bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Web-Based, Population-Based Cirrhosis Identification and Management System for Improving Cirrhosis Care: Qualitative Formative Evaluation
Authors: Javier Sarah J , Wu Justina , Smith Donna L , Kanwal Fasiha , Martin Lindsey A , Clark Jack , Midboe Amanda M
Published: September 2021

Background

Cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver, is a debilitating condition that affects millions of US adults. Early identification, linkage to care, and retention of care are critical for preventing severe complications and death from cirrhosis.

Objective

The purpose of this study is to conduct a preimplementation formative evaluation to identify factors that could impact implementation of the Population-Based Cirrhosis Identification and Management System (P-CIMS) in clinics serving patients with cirrhosis. P-CIMS is a web-based informatics tool designed to facilitate patient outreach and cirrhosis care management.

Methods

Semistructured interviews were conducted between January and May 2016 with frontline providers in liver disease and primary care clinics at 3 Veterans Health Administration medical centers. A total of 10 providers were interviewed, including 8 physicians and midlevel providers from liver-related specialty clinics and 2 primary care providers who managed patients with cirrhosis. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research guided the development of the interview guides. Inductive consensus coding and content analysis were used to analyze transcribed interviews and abstracted coded passages, elucidated themes, and insights.

Results

The following themes and subthemes emerged from the analyses: outer setting: needs and resources for patients with cirrhosis; inner setting: readiness for implementation (subthemes: lack of resources, lack of leadership support), and implementation climate (subtheme: competing priorities); characteristics of individuals: role within clinic; knowledge and beliefs about P-CIMS (subtheme: perceived and realized benefits; useful features; suggestions for improvement); and perceptions of current practices in managing cirrhosis cases (subthemes: preimplementation process for identifying and linking patients to cirrhosis care; structural and social barriers to follow-up). Overall, P-CIMS was viewed as a powerful tool for improving linkage and retention, but its integration in the clinical workflow required leadership support, time, and staffing. Providers also cited the need for more intuitive interface elements to enhance usability.

Conclusions

P-CIMS shows promise as a powerful tool for identifying, linking, and retaining care in patients living with cirrhosis. The current evaluation identified several improvements and advantages of P-CIMS over current care processes and provides lessons for others implementing similar population-based identification and management tools in populations with chronic disease.
Teleassessments for Enrollment of Adults With Physical or Mobility Disability in a Home-Based Exercise Trial in Response to COVID-19: Usability Study
Authors: Wilroy Jereme , Lai Byron , Currie Madison , Young Hui-Ju , Thirumalai Mohanraj , Mehta Tapan , Giannone John , Rimmer James
Published: September 2021

Background

The Scale-Up Project Evaluating Responsiveness to Home Exercise And Lifestyle Tele-Health (SUPER-HEALTH) initiative is a large randomized controlled study that aims to overcome logistical barriers to exercise via telehealth for people with physical disabilities. However, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, enrollment was halted due to limited operations at the testing site, which included no onsite visits that involved participant data collection. In response to the limited operations, a modified data collection protocol was developed for virtual enrollment of study participants.

Objective

This paper presents feasibility data on using teleassessments to enroll people with mobility impairment into a home-based exercise trial.

Methods

The modified protocol replaced onsite enrollment and data collection visits with teleassessments using a computer tablet and testing equipment that was shipped to the participants’ home address prior to the synchronous teleassessments conducted by an exercise physiologist through Zoom. The participants were mailed a teleassessment toolkit that included a digital blood pressure cuff, spirometer, hand dynamometer, mini disc cone, and measuring tape (to complete standardized testing). The teleassessment measures included resting blood pressure and heart rate, forced vital capacity, grip strength, Five Times Sit to Stand, and Timed Up and Go. Feasibility metrics included technological effectiveness, efficiency, and safety. The technological effectiveness of the telehealth assessment was determined by the percentage of sessions completed without technical issues with ≥90% criteria set a priori. Efficiency was measured by a session duration of ≤2 hours. Safety was measured by the number of adverse events related to the teleassessments reported.

Results

Data from 36 participants were included in this feasibility study, and 34 (94%) participants completed all teleassessments without technical issues. For efficiency, the teleassessment sessions were completed in a mean time of 65 minutes and a maximum session length of 110 minutes. There were no adverse events reported to indicate concerns with the safety of teleassessments.

Conclusions

The modified teleassessment protocol, in response to COVID-19 restrictions, may be a feasible process for enrolling adults with mobility impairment into a home exercise trial who otherwise would have not been able to participate.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03024320; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03024320
Accurate Prediction of Stroke for Hypertensive Patients Based on Medical Big Data and Machine Learning Algorithms: Retrospective Study
Authors: Yang Yujie , Zheng Jing , Du Zhenzhen , Li Ye , Cai Yunpeng
Published: September 2021

Background

Stroke risk assessment is an important means of primary prevention, but the applicability of existing stroke risk assessment scales in the Chinese population has always been controversial. A prospective study is a common method of medical research, but it is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Medical big data has been demonstrated to promote disease risk factor discovery and prognosis, attracting broad research interest.

Objective

We aimed to establish a high-precision stroke risk prediction model for hypertensive patients based on historical electronic medical record data and machine learning algorithms.

Methods

Based on the Shenzhen Health Information Big Data Platform, a total of 57,671 patients were screened from 250,788 registered patients with hypertension, of whom 9421 had stroke onset during the 3-year follow-up. In addition to baseline characteristics and historical symptoms, we constructed some trend characteristics from multitemporal medical records. Stratified sampling according to gender ratio and age stratification was implemented to balance the positive and negative cases, and the final 19,953 samples were randomly divided into a training set and test set according to a ratio of 7:3. We used 4 machine learning algorithms for modeling, and the risk prediction performance was compared with the traditional risk scales. We also analyzed the nonlinear effect of continuous characteristics on stroke onset.

Results

The tree-based integration algorithm extreme gradient boosting achieved the optimal performance with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.9220, surpassing the other 3 traditional machine learning algorithms. Compared with 2 traditional risk scales, the Framingham stroke risk profiles and the Chinese Multiprovincial Cohort Study, our proposed model achieved better performance on the independent validation set, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic value increased by 0.17. Further nonlinear effect analysis revealed the importance of multitemporal trend characteristics in stroke risk prediction, which will benefit the standardized management of hypertensive patients.

Conclusions

A high-precision 3-year stroke risk prediction model for hypertensive patients was established, and the model's performance was verified by comparing it with the traditional risk scales. Multitemporal trend characteristics played an important role in stroke onset, and thus the model could be deployed to electronic health record systems to assist in more pervasive, preemptive stroke risk screening, enabling higher efficiency of early disease prevention and intervention.
Reducing Dental Anxiety in Children Using a Mobile Health App: Usability and User Experience Study
Authors: del Carmen María del Carmen , Cagigas-Muñiz Daniel , García-Robles Rocío , Oprescu Andreea Madalina
Published: September 2021

Background

Dentistry interventions cause common anxiety and fear problems in children (6-11 years), and according to scientific evidence, this causes a decrease in their quality of life. Therapies mediated by IT-based tools have been shown to positively influence children’s mood based on distraction as well as relaxing activities, but there is no evidence of their use to reduce dental anxiety in children.

Objective

The aim of this study was to answer the following research question: Does our new children-centered codesign methodology contribute to achieving a usable mobile-based product with a highly scored user experience?

Methods

A mobile health app was developed to reduce dental anxiety in children using rapid application development following the usage-centered design methodology. Structured interviews were conducted to test the usability and user experience of the app prototype among 40 children (n=20, 50%, boys and n=20, 50%, girls; age 6-11 years) using a children-adapted questionnaire and the 7-point Single Ease Question rating scale. The Smiley Faces Program—Revised questionnaire was used to assess the level of dental anxiety in participants.

Results

There were no significant differences between girls and boys. The task completion rate was 95% (n=19) for children aged 6-8 years (group 1) and 100% (n=20) for children aged 9-11 years (group 2). Group 1 found watching the relaxing video (task C) to be the easiest, followed by playing a video minigame (task B) and watching the narrative (task A). Group 2 found task C to be the easiest, followed by task A and then task B. The average time spent on the different types of tasks was similar in both age groups. Most of the children in both age groups were happy with the app and found it funny. All children thought that having the app in the waiting room during a dental visit would be useful.

Conclusions

The findings confirmed that the app is usable and provides an excellent user experience. Our children-adapted methodology contributes to achieving usable mobile-based products for children with a highly scored user experience.
Visualizing Knowledge Evolution Trends and Research Hotspots of Personal Health Data Research: Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Gong Jianxia , Sihag Vikrant , Kong Qingxia , Zhao Lindu
Published: September 2021

Background

The recent surge in clinical and nonclinical health-related data has been accompanied by a concomitant increase in personal health data (PHD) research across multiple disciplines such as medicine, computer science, and management. There is now a need to synthesize the dynamic knowledge of PHD in various disciplines to spot potential research hotspots.

Objective

The aim of this study was to reveal the knowledge evolutionary trends in PHD and detect potential research hotspots using bibliometric analysis.

Methods

We collected 8281 articles published between 2009 and 2018 from the Web of Science database. The knowledge evolution analysis (KEA) framework was used to analyze the evolution of PHD research. The KEA framework is a bibliometric approach that is based on 3 knowledge networks: reference co-citation, keyword co-occurrence, and discipline co-occurrence.

Results

The findings show that the focus of PHD research has evolved from medicine centric to technology centric to human centric since 2009. The most active PHD knowledge cluster is developing knowledge resources and allocating scarce resources. The field of computer science, especially the topic of artificial intelligence (AI), has been the focal point of recent empirical studies on PHD. Topics related to psychology and human factors (eg, attitude, satisfaction, education) are also receiving more attention.

Conclusions

Our analysis shows that PHD research has the potential to provide value-based health care in the future. All stakeholders should be educated about AI technology to promote value generation through PHD. Moreover, technology developers and health care institutions should consider human factors to facilitate the effective adoption of PHD-related technology. These findings indicate opportunities for interdisciplinary cooperation in several PHD research areas: (1) AI applications for PHD; (2) regulatory issues and governance of PHD; (3) education of all stakeholders about AI technology; and (4) value-based health care including “allocative value,” “technology value,” and “personalized value.”
Infoveillance of the Croatian Online Media During the COVID-19 Pandemic: One-Year Longitudinal Study Using Natural Language Processing
Authors: Beliga Slobodan , Martinčić-Ipšić Sanda , Matešić Mihaela , Petrijevčanin Vuksanović Irena , Meštrović Ana
Published: September 2021

Background

Online media play an important role in public health emergencies and serve as essential communication platforms. Infoveillance of online media during the COVID-19 pandemic is an important step toward gaining a better understanding of crisis communication.

Objective

The goal of this study was to perform a longitudinal analysis of the COVID-19–related content on online media based on natural language processing.

Methods

We collected a data set of news articles published by Croatian online media during the first 13 months of the pandemic. First, we tested the correlations between the number of articles and the number of new daily COVID-19 cases. Second, we analyzed the content by extracting the most frequent terms and applied the Jaccard similarity coefficient. Third, we compared the occurrence of the pandemic-related terms during the two waves of the pandemic. Finally, we applied named entity recognition to extract the most frequent entities and tracked the dynamics of changes during the observation period.

Results

The results showed no significant correlation between the number of articles and the number of new daily COVID-19 cases. Furthermore, there were high overlaps in the terminology used in all articles published during the pandemic with a slight shift in the pandemic-related terms between the first and the second waves. Finally, the findings indicate that the most influential entities have lower overlaps for the identified people and higher overlaps for locations and institutions.

Conclusions

Our study shows that online media have a prompt response to the pandemic with a large number of COVID-19–related articles. There was a high overlap in the frequently used terms across the first 13 months, which may indicate the narrow focus of reporting in certain periods. However, the pandemic-related terminology is well-covered.
Digital Instruments for Reporting of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Clinical Trials: Comparison of End-of-Day Diaries Versus the Experience Sampling Method
Authors: Beckers Abraham B , Snijkers Johanna T W , Weerts Zsa Zsa R M , Vork Lisa , Klaassen Tim , Smeets Fabienne G M , Masclee Ad A M , Keszthelyi Daniel
Published: September 2021

Background

Questionnaires are necessary tools for assessing symptoms of disorders of the brain-gut interaction in clinical trials. We previously reported on the excellent adherence to a smartphone app used as symptom diary in a randomized clinical trial on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Other sampling methods, such as the experience sampling method (ESM), are better equipped to measure symptom variability over time and provide useful information regarding possible symptom triggers, and they are free of ecological and recall bias. The high frequency of measurements, however, could limit the feasibility of ESM in clinical trials.

Objective

This study aimed to compare the adherence rates of a smartphone-based end-of-day diary and ESM for symptom assessment in IBS and functional dyspepsia (FD).

Methods

Data from 4 separate studies were included. Patients with IBS participated in a randomized controlled trial, which involved a smartphone end-of-day diary for a 2+8-week (pretreatment + treatment) period, and an observational study in which patients completed ESM assessments using a smartphone app for 1 week. Patients with FD participated in a randomized controlled trial, which involved a smartphone end-of-day diary for a 2+12-week (pretreatment + treatment) period, and an observational study in which patients completed ESM assessments using a smartphone app for 1 week. Adherence rates were compared between these 2 symptom sampling methods.

Results

In total, 25 patients with IBS and 15 patients with FD were included. Overall adherence rates for the end-of-day diaries were significantly higher than those for ESM (IBS: 92.7% vs 69.8%, FD: 90.1% vs 61.4%, respectively).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates excellent adherence rates for smartphone app–based end-of-day diaries as used in 2 separate clinical trials. Overall adherence rates for ESM were significantly lower, rendering it more suitable for intermittent sampling periods rather than continuous sampling during longer clinical trials.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on a Physician Group’s WhatsApp Chat: Qualitative Content Analysis
Authors: Abdel-Razig Sawsan , Anglade Pascale , Ibrahim Halah
Published: September 2021

Background

Social media has emerged as an effective means of information sharing and community building among health professionals. The utility of these platforms is likely heightened during times of health system crises and global uncertainty. Studies have demonstrated that physicians’ social media platforms serve to bridge the gap of information between on-the-ground experiences of health care workers and emerging knowledge.

Objective

The primary aim of this study was to characterize the use of a physician WhatsApp (WhatsApp LLC) group chat during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Through the lens of the social network theory, we performed a qualitative content analysis of the posts of a women physician WhatsApp group located in the United Arab Emirates between February 1, 2020, and May 31, 2020, that is, during the initial surge of COVID-19 cases.

Results

There were 6101 posts during the study period, which reflected a 2.6-fold increase in platform use when compared with platform use in the year prior. A total of 8 themes and 9 subthemes were described. The top 3 uses of the platform were requests for information (posts: 2818/6101, 46.2%), member support and promotion (posts: 988/6101, 16.2%), and information sharing (posts: 896/6101, 14.7%). A substantial proportion of posts were related to COVID-19 (2653/6101, 43.5%), with the most popular theme being requests for logistical (nonmedical) information. Among posts containing COVID-19–related medical information, it was notable that two-thirds (571/868, 65.8%) of these posts were from public mass media or unverified sources.

Conclusions

Health crises can potentiate the use of social media platforms among physicians. This reflects physicians’ tendency to turn to these platforms for information sharing and community building purposes. However, important questions remain regarding the accuracy and credibility of the information shared. Our findings suggest that the training of physicians in social media practices and information dissemination may be needed.
Telemedicine in Intensive Care Units: Scoping Review
Authors: Guinemer Camille , Boeker Martin , Fürstenau Daniel , Poncette Akira-Sebastian , Weiss Björn , Mörgeli Rudolf , Balzer Felix
Published: September 2021

Background

The role of telemedicine in intensive care has been increasing steadily. Tele–intensive care unit (ICU) interventions are varied and can be used in different levels of treatment, often with direct implications for the intensive care processes. Although a substantial body of primary and secondary literature has been published on the topic, there is a need for broadening the understanding of the organizational factors influencing the effectiveness of telemedical interventions in the ICU.

Objective

This scoping review aims to provide a map of existing evidence on tele-ICU interventions, focusing on the analysis of the implementation context and identifying areas for further technological research.

Methods

A research protocol outlining the method has been published in JMIR Research Protocols. This review follows the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews). A core research team was assembled to provide feedback and discuss findings.

Results

A total of 3019 results were retrieved. After screening, 25 studies were included in the final analysis. We were able to characterize the context of tele-ICU studies and identify three use cases for tele-ICU interventions. The first use case is extending coverage, which describes interventions aimed at extending the availability of intensive care capabilities. The second use case is improving compliance, which includes interventions targeted at improving patient safety, intensive care best practices, and quality of care. The third use case, facilitating transfer, describes telemedicine interventions targeted toward the management of patient transfers to or from the ICU.

Conclusions

The benefits of tele-ICU interventions have been well documented for centralized systems aimed at extending critical care capabilities in a community setting and improving care compliance in tertiary hospitals. No strong evidence has been found on the reduction of patient transfers following tele-ICU intervention.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

RR2-10.2196/19695
Use of a Guided Imagery Mobile App (See Me Serene) to Reduce COVID-19–Related Stress: Pilot Feasibility Study
Authors: Gordon Judith S , Sbarra David , Armin Julie , Pace Thaddeus W W , Gniady Chris , Barraza Yessenya
Published: September 2021

Background

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has led to concerns about mental health resulting from regional and national lockdowns, social isolation, job loss, and concern about disease exposure.

Objective

We describe results of the pilot feasibility study of the See Me Serene mHealth app. The app provides users with immersive, vivid, nature experiences to reduce stress and anxiety related to COVID-19 and other isolation. The goals of the study were to develop the See Me Serene app and test the feasibility and acceptability of study procedures, and explore the potential impact of the app on stress and anxiety.

Methods

We developed and tested the See Me Serene app and our study procedures for feasibility, and gathered preliminary data with a goal of 100 participants. The research was conducted in 2 phases: (1) development and internal testing of the app; and (2) feasibility and pilot testing with participants recruited online through earned media (eg, news stories), presentations at a university campus, and social media (eg, online sharing of earned media and presentations). The feasibility study employed a mixed methods, within-subjects, pre-/posttest design. At baseline and 30-day follow-up, we assessed stress-related variables via validated self-report measures and saliva samples for determination of cortisol concentrations.

Results

We met or surpassed all our feasibility benchmarks for recruitment (101 participants recruited), retention (91% [90/99] of 30-day assessment completed), and data collection (99 participants completed all baseline data; 85% [84/99] of salivary cortisol samples returned). Participants adhered to the intervention. On average, participants listened to 48.2 audio files over 30 days or approximately 1.6 audio files per day. Participants were satisfied with the app, with 87% (78/90) rating the app as helpful in dealing with stress and anxiety. The app showed the potential to reduce stress, anxiety, loneliness, and worry. We did not find significant differences (P=.41) in cortisol levels over time. Our findings suggest that future research is warranted to test the efficacy of the See Me Serene app with a representative, diverse sample.

Conclusions

There is a need for evidence-based and easily disseminable stress-reduction interventions. See Me Serene is a feasible intervention and has the potential to reduce stress related to COVID-19 and other forms of social isolation. More research on See Me Serene is warranted.
Values of Importance to Patients With Cardiovascular Disease as a Foundation for eHealth Design and Evaluation: Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Bente Britt E , Wentzel Jobke , Groeneveld Rik GH , IJzerman Renée VH , de Buisonjé David R , Breeman Linda D , Janssen Veronica R , Kraaijenhagen Roderik , Pieterse Marcel E , Evers Andrea WM , van Gemert-Pijnen Julia EWC
Published: September 2021

Background

eHealth interventions are developed to support and facilitate patients with lifestyle changes and self-care tasks after being diagnosed with a cardiovascular disease (CVD). Creating long-lasting effects on lifestyle change and health outcomes with eHealth interventions is challenging and requires good understanding of patient values.

Objective

The aim of the study was to identify values of importance to patients with CVD to aid in designing a technological lifestyle platform.

Methods

A mixed method design was applied, combining data from usability testing with an additional online survey study, to validate the outcomes of the usability tests.

Results

A total of 11 relevant patient values were identified, including the need for security, support, not wanting to feel anxious, tailoring of treatment, and personalized, accessible care. The validation survey shows that all values but one (value 9: To have extrinsic motivation to accomplish goals or activities [related to health/lifestyle]) were regarded as important/very important. A rating of very unimportant or unimportant was given by less than 2% of the respondents (value 1: 4/641, 0.6%; value 2: 10/641, 1.6%; value 3: 9/641, 1.4%; value 4: 5/641, 0.8%; value 5: 10/641, 1.6%; value 6: 4/641, 0.6%; value 7: 10/639, 1.6%; value 8: 4/639, 0.6%; value 10: 3/636, 0.5%; value 11: 4/636, 0.6%) to all values except but one (value 9: 56/636, 8.8%).

Conclusions

There is a high consensus among patients regarding the identified values reflecting goals and themes central to their lives, while living with or managing their CVD. The identified values can serve as a foundation for future research to translate and integrate these values into the design of the eHealth technology. This may call for prioritization of values, as not all values can be met equally.
ROLE OF MICRONUTRIENTS IN HEART DISEASES
Authors: KHAIRNAR NAMRATA , PINGALE PRASHANT , AMRUTKAR SUNIL
Published: September 2021

Heart disease is a common occurrence in older patients in the civilized culture, and the rate is predicted to rise as the software advances. Patients with heart disease should be intended to eat a salt-free diet to lose adiposity. Diet is also critical for heart disease patients; those with nutrition deficits have a low deep prognosis. A growing body of research indicates a correlation between heart disease and a lack of micronutrients. Repairable heart disease has been linked to thiamine and selenium deficiency. Micronutrients and heart disease may, nevertheless, have a more moderate association, according to recent research. This article looks at studies that looked at micronutrient consumption, supplement effectiveness, and micronutrient ingestion in heart disease patients, with an emphasis on retinol, ascorbic acid, a fat-soluble vitamin, vitamin B1, other B vitamins, cholecalciferol, folate, iron, and copper. Because aging is the leading cause of coronary heart disease, treatments intended to reduce down the aging process or improving life expectancy are distinctly different from their standards for the treatment of coronary heart disease. Altering risky life decisions which might relate to aging and coronary heart diseases, such as nicotine usage, obesity, and unique lifestyles, is increasingly become part of the quality of practice.
ISOLATION OF PHYTOCONSTITUENT, IN VITRO ANTICANCER STUDY IN HELA AND MCF-7 CELL LINES AND MOLECULAR DOCKING STUDIES OF POTHOS SCANDENS LINN
Authors: NAIR SEEMA S. , VARKEY JOYAMMA
Published: September 2021

Objective: This study aims to isolate an active phytoconstituent from ethanolic leaf extract of Pothos scandens Linn., to evaluate in vitro anticancer activity, and to carry out molecular docking studies of the isolated phytoconstituent. Methods: The bioactive constituent 1,1’-(4,5-dihydroxy benzene-1,2-diyl) bisoct-7-en-1-one, a phenolic compound, was isolated by using chromatographic methods and the structure was elucidated by various spectroscopic techniques. In vitro anticancer activity was evaluated against HeLa and MCF 7 cell lines. The viability of cells was evaluated by direct observation of cells by an Inverted phase-contrast microscope and by the MTT assay method. IC50 was calculated using the linear regression model. Results: The results of anticancer studies revealed that different concentrations of the ethanolic extract of leaves of Pothos scandens Linn. exhibited cytotoxic activity against HeLa and MCF 7 cell lines with IC50 of 22.9 and 18.32 μg/ml, respectively. The anticancer potential of the plant was revalidated by in silico molecular docking study with Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 (VEGFR2, PDB ID: 4AG8) using Discovery studio 2018. Results of the docking study showed that the ligand exhibited strong interaction with the VEGFR2 kinase with significant binding energy. Conclusion: Pothos scandens linn. can be used for the isolation of potent anticancer agents.
IN VITRO EVALUATION OF ANTHELMINTIC ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF CENTELLA ASIATICA LINN. IN INDIAN ADULT EARTHWORMS
Authors: DATTA SWAGATA , NINGTHOUJAM GEETANJALI , ZOSANGPUII CHRISTINA , SHYAMASAKHI PAONAM , MEENA NAMEIRAKPAM
Published: September 2021

Objective: Helminthiasis is one of the most prevalent parasitic infestations worldwide posing a major threat to public health. The control of these nematodes has relied largely on the use of a limited number of anthelmintics. However, emerging resistance and side effects to the currently available anthelmintic drugs is a major concern and discovery of newer anthelmintics with a novel mode of action is the need of the hour. The present study is aimed to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of ethanolic extract of Centella asiatica Linn. (EECA) on Indian earthworms (Pheretima posthuma).

Methods: The earthworms were divided into 4 groups with 6 worms in each group. The anthelmintic activity of EECA at two different concentrations (25 mg/ml and 50 mg/ml) was evaluated by assessing the time of paralysis and time of death of the worms. Albendazole was used as standard and 2% gum acacia as control.

Results: Albendazole at 25 mg/ml showed the highest anthelmintic activity and had significant difference (p<0.001) with EECA at both 25 mg/ml and 50 mg/ml.

Conclusion: Both doses of the test drug showed anthelmintic activity but the extract at either dose was found to be less effective than the standard drug. Further studies with higher doses of the extract should be done to evaluate the anthelmintic activity in a dose-dependent manner.
FORMULATION AND IN VITRO EVALUATION OF POLY-(D, L-LACTIDE-CO-GLYCOLIDE) (PLGA) NANOPARTICLES OF ELLAGIC ACID AND ITS EFFECT ON HUMAN BREAST CANCER, MCF-7 CELL LINE.
Authors: DAS JAYITA , DEBBARMA ANIMA , LALHLENMAWIA H.
Published: September 2021

Objective: The aim of this experiment was to develop ellagic acid (EA) loaded poly (D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles for tumour-specific drug delivery. The phytochemical EA is a potential antioxidant, anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic. Due to its low solubility and permeability, it falls under class IV of the BCS classification.

Methods: PLGA nanoparticles were prepared by a method established on the concept of single emulsification–solvent evaporation by using TWEEN®20 as a cosolvent for solubilizing the drug. While developing this method, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), was implemented. 

Results: The stabilized formulation was with a particle size of 174.2 nm, which is ideal for tumour accumulation. The SEM images confirmed that the NPs have spherical shape. The resulting NPs were predominantly spherical and of uniform size and shape. Initial release of EA from nanoparticles in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer was quick, followed by a steady sustained release. The in vitro cytotoxicity study using MTT was also performed on the human breast cancer, MCF-7 cell line and EA-NPs were found to successively reduce the IC50 values which thereby revealed the pronounced cytotoxic effect of the formulation. 

Conclusion: After performing this experiment, we can conclude that the polymeric nanoparticles are efficient and suitable form of drug delivery of ellagic acid exhibiting potential anti-tumour activity.
EXPLORING PHARMACY STUDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF EATING DISORDERS AND THEIR IMPACT ON MENTAL HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE
Authors: MAHMOOD AQSA , BALL PATRICK , MORRISSEY HANA
Published: September 2021

Objective: Eating disorders are a group of mental illnesses that are long-term and potentially life-threatening, affecting individuals’ physical and emotional health and wellbeing. They commonly exist alongside other mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety and are associated with a significant reduction in an individual's quality of life and life expectancy. They are poorly understood, and cases may be undiagnosed and thus untreated. This can result in damage to multiple organs, including the brain, heart, and kidneys.

Methods: This was an online questionnaire-based study, which consisted of 21 open and closed-ended questions. Participants were from years 1 to 4 of the MPharm course at the University of Wolverhampton.

Results: Fourty two completed surveys were returned. The results of the study revealed that pharmacy students lacked knowledge of eating disorders, which was also illustrated in previously conducted studies amongst other healthcare professions students. Therefore, it is evident that the current education about eating disorders is insufficient in many undergraduate healthcare courses and there is room for improvement.

Conclusion: Improving future pharmacist’s knowledge about eating disorders would assist better and earlier identification of patients with such conditions, allowing timely support.
INVESTIGATION OF ANTHELMINTIC EFFECT OF NEOLAMARCKIA CADAMBA FRUIT EXTRACTS IN ASCARIASIS
Authors: KAUR KULDEEP , SINGH AJEET PAL , SINGH AMAR PAL
Published: September 2021

Objective: Investigation of Anthelmintic effect of Neolamarckia Cadamba fruit extracts (Ethanol, Aquaous, Phenyl ether, Chloroform) in Ascariasis.

Methods: The experiment was conducted on an adult Indian earthworm, Eiseniafoetida, owing of its morphological and physiological similarities to the human intestine roundworm parasite. Six sets of six earthworms were discharged sequentially into different extracts of N. cadamba fruits at dose levels of 5,10,15,20, and 25 mg/ml, respectively, and 25 mg/ml of albendazole solutions. Albendazole was employed as the standard reference medication.

Results: The results showed that Ethanolic extract has the greatest degree of activity. When compared to any other extract or conventional medicine, it produces a paralytic effect sooner and has a shorter time to death (Albendazole). An ethanol extract included alkaloid, saponin, tannins, flavonoids, proteins, and amino acids. As a result, it is possible to infer that the ethenolic fruit extract of Neolomarckia Cadamba showed much more anthelmintic activity against Indian earthworms than the usual treatment (Albendazole).

Conclusion: The solvents Ethanol, Chloroform, Phenyl Ether, and Aquaous were used to extract the Neolamarckia Cadamba. The results showed that Ethanolic extract has the greatest degree of activity. When compared to any other extract or conventional medicine, it produces a paralytic effect sooner and has a shorter time to death (Albendazole).
FORMULATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF CURCUMIN BASED EMULGEL IN TREATMENT AND RECURRENCE OF VAGINAL CANDIDIASIS
Authors: BAIRAGI GHANSHAMDAS R. , PATEL VIPUL P.
Published: September 2021

Objective: The main causative agent of vaginal candidiasis is Candida albicans and it develops resistance against several synthetic antifungal drugs and it has a high rate of infection in women. According to WHO report, around 75% of women are infected by Candida albicans and 50 % are infected a second time by Candida albicans. Therefore, we choose Curcumin an antifungal agent that had reported antifungal properties against the various fungal species. The Curcumin-containing emulgel based microemulsion system was prepared for greater retention time and penetration across the vaginal mucosa. Methods: The screening of oil phase, surfactant, and cosurfactant for microemulsion formulation was selected based on the solubility study and followed by the construction of the pseudoternary phase diagram. The oil phase, surfactant and co-surfactant are selected from the pseudoternary phase diagram for the formulation of a stable microemulsion. The prepared Curcumin-loaded microemulsion was characterized by globule size, polydispersity index, Zeta potential, accelerated stability study, drug content, percent transmittance and antifungal assay by broth microdilution technique. The formulated microemulsion was converted into a vaginal emulgel by using Pluronic@F127. The formulated curcumin-loaded emulgel was characterized by different evaluation parameters and antifungal study by agar well diffusion method. Results: The result showed that the average globule size of emulgel was 286.3 nm, polydispersity index was 0.241, Zeta potential was+19.20 mv, conductivity was 0.0390 mS/cm, and drug content was found to be 95.58%. The texture of formulated emulgel was found to be soft and smooth, with shear-thinning, pseudoplastic behavior, and easily spreadable. The in vitro permeability study of emulgel shows slow and complete release of curcumin in 10 h. The microemulsion and developed emulgel showed promising antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Conclusion: The developed curcumin-loaded emulgel showed promising antifungal activity against Candida albicans as compared to the Fluconazole as an standard antifungal antibiotic. Our formulated Curcumin-containing emulgel can be a potential alternative as compared to the conventional dosage form for the treatment of vaginal candidiasis.
A REVIEW ON CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF THE GENUS PICRORHIZA (SCROPHULARIACE)
Authors: BHATNAGAR ANJU
Published: September 2021

Picrorhiza (family Scrophulariace), commonly known as ‘kukti’ is a small perennial herb found in the Himalayan regions of China, Pakistan, India, Bhutan and Nepal at an altitude of 3000-5200 m. Different plant parts and its extract have traditionally been used as a remedy of various ailments such as fever, asthma, jaundice, anemia, abdominal pain, dysentery, cold, stomach problems. Picrorihza has been investigated for its chemical composition and biological activities by various researchers. The major chemical constituents found in this plant were iridoid glycosides, cucurbitacins (triterpenoids) glycosides, phenylethanoid glycosides and phenolics. The Picrorihza has various pharmacological properties, including hepto-protective, antimicrobial, anti-mutagenic, cardio-protective, anti-malarial, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, and neuroprotective and antioxidant activities. A thorough bibliographic investigation was carried out by analyzing worldwide scientific databases including Pub Med, Science Direct, Google Scholar and Wiley online as well as offline sources. The Present review is aimed to provide an updated overview of traditional uses, chemical constituents and biological activities of Picrorihza to explore its therapeutic potentials and to provide bases for future research.
FACTORS THAT FAVOURS THE SPREAD OF BACTERIAL RESISTANCE
Authors: C. MUHAS , S. ANJALI SRUTHY , V. P. ANURADHA , P. P. NASEEF
Published: September 2021

Antimicrobial agent resistance has increased globally in different bacterial pathogens, which leads to treatment failure in human and animal infectious diseases. The occurrence of resistance to antibiotics in bacteria often develop as a result of non-essential and improper use of antimicrobial agents. An estimated 700,000 individuals die yearly from drug-resistant infections. Many studies also illustrated the financial consequences of antimicrobial agent resistance, including very high hospital costs owing to an increase in hospital admission, extended hospital stays etc. This article describes the various factors that favours the spread of bacterial resistance.
OXIDATIVE STRESS IN ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE–EVALUATING THE AMYLOID BETA HYPOTHESIS
Authors: G. SWETHA , RAJ ANJALI , TABASSUM SANIYA , CHHAKCHHUAK DOUGLAS ZORINMAWIA
Published: September 2021

Dementia is defined by the debilitation of cognition and behavior of individuals more than 65 y. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most pervasive pervasive form of dementia, afflicting around 47 million individuals worldwide. Oxidative damage is a significant component in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Assessment of Alzheimer's disease mind has shown a lot of oxidative harm, related with both trademark pathologies (senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles) just as in typical seeming pyramidal neurons. By the by, the process that eventually causes disruption of redox balance and furthermore the origin of the free radicals are as yet hazy. There is likewise the accessibility of proof that oxidative stress may enhance the conglomeration and production of Aβ and furthermore help the polymerization just as phosphorylation of tau, subsequently making a pernicious cycle that invigorates the development and even commencement of Alzheimer's. These neurotic trademarks have complex proportional collaborations with cholinergic abrasions. This review may give complemental data for understanding the relationship between oxidative stress, amyloid plaques, tau proteins and cholinergic system in processing of AD.
Comparative Analysis of Iron content of Momordica charantia L. and Cucumis sativus L. collected from the various Agro Climatic Zones of Maharashtra.
Authors: Bhagat Sachin
Published: September 2021

Abstract: Momordica charantia L. and Cucumis sativus L. are excellent fruit vegetables in nature having iron content, as an essential constituent required for good health of humans. The iron content of the vegetables may vary from place to place depending on the soil, rainfall and other climatic conditions prevailing in that place. It was thought necessary to find out whether the environmental conditions in the nine agro-climatic zones of Maharashtra have any impact on the iron content of these fruit vegetables. The fruit vegetables were collected from various places from nine agro-climatic zones of Maharashtra classified based on rainfall, soil type and the vegetation. It was found that fruits of Momordica charantia L. showed comparatively more nutraceutical content than the fruits of Cucumis sativus L. collected in same season. It was also observed that in the nine agro-climatic zones of Maharashtra studied, the fruits of Momordica charantia L collected from Karjat of North Konkan Coastal Zone showed maximum Iron content, while fruits collected from Igatpuri of Western Ghat Zone and Nashik of Western Maharashtra Plain (Transaction 2) zone showed minimum iron content. In case of Cucumis sativus L., fruits collected from Wardha of Central Vidarbha (Moderate rainfall) zone region showed maximum iron content, while fruits collected from Surgana of Sub-montane (Transition 1) Zone showed minimum iron content. Keywords: Nutraceuticals, Momordica charantia L., Cucumis sativus L. Environmental factors, Iron content, Agroclimatic zones of Maharashtra.
Environmental Degradation of Satajaan Beel, Lakhimpur, Assam
Authors: Bhuyan Jintu Moni
Published: September 2021

Abstract: Wetlands are most common but very important physical features present in Assam state. Lakhimpur is a administrative district situated on the northern river bank of the mighty Brahmaputra river, having a large number of wetland. Though Satajaan is a very small sized wetland situated on the flood plain area of Ranganadi River but plays a crucial role to the entire surrounding area. Climate change already become a threat to the wetland, at the same time different anthropogenic activities such as encroachment, picnic in the winter and other environmental unfriendly development project have become challenging that lead to affect in water quality and various ecological disturbance to the wetland. Satajaan is well known for hosting local as well as migratory birds, which was created by 1950’s devastating earthquake, but it is seem that the numbe of bird visiting to the wetland is decreasing past for few years. Keywords: Satajaan, Wetland of Lakhimpur, Wetland degradation.
Problems, Challenges, and Removing Methods of Micro Plastics from Water
Authors: Lakshmi Dr. V. Venkata
Published: September 2021

Abstract: Over the past few years, several studies have reported the presence of micro plastics in treated tap and bottled water, raising questions and concerns about the impact that micro plastics in drinking-water might have on human health. Microplastics are ubiquitous within the environment and are detected in marine water, wastewater, water, food, air and drinking-water, both bottled and water. Microplastics enter freshwater environments in a number of ways: primarily from surface run-off and both treated and untreated wastewater effluent, but also from combined sewer overflows, industrial effluent degraded plastic waste and atmospheric deposition. Further, the limited evidence indicates that some microplastics found in drinking-water may come from treatment and distribution systems for water and/or bottling of drinking water. Keywords: Fresh water, health, process.
Electrical Power Generation through Speed Breaker
Authors: Raj Raunak
Published: September 2021

Abstract: In the present situation power becomes basic need for human life. Energy is responsible for major developments of any country’s economy. Conventional energy sources generate most of the energy of today’s world. But the population is increasing day by day and the conventional energy sources are diminishing. Moreover, these conventional energy sources are polluting and responsible for global warming. So, nonconventional sources are needed to be developed for power generation which are clean, environment friendly and sustainable. In this research we propose a renewable non-conventional energy source based on speed breaker mechanism. Our project is to enlighten the streets utilizing the jerking pressure which is wasted during the vehicles passes over speed breaker in roadside. We can tap the energy generated by moving vehicles and produce power by using the speed breaker as power generating unit. The kinetic energy of the moving vehicles can be converted into mechanical energy through rack and pinion mechanism and this mechanical energy will be converted to electrical energy using generator which will be used for lighting the street lights. Therefore, by using this mechanism we can save lot of energy which can fulfill our future demands. Keywords: kinetic energy, speed breaker, rack & pinion, generator, non-conventional energy, street light.