bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital transformation and ICT sector performance in EU countries
Authors: Ivanová Eva , Grmanová Eva
Published: January 2023

Digital transformation is now one of the most important topics in all EU countries in creating and managing strategies and visions for states, businesses, organizations, and citizens. The ICT sector is currently one of the most important sectors with significant added value. The main purpose of the paper is to identify the efficiency of the digitalization of the economy and society concerning the performance of the ICT sector. This paper uses multi-criteria efficiency evaluation methods – Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA models). Inputs in the basic DEA model are the dimensions’ values of the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), which are also used to express the DESI summary indicator, such as human capital, connectivity, digital technology integration, and digital public services. Output in the DEA model indicates the ICT share of GDP. Finally, output-oriented DEA models are used to express the efficiency score. The analysis results show that Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, and Malta have a below-average level of DESI, but they can be classified as efficient. Italy, Lithuania, and Slovenia are the worst performers in the efficiency score. The next step was to express the efficiency scores in the DEA models in terms of different combinations of inputs and outputs. Malta was efficient in all fifteen DEA models. Based on these findings, Malta is considered significantly positive. Its approaches can serve as an example for other countries.
AcknowledgmentThis paper was supported by the Slovak Ministry of Education’s Scientific Grant Agency VEGA: “Digital Economy and Changes in the Education System as a Reflection on Labor Market Requirements”. Project registration number: [Reg. No.: 1/0689/20].
Somatic masks of anxiety disorder and therapy opportunities
Authors: Esin R. G. , Khaibullina D. Kh.
Published: January 2023

Anxiety disorders are often found in the practice of doctors of all specialties and cause difficulties in making a diagnosis, which is associated with a variety of clinical manifestations. Traditionally, anxiety disorders are considered within the framework of neuroses and include conditions such as adjustment disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, and a number of somatoform disorders. The article gives a distinction between the concepts of “anxiety” and “anxiety disorders”. It should be noted that anxiety disorders cannot be considered in isolation from the concept of “stress”. Chronic stressful situations exacerbate or contribute to the development of somatic pathology, including neurological. The somatic manifestations of anxiety disorders are diverse and affect all organs and systems: cardialgia, tachycardia, heart rhythm disturbances, hyperventilation syndrome, abdominalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, neurodermatitis, etc. It is important to timely and correctly diagnose generalized anxiety disorder, which occurs both in isolation (borderline psychiatry) and in patients with various somatic pathologies and its main manifestation is generalized, persistent anxiety, not caused and not limited by any external circumstances, accompanied by autonomic, motor manifestations. Diagnostic criteria for generalized anxiety disorder are also presented in the article.

To identify and objectify symptoms of anxiety in practice, it is advisable to use special questionnaires: the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, the Spielberger-Khanin Situational and Personal Anxiety Scale. The article presents a clinical case of a patient with anxiety disorder. The clinical picture and tactics of managing the patient are analyzed. The addition of etifoxine to therapy made it possible to stop the clinical manifestations of anxiety disorder in a short time.
Gut microbiota as one of the key regulators of metabolic diseases
Authors: Kostyuchenko L. N. , Vasina T. A. , Lychkova A. E.
Published: January 2023

Introdiction. The presence of obesity in a patient or, conversely, malnutrition is accompanied by various metabolic disorders and is the focus of modern medical science and healthcare organizers.

Objective. To reveal the mechanism of action (impact on motility through the intestinal microbiota) of the drug mebeverine in the structure of concomitant therapy for IBS.

Material and methods. The index of nutritional insufficiency was proposed and calculated by us on the basis of the parameters of the alimentary-volemic diagnosis, expressed in points; up to 29 points – a mild degree of nutritional deficiency (the risk of surgery is minimal, the operation is possible after a short-term infusion preparation); 29–30 points – medium degree (the risk is relatively high, the operation is possible only after at least minimal preliminary infusion-alimentation correction); 31–33 – severe degree of nutritional insufficiency (the risk of surgery is high, surgery can only be performed in an emergency after minimal preparation or planned after a long preparation of the patient for surgery until the nutritional status is increased by 1–2 levels; 34–42 – extremely severe (only emergency surgery or palliative after preliminary preparation, raising, if possible, the nutritional status by 1–2 levels).Rehabilitation potential was determined according to generally accepted formulas. Microbiota was also determined by the traditional method. Electrical activity and the nature of motility were determined by it using a mingograph.

Results and discussion. During the examination, it was revealed that the microbiota differs with different HN. At 29–30 points, HH and high RR occur. Rehabilitation potential (RP) has 4 levels of assessment: High rehabilitation potential implies the possibility of achieving a full recovery of health

Conclution. Gut microbiota is a key regulator of metabolic disease. When taking mebeverine, it is advisable. Apparently, to apply a detoxification correction, because it is metabolized in the liver. There is no doubt that it is expedient to further study the state of the microbiota in the modern world with various TIN.
Features of preoperative diagnosis of chronic lymphoproliferative syndrome of ENT organs in young children
Authors: Drozdova M. V. , Larionova S. N. , Tyrnova E. V.
Published: January 2023

Introduction. To determine the tactics of management of chronic lymphoproliferative syndrome in young children, a comprehensive examination is necessary. Herpesvirus infection (HVI) plays an important role in the etiology of hypertrophy of lymphoid formations of the pharynx.

Purpose. To evaluate the results of preoperative diagnosis of chronic lymphoproliferative syndrome in children in early childhood.

Materials and methods. In 96 patients aged 1 to 3 years 11 months with lymphoproliferative syndrome more than 3–6 months, endoscopy, otomicroscopy, impedance, ultrasound examination of abdominal organs, cervical and submandibular lymph nodes, serological and molecular genetic analyses of markers of EBV, CMV, HCV-6 in the blood; PCR in pharyngeal tonsil scrapings were performed.

Results and discussion. The clinical picture in children with chronic lymphoproliferative syndrome of younger age was dominated by complaints of difficulty in nasal breathing, snoring in 42% of children, recurrent otitis in 58%, manifestations of asthenovegetative and intoxication syndromes and frequent acute respiratory viral infections in 70% of patients. A high degree of infection of children of the younger age group was revealed – HCV-6 in 87%, CMV in 63% of children, 46% – EBV. And high activity of the infectious process in 31% of patients for all three GVI, more often for EBV in 27%. A combination of two or three GVI was detected in 83% of patients. During instrumental examination, a high degree of hypertrophy of the nasopharyngeal tonsils (adenoid vegetations of 2–3 degrees – 67% and 3 degrees – 18%, combined with hypertrophy of the palatine tonsils in 27% of cases), an increase in neck lymph nodes of more than 16mm, including lymph node packs in 28% of younger children and reactive hepatosplenomegaly in 17.7% of patients.

Conclusion. To determine the tactics of management of chronic lymphoproliferative syndrome in young children, it is important to assess the severity of lymphoproliferative syndrome according to the clinical picture and instrumental research methods (nasopharyngeal endoscopy, ultrasound examination of neck and abdominal lymph nodes) in combination with laboratory data and characteristics of the stage of activity of the infectious process of herpesvirus etiology.
СОСТОЯНИЕ ГРАЖДАНСКО-ПАТРИОТИЧЕСКОГО МИРОВОЗЗРЕНИЯ СТУДЕНТОВ МЕДИЦИНСКОГО ВУЗА (НА ПРИМЕРЕ КУРСКОГО ГОСУДАРСТВЕННОГО МЕДИЦИНСКОГО УНИВЕРСИТЕТА)
Authors:   Kursk State Medical Unversity, Кравцова Е. С.
Published: January 2023

В статье представлены результаты исследования представлений студентов вуза о патриотизме, о событиях Великой Отечественной войны. Результаты исследования показали высокий уровень патриотизма у студентов, рассмотрение респондентами Великой Отечественной войны как всемирно исторического события, сохраняющего свою значимость в современном мире; образовательные учреждения как главный источник информации о событиях Великой Отечественной войне. В данном контексте с учетом динамично меняющейся ситуации и возрастных особенностей молодежи в данном контексте особое место в вузе должно отводиться изучению гуманитарных дисциплин, организации и проведению акций, участию студенческой молодежи в поисковом движении, обращению к истории своей семьи, вуза, страны.
ИНФОРМАЦИОННО-ОБРАЗОВАТЕЛЬНАЯ СРЕДА ВУЗА В КОНТЕКСТЕ СМЕШАННОГО ОБУЧЕНИЯ
Authors: Николаева Н.В.
Published: January 2023

В данной работеосуществлен теоретико-методологический анализпроблемы развития информационно-образовательной среды высшего учебного заведения, рассмотрены особенности онлайн обучения и обучения с применением дистанционных форм; рассматривается понятиеакадемическогоуспеха студентов высших учебных заведений в контексте смешанного обучения. Предполагается, что регулятивные атрибуты профессионального самосознания будущих специалистов могут обуславливать академическую успеваемость студента.
ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЕ ПРОБЛЕМНО-СИТУАТИВНОГО ОБУЧЕНИЯ НА КАФЕДРЕ ТРАВМАТОЛОГИИ И ОРТОПЕДИИ КГМУ
Authors:   Kursk State Medical Unversity, Тихоненков С.Н. , Лебедев А.Ю. , Дубровин Г.М.
Published: January 2023

Статья посвящена вопросу использования проблемно-ситуативного обучения на кафедре «травматология и ортопедия» КГМУ. Особое внимание уделяется специфике создания реальных клинических ситуационных задач, как форме активизации практической деятельности обучающихся. Разработаны примеры клинических ситуационных задач, способствующих развитию клинического мышления и профессиональной компетенции. Авторы делают вывод о том, что в условиях сложившейся ситуации использование проблемно-ситуативного обучения на кафедре «травматология и ортопедия» является не только целесообразным, но и необходимым.
НАУЧНЫЕ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЯ В КУРСКОМ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННОМ МЕДИЦИНСКОМ ИНСТИТУТЕ С 1935 г. ПО 1940 г
Authors:   Kursk State Medical Unversity, Данилова А.В. , Долгарева С.А. , Дудка В.Т. , Иванов А.В. , Медведева О.А. , Никишина Н.А. , Ряднова В.А. , Ткаченко П.В.
Published: January 2023

Работа посвящена событию в истории Курского государственного медицинского университета - подготовке и выпуску первого сборника научных трудов, который ознаменовал достижения его ученых с 1935 г. по 1939 г. Статья создает образ экспериментальной и практической медицинской деятельности на кафедрах и служит призывом к воспоминанию первого поколения профессорско-преподавательского состава. Целью работы являлось формирование и сохранение в коллективной памяти будущих поколений истории формирования курских медицинских школ.
Assessments of the impacts of land use/land cover change on water resources: Tana Sub-Basin, Ethiopia
Authors: Tesfaw Bewuketu Abebe , Dzwairo Bloodless , Sahlu Dejene
Published: January 2023

Change detecting land use/land cover helps assess and quantify its impact on water resources. This study aims to assess the impacts of land-use/land-cover change on water resources using the SWAT model in the Tana sub-basin, Ethiopia. The research detects and presents the changes between three LULC maps (1986, 2000, and 2014). The results suggest that over the last 28 years, the water body is the least disturbed and sub-afroalpine vegetation is the most transformed in terms of coverage. Cultivated lands gained a large area of cover from the other types. Most of the vegetation cover showed a decreased trend. Forest land and grassland decreased continuously while wetland showed a small variation compared to the other cover types. On the other hand, bush and shrubland recorded about a 1% increase in the total area and an unexpected fast decline in the second period. LULC changes would have an impact on water resources in the study area. The average annual water yield increased by 14.88 and 12.6%, baseflow increased by 18.4% and decreased by 7.16%, surface runoff increased by 12 and 16.16%, evapotranspiration decreased by 18.39 and 13.49%, for 2000 and 2014, respectively, compared to baseline 1986.
Predatory efficacy of Bdellovibrio stolpii isolated from the wastewater sources against the multidrug-resistant clinical isolates
Authors: Suresh Manikeri Shraddha , Rai Dhanyashree , Raj Juliet Mohan , Premanath Ramya , M Divyashree
Published: January 2023

The present study investigated the predatory efficacy of Bdellovibrio isolated from untreated hospital wastewater sources against human pathogens. Bdellovibrio is a Gram-negative, motile, uniflagellate predatory bacteria present in the environment, which directly predates on other bacteria, including human pathogens. In the present study, 30 hospital effluent samples were collected and screened for Bdellovibrio. A total of 11 Bdellovibrio isolates were obtained by the double-layer agar technique. All the isolates were identified by amplification of the 16S rDNA coding region using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and confirmed as Bdellovibrio stolpii. The lytic activity of confirmed isolates was investigated against four Gram-negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa ADW44, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 27853(ATCC Strain), V. cholerae and Salmonella typhimurium of clinical origin obtained from the institutional repository. Among the 11 isolates, three Bdellovibrio isolates NBd1, YBd1 and RBd1 demonstrated the ability to prey upon the tested clinical isolates. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the isolation of B. stolpii from hospital wastewater settings in India with broad and high bacteriolytic activity.
Prediction of the discharge coefficient for the rectangular notch with different hydraulic and geometric properties
Authors: Eltoukhy Mahmoud Ali R. , Alsaydalani Majed O. A.
Published: January 2023

This study aims to investigate experimentally the variation of the coefficient of discharge Cd with the rectangular notch hydraulic and geometric parameters such as water head h, notch height p, notch width B, and notch thickness t. The results show that the coefficient of discharge Cd increases with an increase of h and B while it decreases with t. There are no changes in the variation of actual discharge Qact and consequently the discharge coefficient Cd with h for notch height p more than 6 cm. An empirical formula was developed based on the dimensional analysis principle that can be used to predict the coefficient of discharge Cd value for the rectangular notch with known hydraulic and geometric data (h, B, p, and t).
Degradation of sulfonamide antibiotics in the rhizosphere of two dominant plants in Huixian karst wetland, Guangxi, China
Authors: Dong Kun , Wang WuBin , Li Min , Zhou Xinyu , Huang Yutong , Zhou Guozhi , Xu Yufeng , Wang Dunqiu , Li Hai-xiang
Published: January 2023

In this work, Phragmites australis and Vallisneria natans were selected as the research objects and were cultured for 10 d under 0.10 μg L−1 sulfadiazine (SD) stress in a simulated surface flow wetland reactor. SD degradation was conducted at pH = 7 and 25 °C for 96 h. Each plant group conformed to the first-order kinetic model of degradation, and the degradation rate increased with time, reaching the maximum at 96 h. At 96 h, the degradation rate of P. australis communities was higher than that of V. natans. SD metabolites showed that the degradation pathways in the plant rhizosphere were mainly hydroxylation, aminolation, and S–N bond cleavage. In the analysis of rhizosphere bacterial community structure, the bacterial phyla that could degrade antibiotics accounted for a large proportion. Compared with before degradation, the dominant phylum and genus did not change after degradation (96 h), but their abundance changed to varying degrees, and new genera appeared in the P. australis group. This research provides a reference for the degradation of antibiotics in karst areas and new information on the mechanism of SA degradation in the plant rhizosphere.
Evolving water resources management in response to socio-economical changes: Japanese experience in modernization over the past century
Authors: Ishiwatari Mikio , Nagata K. , Matsubayashi M.
Published: January 2023

As society develops, water resources management (WRM) should evolve in response to the changing public needs. This study examines the evolution of Japanese management mechanisms since modernization. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with decision makers and researchers, and government documents and academic papers were reviewed. We found that the country has developed legislation, financing investments, long-term plans, governance, and science and technology for WRM, and that the water sector contributed to modernization, reconstruction after World War II, and economic development. Japan has become more resilient to natural and biological disasters, more inclusive in providing equitable water services, and more sustainable in protecting the environment. However, issues of inflexible approaches, weak governance, and necessity of applying adaptation to climate and social changes were found.
A Tradição da produção de cerveja em Joinville e transmissão de conhecimento por meio de festas e eventos
Authors: Marcelo Dias Jean , De Oliveria Areas Patrícia , Coelho Ilanil
Published: January 2023

A cerveja, como uma das bebidas mais antigas consumidas ainda hoje pela humanidade, faz parte da própria evolução das cidades e das tradições de seus habitantes. Alguns historiadores remetem sua origem à época em que os humanos começaram a abandonar a vida nômade, e a partir de então, nos primórdios da agricultura, surgiram os primeiros traços de plantação e cultivo de campos de cereais na Ásia Ocidental. A cerveja carrega um conjunto de valores sociais e culturais característicos de um local ou de uma sociedade. Partindo desse pressuposto, o presente artigo, que é parte de dissertação de mestrado ainda em desenvolvimento, propõe-se a pesquisar a tradição da produção e do consumo de cerveja artesanal e como esse conhecimento é transmitido na região de Joinville, cidade localizada no nordeste de Santa Catarina. Para tanto, foram adotadas técnicas de pesquisa bibliográfica e documental em fontes primárias para respaldar a parte conceitual e teórica do artigo. A pesquisa, baseada nos resultados obtidos, identificou vetores de preservação dessa tradição e de suas formas de transmissão, que se realizam pelo compartilhamento de memórias da população joinvilense em festas, eventos e concursos ligados à cerveja.
Effectiveness In Vivo and In Vitro of Polymeric Nanoparticles as a
Drug Release System in the Treatment of Leishmaniasis
Authors: de Carvalho Moreira Lívia Maria Coelho , de Sousa Silva Ana Beatriz Almeida , de Araújo Medeiros Kaline , Oshiro Júnior João Augusto , da Silva Dayanne Tomaz Casimiro , de Lima Damasceno Bolívar Ponciano Goulart
Published: January 2023

Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease caused by the parasite of the genus Leishmania.
Current treatment regimens are obsolete and cause several side effects, promoting
poor patient compliance, in addition to the vast majority already having the potential for
resistance. Therefore, polymeric nanoparticles emerge as one of the viable alternatives to
overcome existing limitations, through passive or active vectorization. This review aims
to summarize the latest studies of polymeric nanoparticles as an alternative treatment for
leishmaniasis. In the first section, the main pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic challenges
of current drugs are reported. The second section details how nanoparticles with
and without functionalization are efficient in the treatment of leishmaniasis, discussing
the characteristics of the polymer in the formulation. In this way, polymeric nanoparticles
can improve the physicochemical properties of leishmanicidal drugs, improving solubility
and stability, as well as improve the release of these drugs, directly or indirectly
reaching monocytes/macrophages. 64.28% drugs were focused on the treatment of visceral
leishmaniasis, and 28.57% on cutaneous leishmaniasis. The most chosen polymers in
the literature are chitosan (35.71%) and PLGA (35.71%), the others represented 14.30%
drugs, with all able to manage the drug release and increase the in vitro and/or in vivo efficacy
of the original molecule. However, there are several barriers for these nanoformulations
to cross laboratory research and is necessary more in-depth studies about the
metabolites and degradation pathways of the polymers used in the formulations and plasma
proteomics studies.
Intravenous Administration of Hypertonic Glucose Solution to Prevent
Dizziness in Patients Undergoing Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Under General
Anesthesia: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Zhang Lei , Bu Xue-Shan , Qiao Qian-Qian , Ren Yi-Qiang , Yu Bo , Xiao Xing-Peng , Jia Yi-Fan , Xia Zhong-Yuan , Zhan Li-Ying , Yu Shi-Hua
Published: January 2023

Background and Objective:

Dizziness is a common complication of gastrointestinal endoscopy
under general anesthesia. Dizziness is primarily caused by a lack of energy and blood volume
following fasting and water deprivation. Hypertonic glucose solution (HGS) is an intravenous
energy replenishment, that increases blood volume due to its hyperosmotic characteristics and can
be directly absorbed from blood circulation. This study aimed to HGS can prevent dizziness after
gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Methods:

This was a double-blind, randomized, controlled study. Eligible patients were randomly
allocated into two groups based on the intravenous agent administered before gastrointestinal
endoscopy: Group A, saline (0.9%; 20 mL); and group B, HGS (50%; 20 mL). Overall, 840
patients were included in the statistical analysis. The scores and incidence of dizziness were assessed.

Results:

The dizziness score were higher in group A than in group B (1.92 ± 0.08 vs. 0.92 ±
0.06; p < 0.01). The incidence of mild dizziness and moderate-to-severe dizziness was significantly
lower in group B than in group A (40.10% vs. 51.78% and 3.10% vs. 19.72%, respectively;
p < 0.01). The incidence and score of dizziness were significantly lower in males than in females
(30.81% vs. 51.82% and 0.64 ± 0.08 vs. 1.12 ± 0.08, respectively; p < 0.01) after pretreatment
with HGS.

Conclusion:

Pretreatment with HGS effectively prevents dizziness after gastrointestinal endoscopy
under general anesthesia. The mechanism of action is unclear but might be related to body energy
replacement and an increase in blood volume following HGS administration.
The registration number: ChiCTR1900020887.
Impact of Vitamin D on the Occurrence and Development of Intestinal
Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized
Controlled Trials
Authors: Liu Jiewei , Wang Yue , Zou Yanhong , Li Chunyu
Published: January 2023

Aim:

To determine the impact of vitamin D on the occurrence and progression of intestinal
disorders, the authors of this study have conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background:

Vitamin D regulates inflammation and immunity in association with reducing the
disease symptoms of several gastrointestinal diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases
(IBD), Crohn’s disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC), and colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the
exact role of vitamin D in the occurrence and development of intestinal diseases is unclear so far.

Methodology:

The relevant studies were searched in PubMed and screened based on inclusion and
exclusion criteria. The quality of full-text studies was assessed using National Heart, Lung, and
Blood Institute (NIH) scale. The study was conducted as per the PRISMA guidelines. The overall
estimate was calculated in terms of risk ratio with a 95% confidence interval. The publication bias
was assessed qualitatively using a funnel plot, and heterogeneity among studies was calculated using
I2 statistics. All analyses were done using RevMan 5.0.

Results:

The overall risk ratio using random effect model was found to be 0.89 (0.70, 1.12), which
indicates the non-significant role of vitamin D in the occurrence and development of intestinal diseases
as compared to the non-vitamin D group. However, after exclusion of studies with low and
high sample sizes, a significant reduction in intestinal diseases was observed in the vitamin D
group as compared to the non-vitamin D group. Further, no heterogeneity among the studies was
observed.

Conclusion:

Based on available evidence, vitamin D might play a significant role in the reduction
of intestinal diseases; however, more studies with high sample sizes are required to draw a valid
conclusion.
Protein Nanoparticles Laden In situ Gel for Topical Ocular Drug Delivery
Authors: Pillai Archana Rajan , Prajapati Bijal , Dharamsi Abhay
Published: January 2023

Topical ocular delivery of drugs is most commonly preferred route by the patient and physician for the treatment of ocular diseases. The topical route is always followed with the disadvantages like tear turnover, nasolacrimal drainage, reduction in precorneal residence time, etc. To overcome these hindrances associated with topical ocular route, a novel drug delivery system is used for targeting the drug at a specific site. In the Novel Drug delivery System, protein-based nanoparticles are an attractive class of nanoparticles designed to deliver the drug at targeted site in slow and sustained release manner. They have a size in the range of 1-100 nm. Protein nanoparticles are leading, particularly for the topical ocular delivery like reduction in intra ocular pressure, providing sustained release and targeted drug delivery at the site of its action. Various methods are used for formulation of protein nanoparticles like desolvation, emulsification, complex coacervation, electrospray techniques. The characterization parameters include particle size, surface morphology, drug loading and entrapment efficiency. Protein nanoparticles can also be loaded in to the in situ gel forming polymers for increasing precorneal residence time of nanoparticles. The characterization parameters of in situ gelling systems are gelling time, rheological properties, gel strength. The review mainly describes the use of various proteins in preparation of protein nanoparticles, methods for preparation of protein nanoparticles, polymers used in in situ gelling system and evaluation as well as characterization parameters of protein nanoparticles, in situ gelling systems & patented information related to protein nanoparticles and in situ gelling system for ocular drug delivery.
Automatic Detection of Benign/Malignant Tumor in Breast Ultrasound Images using Optimal Features
Authors: Yang Yanyan , Liu Qiaojian , Dai Ting , Zhang Haijun
Published: January 2023

Background:

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most severe diseases in women. Therefore, a premature diagnosis is necessary for timely detection and treatment execution. Clinical-level diagnosis of BC is normally performed with imaging techniques, and Ultrasound-Imaging (UI) is one of the noninvasive imaging techniques frequently executed to diagnose BC.

Aims:

This research aims to develop an efficient deep-learning framework to detect BC from UI with better accuracy.

Methods:

The executed method consists of the following stages: (i) Data collection and preprocessing, (ii) Deep-features mining with pre-trained VGG16, (iii) Image enhancement using Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) and Local Binary Pattern (LBP), (iv) Firefly-algorithm (FA) supported feature reduction, and (v) Feature integration and classification.

Results:

The proposed work is tested and executed using 1680 test images (840 benign and 840 malignant) of dimension pixels and implements a binary classifier with 5-fold cross-validation to separate the UI database into the healthy/cancer class.

Conclusion:

This work implemented FA-supported feature reduction. Moreover, it was found that this scheme helps to achieve a classification accuracy of 98.21% with the KNN classifier.
The Custom R Group Enumeration with Various R Group Libraries at
Designated Sites on Amphotericin B
Authors: Mahor Ajay , Sawant Devesh M. , Goyal Amit K.
Published: January 2023

Background:

Amphotericin B is a gold-standard drug, particularly for the treatment of
systemic fungal infections. However, its low solubility and permeability limit its application. To
improve its bioavailability, AmB may be conjugated with various water-soluble auxiliary groups.

Methods:

Custom R group Enumeration was used at the designated sites of Amphotericin B. The
designated sites taken into consideration are the carboxyl moiety of the aglycone part and the
amine moiety of the glycone part of Amphotericin B for Enumeration purposes. The enumerated
molecules were subjected to QikProp properties.

Results:

We identified fourteen hits with improved predicted aqueous solubility and cell permeability.

Conclusion:

Enumeration might be applicable in improving bioavailability, which could lead to
the oral formulation of the Amphotericin B drug.
Molecular Docking, ADMET Analysis and Molecular Dynamics (MD)
Simulation to Identify Synthetic Isoquinolines as Potential Inhibitors of
SARS-CoV-2 MPRO
Authors: dos Santos Correia Paulo Ricardo , de Souza Alesson Henrique Donato , Chaparro Andres Reyes , Tenorio Barajas Aldo Yair , Porto Ricardo Silva
Published: January 2023

Background:

The rapidly widespread SARS-CoV-2 infection has affected millions
worldwide, thus becoming a global health emergency. Although vaccines are already available,
there are still new COVID-19 cases daily worldwide, mainly due to low immunization coverage
and the advent of new strains. Therefore, there is an utmost need for the discovery of lead compounds
to treat COVID-19.

Objective:

Considering the relevance of the SARS-CoV-2 MPRO in viral replication and the role
of the isoquinoline moiety as a core part of several biologically relevant compounds, this study
aimed to identify isoquinoline-based molecules as new drug-like compounds, aiming to develop
an effective coronavirus inhibitor.

Methods:

274 isoquinoline derivatives were submitted to molecular docking interactions with
SARS-CoV-2 MPRO (PDB ID: 7L0D) and drug-likeness analysis. The five best-docked isoquinoline
derivatives that did not violate any of Lipinski’s or Veber’s parameters were submitted to
ADMET analysis and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations.

Results:

The selected compounds exhibited docking scores similar to or better than chloroquine
and other isoquinolines previously reported. The fact that the compounds interact with residues
that are pivotal for the enzyme's catalytic activity, and show the potential to be orally administered
makes them promising drugs for treating COVID-19.

Conclusion:

Ultimately, MD simulation was performed to verify ligand-protein complex stability
during the simulation period.
A Patent Review on Cardiotoxicity of Anticancerous Drugs
Authors: Bhadana Renu , Rani Vibha
Published: January 2023

Chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity is an increasing concern and it is critical to avoid
heart dysfunction induced by medications used in various cancers. Dysregulated cardiomyocyte
homeostasis is a critical phenomenon of drug-induced cardiotoxicity, which hinders the cardiac
tissue's natural physiological function. Drug-induced cardiotoxicity is responsible for various heart
disorders such as myocardial infarction, myocardial hypertrophy, and arrhythmia, among others.
Chronic cardiac stress due to drug toxicity restricts the usage of cancer medications. Anticancer
medications can cause a variety of adverse effects, especially cardiovascular toxicity. This review
is focused on anticancerous drugs anthracyclines, trastuzumab, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
medications (NSAIDs), and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) and associated pathways attributed
to the drug-induced cardiotoxicity. Several factors responsible for enhanced cardiotoxicity are
age, gender specificity, diseased conditions, and therapy are also discussed. The review also highlighted
the patents assigned for different methodologies involved in the assessment and reducing
cardiotoxicity. Recent advancements where the usage of trastuzumab and bevacizumab have
caused cardiac dysfunction and their effects alone or in combination on cardiac cells are explained.
Extensive research on patents associated with protection against cardiotoxicity has shown that
chemicals like bis(dioxopiperazine)s and manganese compounds were cardioprotective when
combined with other selected anticancerous drugs. Numerous patents are associated with druginduced
toxicity, prevention, and diagnosis, that may aid in understanding the current issues and
developing novel therapies with safer cardiovascular outcomes. Also, the advancements in technology
and research going on are yet to be explored to overcome the present issue of cardiotoxicity
with the development of new drug formulations.
Comparative Study of Routing Protocols for IoT Networks
Authors: Verma Ankit , Deswal Suman
Published: January 2023

The Internet of things (IoT) is widely used for communication between portable and intelligent
heterogeneous devices, like laptops, smartphones, computers, etc. IoT networks are popular
in the modern era because they allow data to be exchanged anywhere when connected to the internet.
IoT networks have several challenges, including those related to routing, connectivity, privacy, security,
and other issues. The major challenge is routing in terms of choosing the best route for sharing
data in IoT networks; IoT routing algorithms use more time and energy.
In this paper, we review relevent literature and patents and also various routing approaches are categorized
into groups, like multicast, clustering, emergency application, traffic, location, tree, and
residual energy based approach, and they are compared based on several parameters, like energy
consumption, network lifetime, path length, packet delivery ratio, and network latency.
In terms of performance metrics, like energy consumption, network lifetime, reliability, efficiency,
and packet delivery ratio, the comparison shows that Routing Protocol for Low Power and Lossy
Networks (RPL), Efficient Tree-based Self-organizing Protocol (ETSP), Collection Tree Protocol
(CTP), and Fast Multi-constrained Multicast Routing Algorithms (FAMOUS) are the best protocols.
The best approach is a tree-based one since it solves the larger problem in the hierarchy with the
least amount of time complexity.
Discovering the Potential of Plants in Wound Healing: A Mechanistic Review
Authors: Agarwal Shweta , Durvasha Ishan , Sharma Mehak
Published: January 2023

Plants are admired for their taste, fragrance, and therapeutic characteristics. Herbs are used in multiple traditions, including cooking, medicine, and spirituality. Medicinal plants have been used to treat a number of illnesses and disorders from ancient times to the present day. The main reason for this is that therapeutic plants have no negative side effects. With a diverse spectrum of plant species and widespread access to traditional medical practices, India is one of the world's largest biodiversity reservoirs. According to WHO data and other relevant sources, herbal medicinal products are used by more than 80% of the world's population. The goal of this review article is to describe the importance of herbal agents in therapeutics, such as the use of crude plant extract for the medicinal purpose. Complex interaction of blood cells, tissues, soluble mediators, cytokines, and numerous growth factors is required for wound healing, whether it is accidental or surgical. Plants have enormous potential for wound management and therapy, as well as regeneration of damaged tissues, due to the presence of a variety of useful active phytoconstituents. This review presents comprehensive data on some important plants and their extracts used in wound healing along with their mechanism of action and the scientific research reported on these plants.
A Review on Anticancer Profile of Flavonoids: Sources, Chemistry,
Mechanisms, Structure-activity Relationship and Anticancer Activity
Authors: Nayak Surendra Kumar , Shah Suprava , Narang Rakesh , Singh Vikram Jeet , Pilli Govindaiah
Published: January 2023

Background:

Epidemiological studies have suggested that a regular intake of flavonoids
is beneficial for cellular homeostasis and in the prevention of the transformation of normal cells
into cancerous cells. Because of their multiple biological targets, flavonoids have been studied and
investigated as phytoconstituents with potential anticancer properties. Flavonoids interfere in the
development of cancerous cells by inhibition of topoisomerases, protein kinases, angiogenesis,
induction of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, modulation of multidrug resistance, and improvement in
anti-oxidative activities. The current review summarizes the anticancer properties of flavonoids
along with the key structural features and their mechanisms. The present study provides a detailed
analysis of anticancer activities with previously published data on different flavonoids. The review
highlighted the structural aspects and mechanism of action of flavonoids with their potential target
sites. Flavonoids induce anticancer activity by protein kinases inhibition, P-gp modulation, antiangiogenesis,
topoisomerases inhibition, etc. Open ring C, the double bond between C2-C3, the
oxo group at C4, and the position of ring B are crucial determinants for their anticancer activity.
Flavonoids act by multiple mechanisms but further studies on target selectivity and specificity of
flavonoids are necessary to establish them as anticancer therapeutics. The presence of a C2-C3
double bond and oxo group at C4 (also known as an enone moiety) or -OH in the neighbour of a
double bond that can transform easily into an enone are common features present in flavonoids.
Thus, it can be concluded that enone moiety or its precursor groups are mainly responsible for the
anticancer activities of flavonoids via different mechanisms of action.

Results:

Flavonoids induce anticancer activity by protein kinases inhibition, P-gp modulation, anti-angiogenesis, topoisomerases inhibition, etc. Open ring C, the double bond between C2-C3, the oxo group at C4, and the position of ring B are crucial determinants for their anticancer activity. Flavonoids act by multiple mechanisms but further studies on target selectivity and specificity of flavonoids are necessary to establish them as anticancer therapeutics.
Pozicioniranost mentalnog zdravlja djece i mladih u Republici Hrvatskoj
Authors: Šimunković Gordana
Published: January 2023

Djeca i mladi zaslužuju posebnu pažnju kada govorimo o zdravlju, između ostalog i zbog povezanosti resursa djetinjstva i mladenačke dobi na utjecaj dobrobiti u odrasloj dobi, gdje očekujemo produktivne pojedince koji odgovorno pridonose zajednici u svim pogledima, i socijalnom i ekonomskom. Mentalno zdravlje postavljeno je kao javnozdravstveni prioritet na globalnoj razini. Na razini svijeta, 10 - 20 % djece i adolescenata doživi neki mentalni poremećaj, pri čemu polovica svih mentalnih poremećaja započinje u dobi od 14 godina, a tri četvrtine do sredine 20-ih godina života. Govoreći o mentalnom zdravlju djece i mladih kao socijalnoj stvarnosti govorimo o socijalnom problemu koji je potrebno rješavati na razini društva u smjeru prikladnosti, razrješenju konfuzije i izgradnji perspektive. Rad daje pregled stanja ulaganja u zdravlje, djecu i obitelj, pregled sadržaja dokumenta temeljnih politika mentalnog zdravlja i politike za djecu i mlade te problematiku definiranja i praćenja stanja mentalnog zdravlja. Navedeno je i u svrhu argumenta da je ulaganje u mentalno zdravlje djece i mladih na području Republike Hrvatske i dalje na nedovoljnoj razini za postizanje veće razine uspjeha.
Análisis de suelos
Authors:   Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria - AGROSAVIA, Pedraza Rute Rafael Antonio
Published: January 2023

Una acción decisiva para nuestros cultivos es hacer un análisis de suelo, para conocer las necesidades de nutrientes o enmiendas que se tenga que aplicar al suelo antes de establecer el cultivo. Agencia de Desarrollo Rural y AGROSAVIA #EnEquipo por los #Agroinsumos.
Patients’ Information Needs Related to a Monitoring Implant for Heart Failure: Co-designed Study Based on Affect Stories
Authors: Davat Ambre , Martin-Juchat Fabienne
Published: January 2023

Background

RealWorld4Clinic is a European consortium that is currently developing an implantable monitoring device for acute heart failure prevention.

Objective

This study aimed to identify the main issues and information needs related to this new cardiac implant from the patients’ perspective.

Methods

A total of 3 patient collaborators were recruited to help us design the study. During 4 remotely held meetings (each lasting for 2 hours), we defined the main questions and hypotheses together. Next, 26 additional interviews were conducted remotely to test these hypotheses. During both phases, we used affect stories, which are life narratives focusing on affect and the relationship between patients and the care ecosystem, to highlight the main social issues that should be addressed by the research according to the patients.

Results

Context of diagnosis, age, and severity of illness strongly influence patient experience. However, these variables do not seem to influence the choice regarding being implanted, which relies mostly on the individual patient’s trust in their physicians. It seems that the major cause of anxiety for the patient is not the implant but the disease itself, although some people may initially be concerned over the idea of becoming a cyborg. Remote monitoring of cardiac implants should draw on existing remote disease management programs focusing on a long-term relationship between the patient and their medical team.

Conclusions

Co-design with affect stories is a useful method for quickly identifying the main social issues related to information about a new health technology.
A Mental Health and Well-Being Chatbot: User Event Log Analysis
Authors: Booth Frederick , Potts Courtney , Bond Raymond , Mulvenna Maurice , Kostenius Catrine , Dhanapala Indika , Vakaloudis Alex , Cahill Brian , Kuosmanen Lauri , Ennis Edel
Published: January 2023

Background

Conversational user interfaces, or chatbots, are becoming more popular in the realm of digital health and well-being. While many studies focus on measuring the cause or effect of a digital intervention on people’s health and well-being (outcomes), there is a need to understand how users really engage and use a digital intervention in the real world.

Objective

In this study, we examine the user logs of a mental well-being chatbot called ChatPal, which is based on the concept of positive psychology. The aim of this research is to analyze the log data from the chatbot to provide insight into usage patterns, the different types of users using clustering, and associations between the usage of the app’s features.

Methods

Log data from ChatPal was analyzed to explore usage. A number of user characteristics including user tenure, unique days, mood logs recorded, conversations accessed, and total number of interactions were used with k-means clustering to identify user archetypes. Association rule mining was used to explore links between conversations.

Results

ChatPal log data revealed 579 individuals older than 18 years used the app with most users being female (n=387, 67%). User interactions peaked around breakfast, lunchtime, and early evening. Clustering revealed 3 groups including “abandoning users” (n=473), “sporadic users” (n=93), and “frequent transient users” (n=13). Each cluster had distinct usage characteristics, and the features were significantly different (P<.001) across each group. While all conversations within the chatbot were accessed at least once by users, the “treat yourself like a friend” conversation was the most popular, which was accessed by 29% (n=168) of users. However, only 11.7% (n=68) of users repeated this exercise more than once. Analysis of transitions between conversations revealed strong links between “treat yourself like a friend,” “soothing touch,” and “thoughts diary” among others. Association rule mining confirmed these 3 conversations as having the strongest linkages and suggested other associations between the co-use of chatbot features.

Conclusions

This study has provided insight into the types of people using the ChatPal chatbot, patterns of use, and associations between the usage of the app’s features, which can be used to further develop the app by considering the features most accessed by users.
A Scoping Review: to Analyze Food Consumption Apps (Preprint)
Authors: Alammari Duaa , Alruhimi Mayasem , Alkhunein Sara , Alabdulkarim Aljawharah
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUND

Obesity is a growing health problem and is associated with several diseases and health issues, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Technological advancements have led to the development of supportive digital tools to facilitate weight management. Today, new electronic dietary assessment methods, such as food consumption Apps, are commonly used to improve the daily monitoring of dietary intake.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the scope of prominent food consumption mobile Apps across two commercial App stores (Apple iOS and Google Play) in Saudi Arabia and determine the main features of Apps systematically

METHODS

An electronic search was conducted to collect Apps relevant to food consumption across two major commercial App stores for the iPhone operating systems (Apple iOS) and the Android (Google Play). First, each store was searched by two reviewers independently using a series of nine keywords. Then, the Apps were screened to determine the main features.

RESULTS

A total of 99 Apps were included, of which 41 (41%) were from the iOS store, and 58 (59%) were from the Android store. Approximately 52% of Apps were rated “4.5 or less”, and 48% of Apps were rated “4.6 and above”. Most Apps offered more than one language, of which 81% provided 1 to 6 languages, and only 10.1% of Apps offered 7 to 12 languages. The highest number of Apps were found when searching the keyword “nutrition” 26.3%, followed by “weight” 21.2 %. We identified a total of 23 features, 29% of Apps had 13 to 18 features, 27% of Apps had 7 to 12 features, and 23% of Apps had 19+ features. In contrast, 18.2% of Apps had 1 to 6 features.

CONCLUSIONS

This scoping review identified 99 mobile Apps related to individual food consumption in two operating systems (iOS and Android). Based on the findings of this review, we recommend that food consumption mobile Apps should focus on features such as entering food by picture, entering food by Barcode scanning, food composition tables, learning from experts and coaches, and tracking of micro-nutrients such as vitamins to attract more users. In addition, developers, researchers, and physicians can collaborate to address health-related needs in the best way possible.