bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neuropharmacological Study on Capsaicin in Scopolamine-injected Mice
Authors: Tyagi Sakshi , Thakur Ajit Kumar
Published: January 2024

Aim::

To evaluate the potential beneficial role of Capsaicin in cognitive dysfunction, mitochondrial
impairment, and oxidative damage induced by scopolamine in mice.

Background::

Capsaicin is the chief phenolic component present in red chili and is responsible for
its pungent and spicy flavor. It affects TRPV1 channels in nociceptive sensory neurons and is present
in the hippocampus, and hypothalamus of the brains of rodents and humans.

Objective::

The main objective is to investigate the effective role of capsaicin in attenuating cognitive
dysfunction, mitochondrial impairment, and oxidative damage induced by scopolamine in
mice and examine the feasible mechanisms.

Methods::

Various doses of capsaicin (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) were given orally to mice daily for 7
consecutive days after the administration of scopolamine. Various behavioral tests (motor coordination,
locomotor counts, hole board test) and biochemical assay (Pro-inflammatory cytokines, catalase,
lipid peroxidation, nitrite, reduced glutathione, and superoxide dismutase), mitochondrial
complex (I, II, III, and IV) enzyme activities, and mitochondrial permeability transition were evaluated
in the distinct regions of the brain.

Results::

Scopolamine-treated mice showed a considerable reduction in the entries and duration in
the light zone as well as in open arms of the elevated plus maze. Interestingly, capsaicin at different
doses reversed the anxiety, depressive-like behaviors, and learning and memory impairment effects
of scopolamine. Scopolamine-administered mice demonstrated substantially increased pro-inflammatory
cytokines levels, impaired mitochondrial enzyme complex activities, and increased
oxidative damage compared to the normal control group. Capsaicin treatment reinstated the reduced
lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, catalase, superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione activity,
decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines and restoring mitochondrial complex enzyme activities
(I, II, III, and IV) as well as mitochondrial permeability. Moreover, the IL-1β level was restored at
a dose of capsaicin (10 and 20 mg/kg) only. Capsaicin reduced the scopolamine-induced acetylcholinesterase
activity, thereby raising the acetylcholine concentration in the hippocampal tissues
of mice. Preservation of neuronal cell morphology was also confirmed by capsaicin in histological
studies. From the above experimental results, capsaicin at a dose of 10 mg/kg, p.o. for seven
consecutive days was found to be the most effective dose.

Conclusion::

The experiential neuroprotective effect of capsaicin through the restoration of mitochondrial
functions, antioxidant effects, and modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines makes it a
promising candidate for further drug development through clinical setup.
Cardiac Radiofrequency Ablation Exacerbates Myocardial Injury through
Pro-Inflammatory Response and Pro-Oxidative Stress in Elderly Patients
with Persistent Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Li Xia , Zhou Wenhang , Guo Dianxuan , Hu Youdong , Zhou Hualan , Chen Ying
Published: January 2024

Background:

There is a need to assess myocardial damage after radiofrequency ablation of
the pulmonary veins (PV) for persistent atrial fibrillation (PAF) in elderly patients.

Objective:

To evaluate oxidative stress, inflammatory response and myocardial damage in elderly
patients with PAF after radiofrequency ablation of the PV.

Methods:

High-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT), malondialdehyde-modified low-density lipoprotein
(MDA-LDL), acrolein (ACR), lipid hydroperoxide (LHP), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), soluble
growth stimulation expressed gene 2 (sST2), angiotensin II (Ang II) and myocardial blood flow
(MBF) were determined before ablation and at 1, 3 and 5 months after radiofrequency ablation.

Results:

The levels of hsTnT, MDA-LDL, ACR, LHP, TLR4, sST2 and Ang II were increased 3
months after ablations compared with before ablation and 1 month after ablation, respectively
(P<0.001); they were further increased at 5 months after ablation compared with the 1- and 3-month
groups, respectively (P<0.001). MBF was decreased in the 3 months group after ablations compared
with before ablation and 1-month after ablation, respectively (P<0.001), and was further decreased in
5-months after ablations compared with 1-month and 3-month groups, respectively (P<0.001). Patients
with epicardial monopolar radiofrequency ablation had higher levels of hsTnT, MDA-LDL,
ACR, LHP, TLR4, sST2, Ang II and lower MBF than patients with endocardial monopolar and bipolar
radiofrequency ablations, respectively (P<0.001).

Conclusion:

Monopolar radiofrequency ablation method could result in more myocardial injury than
bipolar radiofrequency ablation. Oxidative stress and inflammatory response may be involved in cardiac
radiofrequency ablation-induced myocardial injury, resulting in myocardial ischemia in elderly
patients with PAF.
Radiopharmaceuticals: A New Vista for Diagnosis and Treatment of
Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Vernekar Siddhi , Budha Roja Rani , Alavala Rajasekhar Reddy
Published: January 2024

Radiopharmaceuticals are in the diagnosis and treatment of cancerous and noncancerous
diseases, and a hope for optimistic effort in the field of nuclear medicine. They play a
crucial role in clinical nuclear medicine by providing a tool to comprehend human disease and
create efficient treatments. A detailed analysis is provided regarding the crux of molecular
imaging including PET and SPECT overview for the detection of cancers. For a specified
understanding of radiation therapy, topics include ranging from the selection of radionuclide to
its development and manufacture, and dosage requirements to establishing the importance of I-
131 Radiotherapy in thyroid cancer. In this review, we also discussed the current state of the art
of nuclear medicine in thyroid cancer, including the role of radioiodine (RAI) therapeutic scans
in the diagnosis of differentiated thyroid cancer. In addition, we established a brief outlook into
the current status of the research in thyroid cancer and discussed the future directions in this
field.
Calpain Inhibitor Calpeptin Improves Pancreatic Fibrosis in Mice with Chronic
Pancreatitis by Inhibiting the Activation of Pancreatic Stellate Cells
Authors: Shen Jie , Xiao Wenqin , Zong Guanzhao , Song Pengli , Wang Chuanyang , Bao Jingpiao , Peng Qi , Mei Zhu , Wang Jingjing , Wang Ruiyan , Jiang Jing , Wan Rong , Ni Jianbo , Wang Xingpeng , Hu Guoyong
Published: January 2024

Background::

Pancreatic fibrosis is a hallmark feature of chronic pancreatitis (CP), resulting in persistent damage to the pancreas. The sustained activation of
pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) plays a pivotal role in the progression of pancreatic fibrosis and is a major source of extracellular matrix (ECM)
deposition during pancreatic injury.

Methods::

Calpain is a calcium-independent lysosomal neutral cysteine endopeptidase and was found to be correlated to various fibrotic diseases. Studies
have revealed that calpeptin, a calpain inhibitor, can improve the fibrosis process of multiple organs. This study investigated the effect of the
calpain inhibitor, calpeptin, on fibrosis in experimental CP and activation of cultured PSCs in mice. CP was induced in mice by repeated injections
of cerulein for four weeks in vivo, and the activation process of mouse PSCs was isolated and cultured in vitro. Then, the inhibitory effect of
calpeptin on pancreatic fibrosis was confirmed based on the histological damage of CP, the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and
collagen-Iα1(Col1α1), and the decrease in mRNA levels of calpain-1 and calpain-2.

Results::

In addition, it was revealed that calpeptin can inhibit the activation process of PSCs and induce significant PSCs apoptosis by downregulating the
expression of calpain-1, calpain-2 and TGF-β1, and the expression and phosphorylation of smad3 in vitro.

Conclusion::

These results suggest that the calpain inhibitor, calpeptin, plays a key role in the regulation of PSC activation by inhibiting the TGF-β1/smad3
signaling pathway, which supports the potential of calpeptin as an inhibitor of pancreatic fibrosis in mice by interfering with calpain.
Motivation in academic performance
Authors: Moreira-Morales Denny Beatriz , García-Loor María Inés
Published: January 2024

Motivation is an essential component of the educational process, which influences learning: what, when and how one learns, contributing to academic performance. The study was developed in the field of psych pedagogy, the objective was to analyze motivation in academic performance, in its development the importance of motivation in the school environment is diagnosed, motivating methodologies in the teaching-learning process are analyzed, and They identify methodologies that favor academic performance. The applied methodology has a mixed approach, it is based on the collection of specialized information on motivation and academic performance, it is descriptive and field, and the data is collected from primary sources of the “Bachillero” Educational Unit. Inductive, analytical, synthetic, and statistical methods and survey, interview and observation techniques are used. The study population is made up of students, teachers and directors, the intentional sample corresponds to 37 people made up of 30 students from the Eighth Basic Year, 6 teachers and the director of the Bachillero Educational Unit. The results show the contribution that motivation generates in academic performance.
Strategi Public Relations Chiki Twist dalam Meningkatkan Brand Awareness
Authors:   Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Komunikasi InterStudi,, Dense Aldila , Hadi A. Sigit Pramono ,   Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Komunikasi InterStudi,
Published: January 2024

Chiki sudah ada di Indonesia dari tahun 1980, sempat mati suri selama 8 tahun di era tahun 2010. Pada tahun 2021,Chikimengeluarkan suatu inovasi snack yang bernama Chiki Twist. Snack ekstrudatdengan bahan tepung jagung ini, membutuhkan strategi public relations(PR) untuk meningkatkan brand awareness. Dengan komunikasi #PlayTheCircleofFun, Chiki Twist mengomunikasikan bahwa Chiki Twist adalah teman bermain di antara aktivitas keseharian yang dilakukan oleh target marketnya. Tujuan penelitian untuk mengetahui bagaimana strategi PR pada Chiki Twist sebagai merek baru untuk meningkatkan brand awareness. Metode penelitian adalah kualitatif deskriptif dengan teknik pengumpulan dataindepthinterviewdanfocus group discussion (FGD). Hasil penelitian menyatakan bahwa Chiki Twistmenjalankan strategi PRsecara offlinedan online. Strategi PRyang dijalankan adalahsampling, bundling, dan edukasi. Sedangkanstrategi PR secara online (digital), Chiki Twist memfokuskan pada aset digital pada Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, dan Twitter. Pada aset digital tersebut Chiki Twist mengomunikasikan valuedan positioningdalam bentuk konten.Supportlain yang dijalankan pada digital pun dengan menggunakan media ads, influencer micro, influencer macro, untuk boost awareness. Konsumensudah menangkap pesan dari yang dikomunikasikan oleh Chiki Twist, hal ini menggambarkan bahwa strategi PR untuk meningkatkanawarenessyang dilakukan oleh Chiki Twist sudah berhasil.
Strategi Komunikasi Politik Politisi Perempuan Dalam Membangun Citra Pemimpin Perempuan (Analisis Naratif Gaya Komunikasi Politik Khofifah Indar Parawansa)
Authors:   Universitas Brawijaya, Wulandari Maulina Pia , Zahro Maharina Novia ,   Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang, Sujoko Anang ,   Universitas Brawijaya
Published: January 2024

Jumlah pemimpin perempuan di Indonesia berbanding jauh dengan jumlah laki-laki. Baik sebagai presiden, Menteri, Gubernur, misalnya. Faktor yang memengaruhi di antaranya ialah adanya glass ceiling dan budaya patriarki. Dampaknya, kesempatan perempuan untuk dapat maju mengambil posisi top leader management perlu effort yang lebih. Adapun figure perempuan yang berhasil salah satunya ialah Khofifah Indar Parawansah. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui strategi dan gaya komunikasi politik yang dilakukan Khofifah Indar Parawansah. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode penelitian kualitatif dengan pendekatan konstruktivis serta analisis naratif. Berdasarkan hasil pengolahan data, dapat diketahui bahwa brand identity yang melekat pada Khofiffah tidak terbangun secara instan, namun ada jangka waktu yang cukup jauh untuk bisa mendapatkan reputasi yang baik sehingga brand yang terbangun dalam diri Khofifah bukan hanya sekadar identitas namun juga memiliki simpatisan yang loyal (brand loyality). Khofifah sebagai warga NU sangat aktif terlibat kegiatan rutin berzanji dalam tradisi masyarakat Nahdliyyin. Pendekatan kultural sebagai ketua ketua muslimat NU sejak tahun 2000 hinga kini bisa menyatukan suara jamaah. Dengan memilih pasangan yang pas, yaitu Emil Dardak yang berasal dari partai Demokrat tentu menjadi penguat. Begitu juga dengan gaya komunikasi yang santun dan mendidik seperti seorang guru menjadi figure teladan bagi masyarakat Jawa Timur.
Pelaksanaan Kewenangan Dinas Kelautan Dan Perikanan Provinsi Kepulauan Riau Dalam Pengelolaan Wilayah Pesisir Dan Pulau-Pulau Kecil
Authors:   Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Sosial dan Ilmu Politik Raja Haji Tanjungpinang, Ramadhan Muhammad Ilham , Budiman Shahril ,   Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Sosial dan Ilmu Politik Raja Haji Tanjungpinang
Published: January 2024

Tujuan penelitian untuk mengetahui Pengelolaan Wilayah Pesisir Dan Pulau-Pulau Kecil Di Provinsi Kepulauan Riau. Dalam penelitian ini teori yang digunakan Terry (dalam Hasibuan, 2012:3). Adapun populasi dalam penelitian berjumlah 5 orang, analisis data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah teknik analisis data deksriptif kualitatif. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian maka dapat dianalisa bahwa Wilayah Pesisir Dan Pulau-Pulau Kecil Di Provinsi Kepulauan Riau sudah dikelola dengan baik, meskipun masih ada permasalahan berkaitan dengan wilayah pesisir. Provinsi Kepulauan Riau sebagai wilayah pesisir merupakan ekosistem yang sedang mengalami ancaman akibat pencemaran sampah yang bertebaran di wilayah laut. Sampah yang mengapung di kawasan pesisir menyebabkan permasalahan dalam batas air pantai. Sampah tersebut dapat dengan mudah kontak dengan binatang air, manusia, perahu, jaring nelayan dan lain sebagainya. Masyarakat pantai juga cenderung kehilangan sumber kehidupan dan mata pencaharian. Dengan demikian kawasan pesisir tersebut memerlukan pengelolaan sampah yang maksimal. Pengelolaan sampah kawasan pesisir tersebut berjalan dengan maksimal memerlukan intervensi pemerintah dalam bentuk pengawasan. Pengawasan merupakan fungsi manajemen yang sangat berkaitan erat dengan pencapaian tujuan organisasi, sehingga pengawasan dalam organisasi apapun menjadi mutlak dilakukan Saran yang dapat disampaikan adalah pihak dinas kelautan dan perikanan Provinsi Kepulauan Riau perlu merumuskan kegiatan yang berkelanjutan dalam Wilayah Pesisir Dan Pulau-Pulau Kecil Di Provinsi Kepulauan Riau. Adanya sanksi bagi orang-orang yang mengelola wilayah pesisir dan pulau-pulau kecil yang tidak sesuai dengan aturan dan kebijakan yang ada
A Web-Based Intervention Based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Family Caregivers of People With Dementia: Mixed Methods Feasibility Study
Authors: Atefi Golnaz. L , van Knippenberg Rosalia J M , Bartels Sara Laureen , Losada-Baltar Andrés , Márquez-González María , Verhey Frans R J , de Vugt Marjolein E
Published: January 2024

Background

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), as an empirically based third-wave cognitive behavioral therapy, has shown promise in enhancing well-being and functioning across diverse populations. However, in the context of caregiving, the effect size of available ACT interventions remains at best moderate, sometimes accompanied by high dropout rates, highlighting the need for more effective and feasible intervention designs.

Objective

The objective of our study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a fully online ACT program designed for family caregivers of people with dementia. This study aimed to boost psychological flexibility and support caregivers, enabling them to realize and prioritize their own life values alongside their caregiving responsibilities.

Methods

A mixed methods feasibility study using an uncontrolled pretest-posttest design was conducted. This intervention included a 9-week web-based self-help program based on ACT incorporating collaborative goal setting and weekly web-based motivational coaching for family caregivers of people with dementia. This study involved 30 informal caregivers recruited through memory clinics and social media platforms in the Netherlands and received approval from the Medical Ethics Committee of the Maastricht University Medical Center+ (NL77389.068.21/metc21-029).

Results

A total of 24 caregivers completed the postintervention assessment, indicating a high adherence rate (24/29, 83%). Caregivers reported positive feedback regarding collaborative goal setting, but some found challenges in implementing new skills due to their own habitual responses or the unpredictable context of dementia caregiving. Personalizing the intervention based on individual value preferences was highlighted as beneficial.

Conclusions

Compared to other web-based self-help ACT interventions for family caregivers, this intervention showed a high adherence and sufficient level of feasibility, which underscores the use of personalization in delivering web-based interventions. Moreover, the potential of this ACT-based intervention for family caregivers of people with dementia was demonstrated, suggesting that further research and a larger-scale controlled trial are warranted to validate its effectiveness.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2022-070499
Assessing and Improving Data Integrity in Web-Based Surveys: Comparison of Fraud Detection Systems in a COVID-19 Study (Preprint)
Authors: Bonett Stephen , Lin Willey , Sexton Topper Patrina , Wolfe James , Golinkoff Jesse , Deshpande Aayushi , Villarruel Antonia , Bauermeister José
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND

Web-based surveys increase access to study participation and improve opportunities to reach diverse populations. However, web-based surveys are vulnerable to data quality threats, including fraudulent entries from automated bots and duplicative submissions. Widely used proprietary tools to identify fraud offer little transparency about the methods used, effectiveness, or representativeness of resulting data sets. Robust, reproducible, and context-specific methods of accurately detecting fraudulent responses are needed to ensure integrity and maximize the value of web-based survey research.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to describe a multilayered fraud detection system implemented in a large web-based survey about COVID-19 attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors; examine the agreement between this fraud detection system and a proprietary fraud detection system; and compare the resulting study samples from each of the 2 fraud detection methods.

METHODS

The PhillyCEAL Common Survey is a cross-sectional web-based survey that remotely enrolled residents ages 13 years and older to assess how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted individuals, neighborhoods, and communities in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Two fraud detection methods are described and compared: (1) a multilayer fraud detection strategy developed by the research team that combined automated validation of response data and real-time verification of study entries by study personnel and (2) the proprietary fraud detection system used by the Qualtrics (Qualtrics) survey platform. Descriptive statistics were computed for the full sample and for responses classified as valid by 2 different fraud detection methods, and classification tables were created to assess agreement between the methods. The impact of fraud detection methods on the distribution of vaccine confidence by racial or ethnic group was assessed.

RESULTS

Of 7950 completed surveys, our multilayer fraud detection system identified 3228 (40.60%) cases as valid, while the Qualtrics fraud detection system identified 4389 (55.21%) cases as valid. The 2 methods showed only “fair” or “minimal” agreement in their classifications (κ=0.25; 95% CI 0.23-0.27). The choice of fraud detection method impacted the distribution of vaccine confidence by racial or ethnic group.

CONCLUSIONS

The selection of a fraud detection method can affect the study’s sample composition. The findings of this study, while not conclusive, suggest that a multilayered approach to fraud detection that includes conservative use of automated fraud detection and integration of human review of entries tailored to the study’s specific context and its participants may be warranted for future survey research.
Automated Paper Screening for Clinical Reviews Using Large Language Models: Data Analysis Study (Preprint)
Authors: Guo Eddie , Gupta Mehul , Deng Jiawen , Park Ye-Jean , Paget Michael , Naugler Christopher
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND

The systematic review of clinical research papers is a labor-intensive and time-consuming process that often involves the screening of thousands of titles and abstracts. The accuracy and efficiency of this process are critical for the quality of the review and subsequent health care decisions. Traditional methods rely heavily on human reviewers, often requiring a significant investment of time and resources.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to assess the performance of the OpenAI generative pretrained transformer (GPT) and GPT-4 application programming interfaces (APIs) in accurately and efficiently identifying relevant titles and abstracts from real-world clinical review data sets and comparing their performance against ground truth labeling by 2 independent human reviewers.

METHODS

We introduce a novel workflow using the Chat GPT and GPT-4 APIs for screening titles and abstracts in clinical reviews. A Python script was created to make calls to the API with the screening criteria in natural language and a corpus of title and abstract data sets filtered by a minimum of 2 human reviewers. We compared the performance of our model against human-reviewed papers across 6 review papers, screening over 24,000 titles and abstracts.

RESULTS

Our results show an accuracy of 0.91, a macro F1-score of 0.60, a sensitivity of excluded papers of 0.91, and a sensitivity of included papers of 0.76. The interrater variability between 2 independent human screeners was κ=0.46, and the prevalence and bias-adjusted κ between our proposed methods and the consensus-based human decisions was κ=0.96. On a randomly selected subset of papers, the GPT models demonstrated the ability to provide reasoning for their decisions and corrected their initial decisions upon being asked to explain their reasoning for incorrect classifications.

CONCLUSIONS

Large language models have the potential to streamline the clinical review process, save valuable time and effort for researchers, and contribute to the overall quality of clinical reviews. By prioritizing the workflow and acting as an aid rather than a replacement for researchers and reviewers, models such as GPT-4 can enhance efficiency and lead to more accurate and reliable conclusions in medical research.
Role of Ethics in Developing AI-Based Applications in Medicine: Insights From Expert Interviews and Discussion of Implications (Preprint)
Authors: Weidener Lukas , Fischer Michael
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI)–based applications in the medical field has increased significantly, offering potential improvements in patient care and diagnostics. However, alongside these advancements, there is growing concern about ethical considerations, such as bias, informed consent, and trust in the development of these technologies.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to assess the role of ethics in the development of AI-based applications in medicine. Furthermore, this study focuses on the potential consequences of neglecting ethical considerations in AI development, particularly their impact on patients and physicians.

METHODS

Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the responses from expert interviews. Experts were selected based on their involvement in the research or practical development of AI-based applications in medicine for at least 5 years, leading to the inclusion of 7 experts in the study.

RESULTS

The analysis revealed 3 main categories and 7 subcategories reflecting a wide range of views on the role of ethics in AI development. This variance underscores the subjectivity and complexity of integrating ethics into the development of AI in medicine. Although some experts view ethics as fundamental, others prioritize performance and efficiency, with some perceiving ethics as potential obstacles to technological progress. This dichotomy of perspectives clearly emphasizes the subjectivity and complexity surrounding the role of ethics in AI development, reflecting the inherent multifaceted nature of this issue.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the methodological limitations impacting the generalizability of the results, this study underscores the critical importance of consistent and integrated ethical considerations in AI development for medical applications. It advocates further research into effective strategies for ethical AI development, emphasizing the need for transparent and responsible practices, consideration of diverse data sources, physician training, and the establishment of comprehensive ethical and legal frameworks.
Chest X-Rays Done as Part of Hospital at Home Service Demonstrate Significant Consensus Between Imaging Specialists, Internal Medicine Specialists and Artificial Intelligence. A Prospective study of 260 Patients. (Preprint)
Authors: Grossbard Eitan , Marziano Yonatan , Sharabi Adam , Abutbul Eli , Berman Aya , Kassif-Lerner Reut , Barkai galia , Hakim Hila , Segal Gad
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND

Home hospitalization is a modality growing in popularity worldwide. Telemedicine-controlled, hospital at home (HAH) services could replace traditional in-hospital departments for selected patients. The clinical data for such cases typically involves chest X-rays.

OBJECTIVE

The implementation, analysis and clinical assimilation of this modality into a HAH service has not been described yet. Our objective is to add this essential information to the realm of hospital-at-home, worldwide.

METHODS

A prospective follow-up, description, and analysis of our HAH patients’ population who underwent chest X-ray at home. We conducted a comparative analysis evaluating the level of agreement among three modalities: an imaging specialist, the attending physician and a designated algorithm of artificial intelligence (AI).

RESULTS

Between February 2021 and May 2023, 300 chest radiographs were performed at the homes of 260 patients with a median age of 78 years [IQR 65 – 87]. 95% of the X-rays were interpreted by the attending physician, round 10% by a specialized radiologist, and ~32% by an AI software. The raw agreement level among these three modalities was over 90%. The consensus level using the Cohen’s Kappa coefficient (Ϗ) showed substantial agreement (Ϗ value of 0.65) and moderate agreement (Ϗ value of 0.49) between the attending physician and the radiologist, as well as between the attending physician and the AI, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Chest X-rays play a crucial role in the HAH setting. Interpretation by an experienced specialist in internal medicine demonstrates significant level of consensus with imaging specialists. However, interpretation by AI algorithms should be further developed and re-validated prior to clinical applications.
Socio-digital Determinants of eHealth Literacy and Related Impact on Health Outcomes and eHealth Use in Korean Older Adults: A Community-based Cross-sectional Survey (Preprint)
Authors: Kyaw Myat Yadana , Aung Myo Nyein , Koyanagi Yuka , Moolphate Saiyud , Aung Thin Nyein Nyein , MA Hok Ka,Carol , Lee Hocheol , Nam Haekweun , Yuasa Motoyuki , Nam Eun Woo
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND

eHealth literacy is an essential skill to pursue electronic health information, particularly for older people whose health needs increase with age. South Korea is now at the intersection of a rapidly digitalising society and an increasingly aged population. eHealth literacy enables older people to maximize the effective utilization of emerging digital technology for their health and quality of life. Understanding the eHealth literacy of Korean older adults is critical to eliminating the grey digital divide and inequity in health information access.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate factors influencing eHealth literacy in Korean older adults and its impact on health outcomes and eHealth use.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional survey. Community-dwelling seniors aged 65 and above in two urban cities in South Korea were included. eHealth literacy was measured by the eHEALS scale. Ordinal Logistic regression was used to analyse factors associated with eHealth literacy and MANOVA for the impact of eHealth literacy on health outcomes and eHealth use.

RESULTS

434 participants were analysed. 22.3% of participants had high eHealth literacy skills. Increasing age, higher monthly income, internet use, frequency and time spent on the internet were significantly associated with eHealth literacy(p<0.01), and social media users were 3.97 times more likely to have higher skill(p<0.002). Higher eHealth literacy was associated with better self-perceived health and frequent use of digital technologies for accessing health and care services(p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Different levels of eHealth literacy skills derived from disparity of socioeconomic status and engagement on the internet and social media, with consequential impacts on health outcomes and eHealth utilisation. Tailored eHealth interventions, grounded on the social and digital determinants of eHealth literacy could facilitate eHealth information access among older adults and foster a digitally inclusive healthy ageing community.
mHealth Apps for Hypertension Self-Management: Interview Study Among Patient-Users (Preprint)
Authors: Muehlensiepen Felix , Bruch Dunja , Seifert Frances , Wengemuth Eileen , Heinze Martin , Spethmann Sebastian , May Susann
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND

Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, affecting over a billion people worldwide. Mobile health (mHealth) apps have emerged as effective tools for managing hypertension, offering capabilities for monitoring blood pressure, fostering lifestyle changes, and improving treatment adherence.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore patient-users’ perspectives on the hypertension care mHealth app Hypertension.APP, focusing on its accessibility, expected benefits, potential risks, and role in hypertension management in Germany.

METHODS

A qualitative study was conducted involving semistructured interviews with 20 patient-users of a hypertension care mHealth app, Hypertension.APP. Participants were recruited between January and June 2023 using purposive sampling. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS

Participants primarily discovered the app independently, driven by recent hypertension diagnoses and insufficient information from health care professionals regarding effective self-management strategies for their blood pressure. They valued the app for its continuous monitoring and feedback capabilities, aiding in understanding their condition and making lifestyle adjustments. Risks were perceived as minimal, mainly concerning data privacy and potential overreliance on the app. The app became integral to patient-users’ hypertension management by offering consistent information and support. The integration into formal health care was limited, as patient-users felt that health care professionals did not accept the use of the technology or might have even felt intimidated to use it.

CONCLUSIONS

Among the sample studied, mHealth apps like Hypertension.APP were valued for their continuous monitoring and educational content, aiding in hypertension management. The findings suggest potential benefits of mHealth apps for effective hypertension care among patients who are health- and digitally literate as well as self-effective. There is a critical need for better integration of these apps into routine health care practices, as perceived by the app users. Given the small and specific sample of this qualitative study, further quantitative research with a broader and more varied participant group is necessary to validate these findings.

CLINICALTRIAL

Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien DRKS00029761; https://tinyurl.com/r33ru22s
Clinical Accuracy, Relevance, Clarity, and Emotional Sensitivity of Large Language Models to Surgical Patient Questions: Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)
Authors: Dagli Mert Marcel , Oettl Felix Conrad , Gujral Jaskeerat , Malhotra Kashish , Ghenbot Yohannes , Yoon Jang W , Ozturk Ali K , Welch William C
Published: January 2024

UNSTRUCTURED

This cross-sectional study evaluates the clinical accuracy, relevance, clarity, and emotional sensitivity of responses to inquiries from patients undergoing surgery provided by large language models (LLMs), highlighting their potential as adjunct tools in patient communication and education. Our findings demonstrated high performance of LLMs across accuracy, relevance, clarity, and emotional sensitivity, with Anthropic’s Claude 2 outperforming OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Bard, suggesting LLMs’ potential to serve as complementary tools for enhanced information delivery and patient-surgeon interaction.
Developing a Guided Web App for Postpartum Depression Symptoms: User-Centered Design Approach (Preprint)
Authors: Franco Pamela , Olhaberry Marcia , Muzard Antonia , Harismendy Ángeles , Kelders Saskia
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND

Psychological internet-based interventions have shown promise in preventing and treating perinatal depression, but their effectiveness can be hindered by low user engagement. This challenge often arises from a misalignment between technology attributes, user needs, and context. A user-centered, iterative approach involving all stakeholders is recommended.

OBJECTIVE

In this paper, we aimed to develop a user-friendly psychological internet-based intervention aimed at addressing the symptoms of perinatal depression through an iterative, user-centered approach.

METHODS

The development process followed the Center for eHealth Research and Disease Management Roadmap phases of contextual inquiry, value specification, and design. It involved a comprehensive literature review, 2 surveys, 10 focus groups, 5 usability interviews, and 1 technical pilot.

RESULTS

The contextual inquiry revealed a demand for accessible interventions for perinatal mental health, with internet-based solutions seen as viable options. Insights from the literature influenced intervention content and features. Stakeholders’ openness to the intervention became evident during this phase, along with the integration of the first set of values. Initially, we assessed the broader perinatal context to identify the optimal period for the intervention. On the basis of the findings and practical considerations, we decided to specifically target postpartum depression symptoms. The value specification phase further defined the central values and translated them into requirements. In the design phase, feedback was obtained on the user experience of an early digital prototype and on the prototype’s final version. The resulting intervention, named Mamá, te entiendo (“Mom, I get you”), is a guided web app based on cognitive behavioral therapy principles, integrating elements from attachment and mentalization theories. It aims to reduce depressive symptoms in women during the first months postpartum and consists of 6 core sequential modules, along with 3 additional modules, including 5 case examples illustrating depressive symptoms and therapeutic techniques. The intervention provides homework exercises and offers users the opportunity to receive feedback from an e-coach through the web app.

CONCLUSIONS

This study emphasizes the importance of a user-centered and iterative development process for psychological internet-based interventions. This process helps clarify user needs and provides valuable feedback on service design and quality, ultimately having the potential to enhance the utility and, presumably, the effectiveness of the intervention. The Discussion section shares valuable insights from the project, such as the value of the requirement sessions.
A Mathematical Model of a Course Performance Index to Measure Improvements in Students’ Soft Skills
Authors: Ghazy Mohammed
Published: January 2024

In this paper, a method to assess engineering students’ performance after humanity course is introduced. Mathematical model for a student improvement index is derived to quantify a student’s improvements in some learning parameters related to the course. Input to the index is the data obtained from a survey given to students before the end of the course. Statements in the survey can be given different weights according to their importance. A numerical example on how to calculate improvement index is represented. A course performance index is introduced as well to measure how all students in the course achieved in comparison with previous or target performance. A case study in which a survey can be given to undergraduate engineering students before the end of a course about oral presentation skills is introduced as an application for the proposed models. The second index can also be used by the institution to measure the quality of the learning process through the course in certain semester. The proposed approach has the advantage of being of almost no additional cost and can be modified and applied to other courses as well. Also, this approach needs moderate use of Microsoft Excel and doesn’t need sophisticated academic analytics or learning management system to be owned by the institution.
PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF FICUS LACOR METALLIC PARTICLES BASED NANOGEL FOR WOUND HEALING ACTIVITY
Authors: K. J. CHAITHANYA , PATIL MAHALAXMI C. , BANERJEE MOUMITA , H. M. ASHVINI
Published: January 2024

Objective: Since there is no evidence of silver nanoparticle preparation using the Ficus lacor plant, our present study was designed to synthesise silver nanoparticles using a Ficus lacor leaves extract, which was expected to show an enhanced wound healing activity with greater advantages of green synthesis. Methods: In the present study, silver nanoparticles were prepared using Ficus lacor leaf extract and the prepared nanoparticles were characterised by Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopy and Particle size analysis later a topical gel is prepared and its effectiveness was evaluated by using animal excision wound model. Results: The study results showed that the Ficus lacor-based silver nanoparticle topical gel on an animal excision wound model exhibited almost similar wound healing activity in comparison with standard marketed product. Conclusion: This study concluded that Ficus lacor-silver nanoparticle gel showed considerable improvement in the excision wound model and hence this can be a promising candidate in wound healing.
ASSESSMENT OF PRESCRIPTION PATTERN IN HIGH-RISK PREGNANCY AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL
Authors: B. J. VINEEL , SINGH J. SURAJ KUMAR , ZAKIR MOHAMMED
Published: January 2024

Objective: Pregnancy is a special physiological condition where drug treatment presents a special concern. The aim of the study is to evaluate the pattern of drug use and WHO prescribing indicators in high-risk pregnancies.

Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out for a period of six months. A self-designed data collection form was used to collect the data from the prescriptions. The collected data was entered and analyzed using Microsoft Excel.

Results: A total of 200 patients were included in this study. Preeclampsia (45, 22.5%) was the most frequently recorded complication, followed by eclampsia (43, 21.5%), anemia (34, 17%), and PIH (32, 16%). Antimicrobial agents (435, 32.5%) were the most frequently prescribed class of drug, followed by hematinics (194, 14.4%). A total of 1,338 drugs were prescribed in 200 patients. The average number of drugs per prescription was 6.69, the percentage of drugs prescribed by generic name was 88.04%, the percentage of drugs prescribed from EDL was 83.10%, the percentage of prescriptions with an antibiotic prescribed was 88%, and the percentage of prescriptions with an injection prescribed was 76%.

Conclusion: During pregnancy, as we see, every complication need treatment and different class of drugs in, which some drugs may cause serious side effect to both mother and fetus. The prescription pattern was suboptimal when compared to the WHO core prescribing indicators' suggested values. Studying drug prescribing patterns in high-risk pregnancies can help improve practices, leading to safer and more effective medication use and, ultimately better health outcomes for both mothers and fetuses.
Implicit incarnations of gender roles in the contemporary society
Authors: Tharun V. S. Sai , S. Prabakar
Published: January 2024

The positions that men and women are supposed to fill depending on their sex are known as gender roles. Based on the social structure and hierarchy, men and women are assigned certain roles, which leads to stereotyping of genders with rigid gender roles. The patriarchal framework also fuels these gender roles and vice versa. The different explanations of the word "Gender roles" are extracted through an examination of the research articles that were conducted on the topic. This investigation into the younger generation's comprehension of the concept of gender roles that have been established by our society has been carried out to gather information. To accomplish this, an initial survey will be carried out on the population that falls into the age category spanning from 14 to 63 years old. The data is carefully analysed to arrive at a conclusion. A personal reaction that we received from individuals on a socially inappropriate subject also included, albeit in a short form, in order to gain an understanding of how far society has progressed from its earlier stages over the course of the years.
Necesidades de información y percepción sobre las herramientas de inteligencia artificial en estudiantes de doctorado en investigación educativa en Tlaxcala, México
Authors: Torres-Gómez Albano
Published: January 2024

Este trabajo de investigación se propone conocer el surgimiento, comportamiento y satisfacción de las necesidades de información de los estudiantes del Doctorado en Investigación Educativa del Centro de Investigación Educativa (CIE) de la Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala (UATX) en México. También se incluye la percepción sobre las herramientas de inteligencia artificial como recurso de información en sus actividades académicas.A partir de un cuestionario, se determinó que esta comunidad tiene un perfil de formación educativa multidisciplinario. Sus necesidades de información se enfocan en la redacción de tesis y artículos académicos. Aunque dominan otros idiomas para buscar y seleccionar información en recursos digitales, enfrentan barreras de acceso cuando las opciones requieren un pago; además, aún existen casos de desconocimiento sobre las funcionalidades de las plataformas de los repositorios. Pese a estos inconvenientes, su respuesta de satisfacción resulta principalmente positiva. En cuanto a su percepción sobre las herramientas de inteligencia artificial, se identificó que casi 75 % de los encuestados ya conoce estas aplicaciones. Por ejemplo, ChatGPT representa la alternativa con la que más se han familiarizado y, en general, tienen una opinión favorable sobre los beneficios que podría ofrecer en la gestión y producción académica.
THERAPEUTIC EVALUATION OF CENTELLA ASIATICA MACERATE ON SURGICAL COMPLICATIONS OF OVARIOHYSTERECTOMY IN THE BITCH
Authors: SOROMOU Lanan Wassy , Lolahara Gobou , KPOULOMOU Cécé
Published: January 2024

Background  and  objectives: The management of post-operative complications such as severe inflammatory reactions, suture dehiscence and abdominal hernia in farm animals calls for a variety of practices, including the use of plant resources. The aim of this study is to explore practices for managing surgical complications in bitches and the healing properties of Centella asiatica.
Methods: Discussions were organised with bitch owners about the practice of ovariohysterectomy and its importance for the well-being of the animals. The harvested plant was then prepared and the resulting crushed material was macerated, followed by the addition of drinking water. The subjects were divided into two batches of 6 animals: the control batch (batch 1) and the extract batch (batch 2). Before applying the macerate, the wounds were cleaned with distilled water and then an absorbent paper towel was used to dry them.
Results : Application of C. asiatica macerate to post-operative wounds in female dogs showed good clinical applicability, with anti-inflammatory and wound-healing accelerating activity. The therapeutic potential of the plant is thought to be attributable to its most important bioactive components.
Conclusion : The study argues that C. asiatica could be a better alternative for surgical wound closure, helping breeders to minimize intervention costs.
                   
Peer Review History:
Received: 19 October 2023; Revised: 10 November; Accepted: 25 December, Available online: 15 January 2024
Academic Editor: Dr. Emmanuel O. Olorunsola, Department of Pharmaceutics & Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Uyo, Nigeria, olorunsolaeo@yahoo.com
Received file:                             Reviewer's Comments:
Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 5.5/10
Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.0/10
Reviewers:
Dr. Adebayo Gege Grace Iyabo, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, funbimbola@gmail.com
Dr. Alfonso Alexander Aguileral, University of Veracruz,  Mexico, aalexander_2000@yahoo.com
THE PROJECTILE CALIBER AND TYPE DETERMINATION BY SUPERIMPOSITION ON THE EXIT CRANIAL VAULT DEFECT
Authors: Al-Turki Ali Ali , Siamionau Viachaslau V. , Tsiatsiuyeu Andrei M.
Published: January 2024

A case of group identification of a firearm projectile using a comparative study by the overlay method is presented. Morphological characteristics of the exit gunshot bullet fractures are generally used to establish the direction and number of shots. Identification was carried out by exit gunshot injury to the bones of the skull vault of the skeletonized corpse. The shape and size of the gunshot perforated fracture displayed the caliber of the bullet and its lateral profile. Examination of the bone remains established a single penetrating gunshot bullet wound of the 1st cervical vertebra (atlas) and the skull.
In this case the entry injury, located on the anterior arch of the atlas and the basilar part of the occipital bone, did not have identification significance.
      
Peer Review History:
Received:  22 October 2023; Revised: 23 November; Accepted: 29 December, Available online: 15 January 2024
Academic Editor: Dr. Jennifer Audu-Peter, University of Jos, Nigeria, drambia44@gmail.com
Received file:                             Reviewer's Comments:
Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 6.0/10
Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.5/10
Reviewers:
Prof. Hassan A.H. Al-Shamahy, Sana'a University, Yemen, shmahe@yemen.net.ye
Dr. Rima Benatoui,Laboratory of Applied Neuroendocrinology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Badji Mokhtar University Annaba, Algeria.  benattouiryma@gmail.com
Dr. Asia Selman Abdullah, University of Basrah, Iraq, asia_abdullah65@yahoo.com