bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinico-etiological Study of Nail Disorders at a Tertiary Care Center in Maharashtra, India
Authors: Bansal Goyal Neelima , Chavan Ravindranath Brahmadeo , Belgaumkar Vasudha Abhijit
Published: October 2021

Background: Nail abnormalities comprise a significant proportion of dermatological disorders. Nail is a window that provides vital clues for any underlying, dermatological, and systemic diseases. Any cutaneous assessment is incomplete without examining nails despite which it is a fairly neglected appendage. Objectives: This study was carried out to document the clinical pattern, determine the etiology, and identify risk factors for various nail changes. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 200 consecutive patients presenting with nail changes to the outpatient department of dermatology and venereal diseases of a tertiary care hospital. The patients were enrolled after obtaining informed consent. A case record form was designed for every patient, including demographic data, nail characteristics, associated dermatological and systemic disease, and investigation details. Results: The mean age of the patients was 37.98 ± 16.79 years with a male preponderance. Occupation (housewife and manual laborer) was observed to be a significant risk factor (P < 0.001) for onychomycosis. The chief complaint related to nails was cosmetic in 49.5% of the cases. Etiology-wise nail changes secondary to dermatological diseases (44%) were the most common, followed by infections (36%); however, among dermatological diseases, psoriasis (42.2%) followed by lichen planus (16.6%) predominated. Although nail pitting was noticed in various conditions, there was a significant association between nail pitting and psoriasis (P < 0.001). Onychomycosis showed a significant association (P < 0.001) with nail discoloration and onycholysis. Distal lateral subungual onychomycosis (61.4%) was the most frequently observed pattern; nevertheless, the most common causative agent was dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum (58.26%). A nail biopsy was performed on 15 cases, with conclusive findings in 12 patients. Conclusions: Nails should be considered an integral part of the complete dermatological evaluation. The meticulous examination of nails facilitates the early diagnosis of hitherto undetected cutaneous/systemic disease. The nail unit deserves greater attention for better understanding and utilization as a diagnostic tool.
Book Review: The Library Liaison’s Guide to Collection Management
Authors: Aitchison Cory
Published: November 2021

With The Library Liaison’s Training Guide to Collection Management, Armstrong and Dinkle have created a thorough and thoughtful guide for library liaisons. Since much of this kind of work is specific to local institutions—which the authors keep in mind throughout the book—creating such a guide is no small feat.
Identification of serum miR-378 and miR-575 as diagnostic indicators and predicting surgical prognosis in human epilepsy
Authors: Li Xiuxiu , Gao Zhiqing , Ma Mei , Li Li , Guo Shifeng
Published: November 2021

Background: Epilepsy (EP) is a common neurological disorder which is characterized by excessive abnormal synchronization of neuronal discharges in the brain due to chronic recurrent seizures of multiple etiologies. Variety of microRNAs have been associated with the occurrence and development of EP. This study aimed to determine the aberrant expression of miR-378 and miR-575 in EP patients to validate their potential to distinguish EP from healthy patients. Methods: RT-qPCR was used to determine the expressions of miR-378 and miR-575 from serum specimens of 106 EP and 103 control individuals. Clinical indicators between EP patients and controls were assessed. Based on surgical outcome, EP patients were further divided into Engel I-IV EP. The potentials of miR-378 and miR-575 in discriminating EP from healthy participants and predicting surgical prognosis were calculated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: We found the miR-378 and miR-575 were significantly declined (P<0.001) in Engel I-II and III-IV EP patients with no difference in clinical parameters compared. Moreover, miR-378 and miR-575 displayed high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in distinguishing EP patients and predicting surgical outcomes. Moreover, after surgical treatment, miR-378 and miR-575 levels were increased compared with those at admission, suggesting their potentials in treatment response. Conclusions: miR-378 and miR-575 could be utilized as novel and non-invasive serum biomarkers in discriminating EP from healthy controls and predicting surgical outcome, shedding new insights on epileptogenesis and EP treatment.
John Dewey: dois textos, dois tempos, duas “vibes”
Authors: Barbosa Ana Mae
Published: November 2021

Depois de mais de um ano de enclausuramento para evitar contágio com o Coronavírus, apavorada de medo que minha filha que tem problemas respiratórios se contamine, estou sem energia para escrever artigos mas continuo adorando escrever sem compromisso acadêmico, sem ter de obedecer à ABNT. Jociele aceitou que eu escrevesse um ensaio ou um depoimento sobre a recepção de John Dewey no Brasil. Optei pelo depoimento.
Notas sobre uma filosofia da arte em John Dewey: a arte como modelo de experiências
Authors: Haubert Laura Elizia
Published: November 2021

Neste trabalho se expõe de modo breve a concepção de John Dewey presente em seu livro “Arte como Experiência” de arte como modelo de experiência completa e pura. Além disso, traça-se uma relação entre o entendimento da arte como viva e a diferenciação conceitual desenvolvida pelo filósofo entre obras de arte e produtos de arte. A presente análise tem o propósito de chamar atenção dos diversos leitores para a divisão conceitual e a nova forma de conceber a filosofia da arte a partir da mirada deweyana.
Assistive technology: autonomous wheelchair in obstacle-ridden environment
Authors: Kumar Sandeep Ameet , Vanualailai Jito , Prasad Avinesh
Published: November 2021

The benefits for the advancement and enhancement of assistive technology are manifold. However, improving accessibility for persons with disabilities (PWD) to ensure their social and economic inclusion makes up one of the major ones in recent times. This paper presents a set of new nonlinear time-invariant stabilizing controllers for safe navigation of an autonomous nonholonomic rear-wheel drive wheelchair. Autonomous wheelchairs belong to the category of assistive technology, which is most sought in current times due to its usefulness, especially to the less abled (physically and/or cognitively), hence helping create an inclusive society. The wheelchair navigates in an obstacle-ridden environment from its start to final configuration, maintaining a robust obstacle avoidance scheme and observing system restrictions and dynamics. The velocity-based controllers are extracted from a Lyapunov function, the total potentials designed using the Lyapunov based Control Scheme (LbCS) falling under the classical approach of the artificial potential field method. The interplay of the three central pillars of LbCS, which are safety, shortness, and smoothest course for motion planning, results in cost and time effectiveness and the velocity controllers’ efficiency. Using the Direct Method of Lyapunov, the stability of the wheelchair system has been proved. Finally, computer simulations illustrate the effectiveness of the set of new controllers.
A comparison of diceCT and histology for determination of nasal epithelial type
Authors: Smith Timothy D. , Corbin Hayley M. , King Scot E. E. , Bhatnagar Kunwar P. , DeLeon Valerie B.
Published: November 2021

Diffusible iodine-based contrast-enhanced computed tomography (diceCT) has emerged as a viable tool for discriminating soft tissues in serial CT slices, which can then be used for three-dimensional analysis. This technique has some potential to supplant histology as a tool for identification of body tissues. Here, we studied the head of an adult fruit bat (Cynopterus sphinx) and a late fetal vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus) using diceCT and µCT. Subsequently, we decalcified, serially sectioned and stained the same heads. The two CT volumes were rotated so that the sectional plane of the slice series closely matched that of histological sections, yielding the ideal opportunity to relate CT observations to corresponding histology. Olfactory epithelium is typically thicker, on average, than respiratory epithelium in both bats. Thus, one investigator (SK), blind to the histological sections, examined the diceCT slice series for both bats and annotated changes in thickness of epithelium on the first ethmoturbinal (ET I), the roof of the nasal fossa, and the nasal septum. A second trial was conducted with an added criterion: radioopacity of the lamina propria as an indicator of Bowman’s glands. Then, a second investigator (TS) annotated images of matching histological sections based on microscopic observation of epithelial type, and transferred these annotations to matching CT slices. Measurements of slices annotated according to changes in epithelial thickness alone closely track measurements of slices based on histologically-informed annotations; matching histological sections confirm blind annotations were effective based on epithelial thickness alone, except for a patch of unusually thick non-OE, mistaken for OE in one of the specimens. When characteristics of the lamina propria were added in the second trial, the blind annotations excluded the thick non-OE. Moreover, in the fetal bat the use of evidence for Bowman’s glands improved detection of olfactory mucosa, perhaps because the epithelium itself was thin enough at its margins to escape detection. We conclude that diceCT can by itself be highly effective in identifying distribution of OE, especially where observations are confirmed by histology from at least one specimen of the species. Our findings also establish that iodine staining, followed by stain removal, does not interfere with subsequent histological staining of the same specimen.
Moringa oleifera Mediated Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and their Characterization and Evaluation of Biological Activities
Authors: Hussain Syed Bilal , Amin Hamza , Naqqash Tahir , Zubair Muhammad , Noor Sadaf
Published: November 2021

The green synthesis of nanoparticles has attracted the attention of scientific communities due to their simple, economical, and environment-friendly properties. This study focuses on the biological synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) using an aqueous extract of Moringa Oleifera as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The formation, structure, and other physical and chemical properties of ZnONPs have been extensively studied using various microscopy and spectroscopic techniques. The biogenic synthesis of ZnONPs was confirmed by UV-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer analysis and further characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Potential antibacterial and antioxidant activity for ZnONPs were also studied. A sharp peak at 450 nm was observed by UV-Vis analysis, while FTIR analysis showed the presence of -O-H-, -C=C-and -C-H- stretching. SEM analysis revealed that ZnONPs were cubic and hexagonal with500 nmto 1µmsize. The results of antimicrobial activity presented that the zone of inhibition of ZnONPs against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC25923, Bacillus subtilis ATCC6633, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC4617, and Escherichia coli ATCC15224 were in the range of 16-36 mm. The antioxidant potential was evaluated by DPPH assay and the IC50 value was 144.59 µg/mL. This study provides an ecofriendly green approach for ZnONPs synthesis with less time and energy consumption.
A Review on Synthesis and Biological Activity of Curcumin and Curcumin Derivatives
Authors: RinaIkhar . , Sabale Prafulla , Kadam Pravin
Published: November 2021

Curcumin is a common polyphenolic composite and is the main chemical component of Curcuma longa linn.commonlyknown as turmeric. It is a well-known natural herbal herb traditionally utilized as a flavoring and coloring agent in Indian cooking. Curcumin chemically is diferuloyl methane unit [1,7-bis (4-hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl)-1,6 heptadiene-3,5-dione] including two ferulic acid residues linked by a methylene bridge. An aromatic o-methoxy phenolic group, α,β-unsaturated β-diketo moiety and a seven carbon linker are essential for the activity. Extensive research gave proof for the role of these various functional groups in its significant biological activities. Due to physiochemical properties such as solubility, stability, bioavailability issues its use is limited in the therapy. To widen its use, various curcumin derivatives and analogs were summarized and assessed for its biological influence. The present review summarisesthe different ways of synthesis of curcumin derivatives with its potential activities that are now in development for the enhancement of bioavailability and therapeutic activity.
Therapeutic Activity of Collagen and Rosehip Extracts: A Review
Authors: Kwatra Bharat , Tariq Ramsha , Mandal Dibita , Ray Nupur , Hessa Sneha , Pardeshi Pratik B.
Published: November 2021

This article is an examination of the therapeutic activity of collagen and rosehip extracts. The scientific development and subsequent activity of collagen continues to influence the researchers all over the globe today. This article examines the research done and published by researchers and scientists. Consideration of current trends and data in scientific queries demonstrates further therapeutic aspects of collagen and rosehip extracts. Collagen hydrolysate is known to alleviate pain in knee joints and provide other protective effects in osteoarthritis, research papers and review articles from the past were considered as the basis of this work. Researchers have carried out experiments and statistically proven the role of collagen hydrolysate in joint disorders and different ortho related disorders. Collagen hydrolysate can provide symptomatic relief to the patients with osteoarthritis and according to the in vitro studies it can also be considered as a potential candidate for its therapeutic properties. Clinical studies have indicated that collagen hydrolysate significantly reduces pain and disability. It also has various regenerating effects that can help restore the damaged cartilage.  Component and chemo metric analysis of the rose hip was done and rosehip extracts were characterized to reveal their anti-oxidant and anti-inflammation properties using enhanced cross-linking mechanism and High-performance liquid chromatography. Collagen and rosehip extracts are clinically proven beneficial for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, back pain, joint disorders, knee pain and post – ortho surgery conditions like pain and inflammation. A compilation of data is done in this article and explores options for therapeutic activity of hydrolysate for the treatment of osteoarthritis and other joint disorders and as a dietary supplement in athletes with activity-related joint pain. Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of rosehip powder, identification and characterization of the active component GOPO and the assessment of rosehips based on the content of their biologically active compounds and rosehip extracts in ortho and ortho post-surgery
Diagnostic Performance of N Terminal-Pro Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT-ProBNP) in the Assessment of Dyspnea in Heart Failure and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in a Group of Patients in Sub–Saharan Africa (SSA): An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Moor Vicky Ama , Kuate Liliane Mfeukeu , Eko Manuela , N. Tcheutchoua Daryl , Samba Mbono , Nkeck Jan Réné , Ngongang Christian Ouankou , Poka Virginie , Ba Agoons Batakeh , Kemnang Honoré , Pefura Eric Yone , Menanga Alain
Published: November 2021

Background: Heart failure (HF) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are two conditions frequently responsible of dyspnea. The clinical distinction between these two etiologies is challenging in clinical practice, particularly in developing countries where access to imagery is limited. Thus, natriopeptides, secreted during the stretching of cardiomyocytes, could be a more accessible method for the etiological diagnosis of dyspnea.

Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of NT-pro BNP in the assessment of dyspnea during heart failure and COPD.

Methods: The population consisted of patients with dyspnea caused by heart failure according to Framingham criteria or COPD diagnosed according to GOLD criteria. The NT-pro BNP levels and left ventricular ejection fraction was assessed. The ROC curve and the Youden index was used to determine the diagnostic performance of the test and the threshold of significance was set at 0.05.

Results: Of the 45 subjects recruited, 32 had heart failure and 13 had COPD. The NT-pro BNP levels were higher in HF patients (3725.5 [651 – 9945] pg/ml) compared to the COPD patients (316 [32- 1307] pg/ml); p=0.02. The NT-pro BNP levels was correlated to dyspnea in both groups (r=0.75; p<0.001 in HF patients and r=0.91; p<0,001 in COPD patients). The diagnostic threshold obtained was 497 pg/ml with a sensitivity of 81%, a specificity of 69% and a Youden’s index of 0.5.

Conclusion: The diagnostic performance of NT-proBNP is acceptable in distinguishing between heart failure and COPD.
Assessment of Methaemoglobin in Haemoglobin Variants in Selected Ethnic Groups in Bayelsa State
Authors: Ideede Victor Tuanwii , Zaccheus Jeremiah Awotu , Eze Everlyn Mercy , Nyebuchi Jonathan , Ogidigba Friday , Solomon Agoro Eni-yimini , Atiegha Christain
Published: November 2021

Methaemoglobin (Met-Hb) is a type of the oxygen-carrying metalloproteinhemoglobin. The heme group iron exists as ferric (Fe3+) iron, rather than the ferrous (Fe2+) iron of typical hemoglobin. Met-Hb is unable to perform the function of binding to oxygen like oxyhaemoglobin does. The aim of this study was to compare methaemoglobin levels between AA and AS haemoglobin variants among the Ijaw, Igbo and Yoruba ethnic groups residing in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. A total of 150 subjects were enrolled for the study. One hundred and sixteen subjects constituted the Ijaws; 21 Igbos and 13 Yorubas. For each subject, 4mls of blood sample collected in EDTA bottle was assayed for methaemoglobin using a spectrophotometric method. Results revealed there was no significant difference in the methaemoglobin mean levels between the AA and AS haemoglobin variants (P-value>0.05) of the ethnic groups except the Igbo ethnic group (P-value <0.05). However, comparing the methaemoglobin mean levels among the ethnic groups showed a significant mean difference of methaemoglobin (P-value <0.05). All Post-hoc groups showed significant difference except the Igbo and Yorubo ethnic groups (P-value >0.05). In conclusion, this study has revealed that methaemoglobin levels changes significantly based on studied tribes but does not change based on studied haemoglobin variants.
Bacteria Colonization of Fresh Minimally Processed Fruits and Vegetables from Markets in Nsukka, Southeastern Nigeria
Authors: Ugwu Chinenye Nnenna , Gugu Thaddeus Harrison , Nneoma Ezeibe Ezinwanne , Nwagwu Chinekwu Sherridan , Akpa Paul Achile , Amechi Attama Anthony
Published: November 2021

Consumers’ demand for minimally processed fresh minimally fruits and vegetables owing to their reputation of being convenient, fresh, nutritive, healthy, and cheap has been on the increase over the years. Contamination of these commodities during processing has been reported and vendors often ignore proper hygienic processes. However, since fresh produce is often consumed raw, these products could harbor potentially pathogenic bacteria. In this study, 15 randomly selected samples of fresh, minimally processed watermelon, cucumber and garden egg were collected from markets in southeastern Nigeria and evaluated by way of standard plate techniques of serial dilution for bacterial contaminants. Following standard bacteriological practices, dilutions were plated on suitable growth media and incubated for 48 h. Pure cultures of bacterial isolates were investigated for total viable counts and identified both macroscopically and microscopically via Gram staining technique, spore staining technique, motility test and biochemical analysis. Fifty-eight isolates were obtained and the total viable plate count from all samples ranged from 1.0×106-8.0×106 CFU/g with watermelon samples recording the highest volume of bacteria loads. The cultural and biochemical characterization revealed the presence of seventeen (17) probable species of bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus (40%), Bacillus sp.(21%), Escherichia coli (18%), Staphylococcus epidermidis, Corynebacterium sp., and Citrobacter sp. (17%), Lactobacillus sp., and Proteus sp.(12%), Yersinia sp., Serratia marcescens, Listeria sp. and Pseudomonas sp.(6%),  Klebsiella sp., Streptococcus sp., Bacillus cereus and Clostridium sp. (5%), and Salmonella sp. (2%). Probable pathogenic bacteria exceeded the standard limit thus requiring urgent public sensitization and education by appropriate regulatory agencies. Therefore, the consumption of these minimally processed fruits and vegetables couldlead to foodborne infections.
Traganum nudatum Possesses Anticancer Efficacy against Breast Cancer MDA-MB-231 Cells
Authors: O. Barnawi Ibrahim
Published: November 2021

Background: Medicinal plants are effective sources for both traditional and modern medicines; herbal medicine has been shown to have genuine utility. 80% of rural population depends on natural products as primary health care. Traganum nudatum (T. nudatum) is a medicinal plant widely used in alternative medicine. T. nudatum has not been greatly investigated for its anticancer potential.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro anticancer efficacy of T. nudatum against breast cancer cell line; MDA-MB-231.

Materials and Methods: Extracts of T. nudatum were evaluated to assess their in vitro cytotoxicity against the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line. Leaves, flowers, and stems of T. nudatum were extracted by using 70 % ethanol. the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays were used to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxicity of these extracts against MDA-MB-231 cell line. The apoptotic cellular morphological changes were investigated using inverted and fluorescence microscopes.

Results: The results showed that T. nudatum extracts exhibited anticancer activity with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 150 µg/mL against MDA-MB-231 cell line. Loss of cell integrity, shrinkage of the cytoplasm, and cell detachment were observed in the extract-treated MDA-MB-231 cells.

Conclusion: T. nudatum extracts showed cytotoxic effects against MDA-MB-231 cell line. It may be used as a future medication to cure breast cancer.
Case of 38 Years old Nulligravida with Primary Infertility with a Known Case of Diabetes Mellitus Came for in vitro Fertilization
Authors: Mendhe Deeplata , Bombale Maheshwari , Wanjari Mayur
Published: November 2021

Introduction: The term “Primary infertility” refers to a couple’s inability to conceive a child. Endometriosis: affects mostly women in their 30s and 40s, with roughly 40%of women suffering from endometriosis. This occurs when the uterine lining is discovered outside of the uterus. Endometriosis will make it difficult to conceive. Not everyone aspires to be a parent, but for those who do, the inability to produce a child is a heart-breaking reality. Many of us spend a significant portion of our lives trying to avoid unintended pregnancies, assuming that when we are ready to have a family, it will have happened naturally. We tend to believe that transiting from preventing pregnancy to planning conception and childbirth will be relatively painless and orderly. As a result, the inability to conceive is a major life stressor that can wreak havoc on otherwise happy couples. Case Presentation: She is a case of 48 yr. Primary Infertility nulligravida comes with DM. For 20 Year diagnostic hysteroscopy done. Ultrasonography done. A complete blood investigation is done. She is a history of Hypertension for 1 month and insulin-dependent diabetes for one 1year. Conclusion: This study emphasized the opportunity of strengthening public health and hospital-based health promotion programs (e.g., smoking, obesity STIs, etc.). Furthermore, detecting, avoiding, and controlling modifiable risk factors through increased awareness, screening, and early management of chronic diseases may help to reduce the incidence and severity of chronic diseases.
Factors Associated with Missed Nursing Care at a Tertiary Level Public Sector Hospital (Nurses’ Perspective)
Authors: Ali Mehar , Memon Khalida Naz , Chouhan Shanti , Almas Sindhu , Heeralal .
Published: November 2021

Background: Missed nursing care is the least researched aspect in nursing practice & research. There is a long list of determinants of this phenomenon; the current study is an effort to highlight various factors playing a pivotal role in missed nursing care. The research is carried out to evaluate missed nursing care and related socio-demographic determinants at a tertiary care hospital.

Study Setting & Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study at Dr. Ruth K.M Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi.

Study Population, Sample Size & Sampling Technique: Total 163 nurses were selected through convenient non-probability sampling.

Data Collection & Analysis: A three-section questionnaire containing socio-demographic determinants, work related factors and elements of care were used to collect data.  Frequencies & percentages were computed for socio-demographic variables and their associations with missed nursing care were sought by applying Chi-square test.

Results:  Mean age of the respondents were 38 ± 8.54 years.  The male: female ratio of respondents was 1:2.26; sixteen percent of the respondents reported frequently missed nursing care activity while doing assessment of patients. The assessments of the patients’ hygiene status were missed frequently by 21.5% of subjects. There was statistically significant association between age of the respondents & missed nursing care (p=0.04). The shortage of staff nurses was most frequently reported factor for missed nursing care (61.3%).

Conclusions: The study reveals hygiene care of the patients as the most neglected element of nursing care. The 10% of participants significantly missed to fulfill the basic medical needs of patients. The 61.3% nurses reported shortage of nurses in a hospital as the determinant of missed nursing care.  Imparting necessary health education to patients was statistically significantly associated to professional educational level of the nurses (p=0.04).

Recommendation: The study gives a guideline for hospital administrators regarding carrying out improvement in provision of optimal nursing care in relation to improved patient safety.
Design, Synthesis, Anti-inflammatory & Anticonvulsant Activity of Substituted Heterocyclic Compounds
Authors: Adsule Prajakta V. , Chabukswar Anuruddha R. , Nanaware Rajesh
Published: November 2021

Aim: To design, synthesize, anti-inflammatory & anticonvulsant activity of substituted coumarin acetohydrazide derivatives.

Study Design: Experimental work related to Anti-inflammatory & Anticonvulsant activity.

Methodology: Coumarin acetohydrazide derivatives were synthesized by reacting substituted isatin with 7-hydroxy-4-methyl-coumarin in glacial acetic acid to determine their anti-inflammatory & anticonvulsant activities. Molecular docking study was performed against the COX enzyme for anti-inflammatory activity & carbonic anhydrase II enzyme for anticonvulsant activity. Anti-inflammatory activity was done by carrageenan induced paw edema method in rats at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight. Anticonvulsant activity was studied in rats at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight; in the maximal electroshock (MES) induced seizures model.

Results: (Z)-2-(4,8-dimethyl-2-oxo-2H-chromen-7-yl)oxy)-N-(5-nitro-2-oxoindolin-3-ylidine) aceto-hydrazide and (Z)-2-(4-methyl-2-oxo-2H-chromen-7yl) oxy)-N-(1-methyl-2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene) acetohydrazide showed the highest anti-inflammatory activity as compared to Celecoxib after 5 h with 71.94 to 77.96 % inhibition. Most of the compounds displayed anticonvulsant activity in the MES screen at a dose 200 mg/kg. Out of twelve compounds (Z)-N-(5-chloro-2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)-2-((4-methyl-2-oxo-2H-chromen-7-yl) oxy) acetohydrazide and (Z)-2-((4-methyl-2-oxo-2H-chromen-7yl) oxy)-N-(1-methyl-2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene) acetohydrazide shown most significant activity with remarkable protection (67%) against MES induced convulsions. The structure-activity relationship concluded valuable pharmacophoric information, that the substitution on isatin ring has a significant effect on preventing inflammation & the seizure formation.

Conclusion: From the molecular docking study & biological activity determines that all synthesized coumarin acetohydrazide derivatives shows anti-inflammatory activity as compared to Celecoxib & anticonvulsant activity as compared to Phenytoin.
A Review on Role of Circadian Rhythms in Management of Prostate Cancer
Authors: Chaudhari Shilpa P. , Suryavanshi Dhanaji S.
Published: November 2021

The circadian clock is a molecular evolutionary mechanism that controls the time of physiology to maintain homeostasis. Circadian disorder in particular has been identified as an independent risk factor for cancer and has been classified as a carcinogen. The circadian rhythm regulates several biological pathways, including oncogenic tumors, metabolism, and cell reproduction. The new data examined in this article suggest that circadian regulatory functions play a key role in various aspects of cancer, including cell proliferation control, cell death, DNA repair, and metabolism. Circadian irregularities are incorrect input signals, such as exposure to night light, variability in circadian rhythm genes, and output changes that regulate circadian behavior, including melatonin. Night work, shift work, workday changes, urinary melatonin levels, and insomnia put older men at risk for prostate cancer. Melatonin has anti-cancer properties. Men with lower melatonin levels in the morning had a higher risk of advanced or fatal prostate cancer. Melatonin, a hormone found in the pineal gland, plays an important role in the functioning of the circadian function. The integration of circadian biology into cancer research opens up new avenues for more effective cancer treatment, including the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of this destructive disease. This review examines the role of the circadian clock in tumor formation and cancer symptoms, and examines whether pharmacological changes in circadian clock genes may lead to new treatment options.
Methylene Blue Dye Degradation Using Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized from Andographis Paniculata Leaves Extract
Authors: Noorafsha . , Shukla Shraddha , Kashyap Anil , Kashyap Anupama , Vishwakarma Damini , Maholiya Anju
Published: November 2021

Today, the ejection of hazardous dyes from textile industries in water reservoirs like rivers, lakes and groundwater has become a severe problem. To remove these pollutants is challenging by classical water treatment procedures. Thus, for effluent treatment, we need a more convenient method. Here, we describe use of green synthesized silver nanoparticles in the degradation of precarious dye like methylene blue. The silver nanoparticles synthesized from leaves extract of andographis paniculata which act as a nanocatalyst. The synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and the reduction of silver ions are studied using UV-Visible spectroscopy (Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopy) and FT-IR spectroscopy (Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy) respectively. Organic compounds are responsible for the capping and reduction of silver nanoparticles, according to Fourier Transform infrared spectra. The report accentuate that the AgNPs examined to be an effective catalyst for reduction of precarious dyes nearly 84% at 16 hrs of exposure time.
A Systematic Review on Machine Learning and Deep Learning Based Predictive Models for Health Informatics
Authors: Aloyuni Saleh Abdullah
Published: November 2021

Health informatics (HI) has become a significant research area due to the massive generation of digital health and medical data by biomedical and health research organizations. The health data sources are available in different forms namely electronic health records (EHRs), biomedical imaging, bio-signals, sensor data, genomic data, medical history, social media data, and so on. The structured health data can be utilized for HI and effective predictive modeling of health data assists in the decision-making process. The recently developed artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and deep learning (DL) techniques pave a way for effective predictive modeling on health data. Numerous existing works have been presented in the literature depending upon the ML and DL based HI for various applications. With this motivation, this study aims to review the recent state of art ML and DL based predictive models for health sector. This survey primarily identifies the difference between the ML and DL architectures with their significance in health sector. In addition, the existing works are extensively reviewed and compared in terms of different aspects such as objectives, underlying methodology, input source, dataset used, performance validation, metrics, and so on. Finally, the open challenges and future scope of the HI are examined in detail. At the end of the survey, the readers find it useful to identify the present research and possible future scope of the ML and DL based predictive models for HI.
Health Care Staffing Shortages and Potential National Hospital Bed Shortage
Authors: Leuchter Richard K. , Delarmente Benjo A. , Vangala Sitaram , Tsugawa Yusuke , Sarkisian Catherine A.
Published: February 2025

This cross-sectional study assesses several possible US hospital bed occupancy scenarios arising from an aging US population over the next decade, based on varying hospitalization rates and staffed hospital bed supply.
Sonolucent Cranioplasty for Transcranial Ultrasonographic Imaging
Authors: Menta Arjun K. , Lee Ryan P. , Luciano Mark G.
Published: February 2025

This Surgical Innovation discusses the use of sonolucent materials in cranial reconstruction to allow for ultrasonographic imaging following cranial neurosurgery.
Netnography
Authors: Milik Oskar T.
Published: February 2025

Netnography refers to a particular set of research methods and practices developed for digital systems and users of digital platforms. Netnography may consist of traditional methodologies, much like digital ethnography, but is differentiated by a greater use of other readily available data made possible by the growing use of smart devices and digital communications systems. With the ever increasing speed of technological development, social norms and perceptions in online spaces tend to change with equal rapidity. It is the netnographer who attempts to keep pace with these ever shifting social spaces and tries to capture and make sense of the different social, political, and cultural changes made real by technological change. Netnography is a powerful tool in generating critiques of established digital systems and the impacts they have on the individual and the wider society.
Climate Change and Aging
Authors: Chazan May
Published: February 2025

There are massive bodies of critical sociological research focused on climate change or on aging, but less frequently on both at once. Understanding the intersecting dynamics of climate change and aging is a complex task that overlaps with the rapidly emerging field of climate gerontology. This entry introduces key themes within recent aging and climate change scholarship, and charts potential areas for further research, around four themes: uneven vulnerabilities to climate change; support for meaningful adaptation; (inter)generational grief and responsibility; and advocacy/activisms. The entry concludes that sociologists can play a role in better understanding which groups of older adults are more at risk, and what underpins their vulnerabilities. By undertaking critical research that centers the lived experiences of the most vulnerable and marginalized older adults, they can also inform equitable adaptation strategies. In addition, future sociological research could offer critical analyses of how age intersects with multiple systems of oppression within climate justice movements, and how intergenerationality occurs in different contexts. Finally, sociologists can play an important role in exposing underlying ageism and ableism in all aspects of climate change discourse, policy, and research.
E‐commerce and Labor
Authors: Alimahomed‐Wilson Jake , Dubb Raminder
Published: February 2025

This entry examines the impact of electronic commerce on work and labor. It highlights the changes that e‐commerce has introduced to the warehousing and parcel delivery sectors and how digital surveillance and the demand to work quickly have eroded the working conditions across these sectors.
Community College
Authors: Carnes Rebekah
Published: February 2025

Community colleges are two‐year educational institutions that represent a global movement embedded in local community norms. Community colleges serve local economic needs by offering affordable courses that transfer to four‐year institutions; technical and occupational training; continuing and remedial education programs; and workforce development. In the USA they have become a key point of entry to college for those who could not otherwise afford or access a college education, and a key provider of English as a second language to adult immigrants. Community college student populations tend to be made up of both lower socioeconomic levels and under‐represented groups; thus, they serve a democratizing function within higher education and the larger society. These institutions face particular challenges because success, funding, and political capital in higher education are tied to a neoliberal emphasis on degree completion and upward social mobility, yet efforts to increase retention and accelerate the time to degree completion can undermine efforts at accommodating the most vulnerable students. This entry examines the open‐door and democratizing functions of community colleges, and the competing challenges on economic and political levels experienced by these institutions.
Tourism and Tourists
Authors: Gibson Heather J.
Published: February 2025

Travel for pleasure is integrated into many lives. As contemporary tourism grew, sociologists worked on delineating behaviors associated with tourism. Using role theory, they developed tourist role typologies to understand behaviors and impacts on host communities, and to address growing concerns about inauthenticity. Initially analyses were largely functionalist until postmodern and poststructuralist perspectives were introduced and yielded insights on post‐tourist consumption and the gendered nature of tourism, among other subjects. Today, attention is on mobile lives and technologies in the post‐ COVID‐19 pandemic era.
Global Warming
Authors: Everuss Louis , Marinache Ramona
Published: February 2025

Since the Industrial Revolution, humans have significantly increased the concentration of atmospheric greenhouse gases, which has led to a warming of the earth's climate. This global warming and related climate changes are creating a less stable and habitable environment for life by, among other ways, radically altering precipitation patterns, causing more destructive weather events, and melting polar ice and consequently generating sea level rises. While sociological research on global warming was initially limited by the conceptual separation of nature and society, more recent sociological scholarship has generated significant knowledge on the social and structural features of global warming. Sociological work has connected global warming and climate change to dominant political and economic systems, studied how it is impacting communities and creating inequalities, and studied public responses to global warming, including by identifying institutional attempts to generate skepticism toward climate change to diminish potential political responses. Such lines of sociological analysis are essential to challenging the political systems, public apathy, and climate change denialism that are entrenching global warming trends and pushing the world toward catastrophic natural tipping points.
Health Professions and Occupations
Authors: Humphris Debra , Jaspal Rusi
Published: February 2025

This entry focuses on the sociological aspects of health professions and occupations. It outlines five key theoretical perspectives and explores three significant areas of sociological enquiry: science, technology, and the digital; socialization; and interprofessional practice. It argues that the innovations in these three areas, rather than being a threat to the health professions and occupations, can be seen as opportunities to enhance the health professions and occupations and thus the patient experience.
Lesbian and Gay Families
Authors: Geist Claudia , Gaytán Marie Sarita
Published: February 2025

The term “lesbian and gay families” often refers to the families of lesbians, gay men, and their children. The updated term “queer families” more explicitly applies to a broader range of sexually diverse families, and is less strongly tied to traditional notions of the nuclear family, and includes child‐free families, families of choice, and/or fictive kin. With changing social attitudes toward LGBTQI+ individuals and marriage equality, research on queer families is becoming more prominent in mainstream sociology. However, there are opportunities to improve our understanding of gender identities and expression in relation to the social construction of families.
IROC phantoms accurately detect MLC delivery errors
Authors: Edward Sharbacha S. , Pollard‐Larkin Julianne M. , Balter Peter A. , Howell Rebecca M. , Peterson Christine B. , Kry Stephen F.
Published: February 2025

Purpose

We evaluated the impact of random and whole‐bank multileaf collimator (MLC) delivery errors on dosimetric delivery accuracy in the Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core (IROC) phantom audits, as well as differences in delivery accuracy between the IROC phantom prescription and typical clinical fraction sizes.

Methods and Materials

Plans were created for the IROC IMRT head and neck (H&N) and SBRT spine phantoms. MLC leaf errors were introduced into the plans: random shifts between −2 and 2 mm, and whole bank shifts of 0.5, 1, and 2 mm. Plans were recalculated and delivered on a Varian Truebeam, and the log files were analyzed using Mobius Fx software. A second study examined the impact of fraction size on MLC position accuracy and corresponding dose delivery accuracy. The standard IROC phantom prescriptions (∼6 Gy) were scaled to the extremes of 2 Gy for H&N and 27 Gy for spine. All plans (original and scaled) were delivered on a Varian Truebeam and 21EX machine.

Results

Random MLC positioning errors produced small average dose deviations in the PTV of up to −2.8% for H&N and 0.7% for spine. Whole‐bank MLC shifts resulted in larger average PTV dose deviations up to 8% for H&N and 7.1% for spine. The Varian 21EX irradiations had greater MLC root mean square (RMS) error than Truebeam plans. Plans with smaller prescriptions (and faster leaf motion) had greater MLC RMS errors, but plan accuracy was not affected dosimetrically – all results remained within 1% regardless of fraction size.

Conclusions

Both random and whole bank MLC shifts caused dose deviations in the IROC phantoms that were comparable to clinical results previously found in the literature. Deviations measured with ion chambers were well matched with delivery log file analysis. Smaller dose‐per‐fraction prescriptions caused larger MLC RMS errors that were detected with log files, but were clinically insignificant compared to the dosimetric accuracy of the plan.
From 2D to 3D gamma passing rate tolerance and action limits for patient‐specific quality assurance in volumetric‐modulated arc therapy
Authors: Zarros Christos , Patatoukas George , Kollaros Nikos , Chalkia Marina , Kougioumtzopoulou Andromachi , Kouloulias Vasilios , Platoni Kalliopi
Published: February 2025

Background

Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) requires an accurate patient‐specific quality assurance (PSQA) program. In clinical practice, this is usually performed using the γ‐index and the two‐dimensional gamma passing rate (2D %GP). A three‐dimensional (3D) index incorporating the patient anatomy could be more useful for the 3D dose distribution verification.

Purpose

The current study demonstrates a thorough investigation of VMAT PSQA treatment plans by examining the correlation between 3D Gamma passing rate (%GP) and 2D %GP. The aim was to establish the tolerance limits (TL) and action limits (AL) that could be adopted in clinical practice.

Materials and methods

PSQA was performed for 67 head and neck (H&N) and 69 prostate treatment plans, using an appropriate phantom and the γ‐index method. The 3%/2  mm acceptance criterion was used. Treatment plans’ 2D% GP and 3D %GP values were collected and correlated with individual 3D %GP values of planning target volume (PTV) and organs at risk (OARs). Institutional TL and AL of both 2D %GP and 3D %GP were established using 30 prostate and 30 H&N treatment plans, as per recommendations proposed by AAPM TG‐218.

Results

A moderate correlation was observed between 2D %GP and 3D %GP of the treatment plans. Τhe correlations demonstrated a stronger association for the 3D %GP than for the 2D %GP with respect to the 3D %GP of the individual structures considered. The TL for the 3D %GP (both plan and individual) and the plans’ 2D %GP were generally more stringent, while the AL showed a wider range compared to the corresponding limits suggested by the TG‐218 protocol for plan 2D %GP.

Conclusions

Institution‐specific 3D %GP as well as TL and AL for treatment plan, PTV and OARs could be incorporated in the PSQA procedure in synergy with the 2D evaluation, as they can provide a more‐in‐depth‐view of the treatment quality.
Clinical application specifications for ulcer oil in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers
Authors: Wang Jie , Yuan Quan , Wang Yueqi , Qiao Jiajun , Chen Yunru , Tan Chunli , Xia Zhongyuan , Liu Shouyao
Published: February 2025

Diabetic foot is a chronic refractory wound associated with high disability and mortality rates, which not only threatens the health of patients but also imposes a heavy medical burden on patients and their families. Chinese medicine has been widely used to treat diabetic foot. As a traditional Chinese medicine, ulcer oil possesses a number of beneficial properties. It can clear heat and toxins, activate blood and tissue regeneration, reduce swelling, and alleviate pain. Moreover, ulcer oil can regulate inflammation, promote capillary neoangiogenesis, and enhance granulation growth and epithelial crawling. Furthermore, it can maintain a moist environment within the wound. It is hypothesized that ulcer oil can accelerate the healing of diabetic foot ulcers via a combination of these effects. These observations indicate that ulcer oil has the potential to prevent diabetic foot ulcers and treat high‐risk diabetic foot conditions. In this article, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the utilization of ulcer oil in the management of diabetic foot conditions. Its indications, contraindications, and other pertinent aspects are described to establish a foundation for the clinical application of this therapeutic modality.