bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A single nucleotide variant on chromosome 16 residing within ZCCHC14 distinguishes patients with luminal A breast cancer.
Authors: Mamoor Shahan
Published: May 2022

Molecular subtypes including the most common subtype luminal A drive patient outcomes in human breast cancer but the biological basis for this is not completely understood (1-4). We mined published microarray data (5, 6) to discover in an unbiased fashion the most distinguishing genetic and transcriptional features of tumors of each breast cancer molecular subtype. We identified a single nucleotide polymorphism, rs2241615, residing within ZCCHC14, as among the most significant genetic differences in the tumors of patients with luminal A breast cancer. In a separate cohort of patients with luminal A subtype breast cancer, we observed transcriptome-wide differential expression of a ZCCHC14 transcript. Analysis of patient survival data revealed that ZCCHC14 primary tumor expression was correlated with distant metastasis-free survival in human breast cancer. Sequence variation in the ZCCHC14 gene may be important in understanding differences in genetic background that favor development of luminal A subtype human breast cancer.
Progress in Peril? The Changing Landscape of Global Health Financing
Authors: Mai Nhat Chi
Published: May 2022

As economies have grown in many low-income countries, governments increasingly face “transition”–the reduction of external financing typically over a period of two to five years, on the assumption that the government will then fully self-finance the health programs that had been supported by donor funds. This trend takes place within a context of greater competition for aid dollars, and declining interest by some countries in foreign assistance. Country-led, responsible transition can help to maximize health progress and sustainability, and allow scarce external resources to be targeted for greatest efficiency and impact. But transition can also pose serious risks to national budgets, health systems, and ultimately health outcomes. This report examines the widely overlooked risk of simultaneous transition, or multiple funders withdrawing from the same country over the same time period. The landscape of development finance is changing, and multilateral institutions and bilateral agencies must adapt.
How Does a Transition Country Utilize Foreign Aid? Case Study Analyses of Vietnam and Myanmar
Authors: Mai Nhat Chi
Published: May 2022

The purpose of this study is to analyze the diplomatic strategies of Japan in engagement with two Southeast Asian nations in response to China’s Foreign Policy on the Belt and Road Initiative. In particular, this paper examines how Vietnam and Myanmar, which are transition countries, utilize Chinese aid and Japan’s Official Development Assistance, focusing on changes in domestic politics. We thus explore questions as to whether Vietnam and Myanmar are intensively investing in sectors directly linked to economic growth, or distributing foreign aid to the political sector necessary to build democratic institutions. We will track these developments across a timescale divided into before and after the respective transitions of economy and/or politics in both countries. This is diachronic approach enables us track differentiation in where and the ways in which foreign aid is used. As a result, Vietnam has been utilizing foreign aid toward objectives economic growth without introducing any change to the political system. Both Myanmar and Vietnam, moreover, are actively embracing foreign policy competition between China and Japan to their own respective advantage.
A single nucleotide variant on chromosome 16 residing within RNF166 distinguishes patients with luminal A breast cancer.
Authors: Mamoor Shahan
Published: May 2022

Molecular subtypes including the most common subtype luminal A drive patient outcomes in human breast cancer but the biological basis for this is not completely understood (1-4). We mined published microarray data (5, 6) to discover in an unbiased fashion the most distinguishing genetic and transcriptional features of tumors of each breast cancer molecular subtype. We identified a single nucleotide polymorphism, rs752843, residing within RNF166, as among the most significant genetic differences in the tumors of patients with luminal A breast cancer. In a separate cohort of patients with luminal A subtype breast cancer, we observed transcriptome-wide differential expression of a RNF166 transcript. Analysis of patient survival data revealed that RNF166 primary tumor expression was correlated with overall survival in patients with basal-like breast cancer. Sequence variation in the RNF166 gene may be important in understanding differences in genetic background that favor development of luminal A subtype human breast cancer.
The early German reception of the Tractatus Theologico-Politicus. A conversation with Winfried Schröder
Authors: van Binsbergen Thomas
Published: May 2022

The early reception of Spinoza’s Tractatus Theologico-Politicus has rarely been studied as an instance of political philosophy. This conversation with Winfried Schröder (Philipps-Universität Marburg) explores the early German reception: from the sectarianism of Lutheran orthodoxy to the eclecticism of Christian Thomasius to clandestine libertas philosophandi.
RUBBER IN FRENCH INDOCHINA
Authors: Mai Nhat Chi
Published: May 2022

From the late eighteenth century the French colonial administration sponsored extensive exploratory missions to assess and map Indochina’s resources. These expeditions made the case that Indochina’s frontier regions held great potential for agricultural development
THE PURSUIT OF ECONOMIC STRENGTH HAS STABILIZING EFFECTS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA
Authors: Mai Nhat Chi
Published: May 2022

Are Vietnam and the Philippines trending more toward conflict or cooperation with China over disputed territories and resource claims in the South China Sea? This thesis investigates realist and liberal international relations theories applied to three states involved in South China Sea disputes. It reviews the history of South China Sea disputes between China, Vietnam, and the Philippines since 1988 and reviews the states’ growing economic interconnectedness to determine whether they have trended toward armed conflict or if economic interdependence has led the states toward cooperation to manage their overlapping claims. This thesis concludes that China, Vietnam, and the Philippines have trended neither toward armed conflict nor cooperation to manage their South China Sea territory and resource disputes. Despite increasing tensions over the competition for territory and resources, the states have managed their disputes peacefully and have avoided armed conflict since 1988. Furthermore, despite increasing asymmetric economic interdependence between the smaller states and China correlating to the period of relative peace in the South China Sea, the states have rarely cooperated with one another to manage their disputes. Asymmetric economic interdependence between the smaller states and China, however, has contributed to the relative peace in the South China Sea.
Influences on the policy process in local government in Vietnam: The case of low-income housing policy in Da Nang City from 2005-2013
Authors: Mai Nhat Chi
Published: May 2022

There is a growing literature on the policy process at the central level in Vietnam but less attention is paid to exactly how policy gets shaped and implemented at the local level in the specific culture and context of Vietnam and the evolving role of the one-party state. Accordingly, this thesis examines the development of low-income housing policy in Da Nang City from 2005 to 2013 in order to understand the critical influences on the policy process at a local government. It employs qualitative techniques to analyse data collected from interviews and conversations with the participants in the policy process and a collection of published and unpublished documents relating to the process.The findings show that it is possible to apply Hofferbert’s (1974) funnel of causality model with some adjustments, based on insights from other theoretical approaches, to understand influences on the policy process. The significant influences include socio-economic conditions (particularly rapid urban population growth and the impact of urban renewal), which are shaped by some key historical and geographical features, institutional arrangements (especially the relationship between central and local government), and a network of policy actors centred on policy elites.This study contributes to the literature in three ways. Firstly, although space for policy innovation was constrained by the authority of central government, the city government in fact enjoyed significant autonomy in policy implementation and the central–local relationship had room for policy experimentation and learning, which was still an effective way to change policy at both central and local levels. Secondly, local leaders in Vietnam could have a critical role in re-developing and implementing policies. This finding differs from the conventional wisdom that policymaking in Vietnam is collective and consensus-based. In this case, a strong policy leader could impose his will on the whole local state apparatus. Thirdly, the study also shed light on the opportunities for policy learning in the developing relationship between the state and private sectors in Vietnam. Faced with profit-driven private developers, the local government had to experiment with various incentives to ensure their participation in developing low-cost housing. Comparing the policy outcome before and after the private sector’s participation suggests that low-income housing can be developed in partnership with the private sector, given appropriate government policies. The findings of this study offer some implications for people in and outside Vietnam’s party and government systems, who want to influence public policy in Vietnam.
The Enactment Effect: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Behavioral, Neuroimaging, and Patient Studies
Authors: Roberts Brady Ryan Thomas , MacLeod Colin M. , Fernandes Myra
Published: May 2022

The enactment effect is the phenomenon that physically performing an action represented by a word or phrase (e.g., clap; clap your hands) results in better memory than does simply reading it. We examined data from three different methodological approaches to provide a comprehensive review of the enactment effect across 145 behavioral, 7 neuroimaging, and 31 neurological patient studies. Boosts in memory performance following execution of a physical action were compared to those produced by reading words or phrases, by watching an experimenter perform actions, or by engaging in self-generated imagery. Across the behavioral studies, we employed random-effects meta-regression with robust variance estimation to reveal an average enactment effect size of g = 1.23. Further meta-analyses revealed that variations in study design and comparison task reliably influence the size of the enactment effect, whereas four other experiment factors—test format, learning instruction type, retention interval, and the presence of objects during encoding—likely do not influence the effect. Neuroimaging studies demonstrated enactment-related activation to be prevalent in the motor cortex and inferior parietal lobule. Patient studies indicated that, regardless of whether impairments of memory (e.g., Alzheimer’s) or of motor capability (e.g., Parkinson’s) were present, patients were able to benefit from enactment. The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis highlight two components accounting for the memory benefit from enactment: a primary mental contribution relating to planning of actions and a secondary physical contribution of the action itself.
The Effect of Individual-Level Adaptive Stimulus Selection on the Group-Level Parameters for Cognitive Models
Authors: Fujita Kazuya , Okada Kensuke , Katahira Kentaro
Published: May 2022

In psychological experiments, researchers’ primary interests often gravitate towards group-level parameters such as the mean difference between experimental conditions. However, existing studies on adaptive stimulus selection have essentially focused on individual-level parameters. Hence, the present paper investigated the effect of adaptive stimulus selection on group-level parameters. Two simulation studies indicated that the individual-level adaptive stimulus selection led to higher estimation precision of group-level parameters than random stimulus selection on elaborated decision-making models. Based on these results, it is suggested that individual-level adaptive stimulus selection methods be adopted even cases where the research interest leans toward group-level parameters.
Merit is not meritorious everywhere: Fairness in first and third-party tasks among Kogi children
Authors: Angarita Cáceres Rafael Gonzalo , Viciana Hugo
Published: May 2022

Experimental research has studied the emergence of fairness criteria such as merit and equality at increasingly younger ages. How much does the recognition and practice of these principles depend on the influence of central aspects of Western educated and industrialized societies? In an attempt to answer these questions, this research report provides evidence regarding the choices of children in the Kogi indigenous community of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, a small-scale society living in the mountains of Northern Colombia that practices swidden agriculture, cattle-raising, and enjoys a special cultural status granted by the Colombian Constitution. Two groups of 6-7 and 10-11 year olds (N=104) were tested on a modified dictator game and several scenarios from a resource distribution task including different fairness criteria. Our results point to the lack of focality of the idea of merit among Kogi children at these ages when deciding on third-party allocation tasks, even when the experimental design prevented equal distribution.
Expectancy and attention bias in low and high injection fear: faster evidence accumulation in reliable attention bias toward injections
Authors: Abado Elinor , Hertz Uri , Aue Tatjana , Okon-Singer Hadas
Published: May 2022

Blood-injection-injury (BII) phobia is often considered a unique phobia as its emotional and physical manifestations differ from those of other specific phobias. Nevertheless, cognitive biases have been highly understudied in BII phobia. In the current study, expectancy of encountering BII-relevant stimuli was manipulated, and attention bias was measured. To this end, participants with low and high levels of BII fear were informed of the likelihood of encountering a certain deviant picture in a subsequent search array. The deviant picture could be a picture of an injection syringe, or a pen placed among pictures of straws (distractors). The pictures were presented in a neutral context (i.e., on a white background). Replicating previous results, no group differences were found, and both fear groups exhibited attention bias toward injection syringes by detecting them faster than pens. These results were further confirmed using a linear ballistic accumulation model. Split-half reliability analysis further verified that this attention bias is reliable within-participants. Additionally, both groups responded faster on congruent trials than on incongruent trials. Importantly, among the high fear group, levels of BII fear were significantly reduced after the experiment. These results suggest two things: First, in line with previous studies, fear of certain stimuli may be inherent among all humans, as both groups of participants detected injection syringes faster than pens. Second, this fear can be reduced using exposure in a neutral experimental context and by adding certainty to the fearful situation (i.e., providing predictive cues). Clinical and theoretical implications of these results are discussed.
Warum klingen kleine Sexten ängstlich?
Authors: Willimek Bernd , Willimek Daniela
Published: May 2022

In der Literatur finden sich zahlreche Beschreibungen der kleinen Sexte durch Begriffe wie „furchtsam“, „ängstlich“, „Angst“, „Ängstlichkeit“ oder „bedrohlich“. Bisher gab es noch keine allgemein anerkannte Erklärung für diese Wirkung. Im Sinne der Strebetendenz-Theorie hängt sie mit der Auflösungserwartung in die Quinte zusammen. Die Quinte dagegen wird als „schauerlich“, „öde“, „schaurig“, „düster“, „gespenstisch“ und „kalt“ beschrieben und häufig mit dem Tod in Verbindung gebracht. Die Strebetendenz-Theorie stellt die Auflösungserwartung der Quinte als Identifikation des Hörers mit einem Willen gegen die Auflösung der kleinen Sexte in die Quinte dar. Gemäß den genannten Beschreibungen wäre die kleine Sexte mit der Identifikation mit einem Widerwillen gegen das Schaurige, Gespenstische usw. verbunden. Dies erklärt den ängstlichen Charakter der kleinen Sexte. Verändert man die Hörerwartung bei der kleinen Sexte, verschwindet auch ihr ängstlicher Charakter.
Belief inhibition during thinking: not so fast
Authors: Damnjanović Kaja , Ilić Sandra
Published: May 2022

The present study is a conceptual replication of De Neys & Franssen's (2009) study about the role of belief inhibition in reasoning, operationalized as the change in reaction times to different categories of words presented after a syllogistic reasoning task. As in the original study, we examined the accessibility of cued beliefs after syllogistic reasoning, by presenting participants (N=145) with incongruent (heuristic and normatively correct answers differ) and congruent categorical syllogisms, and lexical decision tasks comprising cued and unrelated words, and imposed methodological restrictions within the original procedure. Mean RT was overall shorter to cued than to unrelated words, and for all combinations of both syllogism congruency and response accuracy on the preceding syllogism, indicating that the full neglect of content is not necessary for correct evaluation of logical status. We registered shorter RTs for words cued by incongruent syllogisms after correct than after incorrect evaluation, which indicates that participants actively process the content of the syllogism while reasoning, as a form of cognitive control. The successfully conducted Type 2 reasoning enhances lexical access to the cued content, rather than impairing it. In short, the findings of the original study were replicated for the priming effects, but not for the inhibition of content.
An unusual foreign body lodged in cricopharynx of one year old child - a rare case report
Authors:   Department of ENT, Mahadeavappa Rampure Medical College, Gulbarga-585103, Karnataka, India, Tegnoor M.S. , Nandyal C.B. ,   Department of ENT, Mahadeavappa Rampure Medical College, Gulbarga-585103, Karnataka, India, Tengli C.S. ,   Department of ENT, Mahadeavappa Rampure Medical College, Gulbarga-585103, Karnataka, India, Farha  ,   Department of ENT, Mahadeavappa Rampure Medical College, Gulbarga-585103, Karnataka, India, Ali Kazim ,   Department of ENT, Mahadeavappa Rampure Medical College, Gulbarga-585103, Karnataka, India
Published: May 2022

Foreign body ingestion is common in children, but can be seen among adults also. Most common foreign bodies in children are coins, but marbles, button, batteries, safety pins and bottle tops are also reported. The best method of removing impacted foreign body remain controversial. Rigid endoscopic removal of foreign body is safe and effective, but requires General anaesthesia. The flexible fibreoptic endoscopic removal, which can be done under LA in outpatient department has gained great popularity over the past decade. One year old female child came with history of accidental ingestion of unknown foreign body since one day. child is asymptomatic and taking breast feeding, on clinical examination child is stable. On radiological study, antero-posterior and lateral view for soft tissue neck shows a flat surfaced metallic foreign body in lateral and antero -posterior view showed a hair pin bend foreign body at the level of 4,5 and 6 cervical vertebrae. Under GA and under high risk, rigid oesophagoscopy was planned and proceeded. A uncuffed endotracheal tube inserted with throat pack around it. Negus Rigid Oesophagoscope of paediatric size used. Oesophagoscope is reinserted for re-examination of foreign body impaction and any erosion of mucosa or perforation or any other second foreign body. The procedure went uneventfully and the patient shifted with Ryle's tube in-situ to paediatric ICU and discharged after 2 days.
Role of PAP smear N cervical biopsy in unhealthy cervix
Authors:   Mrs Giridhar Lal Maternity Hospital, Muncipal Corporation, Delhi-110006, India, S. B Kaveri , Khandelwal Shikha ,   Mrs Giridhar Lal Maternity Hospital, Muncipal Corporation, Delhi-110006, India
Published: May 2022

Carcinoma of cervix is the third most common cancer in women worldwide & most common female cancer in many developing countries like India. The present study was done with an objective to correlate the finding in women with unhealthy cervix by cytology and cervical biopsy and to assess the utility of these in detecting the premalignant and malignant lesions of the cervix. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of Pap smear were compared with cervical biopsy which was taken as confirmatory. Majority of patients were from age group of 31- 40 years (41%). The mean age of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and invasive carcinoma are 50.6% and 49.37%. Majority of cases with abnormal cervical lesion were in the multiparous women (parity from 2 to 4) which constituted 88 (73.34%) cases out of 120 cases. The mean parity of neoplastic lesions was around 3.35 and for invasive carcinoma it was around 4.42 in the present study. The incidence of CIN (45%) and invasive carcinoma (77.14%) was found to be higher among the low socio- economic group. CIN and invasive carcinoma was more prevalent among the illiterates, in the study 50% of CIN and 57.15% of invasive carcinoma cases was found among the illiterates. The incidence of CIN was 40% and of invasive carcinoma was 67.18% in women who were married before 20 years of age. Majority of women complained of excessive white discharge per vaginum (68.34%) and among them 13.12% (16/82) of women had CIN. In the present study 94% cases of postmenopausal bleeding were diagnosed to have CIN and invasive carcinoma and 51.54% cases of irregular bleeding were diagnosed to have CIN and invasive carcinoma. The gross appearances of cervix revealed cervical erosion in 38.34% (46/120) of cases, rest of the cases showed growth in 27.5%, congestion in 10%, Hypertrophy with congestion seen in 5.84%, Hypertrophy with erosion was seen in 11.66% and polyp was found in 4.16% of cases. Majority of cases with invasive carcinoma showed growth in the cervix (94.2% cases). In the present study pap test revealed inflammatory smears in 55% of cases, mild dysplasia in 5.84%, moderate dysplasia in 6.66%, severe dysplasia in 5.84% and invasive carcinoma was seen in 22.5% of cases. Sensitivity of pap smear was 86.5% and specificity was 92.18% in the present study. The positive predictive value was 90.7% and the negative predictive value 89.4 %. The accuracy of pap smear was found to be 90%.
Acute anticonvulsant activity of fluoxetine in wistar albino rats by maximum electroshock induced seizure
Authors:   Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, A J Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Mangalore-575004, Karnataka, India, K Sharath Kumar , N Suryanarayana Babushaw ,   Professor, Department of Pharmacology, J.J.M. Medical College, Davangere-577004, Karnataka, India, H S Siddappa Devaru ,   Professor and H.O.D, Department of Pharmacology, J.J.M. Medical College, Davangere-577004, Karnataka, India, Nagaral Jayashree V ,   Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hassan, Karnataka, India, Patil Rajani ,   Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, S S Institute of Medical Sciences, Davanagere577004, Karnataka, India, GS Jayanth ,   Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Subbaih Institute of Medical Sciences, Shimoga, Karnataka, India
Published: May 2022

A seizure is paroxysmal event due to abnormal, excessive, hypersynchronous discharges from an aggregate of central nervous system neurons. Epilepsy describes a condition in which a person has recurrent seizures due to a chronic or underlying process. The objective of this study was to evaluate anti-convulsant effect of Fluoxetine by Maximum Electroshock induced Seizure in Wistar albino rats. Wistar albino rats of either sex weighing 150-200 gms were randomly divided into five groups containing five animals in each group. All the drug preparations were administered intra-peritoneally. Group 1 received 0.5 ml/100 gm of Propylene Glycol and served as a control. Group 2 received Sodium Valproate 300 mg/kg and served as standard. Group three, four and five received Fluoxetine 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg respectively. After an interval of 30 minutes they were subjected to Maximal electroshock (MES) stimulation of 150mA for 0.2 seconds through trans-auricular electrodes by using technoelectroconvulsiometer. The duration of different parameters was noted. Statistical method was One way ANOVA was used for multiple group comparisons followed by post- hoc Tukey‟s test for group wise comparisons. Group 4 and 5 which received Fluoxetine 20 and 30 mg/kg significant anticonvulsant action when compared to control group with respect to reduction in time taken for like fore limb flexion, hind limb extension, clonus and stupor. Our study reveals that Fluoxetine elicited an effective protection against MES seizures in Wistar albino rats in the dose of 20 and 30 mg/kg.
Sub-acute anti-inflammatory activity of ethanolic extract of leaves of Leucas indica in Wistar albino rats
Authors:   Faculty, Department of Pharmacology, A.J. Institute of Medical Science and Research Centre, Kuntikana, Mangalore 575004, Karnataka, India, R Chandrashekar , V.R Manohar ,   Professor, Department of Pharmacology, A.J. Institute of Medical Science and Research Centre, Kuntikana, Mangalore 575004, Karnataka, India, Rai Mohandas ,   Head of the Department, Department of Pharmacology, A.J. Institute of Medical Science and Research Centre, Kuntikana, Mangalore 575004, Karnataka, India
Published: May 2022

Newer anti-inflammatory drugs are still under intense investigation, especially from herbs. Ethanolic extract of leaves of Leucas indica could be used to treat sub-acute inflammatory conditions. The objective of the study was to evaluate sub-acute anti-inflammatory activity of ethanolic extract of the leaves of Leucas indica in Wistar albino rats. Ten Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to five groups as Controls, standard and three doses of the test drug viz 75, 150 & 300 mg/kg, orally respectively. The adsorbent sterilized cotton pellet (20±1 mg) was implanted subcutaneously. Drugs were administered once daily for 7 days and on 8th day rats were sacrificed. The mean weight of the cotton pellets (dry, wet and transudative) were weighed and compared between the groups. Ethanolic extract of leaves of Leucas indica showed significant sub acute anti-inflammatory activity at the dose of 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg by cotton pellet induced granuloma pouch in Wistar albino rats compared to controls. Our study reveals that ethanolic extract of the leaves of Leucas indica has shown significant sub-acute anti-inflammatory activity in Wistar albino rats.
Calculation of particle size distribution of polyaniline salts using imagej
Authors:   National Centre of Excellence in Physical Chemistry, University of Peshawar, Peshawar-25120, Pakistan, Bilal Salma , Gul Salma ,   CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India160036, Shah Anwar-ul-Haq Ali ,   Institute of Chemical Sciences, University of Peshawar- 25120, Peshawar, Pakistan
Published: May 2022

The detailed analysis of particle size distribution is desirable in several technical fields that ma-nipulate granular/particulate materials including size reduction. This article describes the mani-pulation of scanning electron micrographs (SEM) of polyaniline (PANI) salts using ImageJ soft-ware. The PANI salts were prepared by two servable methods i.e. emulsion polymerizations and inverse emulsion polymerizations. 1,2 The effects of these synthesis routs on the particles shape and size distributions of the PANI salts were evaluated. Slight differences in the particle shapes were observed for these PANI salts. The polymer synthesized by inverse emulsion polymerization method showed smaller size than the one prepared by emulsion polymerization method. This type of computer based image processing methods provide better solutions to practical measurement and size distribution analysis as compared to the time consuming and vague manual means.
An ethnobotanical survey of plants used by Yanadi tribe of Kavali, Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors:   Academic Consultant, Vikrama Simhapuri University P.G.Centre, Kavali-524201, Andhra Pradesh, India, B. Swapna
Published: May 2022

An ethno botanical survey was undertaken to collect information from Yanadi tribe of Cheruvukattasangham, Kavali, Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Kavali is a part of Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt which is a Precambrian fold belt extending over 600 km along the east coast of India from the North of Cuttack in Orissa to Nellore in Andhra Pradesh. Yanadi tribe is most prevalent in this region. Besides other usages of plants the practice of oral tradition for healthcare management of human and domesticated animals using herbal medicines is still prevalent among the inhabitants of the area. The study revealed that, the Yanadi tribe used 30 plant species belonging to 20 families to treat scorpion sting, snake bite, cold, helminthic diseases, body pains after delivery in women, dysentery etc. This paper reports the uses of medicinal plants used by tribal people in the form of juices, extracts, decoctions, pastes and powders. The information requires validation for clinical usage.
Chemical synthesis of polypyrrole doped with dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid
Authors:   National Centre of Excellence in Physical Chemistry, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan, Bilal Salma , Perveen Fouzia ,   National Centre of Excellence in Physical Chemistry, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan, Shah Anwar-ul-Haq Ali ,   Institute of Chemical Sciences, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
Published: May 2022

Among the conducting polymers, polypyrrole (PPY) is one of the most attractive polymer due to its wide range of applications related to its good stability and conductivity. How-ever its insolubility in some common organic solvents limits its wide range of applications. In the present work an attempt has been made to synthesize soluble and stable PPY by inverse emulsion polymerization using dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid (DBSA) as a dopant as well as surfactant. A mixture of chloroform and 2-butanol was used as a novel dispersion medium and benzoyl peroxide as an oxidant. Optimizing the concentration of monomer and oxidant, the percent yield of PPY salts was calculated. Intrinsic viscosity of the PPY salts was calculated using capillary viscometer and was found to be dependent upon monomer concentration. Synthesized PPY salts were characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM and CV. The thermal stability of the PPY-DBSA was determined by TGA in which a thermogram showing three step decomposition patterns was obtained. The synthesized PPY-DBSA was found to be stable upto 520 ºC, which is so far the highest thermal stability reported for PPY.
Study on anticarcinogenic and apotoptic properties of methanolic stem extract of Cardiospremum halicacabum in MCF 7 cell line
Authors:   Department of Biotechnology, Kongunadu Arts and Science College, Coimbatore- 641029, Tamilnadu, India, Jacob Bindu , Natarajan Suresh ,   Department of Biotechnology, Sree Narayana Guru College, K.G. Chavadi, Coimbatore- 641029, Tamilnadu, India, Pattiyappan Sagadevan. ,   Department of Biotechnology, Kongunadu Arts and Science College, Coimbatore- 641029, Tamilnadu, India, Sivarman Rathish Kumar ,   Department of Biotechnology, Kongunadu Arts and Science College, Coimbatore- 641029, Tamilnadu, India, Suresh Syama. M. ,   Department of Biotechnology, Kongunadu Arts and Science College, Coimbatore- 641029, Tamilnadu, India
Published: May 2022

The present study reveals the medicinal properties of the present study reveals the medicinal properties of the Cardiospermum halicacabum. The Cytotoxic activity of methanolic stem extract of Cardiospermum halicacabum was tested against breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) using MTT assay. The Cytotoxic activity of methanolic stem extract of Cardiospermum halicacabum showed significant activity against tested cell line. The different concentrations (100, 500, 1000) was tested at an optical density of 540nm was observed to calculate the percentage of viability. Hundred percent viability was seen against control. The maximum inhibitory activity was seen in lower concentration (100%) at a optical density of 6.753 was observed. The minimum percentage of viability (50%) was observed at an optical density of 0.392 was observed in 1000 µg/ml). From the results it can be observed that the added compounds produced significant decrease in cell viability which confirms antiproliferative activity of the studied extracts. Acridine orange fluorescent staining, Neutral Red staining and Lactose dehydrogenase assays were carried out in MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines to study apoptopsis. The plant extract has shown significant apoptoptic activity against cancer cell lines.
A review of the chemistry of some species of genus Aloe (Xanthorrhoeaceae family)
Authors:   Chemistry Department, Egerton University P.O. Box 536 Egerton, Kenya, Ombito Japheth Omollo , Salano Elsie Nyangweso ,   Biochemistry Department, Egerton University P.O. Box 536 EgertoSn, Kenya, Yegon Philemon Kipkirui ,   Chemistry Department, Egerton University P.O. Box 536 Egerton, Kenya, Ngetich Wesley Kipkirui ,   Chemistry Department, Egerton University P.O. Box 536 Egerton, Kenya, Mwangi Elizabeth Muthoni ,   Chemistry Department, Egerton University P.O. Box 536 Egerton, Kenya, Koech Geoffrey K. Kibet ,   Chemistry Department, Egerton University P.O. Box 536 Egerton, Kenya
Published: May 2022

In recent years, the focus on plant research has increased all over the world and a large body of evidence has collected to show immense potential of medicinal plants used in various traditional systems. In the traditional systems of medicine, most of the remedies were taken from plants and they were proved to be useful. Aloe genus, which belongs to the family Xanthorrhoeaceae, produces a number of metabolites in good yields and some have been shown to possess useful biological activities. Over 130 compounds belonging to different classes, including anthrones, chromones, pyrones, coumarins, alkaloids, glycoproteins, naphthalenes and flavonoids have so far been reported from the genus. This review focuses on ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Aloe genus to allow an evaluation of the potential for utilization of the largest biomass of Aloe genus available.
Antibiotics prescribing pattern in pediatric unit of Ayder referral hospital, Tigray region, Northern Ethiopia
Authors:   School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia, Mezgebe Haftay Berhane , Tadesse Blen ,   School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia, Legesse Befikadu ,   School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia
Published: May 2022

Introduction: Antibiotics are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in pediatrics. Because of the emergence of antibiotic resistance, overall increase in health care cost and lack of uniformity in drug prescribing, monitoring as well as control of antibiotic use is important. Methodology: A retrospective crosssectional study was conducted to assess the prescribing patterns of antibiotics in the Pediatrics ward of the Ayder Referral Hospital from March until May 2013 based on patient medical records. A total of 190 patient medical records were taken in this study. Data was entered into the computer and analyzed by using Microsoft Excel 2007 and SPSS version 16.0. Results: The average number of drugs per patient was four and the average number of antibiotics per patient was two. More than 95% of the patients were exposed to at least two drugs. The maximum number of drugs per patient was ten while the maximum number of antibiotic per patient was five. The most common diseases were pneumonia 51 (16.3%), sever acute malnutrition 39(12.5%) and Acute gastroenteritis 21(6.7%). The most commonly prescribed antibiotics were ceftriaxone 76(19.6%), Gentamicin 59(15.8%) and Ampicillin 57(14.7%). Most of (71.8%) of the drugs were administered parentally. Pediatrics of age 1-5 years received more antibiotics than < 1 and 5-14 years with proportion of 37.8%, 36.6% and 25.5% respectively. About 649 (94.9%) of all the drugs were prescribed by their generic name. About 651 (95.2%) of drugs were prescribed from Essential Drug List but 33(4.8%) were not. Conclusion: Children of age 1-5 years receive more antibiotic than other age group. Therefore, strategies that promote rational use of antibiotic should focus on these patients’ populations.
Assessment of hearing improvement by myringoplasty
Authors:   Department of ENT, Raichur Institute of Medical Sciences, Raichur, Karnataka-584104, India, Sangavi Arvind Kumar. B.
Published: May 2022

Myringoplasty means an operation in which the reconstructive procedure is limited to repair of the tympanic membrane perforation. The procedure of Myringoplasty was evolved a century back and since then has progressively improved in its ability to surgically repair the perforation of the tympanic membrane to a high level of accuracy. The present study was done to study the improvement in hearing after Myringoplasty. The present study “Assessment of hearing improvement by Myringoplasty” was carried out with the patients attended the ENT OPD at a tertiray care hospiatal in South India from from 2000 to 2002. Patients attending to ENT OPD with complaints of discharge from the ear and hard of hearing are examined in detail. Patients having hard of hearing, i.e. conductive deafness and a dry perforation were selected. Pre-operative AB gap in small perforation was between 20-30 dB, in majority of moderate central perforation was between 31-40 dB and in subtotal perforation it was between 41-50 dB. Thus we found in our study, that the pre-operative AB gap increased as the size of perforation increased. After myringoplasty operation, the resultant average improvement, i.e., amount of closure of AB gap was 23 dB. In our study, there was no worsening of hearing or sensorineural loss in any case postoperatively. Perforation of the tympanic membrane most commonly arises as a result of otitis media and trauma, usually presenting clinically with conductive hearing loss and recurring otorrhoea. Myringoplasty using the underlay technique with temporalis fascia as graft in an easy technique which gives a high success rate as far as closure of perforation in tympanic membrane and improvement in hearing is concerned with minimal rate of complications.
Prevalence of potenial drug-drug interactions among psychitric patients in Ayder referral hospital, Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia
Authors:   School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia, Mezgebe Haftay Berhane , Seid Kalid ,   School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia
Published: May 2022

Introduction: A clinically relevant drug-drug occurs when the effectiveness or toxicity of one medication is altered by the administration of another medicine. Potential Drug-drug interactions are an important cause of adverse drug reactions. Psychiatric patients are increasingly susceptible to drug interactions due to the polypharmacy, nature of the prescribed drugs and most of the drugs prescribed are either enzyme inhibitor or inducers. Objective: To determine the prevalence of the potential drug-drug interactions. Methodology: A retrospective cross sectional study was performed from to March to June, 2013. Medications on patients’ medical charts were reviewed and analyzed for potential drug-drug interactions based on Micromedex Online Drug Reference. Results: In our study, total of 463 potential drug-drug interactions were identified, with median number of one potential drug-drug interaction per patient. Overall 81.65 % of the patients had at least one potential drug-drug interaction; 49.5 % patients had at least one major; and 52.3 % had at least one moderate potential drug-drug interactions. The most frequent potential drug-drug interactions identified were Haloperidol-Trihexphenidyl 74 times and Chlorpromazine–Haloperidol 36 times. Conclusion: A high prevalence of potential drug-drug interaction is recorded in our study area. Most potential drug-drug interactions recorded in this stud may cause cardio toxicity and QT prolongation. Patients with the risk of cardiovascular comorbidities and those who are prescribed multiple medications need to be monitored more closely.
Formulation optimization of mouth dissolving tablets of Meloxicam using mixed hydrotropic solublization technique
Authors:   Department of pharmaceutics, Teerthanker Mahaveer College of Pharmacy, Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad-244001, India, Sharma Shanu , Chauhan Vivek ,   Department of pharmaceutics, Teerthanker Mahaveer College of Pharmacy, Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad-244001, India, Neha  ,   Department of pharmaceutics, Teerthanker Mahaveer College of Pharmacy, Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad-244001, India, Khan M. Khalid ,   Department of pharmaceutics, Teerthanker Mahaveer College of Pharmacy, Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad-244001, India
Published: May 2022

The objective of the present study was to develop mouth dissolving tablets of meloxicam in order to achieve rapid release in saliva which may result in enhanced absorption and thereby improved bioavailability. Six batches of mixed hydrotropic solid dispersions and physical mixtures were prepared using different ratios (1:2, 1:4 and 1:6) of hydrotropic blends (urea, Nicotinamide & sodium citrate). The best batch was selected to prepare mouth dissolving tablets comprising solid dispersion of Meloxicam in six preliminary batches using croscarmellose sodium & crospovidone as superdisintegrants and camphor as subliming agent in different ratios along with other excipients. Secondary batches were prepared based on 32 factorial design with amount of superdisintegrant (crospovidone) and camphor (subliming agent) as two independent formulation variables. Two dependent response variables considered were disintegration time and percentage friability. All the batches of mouth dissolving tablets were evaluated for pre-compre sion parameters and post-compression parametes. The results of accelerated stability studies revealed no physical and chemical changes in the tablets during three months.
A study of prevalence, causes, risk factors and outcome of severe obstetrics haemorrhage
Authors:   Department of OBG, Dr. VM Government Medical College, Solapur, Maharashtra-413003, India, Kodla Chandrika S.
Published: May 2022

Severe obstetric hemorrhage is the most feared obstetric emergency that can occur to any woman at childbirth. If unattended, the hemorrhage can kill even a healthy woman. The Hemorrhage accounts for nearly one-quarter of all maternal deaths and for almost half of all postpartum deaths in low-income countries. The most common type of obstetric hemorrhage is postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), mainly primary. PPH occurring within 24 h postpartum. Primary PPH is the focus of this article. This was a cross sectional observational study conducted in a Tertiary care hospital conducted from November 2010 to June 2012 having high no of referrals from city as well as periphery. The cross tabulations were used to study the demographic, obstetrical and medical factors in women with severe obstetrical haemorrhage. Total number of patients admitted in labour room was 12,800 and 12,356 patients delivered during this period. Results showed that severe obstetrical haemorrhage (more than 1500 ml) was in 115 patients (prevalence of 0.9%). The prevalence of severe obstetric haemorrhage was 0.9 %. As 85.2% 0f the patients in study were unbooked, it contributed the high prevalence rate & antenatal care. A large proportion of the patients (62%) were multipara. Mortality in this study was 21.73% and morbidity was 78.26%. Most common cause of obstetric haemorrhage in this study was uterine atonic pph. The frequency and impact of severe hemorrhage can be effectively reduced by reducing avoidable risk factors, especially those related to obstetric interventions as increased Caesarean section rate and induction of labor. Other risk factors not amenable to change such as age, ethnic origin, and preexisting medical diseases or bleeding disorders can be minimized by extra vigilance and planned conjoined management.
Cytotoxicity of Vitex trifolia leaf extracts on MCF-7 and Vero cell lines
Authors:   Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, International University of Africa, Khartoum, Sudan, Garbi Mohammed I. , Osman Elbadri E. ,   Elsheikh Abdallah Elbadri University, Berber, Sudan, Kabbashi Ahmed S. ,   Medicinal and Aromatic Plants and Traditional Medicine Research Institute, National Centre for Research, Khartoum, Sudan, Saleh Mahmmoud S. ,   Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, International University of Africa, Khartoum, Sudan, Yuosof Yuosof S. ,   Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, International University of Africa, Khartoum, Sudan, mahmoud Sara A. ,   Department of Clinical chemistry, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, International University of Africa, Khartoum, Sudan, Salam Hamza A. A ,   Department of Histo Cyto Pathology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, International University of Africa, Khartoum, Sudan
Published: May 2022

Pharmacological and preventive properties of Vitex trifolia leaf extracts are well known, but the anticancer activity of methanol and petroleum ether extracts of Vitex trifolia leafs on human breast cancer cells have not been explored so far. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the cytotoxic activities of these extracts against MCF-7 and Vero cell line. Cells were exposed to 125 to 500 μg/ml of the extracts of Vitex trifolia for 72 h. Post-treatment, percent cell viability was studied by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2, 5-biphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. The results showed that petroleum ether and methanol extracts significantly reduced cell viability of MCF-7 cells in a concentration dependent manner. Concentrations of 125 μg/ml and above of petroleum ether and 500 μg/ml of methanol extract were found to be cytotoxic in MCF-7 cells. Cell mortality at 125, 250 and 500 μg/ml of petroleum ether extract was recorded as 98.80%, 93.40% and 87.75% respectively, whereas at 125, 250 and 500 of methanol extract values were 79.98%, 75.70% and 70.25%, respectively by MTT assay. MCF-7 and Vero cells exposed to 125, 250 and 500 μg/ml. The data revealed that the treatment with petroleum ether and methanol of Vitex trifolia leaf extract induced cell death in MCF-7 cells. Meanwhile the same extract showed a moderate inhibition against Vero cell lines. It may be concluded that Vitex trifolia can cause cell death in MCF-7 cancer cells, which can be considered as a promising chemotherapeutic agent in breast cancer treatment.