bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacognostical characterization and formulation of herbal-based low-cost mosquito repellents from Elettaria cardamomum (Linn.) seed by using natural binder
Authors: Das Rajat , Pal Prosanta , Bhutia Sonam
Published: January 2021

Background

In the present scenario, the markets are flooded with chemical-based mosquito repellent products that are proven to be toxic to the human life especially to the children and quite expensive in term of cost. This present investigation was attempted to evaluate the complete pharmacognostical characteristics of Elettaria cardamomum (Linn.) seed and to formulate eco-friendly and cost-effective herbal mosquito repellents of the seed powder by using a natural binder.

Results

The results of microscopic study of seed confirmed the presence of perisperm, embryo, endosperm and testa (Figs. 4, 5 and 6). The extractive values, moisture contents and ash values were also analysed and found to be alcoholic extract, 4.88% w/w; water extract, 40% w/w; moisture content, 8.6%; total ash, 5% w/w; acid insoluble ash, 1.5% w/w; and water soluble ash, 3.5% w/w (summarized in Tables 1, 2 and 3). From the mosquito repellency test (Table 6), the combination of cardamom seed cake was done with cardamom powder 3/2 + 1/4 spoons, wood powder 3 spoons and chilli powder 1/4 spoon which showed low residual percentage of 15.05%, no irritation and an average burning time of 65 min. The formulated herbal-based mosquito repellents were found to be more effective without any side effects and found less cost too.

Conclusion

All the ingredients used in the formulation were herbal based and has no side effect on human health. The cost of the cake was Rs. 11.332/- and it can be considered as good mosquito repellent cakes because of its consistent burning ability with no irritating smoke and low residual percentage and high mosquito repellent ability. By utilizing this concept, the researchers can develop herbal, eco-friendly and cost-effective mosquito repellents in future.
Anticancer studies on methanolic extract of aerial parts of Uraria Picta (Jacq.) DC
Authors: Chhipa Abu Sufiyan , Baksi Ruma , Nivsarkar Manish
Published: January 2021

Background

Uraria picta (Jacq.) DC is a traditional Indian herb used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. It is an ingredient of the popular Ayurvedic formulation “Dasamoola.” It is also traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory herb in Ayurveda. The plant also has excellent antioxidant potential. Different parts of Uraria picta are useful and have diverse medicinal properties. The present investigation was done to evaluate the anticancer activity of methanolic extract of aerial parts of Uraria picta (Jacq.).

Results

Preliminary phytochemical screening of MEUP confirmed the presence of flavonoids, phenolics, glycosides, and tannins. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents in MEUP were found to be 14.6 gram equivalent of gallic acid and 0.735 gram equivalent of catechin, respectively. IC50 values of cisplatin and MEUP were found to be 8.75 μg/ml and 436.92 μg/ml, respectively. Induction of apoptosis was evident from DAPI staining showing a dose-dependent increase in apoptosis. Also, a reduction in intracellular ROS was evident from the DCFH-da assay, where a dose-dependent decrease in intracellular ROS (fluorescence) was observed. Significant reduction (P < 0.05) in tumor volume was observed in mice receiving cisplatin and MEUP at both dose levels.

Conclusion

The methanolic extract of aerial parts of Uraria picta (Jacq.) DC is effective in inhibiting tumor growth and has significant anticancer property.
Evaluation of the anti-bacterial activity of methanolic extract of Chlorella vulgaris Beyerinck [Beijerinck] with special reference to antioxidant modulation
Authors: Pradhan Biswajita , Patra Srimanta , Dash Soumya Ranjan , Nayak Rabindra , Behera Chhandashree , Jena Mrutyunjay
Published: January 2021

Background

The natural antioxidants from Chlorella have potent therapeutic implication in several diseases. However, the anti-bacterial activity and their molecular mode of action have not been investigated yet. The present study focussed on the assessment of antioxidant potential as well as free radical scavenging activity such as DPPH, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide, and superoxide anion radical assay of Chlorella vulgaris Beyerinck [Beijerinck] (BUACC25) isolated from marine habitat. Furthermore, the anti-bacterial activity and their molecular mode of action have been evaluated.

Results

In the present study, the preliminary phytochemical screening of methanolic algal extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, proteins, terpenoids, saponins, coumarin, phenols, and tannins, which was confirmed by in an UV-visible and FT-IR spectroscopy, indicated the distinct spectral peaks. The methanolic algal extract was found to be rich in phenolic content (45 ± 0.06 mg GAE g−1) and flavonoid content (470 ± 0.25 mg of RUE g−1). Furthermore, the methanolic extract was revealed potent antioxidant scavenging activity to scavenge various free radicals with minimum IC50 values of DPPH, hydroxyl, H2O2, superoxide 2.82 ± 0.30, 2.30 ± 0.25, 3.24 ± 0.32, and 3.15 ± 0.02 μg ml−1 respectively. Furthermore, the methanolic extract of C. vulgaris exhibited potent anti-bacterial activity which was evident with the reduction in cfu × 107/ml and % of cell viability. Mechanistically, reduction of SOD, CAT, and GSH activity provoked ROS-mediated cell death after drug treatment. Moreover, in combination with norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin, methanolic extract of C. vulgaris demonstrated enhanced anti-bacterial activity with an evident reduction in cfu/ml and % of cell viability.

Conclusion

This study advocates that C. vulgaris (BUACC25) has promising antioxidant activity owing to the presence of phenolic and flavonoids evidenced by scavenging of DPPH, hydroxyl, H2O2, and superoxide radicals. In addition to this, it sustained anti-microbial activity against E. coli through modulation of SOD, CAT, and GSH. This study carved a path for uncovering a better therapeutic agent against disease-causing bacterial pathogens.
Screening and Preventative Strategies for Patients at High Risk for Breast Cancer
Authors: Ter-Minassian Monica , Schaeffer Marcy L. , Jefferson Celeena R. , Shapiro Stacey C. , Suwannarat Pim , Visvanathan Kala
Published: January 2021

PURPOSE:

Current US guidelines recommend more intensive breast cancer screening and preventive strategies for patients at more than 20% lifetime risk for breast and ovarian cancer (high risk for breast and ovarian cancer [HRBOC]). Guidelines recommend that yearly mammograms alternating with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) screening should be considered as early as 30 years old. Furthermore, BRCA mutation carriers should consider bilateral mastectomy and bilateral oophorectomy after age 35. It was unclear what the uptake of screening and risk-reducing strategies were for patients who were cancer-free and cancer survivors seen by Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States (KPMAS) Genetics.

METHODS:

We retrospectively studied female patients (members of KPMAS between 2005 and 2016) diagnosed as HRBOC and/or tested for breast cancer-related mutations by KPMAS Genetics during 2013-2016. We identified cancer diagnoses, mammogram and breast MRI screening, mastectomies, and oophorectomies that occurred before and after the Genetics visit during the study period.

RESULTS:

Our cohort included 813 women with a HRBOC diagnosis, with a median 51 years of age at diagnosis, 45% White, 38% Black, and 15% other ethnicity. Most cancers occurred prior to the Genetics visit: 513/527 breast cancer diagnoses and 55/57 ovarian cancer diagnoses. Fewer than five prophylactic mastectomies and 89 prophylactic oophorectomies were identified. Among 228 patients who were 30-75 years old, breast cancer–free at the time of HRBOC diagnosis, and members for over 6 months, 190 (83%) had at least one screening test (mammogram or MRI) after the consultation with Genetic, but 79% never had an MRI before or after the consultation.

CONCLUSION:

Our findings suggest that earlier detection of patients with HRBOC and closer monitoring is needed.
Disparities in Characteristics, Access to Care, and Oncologic Outcomes in Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer at a Safety-Net Hospital
Authors: Fangman Benjamin D. , Goksu Suleyman Y. , Chowattukunnel Nivan , Beg Muhammad S. , Sanford Nina N. , Sanjeevaiah Aravind , Cox John , Folkert Michael R. , Aguilera Todd A. , Mathews Joselin , Pogacnik Javier Salgado , Khatri Gaurav , Olson Craig , Polanco Patricio M. , Verma Udit , Hsiehchen David , Jones Amy , Kainthla Radhika , Kazmi Syed M.
Published: January 2021

PURPOSE:

Young-onset colorectal cancer is an emerging cause of significant morbidity and mortality globally. Despite this, limited data exist regarding clinical characteristics and outcomes, particularly in safety-net populations where access to care is limited. We aimed to study disparities in clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with young-onset colorectal cancer in the safety-net setting.

METHODS:

We performed a retrospective review of patients < 50 years old diagnosed and/or treated for colorectal cancer between 2001 and 2017 at a safety-net hospital. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression models were constructed to compare overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and relapse-free survival (RFS) by race and ethnicity, stratifying for relevant clinical and pathologic factors.

RESULTS:

A total of 395 young-onset patients diagnosed at a safety-net hospital were identified and 270 were included in the analysis (49.6% Hispanic, 25.9% non-Hispanic Black, 20.0% non-Hispanic White, and 4.4% other). Non-Hispanic White race was independently associated with worse OS (hazzard ratio [HR], 0.53; 95% CI, 0.29 to 0.97), as were lack of insurance, higher clinical stage, and mismatch repair proficiency. There was no significant difference seen in PFS or RFS between racial and ethnic groups.

CONCLUSION:

Non-Hispanic White race or ethnicity was found to be independently associated with worse OS in a safety-net population of patients with young-onset colorectal cancer. Other independent predictors of worse OS include higher stage, lack of insurance, and mismatch repair proficiency.
Latency of mechanically stimulated escape responses in the Pacific spiny dogfish, Squalus suckleyi
Authors: Schakmann Mathias , Becker Victoria , Søgaard Mathias , Johansen Jacob L. , Steffensen John F. , Domenici Paolo
Published: January 2021

Fast escape responses to a predator threat are fundamental to the survival of mobile marine organisms. However, elasmobranchs are often underrepresented in such studies. Here, we measured the escape latency (time interval between the stimulus and first visible reaction) of mechanically induced escape responses in the Pacific spiny dogfish, Squalus suckleyi, and in two teleosts from the same region, the great sculpin, Myoxocephalus polyacanthocephalus, and the pile perch, Rhacochilus vacca. We found that the dogfish had a longer minimum latency (66.7 ms) compared with that for the great sculpin (20.8 ms) and pile perch (16.7 ms). Furthermore, the dogfish had a longer latency than that of 48 different teleosts identified from 35 different studies. We suggest such long latencies in dogfish may be due to the absence of Mauthner cells, the giant neurons that control fast escape responses in fishes.
Motion parallax via head movements modulates visuo-motor control in pigeons
Authors: Hataji Yuya , Kuroshima Hika , Fujita Kazuo
Published: January 2021

Although it has been proposed that birds acquire visual depth cues through dynamic head movements, behavioral evidence on how birds use motion parallax depth cues caused by self-motion is lacking. This study investigated whether self-generated motion parallax modulates pecking motor control and visual size perception in pigeons (Columba livia). We trained pigeons to peck a target on a touch monitor and to classify it as small or large. To manipulate motion parallax of the target, we changed the target position on the monitor according to the bird's head position in real time using a custom-built head tracker with two cameras. Pecking motor control was affected by the manipulation of motion parallax: when the motion parallax signified the target position farther than the monitor surface, the head position just before pecking to target was near the monitor surface, and vice versa. By contrast, motion parallax did not affect how the pigeons classified target sizes, implying that motion parallax might not contribute to size constancy in pigeons. These results indicate that motion parallax via head movements modulates pecking motor control in pigeons, suggesting that head movements of pigeons have the visual function of accessing motion parallax depth cues.
From Writing to Philosophizing: A Lesson from Platonic Hermeneutics for the Methodology of the History of Philosophy
Authors: Vasilakis Dimitrios
Published: January 2021

In this paper, I try to exploit some lessons drawn from reading Plato in order to comment on the methodological ‘meta-level’ regarding the relation between philosophizing and writing. After all, it is due to the medium of written word that we come to know past philosophers. I do this on the occasion of the ostensible conclusion in Plato’s Meno. This example illuminates the ‘double-dialogue’ hermeneutics of Plato and helps to differentiate Plato’s dialogues from dialogical works written by other philosophers, such as Berkeley. As a result, it becomes clear that, like with Plato’s case, a historian of philosophy must not only have a philosophical training, but also a subtle philological background, when attempting to come into dialogue with dead philosophers.
A Reply to Louis P. Pojman’s Article "The Case Against Affirmative Action"
Authors: Maurya Sooraj Kumar
Published: January 2021

Affirmative action is a public policy purposed to compensate the victims of injustice at the cost of priviledged groups; hence to some it appears as opposing the notion of equality and being against human dignity. Thinkers like Leslie Pickering Francis and John Rawls, on the other hand, argue that affirmative action policies should be implemented for the sake of the oppressed and under-represented groups. Louis P. Pojman in his article “The Case Against Affirmative Action” sets forth nine arguments against strong affirmative action. This paper sets out to challenge Pojman’s arguments one by one, and prove the author’s thesis in support of strong affirmative action.
The Masturbator and the Ban
Authors: Kök Murat Mümtaz
Published: January 2021

In this paper, I will expand upon Giorgio Agamben’s argument in his defining work Homo Sacer where he accused Immanuel Kant for introducing the state of exception to modernity. According to Agamben, Kant managed to do this by introducing the form of law as “being in force without signifying.” In this line, I will argue that ‘the ban’ is indeed inherent within Kantian morality and all subjects under the law stand in “pure relation of abandonment” vis-a-vis the law. In order to show this, I will focus on Kant’s views on masturbation in the context of his disdainful views about the body and sex and how through these views he formulated ‘duties to oneself’ in a way that condemns the masturbator to ‘bare life.’
Sweatshops, Harm and Exploitation: A Proposal to Operationalise the Model of Structural Injustice
Authors: Corvino Fausto
Published: January 2021

In this article, I firstly discuss the person-affecting view of harm, distinguishing between the liability and the structural models of responsibility, and also explaining why it is unsatisfactory, from a moral point of view, to interpret a given harm as a loss with respect to a diachronic baseline. Then, I take sweatshops as an example and I entertain two further issues that are related to the assessment of harm and that are necessary for operationalising a comprehensive model of responsibility, that takes into account both liability and structural injustice. The first one is how to interpret harm when it is coexistent with a diachronic benefit and/or the parties involved in the social structures leading to harm seek to unload their responsibility by hiding behind a cooperative deadlock. The second one is how far along the chain of actions leading to harm can structural responsibility be extended.
Έμφυλα στερεότυπα και μετασχηματισμός θεωρήσεων στην εσπερινή εκπαίδευση ενηλίκων: νοητικές συνήθειες και αποπροσανατολιστικά βιώματα γυναικών που επιστρέφουν στην εκπαίδευση
Authors: Μαλτέζου Δομνίκη , Κουλαουζίδης Γεώργιος Αρχιμήδη
Published: January 2021

Το παρόν άρθρο έχει ως στόχο να συνεισφέρει στον προβληματισμό για το πώς το φύλο, ως κοινωνική «κατασκευή» πολιτισμικά προσδιορισμένη, μπορεί να επηρεάσει τη συγκρότηση του πλαισίου αναφοράς, την ταυτότητα, τις επιλογές και την εξελικτική πορεία των γυναικών. Η έρευνα εστιάζεται σε έναν χώρο, ο οποίος είναι σχετικά αγνοημένος ερευνητικά, σε αυτόν της εσπερινής εκπαίδευσης. Πραγματοποιήθηκε στο πλαίσιο της συγγραφής ερευνητικής διπλωματικής εργασίας σε μεταπτυχιακό επίπεδο και είχε διάρκεια έξι μηνών, με τη συμμετοχή δέκα ενήλικων γυναικών-μαθητριών του Εσπερινού Γενικού Λυκείου Δράμας. Για τις ανάγκες της έρευνας επιλέχθηκε η αφηγηματική – βιογραφική ερευνητική μεθοδολογία, με σκοπό να διερευνηθούν σε βάθος οι παραδοχές, οι αντιλήψεις και οι στάσεις των πληροφορητριών, μέσω βιογραφικών συνεντεύξεων. Η βιογραφική εμπειρία των γυναικών της έρευνας, μέσα από την παράθεση αφηγηματικών συγκροτήσεων, έδωσε την δυνατότητα να διαφανούν οι κοινωνικοποιητικοί παράγοντες, οι οποίοι συμβάλλουν στην αναπαραγωγή και διαιώνιση έμφυλων στερεοτυπικών αντιλήψεων και ρόλων. Οι ιστορίες ζωής των γυναικών φανέρωσαν ότι ο σεξισμός,  η έμφυλη άνιση διαφοροποίηση, όπως εκδηλώνεται σε σχέσεις ασυμμετρίας στο πλαίσιο της οικογένειας, του σχολείου και του ευρύτερου κοινωνικού χώρου, στερεί από τις γυναίκες εκπαιδευτικές ευκαιρίες και προοπτικές εξέλιξης. Το πλαίσιο αναφοράς, η ταυτότητα των γυναικών, συγκροτείται και περιορίζεται στο ρόλο της συζύγου-μητέρας. Η βίωση αποπροσανατολιστικών διλημμάτων, είτε ως κομβικών σημαντικών γεγονότων - είτε ως βίωση παρατεταμένων καταστάσεων ανισότητας, υποτακτικότητας, αδικίας ή και έμφυλης βίας, καλλιεργεί την ανάγκη αυτοπροσδιορισμού και επαναπλαισίωσης της ταυτότητας και εκφράζεται με την απόφασή τους-σε ώριμη ηλικία -να επαναπροσδιορίσουν τη σχέση τους με την εκπαίδευση. Η φοίτηση στο Εσπερινό Γενικό Λύκειο φαίνεται να επιτυγχάνει τον στόχο του μετασχηματισμού των νοηματικών θεωρήσεων, παρέχοντας στις ίδιες περισσότερο ουσιώδεις νοηματοδοτήσεις αυτόβουλης σκέψης και την αναγκαιότητα συνακόλουθης δράσης. Οι έμφυλες παραδοχές, το πλαίσιο αναφοράς και τα βιώματα των συμμετεχουσών στην έρευνα, τα οποία  μπορούν να χαρακτηριστούν ως αποπροσανατολιστικά και ικανά για να εγείρουν νέες θεωρήσεις στη σκέψη και στη δράση τους, εξετάσθηκαν υπό το πλαίσιο της θεωρίας μετασχηματισμού του Mezirow. Η έρευνα, αν και λόγω των χαρακτηριστικών της στερείται τη δυνατότητα γενίκευσης συμπερασμάτων, παρέχει, εντούτοις, δυνατότητα ανάδειξης, εμβάθυνσης, ερμηνείας και αυτοστοχασμού για τον ρόλο των έμφυλων στερεοτύπων, μέσα από τη φωνή ατόμων τα οποία δεν έχουν συμπεριληφθεί ή που υπο-αντιπροσωπεύονται σε έρευνες.
Η εμπειρία της εξ αποστάσεως εκπαίδευσης φοιτητών με μαθησιακές δυσκολίες ή αναπηρία στην περίοδο του COVID-19: Μια πιλοτική έρευνα
Authors: Σταμπολτζή Αγλαϊα - Λία , Γιαννούλας Άγγελος , Καλαματιανός Αντώνης
Published: January 2021

Η ταχύτατη εξάπλωση του κορωνοϊού (COVID-19) στις αρχές του 2020  ήταν μια απρόσμενη κατάσταση που επηρέασε όλους τους τομείς της ζωής των ανθρώπων. Η αναστολή λειτουργίας των εκπαιδευτικών ιδρυμάτων επιβλήθηκε σχεδόν ταυτόχρονα σε 61 χώρες. Τα πανεπιστήμια αναγκάστηκαν σε μικρό χρονικό διάστημα (μερικών εβδομάδων) να προσαρμοστούν στην εξ αποστάσεως εκπαίδευση, αντιμετωπίζοντας μια μεγάλη πρόκληση. Σκοπός της παρούσας εργασίας είναι η καταγραφή του βαθμού αποδοχής των μεθόδων εξ αποστάσεως διδασκαλίας και μάθησης από φοιτητές με ειδικές εκπαιδευτικές ανάγκες (αναπηρία/πάθηση ή μαθησιακές δυσκολίες) που φοιτούν σε δημόσια πανεπιστήμια αλλά και ο εντοπισμός πιθανών εμποδίων, δυσκολιών αλλά και πλεονεκτημάτων της διαδικτυακής μάθησης εν μέσω COVID-19. Το δείγμα της έρευνας ήταν 73 φοιτητές και φοιτήτριες (37 με πάθηση/αναπηρία και 36 με διαγνωσμένες μαθησιακές δυσκολίες από δώδεκα πανεπιστημιακά ιδρύματα της χώρας). Για τη συλλογή των δεδομένων κατασκευάστηκε ερωτηματολόγιο κλειστών ερωτήσεων, το οποίο απαντήθηκε ηλεκτρονικά από τους συμμετέχοντες. Σύμφωνα με τα αποτελέσματα, η αντίληψη των φοιτητών με ειδικές εκπαιδευτικές ανάγκες για την εξ αποστάσεως εκπαίδευση είναι γενικώς θετική, με τους φοιτητές με αναπηρία/πάθηση να εκφράζουν ελαφρώς θετικότερη στάση. Τα 2/3 των φοιτητών απάντησαν θετικά στην προοπτική της συνέχισης της εξ αποστάσεως διδασκαλίας και μετά τη λήξη της πανδημίας. Οι μισοί συμμετέχοντες δεν είχαν επαρκή ενημέρωση πριν την έναρξη της διαδικτυακής μάθησης, ενώ ένα πολύ μικρό ποσοστό (4,6%) φαίνεται να είναι εξοικειωμένο με την εξειδικευμένη υποστηρικτική τεχνολογία που προβλέπεται για τους φοιτητές με ειδικές εκπαιδευτικές ανάγκες. Οι φοιτητές ανέφεραν εμπόδια και δυσκολίες που συνάντησαν στην εξ αποστάσεως διδασκαλία και επισήμαναν τα πλεονεκτήματα της διαπροσωπικής επαφής και ανατροφοδότησης από τους καθηγητές. Η παρούσα μελέτη είναι πιλοτική και αποτελεί το έναυσμα για περαιτέρω έρευνα. Οι αντιλήψεις και οι εμπειρίες των φοιτητών (θετικές ή αρνητικές) πρέπει να ληφθούν υπόψη για βελτίωση της εξ αποστάσεως διδασκαλίας και εξασφάλιση επιπρόσθετων μηχανισμών στήριξης σε μελλοντικές καταστάσεις.
Case Report: The use of advanced consent methodology and healthcare professional consultee to facilitate research participation in dying patients
Authors: Stanley Sarah , Nwosu Amara Callistus
Published: January 2021

As the need for palliative care increases, it is essential for research opportunities to be offered to patients with palliative care needs to ensure patients can receive evidence-based treatments and services to improve care. Although it is recognised that palliative, and in particular end of life, research can be both methodically and ethically challenging it is important to note that palliative patients are keen to be involved with research.

Over the past three years, patients in Marie Curie Hospice Liverpool have been recruited to a research study evaluating hydration, where advance consent methodology is used to facilitate participation at the end of life. In this study, participants provided ‘advanced consent’ to receive research assessments, in anticipation of the deterioration of their health and loss of the ability to provide consent to ongoing research participation. During this process, recruiting participants will nominate a consultee (who can be any family member, friend or healthcare professional), who is contacted by the researcher prior to completion of research assessments. Participants will generally choose a caregiver or friend to act as a personal consultee; however, there may be some instances where a healthcare professional is chosen.

In this, we share our experiences using advanced consent methodology and a healthcare professional acting as a consultee, to facilitate research assessments in a patient who was lacking capacity at the end of life.
Enhancement of EPC migration by high-dose lisinopril is superior compared to captopril and ramipril
Authors: Oktaviono Yudi Her , Ahmad Hanang Anugrawan , Al Farabi Makhyan Jibril , Gandi Parama , Givani Caesar Lagaliggo , Lumeno Indah Sari Purna , Azmi Yusuf
Published: January 2021

Background: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have been shown to promote endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) function. However, the efficacies of different ACE inhibitors in improving the migratory capabilities of ECPs in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients is unclear. This study compared the effectiveness of captopril, lisinopril, and ramipril toward the migration capability of impaired EPCs from CAD patients.

Methods: We isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), separated EPCs from PBMCs, and divided them into an untreated group (control) and treated groups of captopril, lisinopril, and ramipril at doses of 1mM, 10mM, and 100mM. EPC migration was evaluated using the Boyden chamber assay. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed using SPSS 25.0.

Results: This study showed that treatment with captopril, lisinopril, and ramipril starting at the lowest dose (1 mM) increased EPC migration (65,250 ± 6,750 cells; 60,750± 5,030 cells; and 49,500 ± 8,400 cells, respectively) compared to control (43,714 ± 7,216 cells). Increased migration of EPCs was observed by increasing the treatment dose to 10 mM with captopril, lisinopril, and ramipril (90,000 ± 16,837 cells; 79,071 ± 2,043 cells; and 64,285 ± 11,824 cells, respectively). The highest EPC migration was shown for lisinopril 100 mM (150,750 ± 16,380 cells), compared to captopril and ramipril at the same dose (105,750 ± 8112 cells and 86,625 ± 5,845 cells, respectively).

Conclusions: Captopril, ramipril, and lisinopril were shown to increase EPC migration in a dose-dependent manner. Low-dose (1 mM) and medium-dose (10 mM) captopril had a larger effect on ECP migration than lisinopril and ramipril. Meanwhile, high-dose lisinopril (100mM) had the highest migration effect, suggesting it may be preferable for promoting EPC migration in CAD patients.
Option-based guarantees to accelerate urgent, high-risk vaccines: a new market-shaping approach
Authors: Manheim David , Foster Derek
Published: January 2021

Accelerating the availability of COVID-19 vaccines is critical to preventing further waves and mitigating the impact on society. However, preparations for large-scale manufacturing, such as building production facilities, are typically delayed until a vaccine is proven safe and effective. This makes sense from a commercial perspective, but incurs great costs in terms of lives lost and damage to the economy. Several policy options are available to reduce this delay, all of which involve incentives or subsidies to invest in production facilities. We review existing approaches, then propose a novel alternative using “option-based guarantees” in which the government commits to paying a proportion of the manufacturer’s preparation costs should the product turn out not to be viable. Counterintuitively, this “payment for failure” is appropriate because in the case of success, a company makes a profit from the product itself, and does not need additional money from the government. While other approaches have critical roles, we argue that option-based guarantees are the most promising approach to ensuring a rapid vaccine for COVID-19. Compared to the alternative approaches, they reduce both costs to the government and risk to the companies, while maintaining an incentive to produce a high-quality product quickly and at scale.
Psychological burden of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated factors among frontline doctors of Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Barua Lingkan , Zaman Muhammed Shahriar , Omi Fardina Rahman , Faruque Mithila
Published: January 2021

Background: Frontline doctors are the most vulnerable and high-risk population to get the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Hence, we aimed to evaluate the anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance and fear of COVID-19 among frontline doctors of Bangladesh during the pandemic, and the associated factors for these psychological symptoms.

Methods: In total, 370 frontline doctors who were involved in the treatment of suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients during the pandemic took part in an online cross-sectional study. Recruitment was completed using convenience sampling and the data were collected after the start of community transmission of COVID-19 in the country. Anxiety and depression, sleep disturbance, and fear of COVID-19 were assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-4, two-item version of the Sleep Condition Indicator, and the Fear of Coronavirus-19 scale, respectively. Socio-demographic information, health service-related information, co-morbidity, and smoking history were collected for evaluating risk factors. The proportion of psychological symptoms were presented using descriptive statistics and the associated factors were identified using multinomial logistic regression analysis.

Results: Of the doctors, 36.5% had anxiety, 38.4% had depression, 18.6% had insomnia, and 31.9% had fear of COVID-19. In multinomial logistic regression, inadequate resources in the workplace were found as the single most significant predictor for all psychological outcomes: anxiety and/or depression (severe, OR 3.0, p=0.01; moderate, OR 5.3, p=0.000; mild, OR 2.3, p=0.003), sleep disturbance (moderate, OR 1.9, p=0.02), and fear of COVID-19 (severe, OR 1.9, p=0.03; moderate, OR 1.8, p=0.03).

Conclusions: The study demonstrated a high burden of psychological symptoms among frontline doctors of Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic situation. Inadequate resources are contributing to the poor mental health of Bangladeshi doctors. The supply of sufficient resources in workplaces and mental health counseling may help to mitigate the burden of the psychological symptoms identified among the respondents..
Development of a Lebanese food exchange system based on frequently consumed Eastern Mediterranean traditional dishes and Arabic sweets
Authors: Hoteit Maha , Zoghbi Edwina , Rady Alissar , Shankiti Iman , Al-Jawaldeh Ayoub
Published: January 2021

Background: The important role of Mediterranean diet was elucidated in various clinical and epidemiological studies underlying its impact on reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases in Mediterranean and non-Mediterranean populations.

Objective: The aim of this study was to convert the recipes of the Lebanese traditional dishes into meal planning exchange lists whose items are expressed in grams and adjusted to Lebanese household measures (cups and spoons) that could be used by healthcare professionals.

Methodology: Thirty traditional Lebanese dishes were collected in which the carbohydrate, fat and protein were analyzed using Association of Official Analytical Chemists procedures then followed by a calculation of exchange lists of foods per serving using Wheeler method.

Results:  The variations in macronutrients and fiber content were found among the Lebanese dishes. Carbohydrate was lowest (1.1g/100g) and protein was highest (29.7g/100g) in Shawarma Dajaj whereas fat content ranged between 0.5 and 22.4 g/100 g in the dishes. For each dish and according to each serving size, carbohydrate, milk (whole milk, reduced fat or skim), fat and protein (lean meat, medium fat meat and high fat meat) exchanges were calculated.

Conclusion: This study provides healthcare professionals, dietitians and consumers the chance to proficiently plan traditional-type dishes, ensuring prominent dietetic and medical nutritional therapy practices and patient's self-control.
Standard versus double dose dolutegravir in patients with HIV-associated tuberculosis: a phase 2 non-comparative randomised controlled (RADIANT-TB) trial
Authors: Griesel Rulan , Hill Andrew , Meintjes Graeme , Maartens Gary
Published: January 2021

Dolutegravir, a second-generation integrase strand transfer inhibitor (InSTI), is replacing efavirenz as first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) in low middle-income countries (LMICs). Tuberculosis remains the leading cause of HIV-related morbidity and mortality in LMICs. Rifampicin is a key agent in the treatment of tuberculosis but induces genes involved in dolutegravir metabolism and efflux. The resulting drug-drug interaction (DDI) reduces the exposure of dolutegravir. However, this can be overcome by supplying a supplemental dose of 50 mg dolutegravir 12 hours after the standard daily dose, which is difficult to implement in LMICs.

Four lines of evidence suggest that the supplemental dose may not be necessary: 1) a phase 2 study showed 10 mg of dolutegravir as effective as 50 mg; 2) the prolonged dissociative half-life of dolutegravir after binding to its receptor; 3) a DDI study reported dolutegravir trough concentrations were maintained above its minimum effective concentration when using 50 mg dolutegravir with rifampicin; and 4) virologic outcomes were similar between standard and double dose of raltegravir (a first-generation InSTI) in participants with HIV-associated tuberculosis treated with rifampicin.

We hypothesise that virologic outcomes with standard dose dolutegravir-based ART will be acceptable in patients on rifampicin-based antituberculosis therapy. Here we outline the protocol for a phase 2, non-comparative, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of standard versus double dose dolutegravir among adults living with HIV (ART naïve or first-line interrupted) on rifampicin-based antituberculosis therapy. A total of 108 participants will be enrolled from Khayelitsha in Cape Town, South Africa. Follow up will occur over 48 weeks. The primary objective is to assess proportion virological suppression at 24 weeks between groups analysed by modified intention to treat. Participant safety and the emergence of antiretroviral resistance mutations among those with virologic failure will be assessed throughout.

Trial registrations: clinicaltrials.gov NCT03851588 (22/02/2019), SANCTR DOH-27-072020-8159 (03/07/2020).
Arduino-Based Battery Voltage Monitoring and SMS Gateway
Authors: Setiawan Muhammad , Puriyanto Riky Dwi
Published: January 2021

This study aims to monitor the value of the voltage on the battery using a voltage sensor and using the State of Charge method to estimate the charged power of the VRLA battery remotely by utilizing SMS Gateway-based technology so that checking is no longer necessary. The results obtained are displayed on the smartphone in the form of an SMS. To determine the SOC in a 12V VRLA battery, it is calculated based on the number of each cell. VRLA 12V has 6 cells, each cell consisting of 2V to 2.4Volt. The capacity of a VRLA battery in 1 cell is declared 100% full at a voltage of 2.3 volts. So that data is obtained to determine the full percentage of the VRLA 12V 6 cell battery with a capacity of 7.2Ah, namely 13.8V. Experiments were carried out using solar panels, VRLA batteries, voltage sensors, Arduino UNO, and GSM SIM900A modules. This study succeeded in reading the measured voltage value with the sensor, and obtained an error value of 0.20 and a standard deviation of 0.02, and for the monitoring process to run smoothly without problems.
Improved Sampling in Carrier-Based Discountinuous SVPWM Simulation
Authors: Surikno Okik , Sutikno Tole
Published: January 2021

In this study, a circuit was designed to improve sampling in discontinuous SVPWM simulations using Quartus II software. The v_beta_sin unit was successfully simulated using the waveform editor. The results displayed are in accordance with previous calculations, if the input is 000000001 then the output is 100000011 and so on. The v_alfa_cos unit is also successfully simulated using the waveform editor. The simulation results if the input is 000000001 then the output is 111111111 and so on, according to the previous calculation. The unit counter was successfully simulated using the block diagram in Quartus II. The output of this unit counter is in the form of 9 bits to retrieve v_beta_sin and v_alfa_cos data. The v_beta_sin, v_alfa_cos and counter units used as reference signals are successfully simulated and can be used as a supporting circuit in the simulation of the discontinuous SVPWM method. The results of the simulation show an increase in sampling or sampling by 512.
Humanoid Dancer Robot Movement Synchronization System with Zigbee
Authors: Sukaswanto Ponco , Fadlil Abdul
Published: January 2021

This research proposes a wireless communication between two dancer robots using zigbee to overcome the differences in movement between the robots in order to dance in harmony. The robotic music processor uses Audio Analyzer V2.0 which functions to get 7 frequency values for the music being played. The frequency will be processed by Arduino to determine the condition of the music on and off which will be sent to each robot via the XBee S2C module using the Zigbee method, namely with 1 master and 2 routers. The result is that the music processing system becomes more robust because it uses the Zigbee method. By using the Zigbee method, robot 1 and robot 2 can also communicate with each other because with this method, fellow routers can exchange data. The robot produced by this study can already distinguish the conditions when music is playing or muted, and between robot 1 and robot 2 can communicate with each other. Communication between robots functions so that when one of the robots is late in getting data, the other robots will wait until the late robot completes its movements so that robot 1 and robot 2 are back in sync.
Web-Based Job Training Report Guidance System at SMKN 2 Kraksaan
Authors: Khairi Matlubul
Published: January 2021

Implementation of Field Work Practices (PKL) is an effort that can be made by SMK to continue to produce graduates who can compete in the business world and the industrial world (DU / DI). The government policy regarding learning at / from home during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has an impact on the reporting process at SMKN 2 Kraksaan. This study aims to build a report guidance system using server side-based web technology. This system was built using a waterfall model and PHP (PHP Hypertext Prepocessor) programming. System design tools used are Flowmap Diagrams, Data Flow Diagrams, and Entity Relationship Diagrams. The black box test results show that the output of the system is in line with expectations. User response to the system using a questionnaire resulted in a feasibility percentage of 83.6% with a very feasible category interpretation. It can be concluded from the test results that the Field Work Practices report guidance system is in accordance with user needs and is very suitable for use.
Simple Handwriting Calculator Application Using Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
Authors: Supriadi Supriadi
Published: January 2021

The calculator is a calculation tool that is widely used in various specialized fields of business and commerce. The use of a calculator makes it easier for humans to perform calculation operations, but there are obstacles in the process of inputting numbers if you want to calculate the value of numbers on written media such as paper, whiteboards and so on. The user must first see the text on written media, then read it and remember it then type the writing on a calculator tool or application. The drawback of this method is that when the user forgets the writing on the written media, the user will see the written text and remember it again so that it takes longer to perform calculations using a calculator. The method used in this study is Optical Character Recognition, this method can recognize text contained in images or handwritten images of mathematical number operations. The results of the introduction of the text will then be carried out by arithmetic calculations to get the calculation results. From the trials on 20 handwritten images of mathematical number operations, the results obtained were 85% accuracy of extraction and accuracy of handwritten images that can be calculated and correct by 85%.
Reversible diabetes
Authors: Winter George
Published: January 2021

George Winter examines how achievable it is to reverse Type 2 diabetes, looking at the challenges that must be overcome within the UK's current dietary and healthcare landscapes
A proposed taxonomy for population-level prescription use patterns
Authors: King Ashleigh C , Morden Nancy E
Published: January 2021

Recent and increasing discussion of prescription price transparency highlights the importance of defining, measuring and communicating prescription drug value. To help advance these goals, the authors propose a taxonomy of population-level prescription drug use patterns. The taxonomy assigns prescription use to one of five categories according to likely population-level health impact. The categories include effective, potentially discretionary, potentially harmful, wasteful, and lifestyle. The authors hope the proposed taxonomy will inform discussion of prescription drug value by providing estimates of population impact, especially the balance of anticipated benefit and harm.
Drug Breakdown: CARBAMAZEPINE
Authors: Rees Sharon
Published: January 2021

In this column, Sharon Rees aims to refresh knowledge and interest in some of the commonly used drugs in a series of tweets. This month she is talking about #carbamazepine
Management pathways for erectile dysfunction in primary care
Authors: Steggall Martin , Mohammed Imran , Jones Keryn , Shanahan Anthony , Ellul Thomas , Bullock Nicholas , Brown Gareth
Published: January 2021

Erectile dysfunction is a common problem in primary care. Martin Steggall and colleagues discuss what needs to be assessed and the treatment options available

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the inability of a man to get and maintain an erection that is sufficient for sexual intercourse, and is a common problem. ED commonly has a profound negative impact on quality of life in the patient and his partner, which can result in changes to sexual self-confidence. This article outlines strategies for identifying and managing ED in primary care, outlining what needs to be assessed and the various treatment options available to manage the condition.
Understanding safety-netting in remote consulting
Authors: Silverston Paul
Published: January 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way health care is delivered. Paul Silverston explains the importance of providing appropriate safety-netting advice in remote consultations

In primary care, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a rapid switch from face-to-face to remote consulting, which presented few opportunities for nurses who were unfamiliar with remote consulting to undergo any training in this skill. The clinical assessment and clinical decision-making skills required in remote consulting are different from those in face-to-face consulting and there is also a higher risk of diagnostic and decision-making errors in remote consulting than in face-to-face consulting. Safety-netting is an essential part of safe practice in primary care to reduce the risk of serious harm to patients from these errors. This article discusses the principles and practices of safety-netting in remote consulting.
Stress-Induced Morphological Changes of Ovarian Histology in Female Wistar Rats
Authors: Chukwuebuka Nwogueze Bartholomew , Emeka Ojieh Anthony , Irukefe Ovuakporaye Simon , Iju Wilson Josiah , Godsday Ogbutor Udoji , Temitope Olowe Gideon , Nneamaka Eke Chidinma , Peter Aloamaka Chukwuemeka
Published: January 2021

Stress as it relatesto infertility has become a global issue attracting public health concern. The present study examined the morphological changes in ovarian histology in response to oxidative stress-induced in female rats following exposure to different stressors. 92 rats of 12-14weeks old weighing between 120-160g were used for the study. Three (3) different stress models were utilized for stress induction at the rate of 1, 3, and 5hours per day for 1, 2, and 3weeks respectively. At the end of stress induction durations, bodyweights were obtained and the rats were euthanized via cervical dislocation while the ovary weights were carefully isolated and their weights recorded. The harvested ovary was sectioned, mounted on slides, stained, and observed under the microscope for histopathological investigations. Findings from this study established that exposure to restraint mirror or intruder stressor significantly (p<0.05) altered the body and/or ovary weights of the rats irrespective of the rate of exposure when compared to the control group. Cellular degeneration, infiltration, and atretic follicular changes were observed in the ovarian histology of rats in response to stress-inducedchanges caused by exposure to restraint or intruder stressors, whereas, equivalent exposure of the rats to mirror stressor did not result in any observed degenerative changes in the histology of the ovary studied. Our study revealed that exposure to restraint or intruder stressor points towards the existence of stress contributes towardsorgan/body weight changes and cellular damage inthe ovarian tissuespossiblycausing pathogenesis in reproductive capacity of females.
Structural, Morphological and Antimicrobial Study of ZnO/Ag Nanoparticles
Authors: Sharma Richa , Kumar Suresh , Singh Prem , Kapila Shikha
Published: January 2021

Metal oxide nanoparticles gain attention in the field of biomedical applications because of their unique physico-chemical properties and emerging out as an alternative to antibiotics. The major cause of most of the human diseases is the bacterial infection. However, antibiotics used in the cure show other complications to human health. Therefore, the purpose of the present work is to investigate the antibacterial properties of ZnO/Ag nanoparticles on the test bacterial strains, Escherichia coli (E. coli). ZnO/Ag nanoparticles are synthesized using surfactant mediated route in a single step and double step procedure. Here, CTAB and hydrazine hydrate used as a surfactant and reducing agents respectively. The synthesized nanoparticles are characterized by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy for structure, morphology and compositional properties. The antibacterial activities of these nanoparticles are also studied using the agar-well diffusion technique. The result analysis shows that synthesized nanopaticles are spherical in shape, having particles of the size 6 nm and 13 nm in the desired elemental composition. ZnO/Ag nanoparticles possessed a strong antibacterial effect against E. coli. This study signifies that ZnO/Ag metal oxide nanoparticles exhibit stronger antimicrobial activity against pathogen bacteria E. coli which may works effectively on the antibacterial and antifungal infections.
A Robust Model Using SIFT and Gamma Mixture Model for Texture Images Classification: Perspectives for Medical Applications
Authors: Benlakhdar Said , Rziza Mohammed , Thami Rachid Oulad Haj
Published: January 2021

The texture analysis of medical images is a powerful calculation tool for the discrimination between pathological and healthy tissue in different organs in medical images. Our paper proposes a novel approach named, GGD-GMM, based on statistical modeling in wavelet domain to describe texture images. Firstly, we propose a robust algorithm based on the combination of the wavelet transform and Scale Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT). Secondly, we implement the aforementioned algorithm and fit the result by using the finite Gamma Mixture Model (GMM). The results, obtained for two benchmark datasets, show that our proposed algorithm has a good relevance as it provides higher classification accuracy compared to some other well known models. Moreover, it displays others advantages relied to Noise-resistant and rotation invariant. Our algorithm could be useful for the analysis of several medical issues.