Pub Date : 2021-12-01DOI: 10.28991/SCIMEDJ-2021-0304-7
Geoffrey V. Henderson, A. Elliot
Background: Motivation scientists study goals, self-regulatory tools that are used to help people approach or avoid objects of desire or disdain. Purpose: Using these tools, motivation science can offer insights to guide behaviour and help individuals maintain optimal health and well-being during pandemics, including COVID-19. Results: Avoidance goals help guide behaviour away from negative objects like COVID-19, and are necessary in situations where survival is at stake. Formulating the goal of avoiding COVID-19 is therefore recommended during the pandemic. However, avoidance goals have inherent limitations, in that they tax one’s energy and well-being. To minimize these costs, the pursuit of approach sub-goals may be recommended, such as increasing social connection online or exercising outdoors (particularly prior to widespread vaccination). Conclusion: Adhering to the goal of avoiding COVID-19 prevents infection and saves lives when safe and effective vaccines and treatments are lacking. But avoidance goals have known costs that must be acknowledged and addressed. One solution is to pair avoidance goals with approach sub-goals to bolster mental and physical health while adhering to the ultimate goal of avoiding COVID-19, viral variants, and future contagions. Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0304-7 Full Text: PDF
{"title":"Are Avoidance Goals the Right Prescription For a Pandemic? A COVID-19 Case Study","authors":"Geoffrey V. Henderson, A. Elliot","doi":"10.28991/SCIMEDJ-2021-0304-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.28991/SCIMEDJ-2021-0304-7","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Motivation scientists study goals, self-regulatory tools that are used to help people approach or avoid objects of desire or disdain. Purpose: Using these tools, motivation science can offer insights to guide behaviour and help individuals maintain optimal health and well-being during pandemics, including COVID-19. Results: Avoidance goals help guide behaviour away from negative objects like COVID-19, and are necessary in situations where survival is at stake. Formulating the goal of avoiding COVID-19 is therefore recommended during the pandemic. However, avoidance goals have inherent limitations, in that they tax one’s energy and well-being. To minimize these costs, the pursuit of approach sub-goals may be recommended, such as increasing social connection online or exercising outdoors (particularly prior to widespread vaccination). Conclusion: Adhering to the goal of avoiding COVID-19 prevents infection and saves lives when safe and effective vaccines and treatments are lacking. But avoidance goals have known costs that must be acknowledged and addressed. One solution is to pair avoidance goals with approach sub-goals to bolster mental and physical health while adhering to the ultimate goal of avoiding COVID-19, viral variants, and future contagions. Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0304-7 Full Text: PDF","PeriodicalId":74776,"journal":{"name":"SciMedicine journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44340838","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-12-01DOI: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0304-1
Carmel Reina R. Chua, Esther Delle E. De los Santos, Karla Veronica H. Escasa, Richmond Louis G. Estolas, Junnealyn Feliciano, Sabrina Audrey E. Ortega, Carlo Ledesma, Jan Ebrian D. Leonin, S. Tesalona
Introduction: Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) is a highly infectious disease caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which has infected many people all over the world. One of the best ways to lessen its spread is through early detection and diagnosis. Various serological tests are now being used as a surveillance tool in the detection of antibodies as a response to SARS-CoV-2. The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and performance of the available COVID-19 antibody tests authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Philippines that make use of Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (CLIA) and Lateral Flow Immunoassay (LFIA). Method: Complete published journal articles relevant to the diagnostic accuracy of the three antibody tests were collected using trusted medical journal search engines. The quality of journals was assessed using QUADAS-2 to determine the risk of bias and assess the applicability judgments of diagnostic accuracy studies. Forest plots were used to summarize the performance of LFIA, ELISA and CLIA according to their specificity and sensitivity in detecting various antibodies. Pooled sensitivity and specificity were also done using bivariate random-effects models with its log-likelihood, a corresponding chi-square test statistic, and area under the summary Receiver-Operating Characteristic curve to see the potential heterogeneity in the data and to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the COVID-19 antibody tests. Results: Bivariate random-effects model and areas under the sROC curve were used to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of COVID-19 antibody tests. The pooled sensitivity in detecting IgG based on CLIA, ELISA, and LFIA were 81.7%, 58.7%, and 74.3% respectively, with an overall of 72.0%. For IgM detection, LFIA has a higher pooled sensitivity of 69.6% than CLIA with 61.0%. Overall, the pooled sensitivity is 68.5%. In IgA detection, only ELISA based test was included with a pooled sensitivity of 84.8%. Lastly, pooled sensitivities for combined antibodies based on ELISA and LFIA were 89.0% and 81.6% respectively, with an overall of 82.5%. On the other hand, all tests excluding ELISA-IgA displayed high pooled specificities with a range of 94.0% to 100.0%. Diagnostic accuracies of the test in detecting IgG, IgM, and combined antibodies were found out to be almost perfect based on the computed area under the sROC with values of 0.973, 0.953, and 0.966, respectively. Conclusion: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, existing evidence on the diagnostic accuracy of antibody tests for COVID-19 were found to be characterized by high risks of bias, consistency in the heterogeneity of sensitivities, and consistency in the homogeneity of high specificities except in IgA detection using ELISA. The bivariate random-effects models showed that there are no significant differences in terms of sensitivity among CLIA, ELISA and LFIA in detecting Ig
{"title":"Diagnostic Accuracy of COVID-19 Antibody Tests Authorized by FDA Philippines: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis","authors":"Carmel Reina R. Chua, Esther Delle E. De los Santos, Karla Veronica H. Escasa, Richmond Louis G. Estolas, Junnealyn Feliciano, Sabrina Audrey E. Ortega, Carlo Ledesma, Jan Ebrian D. Leonin, S. Tesalona","doi":"10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0304-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0304-1","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) is a highly infectious disease caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which has infected many people all over the world. One of the best ways to lessen its spread is through early detection and diagnosis. Various serological tests are now being used as a surveillance tool in the detection of antibodies as a response to SARS-CoV-2. The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and performance of the available COVID-19 antibody tests authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Philippines that make use of Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (CLIA) and Lateral Flow Immunoassay (LFIA). Method: Complete published journal articles relevant to the diagnostic accuracy of the three antibody tests were collected using trusted medical journal search engines. The quality of journals was assessed using QUADAS-2 to determine the risk of bias and assess the applicability judgments of diagnostic accuracy studies. Forest plots were used to summarize the performance of LFIA, ELISA and CLIA according to their specificity and sensitivity in detecting various antibodies. Pooled sensitivity and specificity were also done using bivariate random-effects models with its log-likelihood, a corresponding chi-square test statistic, and area under the summary Receiver-Operating Characteristic curve to see the potential heterogeneity in the data and to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the COVID-19 antibody tests. Results: Bivariate random-effects model and areas under the sROC curve were used to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of COVID-19 antibody tests. The pooled sensitivity in detecting IgG based on CLIA, ELISA, and LFIA were 81.7%, 58.7%, and 74.3% respectively, with an overall of 72.0%. For IgM detection, LFIA has a higher pooled sensitivity of 69.6% than CLIA with 61.0%. Overall, the pooled sensitivity is 68.5%. In IgA detection, only ELISA based test was included with a pooled sensitivity of 84.8%. Lastly, pooled sensitivities for combined antibodies based on ELISA and LFIA were 89.0% and 81.6% respectively, with an overall of 82.5%. On the other hand, all tests excluding ELISA-IgA displayed high pooled specificities with a range of 94.0% to 100.0%. Diagnostic accuracies of the test in detecting IgG, IgM, and combined antibodies were found out to be almost perfect based on the computed area under the sROC with values of 0.973, 0.953, and 0.966, respectively. Conclusion: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, existing evidence on the diagnostic accuracy of antibody tests for COVID-19 were found to be characterized by high risks of bias, consistency in the heterogeneity of sensitivities, and consistency in the homogeneity of high specificities except in IgA detection using ELISA. The bivariate random-effects models showed that there are no significant differences in terms of sensitivity among CLIA, ELISA and LFIA in detecting Ig","PeriodicalId":74776,"journal":{"name":"SciMedicine journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47313490","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-12-01DOI: 10.28991/SCIMEDJ-2021-0304-6
K. Aziz
Objectives: Patients with Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD) and foot ulcer have poor prognosis. However, no study have found association of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) with diabetic kidney dysfunction and their co-existing risk factors. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study collected the data for 10,680 patients for 15 years. All variables were analyzed biochemically and statistically by standardized methodology. Results: Levels of HbA1c, creatinine, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, microalbuminuria, spot urine protein, and spot urine protein to creatinine ratio were higher among the groups with foot ulcers (p-value < 0.0001 for all). Average ABI was observed to be lower among the groups demonstrating nephropathy and DKD (p=0.025 and 0.022 respectively. DFU was significantly associated with HTN (odds ratio 2.2; 95% CI 1.66 to 2.9; p < 0.0001), nephropathy (odds ratio 4.77; 95% CI 3.53 to 6.5; p < 0.0001) and DKD (odds ratio 4.77 and 6.83; 95% CI 4.6 to 10.2; p < 0.0001). HbA1c of 7.8% was 60% sensitive and 52% specific for the development of DFU. Creatinine of 1.2 mg/dl was 75% sensitive and 48% specific for DFU. Spot urine protein excretion from nephrons of 35 mg/dl was 88% sensitive and 90% specific for the development of DFU. Conclusion: Nephropathy/DKD are risk factors for the development of DFU. With optimal diabetes control, regular and routine assessment of the feet and early screening of diabetic patients for neuropathy, nephropathy, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and other diabetic complications are essential. Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0304-6 Full Text: PDF
{"title":"Diabetic Foot Ulcer Risk with Diabetic Kidney Disease and Renal Failure among 10,680 Patients","authors":"K. Aziz","doi":"10.28991/SCIMEDJ-2021-0304-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.28991/SCIMEDJ-2021-0304-6","url":null,"abstract":"Objectives: Patients with Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD) and foot ulcer have poor prognosis. However, no study have found association of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) with diabetic kidney dysfunction and their co-existing risk factors. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study collected the data for 10,680 patients for 15 years. All variables were analyzed biochemically and statistically by standardized methodology. Results: Levels of HbA1c, creatinine, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, microalbuminuria, spot urine protein, and spot urine protein to creatinine ratio were higher among the groups with foot ulcers (p-value < 0.0001 for all). Average ABI was observed to be lower among the groups demonstrating nephropathy and DKD (p=0.025 and 0.022 respectively. DFU was significantly associated with HTN (odds ratio 2.2; 95% CI 1.66 to 2.9; p < 0.0001), nephropathy (odds ratio 4.77; 95% CI 3.53 to 6.5; p < 0.0001) and DKD (odds ratio 4.77 and 6.83; 95% CI 4.6 to 10.2; p < 0.0001). HbA1c of 7.8% was 60% sensitive and 52% specific for the development of DFU. Creatinine of 1.2 mg/dl was 75% sensitive and 48% specific for DFU. Spot urine protein excretion from nephrons of 35 mg/dl was 88% sensitive and 90% specific for the development of DFU. Conclusion: Nephropathy/DKD are risk factors for the development of DFU. With optimal diabetes control, regular and routine assessment of the feet and early screening of diabetic patients for neuropathy, nephropathy, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and other diabetic complications are essential. Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0304-6 Full Text: PDF","PeriodicalId":74776,"journal":{"name":"SciMedicine journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48402273","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-12-01DOI: 10.28991/scimedj-2021-0304-5
Olabode E. Omotoso, Sucheta Malakar, Nabanita Chutia, Ghadier Matariek, G. Abdel-Rafee, Elizabeth Omotoso
The burden of breast and cervical cancer in terms of incidence and mortality in low- and mid-income countries is increasing daily due to late diagnosis, unhealthy lifestyle choices, late presentation, and poor attitude to screening. Early detection increases the chances of survival. This present study assessed Assam women’s breast and cervical cancer screening (CCS) awareness, the practice of breast self-examination (BSE), and uptake of human papillomavirus vaccines. An internet-based cross-sectional questionnaire was utilized to obtain 251 consenting respondents. The mean age of respondents was 27.8 ± 6.91. Only 205 (81.7%) and 110 (43.8%) respondents have satisfactory levels of BCS, and CCS knowledge, respectively. While only 76 (30.3%) respondents had satisfactory BSE practice. Age range (26 – 32 years), tertiary education, and being single were demographic characteristics that influenced knowledge and practice. Though the respondents had a satisfactory knowledge level, screening uptake among respondents is very poor as only 32 (12.7 %) had ever been screened and only 19 (7.6 %) ever been vaccinated. The major reasons for poor screening uptake were “no symptoms” and “not aware of screening location”. Most respondents (227, 90.4 %) are willing to go for screening if well oriented. This presents an opportunity to enhance awareness about screening and vaccination among Assam women. The media/internet and health practitioners can be leveraged to promote the uptake and utilization of screening services and BSE practice. Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0304-5 Full Text: PDF
{"title":"Knowledge of Breast Self-Examination, Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening among Indian Women","authors":"Olabode E. Omotoso, Sucheta Malakar, Nabanita Chutia, Ghadier Matariek, G. Abdel-Rafee, Elizabeth Omotoso","doi":"10.28991/scimedj-2021-0304-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.28991/scimedj-2021-0304-5","url":null,"abstract":"The burden of breast and cervical cancer in terms of incidence and mortality in low- and mid-income countries is increasing daily due to late diagnosis, unhealthy lifestyle choices, late presentation, and poor attitude to screening. Early detection increases the chances of survival. This present study assessed Assam women’s breast and cervical cancer screening (CCS) awareness, the practice of breast self-examination (BSE), and uptake of human papillomavirus vaccines. An internet-based cross-sectional questionnaire was utilized to obtain 251 consenting respondents. The mean age of respondents was 27.8 ± 6.91. Only 205 (81.7%) and 110 (43.8%) respondents have satisfactory levels of BCS, and CCS knowledge, respectively. While only 76 (30.3%) respondents had satisfactory BSE practice. Age range (26 – 32 years), tertiary education, and being single were demographic characteristics that influenced knowledge and practice. Though the respondents had a satisfactory knowledge level, screening uptake among respondents is very poor as only 32 (12.7 %) had ever been screened and only 19 (7.6 %) ever been vaccinated. The major reasons for poor screening uptake were “no symptoms” and “not aware of screening location”. Most respondents (227, 90.4 %) are willing to go for screening if well oriented. This presents an opportunity to enhance awareness about screening and vaccination among Assam women. The media/internet and health practitioners can be leveraged to promote the uptake and utilization of screening services and BSE practice. Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0304-5 Full Text: PDF","PeriodicalId":74776,"journal":{"name":"SciMedicine journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46185046","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-12-01DOI: 10.28991/SCIMEDJ-2021-0304-3
Mikhail Osipov, V. Loginov, V. Melnikov, Viktor Shkarednyh, P. Druzhinina
The article discusses the problem of carcinogenic risk assessment in the context of relationship with diagnostic radiation resulted from Computed Tomography (CT). The study aimed to evaluate the possible long-term carcinogenic effects after the exposure to a low dose of diagnostic radiation, appeared within a decade after the 1st CT scan. Information on patients examined using CT in the District Hospital of Kasli (KDH) has been derived from the CT archives since 2009 when the first CT examinations has been performed in the KDH. The data were linked to local Cancer registry, the Death registry, and the “CT Registry” database (CTDB) to obtain the information on vital status, the cause of death, cancer morbidity and CT examinations outside KDH, respectively. 275 CT examinations of 246 patients have been recorded to the data file (KDH cluster). To the end of the study, 46 cases of malignant tumours (MT) have been accumulated in the study group. The average observation time was 6.5 years (90% CI 6.2-6.8). The distribution of cancers among patients exposed to CT has been shown retrospectively through the date of birth of patient to December, 31, 2018. The cases of MT diagnosed prior to 1st CT examination have been excluded from the analyses. Cancer-related conditions stated before the date of 1stCT examination have been accounted. The cumulative cancer incidence after the exposure to CT, adjusted for predisposed conditions in the study group was 4.8%. The study results have been compared with the results of the LSS cohort study to assess the expected excess cancer morbidity. The data obtained in the study provide the information for a comprehensive epidemiological assessment of long-term effects related to diagnostic radiation exposure in the Ozyorsk Computed Tomography Cohort (OCTC study). Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0304-3 Full Text: PDF
本文讨论了在计算机断层扫描(CT)诊断辐射的背景下的致癌风险评估问题。这项研究的目的是评估在第一次CT扫描后10年内接受低剂量诊断性辐射后可能产生的长期致癌效应。自2009年KDH首次进行CT检查以来，Kasli地区医院(KDH)使用CT检查的患者信息来源于CT档案。这些数据分别与当地癌症登记处、死亡登记处和“CT登记处”数据库(CTDB)相连，以获取有关生命状况、死亡原因、癌症发病率和KDH以外地区CT检查的信息。将246例患者的275次CT检查记录到数据文件(KDH簇)。研究结束时，研究组累计恶性肿瘤(MT) 46例。平均观察时间为6.5年(90% CI 6.2 ~ 6.8)。从患者出生日期到2018年12月31日，回顾性显示了CT暴露患者中癌症的分布。在第一次CT检查之前诊断出MT的病例被排除在分析之外。在第1次stct检查日期之前陈述的癌症相关情况已被考虑在内。研究组暴露于CT后的累积癌症发病率，经易感条件调整后为4.8%。研究结果已与LSS队列研究的结果进行比较，以评估预期的超额癌症发病率。研究中获得的数据为Ozyorsk计算机断层扫描队列(OCTC研究)中与诊断性辐射暴露相关的长期影响的综合流行病学评估提供了信息。Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0304-3全文:PDF
{"title":"Cancer Morbidity and Computed Tomography: “After” and “Due to” Challenge","authors":"Mikhail Osipov, V. Loginov, V. Melnikov, Viktor Shkarednyh, P. Druzhinina","doi":"10.28991/SCIMEDJ-2021-0304-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.28991/SCIMEDJ-2021-0304-3","url":null,"abstract":"The article discusses the problem of carcinogenic risk assessment in the context of relationship with diagnostic radiation resulted from Computed Tomography (CT). The study aimed to evaluate the possible long-term carcinogenic effects after the exposure to a low dose of diagnostic radiation, appeared within a decade after the 1st CT scan. Information on patients examined using CT in the District Hospital of Kasli (KDH) has been derived from the CT archives since 2009 when the first CT examinations has been performed in the KDH. The data were linked to local Cancer registry, the Death registry, and the “CT Registry” database (CTDB) to obtain the information on vital status, the cause of death, cancer morbidity and CT examinations outside KDH, respectively. 275 CT examinations of 246 patients have been recorded to the data file (KDH cluster). To the end of the study, 46 cases of malignant tumours (MT) have been accumulated in the study group. The average observation time was 6.5 years (90% CI 6.2-6.8). The distribution of cancers among patients exposed to CT has been shown retrospectively through the date of birth of patient to December, 31, 2018. The cases of MT diagnosed prior to 1st CT examination have been excluded from the analyses. Cancer-related conditions stated before the date of 1stCT examination have been accounted. The cumulative cancer incidence after the exposure to CT, adjusted for predisposed conditions in the study group was 4.8%. The study results have been compared with the results of the LSS cohort study to assess the expected excess cancer morbidity. The data obtained in the study provide the information for a comprehensive epidemiological assessment of long-term effects related to diagnostic radiation exposure in the Ozyorsk Computed Tomography Cohort (OCTC study). Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0304-3 Full Text: PDF","PeriodicalId":74776,"journal":{"name":"SciMedicine journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48642004","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-12-01DOI: 10.28991/scimedj-2021-0304-2
Dalia Essam Eissa, E. Rashed, M. Eissa
Nystatin is a polyene macrolide antifungal active which is used for the treatment of candidiasis and obtained from some species of Streptomycesbacteria. The present work describes the statistical suitability analysis for regular monitoring of the agar diffusion bioassay in a simple, inexpensive and time-saving process before potency determination. A balanced (symmetrical) two-dose parallel line assay model was applied using the agar well diffusion method for quantification of Nystatin in raw material and finished medicinal dosage form. The routine inspection methodology yielded good results and included calculations by the linear parallel model and by means of regression analysis and verified using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The assay is based on the inhibitory effect of Nystatin upon a standard strain as described in the United States Pharmacopeia (USP). The results of the post validation regular assays were treated statistically by ANOVA and the deviations (expressed as average ± standard deviation) from both raw and column totals were 0.702 ± 0.476 and 0.865 ± 0.468, respectively. The mean value of the variance ratio for regression and parallelism squares were 534.349 ± 212.546 and 0.596 ± 0.345, respectively. The study of Nystatin's ongoing analysis showed that the microbiological assay design is satisfactory with respect to the limiting values for the determination of the potency. The established balanced parallel line assay is reasonably stable and suitable and can be used for the regular drug analysis in routine quality control testing and the quantitation of Nystatin in pharmaceutical dosage form and raw material. Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0304-2 Full Text: PDF
{"title":"Suitability System of Microbiological Method for Nystatin Potency Determination in the Routine Analysis Using Agar Diffusion Method","authors":"Dalia Essam Eissa, E. Rashed, M. Eissa","doi":"10.28991/scimedj-2021-0304-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.28991/scimedj-2021-0304-2","url":null,"abstract":"Nystatin is a polyene macrolide antifungal active which is used for the treatment of candidiasis and obtained from some species of Streptomycesbacteria. The present work describes the statistical suitability analysis for regular monitoring of the agar diffusion bioassay in a simple, inexpensive and time-saving process before potency determination. A balanced (symmetrical) two-dose parallel line assay model was applied using the agar well diffusion method for quantification of Nystatin in raw material and finished medicinal dosage form. The routine inspection methodology yielded good results and included calculations by the linear parallel model and by means of regression analysis and verified using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The assay is based on the inhibitory effect of Nystatin upon a standard strain as described in the United States Pharmacopeia (USP). The results of the post validation regular assays were treated statistically by ANOVA and the deviations (expressed as average ± standard deviation) from both raw and column totals were 0.702 ± 0.476 and 0.865 ± 0.468, respectively. The mean value of the variance ratio for regression and parallelism squares were 534.349 ± 212.546 and 0.596 ± 0.345, respectively. The study of Nystatin's ongoing analysis showed that the microbiological assay design is satisfactory with respect to the limiting values for the determination of the potency. The established balanced parallel line assay is reasonably stable and suitable and can be used for the regular drug analysis in routine quality control testing and the quantitation of Nystatin in pharmaceutical dosage form and raw material. Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0304-2 Full Text: PDF","PeriodicalId":74776,"journal":{"name":"SciMedicine journal","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42294483","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-12-01DOI: 10.28991/scimedj-2021-0304-8
B. Flepisi, M. Balmith
Central nervous system (CNS) tumours refer to tumours that occur in the tissues of the brain and/or spinal cord. These tumours arise as a result of abnormal growth of cells and may begin in different parts of the brain or spinal cord. There are many types of CNS tumours, which are further divided into subtypes. Despite decades of research conducted, CNS tumours remain among the deadliest of all cancers. It is most often challenging to treat these tumours, due to the risks involved, and biological characteristics associated with them. The classification, grading, and characterisation of CNS tumour plays a pivotal role in the management thereof. The current review provides an overview of CNS tumours, classification, grading and treatment, as well as their characterisation with specific focus on gliomas, ependymomas, oligodendrogliomas, meningiomas, medulloblastomas, schwannomas, gangliogliomas, and craniopharyngiomas. Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0304-8 Full Text: PDF
{"title":"An Overview of Central Nervous System Tumours","authors":"B. Flepisi, M. Balmith","doi":"10.28991/scimedj-2021-0304-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.28991/scimedj-2021-0304-8","url":null,"abstract":"Central nervous system (CNS) tumours refer to tumours that occur in the tissues of the brain and/or spinal cord. These tumours arise as a result of abnormal growth of cells and may begin in different parts of the brain or spinal cord. There are many types of CNS tumours, which are further divided into subtypes. Despite decades of research conducted, CNS tumours remain among the deadliest of all cancers. It is most often challenging to treat these tumours, due to the risks involved, and biological characteristics associated with them. The classification, grading, and characterisation of CNS tumour plays a pivotal role in the management thereof. The current review provides an overview of CNS tumours, classification, grading and treatment, as well as their characterisation with specific focus on gliomas, ependymomas, oligodendrogliomas, meningiomas, medulloblastomas, schwannomas, gangliogliomas, and craniopharyngiomas. Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0304-8 Full Text: PDF","PeriodicalId":74776,"journal":{"name":"SciMedicine journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49023682","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-12-01DOI: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0304-4
E. Nasir, A. Elhag, H. Almahdi
This study aimed to explore the Sudanese COVID-19-related perceptions on preventive measures using the Health Belief Model, a psychosocial frame that explains and predicts health-related behaviours. A cross-sectional using an online-questionnaire through social media platforms, or channels. A snowball sampling technique was used. Descriptive analyses using frequencies and percentages for categorical variables, mean (±SD) for numerical variables. Bivariate relationships between the variables were assessed using a t-test. We conducted multiple variable analysis using the correlation between HBM constructs. Eight hundred seventy-seven participants with a mean age 37.8 (SD±11.94), primarily males, had a university education, employed and residing in Khartoum. Scores of 69% self-efficacy prevent COVID-19, 60% perceived severity if infected with COVID-19, 54% perceived susceptibility to COVID-19. Furthermore, high scores reported for hand hygiene barriers 50 and 53% social distancing. Self-efficacy correlated negatively with susceptibility (r=-0.084), positively with severity, benefits of and barriers to hand hygiene, benefits and barriers to social distancing (r=0.117, r=0.347, r=0.202, r=0.396, r=0.276), respectively. The lack of self-efficacy and low perception of severity and susceptibility, and increased perception of barriers to social distancing and hand hygiene among a considerable portion of the public hindered the compliance with the preventive measures. Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0304-4 Full Text: PDF
{"title":"COVID-19 Perceptions: Applying the Health Belief Model","authors":"E. Nasir, A. Elhag, H. Almahdi","doi":"10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0304-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0304-4","url":null,"abstract":"This study aimed to explore the Sudanese COVID-19-related perceptions on preventive measures using the Health Belief Model, a psychosocial frame that explains and predicts health-related behaviours. A cross-sectional using an online-questionnaire through social media platforms, or channels. A snowball sampling technique was used. Descriptive analyses using frequencies and percentages for categorical variables, mean (±SD) for numerical variables. Bivariate relationships between the variables were assessed using a t-test. We conducted multiple variable analysis using the correlation between HBM constructs. Eight hundred seventy-seven participants with a mean age 37.8 (SD±11.94), primarily males, had a university education, employed and residing in Khartoum. Scores of 69% self-efficacy prevent COVID-19, 60% perceived severity if infected with COVID-19, 54% perceived susceptibility to COVID-19. Furthermore, high scores reported for hand hygiene barriers 50 and 53% social distancing. Self-efficacy correlated negatively with susceptibility (r=-0.084), positively with severity, benefits of and barriers to hand hygiene, benefits and barriers to social distancing (r=0.117, r=0.347, r=0.202, r=0.396, r=0.276), respectively. The lack of self-efficacy and low perception of severity and susceptibility, and increased perception of barriers to social distancing and hand hygiene among a considerable portion of the public hindered the compliance with the preventive measures. Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0304-4 Full Text: PDF","PeriodicalId":74776,"journal":{"name":"SciMedicine journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43365903","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-06-22DOI: 10.28991/scimedj-2021-03-si-9
Md Abdul Wadood, A. Mamun, Md. Abdur Rafi, Md. kamrul Islam, S. Mohd, Lai Lee Lee, S. Aik, Md. Golam Hossain
Background: The numbers of infections and death by COVID-19 have continued to rise worldwide and preventive practice has remained to be one of the most effective ways to prevent it. We conducted this study to survey the knowledge, attitude, perception and practice of university students during the early stage of the pandemic in Bangladesh. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with 305 students from Rajshahi University, conducted between March 11 and March 19, 2020. We developed a questionnaire for collecting information regarding COVID-19 following the instructions and guidelines of WHO and used frequency distribution, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis (non-parametric) tests for data analysis. Statistical significance was accepted at p < 0.05. Results: The knowledge of the students on COVID-19 was of average level; however, more than one-third of them were unwilling to avoid public transport and travel public places with friends and family. Their practice of preventive measures was not at a satisfactory level. More than one-third of them were not keen to stay home and not hesitant to visit crowded places. About half of the students thought the pandemic would not affect their daily activities, and most of them felt it would not affect their study, financial status, fieldwork of their course, or meeting with their friends and relatives. Female students were found more knowledgeable than male ones. Conclusions: The general knowledge of students had an average level on COVID-19, but their attitude, perception and preventive practices were not consistent with their level of education. The authorities should consider the findings while promulgating policies and implementing measures for the prevention of COVID-19. Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-03-SI-9 Full Text: PDF
{"title":"Survey on Knowledge, Attitude, Perception and Practice among University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic","authors":"Md Abdul Wadood, A. Mamun, Md. Abdur Rafi, Md. kamrul Islam, S. Mohd, Lai Lee Lee, S. Aik, Md. Golam Hossain","doi":"10.28991/scimedj-2021-03-si-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.28991/scimedj-2021-03-si-9","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The numbers of infections and death by COVID-19 have continued to rise worldwide and preventive practice has remained to be one of the most effective ways to prevent it. We conducted this study to survey the knowledge, attitude, perception and practice of university students during the early stage of the pandemic in Bangladesh. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with 305 students from Rajshahi University, conducted between March 11 and March 19, 2020. We developed a questionnaire for collecting information regarding COVID-19 following the instructions and guidelines of WHO and used frequency distribution, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis (non-parametric) tests for data analysis. Statistical significance was accepted at p < 0.05. Results: The knowledge of the students on COVID-19 was of average level; however, more than one-third of them were unwilling to avoid public transport and travel public places with friends and family. Their practice of preventive measures was not at a satisfactory level. More than one-third of them were not keen to stay home and not hesitant to visit crowded places. About half of the students thought the pandemic would not affect their daily activities, and most of them felt it would not affect their study, financial status, fieldwork of their course, or meeting with their friends and relatives. Female students were found more knowledgeable than male ones. Conclusions: The general knowledge of students had an average level on COVID-19, but their attitude, perception and preventive practices were not consistent with their level of education. The authorities should consider the findings while promulgating policies and implementing measures for the prevention of COVID-19. Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-03-SI-9 Full Text: PDF","PeriodicalId":74776,"journal":{"name":"SciMedicine journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-06-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43511433","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-06-01DOI: 10.28991/SCIMEDJ-2021-0302-7
Meejoung Kim
In this paper, we analyze and predict the number of daily confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) based on two statistical models and a deep learning (DL) model; the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA), the generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH), and the stacked long short-term memory deep neural network (LSTM DNN). We find the orders of the statistical models by the autocorrelation function and the partial autocorrelation function, and the hyperparameters of the DL model, such as the numbers of LSTM cells and blocks of a cell, by the exhaustive search. Ten datasets are used in the experiment; nine countries and the world datasets, from Dec. 31, 2019, to Feb. 22, 2021, provided by the WHO. We investigate the effects of data size and vaccination on performance. Numerical results show that performance depends on the used data's dates and vaccination. It also shows that the prediction by the LSTM DNN is better than those of the two statistical models. Based on the experimental results, the percentage improvements of LSTM DNN are up to 88.54% (86.63%) and 90.15% (87.74%) compared to ARIMA and GARCH, respectively, in mean absolute error (root mean squared error). While the performances of ARIMA and GARCH are varying according to the datasets. The obtained results may provide a criterion for the performance ranges and prediction accuracy of the COVID-19 daily confirmed cases.Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0302-7 Full Text: PDF
{"title":"Prediction of COVID-19 Confirmed Cases after Vaccination: Based on Statistical and Deep Learning Models","authors":"Meejoung Kim","doi":"10.28991/SCIMEDJ-2021-0302-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.28991/SCIMEDJ-2021-0302-7","url":null,"abstract":"In this paper, we analyze and predict the number of daily confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) based on two statistical models and a deep learning (DL) model; the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA), the generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH), and the stacked long short-term memory deep neural network (LSTM DNN). We find the orders of the statistical models by the autocorrelation function and the partial autocorrelation function, and the hyperparameters of the DL model, such as the numbers of LSTM cells and blocks of a cell, by the exhaustive search. Ten datasets are used in the experiment; nine countries and the world datasets, from Dec. 31, 2019, to Feb. 22, 2021, provided by the WHO. We investigate the effects of data size and vaccination on performance. Numerical results show that performance depends on the used data's dates and vaccination. It also shows that the prediction by the LSTM DNN is better than those of the two statistical models. Based on the experimental results, the percentage improvements of LSTM DNN are up to 88.54% (86.63%) and 90.15% (87.74%) compared to ARIMA and GARCH, respectively, in mean absolute error (root mean squared error). While the performances of ARIMA and GARCH are varying according to the datasets. The obtained results may provide a criterion for the performance ranges and prediction accuracy of the COVID-19 daily confirmed cases.Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0302-7 Full Text: PDF","PeriodicalId":74776,"journal":{"name":"SciMedicine journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45967631","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
京公网安备 11010802042870号
京ICP备2023020795号-1
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：