bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aportes para una traducción regional de la categoría de régimen de bienestar. Una mirada desde el caso argentino
Authors: Paura Vilma , Zibecchi Carla
Published: February 2021

La categoría de régimen de bienestar ha sido aplicada con aportes críticos para estudiar los esquemas de protección en los países de América Latina. En el artículo se recuperan los debates que marcaron una primera etapa de movilización de la categoría en el contexto europeo y la traducción que se hizo desde espacios de investigación de los países latinoamericanos para el estudio de los casos propios. Se problematiza cómo la perspectiva de los regímenes de bienestar y las herramientas conceptuales vinculadasfueron adaptadas para proponer análisis regionales y locales sobre América Latina. A partir de una consideración sobre cómo fue leído el caso argentino, se plantea una discusión con las tradiciones que han caracterizado a los regímenes de la región como «híbridos», «incompletos» o «embrionarios», y se proponen algunos vectores posibles para una actualización crítica de esas lecturas. El trabajo de revisión teórica se apoya en el reconocimiento.
Pragmatic Dominants of the Regional Menu Text
Authors: Belozerova Natalia N. , ISAKOVA Anna A.
Published: February 2021

This article examines restaurant menus as one of the components of the restaurant discourse. Any menu provides a great material for studying the linguistic and cultural features of discourse participants and the specifics of the language landscape in the city. Two restaurant menus in France (of the restaurant “La Tartine” in Albi) and in Russia (of the restaurant “Chum” in Tyumen) are considered with the aim of searching pragmatic dominants in this type of text.
The research is based upon contextual, structural, semantic, and functional analysis of the main menu, children’s menu, and business lunch menu, among others, using the cognitive-pragmatic and linguistic and cultural approaches. Having taken into account the linguistic properties, the authors developed the structural scheme of a modern restaurant.
The authors came to the conclusion that the semantics of dish names directly depends on the historical and cultural context, the elements of which often play the role of attractors and perform a pragmatic function. The regional component, revealed both in the composition of the dish and in its name, comes as a pragmatic dominant, influencing the consumer both implicitly (“La Tartine”) and explicitly (“Chum”). Any menu text has three main functions: informative. pragmatic, and communicative. Hybridity seems to be an integral feature of the text of the regional menu due to the ongoing cultural integration, which is reflected, among other things, in the nomination of dishes. The structure of any menu is subordinated to its pragmatic function (a strict structure for the main menu, simplified for a business lunch menu). The name of the dish comes as an attractor; the ingredients of the dish could be regarded as semantic components. Therefore, they can be considered as the general pragmatic dominant for regional restaurants both in France and Russia.
Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion of Aprocitentan, a Dual Endothelin Receptor Antagonist, in Humans
Authors: Sidharta Patricia N. , Fischer Hartmut , Dingemanse Jasper
Published: February 2021

Background:

Aprocitentan is an orally active, dual endothelin receptor antagonist that may offer a
new therapeutic option for the treatment of difficult-to-control hypertension.

Objective:

To investigate safety, tolerability, mass balance, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion
of aprocitentan.

Methods:

In this single-center, open-label study, a single oral dose of 25 mg containing 3.7 MBq of 14C-radiolabeled
aprocitentan was administered to 6 healthy male subjects. Metabolites were identified using mass spectrometry
and, where possible, confirmed and quantified with reference compounds.

Results:

Aprocitentan was well tolerated and there were no clinically significant findings for any safety variable.
The geometric mean cumulative recovery of radioactivity from urine and feces over 14 days was 77% of
the administered radioactive dose, with 52.1% cumulative recovery from urine and 24.8% from feces. Concentrations
of total radioactivity in whole blood were markedly lower compared to plasma. In plasma, 94.3% of total
radioactivity was aprocitentan. In urine and feces, 5 and 2, respectively (in feces one being aprocitentan)
main products were identified. Metabolism data of aprocitentan identified two main elimination pathways, glucosidation
to M3 and hydrolysis to M1, representing approximately 25% and 32% of the radioactive dose, respectively.

Conclusions:

Based on these metabolism data, aprocitentan can be concomitantly administered without dose adjustment
with drugs that are inhibitors or inducers of any metabolizing enzyme, specifically cytochrome P450
enzymes.
Cholangiocarcinoma Therapeutics: An Update
Authors: Nguyen Mai Ly Thi , Toan Nguyen Linh , Bozko Maria , Bui Khac Cuong , Bozko Przemyslaw
Published: February 2021

Background:

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second most common hepatobiliary
cancer and associated with a poor prognosis. Only one-third of CCA cases are diagnosed at operable
stages. However, a high rate of relapse has been observed postoperatively. Besides screening
for operable individuals, efficacious therapeutic for recurrent and advanced CCA is urgently needed.
The treatment outcome of available therapeutics is important to clarify clinical indication and
facilitate the development of treatment strategies.

Objective:

This review aims to compare the treatment outcome of different therapeutics based on
both overall survival and progression-free survival.

Methods:

Over one hundred peer-reviewed articles were examined. We compared the treatment
outcome between different treatment methods, including tumor resection with or without postoperative
systematic therapy, chemotherapies including FOFLOX, and targeted therapies, such as IDH1,
K-RAS, and FGFR inhibitors. Notably, the scientific basis and outcome of available treatment
methods were compared with the standard first-line therapy.

Results:

CCAs at early stages should firstly undergo tumor resection surgery, followed by postoperative
treatment with Capecitabine. Chemotherapy can be considered as a preoperative option for unresectable
CCAs. Inoperable CCAs with genetic aberrances like FGFR alterations, IDH1, and KRAS
mutations should be considered with targeted therapies. Fluoropyrimidine prodrug
(S-1)/Gemcitabine/Cisplatin and nab-Paclitaxel/Gemcitabine/Cisplatin show favorable outcome
which hints at the triplet regimen to be superior to Gemcitabine/Cisplatin on CCA. The triplet chemotherapeutic
should be tested further compared to Gemcitabine/Cisplatin among CCAs without
genetic alterations. Gemcitabine plus S-1 was recently suggested as the convenient and equivalent
standard first-line for advanced/recurrent biliary tract cancer.

Conclusions:

This review provides a comparative outcome between novel targeted therapies and
currently available therapeutics.
Acetogenins Exhibit Potential BCL-XL Inhibitor for the Induction of Apoptosis in the Molecular Docking Study
Authors: Nordin Noraziah , Khimani Kaynat , Abd Ghani Mohd Faiz
Published: February 2021

Background:

Anti-apoptotic protein BCL-XL plays a vital role in tumorigenesis and
cancer chemotherapy resistance, resulting in a good target for cancer treatment. Understanding the
function of BCL-XL has driven the progression of a new class of cancer drugs that can mimic its
natural inhibitors, BH3-only proteins, to trigger apoptosis. This mimicking is initiated through acetogenins
due to their excellent biological properties. Acetogenins, which can be isolated from Annonaceae
plants, have a unique structure along with several oxygenated functionalities.

Objective:

Based on their biological capability, various acetogenins were studied in the present
study and compared alongside ABT-737 on molecular docking.

Methods:

The docking simulation of acetogenins was performed using AutoDock Vina software.

Results:

Our findings have shown eleven acetogenins-BCL-XL protein complex, namely, muricin
B (2), muricin F (4), muricin H (6), muricin I (7), xylomaticin (9), annomontacin (12), annonacin
(14), squamocin (15), squamostatin A (16), bullatacin (20) and annoreticulin (21) exhibited strong
binding affinities lower than – 10.4 kcalmol-1 as compared to ABT-373-BCL-XL complex. Six hydrogen
bonds along with hydrophobic interaction were detected on the complex of BCL-XL with
muricin B (2), muricin G (5), corossolone (11), and isoannonacin-10-one A (18).

Conclusion:

These findings indicated that some acetogenins could represent a new potential BCLXL
inhibitor that could mimic the BH3-only protein for the induction of apoptosis in cancer chemotherapy.
Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Markers of Cordocentesis Blood in Response to Fetal Anemia
Authors: Tongprasert Fuanglada , Kumfu Sirinart , Chattipakorn Nipon , Tongsong Theera
Published: February 2021

Background:

Hypothetically, fetal anemic hypoxia causes cellular damage with an increase in oxidative stress levels. This study, using hemoglobin (Hb) Bart’s disease as a study model, aims to compare the levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory markers as well as fetal hemodynamics in anemic fetuses with those of non-anemic fetuses.

Materials and Methods:

Forty pregnancies at risk of fetal Hb Bart’s disease scheduled for cordocentesis at 18 to 22 weeks were recruited into the study. Fetal blood was collected to measure the levels of 8-Isoprostane (8-Isop), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and hemoglobin as well as for hemoglobin typing.

Results:

There was no significant difference in cord blood 8-Isop, TNF-α, and IL-10 levels between the Hb Bart’s disease group and the unaffected group, whereas several hemodynamic parameters, such as cardiac output, cardiac size, cardiac performance, middle cerebral artery – peak systolic velocity, etc., were significantly changed in the fetal Hb Bart’s group. In the subgroup analysis, the level of serum 8-Isop in the severe anemia group tended to increase, though not significantly, compared with the non-anemic group (275.3±141.8 vs 203.9±49.2 pg/mL; p=0.079).

Conclusions:

In response to anemia, fetuses might have a high capacity of hemodynamic adaptation without significant cellular damage, though a trend of an increase in oxidative stress marker was found in severe fetal anemia. Theoretically, intrauterine blood transfusion for fetal anemia during adaptive compensation may result in no residual insults.
Cancer Stem Cells: Current Status and Therapeutic Implications in Cancer Therapy-A New Paradigm
Authors: Ray Suman Kumar , Mukherjee Sukhes
Published: February 2021

Recent evidence confirms that not each tumor cell is proficient in instigating a tumor.
Merely a small part of the cancer cells, so-called cancer stem cells (CSCs), can produce cancer indistinguishable
from the first one. CSC model has been recognized as a cellular component that adds to
phenotypic and functional heterogeneity in different cancers. The latest explanations have featured
numerous complexities and difficulties like CSC phenotype that can differ extensively between patients.
Tumors may harbor various phenotypically or genetically specific CSCs, and consequently,
metastatic CSCs can develop from vital CSCs and tumor cells. Scientists have discovered a few markers
for CSCs. The recent finding reveals that CSCs are resistant to radiotherapy and chemotherapy and
may clarify the disease's reappearance. Minimal amounts of CSCs can repopulate a tumor. Subsequently,
it is essential to understand the attributes and mechanisms by which CSCs show their resistance
to therapeutic agents. These aptitudes contribute to new bits of knowledge that give better
therapeutic motivations to discover novel anticancer therapeutics. Accordingly, remedial procedures
that emphasize focusing on CSCs and their microenvironmental niche are insufficient for conventional
malignant growth treatments to eradicate the CSCs that, in any case, bring about therapy resistance.
Mutual utilization of traditional therapies with CSC- specific agents may offer a promising technique
for enduring cancer treatment as well as remedy.
The Involvement of Histone Methylation in the Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Zhao Lingyi , Yin Bei , Ma Qingge , Shi Yu , Wang Chenglin , Ye Ling
Published: February 2021

Bone is a hard but dynamic organ that is constantly remodeled throughout the life process.
The dynamic balance between bone resorption and bone formation is very important. Mesenchymal
stem cells (MSCs) have self-renewal and pluripotent differentiation; therefore, their roles as the promising
tool for the treatment of osteoporosis and other diseases have become the focus in regenerative
medicine in recent years. Over the past years, histone methylation has been recognized as a major
player in the regulation of osteogenic differentiation of MSC. In this review, we highlight the recent
research progress of histone methylation modification and its possible involvement in MSC osteogenesis.
Synthesis, Characterization and Biological Evaluation of Indole-Pyrazole Amalgamated α-Cyano Substituted Chalcones
Authors: Bhale Pravin S. , Shringare Sadanand N. , Khade Amol B. , Chavan Hemant V.
Published: February 2021

Background:

Indole and pyrazole constitute a major class of biologically active scaffolds. The
amalgamation of two or more pharmacophores would generate novel molecular templates that are likely to unveil
remarkable biological properties.

Objective:

An efficient and high yielding synthesis of indole-pyrazole integrated α-cyano substituted chalcones
and their in vitro anti-breast cancer and antioxidant evaluation.

Methods:

The synthesis of a series of indole-pyrazole amalgamated α-cyano substituted chalcones (6a-o) was
achieved by reacting substituted 3-cyanoacetyl indole 2 with substituted pyrazole aldehyde 5 in the presence of
piperidine. All the newly synthesized compounds have been characterized by IR, 1H NMR and HRMS spectroscopy.

Results:

Anti-breast cancer evaluation of the synthesized compounds in vitro against MCF-7 cell line revealed
high anti-breast cancer activities. Amongst the compounds screened 6f, 6g, 6h, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6i and 6k unveiled
excellent activity against breast carcinoma (GI<50 <0.1μM) as good as adriamycin (GI50 <0.1μM). The compounds
were also screened against the normal Vero monkey cell line and the results demonstrated more selectivity
against MCF-7. On the other hand, compounds 6b, 6c, 6d, 6h and 6i have shown moderate DPPH and NO
radical scavenging activity.

Conclusion:

Most of the synthesized compounds exhibited significant antitumor activities. These results further
support its safety margin by studying the activity on normal Vero monkey cell line. These results acclaim
the possible use of these compounds for the design and development of potent anti-breast cancer agents.
Organic Semiconductors with Benzoic Acid Based Additives for Solution- Processed Thin Film Transistors
Authors: Zhang Ziyang , He Zhengran , Asare-Yeboah Kyeiwaa , Bi Sheng
Published: February 2021

Background:

although solution-processed small molecular organic semiconductors have
attracted great attention for organic electronic applications, the intrinsic crystal misorientation of the
organic semiconductors still remains a challenging issue.

Objective:

two benzoic acid-based additives, i.e. 4-propylbenzoic acid (RBA) and 4-octylbenzoic
acid (OBA), were employed to regulate the crystal growth and charge transport of organic semiconductors.

Methods:

RBA and OBA were mixed with a π-conjugated organic semiconductor 6,13-
bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl) pentacene (TIPS pentacene), respectively. Organic thin-film transistors
(OTFTs) with different bottom-gate, top-contact and bottom-gate, bottom-contact configurations
were fabricated to investigate charge transport.

Results:

RBA and OBA share a similar benzoic acid structure with the same hydrophilic head but
differ in the length of the hydrophobic tail. The benzoic acid-based additive forms a stratified selfassembled
interfacial layer and maneuvers nucleation seed distribution via synergetic interactions
with the silanol groups on silicon dioxide and with the bulky side chains of the semiconductor. The
TIPS pentacene film with OBA additive exhibited a 10-fold reduction in misorientation angle as
compared to the counterpart with RBA.

Conclusion:

Distinct thin film morphology in terms of crystal alignment and grain width was observed
and correlated to the hydrophobic tail length. In particular, OTFTs incorporating the TIPS
pentacene/benzoic acid mixture as the active layer showed a mobility of up to 0.15 cm2/Vs.
High Speed FPGA Based 128-Bit Advance Encryption Standard (AES)
Authors: Hamidi Ibrahem M.T. , Al-Aassi Farah S.H.
Published: February 2021

Achieve high throughput 128 bits FPGA based Advanced Encryption Standard.

Background:

Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) provides an efficient platform for design an
AES cryptography system. It provides the capability to control each bit using HDL programming language
such as VHDL and Verilog which results from an output speed in Gbps rang.

Objective:

Use Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) to design high throughput 128 bits FPGA
based Advanced Encryption Standard.

Method:

Pipelining technique has been used to achieve the maximum possible speed. The level of pipelining
includes round pipelining and internal component pipelining where a number of registers are
inserted in particular places to increase the output speed. The proposed design uses combinatorial logic
to implement the byte substitution. The s-box was implemented using composed field arithmetic with 7
stages of pipelining to reduce the combinatorial logic level. The presented model has been implemented
using VHDL in Xilinx ISETM 14.4 design tool.

Result:

The achieved results were 18.55 Gbps at a clock frequency of 144.96 MHz and an area of 1568
Slices in Spartan3 xc3s1000 hardware.

Conclusion:

The results show that the proposed design reaches a high throughput with acceptable area
usage compared with other designs in the literature.
ZigBee Technology to Provide Elderly People with Well-Being at Home
Authors: Alsulami Majid H. , Atkins Anthony S. , Alaboudi Abdulellah A. , Khan Nayyar A.
Published: February 2021

Background:

The number of elderly people is growing, and it becomes a challenge for the families and
governments regard their health. They are facing declines in their health and missing some of the quality of life that is
provided to them. They are unable to control their self. They are vulnerable to fall and get in dangerous or restricted area.

Aim:

This study aims at conducing an experiment using Real-Time Location System (RTLS) via ZigBee technology in
order to track the elderly person at his/her home.

Objectives:

To track the old age people and provide them proper care and support whenever they are in challenging times.

Method:

RTLS is a system that offers a real-time tracking and positioning of people or objects.

Results:

The results showed that the ZigBee technology provides valuable insights to determine the location of an elderly
person at home and sends an alert when a person gets in a restricted area.

Conclusion:

ZigBee have contributed to be one of the best of its kind protocol that can help to track and mange old aged
people at house.
Smart Heart Rate Monitoring System (SHRMS) Using IoT for Patients Inside
Emergency Vehicle
Authors: Bajaj Jaspreet Singh , Kumar Naveen , Kaushal Rajesh Kumar
Published: February 2021

Background:

In developing countries, the healthcare system is facing numerous challenges. One of the major
challenges faced by the healthcare system is that the healthcare service providers are meager and geographically far from
the densely populated area.

Objective:

To overcome the above challenge, the present research work proposes SHRMS (Smart Heart Rate Monitoring
System) which provides the ad-hoc services to the patients who are in the transit mode in the emergency vehicle.

Method:

A pulse sensor is attached to the patient’s fingertip to fetch the heart rate of the patient. The patient’s data is further
transmitted to the microcontroller which in turn transmits the data to the ThingSpeak cloud service.

Result:

SHRMS provides the real-time monitoring of the patient and helps to provide emergency aid as per the patient’s
current situation.

Conclusion:

This device is beneficial for developing countries where the healthcare service providers are very less and
geographically scattered.
The Influence of Surface Charge on the Antiviral Effect of Curcumin Loaded in Nanocarrier System
Authors: Nabila Najwa , Hassan Siti R. , Larasati Gladys P. , Yohan Benediktus , Sasmono R.T. , Adi Annis C. , Iskandar Ferry , Rachmawati Heni
Published: February 2021

Background:

Curcumin is a well-documented bioactive compound present in Curcuma
sp., a tropical, medicinal plant. This substance exhibits broad-spectrum biological activities, including
antivirus. Despite the lack of pharmaceutical properties of curcumin limits its clinical use.

Objective:

This study aims to produce curcumin nanoemulsion with different surface charge (curcumin
(+) nanoemulsion and curcumin (-) nanoemulsion) and to evaluate its physical characteristics,
in vitro cell cytotoxicity, and antiviral activity against dengue virus (DENV) 1 and 2.

Methods:

Two forms of nanoemulsion were prepared, which were differed from their surface
charge through spontaneous procedure resulting in similar characteristics except for the zeta potential
value. Cytotoxicity was determined using the RT-PCR method in the A549 cell line, and anti-
DENV properties were determined by calculation of inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) value.

Results :

The positive charge of curcumin-loaded nanoemulsion showed a better effect in reducing
the viral replication represented by a lower IC50 value. In addition, DENV-1 was more sensitive
and responsive to curcumin as compared to DENV-2.

Conclusion :

Positive surface charge of curcumin-loaded nanoemulsion improves the antiviral effect
of the curcumin, suggesting a promising approach for alternative treatment for dengue virus infection.
Epidemiology of Recurrent Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Henan Province, China: Observational study (Preprint)
Authors: Jiang Hui , Yin Jinfeng , Liu Fangchao , Yao Yuxia , Cai Chao , Xu Jiying , Zheng Lijun , Zhu Chendi , Jia Junnan , Xu Wangli , Li Weimin , Zhang Guolong
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND

A subset of patients who complete standard treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) develop TB recurrence.

OBJECTIVE

This study characterized the epidemiological features of recurrent PTB patients to estimate recurrence probability associated with different smear test results and examine risk factors associated with recurrence.

METHODS

Using 2005-2018 provincial surveillance data from Henan, China, we described the epidemiologic and bacteriological features of recurrent PTB. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate hazards of recurrent PTB and calculate PTB recurrence probability and risk factors.

RESULTS

The number of PTB has been decreasing significantly for 14 years, however, the number of recurrent cases dramatically increased from 5 in 2005 to 2,234 in 2018. A total of 7,143 (1·5%) patients had recurrence, and 21·1% tested bacteriological positive on both laboratory tests (positive–positive), and 34·9% tested negative-negative. The first and second recurrence probability were increasing from 0.2% and 2.0% at 10 months to 0.6% and 5.2% at 40 months after the completion of treatment, respectively. Patients with different gender, age, infection type, treatment time and region have different recurrent probability and risk.

CONCLUSIONS

The increase of recurrent cases has become one of the new and emphasized stumbling block preventing China from achieving WHO’s target of eradicating TB and should actively enact measures to control based on its epidemiological characteristics.
Validation of Heart Rate Extracted From Wrist-Based Photoplethysmography in the Perioperative Setting: Prospective Observational Study (Preprint)
Authors: Mestrom Eveline , Deneer Ruben , Bonomi Alberto G , Margarito Jenny , Gelissen Jos , Haakma Reinder , Korsten Hendrikus H M , Scharnhorst Volkher , Bouwman R Arthur
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND

Measurement of heart rate (HR) through an unobtrusive, wrist-worn optical HR monitor (OHRM) could enable earlier recognition of patient deterioration in low acuity settings and enable timely intervention.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to assess the agreement between the HR extracted from the OHRM and the gold standard 5-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) connected to a patient monitor during surgery and in the recovery period.

METHODS

In patients undergoing surgery requiring anesthesia, the HR reported by the patient monitor’s ECG module was recorded and stored simultaneously with the photopletysmography (PPG) from the OHRM attached to the patient’s wrist. The agreement between the HR reported by the patient’s monitor and the HR extracted from the OHRM’s PPG signal was assessed using Bland-Altman analysis during the surgical and recovery phase.

RESULTS

A total of 271.8 hours of data in 99 patients was recorded simultaneously by the OHRM and patient monitor. The median coverage was 86% (IQR 65%-95%) and did not differ significantly between surgery and recovery (Wilcoxon paired difference test P=.17). Agreement analysis showed the limits of agreement (LoA) of the difference between the OHRM and the ECG HR were within the range of 5 beats per minute (bpm). The mean bias was –0.14 bpm (LoA between –3.08 bpm and 2.79 bpm) and –0.19% (LoA between –5 bpm to 5 bpm) for the PPG- measured HR compared to the ECG-measured HR during surgery; during recovery, it was –0.11 bpm (LoA between –2.79 bpm and 2.59 bpm) and –0.15% (LoA between –3.92% and 3.64%).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that an OHRM equipped with a PPG sensor can measure HR within the ECG reference standard of –5 bpm to 5 bpm or –10% to 10% in the perioperative setting when the PPG signal is of sufficient quality. This implies that an OHRM can be considered clinically acceptable for HR monitoring in low acuity hospitalized patients.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical and Mental Health in China and Spain: Cross-sectional Study (Preprint)
Authors: Wang Cuiyan , López-Núñez María Inmaculada , Pan Riyu , Wan Xiaoyang , Tan Yilin , Xu Linkang , Choo Faith , Ho Roger , Ho Cyrus , Aparicio García Marta E
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND

Differences in physical and mental health impact across continents during the COVID-19 pandemic are unknown.

OBJECTIVE

This study compared the levels of impact of COVID-19 on mental health among people from Spain and China and correlated mental health parameters with variables relating to symptoms similar to COVID-19, COVID-19 knowledge, and precautionary measures.

METHODS

We collected information on demographic data, physical symptoms, contact history with persons with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis, COVID-19 knowledge, and precautionary measures. Participants completed the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale–21 Items (DASS-21). To analyze the differences in the mental health parameters, the mean scores between Chinese and Spanish respondents were compared using the independent samples t test. The differences in categorical variables between the two samples were analyzed by the chi-square test. Linear regression was used to calculate the univariate associations between the independent variables and mental health parameters for both groups separately, with adjustments made for age, gender, and education.

RESULTS

A total of 1528 participants (Spain: n=687; China: n=841) were recruited. The mean age of the Chinese respondents was 24.73 years (SD 7.60; range 18-65 years), and the mean age of the Spanish respondents was 43.06 years (SD 11.95; range 18-76 years). Spanish participants reported significantly more symptoms similar to COVID-19 infection (eg, fever, sore throat, and breathing difficulties), contact history with COVID-19, higher perceived risk of contracting COVID-19, frequent use of medical services, and less confidence in medical services compared with their Chinese counterparts (P<.001). Spanish participants reported significantly higher DASS-21 stress and depression scores, while Chinese participants reported significantly higher IES-R scores (P<.001). Chinese participants encountered more discrimination from other countries (P<.001). Significantly more Chinese participants reported using face masks than Spanish ones (P<.001). More exposure to health information was associated with adverse mental health in Spain (depression: P=.02; anxiety: P=.02; stress: P=.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study found that Spanish respondents reported higher levels of stress and depression as well as more symptoms and use of medical services. In preparation for the next pandemic, Spain needs to establish a prompt policy to implement rapid response and enhance medical services to safeguard physical and mental health.
PERCEPTION OF QUALIFIED MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS TOWARD PRESCRIBING IN INTERNATIONAL NON-PROPRIETARY (GENERIC) NAMES – AN OBSERVATIONAL, CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN INDIA
Authors: NANDY MANAB , BANERJEE KUSHAL , BISWAS INDRANIL , NANDY KAJORI , MAJUMDER SOUVIK , MUKHERJEE AYAN , KUMAR DAS ALAK
Published: February 2021

Objectives: The study was conducted to assess the perception and practice of medical practitioners, working in tertiary care, and teaching institutions in Eastern India, regarding the use of generic (non-proprietary) names while prescribing. The study tried to assess their perception toward using drugs from the National List of Essential Medicine (NLEM), as well.

Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted. Medical practitioners attached to the institution were considered for the study and those who gave voluntarily consent were included. Hundred participants were interviewed based on convenient random sampling. They were provided with the study questionnaire and the responses were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2007 using charts and tables.

Results: Majority (43/100) did not feel that generic medicines are as effective as reputed brands, while 32 felt they are of equally effective. About 45% (45/99) felt generics to be equally safe as and 24% (24/99) did not feel so. About 86% considered generics to be cheaper. About 56% did not prefer to substitute with generics in all conditions. About 73% had doubts regarding the quality of production of generics. The decision to use generics was mostly influenced by the lower cost (73%) and by administrative pressure (53%). About 58% felt that the NLEM does not contain all the medicines they would require in practice. About 94% agreed to prescribe more in generics if the quality may be ensured.

Conclusion: Awareness of the NLEM and about generics needs to be improved. Authorities need to ensure the quality of generics and assure the prescribers about it.
ASSOCIATION OF MATERNAL CHARACTERISTICS WITH COMPLICATIONS OF PREGNANCY: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY AMONG MIDDLE SOCIOECONOMIC PREGNANT WOMEN
Authors: NEKKANTI VINEELA , KISHORE GITHA
Published: February 2021

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the association of maternal characteristics with complications of pregnancy among middle socioeconomic women.

Methods: The enrolled subjects were divided into two groups as complicated and uncomplicated group based on the occurrence of complications in current pregnancy and their sociodemographic details along with present and past medical and medication history was collected.

Results: The mean age of the study subjects was 25.33±4.22 years. Maternal characteristics such as age, parity, body mass index, maternal education, and employment status did not have a statistically significant association with the complications of pregnancy at p<0.05. However, the first antenatal visit at the gestational age <8 weeks had a statistically significant association with the complications of pregnancy at p=0.02.

Conclusion: Early initiation of antenatal care along with adequate antenatal visits may reduce the risk of complications of pregnancy.
IN SILICO CHARACTERIZATION, MOLECULAR DOCKING, AND IN VITRO EVALUATION OF TRIAZOLE DERIVATIVES AS POTENTIAL ANTICANCER AGENTS
Authors: T HARSHITHA , KUMAR T VINAY , T VINEETHA
Published: February 2021

Objective: The objective of the study was to perform in silico molecular docking and in vitro anticancer studies of proposed 1,2,4-triazole derivatives for the determination of their anticancer activity.

Methods: A series of 10 triazole compounds with different substituents were drawn in ACD Lab ChemSketch software. Molecular and biological properties were identified using Molinspiration software. The compounds that obeyed Lipinski rule of five are subjected for pharmacokinetic parameters prediction and docking analysis. SwissDock ADME software is used for the prediction of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination. Then, the compounds are docked with target enzymes in Chimera software 1.14 version. The molecular docking studies revealed favorable molecular interactions and binding energies. The compounds that showed good docking results were synthesized through wet lab synthesis and further preceded for in vitro anticancer studies.

Results: Three compounds are selected for wet lab synthesis due to their good docking results compared to other compounds. The synthesized compounds are subjected to different in vitro anticancer studies and found to be having potential anticancer activity.

Conclusion: The pharmacokinetic and docking studies conclude that the triazole compounds have potential as anticancer agents. The in vitro anticancer studies revealed that the triazole derivatives are having high potency of anticancer activity against pancreatic cell lines.
ARE GADGETS SAVIOURS IN SALVAGING SICK CASES – ULTRASOUND FOR BOTH NERVE BLOCKS AND VASCULAR ACCESS IN A CASE OF SEPTIC SHOCK
Authors: P MADHULA , H PRIYA , S PARTHASARATHY
Published: February 2021

Diabetes mellitus and diabetic foot syndrome presents to us with varying degrees of sepsis. We present a 52-year-old male with chronic diabetes with fore foot sepsis in shock. His blood sugar was controlled with insulin and the other parameters were normal. The blood pressure was around 90/50 mm Hg with noradrenaline support of 0.5 mic/kg/min. We secured a right internal jugular venous access with ultrasound (USG). The volume status as assessed by USG of the IVC was satisfactory. We administered popliteal sciatic nerve block along with saphenous nerve block visualizing the nerves with USG. The amputation of forefoot went on for 1 h where the hemodynamics remained stable at 100/70 mmHg. After the surgery was over, the patient was shifted to sick cubicle and in the next 6 h, the inotrope support was weaned off. The control of sugars was continuously monitored and kept under control. Any other form of neuraxial block could have been detrimental to him in the presence of hemodynamic imbalance. Such precise deposition of local anesthetics in the sciatic nerve is very difficult without the use of USG. We conclude that advanced gadgets may bring back hope in salvaging sick patients.
KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PERCEPTION OF INDIAN POPULATION ABOUT GENERIC VERSUS BRANDED MEDICINES: A WEB-BASED STUDY
Authors: RATHI HEENA , BIYANI MOHIT
Published: February 2021

Objective: The objective of the current study is to evaluate knowledge, attitude, and perception of Indian Population about generic versus Branded Medicines.

Methods: It was a cross-sectional prospective web-based questionnaire study. We used an application name Google form and link (https://forms.gle/ RJA6XvPeJy6TXNzN9) was created. Total 537 participants took part in our study. Nineteen questions related to knowledge, attitude, and perception about generic versus branded medicines were asked in the questionnaire.

Results: In our study, 78.6% participants had heard about generic medicines. About 66.2% agreed that they understand the difference between both the medicines. About 74.5% knew that there is price difference in both the medicines. According to only 22.1% of our study participants’ doctors preferred generic medicines and 37.7% thought that chemists preferred to sell generic medicines than branded ones. About 40.4% knew that generic medicines are promoted by Indian government but surprisingly, 63.3% said that they are unaware of any government rules regarding this. About 44.9% did not know about the type of drugs on their prescription. About 54.8% preferred to buy generic medicines but interesting fact is that 74.3% had not asked their doctors to prescribe generic medicines but 41.7% believed that generic medicines should be promoted.

Conclusion: Results of our study revealed that poor knowledge, negative attitude, and false perception regarding generic medicines are the main hindrance of sits acceptance by general population.
TISSUE EXPRESSION OF INTERLEUKIN-17 SIGNIFICANTLY AND INDEPENDENTLY AFFECTS PRURITUS IN PSORIATIC PATIENTS: A CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL CORRELATION
Authors: HUSSEIN ROSHDY OSSAMA , ABDEL-BARY AHMED , EL-ACHY SAMAR NABIL , WAHAB IBRAHIM ASMAA ABDEL
Published: February 2021

Objective: This study aimed at the evaluation of pruritus and its intensity and aggravating factors in psoriatic patients with the assessment of its relation to interleukin-17 (IL-17) expression in psoriatic lesions.

Methods: The study included 50 patients with psoriasis vulgaris. A questionnaire was used for the evaluation of pruritus and its effect on the quality of life. Severity of pruritus was assessed by the visual analog scale (VAS) while clinical severity of psoriasis was assessed using psoriasis area severity index (PASI) score. Tissue immunohistochemical expression of IL-17 was assessed in psoriatic lesions and in 20 normal skin biopsies included as control.

Results: Pruritus was encountered in 92% of psoriatic patients studied, 45.5% of them considered emotional stress as the main pruritus aggravating factor. Pruritus had influenced the daily activity and sleep in 91.3% of the studied patients. Mean VAS in studied cases was 5.70 ± 2.76. VAS grades were significantly associated with PASI scores and IL-17 tissue expression on univariate analysis. On multilogistic regression analysis, both IL-17 and PASI scores emerged as independent influencers of pruritus.

Conclusion: Pruritus is a common symptom that affects the quality of life in psoriatic patients. IL-17 is an independent aggravating factor of pruritus in those patients. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating the tissue expression of IL-17 in relation to pruritus. Pruritus treatment should be one of our goals while managing the psoriatic patients and anti-IL-17 may play a pivotal role in this field.
ANALYSIS OF THE PHYTOCHEMICALS, ANTIOXIDANTS, AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF FICUS TSJAHELA BURM. F LEAF, BARK, AND FRUIT EXTRACTS
Authors: V THAMARAIKANI , S DIVYA AMALA , T SEKAR
Published: February 2021

Objective: Ficus tsjahela Burm. f is a medicinal tree species, endemic to the Western Ghats having various healing properties. This study focused to check the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the leaf, bark, and fruit samples of F. tsjahela.

Methods: The plant samples were subjected to Soxhlet extraction for phytochemical analysis and further experimental studies. The test on phytochemical studies indicated the presence of alkaloids, saponins, glycosides, and flavonol glycosides within the plant parts, respectively. The estimation of alkaloids, saponins, in vitro antioxidant, and antibacterial activities revealed that the methanol bark extracts have high activity compared to others.

Results: Total alkaloid and saponin content was found to be high in leaf methanol extract was 996.17 mg/g quinine equivalent/g and 957.3 mg/g diosgenin equivalent/g, respectively. In vitro antioxidant assays revealed a strong radical scavenging potential of the methanol bark extract against stable (2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)), phosphomolybdenum, and superoxide radicals. Agar well diffusion method has been used to determine the antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Acetobacter aceti, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa).

Conclusion: The bark methanol extract of F. tsjahela has exhibited remarkable antioxidant activity and significant antibacterial activity (p<0.05) against all tested bacterial strains observed.
A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ON DISTRIBUTION PATTERN OF ADVERSE EFFECTS OF BRONCHODILATORS AMONG BRONCHIAL ASTHMA AND CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL IN A RURAL AREA OF KANCHEEPURAM DISTRICT
Authors: K KEERTHANA , SOMU LAVAKUMAR , VISHWAMBHAR
Published: February 2021

Objectives: The objectives of the study were (i) to study the distribution pattern of adverse effects of bronchodilators at initiation or during the course of therapy, (ii) to make a causality assessment of adverse effect identified using the WHO adverse drug reaction (ADR) probability scale, and (iii) to identify next drug tolerated better by him/her.

Materials and Methods: This is an observational study that lasted for duration of 2 months.

Inclusion Criteria: All patients reporting ADR after initiation of bronchodilator or during the course of bronchodilator therapy for bronchial asthma/ chronic obstructive pulmonary disease within the study period were included in the study. The suspected adverse effect was noted and documented. Causality assessment based on the WHO scale was employed.

Results: During the study period, ten patients reported to have ADR for bronchodilators were identified and the WHO Causality Scale for ADR was applied and the better drug tolerated by the patient was noted.

Conclusion: Inhalational forms of longer acting beta-2 agonists were better compliable to the patients with no observable adverse effects.
A situational Analysis of the faculties’ Industrial Attachment programme at public Technical Training Institutes (TTIs) in Bhutan
Authors: Tshewang Sangay
Published: February 2021

The study was conducted in three Technical Training Institutes (TTIs) in Bhutan. The objective of the study was to investigate the challenges facing industrial attachment as a learning experience for automobile faculties. The population of the study involved all the faculties of TTIs namely Ranjung, Thimphu and Samthang. However, the researcher used a sample size of 64 respondents (purposive sampling) for the study. The data was collected from the respondents through a research-designed survey questionnaire administered through the Online Google Form. Nonetheless, 58 questionnaires were received. The validity and reliability of the instruments were determined by pre-testing the instruments before taking into consideration for analysis. The data collected was analysed using SPSS software. Cronbach‐Alpha analysis was used to determine the reliability value of data. And the value of pre-test data was calculated at 0.788. The findings of the study concluded that the faculties of the three automobile institutes expressed high satisfaction with the program objectives, the usefulness of the program, adequacy of knowledge and skills acquired through the program. However, the study also concluded that the challenges they faced compromised the quality of engagement and meaningful learning experience. In this context, the researcher recommended that industrial attachment must be planned and implemented as a genuine learning experience right from the start. This could be done by allocating adequate funds to support the faculties' interns and, enable the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institution to maintain the relevancy of the attachment program and the industry. The immediate attachment supervisors of the industries should also be trained to deliver quality training and education to the faculties during the industrial attachment. This calls for a closer and synergized working relationship between the TVET institutions and the industries so that effective and uncompromised industrial attachment is ensured.
The Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Processed Food Samples in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alghizzi Mashael J. , Alansari Maysoon , Shami Ashwag
Published: February 2021

Staphylococcus aureus mainly Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) is a life-threatening infection that occurring in food and caused a public health concern. This study designed to examine the prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA in different types of processed food. Food samples were screened for the recovered strains of S. aureus and MRSA, and they were examined for antimicrobial susceptibility and by molecular characterization of mecA and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec(SCCmec). Detection of virulence factors like Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL), Staphylococcus aureus protein A(spa) and Staphylococcal enterotoxins(SEs) by PCR using specific primers. Among the 150 collected processed food samples, 62.7% were contaminated by S. aureus bacteria, 56.4% of which were proved as MRSA. 17% of MRSA isolates were positive for mecA genes with the SCCmec type IVb and V (11.1% each) as the solely existing types of SCCmec. None of the MRSA isolates carried mecC or mecB genes. Most of MRSA isolates were multidrug resistance and 33.3% of MRSA-mecA positive isolates also carried vancomycin resistance genes (i.e., vanB). In addition, spa gene was found among 7.5% of MRSA isolates; none of which were positive for PVL gene. Further, there were variant presence of SEs among MRSA isolates and the highest presence was from type SEH (49.1%). Generally, our results confirmed that processed foods in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) are potential vehicles for multidrug resistant S. aureus and MRSA transmission; which are serious public health risks, and underlined the need for good hygiene practices.
SHOPPING LIFESTYLE AS MEDIATING BETWEEN HEDONIC SHOPPING ON IMPULSE BUYING ONLINE AT MARKETPLACE
Authors: Putri Viajeng Purnama
Published: February 2021

This  study  is  to  test  the  effect  of hedonic shopping, shopping lifestyle to impulse buying online. This  research  sample  of  100 respondents,  taken  based  on  Purposive  Sampling .The  data analysis  uses PLSsoftware3.  This  path  analysis  technique  will  be  used  in  testing  the  amount  of contribution  shown  by  the  path  coefficient  on  each  path  diagram  of  the  causal  relationship between variables  Hedonic shopping (HS), Shopping Lifestyle (SL), on Impulse Buying (IB). Hedonic shopping support  have  a  positive  and  significant  effect  on impulse buying. Shopping lifestyle positif effect on impulse buying and shopping lifestyle able to mediate the effect between hedonic shopping on impulse buying. Hedonic shopping and shopping lifestyle had positively and significantly influenced the consumer’ responses to impulse buying.The findings of this study contribute to the theory of impulse buying online, namely hedonic shopping and shopping lifestyle important factors in realizing impulse buying online.