bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lower Extremity Stiffness Predicts Ground Reaction Force Loading Rate in Heel Strike Runners
Authors: SHIH YO , TENG HSIANG-LING , POWERS CHRISTOPHER M.
Published: March 2019

Purpose

High vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) loading rates are thought to contribute to lower extremity injuries in runners. Given that elevated lower extremity stiffness has been reported to be associated with increased GRFs, the purpose of the current study was to determine if overall lower extremity stiffness, individual joint angular excursions and/or torsional stiffness are predictive of the average vGRF loading rate during running.

Methods

Forty heel strike runners (20 men and 20 women) ran overground at a speed of 3.4 m·s−1. Average vGRF loading rate, lower extremity stiffness, and hip, knee, and ankle joint excursions and torsional stiffness from initial contact to the first peak of the vGRF were quantified. Stepwise multiple linear regression was performed to determine the best predictor(s) of average vGRF loading rate.

Results

Lower extremity stiffness was found to the best predictor of average vGRF loading rate (R
2 = 0.68, P < 0.001). The second variable that entered the stepwise regression model of average vGRF loading rate was knee joint excursion (ΔR
2 = 0.03, P = 0.023).

Conclusions

Increased lower extremity stiffness immediately after initial contact may expose heel strike runners to higher vGRF loading rates.
Effects of Static Stretching and Foam Rolling on Ankle Dorsiflexion Range of Motion
Authors: SMITH JASON CHADWICK , WASHELL BRANDI R. , AINI MARY FRANCES , BROWN SYDNEY , HALL MACGREGOR C.
Published: March 2019

Static stretching (SS) has been used for inducing acute and long-term increases in range of motion (ROM). Foam rolling (FR) has recently gained popularity for acutely increasing ROM. However, the long-term effects of FR on ROM have not been thoroughly evaluated. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the acute and long-term changes in dorsiflexion ROM as a result of 6 wk of FR, SS, and FR followed by SS (FR + SS).

Methods

Participants (n= 44) were randomly assigned to FR, SS, and FR + SS groups. The FR group foam rolled the triceps surae. The SS group performed a wall stretch for both legs. The FR + SS group performed FR immediately followed by SS. All groups completed 12 training sessions in 6 wk. Dorsiflexion ROM was assessed before and after the first training session, before the second session of week 3, before and after the last session in week 6, and at week 7.

Results

There was a 4.0% acute increase in ROM at week 6 (P= 0.004) for all three groups. ROM increased 8.4% from week 3 to week 7 for all three groups (P< 0.001). When comparing week 1 baseline to week 7, ROM increased 18.3% for all three groups (P= 0.003).

Conclusion

SS and FR seem to be comparable in terms of increasing dorsiflexion ROM acutely as well as after 6 wk of training for healthy, university-age participants. FR combined with SS does not seem to provide a synergistic effect on improving dorsiflexion ROM.
The Reconstitution of W′ Depends on Both Work and Recovery Characteristics
Authors: CAEN KEVIN , BOURGOIS JAN G. , BOURGOIS GIL , VAN DER STEDE THIBAUX , VERMEIRE KOBE , BOONE JAN
Published: March 2019

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different work and recovery characteristics on the W′ reconstitution and to test the predictive capabilities of the W′BAL model.

Methods

Eleven male participants (22 ± 3 yr, 55 ± 4 mL·kg−1⋅min−1) completed three to five constant work rate tests to determine CP and W′. Subsequently, subjects performed 12 experimental trials, each comprising two exhaustive constant work rate bouts (i.e., WB1 and WB2), interspersed by an active recovery interval. In each trial, work bout characteristics (P4 or P8, i.e., the work rate predicted to result in exhaustion in 4 and 8 min, respectively), recovery work rate (33% CP or 66% CP), and recovery duration (2, 4, or 6 min) were varied. Actual (W′ACT) and model-predicted (W′PRED) reconstitution values of W′ were calculated.

Results

After 2, 4, and 6 min recovery, W′ACT averaged 46% ± 2.7%, 51.2% ± 3.3%, and 59.4% ± 4.1%, respectively (P = 0.003). W′ACT was 9.4% higher after recovery at 33% CP than at 66% CP (56.9% ± 3.9% vs 47.5% ± 3.2%) (P = 0.019). P4 exercise yielded a 11.3% higher W′ACT than P8 exercise (57.8% ± 3.9% vs 46.5% ± 2.7%) (P = 0.001). W′ACT was higher than W′PRED in the conditions P4-2 min (+29.7%), P4-4 min (+18.4%), and P8-2 min (+18%) (P < 0.01). A strong correlation (R = 0.68) between the rate of W′ depletion and W′ recovery was found (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that both the work and recovery characteristics of a prior exhaustive exercise bout can affect the W′ reconstitution. Results revealed a slower W′ reconstitution when the rate of W′ depletion was slower as well. Furthermore, it was shown that the current W′BAL model underestimates actual W′ reconstitution, especially after shorter recovery.
In-Hospital outcomes in acute coronary syndrome patients with concomitant severe chronic kidney disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Sattar Saadia , Ahmed Naseer , Akhter Zohaib , Aijaz Saba , Lakhani Shakir , Malik Rehan , Pathan Asad
Published: March 2019

Objective: To determine in-hospital mortality and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in acute coronary syndrome (AMI) patients with underlying severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study from June’2013-December’2017 at Tabba Heart Institute, Karachi. Data was drawn from institutes’ database modeled after US National Cardiovascular data CathPCI registry. All AMI (STEMI: ST-elevation myocardial infarction and NSTEMI: non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction) patients undergoing PCI with creatinine clearance <30ml/min or ESRD on hemodialysis were included in the study.

Results: During 54 months study period, 160 severe CKD patients underwent PCI. Mean age was 62.9±12.2 years. Men were 61.9%, hypertensive (81.3%) and diabetic (63.8%). Excluding dialysis patients, Creatinine clearance was 21.1±6.6ml/min/1.73m2. STEMI were 46.9% and 61.9% were Killip I. Mean SYNTAX score was 16.6±7.3. MACE occurred in 32.5% patients, of which 6(11.5%) had new hemodialysis and mortality: 17.5% were deceased. MACE predictor were cardiogenic shock (OR: 2.81, 95%CI: 1.17-6.74) and prior heart failure (OR: 6.84, 95%CI: 1.39-33.74), Predictor of mortality was cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest (OR: 7.90, 95%CI: 2.95-21.17).

Conclusion: Severe CKD patients undergoing PCI for AMI have drastically poor outcomes therefore individualization and patient-centric care management is mandatory.

How to cite this:Sattar S, Ahmed N, Akhter Z, Aijaz S, Lakhani S, Malik R, et al. In-Hospital outcomes in acute coronary syndrome patients with concomitant severe chronic kidney disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(2):291-297.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.2.276

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Multidisciplinary respiratory rehabilitation in combination with non-invasive positive pressure ventilation in the treatment of elderly patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Cui Limin , Liu Haixia , Sun Lei
Published: March 2019

Objective: To explore the effectiveness of multidisciplinary comprehensive respiratory rehabilitation in combination with non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) in the treatment of elderly patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: Eighty-eight elderly patients with severe COPD who were admitted by the hospital between February 2016 and April 2017 were enrolled and grouped into a control group (n=29), intervention Group-A (n=30) and intervention Group-B (n=29) according to random sampling. Patients in the control group were given medicines and oxygen therapy; intervention Group-A was given NIPVV in addition to medicines and oxygen therapy; intervention Group-B was given multidisciplinary comprehensive respiratory rehabilitation in addition to the treatment as the intervention Group-A. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing, body mass index, BODE index score (airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity index), scoring of quality of life and arterial blood gas analysis were performed before treatment and in the 3rd month after treatment.

Results: The maximum exercise power (Wmax), maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max), six minutes walking distance (6MWD), modified British Medical Research Council (MMRC), BODE index, score of quality of life, arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) and arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) of intervention Group-A and b were significantly improved after treatment (P<0.05); the differences with the control group had statistical significance (P<0.05). The improvement of 6MWD, MMRC, score of quality of life, PaO2 and PaCO2 of intervention Group-B was superior to that of intervention Group-A. (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Multidisciplinary comprehensive respiratory rehabilitation in combination with NIPPV can further relieve dyspnea of patients, enhance exercise tolerance and quality of life, and facilitate recovery; hence it is worth application and promotion.

How to cite this:Cui L, Liu H, Sun L. Multidisciplinary respiratory rehabilitation in combination with non-invasive positive pressure ventilation in the treatment of elderly patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(2):500-505.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.2.459

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Daclatasvir plus Sofosbuvir with or without ribavirin in patients with chronic Hepatitis C genotype 3a in Pakistani population - A real world experience
Authors: Butt Zamir , Shah Syed Muhammad Ali
Published: March 2019

Background and Objectives: Pakistan is among leading countries of world in prevalence of chronic hepatitis C Daclatasvir plus sofosbuvir is recommended for treatment of CHC. The purpose of study was to determine the sustained virological response in patients with chronic viral hepatitis C genotype 3a irrespective of previous treatment experience or presence of liver cirrhosis.

Methods: Open label observational study was conducted at ABSTH Gujrat from January 2017 to April 2018 using non-probability purposive sampling. Patients chronically infected with hepatitis C virus having genotype 3a irrespective of presence of cirrhosis or previous treatment experience were included. Treatment naive patients without cirrhosis were given 12 weeks regimen of daily daclatasvir 60mg along with daily sofosbuvir 400mg. Patients with either compensated cirrhosis or treatment experienced were given 24 weeks regimen of daily daclatasvir 60mg along with daily sofosbuvir 400mg with weight based ribavirin. Data analysis was done using SPSS 20.0

Results: Total 125 patients were included in study out of which 42 (33.6%) were male and 83 (66.4%) were female. Early virological response and end treatment response was achieved by 124 (99.2%) patients. Twenty four patients were lost to further follow-up and SVR24 was available for 101(80.8%) patients out of which 48 were having cirrhosis and 53 were without cirrhosis. SVR24 was achieved by 96 patients (95%). Virological response was better in treatment naive patients and without cirrhosis compared to treatment experienced and those with cirrhosis.

Conclusion: Daclatasvir plus sofosbuvir is an effective combination in patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 3a infection.

How to cite this:Butt Z, Shah SMA. Daclatasvir plus Sofosbuvir with or without ribavirin in patients with chronic Hepatitis C genotype 3a in Pakistani population - A real world experience. Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(2):409-413. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.2.637

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Consumption of energy drinks among Turkish University students and its health hazards
Authors: Borlu Arda , Oral Belgin , Gunay Osman
Published: March 2019

Objective: To determine the awareness, consumption patterns of energy drinks (ED) and health hazards among students at a Turkish University.

Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted by questionnaire method between in 2017 among Erciyes University students. Total 1257 students from the Faculties of Medicine, Communication and Physical Education and Sports College participated in the study. Pearson chi-square test, binary logistic regressions were used for statistical analysis. p <0.05 values were considered significant.

Results: Students who tried at least once and consumed regularly ED were 52.5% and 15.7% respectively. Consuming regularly and trying ED were more common among students who were studying at Physical Education and Sports High school, male, smoking, alcohol consumer, doing regular physical activity. Mean age of students to start drinking ED was 15.1 years. Most common reason for ED consumption was; staying awake. Alcohol mixed energy drinks consumption rate was 37.6% among regular ED consumers. Most declared harmful effect was palpitation.

Conclusion: ED consumption among Erciyes University students was widespread. Students should be informed about EDs’ hazards for health. Legal regulations regarding production, marketing and advertising of EDs must be reconsidered.

How to cite this:Borlu A, Oral B, Gunay O. Consumption of energy drinks among Turkish University students and its health hazards. Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(2):537-542. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.2.638

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Prevalence and pattern of refractive errors among Saudi adults
Authors: Parrey Mujeeb Ur Rehman , Elmorsy Ekramy
Published: March 2019

Background & Objectives: Refractive Errors (RE) are responsible for major portion of the treatable visual impairment and avoidable blindness in the world. The prevalence of RE varies with age, gender, ethnicity, geographical locations and also from time to time due to progresse in eye care services. We aimed to study the prevalence of RE and assess their patterns among Saudi adults of Arar city, the capital of Northern Border Region of Saudi Arabia.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional, population-based study. A total number of 966 Saudi adults aged 16 to 39 years were enrolled. The patterns of their RE were studied through auto-refraction evaluation.

Results: The prevalence of RE was 45.8%. The most frequent type of RE was myopia in 24.4%, followed by hyperopia 11.9% and astigmatism in 9.5% cases. Ages and genders significantly affect the prevalence of the different patterns of RE (0.033 and 0.012, respectively).

Conclusion: The prevalence of RE in Arar city is slightly lower than that previously published in the same targeted age group. Myopia is the main RE. More awareness programs, especially among young adults are recommended for better outcomes.

Abbreviations: RE: Refractive Error, SE: Spherical Equivalent, VA: Visual Acuity, VI: Visual Impairment.

How to cite this:Parrey MUR, Elmorsy E. Prevalence and pattern of refractive errors among Saudi adults. Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(2):394-398.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.2.648

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Ambulatory electrocardiography: indications and devices
Authors: Sampson Michael
Published: March 2019

Cardiac electrical abnormalities are common, and result in considerable morbidity and mortality. Although diagnosis can sometimes be made from the resting 12-lead ECG, a longer period of monitoring is often required to capture diagnostic information. Ambulatory ECG (AECG) devices allow cardiac rhythm to be monitored and recorded over days, weeks or years, and are used primarily in the outpatient setting. Multiple devices are available, with a variety of features. Recording may take place continuously or occur intermittently in response to patient activation or auto-sensing of rhythm disturbances. Devices may be fitted externally or implanted below the skin. Data may also be acquired from an existing pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Commonly used methods of AECG monitoring are described and appraised in this article and newer developments in monitoring are evaluated, including the role of patient-led, smartphone-based devices.
ECG of the month
Authors: Regan Martin
Published: March 2019

Martin Regan presents an ECG for you to analyse
Stem cell technology and regenerating the human heart
Authors: Palmer Sarah Jane
Published: March 2019

In this monthly feature, Sarah Jane Palmer delves into topical news, the latest research and what the experts are saying on subjects related to cardiology and cardiac nursing practice.
Raising tuberculosis awareness in the primary care environment
Authors: Silvester Sue , Beckett Gail , Supermanian Sharwend
Published: March 2019

While tuberculosis may no longer be a leading cause of death in the UK, it is still a global health concern. Sue Silvester, Gail Beckett and Sharwend Supermanian describe how it is investigated, diagnosed and treated and its implications in primary care

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infection that can cause disease in any part of the body; it is infectious when there is pulmonary involvement. World TB Day is on 24 March every year – it is a day to raise awareness and focus our minds on the ultimate aim of TB eradication. To achieve this aim it is essential for all health professionals to understand the disease processes – how TB is acquired, transmitted, diagnosed and treated (in order to execute effective prevention and control strategies) – as well as their role in supporting specialist TB teams.
Incorporating individualised care into UK diabetes guidelines
Authors: Holmes Patrick
Published: March 2019

In the third and final article in this series, Patrick Holmes describes how the position statement from the American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes could impact and influence guidelines in the UK

The goals of care for type 2 diabetes are to optimise quality of life and prevent complications of the condition. The 2015 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance on the management of hyperglycaemia looks significantly out of date when considering the emerging evidence of the benefits that sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors and some glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor have on reducing major adverse cardiovascular events, heart failure admissions and improved renal outcomes, when compared to the usual ‘standard of care’ based on other medications. The recent publication of the American Diabetes Association and European Association for the Study of Diabetes position statement points to greater individulisation of care focused on an individual's comorbidities and their preferences for treatment. The changes are most pronounced in patients living with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, heart failure and chronic kidney disease.
Medication review services in community pharmacy
Authors: Adsley Rosemary
Published: March 2019

Pharmacists play a crucial role in medication adherence; however, many patients and health professionals are unaware of this vital resource. Rosemary Adsley explains the value that medicine reviews can have on patient experience, quality of care, and cost to the NHS
‘Forget TV, it will never show you the experience of the victim’: representations of rape in Mindhunter
Authors: Beddows Amy
Published: March 2019

Media depictions of gendered violence often fall in line with negative stereotypes and rape myths. These depictions may influence public understandings of gendered violence and affect societal responses to victims and rape. However, media products such as crime drama can also raise awareness of these issues and be meaningful for victims of violence. The recent Netflix crime drama Mindhunter is analysed in light of these debates and although it presents a progressive, more realistic picture of gendered violence, it omits the voices and perspectives of women and victims.
Development of Reference Materials for Noninvasive Prenatal Aneuploidy Testing by Massively Parallel Sequencing: A Proof-of-Concept Study
Authors: Blais Jonatan , Giroux Sylvie , Caron André , Clément Valérie , Rousseau François
Published: March 2019

Background

Noninvasive prenatal aneuploidy testing (NIPT) represents the first large-scale clinical application of massively parallel sequencing technology. However, no NIPT reference material (RM) has yet been widely adopted, impeding the development of quality management systems and standardization. Developing an NIPT RM from a biological sample is complicated by the low concentration of cell-free DNA (cfDNA), which implies pooling specimens and frequent resampling.

Methods

We tested the feasibility of using DNA from immortalized cell lines of a woman and her aneuploid offspring to spike an artificial plasma matrix. Enzymatic fragmentation of extracted DNA was optimized to achieve fragment size profiles with a mode of 150 to 200 bp, similar to biological cfDNA. This synthetic material was compared with routine biological samples from pregnant women by a targeted NIPT assay in a multiplex sequencing run on a Proton platform.

Results

Sequencing statistics were similar between artificially prepared material and routine biological samples, as well as relative chromosomal representation, and no matrix effects could be detected. Estimate of fetal fraction (FF) was within the range of expected value, and aneuploidy detection statistic (z-score) was also comparable between both types of samples.

Conclusions

Artificial plasma spiked with DNA from cell lines of mother and offspring is a promising strategy for developing NIPT RM. This type of material would offer the advantage of a constant and stable composition, allowing for greater standardization of NIPT assays. Moreover, it preserves the parental relatedness used by targeted assay to estimate FF by identification of paternal alleles in single-nucleotide polymorphisms or other variable regions.
The creation of the Portuguese general staff: Origins, reasons and results, 1834–1911
Authors: Loi Stefano
Published: March 2019

The main aim of this article is to describe the long and winding path that covers most of the nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth centuries that led Portugal’s republican political leadership to create an army general staff. This path, which covers the period of the constitutional monarchy during the nineteenth century to the republican revolution of 1910, attempts to determine the reasons that led the leadership of the constitutional monarchy to create a different corps – the general staff – that shared only a part of the functions with the army general staff. To assess the reason for the delay in creating this corps, the political reasons given by the new republican leadership will be considered as the trigger determining the creation of a general staff that was consistent with that of other European powers, and of Germany in particular, and that could also respond to the peculiar military needs of the new Portuguese republic.
Revolutions negotiated in Portuguese songwriting and performance
Authors: Rendeiro Margarida
Published: March 2019

This article examines the poetic use of the revolution in four songs written and played by the Portuguese rapper Sam the Kid, the bands The Soaked Lamb, Os Quais, and The Loafing Heroes. Despite these songs showing aesthetic and formal differences, the revolution is a common trope to discuss the post-revolutionary nation. The Portuguese singers did not experience the revolution because they were born in the 1970s. A close analysis of these compositions suggests that the revolution is part of the collective imaginary and stands as the moment utopia could have been made real in Portugal. In times of crisis, the revolution emerges as the impetus to change and 1974 becomes the Portuguese appropriation of utopia in the twenty-first century. Rap, bossa nova, indie and roots emerge as legitimate musical genres to discuss postmodern times and the post-revolutionary nation. In ‘Abstenção’ (‘Abstention’) (released by Sam the Kid in 2006) and in ‘Palhaços’ (‘Clowns’) (released by The Soaked Lamb in 2012), the present is gloomy and the memory of the Carnation Revolution is appropriated to give voice to the dispossessed of the Portuguese democracy and offered to make amends with the memory of the failed revolutionary solutions. ‘Meu Caro Amigo Chico’ (‘My Dear Friend Chico’) (released by Os Quais in 2012) and ‘The Shepherd’ (released by The Loafing Heroes in 2014) are compositions where the crisis of utopia is redeemed to reconfigure the conceptual limits of individualism and the body, an extension of the world, becomes the unchartered territory of utopia.
Fighting depopulation in Portugal: Local and central government policies in times of crisis
Authors: Almeida Maria Antónia Pires de
Published: March 2019

During one of the worst economic crises that Portugal has faced in the last decades, with a considerable debt to deal with, emigration, population loss, ageing and unemployment afflicted our economy and society, particularly in rural territories. The aim of this article is to access the main local and central government policies to fight depopulation and territorial inequalities, and their attempts at sustainable development. What remains in the Portuguese inland regions and how is it being addressed by the few who still believe in life outside the cities? What is the role of local government in the sustainable development of the territory? All over the country, and particularly in rural areas, there is an urgent need to attract people and investment (Almeida 2017a). What are the main issues addressed by the central government to deal with this problem? For this research, a database was built with the political programmes of the 308 mayors elected in 2013, which were subject to a thorough analysis, and the new socialist government recently approved National Programme for Territorial Cohesion, aimed at promoting a more balanced territorial planning. This article describes the demographic situation and compares the municipalities’ economic strategies. The results are yet to be observed, but these new local and central policies at least reflect a change of paradigm from the social-democrat coalition government (2011–15) and introduce a discourse of hope for inland regions, even if the political time of each government (four-year terms) is never enough to solve such complex issues.
The politics of labour reforms in Portugal: Politicization and Europeanization before and after the bailout
Authors: Caune Hélène
Published: March 2019

The article focuses on the politicization of Portuguese Labour Code reforms since the early 2000s. More specifically, it looks at the link between mechanisms of politicization and Europeanization from a variety of perspectives, including decision-making processes and agenda setting, political divides and reform coalitions. By adopting a longitudinal approach, the article shows how the economic crisis and troika bailout have affected connections between politicization and Europeanization. Portuguese labour market policies have followed a continuous process of increased flexibility in recent years irrespective of governments’ partisan orientations and without any significant variations. It remains that the economic crisis – and the memorandum agreed with the troika and implemented against the backdrop of a sovereign debt crisis – have had a considerable effect on political debate and social protest while deepening the polarization that divides Portuguese trade unions and governing parties. The processes of Europeanization and politicization are addressed from a qualitative perspective that is crucial in the understanding of the politics of labour reforms in Portugal as it sheds light on the political conditions of reforms coalitions and their constraints.
Can the unequal access to home birth be framed as a source of inequalities? A comparison between Portugal and Denmark
Authors: Santos Mário J. D. S.
Published: March 2019

Planned home births happen across Europe, but there are countries where informal and formal limitations can be found by families. This article draws upon a short research project conducted in Denmark in March 2014, which aimed to explore the organization of home birth in Denmark and to compare it to the Portuguese case. Private home births, in Portugal, and publicly funded home births, in Denmark, show interesting similarities when looking at the individual experience of choosing and planning a birth at home. However, through this comparative analysis, I argue that the limitations imposed around the option of home birth in Portugal raise important inequalities between women and families planning to give birth at home and those planning a hospital birth. The successful models found in Denmark can potentially serve as grounds for a broader discussion and as a trigger for change in Portuguese policies, to promote ethical and evidence-based practices among professionals, and the improvement in perinatal health outcomes for families who experience planned home births.
Other genders: (Un)doing gender norms in Portugal at a microsocial level
Authors: Merlini Sara
Published: March 2019

Departing from an analysis of alternative views and practices to gender-dominant norms, we focus on the construction of gender difference at a microsocial level. By looking at those who intentionally transgress and distance themselves from gender mainstream conventions and beliefs, we aim to deepen the understanding of the continuities and changes in gender regulation mechanisms and processes. For this, we will carry out a critical analysis of qualitative data from a sub-sample of transgender individuals who do not identify unambivalently with the binary categories of man/woman. Based on the Portuguese data collected within the TRANSRIGHTS Project, we will show how gender norms are being mobilized, transformed and resisted to in micro-interactions. To carry out this analytical exercise, we confront two of the fundamental theoretical currents in the study of gender norms. As we seek to bridge the gap between action and structure, our results provide insight into how gender is being (un)done in the Portuguese context. We identified three main groups that practice gender beyond the binary and their relation to the dominant norms. Given the growing visibility and greater tolerance for ‘non-binary’ genders in western societies, this study is both relevant and necessary.
Research production among economics academics in Portuguese universities
Authors: Pinheiro Margarida M.
Published: March 2019

This article analyses which factors seem to influence the research production of economics academics in Portuguese universities. The availability of the empirical data from the one-off national Portuguese census on degrees’ accreditation collected via the curricular files that all university academics had to submit to the national accreditation body (comprising an extensive list of detailed information regarding each academic in every public university) allowed for the opportunity of the study. The methodological procedures involve the analysis of the relationships between variables, an additive ordinal logistic model, a hierarchical cluster analysis and optimal scaling techniques. The results provide detailed information on the factors that influence research output production by academics and the relationship to factors shaping the academic career. This work has, at least, two main advantages: to describe the research performance of the academics by the time the new career statutes replaced the previous ones within a context of enhancing quality and productivity; and to be part of a scholarly reference that can be used (in a comparative perspective) for future studies.
‘Chariot of Fire’: Genre slippages, iconographic agitation and ideological subversion in SRK’s Raees
Authors: Ahmed Omar
Published: March 2019

Genres have often been a safe space for ideological containment, reworking popular conventions and fulfilling audience expectations. But many popular genres including science fiction, horror and the gangster film are also vehicles for subversion. This article will use Raees (Dholakia, 2017), a big budget Bollywood film starring Shah Rukh Khan (SRK), to demonstrate how the Indian gangster film acts as a rejoinder to Hindutva cultural politics, challenging the notion that popular Hindi cinema is merely in the bind of normalizing a nationalist agenda. Using the yatra (procession/journey) sequence as a focal point for textual analysis, I will cover three key areas. This includes the use of political iconography, the violent resistance that emerges to stop the yatra and that is instigated by Raees, a liminal figure of proletarian and secularist ideals, and finally, how the imagining of the Muslim harbours a punitive refrain.
Reading double: Queer girls and Hindutva politics in The World Before Her
Authors: Rao Anandi
Published: March 2019

This article examines the representation of Prachi, one of the chief subjects of the Indo-Canadian documentary The World Before Her, as a queer girl who finds the space to articulate her non-heteronormativity in a right-wing Hindu training camp for girls, the Durga Vahini. While made in 2012, this Canadian documentary, written and directed by Indo-Canadian film-maker Nisha Pahuja, was released in India in 2014, soon after Narendra Modi’s election, and was criticized by some as being a form of Hindutva propaganda. Drawing on the work of Antke Engel, Nikita Dhawan, Maria do Mar Castro Varela, Akhil Katyal and Kara Keeling, this article looks at the film-maker’s role in shaping the narrative and moments of linguistic, translational and affective excess to argue that queer politics, especially in postcolonial states, is not merely subversive but is also complicit in reinforcing hegemonic ideologies.
‘PK Hamara Hai’: Hindi cinema and the defense of dharm in media counterpublics
Authors: Robison Claire C.
Published: March 2019

This article problematizes notions in the current landscape of debates over Hindi cinema as one of polarized opposition between violent Hindutva cultural politics and liberal civil society. While acknowledging the centrality of both of these urban Indian publics to recent controversies, my article seeks to illumine an important demographic group in between the two: middle-class supporters of Hindu religious principles in India’s political and social landscape who eschew violent protests but work through media production to counter what they see as the affronts to Hindu dharm posed by recent popular Hindi films. I examine this group’s voice in larger culture debates through a discussion of the plays and other media productions of India’s International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) communities, produced in response to the films OMG (Shukla, 2012), PK (Hirani, 2014) and Padmaavat (Bhansali, 2018) in Mumbai and Pune. I analyse this as a third voice in contemporary debates over the representation and critique of Hindu traditions in India’s public spheres.
Triumph of the Rajput: Sanjay Leela Bhansali and the fascist aesthetics of Padmaavat
Authors: Gehlawat Ajay
Published: March 2019

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat (2018) re-tells the legendary tale of the Rajput queen Padmavati. In recounting this tale, Bhansali hews to the historic, Manichaean dichotomization of Hindu and Muslim, presenting Rajputs as entirely noble figures and Muslim invaders as essentially barbaric. Employing Susan Sontag’s and Frank Tomasulo’s theorizations of the cinema of Leni Riefenstahl, this article examines how Bhansali glorifies the Rajputs’ purported history via his fascist aesthetics. Such an approach rearticulates history as myth and presents it as a form of theatre. This article analyses Bhansali’s use of such aesthetics to reenact the Manichaean framing of Hindu–Muslim relations, which reaffirm contemporary chauvinistic formulations of the (Hindu) nation. In the process, Bhansali’s film can be seen as lending support to the ideology of contemporary fundamentalist Hindu forces.
Interview with Lalit Vachani
Authors: Khanna Leela
Published: March 2019

This interview with filmmaker Lalit Vachani explores the unique relationship between filmmaker and radical political subject. Vachani has made two documentary films on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). His first film, The Boy in the Branch (1993) was filmed mere months before the December 1992 Babri Masjid demolition. The documentary captures the unassuming ways local RSS shakha (branch) members recruit young boys in Nagpur into their right-wing milieu. Eight years later, Vachani’s film, The Men in the Tree (2002) revisits the same RSS members and presents their narratives of the demolition and how the Sangh has shaped their lives. This interview asks Vachani to reflect on the constantly changing power dynamics that a filmmaker must negotiate with his interlocutors. As the politics of representation are now changing with far right political groups actively producing their own media content, Vachani is invited to reflect on his past films alongside the present concerns of the growing visibility of Hindu right politics.
Soch Aur Shauch: Reading Brahminism and patriarchy in Toilet: Ek Prem Katha
Authors: Rao Pallavi
Published: March 2019

This article locates how the recent resurgence of cinema from the Hindi heartland valourizes Brahminical notions of modernity. Closely reading the film Toilet: Ek Prem Katha (2017), it argues that the film aligns with the simplistic rationale of the state’s ‘Swachch Bharat Abhiyan’, which blames basic ignorance and lack of access to latrines for open defecation in rural Uttar Pradesh, not, as sociological evidence argues, ideologies of caste purity. This article examines the depiction of the film’s Brahmin male lead as an agent of modernity through the logic of Brahminical scriptures rather than institutionalized emphasis on health, sanitation and hygiene. This public staging of a Hindu heroic will propelling the nation into an age of progress utilizes the formal characteristics of realist melodrama that echoes the authoritarian impulses of the state, I argue, reinforcing nation-building as tied to patriarchal caste dharma through its spatial representations and imagined citizen-subjects.
The gaze of the raping Muslim man: Love Jihad and Hindu right-wing rhetoric in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat
Authors: Shandilya Krupa
Published: March 2019

This article draws a connection between the Hindu right-wing protests against Love Jihad and the film Padmaavat (2018), arguing that the controversy surrounding the film is animated by the same discourse used to discuss the Hindu rightwing image of the Muslim man as a seducer and rapist of Hindu women. I argue that the entire film pivots around the deferred scene of desire between the Muslim Khilji and the Hindu Padmavati. Cinematically, the fetishistic scopophilic male gaze is itself a representation of desire, that is, to see is to desire. Thus, although the film refuses to show the scene of desire, it is haunted by the fear of the Muslim man as the spectator (and thereby) desirer of Hindu women. This anxiety is exemplified by the many ways in which the film represents Khilji’s desire (and by extension the desire of all Muslim men) as always already aberrant: the Muslim man as a bisexual, violent rapist. Thus, the film mirrors the rhetoric of contemporary Hindu right-wing politics.
Mangifera indica L. Leaves Extract Induced Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway in MCF-7 Cells by Decreasing Bcl-2 Expression and Inducing Bax Expression
Authors: Fitriasih Fitriasih , Komariyah Siti Mega , Sandra Ferry , Pratiwi Nenni , Hidayati Devi Nisa
Published: March 2019

Extract of Mangifera indica L. has been investigated to have cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 cells.  Current research was conducted to determine the cytotoxic activity of methanol extract of M. indica leaves (MEML) on MCF-7 breast cancer cells and to investigate on the MEML's effect on Bcl-2 and Bax expressions. M. indica leaves were extracted using soxhletation with methanol. The cytotoxic test was perfomed using MTT assay with various MEML concentrations: 15.625, 31.25, 62.5, 125, 250 and 1000 μg/mL. Meanwhile, Bax and Bcl-2 expressions of MCF-7 breast cancer cells were detected with immunocytochemical staining after treatment of MEML with concentrations of ¼ IC50, ½ IC50 and IC50. The results showed that IC50 of cytotoxic activity was 308.12 µg/mL. MEML could influence Bax and Bcl-2 protein expressions. After treatment of MEML, Bcl-2 expression was decreased while Bax expression was increased.Keywords : Mangifera indica L., Cytotoxic, Bax, Bcl-2, MCF-7
in vitro Antidiabetic, Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities of Syzygium cumini Fractions from Leaves Ethanol Extract
Authors: Artanti Nina , Maryani Faiza , Dewi Rizna Triana , Handayani Sri , Dewijanti Indah Dwiatmi , Meilawati Lia , Filaila Euis , Udin Linar Zalinar
Published: March 2019

Ethanol extract of Syzygium cumini (jamblang) leaves reveal its significant α-glucosidase inhibitory activity which perform the potential activity of this plant extract as antidiabetic agent. However, other bioactivities of this plant extract have been reported. The aim of current study was to evaluate the comparison of in vitro antidiabetic, antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of S. cumini fractions. The S. cumini leaves ethanol extract was fractionated by using column chromatography with n-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol as eluents. Seven fractions were obtained from column chromatography (F1-7). The results showed that the best antidiabetic activity was found in F5 (93% α-glucosidase inhibitory activity), the best antioxidant activity was found in F4 (83% inhibition of DPPH free radical) and the best cytotoxic activity was found in F2 (69% growth inhibition of T47D breast cancer cell line). Therefore besides in vitro antidiabetic activity, fractions of S. cumini leaves ethanol extract also showed antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. Since the results showed that the most active fractions for antidiabetic, antioxidant and cytotoxicity were differed, it could be possible to isolate the different potential active compounds for each activity.Keywords : Syzygium cumini, α-glucosidase inhibitor, DPPH, cytotoxicity
Antioxidant Properties and Cytotoxic Activity of Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng. Leaves on HeLa and T47D Cell Lines
Authors: Hasibuan Poppy Anjelisa Zaitun , Sitorus Panal , Satria Denny , Sibuea Rizka Damela
Published: March 2019

Research into plants with anticancer effects is actively encouraged in orderto discover new drugs with lessertoxicity but more potent effects. The aims of study are to evaluate the antioxidant properties and to investigate the cytotoxic activity of Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng. leaves ethyl acetate fractions on HeLa,T47D and MCF7 cell lines. The extract was prepared by graded maceration using n-hexane and ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extract was fractionated in vacuum liquid chromatography with n-hexane: ethyl acetate; and ethyl acetate: methanol as mobile phase. Then, the fractions were analyzed with thin layer chromatography (TLC). The free radical scavenging activity was measured by DPPH method, the total flavonoid content was calculated by quercetin equivalent and the absorbance is measured by using UV-Visible spectrophotometry. The cytotoxic activity were determined using MTT assay. The fractions contained 5 sub fractions with same TLC profile. The fractions showed antioxidant activity by DPPH method with different IC50 values, namely: 130 µg/mL(I), 127 µg/mL(II), 137 µg/mL(III), 129 µg/mL(IV), and 124 µg/ mL(V), respectively. The measurement of total flavonoid content showed 118 mg QE/g (I), 50 mg QE/g (II), 207 mg QE/g (III), 56 mg QE/g (IV), and 55 mg QE/g (V). The IC50 of each sub fractions on HeLa cell were 77 µg/mL, 46 µg/mL, 93 µg/mL, 71 µg/mL and 476 µg/mL; for T47D cell were 1621 µg/mL, 111 µg/mL, 128 µg/mL, 150 µg/mL and 209 µg/mL; and for MCF7 were 259 µg/mL, 343 µg/mL, 575 µg/mL, 408 µg/mL and 250 µg/mL. Based on the results, the fractions derived from ethyl acetate extract of Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng. leaves exhibit antioxidant. The Fraction II from ethyl acetate extract of Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng. was the most cytotoxic on HeLa, T47D and MCF7 cell lines. It is potential to undergo further isolation of its cytotoxic compounds.Keywords : antioxidant, cytotoxic, Plectranthus amboinicul (Lour.) Spreng., ethyl acetate fractions
A Brief Outlook on Pharmacogenetics (PGx): Focus in MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs)
Authors: Sandra Ferry
Published: March 2019

It has been known that there are differences in response to medications both in terms of clinical activity and side effects. Among all influencing factors, genetic variation has been considered to play a crucial part. By genetic investigation, the differences in drug metabolism, transport and target could be disclosed. Termed as “pharmacogenetics (PGx)”, that focuses on the variants within one or more candidate genes. Genetic tests have been started for screening polymorphisms prior to drug prescription, moreover many biomarkers were developed in oncology. Recent PGx investigations have been conducted to identify mRNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs) and other downstream signals that are affected by variation in genes that might cause drug response variability. Another intriguing study related to PGx in cancer stem cells (CSCs) has recently aroused. CSC shows more resistant behavior to drug. CSCs are subpopulation of cells, which share some same markers with stem cells. CSC can induce specific signal transduction pathways. Variation in genes affect CSCs activity are generally neglected in the past PGx studies. This could be one of the explanation why past PGx studies in cancer cell do not achieve optimal clinical outcome. Keywords : pharmacogenetics, pharmacogenomics, microRNAs, cancer stem cells