Inclusion-exclusion Research Articles

EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR TREATEMENT OF DIABETIC FOOT ULCER

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a rapidly rising disease worldwide. It has many complications affecting the overall health status of diabetic individuals as well as their life quality. Peripheral vascular and neuropathy are among the devastating complications of diabetes. They result in diabetic foot ulcer development. This should be prevented initially by preventative strategies which include annual screening of diabetic-foot and patient’s education of self-care. When ulcers happen, different approaches could be takento manage patients. Aim: the aim of this review article is to spots light on different management methods to treat diabetic foot ulcers.Material & Methods: PRISMA method is used to collect the articles from different data bases such as web of science, Scopus.Total 608 articles found relevant after applying inclusion exclusion criteria and duplication criteria total 27 articles were included in theanalysis. Findings: From the literature review eight factors are found which are discussed in detail in the paper. Conclusions: Diabetes mellitus is a long-term condition that can lead to serious complications. In their lifetime, around one-third of diabetic people may develop foot ulcers

Time–space control: explaining subnational variation in Thailand’s guestwork regimes

Abstract How do states control labor migration? Furthering global trends, nation states increasingly seek to include foreigners in labor markets while excluding them from settling. Yet, dominant theories maintain a limited conception of migration control as primarily immigrant restriction, especially in the global North. Thailand offers a paradigmatic case for understanding labor migration control and the dual goal of inclusion–exclusion it entails. While migrants generally face rigid limits on their immigration status, the Thai state shows internal variation in how it manages their inclusion as workers: in some places, authorities more strictly regulate time limits of documents, while in others, they focus on control of boundaries around migrant spatial access. Drawing from ethnographic fieldwork in two sites, this article examines this regulatory variation to inform a more general understanding of guestwork control in global context. Comparing two subnational regimes, I show that the state must respond to multiple forces from above and below when controlling labor migration, requiring subnational regulatory differences, and fostering contrasting means of labor reproduction. Findings suggest that differential subnational incorporation into regional and global economies can shape differences in the time–space control of migrant workers and the conditions of noncitizenship that come with it.

Management of a Rare Case of Superior Mesenteric Artery Aneurysm Associated with a Pancreatic Cyst Complicated by Acute Rupture: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Superior mesenteric artery aneurysms are a rare pathology, and rupture due to a pancreatic cyst in the context of alcohol-induced pancreatitis is an even rarer condition. The first line of treatment is usually an endovascular approach. We present the case of a 51-year-old male with alcohol-induced pancreatitis, diagnosed with a superior mesenteric artery aneurysm with active bleeding in close contact with a large pancreatic cyst. A covered stent was used to treat this condition. The patient developed hemorrhagic shock 12 h after the procedure and an urgent laparotomy was performed. A second rupture of the arterial wall at the distal end of the stent was observed and in order to obtain distal perfusion, first, an infrarenal aorta to superior mesenteric artery bypass distal to the rupture was performed in order to exclude the aneurysm. Secondly, a bypass originating from the distal end of the first bypass to the distal end of the superior mesenteric artery was performed. The patient had an uneventful recovery and was discharged after 10 days. We reviewed the literature regarding the incidence and the therapeutic management of superior mesenteric artery aneurysm complicated by pancreatic cyst. An advanced search on PubMed from 2004 to 2024 returned 194 results and after applying the inclusion–exclusion criteria, 11 publications were selected. Although the endovascular approach is usually the first line of treatment with obvious advantages for the patient, a patient-tailored approach should be made in such cases and surgery could be the first option, when considering that the mechanism of aneurysm rupture is due to erosion of the arterial wall by the pancreatic enzymes. Surgery has the advantage of cyst drainage and aneurysm exclusion and in our case proved lifesaving.

HOW MANY SUBSETS WHICH THEIR OPERATIONS WITH A FIXED SUBSET CONTAIN AT LEAST ONE ELEMENT OF A GIVEN COLLECTION?

We pose the following problem related to binary set operations on finite sets. Given a finite set . Let a binary set operation and be a non-empty collection of non-empty subsets of . For a fixed subset of , where , how many subsets of which their operation with contains at least one element of ?. In this paper, we give the solution of this problem, especially for the subsets of size , using the inclusion-exclusion principle, Corrádi’s lemma, and Bonferroni’s inequality. In this context, the problem is related to determining the degree of nodes in certain graphs, such as graphs constructed with the adjacency rule depends on and the node set is a hypergraph.

Marine Radar Constant False Alarm Rate Detection in Generalized Extreme Value Distribution Based on Space-Time Adaptive Filtering Clutter Statistical Analysis

The performance of marine radar constant false alarm rate (CFAR) detection method is significantly influenced by the modeling of sea clutter distribution and detector decision rules. The false alarm rate and detection rate are therefore unstable. In order to address low CFAR detection performance and the modeling problem of non-uniform, non-Gaussian, and non-stationary sea clutter distribution in marine radar images, in this paper, a CFAR detection method in generalized extreme value distribution modeling based on marine radar space-time filtering background clutter is proposed. Initially, three-dimensional (3D) frequency wave-number (space-time) domain adaptive filter is employed to filter the original radar image, so as to obtain uniform and stable background clutter. Subsequently, generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution is introduced to integrally model the filtered background clutter. Finally, Inclusion/Exclusion (IE) with the best performance under the GEV distribution is selected as the clutter range profile CFAR (CRP-CFAR) detector decision rule in the final detection. The proposed method is verified by utilizing real marine radar image data. The results indicate that when the Pfa is set at 0.0001, the proposed method exhibits an average improvement in PD of 2.3% compared to STAF-RCBD-CFAR, and a 6.2% improvement compared to STCS-WL-CFAR. When the Pfa is set at 0.001, the proposed method exhibits an average improvement in PD of 6.9% compared to STAF-RCBD-CFAR, and a 9.6% improvement compared to STCS-WL-CFAR.

Evaluation of Body Composition and Biochemical Parameters in Adult Phenylketonuria

Background/Objectives: Phenylketonuria is a hereditary metabolic disorder characterized by a deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase. The main treatment for PKU is a phenylalanine-restricted diet. The exclusion of protein rich natural foods and inclusion of low-Phe substitutes may give rise to an imbalanced diet, and the increased risk of overweight and obesity in PKU is a cause for concern. We aimed to evaluate the body composition and nutritional biochemical biomarkers in adult PKU patients who are on Phe-restricted and essential amino acid-supplemented nutrition therapy and to investigate the relationships between these parameters and patient gender, adherence to dietary therapy, and disease type, defined as mild or classic PKU. Methods: The study group comprised 37 PKU patients and 26 healthy siblings as controls. The participants were assessed based on an analysis of anthropometric parameters, body composition, and biochemical test results. Results: PKU patients do not have a higher incidence of overweight and obesity than healthy controls, the proportion of energy derived from carbohydrates in their diets was below the recommended level, and their total energy intake was below the recommended daily allowance. It was remarkable that patients with a treatment adherence ratio of <50% displayed a higher prevalence of overweight and abdominal obesity in comparison to those with a more favorable treatment adherence ratio. Conclusions: In view of the growing prevalence of overweight in the general population, PKU patients should be kept under close long-term follow-up. Particularly in the group with low treatment compliance, more caution should be taken in terms of adverse outcomes.

Bias Mitigation via Synthetic Data Generation: A Review

Artificial intelligence (AI) is widely used in healthcare applications to perform various tasks. Although these models have great potential to improve the healthcare system, they have also raised significant ethical concerns, including biases that increase the risk of health disparities in medical applications. The under-representation of a specific group can lead to bias in the datasets that are being replicated in the AI models. These disadvantaged groups are disproportionately affected by bias because they may have less accurate algorithmic forecasts or underestimate the need for treatment. One solution to eliminate bias is to use synthetic samples or artificially generated data to balance datasets. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to review and evaluate how synthetic data can be generated and used to mitigate biases, specifically focusing on the medical domain. We explored high-quality peer-reviewed articles that were focused on synthetic data generation to eliminate bias. These studies were selected based on our defined inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria and the quality of the content. The findings reveal that generated synthetic data can help improve accuracy, precision, and fairness. However, the effectiveness of synthetic data is closely dependent on the quality of the data generation process and the initial datasets used. The study also highlights the need for continuous improvement in synthetic data generation techniques and the importance of evaluation metrics for fairness in AI models.

Using artificial intelligence based imaging to predict lymph node metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Lung cancer, especially non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), is one of the most-deadly malignancies worldwide. Lung cancer has a worse 5-year survival rate than many primary malignancies. Thus, the early detection and prognosis prediction of lung cancer are crucial. The early detection and prognosis prediction of lung cancer have improved with the widespread use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. This meta-analysis examined the accuracy and efficacy of AI-based models in predicting lymph node metastasis (LNM) in NSCLC patients using imaging data. Our findings could help clinicians predict patient prognosis and select alternative therapies. We searched the PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases for relevant articles published up to January 31, 2024. Two reviewers individually evaluated all the retrieved articles to assess their eligibility for inclusion in the meta-analysis. The systematic assessment and meta-analysis comprised articles that satisfied the inclusion criteria (e.g., randomized or non-randomized trials, and observational studies) and exclusion criteria (e.g., articles not published in English), and provided data for the quantitative synthesis. The quality of the included articles was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2). The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) were used to evaluate the ability of AI-based imaging models to predict LNM in NSCLC patients. Sources of heterogeneity were investigated using meta-regression. Covariates, including country, sample size, imaging modality, model validation technique, and model algorithm, were examined in the subgroup analysis. The final meta-analysis comprised 11 retrospective studies of 6,088 NSCLC patients, of whom 1,483 had LNM. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of the AI-based imaging model for predicting LNM in NSCLC patients were 0.87 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.80-0.91], 0.85 (95% CI: 0.78-0.89), and 0.92 (95% CI: 0.90-0.94). Based on the QUADAS-2 results, a risk of bias was detected in the patient selection and diagnostic tests of the included articles. However, the quality of the included articles was generally acceptable. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were heterogeneous (I2>75%). The meta-regression and subgroup analyses showed that imaging modality [computed tomography (CT) or positron emission tomography (PET)/CT], and the neural network method model design significantly affected heterogeneity of this study. Models employing sample size data from a single center and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method had greater sensitivity than other techniques. Using the Deek' s funnel plot, no publishing bias was found. The results of the sensitivity analysis showed that deleting each article one by one did not change the findings. Imaging data models based on AI algorithms have good diagnostic accuracy in predicting LNM in patients with NSCLC and could be applied in clinical settings.

Acute Augmented Effect of Virtual Reality (VR)-Integrated Relaxation and Mindfulness Exercising on Anxiety and Insomnia Symptoms: A Retrospective Analysis of 103 Anxiety Disorder Patients With Prominent Insomnia.

Anxiety disorder is one of the most common mental disorders and often accompanied with sleep disturbance which can in turn exacerbate anxiety symptoms, creating a vicious cycle. In addition to psychopharmacological therapy, the effectiveness of psychotherapy as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for treating anxiety disorders and insomnia has been well documented and widely accepted, but it is labor-intensive and costly. However, virtual reality (VR)-integrated CBT may improve this condition but needs more evidences to support its extensive application in routine clinical practice. This explorative study was aimed to conduct a retrospective analysis to evaluate the acute (2 weeks) augmented effect of VR-integrated relaxation and mindfulness exercising in improving anxiety and insomnia symptoms for patients who were diagnosed with anxiety disorders and concurrently with prominent insomnia symptoms and admitted to the Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital of Jinan University during January 2021 to June 2021. All patients who were admitted to the department of psychiatry during January 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021 were screened with inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria, and the sociodemographic and clinical data of those included patients were collected from the electronic medical record system of the hospital using a self-designed case report form (CRF). Subjects who were administrated with medication alone were designated as conventional group, and those receiving treatment of medication combined with VR-integrated CBT (VR relaxation and mindfulness exercising) as VR group. The baseline and 2-week posttreatment data were compared between the two groups. In total, there were 103 patients (70 female, 68%) included in the study. Among all, 68 (66.02%) were designated as the "VR group," and 35 (33.98%) as the "conventional group." The majority of patients (67%) were diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Twenty-three (22.3%) patients had a comorbid diagnosis with primary insomnia, and insomnia was just one of the accompanying symptoms with anxiety for the rest 80 subjects. No statistically significant differences were found between VR and conventional groups in all baseline sociodemographic and clinical characteristics except for occupation. There were statistically significant differences for the remission rates of anxiety symptoms or insomnia symptoms and reduction of Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale or Insomnia Severity Index total scores between conventional and VR groups. Greater remission rates or score reductions were found in VR group than in conventional group either for anxiety or for insomnia. Robust differences still existed when controlled for the variable "occupation." Two-week augmented VR-integrated relaxation and mindfulness exercising is acutely beneficial for relieving both anxiety and insomnia symptoms and worth being recommended for routine clinical practice. Further prospective and randomized study compared to traditional CBT to explore its acute and long-term effect on anxiety and insomnia is needed.

O princípio da inclusão-exclusão e o cálculo de permanentes

In this article we review the inclusion-exclusion principle (PIE) from set theoretical and algebraic points of view and discuss its application to the calculation of permanents, a subject that is not normally covered in undergraduate courses. The presentation is intended to be rigorous but elementary, accessible to first-year students in mathematics, science, and engineering programs, requiring only familiarity with set notation, arithmetic and matrix algebra. In dealing with the calculation of permanents, we present the Ryser algorithm, one of the most spectacular developments in the approach to difficult combinatorial problems, whose computational complexity we briefly discuss. The article contains examples, complementary notes, and a program in Python that implements Ryser's algorithm using Gray codes to calculate permanents, accompanied by its discussion.

Insertion axis in removable prosthesis: a preliminary report.

Removable partial denture (RPD) is still a widely used prosthesis today to solve non-implant cases, despite its aesthetic contraindications. The aim of the following work is to evaluate how much the communication and explanation to the patient of the insertion axis of the removable partial prosthesis in the periodontium and teeth has an impact on his degree of acceptance of the aesthetic limits of this prosthesis. For this study, 150 patients were examined from 10 dentists, 5 in Lombardy and 5 in Sicily, using inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria. All selected patients required removable partial dentures. The data was obtained by completing 2 questionnaires, at three different times, at prosthesis delivery, at 6 and 12 months. Questionnaires highlighted overlapping data in the two regions and a total absence of communication of the insertion axis by the dental technician laboratories was highlighted with a percentage of 100%. 28% of the patients complained of pain during the insertion of the prosthesis at 12 months and 39.33% of patients had mobility of remaining teeth with clasps at 12 months. All patients experienced no discomfort, and no important data were reported at the first 6-month follow-up. For mobile partial dentures, respecting the insertion axis can improve the predictability of the periodontal tissue and the resistance of the remaining teeth with clasps. The drawing of an arrow in the model shows the insertion axis of the prosthesis. It would be desirable to include information regarding the insertion axis and advice for the management of the removable partial denture in the first days of use in the declaration of conformity given to the doctor and to thepatient, in the indications section. It can be said that correct insertion of the removable partial denture, helped by verbal and written instructions from the doctor, can reduce possible periodontal alterations of the remaining teeth, by eliminating spurious stresses during insertion and removal of the prosthesis.

Economic inclusion and ethnonational exclusion of Arabs in Israeli higher education: two tales of one policy

ABSTRACT Higher education systems worldwide strive for diversity, equity, and inclusion. However, policies meant to support these values often – intentionally or not – construct new forms of labeling, discrimination, and exclusion. This study examines this dynamic through the case of access and participation plans for Arabs in Israeli higher education. An analysis of citizenship discourses used throughout the policy narrative is applied to state policy documents and interviews with policymakers and implementors. The analysis reveals two narratives describing a single policy: a ‘shared interests’ narrative focused on economic development and growth, and a ‘balancing tradeoffs’ narrative balancing economy and security. These narratives help identify the policy as a ‘multiple diversity regime’ with social, economic, civic, and ethnonational dimensions. Diversity, equity, and inclusion values are promoted through social, economic, and civic convergence, while labeling, discrimination, and exclusion arise through economic and ethnonational convergence. This study contributes to higher education research by accounting for the complex and multi-dimensional dynamic of diversity policies, especially in deeply divided societies. It calls for higher education systems and institutions to take on a more comprehensive approach, going beyond the social and economic dimensions of diversity, to pursue substantial ethnic and national equity and inclusion.

Cohomological and motivic inclusion–exclusion

We categorify the inclusion–exclusion principle for partially ordered topological spaces and schemes to a filtration on the derived category of sheaves. As a consequence, we obtain functorial spectral sequences that generalize the two spectral sequences of a stratified space and certain Vassiliev-type spectral sequences; we also obtain Euler characteristic analogs in the Grothendieck ring of varieties. As an application, we give an algebro-geometric proof of Vakil and Wood's homological stability conjecture for the space of smooth hypersurface sections of a smooth projective variety. In characteristic zero this conjecture was previously established by Aumonier via topological methods.

The predictive value of intraoperative bulbocavernosus reflex monitoring for postoperative voiding function in patients with conus medullaris and cauda equina tumors: a retrospective single center study

BACKGROUND CONTEXTSurgical resection is the preferred treatment in most conus medullaris and cauda equina tumor (CMCET) cases. However, total resection is usually challenging to obtain and has a strong possibility of causing various complications if forcibly attempted. Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) has become a necessary adjunctive tool for CMCET resection. PURPOSEThe current study aimed to evaluate the application value of bulbocavernosus reflex (BCR) monitoring in CMCET surgery. STUDY DESIGNA retrospective clinical study. PATIENT SAMPLEThe medical records of patients who underwent CMCET resection by the same neurosurgical team at our hospital from September 2020 to June 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. IONM was conducted in all surgeries. According to inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria, ultimately, 105 patients were enrolled in the study. OUTCOME MEASURESThe voiding function was assessed before surgery, 1 month after, and 6 months after surgery using the Neurogenic Bladder Symptom Score (NBSS). If the NBSS obtained 1 month after surgery exceeds 9 points than that before surgery, it can be considered that the patient suffered new-onset postoperative voiding dysfunctions (PVDs). Moreover, if the NBSS could restored (less than 9 points higher than before the surgery) at 6 months after surgery, it was defined as a short-term PVD. Otherwise, it was defined as a long-term PVD. METHODSThe amplitude reduction ratios (ARRs) of bilateral BCR waveforms were calculated and compared between patients with PVDs and those without. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was subsequently applied to determine the cut-off value of the maximal and minimal ARRs for predicting PVDs. RESULTSThe maximal and minimal ARRs were significantly correlated with short-term and long-term PVDs (p<.001 for all comparisons, Mann-Whitney U test). The threshold values of maximal ARR for predicting short-term and long-term PVD were 68.80% (AUC=0.996, p<.001) and 72.10% (AUC=0.996, p<.001), respectively. While those of minimal ARR were 50.20% (AUC=0.976, p<.001) and 53.70% AUC=0.999, p<.001). CONCLUSIONSThe amplitude reduction of intraoperative bilateral BCR waveforms showed high predictive value for PVDs.

Comparison of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with laparoscopic surgery for patients with mild and moderately severe acute biliary pancreatitis

Acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP) is an acute inflammatory reaction that occurs as a result of abnormal reflux of bile into the pancreatic duct, which activates pancreatic digestive enzymes to produce pancreatic auto-digestion. ObjectivesTo explore the advantages of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) treatment compared with laparoscopic surgery in the management of patients with mild and moderately severe ABP, and to study the risk factors for recurrence of ABP and construct a risk prediction model to assist in resolving clinical decision-making and improving prognosis. MethodsPatients with mild and moderately severe ABP treated at General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from January 1, 2019 to July 1, 2022 were reviewed. A total of 327 patients were enrolled according to the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria. According to the different treatment modalities, they were divided into the group treated via ERCP (n = 239) and the group treated via laparoscopic surgery (n = 88). Statistical analyses were performed to compare the differences between the average levels of preoperative and postoperative blood routine and blood biochemical indexes, as well as the time of recovery from clinical symptoms, length of hospital stay, and postoperative complications between the two groups of patients. The 280 patients who participated in the follow-up were divided into the recurrence group (n = 130) and the non-recurrence group (n = 150) according to whether they had recurrence or not. Independent samples t-test and binary logistic regression were used to analyze the causative monofactors and risk factors of recurrent biliary pancreatitis, and then to construct the model and assess the predictive accuracy of the model. ResultsOn postoperative day 2, the incidence of local complications, Balthazar CT score, and the number of analgesia were lower in the patients in the group treated by ERCP than in the group treated by laparoscopic surgery (P < 0.001), and the duration of antibiotics, enzyme-suppressing medication, fasting, and hospital stay were shorter in the patients in the group treated by ERCP than in the group treated by laparoscopic surgery (P < 0.001). Personal history, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), and treatment modality are risk factors for recurrence of biliary pancreatitis. The model constructed by combining GGT, personal history, and treatment modality had the best predictive ability for disease recurrence compared with the model with GGT, personal history, and treatment modality alone (area under the ROC curve 0.815). ConclusionCompared with the laparoscopic surgery group, ERCP treatment can effectively relieve symptoms and restore gastrointestinal function in advance in patients with ABP, and reduce hospitalisation time and related complications. Personal history, GGT, and treatment modality are risk factors for recurrence of biliary pancreatitis. Patients can prevent recurrence by abstaining from smoking and alcohol, eating a healthy diet, and exercising appropriately.

The Effect of Endorphin Massage on the Intensity of Dysmenorrhea in Adolescent Girls

Dysmenorrhea is often experienced by young women, this can disturb your sense of comfort and interfere with daily activities, generally it is not dangerous but must be treated immediately. Dysmenorrhea usually occurs before or during menstruation, starting from one to two days before menstruation or during menstruation. Dysmenorrhea treatment can be divided into two categories, namely pharmacological and non-pharmacological. Pharmacological treatment such as consuming non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), while non-pharmacological treatment can be done with Endorphin Massage. Endorphin Massage has the effect of stimulating the body to release endorphin compounds which are pain relievers and can create a feeling of comfort, which is a therapeutic action that is useful for improving physical and psychological conditions. The aim of the research was to determine the effect of giving endorphin massage on reducing dysmenorrhea in young women. The research design used was Quasi Experimental with a pre-experimental design, with one group pretest-posttest. to see the effect of Endorphin Massage before and after the intervention. The sample size was 30 respondents. The sampling technique used consecutive sampling which had been adjusted to the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria. This study used the Wilcoxon statistical test with a significance level of α = 0.05. The results of this study showed a value of ρ = 0.000, where the value of ρ

Public Trust: Dampak Exclusion dan Inclusion Error Data Program Keluarga Harapan

The general objective of the Family Hope Program (PKH) is to reduce poverty, increase the accessibility of poor people to public services, especially education and health. PKH targeting is based on Integrated Social Welfare Data (DTKS) which is an update of the results of the Social Protection Program Data Collection (PPLS). Efforts to improve the welfare of the poor often stumble over fundamental problems related to data collection. Problems that arise from data not being in sync are inclusion errors and exclusion errors. As a result, the aid distributed is not on target and does not even fulfill the citizens' sense of justice. As a result, the level of public trust in the government decreases. This research aims to obtain an overview of the impact of data collection on public trust. This research uses a qualitative approach with data collection methods using interviews and secondary data analysis. The research results show that there are still very poor household (RTSM) in Cunca Lolos Village that have not yet become beneficiary group (KPM) PKH. This exclusion error occurs because the data collection and data updating process has not been carried out in the DTKS. The impact on the issue of public trust among citizens. Those who are eligible but are not targeted by the program consider the government to be unfair in its services and policies. Finally, citizens do not participate actively in public activities.

Leishmaniases in Ethiopia: a scoping review protocol to determine the scope of research and remaining gaps

IntroductionThe leishmaniases are among the group of neglected tropical diseases that cause significant morbidity and mortality each year. Currently, the East Africa region has the highest visceral leishmaniasis burden in...

Association of Sleep Problems With Dialysis Shifts in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Introduction According to a 2023 poll by the International Society of Nephrology, 850 million individuals worldwide suffer from chronic kidney disease (CKD) andhemodialysis (HD) is the primary treatment for 69% of the patients with CKD. While HD effectively regulates fluid balance and electrolyte levels, patients often face challenges such as weakness, exhaustion, and cognitive changes, which impact their quality of life. Sleep-related issues, including poor quality, excessive morning sleepiness, insomnia, and restless leg syndrome (RLS), are particularly common among HD patients. These disturbances stem from various factors, including psychological discomfort and biochemical imbalances. Dialysis shifts, despite their importance, remain poorly studied regarding their impact on sleep and biochemical parameters. Our study aims to address these gaps, exploring how different dialysis shifts affect sleep quality and biochemical parameters.Our hypothesis suggests that the particular dialysis shift that hemodialysis patients undergo has an impact on the quality of sleep, with various groups exhibiting varying degrees of sleep disturbance. Simultaneously, we believe that the time of dialysis shifts could influence biochemical parameter variations, which in turn could affect the quality of sleep in hemodialysis patients. Methodology This cross-sectional study focuses on assessing sleep problems and analyzing biochemical variables among hemodialysis (HD) patients in Georgia. A total of 150 participants were selected from morning, afternoon, and evening dialysis shifts, with strict inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria. Assessment procedures involved questionnaires on sleep quality, restless leg syndrome (RLS), daytime sleepiness, and severity of insomnia. Biochemical variables were obtained from the hospital records. Statistical analyses were performed using Graph Pad Prism software (GraphPad,San Diego, USA), including ANOVA and Chi-square tests for association between biochemical variables and dialysis shifts, as well as logistic regression for assessing the influence of biochemical variables on insomnia and poor sleep quality. The significance level was set at 95%. Results Results showed that patients in the afternoon shift undergo longer sessions of hemodialysis compared to other shifts. Notably, a larger proportion of morning shift patients reported poor sleep quality, while a smaller fraction of evening shift patients experienced insomnia. There were no significant associations between dialysis shift and excessive morning sleepiness or restless leg syndrome.Potassium emerged as the sole biochemical variable exhibiting an association with all three dialysis shifts. Biochemical parameters showed no discernible impact on insomnia or poor sleep quality. Conclusion Our findings suggest an association between poor sleep quality and insomnia with dialysis shifts. Hemodialysis does influence potassium levels. However, biochemical variables like sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D3, parathyroid gland hormone (PTH), and hemoglobin do not seem to affect poor sleep quality and insomnia. Further research is needed to explore potential sleep issues with nocturnal shifts and to assess if creatinine and chloride have any influence on poor sleep quality.It is important to acknowledge dialysis shift as a contributor to sleep problems, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to enhance the quality of life for these patients.

On the Use of Generative AI for Literature Reviews: An Exploration of Tools and Techniques

To carry out a literature review often involves hard and tedious work. There is a tradition of using facilitating tools, that extended to the AI field in 2018 when iris.ai appeared. Today, in the emerging field of Generative AI tools based on Large Language Models, there has been rapid development of new literature search tools and approaches. This study has the aim of exploring this vast array of Generative AI tools, in a literature study where some of the found tools were used to facilitate the selection of relevant publication. Three research questions guided this study: RQ1) "What Generative AI tools can be found in literature?", RQ2) "Which of these tools could be of use in the literature review conducted in this study, and how?", and RQ3) "What are the ethical aspects of using Generative AI tools in literature studies?” The approach has been a scoping review, built around a search that combined the keywords: "AI supported", "AI generated", "AI based" and "Literature review". An initial result set was filtered with inclusion exclusion criteria in a strive for an interesting quality answer to the research questions. However, most publications that passed the filtering lacked any potential to contribute to answer the research questions. The most interesting finding in the first search was a hint about the new feature 'Scopus AI'. A new search with the Scopus AI tool resulted in a small but very relevant set of publications. These publications were analysed in a deductive inductive thematic analysis, and primary sorted into the categories of: 'Generative AI Tools', 'Supportive AI Techniques', and 'Ethical Issues'. Findings indicate that there is a wide variety of tools that can facilitate the skimming process of a literature, and to provide adequate summaries of retrieved publication. However, authors recommendation is to keep the tools on the facilitating support level, and that the main analysis and conclusion should be human conducted. With this, rather traditional approach, researchers will have clearly less ethical issues to consider. Finally, the ethical aspects of Generative AI tools in research ought to be investigated more in detail, in a separate future study.