bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular Docking, Design and Pharmacokinetics Study of Some Anti-Epilepsy Compounds
Authors: Shallangwa Gideon Adamu , Uzairu Adamu , Abdulfatai Usman
Published: September 2021

To complement experimental study, in-silico molecular docking was carried out to access and understand the interacting binding energy dynamism of some experimental potent anti-epilepsy compounds on the GABAT enzyme’s (A causative agent for epilepsy disorder) binding site. The Autoduck vina docking option of Pyrx multipurpose simulation software was used in this study to perform docking simulations. Four anti-epilepsy drug (AED) candidates was designed (Anti-epilepsy disorders) through a structural based drug technique. All the designed AED candidates shows stable binding interaction energies. Out of the four designed compounds, 9-decyl-8-methyl-6-(1H-1, 2, 4-triazol-1-yl)-9H-purine shows better binding energy with GABAT. The docked energy score of the compound (7.8Kcal/mole) was better than the binding energy scores of the standard anti-epilepsy compounds, Carbamazepine (-6.5kcal/mole) and Valproate (-4.5kcal/mole). With this level of interaction, this drug candidate could bind better on the enzyme’s binding site. Also, the pharmacokinetic properties investigation revealed that all designed AED candidates could be synthesized easily, absorbed, distributed, metabolized and excreted from the body. Therefore, this drug candidate could be synthesized and used effectively for the treatment and management of epilepsy disorder.
Impactos da pandemia do novo coronavírus no contexto laboral na perspectiva de egressos do curso técnico em administração
Authors: Miranda Nonato Assis de , TEODORO Rosângela Sofiste
Published: September 2021

Este artigo apresenta os resultados de uma pesquisa que buscou analisar as concepções de egressos do curso Técnico de Nível Médio em Administração acerca dos impactos da pandemia do novo coronavírus no mundo do trabalho. Para dar conta dos propósitos desta pesquisa, utilizou-se da abordagem qualitativa de pesquisa cujos dados foram obtidos por meio de entrevista semiestruturada realizada com seis egressos de uma unidade do Centro Paula Sousa, localizada no ABC Paulista. Os dados mostram que um impacto significativo da pandemia no mundo do trabalho foi a mudança na forma de trabalho, com destaque para o emprego do home office. Esse novo formato mostra-se positivo porque o trabalhador melhorou a produtividade em razão da perda de tempo no transporte público, reduziu-se o stress e ganhou-se mais tempo para o lazer. Todavia, tanto as empresas quanto os trabalhadores viram-se forçados a se adaptar a esse novo contexto laboral.
SPECIFICITY OF THE COLLECTIONS AT MUSEUM
BRANCHES OF THE RACZYŃSKI LIBRARY
IN POZNAN
Authors: Hamrol-Grobelna Eliza , Kryś Mirella
Published: September 2021

Two theses are formulated by the paper’s
authors. The first speaks of the mission of making culture
products available to the public, which was precisely
the one Count Raczyński followed at the moment of
founding the Library in 1829, and of the validity of this
mission in the operations of the museum branches of
the Raczyński Library: the Literary Museum of Henryk
Sienkiewicz (MLHS) and the Flat-Studio of Kazimiera
Iłłakowiczówna (MPKI). The second thesis claims that
the book collections of both institutions are very special:
they contain exceptional books and their book collections
as such can become the object of research for literary
scholars and linguists. Furthermore, information on the
creation of the Raczyński Library and on the foundation
of its museum branches is provided. In their analyses
the authors classify the book collections into three basic
categories: donated items, books that stand out as for
their appearance, works created by the institutions’
donors, and an additional category for MPKI: books
serving as tools for writers. The most interesting items
within each category have been distinguished and
described.
VISITOR, PLEASE, COME… INITIAL REMARKS
ON MUSEUM PUBLIC DURING THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC
Authors: Bąk Agnieszka , Wiśniewski Rafał
Published: September 2021

The issue of the return of the public to
museums after the experience connected with the
COVID-19 pandemic is discussed. Furthermore, the
results of research related to participation in culture
and public’s motivations focused on museum visitors is
analysed. The activities undertaken by the institutions
desiring to maintain communication with the public and
wishing to enable them contact with museum exhibits
despite the sanitary restrictions are presented. The
authors have initially diagnosed the impact of the
pandemic on the institutions’ relations with their public,
pointing to both negative impacts and benefits, e.g.,
speeding of the digitizing process and extension of
educational functions.
Public-Private Partnership in Conditions of Innovative Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Authors: Sadykova Zarina B.
Published: September 2021

The relevance of the subject matter is conditioned by the fact that the innovative development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which is based on the introduction of technological advances, the use of computer and resource-saving technologies, industrial and innovative achievements, is currently of great importance for the country’s economy. The paper aims to prepare recommendations for the development of public-private partnerships (PPP) in the conditions of innovative development of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The leading methods of researching the issues of the paper include the analysis of theoretical sources, analysis of statistics, and comparison. The analysis of statistical indicators plays a crucial role in the study since data on the innovation level on the development of PPP can be directly obtained from statistical databases. The research results showed that for the development of projects that are carried out on an innovative basis, cooperation between the state and business is necessary. Certain risks and consequences are inherent in innovative projects. Therefore, such projects require private partners who agree to PPP even under unstable political, economic and social conditions and also have corresponding production and innovative potential. Given the improvement of the regulatory framework at the national and regional levels, increasing the attractiveness of such cooperation, and providing comprehensive support for such projects, a partnership between the state and business in the innovation sector will develop. The scientific novelty of the research is determined by the fact that the method of analysis of statistical indicators was used for the first time to analyse the concept of PPP in the context of the innovative development of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The observations of the paper have practical value for the development of PPP in the conditions of innovative development of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Strategic Priorities for the Development of Intellectual Potential of Developing Countries in the Context of Constructing an Innovative Economy
Authors: Sanaliyeva Laura K. , Goncharenko Liudmila P. , Rakhimova Saule A. , Titkov Alexey A. , Kunyazova Saule K.
Published: September 2021

The intellectual potential is considered as the fundamental basis for the innovative development of the industry and business entrepreneurship through influence factors. At the same time, there is no single clear definition of the term ‘intellectual potential’ and clearly developed organisational and economic mechanisms for its relationship with the trends of innovative development of the economic system. The purpose of the study is focused on the search for optimal and effective organisational and economic mechanisms for the development of the intellectual potential of countries with developing economies. The methodology was based on the application of the following scientific methods: analysis and synthesis, the statistical method of analysis, the method of establishing patterns and hypotheses, and the method of enlarged analytical calculation. Research and analysis of the main constituent elements and indicative data of the intellectual potential of developing countries of the world (the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation) made it possible to identify systemic problems in this area. It can be concluded that the intellectual potential has significant reserves in the field of improvement and development, primarily in the field of human capital. As a result of the study, the authors propose ways of intensifying the development of intellectual potential on the principles of the formation of organisational and economic systems, such as creation and development of corporate-type universities; creation and development of regional and interregional competence centres; creation and development of business initiative centres.
Experience of the Project Approach to Non-Standard Forms of Youth Employment ‘Volunteering’ and ‘Voluntourism’ (Based on the Example of Public Authorities in Mariupol)
Authors: Krapivina Galina A. , Pakhomova Milana V. , Boretskaya Nataliya P. , Chasnikova Olena V. , Burtseva Yuliya O.
Published: September 2021

The topic of the study is especially relevant because of the non-standard form of employment (NFE) ‘volunteering’ has acquired across the global. Similarly, NFE ‘voluntourism’ has recently been acquiring the form of a social movement and the development of mechanisms for public administration of these activities is far from complete. The aim of the article is to summarise the world experience of the project approach of public authorities to youth policy and the introduction of NFE of youth ‘volunteering’, as well as to analyse the experience of the micro-project approach of public authorities in Mariupol, Ukraine. The study is based on a comprehensive and systematic approach to public management of youth employment and uses methods to describe, summarise, analyse and synthesise the results of observations and experiments. The generalisation of the world experience of the project approach of public authorities to the introduction of non-standard forms of youth employment ‘volunteering’ and ‘voluntourism’ and the modern experience of its use is supported by UNESCO, which allows expanding its scope. It established that experience of the project approach of public authorities on creation of NFE ‘volunteering’ in the city of Mariupol, Ukraine, can be considered as innovative technology of information education. Thus, the project approach of public authorities with the use of NFE ‘volunteering’ and ‘voluntourism’ plays a specific useful role in professional and life situations of young people and allows them to perform social functions of professional, community and personal goals and competencies.
Clay Minerals Effects for Metal Reclamation from Leached Solution
Authors: Manikkampatti Palanisamy Murugesan , Palaniappan Akilamudhan , Ratnam Myneni Venkata , Kandasamy Kannan , Mohamed Lebbai Minar , Veerappan Padmapriya
Published: September 2021

The recent advancements in technology play a pivotal role in mankind’s life and have a significant stint in the generation of E-waste. The present investigation focuses on the recovery of heavy metals from Printed Circuit boards (PCBs) by applying two efficient techniques viz., leaching and adsorption. A combination of leaching and adsorption is a novel and productive approach to recovering heavy metals from like PCBs. After the phases of chemical leaching, the solution was recovered through adsorption and is eco-friendly. The process is carried out to increase the separation rate, reduce the time spent and reach the limits of incineration and pyrolysis methods. Adsorption provides the recovery of heavy metals with respect to the required adsorbent since it is a surface phenomenon. The optimum condition of process variables was found through response surface methodology (RSM). The maximum recovery of copper ions (97.33%) was obtained at the optimum operating conditions such as adsorbent size of 0.04 mm, adsorbent dosage of 3.5 gm L−1 and the temperature of 80°C with 0.845 desirability. This investigation was found to be an eco-friendly way to recover copper ions and does not cause any environmental issues.
Application of Raman Spectroscopy in Biomedical Diagnostics
Authors: Mhlanga Nikiwe , Tetyana Phumlani , Nyembe Sanele , Sikhwivhilu Lucky
Published: September 2021

In vivo cellular imaging and in vitro assays or sensors are fundamentally used to study the spatiotemporal interaction of molecules at biological interfaces. The study of these interfaces informs various applications such as diagnostics/detection of foreign materials or processes in the biological system. Raman spectroscopy, an optical, non-destructive, label-free fingerprinting tool offers a wide array of applications in both in vitro and in vivo diagnostics owing to its relatively short acquisition time, non-invasiveness and ability to provide biochemical molecular information. It has been explored in tissue imaging, in vitro diagnosis, DNA/RNA analysis, metabolic accretions, single cell analysis photodynamic therapy, etc. The chapter details the application of the optical Raman platform in the detection and imaging of diseases/tissues. The challenges associated with SERS applications and the future outlook as a biomedical diagnostic tool are also discussed.
Multilingualism and Personal Health Benefits: Connecting the Dots
Authors: H. Al Aqad Mohammed
Published: September 2021

Being multilingual is a valuable advantage in today’s global society, which is right at everyone’s doorstep. Language and the ability to communicate are important skills to possess. These skills are particularly useful for healthcare professionals because without effective communication, it is tricky to collect reliable information, inform patients of a diagnosis, and/or engage them in developing a management plan. This chapter discusses the connection between speaking several languages and speaker’s mind health. New research on multilingualism has impacted the author insight into the effect of learning and using two or more languages on cognition, the brain, and success and well-being across the lifetime in the last twenty years. The notion of learning various languages expose the linguistic and cognitive development in the community, the latest findings imply that people gain a swathe of health benefits, becoming more open to different languages and new learning in general. An old saying says, speaking more than one language inevitably means that one’s have access to more than one culture, the person tend to have a better understand of intercultural differences and the nuances of different subcultures within an entire culture. The finding of the study shows that knowing several languages support ones life style, boost to live longer and the speaker become a certain kind of personification of cultural dynamicity and cross-culture exchange. Consequently, multilingualism has a range of social, psychological, and lifestyle benefits. Furthermore, experts are discovering a slew of health benefits from learning multiple languages, including quicker stroke recovery and delayed dementia development.
Management of Healthcare Waste in Healthcare Emergencies
Authors: Manjengwa Julius
Published: September 2021

Proper management of waste in healthcare emergencies is key to preventing spread of infections within an emergency. The risks of poor waste management are varied with the risks of spreading infectious diseases being the most important to consider. Chemical pollution should also be considered as water sources can easily be polluted. Careful thought and planning including a risk assessment should be carried out and the results should be publicized to create a common understanding of the problem at hand. This will also inform the methods to be used for the management of waste. Training of healthcare workers is key to creating common understanding of the problem at hand. The different types of waste to be generated should be well understood and methods to manage it should be well thought out before implementation. The decision on the different methods used to manage waste should be informed by the risk assessment and the available resources. However effectiveness to deal with the waste produced should be considered above all factors. Proper healthcare waste management is imperative to preventing further infections that might not be part of the original healthcare emergency. Planning to manage waste is a process that requires information before implementation.
Proposed Revision of the National Gene Technology Scheme for Australia
Authors: Redden Robert
Published: September 2021

Plant breeding was provided access to wider genetic variation through genetic modification (GM) of crops in the 1980s. This involved transfer of DNA between species, and introduction of new traits into domestic crops. Concerns were raised for the outcomes in food health and in the environment with GM crops, with the spectre of ‘Frankenstien’ foods and fear of the unknown. This led to widespread adoption of GM regulations based on the ‘Precautionary principle’ of safeguarding the risks to health and to the environment, even when scientific evidence was lacking to support these concerns. The Green lobby required GM foods to be safe for consumption, with no ill-effects over the long term and for many generations into the future. GM foods have proven safe for over two decades, and with benefits to crop productivity, pest and disease resistances, improved nutrition and tolerances of extreme climatic stresses. GM includes the new biotechnology of Genome Editing (GE), with targeted and precise changes to gene sites, and inter-specific transfer of genes from poorly accessible Crop Wild Relatives (CRW), for adaptation of crops to climate change. Food and fibre crops need to be exempt from GM regulations.
Equity in Out-of-Pocket Payments for Healthcare Service Delivery in Urban and Rural Households: Evidence from Iran
Authors: Ahadinezhad Bahman , Khosravizadeh Omid , Alizadeh Ahad , Nejatifar Zahra , Mehri Milad
Published: September 2021

Background: Out-of-pocket payments for medical services may undermine access to medical services and equity in healthcare financing. Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the distribution of the burden of out-of-pocket payments for healthcare services among the households in Qazvin province, Iran. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on the urban and rural households in Qazvin province, Iran during 2019 - 2020. Data were obtained from the Statistics Center of Iran (2019 - 2020). The optimal sample size was calculated to be 992 households, and the households were selected via three-stage random cluster sampling. Data were collected using a valid questionnaire and via face-to-face interviews with the household owners. The fair financial contribution index (FFCI), concentration index, and Kakwani index were estimated in the Stata software. Results: The estimated parameters indicated that during the study period (March 21, 2019-March 20, 2020), the FFCI value of the rural and urban households was 0.782 and 0.854, respectively. The out-of-pocket payment concentration index based on income rank was estimated at 0.188 in rural households (P < 0.05) and 0.031 in the urban households. In addition, the Kakwani index of the urban and rural households was calculated to be -0.165 and -0.84, respectively. Conclusions: According to the results, out-of-pocket payments were unequally distributed among the households in Qazvin province in 2019 - 2020. These payments were mostly concentrated on the 5th - 7th deciles of urban households. On the other hand, the out-of-pocket payments during the study period were regressive. To promote financial equity, Qazvin health policymakers must run payment exemptions for low-income groups and also expand the medical insurance coverage and universal coverage of healthcare services.
Epistemic Norms, the False Belief Requirement, and Love
Authors: Atkins J. Spencer ,   Romanian Academy - Iasi Branch
Published: September 2021

Many authors have argued that epistemic rationality sometimes comes into conflict with our relationships. Although Sarah Stroud and Simon Keller argue that friendships sometimes require bad epistemic agency, their proposals do not go far enough. I argue here for a more radical claim—romantic love sometimes requires we form beliefs that are false. Lovers stand in a special position with one another; they owe things to one another that they do not owe to others. Such demands hold for beliefs as well. Two facets of love ground what I call the false belief requirement , or the demand to form false beliefs when it is for the good of the beloved: the demand to love for the right reasons and the demand to refrain from doxastic wronging. Since truth is indispensable to epistemic rationality, the requirement to believe falsely, consequently, undermines truth norms. I demonstrate that, when the false belief requirement obtains, there is an irreconcilable conflict between love and truth norms of epistemic rationality: we must forsake one, at least at the time, for the other.
50 frases coloquiales imprescindibles en español
Authors: Castelo Blasco Carmen
Published: September 2021

El manual recoge, de forma muy amena, un total de 50 frases coloquiales muy utilizadas en España, y por las que mis alumnos extranjeros han preguntado repetidas veces en clase. En este sentido, se trata de un ‘temario’ de uso contrastado en la calle, por tanto muy práctico, y que puede ser en un manual de consulta valioso para el usuario. Tiene la ventaja de que además del índice habitual, según la ortografía de la expresión referida, incluye un segundo índice en atención al significado de la frase, de manera que si el usuario no recuerda cómo empezaba la expresión, situación que parece habitual tratándose de estas frases, puede buscarla por “lo que la frase quiere decir”, que es, en realidad, el uso práctico de este recurso lingüístico. Este segundo índice, que aporta mayor seguridad al usuario, convierte a este manual en una publicación original, útil y atractiva para el lector. Todas las frases vienen acompañadas de una explicación que incluye su uso en doble sentido, el contexto en que se usa, su posible confusión con el uso literal y algunas palabras relacionadas, así como por varios ejemplos prácticos y reales. En los ejemplos se han usado, ex profeso, nombres propios de persona comunes en España, incluyendo algunos hipocorísticos (Pepe por José), por la facilidad con que pueden ser escuchados por el estudiante, y con la intención de que vayan familiarizándose con ellos. A su vez, para lograr confeccionar un manual amable y entretenido, se han incluido ejercicios a modo de juegos del tipo de sopas de letras, unir con flechas, envolver en un óvalo las expresiones correctas o descifrar la frase buscada por su representación en un dibujo. Esto, además ayuda a fijar las expresiones en la memoria del usuario.
James Baldwin in the Fire This Time
Authors: Maxwell William J. , Mullen Bill V.
Published: September 2021

William J. Maxwell, editor of James Baldwin: The FBI File (2017), interviews Bill V. Mullen on his 2019 biography, James Baldwin: Living in Fire, along the way touching on both Baldwin’s early internationalism and his relevance to the current wave of racial discord and interracial possibility in the United States.
Mutation analysis links angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma to clonal hematopoiesis and smoking
Authors: Cheng Shuhua , Zhang Wei , Inghirami Giorgio , Tam Wayne
Published: September 2021

Background:

Although advance has been made in understanding the pathogenesis of mature T-cell neoplasms, the initiation and progression of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) and peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS), remain poorly understood. A subset of AITL/PTCL-NOS patients develop concomitant hematologic neoplasms (CHN), and a biomarker to predict this risk is lacking.

Methods:

We generated and analyzed the mutation profiles through 537-gene targeted sequencing of the primary tumors and matched bone marrow/peripheral blood samples in 25 patients with AITL and two with PTCL-NOS.

Results:

Clonal hematopoiesis (CH)-associated genomic alterations, found in 70.4% of the AITL/PTCL-NOS patients, were shared among CH and T-cell lymphoma, as well as concomitant myeloid neoplasms or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) that developed before or after AITL. Aberrant AID/APOBEC activity-associated and tobacco smoking-associated mutational signatures were respectively enriched in the early CH-associated mutations and late non-CH-associated mutations during AITL/PTCL-NOS development. Moreover, analysis showed that the presence of CH harboring ≥2 pathogenic TET2 variants with ≥15% of allele burden conferred higher risk for CHN (p=0.0006, hazard ratio = 14.01, positive predictive value = 88.9%, negative predictive value = 92.1%).

Conclusions:

We provided genetic evidence that AITL/PTCL-NOS, CH, and CHN can frequently arise from common mutated hematopoietic precursor clones. Our data also suggests smoking exposure as a potential risk factor for AITL/PTCL-NOS progression. These findings provide insights into the cell origin and etiology of AITL and PTCL-NOS and provide a novel stratification biomarker for CHN risk in AITL patients.

Funding:

R01 grant (CA194547) from the National Cancer Institute to WT.
The light’s in my eyes: optical modeling demonstrates wind is more important than sea surface-reflected sunlight for foraging herons
Authors: Brown Holly K.M. , Rubega Margaret , Dierssen Heidi M.
Published: September 2021

Multiple lineages of birds have independently evolved foraging strategies that involve catching aquatic prey by striking at them through the water’s surface. Diurnal, visual predators that hunt across the air-water interface encounter several visual challenges, including sun glint, or reflection of sunlight by the water surface. Intense sun glint is common at the air-water interface, and it obscures visual cues from submerged prey. Visually-hunting, cross-media predators must therefore solve the problem of glint to hunt effectively. One obvious solution is to turn away from the sun, which would result in reduction of glint effects. However, turning too far will cast shadows over prey, causing them to flee. Therefore, we hypothesized that foraging herons would orient away from, but not directly opposite to the sun. Our ability to understand how predators achieve a solution to glint is limited by our ability to quantify the amount of glint that free-living predators are actually exposed to under different light conditions. Herons (Ardea spp.) are a good model system for answering questions about cross-media hunting because they are conspicuous, widely distributed, and forage throughout a variety of aquatic habitats, on a variety of submerged prey. To test our hypothesis, we employed radiative transfer modeling of water surface reflectance, drawn from optical oceanography, in a novel context to estimate the visual exposure to glint of free-living, actively foraging herons. We found evidence that Ardea spp. do not use body orientation to compensate for sun glint while foraging and therefore they must have some other, not yet understood, means of compensation, either anatomical or behavioral. Instead of facing away from the sun, herons tended to adjust their position to face into the wind at higher wind speeds. We suggest that radiative transfer modeling is a promising tool for elucidating the ecology and evolution of air-to-water foraging systems.
Diagnostic and Prognostic Significance of CA 19-9 as Tumour Marker in Pancreatic, Hepatobiliary and Other Gastrointestinal Cancers
Authors: Vaishnav Mitsu Vinay , Garg Sameep Shyamlal , Kokani Mayur Jitubhai
Published: September 2021

Introduction: The CA 19-9 antigen isolated by Koprowski and colleagues in 1979 is a lacto-N-fucopentaose II-like substance and one of the tumour-associated antigens present in serum in the mucin fraction. Close attention has been paid to the role CA 19-9 in the diagnosis of digestive tract tumours. In this study, serum analysis of CA 19-9 levels in 91 patients with gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary and pancreatic carcinoma was done. These data was used to evaluate the clinicians with adequate information on use of CA 19-9 as tumour marker- both diagnostic and prognostic. Aim: To study the role of tumour marker, CA 19-9 as a diagnostic and prognostic tool, and also to monitor the response of gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancer to treatment. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on 91 cases of gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary and pancreatic carcinomas conducted in tertiary care hospital associated with medical college in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India were studied from September 2012 to March 2015 for two years and five months. The sample size was of 91 patients. Statistical method used was sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value. The material used was serum of the patient both pre as well as postoperatively and CalBiotech CA 19-9 Elisa Kit was used to determine the Value. The collected data were entered into Microsoft Excel spread sheet. The statistical methods used for variables were Mean and median along with Sensitivity and Specificity. Software used was “Epi Info”, version 7.0. Results: Total 91 cases of gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary and pancreatic carcinomas were studied. Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was used preoperatively and post operatively to determine the CA 19-9 values in patients of gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary and pancreatic carcinomas. It was found that CA 19-9 is an important tumour marker with sensitivity of 76.31% and specificity of 73.33% for diagnosis of the gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary and pancreatic carcinoma. When aided with Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) and histopathological findings it helps in giving a sure shot diagnosis. It also provides useful prognostic information for the same. Conclusion: This study helps to understand the role of CA 19-9 as diagnostic and prognostic marker for pancreatic, hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal carcinomas.
Expression of Carbonic Anhydrase-IX and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Renal Cell Carcinoma and their Prognostic Significance
Authors: Maiti Moumita , Sarkar Ranu , Bhattacharya Aritra , Ray Prasenjit Sen
Published: September 2021

Introduction: Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) is the most common adult renal malignancy. Histopathologically, clear cell RCC accounts for 65-70% of all RCCs. Carbonic Anhydrase-IX (CA-IX) is a transmembrane protein and takes a role in cancer development and progression. A 75-100% clear cell RCCs show CA-IX expression. But this varies with grade and stage of tumour. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is responsible for tumour angiogenesis and expressed variedly in RCCs. Both VEGF and CA-IX expression is mediated by Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α). Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate the expression of CA-IX and VEGF in respect to different grades and stages of RCC and assessing their prognostic significance. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, observational study done on 45 histopathogically diagnosed cases of RCC. It was performed in the Department of Pathology, Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College, Kolkata, West Banglore, India over a period of two years (February 2018 to January 2020). Expression of VEGF and CA-IX were studied by immunohistochemistry. Results were analysed in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software (version 16.0) using Pearson Chi-square test. A p-value of <0.05 was regarded as significant. Results: Out of 45 cases of RCC, 34 tumours (32 clear cell carcinoma and two multilocular cystic renal neoplasm of low malignant potential) were evaluated for CA-IX immuno expression. About 25 cases showed CA-IX positivity which inversely associated with grade and stage of RCC (p-value <0.05). The CA-IX had a diagnostic value in detecting clear cell RCC with sensitivity 73.53%, specificity 100% and accuracy 80%. With 28 (62.2%) cases of RCC showed VEGF positivity among which nine were VEGF 1+ and 19 cases VEGF 2+. The VEGF expression showed a positive association with the grade and Tumour-Node-Metastasis (TNM) stage of tumour (p-value <0.05). Finally, authors found a statistically significant inverse association between CA-IX and VEGF expression in RCCs with clear cell morphology including clear cell RCC and multilocular cystic renal neoplasm of low malignant potential (p-value=0.001). Conclusion: High grade RCCs show low expression of CA-IX and strong positivity with VEGF. Both these markers have a prognostic significance. From the therapeutic point of view, VEGF positive tumours, especially inoperable and metastatic cases, may be benefited by anti-VEGF therapy whereas CA-IX positive tumours respond well by treatment with Interleukin-2.
Peer Assisted Learning: A New Teaching Approach in Undergraduate Medical Students
Authors: Divya R , Abeetha S , Nedunchezhiyan S , Sadhana S
Published: September 2021

Introduction: Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) is an innovative teaching learning tool where people from similar social groupings, who are not professional teachers, help each other to learn. Medical Council of India (MCI) recommends improving quality of training of Indian Medical Graduates (IMG) by expanding the role of doctors/IMGs from clinician to communicator, leadership and member of the healthcare team. Aim: To introduce peer assisted learning as new teaching and learning method in first year medical students and to compare the impact of this method on learners with traditional method of learning by Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE). Materials and Methods: In this observational study, first year MBBS students were randomly divided into two groups- the regular module and PAL module. In regular module, the students were taught by the faculty. In PAL module, the students were taught by a previously trained final MBBS students. In PAL module, senior medical students were trained on the clinical-practical topic to be taught. After training, the senior medical students taught their juniors. In the regular module, the junior students were taught the same clinical practical topic by the faculty. At the end of the session, the students were assessed by OSPE. Paired t-test was used for assessing effectiveness of educational methods. The p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Students’ post-test marks in PAL group were higher than the regular module group (12±2.9 vs 9.8±3.5, p<0.01). Majority (70%) of the students agreed that PAL is a better method of learning and develops teaching attitude. Most of the students strongly agreed that PAL provides friendly environment for learning (80%). About 70% of students gave positive response about need of similar sessions in the future. Conclusion: PAL is an interesting and exciting teaching-learning methodology in undergraduate medical training.
An Autopsy of Acute Adrenal Insufficiency Resulting from Infarction of Both Adrenal Glands, in a Pregnant Woman with Metastatic Carcinoma of the Breast
Authors: Fernandes Gwendolyn , Datar Sharada
Published: September 2021

Acute Adrenal Insufficiency (AAI) is a life-threatening medical emergency, associated with high mortality, and requires early diagnosis and prompt management. This is an unusual case report of a 34-year-old female who was diagnosed with breast cancer, in the second trimester of pregnancy. She presented at 33 weeks gestation, in the emergency services, with convulsions, weakness, altered sensorium and high-grade infiltrating duct carcinoma of breast with liver metastasis. She had also received a single cycle of chemotherapy with adriamycin and cyclophosphamide, at 33 weeks of pregnancy. Her condition deteriorated within 12-16 hours, and she developed abdominal pain, generalised weakness and convulsions. The patient was induced into labour, which was complicated, and delivered a still born male child. She also developed acute kidney injury and severe electrolyte imbalance, and died within four days of admission. A complete postmortem examination was performed where the cause of death was AAI following infarction of both adrenal glands in a background of metastatic carcinoma of the breast. It is strongly suspected that chemotherapy with adriamycin and cyclophosphamide is the primary cause of AAI in the present case. However, the etiology could also be multifactorial as factors like, sepsis, intrauterine foetal death and Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) were also present.
Assessment of Clopidogrel Resistance in Post Myocardial Infarction Patients after 24 to 48 Hours of Initiation of Treatment: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Mukherjee Mayukh , Paul Suhrita , Banerjee Manasi Basu , Ghatak Sayanti , Guha Santanu , Chattopadhyay Arnab
Published: September 2021

Introduction: Clopidogrel is an antiplatelet agent used to prevent platelet aggregation and further blockage of coronary arteries in Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) patients. Inadequate response to clopidogrel has been demonstrated in some patients that might lead to re-infarction even when receiving standard doses of clopidogrel. Aim: To demonstrate the presence of resistance to standard oral doses of clopidogrel in a tertiary care hospital located in eastern India. Materials and Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from January 2015 to June 2016, in Medical College Kolkata, (previously known as Calcutta Medical College), India. Total 32 patients, previously not on any antiplatelet therapy, presenting with biomarker positive ACS were evaluated. The patients were given clopidogrel (300 mg) along with aspirin (325 mg) on presentation followed by clopidogrel (75 mg) and aspirin (75 mg) once daily. Blood samples were collected after 24-48 hours of administering the above mentioned doses orally. A 3.2% citrate was used as anti-coagulant. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Platelet Poor Plasma (PPP) were prepared from this blood samples by centrifugation. Platelet aggregation was studied by adding 10 μM Adenosine Diphosphate (ADP) in that PRP and it was compared with PPP in Light Transmittance Aggregometer (LTA). Platelet aggregation ≥50% in presence of 10 μM ADP was termed as Clopidogrel Resistance (CR). Differences between groups were assessed with Chi-square test and Fisher-exact test for categorical variables. The p-value of <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: Mean age of the study participants was 60.7 years, and 23 (71.8%) out of 32 patients were male while 9 (28.2%) were female. Total 7 (21.8%) of the patients were found to be resistant to standard doses of clopidogrel. A 3 (60%) out of 5 patients with positive family history of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) showed CR (p-value=0.025). Incidences of CR was higher among women 3 (33.3%) and in patients receiving thrombolysis 4 (28.5%). Though these percentages were high but not statistically significant. Conclusion: In this study, 21.8% ACS patients showed resistance to the antiplatelet effects of clopidogrel in the conventional dose. A long term prospective Randomised Controlled Trials (RCT) with larger sample size is required to give an insight into this problem.
Examining the Influence of University Teachers’ Qualification and Experience on Students’ Academic Achievement in Mathematics
Authors: Gyeltshen Sonam
Published: September 2021

Aims: This study aims to examine the effect of qualification and experience level on students’ academic achievement in mathematic in five colleges under the Royal University of Bhutan. 

Study Design: It is a quantitative study where the researcher tests the significance of the difference                             in the mean academic achievement of the students concerning teachers’ qualifications and experience                  level.

Place and Duration of Study: Five colleges under the Royal University of Bhutan spread across five districts in Bhutan were considered for the study between July 2020 and July 2021.

Methodology: A sample of 25 university mathematics teachers (21 males, 4 females) who taught mathematics from 2018 to 2020 were selected through a simple random sampling. The data was collected in two parts: one the mathematics marks of the modules taught by the 25 teachers from the year 2018 to 2020 was obtained from the respective college's exam records through an official correspondence; second, the information on the perception of these 25 teachers was obtained online through self-administered survey questionnaires. 

Results: The result from the two way ANOVA revealed no statistically significant difference between qualifications (Masters and PhD) on students’ academic achievement (F (1, 19) = 3.653, P = 0.07) and between experience levels on students’ academic achievement (F (3, 19) = 0.493, P = 0.69). In contrast, the perception of the teachers is that the higher level of qualifications and experience levels would have a more positive effect on students’ academic achievement.

Conclusion: The qualification and experience have a positive effect on students academic achievement but the effects are not significant.
Wigner Distribution Analysis Applied to Lehmer’s Conjecture on the Ramanujan tau Function
Authors: Musha Takaaki
Published: September 2021

Wigner distribution is a tool for signal processing to obtain instantaneous spectrum of a signal. By using Wigner distribution analysis, another representation of the Euler product can be obtained for Dirichlet series of the Ramanujan tau function. From which, it can be proved that the Ramanujan tau function never become zero for all numbers.
Isolation and Identification of Bacteria and Fungi from Cassavamill Effluent in Afikpo, Ebonyi State Nigeria
Authors: Nwakoby N. E. , Ezeogo J. I. , Orji M. U. , Ejimofor C. F.
Published: September 2021

Wastes from cassava processing mills are usually discharged uncontrollably into the environment where they cause serious environmental challenges. This research work was undertaken to investigate the effects of cassava mill effluent on the microbiological quality of soils and to determine the effects of the polluted soils on the growth of plants. Fresh cassava mill effluent and unpolluted soil samples were collected and analyzed microbiologically. The soil sample was polluted with the cassava mill effluent and the polluted soil was also subjected to microbiological analyses for 31days. Germination and growth of pumpkin plants were also investigated using soil samples polluted with different concentrations of the cassava mill effluent. The microbial population of the effluent showed presence of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus spp, Streptococcus spp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus spp, and Candida spp. The bacterial count was 1.4x104cfu/ml while the fungal count was 1.1x103cfu/ml. The results of the analyses of the unpolluted soil and the effluent polluted soil samples showed that the effluent had noticeable effects on the physicochemical and microbiological properties of the soil. The total microbial count increased from 2.2x105 cfu/g to 4.6x105cfu/g for bacteria and 1.6x104cfu/g to 3.3x105cfu/g for fungi. The polluted soil showed higher diversity of micro-organisms. The isolated organisms were: Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus spp, Streptococcus spp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Micrococcus spp, Proteus spp, Enterobacter spp, Aspergillus spp, Candida spp, Penicillium spp, and Rhizopus spp. The polluted soil also, at higher concentrations of the effluent  inhibited the germination of plants. This research revealed that effluents from cassava processing mills have significant effects on the microbiological properties of the surrounding soils and also affected the growth of plants on these soils negatively. It therefore suggested that this effluent should be treated properly before disposal to the environment.
Editorial: v. 06, n. 11, jan./jun. 2021
Authors: Vicente da Silva Andreia , Rodrigues Claudia , De Almeida Marcelina das Graças
Published: September 2021

Disponibilizamos para nossas leitoras e nossos leitores mais um número da Revista M. Estudos sobre a Morte, os Mortos e o Morrer, que traz em destaque o dossiê Epidemias e suas narrativas multidisciplinares ao longo da História. Esta edição constitui uma oportunidade para o entendimento das complexas e profundas relações que construímos quando pensamos na morte e, especialmente, em tempos de crise, como nas pandemias. Nas reflexões aqui presentes, conceitos como necropolítica, sindemia, mistanásia apontam para a premência de repensar as condições sociohistóricas desiguais a que estão submetidas parcelas inteiras de populações, especialmente as do eixo sul do mundo. Os artigos podem ser tomados como essenciais para pensar as (im)possibilidades de transformação de técnicas corporais, as negociações, os conflitos resultantes de saberes, certezas e dúvidas e as frustrações da vivência dos ritos de velório, sepultamento e luto. Se na iminência da morte é preciso reordenar a regra, a leitura dos textos aqui presentes possibilita um entendimento de que nem tudo pode ser controlado, nem todas as modificações são aceitas, mesmo em períodos transitórios, como neste momento pandêmico.
Uma epidemia chamada patriarcalismo e suas sequelas:
Authors: Santos Josalba Fabiana
Published: September 2021

O papel da segunda epidemia de febre amarela no Rio de Janeiro no romance A menina morta (1954), de Cornélio Penna (1896-1958), é singular. O episódio, além de sanitário, aglutinou-se à história, à vida social, à política, à economia, à produção cultural e literária. Tal caráter transversal contribui para transformá-lo em um instrumento crítico que ajuda a compreender o livro em questão, sobretudo no que tange ao patriarcalismo. Na medida em que aumenta a possibilidade de o Comendador, proprietário da fazenda na qual se desenvolve a narrativa, ter contraído febre amarela, vemos o sistema representado por ele mais e mais enfraquecido, debilitado. A partir desse quadro, pensamos nesse sistema social, cultural e com desdobramentos econômicos, como uma doença que acomete o país. Enviesamos assim o pensamento de Susan Sontag (1978) – para quem certas doenças são vistas como metáforas –, e o aplicamos ao patriarcalismo, lendo-o como se fosse uma doença, portanto, de forma metafórica.
Cartografias de vida-e-morte em territórios pandêmicos:
Authors: Sales Tiago Amaral , Estevinho Lúcia de Fátima Dinelli
Published: September 2021

Em territórios pandêmicos, os limites entre vida e morte tornam-se mais tênues. A pandemia de COVID-19 deixa centenas de milhares de mortos no mundo e, dentre eles, levou o pai do primeiro autor, gerando marcas-ferida que moveram a escrita deste texto. A partir das marcas, utilizamos a cartografia para percorrer os territórios de vida e morte em contextos pandêmicos, dialogando com autores como Deleuze, Guattari, Rolnik, Foucault e Mbembe. Primeiramente, movidos pelas marcas e marcas-feridas, pensamos nos acontecimentos, na morte e nos lutos. Depois, aprofundamos na análise dos territórios pandêmicos ao observar as tramas de controle da vida e da morte, apoiados nos conceitos de biopolítica, necropolítica e necrobiopolítica. Na parte final, pensamos em linhas de fuga que permitam escapar na dureza destes tempos: escapar rizomando como formas de existência, resistência e re-existências.