F1000Research最新文献

Background: Two-wheeled vehicles are the major mode of transportation in India. Such vehicles are exposed to excessive vibration on the road when compared to four-wheeled vehicles. However, the research on the reduction of whole body vibration in the case of two-wheelers is not explored in detail. The present study predicts rider comfort in the case of an electric two-wheeler as per ISO 2631-1, by obtaining the finding the weighted acceleration at the strategic locations of vibration at the test rig.

Methods: An electric two-wheeler test rig is used in the study. The values of acceleration from the test rig in running conditions are obtained by using NI LabVIEW 2019. The drive cycle of the electric vehicle (EV) test rig is controlled by Sync sols' EV lab software. Obtaining the weighted root mean square (RMS) acceleration from running the test setup, it is compared with the ISO 2631-1 standard to obtain the rider comfort.

Results: Loading area, traction motor, base mount, and suspension were found to be the strategic points of vibration. Frequency weighted RMS acceleration of 0.3 to 0.4 m/s ² obtained at these points are prone to cause discomfort for the rider. Vehicle speed, road profile, and duration of exposure were found to be important parameters affecting the rider's comfort. A maximum of 4.6 m/s ² amplitude was observed. The loading area, which corresponds to a rider's seat in actual vehicle, is important and reduction of these vibrations make the ride comfortable for the rider. Suspension and base mount of the test rig are found to be uncomfortable observing the weighted RMS acceleration.

Conclusions: A suitable damping technique design is very much essential in reducing these vibrations and improve the rider comfort, as many more non-deterministic vibrations are prone to cause dis-comfort in case of actual on road riding conditions.

Occipital horn syndrome (OHS) is a rare genetic disease and copper transport disorder caused by a faulty ATP7A gene with multisystemic presentations, most originally related to musculoskeletal and connective tissue affections. In our case, a male neonate with OHS presented soon after birth with pathognomonic occipital exostosis, cutis laxa at the nape region, and widely opened skull sutures and fontanels. A skeletal survey showed occipital exostosis projecting from the line of insertion of the trapezius muscle and wide fontanels on skull X-ray films with no exostoses or deformities elsewhere. In addition to our case report being the second reported case for the condition detected early in the neonatal period, it also emphasizes the importance of investigating any sign thoroughly, as it may be an early alarming sign of a progressive disease that may affect the patient's quality of life. In addition, it highlights the value of early diagnosis and multidisciplinary management of these patients.

Background: Actions that are repetitive and being practiced automatically are called habits. Oral habits can be classified as normal or deleterious. Oral health education starts from footprints of awareness. Growing children require appropriate guidance for healthy growth and maintenance of their teeth, which makes the parent an active participant in the prevention and treatment of malocclusion and thus is majorly affected by their knowledge and attitude regarding various deleterious oral habits and habit breaking appliances.

Aim: To assess and compare awareness of deleterious oral habits and knowledge of habit breaking appliance, among parents at Alkharj Saudi Arabia.

Methodology: Study assessed awareness of deleterious oral habits and knowledge of habit breaking appliances among parents in Alkharj, Saudi Arabia.

Results:

Conclusion: Majority of the parents were aware of different deleterious oral habits but not aware of the dimensions of interventions like types of appliances, duration of use, etc. without knowing mentioned facts, in future which leads to development of malocclusion which probably requires orthodontic, surgical or prosthetic intervention correcting the outcomes of oral deleterious habits.

Background: Teaching professionalization aimed at the digital transformation of educational scenarios and training processes for students in contemporary higher education requires the mastery of digital competence by the teaching staff. The objectives of the study were to analyze the self-perceived level of digital teaching competence (DTC) of the faculty of the Technical University of Manabí (UTM), Ecuador, and to establish the relationship between age, sex, and academic profile variables with digital teaching competence.

Methods: A quantitative methodological approach was adopted to develop a descriptive-correlational field study with a non-experimental design. The participants were 277 professors, selected through non-probabilistic and voluntary sampling, who completed the DigCompEdu Check-In questionnaire sent by e-mail.

Results: The data revealed that the "integrator" and "expert" categories achieved high levels in all competencies. In particular, 48.74% of the participants were placed in the integrator category in the competence of facilitating skills, while 46.21% positioned themselves as integrators in the competence of evaluation and feedback. Additionally, a significant difference was found in the pedagogy variable in the interaction.

Conclusions: It is concluded that the competences self-perceived by the professors are within the intermediate categories such as integrator and expert. Likewise, the age, sex, and academic profile variables differ in the digital pedagogy level, which produces an inconsistent relationship, with the exception of the variable evaluates and provides feedback, where it was significant.

Background: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Smoking may also increase the risk of developing ACS. The most advantageous therapy is percutaneous coronary intervention. However, this therapy may fail because of the no-reflow phenomenon. This case report describes a young male patient admitted to the emergency department due to ST-segment elevation of myocardial infarction (STEMI), with smoking as the only risk factor.

Case description: A 37-year-old male presented to our hospital with a typical chest pain. He was a heavy smoker. Electrocardiography (ECG) revealed extensive anterior STEMI. Coronary angiography revealed total occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) with a high-burden thrombus. The no-reflow phenomenon occurs during Percutaneous Coronary intervention (PCI). After two days of hospitalization, the patient developed cardiogenic shock and acute decompensated heart failure. The patient was administered ticagrelor, acetylsalicylic acid, enoxaparin for three days, high-dose statins, and optimized heart failure treatment. The patient was discharged on the 7th day after admission.

Discussion: Cigarette smoke chemicals may induce atherosclerosis and thickened blood in the arteries. Lipid oxidation leads to plaque formation. If plaque ruptures, it will cause thrombus occlusion. A high-burden thrombus can induce a no-reflow phenomenon, leading to heart failure and cardiogenic shock.

Conclusion: Smoking may induce STEMI and tends to result in a high-burden thrombus. The no-reflow phenomenon is an evidence of miscarriage during PCI, which may increase because of smoking.

Background: Physical activity trackers possess the potential to encourage increased physical activity. However, users often exhibit poor long-term adherence to these devices, which may stem from a lack of understanding of the factors influencing their use, as well as changes in health behavior. This study aims to provide new insights into the types of health-related apps and devices that young people discover, select, and utilize, along with the underlying reasons for their choices.

Methods: Young adults aged between 18-25 years reporting the use and nonuse of health apps and wearables were recruited and participated in focus group discussions about app choice, features, their perceptions towards the physical activity trackers, and reasons for continued use and for not using one. A total of Nine FGDS were conducted among users, nonusers, and former users of physical activity tracker usage. Data was recorded, transcribed, and analyzed for themes in an iterative approach.

Results: The physical activity tracker users group stated that they had a sense of achievement, validation, and other motivational feedback, which helped with adherence. All three groups (user, non-user, and former user) had similar concerns about cost, reliability, accuracy, and dependency. Former users also reported that the idea of accomplishing the goals would create anxiety and, in turn, harm the body. Former users and nonusers expressed their concerns regarding lack of time and loss of motivation to track their physical activity. Nonusers had issues with the functionality of the device (ease of use, battery, notifications, apps hang) and were also aware of all the health benefits of using wearables.

Conclusion: Physical activity users group, former users group, and nonusers group shared concerns about accuracy, cost, and battery.

Background: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) (Chittodvega) is one among many types of mental disorders explained in Ayurveda. It can be defined as a Chitta (mind) + Udvega (anxiety)= Chittodvega- Anxious status of a mind. Celastrus paniculatus also known as Jyotishmati stimulates and improves the digestive fire and metabolism at a cellular level ( Jatharagni and Majja dhatwagni). It can be correlated to GAD. GAD is characterized by feelings of threat, restlessness, irritability, sleep disturbance, and tension, and symptoms such as palpitations, dry mouth, and sweating. It affects women more frequently than men and prevalence rates are high in midlife (prevalence in females over age 35: 10%) and older subjects. In modern medicine the first-line psychological and pharmaceutical treatments are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like sertraline (SNRIs).

Aim and objectives: To evaluate the comparative efficacy of Jyotishmati versus sertraline in the management of Chittodvega.

Methods: In this randomized active controlled double blind equivalence trial a total of 70 patients will be enrolled and divided into two equal groups. Patients between 20-50 years age of either gender having symptoms of Chittodvega and a Hamilton anxiety rating (HAM-A) scale score less than 24 (i.e., mild to moderate) will be selected for the study. In Group A, sertraline capsules 25 mg for first 7 days and then dose increased to 50 mg at bedtime for next 53 days and in Group B Jyotishmati Capsules 500 mg will be given twice a day after food with water for 60 days.

Result and observation: The patients will be assessed on the HAM-A scale, serum cortisol and WHO Quality of Life on day 0, 30, 60 and 90 and data will be analyzed using paired and unpaired t-tests for continuous variables and chi-square tests for categorical variables to evaluate whether treatments are equivalent.

Trial registration: CTRI No. REF/2023/07/069880 Date - 15/09/2023.

Paragangliomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors, often associated with catecholamine secretion. These tumors can arise in various locations, with the majority found in the abdomen and pelvis, while a smaller percentage occurs in the thorax and head and neck regions. Diaphragmatic paragangliomas are exceedingly rare, with only two documented cases in the literature. This report details a case of a primary diaphragmatic paraganglioma in a 59-year-old patient presenting with unexplained weight loss, tremors, and diaphoresis. Imaging studies revealed a mass in the right lobe of the liver, later identified as a diaphragmatic paraganglioma during surgery. The case underscores the importance of preoperative catecholamine assessment and careful surgical planning due to the risks associated with tumor manipulation. Complete surgical resection, although challenging, remains the definitive treatment, especially in hypervascular tumors located near major vascular structures.

Background: Exposure to second hand smoke (SHS) is a cause for heart disease and lung cancer among non- smokers. This cluster randomized control trial will evaluate the effectiveness of a tobacco smoke free home intervention in reducing exposure to second hand smoke.

Protocol: The intervention will be conducted among 30 clusters in urban and peri-urban areas of Kochi, India. The sample size is 300 per arm and 15 clusters to detect a minimal difference of 0.03ng/ml in cotinine levels between groups, at 80% power with a two-sided alfa of 0.05 considering variable cluster size. A baseline survey will be undertaken to identify smokers. Data related to smoking, indoor smoking, nicotine dependence, blood pressure (BP) of smokers, morbidity experienced, and lung volume Fev1/Fev6 of smokers will be measured. Urine cotinine, morbidity, BP of spouse and child will be assessed. Air quality monitors measuring PM2.5 will be placed in homes. Trained self-help group women and frontline health workers will implement the intervention. The intervention will consist of monthly home visits to educate the smoker on the harms of second-hand smoke using 3 A's. The circle of influencers around the smoking men will also be contacted by the members of self-help group to provide support to stop smoking within homes and to quit. They will then organize two-three meetings of community leaders and heads of women's groups, present data on harms of SHS, and explain the rationale for establishing smoke free homes in their community for a duration of six months. After the intervention a post assessment will be conducted and this will be repeated after six months.

Ethics and dissemination: The trial protocol was approved by the Institutional Ethical Committee of Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences. Results will be submitted to open access peer reviewed journals and shared with other stakeholders.

Trial registration: CTRI/2021/06/034478.

Introduction: Diarrhea is a significant health problem in the Third World. Identification of the pathogen that causes diarrhea is vital for measures to prevent and control this disease. There are also very few reports of diarrhea in Sudan. Our study aimed to determine the Prevalence of specific protozoan pathogens ( Entamoeba histolytica, Cryptosporidium parvum., and Giardia spp) in children in Khartoum, Sudan.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among children under five years of age hospitalized with acute diarrhea between April and December 2014. Diarrheal stool samples were collected, and E. histolytica, C. parvum, and Giardia spp were examined using multiplex real-time PCR.

Results: Four hundred and thirty-seven children with acute diarrhea were included in this study; the higher prevalence of diarrhea was in the age ≤ 2 years old (403, 92.2%), >2-≤4 years (32, 7.3%), and >4-<5 years (2, 0.5%). The male-to-female ratio in this study was 1:1.7. Infection with intestinal parasite was found in 155 (35.5%) cases, and co-infection was detected in 16 (3.7%) cases. Giardia spp (18.8%) and C. parvum (15.8%) were the most frequently identified parasites, followed by E. histolytica (0.9). The parasite infection rate was highest and lowest in the under 2-year-old group 143 (35.5%) and the 2-4-year-old group 12 (37.5%). The infection rate was higher in boys 104 (37.7%) than in girls 51 (31.7%). The number of positive cases was higher in the rainy season (August to December) 143 (37.4%), corresponding with that in the dry Season (April to June) 12 (21.8%).

Discussion: Our present study demonstrated the high prevalence of Giardia spp and C. parvum in children with diarrhea in the Khartoum region and the usefulness of the multiplex real-time method in disclosing pathogenic protozoal agents. Our result highlighted the necessity of developing intervention measurement and control strategies to deal with childhood parasitic diarrhea in this region.