Insensitivity of editors and indexers regarding the cultural variations of authors’ surnames.

Surnames, although widely used, are not obligatory in many parts of the world. This communication describes the hurdles and humiliations suffered by Oriental and South Indian authors who do not have a surname. A novel solution to the problem of author surnames is also proposed

Relationship between learner motivation and perceptions of an e-learning platform among undergraduates

This study investigated the relationship between learner motivation and perceptions of an e-Learning platform among undergraduates in a university in Malaysia using the university’ e-Learning platform, PutraBLAST. 125 respondents were selected from undergraduates in the Faculty of Educational Studies. Data were collected using a questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. Findings from the descriptive analysis showed that respondents were moderately motivated when using PutraBLAST. Respondents were also satisfied with the e-Learning environment using PutraBLAST. A moderate positive relationship was found between motivation and perceptions of the e-Learning platform (r = 0.632). This study suggests for the need to incorporate features in PutraBLAST that would enhance motivation as it is positively correlated to perceptions of the e-Learning experiences using the e-Learning platform

PERBANDINGAN KURIKULUM DI BERBAGAI NEGARA BERKEMBANG PASCA PANDEMI COVID-19

The Covid-19 pandemic that hit a few years ago, forced the education sector to change the learning system from face-to-face to online. Now with the end of the epidemic, learning is again being carried out face-to-face. This research will try to examine curriculum comparisons in various developing countries after the Covid- 19 pandemic. The research method used is a literature study. The results of his research are that some countries have changed their curricula after the Covid-19 pandemic, but some countries have not changed their curricula

Neonatal scrotal wall necrotizing fasciitis (Fournier gangrene): a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Necrotizing fasciitis in neonates is rare and is associated with almost 50% mortality. Although more than 80 cases of neonates (under one month of age) with necrotizing fasciitis have been reported in the literature, only six of them are identified as originating in the scrotum.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report the case of a four-week-old, full-term, otherwise-healthy Caucasian baby boy who presented with an ulcerating lesion of his scrotal wall. His scrotum was explored because of a provisional diagnosis of missed torsion of the testis. He was found to have necrotizing fasciitis of the scrotum. We were able to preserve the testis and excise the necrotic tissue, and with intravenous antibiotics there was a successful outcome.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Fournier gangrene is rarely considered as part of the differential diagnosis in the clinical management of the acute scrotum. However, all doctors who care for small babies must be aware of this serious condition and, if it is suspected, should not hesitate in referring the babies to a specialist pediatric surgical center immediately.</p

The IDENTIFY study: the investigation and detection of urological neoplasia in patients referred with suspected urinary tract cancer - a multicentre observational study

Objective To evaluate the contemporary prevalence of urinary tract cancer (bladder cancer, upper tract urothelial cancer [UTUC] and renal cancer) in patients referred to secondary care with haematuria, adjusted for established patient risk markers and geographical variation. Patients and Methods This was an international multicentre prospective observational study. We included patients aged ≥16 years, referred to secondary care with suspected urinary tract cancer. Patients with a known or previous urological malignancy were excluded. We estimated the prevalence of bladder cancer, UTUC, renal cancer and prostate cancer; stratified by age, type of haematuria, sex, and smoking. We used a multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression to adjust cancer prevalence for age, type of haematuria, sex, smoking, hospitals, and countries. Results Of the 11 059 patients assessed for eligibility, 10 896 were included from 110 hospitals across 26 countries. The overall adjusted cancer prevalence (n = 2257) was 28.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 22.3–34.1), bladder cancer (n = 1951) 24.7% (95% CI 19.1–30.2), UTUC (n = 128) 1.14% (95% CI 0.77–1.52), renal cancer (n = 107) 1.05% (95% CI 0.80–1.29), and prostate cancer (n = 124) 1.75% (95% CI 1.32–2.18). The odds ratios for patient risk markers in the model for all cancers were: age 1.04 (95% CI 1.03–1.05; P < 0.001), visible haematuria 3.47 (95% CI 2.90–4.15; P < 0.001), male sex 1.30 (95% CI 1.14–1.50; P < 0.001), and smoking 2.70 (95% CI 2.30–3.18; P < 0.001). Conclusions A better understanding of cancer prevalence across an international population is required to inform clinical guidelines. We are the first to report urinary tract cancer prevalence across an international population in patients referred to secondary care, adjusted for patient risk markers and geographical variation. Bladder cancer was the most prevalent disease. Visible haematuria was the strongest predictor for urinary tract cancer

Empyema thoracis: Controversies and technical hints

This communication is the summary of Internet discussions held by members of the Indian Association of Pediatric Surgeons (IAPS) in June 2005. It reflects the opinion and practice of Indian pediatric surgeons on the treatment of childhood empyema thoracis (ET). Despite the availability of broad-spectrum antibiotics, a large number of ET in advanced stages is still seen in India. The management of ET appears to depend on the stage of pathology, the status of underlying lung and proper usage of antibiotic adjuncts. Intercostal tube drainage of pleural space is sufficient for stage 1 empyema. Thoracoscopic decortication reduces the treatment cost and morbidity of stage 2 disease. However, stage 3 lesions with very thick pleural peels require open decortication. Pros and cons of these three modalities of treatment are discussed. The members also describe the various innovative techniques, that they found useful in the surgical management of ET

ATHENA'S PAGES

Athena stands for abbreviation of Abstracting and Thoughtful Evaluation of Neonatal Articles; but it is also personified by the contributor. Like Athena of Greek mythology, she distills wisdom from published literature

Observations on the pattern of vomiting and morbidity in patients with acute sigmoid volvulus

Background: Vomiting is usually a late and an infrequent symptom of colonic obstructions. Contrary to this general rule, it occurs early and more frequently in some cases of sigmoid volvulus. Aim: To study the clinical significance of vomiting in patients with sigmoid volvulus. Setting: Teaching hospital in Western Orissa, India Study Design: Prospective observational study Material and Methods: Prospectively enrolled subjects with sigmoid volvulus diagnosed on the basis of clinical, radiological and laparotomy evidence were included in the study carried out in a tertiary care centre in India. Detailed history was obtained from them, especially to elicit information about the occurrence of various symptoms. Information regarding type of vomiting was also obtained. Efforts were made to exclude other causes of vomiting. Statistical tests such as Chi-Square test, Fisher&#x0027;s exact test or Student&#x0027;s t test were used. Results: Ninety-three consecutive subjects with sigmoid volvulus were enrolled. Five patients with possible other aetiologies for vomiting and seven patients with compound sigmoid volvulus were eliminated from further analysis. Two patterns of vomiting were noted in 81 evaluable patients with sigmoid volvulus. In 33 patients (Group A), vomiting preceded or coincided with the onset of other abdominal symptoms (Type 1 vomiting). In 48 patients (Group B) vomiting occurred after the onset of other abdominal symptoms (Type 2 vomiting). The period between the onset of these symptoms and that of vomiting varied from a few hours to several days. Group A patients sought medical help much earlier than those of Group B. Incidences of circulatory shock (24&#x0025; vs. 8&#x0025;), haemorrhagic ascites (21&#x0025; vs. 6&#x0025;) and colonic gangrene (64&#x0025; vs. 35&#x0025;) were significantly higher in Group A than in Group B. The mortality rate (15&#x0025; vs. 4&#x0025;) was higher in Group A as well. About 25&#x0025; (n = 7) of Group A patients in contrast to 4&#x0025; (n=2) of Group B required hospitalization exceeding 3 weeks. Vomitus was predominantly non-bilious (21 out of 33 patients) in Group A (64&#x0025;) and bilious (10 out of 11 patients) in Group B (91&#x0025;). Conclusion: Type 1 vomiting appears to be an indicator of more severe presentation and is associated with an increased morbidity and mortality. This study suggests that the pattern of vomiting could be a simple and useful predictor of prognosis in sigmoid volvulus