bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Investigation of Degrees and Possible Biomarkers of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver (NAFL) Disease
Authors: Şenyiğit Abdulhalim , Yaprak Bülent , Orhanoğlu Timur
Published: February 2019

Aim: In this study, we aimed to investigate the related biochemical markers and their correlations in non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) disease.Materials and Methods: Patient files of individuals who came to our hospital for routine controls without any complaints were reviewed retrospectively. One hundred and forty-eight individuals (94 females; 54 males) whose ultrasonographic examination revealed varying degrees of NAFL disease constituted the patients group and 149 individuals (76 females; 73 males) whose results were clear the healthy controls group. We reviewed the ultrasonographically determined NAFL disease grades and fasting blood glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, uric acid, C-reactive protein (CRP), triglyceride, LDL, HDL, TSH, vitamin D, AST, ALT, GGT and ALP values of a total of 297 patients.Results: With respect to sex, NAFL prevalence was significantly higher in the patients group than in the healthy controls for males (p=0.029). Similarly, fasting blood glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, uric acid, triglyceride, HDL, ALT, AST, GGT and CRP levels were also significantly higher in the patients group. No effect of low HDL and vitamin D levels on NAFL disease grade was observed. Analyses based on NAFL disease grade showed statistically significant difference between the subgroups of disease grade of the patients group in terms of fasting blood glucose, HOMA-IR, ALT, AST and GGT mean values. When the analyses were repeated after the grade 2 and 3 subgroups were combined, there was statistically significant difference between the new grade 1 and 2 subgroups in terms of fasting blood glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, ALT and GGT mean values. This time there was statistically significant difference in terms of mean insulin levels also, while the difference between the AST levels decreased.Discussion and Conclusion: Our study suggests that apparently healthy individuals also be examined for presence of NAFL disease because timely diagnosis and appropriate management could significantly help prevent complications such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Acceleration of Orthodontic Tooth Movement: An Overview
Authors: HALİLOGLU OZKAN Tugba , ARICI Selim , ÖZKAN Enes
Published: February 2019

The purpose of orthodontic treatment is to enhance patients’ life quality by improving their dentofacial functions and aesthetics. Minimal histological damage and pain, rapid tooth movement, short treatment duration, and stability of results are the major criteria for successful treatment. In recent years, the demand for orthodontic treatment has been increasing gradually. Prolonged duration of orthodontic treatment affects the psychological motivation of the patients and leads to several undesirable situations, such as caries, gingival recession, and root resorption. Thus, in recent years, related research has investigated the acceleration of orthodontic tooth movement. However, despite the various laboratory and clinical interventions designed to achieve faster tooth movement, uncertainties and unanswered questions about these techniques persist and warrant further investigation. Several surgical techniques as well as physical and chemical applications have been reported by previous studies to accelerate orthodontic tooth movement, most of which have been conducted on animals, with debatable applicability on humans. However, as tooth movement is a multifactorial phenomenon, further research is needed in the future. In this review, we describe the orthodontic tooth movement acceleration methods reported thus far.
Effects of Kinesio Taping Applied to Diaphragm Muscle on Aerobic Exercise Capacity and Pulmonary Function in Sedentary Individuals
Authors: Aydoğan Arslan Saniye , Daşkapan Arzu Daşkapan , Özünlü Pekyavaş Nihan , Sakızlı Elif
Published: February 2019

Aim: In this study, we aimed to determine the short-term effects of diaphragmatic Kinesio taping (KT) on aerobic exercise capacity and pulmonary function in sedentary individuals. Materials and Methods: Sedentary volunteers were included in the study. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: KT group (n =17), and sham KT group (n=19). In order to evaluate submaximal functional capacity and aerobic performance, shuttle run and pulmonary function tests were performed for each participant both prior to and four days after KT. Chest circumference measurement was made for the flexibility of the rib cage. The KT muscle facilitation technique was applied to the diaphragm muscle. Results: Pulmonary function test values showed an increase in FEV1 four days after KT, compared to the values prior to KT (p=0.002). There was statistically significant difference between shuttle run test results (p=0.001) and axillar chest circumference measurements (p=0.045) before and 1 week after KT. Statistically significant difference was also observed concerning FEV1 (p=0.014), FEV1/FVC (p=0.035) results and shuttle run test distance (p=0.009). Discussion and Conclusion: KT applied to the diaphragm muscle improves aerobic performance and pulmonary functions in the short term and when compared to the sham KT group.
Immune Thrombocytopenia as a Presenting Manifestation of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Authors: GÜLER Salih , AKTEKİN Elif Habibe , ŞAHİN UYAR Sibel Burçak , ŞİMŞEK Nazmi , ARSLAN Derya
Published: February 2019

Autoimmune hematological disorders may be the initial indicator of an underlying Hodgkin
lymphoma (HL). Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) can manifest before, during, or after
the diagnosis of HL, and concurrent thrombocytopenia can complicate the diagnosis and
initial treatment of the malignancy. Various autoimmune disorders have been described in
patients with HL, including ITP, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, autoimmune neutropenia,
systemic lupus erythematosus, and scleroderma. An underlying HL should be considered
in the differential diagnosis of a pediatric patient with ITP. In this report, we present the
case of a 5-year-old boy who had thrombocytopenia and fever at the time of his HL diagnosis.
Based on bone marrow aspiration and evaluation, we diagnosed immune thrombocytopenia
and administered treatment with intravenous gammaglobulin. The platelet
count normalized within a few days of treatment﻿
An evaluation of prognostic factors for tympanoplasty with titanium prostheses in chronic ear surgery
Authors: CALİM Omer Faruk , VERİM Aysegul , ÖZKUL Murat Haluk , KİLCİ Gamze Didem , BAŞER Engin , YAŞAR Hüsamettin , YENİGUN Alper
Published: February 2019

Aim: This study aimed to assess the effects of preoperatively measured middle ear risk index (MERI) and intraoperative ossicular chain findings on postoperative hearing in patients who underwent ossiculoplasty performed by using universal titanium prostheses.Materials and Methods: Patients who underwent ear surgery using universal titanium prostheses due to malfunctioning in the incus were included. Preoperative ear examination results, surgical findings, and MERI scores were assessed. Preoperative and postoperative air-conduction and bone-conduction hearing thresholds and air-bone gap were assessed at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz frequencies.Results: We found that presence of the malleus and stapes suprastructure and prognostic MERI grading affected the reconstruction success rate. The air-bone gap results were found to be 100%, 87.5% and 12.5% in the mild, moderate, and severe MERI groups, respectively.Discussion and Conclusion: In line with the literature, we observed that preoperative MERI scoring might help surgeons develop a patient-specific operation strategy by providing guidance during ossiculoplasty
“COMO VOCÊ RECEBE ALGUÉM NA SUA CASA?”: NOTAS SOBRE A OFICINA DE HOSPITALIDADE COM OS FUNCIONÁRIOS TERCEIRIZADOS DA FUNDAÇÃO CASA DE RUI BARBOSA – RJ
Authors: Duarte Rômulo , Garanito de Abreu Renata , Freitas João Alcantara de
Published: February 2019

A Fundação Casa de Rui Barbosa (FCRB) selecionou no ano de 2014 seis bolsistas graduados em turismo com o objetivo de melhorar sua relação com os visitantes. Dentre as ações realizadas pelo grupo, o presente artigo se debruça sobre a realização de uma oficina de hospitalidade junto aos funcionários terceirizados que atuam na FCRB. A direção do Museu Casa de Rui Barbosa (MCRB) notara que a maior parte dos vigilantes, recepcionistas, jardineiros e funcionários da limpeza nunca havia entrado no museu, senão para as suas obrigações laborais. O presente artigo discute o processo de construção da Oficina de Hospitalidade realizada com os funcionários desde a sua concepção até os desdobramentos. Houve uma boa receptividade por parte dos funcionários, no entanto há ainda alguns desafios a serem superados.
CARACTERÍSTICAS HOSPITALEIRAS DO ANFITRIÃO DE MEIOS DE HOSPEDAGEM MANIFESTADAS NOS DEPOIMENTOS DOS HÓSPEDES
Authors: Marques Roseane Barcellos
Published: February 2019

A hospitalidade e competitividade em serviços mantem uma transformação constante em relação ao comportamento dos agentes econômicos e imprime a urgência de sua ressignificação possibilitada pela inovação na criação de valor. Nesse sentido a característica “bem receber”, inerente às atividades do setor hoteleiro, foi observada nessa pesquisa com a lente das características hospitaleiras (hospitableness) discutidas em Tasci & Semrad (2016). Os meios de hospedagem, analisados neste artigo são: Hotel Le Renard, Botanique Hotel e SPA, Carballho Hotel e SPA, Hotel Satélite Campos do Jordão, Hotel Vila Inglesa e L.A.H. Hostellerie os quais receberam o selo Traveler’s Choice-2017/TripAdvisor, em Campos do Jordão.  A questão de pesquisa deste estudo consiste em: Quais as características hospitaleiras manifestadas nos depoimentos online dos anfitriões de meios de hospedagens em Campos do Jordão? A partir desta problemática tem-se como objetivo investigar e analisar os depoimentos disponíveis no site TripAdvisor a fim de identificar a existência de hospitalidade e de cocriação de valor na relação anfitrião e hóspede. A análise de conteúdo dos 138 depoimentos observados na pesquisa foi realizada com a utilização do software NVivo 10 for MAC. A pesquisa confirmou que o componente hospitaleiro (Heartwarming) recebeu destaque nos depoimentos analisados.
Autophagy and Apoptosis Specific Knowledgebases-guided Systems Pharmacology Drug Research
Authors: Fan Peihao , Wang Nanyi , Wang Lirong , Xie Xiang-Qun
Published: February 2019

Background:

Autophagy and apoptosis are the basic physiological processes in cells that clean up aged and mutant cellular components or even the entire cells. Both autophagy and apoptosis are disrupted in most major diseases such as cancer and neurological disorders. Recently, increasing attention has been paid to understand the crosstalk between autophagy and apoptosis due to their tightly synergetic or opposite functions in several pathological processes.

Objective:

This study aims to assist autophagy and apoptosis-related drug research, clarify the intense and complicated connections between two processes, and provide a guide for novel drug development.

Methods:

We established two chemical-genomic databases which are specifically designed for autophagy and apoptosis, including autophagy- and apoptosis-related proteins, pathways and compounds. We then performed network analysis on the apoptosis- and autophagy-related proteins and investigated the full protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of these two closely connected processes for the first time.

Results:

The overlapping targets we discovered show a more intense connection with each other than other targets in the full network, indicating a better efficacy potential for drug modulation. We also found that Death-associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK1) is a critical point linking autophagy- and apoptosis-related pathways beyond the overlapping part, and this finding may reveal some delicate signaling mechanism of the process. Finally, we demonstrated how to utilize our integrated computational chemogenomics tools on in silico target identification for small molecules capable of modulating autophagy- and apoptosis-related pathways.

Conclusion:

The knowledge-bases for apoptosis and autophagy and the integrated tools will accelerate our work in autophagy and apoptosis-related research and can be useful sources for information searching, target prediction, and new chemical discovery.
Prepubertal IGF-1 and Possible Relation with Physical Features of Growth and Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Hamed Mohamed Saad , El-Sherbeny Alyaa Ahmed , El-din Ahmed Mohamed Bahaa
Published: February 2019

Background:

T1DM is considered as the most common chronic metabolic autoimmune disorder in childhood and adolescence as well as in the early adulthood. It appears frequently during 12- 13 years of age with distinctive features like immune-mediated chronic damage of pancreatic β-cells, leading eventually to partial, or mostly, absolute insulin deficiency. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is a polypeptide consisting of 70 amino acids with insulin-like chemical structure. In most cases, IGF-1 is a reliable growth marker and an anabolic one in adults. It plays an important role in the regulation of various physiological functions, e.g., glucose metabolism, cell survival and proliferation.

Objective:

To compare the levels of IGF-1 in children having type-1 diabetes with that of healthy controls and also to determine whether there is a relationship between IGF-1 and physical features in T1DM.

Patients and Methods:

The current study was conducted on 85 children of both sexes. Seventy patients were less than 12 years old with T1DMselected according to ADA 2014 criteria for diagnosis of diabetes from pediatric diabetes clinic at Ain Shams University hospital. All patients were divided into 2 groups based on the duration of diabetes to T1DM>1year duration and T1DM < 1year duration and they were compared with fifteen normal children, attending the pediatric general clinics as a control group. Measurements of height, weight, and arm span, upper body segment, lower body segment, and body mass index, parents’ height beside Fasting blood glucose, HbA1C, IGF-1, FSH, and LH were noted.

Results:

Height percentile significantly higher inT1DM less than 1 year median 50 (10 to 75) than T1DM more than one year (median10 (3 to 44) p-value 0.007). IGF-1 level in the group of T1DM less than 1year median 90 (70 to 110) (ng/ml) was significantly lower than other groups (p-value 0.0008). IGF1 has a significant positive relation with Aram span in group T1DM more than 1year (p-value 0.024), positive significant relationship between mother height and IGF-1 level in group T1DM less than 1 year (p-value 0.013).

Conclusion:

IGF-1 level is reduced by the recent onset of T1DM but still it has some effect on the somatic features even in the presence of longstanding diabetes.
Design, Synthesis, and Anti-bacterial Activity of Novel Deoxycholic Acid- Amino Alcohol Conjugates
Authors: Mishra Satyendra , Patel Sejal
Published: February 2019

Background:

Numerous synthetic bile acid derivatives have been recognized for their
various biological activities. Among these, bile acid amides have emerged as an attractive antibacterial
agent. We herein illustrate the synthesis and antibacterial evaluation of deoxycholic acidamino
alcohols conjugates.

Objective:

Design and Synthesis of novel deoxycholic acid-amino alcohol conjugates to investigate
their antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus.

Methods:

Novel deoxycholic acid-amino alcohol conjugates were synthesized, from conjugation
of deoxycholic acid-NHS ester with amino alcohols. Various amino alcohols moieties were appended
to the C24 position of deoxycholic acid to yield deoxycholic acid-amino alcohol conjugates.
All the synthesized compounds were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR and massspectroscopy.
The entire synthesized deoxycholic acid-amino alcohol conjugates were evaluated
for their antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus using the broth dilution method.

Results:

The outcome illustrated that some of the novel deoxycholic acid-amino alcohol
conjugates exhibited enhanced anti-bacterial activities. Amongst them, deoxycholic acid-amino
alcohol conjugate containing (-R)-2-aminocyclohexanol (1) demonstrated promising efficacy
against both strains S. aureus ATCC 25923 (MIC 15 μg/mL) and E. coli ATCC 25922 (MIC 45
μg/mL) and was identified as a lead molecule.

Conclusion:

Numbers of novel deoxycholic acid-amino alcohol conjugates were synthesized and
their antimicrobial activities provided useful information that the potency was strongly depending
on the structures of deoxycholic acid-amino alcohol conjugates.
Evaluation of Chemotherapeutic Activity of the Selected Bases’ Analogues of Nucleic Acids Supported by ab initio Various Quantum Chemical Calculations
Authors: Kawczak Piotr , Bober Leszek , Bączek Tomasz
Published: February 2019

Background:

Pharmacological and physicochemical classification of bases’ selected analogues
of nucleic acids is proposed in the study.

Objective:

Structural parameters received by the PCM (Polarizable Continuum Model) with several
types of calculation methods for the structures in vacuo and in the aquatic environment together
with the huge set of extra molecular descriptors obtained by the professional software and literature
values of biological activity were used to search the relationships.

Methods:

Principal Component Analysis (PCA) together with Factor Analysis (FA) and Multiple
Linear Regressions (MLR) as the types of the chemometric approach based on semi-empirical
ab initio molecular modeling studies were performed.

Results:

The equations with statistically significant descriptors were proposed to demonstrate both
the common and differentiating characteristics of the bases' analogues of nucleic acids based on the
quantum chemical calculations and biological activity data.

Conclusion:

The obtained QSAR models can be used for predicting and explaining the activity of
studied molecules.
Thymoquinone Effects on Cell Viability, Apoptosis and VEGF-A Gene Expression Level in AGS(CRL-1739) Cell Line
Authors: Rashid Mohsen , Sanjarin Forough , Sabouni Farzaneh
Published: February 2019

Background:

Cancer is one of the most fatal diseases across the world and it was reported that 90% of cancer fatality depends on its angiogenesis potential. Black seed or Nigella sativa L. is a medicinal plant native to southwest Asia. N. sativa has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries and predominantly has bioactive components like Thymoquinone, which is used as a candidate for anti-cancer and anti-angiogenesis drugs.

Methods:

Callus was induced from leaf tissue, after that alcoholic extracts were prepared from three-month-old calluses. Thymoquinone content was measured by HPLC methods. AGS cell line was cultured and treated with standard Thymoquinone and extracts from callus. Then, cell proliferation, expression of angiogenic factor (VEGF-A gene), and apoptosis test were done by MTT assay, real-time PCR and Annexin-v kit, respectively.

Results:

HPLC found the maximum amount of Thymoquinone in the extract of leaf calluses, which were grown in the dark. MTT assay revealed that particular doses of extracts reduced cell proliferation. Real-time and Fluorescence- Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) results demonstrated that standard Thymoquinone and callus extracts down-regulated the VEGF-A gene expression, and all three induced apoptosis in the AGS cell line.

Conclusion:

It has been shown that TQ has pro-apoptotic and anti-metastatic effects on stomach cancer cell line, and these properties can introduce it as an anti-cancer drug in the near future.
Bis (Isothiocyanatomethyl) Benzene, A Plant Derived Anti-Neoplastic Compound: Purified from Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extract
Authors: Paul Samrat , Basak Piyali , Maity Namrata , Guha Chayan , Jana Nandan Kumar
Published: February 2019

Background:

Moringa oleifera lam, commonly known as “Sajina”, is an indigenous species to India.
In our folk medicine, it is used for the treatment of Canker (cancer). The Moringa oleifera leaf extract contains many phyto-compounds, with some being anti-neoplastic in nature.

Objective:

Our preliminary study showed that the leaf extract significantly kills cancer cells compared to normal
cells. On searching for the new phyto-compound, Bis-isothiocyanatomethyl) benzene was purified and isolated.

Methods:

The sequential process of fractional distillation, column chromatography, followed by TLC and
HPLC is performed for purification. Every fraction from each step was tested on HeLa cell line for evaluating
the presence of the phyto-compound.

Results and Conclusion:

FTIR peak analysis of a single phyto-compound shows the presence of thiocyanate
group, aromatic carbon group. 1H & 13C NMR peak analysis along with High-resolution mass spectroscopy
(HRMS) calculation confirm the chemical structure with IUPAC name [Bis (Isothiocyanatomethyl) benzene].
Previously, Isothiocyanatomethyl- benzene solely or in conjugation with sugar molecule has been reported, but
its dimeric form in nature hasnot yet been published anywhere. It shows anticancer activity by retarding cancer
cell growth & inhibits carcinogenesis on HeLa, MCF-7, and MDA-MB-231 cell lines by caspase 3 apoptotic
pathway and showed comparatively less cytotoxicity to PBMC cell. It shows anticancer activity almost the same
as the market available drug Cis-Platin. Therefore, further extrapolating its activity with different concentrations
may result in its use as a drug formulation for the treatment of cancer.
GPER Overexpression in Cervical Cancer Versus Premalignant Lesions: Its Activation Induces Different Forms of Cell Death
Authors: Silva Christian D.H. , Leal Annie R. , Ortiz-Lazareno Pablo C. , Suárez Luis F.J. , de Arellano Adrián R. , Lopez-Pulido Edgar I. , Barragan José G.M. , Buelna Margarita M. , Rodríguez Judith R.D. , Chabay Paola , Muñoz-Valle José F. , Pereira-Suárez Ana L.
Published: February 2019

Background:

The effect of estrogen has been traditionally studied through the modulation of its alpha and beta nuclear receptors; however, the G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor (GPER) has been recently involved in the pathology of numerous tumors. Although the study of GPER in cervical cancer has begun, its contribution still remains to be completely evaluated.

Objective:

The purpose of this work was to determine the expression of this receptor in different degrees of cervical lesions and whether the stimulation with its specific agonist (G-1) modulated mechanisms of cell survival or cell death in cervical cancer cells.

Methods:

Sections of 44 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks from patients were analyzed by automated immunohistochemistry. After the stimulation with G-1, proliferation was evaluated by the xCELLigence technology, the integrity of the mitochondrial membrane permeability by MitoCaptureTM fluorescence staining, apoptosis by flow cytometry, and senescence by the senescence-associated β-galactosidase kit.

Results:

GPER was widely expressed in cervical cancer but not in its precursor lesions. The staining was predominantly cytoplasmic, although it was also important in the nucleus of the epithelial cells. G-1 inhibited proliferation, decreased the mitochondrial permeability, and increased the percentage of apoptosis in SiHa, HeLa, and C-33A. Only in C-33A, an increase of the cells in necrosis was observed, whereas SiHa was the only cell line in which senescence was evidenced.

Conclusion:

GPER is a receptor associated with cervical cancer that inhibits the growth and induces different mechanisms of death in cells derived from uterine cervical cancer. It suggests that GPER can be considered a pharmacological target that prevents the development of cervical carcinogenesis.
Evaluation of Effect of Surgical and Nonsurgical Periodontal Therapy on Serum C-Reactive Protein, Triglyceride, Cholesterol, Serum Lipoproteins and Fasting Blood Sugar in Patients with Severe Chronic Periodontitis
Authors: Moeintaghavi Amir , Arab Hamid Reza , Moghaddam Masoud Amiri , Shahmohammadi Reza , Bardan Bahareh Yalood , Soroush Zahra
Published: February 2019

Background:

Cardiovascular disease has been associated with multiple risk factors such as dyslipidemia. However, the focus has recently shifted towards some novel risk factorsi.e. infection from periodontitis.

Given this background, we aimed to assess the effect of periodontal therapy on some CVD risk factors including Total Cholesterol (TC), Low-Density Lipoprotein(LDL), High-Density Lipoprotein(HDL), Triglycerides(TG) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP). Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) level has also been measured.

Methods:

Thirty patients (12 male and 18 female) who had severe periodontitis were tested for different blood parameters; namely Total Cholesterol (TC), Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL), High-Density Lipoprotein(HDL), Triglycerides (TGs), C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS). Enzymatic colorimetric methods were applied to measure all the parameters’ values except for CRP. The first stage of periodontal treatment comprised oral hygiene instruction as well as scaling and root planing. After 1 month, at the next stage, open flap debridement surgery was performed on all 4 quadrants of the mouth. The blood parameters were reassessed and compared with the baseline values after 3 months. Two patients (female) failed to participate in the follow-ups. The Pearson's and Spearman's correlation coefficients were calculated to determine whether changes in laboratory variables are associated with age and average probing depth or not.

Results:

All the assessed parameters related to 28 patients showed mean reduction which proved to be significant for CRP (p=0.011) and cholesterol (p=0.035). Among all parameters, only CRP level was found to have a significant positive correlation with pocket depth. Other blood parameters' relationship with age and probing depth proved to be insignificant.

Conclusion:

Considering the results, periodontal treatment may significantly lower lipid profile serum levels and some inflammatory factors.
Effect of Drugs on Orthodontic Tooth Movement in Human Beings: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials
Authors: Khalaf Khaled , Mando Mahmoud
Published: February 2019

Background:

Orthodontic tooth movement represents a series of events at both cellular and molecular levels which in turn stimulates inflammatory pathway to induce tooth movement. Some drugs taken by patients have a negative effect which can block this pathway, on the other hand, others may influence these events and reduce treatment time.

Search Methods:

A search strategy was implemented using both manual hand search and electronic databases, including Cochrane database of clinical trials, PubMed, ScienceDirect and Scopus. The risk of biased eligible studies to be included in the final analysis was assessed independently by two authors using Cochrane risk of bias tool.

Results:

A total of 491 articles were identified in both manual and electronic searches as well as by checking the reference lists of articles to be included in the study. After reviewing the titles, abstracts and full-text articles, only 8 RCTs met the inclusion criteria, and thus, were included in the final analysis. Six out of the 8 RCTs were assessed as of low quality. No statistical methods were employed to combine the studies due to the heterogeneities of the studies and the low level of evidence.

Conclusion:

Acetylsalicylic acid and ibuprofen reduced orthodontic tooth movement whereas paracetamol, Rofecoxib and tenoxicam had no impact on orthodontic tooth movement. Due to the low quality of the studies included, therefore to base our practice on scientific evidence, better-controlled RCTs are needed to investigate the impact of common medications on orthodontic tooth movement.
A Review of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Prescribed Medications Instructions to Promote Medication Adherence: A Document Analysis Study
Authors: Ngoatle C. , Mothiba T. M. , Themane M. J.
Published: February 2019

Background:

Health literacy is referred to as the individual’s ability to comprehend and follow medication instructions. The aim of the study was to investigate the prescribed medications instructions for user friendliness to enhance health literacy and promote medication adherence in patients with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

Methods:

A qualitative, descriptive design using checklist rubric was used to conduct the document analysis study. A convenient sampling was used to select 15 Non-Communicable Diseases’ drugs for review from 02 February to 30 April 2018 in Limpopo province, South Africa. Tesch’s eight steps for data analysis was used.

Results:

Fifteen drug leaflets, scripts and packages revealed that there were poor explanation of the frequency of taking the medications and poor information related to the prescribed medication instructions. The findings are however, limited to the study setting and could not be generalised.

Conclusion:

There is a need for further explanation of the medication instructions which includes the frequency of taking medications to be reflected so that patients may consume them at the exact time indicated. The use of symbols on the medication packages should be reviewed. This will assist in reducing mortalities and NCDs complications.
Development of an Ambulatory Biofeedback App to Enhance Emotional Awareness in Patients with Borderline Personality Disorder: Multicycle Usability Testing Study (Preprint)
Authors: Derks Youri PMJ , Klaassen Randy , Westerhof Gerben J , Bohlmeijer Ernst T , Noordzij Matthijs L
Published: February 2019

BACKGROUND

Patients with borderline personality disorder experience great difficulties in regulating their emotions. They often are unable to effectively detect their emotional arousal and struggle to timely apply learned techniques for emotion regulation. Although the use of continuous wearable biofeedback has been repeatedly suggested as an option to improve patients’ emotional awareness, this type of app is not yet available for clinical use. Therefore, we developed an ambulatory biofeedback app named Sense-IT that can be integrated in mental health care.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to develop an ambulatory biofeedback app for mental health care that helps with learning to better recognize changes in personal emotional arousal and increases emotional awareness.

METHODS

Using several methods in a tailored User Centred Design (UCD) framework, we tested the app’s usability and user experience (UX) via a cyclic developmental process with multiple user groups (patients, therapists, and UCD experts; 3-5 per group, per cycle).

RESULTS

The process resulted in a stable prototype of the app that meets most of the identified user requirements. The app was valued as useful and usable by involved patients, therapists, and UCD experts. On the Subjective Usability Scale (SUS), the patients rated the app as “Good” (average score of 78.8), whereas the therapists rated the app as “OK” (average score of 59.4). The UCD experts judged the app’s overall usability as between “OK” and “acceptable” (average score of 0.87 on a cognitive walkthrough). As most critical usability problems were identified and addressed in the first cycle of the prototyping process, subsequent cycles were mainly about implementing new or extending existing functions, and other adjustments to improve UX.

CONCLUSIONS

mHealth development within a clinical mental health setting is challenging, yet feasible and welcomed by targeted users. This paper shows how new mHealth interventions for mental health care can be met with enthusiasm and openness by user groups that are known to be reluctant to embrace technological innovations. The use of the UCD framework, involving multiple user groups, proved to be of added value during design and realization as evidenced by the complementary requirements and perspectives. Future directions on studying clinical effectiveness of the app, appliance of the app in other fields, and the implications of integration of the app for daily practice in mental health are discussed.
Development and Implementation of the Portable Operating Room Tracker App With Vital Signs Streaming Infrastructure: Operational Feasibility Study (Preprint)
Authors: Görges Matthias , West Nicholas C , Petersen Christian L , Ansermino J Mark
Published: February 2019

BACKGROUND

In the perioperative environment, a multidisciplinary clinical team continually observes and evaluates patient information. However, data availability may be restricted to certain locations, cognitive workload may be high, and team communication may be constrained by availability and priorities. We developed the remote Portable Operating Room Tracker app (the telePORT app) to improve information exchange and communication between anesthesia team members. The telePORT app combines a real-time feed of waveforms and vital signs from the operating rooms with messaging, help request, and reminder features.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this paper is to describe the development of the app and the back-end infrastructure required to extract monitoring data, facilitate data exchange and ensure privacy and safety, which includes results from clinical feasibility testing.

METHODS

telePORT’s client user interface was developed using user-centered design principles and workflow observations. The server architecture involves network-based data extraction and data processing. Baseline user workload was assessed using step counters and communication logs. Clinical feasibility testing analyzed device usage over 11 months.

RESULTS

telePORT was more commonly used for help requests (approximately 4.5/day) than messaging between team members (approximately 1/day). Passive operating room monitoring was frequently utilized (34% of screen visits). Intermittent loss of wireless connectivity was a major barrier to adoption (decline of 0.3%/day).

CONCLUSIONS

The underlying server infrastructure was repurposed for real-time streaming of vital signs and their collection for research and quality improvement. Day-to-day activities of the anesthesia team can be supported by a mobile app that integrates real-time data from all operating rooms.
The Use of Smart Devices by Care Providers in Emergency Departments: A Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)
Authors: Alameddine Mohamad , Soueidan Hussein , Makki Maha , Tamim Hani , Hitti Eveline
Published: February 2019

BACKGROUND

The use of smart devices (SD) by healthcare providers in care settings is a common practice nowadays. Such use is not restricted to applications related to the care of patients but often extends to personal calls and applications with frequent prompts and interruptions. This enhances the risk of distractions caused by SD in the hospital settings and raises concerns on service quality and patient safety. Such concerns are exacerbated in complex care settings like the Emergency Department (ED).

OBJECTIVE

This study measured the frequency and patterns of SD use among healthcare providers in the ED of a large academic health center in Lebanon. The perceived consequences of care providers on using SDs on the provider-provider communication and the care quality of patients in ED were further assessed. The study further examined the factors associated with the use of smart devices and measured the approval for regulating such use.

METHODS

The study was carried at the ED of an academic health center in Lebanon. The ED received the highest volume of patient visits in the country. Data was collected using a cross-sectional electronic survey sent to all ED healthcare providers (n=236). The target population included core ED faculty members, attending physicians, residents, medical students, and the nursing care providers.

RESULTS

Half of the target population responded to the questionnaire. A total of 85.6% of the respondents use one or more medical applications on their smart devices. The respondents believed that using the SD in the ED improved the coordination among the care team (81.6%) and that it was beneficial to patient care (78.9%). In addition, 41.1% of the respondents acknowledged they were distracted when using their SD for non-work purposes. Furthermore, 54.8% of the respondents acknowledged having witnessed their colleagues committed a near miss or an error due to the smart device-caused distractions. Regression analysis revealed that age and missing information due to using the SD are major predictors of committing an error at the ED (p<0.05). Interestingly, more than 40% of the respondents were significantly addicted to using SD and more than third of them felt the need to cut down on such use.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study make it imperative to safeguard the safety and wellbeing of patients, particularly in high intensity, high volume department such as the ED. Irrespective of the positive role the SD play in the healthcare process, the negative effects of its use mandate proper regulation. This is an ethical mandate taking into consideration the important consequences such use may have on care processes and outcomes.
Examining the Potential of Blockchain Technology to Meet the Needs of 21st-Century Japanese Health Care: Viewpoint on Use Cases and Policy (Preprint)
Authors: Mackey Tim , Bekki Hirofumi , Matsuzaki Tokio , Mizushima Hiroshi
Published: February 2019

UNSTRUCTURED

Japan is undergoing a major population health transition as its society ages, and it continues to experience low birth rates. An aging Japan will bring new challenges to its public health system, highlighted as a model for universal health coverage (UHC) around the world. Specific challenges Japan’s health care system will face include an increase in national public health expenditures, higher demand for health care services, acute need for elder and long-term care, shortage of health care workers, and disparities between health care access in rural versus urban areas. Blockchain technology has the potential to address some of these challenges, but only if a health blockchain is conceptualized, designed, localized, and deployed in a way that is compatible with Japan’s centralized UHC-centric public health system. Blockchain solutions must also be adaptive to opportunities and barriers unique to Japan’s national health and innovation policy, including its regulatory sandbox system, while also seeking to learn from blockchain adoption in the private sector and in other countries. This viewpoint outlines the major opportunities and potential challenges to blockchain adoption for the future of Japan’s health care.
COMPARISION OF PHYTOCHEMICALS IN THE FLOWER BUDS, PEDICELS AND LEAVES OF SYZYGIUM AROMATICUM (L.) MERRIL AND PERRY
Authors: S. Rajalekshmy V. , Manimekalai V.
Published: February 2019

Objective: To analyse and compare the major chemical components in the flower buds, pedicels and leaves of Syzygium aromaticum by Gas-Chromatography Mass spectrometry technique. Methods: Healthy and mature flower buds, pedicels and leaves were shade dried and pulverized using a mechanical grinder. The powder was successively extracted with ethanol (40-60o C). The extracts were concentrated under reduced pressure in a rotary evaporator. The ethanolic extracts of the plant parts such as leaves, pedicels, and buds were used for GC-MS analysis.Results: The major constituent is eugenol. Pedicels contain 79.75% eugenol, buds contain 74.12% eugenol and leaves contain 51.03% eugenol. In addition to eugenol, other important components are Acetyl eugenol, Caryophyllene, Humulene and Caryophyllene oxide.Conclusion: Eugenol has a wide range of medicinal properties such as antiseptic, anaesthetic, analgesic anti-inflammatory. Commercially pedicel is not used for eugenol extraction. Present study has revealed that it could be used as a promising one in pharmaceutical industry in addition to flower buds.
EFFECT OF TRIDAXPROCUMBENS EXTRACTS ON BLOOD CLOTTING
Authors: Pascal Atchade S. , Ismael Hoteyi , Soumanou Seibou Toleba , Kaokab Bello , Alphonse Sezan
Published: February 2019

Objective: The present work has focused on evaluating the effect of tridaxprocumbens on blood clotting.Methods: in the course of our study we have therefore carried out a Hydro ethanol extraction (50/50), Liquid-Solid extraction, and phytochemical screening. Thereafter our study was carried out on nine (09) male and female Wistar type rats aged from 10 to 12 w and weighing between 100 and 200 g. These animals were raised at the laboratory of Biomembranes Laboratory and Cell Signaling from FAST to UAC under standard environmental conditions. Animals have free access to water and food. 09 rats are experienced, divided in three batches of 3 rats each, submitted respectively to the following treatment: fed with distilled water, fed with 100 mg/kg P. C tridax extract procumbens, fed at 300 mg/kg P. C tridax extract procumbens. Evolution of the weight of rats during treatment was measured. After 7 d of treatment, the blood of the rats is taken for an experience of bleeding time, experience of coagulation time, and dosage of some blood parameters (platelet, partial thromboplastin, prothrombin).Results: Phytochemical screening carried out on the leaf and stem powder of Tridaxprocumbens revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, reducing sugar, mucilage, terpene and sterol, but at varying proportions. After 7 d of treatment, evaluation of the effect of the extractions on the body weight of the rats gave interesting conclusions. The weight of the control rats did indeed increase while that of the rats treated with the dose of (100 and 300 mg/kg) dropped. In addition, the effect of the hydroethanolic extract of the leaves and stems of Tridaxprocumbens on the coagulation of blood has been studied in order to verify the alleged property that the said extract can be used to manage bleeding. This was done by examining the effect of the extract on bleeding time, coagulation time, platelet count, activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin rate. These were carried out using the Duke method and the Lee and White method. In the bleeding time experiment, the mean time without adding the extract was 2.58Â±0.31 min, while the mean bleeding time after treatment with the extract was 1.61Â±0.70 min at a dose of 100 mg/kg PC and 1.77Â±0.69 min at a dose of 300 mg/kg PC, achieving 57% of the decrease in normal bleeding time. Thus the extract significantly lowers the bleeding time.When the extract was used for the coagulation time, it was found that the extract promotes blood clotting. In addition, this study reveals that Tridaxprocumbens significantly influences TCA, TP and platelet count at varying doses.Conclusion: The plant material studied in this study is, therefore, a credible alternative for an effective fight against bleeding and also promotes the coagulation of blood.
Revista Mexicana de Bachillerato a Distancia, testigo del desarrollo de la Educación a Distancia en el Nivel Medio Superior de nuestro país
Authors: Villatoro Carmen , González María Teresa , Ruiz Gubisha
Published: February 2019

Este texto trata de los 20 números publicados por la Revista Mexicana de Bachillerato a Distancia (RMBD), uno especial y 19 regulares. La Revista fue creada para dar voz a los actores de la Educación a Distancia (ED) y son ellos los que mayoritariamente han escrito en ella, sin embargo, también se crearon secciones para los teóricos de esta modalidad tanto nacionales como del extranjero. Se presenta la colaboración con la Revista IRRODL, de la que desde 2012 se publica un artículo en la Revista. Se parte de la numeralia, pero de cada sección se desarrolla, de manera breve, la temática abordada por los autores, así como las ideas más relevantes que se han detectado en los textos. Es importante resaltar que la descripción de bachilleratos incluye a todos los bachilleratos en ED del país y algunos del extranjero, en especial de Estados Unidos.

Para visualizar el video vaya al siguiente enlance: https://youtu.be/XmQ-EgcyoRA
¿Es la racionalidad de la ciencia una especie de la racionalidad práctica?
Authors: Vega Encabo Jesús
Published: February 2019

Este artículo discute varios modos de entender la racionalidad de la ciencia como racionalidad práctica. En primer lugar, rechaza los modelos instrumentalistas de la racionalidad científica, porque no pueden mostrar la independencia y la bondad de fines definidos para la ciencia, en relación con los cuales se establece la fuerza normativa de las razones. La errónea identificación de fines y valores es lo que provoca numerosas confusiones en este terreno. Se critica, en segundo lugar, un modelo de racionalidad práctica basado en el dominio de saberes tácitos y habilidades. Cualquiera de los modelos propuestos ha de acomodarse a tres restricciones sobre lo que puede ser una “buena razón” dentro de la ciencia y que conforman la identidad práctica y el rostro normativo de la ciencia: publicidad, fiabilidad y autoridad reflexiva.
El chiste como paradigma hermenéutico
Authors: J. Castro Sixto
Published: February 2019

En el presente artículo, una vez expuestas las diversas teorías de la risa, se defiende que la risa básica (la que no tiene función social) tiene como elemento necesario, aunque no suficiente, la incongruencia. Asimismo, se postula que el chiste, generado primariamente para hacer reír, se constituye en paradigma hermenéutico de comprensión que proporciona una nueva visión de un estado de cosas y rompe lo que naturalmente cabía esperar del decurso del relato. Aunque haya un entorno de interpretaciones posibles, sólo una es la correcta, y ésa es la que convierte al chiste en lo que es.
Sílvio Mota Pinto, Escepticismo del significado y teorías de conceptos
Authors: Satne Glenda
Published: February 2019

Las reseñas no incluyen resumen.
Confirmation bias by consumers of clinical research demonstrates the need for implementation science
Authors: Meza James Peter
Published: February 2019

The Journal's Editor holds that, although Evidence-based medicine typically only looks for bias of the research design, still evidence-based practice must also include the biases of those using the research evidence and how it is deployed in clinical practice.
Encountering Oneself
Authors: Girling Paul A.
Published: February 2019

To be and become the person we truly are is a pervasive theme in third force psychology. In this paper, I succinctly summarize how we become ourselves by focusing on 5 distinct dimensions of personality functioning. Freeing oneself from an idealized self-image and experiencing the real
self is seen as a beginning phase. A cognitive restructuring involving modifying internalized value orientations is then stressed. Assuming responsibility for one's choices and initiating self-direction is encouraged to develop authentic personhood. The growing person is conceptualized as
being open to inner experiences and viewing one's life as a fluid process involving change and risk taking. Finally, vitality is generated and sustained by receptivity to one's inner life.
A review of empirical research on contemporary needs and conditions in housing in the context of flexibility
Authors: Zivkovic Milica
Published: February 2019

This paper presents the results of a previous empirical research on users?
needs and living conditions in multi-family housing units in the city of
Nis, based on a German study of flexible housing named ?Flexible Wohnungen?.
The research involved the interviewing of tenants about different aspects of
living in multifamily housing, with particular reference to the flexible
housing programme and its implementation in practice. By systematising and
comparing the achieved results with the results of foreign research, certain
conclusions can be drawn on the universal housing needs and current living
conditions in the city of Nis.