bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neizbježnost aporije u pokušaju definiranja znanja u Platonovim dijalozima Teetet i Fedon, te o logosu i o znanstvenosti teologije
Authors: Balabanić Josip
Published: March 2022

Ovaj članak želi pokazati kako su se sudionici u dijalogu Teetet složili da je znanje (ἐπιστήμη) ‘istinito mišljenje (sgr. δόξα) spojeno s objašnjenjem’ (λόγος) (201d), ali da nisu uspjeli protumačiti što je logos te da je taj pokušaj definiranja znanja završio nedorečeno, u aporiji. Pozivom na objašnjenje logosa u dijalogu Sofist (259e5) nalazi se razlog tog neuspjeha. Tu se kaže da logos, u mišljenju (διάνοια) o stvarima, »nastaje kroz međusobno prepletanje ideja« (συμπλοκὴ tῶn eἰdῶν). Zaključuje se da je i u stvarima takvo prepletanje mnoštva ideja i da se to prepletanje ili logos (um, duša u njima) ne može dokraja protumačiti. Zaključak je da se mišljenjem na temelju podataka sjetilnog iskustva ne dolazi do pravog znanja, koje čini spoznaja bivstva stvari. Pokazuje se da je jednako nedorečen ili aporičan ishod potrage za znanjem o čovjekovu životu i umiranju, o besmrtnoj duši, u dijalogu Fedon (usp. Fedon 107b). U članku se nadalje kaže da su za neku monoteističku teologiju Sokrat/Platonove ideje (εἴδη) Božje misli o stvarima. Povlači se usporedba s mislima (logosom) utkanim u proizvode namjernog ljudskog djelovanja, ali i s informacijama u genetičkim programima, u živoj prirodi, te sa strukturnim ‘suviškom’ nastalim u evoluciji ljudskog mozga, konkretno za sposobnosti religioznog iskustva. Zaključak je da sve znanosti dolaze samo do nekog znanja, ne i do pravog znanja, tj. do shvaćanja bivstva. Kršćanska teologija kao humanistička znanost u tome je u nekoj prednosti pred drugim znanostima samo time što ima Riječ objave, božanski Logos, Krista, pa može govoriti i o smislu stvari i čovjeka. Zato je tu i poseban osvrt na Simijinu primjedbu Sokratu (Fedon 85c-d) da bi se do pravog znanja možda lakše dolazilo uz pomoć ‘božanske riječi kakve’. A budući da teističkim evolucionistima u prihvaćanju Darwinove teorije, kad je riječ o postanku čovjeka, posebnu poteškoću čini antropološki supstancijski dualizam, za teologiju stvaranja predlaže se jedan oblik nereduktivnog fizikalizma.
HOSPITALITAS MASYARAKAT KRISTEN YANG MEMELIHARA TOLERANSI TERHADAP AGAMA ISLAM YANG ADA DI MAMASA KECAMATAN BALLA SEPAKUAN, Trigita Rembon, Julianti, Yosbekasa
Authors: Trigita Rembon Julianti
Published: March 2022

Tulisan yang ada ini membahas tentang “Hospitalitas Masyarakat Kristen Yang Memelihara Toleransi Terhadap Agama Islam Yang Ada Di Mamasa Kecamatan Balla Sepakuan”. Toleransi antara agama Islam dan Kristen ada sebuah fenomena yang sangat indah dipandang di tengah masyarakat, karena dengan cara menghargai, berdamai, menciptakan toleransi dan menciptakan kerukunan terhadap agama lain itu akan menciptakan sebuah perdamaian. Dengan demikian, paper atau tulisan ini akan meneliti bagaimana toleransi antar agama yang ada di Mamasa Kecamatan Balla Sepakuan, serta akan membahas tentang pandangan Teologi Kristen tentang toleransi terhadap agama Islam. Di sini bukan hanya membahas tentang toleransi terhadap agama tetapi bagaimana cara agar tidak ada lagi kesalah pahaman antara agama Islam dan Kristen.
Ruang Lingkup Ekonomi Makro Islam
Authors: Irhamni
Published: March 2022

Ekonomi Makro Islam adalah ilmu yang membahas permasalahan kebijakan ekonomi secara makro, berupa pengelolaan dan pengendalian, sesuai dengan ajaran Islam. Dalam membahas perspektif Ekonomi Islam, ada satu titik awal yang benar-benar harus kita perhatikan, yaitu : ekonomi dalam islam itu sesungguhnya bermuara kepada akidah islam, yang bersumber dari syariatnya. Dan hal ini baru dari satu sisi. Sedangkan dari sisi lain adalah Al-Qur’an al-Karim dan As-Sunnah Nabawiyah yang berbahasa Arab.
Cubic binomial Fibonacci sums
Authors: Adegoke Kunle , Olatinwo Adenike , Ghosh Sourangshu
Published: March 2022

As there is a paucity of cubic Fibonacci and Lucas identities in the existing literature, this paper is devoted to evaluatingsome cubic binomial Fibonacci and Lucas sums.
Cultural analytics to discover regularities in cultural movements
Authors: Ho Tung Manh
Published: March 2022

In this essay, I provide a quick summary of Manovich (2020)'s book, Cultural Analytics, and highlight the role of big, clever, and rigorous cultural data in the emerging 'hard' science of culture.
Controls on surface warming by winter Arctic moist intrusions in idealized large-eddy simulations
Authors: Dimitrelos Antonios , Caballero Rodrigo , Ekman Annica
Published: March 2022

The main energy input to the polar regions in winter is the advection of warm, moist air from lower latitudes. This makes the polar climate sensitive to the temperature and moisture of extra-polar air. Here, we study this sensitivity from an air-mass transformation perspective. We perform simulations of an idealized maritime air mass brought into contact with sea ice employing a three-dimensional large-eddy simulation model coupled to a one-dimensional multilayer sea ice model. We study the response of cloud dynamics and surface warming during the air-mass transformation process to varying initial temperature and humidity conditions of the air mass. We find in all cases that a mixed-phase cloud is formed, initially near the surface but rising continuously with time. Surface warming of the sea ice is driven by downward longwave surface fluxes, which are largely controlled by the temperature and optical depth of the cloud. Cloud temperature, in turn, is robustly constrained by the initial dewpoint temperature of the air mass. Since dewpoint only depends on moisture, the overall result is that surface warming depends almost exclusively on initial humidity and is largely independent of initial temperature. We discuss possible climate implications of this result, in particular for polar amplification of surface warming and the role played by atmospheric energy transports.
Birth experience, breastfeeding, and the mother-child relationship: Evidence from a large sample of mothers
Authors: Davis Abi M. B. , Sclafani Valentina
Published: March 2022

ACCEPTED ARTICLE - It is a priority for public health professionals to improve global breastfeeding rates, which have remained low in Western countries for more than a decade. Few researchers have addressed how maternal perceptions of birth experiences affect infant feeding methods. Furthermore, mixed results have been shown in research regarding breastfeeding and mother-child bonding, and many studies are limited by small sample sizes, representing a need forfurther investigation.We aimed to examine the relationship between subjective birth experiences and breastfeeding outcomes, and explored whether breastfeeding affected mother-infant bonding.3,080 mothers up to three years postpartum completed a cross– sectional survey.Mothers who had more positive birth experiences were more likely to report breastfeeding their babies. Moreover, mothers who perceived their birth as more positive were more likely to breastfeed their child for a longer period (over 9 months) than those who had more negative experiences. In line with recent research, breastfeeding behaviours were not associated with reported mother-infant bonding. Mothers who reported better birth experiences were most likely to breastfeed, and breastfeed for longer. We find no evidence to suggest that feeding methods are associated with bonding outcomes.
No fixed limit for storing simple visual features: Working memory capacity for colors is increased when remembered as parts of realistic objects
Authors: Chung Yong Hoon , Brady Timothy F. , Störmer Viola S.
Published: March 2022

Prominent theories of visual working memory postulate that the capacity to maintain a particular visual feature is fixed. In contrast to these theories, recent studies have demonstrated that meaningful objects are better remembered than simple, non-meaningful stimuli. Here, we test whether this is solely because meaningful stimuli can recruit additional features — and thus more storage capacity — or whether simple visual features that are not themselves meaningful can also benefit from being part of a meaningful object. Across four experiments (each N=30) we demonstrate that visual working memory capacity for color is increased when colors are part of recognizable real-world objects compared to unrecognizable objects. Our results indicate that meaningful stimuli provide a potent scaffold to help maintain simple visual feature information, possibly because they increase the dimensionality of these feature representations, effectively increasing their distinctiveness and reducing interference.
Functional correlates of subliminal stimulation in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Cesari Valentina , Frumento Sergio , Leo Andrea , Baroni Marina , Rutigliano Grazia , Gemignani Angelo , Menicucci Danilo
Published: March 2022

Patients with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) exposed to traumatic reminders show hyperreactivity in brain areas (e.g., amygdala) belonging or related to the Innate Alarm System (IAS), allowing the rapid processing of salient stimuli. Evidence that IAS is activated by subliminal trauma-reminders could shed a new light on the factors precipitating and perpetuating PTSD symptomatology. Thus, we systematically reviewed studies investigating neuroimaging correlates of subliminal stimulation in PTSD. Twenty-three studies were selected from the MEDLINE and Scopus® databases for a qualitative synthesis, 5 of which allowed a further meta-analysis of fMRI data. The intensity of IAS responses to subliminal trauma-related reminders ranged from a minimum in healthy controls to a maximum in the PTSD patients with the most severe (e.g., dissociative) symptoms or the least responsiveness to treatment. Comparisons with other disorders (e.g., phobias) revealed contrasting results.Our findings demonstrate the hyperactivation of areas belonging or related to IAS in response to unconscious threats that should be integrated in diagnostic as well as in therapeutic protocols.
NFC and burnout in teachers - A replication and extension study
Authors: Zerna Josephine , Engelmann Nicole , Strobel Anja , Strobel Alexander
Published: March 2022

Burnout has become more prevalent, mainly in social jobs, but little is known about the personality traits that promote or protect against burnout. One of these traits is Need for Cognition (NFC), the stable intrinsic motivation to seek out and enjoy effortful cognitive activities. We analyzed data of N = 180 teachers to replicate results by Grass et al. (2018), who reported a mediation of NFC and the burnout subscale reduced personal efficacy by habitual reappraisal, but not by habitual suppression or self-control. With our data, self-control became a significant mediator when taking teaching experience into account, but neither reappraisal nor suppression did. We also investigated whether NFC and burnout were associated via different ratios of demands and resources, and included other variables in an exploratory approach. The results indicated that teachers with higher NFC and self-control have lower burnout because they experience their resources as fitting to the demands.
Democracy, Public Support, and Measurement Uncertainty
Authors: Tai Yuehong Cassandra , Hu Yue , Solt Frederick
Published: March 2022

Do democratic regimes depend on public support to avoid backsliding? Does public support, in turn, respond thermostatically to changes in democracy? Two prominent recent studies (Claassen 2020a, 2020b) reinvigorated the classic hypothesis on the positive relationship between public support for democracy and regime survival—and challenged its reciprocal counterpart—by using a latent variable approach to measure mass democratic support from cross-national survey data. Both studies, however, used only the point estimates of democratic support; we show that incorporating the concomitant measurement uncertainty into these analyses reveals that there is no support for either study’s conclusion. Efforts to minimize the uncertainty by incorporating additional survey data still fail to yield evidence in support of either hypothesis. These results underscore the need both for more nuanced analyses of the relationships between public support and democracy and for taking measurement uncertainty into account when working with latent variables.
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
Authors:   Associate Professor, Department of ENT, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Kalapet, Puducherry- 605014, India, Poduval Jayita
Published: March 2022

Temporomandibular disorders- commonly known as TMJ dysfunction or Costen’s syndromeare an important entity in both medical and dental practice. Moreover, in medical practice they are encountered across a wide range of specialties including general medicine, ENT and orthopedics. It is therefore worthwhile looking into the various implications of the problem and the management strategies thereof.
Evidence based vs traditional journal clubs: Time to switchover.
Authors:   Associate professor, Department of Medicine, SBKS MI & RC, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth, Piparia, Vadodara391760, India, Muley Arti , Lakhani J. D. ,   Professor & HOD, Department of Medicine, SBKS MI & RC, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth, Piparia, Vadodara391760, India
Published: March 2022

Journal clubs (JC) have been a part of the medical curriculum for long now. Evidence based journal clubs (EBJC) are now being preferred by some. Traditional JCs usually do not provide a satisfactory answer to questions regarding validity, reliability and applicability of the article. EBJC is believed to answer all these questions specifically. However, there is lack of studies comparing traditional with EBJC so this study was carried out to compare the two. Methodology: This was a prospective cohort study. Pre and post tests were conducted after each assessed EBJC presentation to test the understanding of the specific topic and improvement in decision making ability. To assess the understanding of study designs and statistical terms, pre and post tests were done at an interval of six months. Results: A total of 36 residents were included. Almost all could make their opinion regarding acceptability and applicability of authors’ conclusion after the assessed EBJC presentation. The number of correct responses to the test for understanding study design, statistical principles and critical appraisal increased from 27.5% to 68.9% amongst the third year residents. The correct responses after exposure to traditional JC were 27.5% whereas correct responses after about same time of exposure, including six months of EBJC were 59. 5%. Conclusion: We concluded that as compared with traditional JC, exposure to EBJC resulted in much more improvement in the postgraduates’ understanding of study design, statistical principles, critical appraisal skills and decision making capacity.
Future of psychiatry: Challenges and opportunities
Authors:   Post-doctoral Fellowship in Addiction Medicine at NIMHANS, Bangalore, Rasaily Satish ,   Officer (OST), Singtam District Hospital, Sikkim-737101, India
Published: March 2022

Most of us equate health as a state of physical well being but remain ignorant of social, spiritual and psychological aspects of health. Using the disability adjusted life year (DALY) as the basic statistic, the World Development Report concludes that mental health problems accounted for 13.46% of the global burden of disease in 2001, projected to be 14.14% by 2020 [1] . Depression, alcohol use disorders & suicide rank in the top 20 causes of DALYs due to all diseases of all ages [2] . In India it is estimated that 10 million are suffering from severe mental illness & 10 times that number have mild mental disorders [3] . Therefore subjective and objective burden related to caring for people with mental disorder is substantial. Even then mental health is not a priority as mental health policy exists in only 62% of the WHO countries [1]. In developed countries, tax based payment constitutes 63%, out of pocket payment accounts for 30-38% of mental health services whereas in developing countries patients and their family members has to bear all the cost for treatment of mental illness [2] . Mental health resources are centralized in and near big cities. 80% of the rural population has no access to mental health services [2, 3] . Moreover there are 42 mental hospitals with 20000 beds and another 2000-3000 beds are available in psychiatric unit of institutions/ general hospitals [3] . There are 4000 psychiatrist and 2000 psychiatrist nurses whereas UK has 110 psychiatrist per million, 24.8 nurse /100000 population [2, 3] . 69% of low income countries have less than 1 psychologist per 100000 populations[2] .
A case of tuberous sclerosis presented with profound intellectual disability, intractable seizure, suspected abuse and Pica
Authors:   Assistant Professor & Head, Department of Psychiatry, Murshidabad Medical College & Hospital, Berhampore, West Bengal-742101, India, Bhattacharyya Ranjan , Bhunia Priyam ,   Student, Murshidabad Medical College & Hospital, Berhampore, West Bengal-742101, India, Banerjee Binata ,   Student, Murshidabad Medical College & Hospital, Berhampore, West Bengal-742101, India, Mondal Madhurima ,   Student, Murshidabad Medical College & Hospital, Berhampore, West Bengal-742101, India, Mandal Prasenjit ,   Student, Murshidabad Medical College & Hospital, Berhampore, West Bengal-742101, India, Ray Brahma ,   Student, Murshidabad Medical College & Hospital, Berhampore, West Bengal-742101, India, Banerjee Bejoy Bikram ,   Student, ESIC Medical College & Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Joka, Kolkata-700104, India
Published: March 2022

Background: Tuberous sclerosis complex is a neurocutaneous syndrome inherited as autosomal dominant manner. It presents with CNS, dermatological manifestations and other systemic involvement. Methods: A case of male adolescent of 13 years age who presented in tertiary care OPD with strong family history of intellectual disability. The history obtained from his parents and necssary investigation work up has been done. A multidisciplinary team examined the patient and some unique features has been obtained. Results: The uniqueness of the case is it presents with profound intellectual disability, there is difficult to treat epilepsy due to combination of complex partial seizure with secondary generalization and myoclonus, eating disorder in the form of pica has been noted, spreading leg infection raises the possibility of child abuse and neglect. Conclusions: The appropriate treatment approach lies in judicious history taking. Parental counseling, the safety of patient should get the priority. Medical management should be combined with behavioural therapy, parental therapy and psychosocial rehabilitation. Genetic testing is necessary and multidisciplinary approach is required by a team comprising of but not limited to psychiatrists, clinical psychologist, special educator, pediatrician, physician, surgeons, dermatologist and ophthalmologist.
Effective role of progesterone with proven evidence in threaten abortion at public Healthcare sectors
Authors:   Faculty of Pharmacy, Jinnah University For Women, Karachi-74600, Pakistan, Ayub Maria , Ibrahim Aasia Kanwal ,   Faculty of Pharmacy, Jinnah University For Women, Karachi-74600, Pakistan, Kausar Atiya ,   Faculty of Pharmacy, Jinnah University For Women, Karachi-74600, Pakistan, Fahad Munawerah ,   Faculty of Pharmacy, Jinnah University For Women, Karachi-74600, Pakistan
Published: March 2022

Pregnancy is the occasion of conceiving one or more generation or baby inside female uterus or a state of carrying embryo. The signs and symptoms correlated with pregnancy consist of pelvic girdle pain, back pain, nausea, tiredness, constipation. The danger aspect of pregnancy consist of elevated B.P, high blood sugar, obesity, kidney disease, uncontrolled thyroid disease, and drugs which are contraindicated in pregnancy. Pregnancy can be investigated by physical examination, ultrasound, and ultrasonography. Progesterone is an essential hormone in the procedure of reproduction. It has important role related to the progress of a fetus and it is an endogenous steroid hormone involved also in menstrual cycle. Progestin is a general term for a substance that causes some or all of the biologic effects of progesterone. While abortion is the early or premature ending of pregnancy and it is different from miscarriage. For the purpose of regulating the effective role of progesterone to demonstrate evidence exposed in abortion, a survey was carried out in ordinary areas of Karachi.
Rapid recovery after early initiation of plasmapheresis in atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS) : A case report
Authors:   Tutor, Department of Pediatrics, Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education and Research (SMIMER), Nr Bombay market, Sahara Darwaja, Surat, Gujarat-395010, India, Sengupta D , Mehta V ,   Resident, Department of Pediatrics, Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education and Research (SMIMER), Nr Bombay market, Sahara Darwaja, Surat, Gujarat-395010, India, Singh P ,   Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education and Research (SMIMER), Nr Bombay market, Sahara Darwaja, Surat, Gujarat-395010, India, Singhvi A ,   Resident, Department of Pediatrics, Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education and Research (SMIMER), Nr Bombay market, Sahara Darwaja, Surat, Gujarat-395010, India
Published: March 2022

We report a case of a thirteen year old female diagnosed as aHUS, complicated by malignant hypertension and central nervous system involvement. The patient was treated with plasmapheresis(plasma exchange) and corticosteroids along with supportive care. The patient showed remission immediately and recovered after four weeks of hospital stay and three months later is well on antihypertensives.
Kawasaki disease in an infant: Diagnostic and therapeutic challenges at the University Teaching Hospital of Yaoundé, Cameroon
Authors:   Department of Paediatrics, University Teaching Hospital of Yaoundé, Yaoundé, Cameroon, Tochie Joel N. ,   Internat Programme, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon, Tchokam Lionelle T. ,   Department of Paediatrics, University Teaching Hospital of Yaoundé, Yaoundé, Cameroon,   Internat Programme, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon, Aminde Leopold N. ,   Non-communicable diseases Unit, Clinical Research Education, Networking and Consultancy (CRENC), Douala, Cameroon,   School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, Monebenimp Francisca ,   Department of Paediatrics, University Teaching Hospital of Yaoundé, Yaoundé, Cameroon,   Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Published: March 2022

Introduction: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute multi-systemic vasculitis which represents the leading etiology of acquired heart disease in children in high-income countries. Its rarity in black Africans may lead to misdiagnosis, delayed management with resultant fatal coronary artery lesions. We discuss a case of KD diagnosed in an infant in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Case presentation: A 10-month-old male Cameroonian presented with irritability, a generalised cutaneous eruption, and a prolonged high-grade fever. Although initial diagnosis of meningitis was made, the emerging laboratory and typical clinical features suggestive of KD prompted a quick diagnostic review. His clinical condition improved on Aspirin and corticosteroids. Conclusion: Due to the risk of potential complications from KD and the management challenges akin to resource-limited settings, we highlight the need for a high index of suspicion by healthcare providers when faced with febrile children with mucocutaneous lesions.
Urinary bladder cancer in Cameroon: histo-epidemiological aspects of 81 cases
Authors:   Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon, Paul Engbang Ndamba Jean ,   Laquintinie Hospital of Douala, Douala, Cameroon,   North-Ossetian State Medical Academy, Vladikavkaz, Russia, Beyeme Sala ,   Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon,   Laquintinie Hospital of Douala, Douala, Cameroon, Herve Moby ,   Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon,   Regional Hospital Annex of Nkongsamba, Nkongsamba, Cameroon, Celestin Fonkwa ,   Laquintinie Hospital of Douala, Douala, Cameroon, Yoan Ligan ,   Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon, Bruno Djougmo Djimeli ,   Laquintinie Hospital of Douala, Douala, Cameroon, Godefroy Simo ,   Bio-Medical and Cancer Center of Bafoussam, Bafoussam, Cameroon, André Moune ,   Anapathos laboratory, Douala, Cameroon, Amadou Fewou ,   Douala General Hospital, Douala, Cameroon,   Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon, Louis Essame Oyono Jean ,   Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon,   Yaounde University Health Center, Yaoundé, Cameroon, Alan Hasigov ,   North-Ossetian State Medical Academy, Vladikavkaz, Russia, Aleksandre Ephiev ,   North-Ossetian State Medical Academy, Vladikavkaz, Russia
Published: March 2022

Objectives: To clarify the epidemiological and histopathological aspects ofurinary bladder cancer in Cameroon. Materials and Methods: It was a descriptive retrospective study carried out over a period of 12 years (2004-2015)on malignant tumors of the urinary bladder, conducted in the anatomical pathology laboratories in five regions (Center, Littoral, West, South-west. North-west). The variablesstudied were: frequency, age, sex, histological type and. Results: We collected 81 cases of urinary bladder cancers, which represented 6.29% of malignant urogenital tumors. The average age of patients was 52.33±12.80 years (extremes: 22 - 90 years). The majority were males 60 (74.07%), with the male to female ratio-2.9:1. Histologically, Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC) were the most common histological type with 81.48% (n = 450), followed by Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)- 7 cases (8.64%). Conclusion: Urinary bladder cancer is the second urogenital cancer in Cameroon. The predominant histological type is the transitional cell carcinoma.
Abdominal height measures cardiometabolic risk better than body mass index: result of a preliminary study
Authors:   Department of Medicine, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, Okeahialam B. N. , Diala U. M. ,   Departments of Paediatrics, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, Uwakwe J. ,   Department of Medicine, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, Ejeh I. ,   Departments of Histopathology, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, Ozoilo U. ,   Departments of Community Medicine, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
Published: March 2022

Background: Obesity is associated with substantial cardiovascular morbi-mortality. The long acclaimed standard for assessing it, the BMI does not appropriately identify subjects at risk for CVD across all races. Given the varying habitus of Africans compared with people of Asian and European ancestry, and the fact that BMI does not discriminate the contribution and distribution of fat to overall weight; the need to determine what is more accurate for each group became compelling. Aims and Objective: This is an attempt to pilot the use of a new concept, the Abdominometer, in our local population in comparison the age long BMI. Study Design: Cross-sectional Descriptive. Setting: Community Forum. Materials and Methods: A small population of 31 seen during a group cardiovascular health survey with BMI and Abdominal Height data had their blood pressure and glycosylated haemoglobin measured. Ability of BMI and Abdominal height respectively to predict hypertension and diabetes was compared. Statistics: We applied sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, accuracy as well as false positive and negative rates on data relating to AH, BMI, Blood pressure and Glycosylated haemoglobin. Results: For hypertension screening, abdominal height performed better than BMI but not impressively so for diabetes. Regarding detection of hypertension with BMI and abdominal height measurements, true positive was 4/31 and 11/31 respectively with accuracy of 61.3% and 67.9% in same sequence. With detection of diabetes using BMI and abdominal height, true positive was 2/31 and 4/31 respectively with accuracy of 29% and 41.9% in same sequence. Conclusion: For our environment, abdominal height cut-off of 25 cm is better to screen for initiation of preventive and curative action for obesity than BMI and should be more widely used for validation and acceptance.
Violence in teaching establishments in the western central part of Senegal
Authors:   Forensic medicine and occupational health service, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odontology, University Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Senegal, Soumah Mohamed Maniboliot , Ndiaye Mor ,   Forensic medicine and occupational health service, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odontology, University Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Senegal, Diallo Ababcar Sidibé ,   Forensic medicine and occupational health service, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odontology, University Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Senegal, Ndoye DEl Hadj Oumar ,   Forensic medicine and occupational health service, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odontology, University Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Senegal, Sow Mamadou Lamine ,   Forensic medicine and occupational health service, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odontology, University Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Senegal
Published: March 2022

Objectives: The objectives of this work were to clearly determine the frequency and nature of the violence, to identify the main risk factors, to identify the impact of this violence on the health of the victims and finally to suggest a course of actions which could bring about solutions. Material and methods: A descriptive study of violence in the teaching establishments in the Department of Bambey, (Region of Diourbel, in the western central part of Senegal), conducted between December 2014 and June 2015 with a self-filling survey. The population studied was made up of school children, students, teachers and support staff of the different teaching establishments at middle school, secondary school and higher education. The information gathered is analyzed in Epi info 2000, version 3.3.2. Results: The average age of the population studied was 24.12 years with the youngest being 13 and the oldest 57 years of age. The sample gathered was 71% male and 29% female. All the parties of teaching establishments are represented with the majority of respondents being students (60%). Verbal aggression accounted for 53.48% of the incidents recorded. The aggressors in 98.56% of the cases either studied or worked in the teaching establishment concerned. Conclusion: In Senegal, there are insufficient records of violence in teaching establishments. This fact drew our interest to this multi-faceted issue and allowed us to discover the profile of these victims of violence. To this effect, preventive measures need to be put in place in the teaching establishments, notably the setting up a working group composed of the different actors of the institutions.
Gastric Trichobezoar without trichotillomania: A diagnostic dilemma
Authors:   Department of Pathology, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India., Goyal Snigdha , Singhal Manoj ,   Assistant Prof, Muzaffarnagar Medical College, Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India., Goyal Sunder ,   Department of Pathology, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Published: March 2022

Trichobezoar (hairs ball in stomach) is an uncommon clinical entity. Plucking of hairs Trichotillomania and swallowing (trichophagia) of hairs are two essential conditions needed in development of trichobezoar. It is very rare to suffer with trichobezoar in the absence of trichotillomania. In this report we present two cases of trichobezoar associated with trichophagia in the absence of trichotillomania. A 32-years-old female mother of three children suffered with trichobezoar without trichotillomania as she developed taste and urge for hairs and stated eating hairs thrown by other ladies in the family. An 11-year-old girl presented with trichobezoar. Examination of scalp and other body parts did not show any evidence of pulling of hair/short hair as she was eating hairs thrown by others as she developed a taste and strong desire to eat hairs. To conclude, these two cases highlight that patients can have trichobezoar and trichophagia even in the absence of trichotillomania and can pose diagnostic dilemma for physician.
Chlorpyrifos-induced oxidative stress in rats brain and protective effect of grape seed extract
Authors:   Department of Pharmacology, Indo Soviet Friendship (ISF) College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, India, Singh Satinderpal , Kaur Shamsherjit ,   Assistant Professor Department of Pharmacology, Indo Soviet Friendship (ISF) College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, India, Budhiraja Ramji Das ,   Department of Pharmacology, Indo Soviet Friendship (ISF) College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, India
Published: March 2022

Oxidative stress is one of the possible mechanisms resulted from chlorpyrifos toxicity. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the in vivo effects of chlorpyrifos (7.5 mg/kg, s.c., for 28 days, 1/10 LD50 of CPF) on tissues antioxidant system of wistar rat and the efficacy of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE; 100 mg/kg/day body weight) as polyphenols to antagonize this response. The parameters were acetylcholinesterase (AChE), levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) as a marker of lipid peroxidation; reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were estimated in brain tissue. Administration of CPF for 28 days induced a significant increase in LPO levels and inhibition in brain AChE activity. Also, results showed significant decreases in GSH content, CAT and SOD activities in brain. Supplementation with grape seed proanthocyanidin extract to treated animals significantly (P< 0.05) attenuated the toxicity and oxidative stress evoked by CPF.
An overview on floating microsphere: Gastro Retention Floating drug delivery system (FDDS)
Authors:   Doon College of Pharmacy, Sunderpur, Saharanpur, U.P., India247001, Hafeez Abdul , Maurya Arun ,   Doon College of Pharmacy, Sunderpur, Saharanpur, U.P., India247001, Singh Jagpal ,   Doon College of Pharmacy, Sunderpur, Saharanpur, U.P., India247001, Mittal Ankit ,   Doon College of Pharmacy, Sunderpur, Saharanpur, U.P., India247001, Rana Lakhan ,   Doon College of Pharmacy, Sunderpur, Saharanpur, U.P., India247001
Published: March 2022

Drug absorption in the gastrointestinal tract is a highly variable process. Floating microspheres are promises to be a potential approach for gastric retention enhances the bioavailability and controlled delivery of various therapeutic agents. Significant attempts have been made worldwide to explore these systems according to patient requirements, both in terms of therapeutic efficacy and compliance. Floating microspheres as gastro retentive dosage forms precisely control the release rate of target drug to a specific site and facilitate an enormous impact on health care. These systems also provide tremendous opportunities in the designing of new controlled and delayed release oral formulations, thus extending the frontier of futuristic pharmaceutical development. Furthermore, recent innovations in pharmaceutical investigation will surely provide real prospects for establishment of novel and effective means in the development of these promising drug delivery systems.
Screening of prescriptions in geriatric population in a tertiary care teaching hospital in north India
Authors:   Dept of Pharmacology, NIMS Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, Sharma Neha , Advani Uma ,   Senior Demonstrator, Dept of Pharmacology, SMS Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, kulshreshtha Shobha ,   Prof and Head, Dept of Pharmacology, NIMS Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, Parakh Rahul ,   Dept of Pharmacology, NIMS Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, Bansal Alka ,   Assistant Professor, Dept of Pharmacology, SMS Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, Sinha Rajeev R ,   Dept of Pharmacology, NIMS Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Published: March 2022

The objective of our study was to assess the pattern of prescribing prescriptions and cost analysis among the geriatric patients attending the Medicine Outpatient Department of NIMS Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur. After taking permission from the Institutional Ethical Committee, prescriptions of 235 geriatric patients attending the medicine outpatient department of NIMS Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur, were noted and demographic profile, commonly prescribed drugs as per Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification (ATC) and WHO core indicators were assessed after taking written informed consent from the patients. Out of 235 patients, 130(55.31%) were males and 105(44.68%) were females and most of the patients were in the age group of 81-85 for males 65-70 for females. Maximum number of patients were having cardiovascular diseases (n=196) followed by respiratory disorders (n=172) and musculoskeletal diseases (n=153). 89 patients (38%) were having three comorbid conditions. Average number of drugs per prescription was 5.51(1296/235). Drugs on WHO EML were 546 while on NLEM was779. Drugs prescribed by generic names were 31.94%, is less than that prescribed by their brand names 68.05%. Average cost per prescription was INR 18.75 per day. Drugs prescribed as fixed dose combinations were 324. Drugs acting on cardiovascular system (n=356) were the most commonly used drugs in our study followed by antibiotics (n=127) and bronchodilators (n=126). Thus irrational prescribing and polypharmacy were prevalent among elderly.
Gastroprotective effect of ethanolic extract of Parmelia perlata in rats
Authors:   Department of Biochemistry, King George Medical University (KGMC), Lucknow 226003, India, Lakshmi Vijai , Ameta Keerti ,   Department of Biochemistry, King George Medical University (KGMC), Lucknow 226003, India, Mishra Vaibhav ,   Division of Pharmacology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226001, India, Srivastava Akanksha ,   Division of Fermentation Technology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226001, India, Agarwal Santosh Kumar ,   Department of Biochemistry, King George Medical University (KGMC), Lucknow 226003, India, Palit Gautam ,   Division of Pharmacology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226001, India, Mahdi Abbas Ali ,   Department of Biochemistry, King George Medical University (KGMC), Lucknow 226003, India
Published: March 2022

Gastric ulcer disease (GUD) is one of the major gastrointestinal disorders which occur due to an imbalance between offensive (acid, pepsin and Helicobacter pylori) and defensive (mucin, prostaglandin and bicarbonate) factors. Objective: The present study was to evaluate the ethanol extract of the Parmelia perlata (Huds.) Ach. (family Parmeliaceae) the gastroprotective activity against the cold restraint (CRU), aspirin (AS), alcohol (AL) and pyloric ligation (PL) induced gastric ulcer models in rats. Materials and methods: Adult Sprague Dawley rats of either sex, weighing 180-200g were housed in raised bottom mesh cages to prevent coprophagy and were kept in environmentally controlled rooms (25 + 2°C, 12 hours light and dark cycle). Results and conclusion: Potential anti-ulcer activity of the ethanol extract of the P. perlata was observed against CRU (50.0%), AS (37.5%), AL (65.41%) and PL (50.00%) induced ulcer models. The reference drug omeprazole (10mg/kg, p.o.) showed 77.40% protection against CRU and 57.08% against AS and 69.42% against PL model. Sucralfate, another reference drug (500 mg/kg, p.o.) showed 62.50% protection in AL induced ulcer model. The ethanol extract of the P. perlata reduced free acidity (19.04%), total acidity (14.43%) and upregulated mucin secretion by 14.17% respectively. Conclusion: The ethanolic extract of the P. perlata was found to possess anti-ulcerogenic activity which might be due to its secretary activity and subsequent strengthening of the defensive mechanism.
Analgesic activity of aqueous extract of Vernonia hymenolepis (A. Rich) a traditional medicine plant used in Kenya for toothache
Authors:   Department of Public Health Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya, Onzago R.O. , Kiama S.G. ,   Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya, Mbaria J.M. ,   Department of Public Health Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya, Gakuya D.W ,   Department of Clinical Studies, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya, Githiji C.G. ,   Department of Medical Physiology, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya, Rukenya Z.M. ,   Department of Public Health, Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
Published: March 2022

The main aim of the study was to ascertain the analgesic properties of Vernonia hymenolepis leaves to validate its use for the treatment of toothache. The plant is widely used as a traditional herb by communities in Trans Nzoia County, Kenya for treatment of various infections including toothache. However its efficacy has not been established. Leaves of the plant were collected from Trans Nzoia County, Kenya and identified at University of Nairobi Herbarium. An aqueous extraction of leaves was prepared. Formalin test was carried out using 30 male albino wister mice to determine antinociceptive effect and the painful response at 0 – 10 min (Early) and 15 – 60 min (late phase). Acetylsalicylate at dose of 100 mg/Kg was used as a positive control. The dose significantly (p<0.05) reduced the time spent in pain behavior in both phases hence indicating that the plant posses antinociceptive activity. It’s concluded that Vernonia hymenolepis possesses analgesic property.
Role of herbals in cancer management
Authors:   Department of Pharmaceutics, KIET School of Pharmacy, Ghaziabad, India, Alam Sanjar , Katiyar Deepti ,   Department of Pharmacognosy, KIET School of Pharmacy, Ghaziabad, India, Goel Richa ,   Department of Pharmacognosy, KIET School of Pharmacy, Ghaziabad, India, Vats Amita ,   Department of Pharmaceutics, KIET School of Pharmacy, Ghaziabad, India, Mittal Ashu ,   Department of Pharmaceutics, KIET School of Pharmacy, Ghaziabad, India
Published: March 2022

Herbal medicines have a vital role in the prevention and treatment of cancer. A great deal of pharmaceutical research done in technologically advanced countries like USA, Germany, France, Japan and China has considerably improved quality of the herbal medicines used in the treatment of cancer. With advanced knowledge of molecular science and refinement in isolation & structure elucidation techniques, we are in a much better position to identify various anticancer herbs and develop the remedy that might cure cancer. The therapeutic effect of anticancer herbs is executed by inhibiting cancer-activating enzymes, stimulating DNA repair mechanism, promoting production of protective enzymes, inducing antioxidant action and by enhancing activity of the immune cells. Some herbs protect the body from cancer by enhancing detoxification functions of the body. Certain biological response modifiers derived from herbs are known to inhibit growth of cancer by modulating the activity of specific hormones and enzymes. Some herbs reduce toxic side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Scientists all over the world are concentrating on the herbal medicines to boost immune cells of the body against cancer. By understanding the complex synergistic interaction of various constituents of anticancer herbs, the herbal formulations can be designed to attack the cancerous cells without harming normal cells of the body.
Evaluation of antimicrobial activity and toxicity of Vernonia hymenolepis (A. Rich) traditionally used for toothache in Kenya
Authors: Onzago R.O. , Kiama S.G. , Mbaria J.M. , Gakuya D.W. , Nduhiu J. G.
Published: March 2022

Aim: The main aim of the study was to ascertain the antimicrobial properties and safety of Vernonia hymenolepis leaves to validate its use in treatment of toothache. Materials and Methods: The Leaves were collected from Trans Nzoia County, shade dried, ground and both organic and water extraction done. Minimum inhibitory concentration against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Bacillus cereus ATCC 11778, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Candida albicans was done. Cytotoxicity was done using Brine Shrimp lethality test and lethal concentration (LC50) determined using Finney computer program. The Oral Acute Toxicity Testing (ATC method) was performed as per Organization for economic co-operation and development (OECD) guideline. Result and Discussion: The results showed that the aqueous extract had an inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus and had no significant effect on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus and Candida albicans at concentration of 400 mg/ml. The organic extract had inhibitory effect against Staphylococcus aureus at a dose of 100 mg/ml and against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli both at a dose of 400 mg/ ml, Bacillus cereus at a dose of 200 mg/ml and Candida albicans at 50 mg/ml. This study has shown that the plant extracts has a moderate Cytotoxicity with the LC50 (μg /ml) of 491.8 (μg /ml) and 481.7 (μg /ml) for water and organic extract respectively. Acute oral toxicity ATC method showed that the plant extracts in both preparations were not toxic even at a high dose of 2000 mg/kg. Conclusion: It’s concluded that Vernonia hymenolepis possesses antimicrobial activity and is not toxic.
Ethnobotany, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology profiles of Cassia siamea Lam.
Authors: Kamagaté Mamadou , Koffi Camille , Kouamé N’goran Mathieu , Akoubet Aminata , Yao N’guessan Alain Roland , Die-Kakou Henri Maxime
Published: March 2022

Cassia siamea is a shrub belonging to the Fabaceae family, native of Southeast Asia and better known in folklore medicine, feeding, agriculture and manifacture all over the world including Côte d’Ivoire. C. siamea has recently been shown to have antimicrobial, antimalarial, antidiabetic, anticancer, hypotensive, diuretic, antioxidant, laxative, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, anxiolytic, antidepressant, and sedative activities. Chromone (anhydrobarakol), Chromone alkaloids (barakol, cassiarin A-B), anthraquinones (chrysophanol, emodin), bianthraquinones (cassiamin A-B), flavonoids and phenolics compounds are the main constituents which are reported in this plant. Barakol was identified as the major constituents of C. siamea of leaves and flowers of the world. Due to the easy collection of the plant, it widespread and also remarkable biological activities, this plant has become a worldwide medicine. This review presents comprehensive analyzed information on the botanical, chemical, pharmacological and toxicological aspects of C. siamea. Web sites of Google Scholar, Pubmed and Hinari were searched for articles published. Some scientific data were collected through Scientific Units of Research and Formation (UFR) of the University Felix Houphouet-Boigny of Abidjan.