bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
O ESPAÇO CEARENSE A PARTIR DO TERCIÁRIO
Authors: Antonio Miranda de Sousa Samuel , Nascimento de Medeiros Cleyber
Published: March 2022

Desde a década de 1980, o Ceará vem buscando dinamizar sua economia, por meio de processos de reestruturação produtiva, sobretudo nos eixos de indústria, turismo e agronegócio, fazendo uso seletivo do território cearense. Entretanto, é o setor terciário que vem historicamente respondendo pela maior parcela do Produto Interno Bruto (PIB) do Estado. Neste contexto, visando a análise da terciarização no espaço cearense, foi utilizado o Índice de Terciarização Ajustado (ITa), que fornece um resultado do peso do setor de serviços nas economias dos municípios cearenses. Na análise empreendida, fica evidente o importante papel que as cidades da Região Metropolitana de Fortaleza (RMF), sobretudo Fortaleza, e das cidades médias do interior do Ceará, desempenham nessa terciarização da economia do Estado. Destacam-se ainda as cidades de Aracati, Tianguá, Quixadá, Russas e Limoeiro do Norte.
REFORMA AGRÁRIA CONSTITUCIONAL E REFORMA AGRÁRIA DE MERCADO NO MUNICÍPIO DE FLORÂNIA-RN
Authors: Auridete Dantas Medeiros Verônica , Pinheiro Albano Gleydson
Published: March 2022

Esta pesquisa faz uma análise acerca das duas políticas de acesso à terra: A Reforma Agrária Constitucional, conduzida pelo INCRA e a Reforma Agrária de Mercado, que possui apoio do Banco Mundial. Ambas possuem a mesma finalidade: tornar possível o acesso aos lotes, às populações sem ou com pouca terra. A análise da pesquisa foi realizada com base na categoria desenvolvimento, desenvolvimento rural e políticas públicas, para que assim se chegasse ao objetivo que é comparar essas duas políticas de acesso à terra, no que concerne ao desenvolvimento promovido nos assentamentos de originados pelas duas políticas supracitadas.
Effects of Supplementation with Probiotics in Experimental Models of
Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review of Animal Experiments
Authors: Neta Francisca Idalina , de Souza Francisco Emílio Simplício , Batista André Lima , Pinheiro Francisco Irochima , Cobucci Ricardo Ney , Guzen Fausto Pierdoná
Published: March 2022

Background:

Conditions along the brain-gut-microbiota (BGM) axis can significantly contribute
to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Evidence from animal studies indicates a role
of probiotics in regulating mood, cognition, and stress response via the BGM axis. However, the effect
of probiotics on AD needs to be better clarified in preclinical and clinical studies.

Method:

We prepared this systematic review according to PRISMA. PubMed, Web of Science, Embase,
and Virtual Health Library (VHL) were searched for original articles concerning the effects of
probiotics in experimental AD.

Results:

Results were presented as a narrative synthesis according to the Synthesis Without Metaanalysis
(SWiM) Guideline. Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria. The results showed significant
effects in the experimental models of AD treated with probiotics alone or in mixture due to expressive
improvements in cognitive tests.

Conclusion:

Furthermore, in most of the included studies, it was possible to observe a reduction in inflammatory
processes, an increase in the concentration of peptide hormones, insulin homeostasis in the
brain, increased antioxidant enzymes, and a decrease in beta-amyloid deposition and tau hyperphosphorylation.
Supplementation of probiotics seems to improve performance in cognitive tests and increase
the concentration of substances capable of delaying the neurodegenerative process of AD in experimental
models.
Preliminary In Vitro Evaluation of Some Porphyrins Using Human
Breast Tumor Cells
Authors: Boscencu Rica , Manda Gina , Vasiliu Georgiana , Socoteanu Radu , Lupuleasa Dumitru , Burloiu Andreea Mihaela , Neagoe Ionela Victoria , Olariu Laura
Published: March 2022

Background::

Tetrapyrrolic compounds, such as porphyrins and metalloporphyrins, are
highly interesting for pharmaceutical chemistry designs considering their good biocompatibility and
therapeutic potential.

Objective::

The aim of the present work was a preliminary in vitro evaluation of some unsymmetrical
porphyrins and the corresponding symmetrical structures as potential candidates for the photodynamic
therapy of malignant tumors.

Methods::

The biocompatibility of compounds was assessed in terms of their in vitro effect on the
viability and proliferation of breast human carcinoma MCF-7 cells and human normal peripheral
blood mononuclear cells.

Results::

Results indicated that unsymmetrical and symmetrical porphyrins were non-toxic against
tumor MCF-7 cells in the concentration range of 0.2–2μM, making them valuable candidates for
further development as photosensitizers for PDT in tumors. Moreover, unsymmetrical compounds
tended to restore the response of normal and tumor cells affected by the vehicle (dimethyl sulfoxide)
used for the initial solubilization of porphyrins, while the symmetrical compounds were less active in
this respect.

Conclusion::

Unsymmetrical A3B type porphyrins prove enhanced capacity as potential theranostic
agents in interaction with human carcinoma MCF-7 cells, despite reduced differences with the corresponding
symmetrical form.
An Overview of the Methodologies and the Quality of Studies on Pharmacotherapy
for the Treatment of Fibromyalgia
Authors: Walker Cristiani Isabel Banderó , Figueiredo Renata Ferraz , Costa Alana Teles , de Oliveira Santos Silva Rafaella , da Silva Tatiana Damasceno , dos Santos Alcântara Thaciana , de Lyra Junior Divaldo Pereira
Published: March 2022

Background:

It is often unclear whether systematic reviews and primary studies are de-signed to elucidate the efficacy or effectiveness of interventions. This may compromise the use of the information in clinical or policy decisions.

Objective:

This overview aimed to evaluate the methodological profiles of studies on fibromyalgia pharmacotherapy in terms of the quality and nature of the interventions (efficacy versus effective-ness).

Methods:

The protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Re-views database. Seven databases were searched for relevant publications. Systematic reviews inves-tigating the effectiveness or efficacy of fibromyalgia pharmacotherapy were included. Methodolog-ical quality was investigated using A MeaSurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AM-STAR), and efficacy andeffectiveness were evaluated using Rating of Included Trials on the Effica-cy-effectiveness Spectrum (RITES).

Results:

In this overview, 4,107 studies were initially identified. 8 systematic reviews and 34 prima-ry studies remained after overlaps were removed. Of the eight systematic reviews, 4.76% (n=3) and 7.93% (n=5) were of moderate and high quality, respectively. An analysis of systematic reviews clearly showed the criteria “participants characteristics” and “trial setting" with the most frequent answers as scales 1 and 2 (strong emphasis on efficacy or rather strong emphasis on efficacy), re-spectively. RITES analysis revealed that the most frequent response was “strong emphasis on effi-cacy” in 68% (92/136) of primary studies.

Conclusion:

This analysis showed, in both systematic reviews and primary studies, a predominantly strong emphasis on efficacy, suggesting the need for methodological quality improvement in future studies, especially those designed to provide evidence related to effectiveness.
Azole-Pyrimidine Hybrid Anticancer Agents: A Review of Molecular Structure,
Structure Activity Relationship, and Molecular Docking
Authors: Eze Chinweike Cosmas , Ezeokonkwo Amarachukwu Mercy , Ugwu Izuchukwu David , Eze Uchenna Florence , Onyeyilim Ebuka Leonard , Attah Izuchi Solomon , Okonkwo Ifeoma Vivian
Published: March 2022

Cancer has emerged as one of the leading causes of deaths globally partly due to the steady rise in anticancer drug resistance. Pyrimidine and pyrimidine-fused heterocycles are some of the privileged scaffolds in medicine, as they possess diverse biological properties. Pyrimidines containing azole nucleus possesses inestimable anticancer potency and has enormous potential to conduct the regulation of cellular pathways for selective anticancer activity. The present review outlines the molecular structure of pyrimidine-fused azoles with significant anticancer activity. The structure activity relationship and molecular docking studies have also been discussed. The current review is the first complete compilation of significant literature on the proposed topic from 2016 to 2020. The information contained in this review offers a useful insight to chemists in the design of new and potent anticancer azole-pyrimidine analogues.
Recent Applications and Synthesis Techniques of Graphene
Authors: Makwana Manisha V. , Patel Ajay M.
Published: March 2022

Because of major developments in fundamental research and industrial applications, graphene's
mass and low-cost production have become a vital step toward its real-world uses. Graphene, a
one-atom-thick carbon crystal with a unique set of physical and chemical properties comprising extreme
mechanical behaviour with excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, is emerging as a serious
contender to replace many traditional materials in a variety of applications. Graphene has the potential
to improve the performance, functionality, and durability of a broad spectrum of applications,
but its commercialization will require more study. Applications and emerging techniques for the production
of graphene have been investigated in this study. To increase the use of graphene, its current
limitations must be solved expeditiously to improve its performance. In terms of applications, graphene's
advantages have expanded its use in both electroanalytical and electrochemical sensors. This
review paper highlights the most important experimental successes in graphene material manufacturing,
as well as its changing characteristics in connection to smart applications. We explore how graphene
may be successfully integrated directly into devices, enabling a wide range of applications such
as transparent electrodes, photovoltaics, thermoelectricity, 3D printing, and applications in biomedical
and bioimaging devices. Graphene's prospects are also explored and discussed.
Nanostructured Material and its Application in Membrane Separation
Technology
Authors: Ersoz Tugrul Talha , Ersoz Mustafa
Published: March 2022

Nanomaterials are classified with their at least one dimension in the range of 1-100 nm, which offers new innovative solutions for membrane development. These are included as nanosized adsorbents, nanomembranes, nanocomposites, photocatalysts, nanotubes, nanoclays, etc. Nanomaterials are promising, exceptional properties for one of the opportunity is to prevent the global water crisis with their extraordinary performance as their usage for membrane development, particularly for water treatment process. Nanomaterial based membranes that include nanoparticles, nanofibers, 2D layered materials, and their nanostructured composites which provide superior permeation characteristics besides their antifouling, antibacterial and photodegradation properties. They are enable for providing the extraordinary properties to be used as ultrafast and ultimately selective membranes for water purification. In this review, recently developed nanomaterial based membranes and their applications for water treatment process were summarized. The main attention is given to the nanomaterial based membrane structure design. The variety in terms of constituent structure and alterations provide nanomaterial based membranes which will be expected to be a perfect separation membrane in the future.
High-Performance Fault Classification Based on Feature Importance
Ranking-XgBoost Approach with Feature Selection of Redundant Sensor
Data
Authors: Tian Jilun , Jiang Yuchen , Zhang Jiusi , Wang Zhenhua , Rodríguez-Andina Juan J. , Luo Hao
Published: March 2022

Background:

Through the analysis of the relevant data of industrial equipment, faults diagnosis is helpful for system maintenance and reducing economic losses.

Objective:

The aim is to reduce the influence of irrelevant features and efficiently train the FIR-XgBoost model.

Methods:

An Extreme Gradient Boosting (XgBoost) approach based on feature importance ranking (FIR) is proposed in this article for fault classification of high- dimensional complex industrial systems. Gini index is applied to rank the importance of the features, and feature selection is implemented based on their position in the ranking.

Results:

The dataset from the PHM 2021 data challenge, which is related to the process of fuse thermal imaging, is used. The classification accuracy of FIR-XgBoost reaches 99.63%, outperforming other existing algorithms. A case study is presented to show that excellent fault classification can be achieved through ensemble learning and feature selection.

Conclusion:

Data-driven machine learning methods are proposed for solving high-dimensional fault classification problems on the dataset of the PHM2021 Data Challenge. An FIR-XgBoost method is proposed, the core of which is to retain important features and to reduce redundancy of sensor data. Consequently, feature selection based on FIR has better interpretability than other algorithms. Furthermore, the FIR- XgBoost algorithm retaining the 50 most important features achieves the best fault classification performance among the compared algorithms and can be implemented in specific industrial processes.
The Role of Herbs Supplementation in Modulating Injury-induced
Inflammatory Response in Skeletal Muscle: A Systematic Review
Authors: Deasy Andani Gusti Ayu Sinta , Lesmana Ronny , Pratiwi Yuni Susanti
Published: March 2022

Introduction:

One of the most frequent sports-relatedinjuries, skeletal muscle injury requires
special concern considering its great implication for athletes. Inflammation is a key component
of muscle repair once it has been damaged. However, failure to relieve an increased inflammatory
response disrupts the healing process and results in muscle atrophy. Current treatment for muscle injury
has not given promising outcomes for muscle regeneration. Moreover, the administration of
NSAIDs has many negative effects on muscle healing. Various approaches have been attempted in the
search for the best treatment for muscle injuries, including the use of herbs.

Objective:

This paper aims to review some advantages of herbal supplementation to optimize muscle
healing through various mechanisms related to inflammation.

Method:

This study was conducted based on some references from PubMed and Google Scholar
analyzed by applying PRISMA protocol to conclude.

Results and Discussion:

We surveyed several herbs that have been previously studied for their constituents
and bioactivity in modulating inflammatory response. Crocus sativus L. (Saffron) has been
proven to reduce ROS production and inhibit COX activity equal to diclofenac. Curcuma longa and
nutmeg also provide anti-inflammatory effects by decreasing inflammatory mediators, such as IL-1,
IL-6, and TNF-α. Curcuma longa and Radix astragali have been demonstrated to inhibit NF-κB, resulting
in a reduction in inflammatory response. In addition, nutmeg, tea polyphenol, and astaxanthin
are also beneficial in supporting muscle regeneration and preventing muscle atrophy.

Conclusion:

Some herbs are potentially beneficial to optimize the healing process of muscle injury by
modulating inflammatory mediators’ expression and promoting muscle regeneration.
Theory on development of autonomous competence for secondary school students
Authors: Thuy Le Thu
Published: March 2022

The content of the article focuses on analyzing the basic issues related to the development of autonomy for secondary school students such as: The concept of autonomous competence; the development of autonomous competence in secondary school students; objectives, content and methods of developing self-dependence competence for secondary school students.
Prediction of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbation Events by Using Patient Self-reported Data in a Digital Health App: Statistical Evaluation and Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Chmiel Francis P , Burns Dan K , Pickering John Brian , Blythin Alison , Wilkinson Thomas MA , Boniface Michael J
Published: March 2022

Background

Self-reporting digital apps provide a way of remotely monitoring and managing patients with chronic conditions in the community. Leveraging the data collected by these apps in prognostic models could provide increased personalization of care and reduce the burden of care for people who live with chronic conditions. This study evaluated the predictive ability of prognostic models for the prediction of acute exacerbation events in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by using data self-reported to a digital health app.

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate if data self-reported to a digital health app can be used to predict acute exacerbation events in the near future.

Methods

This is a retrospective study evaluating the use of symptom and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test data self-reported to a digital health app (myCOPD) in predicting acute exacerbation events. We include data from 2374 patients who made 68,139 self-reports. We evaluated the degree to which the different variables self-reported to the app are predictive of exacerbation events and developed both heuristic and machine learning models to predict whether the patient will report an exacerbation event within 3 days of self-reporting to the app. The model’s predictive ability was evaluated based on self-reports from an independent set of patients.

Results

Users self-reported symptoms, and standard chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment tests displayed correlation with future exacerbation events. Both a baseline model (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUROC] 0.655, 95% CI 0.689-0.676) and a machine learning model (AUROC 0.727, 95% CI 0.720-0.735) showed moderate ability in predicting exacerbation events, occurring within 3 days of a given self-report. Although the baseline model obtained a fixed sensitivity and specificity of 0.551 (95% CI 0.508-0.596) and 0.759 (95% CI 0.752-0.767) respectively, the sensitivity and specificity of the machine learning model can be tuned by dichotomizing the continuous predictions it provides with different thresholds.

Conclusions

Data self-reported to health care apps designed to remotely monitor patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can be used to predict acute exacerbation events with moderate performance. This could increase personalization of care by allowing preemptive action to be taken to mitigate the risk of future exacerbation events.
Effects of a Nurse-Led Telehealth Self-care Promotion Program on the Quality of Life of Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Wong Arkers Kwan Ching , Bayuo Jonathan , Wong Frances Kam Yuet , Yuen Wing Shan , Lee Athena Yin Lam , Chang Pui King , Lai Jojo Tsz Chui
Published: March 2022

Background

In recent years, telehealth has become a common channel for health care professionals to use to promote health and provide distance care. COVID-19 has further fostered the widespread use of this new technology, which can improve access to care while protecting the community from exposure to infection by direct personal contact, and reduce the time and cost of traveling for both health care users and providers. This is especially true for community-dwelling older adults who have multiple chronic diseases and require frequent hospital visits. Nurses are globally recognized as health care professionals who provide effective community-based care to older adults, facilitating their desire to age in place. However, to date, it is unclear whether the use of telehealth can facilitate their work of promoting self-care to community-dwelling older adults.

Objective

This review aims to summarize findings from randomized controlled trials on the effect of nurse-led telehealth self-care promotion programs compared with the usual on-site or face-to-face services on the quality of life (QoL), self-efficacy, depression, and hospital admissions among community-dwelling older adults.

Methods

A search of 6 major databases was undertaken of relevant studies published from May 2011 to April 2021. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and their 95% CIs were calculated from postintervention outcomes for continuous data, while the odds ratio was obtained for dichotomous data using the Mantel–Haenszel test.

Results

From 1173 possible publications, 13 trials involving a total of 4097 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with the control groups, the intervention groups of community-dwelling older adults significantly improved in overall QoL (SMD 0.12; 95% CI 0.03 to 0.20; P=.006; I2=21%), self-efficacy (SMD 0.19; 95% CI 0.08 to 0.30; P<.001; I2=0%), and depression level (SMD –0.22; 95% CI –0.36 to –0.08; P=.003; I2=89%).

Conclusions

This meta-analysis suggests that employing telehealth in nurse-led self-care promotion programs may have a positive impact on older adults, although more studies are needed to strengthen the evidence base, particularly regarding organization and delivery.

Trial Registration

PROSPERO (Prospective International Register of Systematic Reviews) CRD42021257299; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=257299
Factors Affecting Physicians’ Credibility on Twitter When Sharing Health Information: Online Experimental Study
Authors: Ferrell DaJuan , Campos-Castillo Celeste
Published: March 2022

Background

Largely absent from research on how users appraise the credibility of professionals as sources for the information they find on social media is work investigating factors shaping credibility within a specific profession, such as physicians.

Objective

We address debates about how physicians can show their credibility on social media depending on whether they employ a formal or casual appearance in their profile picture. Using prominence-interpretation theory, we posit that formal appearance will affect perceived credibility based on users' social context—specifically, whether they have a regular health care provider.

Methods

For this experiment, we recruited 205 social media users using Amazon Mechanical Turk. We asked participants if they had a regular health care provider and then randomly assigned them to read 1 of 3 Twitter posts that varied only in the profile picture of the physician offering health advice. Next, we tasked participants with assessing the credibility of the physician and their likelihood of engaging with the tweet and the physician on Twitter. We used path analysis to assess whether participants having a regular health care provider impacted how the profile picture affected their ratings of the physician’s credibility and their likelihood to engage with the tweet and physician on Twitter.

Results

We found that the profile picture of a physician posting health advice in either formal or casual attire did not elicit significant differences in credibility, with ratings comparable to those having no profile image. Among participants assigned the formal appearance condition, those with a regular provider rated the physician higher on a credibility than those without, which led to stronger intentions to engage with the tweet and physician.

Conclusions

The findings add to existing research by showing how the social context of information seeking on social media shapes the credibility of a given professional. Practical implications for professionals engaging with the public on social media and combating false information include moving past debates about casual versus formal appearances and toward identifying ways to segment audiences based on factors like their backgrounds (eg, experiences with health care providers).
A Web-Based Stratified Stepped Care Mental Health Platform (TourHeart): Semistructured Interviews With Stakeholders
Authors: Tsoi Emily W S , Mak Winnie W S , Ho Connie Y Y , Yeung Gladys T Y
Published: March 2022

Background

TourHeart, a web-based stratified stepped care mental health platform, is a one-stop solution that integrates psychoeducation and other well-being promotional tools for mental health promotion and mental illness prevention and evidence-based, low-intensity psychological interventions for the treatment of people with anxiety and depressive symptoms. Instead of focusing only on symptom reduction, the platform aims to be person-centered and recovery-oriented, and continual feedback from stakeholders is sought. Understanding the perspectives of users and service providers enables platform developers to fine-tune both the design and content of the services for enhanced service personalization and personal recovery.

Objective

This qualitative study evaluated a web-based mental health platform by incorporating the perspectives of both users and service providers who administered the platform and provided coaching services. The platform included both web-based and offline services targeting adults along the mental health spectrum based on the two-continua model of mental health and mental illness.

Methods

Interview questions were designed based on the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance framework (RE-AIM). Views on offline services, the design of the web-based platform, user experience, and the contents of the platform were explored using semistructured interviews. A total of 27 service users and 22 service providers were recruited using purposive criterion sampling. A hybrid thematic analysis was performed to identify salient aspects of users’ and providers’ experiences with and views of the platform.

Results

Totally, 3 broad themes (namely, the quality of the platform, drivers for platform use, and coaching services) emerged from the interview data that highlighted users’ views of and experiences with the web-based platform. The platform’s general esthetics, operations, and contents were found to be critical features and drivers for continued use. Although coaching services were indispensable, participants preferred the autonomy and anonymity associated with web-based mental health services.

Conclusions

This study highlights the importance of web-based mental health services being easy to navigate and understand, being user-centric, and providing adequate guidance in self-help. It also confirms existing design standards and recommendations and suggests that more rigorous, iterative user experience research and robust evaluation should be conducted in the future adaptation of web-based stratified stepped care services, so that they can be more personalized and better promote personal recovery.
Developing and Implementing an mHealth Heart Failure Self-care Program to Reduce Readmissions: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Johnson Amber E , Routh Shuvodra , Taylor Christy N , Leopold Meagan , Beatty Kathryn , McNamara Dennis M , Davis Esa M
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND

Patients admitted with decompensated heart failure (HF) are at risk for hospital readmission and poor quality of life during the discharge period. Lifestyle behavior modifications that promote the self-management of chronic cardiac diseases have been associated with an improved quality of life. However, whether a mobile health (mHealth) program can assist patients in the self-management of HF during the acute posthospital discharge period is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to develop an mHealth program designed to enhance patients’ self-management of HF by increasing knowledge, self-efficacy, and symptom detection. We hypothesized that patients hospitalized with HF would be willing to use a feasibly deployed mHealth program after their hospital discharge.

METHODS

We employed a patient-centered outcomes research methodology to design a stakeholder-informed mHealth program. Adult patients with HF admitted to a large academic hospital were enrolled and randomized to receive the mHealth intervention versus usual care. Our feasibility outcomes included ease of program deployment, use of the clinical escalation process, duration of participant recruitment, and participant attrition. Surveys assessing the demographics and clinical characteristics of HF were measured at baseline and at 30 and 90 days after discharge.

RESULTS

The study period was between July 1, 2019, and April 7, 2020. The mean cohort (N=31) age was 60.4 (range 22-85) years. Over half of the participants were men (n=18, 58%) and 77% (n=24) were White. There were no significant differences in baseline measures. We determined that an educational mHealth program tailored for patients with HF is feasibly deployed and acceptable by patients. Though not significant, we found notable trends including a higher mean quality of life at 30 days posthospitalization among program users and a longer duration before rehospitalization, which are suggestive of better HF prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our mHealth tool should be further assessed in a larger comparative effectiveness trial. Our pilot intervention offers promise as an innovative means to help HF patients lead healthy, independent lives. These preliminary data suggest that patient-centered mHealth tools can enable high-risk patients to play a role in the management of their HF after discharge.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03982017; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03982017
Classifying comments on social media related to living kidney donation (Preprint)
Authors: Asghari Mohsen , Nielsen Joshua , Gentili Monica , Koizumi Naoru , Elmaghraby Adel
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND

Living kidney donation (LKD) currently constitutes approximately a quarter of all kidney transplant donors. There exist barriers that preclude prospective donors from donating such as medical ineligibility and cost associated with donation. A better understanding of the perceptions as well as barriers to living donation can facilitate the development of effective policies, education opportunities, and outreach strategies, which may lead to increased number of LKD. Prior research focused predominantly on the perceptions and barriers experienced by a small subset of individuals who have prior exposure to the donation process. The viewpoints of the general public are rarely represented in prior research.

OBJECTIVE

The current study designed a web-scraping method and machine learning algorithms for collecting and classifying comments from a variety of online sources. A resultant dataset was made available to public domain to facilitate further investigation on this topic.

METHODS

We collected comments using web-scraping tools in Python from the New York Times (NYT), as well as YouTube, Twitter, and the forum site Reddit. We developed a set of guidelines for the creation of training data and manual classification of comments as either related to living organ donation or not. We then classified the remaining comments using deep learning.

RESULTS

203,219 unique comments were collected from the above sources. The deep neural network model resulted in 84% accuracy on testing data. Further validation of predictions found an actual accuracy of 63%. The final database contains 11,027 comments classified as being related to LKD.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study laid out the groundwork for more comprehensive analysis of the perceptions, myths and feelings about LKD. The web-scraping and machine learningclassifier are effective methods to collect and examine opinions on LKD held by the general public.
A Literature Quality Assessment System for Randomized Controlled Trial Literature in Traditional Chinese Medicine (Preprint)
Authors: Zhang Yunan , Li Yizhen , Dou Zhili , Liu Heyuan , Huang Zhe , Xu Shujing , Zhao Lei , Sun Haonan , Liu Zhen , Liu Yixing , Han Dongran
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND

In previous studies, researchers only evaluated the scores and grades of TCM clinical randomized controlled works of literature from an overall level, which gave us a general understanding of the overall literature level.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to establish a literature quality assessment system specialized for randomized controlled trial (RCT) literature in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

METHODS

We combined the general international standard and characteristics of TCM to form a checklist of literature content to be evaluated in terms of basic method information and intervention operations. Then, we established a literature information rating system to classify the focused contents into four categories in terms of varied degree of completeness and accuracy.

RESULTS

Based on this system, we systematically assessed the quality of 2,776 RCTs in six categories of diseases in TCM. For the basic method information in these RCTs, “outcome indicators” and “participants’ medical sources” were mentioned in most of cases, but they might be described in a vague way, with accurate rates of 60.73% and 74.52% among the cases mentioned these information; “TCM diagnosis and diagnostic basis”, “TCM syndromes”, “randomization methods”, and “blinding” were often missing, with missing rates ranging from 68.58% to 97.48%. For the intervention information in these RCTs, the complete and accurate information for the “treatment group intervention” was higher at 97.83%, compared to 82.68% for the “control group intervention”. Most of the inaccurate information occurred when only the name of an intervention operation or drug was given, but the operation’s specific contents or drug’s composition were not clearly expressed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggested a serious concern that TCM-related concepts were often missing in trail designs for TCM RCTs, which might impede the development of TCM theories. Also, inaccurate trail designs and intervention descriptions indicated in this study can serve as negative examples for future RCT protocols or reports in TCM to avoid.
Virtual Participatory Design of a Transgender Health Information Resource (Preprint)
Authors: Morse Brad , Soares Andrey , Ytell Kate , Desanto Kristen , Allen Marvyn , Holliman Brook Dosey , Lee Rita , Kwan Bethany M. , Schilling Lisa M.
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND

Using participatory design principles, we created an information resource for the transgender and gender diverse community. The resource was informed by the needs of the transgender and gender diverse community with input from experts in information science and transgender health, and our community advisory board. The resource is delivered through a mobile application; given the current near ubiquitous use of smartphones as a method of accessing the internet among the US population. The resource application provides tailored health and wellness information and was designed to enhance adoption, dissemination, and sustainability.

OBJECTIVE

Health research - including development of digital health tools - has been forced to adapt to the virtual environment due to COVID-19. The purpose of this paper is to describe virtual participatory design methods used to develop the Transgender Health Information Resource digital health tool.

METHODS

A three-stage virtual participatory design approach was implemented using online collaborative tools including Zoom, Mural, REDCap and Justinmind. This approach maintained the benefits and integrity of traditional in-person design sessions, mitigated any deficits, and exploited previously unconsidered benefits of virtual methods.

RESULTS

The first design session, consisting of 4 participant co-designers, resulted in 301 interactions, 79 verbal comments and 222 virtual manipulations which propelled the co-design process and decision making.

CONCLUSIONS

Virtual participatory design can elicit input and decisions from co-designers to develop a health information resource, including a user interface. Co-designers were routinely highly engaged. The virtual approach to participatory design, which included online collaboration tools, was efficient and a feasible methodological approach
VOJNA NEUTRALNOST I SRPSKA STRATEŠKA KULTURA
Authors: Stojanović Stanislav , Šaranović Jovanka
Published: March 2022

Neutralnost je najčešće tretirana kao diskutabilan projekat. Reč je o konceptu koji je praćen brojnim kontradikcijama i dilemama i otvorenim osporavanjima, počev od toga šta koncept danas znači, da li je kredibilan, realan, moguć i moralno utemeljen koncept, posebno da li ga kontekst globalnih procesa diskvalifikuje kao koncept u budućnosti.
Teorijsko polazište teksta jeste da neutralnost, iako radikalno modifikovana, nije iščezla već i dalje predstavlja koncept koji je važan segment međunarodne politike. Ponovno oživljavanje realpolitike u međunarodnim odnosima poslednjih godina, kao i izazovi multipolarnog koncepta međunarodnih odnosa predstavljaju važne podsticaje legitimnosti izbora neutralnosti i afirmacije strateške kulture koja favorizuje vrednosne postulate neutralnosti. Praksa evropskih neutralnih država, bez obzira što su neke od njih značajno redefinisale noseće postulate neutralnosti, posebno činjenica da su to države koje ulaze u red najuspešnijih savremenih društava, ide u prilog održivosti takvog koncepta.
U tom smislu u tekstu je prezentovana argumentacija da nastojanje Republike Srbije da praktikuje vojnu neutralnost kao dugoročno bezbednosno opredeljenje predstavlja izbor strateškog karaktera. Geopolitički, istorijski i brojni drugi razlozi snažno potvrđuju karakter takve odluke. Posebno važan aspekt takvog izbora predstavljaju i noseći vrednosni sadržaji strateške kulture srpskog naroda koji snažno korespondiraju sa idejom vojne neutralnosti. Strateška kultura srpskog naroda koja svoje polazište ima u Kosovskom zavetu i koja je stvarana u uslovima izrazito nenaklonjene istorije, predstavlja autentičan okvir utemeljenja jednog naročitog odnosa prema strateškim nacionalnim pitanjima u budućnosti. Visoko vrednovan odnos prema slobodi, nezavisnosti, spremnost na žrtvu za više ciljeve, kao i poseban društveni status vojske, predstavljaju suštinske postulate srpske strateške kulture i kao takvi mogu da predstavljaju važan program daljeg unapređenja koncepta vojne neutralnosti.
VOJNA NEUTRALNOST REPUBLIKE SRBIJE KAO RACIONALNO I PRELAZNO REŠENJE
Authors: Forca Božidar
Published: March 2022

Republika Srbija je krajem druge godine svoje nezavisnosti i samostalnosti (2007). Rezolucijom Narodne skupštine deklarisana kao vojno neutralna država, do raspisivanja referenduma na kojem bi se donela konačna odluka po tom pitanju. Neposrednije opredeljenje Republike Srbije za vojnu neutralnost utvrđeno je, implicitno, u Strategiji nacionalne bezbednosti i, eksplicitno kao odbrambeni interes, u Strategiji odbrane Republike Srbije, koje su usvojene 2019. godine. Navedenim strategijama iz 2019. godine nije prethodio referendum po pitanju odlučivanja o vojnoj neutralnosti Republike Srbije, što otvara prostor za naučnu i teorijsku raspravu.
Ovaj rad je pokušaj da se sa teorijskog i normativnog aspekta dovedu u vezu pojmovi vojna neutralnost i odbrana i bezbednost Republike Srbije. Osnovni cilj rada jeste da se pokaže da vojna neutralnost jeste političko pitanje neposredno imanentno odbrani, a posredno bezbednosti zemlje, kao i da, iako ima uporište u međunarodnim propisima, sopstvenim iskustvima i praksi međunarodnih odnosa, prvenstveno zavisi od odnosa neke države sa velikim silama.
U realizaciji postavljenog cilja u radu su testirane dve hipoteze: 1) Vojna neutralnost je neposredno imanentna odbrani, a posredno bezbednosti države i 2) Proklamovana, pa eksplicitno utvrđena u strateškim dokumentima, vojna neutralnost Republike Srbije jeste racionalno i prelazno rešenje istorijskog toka procesa u međunarodnim odnosima.
Design, Fabrication and Performance of Twisted Tube Heat Exchanger
Authors: Patel Komil , Rathod Priyeshnath , Patel Monark , Patel Prit A. , Patel Prit D.
Published: March 2022

Abstract: Heat exchangers are very much essential industrial as well as domestic equipment usedeveryday. The fundamental basis for this statistic is shell and tube technology is a cost effective, proven solution for a wide variety of heat transfer requirements. There are various limitations with technology which include inefficient usage of shell side pressure drop, dead or low flow zones around the baffles where fouling and corrosion can occur, and flow induced tube vibration, which can ultimately result in equipment failure. This paper presents a recent innovation and development of a latest heat exchanger technology, known as Twisted Tube Technology, which has been able to overcome the limitations of conventional technology. This technology provides solution to almost all mentioned problems and provide good overall heat transfer coefficients through tube side enhancements. This paper primarily focuses on thermal analysis on twisted tube Heat exchangers. Keywords: Heat exchangers, Twisted tube technology, conventional technology, thermal analysis
Validated RP-HPLC Method for Simultaneous Estimation of Atenolol, Hydrochlorothiazide and Losartan Potassium in Bulk and Pharmaceutical Dosage Form
Authors: Eswarudu M. M. , Sakheena P. , Lahari K. , Babu P. Srinivasa , Eswaraiah M. Chinna
Published: March 2022

A simple, specific, accurate, and precise reverse phase high performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method was developed for the simultaneous estimation of Atenolol, Hydrochlorothiazide and Losartan potassium in bulk and pharmaceutical dosage form. The separation was carried out using Hypersil C18, 250 ×4.6 mm, 5µm column with mobile phase consisted mixture of Acetonitrile and Potassium dihydrogen ortho phosphate buffer in the ratio of 40:60 (V/V) delivered at a flow rate of 1.5 mL / min and effluents were monitored at 225 nm. The selected chromatographic conditions were effective separation of these drugs. And the retention times of Atenolol, Hydrochlorothiazide and Losartan potassium were found to be 1.46, 2.21 and 3.30 min respectively. The proposed method was found to be linear in the range of 50-150 μg/mL,12.5-37.50 μg/mL, and 50-150 μg/mL for Atenolol, Hydrochlorothiazide and Losartan potassium respectively. The recovery of drugs was found to be 97.56 %, 97.72 % and 98.06 % respectively. The proposed method was validated as per ICH guidelines and it was found to be accurate, precise and robust, and it was applied to the estimation of Atenolol, Hydrochlorothiazide and Losartan potassium in combined tablet dosage form and it can also be used for routine quality control analysis of these drugs in biological samples either alone or in combined pharmaceutical dosage forms.
Formulation and Characterization Transdermal Patches of Meloxicam
Authors: M Suhaitamy , H Bangun , P.A.Z Hasibuan
Published: March 2022

Objective: Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), an enolic acid derivative that inhibits the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme.and is usually used by the oral route in the treatment of a wide variety of rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis, low back pain and various other joint diseases. However, when given, meloxicam is given orally, causing gastrointestinal side effects such as bleeding, gastric ulcers, nausea and vomiting, which can occur at any time when given orally.

Methods: Transdermal patches of meloxicam were made with a mixture of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and polyvinylpyrrolidone with various concentrations of enhancers (propylene glycol), that were (F1 10%), (F2 20%), and (F3 30%). Transdermal patches of meloxicam are prepared using the solvent evaporation method. The making of transdermal patches meloxicam was evaluated for various parameters, was evaluated physchochemical, organoleptic, thickness, weight uniformity, folding resistance, moisture content, and swelling properties.

Results: Transdermal patches of meloxicam from three formulas were yellow patches, odorless, slightly wet and flat surface, thickness between 0.0225±0.0005 to 0.0249±0.0001 cm, weight uniformity between 322.56±2.22 to 368.98±1.42 mg, folding resistance between 355.00±3.00 to 386.33±1.53, moisture content between 2.889±0.003 to 3.654±0.009% and swelling between 2.86 up to 3.24%.

Conclusion: The results of the study concluded that the meloxicam transdermal patch preparation had good characteristics, the results obtained met the requirements of a transdermal patch, namely having a flat and slightly wet shape and surface, having uniform weight, thickness, folding resistance and having good patch development power.
The Evaluation of Rationality of Medicines Use in Terms of Prescribing Indicators At The Health Center (Puskesmas) Serdang Bedagai District In 2019
Authors: Sasmita Irawati , K Khairunnisa , Aminah Dalimunthe
Published: March 2022

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of aloe vera gel in inhibiting skin aging.

Method: The powder was extracted with ethanol in macerated method. Extract ethanol were analyzed for antioxidant activity with DPPH assay. Aloe vera extract that has been obtained then made variations of different extract concentrations namely 3% and 6% based on the orientation of researchers to determine the concentration, then in the formulation into gel. Anti-aging activity testing using skin analyzer tools with moisture parameters, collagen levels, pore, sensitivity before and after exposure to UV A and UV B rays.

Results: IC50 value of aloe vera extract obtained by 138.65 ppm. Based on the classification of antioxidant activity shows that IC50 value of aloe vera extract has moderate antioxidants that range from 101 to 250 ppm. The percentage of moisture content in week I to week IV, F3 has an increase of 26% i.e week 1 is 4% and week IV is 30%. The percentage of collagen levels in week I to week IV, F3 has an increase of 50% i.e week 1 is 30% and week IV is 80%. Increase in the percentage of elasticity in the week I to week IV. F3 had the highest increase of 25%, in week 1 it was 50% and week IV was 75%. A large decrease in pores occurs in weeks I through week IV. F3 had the highest decrease of 0.06 mm, in the week I was 0.07 mm and week IV was 0.01 mm.

Conclusion: Aloe vera extract gel preparation has activity as a rejuvenation agent at a concentration of 6%.
The Role of Matrix Tablet in Oral Drug Delivery System
Authors: Yadav Rajkumar Prasad , Sheeba F. R. , Sharma Mukesh , A Bhargav , Kumar Yaswanth , Patel Akshay Kumar
Published: March 2022

Matrix tablet is an important tool for controlled and sustained release dosage forms. The important route of drug administered by oral route. The oral dosage forms developed and improvedthe patient compliance. The oral controlled release system has been developed by change to formulation scientist, due to the inability to restrain and localized of a system at target area of the gastrointestinal tract. The hydrophilic polymers are becomes product of choice for important ingredients formulation of sustained release dosage forms.The benefit of sustained release dosage forms are compared to the conventional dosage forms and uniform therapeutic effects and drug plasma concentration. The matrices used of various class of hydrophilic, hydrophobic, mineral or biodegradabletypes of polymers and their degradation product have been focused. The drug have less half-life and eliminated from the body with in short period of time. The formulation of drug matrix types have been avoided by difficult sustained release drug delivery system. The mechanism of matrix tablets include the both dissolution and diffusion controlled. It produce the therapeutic efficacy. The goal of this review article is to discuss the release mechanism of the drug dosage form of various polymers and a matrix system used in preparation of matrix tablets.