bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Natural Products as Sources of Multitarget Compounds: Advances in the
Development of Ferulic Acid as Multitarget Therapeutic
Authors: Kaur Rajwinder , Sood Ankita , Lang Damanpreet Kaur , Arora Rashmi , Kumar Neeraj , Diwan Vishal , Saini Balraj
Published: January 2022

Nature has provided therapeutic substances for millennia, with many valuable medications
derived from plant sources. Multitarget drugs become essential in the management of various
disorders, including hepatic disorders, neurological disorders, diabetes, and carcinomas. Ferulic
acid is a significant potential therapeutic agent, which is easily available at low cost, possesses a
low toxicity profile, and has minimum side effects. Ferulic acid exhibits various therapeutic actions
by modulation of various signal transduction pathways such as Nrf2, p38, and mTOR. The actions
exhibited by ferulic acid include anti-apoptosis, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, anticarcinogenic,
hepatoprotection, cardioprotection, activation of transcriptional factors, expression of
genes, regulation of enzyme activity, and neuroprotection, which further help in treating various
pathophysiological conditions such as cancer, skin diseases, brain disorders, diabetes, Parkinson’s
disease, Alzheimer’s disease, hypoxia, hepatic disorders, H1N1 flu, and viral infections. The current
review focuses on the significance of natural products as sources of multitarget compounds,
and a primary focus has been made on ferulic acid and its mechanism, role, and protective action in
various ailments.
Recent Advances in Classification of Brain Tumor from MR Images –
State of the Art Review from 2017 to 2021
Authors: Latif Ghazanfar , Al Anezi Faisal Yousif , Iskandar D.N.F. Awang , Bashar Abul , Alghazo Jaafar
Published: January 2022

Background:

The task of identifying a tumor in the brain is a complex problem that requires
sophisticated skills and inference mechanisms to accurately locate the tumor region. The complex nature
of the brain tissue makes the problem of locating, segmenting, and ultimately classifying Magnetic Resonance
(MR) images a complex problem. The aim of this review paper is to consolidate the details of
the most relevant and recent approaches proposed in this domain for the binary and multi-class classification
of brain tumors using brain MR images.

Objective:

In this review paper, a detailed summary of the latest techniques used for brain MR image
feature extraction and classification is presented. A lot of research papers have been published recently
with various techniques proposed for identifying an efficient method for the correct recognition and
diagnosis of brain MR images. The review paper allows researchers in the field to familiarize themselves
with the latest developments and be able to propose novel techniques that have not yet been explored
in this research domain. In addition, the review paper will facilitate researchers who are new to
machine learning algorithms for brain tumor recognition to understand the basics of the field and pave
the way for them to be able to contribute to this vital field of medical research.

Results:

In this paper, the review is performed for all recently proposed methods for both feature extraction
and classification. It also identifies the combination of feature extraction methods and classification
methods that, when combined, would be the most efficient technique for the recognition and diagnosis
of brain tumor from MR images. In addition, the paper presents the performance metrics, particularly
the recognition accuracy, of selected research published between 2017-2021.
Phytochemical Investigation and Cytotoxic Profile of Genistein Isolated
from the Cytisus scoparius Linn. on Topoisomerase II
Authors: Chaitanya MVNL , Papathoti Narendra Kumar , Usamo Firehiwot Belayneh , Palanisami Dhanabal , Selvaraj Jubie , Thangavelu Prabha
Published: January 2022

Background:

Genistein is one of many new cytotoxic drug leads that have been discovered
recently. It is a well-studied chemopreventive drug that has attracted the attention of the scientific
community due to its favourable effects on grave illnesses in humans such as cancer.

Objective:

The present study focuses on the methanolic extraction, isolation, and characterization
of an isoflavone, genistein, from the weed plant of Cytisus scoparius Linn. (family: Fabaceae).

Methods:

The phytochemical structure of genistein was confirmed by its spectral and chromatography
analysis through IR, HPTLC, LCMS, NMR, etc. The total flavonoid fraction of methanolic extracts
containing genistein was evaluated for in-vitro cytotoxic activity on cervical cancer HeLa
cells using MTT assay, cell cycle analysis, and topoisomerase II inhibitory activity.

Results:

The result of the in-vitro cytotoxicity study showed the IC50 value of 4.5 μg/ml, which
shows that the isolated compound is cytotoxic. The result of cell cycle analysis revealed the cell arrest
at a sub-G phase, which shows that the isolated compound was apoptotic. Moreover, the human
topoisomerase II assay proved that it is an excellent human topoisomerase II inhibitor at 10
μg/ml.

Conclusion:

These findings revealed that genistein increased cytotoxicity and cell arrest owing to
human topoisomerase II inhibitory activity and thus it may be an anti-cancer component. The relationship
between the phytochemical structural analysis of this compound and its bioactivities is discussed.
A Novel Uric Acid Biosensor Based on Regular Prussian Blue Nanocrystal/
Upright Graphene Oxide Array Nanocomposites
Authors: Yin Shiyu , Wang Jikui , Zhu Yongbao , Song Lingyu , Wu Tingxia , Zhang Zhiyi , Zhang Xianbo , Li Fan , Chen Guosong
Published: January 2022

Background:

Uric acid (UA) is an important metabolic intermediate of the human body. Abnormally
high levels of UA will cause diseases. However, UA monitoring with commercial products relies
on invasive blood collection, which not only causes pain in patients but also risks bacterial infections
and skin irritation. In recent years, new models of noninvasive detection through body surface penetration
have raised higher expectations for the sensitivity of uric acid detection, and rapid, accurate and highly
sensitive UA sensors will become powerful tools for the diagnosis of UA-related diseases.

Objective:

This study aimed to identify the differences in catalytic efficiency between regular PB from
spray crystallization (RPB) and irregular PB from electrodeposition (EDPB), which is used for fabricate a
high sensitive uric acid sensor.

Method:

Regular Prussian blue nanocrystals (RPB) were grown on graphene oxide flakes (GO), on the
surface of a custom screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE), using a spray method assisted by a constant
magnetic field (CMF). After immobilizing uricase, the uric acid biosensor Uricase/RPB/CMF-GO/SPCE
was obtained.

Result:

The detection range of the sensor response to UA was 0.005~2.525 mM, and the detection limit
was as low as 3.6 μM. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)
results showed that compared to amorphous electrodeposited Prussian blue (EDPB), RPB more favorably
accelerated electron transport.

Conclusion:

This novel uric acid biosensor exhibits high sensitivity over a wide concentration range,
strong anti-interference ability, and good stability and reproducibility. Thus, it has good application prospects
for determining uric acid in physiological samples.
Nipah Virus: An Updated Review and Emerging Challenges
Authors: Gabra Mohamed Diaa , Ghaith Hazem S. , Ebada Mahmoud Ahmed
Published: January 2022

Many hospitals are teetering on the edge of being overwhelmed, with many already there
because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, a recent report has also warned about the Nipah virus
(NiV). NiV is a pleomorphic enveloped virus that belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family (genus Henipavirus);
it affects both the respiratory and central nervous systems, with a fatality rate ranging from
40% to 75%, as documented by the World Health Organization. The first reported NiV outbreak was in
early 1999 in Malaysia among people who contacted infected pigs. NiV also affected Bangladesh and
India, where the main infection route was the consumption of raw date palm sap contaminated by bats.
The World Health Organization has listed NiV as one of the emerging pathogens that can lead to severe
outbreaks at any moment in the future with limited medical preparations and only a few projects
in pharmaceutical firms. There is no licensed treatment for human use against NiV until now, and the
management is limited to supportive care and symptomatic treatment. In severe cases with neurologic
and respiratory complications, intensive care is needed. This article reviews the published literature
and highlights the latest updates about this emerging pathogen and the methods to avoid the spread of
this disease during this critical period.
Challenges in Engendering Herd Immunity to SARS-CoV-2 Infection:
Possibly Impossible But Plausibile
Authors: Mukherjee Sukhes , Ray Suman Kumar
Published: January 2022

Herd immunity can only be achieved when it is extended to the population level. When a
sufficiently significant fraction of immune individuals exists in a group, it confers indirect protection
from infection to vulnerable individuals. This population-level effect is frequently considered in the
context of vaccination programs, which attempt to build herd immunity so that people who cannot be
vaccinated, such as the very young or those with impaired immune systems, are nonetheless protected
from disease. Clinical signs are at times poor predictor of transmissibility for some infections, such as
COVID-19, because asymptomatic hosts can be extremely infectious and contribute to the spread of
the virus. COVID-19 is a quickly evolving issue that has been widely spread throughout the world.
This article elaborates the idea and goal of herd immunity, the necessary conditions for realizing herd
immunity, the restrictive requirements for applying herd immunity, and the obstacles experienced in
achieving herd immunity in the context of COVID-19. This mini-article explains the concept and purpose
of herd immunization in the context of COVID-19.
The Pathogenic Role of Foam Cells in Atherogenesis: Do They Represent
Novel Therapeutic Targets?
Authors: Lisco Giuseppe , Giagulli Vito Angelo , De Pergola Giovanni , Guastamacchia Edoardo , Jirillo Emilio , Triggiani Vincenzo
Published: January 2022

Background:

Foam cells, mainly derived from monocytes-macrophages, contain lipid droplets essentially composed of cholesterol in their cytoplasm. They infiltrate the intima of arteries, contributing to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.

Pathogenesis:

Foam cells damage the arterial cell wall via the release of proinflammatory cytokines, free radicals, and matrix metalloproteinases, enhancing the plaque size up to its rupture.

Therapy:

A correct dietary regimen seems to be the most appropriate therapeutic approach to minimize obesity, which is associated with the formation of foam cells. At the same time, different types of antioxidants have been evaluated to arrest the formation of foam cells, even if the results are still contradictory. In any case, a combination of antioxidants seems to be more efficient in the prevention of atherosclerosis.
Simultaneous Determination of Prasugrel and its Process Related Impurities
and Degradation Products in Bulk Drug Substances by RPLC-UV
Authors: Gadhari Nayan S. , Patil Suyog S. , Gholave Jayram V. , Pansare Amol V. , Patil Viswanath R. , Upadhyay Sharad S.
Published: January 2022

Aims:

This study aims to determine the quantitative prasugrel (PG) and its all possible
process-related impurities.

Background:

To the best of our knowledge, very few analytical methods are available in the literature
for monitoring process related impurities and degradation products of PG in bulk drug substance/
active pharmaceutical ingredient (API).

Objective:

The objective of this study is the separation of Prasugrel and its all possible process-related
impurities viz., desacetyl prasugrel-tautomeric forms, intermediates including desacetyl impurity
existing in its keto-enol form and positional tautomer impurities with degradation products.

Method:

A simple and robust HPLC-UV method having Zorbax XDB C18 column (15 cm x 4.6
mm) 3.5μm particle size column was used.

Result:

Prasugrel and its process related impurities were separated as well as analyzed in pharmaceutical
samples' biological matrices.

Conclusion:

RP-LC method was developed for quantitative determination of PG and related substantial
impurities were found to be highly specific, sensitive and precise. The major oxidative degradant
was identified as PG desacetyl IMPs (keto-enol and positional tautomer) and hydroxyl IMP.
Cucurbitacins: Nature’s Wonder Molecules
Authors: Kanani Sonal H. , Pandya Devang J.
Published: January 2022

Over the past decades, several natural constituents belonging to different classes have
been isolated from plants for medicinal purposes. Cucurbitacins is one such type of natural compound.
Cucurbitacin is a class of biochemical compounds that some plants, notably members of the
pumpkin and gourd family, Cucurbitaceae produce and function as a defense against herbivores.
They and their derivatives have been found in many plant families (including Brassicaceae, Cucurbitaceae,
Scrophulariaceae, Begoniaceae, Elaeocarpaceae, Datiscaceae, Desfontainiaceae, Polemoniaceae,
Primulaceae, Rubiaceae, Sterculiaceae, Rosaceae, and Thymelaeaceae), in some mushrooms
(including Russula and Hebeloma) and even in some marine mollusks. They have been isolated
from various plant species, chiefly belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family, which comprises
around 130 genera and 800 species. Cucurbitacins are a group of tetracyclic triterpenoid substances
that are highly oxygenated and contain a cucurbitane skeleton characterized by 9β-methyl−19-norlanosta-
5-ene. Cucurbitacins can be categorized into twelve main groups according to variations in
their side-chains. Cucurbitacins A, B, C, D, E, F, I, J, K, L, O, P, Q, R, S, and their glycosides are
mainly found in Cucurbitaceae family members. These plants have been used as folk medicines in
some countries because of their broad spectrum of crucial pharmacological activities such as anti-
inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, and anti-atherosclerotic effects. The present review explores
the possibility of a correlation between the chemistry of various Cucurbitacins and the uses
of the plants which contain them, thereby opening avenues for further phytochemical, ethnomedicinal,
and modern pharmacological research on these important molecules.
Nanocomposite Based Enzyme-less Electrochemical Sensors for Carbamate and Organophosphorus Pesticides Detection
Authors: Feyisa Tilahun Y. , Tadele Kirubel T.
Published: January 2022

Background:

The excessive application of carbamate and organophosphorus pesticides showed relatively high acute toxicity due to inhibition of acetylcholinesterase enzyme in the neural system of insects and mammals.

Objective:

This review aimed to assess the current outstanding performance of nanocomposite based enzyme-less electrochemical sensors toward determination of organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides detection.

Method:

Enzyme based electrochemical sensor (biosensor) and classical (chromatographic) methods have been used widely for detection of organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides. However, instability related to enzymes and complex sample preparation, need for highly trained manpower and other numerous disadvantages associated with chromatographic techniques limit their application for pesticides detection in many conditions. Therefore, currently, nanocomposite based enzyme-less electrochemical sensors are good alternative to enzyme-based sensors for many researchers

Results:

The reviewed literature revealed that, nanocomposite based enzyme-less sensors with numerous advantages have shown a comparable sensitivity with enzyme-integrated sensor for pesticide detection.

Conclusion:

Currently nanocomposite materials are widely used for many applications including the fabrication of promising sensors for pesticide detections. The promising sensing potential might be attributed to the special functional groups on the surface of the nanomaterials and their composite form, enabling them to substitute those expensive bio-recognition elements (enzymes) and used as non-bio-recognition element for detection of pesticides.
Mechanical Properties of the Skin: What do we Know?
Authors: Ita Kevin , Silva Madeline , Bassey Rosemary
Published: January 2022

The human skin is a multi‐layered material consisting of three layers: the epidermis, dermis, and subcutis. The epidermis is the dominant structure that affects the properties of the skin, such as tensile strength and stiffness. The skin regulates body temperature, provides insulation, and protects inner organs. Skin structure has a substantial influence on skin biomechanics. For instance, anisotropy is a result of the alignment of elastin and collagen fibers in the dermis that compels the skin to exhibit greater tension in one direction, making it appear stiffer. The mechanical properties (such as stiffness, extensibility, and strength) of this organ are important from the clinical, cosmet-ic, and biomechanical standpoints. A fundamental understanding of skin mechanics is important for the development of useful products for cosmetology. As an illustration, changes in the mechanical properties of the skin can shed light on the efficacy of cosmeceutical formulations. In this review, we will highlight skin structure and then discuss the biomechanics of this important organ.
An Overview of the Challenges Associated with the Use of Fruit and
Cereal-based Probiotic Carriers and their Recently Developed Solutions
Authors: Okyere Samuel Kumi
Published: January 2022

Probiotic foods are functional foods that play important roles in the health of humans
and animals. Over centuries, the main route for probiotics transfer into humans and animals is
through fermented dairy products. However, currently, the selection of new probiotic strains and
the development of new administration carriers due to consumer preference and conditions are on
the rise, especially with the emergence of vegetarians. However, a number of uncertainties concerning
the type of probiotic strain and the carrier exist. Therefore, this review seeks to elaborate
on some plant-based probiotic carriers and discuss their shortfalls, as well as report on some recent
methods being used to protect probiotics in foods to serve as a basis for researchers and probiotic
producing industries to correctly select the best strains for a particular carrier and modify existing
plant-based probiotic carriers to promote survivability of probiotics in order to meet the high demands
for plant-based probiotic products, especially by vegetarians. This review reports that transferring
health benefits and maintaining bacterial cell viability for longer storage have been a major
shortfall in the plant-based probiotic products industry due to challenges, such as easy loss of cell
viability and sensory attributes as a result of fermentation activities by probiotic bacteria. Hence,
for reducing these problems, the review suggeststhat the adoption of techniques, such as selection
of resistant probiotic bacteria, prebiotics, encapsulation, and use of appropriate packaging and
storage conditions, would improve probiotic bacteria cell viability and maintain the sensory attributes
in plant-based probiotic products, thus increasing consumer acceptance.
roles of service quality, perceived price and satisfaction to passenger’s loyalty
Authors: Ardini Luh , Mani La , Aras Muhamad , Bellafania Cessy , Adlianto Rafa Putra
Published: January 2022

This study aimed to examine the commercial aviation industry, whether the level of service quality, perceived price and passenger satisfaction have the potential to have a high effect and how these three variables produce passenger loyalty. This study presents a brief review of the current competitive situation that is faced by commercial airlines, findings of previous research on service quality, price and passenger satisfaction. This study also determine strategic steps that can be taken by the Indonesian National Airline, especially in facing business competition, retaining customers and expanding consumer market share. This study is descriptive quantitative research. Data collection was done by distributing questionnaires to 200 respondents, which is then processed using SmartPLS. The results of this study indicate that service quality, customer satisfaction have a positive and significant effect on passenger loyalty, while Perceived price does not have a positive and significant effect on passenger loyalty.
A guerra como condição de santidade freires e mártires venerados entre as Ordens Militares (séculos XII-XVI)
Authors: Lencart Joana
Published: January 2022

This paper focus on a double dimension of research. It aims to study the friars of the Military Orders who died in an aura of sanctity, especially those who achieved it through martyrdom, between the 12th and the 16th century. The holy warriors of the Military Orders, which include the beatified, the venerable, and the virtuous, are associated with the war against the infidel, the Crusade, both in the Holy Land and in the Iberian Peninsula, in the context of the Reconquista, and within the war in North Africa. In a second moment, the hagiographic narratives written by friars of the Military Orders will be examined, especially those written along the Middle Ages and the beginning of Modern Ages.
ALTERNATIVAS AO NOVO REGIME FISCAL DIANTE DA PANDEMIA DA COVID-19
Authors: Ferreira Versalhes Enos Nunes , Teixeira Eliana Maria de Souza Franco , Lamarão Neto Homero
Published: January 2022

O objetivo da pesquisa é verificar quais mecanismos podem ser utilizados para angariar e realocar recursos para fazer frente às demandas das crises sanitária e econômica, provocadas pela pandemia da COVID-19. Para tanto, foi utilizado o método dedutivo, partindo-se dos estudos do Novo Regime Fiscal, desenvolvendo-se a pesquisa por meio de investigação bibliográfica e documental, tendo-se observado estudos acerca da alocação de recursos, por meio de Imposto sobre Grandes Fortunas, Desvinculação de Receitas da União, Fundo Partidário e Contingenciamento. Os resultados indicam que a manutenção de uma política de austeridade fiscal, sem a adoção de alternativas para ampliar a arrecadação e realocação de recursos para estabilização da saúde e da economia brasileira, poderá causar implicações para uma resolução plausível e iminente pelo Poder Público das indicadas crises sanitária e econômica vivenciadas.
Sistemas de producción de pequeños rumiantes en México y su efecto en la sostenibilidad productiva
Authors: Chávez-Espinoza Miguel , Cantú-Silva Israel , González-Rodríguez Humberto , Montañez-Valdez Oziel Dante
Published: January 2022

En el sector de los pequeños rumiantes existe un gran interés en medir y mejorar sus sistemas de producción y desempeño ambiental, pues poseen una gran adaptabilidad y habitan distintos ecosistemas, con una gran biodiversidad de recursos alimenticios, el pastoreo genera beneficios económico-productivos y medio ambientales. Pero, el manejo no planificado y la sobreexplotación de recursos naturales de estas zonas han ocasionado erosión, agotamiento del agua y desertificación, lo mismo ocurre con los sistemas intensivos de producción y la agricultura que alimenta estas explotaciones. Para comparar innovaciones científicas en la sustentabilidad de los diferentes sistemas de producción de pequeños rumiantes, se realizó un análisis bibliométrico para describir las ventajas y desventajas del manejo de los sistemas de producción extensivos, semi-intensivos e intensivos en la sustentabilidad de pequeños rumiantes. Existe una preocupación de la sociedad por el impacto ambiental de los sistemas de producción y que se realicen de manera sustentable. Esta tendencia influye en la producción de ovinos, cabras y venado cola blanca, que se desarrollan en sistemas intensivos, semi-extensivos y extensivos. Dada la presión para aumentar el volumen y la eficiencia de la producción, los sistemas intensivos son más adecuados, pero enfrentan mayores problemas ambientales como, la emisión gases de efecto invernadero (GEI) y de bienestar animal. Por otro lado, los sistemas semi-extensivos y extensivos también producen GEI, pero se asocian con mayor bienestar animal y producción más limpia, pero se ven afectados por las variaciones estacionales para la producción de forraje para mantener los niveles de producción.
Producción de leche de vacas Holstein x Gyr en un sistema de doble propósito en el trópico
Authors: Jorge Alonso Peralta-Torres  , Yuliana Izquierdo-Camacho  , Víctor Hugo Severino-Lendechy  , José Candelario Segura-Correa
Published: January 2022

Objetivo. Determinar el efecto del grupo racial (GR), número de parto (NP) y época de parto sobre la duración de la lactancia (DL), la producción de leche por lactancia (PLL) y por día (PLD) de vacas de doble propósito (DP). Material y métodos. Se analizaron los datos de 160 vacas Holstein x Gir (0 a 75% Holstein) manejadas en un sistema de producción DP en el trópico húmedo de Chiapas, México. La información de DL se analizó mediante análisis de supervivencia, y la de PLL y PLD usando modelos lineales generales. El modelo utilizado incluyó los efectos de GR (0-25%, 50% y 62,5-75% Holstein), NP y época de parto. Resultados. Las medias para LL, MPL, MPD fueron 219,3 ± 39,6 días; 2125,1 ± 568,7 kg; 9,66 ± 1,96 kg, respectivamente. El GR y NP afectaron todas las variables. La razón de riesgo (HR) de 1.815 indica que las vacas 0-25% Holstein tuvieron mayor riesgo de terminar la lactancia antes que las vacas F1, con una DL similar al GR 62.5 a 75% Holstein. La HR fue mayor para las vacas que parieron en la época de nortes (HR = 1) que aquellas que parieron en las épocas seca y lluviosa (HR = 0.448 y 0.446, respectivamente). El riesgo de que una vaca primípara se seque fue mayor (HR = 2.198). El LL de vacas con 2 y ≥3 partos fue similar. Conclusiones. GR, NP y la época de parto afectaron la DL y la PLL de vacas doble propósito.
Algunas consideraciones de epidemiología e inmunopatología de la peste porcina clásica
Authors: Salgado-Ruíz Jefersson Stiven , Jaramillo-Hernández Dumar Alexander
Published: January 2022

La peste porcina clásica (PPC) es una enfermedad causada por un virus ARN de la familia Flaviviridae, genero Pestivirus conocido como Pestivirus C. En la actualidad se conoce su distribución mundial y es causante de grandes pérdidas económicas en las producciones porcícolas. Sus únicos reservorios naturales son el cerdo y el jabalí. El objetivo de esta revisión es presentar una actualización sobre algunos aspectos relevantes epidemiológicos e inmunopatológicos de la PPC. La PPC es una enfermedad de notificación obligatoria para Colombia y los animales persistentemente infectados son la clave para su diseminación y endemicidad. La infección por el virus de la PPC se caracteriza por coagulación intravascular diseminada, trombocitopenia e inmunosupresión, dependiendo en severidad por la virulencia de las distintas cepas. El virus tiene afinidad por monocitos/macrófagos y células endoteliales vasculares donde tiene la capacidad de inducir diferentes mecanismos celulares que le permiten proliferar y persistir en el animal como lo son: el estrés oxidativo al incrementar los niveles de especies reactivas de oxígeno que genera una disminución de la biodisponibilidad de óxido nítrico; la fisión mitocondrial que permite una supervivencia celular  por la inhibición de la apoptosis; y la inmunosupresión debido a la depleción de linfocitos T y B creada por la piroptosis en función de la gasdermina-D en órganos linfoides periféricos que reduce la respuesta inmune humoral y celular. El entendimiento inmunopatológico desde la explicación molecular en la PPC es importante en el aporte conceptual del desarrollo de nuevas estrategias profilácticas y terapéuticas que permitan controlar/erradicar esta enfermedad.
Young Adults’ Use of Different Social Media Platforms for Health Information: Insights From Web-Based Conversations
Authors: Lim Megan S C , Molenaar Annika , Brennan Linda , Reid Mike , McCaffrey Tracy
Published: January 2022

Background

Social media–delivered health promotion has demonstrated limited uptake and effectiveness among young adults. Understanding how young adults interact with existing social media platforms for health might provide insight for future health promotion interventions.

Objective

The aim of this study is to describe how young adults interact with different social media platforms for health and health information.

Methods

We used a web-based conversation methodology to collect data from 165 young adults aged 18 to 24 years. Participants participated in an extended conversation with moderators and other participants about health and social media. They were prompted to discuss how they find health information, how they use different social media platforms, and how they evaluate the trustworthiness of information. A thematic qualitative analysis was applied to the data.

Results

Young adults spent a lot of time scrolling through Facebook newsfeeds, which often resulted in seeing health-related content either from their friends, news sources, or advertisements. Some actively sought out information about specific health areas by joining groups or following relevant pages. YouTube was considered a useful source for learning about everything and was often the go-to when searching for information or advice (after Google). Young adults found the video format easy to learn from. They stated that they could identify accurate YouTube health content by cross-checking multiple videos, by feeling that the presenter was real and relatable, or just through instinctively judging a video’s credibility. Instagram was a source of inspiration for health and wellness from those whose lives were dedicated to healthy lifestyles and fitness. Twitter, Tumblr, and Snapchat were rarely used for health information.

Conclusions

Most young adults obtain health information from social media, both actively and through passive exposure. Participants indicated looking to social media influencers for health and lifestyle inspiration and judged the credibility of sources by appearance and instinct. Health experts should try to use the channels in the way that young adults already use them; use relatable role models on Instagram and YouTube, eye-catching headlines and support groups on Facebook, and easy to follow instruction videos via YouTube.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

RR2-10.1111/1747-0080.12448
The Quality of Internet Websites for People Experiencing Psychosis: Pilot Expert Assessment
Authors: Wilhelm Kay , Handley Tonelle , McHugh Catherine , Lowenstein David , Arrold Kristy
Published: January 2022

Background

Clinicians need to be able to assess the quality of the available information to aid clinical decision-making. The internet has become an important source of health information for consumers and their families.

Objective

This study aimed to rate the quality of websites with psychosis-related information (to provide clinicians with a basis for recommending material to guide clinical decision-making with consumers and their families), using a validated instrument as well as a purpose-developed checklist, and consider improvement in quality over a 4-year period.

Methods

Two measures of website quality were used: the DISCERN scale and the Psychosis Website Quality Checklist (PWQC). Terms related to psychosis, including “psychotic,” “psychosis,” “schizophrenia,” “delusion,” and “hallucination,” were entered into Google, and the first 25 results were analyzed. In total, 6 raters with varying health professional backgrounds were used to evaluate the websites across two time points: January-March 2014 and January-March 2018.

Results

Of the 25 websites rated, only the 6 highest ranked websites achieved a DISCERN score, indicating that they were of “good” quality (51-62 out of a possible 75), while the mean score of the websites (mean 43.96, SD 12.08) indicated an overall “fair” quality. The PWQC revealed that websites scored highly on “availability and usability” (mean 16.82, SD 3.96) but poorly on “credibility” (mean 20.99, SD 6.68), “currency” (mean 5.16, SD 2.62), and “breadth and accuracy” (mean 77.87, SD 23.20). Most sites lacked information about early intervention, recreational drug use and suicide risk, with little change in content over time. Stating an editorial or review process on the website (found in 56% of websites) was significantly associated with a higher quality score on both scales (the DISCERN scale, P=.002; the PWQC, P=.006).

Conclusions

The information on the internet available for clinicians to recommend to people affected by psychosis tended to be of “fair” quality. While higher-quality websites exist, it is generally not easy way to assess this on face value. Evidence of an editorial or review process was one indicator of website quality. While sites generally provided basic clinical information, most lacked material addressing weighing up risks and benefits of medication and alternatives, the role of coercive treatment and other more contentious issues. Insufficient emphasis is placed on detailed information on early intervention and importance of lifestyle modifications or how families and friends can contribute. These are likely to be the very answers that consumers and carers are seeking and this gap contributes to unmet needs among this group. We suggest that clinicians should be aware of what is available and where there are gaps.
Identifying Electronic Nicotine Delivery System Brands and Flavors on Instagram: Natural Language Processing Analysis
Authors: Chew Rob , Wenger Michael , Guillory Jamie , Nonnemaker James , Kim Annice
Published: January 2022

Background

Electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) brands, such as JUUL, used social media as a key component of their marketing strategy, which led to massive sales growth from 2015 to 2018. During this time, ENDS use rapidly increased among youths and young adults, with flavored products being particularly popular among these groups.

Objective

The aim of our study is to develop a named entity recognition (NER) model to identify potential emerging vaping brands and flavors from Instagram post text. NER is a natural language processing task for identifying specific types of words (entities) in text based on the characteristics of the entity and surrounding words.

Methods

NER models were trained on a labeled data set of 2272 Instagram posts coded for ENDS brands and flavors. We compared three types of NER models—conditional random fields, a residual convolutional neural network, and a fine-tuned distilled bidirectional encoder representations from transformers (FTDB) network—to identify brands and flavors in Instagram posts with key model outcomes of precision, recall, and F1 scores. We used data from Nielsen scanner sales and Wikipedia to create benchmark dictionaries to determine whether brands from established ENDS brand and flavor lists were mentioned in the Instagram posts in our sample. To prevent overfitting, we performed 5-fold cross-validation and reported the mean and SD of the model validation metrics across the folds.

Results

For brands, the residual convolutional neural network exhibited the highest mean precision (0.797, SD 0.084), and the FTDB exhibited the highest mean recall (0.869, SD 0.103). For flavors, the FTDB exhibited both the highest mean precision (0.860, SD 0.055) and recall (0.801, SD 0.091). All NER models outperformed the benchmark brand and flavor dictionary look-ups on mean precision, recall, and F1. Comparing between the benchmark brand lists, the larger Wikipedia list outperformed the Nielsen list in both precision and recall.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that NER models correctly identified ENDS brands and flavors in Instagram posts at rates competitive with, or better than, others in the published literature. Brands identified during manual annotation showed little overlap with those in Nielsen scanner data, suggesting that NER models may capture emerging brands with limited sales and distribution. NER models address the challenges of manual brand identification and can be used to support future infodemiology and infoveillance studies. Brands identified on social media should be cross-validated with Nielsen and other data sources to differentiate emerging brands that have become established from those with limited sales and distribution.
Geographical Disparities in Pooled Stroke Incidence and Case Fatality in Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: He Fan , Blackberry Irene , Yao Liqing , Xie Haiyan , Mnatzaganian George
Published: January 2022

Background

Geographical variations in stroke incidence and case fatality in China have been reported. Nonetheless, pooled estimates in major Chinese regions are unknown.

Objective

This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to investigate pooled estimates of incidence and short-term case fatality of stroke in Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao.

Methods

Longitudinal studies published in English and indexed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science, or in Chinese and indexed in SinoMed and CQVIP will be targeted. Articles reporting on adults living in China who experience first-ever stroke or die within 1 year from newly onset stroke will be included. The 95% confidence intervals of the event will be estimated using the exact method based on the Poisson distribution. The log incidence rates together with their corresponding log standard errors will be meta-analyzed using DerSimonian and Laird random effects models. Pooled case fatality rates will also be estimated using a random effect model. Time trends in pooled age-standardized stroke incidence and case fatality will be estimated. The heterogeneity of the included studies will be measured using the I2 statistic and meta-regressions will be run to analyze the effect of reported covariates on found heterogeneity. Risk of bias will be examined using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Publication bias will be tested using funnel plots and Egger tests. Sensitivity analysis will be run by risk of bias.

Results

This study was funded and registered in 2020. The systematic searches, study selections, and quality assessments were completed in July 2021. Data extraction and analysis and manuscript writing are scheduled to be completed by December 2021.

Conclusions

This will be the first study to provide regional differences in pooled estimates of stroke incidence with case fatality in Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao. This study will assist in addressing inequalities in stroke care across China.

Trial Registration

PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42020170724; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=170724

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

PRR1-10.2196/32566
The Willingness to Pay for Telemedicine Among Patients With Chronic Diseases: Systematic Review
Authors: Chua Valerie , Koh Jin Hean , Koh Choon Huat Gerald , Tyagi Shilpa
Published: January 2022

Background

Telemedicine is increasingly being leveraged, as the need for remote access to health care has been driven by the rising chronic disease incidence and the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also important to understand patients’ willingness to pay (WTP) for telemedicine and the factors contributing toward it, as this knowledge may inform health policy planning processes, such as resource allocation or the development of a pricing strategy for telemedicine services. Currently, most of the published literature is focused on cost-effectiveness analysis findings, which guide health care financing from the health system’s perspective. However, there is limited exploration of the WTP from a patient’s perspective, despite it being pertinent to the sustainability of telemedicine interventions.

Objective

To address this gap in research, this study aims to conduct a systematic review to describe the WTP for telemedicine interventions and to identify the factors influencing WTP among patients with chronic diseases in high-income settings.

Methods

We systematically searched 4 databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, and EconLit). A total of 2 authors were involved in the appraisal. Studies were included if they reported the WTP amounts or identified the factors associated with patients’ WTP, involved patients aged ≥18 years who were diagnosed with chronic diseases, and were from high-income settings.

Results

A total of 11 studies from 7 countries met this study’s inclusion criteria. The proportion of people willing to pay for telemedicine ranged from 19% to 70% across the studies, whereas the values for WTP amounts ranged from US $0.89 to US $821.25. We found a statistically significant correlation of age and distance to a preferred health facility with the WTP for telemedicine. Higher age was associated with a lower WTP, whereas longer travel distance was associated with a higher WTP.

Conclusions

On the basis of our findings, the following are recommendations that may enhance the WTP: exposure to the telemedicine intervention before assessing the WTP, the lowering of telemedicine costs, and the provision of patient education to raise awareness on telemedicine’s benefits and address patients’ concerns. In addition, we recommend that future research be directed at standardizing the reporting of WTP studies with the adoption of a common metric for WTP amounts, which may facilitate the generalization of findings and effect estimates.
Willingness to Change Health Behaviors During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Population of Rawalpindi City, Pakistan
Authors: Zain ul Abdein Farhana , Sughra Ume
Published: January 2022

Background

During the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the Pakistan government’s precautionary policies, people are not practicing the standard preventive measures. People need to change their health behaviors to control the transmission of the disease. The purpose of this study is to assess the willingness of people in Rawalpindi city to change/adapt their health behaviors during the pandemic and to associate this willingness with their various demographic variables during the pandemic. Willingness was determined through respondents’ knowledge, risk perceptions, attitudes, and practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective

The main objectives of this study are to assess the general population’s willingness to change their health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic in Rawalpindi city, Pakistan, and to determine the association between demographic variables and the willingness to change health behaviors.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Rawalpindi city, Pakistan. A community household survey was conducted in 4 randomly selected union councils of Rawalpindi city. The survey was done via the systemic sampling of the households. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection, and it was made based on the guidelines of the National Institute of Health, Pakistan. It comprises 66 questions consisting of 5 sections. A Cronbach α of .92 was calculated with SPSS (IBM Corporation).

Results

The results of the study showed that 89.2% of the respondents showed a willingness to change their health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. A chi-square test of association revealed that 7 demographic characteristics were statistically significant, including age, gender, marital status, income, occupation, number of children, and the diagnosed comorbidities of respondents. A regression analysis showed that the monthly income of the respondents was the true predictor, with an odds ratio of 8.69.

Conclusions

The respondents with higher scores for knowledge, risk perceptions, attitudes, and practices during the COVID-19 pandemic showed a high willingness to change their health behaviors in Rawalpindi city, Pakistan.
Design, development and testing of a virtual reality device for upper limb training in people with multiple sclerosis: a feasibility study (Preprint)
Authors: Kalron Alon , Frid Lior , Fonkatz Iliya , Menascu Shay , Dolev Mark , Magalashvili David , Achiron Anat
Published: January 2022

BACKGROUND

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common nontraumatic, neurological, disabling disease that often presents with upper limb dysfunction. Exercise training has resulted in improvement for patients however there can be a lack of compliance due to access because of location and lack of MS experts. Virtual reality (VR) is a promising technology that can offer exercise therapy/rehabilitation at a distance. This type of remote training can be motivational and effective for patients with MS and improve range of motion and muscle strength for those with upper limb dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the combination of the XRHealth software and the Oculus Rift Station for MS patients with upper limb motor dysfunction.

METHODS

A single-center, prospective, feasibility study was conducted in patients with MS who had upper limb motor dysfunction. Patients participated in a single 45-minute digital environment session with VR and completed a questionnaire about the quality of the training and fatigability. The clinician also completed a questionnaire to evaluate the suitability and safety of the training.

RESULTS

Overall 30 patients were enrolled between the ages of 20-81. Patients reported that the training sessions within the digital environment were helpful, challenging, fun, simple to understand, and that they would be willing to repeat again. The physical therapist that oversaw the patients reported that the training was suitable for 86.67% of patients. Anticipated adverse events (AEs) were fatigability, temporary dizziness, and temporary nausea. Operator complications included that the cable of the head-mounted display interrupted the training (6.67%) and fatigue that caused cessation of the VR training session (6.67%). No serious AEs were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

These preliminary results demonstrated that the use of the XRHealth software and Oculus Rift Station platform is feasible, safe, and engaging for patients and has the potential to improve functionality of the upper limbs in patients with MS. This study provides support for future studies of implementing a series of training sessions within a digital environment in a home-based environment.