea for structured use of masks to protect against future CoV2 and other types of viral infections in a hospital setting. We do not disagree with this, but we think that instead of a passive mask barrier, another active way can also achieve this goal, but more broadly.
-The other respiratory viruses that Dr Klampos mentions are almost all of the 'single RNA enveloped' type. This is precisely the starting point of the proposed treatment method with an H2S donor, this has already been described by Dr Casola's group in some top journals (references 5,6,7).
-In addition, NAC (very safe, known for a long time, cheap and available everywhere) has also been designated as an H2S donor. This makes global application possible, especially in low-income countries. [ref 12-18]. NAC effervescent tablets are cheaper than a medically suitable mask. This also invites to include NAC as a comparator in future RC trials.
-This H2S supplementation for the restoration of innate immunity can be applied at different scales (cohorts): e.g. community, hospital, wards, barracks, cruise ships, prison, etc. Then staff and Clients/Patients can be treated combined in such a cohort
How did COVID-19 Influence Anatomy Education Around the World?
Full text linkThe Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) disrupted the higher education sector worldwide in several disciplines, especially those in healthcare as well as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) that require active, experiential learning via practical application of concepts centering around Anatomy. Dynamic instructional and technological interventions took place rapidly in an effort to minimize the adverse repercussions of moving away from traditional means of education in these critical scientific fields. COVID-19 necessitated administrators, faculty, students, and interns at colleges, universities, medical/healthcare science programs and residencies to pursue teaching, learning, and assessment of Anatomy courses/curricula through innovative strategies without compromising the quality or rigor of education. Adaptation and integration of remote/hybrid learning and teaching methodologies were essential, along with governmental as well as organizational interventions. Alternative synchronous and asynchronous approaches of e-pedagogy were implemented through simulation labs, virtual cadaver dissections and histological examinations, recorded video-lectures, online meeting platforms, and cutting-edge technological software and tools to maintain the quality of education while prioritizing everyone’s health and safety. Based on varying economic stability, different countries and regions dealt with the ramifications of COVID-19 on Anatomy and Physiology education differently. This systematic review encapsulates, for the first time, original reports published around the globe from the past three years on such key implications of COVID-19 in Anatomy higher studies, combined with relevant recommendations. This comprehensive analysis would help improve the content, delivery, and efficacy of education in these clinically important subjects to facilitate better preparation for future pandemics