Dancing With Parkinson's Disease: The SI-ROBOTICS Study Protocol

Introduction: Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most frequent causes of disability among older people, characterized by motor disorders, rigidity, and balance problems. Recently, dance has started to be considered an effective exercise for people with PD. In particular, Irish dancing, along with tango and different forms of modern dance, may be a valid strategy to motivate people with PD to perform physical activity. The present protocol aims to implement and evaluate a rehabilitation program based on a new system called “SI-ROBOTICS,” composed of multiple technological components, such as a social robotic platform embedded with an artificial vision setting, a dance-based game, environmental and wearable sensors, and an advanced AI reasoner module.Methods and Analysis: For this study, 20 patients with PD will be recruited. Sixteen therapy sessions of 50 min will be conducted (two training sessions per week, for 8 weeks), involving two patients at a time. Evaluation will be primarily focused on the acceptability of the SI-ROBOTICS system. Moreover, the analysis of the impact on the patients' functional status, gait, balance, fear of falling, cardio-respiratory performance, motor symptoms related to PD, and quality of life, will be considered as secondary outcomes. The trial will start in November 2021 and is expected to end by April 2022.Discussions: The study aims to propose and evaluate a new approach in PD rehabilitation, focused on the use of Irish dancing, together with a new technological system focused on helping the patient perform the dance steps and on collecting kinematic and performance parameters used both by the physiotherapist (for the evaluation and planning of the subsequent sessions) and by the system (to outline the levels of difficulty of the exercise).Ethics and Dissemination: The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the IRCCS INRCA. It was recorded in ClinicalTrials.gov on the number NCT05005208. The study findings will be used for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presentations in scientific meetings.

Protocol for a scoping review on misuse of psychoactive medicines and its consequences

Background: Misuse of psychoactive medicines, especially prescription opioids, but also benzodiazepines, hypnotics and sedatives, has become a significant public health issue in some countries, especially in the USA, where it has been extensively documented. However, in the EU published literature is scarce, and almost absent in Portugal. Objectives: The aim of this scoping review is to map the key concepts on psychoactive medicines’ misuse and examine the existing body of evidence on this topic in Portugal and other EU countries. Data on the possible consequences of medicines’ misuse – adverse drug reactions, poisonings, hospitalisations and deaths – will also be collected.Methods: The scoping review will follow the framework of Arksey and O’Malley, further developed by Levac et al. and the Joanna Briggs Institute. The search strategy, developed by the authors, includes querying three electronic databases - PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus - using keywords and the Medical Subject Headings, for evidence published during a 10-year period up to 2020. Additionally, articles from PubMed alerts and other sources will also be considered. The current scoping review will include studies published in English, French, Spanish or Portuguese. Discussion: The results of this review will describe the current state of the art regarding misuse of medicines at EU level. Ethics and dissemination: Since the scoping review methodology focuses on published data, this study does not require ethical approval. We will publish our findings in a peer-reviewed journal and plan to disseminate our work in conferences and scientific meetings.

Empowerment of Productive Youth Group Asset-Based In The Business of Establishing a Collective Business In Talunkenas Village, STM Hilir District Deli Serdang Regency

Youth is the nation's asset, determining the future direction of a better life. Their existence becomes a renewing energy and is critical of a distorted establishment. Youth is the breath of the times, the ideal group of the ummah and the nation who are rich in criticism, imagination, and their role in every event that occurs in the midst of changing society. It is undeniable that youth play an important role in almost every social transformation and struggle to achieve goals. The success of youth development as quality human resources with competitive advantage is one of the keys to opening opportunities for success in various other development sectors. Therefore, youth empowerment is considered as one of the programs that cannot be ignored in preparing the nation's life in the future. Youth have valuable assets as capital to make changes. These assets must be utilized so that they can be useful. Youth empowerment can be done through various ways, both in formal, informal, and non-formal channels. The purpose of empowerment is basically to shape the character of youth, so that they become fully Indonesian human beings or humans who have character that can optimize the talents or assets of youth so that they can prosper individuals and groups. Partners in community service with this Community Partnership Program scheme are the Talun Kenas Village Government, STM Hilir District, Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatra Province. The output targets of this program are scientific publications, mass media publications, activity videos and being speakers in scientific meetings. The method used in this program is program socialization and Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) involving all targets so that young people can be empowered by releasing all their assets to form a joint business for mutual benefit.

Globalized research

The current issue of IJHDR begins by a now classical dilemma relative to the high dilutions: if they lack biological effects, how might they cause adverse effects? The plausibility of the implausible is once again the subject of a letter addressed to this Editor. The present issue further features three articles from Indian authors, which somehow makes the occasion special, and worthy of reflection: what is going on in Indian homeopathy? As it is known, India has always played a significant role in the homeopathic stage by contributing with original clinical protocols and approaches. More recently, India has shown the world unexpected scientific features of the high dilutions. The natural and cultural diversity of India seems to influence the research it conducts, which ranges from physicochemical and biological studies performed in research centers and universities to clinical trials conducted in hospitals, in addition to a major concern with education. India has thus become one of the main centers concerned with the scientific side of homeopathy, which is further attested by the organization of, and participation in major scientific meetings like the LMHI congress of 2011, GIRI meetings, and the latest HRI conference, and publication in IJHDR and other scientific journals. As an example of the multiple interests of homeopathic research in India, one article in this issue of IJHDR addresses a fundamental research problem, another the patients’ satisfaction, and the third the perspective of undergraduates on the teaching of homeopathy. This same movement observed in India has been observed in other countries like Brazil and Russia among others, following many European countries, making possible and feasible the existence of an international scientific network connecting the various groups devoted to HD research across the world. IJHDR is proud to participate on this endeavor!

Young Survivors at KSA: registry for standardised assessment of long-term and late-onset health events in survivors of childhood and adolescent cancer—a study protocol

IntroductionA high proportion of survivors of childhood and adolescent cancer experience chronic medical conditions — late effects. Most studies on late effects have a retrospective or questionnaire-based design, which leads to unavoidable limitations such as missing data or different severity coding and grading of late effects. We, therefore, need prospective data, including standardised severity coding and grading. ‘Young Survivors at KSA’ aims to close this gap by assessing frequency, severity, risk factors and longitudinal changes of late effects in childhood cancer survivors prospectively and in a standardised way.Methods and analysisWithin the ‘Young Survivors at KSA’ registry, we collect data from regular follow-up visits in a comprehensive database prospectively and repeatedly from start of the study and retrospectively at most until January 2016. We classify and grade the severity of late effects according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0 modified by Hudson et al. The outcome variables correspond to results from risk-stratified organ examinations, performed according to the Children’s Oncology Group guidelines version 5.0 and the recommendations by the International Guideline Harmonization Group. We collect the exposure variables from the patients’ medical history, including detailed information on cancer diagnosis and treatment. We analyse the data in an exposure-driven and organ system-driven approach. We start recruitment with patients treated at the Kantonsspital Aarau, Switzerland. However, our design allows the inclusion of additional national centres later.Ethics and dissemination‘Young Survivors at KSA’ is approved by the Ethikkommission Nordwest- und Zentralschweiz, reference number AO_2020–00012. The results of this study will be presented at scientific meetings, including meetings with childhood cancer survivors and published in peer-reviewed and if possible open access journals. New insights gained from the study will be used directly in clinical practice.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov NCT04811794; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT04811794

Topical or oral antibiotics for children with acute otitis media presenting with ear discharge: study protocol of a randomised controlled non-inferiority trial

BackgroundAround 15%–20% of children with acute otitis media present with ear discharge due to a spontaneous tear or perforation of the eardrum (AOMd). Current guidance recommends clinicians to consider oral antibiotics as first-line treatment in this condition. The opening in the eardrum however should allow topical antibiotics to enter the middle ear directly. Local administration of antibiotics does not expose children to systemic side effects and may put less selective resistance pressure on bacteria. Evidence on the effectiveness of this approach in children with AOMd is lacking.Methods and analysisA primary care-based, open, individually randomised, controlled, non-inferiority trial. The trial aims to recruit 350 children aged 6 months to 12 years with AOMd and ear pain and/or fever. Participants will be randomised to 7 days of hydrocortisone-bacitracin-colistin eardrops five drops three times daily or amoxicillin oral suspension 50 mg/kg body weight per day, divided over three doses. Parents will keep a daily diary of AOM symptoms, adverse events and complications for 2 weeks. In addition, they will record AOM recurrences, healthcare utilisation and societal costs for 3 months. The primary outcome is the proportion of children without ear pain and fever at day 3. Secondary outcomes include ear pain and fever intensity/severity; days with ear discharge; eardrum perforation at 2 weeks; adverse events during first 2 weeks; costs; and cost effectiveness at 2 weeks and 3 months. The primary analyses will be intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses will be conducted as well.Ethics and disseminationThe medical research ethics committee Utrecht, The Netherlands has given ethical approval (17-400/G-M). Parents/guardians of participants will provide written informed consent. Study results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed medical journals and presented at relevant (inter)national scientific meetings.Trial registration numberThe Netherlands National Trial Register; NTR6723. Date of registration: 27 November 2017.

The Reality of Using Electronic Management From the Point of View of Basic School Principals in Deir Alla Directorate - Jordan in light of the Corona pandemic: واقع استخدام الإدارة الإلكترونية من وجهة نظر مديري المدارس الأساسية بمديرية ديرعلا – الأردن في ظل جائحة كورونا

This study aimed to identify the reality of using electronic management from the point of view of school principals of basic stage in Deir Alla Directorate – Jordan in light of the Corona Pandemic. The study used the descriptive and analytical method; the study sample consisted of (36) principals in the basic schools of Deir alla ; (100%) of the study population. To achieve the objectives of the study we used the questionnaire to measure the degree of the reality of the use of electronic management, the findings of the study were: the reality of the use of electronic management on a total average (4.10 out of 5), a high degree (high), and at the level of fields The field of training and qualification of school staff got the highest average (4.17), and the readiness of infrastructure and medium equipment (4.10) and thirdly: the role of the school principal in supporting electronic administration, with an average of (4.06) and the practice of basic school principals for strategic planning; Average (4.03) and all are rated (High), and The results showed that there were no statistically significant differences in the use of electronic management In light of the corona pandemic, from the point of view of basic school principals in Deir Alla the Directorate of Education due to the variable of (gender, educational qualification and experience), while the results revealed the existence of a difference according to the variable of job experience for 10 years and more, The study recommended the necessity of holding courses and seminars for school principals and organizing scientific meetings to enlighten them about contemporary issues related to laws and instructions with electronic administration, and on the mechanism of their implementation and planning, and to provide incentives for principals and administrators to encourage them to deal with e- learning and follow up teachers and students.

Changing Preferences for Scientific Meetings Platform Among Doctors During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Questionnaire-Based Survey

Background: The World Health Organization declared the outbreak of the COVID‑19 as a global pandemic in early 2020. Lockdown was declared by the Indian government across the country. No recommendations were laid down for academic scientific meetings. Despite precautions, there is a high risk of infections in the physical meetings. Therefore, the scientific community resorted to virtual meetings. Objectives: This study was done to determine the doctor's preferred platform for scientific meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We conducted this cross-sectional survey among doctors using Google forms. It consisted of a questionnaire consisting of 17 validated questions related to the preference of scientific meetings. Results: We had 314 responses from doctors. The virtual meeting was preferred by 154 (49%) doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Convenience (103, 44.2%) was the most important reason for preferring virtual meetings. We did not find a statistical association in preference for the type of meeting with age, gender, and seniority during the pandemic. However, a significantly higher number of doctors practicing super-specialty (P = 0.005) and private practitioners (P = 0.027) preferred virtual meetings. All age groups preferred physical meetings in the future, but it was preferred to large extent by doctors aged more than 50 years (P = 0.059) with broad specialty (P = 0.005) and medical college doctors (P = 0.002). Conclusions: Most doctors preferred virtual meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic. The super-specialist and private practitioners preferred virtual meetings during the pandemic and even in the future. Hence, the virtual platform should stay along with physical scientific meetings.