Politics of Identity Formation: Impact Of Jean Paul Sartre’s Criticism Of Négritude Philosophy

This paper undertakes an analysis of Jean Paul Sartre’s “Black Orpheus” in context of the Négritude movement to understand its impact on creating a distinct identity for Africa and its diaspora. The extant literature surrounding the subject has raised questions about the impetus for the stirring of Négritude; the pre-colonial representation of Africa that the poets and political leaders of the time wanted to revolt against. The movement was not only philosophical but also had literary underpinnings, creating questions about the role and personal vested interests of French-assimilated poets, politicians and thinkers. Criticisms of Négritude are in abundance. However, a gap exists in identifying the central disparities within popular works of literature of the movement, especially the literature that was considered to be the foundation of the movement. One of these was "Black Orpheus", a foreword to Léopold Sédar Senghor’s anthology of poems by the most renowned writers of Négritude. This article undertakes a rhetorical criticism, textual analysis and discourse analysis to study Sartre’s text. Sartre’s work is considered an important contribution, however, contrary to existing research, Sartre’s work subverts the paradigm he set out to dispute. He attempts to place Négritude within the larger class struggle in Europe and is on a quest for a concise definition of the movement. Frantz Fanon and Wole Soyinka, other prominent Black thinkers and theorists of the time, dispute Sartre’s romantic descriptions of the struggles and history of Africa. Upon further analysis, Senghor’s poetry also reveals themes of evoking Africa’s traditional mystical past, thus harping on Sartre’s sentimental commentary. A culmination of study of these thinkers concludes that “Black Orpheus” falls into the same trap of homogenizing Africa while remaining ignorant of its intellectual capacities and contributions

Sweet’s syndrome in pregnancy: a rare case report

Sweet’s syndrome (SS) is a steroid-responsive dermatological condition characterized by fever, neutrophilia and a classical tender erythematous skin rash. Pregnancy-associated SS is an extremely rare clinical entity and must be kept in mind while approaching a case of skin rash in pregnancy. We reported a rare case of SS in pregnancy with classical features and characteristic histopathological features of neutrophilic dermatosis that had a benign course, resolving with topical steroid treatment instead of the usual systemic steroids

Cytopathology Using High Resolution Digital Holographic Microscopy

We summarize a study involving simultaneous imaging of cervical cells from Pap-smear samples using bright-field and quantitative phase microscopy. The optimization approach to phase reconstruction used in our study enables full diffraction limited performance from single-shot holograms and is thus suitable for reducing cost of a quantitative phase microscope system. Over 48000 cervical cells from patient samples obtained from three clinical sites have been imaged in this study. The clinical sites used different sample preparation methodologies and the subjects represented a range of age groups and geographical diversity. Visual examination of quantitative phase images of cervical cell nuclei show distinct morphological features that we believe have not appeared in the prior literature. A PCA based analysis of numerical parameters derived from the bright-field and quantitative phase images of the cervical cells shows good separation of superficial, intermediate and abnormal cells. The distribution of phase based parameters of normal cells is also shown to be highly overlapping among different patients from the same clinical site, patients across different clinical sites and for two age groups (below and above 30 years), thus suggesting robustness and possibility of standardization of quantitative phase as an imaging modality for cell classification in future clinical usage

Pedagogic inclusion in professional education : challenges and possibilities?

This thesis describes a qualitative, interview-based case study of the experiences of adult female learners accessing/reaccessing Higher Education following a Widening Participation (WP) route on a part-time Physiotherapy undergraduate course and an accelerated Masters course in Occupational Therapy at a single HEI. The research questioned student and staff perceptions of and attitudes to study, and to what extent the HEI had adapted its pedagogic approaches to accommodate student learning preferences. Data are drawn from discussions with sixteen participants, comprising four students and four tutors on each course. The research outcomes revealed a tension between the tutors' theoretically and ideologically driven views on teaching and learning, which included responding to diverse student needs, and the more pragmatic orientations of the students and their tutors. These were underpinned in the students' case by the financial need to gain a qualification in spite of the constraints of time and family life, and on the tutors' and institution's part by the need to attract student numbers and to meet completion targets in spite of shortages of time, staffing and space. Analysis of the responses of students and tutors draws on Bernstein's theory of recontextualisation, in which ideas such as WP undergo significant transformations first in the official policy process then when they are put into practice. The study also draws on Bernstein's account of pedagogic identities, which describe how teachers and institutions negotiate teaching and learning processes within the competing demands of market forces, mandated policy and their own local ideologies and circumstances. In its exploration of the meaning of WP and its underpinning rationales, the research suggests that the pragmatic approach of the institution has the effect of widening access in terms of course eligibility but failing to offer correspondingly inclusive pedagogies, more flexible curricula, or adequate student support services

Cyclodextrin-based dermatological formulations : dermopharmaceutical and cosmetic applications

The progress in new delivery systems for active ingredients has boosted the dermopharmaceutical and cosmetic fields by allowing formulations to display enhanced skin permeation capabilities. Cyclodextrins (CDs) are cyclic oligosaccharides able to form host-guest inclusion complexes with guest active molecules, resulting in improved physicochemical properties of such molecules. The incorporation of CDs in dermopharmaceutical and cosmetics formulations has received much attention since the late 1970 s by enhancing modulation of the passage through the skin and vectorization into the target site while simultaneously offering a biocompatible delivery system. This paper features the advantages of CDs in dermopharmaceutical and cosmetic applications, such as the improvement of the apparent solubility and the stability of the active ingredients, the possibility of masking unpleasant odors, among others that are be described, emphasizing that these versatile skin active ingredient carriers are strongly promising both in the treatment of skin diseases and in the improvement of cosmetic formulations

Ultraviolet disinfection (UV-D) robots: bridging the gaps in dentistry

Maintaining a microbe-free environment in healthcare facilities has become increasingly crucial for minimizing virus transmission, especially in the wake of recent epidemics like COVID-19. To meet the urgent need for ongoing sterilization, autonomous ultraviolet disinfection (UV-D) robots have emerged as vital tools. These robots are gaining popularity due to their automated nature, cost advantages, and ability to instantly disinfect rooms and workspaces without relying on human labor. Integrating disinfection robots into medical facilities reduces infection risk, lowers conventional cleaning costs, and instills greater confidence in patient safety. However, UV-D robots should complement rather than replace routine manual cleaning. To optimize the functionality of UV-D robots in medical settings, additional hospital and device design modifications are necessary to address visibility challenges. Achieving seamless integration requires more technical advancements and clinical investigations across various institutions. This mini-review presents an overview of advanced applications that demand disinfection, highlighting their limitations and challenges. Despite their potential, little comprehensive research has been conducted on the sterilizing impact of disinfection robots in the dental industry. By serving as a starting point for future research, this review aims to bridge the gaps in knowledge and identify unresolved issues. Our objective is to provide an extensive guide to UV-D robots, encompassing design requirements, technological breakthroughs, and in-depth use in healthcare and dentistry facilities. Understanding the capabilities and limitations of UV-D robots will aid in harnessing their potential to revolutionize infection control practices in the medical and dental fields

Common variants in CLDN2 and MORC4 genes confer disease susceptibility in patients with chronic pancreatitis

A recent Genome-wide Association Study (GWAS) identified association with variants in X-linked CLDN2 and MORC4 and PRSS1-PRSS2 loci with Chronic Pancreatitis (CP) in North American patients of European ancestry. We selected 9 variants from the reported GWAS and replicated the association with CP in Indian patients by genotyping 1807 unrelated Indians of Indo-European ethnicity, including 519 patients with CP and 1288 controls. The etiology of CP was idiopathic in 83.62% and alcoholic in 16.38% of 519 patients. Our study confirmed a significant association of 2 variants in CLDN2 gene (rs4409525—OR 1.71, P = 1.38 x 10-09; rs12008279—OR 1.56, P = 1.53 x 10-04) and 2 variants in MORC4 gene (rs12688220—OR 1.72, P = 9.20 x 10-09; rs6622126—OR 1.75, P = 4.04x10-05) in Indian patients with CP. We also found significant association at PRSS1-PRSS2 locus (OR 0.60; P = 9.92 x 10-06) and SAMD12-TNFRSF11B (OR 0.49, 95% CI [0.31–0.78], P = 0.0027). A variant in the gene MORC4 (rs12688220) showed significant interaction with alcohol (OR for homozygous and heterozygous risk allele -14.62 and 1.51 respectively, P = 0.0068) suggesting gene-environment interaction. A combined analysis of the genes CLDN2 and MORC4 based on an effective risk allele score revealed a higher percentage of individuals homozygous for the risk allele in CP cases with 5.09 fold enhanced risk in individuals with 7 or more effective risk alleles compared with individuals with 3 or less risk alleles (P = 1.88 x 10-14). Genetic variants in CLDN2 and MORC4 genes were associated with CP in Indian patients

India's Union Budget 2023—Healthcare allocation leaves much to be desired

Healthcare is an imperative sector for India, considering the huge population in the country and the sub-par health facilities available to a majority of the country's people. In this scenario, and given the havoc wreaked by the COVID-19 pandemic, owing to India's lack of optimal healthcare infrastructure, a large part of the healthcare industry expected that India's Union Budget 2023 would provide significant outlays for the sector. However, with the budgetary outlay for healthcare coming in at the 10th position from the top, this hope was severely dashed, leading to questions about the country's interest in providing healthcare facilities to its people. This article discusses the various facets of the Union Budget, and the lack of focus on healthcare, while also delineating the reasons why budgetary focus on healthcare is imperative for a developing country like India. It has also brought forth potential solutions, such as a public–private partnership in healthcare, which could ensure increased access to healthcare, improved quality of healthcare, reduced costs, and enhanced innovation and research

Digital Innovations in Pneumonia Care: A Mini Review

Introduction: Pneumonia is a severe respiratory disease threatening public health and requires timely and accurate diagnosis and early intervention for effective treatment. The emergence of telemedicine during COVID-19 has offered new solutions to solve health problem. This review examines recent studies focusing on effectiveness of telemedicine intervention in pneumonia care. Methods: We systematically searched five databases to retrieve original research that addressed telemedicine's use in pneumonia diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, or patient assistance. Two independent reviewers performed screening to confirm alignment with inclusion criteria. The findings were synthesised narratively. Results: A total of five studies were included in the review. The interventions across studies were telephonic follow-ups, Smartphone-based algorithm for diagnosing pneumonia, telemedicine set-up at patients' homes and Interactive videoconferencing.  The findings suggest that telephone consultation is effective for patients with low-risk respiratory infections and may be more effective in early diagnosis of pneumonia patients. Conclusion: The planning for work in telemedicine, whether in regulations or private practice, is necessary to ensure the quality, safety, and consistency of telemedicine practices. The use and availability of telemedicine services, especially in rural areas and on mobile phones, must be expanded to reduce problems in the region

Prognostic Significance of HE4 Tissue Expression in Serous Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma

Abstract Neerja Bhatla Background Human Epididymis protein 4 (HE4) is expressed in ovarian cancer. Preoperative serum testing is still not widely available. This pilot study aimed to investigate the magnitude of expression of HE4 in tissue sections of serous epithelial ovarian carcinoma, its correlation with clinical outcome, and the feasibility of HE4 immunohistochemistry as a prognostic marker. Materials and Method In this ambispective study, immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to evaluate tissue sections of ovarian serous epithelial carcinoma at primary cytoreductive surgery. On HE4 immunohistochemistry (IHC), the magnitude of HE4 expression was assessed categorically as high or low HE4 expression and semiquantitatively by the H-score, and correlated with clinical outcome in terms of survival status, progression-free survival, and overall survival. Results Of 32 cases, most (n = 31, 96.8%) were positive for HE4 IHC. The mean age was 49 ± 8.2 years; 29 (90.6%) patients were in FIGO stage IIIC; 25 (78.9%) had ≥1cm residual disease after surgery; 31 (96.8%) received adjuvant chemotherapy, either 3-weekly (n = 25, 81.2%) or dose-dense weekly (n = 6, 18.8%) regimen. The majority (n = 31, 96.8%) had a high-grade tumor, of whom 19 (59.4%) had high HE4 expression and 13(40.6%) patients had H-score in the range of 5 to 8. The mean H-score was 6.97 ± 3.61 (range 0 to 12). The overall survival of the study population at 64 months was 36.65% (95% CI: 8.59–66.34), with median overall survival of 59 months. A new scoring system was developed combining categorical HE4 expression and serum CA-125 levels; the combination of HE4 expression with postoperative CA-125 levels was found to be the best prognostic marker for overall survival (p = 0.05). A composite score of 2 identified patients with poor progression-free survival (HR 4.64, p = 0.039) and overall survival (HR 5.45, p = 0.05). Conclusion The new composite scoring system using HE4 IHC with postoperative serum CA-125 levels offers an extremely useful option for prognosticating patients with serous epithelial ovarian carcinoma than serum CA-125 alone. This is useful where preoperative records are not available to the treating clinician