bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of Major Cardiac Events of Anthracycline-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Southwestern Iran: Different Response Patterns to Cumulative Dose
Authors: Behrouzian Mahsa , Najibi Babak , Haghi Sabahat , Mahdavi Chehreh , Jaseb Kaveh , Ghaedi Ehsan
Published: March 2019

Background:

Anthracyclines are widely used chemotherapeutic agents in several cancers. Since its use, survival improved significantly among cancer patients and has been reported to be up to 80%. However, anthracyclines possess several cardiac, renal and hematological toxicities which limit their use in practice. Cardiotoxicity is still the most important and dose-limiting side effect of anthracycline treatment. Here we aimed to investigate the frequency of anthracyclineinduced cardiomyopathy in pediatric malignancies in Khuzestan Province, Iran.

Methods:

A total of 112 patients were enrolled in the present study. Patients were allocated to the case or control group based on receiving anthracycline. Echocardiographic examinations were performed by a cardiologist. Electrocardiograms were also recorded.

Results:

We showed that cancer patients who underwent anthracycline treatment showed cardiomyopathy as defined by lower LVEF (Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction) among patients (p = 0.041). Abnormal LVEF was reported with a frequency of about 9.5% in patients (p = 0.026). However, LVFS (Left Ventricular Fraction Shortening), QRS voltage and QT interval did not differ significantly between treatment and control groups. Our data analysis revealed that this difference is mainly related to high cumulative dose since high cumulative dose of anthracycline (>300 mg/m2) leads to lower LVEF and LVFS and higher QRS voltage in comparison with lower cumulative dose (<300 mg/m2) and control group; but there was no significant difference between low dose and control group. Different age groups and type of malignancy including hematological and solid tumors did not show any significant differences for echocardiographic and electrocardiograms parameters.

Conclusion:

In our study, lower LVEF among patients who received anthracyclines were mainly related to a high cumulative dose of anthracyclines, which emphasizes the effect of cumulative dose for cardiotoxic effects. Larger studies are needed to investigate possible other risk factors for cardiotoxicity.
Preserving SLA Parameters for Trusted IaaS Cloud: An Intelligent Monitoring Approach
Authors: Prasad Vivek K. , Bhavsar Madhuri
Published: March 2019

Background:

Cloud Computing (CC) provides an open computing feature where a large
number of customers can interact with the cloud services hosted by the cloud service providers
(CSP) for their business requirements.

Objective:

Service Level Agreements (SLAs) are legal agreements between an enterprise and the
CSP. To increase the confidence of the customer towards their CSP(s) will be determined by SLA
fulfillment and possible actions should be adopted to minimize the violation of the SLAs. Which in
turn will also lead to the revenue generation towards CSP. When SLA is breached by the customer,
penalties are imposed; whereas SLA breach by the CSP will affect the trust of its valuable customers.

Methods:

Identify the metrics with respect to the resources and its Service level agreements
(SLAs) and measure (monitoring) this to maintain its value and if the value is less as per the SLAs
(threshold values) then take precautionary actions to maintain this.

Results:

The results indicate the present status of the resource utilization of the CPU and categories
into three levels and based upon this take necessary actions to maintain the SLAs.

Conclusion:

The methodology discussed herein this paper can be used for monitoring the SLA parameter
and to avoid the circumstances that can lead to breaching of the SLA(s).
LIF Neuron with Hypo-exponential Distributed Delay: Emergence of Unimodal, Bimodal, Multimodal ISI Distribution with Long Tail
Authors: Choudhary Saket K. , Solanki Vijender K.
Published: March 2019

Background: Distributed Delay Framework (DDF) has suggested a mechanism to incorporate
the delay factor in the evolution of the membrane potential of a neuron model in terms of
distributed delay kernel functions. Incorporation of delay in neural networks provide comparatively
more efficient output. Depending on the parameter of investigation, there exist a number of choices
of delay kernel function for a neuron model.

Objective: We investigate the Leaky integrate-and-fire (LIF) neuron model in DDF with hypoexponential
delay kernel. LIF neuron with hypo-exponential distributed delay (LIFH) model is
capable to regenerate almost all possible empirically observed spiking patterns.

Methods: In this article, we perform the detailed analytical and simulation based study of the LIFH
model. We compute the explicit expressions for the membrane potential and its first two moment
viz. mean and variance, in analytical study. Temporal information processing functionality of the
LIFH model is investigated during simulation based study.

Results: We find that the LIFH model is capable to reproduce unimodal, bimodal and multimodal
inter-spike- interval distributions which are qualitatively similar with the experimentally observed
ISI distributions.

Conclusion: We also notice the neurotransmitter imbalance situation, where a noisy neuron exhibits
long tail behavior in aforementioned ISI distributions which can be characterized by power law
behavior.
Boswellia serrata Oleo-Gum-Resin and its Effect on Memory Functions: A Review
Authors: Mahboubi Mohaddese , Kashani Leila Mohammad Taghizadeh
Published: March 2019

Background:

In Iranian Traditional Medicine, Boswellia serrata oleo-gum resins were used for the treatment of "Nisyan". "Nisyan" was equivalent to a reduction of memory or forgetfulness.

Objective:

This review evaluates the traditional believes of B. serrata and memory and its effectiveness on memory loss.

Methods:

We extracted all traditional and modern information on B. serrata oleo-gum resin preparations and memory from scientific accessible resources (Google Scholar, PubMed, Springer, Science direct, Wiley), non-accessible resources and traditional books.

Results:

In traditional manuscripts, "Nisyan" is equal to memory loss in modern medicine and was believed to happen as the result of pouring the waste materials into the brain. Traditional practitioners treated "Nisyan" by inhibition of waste production in the brain or cleaning the brain from waste materials. They recommended using the plants with warming effects on the brain. It was believed that B. serrata had beneficial effects on memory functions and its memory enhancing effects have been the subject of pharmacological and clinical trial studies.

Conclusion:

Despite some documents on the effectiveness of B. serrata oleo-gum-resin on memory functions, there is gap between these investigations, especially in pregnant and nursing mothers. More investigations with large clinical trials are required to complete flaw in order to improve the therapeutic applications of B. serrata on memory functions.
Phytochemicals and Nutrient Profiles, Anti-oxidant Activity Study of Three Edible Parts (Flower, Fruit and Stem) of Musa paradisiaca
Authors: Debnath Bikash , Manna Kuntal
Published: March 2019

Background:

Musa paradisiaca (Banana plant), which belongs to the family of Musaceae, is a well-known herbaceous flowering edible plant. The flower, fruit, and stem part of the plant have been used for nutrients and health benefits.

Objective:

The aim of this study is to determine the secondary metabolites, proximate composition, minerals, heavy metals, and anti-oxidant activity of three edible parts (flower, unripe fruit, and stem) of Musa paradisiaca.

Methods:

The content of alkaloid and tannin was determined by simple titrimetric method and colorimetric method was used for the determination of the content of phenol and flavonoid. Association of Official Analytical Chemicals (AOAC) method was used for the determination of proximate composition and the content of trace elements was analyzed by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The anti-oxidant activity was determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) radical scavenging assay.

Results:

The results indicated that three edible parts (flower, unripe fruit, and stem) of the banana plant contained a good amount of secondary metabolites (such as alkaloid, phenol, flavonoid, and tannin) and also primary metabolites (such as carbohydrate, protein, and fat). Banana fruit contained a high amount of energy (261.31 kcal/100g) compared to the other two parts (flower, and stem). Iron, potassium, phosphorus, calcium were present in these three edible parts of the banana plant. Lead was found in negligible amount and arsenic was not detected. Fifty percent of ethanolic extract of three edible parts of the banana plant showed significant DPPH free radical scavenging and H202 radical scavenging activity as compared to standard ascorbic acid.

Conclusion:

Based on these findings, three edible parts of Musa paradisiaca may be recommended as a good source of nutrients.
New System for the Acceleration of the Airflow in Wind Turbines
Authors: Alonso-Estébanez Alejandro , Pascual-Muñoz Pablo , Alvarez Rabanal Felipe P. , Castro-Fresno Daniel , Del Coz Díaz Juan J.
Published: March 2019

Background:

This patent is based on the wind industry technology called Diffuser Augmented
Wind Turbines (DAWTs). This technology consists of a horizontal axis wind turbine, which is
housed inside a duct with diverging section in the direction of the free air stream. In this paper, a review
of preceding patents related to this technology is carried out.

Objective:

This paper presents an innovative patent to improve the performance of horizontal axis wind
turbines. In particular, this system is aimed at improving the performance of those turbines that otherwise
might not be installed due to the low wind resource existing at certain locations.

Methods:

The most innovative elements of this patent are: (1) the semi-spherical grooves, which are
mechanized on the surface of the two diffusers in order to guarantee a more energetic boundary layer;
(2) the coaxial diffuser, which is located downwind following the first diffuser in order to increase the
suction effect on the air mass close to the inlet; (3) the coaxial rings located around the first diffuser
outlet, which are used to deflect the external airflow toward the turbine wake; and (4), the selforientating
system to orientate the system by the prevailing wind direction.

Results:

An application of the patent for increasing the power generated by a horizontal axis wind turbine
with three blades is presented. The patent is designed and its performance is evaluated by using a
Computational Fluid Dynamics code. The numerical results show that this system rises the airflow
going through the rotor of the turbine.

Conclusion:

The patented device is an original contribution aimed at enabling a more profitable installation
of wind turbines in places where the wind resource is insufficient because of the wind shear
caused both by the proximity of the earth and the obstacles on the earth surface.
Azoimine Chelated Ruthenium(II)- and Osmium(II)-Carbonyl Complex Catalyzed Alcohol Oxidation Reaction
Authors: Sinha Chittaranjan
Published: March 2019

Arylazoimidazole brings azoimine (-N=N-C=N-) chelating N(azo), N(imine) (abbreviated
- N, N/) centres and forms Ru(II) and Os(II) carbonyl complexes. These complexes act as catalysts
for the oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes/ketones by tertiary butyl hydro peroxide (ButOOH), hydrogen
peroxide (H2O2) and N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMO) as oxygen sources. Different substituted
arylazoimidazoles such as 1-alkyl-2-(arylazo)imidazoles (RaaiR/), 1-alkyl-2-(naphthyl-α/β-
azo)imidazoles (α/β-NaiR) and (1-alkyl-2-{(o-thioalkyl)phenylazo}imidazole, SRaaiNR/) are used to
prepare Ru/Os-CO complexes. Ancillary ligands like hydride (H-), chloride (Cl-), triphenylphosphine
(PPh3) are used to monitor the catalytic efficiency of the complexes. Aromatic and aliphatic alcohols
like benzyl alcohol, 2-butanol, cyclopentanol, cyclohexanol, 1-phenylethanol, cinnamyl alcohol, diphenylmethanol,
are oxidized to the corresponding benzaldehyde, 2-butanone, cyclopentanone, cyclohexanone,
phenylacetone, cinamaldehyde, cyclopentanone, benzophenone, respectively. Different
physicochemical analyses (FT-IR, UV-Vis, Mass, NMR) suggest that the complexes react with an
oxidant to yield high valent ruthenium/osmium-oxo species (RuIV=O; OsIV=O), which is capable of
transferring the oxygen atom to alcohols. GC analysis accounts that percentage conversion order is as
follows : Cinnamyl alcohol > Cyclohexanol ~ 1-Phenylethanol > Diphenylmethanol > Cyclopentanol
> 2-Butanol > Benzyl alcohol. The oxidation efficiency of the oxidant follows the order : NMO >
ButOOH > H2O2. RuII complexes are more potent catalysts than OsII complexes. Out of three series
of RuII complexes, [RuCl(CO)(SMeaaiNEt)]ClO4 and [RuCl(CO)(SEtaaiNMe)]ClO4 showed highest
catalytic efficiency amongst 32 catalysts.
Conversations and Misconceptions About Chemotherapy in Arabic Tweets: Content Analysis (Preprint)
Authors: Alghamdi Abdulrahman , Abumelha Khalid , Allarakia Jawad , Al-Shehri Ahmed
Published: March 2019

BACKGROUND

Although chemotherapy was first introduced for the treatment of cancer more than 60 years ago, the public understanding and acceptance of chemotherapy is still debatable. To the best of our knowledge, no study has assessed the conversations and misconceptions about chemotherapy as a treatment for cancer on social media platforms among the Arabic-speaking populations.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the types of conversations and misconceptions that were shared on Twitter regarding chemotherapy as a treatment for cancer among the Arabic-speaking populations.

METHODS

All Arabic tweets containing any of the representative set of keywords related to chemotherapy and written between May 1, 2017 and October 31, 2017 were retrieved. A manual content analysis was performed to identify the categories of the users, general themes of the tweets, and the common misconceptions about chemotherapy. A chi-square test for independence with adjusted residuals was used to assess the significant associations between the categories of the users and the themes of the tweets.

RESULTS

A total of 402,157 tweets were retrieved, of which, we excluded 309,602 retweets and 62,651 irrelevant tweets. Therefore, 29,904 tweets were included in the final analysis. The majority of the tweets were posted by general users (25,774/29,904, 86.2%), followed by the relatives and friends of patients with cancer (1913/29,904, 6.4%). The tweets were classified into 9 themes; prayers and wishes for the well-being of patients undergoing chemotherapy was the most common theme (20,288/29,904, 67.8%), followed by misconceptions about chemotherapy (2084/29,904, 7.0%). There was a highly significant association between the category of the users and the themes of the tweets (χ240= 16904.4, P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support those of the previous infodemiology studies that Twitter is a valuable social media platform for assessing public conversations, discussions, and misconceptions about various health-related topics. The most prevalent theme of the tweets in our sample population was supportive messages for the patients undergoing chemotherapy, thereby suggesting that Twitter could play a role as a support mechanism for such patients. The second most prevalent theme of the tweets in our study was the various misconceptions about chemotherapy. The findings of our exploratory analysis can help physicians and health care organizations tailor educational efforts in the future to address different misconceptions about chemotherapy, thereby leading to increased public acceptance of chemotherapy as a suitable mode of treatment for cancer.
The Epidemiology of Patients' Email Addresses in a French University Hospital: Case-Control Study (Preprint)
Authors: Looten Vincent , Neuraz Antoine , Garcelon Nicolas , Burgun Anita , Chatellier Gilles , Rance Bastien
Published: March 2019

BACKGROUND

Health care professionals are caught between the wish of patients to speed up health-related communication via emails and the need for protecting health information.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to analyze the demographic characteristics of patients providing an email, and study the distribution of emails’ domain names.

METHODS

We used the information system of the European Hospital Georges Pompidou (HEGP) to identify patients who provided an email address. We used a 1:1 matching strategy to study the demographic characteristics of the patients associated with the presence of an email, and described the characteristics of the emails used (in terms of types of emails—free, business, and personal).

RESULTS

Overall, 4.22% (41,004/971,822) of the total population of patients provided an email address. The year of last contact with the patient is the strongest driver of the presence of an email address (odds ratio [OR] 20.8, 95% CI 18.9-22.9). Patients more likely to provide an email address were treated for chronic conditions and were more likely born between 1950 and 1969 (taking patients born before 1950 as reference [OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.54-1.67], and compared to those born after 1990 [OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.53-0.59]). Of the 41,004 email addresses collected, 37,779 were associated with known email providers, 31,005 email addresses were associated with Google, Microsoft, Orange, and Yahoo!, 2878 with business emails addresses, and 347 email addresses with personalized domain names.

CONCLUSIONS

Emails have been collected only recently in our institution. The importance of the year of last contact probably reflects this recent change in contact information collection policy. The demographic characteristics and especially the age distribution are likely the result of a population bias in the hospital: patients providing email are more likely to be treated for chronic diseases. A risk analysis of the use of email revealed several situations that could constitute a breach of privacy that is both likely and with major consequences. Patients treated for chronic diseases are more likely to provide an email address, and are also more at risk in case of privacy breach. Several common situations could expose their private information. We recommend a very restrictive use of the emails for health communication.
Connected Health Services: Framework for an Impact Assessment (Preprint)
Authors: Chouvarda Ioanna , Maramis Christos , Livitckaia Kristina , Trajkovik Vladimir , Burmaoglu Serhat , Belani Hrvoje , Kool Jan , Lewandowski Roman ,   The ENJECT Working Group 1 Network
Published: March 2019

BACKGROUND

Connected health (CH), as a new paradigm, manages individual and community health in a holistic manner by leveraging a variety of technologies and has the potential for the incorporation of telehealth and integrated care services, covering the whole spectrum of health-related services addressing healthy subjects and chronic patients. The reorganization of services around the person or citizen has been expected to bring high impact in the health care domain. There are a series of concerns (eg, contextual factors influencing the impact of care models, the cost savings associated with CH solutions, and the sustainability of the CH ecosystem) that should be better addressed for CH technologies to reach stakeholders more successfully. Overall, there is a need to effectively establish an understanding of the concepts of CH impact. As services based on CH technologies go beyond standard clinical interventions and assessments of medical devices or medical treatments, the need for standardization and for new ways of measurements and assessments emerges when studying CH impact.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to introduce the CH impact framework (CHIF) that serves as an approach to assess the impact of CH services.

METHODS

This study focused on the subset of CH comprising services that directly address patients and citizens on the management of disease or health and wellness. The CHIF was developed through a multistep procedure and various activities. These included, as initial steps, a literature review and workshop focusing on knowledge elicitation around CH concepts. Then followed the development of the initial version of the framework, refining of the framework with the experts as a result of the second workshop, and, finally, composition and deployment of a questionnaire for preliminary feedback from early-stage researchers in the relevant domains.

RESULTS

The framework contributes to a better understanding of what is CH impact and analyzes the factors toward achieving it. CHIF elaborates on how to assess impact in CH services. These aspects can contribute to an impact-aware design of CH services. It can also contribute to a comparison of CH services and further knowledge of the domain. The CHIF is based on 4 concepts, including CH system and service outline, CH system end users, CH outcomes, and factors toward achieving CH impact. The framework is visualized as an ontological model.

CONCLUSIONS

The CHIF is an initial step toward identifying methodologies to objectively measure CH impact while recognizing its multiple dimensions and scales.
Leveraging Interdisciplinary Education Toward Securing the Future of Connected Health Research in Europe: Qualitative Study (Preprint)
Authors: Chouvarda Ioanna , Mountford Nicola , Trajkovik Vladimir , Loncar-Turukalo Tatjana , Cusack Tara
Published: March 2019

BACKGROUND

Connected health (CH) technologies have resulted in a paradigm shift, moving health care steadily toward a more patient-centered delivery approach. CH requires a broad range of disciplinary expertise from across the spectrum to work in a cohesive and productive way. Building this interdisciplinary relationship at an earlier stage of career development may nurture and accelerate the CH developments and innovations required for future health care.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the perceptions of interdisciplinary CH researchers regarding the design and delivery of an interdisciplinary education (IDE) module for disciplines currently engaged in CH research (engineers, computer scientists, health care practitioners, and policy makers). This study also investigated whether this module should be delivered as a taught component of an undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral program to facilitate the development of interdisciplinary learning.

METHODS

A qualitative, cross-institutional, multistage research approach was adopted, which involved a background study of fundamental concepts, individual interviews with CH researchers in Greece (n=9), and two structured group feedback sessions with CH researchers in Ireland (n=10/16). Thematic analysis was used to identify the themes emerging from the interviews and structured group feedback sessions.

RESULTS

A total of two sets of findings emerged from the data. In the first instance, challenges to interdisciplinary work were identified, including communication challenges, divergent awareness of state-of-the-art CH technologies across disciplines, and cultural resistance to interdisciplinarity. The second set of findings were related to the design for interdisciplinarity. In this regard, the need to link research and education with real-world practice emerged as a key design concern. Positioning within the program context was also considered to be important with a need to balance early intervention to embed integration with later repeat interventions that maximize opportunities to share skills and experiences.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors raise and address challenges to interdisciplinary program design for CH based on an abductive approach combining interdisciplinary and interprofessional education literature and the collection of qualitative data. This recipe approach for interdisciplinary design offers guidelines for policy makers, educators, and innovators in the CH space. Gaining insight from CH researchers regarding the development of an IDE module has offered the designers a novel insight regarding the curriculum, timing, delivery, and potential challenges that may be encountered.
Orthopedic Surgeons’ Perspectives on the Decision-Making Process for the Use of Bioprinter Cartilage Grafts: Web-Based Survey (Preprint)
Authors: Salvador Verges Àngels , Fernández-Luque Luis , López Seguí Francesc , Yildirim Meltem , Salvador-Mata Bertran , García Cuyàs Francesc
Published: March 2019

BACKGROUND

Traumatic and degenerative lesions in the cartilage are one of the most difficult and frustrating types of injuries for orthopedic surgeons and patients. Future developments in medical science, regenerative medicine, and materials science may allow the repair of human body parts using 3D bioprinting techniques and serve as a basis for new therapies for tissue and organ regeneration. One future possibility is the treatment of joint cartilage defects with in vivo 3D printing from biological/biocompatible materials to produce a suitable cell attachment and proliferation environment in the damaged site and employ the natural recovery potential of the body. This study focuses on the perspectives of orthopedic surgeons regarding the key factors/determinants and perceived clinical value of a new therapeutic option.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the knowledge and expectations of orthopedic surgeons regarding the clinical use of bioprinted cartilage.

METHODS

The survey, conducted anonymously and self-managed, was sent to orthopedic surgeons from the Catalan Society of Orthopedic and Traumatology Surgery. In accordance with the method devised by Eysenbach, the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys was used to analyze the results. The following factors were taken into consideration: the type and origin of the information received; its relevance; the level of acceptance of new technologies; and how the technology is related to age, years, and place of experience in the field.

RESULTS

Of the 86 orthopedic surgeons included, 36 believed the age of the patient was a restriction, 53 believed the size of the lesion should be between 1 and 2 cm to be considered for this type of technology, and 51 believed that the graft should last more than 5 years. Surgeons over 50 years of age (38/86, 44%) gave more importance to clinical evidence as compared to surgeons from the other age groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The perspective of orthopedic surgeons depends highly on the information they receive and whether it is specialized and consistent, as this will condition their acceptance and implementation of the bioprinted cartilage.
ANTI-EPILEPTIC DRUG LOADED NIOSOMAL TRANSDERMAL PATCH FOR ENHANCED SKIN PERMEATION
Authors: S Shefrin , S. Sreelaxmi C. , Vijayan Vishnu , Nair Sreeja C.
Published: March 2019

Objective: To formulate and characterize midazolam loaded niosomal transdermal patches for overcoming the frequent dosing and lower bioavailability complications associated with conventional therapy.

Methods: The loaded niosomal transdermal patches were prepared by thin film hydration method. The preliminary evaluation and characterization studies was conducted to find the optimised formulation. The in vitro release and ex-vivo permeation studies were investigated. The histopathological studies and stability studies were also assessed.

Results: The midazolam loaded niosomal transdermal patches of vesicle size and zeta potential 116.1±84.46 d. nm and 8.56±1.2 mV respectively was formulated. The characterizations of both niosome and niosomal transdermal patches were found to be within the acceptable limits. The in vitro drug release showed an initial burst release followed by sustained release for both optimised niosomal formulation N5 and optimised niosomal transdermal patch formulation NT5with a maximum activity at 97.3±0.35% and 98.9±0.20% respectively. The ex vivo permeation studies of niosomal transdermal patch NT5 was performed which showed a higher permeability than control solution with a flux value of 0.151. The histopathological studies of the optimised formulation showed no detectable lesions upon skin surface and irritations. The stability studies showed that patches were stable over 90 d in different atmospheric conditions.

Conclusion: The midazolam loaded niosomal transdermal patch was found to be a promising nano drug delivery alternative which showed better entrapment, release with permeation profile for the daily management of epilepsy with decreased dosing frequency.
FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF NIOSOMAL IN SITU GEL OF PREDNISOLONE SODIUM PHOSPHATE FOR OCULAR DRUG DELIVERY
Authors: CHAUDHARI PRAVEEN D. , DESAI UJWALA S.
Published: March 2019

Objective: The main purpose of the study was to develop niosomal in situ gel of prednisolone sodium phosphate (PSP) with increased bioavailability (enhanced permeation) and sustained action (drug retention at the target site).

Methods: Using different ratios of span 60 and cholesterol (chol), niosomes were prepared by thin film hydration method and optimized by evaluating different parameters like drug content, entrapment efficiency, particle size and in vitro drug diffusion study. The niosomal pellets were further incorporated in in situ gel, prepared by the cold method and further optimized by parameters like gelling parameters, mucoadhesive strength and in vitro, in vivo drug release study.

Results: The optimized niosomal formulation containing span 60 and chol in equal proportion (1:1) showed better drug content (DC) i.e. 86.3±0.39% and entrapment efficiency (EE) i.e. 83.4±0.22 with vesicle size of 465±0.24 nm. The in vitro drug diffusion study indicated t90 value of 490 min thus proving sustained action of the formulation. The optimized in situ gel containing poloxamer 407 (P407) and poloxamer 188 (P188) in the ratio of 1:2.7 showed gelation temperature at 37 ⁰C (physiological temperature of the body) and t90 value of 10 h thus depicting sustained action. The increased area under curve (AUC) value by 1.75 folds proved increased bioavailability of the drug.

Conclusion: Thus sustained drug delivery with increased bioavailability was designed for prednisolone sodium phosphate for the treatment of ocular inflammation.
PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF GRAPEFRUIT OIL BASE MICROEMULSIONS OF CAFFEINE
Authors: LIMPONGSA EKAPOL , SRISUK PATHOMTHAT , JAIPAKDEE NAPAPHAK
Published: March 2019

Objective: The objective of the present work was to prepare and characterize grapefruit oil base microemulsions loaded with caffeine as a model hydrophilic compound.
Methods: The formulation ingredients were selected based on surfactant efficiency and solubility studies. Ternary phase diagrams of grapefruit oil were constructed using the water titration method. Nine O/W microemulsions were constructed and prepared by mixing surfactant system, grapefruit oil, water and caffeine together. The resulting microemulsions were investigated for viscosity using Brookfield viscometer, for pH value using a digital pH meter, and for average particle size and polydispersity index (PDI) using a Zetasizer Nano. Ex vivo skin permeation through porcine ear skin was conducted using a side-by-side diffusion cell. The amount of caffeine was analyzed using HPLC-UV method.
Results: Tween 20 yielded the highest emulsification ability for grapefruit oil and the highest caffeine solubility. It was selected as a major surfactant. Caffeine was slightly soluble in ethanol and isopropyl alcohol, but sparingly soluble in propylene glycol (PG). These ingredients were used as the cosurfactants. Nine grapefruit oil base microemulsions were prepared and characterized. The pH of microemulsions was within the range of 4.48-5.96. Particle size was in the range of 10.81±0.03 to 62.18±21.04 µm with the PDI of 0.13±0.02 to 0.64±0.11. Viscosity and particle size of microemulsions increased significantly with increasing grapefruit oil or tween 20 content. Addition of PG as cosurfactant resulted in the increases of viscosity, particle size and PDI. Depending on the formulation parameters, the permeation fluxes of caffeine from grapefruit oil base microemulsions were in the range of 28.4±3.4-361.4±15.2 µg/cm2/h.
Conclusion: The grapefruit oil base microemulsions were successfully formulated. The physical properties and caffeine permeation of these microemulsions were found to be dependent on the grapefruit oil content, tween 20 content, cosurfactant type and content, as well as caffeine loading. The optimal formulation of grapefruit oil base microemulsion suggested composition of 5% grapefruit oil, 50% surfactant system (tween 20 and ethanol at the ratio of 9:1), and water.
ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF HEDYOTIS CORYMBOSA, INULA RACEMOSE, HOLOSTEMMA ADAKODIEN MEDICINAL PLANTS
Authors: MARISETTI AJIT KUMAR , V. VENKATARATHANAMMA
Published: March 2019

Objective: To evaluate the antibacterial and antifungal activity of three different medicinal plants invitro. Oil extracts of the plants from three different families (Hedyotis corymbosa, Inula racemose, Holostemma adakodien) are used to find the antibacterial and antifungal activity.

Methods: Study of anti-microbial activity using agar cup diffusion method, inoculums preparation, Anti-bacterial activity screening (well diffusion method), Anti-fungal activity screening (well diffusion method) are the different methods which are used to find the anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activities of the oil extracts of the above medicinal plants. The activity of these oil extracts and the selected antibiotics are evaluated against four bacterial strains (E. Coli, S. aureus and P. aeruginosa) and three Candida fungal strains (albicans, parapsilosis and tropicalis.). The anti microbial activity of Hedyotis corymbosa, Inula racemose, Holostemma adakodien oil extracts zone of inhibition evaluation was compared with positive control of fungal strain Fluconozole and bacterial strain Norfloxacin, Cefepime and Gatifloxacin.

Results: The anti microbial activity of Hedyotis corymbosa, Inula racemose, Holostemma adakodien oil extracts zone of inhibition evaluation was compared with positive control of fungal strain Fluconozole and bacterial strain Norfloxacin, Cefepime and Gatifloxacin. Further studies are needed to explore the novel antibacterial bioactive molecules.

Conclusion: The plants Hedyotis corymbosa, Inula racemose and Holostemma adakodien have shown significant anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activity.
Social inequity is a life and death situation for our patients
Authors: Clough Stephanie , Hamame Mira , Bavers Elizabeth
Published: March 2019

Advocating for change in the economic structure of health care in the United States is a moral imperative.
Rhetoric and Logical Reasoning as Engagement with Being
Authors: Barris Jeremy
Published: March 2019

The paper tries to show that when the deepest or foundational aspects of truth are at issue, both consequentially logical argument and rhetoric that aims to establish truth or justified conviction must engage with the being, or the irreplaceable particularity, of its audience’s members and also that of the arguer, what we refer to in ordinary language as who the person is. Beyond the existing discussion of existential rhetoric, the paper argues that this engagement with being is necessary to establish not only truth that directly concerns or turns on the arguer’s and audience’s being, but also truth or justification about fundamental aspects of things and issues in general. Further, the address of being requires us to suspend both our own and our addressees’ familiar conceptual frameworks in order to allow being to emerge in its own terms. As a result, in contrast with our usual understanding of argumentation, the rhetorician’s initial aim and procedure will be to achieve a genuine suspension of conviction and even of the appropriate concepts under which to proceed, and so to produce a fundamental confusion. The paper then outlines some consequences for rhetoric and reasoning and also the structure of the process of working with this fundamental confusion.
Competencias digitales, desarrollo y validación de un instrumento para su valoración en el contexto colombiano
Authors: Contreras-Germán Jorge , Piedrahita-Ospina Alberto , Ramírez-Velásquez Iliana
Published: March 2019

El presente artículo presenta el proceso de desarrollo y validación del instrumento: Escala de Valoración de Competencias Digitales (EVCD), aplicado a estudiantes de educación media de la ciudad de Medellín Colombia. Para llevar a cabo esta investigación de tipo cuantitativo, se realiza un proceso de validación de contenidos a través del juicio de expertos y el cálculo del Índice de Validez de Contenido, luego se realiza una ratificación de constructo a través de análisis factorial exploratorio y confirmatorio, y finalmente, se hace un análisis de fiabilidad a través de la aplicación de la prueba de Alpha de Cronbach. Como producto del estudio, se obtiene un instrumento con 6 dimensiones y 30 ítems que evalúa las competencias digitales de estudiantes en Colombia, de manera confiable y precisa.
Análisis y evaluación de procesos de interactividad en entornos virtuales de aprendizaje
Authors: Mercado Borja William Enrique , Guarnieri Griselda , Rodríguez Guillermo Luján
Published: March 2019

El presente artículo refiere a la interactividad educativa en plataformas de formación online, para optimizar sus potencialidades en pro de auspiciar la formación virtual. El objetivo de este escrito es caracterizar las TIC más utilizadas y determinar si existe asociación entre algunos elementos relacionados con la interactividad virtual, a fin de proponer atributos, métricas e indicadores que permitan cualificar la operatividad en entornos virtuales de aprendizaje. Por lo tanto, se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo que examinó el uso y la aplicabilidad de las TIC en el e-learning, en dos programas de Ingeniería de Sistemas, los cuales pertenecen a la Universidad de Medellín - Colombia y a la Universidad de Córdoba - Argentina. Se analiza la necesidad de repensar la evaluación y seguimiento de la interactividad, para brindar aportes metodológicos claves que generen en dicho proceso un mejoramiento y favorezcan la interacción social en un entorno virtual de aprendizaje. El tema de interés no solo cobra validez en el proceso formativo sino también en la socialización de fundamentos que pueden contribuir a la calidad educativa en entornos virtuales. También, se comparten juicios a partir de elementos teóricos que optimizan la interactividad mediada con TIC y la interacción virtual. En este texto se logra establecer como conclusión principal, que algunos entornos virtuales no incorporan herramientas de seguimiento para potenciar el desarrollo de procesos de interactividad desde requisitos expuestos por los actores educativos.
CURRÍCULO E FORMAÇÃO DO PROFESSOR DE PORTUGUÊS NA VISÃO DE DOCENTES DE UMA LICENCIATURA EM LETRAS
Authors: Luna Ewerton Ávila dos Anjos
Published: March 2019

A partir do contexto de diversas mudanças no processo de formação do professor de Português em função de fatores internos à própria área de conhecimento e de fatores sócio-históricos (Soares, 2002), bem como por considerar o currículo como confluência de práticas (Sacristán, 2000) em que há, por exemplo, currículo prescrito e currículo modelado pelo professor, este estudo objetiva investigar como docentes universitários veem o currículo da licenciatura em Letras em que atuam e como usam estratégias para moldá-lo. Para isso, foram entrevistados cinco professores de uma Instituição Federal de Ensino Superior situada em Pernambuco. Os resultados, analisados com base em Sacristán (2000), dentre outros, apontam que práticas individuais, independentemente de positivas ou negativas, indicam necessidade de maiores diálogos em momentos como o de Reforma Curricular.
Una primera aproximación a las relaciones de vecindad
Authors: Capitaine María Carolina Alba , Andrich Agustín
Published: March 2019

El trabajo muestra como fue la regulación de los límites al dominio, principalmente las relaciones de vecindad, en sus orígenes en el Derecho Romano. Su evolución en el Derecho Civil Argentino, desde el código civil velezano hasta su actual regulación en el Código Civil y Comercial de la Nación, y su implicancia con la Encíclica Papal Laudato Sí, sobre el cuidado de la Casa Común. Palabras Clave: Derecho Reales  Derecho Romano  Límites al Dominio  Relación de vecindad.
Nasrettin Hoca Fıkralarında Yoksulluk Eleştirisi
Authors: Sol Selma
Published: March 2019

Bu çalışma Nasrettin Hoca fıkralarında dile getirilen “yoksulluk eleştirisi”ni ortaya koymayı amaçlamıştır. Bu nedenle öncelikle kavramsal olarak yoksulluk olgusu üzerinde durulmuştur. Söz konusu olgunun kavramsal ve kuramsal çerçevesi gözden geçirilerek, Nasrettin Hoca fıkralarından hareketle, fıkra metinlerine sindirilmiş yoksulluk göstergeleri tespit edilmiştir.
Yoksulluk kavramı, sözlük anlamı ile “variyetsizlik, sefillik, sefalet ve fakirlik” olarak açıklanmaktadır. İnsanoğlunun bedensel varlığını sürdürebilmesi için gerekli olan beslenme, barınma, giyinme ve sağlığını koruma gibi temel ihtiyaçlarını kısmen ya da büyük oranda karşılayamadığı zaman, söz konusu durum yoksulluk kavramı ile ifade edilir. Genellikle beşeri ihtiyaçlar söz konusu olduğunda karşılaştığımız bu kavram, birden fazla boyutu olmakla birlikte, toplumdan topluma hatta kişiden kişiye bile değişkenlik gösterebilir. Ekonomik, kültürel ve sosyolojik olarak farklı başlıklar altında değerlendirilen yoksulluk kavramı, toplumların kültürüne, sanatına ve edebiyatına da konu bakımından malzeme teşkil etmektedir. Yoksulluğu ve getirilerini/sonuçlarını konu alan kültürel ve sanatsal çeşitlilikten de bahsetmek mümkündür.
Türk halk edebiyatı çerçevesinde de sosyal bir eleştiri konusu olarak yoksulluğun tema olarak işlendiği hikâye, türkü, ninni ve fıkra gibi geleneksel türlerin varlığı bilinmektedir. Bu düşünceden hareketle, bu çalışma bir halk filozofu olan Nasrettin Hoca’ya bağlı olarak anlatılan fıkralardaki yoksulluk kavramı ve eleştirisini sosyolojik bir bakış açısıyla incelemeyi hedeflemiştir. Halk edebiyatında tahkiyeye dayalı bir tür olarak fıkra, ilgili toplumun sosyal ve kültürel ortamında şekillenir. Söz konusu türde, fıkra tipinin şahsiyetinde, mizah ve eleştirel düşünce harmanlanarak gerek bireysel gerekse toplumsal çıkarımlar yapılır. Ferdi ya da toplumsal aksaklıklar, sosyal düzendeki karmaşa, fıkranın dilinde mizahi bir boyut kazanarak gülme dinamiği sağlanır. Bu çalışma kapsamında yapılan incelemede, Nasrettin Hoca’ya atfedilen fıkra metinlerinden hareketle hem bireysel hem de toplumsal açıdan değerlendirilebilecek bir eleştiri konusu olarak “yoksulluk” temasına dair göstergeler tespit edilmeye çalışılmıştır
Türk Roman Eleştirisinde İki Kadın: Suat Derviş ve Behice Boran'ın Roman Eleştir
Authors: Kaya Şehriban
Published: March 2019

Bu makale, Suat Derviş ve Behice Boran’ın, 1940’ların başında yazdıkları roman eleştirilerini karşılaştırmayı hedeflemektedir. Kendisi de roman yazarı olan Suat Derviş, bir dönem çıkardığı Yeni Edebiyat dergisinde, sosyolog Behice Boran ise bir grup arkadaşıyla çıkardığı Yurt ve Dünya dergisinde roman eleştirileri yazmıştır. Biri yazar diğeri sosyolog olan bu iki kadının; Halide Edip Adıvar’ın Tatarcık romanına aynı dönemde eleştiri yazmaları ise kadın, kadın edebiyatı ve edebiyat eleştirisi bağlamında ele alınması gereken çarpıcı bir veri sunmaktadır. Makalede, Suat Derviş ve Behice Boran’ın roman eleştirilerindeki benzerlikler ve farklılıklar, Halide Edip’in Tatarcık romanı merkeze alınarak analiz edilmektedir. Toplumcu gerçekçi edebiyat eleştirisi gözlüğünden yazdıkları roman eleştirilerinde, Suat Derviş ve Behice Boran roman karakterlerinin sosyal çevrelerinin tipik örneği olup olmadığına bakmışlar, romanda toplumsal fayda aramışlardır. Behice Boran’ın, Halide Edip’in kadın roman kahramanlarını analiz edişinde ve kadın romancıların aşk romanlarını ele alışında, o dönemde henüz ortaya çıkmamış olsa da, feminist edebiyat eleştirisine yakınlık vardır. Roman eleştirilerinde kadın konusuna eğilmemekle birlikte; Suat Derviş, çoğunluğu erkek olan edebiyat eleştirmenlerince romanları yok sayılan bir kadın yazar olarak feminist edebiyat eleştirisinin ilgi alanına girmektedir.
El uso de las tecnologías de la información en estudiantes de nivel bachillerato de comunidades en desarrollo / The Use of Information Technologies in High School Students at Developing Communities
Authors: Orozco Torres Luis Mexitli , López Cortés Eliseo , Torres Santiago Guadalupe José
Published: March 2019

La simbiosis y evolución de la sociedad con la tecnología ha generado una transformación en las relaciones culturales, la comunicación y el aprendizaje. Esta investigación se centra en conocer y analizar la incursión e influencia que ha tenido la tecnología en algunas comunidades en desarrollo del municipio de Arandas, Jalisco. Para ello, a partir del uso de encuestas y entrevistas dentro de la población estudiantil de la Preparatoria Regional de Arandas de la Universidad de Guadalajara, se observan aspectos significativos que se refieren a lo social y a lo educativo, al igual que a las costumbres, la cultura y las dinámicas dentro de esta localidad desde años atrás.Como resultado se encontró que el desarrollo tecnológico ha dado paso a la evolución o transformación de la dinámica social, educativa y personal, ya que la tecnología permite, en cuanto a la comunicación, una dinámica distinta y rápida, y para lo educativo se hace notar una amplia red de información que sustenta y genera conocimiento mediante diversas plataformas que son facilitadoras del trabajo escolar. En ellas es posible observar que, a pesar de la incursión en la globalización y la facilidad de obtener dispositivos de tecnologías de la información, las políticas públicas se han visto rebasadas, así como diferentes factores que afectan la dinámica social en cuanto a su comportamiento. Sin embargo, no dejan de ser un detonante en el desarrollo de estas comunidades en crecimiento.
Violência de gênero
Authors: Salomone Ana Luiza Job de Carvalho , Sampaio Neto Luiz Ferraz de
Published: March 2019

Editorial sobre o artigo original: Análise das ocorrências de violência sexual contra a mulher atendidas em um serviço de referência, dos autores Marlon Marcelo Maciel Sousa e Naldiana Cerqueira Silva.
Avaliação do autocuidado em pacientes portadores do pé diabético
Authors: Fassina Gabriela , Coelho Gislaine Patrícia , Zinezi Natália De Souza , Silva Bárbara Almeida da , Bramante Clarice Nunes , Costa José Augusto
Published: March 2019

Introdução: O diabetes mellitus é uma doença de etiologia múltipla, decorrente da falta e/ou incapacidade da insulina. Atinge populações em todas as camadas socioeconômicas, com elevadas incidência e taxa de morbimortalidade. As complicações dessa enfermidade comprometem a produtividade e a qualidade de vida e influenciam na sobrevida dos portadores. A neuropatia periférica é a mais frequente e muito associada ao desenvolvimento do pé diabético. Estima-se que de 10 a 25% dos diabéticos desenvolverão lesões em membros inferiores em algum ponto de suas vidas, podendo ocasionar infecções, amputação do membro ou até a morte. Objetivo: Investigar o conhecimento do paciente diabético tipo 2 em relação ao autocuidado dos pés, sua prática e os fatores que impedem ou dificultam sua realização. Método: Foi aplicado o Questionário do Autocuidado do Paciente Diabético em 100 pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 que frequentavam uma policlínica municipal. Os dados foram analisados por meio de frequência numérica e percentual e comparados com a literatura. Resultados: Os pacientes entrevistados possuíam algum grau de conhecimento a respeito do autocuidado, variando de acordo com o grau de escolaridade principalmente. Conclusões: É necessária a manutenção do fornecimento de informações pelos profissionais da saúde de forma constante e repetitiva, sempre respeitando o grau de escolaridade do paciente.