THE STATUS OF THE UNAFFECTED EYE IS A PREDICTOR OF SHORT-TERM RECOVERY IN A CROATIAN COHORT OF PATIENTS WITH MONOCULAR OPTIC NEURITIS

Aim: To define the clinical profile of patients with unilateral optic neuritis (ON) presented to our clinic and to identify baseline clinical features and demographic data associated with one-month visual acuity (VA) outcome. Methods: Patients with suspected ON referred to our clinic were consecutively assessed for inclusion between February 2017 and November 2019. VA was measured using Snellen charts. Clinical and demographic, baseline and after one-month follow-up data were analyzed in a multivariate model. Results: Overall, 71 patients were included, of which six were considered lost to follow-up. The median age was 50 years old (interquartile range 37-57 years old) and the female to male ratio was 3:1. 14.1 % had a severe attack and 83.1 % recovered completely one month after the diagnosis. Multivariate analysis of data from 65 patients showed that baseline VA of the affected eye (P=0.011) and fellow eye (P=0.015) were factors associated with VA of the affected eye at follow up. Conclusion: Our cohort was older, had a higher female to male ratio and on average, a less severe ON clinical presentation compared to reports from other countries. Baseline VA of both the affected and fellow eye are predictors of one-month VA recovery

Pests and Diseases in Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica L. Beauv.) Cultivated in The Greenhouse

Greenhouse ecosystem with more stable abiotic factors could affect the population and diversity of pests and diseases found on foxtail millet (Setaria italica L. Beauv.) compared to their natural ecosystems. We observed and identified pests and diseases in seven genotypes of foxtail millet namely “Toraja”, “ICERI 5”, “ICERI 6”, “Botok 4”, “Botok 10”, “Mauliru”, and “Hambapraing”; these activities are important for the formulation of appropriate integrated pest management techniques. Using plant samples that were at the end of their vegetative phase, we found white mycelia of Fusarium incarnatum (yellowish-white colonies) and F. verticilloides (violetish-pink colonies) covering the ear-tip of the seeds and developed rapidly leading to seed rotten symptoms in “Toraja”, “ICERI 5”, and “ICERI 6”. The disease severity remained constant after these integrated management techniques were put in place. However, abnormalities in leaves leading to failure of panicle emergence occurred in “Botok 4”, “Botok 10”, “Mauliru”, and “Hambapraing”. These were caused by the fungi Penicillium sp. Identical controlling techniques were applied to this incidence and the disease incidence was reduced. Corn leaf aphids (Rhophalosiphum maidis) and rice mealybugs (Brevenia rehi) were recorded as main insect pests with severe attack. The aphid, R. maidis, colonized the stems and were associated with the sooty mold (Capnodium sp.), resulting in wilting. The mealybugs, B. rehi, colonized the flag leaves resulting in leaf rotting. Insecticide and isolating the attacked plants were used as the controlling techniques. Red-mites (Tetranychus urticae) were also detected as indicated by chlorotic spots on the upper part of the leaves. Acaricide was used to reduce its population. The pests and diseases found in the seven genotypes of foxtail millet are commonly known to occur in Poaceae. In general, greenhouse ecosystem for foxtail millet facilitated planting with high population with lower diversity of pests and diseases compared to the open field planting.

QTc interval in Acute Severe Asthma

Background Prolonged QTc interval in children may be congenital or acquired. It could be fatal if it induces tachyarrhythmias and cardiac arrest. Objectives This work studied the QTc interval in acute asthma attacks and its relation to the severity of the attack and the bronchodilators used. Patients and Methods This is a descriptive prospective study of 30 children with moderate and severe asthma. Patients were divided according to GINA guidelines 2016: Group 1:10 patients with moderate acute attack, Group Il: 20 patients with severe acute attack. 12 lead ECG was done before start of medication, then repeated daily till discharge. QTc interval measured in lead V5 using Bazett Formula was considered prolonged if > 445msec. Results Our study showed that 4 patients (13%) developed prolonged QTc interval; 3 (75%) had severe attack and one (25%) had moderate attack. QTc interval increased with number of bronchodilators used, but not reaching statistical significance. On day2, QTc was 340—435msec in patients on 2 medications and 350—460msec in patients on 3 medications. However, on 3rd day QTc interval was between 348-410msec,346—420msec,350—446msec in patients having 1, 2, 3 medications respectively. Also, there was no relation between theophylline and prolonged QTc interval. Conclusion Prolonged QTc interval can occur in 13% of children with moderate and severe asthma. QTc interval increased with number of bronchodilators used yet not reaching statistical significance. Bronchodilators must be used judiciously since they might be potentially arrhythmogenic drugs that induce fatal arrhythmia .

An Empirical Examination on the Severity of Lone-Actor Terrorist Attacks

Lone-actor terrorists have increasingly attracted the attention of researchers, policymakers, and practitioners alike. Despite this enhanced interest, few studies have compared the outcomes of lone-actor terrorist attacks with other terrorists, and those that have do not consider the terrorists’ intention to kill in an attack. This study utilizes a sample of 230 terrorist homicide incidents from the Extremist Crime Database to examine the extent to which lone-actors perpetrate more severe attacks than other terrorists. We find that lone-actors are significantly associated with more severe attack outcomes when controlling for the intention to kill. We conclude by commenting on the utility of these findings in U.S. counterterrorism policy and the importance for future research to account for actors’ intentions when assessing terrorist attack severity

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES IN THE CORONA ERA ARE A BOON

The journey from forest to land and from soil to house has made a huge impact on the work efficiency and physical routine of man. In the modern era, the mechanical work has made the physical work of the human more relaxed. Due to which their physical defense system has been adversely affected. And man has been surrounded by many incurable diseases. The most severe attack on this plight of humans was done by the corona virus, a disease that emerged in 2019 China. Due to which millions of human beings lost their lives. And that person is becoming the easiest sufferer of this disease, their physical disease immune system is weak. Or they do not do physical work, exercise, yoga etc. to the person. Whether physical activities be it labor, exercise, yoga, the physical disease of man keeps the immune system healthy.

Demographic profiles, etiology and management of patients presenting with acute pancreatitis in AIMS, B. G. Nagara: a prospective study

Background: Acute pancreatitis remains a common disorder with devastating consequences. Although most episodes are mild and self-limiting, upto a fifth of patients develop a severe attack that can be fatal. Inspite of technical advances in medical and surgical fields acute pancreatitis remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality. So, we have studied the clinical profile and management of acute pancreatitis. Aims and objectives were to study the clinical presentation, complications and treatment modalities of acute pancreatitis that can be offered in our institution and the outcome.Methods: This prospective study was conducted between November 2018 to October 2020 on patients admitted to Department of Surgery, Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, B. G. Nagara, Mandya. 50 patients with acute pancreatitis were enrolled for the study.Results: Study included 50 patients with acute pancreatitis, 40 males and 10 females. The peak incidence was in the fourth decade with the median age of 35 years. The commonest etiology was alcohol consumption accounted for 72% of cases followed by gall stones (12%), idiopathic (8%) and others (8%).Conclusions: Acute pancreatitis was found to be in a younger age group. Serum amylase and lipase should be used for diagnosis wherever possible. Scoring systems help to identify patients who are more likely to have a severe attack and they should be referred to higher centers if adequate facilities are not available. Severe cases should be managed in well-equipped ICU. Timely intervention by endoscopist and surgeons are crucial to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Discontinuation of Immunosuppressive Therapy in Patients With Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder With Aquaporin-4 Antibodies

ObjectiveTo evaluate the outcomes of immunosuppressive therapy (IST) discontinuation in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) after a sustained remission period.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 17 patients with antiaquaporin-4 antibody-positive NMOSD who discontinued IST after a relapse-free period of ≥3 years.ResultsIST was discontinued at a median age of 40 years (interquartile range [IQR], 32–51) after a median relapse-free period of 62 months (IQR, 52–73). Among the 17 enrolled patients, 14 (82%) relapsed at a median interval of 6 months (IQR, 4–34) after IST discontinuation, 3 (18%) of whom experienced severe attacks; notably, all 3 of these patients had a history of severe attack before IST. These 3 patients received steroids, followed by plasma exchange for acute treatment, but 2 exhibited poor recovery and significant disability worsening at 6 months after relapse.ConclusionsIST discontinuation may increase the risk of relapse in seropositive patients with NMOSD even after 5 years of remission. Given the potentially devastating consequence of a single attack of NMOSD, caution is advised with IST discontinuation, particularly in patients with severe attack before IST.

Literary visions of post-apocalyptic worlds in the works of Mary Shelley, Margaret Atwood and Maggie Gee

Once hailed as the pinnacle of evolutionary progress, the human subject has more recently been under severe attack due to the destructive potential that has been unleashed by humans, especially in the last two hundred years. As a result, contemporary literature and art is replete with images of a utopia without humans. Many writers see humans, or rather human destructiveness, as the real plague on the planet and offer visions of utopia placed in the post-apocalyptic post-human era. Drawing on Patricia Vieira’s seminal article titled “Utopia and Dystopia in the Age of the Anthropocene”, I will first discuss how Mary Shelley portrayed ecological awareness in her The Last Man. I will then move on to examine how increasing ecological destruction leads to (post)-apocalyptic visions in the works of Margaret Atwood and Maggie Gee. My aim in juxtaposing two contemporary writers with Mary Shelley is to show that despite their different socio-historical contexts, these women writers have produced works that can not only be read as visionary and cautionary tales but that also promote heightened ecological awareness as an antidote to destructive and – ultimately – self-destructive tendencies of humankind.

Etiology, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of acute pancreatitis in patients at Assiut University Hospital

Background Acute pancreatitis is one of the main causes of acute abdomen. It may cause multi-organ failure or even death. High morbidity and mortality are associated with it. The research study aimed at evaluating the clinical characteristics and results of acute pancreatitis in our community. Results Mean age of patients was 50.96 ± 9.71 years and 30 (60%) patients were males. Gallstone was the most frequent etiology (56%) followed by idiopathic pancreatitis (26%). The majority of patients improved and only four patients died. Old age, presence of comorbidities, and leucocytosis were risk factors for a severe attack while old ages, presence of comorbidities, severe pancreatitis, and presence of complications were associated with mortality. Conclusion Acute pancreatitis could have serious outcomes if not correctly and early managed. It is recommended to perform multicenter studies with a large sample of patients. A multi-disciplinary team is required to assess idiopathic pancreatitis.