Period October-November Research Articles

Medicine Storage Knowledge Survey among Pharmacy Students from Universitas Gadjah Mada

Proper drug storage is very important to ensure drug safety, quality and efficacy. Drug storage is closely related to drug expiration which includes Expiry Date (ED) and Beyond Use Date (BUD). The aim of this research was to measure the level of knowledge of Pharmacy students at Gadjah Mada University regarding drug storage and drug expiration. This research uses a designcross-sectional study with an instrument in the form of a questionnaire. The sample was UGM Pharmacy Students taken randomlyconvenience sampling, in the data collection period October-November 2023, there were 132 respondents. A questionnaire covering sociodemographic data, storage domains and drug expiration time, was distributedgoogleform. Data were analyzed descriptively and with statistical testsChi-square with p<0.05. The results of the study showed that 87.88% (N= 116) of UGM Pharmacy Students had a good level of knowledge about drug storage, and 85.85% (N= 112) had a poor level of knowledge about drug expiration. There was no relationship between gender (p=0.307); age (p=0.639); semester (p=0.791); monthly income (p=0.897); parents' field of work (p=0.155); and current state of residence (p=0.904) with knowledge of drug storage. There is a relationship between age (p value 0.012); semester (p=0.015); and current state of residence (p=0.019) with knowledge of drug expiration. It is necessary to increase pharmacy students' literacy about drug expiration to ensure drug safety.

Pre-operative cataract patient profile at Utama eye clinic gresik period October-November 2023

Pre-operative cataract patient profile at Utama eye clinic gresik period October-November 2023

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Households’ Energy Consumption: The case of Poland

Goal – the aim of the article is to investigate and assess the energy situation of Polish consumers aged 25–45 during the coronavirus pandemic. In particular we wish to find information concerning the response to the impact of a pandemic situation on consumer behavior in terms of energy consumption, possibilities and willingness to save energy and the ability to cover energy bills. Research methodology – the research was based on CAWI (Computer-Assisted Web Interview) methodology as a tool to assess the energy situation of respondents aged 25–45. Information on the surveyed population sample was obtained through the use of a research questionnaire filled with questions of mostly qualitative nature. Some of the questions were open-ended, which made it possible to delve into the actions and motivations taking place in households during the pandemic. The survey was conducted on a sample of 533 respondents, covering all of Poland. The study was conducted in the period October–November 2021. Score/results – the results of the study highlight the basic implications of respondents’ energy consumption in the consequence of the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Household energy consumption implications can be understood as temporary changes and some as long-term changes. Research results show various impacts on energy consumption in households, which were assessed in two areas: standard lifestyle and work at home. Originality/value – the analysis carried out in the paper allows assessing the relationship between the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the scale of electricity consumption in households. Research results can provide energy saving recommendations for consumers. In addition, the study shows aspects of social trends in household energy consumption in times of crisis such as a pandemic.

Description of Maternal Age and Premature Occurrence in RSUD Sidoarjo For The Period October-November 2021

Background: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of premature births in the world increases to 15 million premature births each year. Indonesia is the fifth largest contributor to the number of premature births in the world with around 675,700 births in 2018. This is due to several factors, one of which is the age of the mother during pregnancy. The young age of the mother (< 20 years old) has the potential to be unprepared for the body to accept pregnancy. Likewise, maternal age (> 35 years old) whose reproductive function has begun to decline has the potential to be a factor in premature birth. Methods: This study uses observational analytic with a cross sectional approach. The total sample obtained was 77 postpartum mothers who were taken by accidental sampling. Result: It was found that there were 3 mothers (3.9%) with young age (<20 years old), 54 mothers (70.1%) with average age (20-35 years old), and 20 mothers (26%) with elder age (>35 years old). With the incidence of prematurity in young mothers as many as 2 cases (66.7%), moderate age as many as 23 cases (42.6%), and elder age as many as 12 cases (60%). Conclusion: Premature events often occur at the age of young mothers, namely <20 years old and elder age> 35 years old.

Seroprevalence of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in a Random Sample of Inhabitants of the Katowice Region, Poland.

Lack of knowledge around seroprevalence levels of COVID-19 in Poland was the reason for the implementation of a seroepidemiological study in the Katowice Region (2,100,000 inhabitants). In October–November 2020, a questionnaire examination and measurement of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM antibodies were performed in a random sample of the general population (n = 1167). The objectives of the study were to estimate the prevalence of IgG and IgM antibodies and to assess their host-related correlates. The prevalence of IgG seropositivity was 11.4% (95% CI: 9.5–13.2%) and IgM seropositivity was 4.6% (95% CI: 3.5–5.8%). Diagnosis of COVID-19 was found in 4.8% of subjects. A positive IgG test was statistically significantly associated with age (inverse relationship), a person’s contact with a COVID-19 patient, quarantine, and two symptoms in the past: fever and loss of smell/taste. Positive IgG tests were less prevalent in subjects who had diagnoses of arterial hypertension, diabetes, or rheumatologic disorders. IgM test positivity was associated with quarantine and loss of smell/taste only with no effect of chronic diseases found. In Poland, in the period October–November 2020, the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was larger than earlier estimates obtained in other European countries, probably reflecting the measurements obtained during the “second wave” of the epidemic.

Prevalence of Chronic Periodontitis: A Retrospective Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: The characteristic appearance of chronic periodontitis with the absence of bacterial plaque or with minimal amounts of it, but with the presence of gingival health, expressed in the specific pink color of the gingiva, is associated with active stages of the disease and its inactive stages. The aim of this study is to compare cross-sectional and retrograde data on the prevalence of chronic periodontitis in the two respective groups of patients, evaluated according to specific periodontal diagnostic tools. Materials and Methods: The study was applied in two groups of patients: the first group of patients presented at the dental clinic in the period October 2019 - January 2020 and the second group; in the period October-November in the annual interval 2010-2018. In these patients, periodontal status was assessed based on probing values, bacterial plaque index, bleeding index, and amount of gingival fluid in specific dentures. The number of natural teeth and the number of teeth replaced with fixed prosthetics were recorded. Results: For both cross-sectional and retrograde data, chronic periodontitis is a disease that affects young people, with a higher prevalence in females. This data is expressed with high ratios of tooth loss for periodontal reasons. The highest dental care for replacement with fixed prosthetics, again belongs to the female sex, but with a high bacterial plaque index. The high index of gingival hemorrhage with reduced bacterial plaque index, are data with high percentages both for the group of patients cross-sectional data and for the group of patients with retrograde data. Conclusions: The high prevalence of chronic periodontitis at a young age indicates a poor prognosis of this disease at older ages. Gingival recession associated with loss of attachment for patients with chronic periodontitis have higher values at age intervals 31-50 years, intervals where systemic pathologies are in the stages of development and stabilization in the human body. Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0301-5 Full Text: PDF

Exposure to particulate matter and gaseous pollutants during cab commuting in Nur-Sultan city of Kazakhstan

Exposure to particulate matter, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide inside a car during commuting were determined during the period October–November 2017 in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. We choose to follow five bus routes (#10, 18, 19, 37 and 53) that cover the majority of the city's area. CO (ppm), CO2 (ppm) and PM1, PM2.5, PM4, and PM10 mass concentration (μg/m3) were measured in this study. PM1 was found to be the largest fraction of all sizes of PM. The mean PM1 concentrations along the forward (backward) paths for each of the five bus routes were measured as 11 ± 14 (11 ± 7), 14 ± 8 (16 ± 6), 25 ± 11 (21 ± 14), 23 ± 8 (15 ± 6) and 76 ± 26 (99 ± 55) μg/m3, respectively. Average CO concentrations among five bus routes (#10, 18, 19, 37 and 53) along the forward (backward) paths were 0.67 ± 0.16 (0.78 ± 0.17), 0.7 ± 0.16 (0.53 ± 0.32), 1.04 ± 0.01 (2.3 ± 0.95), 2.67 ± 1.3 (2.03 ± 0.41), 3.54 ± 3.57 (2.17 ± 0.37) ppm. The mean PM1/PM2.5 and PM2.5/PM10 ratios were 0.96 and 0.91, respectively. Nur-Sultan could be an example for those cities that are under major developments and candidates to be green cities by showing the exposures to atmospheric pollutants across the city. Those cities that are developing themselves as tourist attractions should create maps of PM exposures along major urban routes, and route traffic to exclude tourist areas from being hotspots.

Seroprevalence of spotted fever group and typhus group rickettsiae in individuals with acute febrile illness from Gorakhpur, India

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of spotted fever group (SFG) and typhus group (TG) rickettsiae among individuals with acute febrile illness (AFI) in the scrub typhus endemic district of Gorakhpur in India. This district is one of the worst affected by annual seasonal acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) outbreaks. MethodsAntibodies against SFG and TG rickettsiae and the associated risk factors were determined in 294 individuals presenting with an AFI, encountered during a community-based survey conducted during the AES outbreak period October–November 2016. ResultsRespective IgM and IgG seropositivity was 13.6% and 36.7% for SFG, and 7.1% and 15.3% for TG. SFG IgM positivity was significantly higher among females, while IgG positivity was significantly higher among individuals ≥45 years of age. IgM and IgG seropositivity for TG rickettsiae were significantly higher in individuals involved in outdoor activities and housewives, but did not differ according to age group, sex, or educational status. ConclusionThe study results present serological evidence of SFG and TG rickettsiosis, in addition to scrub typhus, among individuals with AFI in Gorakhpur region and indicate the need to explore their roles as potential causes of AES in the region.

Widespread reduction in sun-induced fluorescence from the Amazon during the 2015/2016 El Niño.

The tropical carbon balance dominates year-to-year variations in the CO2 exchange with the atmosphere through photosynthesis, respiration and fires. Because of its high correlation with gross primary productivity (GPP), observations of sun-induced fluorescence (SIF) are of great interest. We developed a new remotely sensed SIF product with improved signal-to-noise in the tropics, and use it here to quantify the impact of the 2015/2016 El Niño Amazon drought. We find that SIF was strongly suppressed over areas with anomalously high temperatures and decreased levels of water in the soil. SIF went below its climatological range starting from the end of the 2015 dry season (October) and returned to normal levels by February 2016 when atmospheric conditions returned to normal, but well before the end of anomalously low precipitation that persisted through June 2016. Impacts were not uniform across the Amazon basin, with the eastern part experiencing much larger (10–15%) SIF reductions than the western part of the basin (2–5%). We estimate the integrated loss of GPP relative to eight previous years to be 0.34–0.48 PgC in the three-month period October–November–December 2015.This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘The impact of the 2015/2016 El Niño on the terrestrial tropical carbon cycle: patterns, mechanisms and implications’.

GRSS Members Elevated to the Grade of Senior Member in the Period October-November 2014 [GRSS Member Highlights

GRSS Members Elevated to the Grade of Senior Member in the Period October-November 2014 [GRSS Member Highlights

Children's health risk assessment based on the content of toxic metals Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn in urban soil samples of Podgorica, Montenegro.

Due to their low tolerance to pollutants and hand-to-mouth pathways the health risk is very high in children's population. The aim of this study was to evaluate risk to children's health based on the content of heavy metals in urban soil samples from Podgorica, Montenegro. This study included the investigation of several toxic metals such as Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn in soil samples from public parks and playgrounds. Sampling was conducted in a period October-November, 2012. Based on cluster analysis, soil samples were divided into two groups related to similarity of metal content at examinated locations: the group I--near by recreational or residential areas of the city, and the group II--near traffic roads. Concentration of toxic metals, in urban soil samples were determined by a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (Pb and Cd) and by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry technique after microwave digestion. Due to exposure to urban soil, non-cancerogenic index hazardous index (HI) for children was estimated using 95th percentile values of total metal concentration. The value of the total (ingestion, dermal and inhalation) HI is calculated for maximum, minimum and the average concentration of metals for children. Mean concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn in the surface layer of the studied urban soils were 85.91 mg/kg, 2.8 mg/kg and 52.9 mg/kg and 112.5 mg/kg, respectively. Samples from group II showed higher metal content compared to group I. Urbanization and traffic are the main sources of pollution of the urban soils of Podgorica. Most of the samples (93.5%) had a high Pb content, 12.9% of the samples had a higher content of Cd, while Cu and Zn were within the limits prescribed by national legislation. At one location the level of security for lead is HI = 0.8 and very closed to maximum acceptable value of 1. It is probably the result of intensive traffic near by. All metals investigated showed relatively higher concentrations at sites that were close to industrial places and high ways. The mean concentrations of Pb and Zn and maximum concentrations of Pb, Cd, and Zn were higher than presented values in the National Regulation.

The response of patients to hospitalization

Introduction: It is very difficult to describe how the patient feels at first contact with the hospital environment, medical personnel and medical diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. He was usually upset at first contact since carries with it suspense and feers, due to illnes, but also because of the new situation. Will the first meeting to encourage patients and create confidence and sureness or, derogate and hurt his personality, depends on these first impressions. The aim: The aim is to exemine react to hospitalization, analyze what is to attitude of hospital personnel towards patients, and investigate which patients are proposals to improve the conditions and procedure for hospitalization. Methods: The study was conducted at University Hospital in Foca, period October-November, 2014. The study included 50patients who are being treated at the University Hospital in Foca, in the section of Internal Medicine. The research used an anonymous questionnaire, and the results are graphically presented. Results: Two-thirds of respondents reacted very well to the hospitalization. Asked about their impressions on the first meeting with the medical personnel, 94% of respondents expressed a positive opinion, while 6% of respondents characterized their first meeting as negative. Conclusion: Generally, this study yilded the following results which can be characterized as positive, but we must strive to be better and try to patients satisfaction with the services and attitude of health worker, made at the highest level.

Status of Air Quality and Noise Level of Udaipur City, India during Diwali Festival

Diwali is one of the most important and commonly celebrated festivals by Hindu religion followers in India which falls normally during period October-November every year. This festival extensive burning of firecrackers, especially in the evening hours, is witnessed with hence burnt crackers releases various gaseous and particulate air pollutants and toxic metals in significant quantity and became responsible for degradation of the air quality as a whole in the adjoining areas. It has been observed that the widespread use of sparklers leads to short-term air quality degradation. So, for assessment of the effect of fireworks on the air quality on ambient concentrations of various air pollutants (SO2, NO2, SPM, RSPM) and Noise level during Diwali festival in Udaipur city (India), data were collected in November 2014. The levels of these pollutants during study schedule were recorded as moderately high, than the National standards, which can cause serious health hazards in local population.

GRSS Members Elevated to the Grade of Senior Member in the Period October—November 2013 [GRSS Member Highlights

GRSS Members Elevated to the Grade of Senior Member in the Period October—November 2013 [GRSS Member Highlights

Analysis of seismicity and micro-seismicity associated with the October–November 2010 Sampeyre swarm, Southwestern Alps

Abstract The study presents a detailed analysis of the swarm that occurred in the area surrounding Sampeyre (Piedmont, Italy) during the period October–November 2010. The crisis caught the attention of seismologists because of its intense seismic productivity that has never been observed in the past. During the swarm, 550 earthquakes were recorded and located by the Regional Seismic network of Northwestern Italy — RSNI ( http://www.distav.unige.it/geofisica/ ) in the study area. However, including the micro-seismicity (mainly, earthquakes of magnitude lower than 0) detected through an STA/LTA- (short-term average/long-term average) based algorithm, the number of events goes up to approximately 3250. Among all these events, approximately two hundred exceeded a local magnitude ( M l ) of 1.0 but only two earthquakes exceeded M l = 3.0, reaching up to M l = 3.2. Following a general description of the swarm evolution, the study presents the results of a waveform similarity analysis and double-difference relocation, aimed at identifying groups of earthquakes belonging to common genetic sources. A statistical analysis of the resulting earthquake families has revealed a variation of the scaling exponent ( b -value) of the Gutenberg and Richter size-frequency model with depth. In particular, our results have evidenced a slightly higher b -value at shallower depths where a distinct family of earthquakes was identified through seismogram cross-correlation. This may reflect variability in the distribution of fractures in the rock volume involved in the swarm.

Characterization of PM10 in the ambient air during Deepawali festival of Rajnandgaon district, India

Deepawali is one of the main festivals for Hindu religion which falls in the period October–November every year with great fireworks display. In this study, we investigated the levels of water soluble ions and heavy metals—during the fireworks festival in Rajnandgaon, Central India. The chemical compositions and noise level distributions are reported from the sampling site. First time during Deepawali, air quality was studied in this area, The Aerosol samples of PM10 (particle aerodynamic diameter <10 μm) are collected in October 24–28, 2011. Aims of the present studies are (1) To describe the particulate concentrations and associated chemical species during Deepawali festival, (2) To recognize the noise level in Deepawali festival. For study, the samples were collected in glass fiber filter paper and analyzed for the major water soluble ions F−, Cl−, NO3 −, SO4 2−, Na2+, NH4 +, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ employing ion chromatograph. Concentration of heavy metals was analyzed by ICP-MS and was observed to occur in order Fe > Zn > Pb > Ni > Cr > Cd. The result revels that all concentration are above the permissible limit fixed by CPCB, USPEA, and WHO standard. It is concluded that the burning of fireworks during Deepawali festival was the main source of heavy metals and ion.

The impact assessment of Diwali fireworks emissions on the air quality of a tropical urban site, Hyderabad, India, during three consecutive years

Diwali is one of the largest festivals for Hindu religion which falls in the period October-November every year. During the festival days, extensive burning of firecrackers takes place, especially in the evening hours, constituting a significant source of aerosols, black carbon (BC), organics, and trace gases. The widespread use of sparklers was found to be associated with short-term air quality degradation events. The present study focuses on the influence of Diwali fireworks emissions on surface ozone (O3), nitrogen oxides (NO x ), and BC aerosol concentration over the tropical urban region of Hyderabad, India during three consecutive years (2009-2011). The trace gases are analyzed for pre-Diwali, Diwali, and post-Diwali days in order to reveal the festivity's contribution to the ambient air quality over the city. A twofold to threefold increase is observed in O3, NO x , and BC concentrations during the festival period compared to control days for 2009-2011, which is mainly attributed to firecrackers burning. The high correlation coefficient (~0.74) between NO x and SO2 concentrations and higher SO2/NO x (S/N) index suggested air quality degradation due to firecrackers burning. Furthermore, the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation-derived aerosol subtyping map also confirmed the presence of smoke aerosols emitted from firecrackers burning over the region. Nevertheless, the concentration level of pollutants exhibited substantial decline over the region during the years 2010 and 2011 compared to 2009 ascribed to various awareness campaigns and increased cost of firecrackers.

Landslide inventory map for the Briga and the Giampilieri catchments, NE Sicily, Italy

On 1 October 2009, a high intensity storm hit the Ionian coast of Sicily, SW of Messina, Italy. The Santo Stefano di Briga rain gauge, located 2 km W of the Ionian coast, recorded 225 mm of rain in seven hours. The intense rainfall event triggered abundant slope failures, and resulted in widespread erosion and deposition of debris along ephemeral drainage channels, extensive inundation, and local modifications of the coastline. Landslides occurred in a territory prone to slope failures, due to the local geological and geomorphological settings. Many landslides were related to the presence of roads lacking adequate drainage. Abandoned terraced slopes lacking proper drainage, and unmaintained dry walls were also related to slope failures. Damage was particularly severe in small villages and at several sites along the transportation network. The shallow landslides and the inundation resulted in 37 fatalities, including 31 deaths and six missing persons, and innumerable injured people. After the event, an accurate landslide inventory map was prepared for the Briga and the Giampilieri catchments. The map shows: (i) the distribution of the event landslides triggered by the 1 October 2009 rainfall event; (ii) the distribution of the pre-existing slope failures; and (iii) other geomorphological features related to fluvial processes and slope movements. The landslide inventory map was prepared at 1:10,000 scale through a combination of field surveys and photo-interpretation of pre-event and post-event, stereoscopic and pseudo-stereoscopic, aerial photography. Different types of aerial photographs were analysed visually to prepare the landslide inventory map. The event landslides were mapped through the interpretation of pseudo-stereoscopic colour photographs taken shortly after the event at 1:3500 scale, combined with digital stereoscopic photographs at approximately 1:4500 scale, taken in November 2009. The pre-event landslides and the associated geomorphological features were mapped using 1:33,000 scale aerial photographs flown in 1954, 1955, and 2005. The event and pre-existing landslides were checked in the field in the period October–November 2009.

Engaging the public on paths to sustainable energy: Who has to trust whom?

The aim is to observe how hydrogen, in its wider meaning as a ‘system innovation’, is understood by a cross section of the general public in three regions of the UK that have embryonic developments: Teesside, South West Wales and London. Focus groups were conducted in two separate phases: the first, involving nine groups, took place between June 2005 and March 2006; the second, involving seven groups, took place in the period October–November 2006, mainly with groups reconvened after the first phase. They presented to participants ‘user-friendly’ information about possible scenarios for a hydrogen economy, and helped the group to identify criteria that might be most salient for decision-makers. Public awareness of hydrogen in the three case study areas, both in general and in relation to local demonstration projects, proved minimal, with the exception of the few who had direct experience of the chemical industry (in Teesside and South West Wales). When engaged in an informed debate about hydrogen and its future possible developments, participants were willing to learn about the different options and expected to be fully informed on how these would impact on their everyday lives as consumers and citizens. Risk perception is important, but not the only factor in lay understanding of hydrogen. More relevant is the extent to which the different configurations of hydrogen systems align with the public's ‘view of the world’ (social and environmental values, needs and expectations) and how participants think hydrogen energy would be embedded in their daily routines. There is a lack of trust in political authorities, business and industry, and within and across different social groups; ambivalence in how trust is placed on information providers, role models and opinion formers; and public unease in dealing with, and making sense of, conflicting information coming from ‘expert’ sources. The evidence is useful to inform policy, both on national and local level. It is especially useful in addressing public engagement as a political strategy.

Clinical severity and molecular typing of human rhinovirus C strains during a fall outbreak affecting hospitalized patients

Background The circulation rate and the clinical severity of infections caused by members of the new human rhinovirus C (HRV-C) species remain to be defined. Objectives To investigate the epidemiologic and clinical impact of HRV-C strains in a fall outbreak interesting hospitalized patients. Study design HRV species (A–C) were determined by phylogenetic analysis following amplification of two genome regions (5′NCR and VP4/VP2) by RT-PCR. HRV species were correlated with age, respiratory tract involvement, clinical symptoms, and HRV load in respiratory secretions. Results During the first week of the period October–November 2008, single HRV infections were associated with 95% of all respiratory syndromes affecting hospitalized patients. Then, HRV infections (single + coinfections) interested about 90% of positive samples until the end of October, when they declined in frequency until reaching about 30% at the end of November. Overall, 104 HRV strains were detected and, of these, 90 could be classified by phylogenetic analysis, as follows: 45 HRV-A, 12 HRV-B, 28 HRV-C, and 5 human enterovirus D strains. HRV-C identity was confirmed by detection of cis-acting replication elements ( cre) in 23/23 strains. As for severity of respiratory syndromes, unlike HRV-A and HRV-B strains, HRV-C strains were responsible for a significantly higher rate ( p < 0.05) of lower respiratory tract infections in the pediatric as compared to adult patient population. Conclusions HRV-C strains have been shown to circulate at a rate intermediate between HRV-A and HRV-B strains, showing a greater degree of clinical severity in the pediatric population.