bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knowledge, attitude, and practices towards COVID-19 among general population in northern India
Authors: . Amiya , Kaushal Jyoti
Published: February 2021

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a respiratory disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. The disease is highly infectious, it causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS CoV-2). In India, there are more than 2.5 lac active COVID19 cases and case fatality rate of COVID-19 is 1.45% as per Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) on 1 January 2021. To guarantee the final success, people’s adherence to preventive measures is necessary.Methods: Survey was conducted to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practices towards COVID-19 among general population in northern India. Data was collected telephonically, using a structured questionnaire from 100 participants. Total 30 questions were included in questionnaire.Results: Regarding mode of spread, 82% believed in respiratory droplets (coughing, sneezing), 76% in touching and shaking hand with infected person, 37% in use of objects used by infected person. Regarding symptoms of the disease, 88% participants voted for fever, 62% for dry cough, 55% for sore throat, and 82% for difficulty in breathing. Regarding attitude, 72% had confidence that India can win the battle against COVID-19. Evaluation of prevention practices showed that 38% still visited crowded places and 22% had not worn masks in public places. Only 48% maintained 6 feet distance with others.Conclusions: Knowledge and attitude in most of the areas were quite adequate but actual practices for preventing measures were lacking. So, more awareness programs and more such surveys regarding following the appropriate measures are need of the hour to prevent the spread of this highly communicable and deadly disease.
Super refractory seizures with autoimmune encephalitis and ventilator associated pneumonia: a case report
Authors: Shiva A. Priya , Shaji Aswathy M. , Fardan Mohammed , Yadav K. Arun Chander
Published: February 2021

Autoimmune encephalitis is an immune-mediated syndrome with sub-acute to chronic presentations, such as memory impairment, altered sensorium, behavioral abnormality, psychosis, and seizures. Treatment as such must not be procrastinated due to pending laboratory workup, as early recognition and initiation of therapy prevents long term neurological sequelae. This is a case report of an 11-year-old male who presented with neuropsychiatric symptoms, altered sensorium and high-grade fever which evolved into refractory status epilepticus and autonomic dysfunction. While his MRI had positive findings of encephalitis, he tested negative for infectious diseases and antibody panels.
Dilemma of seizure prophylaxis in sub-arachnoid haemorrhage
Authors: Mahendru Binny
Published: February 2021

There is around 10% risk of developing seizures in post subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) period. This is considered to be linked to decreased oxygenation of brain due to increase in intra-cranial pressure obviating use of anti-epileptic drugs (AED) as a prophylactic measure. This review was done to study the effect and changes of blood brain barrier permeability in subarachnoid hemorrhage with regard to the present knowledge available and how it could be utilized to open arenas for future research for the rationalization of therapy for such patients. There is no consensus till date on the etiopathogenesis due to which no established guidelines are present for the management of such patients. It is safer to approach the patient on a case by case basis and assess whether to give prophylaxis or not based on the risk of development of seizures and adverse event profile of drugs. Also, there is a need to conduct prospective studies in this arena so as to get some meaningful interpretations which could be of some use to the future therapeutic guidelines.
Student selected components as an educational platform for teaching medical students about clinical pharmacology and quality improvement activities
Authors: Ogundipe Olayinka A.
Published: February 2021

Student selected components (SSCs) are increasingly described elements of medical undergraduate education, training and curricula. SSCs offer the potential for integration into both traditional (‘pre-clinical’ versus ‘clinical’) medical curricula, as well as into other innovative or evolving medical training curricula. This article employs a structured and descriptive approach to exemplify the process by which year 1 medical students were supported in a practical manner to undertake a distinct small group SSC project. In this illustration, the SSC was focused on a quality improvement (QI) topic of relevance to clinical pharmacology and therapeutics (CPT), and involved a review of the anticholinergic burden of inpatient prescriptions for a defined cohort. The SSC was completed in the context of a teaching hospital’s medicine of the elderly (MoE) clinical service. In a sequential manner, the paper describes experiential learning points from the perspective of a supervisor of an SSC project. The paper offers educational value with a potential for generalisable application to non-clinical and clinical educationalists. Furthermore, the paper offers guidance to supervisors, teachers, tutors and facilitators, with encouragement to consider how they may design similar projects for the training of undergraduate medical students in centres that they are affiliated with. The paper also highlights another key driver for productive SSCs i.e. the central principle of striving to promote projects and activities that support active student engagement, rather than merely passive inclusion.
Comparison of seminar and lecture as teaching method and student perception on the seminar and lecture in medical education
Authors: Dharmambal Chidambaram , Anavarathan Somasundaram
Published: February 2021

Background: The current teaching methodology in medical education is mostly lecture. Many studies have mentioned that lectures alone are ineffective in bringing up student interaction and skills. Published literature reports that students are willing to accept innovative and interactive teaching methodologies. A study was conducted to compare the seminar vs. lectures in medical teaching and to describe perception of medical students about seminar and lecture.

Methods: For comparison between seminar and lecture 88 participants from third MBBS students were randomly assigned for the Seminar and lecture methods including cross over technique by splitting the topic of leprosy into two parts. We conducted pre and post-tests after each session for both groups with the same questionnaire with total score of 36 for 36 questions. For opinion study we used a simple closed ended questionnaire on perception of on the two teaching methods. Data was analysed using SPSS software for computation of mean differences in the score and chi square proportions appropriately.

Results: Least significant difference post hoc test indicates difference in the teaching methods. Mean score difference between pre and post-tests in both methods demonstrate that seminar is effective teaching method (p<0.05). Seminar evoked interest, provided more opportunities interact. In both methodologies schematic arrangement of the topic and improvement in communication skills was similar.

Conclusions: Seminar was effective than didactic lecture interest and active participation as well as improves the ability to understand. To impart effective learning a combination of different teaching methods have to be used.
Recurrent and chronic dermatophytosis: culprit- not just antifungal resistance
Authors: Appannavar Shruti , . Kiran , Pise Gajanan , . Rohith , P. Ashwini , Sanagoudar Vinitha , Gurudev Shradha
Published: February 2021

Background: Recurrent and chronic dermatophytosis is being increasingly seen nowadays. Without drug susceptibility tests, it is difficult to say whether these are due to antifungal resistance or due to other factors.

Methods: Hundred dermatophytosis patients, lasting for more than 6 months were enrolled. Detailed history was taken. A clinical examination and KOH preparation was done.

Results: Out of total 100 patients, male to female ratio was 61:39. The most common age group was 16-30 years and 31-45years respectively. Tinea cruris with corporis was the common clinical type (44%) followed by tinea cruris alone (31%) and tinea corporis alone (25%). KOH was positive in 64%. History of delay in consulting doctor was present in 77%, home remedies in 19%, OTC drug usage in 46% among which 69.56% were steroid combined antifungals, treatment by non dermatologists in 52%. Adherence to therapy was seen only in 28%. The common aggravating factors were hot environment (60%), friction, occlusion and during menstruation. Family history of tinea was positive in 66%. No of baths were less than one per day in 8%, sharing of soap and clothing was seen in 41%.

Conclusions: Misuse of OTC topical corticosteroids, multiple familial contacts, unhygienic practices, treatment by nondermatologists with inappropriate drug, dose and duration, poor compliance to treatment have all contributed to the emergence of chronic and recurrent dermatophytosis.
Pregnancy outcomes in sexually transmitted infections or human immunodeficiency viruses infected women at a tertiary care center: a retrospective study
Authors: K. P. Saradha , Stephen Anitha Christy , Huddar Vikram V.
Published: February 2021

Background: The natural history of HIV infection in early disease is not affected by pregnancy. In later stages there may be rapid disease progression leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Prevalence of HIV in India is 0.3% in pregnant women. With the advent of PPTCT, there have been a decline in the adverse pregnancy outcomes but still few adversities are reported.  Aim of the study was to assess the various pregnancy outcomes in HIV positive women and the effects of antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Methods: A retrospective analytical study conducted from July 2017-June 2019 on HIV infected pregnant women. Their maternal age, CD4 count at diagnosis of HIV, after postpartum, mode of delivery, birth weight and HIV status of baby were noted and analyzed. 

Results: 18 HIV infected pregnant women were included. Their mean age was 25.6 years. 12 patients were in 2nd trimester and the rest in 1st trimester. All were on triple-drug (TEL) regimen. Three were diagnosed with HIV prior to conception and were already on ART. Remaining were detected at the time of ANC visit. All cases fall under stage I WHO clinical staging. Out of the 18 pregnant, two delivered by LSCS and the rest by normal delivery. All were term deliveries, with mean birth weight of 2.82 kg. One HIV infected baby was born by LSCS. The mean CD4 count at the time of diagnosis of HIV was 389 and at postpartum was 508. Overall, there was seen to be an increase in CD4 count without any adverse effects during ART.

Conclusions: Prompt HIV diagnosis and ART initiation during antenatal period can have good pregnancy outcome and thereby reducing transmission to children.
Clinico-etiological study of genital lesions at a tertiary care center in Pune, India
Authors: Tekam Prachiti S. , Belgaumkar Vasudha A. , Chavan Ravindranath B. , Deshmukh Nitika S. , Bhatt Neelam
Published: February 2021

Background: Disorders affecting the genitalia are a global health problem of significant magnitude. They comprise conditions which may or may not be sexually transmitted. Often it becomes impossible to make a reliable etiological diagnosis on clinical grounds alone. There is a paucity of data about the burden and pattern of genital disorders in our setting. This study was undertaken to identify the prevalent trends and clinic-etiological profile of genital lesions.

Methods: 100 consecutive cases presenting with genital disorders to dermatology OPD of Sassoon General Hospital, Pune, India from June 2019 to March 2020, were enrolled in this observational, cross sectional study. Patients were subjected to thorough history, clinical examination and requisite microbiological and serological investigations. Etiological diagnosis was reached after correlation of history, clinical findings and investigations.

Results:  100 patients comprised 70 males and 30 females. Age group ranged from 2 months to 75 years (mean 37.8 years). Majority of patients belonged to 21-30 years age group.  Total 78% patients had (STI) while 22% had non-STI. 13% were HIV sero-positive. 12% patients were diabetic. In 54% cases, microbiological findings confirmed the clinical diagnosis.

Conclusions: This study emphasizes that sexually transmitted infections continue to be a prominent cause of genital lesions, particularly in young sexually active individuals. However, various non-venereal dermatological disorders may manifest on the genitalia at any age, leading to diagnostic difficulty. A meticulous clinical examination supported by appropriate laboratory evaluation is the key to distinguish venereal and non-venereal dermatoses.

 
Study on prevalence of Frank's sign in cardiac patients in a tertiary care centre, Kanyakumari district
Authors: Simon Nivin , Varghese Mulamoottil George , Pravin A. J. S. , Padmaprasad M. K. , Rajagopal S. , Bharathi M. Vijaya , I. Sushma
Published: February 2021

Background: Despite its identification over 40 years ago, very few dermatologists are aware of the relevance of Frank’s sign as a cutaneous indicator of coronary artery disease. Aim was to find out the prevalence of Frank's sign among cardiac patients attending a tertiary care centre in Kanyakumari district.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional case-control study involving 270 patients, out of which 200 patients with proven CAD (by angiography) and 70 patients without evidence of CAD of more than 40 years of age, in cardiac ward as well as patients attending Cardiology and dermatology OPD in Sree Mookambika Institute of Medical Sciences, kanyakumari during a period of 5 months from August 2020 to December 2020. The data compiled included age, gender, presence of CAD, presence of DELC, grade of DELC, and laterality.

Results: DELC was present in 109 cases (40.3%) out of which 92 cases (34 %) had CAD and in 17 cases (6.3%) were without CAD, which was statistically significant (p<0.05).

Conclusions: There have been very few studies evaluating the frequency of DELC in South Indian patients with CAD. According to results of the present study, DELC was significantly associated with CAD. DELC was an important dermatological indicator of CAD with a moderately high specificity (75%) and positive predictive value (84%), but had a low sensitivity (46%) and negative predictive value (33%).  
Clinical correlation of foot eczema and patch test: a cross sectional study from South India
Authors: Fathima Sharim , Muhammed Kunnummal , Nandakumar Gopalapillai
Published: February 2021

Background: Foot eczema is caused by several exogenous or endogenous factors acting alone or in combination. Leather, rubber and adhesive components are the most common allergens. Patch test is performed to find out the allergen which helps clinician in subsequent patient management and improving the prognosis.  

Methods: Total 50 patients with foot eczema were evaluated and patch test was performed with Indian standard series over 18 months period in a tertiary hospital in South India.

Results: Out of 50 patients 32 (64%) were females and 18 (36%) were males. Younger age group was mainly involved (second decade). An atopic back ground and seasonal exacerbation were contributory in many. Patch test was positive in 39 (78%) patients. The forefoot was predominantly involved part in 56% followed by dorsal aspect alone of the foot. Scaly plaque was the predominant morphological pattern seen in 25 (50%). Maximum number of patients (24%) showed positive reactions to potassium dichromate and the minimum (2%) to neomycin sulphate.  

Conclusions: Though rubber and rubber chemicals were the common sensitizers causing foot eczema worldwide, our study found potassium dichromate to be the most common sensitizer which is one the components used in leather tanning and is a constituent of cement, soaps and detergents.  
Familial median canaliform dystrophy of heller affecting multiple nails: a rare clinical entity
Authors: Jain Chandni , Shaafie Harris Ishtiyaq , Farooque Mustaqueem , Wahab Zarin
Published: February 2021

Median canaliform dystrophy (MCD); first described by Heller in 1928 is characterized by a midline or paramedian split in the nail plate. Mostly idiopathic, some identifiable causes include habitual picking of the nails, oral isotretinoin use and positive family history. The familial occurrence of MCD has rarely been described. Till date, no therapy has proven to be consistently successful in effectively managing the condition. Commonly utilized treatments have been intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injections into the dystrophic nail, topical 0.1% tacrolimus ointment and topical tazarotene 0.05% ointment. Despite available treatment options, the condition has a tendency to recur. Here; we report a case of a 14‑year‑old male presenting with familial MCD affecting multiple finger and toe nails.
Trachyonychia in a child with concomitant alopecia areata and lichen planus
Authors: David Abhinav , Kaur Inderpreet
Published: February 2021

Trachyonychia of nails has been found to be associated with dermatoses such as lichen planus, psoriasis, alopecia areata etc. When involving all the finger and toe nails bilaterally, it is referred to as ‘twenty nail dystrophies. We, hereby, report a case of trachyonychia in an 8-year-old boy, with concomitant lichen planus and alopecia areata. He was successfully treated with biweekly pulse systemic corticosteroid therapy for duration of 6 months. Significant response was noted at the end of 6 months in terms of hair re-growth; improvement of nail texture, thickness and subungual hyperkeratosis; and resolution of skin lesions.
BIDeconomics Belize: Developing a Sustainable, Resilient and Inclusive Belize
Authors: Martin Lucia , Leslie Janelle , Ruiz-Arranz Marta , López-Ghio Ramiro , Vasquez Gian
Published: February 2021

This document presents a comprehensive analysis of challenges and opportunities for promoting inclusive and sustainable development in Belize on a sectoral level, where rekindling faster, sustained economic growth is arguably one of the country's most significant development challenges. The unprecedented hit of the COVID-19 pandemic has added pressure to an economy with characteristically low growth, and dramatically transformed Belize's economic and social outlook. Reigniting economic growth that is sustainable and inclusive, as well as removing structural bottlenecks, requires addressing three priority areas categorized here as pillars. These pillars are: (i) Anchoring fiscal policy for growth, (ii) Transforming the export sector through diversification, integration, and innovation, and (iii) Providing social protection and skills to shape the future. These development challenges are interdependent and tackling them will require a collaborative and synchronous approach. At the IADB, we trust the BIDeconomics Belize will be a valuable tool for the Government of Belize and the country's stakeholders to overcome these challenges. BIDeconomics is a series of publications by the Department of Countries of Central America Haiti, Mexico, Panama and the Dominican Republic that provides analysis and proposals to support the sustainable development of the countries of the region. Each publication summarizes the findings of the Country Development Challenges studies, which are respectively prepared as inputs for each of the IDB Country Strategies.
Promoción de literatura infantil en línea
Authors: Lopez-Gil Karen S. , Franco-Chávez Fanny-Patricia
Published: February 2021

Analizamos las prácticas de promoción de literatura infantil de una niña booktuber de la ciudad de Cali, Colombia, desarrolladas a través del canal de YouTube y de las redes sociales de la comunidad “AventurArte con Manu”. Se usa una metodología de sistematización de experiencias, en la que se lleva a cabo una fase reconstructiva de la práctica desde el relato de sus participantes, así como un análisis interpretativo para derivar conocimiento de la misma a partir de su diálogo con la perspectiva teórica de los Nuevos Estudios de Literacidad. El análisis incluye cuatro aspectos: los roles y formas de interacción de los participantes, los escenarios y ámbitos de actuación de las prácticas, las actividades asociadas a la promoción de literatura infantil y las plataformas y textos involucrados. Las prácticas de la booktuber infantil Manu muestran el potencial de los medios digitales para la animación y la promoción de la lectura, en este caso, desde una apuesta que integra la familia, las bibliotecas públicas y otros escenarios locales con canales de difusión masiva y de interacción en línea.
Tuiteratura
Authors: Castro-Martínez Andrea , Díaz-Morilla Pablo
Published: February 2021

La innovación en los contenidos de las redes sociales digitales se incrementa día a día mediante las aportaciones y la creatividad de los usuarios. En esta investigación exploramos las posibilidades narrativas que ofrece Twitter a través de su herramienta de creación de hilos. Analizamos más de 1.300 publicaciones agrupadas en 16 hilos, creados entre 2017 y 2020, y que generaron más de 7 millones de interacciones. Empleamos una metodología mixta basada en análisis de contenido, monitorización de publicaciones en Twitter y entrevistas semiestructuradas. Los resultados muestran que existen diversos tipos de hilos en esta red social y que cada uno dispone de unas características y una voz propia, así como de recursos estilísticos determinados. Las conclusiones indican que Twitter tiene un alto potencial tanto para crear narraciones improvisadas como para la construcción de historias y relatos planificados, que a menudo se apoyan en un elaborado proceso de preproducción y producción audiovisual. Los hilos de esta red social permiten la interactividad de los usuarios lectores y su participación activa en la construcción de historias.
The effects of heat-killed Tsukamurella inchonensis on intestinal morphology and humoral immune responses of broiler chickens
Authors: Nofouzi Katayoon , Mirzazadeh Sorayya , Khordadmehr Monireh , Madadi Mohammad Sadegh , Amininia Soheila , Firouzamandi Masoumeh , Ranjbar Vahid Reza
Published: February 2021

Background and Objectives: Tsukamurella species are Gram-positive rods that exist in a broad range of environments. In this study, the efficacy of heat-killed Tsukamurella inchonensis on growth performance, intestinal morphology, and humoral immune responses of broiler chicken was evaluated.
Materials and Methods: Ross broiler chicks in the cage were randomly allocated to five groups. Trail diets were prepared by adding 106 cells per bird of heat-killed T. inchonensis into the basal trading diet for group 1 continuously dosed for 24 h from day 1 to day 13, and for group 2, 24 h on days 1 to 5; 8; 9, 12 and 13. Group 3 was received 10 6 bacteria as a subcutaneous injection on days 1, 6, and 12. Groups 4 and 5 were not received T. inchonensis during the experiment period.
Results: Feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were not altered by different delivery methods of T. inchonensis supplementation. The pulsed dosed in feed tended to provide higher body weight gain (BWG) than the negative control groups. T. inchonensis treatments, never less of the ways of delivery, boosted (P<0.05) the antibody titers to Newcastle disease virus (NDV), and avian influenza (AI) (H9N2) virus, especially when broiler chickens treated with pulse dosed in the feed. The most significant intestinal development (p<0.05) was observed between groups 1 and 2. There were no significant differences in the thymus, liver, and bursa of Fabricius relative weight. Still, there were significant increases in the relative weight of spleen on day 14 in vaccinated chickens treated with T. inchonensis pulse dosed.
Conclusion: It seems that the supplementation of T. inchonensis in the broiler diet can improve intestinal morphology and humoral immune response, which was represented by increased antibody response to NDV, and AI vaccines significantly, but it cannot affect FI and FCR.
Interaction between the probiotic Bacillus subtilis and Salmonella Typhimurium in Caco-2 cell culture
Authors: Ostovan Raheleh , Pourmontaseri Maryam , Hosseinzadeh Saeid , Shekarforoush Seyed Shahram
Published: February 2021

Background and Objectives: Bacillus probiotics have been recently considered in biotechnological researches, and food additives. The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of Bacillus subtilis probiotics (PY79 and ATCC 6633) and their metabolites on Salmonella Typhimurium in Caco-2 cells.
Materials and Methods: Cytotoxicity of B. subtilis ATCC 6633 crude supernatant (CS) was evaluated by 3-(4,5 dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. S. Typhimurium invasion assay was performed in the presence of the probiotics. Cell viability, apoptosis, and necrosis were evaluated in presence of S. Typhimurium , B. subtilis strains, and CS (4%, 8%) using flow cytometry.
Results: Results showed a significant reduction in the invasive ability of S. Typhimurium to Caco-2 cells by employing B. subtilis probiotics, and CS )‏p < 0.05). The less invasion was indicated in B. subtilis PY79 and Salmonella co-cultural group. Furthermore, the cell survival rates, and apoptosis/necrosis were respectively increased and decreased in co-culture groups (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Hence, it seems that B. subtilis strains could be suggested as beneficial candidates to overcome the invasion and cytotoxicity of Salmonella on the intestinal cells. However, additional in vivo models are suggested to validate our results.
Selective screening and characterization of plant growth promoting bacteria for growth enhancement of tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum
Authors: Yavarian Shiva , Jafari Parvaneh , Akbari Neda , Feizabadi Mohammad Mehdi
Published: February 2021

Background and Objectives: Plant Growth-promoting Bacteria (PGPB) can replace the dangerous chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The aim of this study was to isolate the PGPBs for Lycopersicon esculentum plant and to determine the appropriate volume for inoculation.
Materials and Methods: Plants samples were collected from tomato fields. Nitrogen fixing-PGPBs were isolated from rhizoplane and rhizosphere. Five isolates were screened based on their growth abilities and examined for PGPB traits including phosphate solubilization, and IAA, ammonia and HCN production. After high cell density cultivation, the cells were separated by centrifugation and freeze dried after resuspension in cryoprotectant. The powders were inoculated into sterile soil with a dose of 106 , 107 and 108 CFUs/g. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) seeds were sown in soil and after 42 days the shoot length was measured.
Results: Most of the potent PGPBs with high growth capacity were isolated from rhizoplane. Maximum phosphate solubilization was 289.7 µg/ml by NFB12 which isolated from rhizoplane. This strain produced the maximum level of IAA. NFB12 produced ammonia without the ability of production of HCN. This strain enhanced shoot length in dosed dependent manner. Surprisingly, inoculation of soil with 108 CFUs/g dramatically decreased the shoot length by 21%. Based on molecular approach NFB12 was identified as Bacillus megaterium.
Conclusion: Isolation of specific PGPBS is recommended for sustainable plant production. Our results showed that NBF12 improves tomato plant growth and its effect on tomato plant growth is does dependent. Maximum growth rate of tomato was observed with 107 CFUs/g soil inoculation of NFB12 while higher inoculation showed negative effect.
Diversity, activity, and effectiveness of Rhizobium bacteria as plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) isolated from Dieng, central Java
Authors: Purwaningsih Sri , Agustiyani Dwi , Antonius Satjiya
Published: February 2021

Background and Objectives: This study was aimed to isolate Rhizobium spp., from the plant rhizosphere and to investigate their effects on the growth of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR).
Materials and Methods: The isolates were characterized using YEMA, YEMA + Congo Red, and YEMA + Bromothymol blue (BTB) media. The Rhizobium was tested qualitatively for their ability to produce indole acetic acid (IAA), siderophores, proteases, nitrogenases as well as phosphate solubilizing activity. A greenhouse experiment was carried out to elucidate the effect of Rhizobium inoculation on Arachis hypogaea L. growth.
Results: Eleven isolates were obtained in YEMA media and they were red-pink in the YEMA + Congo Red media. The YEMA + BTB test showed that 2 isolates were slow-growing and the rest were fast-growing isolates. Seven isolates produced siderophores, 5 were capable of phosphate solubilizing, 9 isolates produced protease enzyme, 4 isolates could produce IAA, and 7 isolates could fix nitrogen. The B1 and the combination of some high trait-isolate treatments in Y gave the best results on Arachis hypogaea L. growth.
Conclusion: These isolates can be developed as biological fertilizer agents for the peanut plant.
Fast diagnosis of men’s fertility using Raman spectroscopy combined with chemometric methods: An experimental study
Authors: Sadat Moazeni Pourasil Roudabeh , Gilany Kambiz
Published: February 2021

Background: Idiopathic infertile men suffer from unexplained male infertility; they are infertile despite having a normal semen analysis, a normal history, and physical examination, and when female infertility factor has been ruled out.
Objective: The present study aimed to develop a metabolic fingerprinting methodology using Raman spectroscopy combined with Chemometrics to detect idiopathic infertile men vs. fertile ones by seminal plasma. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the seminal plasma of 26 men including 13 fertile and 13 with unexplained infertility who reffered to, Avicenna Infertility Clinic, 2018, Tehran, Iran, have been investigated. The seminal metabolomic fingerprinting was evaluated using Raman spectrometer from 100 to 4250 cm-1. The principal component analysis and discriminate analysis methods were used.
Results: The total of 26 samples were divided into 20 training and 6 test sets. The Principal component analysis score plot of the training set showed that the data were perfectly divided into two sides of the plot, which statistically approves the direct effect of semen metabolome changes on the Raman spectra. A classification model was constructed by linear discriminant analysis using the training set and evaluated by the test group which resulted in completely correct classification. While three of the six test samples appeared in the fertile group, the rest appeared in the infertile as expected.
Conclusion: Metabolic fingerprinting of seminal plasma using Raman spectroscopy combined with chemometric classification methods accurately discriminated between the idiopathic infertile men and the fertile ones and predicted their fertility type.
Key words: Semen analysis, Fertility, Raman spectroscopy, Metabolomics.
Epigenetic effects of Bisphenol A on granulosa cells of mouse follicles during in vitro culture: An experimental study
Authors: Jamali Khaghani Aylin , Farrokh Parisa , Zavareh Saeed
Published: February 2021

Background: Bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic endocrine-disrupting chemical, is a reproductive toxicant. Granulosa cells have significant roles in follicle development, and KIT ligand (KITL) and Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) are essential biomolecules produced by them during folliculogenesis.
Objective: Due to the widespread use of BPA and its potential epigenetic effects, this study examined the impact of BPA on promoter methylation of amh and kitl genes in mouse granulosa cells.
Materials and Methods: Preantral follicles were isolated from ovaries of immature mice and cultured for eight days. Then, follicles were treated with 50 and 100 μM of BPA, and 0.01% (v/v) ethanol for 24 and 72 hr. Growth and degeneration of follicles and antrum formation were analyzed. The granulosa cells were isolated mechanically, and their extracted DNA was treated with sodium bisulfite. The promoter regions of the amh and kitl were analyzed with PCR and sequencing.
Results: BPA did not change follicle survival and antrum formation significantly (p = 0.41). However, the culture in the presence of 100 μM BPA had an inhibitory effect on growth. Before BPA treatment, the CpG of the kitl and amh promoters were unmethylated and partially methylated, respectively. While the percent of 5mC in the amh promoter reduced at 100 μM of BPA, it did not alter the kitl promoter methylation.
Conclusion: BPA at higher concentrations has an inhibitory effect on follicle growth. Moreover, it seems that the epigenetic impact of BPA restricts to the demethylation of CpG sites.
Key words: Bisphenol A, DNA methylation, Granulosa cells.
Fertility preservation in women with ovarian cancer: Finding new pathways: A case-control study
Authors: Khodadadian Ali , Varghaiyan Yasser , Babakhanzadeh Emad , Alipourfard Iraj , Haghi-Daredeh Saeed , Ghobadi Amin , Hemmati-Dinarvand Mohsen , Talebi Mehrdad , Ghasemi Nasrin
Published: February 2021

Background: Surgery and chemotherapy are the two most common treatments for cancers, including ovarian cancer. Although most ovarian cancers occur over the age of 45 yr, it may involve younger women and affect their reproductive ability.
Objective: To assess the expression of Leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor 5 (LGR5), Forkhead Box O1 (FOXO1), and miR-340 genes in the ovarian cancer tissues as well as ovarian cancer cell lines.
Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 30 ovarian cancer samples (with the average age of 37 ± 2.5 years) coupled with their non-tumor marginal tissue (as a control) were collected. Proliferated cell lines were treated with several concentrations of cisplatin, and the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of cisplatin was quantified by MTTassay. After RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis and qRT-PCR were done. Finally, the results were analyzed.
Results: While the expression levels of miR-340 and FOXO1 genes in tumor samples displayed a significant reduction (p ≤ 0.001), the LGR5 gene presented a significant increase in expression (p ≤ 0.0001). However, conversely, the expression levels of miR-340 and FOXO1 genes in cisplatin-sensitive cell lines, after 24, 48, and 72 hr of cisplatin treatment, indicated a significant increase (p ≤ 0.001) while the expression of LGR5 gene showed a significant decrease in the cisplatin-sensitive cell line (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The LGR5, FOXO1, and miR-340 genes can be targeted for early diagnosis and more accurate treatment of ovarian cancer and may prevent some of the ovarian cancer complications such as infertility.
Key words: Ovarian cancer, Female infertility, LGR5, FOXO1, miR-340.
Covid-19: A new global threat for future generations
Authors: Akbar Oroojan Ali
Published: February 2021

This is a Letter to the Editor. Please download the PDF or view the article HTML.
Tathowwur Mafhum Al-Adab Al-‘Araby: Dirasah Lughawiyah Tarikhiyyah
Authors: Ramadhan Ilham , Haniah Haniah
Published: February 2021

Arabic literature has  other characteristics of world literature. Begins with the division of Arabic literature into historians and the concept of the meaning of "Adab al-‘Araby" varying from era to era. This simple writing will explain the different meanings of this field. Due to the pre-Islamic era, Arabic literature was a sense of food. The concept of literature in this era has been associated with banquet, meaning food that calls people to their food and performs this habit in the winter when the cold and the possibility of generosity to people. In the Islam era, the meaning of literature has changed to education and literature by the dakwah of Islam to people and its teachings and the refinement of souls. In the Umayyad era, the concept of literature became the meaning of education. In the Abbasid era literature was the sense of the call to Mahamad and Almkramm. In modern times came literature in the sense of the French (Litterature), which the French to write everything in the language.
Al-Kalam Al-Insya’I wa Ma’anihi fi Surati Al-Shaffat
Authors: Musyayyadah Muhimmatul
Published: February 2021

Balāghah is a science that studies the style of language in a text or expression. Some kinds balāghah studies are ‘ilmu bayān, ‘ilmu ma’ānī, and ‘ilmu badī’. In this study, the researcher studied surah al-Sāffāt by using the study of balāghah ‘ilmu ma’ānī namely Kalām Inshā’ī. Kalām Inshā’ī  is an expression that does not show truth or lies. Kalām Inshā’ī divided to two parts, that is kalām inshā’ī ṭalabī dan kalām inshā’ī ghairu ṭalabī. Through a qualitative descriptive approach, the present study reveals that there are 47 sentences consisting of kalām inshā’ī including: 16 amr (imperatives), 22 istifhām (interrogative), 2 tamannī, 4 nidā’, 2 qasm, and 1 madh.
DEEP ECOLOGY
Authors: Darius Fábio Augusto , Barnabé Thiago Abdala
Published: February 2021

O estudo da ecologia baseia-se nas interações entre os diversos organismos vivos em uma rede conectada chamada ecossistema. O termo foi cunhado em 1866 pelo biólogo alemão Ernst Haeckel como um estudo sistemático da inter-relação dos seres vivos na terra. Contudo, a partir do século 20, os impactos socioambientais herdados pela idade moderna, começaram a se tornar amplamente perceptíveis e criticados. Com isso, a partir desse instante, diversos movimentos ambientais surgiram, pautados em temáticas de sustentabilidade e consciência ambiental. Nesse sentido, este estudo tem o objetivo de verificar a perspectiva ecológica contemporânea, a partir das vertentes do movimento denominado Deep ecology. Para tanto, foi empreendida pesquisa bibliográfica para fomentar a compreensão histórica e filosófica da ecologia, bem como para o entendimento da origem da Deep ecology e suas supostas perspectivas teosóficas. Em 1970, o filósofo escandinavo Arne Naess (1912-2009) estabeleceu, com base nos pensamentos de Baruch Spinoza e outros filósofos, uma linha de pensamento sobre a responsabilidade humana em relação à natureza. Sua filosofia, buscava estipular uma ecologia profunda, a qual reestruturasse as concepções ecológicas modernas e antropocêntricas. Portanto, espera-se compreender as mudanças da concepção ecológica na história visando os impactos ambientais causados no século 19 e 20 enquanto pano de fundo histórico para melhor percepção da perspectiva da Deep ecology, a partir da década de 1970. Ainda se conclui incipientemente que o pensamento proposto por Naess estabelece, hoje, medidas ecológicas sustentáveis e eficazes para uma melhor cidadania planetária.
Substituted Decision Making and Coercion: The Socially Accepted Problem in Psychiatric Practice and a CRPD-Based Response to Them
Authors: Newton-Howes Giles , Kininmonth Leah , Gordon Sarah
Published: February 2021

Psychiatry has a long tradition of enforcing ‘care’ within mental health settings, through formal and informal coercion, often with little regard to decision-making capacity. Despite scant evidence for the effectiveness of coercive interventions and the wide variation in their application, indicating structural as opposed to health-driven reasons for use, coercive practices continue to be routinely used internationally. This is notwithstanding the recovery model of care that is endorsed on a national public policy level in many countries. Further, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and its Committee make plain that the use of practices of coercion for those who experience disability, including people who experience psychosocial disability, are unacceptable and in breach of their and other international conventions. The CRPD is interpreted as demanding an end to coercion, primarily through substitute decision-making being replaced with supported decision-making. This critical analysis examines the development of coercive practices in psychiatry, how they have become embedded as both common and socially acceptable, and approaches that may help to reduce their use in light of the CRPD. Models of care where changes have been successful in reducing substitute decision-making and promoting supported decision-making are highlighted to challenge some of the inertia to change.
Complexity, economics, and innovation policy: How two kinds of science lead to two kinds of economics and two kinds of policy
Authors: Potts Jason
Published: February 2021

One interpretation of complexity science is that it distinguishes two types of science—an equilibrium science of forces, as begun by Newton, and a complexity science of rules, as exemplified by Wolfram (2002). If you accept that argument, then there are also two types of economics—an equilibrium economics in which forces move resources around the economy, and a complexity economics in which generic rules structure knowledge in an economy (Dopfer & Potts, 2008). However, this also implies two types of economic policy—a policy framework based on reallocating resources and a policy framework based on redesigning rules (Colander & Kupers, 2014). Modern economic policy generally engages in both, but we argue that this reflects the idea that modern economic policy has not caught up with complexity science. We illustrate how this difference plays out in the particular domain of innovation policy.
A Complexity-Theoretic Perspective on Innovation Policy
Authors: Frenken Koen
Published: February 2021

It is argued that innovation policy based on notions of market failure or system failure is too limited in the context of current societal challenges. I propose a third, complexity-theoretic approach. This approach starts from the observation that most innovations are related to existing activities, and that policy’s additionality is highest for unrelated diversification. To trigger unrelated diversification into activities that contribute to solving societal challenges, government’s main task is to organize the process of demand articulation. This process leads to clear and manageable societal objectives that effectively guide a temporary collation of actors to develop solutions bottom-up. The combination of a broad coalition, a clear objective and tentative governance are the means to cope with the inherent complexity of modern-day innovation.
Teaching Complexity: The Limits of Evidence and the ‘Prospective’ Case Study
Authors: Wolf Amanda
Published: February 2021

Policy practitioner–students in a Master of Public Policy programme in New Zealand describe many problems and processes in their work environments as ‘complex’. Yet, they hold firmly to a belief in the merits of ‘evidence’ to guide their advice and decision making in the face of that complexity. This article examines the aims and pedagogy of a two-course sequence designed to help students replace over-reliance on analysing existing evidence with understanding of the ways complexity concepts can aid in estimating possible outcomes of policy interventions. Starting with identifying evidence challenges, students learn how to compare a status quo situation and a prospective case of that status quo in which a new policy has been implemented. This method draws on existing scholarship in lesson-drawing for policy applications. Students are eased into an appreciation of a variety of complexity frameworks and concepts by looking at a case about which there is, strictly speaking, no evidence.
Vibrações de corpo inteiro no transporte coletivo urbano
Authors: Holanda José Jonátas da Silva , Franz Luís Antônio dos Santos , Andrade Isabela Fernandes , Bemvenuti Renata Heidtmann
Published: February 2021

O trabalho dos motoristas de ônibus urbano está sujeito a uma exposição constante a vibrações ocupacionais, que podem ter efeitos adversos para a saúde dos profissionais. Existe em relação a esse meio uma preocupação especial quanto as Vibrações de Corpo Inteiro (VCI), devido aos inúmeros fatores que podem influenciar os níveis de exposição. A exposição a VCI no local de trabalho pode ser um dos fatores responsáveis pelas dores lombares e outras doenças ocupacionais dos condutores. Atualmente já se tem conhecimento de estratégias preventivas que podem reduzir a exposição à vibração e contribuir para uma diminuição dos seus efeitos. Por conseguinte, o objetivo deste estudo é empreender uma revisão sistemática da literatura para determinar os principais efeitos no corpo humano gerado pela exposição a VCI e sua relação com as condições de trabalho dos condutores de ônibus. O estudo busca ainda explorar estratégias preventivas que busquem reduzir a exposição à vibração ocupacional desses profissionais.
uso de HQs como ferramenta motivacional para o ensino de astronomia
Authors: Ribeiro Marcia Helena , Argollo Ferrão André Munhoz de
Published: February 2021

O Universo é algo que sempre chamou a atenção da humanidade e talvez por isso a Astronomia é uma das ciências mais antigas da história. Contudo, o ensino e aprendizagem dessa disciplina esbarram em algumas dificuldades devido a uma certa insegurança por parte dos professores e pela falta de um material lúdico apropriado para trabalhar o conteúdo com crianças e adolescentes. Assim, este estudo apresenta os resultados de uma pesquisa junto aos estudantes de escolas do Ensino Fundamental do município de Coxim [MS], por meio do uso de História em Quadrinhos (HQs) elaboradas em “tirinhas” como forma de verificar a sua potencialidade como ferramenta motivacional para o ensino e aprendizagem dos temas que envolvem o Universo e a Terra. Para tal, foram aplicadas avaliações, no início e no final de uma sequência de ensino, elaboradas para trabalhar o tema em questão. Evidenciamos que o uso de HQs como ferramenta motivacional apresentou resultados positivos para o ensino de Astronomia junto aos estudantes do Ensino Fundamental.
arquitetura moderna em Belém como objeto e documento de investigação
Authors: Chaves Celma , Beltrão Bernadeth , Dias Rebeca
Published: February 2021

Neste artigo, expõem-se os resultados parciais da pesquisa em desenvolvimento sobre as transformações na cultura arquitetônica em Belém em sua fase moderna (1940-1980). O artigo estrutura-se em três seções: a primeira refere-se aos procedimentos teóricos e metodológicos adotados para a análise das obras; a segunda, aborda o campo profissional em que engenheiros e arquitetos produziram algumas das obras aqui enfocadas, com uma breve análise dos processos de transformação nos seus usos e em sua materialidade; e a terceira parte trata desses edifícios considerando desaparecimentos, invisibilidades, a urgência de sua proteção e da construção de sua memória histórica, entendendo-os no interior de uma estrutura socioeconômica e cultural, muitas vezes adversa às lógicas de sua valorização e salvaguarda. Evidenciam-se neste escrito os percursos adotados para registrar, analisar e divulgar essa arquitetura, em busca de seu (re)conhecimento como fonte da memória e história de Belém.
Documentação do patrimônio industrial
Authors: Melo Alcilia Afonso de Albuquerque , Pereira Ivanilson Santos , Jales Lucas de Souza
Published: February 2021

O artigo possui como objeto de análise, o resgate documental do acervo patrimonial industrial, tomando como estudo de caso, o conjunto arquitetônico do Centro de Tecnologia do Couro e Calçado (CTCC) Albano Franco, vinculado ao Serviço Nacional de Aprendizagem Industrial (SENAI), localizado na cidade de Campina Grande, região do agreste paraibano. O objetivo é realizar um resgate imagético e documental da obra projetada nos anos 90, pelo arquiteto carioca Cydno Ribeiro da Silveira, através da decodificação de suas fontes primárias (fotografias, análises arquitetônicas) e secundárias (pranchas técnicas originais, publicações) para uma análise funcional e formal do conjunto. Justifica-se pela necessidade em se discutir sobre os patrimônios industrial e moderno na contemporaneidade, que pela falta de valorização por parte de órgãos preservacionistas e da sociedade, correm sérios riscos de conservação. Resultado de pesquisas acadêmicas, o artigo se apoia em referencial teórico que dialoga com os conceitos de documentação, patrimônio cultural e modernidade – discutidos por autores nacionais e internacionais, conforme será visto.