This study examines the evolution of the center–periphery structure in Japanese intellectual history through the thought of Motoori Norinaga and Yanagita Kunio. It explores how Japan sought self-identity and independence under external cultural and academic pressures. During the Edo period, under the influence of Chinese civilization, Motoori Norinaga reinterpreted the Huayi distinction, emphasizing indigenous tradition and Shinto thought while rejecting China’s absolute centrality and repositioning Japan as a cultural center. In the modern era, facing a Western-dominated academic system, Yanagita Kunio proposed “national folklore studies” to secure the autonomy of Japanese scholarship through a strategy of relative centralization. By comparing their approaches, this study reveals both continuity and transformation in Japan’s center–periphery structure. It argues that despite differences in historical context and disciplinary focus, both thinkers retained the hierarchical logic of the center–periphery framework while redefining Japan’s position within it.

Laser dentistry has emerged as a significant advancement in modern dental practice, offering a minimally invasive alternative to conventional instruments such as scalpels and rotary devices. Its growing popularity is driven by improved precision, enhanced patient comfort, reduced postoperative complications, and expanding clinical applications across multiple dental specialties. This narrative review aims to explore the expanding role of lasers in dentistry, focusing on their fundamental principles, clinical applications, advantages, limitations, and future directions. The literature consistently highlights benefits such as reduced bleeding, decreased pain, faster healing, and improved patient acceptance. However, challenges including high cost, operator dependency, learning curve, and variability in clinical evidence continue to limit universal adoption. Overall, laser dentistry represents a transformative tool in contemporary dental care, with strong potential for further integration into routine practice as technology advances and evidence continues to grow.

The lack of process standardization and formal management tools in animal feed plants can lead to operational variability, negatively affecting production efficiency and final product quality. This study aims to optimize the performance of the operational system of an animal feed plant through the implementation of process standardization, quality assurance, and lean manufacturing tools. The study was conducted under an applied approach using a case study at the “El Aire” animal feed plant, located in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. The methodology was structured in three phases: process standardization through procedure manuals, flowcharts, and Standard Operating Sheets; strengthening of the quality system through technical specifications and a quality control plan; and implementation of the 5S methodology to improve operational environment conditions. The results show a significant improvement in the control of the production system, reflected in an increase in the level of process documentation, improvements in critical product quality parameters, and an increase in the level of order and cleanliness in operational areas, which rose from an average of 16% to 85%. These actions contributed to greater efficiency in operational execution and improved compliance with production schedules. It is concluded that the structured and progressive application of standardization and lean manufacturing tools strengthens operational management in animal feed plants, even in highly automated environments, providing a solid foundation for continuous improvement and the sustainability of the production system.

Cocaine (koe kane') is a potent local anesthetic that appears to act by inhibition of voltage-gated sodium channels, increasing the threshold for electric excitability of nerve axons and thus decreasing neuroconduction. In the central nervous system, cocaine appears to block both norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake. The aim of this study is to determine the histological effect of crack cocaine on the liver of adult albino wistar rat. A total of forty (40) adult Albino Wistar rats of comparable sizes were used for this study. They were divided into four equal groups (A – D) with ten (10) rats each. Group A served as the control and the rats were given distilled water and feed only. In addition to feed and water, groups B rats were given 0.5ml (100mg) crack cocaine extract and crack cocaine extract, group C rats were given 2ml (200mg) crack cocaine extract, and group D rats were given 5ml (300mg) crack cocaine extract respectively. The drug administration was given daily for 14 days (2 weeks) and the weights of both the test and control animals was monitored before and after administration of crack cocaine extract. The administration of the crack cocaine extracts was given orally. After the administration, the rats were put under light chloroform anaesthesia and the liver were obtained. ANOVA was used to analyze the results of the weight and differences was considered significant at p<0.05 level of confidence. All data was expressed in table as mean ± standard deviation (SD). The results of this study show presence of bridging necrosis and portal fibrosis in the liver histology of test wistar rats administered with crack cocaine at 200 and 300mg when compared with the non-cocaine administered group also a non-significant variation was observed in the body weight of control and test groups across the groups. In conclusion, the use of cocaine can lead to significant and harmful effects on liver histology, resulting from a combination of factors related to the drug's pharmacological actions, metabolism, and physiological responses. These changes stem from cocaine's vasoconstrictive properties, generation of reactive metabolites, direct toxic effects, and interactions with other substances.

Background: Although ESWL is considered safe for upper ureteric stones, the use of JJ stents may influence complication rates and patient morbidity. Objective: To assess the outcome of ESWL for upper ureteric stones with or without Double-J stent. Methods: In this prospective comparative study, 62 patients with upper ureteric stones were randomly allocated into stented (n=31) and non-stented (n=31) groups. Post-procedural complications including ureteric colic, steinstrasse, fever, suprapubic pain, and LUTS were recorded and analyzed. Results: Ureteric colic was significantly lower in the stented group compared to the non-stented group (12.9% vs 35.5%; p<0.05). However, suprapubic pain was significantly higher in the stented group (41.9% vs 16.1%; p<0.05). The incidence of steinstrasse and fever did not differ significantly between groups (p>0.05). Lower urinary tract symptoms were significantly more common in the stented group, including urinary frequency (48.4% vs 9.7%; p<0.01), urgency (54.8% vs 16.1%; p<0.01), and dysuria (61.3% vs 19.4%; p<0.01). Gross haematuria did not differ significantly between groups. Conclusion: Although JJ stenting reduces ureteric colic after ESWL, it is associated with significantly higher lower urinary tract symptoms and patient discomfort. Routine pre-ESWL stenting is therefore not recommended in uncomplicated upper ureteric stones ≤2 cm.

This study investigates the effects of Cucumis sativus (cucumber) leaf extract on hormonal levels, semen quality, and sperm cell morphology in male Wistar rats. Thirty rats were randomized into three groups: control, 400 mg/kg, and 800 mg/kg extract-treated groups, and administered for 28 days. Hormonal assays revealed significant dose-dependent reductions in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone levels in treated groups (p < 0.05). Semen quality analysis showed a significant decline in semen color, consistency, pH, sperm motility, and live proportion, alongside increased abnormal sperm morphology and non-motile spermatozoa, especially in the 800 mg/kg group. Furthermore, differential sperm abnormalities, including head deformities, twisted tails, and bent mid-pieces, were significantly elevated in treated groups, indicating structural and functional damage to sperm cells. The results suggest that Cucumis sativus leaf extract, at higher doses, impairs male reproductive hormones, semen quality, and sperm morphology, potentially due to oxidative stress or phytochemical-induced toxicity. This aligns with prior studies on phytotoxic effects of plant extracts, where flavonoids, alkaloids, and other bioactive compounds were implicated in reproductive toxicity. However, the exact mechanism underlying these effects remains unclear and warrants further exploration. This study provides a foundation for understanding the reproductive toxicity of Cucumis sativus leaf extract, emphasizing the need for cautious use of herbal preparations containing this plant.

The quick use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), especially large language models (LLMs), is changing the way companies report and share financial information. GenAI is becoming more and more popular with finance teams for writing the narrative parts of annual reports, management discussion and analysis (MD&A), sustainability disclosures, and earnings releases. This is because it promises big gains in efficiency and more consistent messaging. At the same time, regulators, standard setters, and audit firms warn about new risks to reliability, including hallucinations, bias, loss of explainability, and weak controls over AI workflows. This paper offers a conceptual and normative examination of (1) the reliability of AI-generated financial disclosures in comparison to human-written disclosures, and (2) the requisite audit procedures and governance mechanisms necessary to guarantee accuracy and integrity. We synthesize evidence on the impact of AI on the quality of financial reporting and audit by using recent empirical and conceptual literature in auditing and accounting information systems, as well as practitioner reports and regulatory guidance. Research in banking and external auditing indicates that the utilization of AI is positively correlated with the quality of financial reporting and external audits, facilitated by enhanced information processing. Simultaneously, survey data reveals apprehensions regarding ethical dilemmas, requisite professional diligence, and professional discernment in the extensive application of AI within the auditing process. We suggest a conceptual framework for evaluating the dependability of AI-generated disclosures that encompasses: (a) the design of AI systems and training data; (b) internal control over financial reporting (ICFR) and AI-specific controls; (c) governance and oversight by management, audit committees, and regulators; and (d) independent verification by external auditors. Building on existing auditing standards (for example, ISA 315 and ISA 330) and emerging technology guidance, we outline a set of risk-based audit procedures tailored to AI-generated narrative disclosures, including data lineage testing, model governance evaluation, analytical procedures on AI text, and expanded documentation requirements. The paper concludes that AI-generated financial disclosures can be at least as reliable as human-written disclosures - and in some dimensions more reliable - provided that entities implement strong AI governance, maintain human-in-the-loop review, and that auditors adapt their methodologies to explicitly address AI-related risks. In the absence of such controls and audit responses, GenAI can materially undermine the reliability, auditability, and credibility of financial reporting.

The problem of applying ceramic glazes to ceramic products first appears during the preparation of ceramic glaze recipes, an issue that is especially evident in the entrepreneurial sector in small and medium-sized ceramic enterprises. Unlike large-scale ceramics factories, these enterprises often lack advanced laboratories or specialized devices for controlling the quality of ceramic glazes. This experimental study aims to ensure the quality of ceramic glazing recipe application by providing applied chemical solutions that are determined by the proportions of additives they contain. Specifically, this experimental study focuses on the use of sodium carboxymethylcellulose as an additive that contributes to controlling the quality of ceramic glazing. In its main outputs, this study aims to provide accurate ratios of additives for glazing recipes that correspond to target application techniques at the level of small and medium-sized ceramic industries.

Despite the significant contribution of family-owned business to global economy, these firms often struggle with the quality of financial reporting due to unique governance structures, poor management, and a lack of access to modern technology, which poses challenges to transparency and investor confidence. In view of this, the study investigates the effect of information technology dynamics on financial reporting quality of listed family-owned companies in Nigeria. Longitudinal research design was used on data collected from secondary sources of 37 family-owned companies from 2015 to 2024. The robust pooled ordinary least squares regression was conducted tests to verify interaction between financial reporting quality (FRQ) as dependent variable and the proxy of information technology dynamics; cloud computing cost, extensible business reporting language cost, and artificial intelligence cost. Results revealed that cloud computing cost has a significant affirmative effect while artificial intelligence cost has an insignificant positive effect on FRQ of listed family-owned companies in Nigeria. Contrarily, extensible business reporting language cost has an insignificant adverse effect on FRQ of listed family-owned firms in Nigeria. The study concludes that information technology investments significantly improve financial reporting quality of listed family-owned companies in Nigeria. It is therefore recommended that managers should consider prioritizing investments in cloud-based accounting systems as they enhance real-time data capture, facilitate accurate reporting and reduce possibility of human errors thereby boosting transparency and accountability. Furthermore, Regulators and policy makers should create enabling environments that reduce implementation costs and foster technological capacity development.

Background: Maternal heart disease is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality, and while pregnancy-related cardiac complications have been studied extensively, data on postpartum cardiac events and the influence of obstetric characteristics remain limited, particularly in low- and middle-income countries such as Bangladesh. The purpose of the study was to evaluate obstetric characteristics and the incidence of postpartum cardiac events in women with pre-existing heart disease. Methods: This hospital-based cohort study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Fetomaternal Medicine Unit, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, the Department of Fetomaternal Medicine, BSMMU, and the Department of Cardiology, NICVD, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from February 2020 to March 2021. Seventy-three postpartum women with pre-existing heart disease were enrolled. Data on demographics, obstetric history, cardiac status, and maternal outcomes were collected and analyzed using SPSS 26; p <0.05 was significant. Results: Among 73 women with pre-existing heart disease, most were 18–30 years old (67.1%) and multiparous (78.1%), with term deliveries (83.6%) and LUCS (75.3%) common. Rheumatic valvular disease predominated (56.2%), followed by congenital heart disease (27.4%) and cardiomyopathy (16.4%), with 93.2% in NYHA I–II. Postpartum cardiac events occurred in 45.2%, higher in incidentally diagnosed women (61.8% vs 30.8%), particularly in multiparous, term, and vaginal deliveries. Conclusion: Women with pre-existing heart disease are at significant risk of postpartum cardiac complications, especially if undiagnosed, multiparous, or delivered vaginally, highlighting the need for early recognition and careful peripartum management.

Background: Thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy is a common endocrine disorder with significant implications for maternal and fetal health, particularly in relation to hypertensive complications. The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of subclinical thyroid dysfunction in hypertensive compared to normotensive pregnant women. Methods: This cross-sectional, comparative study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from February 2020 to March 2021, including 220 pregnant women (110 hypertensive, 110 normotensive). Socio-demographic and obstetric data were collected, blood pressure measured, and 5 mL venous blood samples analyzed for serum TSH and FT4 using chemiluminescent immunoassay. Subclinical thyroid disorders were defined by trimester-specific reference ranges, data were analyzed with SPSS v25 (p < 0.05). Results: In 220 pregnant women, hypertensive and normotensive groups were comparable in age, gestation, and parity. Subclinical hypothyroidism was higher in hypertensive women (46.4% vs 14.5%), euthyroidism predominated in normotensive women (83.6% vs 39.1%), and higher blood pressure was associated with increased thyroid dysfunction. Hypertensive women also had higher TSH (4.46 vs 2.28 µIU/mL) and lower FT4 (13.49 vs 15.78 pmol/L), both significant (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Hypertensive pregnant women have a higher prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism and altered thyroid hormone levels compared to normotensive women, highlighting the need for early thyroid screening in this population.

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. While Helicobacter pylori is primarily a gastric pathogen, emerging evidence suggests potential extra-gastric manifestations, including possible links to respiratory diseases. However, the association between H. pylori infection and CAP remains poorly characterized. Objective: This systematic review aimed to critically evaluate and synthesize the available evidence regarding the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and community-acquired pneumonia. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for publications from January 2021 to January 2026. Studies investigating direct or indirect associations between H. pylori infection and CAP were included. Eight studies met eligibility criteria, encompassing diverse designs including cohort, case-control, cross-sectional, and randomized controlled trials. Quality assessment was performed using appropriate tools (Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, JBI Checklist, Cochrane RoB 2). Results: Direct evidence for an H. pylori-CAP association was limited, with only three studies providing direct seroepidemiological or immunological data. These demonstrated that H. pylori infection may modulate systemic inflammatory responses (elevated CXCL10 and IL-10; reduced IL-1β and IL-6) and showed non-significant associations with respiratory pathogen co-exposure. Indirect evidence highlighted that proton pump inhibitor use—commonly prescribed for H. pylori-related conditions—was associated with significantly increased pneumonia risk (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.882 for long-term use). Studies in peptic ulcer patients reported postoperative pneumonia rates of 5–12%. Overall evidence quality was moderate, with significant heterogeneity precluding meta-analysis. Conclusion: Direct evidence linking H. pylori infection to community-acquired pneumonia is remarkably limited and inconclusive. The available data suggest that any association may operate through immunomodulatory mechanisms or indirect pathways, particularly proton pump inhibitor use. Well-designed prospective cohort studies with validated H. pylori diagnostics and adequate confounder adjustment are urgently needed to clarify this relationship.

This work begins on the premise that Nigeria in the last decade has been characterized by crisis of ethnic and religious dimensions. The nature of the Nigerian state seems to be not only responsible for the regrettably deepening ethno-religious crisis that have become endemic and unfortunate, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to evolve credible and competent strategies that could address this ugly trend. It is on this note that the paper discussed the message of non- retaliation and tolerance in Matthew 5: 38-42 as a panacea for peace and development in Nigeria. The paper adopts descriptive and analytical method. It argued that a new type of thinking away from conflicts is essential if mankind is to survive. Jesus in the passage studied did not mention the abolition of war or conflicts, but he is prohibiting the members of the kingdom of God the attitude of revenge. The lex talions or the law of retaliation is an attempt to enact fair justice among the people. To revenge as shown in the work can consume one’s emotion, cause all kinds of emotional problems. A person can be so much engrossed in revenge that he becomes self- centered, destructive and paranoid. It was noted that even though conflicts are inevitable, the violence and pains inflicted is usually greater than the ultimate gain. The paper recommended that individual and Nigeria as a whole should develop a commitment to non violence from the teaching of Jesus. Among other recommendations, Nigerians should not be consumed with fighting over property and disputing rights. Tolerance and acceptability should be the watchword of everybody; it is then that our society can be a better place. Peace must be preached and equally embodied. We must create a new reconciled society in which no walls or barriers are tolerated, and in which the divisive influences of race, nationality, rank and sex have been destroyed.

Cancer encompasses a group of disorders characterized by abnormal and uncontrolled cellular growth, capable of invading nearby tissues and metastasizing to distant organs. It remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, with a rising burden in developing countries. This review explores the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and impact of cancer on patients’ quality of life (QoL). Cancer affects physical health through pain, fatigue, and treatment-related complications, while also influencing psychological well-being, social functioning, and financial stability. Early detection, evidence-based treatment, and supportive care are essential to improve outcomes. A multidisciplinary approach, particularly involving nursing professionals, plays a crucial role in enhancing patient care and overall QoL.

Background: Preseptal and orbital cellulitis represent a diagnostic continuum in pediatric ophthalmology with significantly different management implications. Rapid, accurate differentiation is essential to prevent vision-threatening complications while avoiding unnecessary imaging and hospitalization. Case Presentation: A previously healthy 12-year-old girl presented with acute onset right eyelid erythema and swelling for two days. Clinical examination revealed marked periorbital edema with tenderness and erythema confined to the eyelid tissues. Critically, visual acuity remained 20/20, extraocular movements were full and painless, no relative afferent pupillary defect was present, and fundoscopic examination was normal. The patient was afebrile with only mild superior visual field restriction secondary to mechanical ptosis from lid swelling. Decision-Making: Based on preserved ocular function and absence of orbital signs, a clinical diagnosis of preseptal cellulitis was established. The decision was made to initiate outpatient oral antibiotic therapy with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) coverage, deferring computed tomography imaging pending clinical response assessment. Outcome: The patient demonstrated excellent response to oral antibiotics with complete resolution of symptoms within 5 days, confirming the appropriateness of conservative outpatient management. Teaching Points: This case illustrates the critical clinical features distinguishing preseptal from orbital cellulitis, demonstrates evidence-based outpatient management in appropriately selected pediatric patients, and provides a practical algorithmic approach to periorbital infections in children.