bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacological Modulation of Apoptosis and Autophagy in Pancreatic Cancer Treatment
Authors: Stanslas Johnson , Islam Mohammad Kaisarul , Selvarajoo Nityaa , Sagineedu Sreenivasa Rao , Lian Ho Kok , Lim Jonathan Chee Woei
Published: March 2022

Background:

Pancreatic cancer is a fatal malignant neoplasm with infrequent signs and symptoms until a progressive stage. In 2020, GLOBOCAN reported that pancreatic cancer accounts for 4.7% of all cancer deaths. Despite the availability of standard chemotherapy regimens for treatment, the survival benefits are not guaranteed because tumor cells become chemoresistant even due to the development of chemoresistance in tumor cells even with a short treatment course, where apoptosis and autophagy play critical roles.

Objective:

This review compiled essential information on the regulatory mechanisms and roles of apoptosis and autophagy in pancreatic cancer, as well as drug-like molecules that target different pathways in pancreatic cancer eradication, with an aim to provide ideas to the scientific communities in discovering novel and specific drugs to treat pancreatic cancer, specifically PDAC.

Method:

Electronic databases that were searched for research articles for this review were Scopus, Science Direct, PubMed, Springer Link, and Google Scholar. The published studies were identified and retrieved using selected keywords.

Discussion/ Conclusion:

Many small-molecule anticancer agents have been developed to regulate autophagy and apoptosis associated with pancreatic cancer treatment, where most of them target apoptosis directly through EGFR/Ras/Raf/MAPK and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways. The cancer drugs that regulate autophagy in treating cancer can be categorized into three groups: i) direct autophagy inducers (e.g., rapamycin), ii) indirect autophagy inducers (e.g., resveratrol), and iii) autophagy inhibitors. Resveratrol persuades both apoptosis and autophagy with a cytoprotective effect, while autophagy inhibitors (e.g., 3-methyladenine, chloroquine) can turn off the protective autophagic effect for therapeutic benefits. Several studies showed that autophagy inhibition resulted in a synergistic effect with chemotherapy (e.g., a combination of metformin with gemcitabine/ 5FU). Such drugs possess a unique clinical value in treating pancreatic cancer as well as other autophagy-dependent carcinomas.
Oxidative Damage by 3-nitrotyrosine in Young Adults with Obesity: Its Implication in Chronic and Contagious Diseases
Authors: Calderón-Torres Claudia Marissa , Ortiz-Reyes Ana E. , Murguía-Romero Miguel
Published: March 2022

Introduction:

Cellular damage by oxidation occurs in numerous chronic diseases, such as
obesity, type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver, etc. The oxidized compound
3-nitrotyrosine is a marker of oxidative stress and protein oxidation damage.

Objective:

The article aims to assess whether 3-nitrotyrosine levels are higher in young people with
obesity than in the same population without obesity.

Method:

Anthropometry and blood chemistry analyses were performed on 24 young Mexican
participants (18-30 years old), categorized into two groups based on their waist circumference: Withobesity
(≥ 80 cm women; ≥ 90 cm men) and without-obesity (<80 cm women; <90 cm men).
Additionally, 3-nitrotyrosine blood values were quantified by ELISA.

Results:

Except for HDL-cholesterol, the mean values of lipids increased in women and men with
obesity (p<0.05), and 3-nitrotyrosine concentration (nM/μg total protein) was higher by 60% in the
group with-obesity compared to the group without-obesity, both for women (66.21 ± 23.85 vs. 40.69 ±
16.25, p<0.05) and men (51.72 ± 20.56 vs. 30.52 ± 5.21, p<0.05).

Conclusions:

Oxidative damage measured by compound 3-nitrotyrosine was higher in the group with
obesity than in the group without obesity, which, if not controlled, could lead to a chronic oxidative
condition and thereby to a degree of cellular aging with adverse health effects.
Nanostructured Lipid Carriers for the Delivery of Natural Bioactive
Compounds
Authors: Zulfakar Mohd. Hanif , Shamsuddin Nur Amira Mohd.
Published: March 2022

Natural products contain bioactive compounds that are produced naturally via synthetic or
semisynthetic processes. These bioactive compounds play significant biological roles, especially for
growth as well as in defense mechanisms against pathogens. Bioactive compounds in natural products
have been extensively studied in recent decades for their pharmacological activities, such as anticancer,
wound healing, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative properties. However, their
pharmaceutical significance has always been hindered by their low bioavailability and instability with
variations in pH, temperature, and exposure to light. Nanotechnology paves the way for the development
of drug delivery systems by enhancing therapeutic efficacy. Nanostructured lipid carriers, a lipidbased
drug delivery system, are recently being studied to improve the biocompatibility, biodegradability,
bioavailability, solubility, permeability, and shelf life of bioactive compounds in the pharmaceutical
industry. The ideal component and preparation method for bioactive compounds in nanostructured lipid
carrier development is necessary for their physicochemical properties and therapeutic efficiency. Therefore,
this review seeks to highlight recent developments, preparation, and application of nanostructured
lipid carriers as carriers for natural bioactive compounds in improving their therapeutic potential in
drug delivery systems.
Synthesis, Molecular Docking, and 2D-QSAR Modeling of Quinoxaline
Derivatives as Potent Anticancer Agents against Triple-negative Breast
Cancer
Authors: Kaushal Tanu , Khan Sana , Fatima Kaneez , Luqman Suaib , Khan Feroz , Negi Arvind Singh
Published: March 2022

Background:

Breast carcinomas aka triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) are one of the most complex and aggressive forms of cancers in females. Recently, studies have shown that these carcinomas are resistant to hormone-targeted therapies, which makes it a priority to search for effective and potential anticancer drugs. The present study was aimed to synthesize and develop the 2D-quantitative structural activity relationship model (QSAR) of quinoxaline derivatives as a potential anticancer agent.

Methods:

Quinoxaline derivatives were designed and synthesized (8a-8i and 9a-9d) and the 2D-QSAR model against TNBC was developed using VLife MDS v4.4. The anticancer activity was investigated against the TNBC MDA-MB-231 cell line using an MTT cytotoxicity assay. Molecular docking studies along with the estimation of ADMET parameters were done, using Discovery Studio. The most potent compound was docked against the β-tubulin protein target (PDB: 4O2B), using the Autodock Vina v0.8 program.

Results:

Eleven derivatives of quinoxaline were designed and synthesized (8a-8i and 9a-9d) and a 2D-QSAR model was developed against the TNBC MDA-MB231 cell line. The regression coefficient values for the training set were (r2) 0.78 and (q2) 0.71. Further, external test set regression (pred_r2) was 0.68. Five molecular descriptors viz., energy dispersive (Epsilon3), protein-coding gene (T_T_C_6), molecular force field (MMFF_6), most hydrophobic hydrophilic distance (XA), and Zcomp Dipole were identified. After ADMET, the best analog 8a showed the best activity against the TNBC cell line. The best-predicted hit '8a' was found to bind within the active site of the β-tubulin protein target.

Conclusion:

The newly synthesized quinoxaline compounds could serve as potent leads for the development of novel anti-cancer agents against TNBC.
Recent Advances in Copper-Catalyzed Carbon Chalcogenides Cross- Coupling Reactions
Authors: Kundu Debasish , Roy Totan , Mahata Atanu
Published: March 2022

Cu-catalyzed carbon-heteroatom bond formation is a powerful tool for in the field of Organic synthesis. In past two decades numerous Cu-based catalytic systems are developed in both homogeneous and heterogenous form. Important developments were reported on Cu-based catalytic systems in the field of C-Chalcogenide cross coupling in last few decades. Where homogeneous Cu/L based catalytic systems are found to perform reactions with high selectivity, heterogeneous supported-Cu and Cu-based nanoparticles are found to perform the reactions under sustainable conditions and high recyclability of catalytic systems. This present overview mainly focuses on the recent advances and applications in this fast-growing research field with an emphasis on copper catalyzed cross-coupling generations of carbon–chalcogenide (S/Se/Te) bonds
Obesity Paradox in Atrial Fibrillation and its Relation with the New Oral
Anticoagulants
Authors: Lima Filho André Inocêncio Novaes , do Rego Barros Mariana Costa , de Barros Guimarães Alice Almeida , Celestino Sobral Filho Dário
Published: March 2022

Obesity, a chronic disease established as a global epidemic by the World Health Organization,
is considered a risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common sustained cardiac
arrhythmia, which has high morbidity and mortality. Although both obesity and AF are diseases
associated with negative outcomes, studies have shown the presence of an obesity paradox, in
which patients with a high body mass index (BMI) and AF have a better prognosis than patients
with a normal BMI. Despite the fact that the mechanisms that lead to this paradox are still uncertain,
adequate anticoagulation in obese patients seems to play an important role in reducing adverse
events in this group. In this perspective article, the authors discuss the relationship between new
oral anticoagulants (NOACs), namely, apixaban, edoxaban and rivaroxaban (factor Xa inhibitors)
and dabigatran (direct inhibitor of thrombin), and the obesity paradox, seeking to deepen the understanding
of the mechanism that leads to this paradox.
Dry Grinding Synthesis and Docking Study of Cyclopentanone-Sulfur
Containing Compounds with Anti-Proliferative Activity for HepG-2 and
A-549 Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Muhammad Zeinab A. , Farghaly Thoraya A. , Al-Hussain Sami A. , Edrees Mastoura M. , Zaki Magdi E. A. , Shabaan Sara N.
Published: March 2022

Background:

The dry grinding method is a green technique for efficient organic synthesis
with numerous advantages, such as mild reaction conditions, environmental acceptability, simple
segregation, and refinement, as well as elevated selectivity and efficiency.

Objective:

The aim of the present work is to design and synthesize cyclopentylidene-hydrazino)-
thiazole derivatives using dry grinding conditions to investigate their antitumor activity against two
cell lines, namely, HepG-2 and A-549.

Methods:

In this context, we synthesized a series of thiazole incorporated cyclopentane through hydrazone-
group and 2-cyclopentylidenehydrazine-1-carbimidic-2-ethoxy-N-aryl-2-oxoacetohydrazonic
thioanhydride under dry grinding within minutes and excellent to good yield.

Results:

All spectral data confirmed the proposed structures. In addition to antitumor activity investigations
against the two kinds of cancer cells, molecular docking studies were conducted using Macrophage
Migration Inhibitory Factor (Pdb: 4k9g) and Lysozyme C (Pdb: 2f4a), the overexpressed
proteins in the human liver cancer cell (HepG-2) and lung cancer cell lines (A-549), respectively.

Conclusion:

Two derivatives, 9b, and 9d, showed the highest antitumor activity against the two cell
lines HepG-2 and A-549. Also, docking results revealed a high energy score ranging from -7.1590 to
-5.9364 Kcal/mol with Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (Pdb: 4k9g), more than that the energy
score = -4.118 Kcal/mol of co-crystallized ligand. Moreover, the tested derivatives showed energy
score varies from -6.0802 to -4.5503 Kcal/mol against Lysozyme C (Pdb: 2f4a).
Contribution to Pharmacological Valorisation of Algerian Arctium minus
(Hill) Bernh. Subsp. Atlanticum (Pomel) Maire; Antioxidant an d
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Activities
Authors: Guettaf Sofiane , Benmerzoug Abdelmoumen , Chawki Bensouici , Çakmak Yavuz Selim , Dahamna Saliha , Baghiani Abderrahmane , Harzallah Daoud
Published: March 2022

Background:

The traditional pharmacopoeia is full of potential resources for molecules with
therapeutic effects involving the inhibition of enzymes linked to some diseases.

Objective:

This work aimed to test in vitro neuroprotective activity against Alzheimer's disease (AD)
combined with the antioxidant effect of root extracts obtained by water, water/methanol, and ethyl acetate
of the endemic Arctium minus. subsp. Atlanticum, a native of Algeria.

Methods:

The different extracts of the root of the studied plant were obtained by decoction or maceration.
The inhibitory effect of acetyl/butyrylcholinesterase (AChE/BChE) was achieved by a colorimetric
method. Similarly, the antioxidant activity was measured based on several mechanisms: 1, 1-
diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and galvinoxyl (GOR) radicals free scavenging assays, β-carotene
bleaching inhibition activity, and cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC).

Results:

In the various tests carried out, the ethyl acetate extract (EAE) possessed the most powerful
antioxidant and anticholinesterase activities compared to the other samples. The IC50 and A0.5 values of
DPPH, GOR, β-carotene, CUPRAC, anti-AChE, and anti-BChE assays were 69.45±5.49, 28.87±0.18,
121.58±16.76, 37.41±1.59, 265±21, and 240±6.3 μg / mL, respectively. Likewise, a correlation could
be deduced between the type of extract and the potent antioxidant/anticholinesterase potential.

Conclusion:

This work examines for the first time the anticholinesterase potential combined with the
antioxidant effect of Algerian Arctium minus. subsp. atlanticum. This association between the two effects
could be effective in the fight against AD, and therefore, the use of this natural resource may be
possible in combating this aspect of neurodegeneration.
Alpha-glucosidase and Alpha-amylase Inhibition Activity of Avocado Fruit
of Nepalese Origin
Authors: Adhikari Achyut , Dhakal Kamal , Shrestha Dipesh , Pokhrel Tamlal , Bhandari Devi Prasad
Published: March 2022

Background:

Diabetes has become a major health problem due to its high prevalence, morbidity,
and mortality rate. Reducing postprandial hyperglycemia has become the main target in the
treatment of diabetes mellitus. So, developing new drugs with fewer side effects has been a major priority.

Objective:

The main objective of this study is to investigate total phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant
activity, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase inhibition activity of Persea Americana Mill (avocado)
pulp and seed.

Methods:

The α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition activity were performed using substrates PNPG
and CNPG3, respectively. DPPH free radical scavenging assay was used to perform the antioxidant activity.
The total phenolic content was estimated using folin-ciocalu’s reagent. Likewise, the aluminium
trichloride method was applied to find out the total flavonoid content.

Results:

The crude methanolic extract of avocado seed revealed potent α-glucosidase inhibition activity
with an IC50 1.959±0.93μg/mL followed by the avocado pulp 308±2.36μg/mL. Similarly, the IC50 for
the α-amylase inhibition activity of avocado seed was found to be 120.3±1.382μg/mL. In addition, the
avocado pulp and seed revealed a significant antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 75.01±0.72μg/mL
and 6.445±0.62μg/mL, respectively, compared to the standard quercetin 1.525±0.5μg/mL. The total
phenolic content of avocado pulp and the seed was reported as 7.031±2.87 mg of GAE/g, and
142.96±1.589 mg of GAE/g, respectively. Similarly, the total flavonoid content of avocado pulp and
the seed was found to be 6.313±1.301 mg of QE/g and 48.696±0.110 mg of GAE/g, respectively.

Conclusions:

The avocado seed of Nepali origin was found to inhibit the digestive enzyme significantly.
These findings indicate that avocado fruit of Nepali origin has the potential to develop as an alternative
food therapy for diabetic patients. Further research is required to find out the inhibitor compounds.
A Comprehensive Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practicalities Related to Doping Agents use among Jordanians
Authors: Odeh Mohanad , Tailakh Haneen M. , Al Bawab Abdel Qader F. , Elsahoryi Nour A. , Alzoubi Karem H.
Published: March 2022

Background:

People perform sports for better health and wellbeing. However, the use of doping agents is emerging among young adults. This study investigated aspects related to doping agents.

Methods:

A reliable self-administered questionnaire (Cronbach’s alpha =0.72, Pearson's r = 0.89) was used to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practicalities related to the use of doping agents. Results for pharmacists as health care providers (HCP, n=550) were compared with non-healthcare providers (Non-HCP, n=319).

Results:

Among pharmacists, 82.9% knew the definition of doping agents vs. 72.4% of non-HCP (P<0.001). However, 36.7% of pharmacists vs. 39.6% of non-HCP incorrectly classified doping agents (P=0.02). The majority of responders (89.8%) supported having an anti-doping authority, yet, only 15% were aware of the anti-doping organizations. The majority of responders (83%) did not receive an official education related to doping agents. Enhancing physical performance was perceived as a leading driver (82.1%) to use doping agents. More than 90% of responders supported awareness in the community. The perceived best tool for awareness was social media and TV sites, as suggested by pharmacists (95.0%) and non-HCP (92.1%, P=0.312). A total of 6.1% had ever used doping agents (3.6% pharmacist vs. 9.8% non-HCP, P<0.001). Almost half of the users utilized a diet or medication to counteract the side effects of doping agents. Within pharmacists, males received more requests to provide doping agents (41.9%) compared with females (23.8%, P<0.001).

Conclusion:

It is crucial to enhance professional and legal knowledge and public awareness about doping agents, not only for non-HCP but also for HCPs. Applying more restrictions on doping agents is strongly recommended.
Technology in the Era of COVID-19: A Systematic Review of Current
Evidence
Authors: Mehraeen Esmaeil , Mehrtak Mohammad , SeyedAlinaghi SeyedAhmad , Nazeri Zahra , Afsahi Amir Masoud , Behnezhad Farzane , Vahedi Farzin , Barzegary Alireza , Karimi Amirali , Mehrabi Nahid , Dadras Omid , Jahanfar Shayesteh
Published: March 2022

Background:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of technology-based services has
been incremental by the care providers for patients scheduling, regulatory considerations, resource
allocation, thus enabling virus exposure prevention while maintaining effective patient care. This study
aims to review the currently available evidence to identify available technology solutions in the era of
COVID-19.

Methods:

A systematic review in July 2020 using the PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Science Direct, and
Web of Science databases has been carried out. After evaluating the title and abstract to select the most
relevant studies based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, the selected articles underwent quality assessment.
The full text of selected articles was then thoroughly evaluated to extract the essential findings.

Results:

In this study, 20 technology-based approaches have been identified for provision of healthcare
services to patients with COVID-19. These methods included telemedicine, virtual visits, e-consult,
tele-consulting, video conference, virtual healthcare, mobile-based self-care, social media, tele ICU,
3D printing technology, telemonitoring, teleradiology, telesurgical, and cloud-based service.

Conclusion:

Due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus, the use of technology-based methods for the
provision of remote healthcare services can help control the disease. The effectiveness of each of these
approaches can be investigated in future research.
The Protective Effect of Vitexin Compound B-1 on Rat Cerebral I/R
Injury through a Mechanism Involving Modulation of miR-92b/NOX4
Pathway
Authors: Luo Xiu-Ju , Peng Jun , Hu Zhong-Yang , Yang Zhong-Bao , Zhang Ruxu
Published: March 2022

Background:

Recent studies have uncovered that vitexin compound B-1 (VB-1) can protect
neurons against hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced oxidative injury through suppressing NOX4
expression.

Objective:

The aims of this study are to investigate whether VB-1 can protect the rat brain against ischemia/
reperfusion (I/R) injury and whether its effect on NOX4 expression is related to modulation of
certain miRNAs expression.

Methods:

Rats were subjected to 2 h of cerebral ischemia followed by 24 h of reperfusion to establish
an I/R injury model, which showed an increase in neurological deficit score and infarct volume concomitant
with an upregulation of NOX4 expression, increase in NOX activity, and downregulation of
miR-92b.

Results:

Administration of VB-1 reduced I/R cerebral injury accompanied by a reverse in NOX4 and
miR-92b expression. Similar results were achieved in a neuron H/R injury model. Next, we evaluated
the association of miR-92b with NOX4 by its mimics in the H/R model. H/R treatment increased neurons
apoptosis concomitant with an upregulation of NOX4 and NOX activity while downregulation of
miR-92b. All these effects were reversed in the presence of miR-92b mimics, confirming the function
of miR-92b in suppressing NOX4 expression.

Conclusion:

We conclude the protective effect of VB-1 against rat cerebral I/R injury through a
mechanism involving modulation of miR-92b/NOX4 pathway.
Searching for a Link between Bone Decay and Diabetes Type 2
Authors: Isacco Ciro G. , Nguyen Kieu C.D. , Pham Van H. , Di Palma Gianna , Aityan Sergey K. , Tomassone Diego , Distratis Pietro , Lazzaro Rita , Balzanelli Mario G. , Inchingolo Francesco
Published: March 2022

The current commentary describes the possible existing link between metabolic diseases such as diabetes type 2 and the degenerative patterns of bones via the molecular mechanism that inhibits the mesenchymal stem cells’ differentiation into osteoblasts and osteocytes.
Swiftly Evolving CRISPR Genome Editing: A Revolution in Genetic Engineering
for Developing Stress-Resilient Crops
Authors: Nejat Naghmeh , Han Yong , Zhang Xiao-Qi , He Tianhua , Wang Penghao , Li Chengdao
Published: March 2022

Environmental stresses adversely impact crop production, crop quality, and product safety.
Climate change is predicted to exacerbate the impacts of stresses on current cropping systems
with multilateral impacts on crop productivity and yield, biodiversity, soil fertility, microbial activity,
and carbon sequestration. Transforming crop production systems and developing stress and climate-
resilient crops are paramount to alleviate pervasive food and nutrition security and food safety
issues and achieve a world free from hunger and malnutrition. Modern breeding techniques have
been the key to transforming crop production systems and developing stress- and climate-resilient
crops. As a rapidly evolving technology, the Nobel Prize-winning CRISPR method is a leading
choice for genome editing and a possible major contributor to solving environmental and food insecurity
issues. Here, a background on the stressors with far-reaching impacts on food security has
been provided, and the principles and advances in classical genome editing (CRISPR/Cas9) that
generate DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) have been reviewed. Base editing and prime editing
platforms, which are DSB- and template-free, enabling targeted base substitutions, have been discussed.
The application of such tools for trait improvement has been evaluated to develop stressresilient
crops and high-throughput mutant libraries. Recent developments in the regulatory landscape
for genome-edited crops in various countries have been examined. Finally, the challenges and
future perspectives toward crop improvement have been highlighted.
Functional Role of Natural Antioxidants in Controlling Oxidative Stress
Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: Parasuraman Subramani , Vedam Venkata Kanthi Vaishnavi , Uppugunduri Chakradhara Rao S.
Published: March 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a pathogenic coronavirus
that emerged in late 2019, resulting in coronavirus disease (COVID-19). COVID-19 can be potentially
fatal among a certain group of patients. Older age and underlying medical illness are the major risk factors
for COVID-19-related fatal respiratory dysfunction. The reason for the pathogenicity of COVID-19
in the older age group remains unclear. Factors, such as coagulopathy, cytokine storm, metabolic disruption,
and impaired T cell function, may worsen the symptoms of the disease. Recent literature has indicated
that viral infections are particularly associated with a high degree of oxidative stress and an imbalance
of antioxidant response. Although pharmacological management has taken its place in reducing the severity
of COVID-19, the antioxidants can serve as an adjunct therapy to protect an individual from oxidative
damage triggered by SARS-CoV-2 infection. In general, antioxidant enzymes counteract free radicals and
prevent their formation. The exact functional role of antioxidant supplements in reducing disease symptoms
of SARS-CoV-2 infection remains mostly unknown. In this review, the functional role of natural
antioxidants in SARS-CoV-2 infection management is discussed in brief.
Development of a Blended Learning Approach to Delivering HIV-Assisted Contact Tracing in Malawi: Applied Theory and Formative Research
Authors: Rosenberg Nora Ellen , Tembo Tapiwa A , Simon Katherine R , Mollan Katie , Rutstein Sarah E , Mwapasa Victor , Masiano Steven , Huffstetler Hanna E , Go Vivian , Kim Maria H
Published: March 2022

Background

Despite progress toward the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS “95-95-95” targets (95% of HIV-positive persons tested, 95% of tested persons on treatment, and 95% of treated persons virally suppressed), a gap remains in achieving the first 95% target. Assisted contact tracing (ACT), in which health workers support HIV-positive index clients to recruit their contacts (sexual partners and children) for HIV testing, efficiently identifies HIV-positive persons in need of treatment. Although many countries, including Malawi, began implementing ACT, testing outcomes in routine settings have been worse than those in trial settings.

Objective

The aim of this paper is to use formative research and frameworks to develop and digitize an implementation package to bridge the gap between ACT research and practice.

Methods

Semistructured qualitative research was conducted in 2019 in Malawi with key informants. Barriers and facilitators to intervention delivery were identified using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Approaches to digitization were examined using human-centered design principles.

Results

Limited clinic coordination and health worker capacity to address the complexities of ACT were identified as barriers. Ongoing individual training consisting of learning, observing, practicing, and receiving feedback, as well as group problem-solving were identified as facilitators. Important features of digitization included (1) culturally relevant visual content, (2) capability of offline use, and (3) simple designs and basic editing to keep costs low.

Conclusions

Formative research and frameworks played a key role in designing and digitizing an implementation package for ACT delivery in a low-income setting such as Malawi.
Value Cocreation in Health Care: Systematic Review
Authors: Peng Yuxin , Wu Tailai , Chen Zhuo , Deng Zhaohua
Published: March 2022

Background

Value cocreation in health care (VCCH), mainly based on service-dominant logic, emphasizes that participants, including both patients and physicians, can effectively enroll in the health care value creation process. Effective VCCH is of great significance for realizing value-based health care and improving doctor-patient relationships. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of VCCH is critical. However, the current literature on VCCH is fragmented and not well studied.

Objective

The goal of the research is to investigate the antecedents, consequences, and dimensions of VCCH by systematically searching, selecting, summarizing, and evaluating relevant literature.

Methods

English-language articles on VCCH in the Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus databases published from January 2008 to December 2019 were identified. The articles were screened using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol, and the quality of studies included were appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool.

Results

Out of the 181 publications initially identified through the bibliographic searches, 28 publications met the inclusion criteria. This review summarizes antecedents, consequences, and dimensions of VCCH, as well as possible associations among them. An integrative framework is also proposed for mapping the literature of VCCH grounded on social cognitive theory to reveal the whole process of VCCH.

Conclusions

The findings of this systematic review provide implications for continued development of VCCH and contribute to inspire more research in the future.
GoFundMe as a Medical Plan: Ecological Study of Crowdfunding Insulin Success
Authors: Blanchette Julia E , Tran MJ , Grigorian Ernest G , Iacob Eli , Edelman Linda S , Oser Tamara K , Litchman Michelle L
Published: March 2022

Background

Individuals in need of medical care turn to crowdfunding websites to engage a “crowd” or group for financial support. In the last decade, access to insulin has decreased considerably for several reasons, including the rising cost of insulin, increasing popularity of high-deductible insurance plans, and increasing insurance premiums. Many people with diabetes are forced to ration or go without insulin, and they turn to crowdfunding websites to seek financial donations to purchase insulin needed to reduce health risks and mortality, and sustain quality of life. 

Objective

This study aimed to explore crowdfunding campaign requests to purchase insulin in the United States.

Methods

In this retrospective, quantitative, and qualitative study, we coded the text of GoFundMe online crowdfunding campaigns and viral measures (shares, hearts, and comments) from February 25 to April 15, 2019. We described campaigns (N=205) and explored the factors associated with campaign success using correlations and qualitative thematic analysis.

Results

The majority of campaigns were initiated by middle-aged adults (age 26-64 years; 77/205, 37.6%), those with type 1 diabetes (94/205, 45.9%), and those needing funds owing to insurance coverage issues (125/205, 61.0%). The factors associated with campaign success included requests for ≤US $500 (P=.007) and higher viral measures (shares, P=.007; hearts, P<.001; comments, P=.002). The following 4 themes emerged from the campaign text: (1) desire for self-management and survival, (2) diabetes management untenable given insulin access, (3) aftermath of insulin unaffordability, and (4) privacy issues with crowdfunding. Campaign comments were both supportive (tangible, informational, and emotional) and unsupportive (questioned the need for the campaign and deemed crowdfunding inappropriate).

Conclusions

Despite crowdfunding websites being used to support the purchase of insulin, campaigns raised only a fraction of the money requested. Therefore, GoFundMe campaigns are not a reliable solution to obtain funds for insulin in the United States. Applying quantitative and qualitative methods is adequate to analyze online crowdfunding for costs of medications such as insulin. However, it is critical for people with diabetes to use resources other than online crowdfunding to access and obtain insulin owing to low success rates. Clinicians should routinely assess difficulty accessing or affording insulin, and federal health care policies should support lowering the cost of insulin.
NGS Diagnosis for Patients with Inherited Diseases: AI-Assisted Variant Prioritization (Preprint)
Authors: Hsu Ching , Huang Yu-Shan , Chune Yu-Chang , Lee Ni-Chung , Lai Feipei
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND

In recent years, thanks to the rapid development of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, an entire human genome can be sequenced in a short period of time. Therefore, NGS technology is being widely introduced into clinical diagnosis practice, especially with those diagnosis of hereditary disorders. Processing the DNA sequence data of a patient requires multiple tools and complex bioinformatics pipelines, and the exome data of single nucleotide variant (SNVs) will be generated.

OBJECTIVE

To assist physicians to interpret the genetic variation information generated by NGS in a short period of time

METHODS

We constructed a machine learning model for disease causing variants prediction in exome data. In our research, we collected sequencing data from whole exome sequencing and gene panel as training set. Then we integrated variant annotations from multiple genetic databases for model training. The model we built will rank SNVs and output the most possible disease-causing candidates. For model testing, we collected whole exome sequencing data from 108 patients with rare genetic disorders in National Taiwan University Hospital. We applied sequencing data and phenotypic information automatically extracted by keyword extraction tool from patient's electronic medical records into our machine learning model.

RESULTS

we succeed in 92.6% of the cases to locate the causative variant in the top 10 ranking list of average 741 candidate variants per person after filtering.

CONCLUSIONS

The model ranks the same as manual performance, and it has been to use to help clinical diagnosis with genetic diseases.
Eating disorders may increase Covid-19 severity (Preprint)
Authors: Biscoe Natasha , Riva Silvia
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND

The Covid-19 pandemic has mobilised a concerted research effort to identify biological, so-cio-demographic, and behavioural factors which may increase the risk of infection, and se-verity of the disease. Whilst much research has explored physical health factors which may affect these risks, the effects of mental health and attitudes have been less fully investigat-ed.

OBJECTIVE

The current study is one of the first to investigate possible associations between optimism bias, mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions, and Covid-19 severity. A second aim of the present study was to illuminate any observed relationships by exploring the sub-jective experiences of being ill with Covid-19 of individuals with these disorders.

METHODS

A convenience sample of 400 adults (210M; aged 18-64, M = 33.32, SD = 11.79) who had tested positive for Covid-19 completed a survey that asked them whether they had any mental health or developmental disorders. They were also asked questions about how likely they had thought it was they would become ill (optimism bias) and a free-response item about their experience of having Covid-19. Sentiment analysis coded these responses as negative, neutral, or positive.

RESULTS

Multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that having an eating disorder (χ2 = 5.86, p < 0.001) and having a higher optimism bias (χ2 = 4.65, p < 0.001) increased the odds of being hospitalised with Covid-19 (a proxy for severity). Sentiment analysis indicated that having autism decreased the likelihood of having a negative sentiment towards being ill (χ2 = -632.46, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Supplemented by future research with a larger sample size and more targeted qualitative analysis, these findings may inform public health messaging and care provision for individu-als with these disorders in pandemic or health contexts.
Language Learning Strategies Employed by Yemeni EFL Learners in Developing Their Spoken English: A Case Study of Aden University EFL Learners
Authors: Ahmed Sabri Thabit Saleh
Published: March 2022

Language learning is not a spoon-fed process in which learners get everything from their teachers. It is a student-centered process in which learners should play active roles and employ various learning strategies that help them enhance their target foreign language. For this reason, this study was designed to investigate the language learning strategies employed by the Yemeni EFL learners in developing their spoken English. Data were collected through a questionnaire that targeted 120 fourth-year EFL students of three faculties of Aden University. The results showed that the majority of the concerned students do not make a balance among their language learning strategies and they depend heavily on memory strategies. A correlation was found between students’ spoken English proficiency and the learning strategies they use in developing their spoken English in the favor of the students who make use of various types of language learning strategies. As per these findings, this study recommends Yemeni EFL learners to employ various effective language learning strategies to enhance their spoken English and not to limit their spoken English development to memory strategies. It also recommends Yemeni EFL teachers to guide their students to the effective language learning strategies that help them enhance their English.
La interpretación modal-hamiltoniana y la naturaleza relacional del tiempo
Authors: Pasqualini Matías , Fortin Sebastian
Published: March 2022

La interpretación modal-hamiltoniana fue introducida para resolver ciertos problemas de interpretación vinculados a su ontología y a la medición cuántica. Su regla de actualización establece que todo sistema cerrado tiene su energía bien definida, y debido a la indeterminación entre la energía y el tiempo esto plantea un interrogante respecto a la situación temporal de estos sistemas. En este trabajo se analiza el problema del tiempo en sistemas cerrados y se propone la reconstrucción de un tiempo relacional compatible con la perspectiva holista.
Impacto de la instrumentación de la reforma educativa de 1995 en la educación media tecnológica
Authors: Torres Lima Pablo , Granados Piñón Teresa
Published: March 2022

El trabajo presenta un estudio de caso enfocado a conocer el impacto de la instrumentación del modelo curricular de educación tecnológica de 1995, diseñado a partir de la reforma educativa en educación secundaria de 1993 en México. El estudio incluyó el análisis de 27 docentes y 390 alumnos de cuatro actividades tecnológicas: Agricultura, Apicultura, Ganadería y Conservación e Industrialización de Alimentos, de las tres Escuelas Secundarias Técnicas Agropecuarias que existen en el Distrito Federal. Se valoró su comprensión, conocimiento y operación del modelo y de los cambios curriculares, así como su posible contribución al mejoramiento de los procesos formativos dentro del área tecnológica. Asimismo, se evaluaron los insumos escolares que repercuten en el rendimiento de los alumnos y en la ejecución adecuada del modelo. Se aplicaron cuestionarios y entrevistas durante 2005 y 2006. Los resultados indican que docentes y alumnos se han apropiado de elementos metodológicos, conceptuales y pedagógicos, se han adaptado a la falta de algunos insumos escolares y han establecido diversas estrategias educativas durante el cambio curricular.
Nivel de escritura en alumnos de primer grado, de estrato sociocultural bajo
Authors: Guevara Benítez Yolanda , López Hernández Alfredo , García Vargas Gustavo , Delgado S. Ulises , Hermosillo García Ángela
Published: March 2022

El presente reporte da cuenta del proceso de desarrollo y el nivel de eficiencia que logran en sus habilidades de escritura los alumnos de primer grado de primaria, pertenecientes a escuelas públicas mexicanas, de estrato sociocultural bajo. Se evaluó a 165 alumnos a lo largo del ciclo escolar 2004-2005. Se caracterizan las habilidades de copia, dictado, composición y comprensión que los alumnos logran en diferentes momentos de su primer ciclo de educación formal y se relacionan con los niveles preacadémicos y lingüísticos mostrados por ellos al iniciar el curso. Se discuten los resultados y se hacen propuestas que pueden favorecer el desarrollo de la alfabetización en niños de estrato sociocultural bajo, tomando en cuenta los planteamientos de la psicología educativa y las investigaciones en el campo.
La inserción de las mujeres en las carreras de ingeniería y tecnología
Authors: Razo Godínez Martha Laura
Published: March 2022

En México se ha observado un aumento importante de la matrícula femenina en la educación superior, aun en aquellas carreras consideradas tradicionalmente como “masculinas”. El presente artículo inicia con una breve referencia a las recomendaciones de organismos internacionales y de políticas nacionales para fomentar el ingreso de las mujeres a la educación superior. En su segunda parte pretende mostrar cómo en el ámbito nacional, y sólo para el caso de licenciatura, en una área típicamente masculina, la de ingeniería y tecnología, la irrupción de las mujeres ha sido en los últimos veinticinco años la más elevada en compara- ción con las otras áreas y las carreras de mayor preferencia femenina. Un tercer objetivo es dar cuenta de las diferencias de crecimiento por entidad federativa a partir de dos variantes: la preferencia y la participación.
Propuesta de formación permanente del profesorado de Educación Física sobre deportes de invasión
Authors: González Víllora Sixto , Gil Madrona Pedro , Contreras Jordán Onofre R. , Pastor Vicedo Juan C.
Published: March 2022

El modelo técnico de enseñanza de los deportes ha quedado obsoleto. Consideramos que existe una gran carencia, pues al igual que en el modelo tradicional donde todo está perfectamente estructurado, en los modelos alternativos todavía no hay un amplio abanico de juegos para el desarrollo integral del niño en el aprendizaje de los deportes. Por ello el texto presenta la experiencia y sus reflexiones de un grupo de maestros y profesores del área de Educación Física de Educación Primaria, y Secundaria, en diferentes instituciones educativas de Castilla-La Mancha y de la misma Universidad de Castilla-la Mancha que mediante un seminario de investigación-acción elaboró un diseño de juegos modificados y lo aplicó para mejorar el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje en juegos y deportes de invasión.
Los constructivismos y sus implicaciones para la educación
Authors: Hernández Rojas Gerardo
Published: March 2022

Dentro de la actual oleada constructivista en psicología y en psicología de la educación, se analizan siete propuestas constructivistas y sus posibilidades educativas. Se hace una breve descripción de cada una de ellas, analizando cuál es el foco principal de su explicación constructiva; se discute en relación con sus perspectivas epistemológicas y ontológicas y se hace una caracterización de sus principales implicaciones y aportaciones educativas. Para finalizar, se establecen algunas semejanzas y diferencias entre las posturas cons- tructivistas y se proponen algunos criterios para su clasificación.
Identificación de tipologías de actitud hacia las matemáticas en estudiantes de séptimo y octavo grados de educación primaria
Authors: Cárdenas Mansilla Claudio Sebastián
Published: March 2022

Este trabajo presenta los resultados del estudio de actitudes hacia las matemáticas, aplicado a los alumnos de séptimo y octavo básico de las escuelas de la comuna de Puqueldón, Chiloé, con el objeto de identificar tipologías o cluster de alumnos respecto a la actitud hacia la ciencia matemática. La medición de actitudes se realizó merced a un cuestionario de afirmaciones y preguntas, utilizando una escala tipo Likert. La segmentación estadística se realizó mediante análisis cluster , la validación y evaluación de la solución cluster, en función de la variable nota promedio, mediante el anova no paramétrico de Kruskal-Wallis y comparación múltiple de promedios mediante la prueba de Duncan, con significancía P< 0.05 corregida según el método de Bonferroni.
educación superior en México desde la mirada de la revista Perfiles Educativos
Authors: Osorio Madrid Raúl
Published: March 2022

Se presentan los resultados de un estudio bibliométrico aplicado a la Revista Perfiles Educativos. El objeto de estudio son las publicaciones sobre la Educación Superior (ES) en México en el periodo 1996 a 2006. La metodología seleccionada es la sociometría documental, la cual es la versión cualitativa de los estudios bibliométricos y se orienta al análisis de las publicaciones científicas así como a la estructura social de los grupos que producen el conocimiento. Se identificaron en dicho periodo 64 artículos y 54 autores, lo cual da un promedio de 1.4 artículos por autor. Las relaciones de colaboración entre los autores son escasas ya que más del 80% de las publicaciones son de autoría individual. El conocimiento difundido en esta revista por los autores se concentra en pocos temas de interés, y la metodología empleada en los estudios es predominantemente documental.
PENGARUH FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY TERHADAP PENDAPATAN USAHA KECIL DAN MENENGAH DI DESA LANDUNGSARI KECAMATAN DAU KABUPATEN MALANG
Authors: Nurvenia Nurvenia , Abdullah Mohammad Faisal
Published: March 2022

This study aims to find out the Effect of Financial Tehnology on Small BusinessIncome. The  type of data used in this study is a type of Primary data that is qualitative and quantitative. Sampling techniques      using  purposive sampling  techniques  with  a total of    50  respondents.   The  data  analysis technique used  is the Multiple Linear  Regression  method.  The results in  this   study  are   partially    Digital Payments positively  and  significantly affect the income  of  small  businesses  in the village of Landungsari  Subdistrict  Dau  Malang,    Financial Management  has a  positive  and  significant effect on the income  of  small  businesses  in  the village  landungsari  Subdistrict Dau  Malang. Then simultaneously, Digital Payments and Financial Management  has  positively and  significantly  affect the income  of  small  businesses  in the village  of Landungsari Subdistrict  Dau Malang.
An updated ethnobotany, phytochemical and pharmacological potential of Solanum indicum L.
Authors: Iqubal Murteza , Sharma Satish Kumar Sharma , Hussain Md. Sarfaraj , Mujahid Mohd
Published: March 2022

Solanum indicum L. (Family Solanaceae), also known as poison berry in English, is a thorny, heavily branched perennial under shrub that can grow up to 1 metre in height and reach heights of up to 1 metre in height. This wonderful medicinal plant is extensively used in folk and traditional Indian systems of medicine to treat toxic affections, skin problems, ulcers, difficulties breathing, stomach aches, coughing, and dyspepsia, among other conditions. It is native to India and can be found throughout the country, primarily in warmer climates up to an elevation of 1500 metres. It is a well-known Indian medicinal plant that has been utilised extensively in the Ayurvedic system of medicine of treatment for many years in various ailments. It is a key component of the dasamoola group of plants' composition. Solasodine, Solasonine, Solamargine, Solanidine, and Solanine are some of the active steroidal alkaloids/glycoalkaloids found in S. indicum. The presence of various phytoconstituents in the plant has been documented, including steroidal saponins, sesquiterpenoids, hydroxycoumarins, phenolic compounds, coumarins, coumarinolignoids alkaloids, saponin, fatty acids, glycerides of the oil, and triterpenes, among other substances. Various pharmacological effects of the plant, including antibacterial, antioxidant, anthelmintic, antiplasmodial, hepatoprotective, anticancer, laxative, cardiotonic activity, CNS depressant and anti-hypertensive, hepatoprotective qualities, have been discovered in the plant. So, the aim of the present review is to provide comprehensive information from recognized sources on the ethnobotany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological efficacy and of the medicinal plant, S. indicum. These reports are very encouraging and indicate that herb should be studied more extensively for its therapeutic benefits. Clinical trials using Solanum for a variety of combinations in different formulations should also be conducted.

Keywords: Solanum indicum, Solanaceae, ethnobotany, phytochemistry, phytopharmacology.