bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advances in Stimuli-responsive Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering and
Regenerative Medicine Applications: A Review Towards Improving Structural
Design for 3D Printing
Authors: Sithole Mduduzi Nkosinathi , Mndlovu Hillary , du Toit Lisa C. , Choonara Yahya Essop
Published: October 2023

The physicochemical properties of polymeric hydrogels render them attractive for the development
of 3D printed prototypes for tissue engineering in regenerative medicine. Significant effort has been made to
design hydrogels with desirable attributes that facilitate 3D printability. In addition, there is significant interest
in exploring stimuli-responsive hydrogels to support automated 3D printing into more structurally organised
prototypes such as customizable bio-scaffolds for regenerative medicine applications. Synthesizing stimuli-responsive
hydrogels is dependent on the type of design and modulation of various polymeric materials to open
novel opportunities for applications in biomedicine and bio-engineering. In this review, the salient advances
made in the design of stimuli-responsive polymeric hydrogels for 3D printing in tissue engineering are discussed
with a specific focus on the different methods of manipulation to develop 3D printed stimuli-responsive
polymeric hydrogels. Polymeric functionalisation, nano-enabling and crosslinking are amongst the most
common manipulative attributes that affect the assembly and structure of 3D printed bio-scaffolds and their stimuli-
responsiveness. The review also provides a concise incursion into the various applications of stimuli to
enhance the automated production of structurally organized 3D printed medical prototypes.
Oxidation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons with Mono-Oxygen Donors
Catalysed by Triaryl-Manganese(III) Corroles
Authors: Dandia Anshu , Chauhan Shive M.S. , Milton Marilyn Daisy
Published: October 2023

The oxidation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) with mono-oxygen donors such as iodosylbenzene,
hydrogen peroxide and tert-butyl hydroperoxide in the presence of selected 5,10,15-triarylmanganese(
III) corroles as catalysts were examined under different reaction conditions. The effect of reaction
conditions on triaryl-manganese(III) corroles catalysts and oxidants is discussed. It was observed that in a solvent
system consisting of a mixture of dichloromethane and acetonitrile, the oxidation of anthracene with tertbutyl
hydroperoxide catalysed by tri(aryl)manganese(III)corroles worked better than with hydrogen peroxide or
iodosylbenzene as the oxidants. The oxidation of anthracene with hydroxo-manganese(IV)corroles was also
examined in organic solvents under mild conditions. UV-Vis and other spectroscopic data were used to determine
the oxidative mechanism for the oxidation of anthracene and other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with
mono-oxygen donors catalysed by triaryl-manganese(III)corroles.
Artificial Intelligence in Drug Formulation and Development: Applications and
Future Prospects
Authors: Noorain  , Srivastava Varsha , Parveen Bushra , Parveen Rabea
Published: October 2023

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful tool in various domains, and the field of drug
formulation and development is no exception. This review article aims to provide an overview of the applications
of AI in drug formulation and development and explore its future prospects. The article begins by introducing the
fundamental concepts of AI, including machine learning, deep learning, and artificial neural networks and their
relevance in the pharmaceutical industry. Furthermore, the article discusses the network and tools of AI and its
applications in the pharmaceutical development process, including various areas, such as drug discovery, manufacturing,
quality control, clinical trial management, and drug delivery. The utilization of AI in various conventional
as well as modified dosage forms has been compiled. It also highlights the challenges and limitations associated
with the implementation of AI in this field, including data availability, model interpretability, and regulatory
considerations. Finally, the article presents the future prospects of AI in drug formulation and development,
emphasizing the potential for personalized medicine, precision drug targeting, and rapid formulation optimization.
It also discusses the ethical implications of AI in this context, including issues of privacy, bias, and accountability.
Analysis of the Research Hotspot of Exosomes in Cardiovascular Disease:
A Bibliometric-based Literature Review
Authors: Cui Jing , Li Yiwen , Zhu Mengmeng , Liu Yanfei , Liu Yue
Published: October 2023

Objective:

To investigate the current status and development trend of research on exosomes
in cardiovascular disease (CVD) using bibliometric analysis and to elucidate trending research topics.

Methods:

Research articles on exosomes in CVD published up to April 2022 were retrieved from the
Web of Science database. Data were organized using Microsoft Office Excel 2019. CiteSpace 6.1 and
VOSviewer 1.6.18 were used for bibliometric analysis and result visualization.

Results:

Overall, 256 original research publications containing 190 fundamental research publications
and 66 clinical research publications were included. "Extracellular vesicle" was the most frequent
research keyword, followed by "microrna," "apoptosis," and "angiogenesis." Most publications
were from China (187, 73.05%), followed by the United States (57, 22.27%), the United Kingdom (7,
2.73%), and Japan (7, 2.73%). A systematic review of the publications revealed that myocardial infarction
and stroke were the most popular topics and that exosomes and their contents, such as microRNAs
(miRNAs), play positive roles in neuroprotection, inhibition of autophagy and apoptosis,
promotion of angiogenesis, and protection of cardiomyocytes.

Conclusion:

Research on exosomes in CVD has attracted considerable attention, with China having
the most published studies. Fundamental research has focused on CVD pathogenesis; exosomes regulate
the progression of CVD through biological processes, such as the inflammatory response, autophagy,
and apoptosis. Clinical research has focused on biomarkers for CVD; studies on using
miRNAs in exosomes as disease markers for diagnosis could become a future trend.
CK2B is a Prognostic Biomarker and a Potential Drug Target for
Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Dai Huiru , Liu Minling , Pan Yuxi , Li Tingwei , Pan Yihang , Chen Zhe-Sheng , Li Jing , Liu Yuchen , Fang Shuo
Published: October 2023

Background:

Although casein kinase II subunit beta (CK2B) was previously reported
to be involved in human cancers, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), there has been no
systematic assessment of CK2B in HCC.

Objective:

To assess the potential function of CK2B as a prognostic biomarker and possible
druggable target in HCC.

Methods:

The Cancer Genome Atlas database was accessed to investigate the potential oncogenic
and prognostic roles of CK2B in HCC. Diverse analytical methods were used to obtain a
fuller understanding of CK2B, including CIBERSORT, The Tumor Immune Estimation Resource
(TIMER), gene set enrichment analyses (GSEA), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes
(KEGG), and gene ontology (GO). Furthermore, the Comparative Toxicogenomic Database
(CTD) was used to identify potential drugs to treat CK2B-overexpressing HCC. Patents for
these drugs were reviewed using Patentscope® and Worldwide Espacenet®.

Results:

Upregulated CK2B expression was markedly associated with more aggressive pathological
features, including G3, G4 (vs. G1, G2), and T2, T3 (vs. T1). Kaplan–Meier survival
curves indicated that patients with HCC with higher expression of CK2B had worse overall survival
(P = 0.005), progression-free interval (P = 0.001), and disease-specific survival (P =
0.011). GO and KEGG analysis revealed that CK2B dysregulation affects mitotic chromosome
condensation, protein stabilization and binding, regulation of signal transduction of p53 class
mediator, and cancer-related pathways. GSEA identified six well-known pathways, including
MAPK, WNT, Hedgehog, and TGFβ signaling pathways. Finally, CTD identified six compounds
that might represent targeted drugs to treat HCC with CK2B overexpression. A review
of patents indicated these compounds showed promising anticancer results; however, whether
CK2B interacts with these drugs and improves drug outcomes for patients with HCC was not
confirmed.

Conclusion:

CK2B is a biomarker for HCC prognosis and could be a potential new drug target.
Moreover, the association between infiltrating immune cells and CK2B in the HCC tumor microenvironment
might provide a solid basis for further investigation and a potent strategy for
immunotherapy of HCC.
Lost in the City: Lessons in Co-ordination
Authors: Nordmann Alfred
Published: October 2023

This short essay offers a Wittgensteinian reflection on the problem of knowing and learning one's way about in language, in the city, in technology. What a philosophy of the city, the philosophy of technology, and the philosophy of multilingualism have in common is that they might fruitfully start from a position of illiteracy. The paper makes some programmatic suggestions on how to assume this position.
Minding the Gap
Authors: Singh Rajesh , Lee Shari
Published: October 2023

Implementing intercultural skills and the development of cultural intelligence in library and information science (LIS) education is the first step toward promoting social justice, not only in the LIS field but also within the wider community. This action requires that LIS programs review and revise their course curricula, program content, and educational approaches to prepare future LIS professionals to recognize and fearlessly challenge social injustice. This study aims to demonstrate the importance of cultivating intercultural skills and emphasizes the need for including social justice in LIS education. A case is made for utilizing the revised ALA competencies in this endeavor. The study also demonstrates how an LIS program at St. John’s university incorporated social justice competency in its revised program goals and discusses its implications for making a meaningful change both in the profession and the wider community.
What Does it Mean to be First
Authors: Stallworth Rebecca , Maurici-Pollock Danielle , Hands Africa
Published: October 2023

First-generation students have been receiving increasing attention from LIS researchers. But who are first-generation students? The term has been inconsistently defined in scholarly literature, and a recent analysis of research university websites found over 80 definitions in use on university websites. In this interactive panel, we will discuss how the term first-generation student is defined and used, which students may or not be considered first-generation in particular contexts, and the uses, meaning, and utility of the category for researchers, academic institutions, and students themselves.
Data Science Curriculum
Authors: O'Leary Kayla , Rorissa Abebe , Kim Jeonghyun
Published: October 2023

With an increase in technology use and rapid generation of information and data, graduate-level programs with data science curricula have grown exponentially to match the demand for information professionals with data-related skills. However, a gap has formed between skills learned in school and skills information professionals need post-graduation. Previous research indicates a skills gap among data scientists who lack LIS training in areas like data curation, preservation, etc., which data science programs should address (Ortiz-Repiso et al., 2018). This study, as part of a broader project funded by IMLS (Grant # RE-250066-OLS-21), attempts to address current and future workforce demands in data librarianship and analytics, employer skill demand, and acquisition of skills.

This poster reports on part of the larger project - content analysis of 294 distinct graduate program curricula involving significant data science coursework in 43 LIS schools and iSchools across North America. After collecting over 1,000 data science/librarianship-related courses from institutional websites, we coded them into seven categories using their titles and descriptions. Data analysis, curation, governance, and discovery were the most popular subjects, followed by data professions, miscellaneous courses, and data assessment. In conjunction with job ad analysis and surveys of stakeholders in data science and librarianship education by others, our study could serve as input for graduate programs/curricula design. Results from our study will increase understanding of the nature and structure of data science curricula in iSchools and LIS departments while giving students requisite skills to meet future needs as data science professionals/data librarians.
LIS Associations’ Commitment and Effort in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
Authors: Tang Rong , Hu Zhan
Published: October 2023

In this study, we investigated 28 LIS associations’ DEI efforts as evidenced through their websites. We report results of content analysis, along with term analysis and topic modeling of DEI definitions, diversity statements, position statements, competency frameworks, and codes of conduct. Despite notable gaps in associations’ DEI practices, their commitment to DEI, community, culture, professional practice, and their members is evident. Results show that associations have been steadfast with DEI principles, keenly aware of current events to declare and advocate their positions, and to condemn discrimination and violence against marginalized communities. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the role of associations in promoting DEI through specific actions. LIS associations should make a consistent and visible effort to lead their professional communities towards robust work in DEI on all fronts and to enhance, advance, and sustain those efforts by forming a coalition to advance DEI progress in our profession.
Do the ends justify the memes?
Authors: Tulloch Bonnie
Published: October 2023

Internet memes are an extremely popular form of online communication that are often disregarded as “trivial” due to their association with humor, emotion, and youth (Shifman, 2014, p. 15; Shifman, 2019). While these digital texts (e.g., image macros, tweets, hashtags, short videos, GIFs, etc.) play a significant role in the circulation of information (e.g., Milner, 2016), there is little empirical research on how they figure into young people’s daily information practices. To address this issue, I collaborated with a secondary school teacher, co-designing a class unit that invited students to examine the relationship between memes and digital citizenship. Adopting an ethnographic approach (Markham, 2017) inspired by several design-based research methodologies, I collected a variety of data from 21 youth participants (e.g., field notes/photos, assignments), performing 15 semi-structured student interviews and 2 semi-structured teacher interviews. These materials, which I analyzed using narrative and visual analysis (Frank, 2012; Rose, 2016), included student projects on various meme-related topics (e.g., free speech, dark humor, misinformation, etc.). My findings showcase the significance of humor to students’ conceptualization of memetic storytelling and the joyful nature of the personal experiences they associated with it. Laughter, I argue, impacted their negotiations of the values memes represent and shaped the information they provided. Through its conceptualization of the informational role humor plays in young people’s meme engagements, this research contributes to present knowledge of how memes factor into civic discourse, offering valuable insight to educators, librarians, and guardians who engage youth in information literacy and citizenship education.
Flashing the Hazard Lights
Authors: Youngman Tyler , Appedu Sarah , Tacheva Zhasmina , Patin Beth
Published: October 2023

The increasing relevance of service algorithms and emerging technologies has landed many professions at a ‘disruptive’ crossroads. With the popular emergence of ChatGPT, a large language model from OpenAI designed to interact with users through conversations, discourses surrounding its ubiquity, potentiality, and adoption have captivated audiences. We argue that the unpredictable nature and changing capabilities of ChatGPT and other algorithmic technologies are another critical juncture in the advancement of LIS education. When given a library-oriented prompt, ChatGPT manifested biases that we normally interrogate in our ethical and professional conduct in the delivery of library services, further demonstrating the risk of algorithmic technologies  in reproducing and amplifying marginalization and replicating harm. Hence, we ‘flash the hazard lights’, so to speak, and urge a more critical analysis and precautionary consideration of the social, technological, and cultural harms enabled or perpetuated by the uncritical adoption of ChatGPT and other algorithmic technologies.
Digital Cultural Heritage
Authors: Dunbar Anthony , Gosart Ulia
Published: October 2023

Session 1: Preserving Memories during the Wartime: Ukraine

Ulia Gosart, Assistant Professor, School of Information, San Jose State University

The first session focuses on pedagogical strategies supportive of utilizing and preserving Digital Cultural Heritage. Presented in a case study manner, the panel connects experiences of digital preservation with development of relevant curricula. The case studies include preserving memories during wartime in Ukraine; African American cultural heritage in the southwest of the US; conserving traditional knowledge (TK) and indigenous knowledge (IK) within Indigenous communities in Western Pacific. Each Case can lead to innovative pedagogy possibilities be they emerging as components of traditional educational programs; or exist as elements of innovative teaching centers, and/or growing interdisciplinary collaborations.

 

Session 2: African American Digital Cultural Heritage through the San Antonio Public Library

DL Grant jr, Carver Library Branch Manager, San Antonio, TX

Libraries now transcend more traditional services and resources offering informal gatherings and community events that uniquely uplift the various communities they serve. History harvests, as they are sometimes known, celebrate the cultural heritage of the users leading to preservation of archival matter via digitization. This San Antonio based case study touches on two such services: 1) oral history events that weave stories of the past and document as well as entertain; and 2) a funeral program collection gone digital, making researching African American cultural heritage easier to research. With so much as a cellphone phone one can connect to electronic representations that document families, communities, rituals, institutions and genealogy, to name a few. These library programs encourage donations and help to ensure survivability of cultural heritage.

 

Session 3: Digital Cultural Heritage and Our Existential Threat

Cecilia Salvatore: Professor, School of Information Studies, Dominican University

In communities where their existence is threatened by global climate change, the need for a digital cultural heritage repository is stark and poignant. For example, the small island nations in the Western Pacific, which are responsible for only 0.03% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and yet they are disproportionally facing many of the threats of climate change head on. The communities on these islands are not simply passive towards what’s going on. They want to be equipped with the resources to tackle climate change. And they know that their own traditional knowledge and indigenous knowledge, which has been passed on for hundreds of years, is the most critical resource. The presenter describes TK/IK in the Pacific Islands, some current practices for preserving this knowledge, and the role of digital cultural heritage tools and methodologies.
The Importance of Learning the Difference Between Copyright and Wrong
Authors: Ocepek Melissa , Benson Sara , Cheng Siyao , Saunders Laura , Lipinski Tomas
Published: October 2023

Copyright impacts all aspects of librarianship and most aspects of the wider information professions, yet courses that specifically address the legal rights and limitations of U.S. Federal Copyright law are not well represented in Library and Information Science (LIS) curriculum (Cross & Edwards, 2011; Schmidt & English, 2015). Studies have found a lack of copyright familiarity let alone literacy among librarians and LIS students surrounding many important copyright topics regarding open licensing, orphan works, and digital institutional repositories (Estell & Saunders, 2016; Saunders & Estell, 2019). The recent update to ALA’s Core Competencies has added additional copyright focused language to note that librarians should have foundational skills to “Understand the legal framework in which libraries operate, including laws relating to copyright and fair use…” (ALA, 2023). The need for this material is quite clear and yet many library and LIS programs have not addressed this notable gap in their curriculum.

This panel of copyright experts, researchers, and course instructors is designed to help identify the roadblocks that have led to a dearth of copyright focused courses, and to opportunities for change using existing resources. The aim of this panel is to inspire all in attendance to work with in their institutions to advocate for more copyright focused instruction throughout LIS.

The panel will consist of five brief five-minute talks from all panelists followed by a moderated discussion with the audience to map out the limitations and opportunities of copyright education for already existing LIS curriculum. The panel will close with a presentation of resources that can be used to improve copyright education including open educational resources and other no-cost material. Closing the session, the panelists will ask audience members to share their contact information, to provide continued support in bringing curricula change to their home programs or departments. We hope this panel will help create a community around this topic and become a regular topic at ALISE and similar conferences.
Teaching research methods in LIS programs in Latin America and the United States
Authors: Matusiak Krystyna , Colón-Aguirre Mónica , Bright Kawanna , Sánchez Vanderkast Egbert John
Published: October 2023

This panel will compare curricular models and approaches to teaching research methods in professional preparation programs in the United States and select Latin American countries based on questionnaires and interviews with LIS educators. In most Latin American countries, students begin their LIS education in undergraduate programs and are required to take several research methods classes. In the United States, LIS students usually take a single research method course as a core or an elective as part of a Master’s program. The panelists will discuss the differences and similarities in professional preparation models between the United States and Latin American countries.
The Morphological Identification of Earthworms in Baghdad Governate.
Authors: Kamal Sura , Chachain Nebrass , Sabbah Majeed
Published: October 2023

This sporadic survey mainly focused on parts of north, central, and south
Baghdad. Earthworms were collected from damp habitats in orchards and
agricultural fields using hand-sorting and digging methods from January 2021 to
December 2021 in the three regions (Rashdeyah, Jadriyah and Zafaraniyah).
Identification and description were done based on several external morphological
structures.
Keywords: Earthworms; Morphology; Lumricidae; Megascolecidae; Baghdad
governate; Iraq
Effect of Lumbricus terrestris Earthworm Extract and Coelomic Fluid on
Some Pathogenic Bacteria
Authors: Al-Shrefy Hadeel S. , Mahmood Safaa M.
Published: October 2023

The research aims to find natural alternatives that can inhibit the growth of types of
pathogenic bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics. Lumbricus terrestris
is one of the most common worms in the world. In this study, extracts of the bodies
of earthworms L. terrestris are used against different types of bacteria isolated
from different disease states. Effective antibacterial chemical compounds have
also been using L. terrestris extract by technique Gc-mass, which showed the
presence of the compound Thiodiglycol in the rate of (43.38%) and the compound
s-(2-Aminoethyl)-L-cysteine ( 22.11%), As well as the compound Dimethylamine
in the rate of ( 21.20%). As well as the compound methylthio phosphonamidic acid
at the rate of (3.85%). While the FTIR assay showed in its analysis that the active
groups containing the hydroxyl group OH and the amide group C = O, When using
methanol and acetone solvent for worm extract, it gave a high inhibitory activity at
a concentration of 6.2 mg/ml, reaching (22, 30) mm when S. typhia was treated
with the two solvents. We conclude from the study that earthworms contain
compounds that can inhibit bacterial growth better than antibiotics.
Keywords: Lumbricus terrestris, Coelomic Fluid, Gc mass, Lumbricus, Extract
antibacterial.
The influence of lemongrass essential oil addition on some of the
properties of the heat-cured acrylic resin material
Authors: Al-Shammari Sineen S. , Abdul-Ameer Faiza M.
Published: October 2023

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) has been used as a model for many different
dental materials. However, PMMA appliances and products do not have the best
mechanical properties. Various fillers and oils, such as bergamot essential oil, thymol, eucalyptus, mer ,maid and ginger, have been added to address this issue. So,
this study looked at what happened when lemongrass essential oil (LGEO) was
added to heat-cured PMMA denture base material and how it changed the properties of PMMA. Methods: 120 samples were prepared and split into four equal
groups based on the tests that were done (the transverse strength, impact strength,
surface roughness, and surface hardness), and each group their specimens were
prepared and divided into three groups; control 0 vol.% without additive and two
experimental groups (with 2.5 vol. % LGEO additive, with 5 vol. % LGEO additive) Results: The addition of 5 vol. % LGEO has the best effect on the acrylic's
improved mechanical and physical properties (transverse strength, impact strength,
and surface roughness) except for the surface hardness, which is less affected with
the addition of 2.5 vol. % LGEO at p < 0.05. Conclusion: By adding LGEO to
heat-curing acrylic material, it is possible to make a material with better mechanical and physical properties
Keywords: Essential oils, Lemongrass essential oil, Mechanical properties, Physical properties, polymethylmethacrylate material.
Utilizing the chemical mutagen sodium azide, we created genetic
variation and estimated several genetic parameters in bread wheat
Authors: Noureddin Asaad Rawaa , Jassim Hammadi Hamdi
Published: October 2023

In this study, four cultivars of wheat (Abu Gharib, Barcelona, German, French)
and three concentrations of chemical mutagenic sodium azide (0, 5Mm,10 Mm) if
the grains were immersed in the concentration above from the chemical mutagenic
and for two hours. The grains were planted in the field according to the Random
Completely Block Design (RCBD)using the Factorial experiment system as experimental units. Each repeater contains 12 experimental unit dimensions 2.5 m X
2m, planning experimental units by 10 lines per pilot unit, the distance between the
line and another 20 cm, the fertilization process has been added by adding phosphate fertilizer P2O5 and a rate of 200 (kg. ha-1) during agriculture and then add
urea fertilizer with concentration (46%) N and rate 400 (kg. ha-1) on two payments
when the plant arrives at the height of 7 cm. The second installment was added
before flowering D4 2. The pesticide was used, and the hoeing process was conducted to control the bush. When the plants reached the stage of full maturity,
random samples were taken from the plants grown in the field (10) plants from
each experimental unit to study the effect of sodium azide NAN3 on some quantitative characteristics: the plant's height, the flag leaf area, the number of per
spikes, the spike length, the number of per grains in spike, the weight of thousand
grain and the grains yield. The results showed the presence of moral statistical
differences for all studied characteristics.
The highest average appearance in the number of per spikes cultivars Barcelona
was 323.2 spike while the average high for the mutagenic concentration Mm10
Mm 334.1 spike for the number of per spikes. It was the highest interference to
cultivars Barcelona with Mm concentration reaching 333.1 spikes for the number
of per spikes. Statistical and genetic analyses were conducted on averages to estimate each of the genetic parameters that represent the percentage of heritability in
the broad sense (%H2 b.s), the coefficient of genetic variation (% GCV), the coefficient of phenotypic variation(%PCV), and the expected genetic improvement.
Various statistical parameters were estimated, including variance, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, arithmetic mean and standard error for each studied
characteristic. Statistical analyses showed the effect of variance in their values,
where the value of the coefficient of difference in the characteristic of the flag leaf
area was 12.40%, while it decreased in the characteristic of the number of grains
per spike it recorded 0.99%, while the variance recorded its highest value in the
characteristic of the number of spikes, which amounted to 27.24. This value decreased in the characteristic of the grains yield 0.25.
Keywords: Triticum aestivum L., Sodium azide, Genetic variation, Spike length
Evaluation of a Digital Decision Support System to Integrate Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Periodontitis Care: Case-Vignette Study in Simulated Environments
Authors: Kalmus Olivier , Smits Kirsten , Seitz Max , Haux Christian , Robra Bernt-Peter , Listl Stefan
Published: October 2023

Background

As highlighted by the recent World Health Organization Oral Health Resolution, there is an urgent need to better integrate primary and oral health care. Despite evidence and guidelines substantiating the relevance of integrating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and periodontitis care, the fragmentation of primary and oral health care persists.

Objective

This paper reports on the evaluation of a prototype digital decision support system (DSS) that was developed to enhance the integration of T2DM and periodontitis care.

Methods

The effects of the prototype DSS were assessed in web-based simulated environments, using 2 different sets of case vignettes in combination with evaluation surveys among 202 general dental practitioners (GDPs) and 206 general practitioners (GPs). Each participant evaluated 3 vignettes, one of which, chosen at random, was assisted by the DSS. Logistic regression analyses were conducted at the participant and case levels.

Results

Under DSS assistance, GPs had 8.3 (95% CI 4.32-16.03) times higher odds of recommending a GDP visit. There was no significant impact of DSS assistance on GP advice about common risk factors for T2DM and periodontal disease. GDPs had 4.3 (95% CI 2.08-9.04) times higher odds of recommending a GP visit, 1.6 (95% CI 1.03-2.33) times higher odds of giving advice on disease correlations, and 3.2 (95% CI 1.63-6.35) times higher odds of asking patients about their glycated hemoglobin value.

Conclusions

The findings of this study provide a proof of concept for a digital DSS to integrate T2DM and periodontal care. Future updating and testing is warranted to continuously enhance the functionalities of the DSS in terms of interoperability with various types of data sources and diagnostic devices; incorporation of other (oral) health dimensions; application in various settings, including via telemedicine; and further customization of end-user interfaces.
Older Adults’ Experiences With Participation and eHealth in Care Coordination: Qualitative Interview Study in a Primary Care Setting
Authors: Hunsbedt Fjellså Hilde Marie , Husebø Anne Marie Lunde , Braut Harald , Mikkelsen Aslaug , Storm Marianne
Published: October 2023

Background

Owing to the demographic changes in the elderly population worldwide, delivering coordinated care at home to multimorbid older adults is of great importance. Older adults living with multiple chronic conditions need information to manage and coordinate their care. eHealth can be effective for gaining sufficient information, communicating, and self-managing chronic conditions. However, incorporating older adults’ health preferences and ensuring active involvement remain challenging. More knowledge is needed to ensure successful participation and eHealth use in care coordination.

Objective

This study aimed to explore multimorbid older adults’ experiences with participation and eHealth in care coordination with general practitioners (GPs) and district nurses (DNs).

Methods

The study had a qualitative explorative approach. Data collection included semistructured interviews with 20 older adults with multimorbidity receiving primary care services from their GPs and DNs. The participants were included by their GPs or nurses at a local intermunicipal acute inpatient care unit. The data analysis was guided by systematic text condensation.

Results

We identified 2 categories: (1) older adults in charge of and using eHealth in care coordination, and (2) older adults with a loss of control in care coordination. The first category describes how communication with GPs and DNs can facilitate participation, the importance of managing own medication, and how eHealth can support older adults’ information needs. The second category focuses on older adults who depend on guidance and help from their GPs and DNs to manage their health, describing how a lack of capacity and system support to be involved makes these adults lose control of their care coordination.

Conclusions

Being in charge of care coordination is important for older multimorbid adults. The results show that older adults are willing to use eHealth to be informed and to seek information, which ensures high levels of participation in care coordination. Future research should investigate how older adults can be involved in electronic information sharing with health care providers.
The Vinyasa Tool for mHealth Solutions: Supporting Human-Centered Design in Nascent Digital Health Ecosystems (Preprint)
Authors: Thomas Verghese , Kalidindi Bharat , Waghmare Abijeet , Bhatia Abhishek , Raj Tony , Balsari Satchit
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND

mHealth (mobile health) systems have been deployed widely in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) for health system strengthening, requiring considerable resource allocation. However, most solutions have not achieved scale or sustainability. Poor usability and failure to address perceived needs are among the principal reasons mHealth systems fail to achieve acceptance and adoption by health care workers. A human-centered design approach to improving mHealth system use requires an exploration of users’ perceptions of mHealth systems, including the environmental, user-related, and technological aspects of a system. At present, there is a dearth of contextually intelligent tools available to mHealth developers that can guide such exploration before full-scale development and deployment.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a tool to aid optimization of mHealth solutions in LMICs to facilitate human-centered design and, consequently, successful adoption.

METHODS

We collated findings and themes from key qualitative studies on mHealth deployment in LMICs. We then used the Informatics Stack framework by Lehmann to label, sort, and collate findings and themes into a list of questions that explore the environment, users, artifacts, information governance, and interoperability of mHealth systems deployed in LMICs.

RESULTS

We developed the Vinyasa Tool to aid qualitative research about the need and usability of mHealth solutions in LMICs. The tool is a guide for focus group discussions and key informant interviews with community-based health care workers and primary care medical personnel who use or are expected to use proposed mHealth solutions. The tool consists of 71 questions organized in 11 sections that unpack and explore multiple aspects of mHealth systems from the perspectives of their users. These include the wider world and organization in which an mHealth solution is deployed; the roles, functions, workflow, and adoption behavior of a system’s users; the security, privacy, and interoperability afforded by a system; and the artifacts of an information system—the data, information, knowledge, algorithms, and technology that constitute the system. The tool can be deployed in whole or in part, depending on the context of the study.

CONCLUSIONS

The Vinyasa Tool is the first such comprehensive qualitative research instrument incorporating questions contextualized to the LMIC setting. We expect it to find wide application among mHealth developers, health system administrators, and researchers developing and deploying mHealth tools for use by patients, providers, and administrators. The tool is expected to guide users toward human-centered design with the goal of improving relevance, usability, and, therefore, adoption.
Virtual Reality for Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Comprehensive Review (Preprint)
Authors: Pittara Melpo , Matsangidou Maria , Pattichis Constantinos S
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a vital component of comprehensive care for patients with respiratory conditions, such as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma, and those recovering from respiratory diseases like COVID-19. It aims to enhance patients’ functional ability and quality of life, and reduce symptoms, such as stress, anxiety, and chronic pain. Virtual reality is a novel technology that offers new opportunities for customized implementation and self-control of pulmonary rehabilitation through patient engagement.

OBJECTIVE

This review focused on all types of virtual reality technologies (nonimmersive, semi-immersive, and fully immersive) that witnessed significant development and were released in the field of pulmonary rehabilitation, including breathing exercises, biofeedback systems, virtual environments for exercise, and educational models.

METHODS

The review screened 7 electronic libraries from 2010 to 2023. The libraries were ACM Digital Library, Google Scholar, IEEE Xplore, MEDLINE, PubMed, Sage, and ScienceDirect. Thematic analysis was used as an additional methodology to classify our findings based on themes. The themes were virtual reality training, interaction, types of virtual environments, effectiveness, feasibility, design strategies, limitations, and future directions.

RESULTS

A total of 2319 articles were identified, and after a detailed screening process, 32 studies were reviewed. Based on the findings of all the studies that were reviewed (29 with a positive label and 3 with a neutral label), virtual reality can be an effective solution for pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma, and in individuals and children who are dealing with mental health–related disorders, such as anxiety. The outcomes indicated that virtual reality is a reliable and feasible solution for pulmonary rehabilitation. Interventions can provide immersive experiences to patients and offer tailored and engaging rehabilitation that promotes improved functional outcomes of pulmonary rehabilitation, breathing body awareness, and relaxation breathing techniques.

CONCLUSIONS

The identified studies on virtual reality in pulmonary rehabilitation showed that virtual reality holds great promise for improving the outcomes and experiences of patients. The immersive and interactive nature of virtual reality interventions offers a new dimension to traditional rehabilitation approaches, providing personalized exercises and addressing psychological well-being. However, additional research is needed to establish standardized protocols, identify the most effective strategies, and evaluate long-term benefits. As virtual reality technology continues to advance, it has the potential to revolutionize pulmonary rehabilitation and significantly improve the lives of patients with chronic lung diseases.
Leveraging Generative AI Tools to Support the Development of Digital Solutions in Health Care Research: Case Study (Preprint)
Authors: Rodriguez Danissa V , Lawrence Katharine , Gonzalez Javier , Brandfield-Harvey Beatrix , Xu Lynn , Tasneem Sumaiya , Levine Defne L , Mann Devin
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND

Generative artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionize health technology product development by improving coding quality, efficiency, documentation, quality assessment and review, and troubleshooting.

OBJECTIVE

This paper explores the application of a commercially available generative artificial intelligence tool (ChatGPT) to the development of a digital health behavior change intervention designed to support patient engagement in a commercial digital diabetes prevention program.

METHODS

We examined the capacity, advantages, and limitations of ChatGPT to support digital product idea conceptualization, intervention content development, and the software engineering process, including software requirement generation, software design, and code production. In total, 11 evaluators, each with at least 10 years of experience in fields of study ranging from medicine and implementation science to computer science, participated in the output review process (ChatGPT vs human-generated output). All had familiarity or prior exposure to the original personalized automatic messaging system intervention. The evaluators rated the ChatGPT-produced outputs in terms of understandability, usability, novelty, relevance, completeness, and efficiency.

RESULTS

Most metrics received positive scores. We identified that ChatGPT can (1) support developers to achieve high-quality products faster and (2) facilitate nontechnical communication and system understanding between technical and nontechnical team members around the development goal of rapid and easy-to-build computational solutions for medical technologies.

CONCLUSIONS

ChatGPT can serve as a usable facilitator for researchers engaging in the software development life cycle, from product conceptualization to feature identification and user story development to code generation.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04049500; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04049500
Impact of Post-Acute Care on Depression and Anxiety in Stroke Patients: Exploring the Mediating Effect of Cognitive Function (Preprint)
Authors: Lou Shi-Jer , Lin Hsiu-Fen , Shiu Yu-Tsz , Shi Hon-Yi
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND

Cognitive function was significantly associated with post-stroke depression and anxiety in stroke patients. However, no studies have examined whether there is an interaction.

OBJECTIVE

This study purposed to investigate whether cognitive function mediates the effect of enrollment in post-acute care (PAC) programs on depression or anxiety in stroke patients and whether the indicators are moderated in the pathway.

METHODS

This is a prospective observational cohort study. A group of patients who had received PAC for stroke at one of two medical centers (PAC group, n = 2,087) was compared with a group who had received standard care for stroke at one of four hospitals (three regional hospitals and one district hospital; non-PAC group, n = 1,591) in Taiwan from March, 2014, to March, 2022. The effects of PAC on cognitive function and depression and anxiety at baseline, 12th week, and 1st year after rehabilitation were investigated using structural equation modeling. The effect of each variable on the moderation of different pathways in the model was analyzed using AMOS 23.0, and The SPSS PROCESS macro also was used to perform mediation analysis.

RESULTS

The PAC program had a mediating effect on cognition and depression at week 12 (a*b= -0.098, P<0.05) on cognition and anxiety at week 12 (a*b= -0.107, P<0.05), and the PAC program had a direct effect on depression and anxiety in the first year. It was found that acute lengths of stay had a significant moderation effect in the model (X*W→M=0.204, P=0.002), but the model lost its mediating effect when the moderation variable was added.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with stroke should receive post-acute care as soon as possible to improve their cognitive function after rehabilitation, to maximize the effectiveness of treatment for mental disorders, and to reduce the burden of the disease.
Computational approaches to identify novel inhibitors for the drug‐ resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis DprE1 enzyme
Authors: Dhande Chaitali , Mistry Devanshi , Karthic Anandakrishnan , Singh Rajshri , Barage Sagar Hindurao
Published: October 2023

Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes Tuberculosis (TB), which is a common but life‐debilitating disease. The continued development of resistance to frontline anti‐TB drugs such as isoniazid and rifampicin threatens the efficacy of currently available treatment procedures. This highlights the need to explore diverse approaches essential for drug development against multi‐drug‐resistant strains of tuberculosis. Drug development relies on the findings associated with novel protein targets, which play a crucial role in the disease life cycle. DprE1, an enzyme that plays a critical role in the cell wall synthesis of M. tuberculosis, has been recognized as a promising target for drug development. In the present study, based on previous experimental findings, seven mutant models of DprE1 involved in DprE1 resistance are predicted using homology modeling. Further, potential inhibitors are selected based on their efficacy and IC50 values. Shortlisted inhibitors are docked with the wild‐type and mutant structures of DprE1. The deduced inhibitor molecule (ZINC5) is found to possess high potential as a lead inhibitor for all the models of DprE1. It can be used to circumvent drug resistance in the current treatment regime.
Genetic evaluation of F2 and F3 interspecific hybrids of mung bean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) using retrotransposon‐based insertion polymorphism and sequence‐related amplified polymorphism markers
Authors: Fatmawati Yeni , Ilyas Ilyas , Setiawan Agus Budi , Purwantoro Aziz , Respatie Dyah Weny , Teo Chee How
Published: October 2023

Mung bean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) is a self‐pollinating and indispensable pulse crop in Indonesia. While low yield productivity is a major concern, genetic improvement is possible through interspecific hybridization. However, interspecific hybridization is relatively infrequent and produces low recombination exchanges, significantly limiting crop breeding efficiency. Thus, a comprehensive study is needed of the selection and genetic diversity evaluation of progenies in advanced generations derived from interspecific hybridization using a specific molecular marker. This study aims to confirm the heterozygosity in the F2 population and assess the genetic diversity in F3 mung bean populations resulting from interspecific hybridization between the mung bean and common bean. We designed the retrotransposon‐based insertion polymorphism (RBIP) marker by identifying the syntenic regions in the flanking sequences of retrotransposon insertion in common bean and mung bean. The RBIP marker can be applied to distinguish the heterozygote progenies from the homozygote progenies. Six combinations of sequence‐related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) primers were used in the genotyping of F3 mung bean progenies. The SRAP marker showed a high degree of polymorphism of up to 100%, while high genetic variation was observed within the population (71%) of mung bean progenies. The F3.4 population had the greatest number of genotypes and displayed the highest number of effective alleles, private alleles, and percentage of polymorphic loci, suggesting the existence of high genetic diversity within this population. These genetic diversity data are exceptionally critical for future genetic research since it has potentially high yield production. The genomic and marker‐assisted selection studies will support the major goals of the mung bean breeding program.