bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Algorithm for Sample Availability Prediction in a Hospital based Epidemiological Study: Spreadsheet-based Sample Availability Calculator
Authors: Sudershan Amrit , Kumar Parvinder , Mahajan kanak
Published: June 2021

Looking at population’s behavior by taking samples is quite uncertain due to its big and dynamic structure and unimaginable variability. All quantitative sampling approaches aim to draw representative sample from the population so that the results of the studying samples can then be generalized back to the population. The probability of detecting a true effect of a study largely depends on the sample size and if taking small samples will give lowers statistical power, thus having higher risk of missing a meaningful underlying difference. There have lot of online sample size calculators which are based on population size, allele frequency which tell us about the number of samples required for the study but none will help in setting a threshold for the availability of the sample from a single hospital in a particular period. This study aims to provide an efficient calculation method for setting a threshold for the availability of samples during a specific period of a research study which is an important question to be answered during the research study design. So we have designed a spreadsheet-based sample availability calculator tool implemented in MS-Excel 2007.
Modeling Price Volatility for Selected Agricultural Commodities in Ethiopia: The Application of GARCH Models
Authors: Tirngo
Published: June 2021

The purpose of this study was to model and forecast volatility of returns for selected agricultural commodities prices using generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) models in Ethiopia. GARCH family models, specifically GARCH, threshold generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (TGARCH) and exponential generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (EGARCH) were employed to analyze the time varying volatility of selected agricultural commodities prices from 2011to 2021. The data analysis results revealed that, out of the GARCH specifications, TGARCH model with Normal distributional assumption of residuals was a better fit model for the price volatility of Teff and Red Pepper in which their return series reacted differently to the good and the bad news. The study indicated the presence of leverage effect which implied that the bad news could have a larger effect on volatility than the good news of the same magnitude, and the asymmetric term was found to be significant. Also, TGARCH model was found to be the accurate model for forecasting price return volatility of the same commodities, namely Teff and Red Pepper. In short, the study concludes that TGARCH was to be the best fit to model and forecast price return volatility of Teff and Red Pepper in the Ethiopian context.
Official Development Aid: Plaster in A Wound? Evidence Using Data From Ethiopia
Authors: Meaza Cherkos
Published: June 2021

The flow of aid to developing countries has increased massively and they receive billions of dollars per year in the form of aid from bilateral and multilateral donors. However, the economic growth achieved by many developing countries in general has not been satisfactory. Poverty is still there and resulted in a custom of aid dependence and foster the opportunity for the corrupted political leader. The conclusion on aid effectiveness is doubtful among economists, found to be inconclusive.This paper intends to see how ethiopian economy is reacting to the flow of foreign aid coming from rest of the world viz-a-viz the current most prestigous and influential arguments against and pro-effectiveness of aid. A time series on important parameters extending from 1981 to the most current 2017 is used and an econometrics techniques ECM is employed to examine the short run dynamics and long run relationship among the variables.The result of the short run dynamics showed that aid has a negative and statistically significant impact on economic growth. However, the impacts turns to be positive in the long run. economic growth measured by the real GDP adjusts to its long run equilibrium with an average speed of about 25.7 percent annually and it will roughly take it about 4 years to restore back to equilibrium, ceteris paribus.
Practical Strategies to Enhance Resident Engagement in Clinical Quality Improvement
Authors: Koller James P. , Cochran Kelly A. , Headrick Linda A.
Published: June 2021

BackgroundEngaging residents in meaningful QI is difficult. Challenges include competing demands, didactics which lack connection to meaningful work, suboptimal experiential learning, unclear accountability, absence of timely and relevant data, and lack of faculty coaches and role models. This paper describes practical strategies to address common challenges to resident engagement in QI, illustrated through the experience of one residency education program.Methods62 categorical residents in the University of Missouri Internal Medicine residency participated in a longitudinal QI curriculum integrated into residency clinic assignments with dedicated QI work sessions and brief just-in-time didactics with mentorship from faculty coaches. Residents completed at least two PDSA cycles for their projects. The experience included clear expectations and tools for accountability. Project criteria included importance to patients, residents and the institution. Residents had access to data related to their own practice. A pre-post survey asked residents to self-assess their level of interest and engagement in QI on a 5-point Likert scale, with 1=least desired and 5=most desired result. Data were analyzed by paired t-test. ResultsAll 62 residents participated in the program as members of ten teams. 40/62 residents completed both pre- and post-surveys. Items related to self-assessment of QI in clinical work all changed in the desired direction: likelihood of participation (3.7 to 4.1, p=0.03), frequency of QI use (3.3 to 3.9, p=0.001), and opinion about using QI in clinical work (3.9 to 4.0, p=0.21). Resident assessment of QI priority in clinical work did not change.ConclusionsWe implemented practical strategies to overcome common challenges to successfully engaging residents in clinical quality improvement. These strategies included QI work integrated into routine clinical assignments, just-in-time didactics, experiential learning with clear expectations and strategic project selection, timely and pertinent data from the residents’ own practice, and real-time faculty coaching.
PROGNOSTIC ROLE OF MOLECULAR SUBTYPES OF COLON CANCER. A CURRENT VIEW ON THE PROBLEM
Authors: Sinyansky L. E. , Vtorushin S. V. , Patalyak S. V. , Afanasyev S. G.
Published: June 2021

Purpose of the study: to review the available data on the heterogeneity of colon cancer and to assess the prognostic significance of colon cancer subtypes.

Material and Methods. Medline, PubMed, Cochrane library, elibrary databases were used to identify studies that characterized the current view on the problem of choosing the optimal postoperative treatment for colon cancer.

Results. the review showed the results of international studies of colon cancer subtypes based on complex multomics characteristics. Particular attention was paid to the description of modern studies on the search for prognostic markers for colon cancer. The relevance of the study of immunohistochemical markers was confirmed by the analysis of the world literature. the outcomes will make it possible to classify colon cancer into molecular subtypes in real clinical practice and, as a consequence, significantly improve the effectiveness of adjuvant therapy.
INFECTIOUS COMPLICATIONS AFTER RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERIES IN BREAST CANCER PATIENTS: A CASE REPORT
Authors: Grigoryevskaya Z. V. , Dokolin R. M. , Tereshchenko I. V. , Sobolevsky V. A. , Dmitrieva N. V. , Vinnikova V. D. , Vershinskaya V. A. , Petukhova I. N. , Bagirova N. S.
Published: June 2021

Introduction. Currently, there is no global consensus regarding the management of breast cancer patients with implant-associated infections. Some studies clearly recommend their removal and surgical debridement with consecutive antimicrobial treatment, while others prefer long-term antibacterial therapy (at least 1 month) with the effectiveness of such conservative approach of 36–73 %.

Case description. A 43-year-old patient suffering from brca1-positive right breast cancer t2n0m0 (invasive carcinoma of non-specific type g3, er – 8, pgr – 0, her-2/neu – 0, ki67 (%) – less than 20 %), underwent radical skin-preserving mastectomy on the right with simultaneous implant reconstruction and preventive subcutaneous mastectomy on the left with simultaneous implant reconstruction. Peri-implant infection in the left breast was observed on the 21st day after surgery.

Results. The patient received empirical therapy with cefepim. Microbiological examination of the punctate revealed the causative agent of infection – methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (mrsa) (1×105cfu/ml). Daptomycin 6 mg/kg/day was added to therapy. After 8 weeks, the patient received oral moxifloxacin 400 once daily, for another 3 weeks. A complete response was achieved. The patient has no signs of infection for 3 years.

Conclusion. Long-term etiotropic antibacterial therapy with daptomycin followed by oral moxifloxacin resulted in a stable clinical effect.
LONG-LASTING CONTROL OF HER-2 POSITIVE DISSEMINATED BREAST CANCER IN A REPRODUCTIVE AGED PATIENT
Authors: Vazhenin A. V. , Voroshina N. V. , Tereshin O. S. , Dubrovskaya N. S.
Published: June 2021

Background. Breast cancer ranks as the second most common cancer (14.9 %) and the most common female cancer (20.9 %) in Russia. at the time of diagnosis, 11.0 % of patients have already developed metastases, and 10.3 % of patients die within the first year of diagnosis from disease progression. distant metastasis is the leading cause of death from breast cancer, and brain metastasis is a significant prognostic factor for poor survival.

Case description. We report the case of a long-lasting control of advanced breast cancer with brain metastases in a 32-year-old woman. low grade tubular breast carcinoma was histologically confirmed. immunohistochemical study: eR-ts-4 points, PR-ts – 3 points, Her-2 positive, Ki67 – 35.0 %. BRCa1 5382ins C mutation was not detected. the long-term use of therapy with lapatinib and capecitabine was described.

Conclusion. this case demonstrates the feasibility of long-term (31 months) control over Her-2 positive disseminated breast cancer with multiple metastases to the brain and bones, while maintaining the quality of life and social activity of a young patient. despite the risks associated with whole brain radiotherapy, no cognitive impairment was observed. therapy with lapatinib and capecitabine was effective for 28 months with good tolerance.
INFLUENCE OF RISK FACTORS FOR DISEASE PROGRESSION ON TREATMENT RESULTS IN PATIENTS WITH PROSTATE CANCER
Authors: Isargapov R. M. , Vozdvizhensky M. O. , Gorbachev A. L.
Published: June 2021

The purpose of the study was to optimize treatment of patients with prostate cancer at high risk of disease progression using a quantitative assessment of risk factors and the treatment method.

Material and methods. Immediate outcomes were analyzed in 107 patients with pt3a-bn0m0g2–4 prostate cancer, who were treated in samara regional clinical oncological dispensary between 2010 and 2012. All patients were divided into 2 groups. Group i patients underwent surgery alone and group ii patients underwent surgery followed by radiation therapy. All patients were at high risk of disease progression according to the d’amico classification. Onlyone risk factor was identified in 64 patients, two risk factors in 37 patients, and three risk factors in 6 cases. The overall survival, cancer-specific survival and disease-free survival were analyzed.

Results. In cases with one and two risk factors, the overall, disease-free and cancer-specific survival rates were statistically higher than in cases with three risk factors in the entire cohort (p<0.05). In the subgroups with one, two, and three risk factors, there were no statistically significant differences in overall and cancer-specific survival rates (p>0.05). Disease-free survival rates in the presence of one factor were not statistically different (p=0.920). In the presence of two and three factors, the relapse-free survival rates were statistically higher in group ii patients (surgical with adjuvant radiation therapy, p=0.049, p=0.025).

Conclusion. The presence of three risk factors significantly increased the likelihood of a poor prognosis compared with one or two factors. Adjuvant radiation therapy improved survival rates in prostate cancer patients.
THE IMPORTANCE OF GROWTH FACTORS IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF COLON CANCER
Authors: Volkov S. V. , Lobanov S. V. , Tereshkov P. P.
Published: June 2021

Objective: to determine the level of growth factors in the blood serum of patients with left-sided colon cancer and to assess the feasibility of using these findings in the tumor detection.

Material and Methods. The study group included 63 patients aged 20 to 75 years who underwent surgery for left-sided colon adenocarcinoma (descending, sigmoid, rectosigmoid) with stage i (t1–2n0m0), ii (t3–4an0m0), and iii (t1–2n1m0). Only 5 patients developed metastases in one regional lymph node. The remaining patients had no regional metastases. In all patients, before hospitalization, the tumor was confirmed by colonoscopy followed by histological examination. The group of comparison consisted of 25 patients with chronic hemorrhoids without exacerbation, who underwent colonoscopy. In patients of the study group, blood tests were drawn on the day of surgery before its starting. In patients of the comparison group, blood was taken after excluding colon cancer (after colonoscopy). Blood tests were carried out using a test system (Biolegend): multiplex set for determining growth factors (angiopoietin-2, (ang-2), egf, epo, FGF-basic, G-csf, GM-csf, HGF, M-csf, pdgf-aa, pdgf-BB, scf, tgf-α, vegf).

Results. In cancer patients, the levels of egf, HGF, M-csf, pdgf-aa, and pdgf-BB were several times higher than in the control group (p <0.05). The level of pdgf-aa was 10 times higher in cancer patients than in controls. In addition to quantitative changes, statistically significant differences were observed between the vegf level and sex of the patients; angio protein-2, G-csf, epo, M-csf, pdgf-aa, pdgf-BB, vegf levels and the age of the patients; tgf-α, HGF levels and the histological grade of the tumor.

Conclusion. It was found that changes in the level of biologically active substances that occur in colon cancer can serve as additional diagnostic markers for cancer detection.
EVALUATION OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH LUNG CARCINOMA AFTER PNEUMONECTOMY
Authors: Toneev E. A. , Pikin O. V. , Orelkin V. I. , Charyshkin A. L. , Martynov A. A. , Remizova Ya. M. , Chavkin P. M.
Published: June 2021

Background. Pneumonectomy is one of the most traumatic thoracic surgeries, leading to a significant decrease in the patient’s functional status. Despite numerous questionnaires, there is no standard approach to the study of the quality of life of patients who have undergone radical surgery for lung cancer.

The purpose of the study was to conduct a retrospective analysis of the quality of life of patients who underwent pneumonectomy during the period 2017–2018, taking into account the extent of surgery, presence of concomitant disease and adjuvant antitumor treatment.

Material and Methods. Changes in the quality of life (qol) during combined modality treatment were evaluated in 40 patients with non-small cell lung cancer. To assess the functional status, the criteria adopted for determining the surgical risk were used. The st. George`s Respiratory Questionnaire (sgrq) and Quality Outcomes study short-Form 36 (sf-36) were used to assess the respiratory system of patients. Data collection was carried out 12 months after surgery using a questionnaire method based on a direct survey of respondents.

Conclusion. Postoperative special treatment significantly worsens both the functional parameters of patients and the quality of life. Thus, a multidisciplinary approach to the management of patient with participation of an oncologist, pulmonologist, physiotherapist, and rehabilitologist is required.
Adana nın Unesco Yaratıcı Şehirler Ağı Gastronomi Teması Kapsamında Değerlendirilmesi (Evaluation of Adana Under The Gastronomy Theme of The Unesco Creatıve Cities Network)
Authors: Şahin Elanur , Ünlüönen Kurban
Published: June 2021

Çalışmada, Adana’nın UNESCO yaratıcı şehirler ağı kapsamında “Gastronomi şehri” olarak seçilme ihtimalini ortaya koymak hedeflenmektedir. Veri toplama yöntemi olarak görüşme formu kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın evrenini Adana’da turizm ve yiyecek içecek sektörü içerisinde yer alan kurum ve kuruluşlarda çalışan bireyler oluşturmaktadır. Örneklem grubunu, kartopu örnekleme yöntemiyle seçilen, Adana’da faaliyet alanları turizm ve yiyecek içecek sektörü olan kurum ve kuruluşlarda gastronomi turizmine yönelik çalışan bireylerden araştırmaya katılmaya gönüllü olanlar arasından 19 katılımcı oluşturmaktadır. Görüşmeler 30 Nisan ile 20 Mayıs 2021 tarihleri arasında e-postalar ve telefon görüşmeleri aracılığıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Verilerin çözümlenmesinde betimsel analiz kullanılmıştır. Tüm katılımcılar UNESCO yaratıcı şehirler ağı hakkında bilgi sahibidir. Adana, gastronomi şehri olmak için 2019 yılında başvuru yapmış ancak seçilememiştir, 2021 yılı başvurusu için hazırlanılmaktadır. Adana gastronomi turizmi açısından zengin mutfak kültürüne sahip olmakla birlikte bu alanda gerçekleştirilen faaliyetlerle de öne çıkmaktadır. Adana kebap özellikle tanıtılan yerel yiyecekler arasında yer almaktadır.
When There's Nothing but Nature: The Danish Experience with Natural Playscapes
Authors: Nebelong Helle
Published: June 2021

In this article I provide an overview of my natural playground and sensory garden design practices and theories. I discuss how I was inspired by the landscape architect, Carl Theodor Sørensen, and the key role his work and writings played in Denmark and beyond in the development
of natural playscapes and in the setting up in 1961 of the International Play Association. I reveal how my first project, while still a student, to design a sensory garden for a special school was to influence my future career and thinking. My time working for the City of Copenhagen began
with the design of the first public sensory garden in Denmark, which I describe here. I then highlight another Danish concept: the manned playground and its manifestation in the Nature Playground in Valbyparken for whose design I was responsible, and which I present here. I go on to discuss
the dangers of standardized playground equipment designed by adults with no input from children, who prefer to make their own play and benefit from so doing. I describe my design for Murergaarden Daycare Centre and Afterschool Club playground which has no fixed play equipment. I then emphasize
further the benefits of 'green' playground design and present the example of the Skovstjernen Daycare Centre, where 'there's nothing but nature and loose parts'. In short, my message is that Nature is the best place for children to play and develop their creativity.
When Nature Enhances Play in Nature: ListenTree
Authors: Portocarrero Edwina
Published: June 2021

While digital and virtual play offer many advantages, our devices compress a wealth of information into displays that make use of a very limited subset of our sensorimotor capabilities. Meanwhile, nature play has been largely praised for being an ideal environment where we can use all
our senses. Integrating computing power into the environment allows us to embed information into the material of the world, opening new opportunities for grounded networked play. This article proposes that the integration of information in the natural and built environment can take on a new
meaning when paired with social mechanisms, cultural value and symbolic meaning. ListenTree, an audio-haptic display embedded in a tree is discussed as an example of a new form of display in the natural environment. An audio exciter transducer is weatherproofed and attached to the underground
portion of a tree trunk, transforming the tree into a living speaker that channels audio through its branches. Our intervention is motivated by a need for seamless displays that support curiosity-driven exploration and require us to be present, attentive, and mindful.
Investigation of parallels between human basal metabolic features and local Earth magnetic field
Authors: Taletaviciene Giedre , McCraty Rollin , Pestininkas Vilius , Vainoras Alfonsas
Published: June 2021

The human body, even at rest, needs energy to perform necessary physiological functions. Strict conditions are required for measuring basal metabolic rate (BMR). Many factors that have a direct impact on BMR including the condition of autonomic nervous. All living systems are affected by external and internal environments. One factor in the external environment is the Earth’s magnetic field, which fluctuates over a wide frequency range. A series of studies indicate that low frequency magnetic fields can affect cellular mitochondrial activity and impacts every cell’s metabolism. Information on gas metabolism during respiration was obtained by indirect calorimetry using a system where the gas flow was continuously analyzed. Time varying local Earth magnetic field data were recorded at a magnetometer site located in Lithuania using 2 induction coil magnetometers. For all magnetic field data, power spectral density PSD was calculated for every hour (fast Fourier transformation) in the band between 0.32 to 36 Hz. Investigations of metabolic rate were performed in Lithuanian during 2016-2020 years. We assessed 395 persons: 116 men and 279 women. Conclusions: 1) Oxygen consumption has significant negative correlation with local geomagnetic field activity; 2) Metabolic rate decreases with increases in local geomagnetic time varying field power; 3) Measured metabolic rate decreases with increase of local geomagnetic field power.
TECHNOLOGY OF SOCIAL SUPPORT OF ORPHANCED CHILDREN AND CHILDREN LEFT WITHOUT PARENTAL SUPPORT: REGIONAL ASPECTS
Authors:   Kursk State Medical University, Kuzmin Vyacheslav , Bykanova Victoria
Published: June 2021

The article considers the analysis of a sociological study on the study of technologies of the system of social support for orphans and children left without care, used in the Kursk region. The article examines the theoretical and methodological features of social work with orphans and children left without parental care; the technology of accompanying orphans and children left without parental care is studied. The features of the regional experience of implementing the technology of accompanying orphans and children left without parental care in the Russian Federation are studied. The problems with which orphans and unaccompanied children most often apply for social assistance are investigated.
Assessment of Macrophyte Biological Index for Rivers, and evaluation of physicochemical parameters in the Sakarya River Basin of Turkey
Authors: Acemi Arda , Ergül Halim Aytekin , Kayal Melih , Ekmekçi Fatih , Özen Fazıl
Published: June 2021

In this study, the Macrophyte Biological Index for Rivers (IBMR) method and physicochemical measurements were used to assess the trophic status of the Sakarya River Basin in Turkey. The most abundant macrophytes were Phragmites australis, Thypa latifolia, Juncus sp., and Paspalum distichum. The IBMR values varied between 6.00 and 13.00 in spring, and between 6.714 and 14.40 in the fall season. The sampling stations, which are under the influence of agricultural runoffs, domestic effluents, and industrial discharges, had hypoxia accompanied by eutrophic and/or hypertrophic conditions at least in one season. The individual trophy levels of the sampling sites in the basin have been assessed as mesotrophic to eutrophic. However, considering the average IBMR value of all stations, the general trophy level of the basin was close to eutrophic. The results indicate that the physicochemical parameters are affected by various effluents discharged to the basin as observed during field studies, and the obtained data would be useful to apply conservation measures.
Study on the spatial distribution of water resource value in the agricultural system of the Yellow River Basin
Authors: Wang Huiliang , Huang Shuoqiao , Di Danyang , Wang Yu , Zhang Fengyi
Published: June 2021

To analyze the spatial distribution characteristics of water resource value in the agricultural system of the Yellow River Basin, this paper takes the Yellow River Basin as its research object and studies the spatial distribution characteristics and influencing factors of water resource value in the agricultural system using the emergy theory and method, the spatial autocorrelation analysis method, and the spatial regression model. The results show the following. (1) The value of water resources in the agricultural system ranges from 0.64 to 0.98 $/m3, and the value in the middle and lower reaches of the basin is relatively high. (2) The Moran index of the water resource value in the agricultural system is 0.2772, showing a positive spatial autocorrelation feature. Here, ‘high-high (high value city gathering)’ is the main aggregation mode, which is mainly concentrated in the middle and lower reaches of the basin. (3) The spatial error model, moreover, has the best simulation effect. The cultivated land area, total agricultural output value, agricultural labor force, and total mechanical power have a significant positive impact on the agricultural production value of water resources in the Yellow River Basin; the altitude, annual average temperature, and agricultural water consumption have a negative impact. Overall, this study shows that guiding the distribution of water resources according to their value and increasing agricultural water use in the middle and lower reaches of the basin will help improve the overall agricultural production efficiency of water resources in the basin.
Simulation of real-time variations of saline drainage water: comparing system dynamics with DRAINMOD-S
Authors: Nozari Hamed , Liaghat Abdolmajid , Azadi Saeed , Poursadri Azin , Ghanbarian Behzad
Published: June 2021

Accurate simulations of wastewater quality and quantity, particularly in saline and semi-arid areas, are important in agricultural water management. In this study, a system dynamics (SD) approach was proposed to simulate drainage water and groundwater salinities, water table fluctuation, and drainage discharge at field scale. The results of the SD approach were compared with results from DRAINMOD-S, a computer simulation model. For model validation, earlier experimental data from two field units were used. The field units each contained three rows of piezometers. During irrigation, daily water table fluctuation, drainage discharge, irrigation and drainage water salinity, and the salinity in each piezometer, were measured. The SD approach simulated these parameters more accurately than DRAINMOD-S for both units.
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Compared with Middle East Respiratory
Syndrome (MERS): A Radiological Perspective
Authors: Alshumrani Ghazi , Al bshabshe Ali , Mousa Wesam Faried
Published: June 2021

Background:

This study aims to describe the radiological findings in chest radiographs
(CXRs) of patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome
(MERS) and to compare the radiological patterns of the two diseases.

Method:

A retrospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in the Southern region
of Saudi Arabia. The CXRs were evaluated for the presence and distribution of ground-glass
opacities (GGO), consolidation, pleural effusions, pneumothorax, cavitation, and nodules.

Results:

A total of 120 CXRs from 15 MERS and six COVID-19 patients were assessed. In the
first available CXR, GGO was present in 11 (73%) of the MERS patients (18% located in the middle
zones and 67% located peripherally) and in 100% of COVID-19 patients (peripheral and middle
zone involvement in all patients). In the first available CXRs, consolidation was present in 10
MERS patients (67%) and in all six COVID-19 patients, while it was present in all patients of both
groups when all the available CXRs were considered. Confluent consolidation was present in 47%
of the MERS patients and 50% of COVID-19 patients. All the fatal cases had confluent consolidation
and radiological signs of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Pneumothorax was present
in 13% of patients, with 100% mortality, and pleural effusion was present in 47% of patients,
with 57% mortality. Lung nodules were present in one patient of each group.

Conclusion:

COVID-19 patients showed earlier development of GGO and consolidation with
greater involvement of the middle and peripheral lung zones. Confluent consolidation and ARDSlike
radiological findings were associated with high mortality. Pneumothorax and pleural effusions
were more frequent in MERS patients, with high associated mortality.
Exercise and Nutraceuticals: Eminent Approach for Diabetic Neuropathy
Authors: Upaganlawar Aman , Kale Mayur Bhimrao , Bajaj Komal , Umare Mohit , Wankhede Nitu L. , Taksande Brijesh Gulabrao , Umekar Milind Janrao
Published: June 2021

:

Diabetic neuropathy is an incapacitating chronic pathological condition that encompasses
a large group of diseases and manifestations of nerve damage. It affects approximately 50% of
patients with diabetes mellitus. Autonomic, sensory, and motor neurons are affected. Disabilities
are severe, along with poor recovery and diverse pathophysiology. Physical exercise and herbal-
based therapies have the potential to decrease the disabilities associated with diabetic neuropathy.
Aerobic exercises like walking, weight lifting, the use of nutraceuticals and herbal extracts are
found to be effective. Literature from the public domain was studied emphasizing various beneficial
effects of different exercises, herbal and nutraceuticals for their therapeutic action in diabetic
neuropathy. Routine exercises and administration of herbal and nutraceuticals, either the extract of
plant material containing the active phytoconstituent or isolated phytoconstituent at safe concentration,
have been shown to have promising positive action in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy.
Exercise has shown promising effects on vascular and neuronal health. It has proven to be well effective
in the treatment as well as prevention of diabetic neuropathy by various novel mechanisms,
including Herbal and nutraceuticals therapy. They primarily show the anti-oxidant effect, secretagogue,
anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and neuroprotective action. Severe adverse events are rare
with these therapies. The current review investigates the benefits of exercise and nutraceutical therapies
in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy.
Effects of Refining on the Characteristics of Suri Cucumber (Cucumis melo L. var. reticulatus Naudin) Seed Oil
Authors:   Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Satya Wacana Christian University Diponegoro, Soetjipto Hartati , Nurrohmah Laili ,   Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Satya Wacana Christian University Diponegoro, Ignatius Kristijanto Agustinus ,   Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Satya Wacana Christian University Diponegoro
Published: June 2021

The oil refining of Suri cucumber seed oil has been developed and tested. Crude oil was obtained by using soxhlet extraction in n-hexane, then was refined using chemical method by degumming and neutralization. This study aims are to determine the oil yield before and after refining, the oil’ physicochemical characteristic before and after refining and to determine the oil profile before and after refining by the Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) method. The refining process cause the color of the oil become paler, but do not significantly affect on the water content and density. However, the process effect to decreasing of the acid value (5.547±0 mg NaOH/g oil to 0.5±0.14 mg NaOH/g oil) and the peroxide number (0.5077±0.036meq O2/g oil became 0.145 ± 0.036meq O2/g oil). Conversely, the saponification value increase (224.06±0.69mg KOH/g oil to 240.17±1.74mg KOH/g oil). GCMS analysis shows that refining process have effects on the composition of fatty acid in the oil.
The Bioactive Compound and Mechanism of Action of Sea Cucumber (Holothuridae) as Anticancer: A Review
Authors:   Research Center for Biotechnology, Indonesian Institute of Science, Anggraini Wulandari Diah , Syahputra Gita ,   Research Center for Biotechnology, Indonesian Institute of Science, Yunovilsa Putra Masteria ,   Research Center for Biotechnology, Indonesian Institute of Science
Published: June 2021

The extreme development and resistance towards cancer drugs, and also the high toxicity, drug resistance and side effects of cancer chemotherapy drug triggers us to develop new drugs as one of the alternative substitutes or combinations of cancer drugs, one of the resources come from marine biodiversity especially sea cucumber. The bioactive compound from sea cucumber can inhibit cancer cell growth with the various mechanism. This study aims to analyze chemical composition, bioactive compound from sea cucumber to inhibit cancer cell line and to analyze mechanism of action of sea cucumber as anticancer with the most recent research studies. The result shows sea cucumber contained protein 44-82%, amino acid, fatty acid, collagen, peptide, micro essential. Each sea cucumber species produced the different secondary metabolites that can use as anticancer. Sea cucumbers contain triterpene glycosides, saponins, holothurin A, stichoposides, frondoside, cucumariosides, dsechinoside, fucoidan, triterpenoid aglycones (philinopgeni), non-glycosaminoglycan, sulfated glycans, sulfated polysaccharides, non-glycosaminosides) that can inhibit cancer cell line. Those bioactive compounds have a various mechanism such as apoptosis in cell line and mitochondria, antioxidative mechanism and membranolytic.
Performance of Caffeine Content Analysis in Robusta sp and Theobroma cacao L using Iodometry, UV-Vis Spectrophotometry and High Performance Liquid Chromatography
Authors:   Chemistry Study Program, Faculty of Education and Teacher Training - Pattimura University, H. Dulanlebit Yeanchon , Hattu Nikmans ,   Chemistry Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science - Pattimura University, P. Sangadji Ritti ,   Food and Drug Authority Office in Tanimbar Island Region, Mahulette Risma ,   Chemistry Study Program, Faculty of Education and Teacher Training - Pattimura University, Kelmanutu Nataniel ,   Chemistry Study Program, Faculty of Education and Teacher Training - Pattimura University, Asari Sandriliati ,   Chemistry Study Program, Faculty of Education and Teacher Training - Pattimura University
Published: June 2021

Caffeine is a xanthine alkaloid compound found in Robusta sp and Theobroma cacao L. The caffeine extract was obtained by evaporating CHCl3 using a rotary evaporator and determine its content using iodometry, UV-Vis spectrophotometry and High Performance Liquid Chromatography, then validated by measurement methods. The iodometric caffeine content in Theobroma cacao L is 900 mg/kg while UV-Vis spectrophotometry is 4,000 mg/kg, and for HPLC in Robusta sp is 19,475 mg/kg. The iodometry performance gives the linearity value, R2 of 0.9791. The precision values at 5.0 mg/L and 15.0 mg/L are 4.6% and 8.3%. Accuracy for 5.0; 10.0; and 15.0 mg/L are 106%, 100% and 94% respectively. The performance of UV-Vis spectrophotometry gives linearity value, R2 of 0.9948. The precision value at 1.0 mg/L and 6.0 mg/L gives the variance coefficient value of 4.2% and 1.2%, while the accuracy at 1.0 mg/L and 6.0 mg/L are 99% and 101%.
The Biological Function Prediction of The 10-gingerol Compound of Ginger in Inhibiting Cyclooxygenase-2 Activity
Authors:   Biotechnology Program, School of Bioresources and Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Chandrakirana Krisnamurti Gabriella ,   Research Center of Smart Molecule of Natural Genetics Resource, University of Brawijaya, Fatchiyah Fatchiyah ,   Research Center of Smart Molecule of Natural Genetics Resource, University of Brawijaya,   Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, University of Brawijaya
Published: June 2021

Anti-inflammatory agents inhibit prostaglandin synthesis by blocking cyclooxygenases (COXs). The compounds extracted from ginger, 10-gingerol and 10-shogaol can inhibit inflammation but the mechanism of inhibition remains unclear. Here we used molecular docking to predict the molecular interactions between COXs and the three inhibitors, acetaminophen (CID1983), 10-gingerol (CID168115) and 10-shogaol (CID6442612). By using that acetaminophen as a gold standard, the results demonstrated that acetaminophen, 10-gingerol, and 10-shogaol could bind catalytic domain and membrane binding domain of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The 10-shogaol did not show significantly different binding energy to bind to COX-1 and COX-2. The 10-gingerol posed a stronger and more specific binding to the membrane-binding domain of COX-2 than acetaminophen and 10-shogaol. The specific binding of the 10-gingerol to COX-2 could prevent the binding of the natural substrate, arachidonic acid. The results provide useful information to improving activities of anti-inflammatory.
Synthesis and Characterization of Hydrogel of Chitosan-Poly (N-Vinyl-2-Pirrolidone) (PVP)- Alginate for Ibuprofen Release
Authors:   Politeknik AKA Bogor, Ministry of Industry of Republic Indonesia, Afriani Kartini , Sutanti Budikania Tri ,   Politeknik AKA Bogor, Ministry of Industry of Republic Indonesia
Published: June 2021

Hydrogels chitosan-poly-(N-vinyl-pyrrolidone)-alginate (Ch/PVP/Alg) have been synthesized with Ca2+, Zn2+ and formaldehyde as crosslinker. Hydrogels with ratio polymer 70:20:10 give a high swelling ratio and good network. The Ch/PVP/Alg/Ca2+ has 463.73% swelling ratio and 80.59% gel. Ch/PVP/Alg/Zn has 489.21% swelling ratio and 81.67% gel. Ch/PVP/Alg crosslinked with formaldehyde result 488.03% swelling ratio and 85.34% gel. Dissolution test of hydrogels in pH 1.2 releases ibuprofen less than 30%. Whereas in the pH 7.4, the release of ibuprofen by hydrogels are relatively high. Ch/PVP/Alg/Ca reach up to 34.63% in 30 minutes and 40.86% for Ch/PVP/Alg/Zn. Meanwhile Ch/PVP/Alg/CH2O can release 44.92% of ibuprofen in 30 minutes. The obtained hydrogel was characterized using infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometry, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Communication and Mobility: Mobile-Mediated Displacement Experiences in Buenos Aires
Authors: Durr Missau Lucas
Published: June 2021

This article aims to identify and describe the specificities of the urban mobility experience of inhabitants who use transportation apps to move around the city of Buenos Aires taking into account social, economic and cultural aspects of their experiences. We seek elements to understand how the use of these apps is part of people’s daily lives and, ultimately, to what extent it contributes to social inclusion, revealing the social aspects that are at stake. Intending to mobilize communication studies, theoretically, this paper articulates the new paradigm of mobilities in the social sciences with cultural studies. We accompanied nine participants of the study, from the first event of their days to the last, during a daily journey. When accompanying them around the city, the collection instruments included interviews and video recording of travel moments from the perspective of the participants themselves, who wore glasses with a hidden video camera. Based on the narratives of participants’ life stories during commuting, we describe how imagining, adapting and belonging to a strange and at times hostile environment relates to mobile-mediated travel experiences. Therefore, we describe processes in which the narratives about the experiences of migration and the daily flows of displacement are articulated with the mediation of transportation applications.
Recensão do livro A Cidade em Todas as Suas Formas
Authors: Veronez Thatiana
Published: June 2021

A obra A Cidade em Todas as Suas Formas da autoria do sociólogo Fábio La Rocca, publicada em 2018 pela Editora Sulina, no Brasil, é a tradução para língua portuguesa da obra original publicada em 2013, pela CNRS Éditions, sob o mesmo título...
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on poverty and inequality in Mexico
Authors: Huesca Luis , Llamas Linda , Jara H. Xavier , Vargas Téllez César O. , Rodríguez David
Published: June 2021

The objective is to quantify the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on employment, poverty and inequality in Mexico. The methodology is based on a probit model to identify individuals at risk of employment loss, whose earnings are set to zero in ENIGH 2018 to match changes in employment and earnings observed in between December 2019 and the May 2020 according to ENOE and ETOE surveys, respectively. MEXMOD, Mexico’s microsimulation model, is used to simulate tax-benefit policies based on the pre-COVID and COVID-scenarios. The results show that there was a loss of 12.1 million jobs. Poverty reached 60.16% and extreme poverty reached 29.73%; inequality grew 8.2%. It is recommended to strengthen social policy with extra funding (taxing the rich) to achieve greater redistribution. The limitation is that income distribution is held constant as we do not have ENIGH 2020. The originality is to offer timely measures of poverty and inequality using microsimulation techniques to overcome the lack of data during the pandemic. The research concludes that there are not automatic stabilizers to cope COVID-19 negative effects and cash-transfers are not sufficient to do so.
The Impact of COVID-19–Related Restrictions on Social and Daily Activities of Parents, People With Disabilities, and Older Adults: Protocol for a Longitudinal, Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Reid Holly , Miller William Cameron , Esfandiari Elham , Mohammadi Somayyeh , Rash Isabelle , Tao Gordon , Simpson Ethan , Leong Kai , Matharu Parmeet , Sakakibara Brodie , Schmidt Julia , Jarus Tal , Forwell Susan , Borisoff Jaimie , Backman Catherine , Alic Adam , Brooks Emily , Chan Janice , Flockhart Elliott , Irish Jessica , Tsukura Chihori , Di Spirito Nicole , Mortenson William Ben
Published: June 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to wide-scale changes in societal organization. This has dramatically altered people’s daily activities, especially among families with young children, those living with disabilities such as spinal cord injury (SCI), those who have experienced a stroke, and older adults.

Objective

We aim to (1) investigate how COVID-19 restrictions influence daily activities, (2) track the psychosocial effects of these restrictions over time, and (3) identify strategies to mitigate the potential negative effects of these restrictions.

Methods

This is a longitudinal, concurrent, mixed methods study being conducted in British Columbia (BC), Canada. Data collection occurred at four time points, between April 2020 and February 2021. The first three data collection time points occurred within phases 1 to 3 of the Province of BC’s Restart Plan. The final data collection coincided with the initial distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines. At each time point, data regarding participants’ sociodemographics, depressive and anxiety symptoms, resilience, boredom, social support, instrumental activities of daily living, and social media and technology use were collected in an online survey. These data supplemented qualitative videoconference interviews exploring participants’ COVID-19–related experiences. Participants were also asked to upload photos representing their experience during the restriction period, which facilitated discussion during the final interview. Five groups of participants were recruited: (1) families with children under the age of 18 years, (2) adults with an SCI, (3) adults who experienced a stroke, (4) adults with other types of disabilities, and (5) older adults (>64 years of age) with no self-reported disability. The number of participants we could recruit from each group was limited, which may impact the validity of some subgroup analyses.

Results

This study was approved by the University of British Columbia Behavioural Research Ethics Board (Approval No. H20-01109) on April 17, 2020. A total of 81 participants were enrolled in this study and data are being analyzed. Data analyses are expected to be completed in fall 2021; submission of multiple papers for publication is expected by winter 2021.

Conclusions

Findings from our study will inform the development and recommendations of a new resource guide for the post–COVID-19 period and for future public health emergencies.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/28337
The Impact of Technology-Enabled Care Coordination in a Complex Mental Health System: A Local System Dynamics Model (Preprint)
Authors: Iorfino Frank , Occhipinti Jo-An , Skinner Adam , Davenport Tracey , Rowe Shelley , Prodan Ante , Sturgess Julie , Hickie Ian B
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, major shortcomings in the way mental health care systems were organized were impairing the delivery of effective care. The mental health impacts of the pandemic, the recession, and the resulting social dislocation will depend on the extent to which care systems will become overwhelmed and on the strategic investments made across the system to effectively respond.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the impact of strengthening the mental health system through technology-enabled care coordination on mental health and suicide outcomes.

METHODS

A system dynamics model for the regional population catchment of North Coast New South Wales, Australia, was developed that incorporated defined pathways from social determinants of mental health to psychological distress, mental health care, and suicidal behavior. The model reproduced historic time series data across a range of outcomes and was used to evaluate the relative impact of a set of scenarios on attempted suicide (ie, self-harm hospitalizations), suicide deaths, mental health–related emergency department (ED) presentations, and psychological distress over the period from 2021 to 2030. These scenarios include (1) business as usual, (2) increase in service capacity growth rate by 20%, (3) standard telehealth, and (4) technology-enabled care coordination. Each scenario was tested using both pre– and post–COVID-19 social and economic conditions.

RESULTS

Technology-enabled care coordination was forecast to deliver a reduction in self-harm hospitalizations and suicide deaths by 6.71% (95% interval 5.63%-7.87%), mental health–related ED presentations by 10.33% (95% interval 8.58%-12.19%), and the prevalence of high psychological distress by 1.76 percentage points (95% interval 1.35-2.32 percentage points). Scenario testing demonstrated that increasing service capacity growth rate by 20% or standard telehealth had substantially lower impacts. This pattern of results was replicated under post–COVID-19 conditions with technology-enabled care coordination being the only tested scenario, which was forecast to reduce the negative impact of the pandemic on mental health and suicide.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of technology-enabled care coordination is likely to improve mental health and suicide outcomes. The substantially lower effectiveness of targeting individual components of the mental health system (ie, increasing service capacity growth rate by 20% or standard telehealth) reiterates that strengthening the whole system has the greatest impact on patient outcomes. Investments into more of the same types of programs and services alone will not be enough to improve outcomes; instead, new models of care and the digital infrastructure to support them and their integration are needed.
Correction: Convalescent Plasma for the Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Quantitative Analysis (Preprint)
Authors: Peng Henry T , Rhind Shawn G , Beckett Andrew
Published: June 2021

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