Editorial

The call for papers for this inaugural issue of TURBA opened with two truisms: “Live arts have existed long before history. At all times, and in all cultures around the world, people have performed for others.” Yet we have just lived through more than a year during which the second of these assertions was falsified almost everywhere on the planet. When performing for and near others was not only, as it oft en is, precarious or subversive, but outright life-threatening. Was it wise or necessary, at such a historic juncture, to embark on a new journal that focuses on how cultural communities around the world foster and debate live performances? We obviously believe so.

Evidence-based anti-viral and immunomodulatory potential of Black cumin (Nigella sativaL.) in COVID-19

Currently, the whole world is facing a life-threatening novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Natural products are well-known for their potential role against viral disease, and some anti-viral agents have been developed to combat these diseases. Herein, the authors investigated the possible effects of this Holy plant Nigella sativaL. (NS), against coronavirus, using evidence-based and mechanistic approaches to conclude the immune-boosting and alleviation of respiratory systemeffects of NS. The pharmacological studies established a prominent role in treating various respiratory, immune systems, cardiovascular, skin, and gastrointestinal disorders. Literature supported the significant anti-viral role and showed an inhibitory role for NS against MHV-A59 CoV (mouse-hepatitis virus–A59) infected Hela, i.e., HeLaCEACAM1a (HeLa-epithelial carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1a) cell. NS is a safe herbal product or dietary supplement and could be an effective and affordable community adjuvant treatment for coronavirus in the current scenario.

Prevalence, aetiology, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and predictors of urinary tract infection among neonates with clinical sepsis: a cross-sectional study

Background Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common and life-threatening bacterial infection among neonates. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, aetiology, and susceptible antimicrobial agents among neonates with UTI. Methods This was a cross-sectional analytical hospital-based study that included 152 neonates with clinical sepsis who were admitted at Dodoma regional referral hospital from January to June 2020. Bacterial growth of 1 × 103 colony forming units/mL of a single uropathogen was used to define the presence of UTI. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23.0 and multivariate analysis was used to determine the predicting factors of UTI. P <0.05 was regarded statistically significant. Results The prevalence of UTI was 18.4% (28/152). Klebsiella pneumoniae 64.3% (18/28) and Enterobacter spp. 35.7% (10/28) were the bacterial agents isolated. The bacterial isolates were 90%, and 60% sensitive to ciprofloxacin and amikacin, respectively. Low Apgar score (AOR = 12.76, 95% CI = 4.17–39.06, p<0.001), prolonged labour (AOR = 5.36, 95% CI = 1.28–22.52, p = 0.022), positive urine nitrite test (AOR = 26.67, 95% CI = 7.75–91.70, p<0.001), and positive leucocyte esterase test (AOR = 6.64, 95% CI = 1.47–29.97, p = 0.014) were potential predictors of UTI. Conclusion The prevalence of UTI confirmed by urine culture among neonates that were included in the present study indicates that this problem is common in the population where the study was conducted. Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacter spp. were the uropathogens which were isolated. Ciprofloxacin, nitrofurantoin, and amikacin were sensitive to the isolated uropathogens.

Inadvertent Insertion of Hemodialysis Catheter into Brachiocephalic Trunk During Cannulation of Internal Jugular Vein: Management Strategies

Central venous catheter insertion is a commonly performed procedure in the operating room and intensive care unit. It is associated with many complications, some of which may be life-threatening. We report here an accidental insertion of a hemodialysis catheter into the brachiocephalic trunk, which was successfully removed by an endovascular technique.

Why Do We Still Not Know How to Prevent Firefighter Entrapments?—Thoughts and Observations from a Few Perplexed Fire Practitioners

Wildland firefighters continue to die in the line of duty. Flammable landscapes intersect with bold but good-intentioned doers and trigger entrapment—a situation where personnel is unexpectedly caught in fire behaviour-related, life-threatening positions where planned escape routes or safety zones are absent, inadequate, or compromised. We often document, share and discuss these stories, but many are missed, especially when the situation is a near miss. Entrapment continues to be a significant cause of wildland firefighter deaths. Why do we still not know how to prevent them? We review a selection of entrapment reports courtesy of the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Centre (WFLLC) and focus on human factors involved in entrapment rather than the specifics of fire behaviour and the environment. We found that in order for operational supervisors to make more informed strategic and tactical decisions, a more holistic and complete trend analysis is necessary of the existing database of entrapment incidents. Analysis of the entrapment data would allow training to include a more fulsome understanding of when suppression resources are applying strategies and tactics that might expose them to a higher likelihood of entrapment. Operational supervisors would make more informed decisions as to where and when to deploy resources in critical situations in order to reduce the exposure to unnecessary risk of entrapment.

Dengue virus: A review

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral illness that is quickly spreading over the globe, with significant death and morbidity rates. Dengue fever is an acute viral infection transmitted by Aedes mosquitos and caused by an RNA virus from the Flaviviridae family. The symptoms might vary from asymptomatic fever to life-threatening complications including hemorrhagic fever and shock. Although dengue virus infections are normally self-limiting, the disease has become a public health concern in tropical and subtropical countries. Dengue fever is a major public health concern owing to its rapid worldwide spread, and its burdens are now unmet due to a lack of accurate therapy and a simple diagnostic approach for the early stages of illness.

An Uncommon Case of Splenic Abscess with Gangrenous Gas Necrosis

Splenic abscess is a rare clinical entity with diagnostic challenges. Though rare, it is potentially a life-threatening clinical condition with high mortality reaching more than 70%. The common signs and symptoms include the triad of fever, left upper quadrant tenderness, and leukocytosis. Early diagnosis, however, can readily be made by the combination of clinical features, abdominal ultrasonography (USG), and computed tomography (CT). The management of splenic abscess includes medical therapy, CT-guided percutaneous aspiration, and splenectomy. We, hereby, present a rare case of splenic abscess with gangrenous gas necrosis, who underwent splenectomy.

Lifethreatening tracheal obstruction in a child caused by nodular fasciitis: case presentation

Background Nodular fasciitis (NF) is a rare non-neoplastic inflammatory tumor and usually presents as a painless, rapidly growing subcutaneous soft tissue mass. The head and neck are relatively common locations for nodular fasciitis, particularly in children. NF in the trachea is rare and may evolve to a fatal condition, especially due to its rapidly growing nature that can cause life-threatening tracheal obstruction. Case presentation We report the case of a 5-year-old child with NF in the trachea and subtotal tracheal obstruction. Bronchoscopy and biopsy proved the diagnosis, and bronchoscopic excision of the tumor was performed. Conclusions NF is a rare airway tumor, occurring mostly in adults, and may presenting with pneumonia-like symptoms. Early detection of the lesion is essential to avoid life-threatening airway obstruction.

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome induced by ceftriaxone with successful treatment — A case report and literature review

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms is a rare and potentially life threatening condition characterised by hypersensitivity reactions to a drug with prolonged latency, in the form of skin rashes, hyper eosinophilia and systemic features like fever, lymphadenopathy, leucocytosis, internal organ involvement (liver, kidney, lung). Though it can occur in response to many drugs but very few cases has been described in relation to one of the most commonly used antibiotic ceftriaxone. Here we have described a case of DRESS in a patient who has been treated with ceftriaxone outside our hospital for sore throat.