bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TRABALHO ESCRAVO E EXPROPRIAÇÃO
Authors: AZEVEDO JORDANO
Published: December 2021

Este artigo dedica-se ao estudo da regra do artigo 243 da Constituição da República, com foco na questão da eficácia e da aplicabilidade da referida norma que, a partir da EC n. 81/2014, estabeleceu a pena de expropriação das propriedades urbanas e rurais que forem utilizadas com a prática do trabalho escravo.  O problema consiste em verificar se a norma em apreço pode mesmo ser classificada como de eficácia limitada, como propõem alguns políticos, magistrados e juristas. Como se verá ao longo do texto, este autor não concorda com este ponto de vista e defende que a norma jurídica é plenamente eficaz e autoaplicável, pois essa é a interpretação mais íntegra e que melhor se alinha aos compromissos internacionais firmados pelo Brasil, no tocante ao combate ao trabalho escravo contemporâneo. Para sustentar a hipótese, este autor se valeu da interpretação construtiva e da teoria do fit decisório, de Ronald Dworkin, a fim de demonstrar que os tratados internacionais e outras decisões proferidas pelo Poder Judiciário brasileiro, ao longo dos últimos anos, formam uma sequência coerente de atos que exigem que o país adote medidas eficazes de combate a todas as formas de escravidão contemporânea, daí a razão pela qual não cabe classificar a regra do artigo 243 da CR/88 como de eficácia limitada.
Withdrawal Notice: Novel Sequence Features of Leucine-rich Repeats in
Proteins from Nucleocytoplasmic Large DNA Viruses
Authors: Matsushima Norio , Kretsinger Robert H.
Published: December 2021

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Inflammation in the CNS: Understanding Various Aspects of the Pathogenesis
of Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Doroszkiewicz Julia , Mroczko Piotr , Kulczyńska-Przybik Agnieszka
Published: December 2021

:

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive and deadly neurodegenerative disorder, and one of the most common causes of dementia in the world. Current, insufficiently sensitive and specific methods of early diagnosis and monitoring of this disease prompt a search for new tools. Numerous literature data indicate that the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is not limited to the neuronal compartment, but involves various immunological mechanisms. Neuroinflammation has been recognized as a very important process in AD pathology. It seems to play pleiotropic roles, both neuroprotective as well as neurodegenerative, in the development of cognitive impairment depending on the stage of the disease. Mounting evidence demonstrates that inflammatory proteins could be considered biomarkers of disease progression. Therefore, the present review summarizes the role of some inflammatory molecules and their potential utility in the detection and monitoring of dementia severity. The paper also provides a valuable insight into new mechanisms leading to the development of dementia, which might be useful in discovering possible anti-inflammatory treatment.
Current and Near-Future Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Gąsiorowski Kazimierz , Brokos Jadwiga Barbara , Sochocka Marta , Ochnik Michał , Chojdak-Łukasiewicz Justyna , Zajączkowska Katarzyna , Fułek Michał , Leszek Jerzy
Published: December 2021

:

Recent findings have improved our understanding of the multifactorial nature of AD.
While in early asymptomatic stages of AD, increased amyloid-β synthesis and tau hyperphosphorylation
play a key role, while in the latter stages of the disease, numerous dysfunctions of homeostatic
mechanisms in neurons, glial cells, and cerebrovascular endothelium determine the rate of progression
of clinical symptoms.

:

The main driving forces of advanced neurodegeneration include increased inflammatory reactions in
neurons and glial cells, oxidative stress, deficiencies in neurotrophic growth and regenerative capacity
of neurons, brain insulin resistance with disturbed metabolism in neurons, or reduction of the activity
of the Wnt-β catenin pathway, which should integrate the homeostatic mechanisms of brain
tissue. In order to more effectively inhibit the progress of neurodegeneration, combination therapies
consisting of drugs that rectify several above-mentioned dysfunctions should be used. It should be
noted that many widely-used drugs from various pharmacological groups, "in addition" to the main
therapeutic indications, have a beneficial effect on neurodegeneration and may be introduced into
clinical practice in combination therapy of AD.

:

There is hope that complex treatment will effectively inhibit the progression of AD and turn it into a
slowly progressing chronic disease. Moreover, as the mechanisms of bidirectional communication
between the brain and microbiota are better understood, it is expected that these pathways will be
harnessed to provide novel methods to enhance health and treat AD.
Correction of Androgen Deficiency in Men with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Kobyliak Nazarii , Pankiv Volodymyr , Yuzvenko Tetyana , Pankiv Ivan
Published: December 2021

Background:

In men with low levels of testosterone in the blood, it is believed that the
symptoms can be regarded as an association between testosterone deficiency syndrome and related
comorbidities.

Aim:

To investigate the effectiveness of testosterone therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D)
and androgen deficiency.

Materials and methods:

Testosterone replacement therapy was carried out in 26 men with T2D
and clinically or laboratory-confirmed androgen deficiency. The age of the subjects ranged from 35
to 69 years old. Laboratory studies included determinations of the concentration of the hormones
estradiol, luteinizing hormone (LH), and prostate-specific antigen (PSA). The observation period
was 9 months.

Results:

The average level of total blood testosterone in the subjects before treatment was 9.4 mol/l
and was likely lower than that of the control group (19.3 ± 1.6 nmol/l). The levels of total testosterone
in the subjects ranged from 3.9 nmol/l to 10.7 nmol/l, and hormone levels measuring less
than 8.0 nmol/l were observed in only 11 patients. After a course of testosterone replacement therapy,
a stabilization in total testosterone levels at the level of reference values (as compared to the
start of treatment) was observed in the blood of men with T2D after 9 months of observation and
the administration of the fourth injection (16.83 ± 0.75 nmol/l).

Conclusion:

The use of long-acting injectable testosterone undecanoate leads to normalization of
total testosterone levels in the blood of men with T2D and androgen deficiency, and LH levels in these
patients are unlikely to change.
Transdermal Drug Delivery: A Step towards Treatment of Cancer
Authors: Kriplani Priyanka , Guarve Kumar
Published: December 2021

Background:

Transdermal drug delivery is an emerging and appealing alternative to
oral and hypodermic drug delivery systems. With the new developments in skin penetration techniques,
anticancer drugs ranging from hydrophilic macromolecules to lipophilic drugs can be administered
via a transdermal route to treat cancer.

Objective:

In the present review, various approaches to enhance the transdermal delivery of drugs
are discussed, including micro and nanotechnology-based transdermal formulations like chemotherapy,
gene therapy, immunotherapy, phototherapy, vaccines, and medical devices. Limitations and
advantages of various transdermal technologies are also elaborated.

Method:

In this review, patent applications and recent literature of transdermal drug delivery systems
employed to cure mainly cancer are covered.

Results:

Transdermal drug delivery systems have proved their potential to cure cancer. They increase
the bioavailability of the drug by site-specific drug delivery and can reduce the side effects/-
toxicity associated with anticancer drugs.

Conclusion:

The potential of transdermal drug delivery systems to carry the drug may unclutter
novel ways for therapeutic intercessions in various tumors.
The Efficacy and Mechanism of Proteasome Inhibitors in Solid Tumor Treatment
Authors: Zhang Di , Yang Guilian , Zhang Lei , Wu Mengyang , Su Ruicong
Published: December 2021

Background:

The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is critical in cellular protein
degradation and widely involved in the regulations of cancer hallmarks. Targeting the UPS pathway
has emerged as a promising novel treatment in hematological malignancies and solid tumors.

Objective:

This review mainly focuses on the preclinical results of proteasome inhibitors in solid tumors.

Methods:

We analyzed the published articles associated with the anticancer results of proteasome
inhibitors alone or combination chemotherapy in solid tumors. Important data presented in abstract
form were also discussed in this review.

Results/Conclusion:

Proteasome inhibitors, such as bortezomib and carfilzomib, are highly effective
in treating solid tumors. The anticancer efficacy is not limited to affect the proteasomal inhibition-
associated signaling pathways but also widely involves the signaling pathways related to cell
cycle, apoptosis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In addition, proteasome inhibitors
overcome the conventional chemo-resistance of standard chemotherapeutics by inhibiting signaling
pathways, such as NF-κB or PI3K/Akt. Combination chemotherapy of proteasome inhibitors and
standard chemotherapeutics are widely investigated in multiple relapsed or chemo-resistant solid tumor
types, such as breast cancer and pancreatic cancer. The proteasome inhibitors re-sensitize the
standard chemotherapeutic regimens and induce synergistic anticancer effects. The development of
novel proteasome inhibitors and delivery systems also improves the proteasome inhibitors’ anticancer
efficacy in solid tumors. This review summarizes the current preclinical results of proteasome
inhibitors in solid tumors and reveals the potential anticancer mechanisms.
Performance Analysis of 6T SRAM and ONOFIC Cells
Authors: Sharma Vijay Kumar , Malik Masood Ahmad
Published: December 2021

Background:

As the technology node scales down to a deep sub-micron regime, the design
of static random-access memory (SRAM) cell becomes a critical issue because of increased leakage
current components. These leakage current components prevent the designing of a low-power processor
as a large portion of the processor power is consumed by the memory part.

Objective:

In this paper, an SRAM cell is designed based on the ON/OFF logic (ONOFIC) approach.
Static noise margin (SNM) of the cell for the different states are calculated and evaluated by using the
butterfly as well as noise (N) curves with the help of Cadence tools at 45 nm technology node.

Methods:

ONOFIC approach reduces the leakage current components, which makes a low power
memory cell. A performance comparison is made between the conventional six-transistor (6T) SRAM
cell and memory cell using the ONOFIC approach.

Results:

Low value of power delay product (PDP) is the outcome of the ONOFIC approach as compared
to conventional cells. ONOFIC approach decreases PDP by 99.99% in case of hold state.

Conclusions:

ONOFIC approach improves the different performance metrics for the different states of
the SRAM cell.
In silicoDrug Repurposing for the Identification of Antimalarial Drugs as Candidate Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Pasla Praveen Kumar , Thangaraju Pugazhenthan , T.Y. Sree Sudha , M. Sri Chandana , S. Rizwaan Abbas
Published: December 2021

Background:

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a severe acute respiratory condition that has affected millions of people worldwide, indicating a global health emergency. Despite the deteriorating trends of COVID-19, no drugs are validated to have substantial efficacy in the potential treatment of COVID-19 patients in large-scale trials.

Methods:

This study aimed at identifying potential antimalarial candidate molecules for the treatment of COVID and evaluating the possible mechanism of action by in silico screening method. In silico screening studies on various antimalarial compounds, like amodiaquine, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, mefloquine, primaquine, and atovaquone, were conducted using PyRx and AutoDoc 1.5.6 tools against ACE 2 receptor, 3CL protease, hemagglutinin esterase, spike protein of SARS HR1 motif, and papain-like protease virus proteins.

Results:

Based on PyRx results, mefloquine and atovaquone were found to have higher docking affinity scores against virus proteins compared to other antimalarial compounds. Screening report of atovaquone exhibited affirmative inhibition constant for spike protein of SARS HR1 motif, 3CL protease, and papain-like protease.

Conclusion:

In silico analysis reported atovaquone as a promising candidate for COVID 19 therapy.
Development of Urinary Assay Methods for the Estimation of Paracetamol
Glucuronide and Paracetamol Sulphate in Preterm Neonates with Patent
Ductus Arteriosus
Authors: Diab Diab Eltayeb , Sridharan Kannan
Published: December 2021

Aims:

This study aimed to develop a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
technique for estimating paracetamol glucuronide and paracetamol sulphate in the urine samples of
preterm neonates.

Background:

Validated methods exist for estimating the principal metabolites of paracetamol in
older children and those with liver disease. Here, we have developed and validated a simple technique
for estimating the same in urine samples of preterm neonates.

Objective:

The study aims to develop and validate a simple, reliable, and accurate HPLC technique
for estimating urinary paracetamol glucuronide and paracetamol sulphate metabolites.

Methods:

Preterm neonates of either sex diagnosed with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) receiving
paracetamol intravenously at the dose of 15 mg/kg every six hours were recruited. We ran the samples
under standardized chromatographic conditions and using various dilutions of the calibration
standards. Measures of assay selectivity, linearity, accuracy, and precision were estimated.

Results:

We observed that the peaks for paracetamol glucuronide and paracetamol sulphate were
distinguished from those of the drug-free urine samples. The results for both metabolites revealed
good reproducibility, with a percent coefficient of variation (% CV) of 4.3 and 4.9 for the slope for
paracetamol glucuronide and paracetamol sulphate, respectively. Similarly, we observed good linearity,
as indicated by the correlation coefficients of 0.99 for the metabolites. The validation assays
revealed that the method is linear, accurate, and precise over the defined concentration ranges.

Conclusion:

We demonstrated that HPLC has good accuracy, reliability, and precision, and it can
be used for estimating the principal metabolites from urine samples in neonates for defining the ontogeny
of conjugation enzymes and in paracetamol overdose.
Natural Products: Ray of Hope for Anxiety Disorders
Authors: Arora Disha , Gautam Rupesh K.
Published: December 2021

Background:

Anxiety, a familiar form of psychiatric disorder, influences numerous persons throughout the world. These psychological disorders frequently need an enduring regime of recommended medicines and impose huge costs on human societies. For the last few decenniums, discovery in the field of natural neurophysiology garnered a lot of recognition because of its least side effects.

Objective:

Many people find it helpful to discover an effective herbal remedy for anxiety with fewer detrimental repercussions. The purpose of the present article is to report medicinal plant species used as anti-anxiety agents, which in turn, are helpful to develop new anti-anxiety herbal formulations.

Method:

An unlimited, semantic electronic and manual exploration of PubMed, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, ISI, Google Scholar, Elsevier's abstract and citation database, and the database libraries was carried using keywords such as medicinal plants, herbal drugs, traditional medicine, and anxiety for recognizing natural medications in the management of anxiety disorders.

Results:

Literary review collected the information of potential anti-anxiety plants. Data support the effectiveness of some popular herbal remedies by indicating high-quality scientific studies and support several clinically efficacious natural plants as anxiolytics.

Conclusion:

Evidence-based studies indicate that natural plant treatment is an efficient way to manage anxiety disorders; the benefits outweigh the risks.
Cultural values of Hung Kings worship in Vietnam
Authors: Loi Le Van
Published: December 2021

The worship of Hung Kings is a unique type of beliefs that takes an important role in the spiritual and emotional life of many Vietnamese generations. This type of beliefs has existed since ancient times and has become one of the factors that create an exceptional and influential culture of the Vietnamese people. This article studies the history of formation and development of Hung Kings worship and cultural values of Hung Kings worship to understand the spiritual meaning, sense of origin, moral traditions of this beliefs in the spiritual life of Vietnam.
Leven voor de dood. Aanzetten tot een christelijke thanatologie
Authors: Pleizier T.T.J.
Published: December 2021

Popular literature shows the need for a contemporary art of dying. This article argues for a Christian thanatology that engages modern phenomena such as near-death-experiences, end-of-life legislation and an imagination that cannot envisions life beyond death. Reformed sources provide three elements for a Christian thanatology: (a) death as the boundary of human existence; (b) a spiritual attitude toward death; and (c) death and as an eccentric existence. A Christian thanatology moves beyond a systematic-theological exploration of the ‘last things’ to offer a ‘practical eschatology’ able to relate Christian imagination with cultural expressions.
Focus. De Geest van Christus en de Christus van de Geest
Authors: Van den Belt H.
Published: December 2021

N.a.v.: Cornelis van der Kooi, This Incredibly Benevolent Force: The Holy Spirit in Reformed Theology and Spirituality (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2018)176 p., $ 38.00 (ISBN 9780802876133) en Gijsbert van den Brink, Eveline van Staalduine-Sulman en Maarten Wisse (red.), The Spirit Is Moving: New Pathways in Pneumatology: Studies Presented to Professor Cornelis van der Kooi on the Occasion of His Retirement [Studies in Reformed Theology, 38] (Leiden: Brill, 2019) 410 p., € 143,00 (ISBN 9789004391734).
Un modelo alométrico pantropical global y local
Authors: Paz-Pellat Fernando
Published: December 2021

El desarrollo de modelos alométricos generalizados que permitan realizar estimaciones comparables con modelos locales, es un gran reto para la realización de estimaciones de la biomasa aérea en los bosques tropicales. Las estimaciones de los modelos alométricos parametrizados en el espacio logarítmico (transformación a formato logarítmico) minimizando el error cuadrático de estimación requieren de la estimación de factores de corrección para la transformación inversa al espacio aritmético. Adicionalmente, si el objetivo es la minimización de sesgos (error relativo medio, ERM y error absoluto medio, EAM), entonces se puede minimizar el error absoluto de estimación. En este trabajo se usaron modelos alométricos clásicos, basados en la relación entre la biomasa (B) y el diámetro normal (D), altura total (H) y densidad de la madera (ρ), para revisar las relaciones entre sus parámetros. Para analizar las relaciones alométricas planteadas se utilizó una base de datos pública pantropical (4004 datos, 58 sitios de muestreo). Los análisis mostraron que para modelos globales (todos los sitios) y locales (cada sitio) el modelo de regresión lineal de la relación B versus ρD2H resultó en el mejor modelo (métrica de la raíz del error cuadrático medio o RECM), por ello fue usado como estándar de referencia. Los modelos parametrizados en el espacio logarítmico para las estimaciones globales resultaron con errores de estimación mayores al modelo B = av0 (D2H) con av0 como función lineal con ρ. La estimación de av0 fue realizada minimizando el error absoluto, resultando en los menores errores de sesgos de estimación (EAR y EAM), con valores del RECM comparables al proceso de minimización del error cuadrático. Para las estimaciones locales, usando modelos alométricos a nivel de sitio, se utilizó el modelo con solo av0 (minimización del error absoluto) y cambiando el factor de corrección del estimador simple al de razones, resultando en un modelo de predicción con error de estimación comparables al de las regresiones no lineales y superando los modelos de alometría clásicos. Dado que no se cuenta con información de la biomasa aérea en los inventarios forestales normales, la estimación del factor de corrección de razones fue parametrizado en forma empírica por un proceso de regresión lineal multivariada de datos medidos en campo con resultados comparables a contar con mediciones de campo de la biomasa aérea.
Knowledge Management Functions Applied in Jordanian Industrial Companies: Study the Impact of Regulatory Overload
Authors: Al-Ani Muzhir Shaban , N. Jawad Shawqi , Abdelal Suha
Published: December 2021

This research aims to study the impact of electronic information overload on knowledge management functions in Jordanian industrial companies. The research population included all Jordanian industrial companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange. A simple random sample of 30% of the research population of 1242 seniors and middle managers in the research population was done to 373 individuals. 206 questionnaires are successfully retrieved to be analyzed. Descriptive and heuristic statistical methods such as simple and multiple regression analysis were applied using SPSS.16 program. The obtained result indicated that there is a statistically significant impact of the electronic information overload (organizational overload) on the knowledge management functions (acquisition, generation, transmission, sharing, and application of knowledge) in Jordanian industrial companies. In the scope of the results, this work made a number of recommendations, including: Adopting an organizational aspect that suits the nature of the tasks that the industrial companies operate in Jordan, in addition to providing technical capabilities to reduce the electronic information overload faced by the industrial companies in Jordan while practicing their tasks.
Pulse Oximeter App Privacy Policies During COVID-19: Scoping Assessment
Authors: Hendricks-Sturrup Rachele
Published: December 2021

Background

Pulse oximeter apps became of interest to consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly when traditional over-the-counter pulse oximeter devices were in short supply. Yet, no study to date has examined or scoped the state of privacy policies and notices for the top-rated and most downloaded pulse oximeter apps during COVID-19.

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine, through a high-level qualitative assessment, the state and nature of privacy policies for the downloaded and top-rated pulse oximeter apps during the COVID-19 pandemic to (1) compare findings against comparable research involving other mobile health (mHealth) apps and (2) begin discussions on opportunities for future research or investigation.

Methods

During August-October 2020, privacy policies were reviewed for pulse oximeter apps that had either at least 500 downloads (Google Play Store apps only) or a three out of five-star rating (Apple Store apps only). In addition to determining if the apps had an accessible privacy policy, other key privacy policy–related details that were extracted included, but were not limited to, app developer location (country); whether the app was free or required paid use/subscription; whether an ads disclosure was provided on the app’s site; the scope of personal data collected; proportionality, fundamental rights, and data protection and privacy issues; and privacy safeguards.

Results

Six pulse oximeter apps met the inclusion criteria and only 33% (n=2) of the six apps had an accessible privacy policy that was specific to the pulse oximeter app feature (vs the app developer’s website or at all). Variation was found in both the regulatory nature and data privacy protections offered by pulse oximeter apps, with notable privacy protection limitations and gaps, although each app provided at least some information about the scope of personal data collected upon installing the app.

Conclusions

Pulse oximeter app developers should invest in offering stronger privacy protections for their app users, and should provide more accessible and transparent privacy policies. This is a necessary first step to ensure that the data privacy of mHealth consumers is not exploited during public health emergency situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic, where over-the-counter personal health monitoring devices could be in short supply and patients and consumers may, as a result, turn to mHealth apps to fill such supply gaps. Future research considerations and recommendations are also suggested for mHealth technology and privacy researchers who are interested in examining privacy implications associated with the use of pulse oximeter apps during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Developing a Health Game to Prepare Preschool Children for Anesthesia: Formative Study Using a Child-Centered Approach
Authors: Ingadottir Brynja , Laitonen Elina , Stefansdottir Adalheidur , Sigurdardottir Anna Olafia , Brynjolfsdottir Berglind , Parisod Heidi , Nyman Johanna , Gunnarsdottir Karitas , Jónsdóttir Katrín , Salanterä Sanna , Pakarinen Anni
Published: December 2021

Background

Every year, millions of children undergo medical procedures that require anesthesia. Fear and anxiety are common among young children undergoing such procedures and can interfere with the child’s recovery and well-being. Relaxation, distraction, and education are methods that can be used to prepare children and help them cope with fear and anxiety, and serious games may be a suitable medium for these purposes. User-centered design emphasizes the involvement of end users during the development and testing of products, but involving young, preschool children may be challenging.

Objective

One objective of this study was to describe the development and usability of a computer-based educational health game intended for preschool children to prepare them for upcoming anesthesia. A further objective was to describe the lessons learned from using a child-centered approach with the young target group.

Methods

A formative mixed methods child (user)-centered study design was used to develop and test the usability of the game. Preschool children (4-6 years old) informed the game design through playful workshops (n=26), and usability testing was conducted through game-playing and interviews (n=16). Data were collected in Iceland and Finland with video-recorded direct observation and interviews, as well as children’s drawings, and analyzed with content analysis and descriptive statistics.

Results

The children shared their knowledge and ideas about hospitals, different emotions, and their preferences concerning game elements. Testing revealed the high usability of the game and provided important information that was used to modify the game before publishing and that will be used in its further development.

Conclusions

Preschool children can inform game design through playful workshops about health-related subjects that they are not necessarily familiar with but that are relevant for them. The game’s usability was improved with the participation of the target group, and the game is now ready for clinical testing.
A Risk-Based Clinical Decision Support System for Patient-Specific Antimicrobial Therapy (iBiogram): Design and Retrospective Analysis (Preprint)
Authors: Müller Lars , Srinivasan Aditya , Abeles Shira R , Rajagopal Amutha , Torriani Francesca J , Aronoff-Spencer Eliah
Published: December 2021

BACKGROUND

There is a pressing need for digital tools that can leverage big data to help clinicians select effective antibiotic treatments in the absence of timely susceptibility data. Clinical presentation and local epidemiology can inform therapy selection to balance the risk of antimicrobial resistance and patient risk. However, data and clinical expertise must be appropriately integrated into clinical workflows.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to leverage available data in electronic health records, to develop a data-driven, user-centered, clinical decision support system to navigate patient safety and population health.

METHODS

We analyzed 5 years of susceptibility testing (1,078,510 isolates) and patient data (30,761 patients) across a large academic medical center. After curating the data according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines, we analyzed and visualized the impact of risk factors on clinical outcomes. On the basis of this data-driven understanding, we developed a probabilistic algorithm that maps these data to individual cases and implemented iBiogram, a prototype digital empiric antimicrobial clinical decision support system, which we evaluated against actual prescribing outcomes.

RESULTS

We determined patient-specific factors across syndromes and contexts and identified relevant local patterns of antimicrobial resistance by clinical syndrome. Mortality and length of stay differed significantly depending on these factors and could be used to generate heuristic targets for an acceptable risk of underprescription. Combined with the developed remaining risk algorithm, these factors can be used to inform clinicians’ reasoning. A retrospective comparison of the iBiogram-suggested therapies versus the actual prescription by physicians showed similar performance for low-risk diseases such as urinary tract infections, whereas iBiogram recognized risk and recommended more appropriate coverage in high mortality conditions such as sepsis.

CONCLUSIONS

The application of such data-driven, patient-centered tools may guide empirical prescription for clinicians to balance morbidity and mortality with antimicrobial stewardship.
Google Trends as a Predictive Tool for COVID-19 Vaccinations in Italy: Retrospective Infodemiological Analysis (Preprint)
Authors: Rovetta Alessandro
Published: December 2021

BACKGROUND

Google Trends is an infoveillance tool widely used by the scientific community to investigate different user behaviors related to COVID-19. However, several limitations regarding its adoption are reported in the literature.

OBJECTIVE

This paper aims to provide an effective and efficient approach to investigating vaccine adherence against COVID-19 via Google Trends.

METHODS

Through the cross-correlational analysis of well-targeted hypotheses, we investigate the predictive capacity of web searches related to COVID-19 toward vaccinations in Italy from November 2020 to November 2021. The keyword “vaccine reservation” query (VRQ) was chosen as it reflects a real intention of being vaccinated (V). Furthermore, the impact of the second most read Italian newspaper (vaccine-related headlines [VRH]) on vaccine-related web searches was investigated to evaluate the role of the mass media as a confounding factor. Fisher r-to-z transformation (z) and percentage difference (δ) were used to compare Spearman coefficients. A regression model V=f(VRH, VRQ) was built to validate the results found. The Holm-Bonferroni correction was adopted (P*). SEs are reported.

RESULTS

Simple and generic keywords are more likely to identify the actual web interest in COVID-19 vaccines than specific and elaborated keywords. Cross-correlations between VRQ and V were very strong and significant (min r²=0.460, P*<.001, lag 0 weeks; max r²=0.903, P*<.001, lag 6 weeks). The remaining cross-correlations have been markedly lower (δ>55.8%; z>5.8; P*<.001). The regression model confirmed the greater significance of VRQ versus VRH (P*<.001 vs P=.03, P*=.29).

CONCLUSIONS

This research provides preliminary evidence in favor of using Google Trends as a surveillance and prediction tool for vaccine adherence against COVID-19 in Italy. Further research is needed to establish the appropriate use and limits of Google Trends for vaccination tracking. However, these findings prove that the search for suitable keywords is a fundamental step to reduce confounding factors. Additionally, targeting hypotheses helps diminish the likelihood of spurious correlations. It is recommended that Google Trends be leveraged as a complementary infoveillance tool by government agencies to monitor and predict vaccine adherence in this and future crises by following the methods proposed in this paper.
Predicting Falls in Long-term Care Facilities: Machine Learning Study (Preprint)
Authors: Thapa Rahul , Garikipati Anurag , Shokouhi Sepideh , Hurtado Myrna , Barnes Gina , Hoffman Jana , Calvert Jacob , Katzmann Lynne , Mao Qingqing , Das Ritankar
Published: December 2021

BACKGROUND

Short-term fall prediction models that use electronic health records (EHRs) may enable the implementation of dynamic care practices that specifically address changes in individualized fall risk within senior care facilities.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to implement machine learning (ML) algorithms that use EHR data to predict a 3-month fall risk in residents from a variety of senior care facilities providing different levels of care.

METHODS

This retrospective study obtained EHR data (2007-2021) from Juniper Communities’ proprietary database of 2785 individuals primarily residing in skilled nursing facilities, independent living facilities, and assisted living facilities across the United States. We assessed the performance of 3 ML-based fall prediction models and the Juniper Communities’ fall risk assessment. Additional analyses were conducted to examine how changes in the input features, training data sets, and prediction windows affected the performance of these models.

RESULTS

The Extreme Gradient Boosting model exhibited the highest performance, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.846 (95% CI 0.794-0.894), specificity of 0.848, diagnostic odds ratio of 13.40, and sensitivity of 0.706, while achieving the best trade-off in balancing true positive and negative rates. The number of active medications was the most significant feature associated with fall risk, followed by a resident’s number of active diseases and several variables associated with vital signs, including diastolic blood pressure and changes in weight and respiratory rates. The combination of vital signs with traditional risk factors as input features achieved higher prediction accuracy than using either group of features alone.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that the Extreme Gradient Boosting technique can use a large number of features from EHR data to make short-term fall predictions with a better performance than that of conventional fall risk assessments and other ML models. The integration of routinely collected EHR data, particularly vital signs, into fall prediction models may generate more accurate fall risk surveillance than models without vital signs. Our data support the use of ML models for dynamic, cost-effective, and automated fall predictions in different types of senior care facilities.

CLINICALTRIAL
Digital Health Opportunities to Improve Primary Health Care in the Context of COVID-19: Scoping Review (Preprint)
Authors: Silva Cícera Renata Diniz Vieira , Lopes Rayssa Horácio , de Goes Bay Jr Osvaldo , Martiniano Claudia Santos , Fuentealba-Torres Miguel , Arcêncio Ricardo Alexandre , Lapão Luís Velez , Dias Sonia , Uchoa Severina Alice da Costa
Published: December 2021

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic brought social, economic, and health impacts, requiring fast adaptation of health systems. Although information and communication technologies were essential for achieving this objective, the extent to which health systems incorporated this technology is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to map the use of digital health strategies in primary health care worldwide and their impact on quality of care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

We performed a scoping review based on the Joanna Briggs Institute manual and guided by the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) Extension for Scoping Reviews. A systematic and comprehensive three-step search was performed in June and July 2021 in multidisciplinary health science databases and the gray literature. Data extraction and eligibility were performed by two authors independently and interpreted using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 44 studies were included and six thematic groups were identified: characterization and geographic distribution of studies; nomenclatures of digital strategies adopted; types of information and communication technologies; characteristics of digital strategies in primary health care; impacts on quality of care; and benefits, limitations, and challenges of digital strategies in primary health care. The impacts on organization of quality of care were investigated by the majority of studies, demonstrating the strengthening of (1) continuity of care; (2) economic, social, geographical, time, and cultural accessibility; (3) coordination of care; (4) access; (5) integrality of care; (6) optimization of appointment time; (7) and efficiency. Negative impacts were also observed in the same dimensions, such as reduced access to services and increased inequity and unequal use of services offered, digital exclusion of part of the population, lack of planning for defining the role of professionals, disarticulation of actions with real needs of the population, fragile articulation between remote and face-to-face modalities, and unpreparedness of professionals to meet demands using digital technologies.

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed the positive and negative impacts of remote strategies on quality of care in primary care and the inability to take advantage of the potential of technologies. This may demonstrate differences in the organization of fast and urgent implementation of digital strategies in primary health care worldwide. Primary health care must strengthen its response capacity, expand the use of information and communication technologies, and manage challenges using scientific evidence since digital health is important and must be integrated into public service.
Звернення головного редактора
Authors: Sirenko U.
Published: December 2021

No abstract
Католический врач для калмыцкого хана: к характеристике вероисповедной политики на южных окраинах Российской империи (начало 60-х гг. XVIII в.)
Authors:   Kalmyk Scientific Center of the RAS (8, Ilishkin St., 358000 Elista, Russian Federation), Ryazhev Andrey S.
Published: December 2021

Introduction. The article concentrates on the religious policy of the Russian Empire in the Early Modern Time. For the first time in historiography, a study was carried out concerning the activities of Catholic missionaries in relation to the Kalmyk Khanate, the attempts of the Capuchin Order to establish contacts with the Kalmyk Khan Donduk-Dashi. Materials and methods. The study is based on mostly unpublished materials from the political and diplomatic correspondence of the Collegium of Foreign Affairs and the legislation of the first half of the 1760s, characterizing the methods and territorial scope of the missionaries activity, in particular, their penetration into the Kalmyk steppe. The methodology of the study has been determined by the structural and functional approach to the system of state bodies of Russia. In combination with this approach, a historical-genetic method was used, which is optimal for the study of changes in the power system of the Russian Empire from the beginning of the 18th century through the first half of the 1760s. Results. The section demonstrates the reasons for the aspiration of the Capuchin Order to the North Caucasus and the place of the Kalmyk Khanate in missionary plans, describes the standard epoch-specific missionary techniques for influencing the non-Catholic population. It has been determined that the Capuchins, relying on the support of Austrian diplomacy, bypassed the formal restrictions on missionary activity in the studied region, which could not but cause religious friction. The activity of Russian institutions to resolve differences of this kind is traced, the difficulties encountered by the authorities in the capital and especially at the local level in connection with the need for an appropriate settlement are shown. At the same time, it is emphasized that the specific interests of secular and spiritual bodies in such cases did not coincide, which had a long-standing and stable character in the south. The dynamics of the attitude of the Russian authorities towards missionaries in the Russian south is outlined. If under the conditions of the “Austrian system” — orientation towards the Austrian court, which had been in Russian diplomacy since the times of Peter the Great and under Empress Elizaveta Petrovna, their position was favorable, then after the accession of Catherine II and the crisis in Russian-Austrian relations, the possibilities of missionaries in the North Caucasus and the Kalmyk steppes were significantly limited. The author states that in the process of settling religious tensions, the Russian authorities in the early 1760s faced a weak legal framework both in relation to non-Orthodox religions and in general. The solution to the problem was outlined with the accession of Catherine II and in connection with the empress’s policy in the spheres of religion and law.
Советско-монгольская комплексная историко-культурная экспедиция. 1970 год — второй сезон. Дневник этнографического отряда (продолжение: 16 сентября – 28 сентября 1970 г.)
Authors:   Miklouho-Maclay Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology of the RAS (32a, Leninsky Ave., 119991 Moscow, Russian Federation), Zhukovskaya Natalia L.
Published: December 2021

The aim of the present article is to introduce the new data on the history of ethnographic studies of Mongolian peoples. In 2018–2019, Mongolian Studies published abstracts from the diary of the ethnographical team of the Soviet-Mongolian Complex Expedition for Historical-Cultural Studies; the publications deal with the year 1969, the first season of the Expeditions’ work in Mongolia. The 2020 article in Mongolian Studies includes the materials of the diary that deal with the next field season in Mongolia in 1970. This article continues the series of ethnographical diary publications, focusing on meetings with scholars from different countries in Ulan-Bator and the Expedition’s work in the central aimaks of Mongolia.
Природные материалы в соматических представлениях тюркских и монгольских народов Внутренней Азии
Authors:   Institute for Mongolian, Buddhist and Tibetan Studies, Siberian Branch of the RAS (6, Sakhyanova St., 670047 Ulan-Ude, Russian Federation), Sodnompilova Marina M.
Published: December 2021

The aim of this article is to analyze traditional somatic ideas of the Turkic-Mongolians of Inner Asia that they formed as a part of their “theories” on the origin of the world and man. Data and methods. An important part of the studies of man as a social and biological being is the investigation of the human body conceptualizations of the Turkic-Mongolian peoples. When explored, the ideas that traditional societies had on the human body and its constituent parts, such as organs, muscles, and blood may give an important clue to understanding traditional medicine methods, attitudes towards the body, and the body potentialities. In this respect, one cannot overestimate the relevance of the nomads’ folklore texts dealing with the origin of the world and man as a research source. A variety of such stories relating how man was made of clay, wood, metal, bone, and stone may shed light on the invention and development of new materials by man, as well as on the technologies they used for their processing. The study is based on a comparative historical method that helps to identify commonalities characteristic of the Turkic-Mongolian world in understanding the human body; as well as the method of cultural and historical reconstruction, which gives an insight into the logic of archaic views. Conclusions. In the somatic conceptualizations of the Turkic-Mongolians, the key and stable correspondences of the natural and the human are such series as bone – wood, flesh – clay/earth /stone form. The associations of the human body and its parts with metals manifest to a lesser degree. The processes of maturing and aging of the human body were conceptualized by traditional societies in terms of both natural and cultural phenomena, such as the life cycles of a tree and ceramics making of raw/soft clay hardened in the process of its firing.
Лама Зодбо-Аракба Самтанов в российской межведомственной переписке и на страницах астраханской периодической печати
Authors:   Kalmyk Scientific Center of the RAS (8, Ilishkin St., 358000 Elista, Russian Federation), Kurapov Andrey A.
Published: December 2021

Introduction. The article examines historical sources dealing with Lama Zodbo-Arakba Samtanov, the Head Lama of Buddhists of the Kalmyk steppe in 1873–1886, in terms of interaction between the Russian state administration and Kalmyk Buddhists. Data and methods. The research is based on historical-descriptive and comparative methods of historical analysis. Its focus is on the archive documents, including the memorandum of 21 January 1880 directed by the Head Lama of Kalmyk Buddhists Zodbo-Arakba Samtanov to the Minister of State Property A. A. Liven and the 1886 article ”Smert´poslednego lamy” (Death of the Last Lama) in the local newspaper Astrakhanskii spravochnyi listok. Results. This paper has examined the historical sources pertaining to Lama Samtanov’s biography. Of particular interest for the research was the evidence of his participation in the interdepartment discussions on a number of urgent issues of the second half of the nineteenth century, such as the staff of Kalmyk Buddhist monasteries being reduced and the traditional Buddhist education of Kalmyks being restricted. Also, the article focuses on the description of the ritual of Lama’s cremation that took place on 14 December 1886. Conclusions. The second half of the nineteenth century saw a more active interaction between the Buddhists of the Kalmyk steppe and Russian state ministeries and departments dealing with Kalmyk affairs. The Kalmyk senior lamas participated in a dialogue with Russian officials in an effort to defend their system of Buddhist monasteries and the traditional rules and customs of the local Buddhists. Lama Samtanov’s memorandum is a vivid example of interaction between Kalmyk Buddhists and the administration of the Russian Empire. The article ”Death of the Last Lama” in Astrakhanskii spravochnyi listok that describes the ritual of Lama’s cremation is not only a valuable source but also the evidence that shows some of the local journalists’ positive attitudes towards the Buddhist monasteries’ role in the life of Kalmyks in the late nineteenth century.