bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Printing Parameters for Sheet Metal Bending with FDM Printed Tools
Authors: Rodríguez González Pablo , Zapico García Pablo , Fernández Lucía Llamas , Peláez Peláez Sofía , Fernández Abia Ana Isabel
Published: October 2023

The objective of this work is to use PLA plastic matrices printed using the FDM additive manufacturing technique as an alternative to conventional sheet metal bending. In this way, the demand of the industry to obtain highly customized short series bent parts at a reduced price is covered. To demonstrate this hypothesis, first, the maximum compressive strength of FDM printed specimens with different manufacturing parameters was characterized by performing a parametric analysis using a factorial design of experiments (DOE) model and based on the ISO 604 standard. Once the results were analysed, an articulated bending tool was designed and printed with the best configuration obtained previously. Then, 50 S280GD galvanized steel sheets of 1 mm thickness were bent. Finally, the bending angles of the sheets were examined, checking that the bending was performed correctly, obtaining the desired shape in the sheet. As for the analysis of the economic impact, a 97.75% reduction in the manufacturing price of the tooling with respect to conventional tooling was observed, demonstrating the viability of these dies in an industrial environment.
Thermal Measurements Based on Image Processing for In Situ Monitoring of 3D Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF)
Authors: Cañero-Nieto Juan Miguel , Deluque Toro Críspulo Enrique , Solano Martos José Francisco , Díaz Bolaño Idanis Beatriz , Campo Campo Rafael José
Published: October 2023

Nowadays new applications based on the 3D printing technique demand increasingly strict product quality requirements. The in-situ monitoring of variables associated with the manufacturing process through the application of different techniques could help to evaluate the process and ultimately to ensure product quality. In this regard, the acquisition and evaluation of variables and indexes derived from thermographic analysis during the process are key for an early defect detection and can contribute to quality estimation. In this work, a new methodology is proposed for the monitoring and analysis of the additive manufacturing process based on the processing of thermographic images from an LWIR (Long Wave Infrared) camera. The methodology and the suitability of the variables and indexes extracted during the monitoring of the manufacturing process are discussed for the case of a 3D fused filament fabrication of polymers.
Tribological Analysis and Operation Issues of SiO2 Nanolubricants for MQL Machining Operations
Authors: Mondragón Rosa , Abellán-Nebot Jose V. , Habib Kudama , Serrano Julio
Published: October 2023

Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) has been proved to be an efficient lubricant technique in machining that increases tool life, improves surface roughness, facilitates the recycling of the resulting chips, brings more sustainable practices in terms of minimum use of lubricants, and reduces the operators’ exposures to toxic particles with respect to conventional cooling practices. In order to increase the performance of MQL, nanoparticles of Al2O3, MoS2, SiO2 graphite and graphene among others have been recently introduced into MQL lubricants. This new approach, called nanoMinimum Quantity Lubrication (NMQL), has been proved to provide better thermal conductivity and lower friction coefficients during cutting, which in turns means higher cutting tool life and lower cutting forces. In this paper, a stable SiO2 -based nanolubricant was produced and characterized. A tribological analysis was conducted on SiO2 nanolubricants to be used on MQL operations. Operational issues related to particles deposition along time, loss of nanolubricant properties when it comes from the MQL system and mist generation were also analyzed.
“Strawberry fields forever”: flower-inhabiting thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) communities and their spatial interactions in strawberry agroecosystems in Québec, Canada, with first mention of pest Frankliniella intonsa (Trybom)
Authors: Canovas Morgane , Guay Jean-Frédéric , Fournier Valérie , Cloutier Conrad
Published: October 2023

Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) communities in agroecosystems are poorly known, particularly in Québec, Canada, where thrips can cause damage in strawberry crops. The phenology of anthophagous thrips and their use of cultivated and wildflower resources were monitored in strawberry agroecosystems, encompassing strawberry (Rosaceae) fields and adjacent uncultivated margins, on Orléans Island, Québec, Canada. A community comprised of 11 thrips species was described, dominated during the whole season by pest species Frankliniella tritici and F. intonsa, which is a first mention in Eastern Canada. Surprisingly, the major strawberry pest F. occidentalis was absent in our samples. Thrips species richness and abundance on wildflowers varied, with few flowering plant species supporting a majority of the community. Sampling sites and local wildflower presence influenced the thrips species assemblage observed on strawberry crops. Such a high thrips diversity was unexpected in this agroecosystem. The identified associations between pest thrips and wildflower species will be useful to develop better control programmes in strawberry crops.
Neurosurgical implications of the Jugular Vein Nutcracker
Authors: Angelini Chiara , Mantovani Giorgio , Cavallo Michele Alessandro , Scerrati Alba , De Bonis Pasquale
Published: October 2023

In the last ten years, a new variant of Eagle Syndrome is emerging and being described: Styloid Jugular Nutcracker (SJN). In SJN, an elongated or vertically directed styloid process causes jugular vein stenosis by compressing the vein against the arch of C1. The clinical consequences appear to be various and misunderstood, ascribable mainly to venous flow impairment and consequent intracranial hypertension. The aim of this paper is to create an overview of Jugular Vein Nutcracker and to focus on its neurosurgical implications. A PRISMA-based literature search was performed to select the most relevant papers on the topic and to realize a mini-review. Future searches in the neurosurgical field should focus on collecting data about further causes of jugular stenosis compression and the association of SJN with cerebrovascular diseases. It would also be interesting to investigate the potential role of primary and secondary prevention, which is unknown so far.
Utility of Preoperative Brain Natriuretic Peptide and Cardiac Troponin I in Predicting Perioperative Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Elderly Patients Undergoing Noncardiac Surgery
Authors: Renga Sujay , Beevi Anakha Abdul Shereef Sabiathu
Published: October 2023

Background:

Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) are frequently encountered in patients undergoing noncardiac surgeries. This study evaluated the utility of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) to predict MACE in elderly patients (aged ≥60 years) undergoing noncardiac surgeries.

Methods:

This comparative cross-sectional study was carried out at a tertiary care center in India between November 2016 and August 2018. A total of 136 consecutive patients (aged ≥60 years) presenting for noncardiac surgeries under general/spinal/regional anesthesia in the departments of surgery, orthopedics, or gynecology were included in the study. Patients with chronic kidney disease stages 4 and 5 and those receiving hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis for renal failure were excluded from the study. Peripheral blood samples for BNP and cTnI were obtained within 24 h preoperatively. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of MACE, defined as the composite of cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, heart failure, arrhythmias, and cardiac arrest at 6 days postsurgery.

Results:

The mean age of patients was 69.41 ± 7.56 years. Females comprised 54.1% of the study population. During the perioperative period and follow-up of 6 days, 12 MACE were recorded. Preoperative cTnI levels alone or both cTnI and BNP together (cTnI levels >0.07 ng/mL and BNP levels >40 pg/mL) increased significantly in the patients who experienced MACE (P < 0.05). The area under receiver operating characteristics curve for cTnI and BNP for predicting perioperative cardiac events was 0.817 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.646–0.988; P < 0.001) and 0.520 (95% CI 0.337–0.704; P = 0.817), respectively.

Conclusions:

In elderly patients undergoing noncardiac surgeries, a preoperative assessment of BNP and cTnI may help in the assessment of MACE.
Gray zone of hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Lim Young-Suk
Published: October 2023

A substantial proportion of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) do not fall into any of the defined phases and are considered to be in the “gray zone” or “indeterminate phase.” Most of the current clinical practice guidelines have no recommendations for antiviral treatment for them. However, the gray zone CHB patients with significant hepatitis B virus levels (>2000 IU/mL) and persistently normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels have a significantly high risk of hepatic inflammation, fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The molecular, clinical, and economic data that we have reviewed collectively in this article provide support for simplification of treatment initiation strategies that incorporate broader treatment of adult patients with CHB in the gray zone (hepatitis B virus [HBV] DNA ≥2000 IU/mL), regardless of ALT levels.
Construction of the Affine Super Yangian
Authors: Ueda Mamoru
Published: October 2023

In this paper, we define the affine super Yangian

Y_{\varepsilon_1,\varepsilon_2}(\widehat{\mathfrak{sl}}(m|n))

with a coproduct structure. We also obtain an evaluation homomorphism, that is, an algebra homomorphism from

Y_{\varepsilon_1,\varepsilon_2}(\widehat{\mathfrak{sl}}(m|n))

to the completion of the universal enveloping algebra of

\widehat{\mathfrak{gl}}(m|n)

.
Formal Stationary Phase for the Mellin Transform of a $\mathcal D$-Module
Authors: García López Ricardo
Published: October 2023

Given a holonomic

\mathbb{C}[z,z^{-1}]\langle \partial_z\rangle

-module

\mathbb{M}

, following Loeser and Sabbah (Comment. Math. Helv.

\mathbf{66}

(1991), 458–503), one can consider its Mellin transform, which is a difference system on the affine line over

\mathbb{C}

. In this note we prove a stationary phase formula, which shows that its formal behavior at infinity is determined by the local germs defined by

\mathbb{M}

at its singular points.
Holomorphic functions on the disk with infinitely many zeros
Authors: Boscardin Sebastiano
Published: October 2023

Suppose that

\phi(z)=\sum_{n=1}^\infty d_nz^n

is a series with radius of convergence greater than 1 and suppose that

d_n

are real numbers such that

\phi(1)\neq0

. We prove that for any integer

a

greater than

1

, the complex variable function

f(z)=\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\phi(z^{a^n})=\phi(z)+\phi(z^a)+\phi(z^{a^2})+\phi(z^{a^3})+\cdots

has infinitely many zeros on the unit disk. It even takes every complex value in every disk centered in any point of the boundary.
TO EXAMINE THE WORK COMMITMENT AND PSYCHOLOGICAL FLEXIBILITY LEVELS OF UNIVERSITY STUFF WHO PARTICIPATE IN YOGA ACTIVITIES AS A RECREATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Authors: ALPER Rumeysa , BAŞARAN Zekiye
Published: October 2023

The aim of this research is to examine the work engagement and psychological flexibility levels of university staff who participate in yoga activities. In this study, a random design with the pretest-posttest control group, which is one of the real experimental designs, was used. The sample of the study consisted of 24 female staff working at the university. Data collection tools to be used in the research are Utrecht Work Engagement Scale and Psychological Flexibility Scales. The study lasted for 12 weeks. Data were analyzed with the SPSS program, and Wilcoxon and Correlation tests were applied. As a result, there is a significant difference between the participants in the experimental group's Psychological Flexibility pre-test and post-test scores. There was no significant difference between the participants in the experiment groups' Work Engagement pre-test and post-test scores. It can be said that regular yoga practices can have positive effects on psychological flexibility as well as increase work engagement. Longer and more frequent applications are recommended.
Knowledge, attitudes, and practices for using and disposing of antibiotics: A cross-sectional study at an Indonesian community
Authors: Zairina Elida , Azzahrya Athaya B , Nugraheni Gesnita , Sulistyarini Arie
Published: October 2023

Background: Antibiotic misuse and improper disposal contribute to the rise in antibiotic resistance.    
Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of antibiotic use and disposal in Surabaya communities.    
Method: An electronic questionnaire was circulated through social media using convenience sampling. The data was then analysed descriptively, and any correlation between variables was analysed using SPSS.    
Result: The research showed that most of the respondents had good knowledge (71.6%), a positive attitude (68.2%), and good practice (78%). The correlation test showed a strong positive correlation between knowledge and practice (r = 0.568; p < 0.05).    
Conclusion: Most respondents demonstrated good knowledge, attitude, and practice. Nonetheless, education on rational antibiotic use and proper disposal should be significantly expanded.
The impact of antimicrobial stewardship on reserve antibiotic use and procuring cost
Authors: Qibtiyah Mariyatul , Wahyuhadi Joni , Khotib Junaidi
Published: October 2023

Background: Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) is an intervention designed to optimise the appropriate use of antibiotics is expected to reduce selective pressure on microbes, control antimicrobial resistance, improve patient clinical outcomes, and cost reduction.
Objective: The aim of this study is to analyse the impact of antimicrobial stewardship on "reserve" antibiotics use and procuring cost of antibiotics in hospitals.
Method: The study was conducted at Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia. A retrospective observational design study to analyse trends of "reserve" antibiotics use and procuring cost before AMS implementation (January 2018-December 2019) and after AMS implementation (January 2020-December 2021).
Results: The total meropenem consumption before AMS intervention in January 2018-December 2019 was 9950 DDD, and after AMS intervention in January 2020-December 2021 was 4639 DDD, showing a decrease of 53 %. Procuring Meropenem cost in 2018-2019 was Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) 1.490 billion and IDR 309 million between 2020 to 2021. Cost reduction positively impacts saving procurement costs in hospitals of IDR 1.18 billion (79%).
Conclusion: The impact antimicrobial stewardship programs can reduce reserve antibiotic use with meropenem indicator and have a sustainable economic impact, saving the cost of procuring antibiotics in hospitals.
Assessment of pharmaceutical inventory management in an Indonesian district health office: A pioneer study during the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Suprapto Hadi , Nita Yunita , Hermansyah Andi
Published: October 2023

Background: Pharmaceutical inventory management (PIM) is important for efficient budgeting and cost control of medicines. This is particularly critical for local health offices in Indonesia, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Objective:  To assess the PIM in the Gunungkidul health office in Indonesia.
Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study evaluating inventory data was conducted between January and May 2022. Data obtained from 2019 to 2021 were triangulated with other data from the Ministry of Health and public health centres in Gunungkidul.
Results: The availability of medicine items as compared to the national formulary was 95% (2019), 94% (2020), and 90% (2021), respectively. Purchasing budget was achieved at 96% (2019), 87% (2020), and over 120% (2021), respectively. The Inventory Turnover Ratio was between 1.23 and 1.49. The shortage of medicine occurs at a minimum rate of 15% per year. This was in contrast with overstocking at 35% for a particular medicine. Expired medicine was found at the rate of 8% (2019), 5% (2020), and 13%(2021) respectively.
Conclusion: The Covid-19 pandemic has presented significant challenges in the pharmaceutical inventory management in Gunungkidul as indicated by irregularities in the planning and procurement trajectories. The inability to anticipate crises due to the pandemic has contributed to poor management of pharmaceuticals.
Alzheimer's disease from a diabetic brain: Exploring the molecular process to determine the potential therapy target from marine sources
Authors: Rivarti Arina Windri , Saputri Legis Ocktaviana , Harahap Herpan Syafii , Permatasari Lina
Published: October 2023

Background: The prevalence of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2D) patients has reached almost 30%. Despite the rapid development, treatments for patients with T2D have not succeeded in controlling the neurodegenerative processes that occur in these patients' brains, leading to AD pathology. Several studies have demonstrated that marine sources can inhibit several AD pathogenesis pathways in T2D patients. This review aimed to determine the effect of marine species-sourced compounds at the molecular level in inhibiting and preventing the pathogenesis of AD in T2D patients.   
Method: Combinations of several terms were used to search for peer-reviewed literature published in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar.   
Result: Marine organisms-sourced compounds inhibited various target signalling pathways between T2D and AD, such as an inhibitor of β-site-amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) also known as β-secretase, glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK3B), insulin degradation enzyme (IDE), the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer (NF-κb), and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2).    
Conclusion: Marine sources can be considered as a potential therapy to prevent or slow AD progression in T2D patients.
The profile of cold chain management of vaccines in primary healthcare centre in Kupang, Indonesia
Authors: Rahmat Emanuel Gerald Alan , Yunita Nita  , Yuni Priyandani
Published: October 2023

Background: Vaccine quality is strongly influenced by the cold chain application in vaccine storage and distribution at the Primary Healthcare Center.
Objective: This study aimed to describe the cold chain management in storing and distributing vaccines at the Primary Healthcare Centre in the Kupang City area.  
Method: This study was a cross-sectional study. The data collection instrument used a checklist sheet containing 27 vaccine storage parameters and 8 (eight) vaccine distribution parameters. The research look at the vaccine storage and distribution. The sample uses the entire population, namely 11 Primary Healthcare Centre in the City of Kupang.
Result: It was found that 19 vaccine storage criteria had been implemented in all Primary Healthcare Centre. Eight storage criteria had not been implemented in all Primary Healthcare Centre. Furthermore, in the distribution practice category of eight criteria, five of them had been implemented by all Primary Healthcare Center, while three criteria had not been met. Practice that need to be improved were in thermometer calibration, availability of storage and distribution SOPs, validation of delivery equipment, availability of storage room air circulation equipment.  
Conclusion: To conclude, the implementation of cold chain  in vaccine storage and distribution practices in 11 sub-district healthcare centers was not optimal, therefore it needs to be improved.
Activities of sondhep herbs to cause changes in IL-1β in an osteoarthritis rat model
Authors: Widyowati Retno , Rosyidah Iffatur , A’yun Via Qurrota , Oktarina Rice Disi , Sholikhah Irawati , Sahu Ram Kumar
Published: October 2023

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a slowly progressive and degenerative joint disease. Symptoms of pain and inflammation are influenced by IL-1β, which increases COX-2 enzyme activity and PGE2 production. Sumenep Sondhep herbs are used by the community for joint pain.     
Objective: To evaluate the activities of the Sumenep Sondhep herb in reducing the cytokine IL-1β in the OA rats model.
Methods: Monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) induction was carried out on animal OA models. Rats were treated with Sondhep extract for 28 days. Knee diameter and hyperalgesia responses were recorded every week until the 7th week. The IL-1β levels were observed on the 21st and 49th days using the ELISA method.     
Results: There was a significant difference in decreasing the diameter of the rat's knee (p < 0.05), increasing the hyperalgesia test in the rats (p < 0.05), and decreasing IL-1β levels between before and after treatment (p < 0.05).       
Conclusion: The Sondhep Sumenep herb has activity against osteoarthritis by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β in OA rat models.
Problems in continuity of care for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Rinda Agnes Christie , Athiyah Umi , Hermansyah Andi
Published: October 2023

Background: Continuity of care is an important attribute of healthcare. Problems are particularly common when many patients are discharged from hospitals to primary healthcare centres. However, data on problems in continuity of care for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were limited and inconclusive.
Objective: This study aimed to identify problems in continuity of care in Indonesia.
Method: This observational study was conducted from January to February 2022 in five selected primary healthcare centres (PHC) in Banjarmasin, Indonesia. Data were collected using a checklist of the patient’s routine visits, care planning service and follow-up during the transition.
Result: Thirty patients were recruited based on their risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Most patients (60%) did not visit the PHC routinely as scheduled, and around 37% of patient medical records were not filled due to inconsistency in the physician assigned per visit. Only six respondents received patient books concerning medication management, while the rest did not get any. Follow-ups for HbA1C testing that were supposed to be provided biannually were not conducted, and only one patient underwent routine fasting blood glucose tests every month.
Conclusion: The continuity of care for patients with diabetes mellitus in Indonesia was lacking due to non-adherence to regular treatment, inadequate documentation and absence of follow-up services.
Application of ATC/DDD methodology to analyse antibiotic consumption in internal medicine department: A review
Authors: Andarsari Mareta Rindang , Khosyyatillah Iffah , Sholichah Aminatush , Shinta Dewi Wara , Wibisono Cahyo , Khotib Junaidi
Published: October 2023

Background: Antibiotic resistance has become a significant problem due to its impact such as higher medical costs, prolonged hospital stays, and increased mortality. The Internal Medicine Ward has a high consumption of antibiotics, particularly for gastroenteritis, typhoid, diabetic ulcer, urinary tract infection, and sepsis. The DDD/ATC systems applied in hospitals may provide valid data to evaluate antimicrobial usage as a global standard method.
Objective: To explore the antibiotic use pattern in the internal medicine department based on the DDD/ATC system.
Method: The authors explored articles from the database in PMC, Research Gate, and Google Scholar from July 11st, 2020, to July 21st, 2020. The authors included original articles/research, case reports, and meta-analyses from 2006 to 2020, which discussed DDD/100 patient-days or DDD/100 bed-days antibiotics in the internal medicine ward. A major criterion was to ensure all subjects in publications were adults aged above 18.
Result: Penicillin is the most consumed (127.9 DDD/100 bed-days), followed by Cephalosporin (41.42 DDD/100-bed-days) and Fluoroquinolone (25.87 DDD/100 bed-days).
Conclusion: The most widespread antibiotic use in Internal Medicine in many countries showed an improvement in rational antibiotic consumption.
Adolescent knowledge in COVID-19 prevention based on Centres for Disease Control guideline
Authors: Ratri Dinda Monika Nusantara , Farid Muhammad , As-Shiddiq Hasbi , Revy Priono Airlangga , Widhayatina Ananda Eka Putri , Fatikhasari Devita , Chaerani Dinda , Ayundari Ellyna Majesty , Windianto Farhan Rizqi , Meir Kallista Freda , Marthadilawati Lie Chaterine , Gomo Ludiro Seto Prasetiyo , Octaviandy Moch Tri Widya , Ramadhan Muhammad Rizky Naufal , Winarko Peggy Ignatia , Azhalia Satya Andiva , Rinardi Widad Sekar Putri
Published: October 2023

Background: Adolescents are vulnerable to the transmission of COVID-19. Compared to the other age groups, teenagers have a lower knowledge of health protocols. This situation can lead to the continuous increase in the number of COVID-19 cases although the application of health protocols following CDC guidelines is already in place globally.
Objective: The aim of this study was to determine adolescents knowledge about COVID-19 preventive measures according to CDC guidelines.
Method: This study is a cross-sectional study with the snowball sampling method. It was conducted by distributing digital questionnaires in October 2021 to adolescents aged 12-18 years. Furthermore, a descriptive analysis related to knowledge and its differences was done based on the characteristics of adolescents.
Result: About 80% of adolescents had good knowledge about COVID-19 preventive measures according to CDC guidelines. However, most of the adolescents did not have sufficient knowledge about proper handwashing, proper use and care of masks, and social distancing.
Conclusion: Adolescent knowledge about the application of health protocols according to CDC guidelines needs to be improved. Educational interventions are needed to educate adolescents about health protocols against COVID-19.
Profile of eye drops labelling of pharmacies’ prescription service in Surabaya
Authors: Aryanto Frenido , Syahrul Wahyudi  , Arie Sulistyarini  , Ana Yuda  , Mufarrihah
Published: October 2023

Background: Drug labelling in prescription services is a critical stage because it contains information about the use of medicines.
Objective: This study aimed to discover the drug information listed on the label of the eye drops prescription service at pharmacies in Surabaya.
Method: An observational study with a cross-sectional design was used to conduct this research. Data collection was performed with the simulated patient method. The information on the label was examined using a checklist based on the “FIP Guidelines for The Labels of Prescribed Medicines” and the Minister of Health Regulation No. 73 of 2016.
Result: Of 138 pharmacies visited in this study, 105 (76%) pharmacies dispensed the drug, and 83 (79%) pharmacies placed a label on the drug. The information that appeared the most was the pharmacy name (100.0%), pharmacy address (95.2%), patient name (90.4%), individual dosage instructions (100.0%), and dispensing date (88.0%). Then, the indicators that appear the least include the product name (9.6%), dosage form (2.4%), amount of drug (4.8%), expiration date (1.2%), and storage instructions (2.4%).
Conclusion: Eye drops need to be maintained for their safety and efficacy. Hence, the period after opening needs to be included in the label.
Metabolite profiling of anticancer compounds in Saussure lappa based on UPLC-QToFMS/MS
Authors: Mutiah Roihatul , Rachmawati Ermin , Fitrianingsih‬ Avin Ainur , Zahiro Syayida Roisatus
Published: October 2023

Background: Saussure lappa is a plant of the Asteraceae family that has been known as a medicinal plant to treat cancer. However, there is still a lack of data about the metabolite profiling of this extract and target activity in the cancer signaling pathway.
Objective: This study aimed to identify metabolites and evaluate the anticancer activity of Saussure lappa active ingredients.
Method: The root sample was extracted using Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE) with 96% ethanol solvent. Evaluation of the anticancer activity of the compounds was carried out using the PASS SERVER tools.
Result: About 17 metabolites have been characterised. Interestingly, Saussureamine B, C, D, costunolide, and dehydrocostus lactone showed highly antineoplastic potential properties with several possible activities such as apoptosis agonists, MMP9 expression inhibitors, and Transcription factor NF-kappa B inhibitors.
Conclusion: The root extract of Saussure lappa is highly recommended to be developed as an anticancer drug candidate.
Knowledge and perception of pharmacovigilance among pharmacy students and pharmacy professional students
Authors: Kurniawati Fivy , Hakim Arief Rahman , Novitasari Pradipta Dwinisa , Kumalasari Pratiwi Dian , Hamidah Lulu Wana
Published: October 2023

Background: Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) contributes to high morbidity and mortality rate worldwide. This can be minimised through pharmacovigilance. It is important to evaluate the level of knowledge and perception of pharmacovigilance among pharmacy students.   
Objective: To describe the level of knowledge and perceptions of final-year pharmacy students and students of pharmacy professional programs in Yogyakarta regarding pharmacovigilance.    
Method: A cross-sectional study involved 437 pharmacy students from five different universities in Yogyakarta, who were selected using a convenience sampling technique. Data were analysed to describe the characteristics of the respondents and their level of knowledge and perceptions about pharmacovigilance.  
Result: The majority of final year students in pharmacy and pharmacy professional programs had acquired a high level of knowledge about pharmacovigilance with a percentage of 54.0%. They also shared a positive perception of the implementation of pharmacovigilance with a percentage of 55.6%.    
Conclusion: Final-year pharmacy students and students of the pharmacy professional program have good knowledge and perceptions towards pharmacovigilance.
In silico approach of bioactive molecule chitosan 501.1 kDa from snail shell as antioxidant and inhibitor of the keap1-nrf2 protein-protein interaction
Authors: Umarudin Umarudin , Widyarti Sri , Warsito Warsito , Rahayu Sri
Published: October 2023

Background: ROS are created when high levels of oxidative stress occur due to hypercholesterolemia. Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-related factor (NRF2) controls the expression of antioxidant genes. Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) therapy degrades NRF2. Chitosan 501.1 kDa from snail shells contains bioactive chemicals that can induce NRF2 activity.
Objective: To evaluate the potential antioxidant activity of the bioactive compound in Mw 501.1 kDa chitosan by targeting KEAP1 and NRF2 proteins in-silico.    
Method: The 3D structures of the bioactive compounds chitosan and control 51M were derived from the PubChem database, and the proteins were derived from the RCSB PDB. The biological activity of chitosan bioactive compounds was predicted using the PASS Online server. Molecular docking was performed using Hex 8.0.0 Cuda with Shape+Electro+DARS and visualised with Discovery Studio. The biological activity of chitosan compounds was predicted as lipotropic and antioxidant.   
Result: The discovery of the bioactive compound chitosan 501.1 kDa interacted strongly with KEAP1. The bioactive compound chitosan also inhibited KEAP1 through residues GLN75 and LEU84 at the 51M-KEAP1 interaction.    
Conclusion: The bioactive compound chitosan 501.1 kDa could inhibit the interaction of KEAP1-NRF2 proteins so that NRF2 could transcribe antioxidant genes. Therefore, may serve as a suitable alternative.
What works to prevent food fraud
Authors: Onarinde Bukola A , Manning Louise , Skoczylis Joshua , Cowen Nicholas , Oyeyinka Samson , Thompson Matthew , MacLeod Andrew , James Christian ,   University of Lincoln,   Food Standards Company,   TEC Partnership
Published: October 2023

This study was undertaken to guide the FSA and the National Food Crime Unit (NFCU) on the development of future strategies and operational activities to improve food fraud prevention. Its aims were to: (1) Investigate successful initiatives and strategies for fraud prevention and especially food fraud prevention; (2) understand what has worked well in preventing commodity-based fraud (including food fraud) and the lessons learned from these initiatives and strategies; (3) provide recommendations which could be adopted by the NFCU and incorporated into the unit’s key strategies; and (4) provide recommendations for any future research required within this area. The key research questions which underpinned these objectives were: (1) What food fraud prevention strategies and initiatives have been implemented in the UK and other countries? (2) What strategies and initiatives have been implemented to prevent and tackle commodity-based fraud in other industries? (3) What conditions need to be in place to enable fraud prevention strategies to be successful?
The Importance of Chemometrics in Drug Discovery from Medicinal Plants
Authors:   University of Graz, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacognosy, Bauer Rudolf
Published: October 2023

Drug discovery from medicinal plants has always been a longstanding and fruitful endeavor in the quest for novel therapeutic agents. Chemometric techniques, such as multivariate data analysis, enable the systematic analysis of complex chemical profiles obtained from plant extracts and correlation with activity. Compounds exhibiting high correlations in orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) of pharmacological and MS data, are most promising for the identification of active constituents. Feature-based molecular networking within the Global Natural Product Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) helps to identify interesting compound clusters. Several examples are presented which demonstrate how these methods can be applied in drug discovery from medicinal plants.
A review of the application of the finite element smeared concept to biomedical engineering problems
Authors:   Bioengineering Research and Development Center (BioIRC), Kragujevac, serbia, Kojić Miloš ,   Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Serbia
Published: October 2023

The biomechanical and biochemical processes in the biological systems of living organisms are extremely complex. Advances in understanding these processes are mainly achieved by laboratory and clinical investigations, but in recent decades they are supported by computational modeling. Besides enormous efforts and achievements in this modeling, there still is a need for new methods which can be used in everyday research and medical practice. In this review, first are presented the basic assumptions in the formulation of the smeared concept, termed as Kojic Transport Model (KTM) model - introduced by the author several years ago. Then, it is demonstrated the distinction and advantages of the KTM by referring to selected publications in the literature. Application of the KTM is illustrated on several examples which include drug delivery in tumors, heart electrophysiology, and lung airflow and molecular transport by diffusion.
Targeting depression via computational approaches to design new coumarinbased serotonin receptor antagonists/agonists and develop reliable models of G protein-coupled receptors
Authors:   University of Warsaw, Centre of New Technologies, poland, Trzaskowski Bartosz , Ostrowska Kinga ,   Medical University of Warsaw, Department of Organic Chemistry, poland
Published: October 2023

It has been over 60 years since the pharmacological mechanisms of action of antidepressant drugs and the role of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine in depression and other neurological disorders have been established. Since then, a very large number of chemical compounds targeting among others, serotonin and dopamine receptors have been developed. Here we present the most recent approaches to design and develop a new class of coumarinbased candidates for antidepressants with the help of computational studies
Synthetic Data Generation for Biomedical Deep Learning: Methods, Challenges, and Opportunities
Authors:   Faculty of Engineering - University of Rijeka, Croatia, Car Zlatan , Baressi Šegota Sandi ,   Faculty of Engineering - University of Rijeka, Croatia, Dobraš Branka ,   Faculty of Engineering - University of Rijeka, Croatia
Published: October 2023

With the proliferation of deep learning (DL) techniques in biomedical applications, the need for large-scale and diverse datasets has become more and more apparent. However, obtaining labeled biomedical data is often challenging. Concerns such as patient privacy, data sharing issues, ethical questions, and the lack of data – either due to the bias towards patients aﬀected by an illness in medical examinations or due to the rarity of the investigated disease, can cause significant issues in the data collection process. In addition, manual annotation of collected data is time-intensive and requires trained personnel. One of the potential solutions discussed in the area of data science is the application of synthetically generated data, with the goal of creating artiﬁcial data points, based on previously collected data, which can aid in model training. A look into the existing synthetic data applications and generation methods, for both numeric and image data is provided by the authors. This paper explores the potential of synthetic data generation as a solution to this data scarcity, with the focus given on current state-of-the-art methods, standard approaches and challenges introduced by the application of the synthetic data in DL methodologies, and future opportunities in the ﬁeld.
Pengaruh Jumlah Penawar Terhadap Harga Pemenang pada Pengadaan Pekerjaan Konstruksi Pemerintah Daerah
Authors: Raharjo Kurniawantiningrum , Gultom Yohanna M.L.
Published: October 2023

Untuk memastikan ketersediaan barang dan jasa berkualitas tinggi dengan harga terjangkau, proses pengadaan barang dan jasa pemerintah yang efisien, terbuka, dan kompetitif sangat penting untuk pelaksanaan pembangunan nasional. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melihat pengaruh jumlah penawar terhadap harga pemenang pada pengadaan pekerjaan konstruksi pemerintah daerah. Pengujian data cross section menggunakan metode uji regresi linear berganda dilakukan terhadap 2.177 paket pekerjaan konstruksi pada pemerintah provinsi di Pulau Jawa-Bali tahun 2020 - 2021. Hasil estimasi terhadap 2.177 data menunjukkan bahwa jumlah penawar memiliki hubungan negatif dan signifikan terhadap harga pemenang. Temuan ini menunjukkan bahwa secara rata-rata, peningkatan jumlah penawar berkorelasi dengan harga pemenang yang semakin rendah untuk paket-paket pekerjaan konstruksi yang bernilai besar.
Seasonal Variations of Clinical and Biochemical Parameters in Chronic Haemodialysis
Authors: Kovacic V , Kovacic V
Published: October 2023

Introduction: Seasonal variations in clinical and laboratory variables occur commonly among chronic haemodialysis patients. In order to demonstrate seasonal differences, we prospectively compared biochemical and clinical parameters in a group of chronically haemodialysed patients living in South Croatia, a region with a Mediterranean climate.

Materials and Methods: Data were processed on 135 single dialysis treatments involving a group of 34 anuric chronic haemodialysis (HD) patients. Outcomes were measured at 3-month intervals, in March, June, September and December.

Results: The seasonal differences were found in phosphorus (P = 0.001), creatinine before HD (P <0.001), creatinine after HD (P = 0.005), alkaline phosphatase (P = 0.012), alanine aminotransferase (P = 0.042), urea before HD (P = 0.039), albumins (P <0.001), total cholesterol (P <0.001), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (P <0.001), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (P <0.001), glucose (P = 0.033), and ultrafiltration per HD (P = 0.037). When the data were grouped into cold (March and December) and mild (June and September) months, we found differences in phosphorus (1.48 ± 0.47 versus 1.72 ± 0.51, P = 0.005), alkaline phosphatase (119.46 ± 69.03 versus 169.78 ± 107.98, P = 0.002), urea before HD (27.13 ± 5.35 versus 24.40 ± 5.99, P = 0.006), albumins (37.92 ± 5.17 versus 40.58 ± 5.69, P = 0.006), total cholesterol (4.93 ± 0.93 versus 5.30 ± 0.93, P = 0.023), LDL cholesterol (2.85 ± 1.04 versus 3.23 ± 0.87, P = 0.046), glucose (4.62 ± 1.15 versus 5.57 ± 1.46, P = 0.004), and ultrafiltration per HD (3.57 ± 1.18 versus 2.97 ± 1.20, P = 0.004).

Conclusion: In Mediterranean climates, seasonal differences in predialysis urea concentration and ultrafiltration rate per dialysis could be attributed to different food and water intake. The seasonal differences in blood concentration of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and glucose might be the results of neurohormonal influences. This climate has no impact on haemoglobin and blood pressure levels.
Lymphomas Involving Waldeyer’s Ring: Placement, Paradigms, Peculiarities, Pitfalls, Patterns and Postulates
Authors: Tan LHC
Published: October 2023

Introduction: This review revisits Waldeyer’s ring lymphomas as classified by the World Health Organisation.

Materials and Methods: Sources of data include international studies on Waldeyer’s ring lymphomas as well as from personal observations gleaned from lymphoma statistics of Singapore General Hospital, Changi General Hospital, Tan Tock Seng Hospital and National University Hospital within the last decade or so.

Results: Waldeyer’s ring shares many of the histopathological trends of the rest of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), such as the high frequency of diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, and the relative rarity of follicular lymphomas in spite of its rich endowment with reactive lymphoid follicles. However, extranodal marginal zone lymphoma or “MALToma” may not be as frequently encountered as in other mucosal sites. Furthermore, the placement of Waldeyer’s ring is unique in that stark comparisons with the lymphopathology of the immediately anterior oronasal cavities can be made, with intriguing peculiarities such as the abrupt reversal of the ratio of B-cell to T/NK-cell lymphoma frequency upon crossing the imaginary line that separates the 2 regions. The differential diagnosis with regionally common lymphoma mimics, in particular reactive parafollicular hyperplasia and nasopharyngeal undifferentiated (lymphoepithelial) carcinoma of Schmincke pattern, both often aetiologically related to Epstein-Barr viral infection, is also discussed.

Conclusions: Recognition of the peculiarities and patterns of Waldeyer’s ring lymphomas is important for accurate pathologic assessment. Postulates that attempt to account for the patterns and peculiarities of Waldeyer’s ring lymphopathology can be used to direct further research.
Epidemiology of Betel Quid Usage
Authors: Gupta PC , Ray CS
Published: October 2023

Betel quid chewing is an ancient practice common in many countries of Asia and among migrated communities in Africa, Europe and North America. It enjoys complete social acceptance in many societies and is also popular among women. In its most basic form, betel quid consists of betel leaf (Piper betel), areca nut, the main psychoactive ingredient, and slaked lime (calcium hydroxide). Areca nut is said to be the fourth most commonly used psychoactive substance in the world, after caffeine, nicotine and alcohol. There are a great variety of ingredients and ways of preparing betel quid in different countries. In some, particularly in India, tobacco is added to the quid. In recent years, commercially-manufactured non-perishable forms of betel quid (pan masala or betel quid mixtures and gutka), not containing betel leaf, have been marketed. Within a short period of about 2 decades, this industry has risen in value to several hundred US million dollars. Use of areca nut in any form is not safe for oral health; the use of commercially manufactured forms seems even riskier.
Melanocytic Lesions of the Face: Diagnostic Pitfalls
Authors: McCarthy SW , Scolyer RA
Published: October 2023

The pathologist often has a difficult task in evaluating melanocytic lesions. For lesions involving the face the consequences of misdiagnosis are compounded for both cosmetic and therapeutic reasons. In this article, the pathological features of common and uncommon benign and malignant melanocytic lesions are reviewed and pitfalls in their diagnosis are highlighted. Benign lesions resembling melanomas include regenerating naevus, “irritated” naevus, combined naevus, “ancient naevus”, Spitz naevus, dysplastic naevus, halo naevus, variants of blue naevi, balloon and clear cell naevi, neurotised naevus and desmoplastic naevus. Melanomas that can easily be missed on presentation include desmoplastic, naevoid, regressed, myxoid and metastatic types as well as so-called malignant blue naevi. Pathological clues to benign lesions include good symmetry, V-shaped silhouette, absent epidermal invasion, uniform cellularity, deep maturation, absent or rare dermal mitoses and clustered Kamino bodies. Features more commonly present in melanomas include asymmetry, peripheral epidermal invasion, heavy or “dusty” pigmentation, deep and abnormal dermal mitoses, HMB45 positivity in deep dermal melanocytes, vascular invasion, neurotropism and satellites. Familiarity with the spectrum of melanocytic lesions and knowledge of the important distinguishing features should assist in interpretation. Occasionally, the use of ancillary studies may also provide additional useful information. Application of standard criteria for diagnosing such lesions should enable the correct diagnosis to be established in most cases.
A Study on SARS Awareness and Health-seeking Behaviour – Findings from a Sampled Population Attending National Healthcare Group Polyclinics
Authors: Seng SL , Lim PS , Ng MY , Wong HB , Emmanuel SC
Published: October 2023

Introduction: The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of massive SARS public education effort on SARS awareness and the conduct of those suspected of having SARS.

Materials and Methods: Five hundred and ninety-three respondents attending the National Healthcare Group Polyclinics (NHGP) participated in the survey from 9 to 13 June 2003. Associations between awareness of SARS symptoms and (i) first action to be taken and (ii) mode of transportation used, if the respondent was suspected of having SARS, were analysed using Chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests. Logistic regression was performed to adjust for relevant covariates.

Results: The majority (92.7%) of the respondents were aware of SARS symptoms. Television (91.6%), newspaper (65.2%) and radio (30.4%) formed the top 3 sources of information on SARS. Slightly more than half (51.6%) of those who suspect themselves of having SARS would choose to visit their primary health care doctors, while 22.7% of the respondents would go to Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH). If they suspected themselves to have SARS, most (84.9%) of the 578 respondents would react appropriately by taking the SARS ambulance or driving themselves to TTSH. However, 60 respondents would nonetheless take public transport to TTSH [by taxi 8.5%, mass rapid transit (MRT) or bus 1.9%]. In particular, the retired with lower educational levels were likely to be oblivious both to the symptoms of SARS and the possible consequences of travelling by inappropriate transport.

Conclusion: Despite more than 2 months of intensive SARS public education in Singapore, there remain important gaps in knowledge and appropriate behaviour that have to be bridged.