bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Assessment by a Virtual Patient and by Clinician-Educators of Medical Students' History-Taking Skills: Exploratory Descriptive Study
Authors: Setrakian Jean , Gauthier Geneviève , Bergeron Linda , Chamberland Martine , St-Onge Christina
Published: December 2019

Background

A virtual patient (VP) can be a useful tool to foster the development of medical history–taking skills without the inherent constraints of the bedside setting. Although VPs hold the promise of contributing to the development of students’ skills, documenting and assessing skills acquired through a VP is a challenge.

Objective

We propose a framework for the automated assessment of medical history taking within a VP software and then test this framework by comparing VP scores with the judgment of 10 clinician-educators (CEs).

Methods

We built upon 4 domains of medical history taking to be assessed (breadth, depth, logical sequence, and interviewing technique), adapting these to be implemented into a specific VP environment. A total of 10 CEs watched the screen recordings of 3 students to assess their performance first globally and then for each of the 4 domains.

Results

The scores provided by the VPs were slightly higher but comparable with those given by the CEs for global performance and for depth, logical sequence, and interviewing technique. For breadth, the VP scores were higher for 2 of the 3 students compared with the CE scores.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that the VP assessment gives results akin to those that would be generated by CEs. Developing a model for what constitutes good history-taking performance in specific contexts may provide insights into how CEs generally think about assessment.
Gender and the Digital Divide Across Urban Slums of New Delhi, India: Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Joshi Ashish , Malhotra Bhavya , Amadi Chioma , Loomba Menka , Misra Archa , Sharma Shruti , Arora Arushi , Amatya Jaya
Published: December 2019

Background

Disparities in access to specific technologies within gender groups have not been investigated. Slum settings provide an ideal population to investigate the contributing factors to these disparities.

Objective

This study aimed to examine gender differences in mobile phone ownership, internet access, and knowledge of SMS text messaging among males and females living in urban slum settings.

Methods

A convenience sampling approach was used in sample selection from 675 unnotified slums. A total of 38 slum sites were then selected across four geographic zones. Of these, 10% of the households in each slum site was selected from each zone. One household member was interviewed based on their availability and fulfillment of the eligibility criteria. Eligible individuals included those aged 18 years and above, residing in these slums, and who provided voluntary consent to participate in the study. Individuals with mental or physical challenges were excluded from the study.

Results

Our results showed that females were half as likely to own mobile phones compared with males (odds ratio [OR] 0.53, 95% CI 0.37-0.76), less likely to have internet access (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.56-1.11), or know how to send text messages (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.66-1.31). The predictors of mobile phone ownership, internet access, and text messaging between males and females included age, individual education, housing type, and the number of earning members in a household in the adjusted analysis. Among males, the number of earning members was a predictor of both mobile phone ownership and text messaging, whereas household education was a predictor of both internet access and text messaging. Age and individual education only predicted internet access, whereas housing type only predicted text messaging. Among females, household education was a predictor of all the technology outcomes. Age and type of toilet facility only predicted mobile phone ownership; housing type only predicted internet access whereas television ownership with satellite service and smoking behavior only predicted text messaging.

Conclusions

Our study findings showing disparate access to technology within gender groups lend support for further research to examine the causal mechanisms promoting these differences to proffer significant solutions. Specifically, our study findings suggest that improving household education is crucial to address the disparate access and usage of mobile phones, the internet, and text messaging among women in slum settings. This suggestion is due to the consistency in household educational level as a predictor across all these technology indicators. In addition, the mechanisms by which the number of household earning members influences the disparate access to technology among men call for further exploration.
Augmented Reality Learning Environment for Basic Life Support and Defibrillation Training: Usability Study
Authors: Ingrassia Pier Luigi , Mormando Giulia , Giudici Eleonora , Strada Francesco , Carfagna Fabio , Lamberti Fabrizio , Bottino Andrea
Published: December 2019

Background

Basic life support (BLS) is crucial in the emergency response system, as sudden cardiac arrest is still a major cause of death worldwide. Unfortunately, only a minority of victims receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from bystanders. In this context, training could be helpful to save more lives, and technology-enhanced BLS simulation is one possible solution.

Objective

The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of our augmented reality (AR) prototype as a tool for BLS training.

Methods

Holo-BLSD is an AR self-instruction training system, in which a standard CPR manikin is “augmented” with an interactive virtual environment that reproduces realistic scenarios. Learners can use natural gestures, body movements, and spoken commands to perform their tasks, with virtual 3D objects anchored to the manikin and the environment. During the experience, users were trained to use the device while being guided through an emergency simulation and, at the end, were asked to complete a survey to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the proposed tool (5-point Likert scale; 1=Strongly Disagree, 5=Strongly Agree).

Results

The system was rated easy to use (mean 4.00, SD 0.94), and the trainees stated that most people would learn to use it very quickly (mean 4.00, SD 0.89). Voice (mean 4.48, SD 0.87), gaze (mean 4.12, SD 0.97), and gesture interaction (mean 3.84, SD 1.14) were judged positively, although some hand gesture recognition errors reduced the feeling of having the right level of control over the system (mean 3.40, SD 1.04).

Conclusions

We found the Holo-BLSD system to be a feasible and acceptable tool for AR BLS training.
Volumetric Food Quantification Using Computer Vision on a Depth-Sensing Smartphone: Preclinical Study
Authors: Herzig David , Nakas Christos T , Stalder Janine , Kosinski Christophe , Laesser Céline , Dehais Joachim , Jaeggi Raphael , Leichtle Alexander Benedikt , Dahlweid Fried-Michael , Stettler Christoph , Bally Lia
Published: December 2019

Background

Quantification of dietary intake is key to the prevention and management of numerous metabolic disorders. Conventional approaches are challenging, laborious, and lack accuracy. The recent advent of depth-sensing smartphones in conjunction with computer vision could facilitate reliable quantification of food intake.

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of a novel smartphone app combining depth-sensing hardware with computer vision to quantify meal macronutrient content using volumetry.

Methods

The app ran on a smartphone with a built-in depth sensor applying structured light (iPhone X). The app estimated weight, macronutrient (carbohydrate, protein, fat), and energy content of 48 randomly chosen meals (breakfasts, cooked meals, snacks) encompassing 128 food items. The reference weight was generated by weighing individual food items using a precision scale. The study endpoints were (1) error of estimated meal weight, (2) error of estimated meal macronutrient content and energy content, (3) segmentation performance, and (4) processing time.

Results

In both absolute and relative terms, the mean (SD) absolute errors of the app’s estimates were 35.1 g (42.8 g; relative absolute error: 14.0% [12.2%]) for weight; 5.5 g (5.1 g; relative absolute error: 14.8% [10.9%]) for carbohydrate content; 1.3 g (1.7 g; relative absolute error: 12.3% [12.8%]) for fat content; 2.4 g (5.6 g; relative absolute error: 13.0% [13.8%]) for protein content; and 41.2 kcal (42.5 kcal; relative absolute error: 12.7% [10.8%]) for energy content. Although estimation accuracy was not affected by the viewing angle, the type of meal mattered, with slightly worse performance for cooked meals than for breakfasts and snacks. Segmentation adjustment was required for 7 of the 128 items. Mean (SD) processing time across all meals was 22.9 seconds (8.6 seconds).

Conclusions

This study evaluated the accuracy of a novel smartphone app with an integrated depth-sensing camera and found highly accurate volume estimation across a broad range of food items. In addition, the system demonstrated high segmentation performance and low processing time, highlighting its usability.
Remote Management of Poststroke Patients With a Smartphone-Based Management System Integrated in Clinical Care: Prospective, Nonrandomized, Interventional Study
Authors: Kim Do Yeon , Kwon Hee , Nam Ki-Woong , Lee Yongseok , Kwon Hyung-Min , Chung Young Seob
Published: December 2019

Background

Advances in mobile health (mHealth) have enabled systematic and continuous management of patients with chronic diseases.

Objective

We developed a smartphone-based mHealth system and aimed to evaluate its effects on health behavior management and risk factor control in stroke patients.

Methods

With a multifaceted stroke aftercare management system that included exercise, medication, and educational materials, we performed a 12-week single-arm intervention among eligible poststroke patients in the stroke clinic from September to December 2016. The intervention consisted of (1) regular blood pressure (BP), blood glucose, and physical activity measurements; (2) stroke education; (3) an exercise program; (4) a medication program; and (5) feedback on reviewing of records by clinicians. Clinical assessments consisted of the stroke awareness score, Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI), EuroQol-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D), and BP at visit 1 (baseline), visit 2 (4 weeks), and visit 3 (12 weeks). Temporal differences in the parameters over 12 weeks were investigated with repeated-measures analysis of variance. Changes in medication adherence at visit 1-2 (from visit 1 to visit 2) and visit 2-3 (from visit 2 to visit 3) were compared. System satisfaction was evaluated with a self-questionnaire using a 5-point Likert scale at visit 3.

Results

The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board in September 2016, and participants were enrolled from September to December 2016. Among the 110 patients enrolled for the study, 99 were included in our analyses. The mean stroke awareness score (baseline: 59.6 [SD 18.1]; 4 weeks: 67.6 [SD 16.0], P<.001; 12 weeks: 74.7 [SD 14.0], P<.001) and BDI score (baseline: 12.7 [SD 10.1]; 4 weeks: 11.2 [SD 10.2], P=.01; 12 weeks: 10.7 [SD 10.2], P<.001) showed gradual improvement; however, no significant differences were found in the mean EQ-5D score (baseline: 0.66 [SD 0.33]; 4 weeks: 0.69 [SD 0.34], P=.01; 12 weeks: 0.69 [SD 0.34], P<.001). Twenty-six patients who had uncontrolled BP at baseline had −13.92 mmHg (P=.001) and −6.19 mmHg (P<.001) reductions on average in systolic and diastolic BP, respectively, without any antihypertensive medication change. Medication compliance was better at visit 2-3 (60.9% [SD 37.2%]) than at visit 1-2 (47.8% [SD 38.7%], P<.001).

Conclusions

Awareness of stroke, depression, and BP was enhanced when using the smartphone-based mHealth system. Emerging mHealth techniques have potential as new nonpharmacological secondary prevention methods because of their ubiquitous access, near real-time responsiveness, and comparatively lower cost.
Mutual-Aid Mobile App for Emergency Care: Feasibility Study
Authors: Chien Shuo-Chen , Islam Md Mohaimenul , Yeh Chen-An , Chien Po-Han , Chen Chun You , Chin Yen-Po , Lin Ming-Chin
Published: December 2019

Background

Improving the quality of patient care through the use of mobile devices is one of the hot topics in the health care field. In unwanted situations like an accident, ambulances and rescuers often require a certain amount of time to arrive at the scene. Providing immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to patients might improve survival.

Objective

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of an emergency and mutual-aid app model in Taiwan and to provide a reference for government policy.

Methods

A structured questionnaire was developed as a research tool. All questionnaires were designed according to the technology acceptance model, and a Likert scale was used to measure the degree of agreement or disagreement. Moreover, in-depth interviews were conducted with six experts from medical, legal, and mobile app departments. Each expert was interviewed once to discuss feasible countermeasures and suggestions. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 19; IBM Corp, Armonk, New York) was used to perform all statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests, variance analysis, and Pearson correlation analysis.

Results

We conducted this study between October 20, 2017, and November 10, 2017, at the Taipei Medical University Hospital. Questionnaires were distributed to medical personnel, visiting guests, family members, and volunteers. A total of 113 valid questionnaires were finally obtained after the exclusion of incomplete questionnaires. Cronbach α values for self-efficacy (perceived ease of use), use attitude (perceived usefulness), and use willingness and frequency were above .85, meeting the criterion of greater than .70. We observed that the reliability of each subquestion was acceptable and the values for use attitude (perceive usefulness) and use willingness and frequency were more than .90.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of the app model affect use willingness. However, perceived usefulness had an intermediary influence on use willingness. Experts in law, medical, and technology fields consider that an emergency and mutual-aid model can be implemented in Taiwan. Along with the development of an emergency and mutual-aid app model, we recommend an increase in the number of automated external defibrillators per region and promotion of correct knowledge about CPR in order to decrease morbidity and mortality.
Social Media Strategies for Health Promotion by Nonprofit Organizations: Multiple Case Study Design
Authors: Vedel Isabelle , Ramaprasad Jui , Lapointe Liette
Published: December 2019

Background

Nonprofit organizations have always played an important role in health promotion. Social media is widely used in health promotion efforts. However, there is a lack of evidence on how decisions regarding the use of social media are undertaken by nonprofit organizations that want to increase their impact in terms of health promotion.

Objective

The aim of this study was to understand why and how nonprofit health care organizations put forth social media strategies to achieve health promotion goals.

Methods

A multiple case study design, using in-depth interviews and a content analysis of each social media strategy, was employed to analyze the use of social media tools by six North American nonprofit organizations dedicated to cancer prevention and management.

Results

The resulting process model demonstrates how social media strategies are enacted by nonprofit organizations to achieve health promotion goals. They put forth three types of social media strategies relative to their use of existing information and communication technologies (ICT)—replicate, transform, or innovate—each affecting the content, format, and delivery of the message differently. Organizations make sense of the social media innovation in complementarity with existing ICT.

Conclusions

For nonprofit organizations, implementing a social media strategy can help achieve health promotion goals. The process of social media strategy implementation could benefit from understanding the rationale, the opportunities, the challenges, and the potentially complementary role of existing ICT strategies.
Exploring Abnormal Behavior Patterns of Online Users With Emotional Eating Behavior: Topic Modeling Study
Authors: Hwang Youjin , Kim Hyung Jun , Choi Hyung Jin , Lee Joonhwan
Published: December 2019

Background

Emotional eating (EE) is one of the most significant symptoms of various eating disorders. It has been difficult to collect a large amount of behavioral data on EE; therefore, only partial studies of this symptom have been conducted. To provide adequate support for online social media users with symptoms of EE, we must understand their behavior patterns to design a sophisticated personalized support system (PSS).

Objective

This study aimed to analyze the behavior patterns of emotional eaters as the first step to designing a personalized intervention system.

Methods

The machine learning (ML) framework and Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic modeling tool were used to collect and analyze behavioral data on EE. Data from a subcommunity of Reddit, /r/loseit, were analyzed. This dataset included all posts and feedback from July 2014 to May 2018, comprising 185,950 posts and 3,528,107 comments. In addition, deleted and improperly collected data were eliminated. Stochastic gradient descent–based ML classifier with an accuracy of 90.64% was developed to collect refined behavioral data of online users with EE behaviors. The expert group that labeled the dataset to train the ML classifiers included a medical doctor specializing in EE diagnosis and a nutritionist with profound knowledge of EE behavior. The experts labeled 5126 posts as EE (coded as 1) or others (coded as 0). Finally, the topic modeling process was conducted with LDA.

Results

The following 4 macroperspective topics of online EE behaviors were identified through linguistic evidence regarding each topic: addressing feelings, sharing physical changes, sharing and asking for dietary information, and sharing dietary strategies. The 5 main topics of feedback were dietary information, compliments, consolation, automatic bot feedback, and health information. The feedback topic distribution significantly differed depending on the type of EE behavior (overall P<.001).

Conclusions

This study introduces a data-driven approach for analyzing behavior patterns of social website users with EE behaviors. We discovered the possibility of the LDA topic model as an exploratory user study method for abnormal behaviors in medical research. We also investigated the possibilities of ML- and topic modeling–based classifiers to automatically categorize text-based behavioral data, which could be applied to personalized medicine in future research.
Patient Use and Experience With Online Access to Electronic Health Records in Norway: Results From an Online Survey
Authors: Zanaboni Paolo , Kummervold Per Egil , Sørensen Tove , Johansen Monika Alise
Published: December 2019

Background

The electronic health record (EHR) has been fully established in all Norwegian hospitals. Patient-accessible electronic health records (PAEHRs) are available to citizens aged 16 years and older through the national health portal Helsenorge.

Objective

This study aimed at understanding how patients use PAEHRs. Three research questions were addressed in order to explore (1) characteristics of users, (2) patients’ use of the service, and (3) patient experience with the service.

Methods

We conducted an online survey of users who had accessed their EHR online at least once through the national health portal. Patients from two of the four health regions in Norway were invited to participate. Quantitative data were supplemented by qualitative information.

Results

A total of 1037 respondents participated in the survey, most of whom used the PAEHR regularly (305/1037, 29.4%) or when necessary (303/1037, 29.2%). Service utilization was associated with self-reported health, age, gender, education, and health care professional background. Patients found the service useful to look up health information (687/778, 88.3%), keep track of their treatment (684/778, 87.9%), prepare for a hospital appointment (498/778, 64.0%), and share documents with their general practitioner (292/778, 37.5%) or family (194/778, 24.9%). Most users found it easy to access their EHR online (965/1037, 93.1%) and did not encounter technical challenges. The vast majority of respondents (643/755, 85.2%) understood the content, despite over half of them acknowledging some difficulties with medical terms or phrases. The overall satisfaction with the service was very high (700/755, 92.7%). Clinical advantages to the patients included enhanced knowledge of their health condition (565/691, 81.8%), easier control over their health status (685/740, 92.6%), better self-care (571/653, 87.4%), greater empowerment (493/674, 73.1%), easier communication with health care providers (493/618, 79.8%), and increased security (655/730, 89.7%). Patients with complex, long-term or chronic conditions seemed to benefit the most. PAEHRs were described as useful, informative, effective, helpful, easy, practical, and safe.

Conclusions

PAEHRs in Norway are becoming a mature service and are perceived as useful by patients. Future studies should include experimental designs focused on specific populations or chronic conditions that are more likely to achieve clinically meaningful benefits. Continuous evaluation programs should be conducted to assess implementation and changes of wide-scale routine services over time.
Evaluation of a Web-Based Stress Management Program for Persons Experiencing Work-Related Stress in Sweden (My Stress Control): Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Eklund Caroline , Söderlund Anne , Elfström Magnus L
Published: December 2019

BACKGROUND

Stress is one of the most common reasons for sick leave. Web-based interventions have the potential to reach an unlimited number of users at a low cost and have been shown to be effective in addressing several health-related problems. Handling stress on an individual level is related to behavior change. To support behavioral changes in stress management, My Stress Control (MSC) was developed. The development of MSC was based on several health psychology theories and models; however, central in the development were Social Cognitive Theory, Theory of Reasoned Action, Theory of Planned Behavior, Transactional Theory of Stress and Coping, and the Transtheoretical Model and Stages of Change. MSC is a fully automated program. The program is tailored to the user’s specific needs for stress management and behavior change.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we aim to conduct a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the extent to which MSC affects perceived stress in persons experiencing work-related stress.

METHODS

This was a randomized controlled trial with 2 arms. Study participants were recruited by visiting the worksites and workplace meetings. Participants were assigned to the intervention or wait-list group. Web-based questionnaires were used before and after the intervention to collect data. Perceived stress measured using the Perceived Stress Scale-14 was the primary outcome measurement. Analyses were conducted for both between-group and within-group changes.

RESULTS

A total of 92 participants were included in this study: 48 (52%) in the intervention group and 44 (48%) in the wait-list group. Overall, 25% (12/48) of participants in the intervention group and 43% (19/44) of participants in the wait-list group completed the postintervention assessment. There were no significant effects on perceived stress between the intervention and wait-list groups or within the groups. A small effect size (Cohen d=0.25) was found when comparing mean change over time on the primary outcome measure between the intervention and wait-list groups. In addition, a small effect size was found between pre- and postintervention assessments within the intervention group (Cohen d=0.38) as well as within the wait-list group (Cohen d=0.25).

CONCLUSIONS

The effect of MSC on perceived stress remains uncertain. As adherence was low in the intervention group, elements or features that facilitate adherence and engagement must be further developed before firmer conclusions regarding the effect of MSC can be made.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03077568; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03077568
Empowering community health volunteer on community-based tuberculosis case management programs in lower-income countries: A systematic review
Authors: Jauhar Muhamad , Rohana I Gusti Ayu Putu Desy , Rachmawati Utami , Kusumawardani Lita Heni , Rasdiyanah Rasdiyanah
Published: December 2019

Globally, almost 40% of tuberculosis clients are undiagnosed and delayed treatment. This condition leads to disease transmission and increasing new cases. Healthcare workers and community health volunteers as an active case finding frontliner and case manager in the community. The elevated numbers of new case findings and comprehensive management of diseases are the successful indicators of the tuberculosis prevention program. This study identified research articles related to community health volunteer empowerment in tuberculosis case management. Literature study of 20 articles from journal database, such as: Science Direct, Proquest, Scopus, and EBSCO for the last 5 years. It used keywords tuberculosis, community volunteer or empowerment, community-based early case finding. Data were analyzed in tables consist of title, author, year, methodology, result, and recommendation. The empowerment of the community health volunteers was effective in increasing tuberculosis case finding, especially in the border areas, remote areas and rural area. The existence of the community health volunteers brought tuberculosis services closer to the community and able to minimize barriers of health access and costs. Increasing the capacity of the community health volunteers is needed to support their role. Community health volunteers with a history of tuberculosis or from a family with tuberculosis are more acceptable in the community so the success of case finding and treatment is achieved. Community health volunteers worked through home visits were able to change community’s perspectives, promote the formation of health seeking behavior and minimize public-stigma. The empowerment of the community health volunteers is essentially needed as the alternative strategies to find new cases in the community and strengthen its management. There need to provide a wholesome moral and material support from the government for the community health volunteers. This can be integrated into the management of tuberculosis programs in primary health care facilities.
THE ONLINE SHOPPING HABITS AND E-LOYALTY OF GEN Z AS NATIVES IN THE DIGITAL ERA
Authors: Ayuni Risca Fitri
Published: December 2019

Introduction: Generation Z (Gen Z) refers to the most application-friendly and website-savvy generation engaging with the Internet for most of its daily activities. The number of Gen Z members has been growing and is projected to become the largest market segment by 2020. In the future, Gen Z will affect business strategies; compounded by the presence of a fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0), which will encourage companies to change their business models. One of the changes is a new paradigm shift by companies from the traditional business model to an internet-based business model (e-business model/e-commerce), such as online shops. Online shops have escalated at a rapid pace and have changed people’s buying habits, especially for Gen Z. Gen Z seems to be shopping online more than ever. Targeting them is the best strategy to enhance their lifetime loyalty. Background Problem: This study aims to examine the relationship of e-service quality, online customer value, e-satisfaction and e-loyalty. Research Method: Two hundred and forty-one Gen Z respondents were involved in this study. PLS 3, Sobel and SPSS 23 were employed to analyze the data. Five hypotheses were proposed. Findings: The findings indicated that e-service quality became the expected predictor of online customer value and satisfaction. In addition, the results confirm the mediating role of online customer value between e-service quality and e-satisfaction, as well as clarifying the relationship of online customer value and e-satisfaction. Finally, the effect of e-satisfaction on e-loyalty has been proven in this study. Conclusion: Upon figuring out the relevant issue, online shops are able to re-consider their business models to adopt the Industry 4.0 revolution, to strengthen their capacity in tight competition. In order to target Gen Z, who mostly do their purchasing via the Internet, online shops must provide high quality websites and create values which convey economic, social and functional values. These two key factors play significant roles in attaining Gen Z’s e-satisfaction, thus securing Gen Z’s e-loyalty.
The Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Cashew Fruit Peel on The Liver Histological Structure in Rat (Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout, 1769)
Authors: Zusrina Laili Mufli , Retnoaji Bambang , Wijayanti Nastiti
Published: December 2019

Cashew fruit peel is a waste produced from the cashew nut industry, and it has not been utilized optimally yet. Cashew peel extract has the potential to be used as a contraceptive agent, which capable of reducing reproductive capacity. However, its side effects on other tissue and organ such as liver not clearly studied yet. This study aims to determine the effect of ethanolic extracts of cashew peel on the histological structure of the white rat liver. In this study, 21 female white rats were used and be grouped for control (6 mice) which were treated with CMCMa 0.5% and 15 mice were treated with peel extract of 500 mg/kg body every day for one month. Liver for examination was collected sequentially at 3rd, 5th, 8th, 11th, and 14th of the estrous cycle. The liver was processed for histological observation and stained with Hematoxylin Eosin and Mallory Acid Fuchsin staining solution. The liver hepatocyte was observed for it abnormality and be scored to calculate the number of cell damage or abnormality. The result showed that peel extract-treated mouse liver was similar to control ones; we did not witness any evidence of fibrosis, pyknosis and cellular necrosis on either control or treated mouse. Statistical analysis by SPSS showed that the p-value between the control and treatment groups was 0.078 (> 0.05) so there was no significant difference between control and treatment. It could be concluded that ethanolic extracts of cashew nuts peel with a concentration of 500 mg/kg body weight caused no effect on the mouse liver histological structure. application with reduced-dosages of NPK fertilizers were arranged in a random block design with three replicates. The results show that large quantities of silica bodies attached to the surface of EFB fibers and amounting to 0.44% soluble Si. The FFB data indicated that the application of 75% NPK + 500 kg composted EFB + 2 L BioSilAc/ha/year on a five-year-old plant resulted in higher yield than that obtained from 100% standard dosage of NPK. The study also revealed that the application of EFB compost reduced 50% of BioSilAc dosage.
KENOTOMY, Creativity Face to Face with Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Teodorescu George
Published: December 2019

Artificial Intelligence wins an increasing capacity for undertaking more efficiently repetitive jobs and routine based tasks, using highly accurate logic-adaptive and deductive algorithms, replacing successfully the humans for these occupations.Facing this new reality the ultimate asset of mankind became the Creative Thinking.Enhancing and fostering the Creative Thinking should be a major duty especially along the educational process. Whatever the domain of study might be, the ability of generating fresh ideas and disruptive concepts will be sooner than expected the winning trump, or even the only reason for employing a human operator.What is Kenotomy?Kenotomy is Creativity focused education, leading students toward a seminal thinking mode, by developing their genuine imagination talent and enabling them with the skills for shifting approaches, encouraging unusual thinking pathways, archetypal perspective and serendipity, facilitating conceptualizing and recognizing the potential of ideas.Kenotomy is based on the integrative understanding of the creative mental processes and uses an adequate methodology for addressing them, triggering the ideation process.Kenotomy builds up creative minds, whatever the major of the students might be.How does Kenotomy work?Kenotomy differentiates two types of Creativity: the Reactive and the Intrinsic one and describes the dedicated ways for initiating them specifically.First of all Kenotomy relieves the acquired and inherent inhibitions, releasing and stimulating the inborn speculative talent and enhances the ideation ability, overcoming the empiric myopia by high abstracting skills and the routine saturation by a fresh apex-perspective. As a project centered education Kenotomy develops individual disruptive thinking as well as the group synergetic resonance with spectacular outcome: original problem solutions and unexpected, seminal concepts.
EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF TENELIGLIPTIN AS ADD-ON THERAPY TO CONVENTIONAL THERAPY IN INDIAN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS
Authors: PARMAR VINENDRA M  , GOSWAMI SUNITA S
Published: December 2019

Objective: Teneligliptin is a novel, highly selective dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor. The objective of the present study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of teneligliptin as add-on therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who are inadequately controlled by conventional therapy (metformin/glimepiride) in India.

Methods: Clinical study protocol was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee. T2DM patients (male/female) whose glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) >7% were randomized to receive following group treatments, namely, Treatment A: Metformin/glimepiride plus add-on teneligliptin 20 mg and Treatment B: Metformin/glimepiride for 24 weeks. A pre-designed case report form was used to collect information from the prescribing physicians regarding the efficacy and safety of teneligliptin. Efficacy variables included change in plasma blood glucose (fasting and postprandial) and HbA1c from baseline to week 24. Treatment emergent adverse events were assessed.

Results: A total of 120 type 2 diabetes patients were analyzed. Teneligliptin as add-on therapy with metformin/glimepiride significantly reduced plasma glucose (HbA1c, fasting, and postprandial) concentration as compared to conventional therapy.

Conclusion: Add-on therapy with teneligliptin was found superior over conventional therapy in reducing plasma glucose concentration (fasting and postprandial) and HbA1c levels significantly in patients with T2DM. Further, it was found effective and well tolerated in Indian patients with T2DM who are inadequately controlled with conventional therapy.
A SYNTHESIS AND REVIEW OF MEDICINAL USES, PHYTOCHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF HELICHRYSUM ODORATISSIMUM (L.) SWEET
Authors: MAROYI ALFRED
Published: December 2019

Helichrysum odoratissimum is an important medicinal plant species in tropical Africa. The current study critically reviewed the medicinal uses, phytochemistry and biological activities of H. odoratissimum. Information on medicinal uses, phytochemistry and biological activities of H. odoratissimum were collected from multiple internet sources which included Scopus, Google Scholar, Elsevier, Science Direct, Web of Science, PubMed, SciFinder, and BMC. Additional information was gathered from pre-electronic sources such as journal articles, scientific reports, theses, books, and book chapters obtained from the university library. This study showed that H. odoratissimum is mainly used as an herbal medicine for insomnia, menstrual pain and sterility, and wounds and respiratory problems. Pharmacological research revealed that H. odoratissimum extracts and compounds isolated from the species have antibacterial, antimycobacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotection, and hypoglycemic and cytotoxicity activities. There is a need to validate the documented ethnomedicinal uses of H. odoratissimum through phytochemical and pharmacological studies. Therefore, future studies should address these knowledge gaps through experimental animal studies, randomized clinical trials, and target-organ toxicity studies involving H. odoratissimum crude extracts and compounds isolated from the species.
KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTIONS OF VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY AMONG THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES POPULATION
Authors: OSAMA MOHAMED IBRAHIM  , NOOR KIFAH AL-TAMEEMI  , DALIA DAWOUD
Published: December 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to assess the Vitamin D deficiency awareness and perceptions between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) population.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was done among the population of two emirates at the UAE: Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.

Results: Overall, 434 participants completed the survey. Majority of people were aware of phenomenon of Vitamin D deficiency, but only 21.4% of them knew that sunlight is considered the main source of Vitamin D. Moreover, less than half of participants check their Vitamin D blood level regularly and around 55% of them follow-up with their physicians after completing the treatment. High proportion of participant females spend <1 h outdoors (60%) and use sunscreen daily (55%) that cause higher prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency among females than males (83% vs. 42%).

Conclusion: This research gives some insights regarding the UAE population’s awareness and perceptions of Vitamin D insufficiency. Decreased awareness of sunlight exposure as a major source of Vitamin D, in addition to lifestyle, contributed to Vitamin D deficiency problem among the UAE population, in general, and in females, in particular.
PREPARATION AND EVALUATION OF IBUPROFEN EFFERVESCENT GRANULES
Authors: JUTI RANI DEVI  , BIDYUT DAS
Published: December 2019

Objectives: The aim of the present investigation is to prepare the effervescent granules of different formulations and evaluated for different parameters including drug release study.

Methods: The effervescent granules of five different formulations such as F1, F2, F3, F4, and F5 were prepared by the wet granulation method using different concentration of excipients including sodium bicarbonate and potassium bicarbonate. The prepared formulations were evaluated for different parameters including effervescent time as well as drug release study.

Results: After evaluating all the parameters, it has been found that the formulation F5 shows better drug release among all the formulation and least effervescent time. Where it can conclude that as the effervescent time is less, i.e., it quickly bursts and shows its effect quickly. Lesser the bursting time quicker the drug release.
STUDY OF ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF SILVER-DOPED HYDROXYAPATITE
Authors: HIBU WAHID  , ANJUVAN SINGH
Published: December 2019

Objective: Hydroxyapatite (Hap) is an important material used for implants because of its structural similarity with calcium phosphate of the teeth and bones. Hap is mostly used in the situations where load-bearing implants are needed, such as in dental and orthopedic applications. Dental plaque is caused due to the bacteria which induces secondary caries through microleakage between the restoration and the tooth structure.
Methods: An attempt has been made to provide materials with antibacterial activity by incorporating an antibacterial agent into the chemical mixture (Hap). This study delineates the process of synthesizing silver-doped Hap (Ca10Agx(PO4)6(OH)2) by wet chemical precipitation method and by varying the silver concentration (0.3%–0.5%). The synthesized silver-doped Hap was further characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The antimicrobial activities were tested against Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli.
Results: The maximum zone of inhibition against Escherichia coli was observed when equal concentration of Hydroxyapatite and Silver were mixed together i.e XAg=0.5% Zone of inhibition helps to determine the antimicrobial activity of silver-doped Hap. An increase in the zone of inhibition indicates the least growth of microorganisms which was observed at a silver concentration XAg=0.5%.
Conclusions: Silver-doped Hap was synthesized successfully using the chemical precipitation method and was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and XRD analysis. It can be concluded that silver-doped Hap can be an excellent substitute material used as dental implant device.
Determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and percentage Bacterial Growth Inhibition of essential oils against Gram Positive Bacterial pathogens
Authors: Nagalakshmi S. , Saranraj P. , Sivasakthivelan P.
Published: December 2019

Essential oils and volatile constituents extracted from Aromatic plants are frequently used in folk medicine for prevention and treatment of different human diseases. The urge to develop alternative treatment strategies follows three different directions. In the present study, an attempt has been planned to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Percentage Growth Inhibition of Essential oils against two Gram positive bacterial pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. The Essential oils selected for the present study was collected from Sidha Medicine Shop, Tirupattur, Vellore district, Tamil Nadu, India. The Broth dilution method was used for the determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of Essential oils. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) studies were conducted by using various concentrations of Essential oils viz., 25 µl/ml, 50 µl/ml, 75 µl/ml and 100 µ/ml. The Essential oils exhibits inhibitory activity against Gram positive bacteria in all the concentrations. Among the seven Essential oils tested, Mahualongif oil has showed maximum percentage bacterial growth inhibition when compared to other Essential oils. The inhibitory activity of Mahualongif oil was observed more in Staphylococcus aureus when compared to Bacillus subtilis. For Staphylococcus aureus, lowest inhibitory percentage was noticed in Pungam oil and for Bacillus subtilis lowest inhibitory percentage was noticed in Coconut oil.

Keywords: Essential oils, Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), Percentage bacterial growth inhibition, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus.
Antimicrobial activity of Plectranthus amboinicus solvent extracts against Human Pathogenic Bacteria and Fungi
Authors: Sivaranjani D. , Saranraj P. , Manigandan M. , Amala K.
Published: December 2019

Plectranthus amboinicus or locally known as bangun-bangun, is an indigenous vegetable which can be freshly eaten. However, the plant is unpopular among local people and being neglected. It has been reported to be traditionally used for medicine to cure common illnesses such as cough, stomachache, headache and skin infection. Based on the potential, a study was conducted to bioprospect the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil. Plectranthus amboinicus essential oil of methanol and chloroform extract was tested against nine bacteria and four fungi i.e., Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella flexneri, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecal, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Bacillus cereus, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus. The methanol extract of Plectranthus amboinicus showed the maximum antibacterial activity against the bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae and fungi Candida albicans. The antimicrobial activity of Plectranthus amboinicus was more at 100 mg/ml concentration when compared to 50 mg/ml concentration. Comparatively, the Methanol extract of Plectranthus amboinicus exhibited maximum antimicrobial activity when compared to Chloroform extract. The Plectranthus amboinicus has showed good antimicrobial activity against most of the bacteria and only one fungal yeast Candida albicans. No zone of inhibition was recorded against other fungal isolates like Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus and Negative DMSO control.

Keywords: Plectranthus amboinicus, Bacteria, Fungi, Antimicrobial activity and Well diffusion assay.
Characterization and phylogenetic analysis of alkaline α-amylase producing Brevibacillus laterosporus from mountain climatic zone of India
Authors: Nair Girish R , Raja Suresh S.S.
Published: December 2019

α-amylases (EC3.2.1.1) are glycoside hydrolases that breakdown complex starch and maltodextrins into glucose and maltose by acting upon 1,4-glycosidiclinkages. Several amylases have been isolated and purified from members of Bacillus community, which find extensive application in starch processing, textile and pharmaceutical industry. Keeping this in mind we isolated α-amylase producing gram positive bacterium from soils collected from mountain climatic zone of India and identified it as Brevibacillus laterosporus. We further studied the effect of temperature and pH on the amylase activity of this strain and found a very stable activity at alkaline pH of 10 and temperature of 45 ºC. To our knowledge this a first report on characterization and evolutionary analysis of alkaline α-amylase producing Brevibacillus laterosporus isolated from unexplored sites of mountain climatic zone of India.

Keywords: Climatic zone, Brevibacillus, Amylase, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, Phylogenetic analysis
Design, Development and Characterization of Nifedipine Microspheres
Authors: Chalamalasetty Arun Kumar , Narender Boggula , Nirosha Bolledla , Vasudha Bakshi , Himabindu Peddapalli
Published: December 2019

Back ground: Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker and is used in treatment of angina of angina pectoris and hypertension. Nifedipine readily and almost completely absorbed from GIT, but undergoes first pass metabolism, resulting in low oral bioavailability is about 50%.
Aim: The aim of the present study was to prepare and evaluate the microspheres of nifedipine with a goal of improving the bioavailability and giving a prolonged release of drug.
Method: Emulsification (o/w) solvent evaporation method was employed in the preparation of nifedipine microparticles using ethyl cellulose and combination of ethyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose as the polymers.
Results: FT-IR spectra of physical mixture showed no significant shifting of the peaks therefore it reveals that the drug is compatible with the polymer used. The percentage yield obtained in all the formulations was good and in the range of 59.25-94.44%. Among all the formulations, formulation with combination of ethyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose polymers M9 showed high amount of drug release i.e. (91.23%) in 12hrs. Drug release from microspheres with small mean particle size was faster than those with large mesh particle size and followed Higuchi model of kinetics.
Conclusion: The obtained results could be used as essence to develop microspheres, which bypasses first-pass metabolism and results in the improvement of bioavailability. Hence, the present study has been a satisfactory attempt to formulate microspheres of nifedipine, with a view of improving its oral bioavailability and giving a prolonged release of drug.
Keywords: Microspheres, nifedipine, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose E5, ethyl cellulose.