Immersive horizons: navigating ethical terrain and practical boundaries in the use of virtual reality for cancer symptom management � a comprehensive narrative review

Cancer is a significant healthcare problem. However, advancements in diagnostic procedures and therapeutic modalities have led to a decline in cancer mortality rates by 1% annually in most countries. Cancer patients often experience symptoms such as pain, cancer-related fatigue, anxiety, and lymphedema. To counter these side effects, there have been tremendous efforts. One such effort is the use of virtual reality (VR) technology, which is an interactive technology. VR has played a significant role in managing disorders such as phobias and anxiety disorders, and support for patients with cognitive and physical rehabilitation, acute and chronic pain management, and emotional support in different settings such as during hospitalizations. Our team conducted an extensive search for electronic literature on virtual reality in various databases, such as Medline, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Psych INFO, up to July 2023. We used keywords like "virtual reality," "cancer care," "depression," "cognition," "pain," "telemedicine," "rehabilitation care," "physical therapy," "radiotherapy," "telerehabilitation," "avatar," "video games," and "visual aid" as our search criteria. VR interventions for cancer patients include exposure therapy, psycho-education, and relaxation techniques, which have been shown to reduce symptoms significantly. VR distraction can also mitigate pain during medical procedures. Studies suggest that VR holds promise in rehabilitation and oncologic treatment, as it can improve function metrics, range of motion, and motivation for treatment. The review scrutinizes the use of digital information and virtual reality technology to alleviate cancer-related distress by providing remote care.

Genomic characterization of Puccinia triticina using molecular marker technology / Caracterização genômica de Puccinia triticina usando tecnologia de marcadores moleculares

Leaf rust, caused by Puccinia triticina, is the most common rust disease of wheat. The fungus is an obligate parasite capable of producing infectious urediniospores. To study the genetic structure of the leaf rust population 20 RAPD primers were evaluated on 15 isolates samples collected in Pakistan. A total of 105 RAPD fragments were amplified with an average of 7 fragments per primer. The number of amplified fragments varied from 1 to 12. GL Decamer L-07 and GL Decamer L-01 amplified the highest number of bands (twelve) and primer GL Decamer A-03 amplified the lowest number of bands i.e one. Results showed that almost all investigated isolates were genetically different that confirms high genetic diversity within the leaf rust population. Rust spores can follow the migration pattern in short and long distances to neighbor areas. Results indicated that the greatest variability was revealed by 74.9% of genetic differentiation within leaf rust populations. These results suggested that each population was not completely identical and high gene flow has occurred among the leaf rust population of different areas. The highest differentiation and genetic distance among the Pakistani leaf rust populations were detected between the leaf rust population in NARC isolate (NARC-4) and AARI-11and the highest similarity was observed between NARC isolates (NARC-4) and (NARC-5). The present study showed the leaf rust population in Pakistan is highly dynamic and variable.

A ferrugem da folha, causada por Puccinia triticina, é a ferrugem mais comum do trigo. O fungo é um parasita obrigatório, capaz de produzir urediniósporos infecciosos. Para estudar a estrutura genética da população de ferrugem da folha, 20 primers RAPD foram avaliados em 15 amostras de isolados coletadas no Paquistão. Um total de 105 fragmentos RAPD foram amplificados com uma média de 7 fragmentos por primer. O número de fragmentos amplificados variou de 1 a 12. GL Decamer L-07 e GL Decamer L-01 amplificaram o maior número de bandas (doze), e o primer GL Decamer A-03 amplificou o menor número de bandas, ou seja, um. Os resultados mostraram que quase todos os isolados investigados eram geneticamente diferentes, o que confirma a alta diversidade genética na população de ferrugem da folha. Os esporos de ferrugem podem seguir o padrão de migração em distâncias curtas e longas para áreas vizinhas. Os resultados indicaram que a maior variabilidade foi revelada por 74,9% da diferenciação genética nas populações de ferrugem. Esses resultados sugeriram que cada população não era completamente idêntica e um alto fluxo gênico ocorreu entre a população de ferrugem da folha de diferentes áreas. A maior diferenciação e distância genética entre as populações de ferrugem da folha do Paquistão foram detectadas entre a população de ferrugem da folha no isolado NARC (NARC-4) e AARI-11 e a maior similaridade foi observada entre os isolados NARC (NARC-4) e (NARC-5). O presente estudo mostrou que a população de ferrugem da folha no Paquistão é altamente dinâmica e variável.

Antibacterial efficacy of black seed honey in combination with penicillin and amoxiclav against gram-positive bacteria

Background:The emergence of antimicrobial resistance possessesa great threat for the existence of mankind. Antibiotics like penicillin and amoxiclav are at the brink of losing their efficacy entirely in exposure to resistant bacteria. Thus, the present study was aimed to find out the antibacterial efficacy of black seed honey as an alternative natural source which can act independently and boost the efficacy of standard drugs alongside. Methods:Penicillin, amoxiclav and black seed honey were first individually trailedagainst four gram-positive bacteria -Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis andMicrococcus luteus.Afterwards, penicillin and amoxiclav were used in combination with honey and compared the synergistic effects with their individual efficacy. Zones of inhibition from well diffusion method, percentage inhibition, minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations by microdilution method were determined in the present study.Results:Black seed honey alone demonstrated great inhibitory potential against S. aureus (9.7 mm), S. epidermidis (9.9 mm) and M. luteus(9.3 mm) in well diffusion method. Moreover, its combination with amoxiclav showed synergistic effect against all bacteria except S. epidermidis. However, its conjugation with penicillin was not able to produce any synergism as exhibited by zones of inhibition. The lowest concentration (1.56%) of honey applied individually or in combination in microdilution method foundhighly effective which established an inverse dose dependent relationship with efficacy.Conclusions:From the data it can be concluded that the black seed honey is a highly potent natural agent which can be utilized in antimicrobial therapy. However, further investigation is recommended to identify the responsible compound for such activity.

Antimicrobial activity of compounds from Acanthospermum hispidum DC and Caesalpinia bonduc (L.) ROXB: Beninese plants used by healers against HIV-associated microbial infections.

In this study, we have tested alcoholic extracts (60%) from four Beninese plants: Ocimum gratissimum L., Acanthospermum hispidum DC, Caesalpinia bonduc (L) Roxb and Calotropis procera W. T. Aiton. They are used by the healers to prevent opportunistic diseases associated to HIV-AIDS; on six strains such as: Escherichia coli O 157H7, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 which resist to methicillin (MRSA), Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumonia, Candida albicans ATCC 10231, and Mycobacterium bovis BCG 040812 which cause microbial infections associated with HIV-AIDS. The results show that all the extracts are bacteriostatic and fungistatic but only the hydro-ethanolic extracts of Acanthospermum hispidum (HE2) and of Caesalpinia bonduc (HE3) presented antibiotic power (respectively ap = 2 and ap = 4) on Candida albicans ATCC 10231. The Mycobacterium bovis BCG shown resistance to tested extracts (CMI > 250 μg/mL). The two fungicidal extracts HE2 and HE3 did not show harmful effects on the cells WI–38 with an IC50 > 100 μg/mL for HE2 and IC50 = 50 μg/mL for HE3. The successive bio-guided purifications of extracts HE2 and HE3 permitted isolation of three antibacterial compounds: Flavanone (M1); stigmasterol (M2); and quercetin (M3). The three isolated compounds possess antibiotic power (ap 3±1) on tested strains and are not toxic on shrimp larvae (LC50: 0.30 ± 0.17 mg/mL).

Rabies Virus Neutralizing Antibodies in Unvaccinated Rabies Occupational Risk Groups in Niger State, Nigeria.

Aims: To determine the presence of rabies virus neutralizing antibodies (rVNA) as well the potency of the rVNA in rabies occupational risk humans in Niger State of Nigeria. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration: Research was conducted at the Department of Veterinary Public Health, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria and Rabies Unit, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, Atlanta, USA, between May, 2012 and March, 2013 Materials and Methods: A total of 185 human volunteers were recruited from rabies risk occupational groups who filled a structured questionnaire on their previous bite history and vaccination status, between May and July, 2012. A 2 ml each of blood from volunteers was collected and centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes and sera separated into pre-labeled vacutainers. Standard Rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT) was used to detect the presence of rVNA in the sera. Further end point titration of the rVNA positive human sera was conducted to determine the potency. Results: The results indicated that, detectable titre of rVNA was recorded in 16.4% (23 of 140) viable human sera screened. Although from the questionnaire survey, 21.7% (5 out of the 23 positives) responded to have been vaccinated over ten years prior. At least 3 of the respondents (1 dog butcher and 2 dog meat consumers) who responded not previously vaccinated had some neutralizing antibody titre range of 0.65 – 0.7 IU/ml which is above the minimum protective titre (0.5IU/ml) recommended by WHO. Similarly, 3 respondents (2 veterinarians and 1 animal health personnel) who responded to have been previously vaccinated (> 10 years earlier) yet had a high titre range of 0.5 – 5.4IU/ml. The highest specific rate for rVNA of 25% each was seen amongst the dog butchers and pet owners followed by hunters (20%) and dog meat consumers (14.8%). Up to 125 (67.6%) of the volunteers do consume dog meat with only 12 (9.6%) of them being dog butchers who source dogs for slaughter from households within and outside their territories. Conclusion: Although the WHO minimum protective titre of rVNA is 0.5 IU/ml, the presence of relatively high titres amongst these risk groups in this report is an indication of a serious public health threat. This study recommends the vaccination of rabies high risk groups and further screening of rabies occupational risk and non risk groups in the study area and Nigeria at large.

[Elastofibroma dorsi about one case and review of the literature]

Elastofibroanas are rare benign soft tissue tumours that are almost always located at the inferior pole of the scapula, deep to the serrains anterior muscle, Their anatomical location, a distinctive clinical symptom and radiological particularities distinguish them from malignant soft tissue tumours. We report a case of a 48 years old man who had presented an under scapular mass. Clinical exam found a 70 mm mobile mass. CT scan showed a soft tissue neoplasm deep to the peri-scapular muscles. We processed to a total excision of this mass. Histological study showed an elastofibroma

Antineoplastic Activity of N-salicylideneglycinato-di-aquanickel (II) Complex against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) Cells in Mice

In order to find out compounds having antineoplastic activities N-salicylideneglycinato-diaquanickel (II) complex was synthesized and characterized. The antitumour activity was studied against Ehrlich Ascite Carcinoma (EAC) cells in Swiss Albino mice by monitoring the parameters like tumour weight measurement; survival time of tumour bearing mice; tumour cell growth inhibition etc. Some haematological parameters such as RBC; WBC; Hb; differencial counts (lymphocytes; neutrophill; monocytes); alkaline phosphatase activity etc. were also measured. The results showed that Ni(II) complex has positive effect against EAC cells. This assessment was done by comparing the results with those obtained with the standard drug bleomycin. The compound can be considered as an effective anticancer agent

Placental changes in eclampsia and fetal outcome.

Eclampsia-a common pregnancy induced disorder that poses a great threat to the fetus secondary to the placental changes. Since placenta is mostly vascular organ, the present comparative study was designed to examine microscopic vascular changes as well as to observe their impact on the macroscopic dimensions of the placenta and on the fetus in eclamptic and normal pregnant women. The study was carried out in the department of Anatomy, Bangabandu Sheik Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) during the period of October 2000 to August 2001. Forty human placentas were collected just after Caesarian section at 37 to 40 weeks of gestation: 20 from mothers with eclampsia and 20 from non-diabetic, non-eclamptic, normotensive control mothers. Compared to the Control group the value regarding weight, volume, diameter and thickness were significantly smaller values in the Eclampsia group (p<0.001). Microscopically there was a general tendency of increased intimal thickness due to atherosclerotic type of changes in eclampsia in 1st, 2nd and last branching sites of chorionic arteries. Statistical significance difference was observed more in case of the 1st and 2nd branching site (p<0.001). The positive correlation between placental and neonatal weight reached a significant level. Although not all the significant findings support each other. Considering the tendencies of increased intimal thickness and suggestions from other studies, it seems that in the eclamptic placentas, successful compensatory effort against chorionic arterial atherosclerosis fails to protect the fetuses and placentas face more severe forms of atherosclerosis, and consequently gave rise to smaller babies.

Sociodemographic, environmental and clinical risk factors for developing persistent diarrhoea among infants in a rural community of Egypt.

The study documents the incidence of persistent diarrhoea and its sociodemographic, household, environmental and clinical risk factors. One hundred and fifty-two newborns were followed for the first 12 months of life in Bilbeis, Egypt. The household of each participant was surveyed at baseline and was visited twice a week. The study infants experienced persistent diarrhoea at a rate of 0.51 episode/case per year. Development of persistent diarrhoea was associated with water storage in mud-containers (Odds ratio [OR] = 4.36, confidence interval [CI] 1.4-14.8), pump-water supply (OR = 3.5, CI 1.2-10.2), and absence of a latrine in the household (OR = 2.74, CI 1.01-7.38). Detection of faecal IgE (OR = 3.32, CI 1.0-10.9) and high stool frequency (OR = 2.95, CI 1.1-7.8) appeared as important clinical predictors for the onset of persistent diarrhoea. The incidence of persistent diarrhoea among young infants in Bilbeis, Egypt, was high. Sociodemographic, environmental and clinical parameters were important risk factors for the development of persistent diarrhoea.

Branchial cleft anomalies--a study of 20 cases.

Preauricular sinus, branchial cyst, branchial sinus and branchial fistula are the result of incomplete obliteration of branchial clefts. Classically these lesions have particular sites and nature. The aim of this three years retrospective study was to see the prevalence of these conditions as well as the outcome of the conventional surgery. Twenty cases of branchial cleft anomalies were reported, of which 60% had with preauricular sinus. One case with preauricular sinus had recurrence during postoperative follow-up.

Association between birth weight and birth arm circumference of neonates in rural Egypt.

In many developing countries including Egypt, the birth weights (BWs) of most babies go unrecorded because they are born at home. Since it is difficult to record BW in the community setting, birth arm circumference (BAC) has been used as a valid proxy for BW to identify at risk babies with low birth weight (LBW). However, the validity of BAC as an indicator of the actual BW has not been assessed fully. We did this study among neonates in rural Bilbeis, Egypt, to examine the association between BW and BAC, to assess whether BAC can serve as an indicator of the actual BW, and to determine the validity indices of 3 different cut-off levels of BAC as indicators of LBW. During 1987-88, the weights and arm circumference of 148 neonates were recorded within 2 weeks of birth. We observed a strong and highly significant positive linear correlation between BW and BAC (r = 0.6188, p = 0.0001). The BAC cut-off value of < 9.5 cm was associated with the optimal combination of sensitivity (50%) and specificity (88.4%) as an indicator of LBW. In linear regression analysis BAC was found to be a significant (p = 0.00001) predictor of BW. The means of the model predicted weights for males, females, and both genders together were identical to the corresponding means of the observed values. In contingency table analysis, for 78 (52.7%) of the 148 neonates studied the observed and predicted BW categories were identical. For another 59 (39.9%) neonates, agreement with the next lower or higher BW category was observed. We feel that BAC can be used as an indicator of the actual BW in settings where routine recording of BW is currently not practicable.

Incrimination of Anopheles aconitus Donitz as a vector of epidemic malaria in Bangladesh.

In 1989-91, post-monsoon epidemics of vivax malaria occurred in the central flood plain near Dhaka. Anopheles philippinensis, the usual vector in the paddy field habitat, was not present, but 1.4% of parous An. aconitus were infective. This is only the second time An. aconitus has been incriminated as a vector in Bangladesh. We speculate that the surprising increase in lowland malaria may have been caused by environmental change that favored the survival of An. aconitus.