bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perampanel as First Adjunctive Treatment in Patients with Focal-Onset Seizures in the FAME Study: Post hoc Analyses of Dose-Related Efficacy, Safety and Clinical Factors Associated with Response
Authors: Kim Dong Wook , Kim Ji Hyun , Lee Sang Kun , Lee Sang Ahm , Lee Ji Woong , Kim Min Young , Seo Dae-Won
Published: July 2022

Background and Purpose: Perampanel is approved for the adjunctive treatment of focal-onset seizures (FOS) with or without secondary generalized seizures. The FAME (Fycompa® as first Add-on to Monotherapy in patients with Epilepsy; NCT02726074) study evaluated the efficacy and safety of perampanel added to monotherapy in patients with FOS with or without secondary generalized seizures (SGS). Post hoc analyses of the FAME study assessed potential predictors of response and an in-depth evaluation of the safety and efficacy of perampanel.Methods: Efficacy was assessed by reduction of total seizure frequency by ≥50%, ≥75% or 100%, and safety by incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and TEAEs leading to discontinuation. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses for treatment response were performed.Results: Most patients (82/85) received perampanel doses of 4-8 mg/day during maintenance therapy and the highest efficacy rates were achieved with 4 mg/day, irrespective of efficacy outcome. Doses of 4 or 6 mg/day in patients with FOS with SGS (n=16) produced comparable efficacy outcomes. In multivariate analysis, total perampanel dose was predictive of 50% and 75% response rates; longer total perampanel administration period with 50% response; and concomitant non-anti-seizure medication with a 100% response. Patients developed a TEAE more frequently during the 12-week titration period (60.2%) than the 24-week maintenance period (28.4%), including dizziness (45.5% vs. 9.1%), somnolence (10.2% vs. 0%), and headache (4.5% vs. 3.4%).Conclusions: Post hoc analyses show that even low doses of perampanel may be effective and TEAEs are usually self-limited or well-tolerated.
Epilepsy and Hearing Loss in a Patient with a Rare Heterozygous Variant in the CACNA1H Gene
Authors: Algahtani Hussein A. , Shirah Bader H. , Samman Ahmed , Alhazmi Abdulellah
Published: July 2022

The calcium voltage-gated channel subunit alpha 1 H (CACNA1H) is a gene present in eukaryotic cells located on chromosome 16 that encodes the T-type calcium channels, which are important for calcium influx and depolarization of cells. Pathogenic variants in CACNA1H cause autosomal dominant susceptibility to idiopathic generalized epilepsy 6 (OMIM: 611942), which is a broad term that encompasses several common seizure phenotypes. In this article, we reported a Saudi female with a heterozygous variant in the CACNA1H gene (OMIM: 607904) who had epilepsy and hearing loss. This is the first case to report the association of epilepsy and hearing loss with a variant in CACNA1H. We believe that variant may be the reason for developing both epilepsy and sensorineural hearing loss. Further studies are needed to identify the role of CACNA1H in the physiology of the ear to allow for a better understanding of the effects of mutations. In children who present with early childhood hearing loss, genetic studies in highly selected cases including those with a strong family history of hearing loss and epilepsy may help detect a CACNA1H variant early and help with the early screening and diagnosis of other associated disorders including subclinical epilepsy.
Differential Effects of the G-Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor (GPER) on Rat Embryonic (E18) Hippocampal and Cortical Neurons
Authors: Pemberton Kyle , Rosato Martina , Dedert Cass , DeLeon Chelsea , Arnatt Christopher , Xu Fenglian
Published: July 2022

Estrogen plays fundamental roles in nervous system development and function. Traditional studies examining the effect of estrogen in the brain have focused on the nuclear estrogen receptors (ERs), ERα and ERβ. Studies related to the extranuclear, membrane-bound G-protein-coupled ER (GPER/GPR30) have revealed a neuroprotective role for GPER in mature neurons. In this study, we investigated the differential effects of GPER activation in primary rat embryonic day 18 (E18) hippocampal and cortical neurons. Microscopy imaging, multielectrode array (MEA), and Ca2+imaging experiments revealed that GPER activation with selective agonist, G-1, and nonselective agonist, 17β-estradiol (E2), increased neural growth, neural firing activity, and intracellular Ca2+more profoundly in hippocampal neurons than in cortical neurons. The GPER-mediated Ca2+rise in hippocampal neurons involves internal Ca2+store release via activation of phospholipase C (PLC) and extracellular entry via Ca2+channels. Immunocytochemistry results revealed no observable difference in GPER expression/localization in neurons, yet real-time qPCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting showed a higher GPER expression in the cortex than hippocampus, implying that GPER expression level may not fully account for its robust physiological effects in hippocampal neurons. We used RNA sequencing data to identify distinctly enriched pathways and significantly expressed genes in response to G-1 or E2 in cultured rat E18 hippocampal and cortical neurons. In summary, the identification of differential effects of GPER activation on hippocampal and cortical neurons in the brain and the determination of key genes and molecular pathways are instrumental toward an understanding of estrogen’s action in early neuronal development.
Dynamics of fire weather conditions in the mixed forest areas of Belarus and Ukraine under recent climate change
Authors: Semenova Inna , Sumak Katsiaryna
Published: July 2022

The study examines spatiotemporal distribution of fire weather conditions during the fire seasons of 1990–2020 in the mixed forests areas of the territory of Belarus and Ukraine using monthly mean Fire Weather Index (FWI) averaged for each administrative area in the study region. It was revealed that the lowest FWI values were observed in the northern and northwestern regions of Belarus, the highest values were in the southeast. On the territory of Ukraine, FWI values increase toward the east regions. In the seasonal distribution, the FWI increases from March to May and in the middle of summer the index reaches a maximum in the all regions. Analysis of the FWI dynamics over the five-year periods showed that the frequency of danger fire weather conditions varied from a "very low" level to "moderate" level most of the study period. In the last pentad 2015–2020, "high" fire danger level began to appear in the south of Belarus and in the northern part of Ukraine. During the study period, in some regions of Ukraine, there was a decrease in the frequency of the FWI values of 'low' danger level and its simultaneous increase at the higher levels, in connection with the observed climate change in the region.
FARKLI ORANLARDA YAYIKALTI TOZU KULLANILARAK ÜRETİLEN DONDURMALARIN BAZI ÖZELLİKLERİ
Authors: DOĞAN ÖZSUNGUR Esin , KANCA Nazlı , GÜRSOY Ayşe
Published: July 2022

Bu çalışmada bir süt yan ürünü olan yayıkaltı tozu, dondurma üretiminde farklı oranlarda kullanılmıştır. Yayıkaltı tozu miktarı, miks bileşiminde kullanılan yağsız süttozu miktarının %5, %10, %20, %30 ve % 40’ı kadar olacak şekilde hesaplanmıştır. Olgunlaştırılmış mikslerde gerçekleştirilen analiz sonuçlarına göre, yayıkaltı tozu ilavesi örneklerin titrasyon asitliği, pH değeri ve kurumadde içeriğini etkilememiş (P > 0.05), kıvam indeksi ile yağ ve kül içeriklerini ise artırmıştır (P < 0.05). Ayrıca, yayıkaltı tozu miktarının artması ile faz ayrılmasının azaldığı belirlenmiştir (P < 0.05). Kullanılan yayıkaltı tozu miktarı arttıkça, dondurma örneklerinin hacim artışı ve b* değerleri artmış, sertlik değerleri azalmış ve ilk damlama süreleri uzamıştır (P < 0.05). Duyusal analiz sonuçlarına göre, yayıkaltı tozu miktarının artışı dondurma örneklerinin görünüş ve yapı özelliklerini etkilememiş (P > 0.05) ancak lezzet yönünden toz miktarı yüksek olan örnekler panelistlerden daha düşük puan almışlardır (P < 0.05).
A differential game of pursuit-evasion with constrained players’ energy
Authors: Abbas Badakaya  , Sulaiman Halliru Aminu , Jamilu Adamu , Aliyu Ibrahim Kiri
Published: July 2022

In the Hilbert space l2, we investigate a pursuit-evasion differential game involving countable number of pursuers and one evader. Players move in agreement with certain nth order ordinary differential equations with control functions of players satisfying integral constraints. The period of the game, which is denoted as θ, is fixed. During the game, pursuers want to minimize the distance to the evader and the evader want to maximize it. The game's payoff is the distance between evader and closest pursuer at time θ. Independent of relationship between energy resources of the players, we provide formula that defines value of the game and constructed players' optimal strategies.
Pituitary function and the response to GH therapy in patients with Langerhans cell histiocytosis: analysis of the KIMS database
Authors: Touraine Philippe , Sagna Yempabou , Mattsson Anders F , Burman Pia , Van Beek André P , Carlsson Martin Ove , Aydin Ferah , Feldt-Rasmussen Ulla , Camacho-Hübner Cecilia
Published: July 2022

Objective

To analyze the effectiveness and safety of growth hormone (GH) replacement treatment in adult patients with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) and GH deficiency (GHD) enrolled in KIMS (Pfizer International Metabolic Database).

Patients and methods

Patients with LCH and GHD were studied at baseline and some of them after 1 year of GH treatment. The effectiveness of GH is presented as change after 1 year of treatment (mean, 95% CI). The LCH population was compared to two other groups of patients enrolled in KIMS, granulomatous and lymphocytic hypophysitis.

Results

At baseline, 81 adults with LCH (27 with childhood onset, 56% females), mean age at GHD onset of 29 (15) years were studied. Diabetes insipidus was diagnosed in 86% of patients. Analysis of 1 year of GH treatment was possible in 37 patients. One-year cross-sectional values for the GH dose were 0.39 (s.d.± 0.21) mg and −0.5 (−1.2 to 0.2) for insulin-like growth factor-1 s.d. Total cholesterol decreased 0.9 (−1.5 to −0.3 (mmol/L); P < 0.05); AGHDA-QoL-score (n = 20) was improved by 2.8 points (−5.6 to 0.0; P < 0.05), while mean BMI increased 0.6 ± 3 kg/m2 (95% CI: −0.2 to 1.4). All these effects did not differ from the two other groups after adjusting for age, gender, and baseline values. In 20 of 77 patients included in the safety analysis, 36 serious adverse events were reported during 435 patient-years (82.8/1000); no new safety signals were reported.

Conclusion

After 1 year of GH treatment in patients with LCH, metabolic variables and quality of life improved, with no new safety signals.
The Activity of Tadas Daugirdas in Warsaw (1877–1891): From a Painter to an Archaeologist
Authors: Raila Eligijus
Published: July 2022

Tadas Daugirdas actively participated in the National revival culture but later was forgotten. His work covered several areas of cultural and intellectual life including painting, archaeology, ethnology, museology, and publicist writing. Daugirdas contributed significantly to the creation of the national flag of Lithuania. The fourteen years, from 1877 to 1891, he spent in Warsaw had the great influence on his worldview. Living in Warsaw he maintained close relationship with such people as artist and art critic Stanisław Witkiewicz, doctor and ethnologist Władysław Matlakowski, archaeologists Adam Honory Kirkor, Dmitrij Samokvasov, and Gotfryd Ossowski; he also corresponded with Mečislovas Davainis-Silvestraitis on the issues of Lithuanianism. The Warsaw period determined his future activities which he developed after his return to Lithuania. He came to Warsaw as a painter and returned to his parents’ manor in Lithuania as an archaeologist and a promoter of folk art.
SOME ASPECTS OF THE INFLUENCE OF LUDWIG WITTGENSTEIN’S LOGICAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL TREATISE ON CORNELIUS CARDEW’S WORKS
Authors: VOLKOV Alexey , SYRBU MARINA
Published: July 2022

The article studies the influence of The Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus (Logical and Philosophical Treatise) by Ludwig Wittgenstein, an Austrian philosopher of the 20th century, on the works of an English composer Cornelius Cardew, who created a musical composition “Treatise”. The authors of the article show that Wittgenstein sought to fix the relationship between language and reality by defining the limits of science, and Cardew’s musical “Treatise” is a similar attempt to reveal the relationship between language and perception while defining the boundaries of music.
INTENTIONALITY, LIFE-WORLD, BEING-IN-THE-WORLD AS PHENOMENA OF EDUCATIONAL PRACTICE
Authors: VOLKOVA SVETLANA
Published: July 2022

The paper concentrates on the exploration of the philosophy and methodology of pedagogy with the special focus on the philosophical study of the “intentionality”, “life-world” and “being-in-the world”. The aim of this study is to highlight these phenomenological concepts and reveal the possibilities of phenomenology in the study of educational space through implanting them into the educational discourse. The author explores the everyday educational reality, as well as the meanings that this reality receives in the minds of the teacher and the student. The article also describes the multiple ways of understanding the space into which teachers and students are immersed. The hermeneutic phenomenology method used in the research helps to demonstrate how heuristic and productive the “life-world” concept is when it is applied for analyzing educational reality. At the end of the research the author concludes that the specificity of human existence lies in its “life-world” or “being-in-the world”. Therefore, the teacher and the student can be separated from each other by their own space-time, while the very “spatiality” of pedagogical relationships is discrete. In this regard, pedagogical encounters are possible only if they are based on some meaningful structures that form the basis of the students’ life-world.
CONCEPTUAL SPHERE OF MODERN TEXTBOOKS OF THE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE FOR FIFTH-GRADERS
Authors: Diachkova Irina , Nefedova Vlada
Published: July 2022

The paper deals with the implementation of the educational function of school textbooks of the Russian language for fifth-graders with the help of such conceptual spheres as “family”, “friendship”, “motherland”, “nature”, “culture”, “life”, as well as with using them as the foundation for the formation of the students’ linguocultural competence of students, stipulated by the Federal State Educational Standard. The article discusses the approaches of K. D. Ushinsky and A. A. Potebnya to the study of language, as well as the principle of nationality associated with the main concepts that form the worldview of schoolchildren. The author demonstrates the continuity of these views in the modern methodology of teaching native languages using the example of the linguoconceptocentric approach developed by N. L. Mishatina. The paper analyzes the role of conceptual spheres in educational literature and compares the approaches of different authors and compilers of teaching materials. The author examines three textbooks (edited by E. A. Bystrova, M. M. Razumovskaya, and P. A. Lekant and A. D. Shmelev) included into the federally approved list of textbooks for Russian fifth-graders. The conclusion is that the most extensive range of concepts is presented in the textbook edited by A. D. Shmelev. Therefore, this book exercises its educational and formative function to a greater extent through such categories as good, evil, truth, conscience, love, etc. The paper proposes a number of teaching activities involving the concepts of “family”, “friendship”, “homeland”, “morality”, “culture”, “nature”, and “life”.
Intravenous Dexamethasone as Prophylaxis Against Laryngeal Edema Associated with Changes in Sound Quality in Patients Undergoing Total Thyroidectomy
Authors: Putra Eduardus Gilang , Abdurahman Maman , Rizki Kiki Ahmad
Published: July 2022

Thyroidectomy is a relatively safe surgical procedure for thyroid gland removal with a with mortality and morbidity rates of less than 2–3%. Complication in the form of sound changes often goes unnoticed in post-thyroid patients despite its high incidence rate, i.e., 87% of all surgical cases. Laryngeal edema as the underlying cause can be triggered by intubation or extubation during anesthesia; malfunction of the strap muscles; surgery that directly causes injury to the superior laryngeal nerve; and recurrent laryngeal nerve injuries. Several studies on the use of dexamethasone to prevent or reduce laryngeal edema that occurs after thyroidectomy have been conducted with controversial results. This study was conducted to solve this controversy. This was a double-blind randomized prospective study on thyroid tumors patients who underwent thyroidectomy at Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital Bandung, Indonesia, from December 2020 to May 2021. This study evaluated dexamethasone effects on the patient’s sound changes using the Sound Handicap Index (VHI) questionnaire before surgery, day 1 after the surgery, and day 7 after the surgery. Analysis showed that the VHI significantly decreased on day 1 (p<0.01) and on day 7 (p<0.01), and the difference between the VHI on day 1 (D-1) and day 7 (D-7) was significant (p<0.01). When analyzed using the bivariate analysis, no statistically significant difference was found between the VHI variable before surgery, D-1, and D-7and VHI H7 in the group of patients using dexamethasone and without dexamethasone. Dexamethasone administration has no significant effect on laryngeal edema associated with changes in sound quality.
Profile and Frequency of One Hundred Ankle Osteoarthritis Cases in an Indonesian Tertiary Hospital
Authors: Ibrahim Muhammad Farhan , Wahyudi Kurnia , Primadhi Raden Andri
Published: July 2022

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common cases in orthopedics and traumatology clinic. Ankle osteoarthritis is less common than osteoarthritis of hip and knee. Limited data and literature resulted in suboptimal treatment strategy. The purpose of this study was to describe the profile and frequency of ankle osteoarthritis at Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital Bandung, a tertiary referral hospital in Indonesia. A cross-sectional descriptive observational study was conducted on all patients diagnosed with ankle osteoarthritis enrolled in the medical record database at Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital Bandung, Indonesia in November 2020–November 2021. Results showed that the majority of the patients were female (52%), aged ≥60 years old (44%), graduated from senior high school education (56%), and housewives (30%). The 100 patients were proportionally distributed with most of them were categorized as suffering from secondary osteoarthritis with post-trauma predominance. From the perspective of body mass index, 85% patients were classified as above normal. As many as 76% of patients presented to the hospital in an advanced stage. With the high rate of posttraumatic ankle osteoarthritis, concerns should be given more to the ankle trauma management, as well as to the population with high body mass index. Increased health promotion for general population and health care providers is also needed to reduce the tendency of late presentation at the health care facility.
Protein and Phosphate Intakes are Associated with Hyperphosphatemia in Hemodialysis Patients at Sanglah Hospital, Bali, Indonesia
Authors: Duarsa Made Dyah Vismita Indramila , Kandarini Yenny , Mahadita Gede Wira , Sari Ni Nyoman Shinta Prasista
Published: July 2022

Increased chronic kidney disease (CKD) mortality rate is significantly associated with increased blood phosphate levels. Hyperphosphatemia control is one of the main focuses in the management of hemodialysis (HD) patients. A high protein diet has been suggested to prevent malnutrition in hemodialysis patients. However, a high protein and phosphorus diet has the risk of increasing the phosphate level in the blood circulation, leading to a higher mortality rate of hemodialysis patients. This study aimed to prove that the level of protein and phosphate intake is associated with hyperphosphatemia in CKD patients with routine HD. This was cross-sectional analytical study conducted from September to October 2020 on 66 CKD patients who underwent hemodialysis. Subject characteristics and phosphorus and protein intake data were obtained from a questionnaire food recall adapted from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Data consumption patterns were processed using the nutritional survey software to obtain the nutritional values. Data were analyzed using the Chi-Square test to identify the relationship and risk between hyperphosphatemia and diet protein, phosphorus, and protein-phosphorus ratio. The confidence level in this study was 95%. There was a significant relationship between protein and phosphorus intake in hyperphosphatemia in CKD patients. The risk factors for hyperphosphatemia were high phosphorus intake (p=0.018; OR=3.886;95% CI: 1.212–12.460) and adequate protein intake (p=0.035; OR=3.674; 95% CI: 1.049-12.865). This study showed no significant relationship between phosphorus-protein ratio, protein-phosphorus ratio, and hyperphosphatemia incidence. In conclusion, high protein intake and excessive phosphorus intake provide a significant relationship to the incidence of hyperphosphatemia in CKD patients undergoing routine hemodialysis.
ВОЄННІ ЗАГРОЗИ ГЛОБАЛЬНІЙ ПРОДОВОЛЬЧІЙ БЕЗПЕЦІ ТА ПЕРШІ МІЖНАРОДНІ РЕАКЦІЇ ЩОДО ПОДОЛАННЯ ЇХ НАСЛІДКІВ: ПОЛІТЕКОНОМІЧНИЙ ЗРІЗ
Authors: БОРОДІНА Олена
Published: July 2022

Розкрито критичність ситуації на глобальних продовольчих ринках на фоні низки потрясінь останніх років, що супроводжувалися поступовим зростанням у світі кількості тих, хто голодують. Загарбницька війна Росії та її цілеспрямовані атаки на українську інфраструктуру сільського господарства знищили можливості для подолання глобальних продовольчих шоків довоєнного періоду.
Воєнна агресія додала два нових руйнівних чинника. По-перше, війна одночасно блокує ринки сільськогосподарських сировинних товарів і кінцевої сільськогосподарської продукції. По-друге, війна суттєво впливає на ринки основних ресурсів для сільськогосподарського виробництва. Такі ринкові потрясіння викликають різні реакції та ринкові відповіді в розвинутих країнах і країнах з низьким і середнім рівнями доходів. Ситуація з продовольством набирає політичного характеру: підвищення цін на продукти харчування вже негативно вплинуло на політичні процеси в деяких країнах світу; посилюється роль локальних продовольчих систем.
Наведено результати оцінок (станом на початок війни) ФАО факторів ризику і прогнозів впливу воєнної агресії на глобальну продовольчу безпеку, узагальнено рекомендації міжнародних організацій щодо подолання кризи. Зазначено, що перспективи управління продовольчою безпекою на глобальному рівні не є тільки негативними. Війна посилює структурну нерівність і нестабільність глобальних агропродовольчих ланцюгів та ринків ресурсів для сільського господарства, але при цьому демонструє стійкість територіально вбудованих систем харчування й адекватність відповідей на воєнні виклики від малих фермерів, селян та їх спільнот на основі солідарності.
“ELSA SPEAK” IN AN ONLINE PRONUNCIATION CLASS: STUDENTS’ VOICES
Authors: Yosintha Rolisda , Rekha Agnira
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACTDeveloping productive skills such as pronunciation requires more than just comprehension. Students should have ample opportunities to practice their knowledge. With the strike of Covid-19 that has abruptly shifted learning from offline to an online setting, lecturers have tried to employ technologies such as Elsa Speak in teaching pronunciation online. With the rising popularity of this application, there should be a study investigating how the students perceive Elsa Speak in online pronunciation learning. To do so, this present study employed a mixed-method approach to know the attitudes of 112 English Department students toward Elsa Speak used in their online pronunciation class. Through an analysis of data collected from questionnaires and interviews, the study found that most participants had a positive attitude toward Elsa Speak concerning its use in their online pronunciation class. Even though there were some negative comments from the participants, the benefits outweighed the downside. To make the integration of Elsa Speak into online pronunciation learning more accommodating to students’ needs, lecturers could take some pedagogical measures, such as supplementing the materials provided by Elsa Speak with those from other resources, increasing their involvement during the learning process, and promoting collaborative activities. ABSTRAKMengembangkan keterampilan produktif seperti pengucapan membutuhkan lebih dari sekedar pemahaman. Siswa harus diberi banyak kesempatan untuk mempraktikkan pengetahuan mereka. Dengan adanya wabah Covid-19 yang mengubah sistem pembelajaran dari luring ke daring, dosen menggunakan teknologi seperti Elsa Speak dalam mengajar mata kuliah pengucapan secara daring. Dengan meningkatnya popularitas dari aplikasi ini, harus ada penelitian yang menyelidiki bagaimana persepsi siswa tentang Elsa Speak dalam pembelajaran pengucapan secara daring. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan metode campuran untuk mengetahui sikap 112 mahasiswa Jurusan Bahasa Inggris terhadap Elsa Speak yang digunakan di kelas pengucapan daring mereka. Melalui analisis data yang dikumpulkan dari kuesioner dan wawancara, peneliti menemukan bahwa sebagian besar mahasiswa memiliki sikap positif terhadap Elsa Speak terkait penggunaannya di kelas mereka. Meskipun terdapat beberapa komentar negatif dari partisipan, manfaat Elsa Speak lebih besar daripada kerugian yang ditimbulkan. Supaya integrasi Elsa Speak ke dalam pembelajaran pengucapan secara daring lebih mengakomodasi kebutuhan mahasiswa, dosen dapat mengambil beberapa langkah pedagogis, seperti menggunakan materi tambahan untuk memberi variasi terhadap materi yang disediakan oleh Elsa Speak, meningkatkan keterlibatan dosen selama proses pembelajaran, dan mengimplementasikan kegiatan pembelajaran yang kolaboratif.
The Emerge of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Gene from Blood Sample of Tuberculosis Conversion Phase Treatment Patient Using PCR which Staining Evaluation has Not Detected in Janti Public Health Center
Authors: Sitepu Rehmadanta , Dwijayanti Fira , Yoedistira Chresiani D.
Published: July 2022

The conversion phase in tuberculosis treatment examines patients to ensure the possibility of further advancement. Despite its low specificity, microscopic evaluation is a standard method at public health centers. Moreover, the biased results from this method form a new problem related to multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Molecular approaches are known for their high specificity and accuracy in microbial identification. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the specificity and sensitivity of molecular and microscopic methods. The sample used was 17 blood of tuberculosis patients in the conversion phase accompanied by one positive and negative control collected from October to November 2020. The DNA sequence was 16s RNA with forwarding ACT GAG ATA CGG CCC AGA CT and reverse primer TCA CGA ACA ACG CGA CAA AC. Furthermore, the research was conducted by optimizing variations in the number of cycles, temperature melting (Tm), and template DNA concentration. The results showed 279 bp length of PCR product, under the optimum conditions under 35 cycles, Tm of 60˚C, and template DNA concentration of 5 µmol. The PCR result identified that 2 of 17 samples contain positive Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Meanwhile, none was positive on microscopic evaluation. Therefore, there are different results between microscopic and molecular methods.
Comparison of Aromatherapy Effect of Lavender and Rosemary to Stress in Adults
Authors: Maharianingsih Ni Made , Ariasanti Ni Made W.
Published: July 2022

Stress is a change condition caused by severe demands, and it occurs at all ages, depending on responsibility as adults. Furthermore, lavender and rosemary aromatherapy can be used to alleviate the effects. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effectiveness of lavender and rosemary aromatherapy in managing stress in adults. This was a quasi-experimental two-group pre-post test design study conducted in May 2021. A total of 70 adult subjects were selected through purposive sampling, divided into two groups: one receiving lavender and the other rosemary aromatherapy interventions for 7 days. The stress level was measured by the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale 42 (DASS-42) questionnaire. The results showed average stress before the administration of lavender on the subjects from the first group to be 23.5, after which it was observed to decrease by 8.97%, 18.90%, and 34.14% on the third, fifth, and seventh day, respectively. Meanwhile, in the second group, the average stress before the given intervention of rosemary aromatherapy was 22.14, which was observed to decrease by 12.91%, 25.36%, and 51.14% on the third, fifth, and seventh day, respectively. The Mann-Whitney U test showed a higher reduction in stress levels (p=0.000) after using rosemary aromatherapy. It is concluded that rosemary aromatherapy is more effective (p=0.000) in reducing stress in adults than in lavender.
Potential Drug-Drug Interaction in the Intensive Care Unit: An Observational Study at a Hospital in Bandung
Authors: Pradipta Ivan S. , Pratama Dimo , Khatami Hanifahzin , Sanggelorang Julisiana
Published: July 2022

The hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is at the forefront of treating emergency patients requiring intensive care. The comprehensive, fast, and accurate medication in the unit causes the incidence of drug-drug interactions (DDI’s) and can lead to therapeutic failures in patients. Therefore, this study aimed to describe potential (DDIs) in the ICU of a hospital in Bandung. A descriptive observational study was performed in a hospital in Bandung from 1st to 31st March 2021. The drug use report observed the use of medics in the ICU. Furthermore, the potential DDI’s were identified using a drug interaction checker. It was validated using the textbook and another reputable checker. There are twenty-one types of drugs commonly used in the study setting, and the analysis showed twenty-two potential DDI’s. The interaction consists of three significant DDI’s, including dexamethasone-levofloxacin, phenytoin-nicardipine, and phenytoin-nimodipine, while the others are moderate. The majority of them generally affect the blood pressure and nervous system. Health care providers should observe the high incidence of DDI’s when selecting and monitoring drugs in the ICU. Further study is needed to explore the potential of other drugs that can minimize the interaction effect. Therefore, it is expected to improve ICU patients’ safety in adverse drug reaction situations.
Predictors of Tolvaptan Response as a Therapy Optimization Strategy in Heart Failure Patients: A Narrative Review
Authors: Risni Hindun W. , Sauriasari Rani , Satifa Oriza
Published: July 2022

Heart failure (HF) is an end-stage condition of all heart disease and is associated with significant mortality, morbidity, and health expenses. Tolvaptan, a V2 receptor antagonist, is being used in many countries as an adjunct to the diuretic therapy of HF. Although it has been proven effective and safe, some patients do not respond well to the medication. Since there are indications that a specific population can achieve this therapy’s optimal effect, it is essential to identify responders and predictors to develop individual treatment plans. Therefore, this study provides an overview of the effect of tolvaptan and predictors of response that can be used as a strategy in optimizing the treatment of HF. The article searching process was conducted through PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus, including predictors, heart failure, and tolvaptan. The predictors identified in the study were urine osmolality, U-AQP2/PAVP, age, serum creatinine, BUN, BUN/Cr, UUN/BUN, UNa/UCr, BNP, AVP/PAC, CKD, HFpEF, and echocardiographic parameters. The variation in results is caused by differences in response definition, patient characteristics, and the types of variables analyzed. Implementing some of these predictors in countries with inadequate hospital facilities and health insurance coverage is complicated. Therefore, the use of response predictors, at any rate, is expected to assist health professionals in considering the risks and benefits of HF therapy.
Effectiveness and Safety of Baricitinib as a Covid-19 Drug Candidate: A Systematic Review
Authors: Rahayu Yayuk S. , Anggriani Andi , Habibie Habibie , Wahyudin Elly , Bahar Muhammad A
Published: July 2022

Baricitinib is an approved selective JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor that can potentially inhibit IL-6 as the primary driver of COVID-19-related cytokine storm syndrome. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of baricitinib therapy in COVID-19 patients. It was reported following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The search for eligible articles reporting the efficacy and safety of baricitinib on COVID-19 patients, published up to May 2021, was conducted using PubMed and Embase. The research protocol was registered at PROSPERO (CDR42021235282), and data were presented in a metasynthetic (descriptive) manner. Out of 878 identified articles, seven were eligible and consisted of three randomized clinical trials, one quasi-experimental study, two before-after (pre-post) studies, and one cross-sectional study. The articles suggested that baricitinib could improve the clinical conditions of COVID-19 patients indicated by negative PCR test results, improve breathing quality, and decrease: ICU requirements, length of hospital stay, as well as the risk of death. The trial studies showed that this inhibitor works better with a loading dose of 8 mg, continued with 4 mg daily. Baricitinib could also produce synergistic effects with standard therapy such as corticosteroid and remdesivir. Therefore, it is a promising candidate therapy for COVID-19 patients, but since the number and methodological quality of the studies are low, further and better research is needed to ascertain its potential use on COVID-19.
A Chronicle of Hybrid Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Therapy: From Cox Maze to Convergent
Authors: Kaba Riyaz A , Ahmed Omar , Behr Elijah , Momin Aziz
Published: July 2022

The burden of AF is increasing in prevalence and healthcare resource usage in the UK and worldwide. It can result in impaired quality of life for affected patients, as well as increased risk of stroke, heart failure and mortality. A holistic, integrated approach to AF management is recommended, which may include a focus on reducing risk factors and on medical management with anticoagulation and anti-arrhythmic drugs. There are also various ablation strategies that may be considered when anti-arrhythmic drugs fail to alleviate symptoms and reduce AF burden. These ablation techniques range from standalone percutaneous endocardial catheter ablation to open surgical ablation procedures concomitant with cardiac surgery. More recently, hybrid ablation that combines aspects of both surgical and electrophysiologically targeted ablation has been described. This article reviews the evolution of ablation strategies, beginning with the origin of the Cox maze IV procedure and continuing to the recent hybrid convergent approach, and provides a summary of the associated outcomes.
Best Practices in Pharmacotherapy for Acute Coronary Syndromes
Authors: Barcelona Robert
Published: July 2022

Numerous advances have been made in the therapy of acute coronary syndromes. Despite these advances, acute coronary syndromes still cause significant morbidity and mortality. Decisions as to the best therapy vary depending on other patient factors, such as age, need for chronic anticoagulation, tolerability of medications, and the degree of myocardial damage. Recent evidence suggests that a shorter duration of therapy may be beneficial in decreasing bleeding events without compromising benefits of preventing ischemic complications. For those who have an indication for chronic anticoagulation, less intensive therapy may also be beneficial, again without increasing ischemic complications. Data regarding agents that inhibit the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system are available and these data are reviewed. Knowledge of the pharmacology, potency, and pharmacokinetics of drugs, as well as adverse drug events, may direct clinicians in choosing the optimal pharmacotherapy strategy for their patients.
Propuesta metodológica para la investigación cualitativa sobre la memoria migratoria de las mujeres migrantes
Authors: Arroyo Barrantes Daniela , Jimenez Elizondo Nicol María
Published: July 2022

En este documento se presenta una propuesta metodológica diseñada y desarrollada para la investigación de la memoria histórica y la experiencia migratoria de mujeres migrantes, con particular interés en el estudio de las mujeres migrantes nicaragüenses en Costa Rica.  Se discuten el problema y contexto de investigación, el enfoque propuesto, su diseño, fuentes de información e instrumentos sugeridos, así como los instrumentos de análisis e interpretación. El propósito de esta propuesta es servir como un fascículo guía para la elaboración de esta modalidad de investigación, y ofrecer instrumentos prácticos para su ejecución.
Producción de brotes en pitahaya (Hylocereus sp.) cultivada en Guanacaste, Costa Rica: relación con variables climáticas
Authors: Monge Pérez José Eladio , Loría Coto Michelle
Published: July 2022

El objetivo fue evaluar la relación entre la producción de brotes en pitahaya (Hylocereus sp.) y las variables climáticas.  El ensayo se realizó en Santa Cruz, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, de enero 2017 a noviembre 2019.  Las variables evaluadas fueron:  número de brotes vegetativos (NBV), número de brotes reproductivos (NBR), precipitación pluvial (P, en mm), humedad relativa (HR, en %), temperatura promedio (Tp, en °C), temperatura máxima (Tmáx, en °C), temperatura mínima (Tmín, en °C), velocidad del viento (VV, en m/s); y radiación global (RG, en MJ/m2).  Se obtuvieron las correlaciones de Spearman entre todas las variables, excepto NBR.  NBV no obtuvo correlaciones significativas con ninguna de las otras variables; sin embargo, sí se obtuvieron correlaciones significativas de NBV con las variables climáticas que se presentaron en meses previos a la brotación.  La producción de brotes vegetativos no presentó un patrón definido a lo largo del período evaluado, mientras que la producción de brotes reproductivos ocurrió únicamente en el año 2019, en la etapa inicial de la temporada lluviosa.  En el momento de la producción de brotes reproductivos, las plantas no mostraron producción de brotes vegetativos.
Funcionalización de nanocelulosa de raquis de palma como adsorbente de cationes metálicos del agua
Authors: Jirón García Eddy Gabriel , Rodríguez Mora Karina María
Published: July 2022

Se obtuvo nanocelulosa de raquis de palma africana (NC) por medio de la combinación de método químico de explosión y ruptura mecánica. La NC fue funcionalizada con ácido cólico (NC-AC) y con trietoxi(octil)silano (NC-TEOS) para determinar su capacidad de adsorción de iones As3+ del agua. Las nanocelulosas funcionalizadas fueron caracterizadas por espectroscopia infrarroja, análisis termogravimétrico, microscopía electrónica de barrido y microscopía electrónica de transmisión. El arsénico fue medido por absorción UV siguiendo el método de azul de molibdeno. La NC obtenida fue fibrilar con un tamaño de 19 – 24 nm con la cual se consiguió una funcionalización de 25,96 % para la NC-AC y de 20,50 % para la NC-TEOS. Las pruebas de adsorción mostraron una remoción del 63,6 % de los iones As3+ del agua utilizando NC-AC y de 22,6 % utilizando NC-TEOS como adsorbentes respectivamente, colocando la NC-AC como un potencial material de adsorción de iones As3+ del agua.
Reconocimiento de las dinámicas interculturales como base para los estudios multiculturales
Authors: Arley Fonseca Mauricio
Published: July 2022

La dinámica moderna, con su constante actualización tecnológica y un mercado libre donde se inscriben novedosos productos comerciales, más otras manifestaciones, coloca a los estudios multiculturales ante un sistema abierto y dinámico, al que debe seguir desde múltiples ópticas disciplinarias. Pero el acercamiento ha de realizarse desde una interculturalidad y no una impostura incultural.

En esta propuesta de lectura sugerimos la importancia de construir los textos interculturales a partir de la posibilidad de articular distintas bases de producción: casas, petroglifos, tatuajes, vasijas, tejidos, máscaras, tradiciones orales, materiales impresos, entre otros.

La lectura cultural no debe ser lineal, sino que los pasos algorítmicos deben saltar entre un punto del sistema semiótico a otro, para que de este modo opere una dinámica conectiva entre puntos dispersos.

Además, este estudio interroga sobre la evolución del lenguaje, que ha sido transformado por imposiciones colonialistas, comerciales, bélicas, etc. Y, por otro lado, estudiar las manifestaciones culturales contemporáneas implica tomar consciencia de la importancia de considerar distintos ejes epistemológicos para acercarse a los objetos de estudio, los cuales cada vez son más cambiantes.

Finalmente, esta lectura parte de una selección de muestras literarias que nos permitirán interrogarnos acerca de qué entendemos por leer y cómo podemos ir construyendo bases sólidas a partir de nuestro principal recurso: la memoria. Por esto, vale ser fieles a nuestros nombres y mirar atrás para tomar consciencia del piso que está bajo nuestros pies.
Valorisation of whey for fermented beverage production using functional starter yeast
Authors: Priyanka  , Bhushan K. , Kocher G.S.
Published: July 2022

Indigenous yeast strains Kluyveromyces marxianus (MH6), K. marxianus (CH1), and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (C1) were screened for whey beverage production. K. marxianus (MH6) showed significantly higher (P < 0.05) fermentation efficiency (15.2%) as compare to other yeast strains. The conditions optimised for whey fermentation were 16 Brix, pH 5.5, 28 °C, and 72 h without agitation. For fermented whey beverage production, fruits viz., kinnow (Daizy), guava (Allahabad safeda), and mango (Safeda) were blended with whey at different ratios viz., 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, and 50:50. All ratios showed significant differences for biochemical and sensory analysis (P < 0.05), out of which ratios 60:40, 70:30, and 60:40 for whey kinnow, whey mango, and whey guava, respectively, were selected. To enhance the flavour of whey beverage, flavouring agents (cinnamon, cardamom, fennel seeds, and apple essence) were added. A panel of judges assessed all whey beverages on a hedonic scale basis, and cardamom whey guava beverage received the highest score of 8.16. The whey beverages were stored under refrigerated conditions after pasteurisation, and the shelf life was assessed to be 15 days. This study conferred that K. marxianus held the potential for fermented whey fruit blend beverages production and these beverages could be an alternative healthy refreshing substitute for synthetic bottled fruit beverages.
Protective effects of green tea on blood and liver of rats fed with high fructose diet
Authors: Gubur S. , Ercan A. , Coskun Yazici Z.M.
Published: July 2022

This study was designed to investigate the effects of green tea on lipid profile, liver tissue damage, and oxidative stress in rats fed a diet including high fructose. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: Control (C), Fructose (F), Green Tea (GT), and F+GT. F and F+GT groups were given 20% fructose in the drinking water for eight weeks. Green tea (2 mg kg−1) was administrated to GT and F+GT groups by oral gavage for eight weeks. Biochemical parameters in serum and oxidative stress markers in the liver were analysed. The liver sections were stained with haematoxylin-eosin. As of the 3rd week of the experiment, the body weight of rats in the F group showed a statistically significant increase in comparison with the F+GT group. The serum glucose and triglyceride levels of the F+GT group significantly decreased when compared with the F group. The fructose-induced degenerative changes in the liver were reduced with green tea. Green tea may serve a protective role against hyperlipidaemia and liver injury in rats fed a high fructose diet.
A Note on Common Nuclear Köthe Subspaces and Quotients
Authors: Taştüner Emre , Yurdakul Murat Hayrettin
Published: July 2022

Let E, G be Fréchet spaces and F be a complete locally convex space. It is observed that the existence of a continuous linear not almost bounded operator T on E into F factoring through G causes the existence of a common nuclear Köthe subspace of the triple (E, G, F). If, in addition, F has the property (y), then (E, G, F) has a common nuclear Köthe quotient.
Validating scales for the early development of writing proficiency
Authors: Bundsgaard Jeppe , Kabel Kristine , Bremholm Jesper
Published: July 2022

This paper aims to validate scales for the early development of writing proficiency based on a framework used to linguistically describe multiple dimensions of writing development in 6–9 year-old Danish-speaking students and to lay the statistical foundation for empirically describing proficiency levels in emergent writers. The analysis is based on the Rasch model and was conducted on texts (n = 803) written by Year 0–2 students using the computer app WriteReader. The paper introduces both the model and the theory behind it, including the rationale for using this model, and it presents the main analytical steps taken and decisions made in the study, which is part of the large-scale Danish research project entitled Teaching Platform for Developing and Automatically Tracking Early Stage Literacy Skills (ATEL, 2018–2023). The results show that it is possible to identify detailed levels of early writing development in four dimensions: 1) text construction, 2) sentence construction, 3) verbals, and 4) modifiers.