bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regular use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can effectively control pain and global health in patients with moderate activity of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Karateev A. E. , Pogozheva E. Yu. , Amirdzhanova V. N. , Filatova E. S. , Nesterenko V. A.
Published: April 2021

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used to control pain in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, many aspects of the therapeutic effect of NSAIDs in RA have not been sufficiently studied. In particular, this concerns the effect of NSAIDs on the inflammatory activity of the disease.

Objective: to study the comparative efficacy and safety of NSAIDs in RA patients with moderate and low disease activity.

Patients and methods. The study group consisted of 404 patients with RA, 69% women and 31% men, mean age 58.6±10.0 years, with moderate and low disease activity – DAS28<5.1 (mean value 3.7±1.5), who initially had moderate or severe pain: >4 cm on the visual analog scale (VAS) 0–10 cm. All patients received DMARDs, mostly methotrexate 15 to 25 mg weekly, 8.2% biological agents, 18.6% glucocorticoids. All patients were prescribed NSAIDs at the full therapeutic dose. The results of treatment were evaluated after 2 weeks, 1, 3 and 6 months. Criteria of efficacy were the dynamics of pain (10 cm VAS), Patient Global Health (PGH on a 10-cm VAS), the change in the tender joints count (TJC) and swollen joints count(SJC), and dynamics of RA activity (DAS28).

Results and discussion. 54.2% of patients received aceclofenac, 19.8% nimesulide, 14.3% meloxicam, 9.1% diclofenac, 2.6% – other NSAIDs. After 2 weeks, the pain decreased from 6.3±1.2 cm to 4.5±1.5 cm on VAS (p<0.001). The severity of pain continued to decrease further, and after 6 months of observation was 4.0±1.2 (p< 001, compared with the baseline level). A similar result was observed for the TJC, SJC, and PGH: the dynamics of these indicators, in comparison with the baseline level, was statistically significant after 2 weeks and after 1, 3, and 6 months of observation (p< 0.05). There was a decrease in the disease activity by DAS28: from 3.7±1.5 to 3.4±1.1 after 3 months (p=0.041) and 3.1±0.9 after 6 months (p=0.02). The effectiveness of aceclofenac and other NSAIDs for pain reduction, TJC, SJC, PGH and DAS28 did not differ. The tolerability of aceclofenac was better than of other NSAIDs: the frequency of dyspepsia after 2 weeks was 23.3% and 36.2% (p=0.004). The frequency of arterial hypertension and edema in patients who used aceclofenac, after 2 weeks and 6 months was slightly lower than in patients treated with other NSAIDs, but the difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusion. The use of NSAIDs can effectively control the pain and other symptoms of RA, as well as the disease activity by DAS28 in patients with moderate or low disease activity. Aceclofenac is not inferior to other NSAIDs in analgesic potential and exceeds them in tolerability.
Fibrosing arthropathy in juvenile scleroderma
Authors: Dibrov D. A. , Starovoitova M. N. , Desinova O. V.
Published: April 2021

The group of scleroderma diseases includes a number of clinical entities, the main symptom of which is skin tightening. Scleroderma is a prominent example of these diseases, characterized by excessive synthesis and deposition of collagen in organs and tissues. A patient with juvenile systemic scleroderma with induration of the skin and underlying tissues, and persistent contractures of large joints since childhood, is described. This clinical example illustrates disease course peculiarities and differential diagnosis of systemic and limited (focal) scleroderma and scleroderma-like conditions in pediatric patients. The feasibility of pathogenetic therapy aimed at improving patient's the quality of life with formed disease phenotype is shown.
Avascular necrosis in systemic lupus erythematosus: total hip replacement in a patient with mutation in clotting factor V (Leiden) gene, clinical observation
Authors: Cheldieva F. A. , Kushnareva I. G. , Babak V. V. , Khramov A. E. , Reshetnyak T. M.
Published: April 2021

The article provides a description of the systemic lupus erythematosus patient with multiple avascular bone necrosis (ABN), homozygous mutation in clotting factor V (Leiden) gene, who successfully underwent the total hip replacement. The role of high doses of glucocorticoids and coagulation disorders, in particular the homozygous mutation in factor V (Leiden) gene, in the development of ABN is discussed.
Thinking differently in rheumatological psychosomatic conditions (changing the doctor's style of thinking)
Authors: Capek M. E.Y.
Published: April 2021

The concept of a 'health care realm' is introduced. The healthcare realms considered were those patients who have only Physical Health Problems (PH), patients with neither physical nor mental health issues and who are seeking advice to remain healthy (HP), patients only with Mental Health Problems (MH), patients with both Physical Health and Mental Health Problems (PH&MH) and patients with Psychosomatic Health conditions (PS). Described is how patients' minds and bodies interact and its relevance to rheumatology practice. Presented is the culmination of 34 years of the author's experience of rheumatological disorders based in Family Medicine in a United Kingdom General Practice. Also presented are 2 small studies supplementing the main conclusions. The first small study counted the main consultation content of 246 patients, as considered by the principals in the practice. Of these 73.5% were for physical health conditions, 13.3% for health promotion, 11.5% for mental health conditions and 1.8% for psychosomatic conditions. The second small study was a survey of experienced GPs, Physicians and Psychiatrists, asking about their opinions on how well the patients in different health care realms were being managed across the healthcare system. Of the 5 realms, the collective view was that it was the patients in the PH realm who was clearly received the best care. The least good care was being given to patients in the PS realm and only marginally better were patients in the MH Realm. This paper argues that clinicians need a different thinking approach when meeting patients from different healthcare realms. It is known that when doctors treat PH patients, they consider the patient's symptoms against templates of knowledge for the conditions in the differential diagnosis. Furthermore, HP patients are assessed by comparing the patient's bio-measurements against known markers of good health When being consulted by patients in the MH or PS realms, it is advocated, not to follow the approach of PH patients. For patients in the MH realm it is best to address the patient's life as a whole and to consider, how did the person arrive to the situation he is in and what needs to be done to restore the patient's life back on track. For patients in the PS realm, ideally the aim is to help the patient make the link between the physical symptom and its psychological aetiology. A step towards this is to describe how the body physically mediates the symptom.
Comments on the updated recommendations of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) for the treatment of gout. Lifestyle (part 2)
Authors: Eliseev M. S.
Published: April 2021

Updated ACR recommendations for the treatment of gout concerning lifestyle are discussed. Factors related to a lifestyle, above all food habits, for many years were of leading importance in the treatment of patients with gout, even after application of effective drugs. The authors of the updated ACR recommendations for the first time offered to reconsider the role of environmental factors in the genesis of gout and objectively assess the possibility of its non-drug treatment. On the one hand, regardless of the activity of the disease, the need for restrictions of the alcohol, purine-rich products and fructose-containing beverages, as well as the decrease of body weight in obese patients and vitamin C usage unviability are confirmed. On the other hand, these recommendations are conditional. Their new version of ACR recommendations is significantly different from both its previous version and other international and national recommendations, including recommendations on the diagnosis and treatment of gout used in the Russian Federation.
The Prospects of tumor necrosis factor α inhibitors use in patients with COVID-19
Authors: Aronova E. S. , Belov B. S.
Published: April 2021

The review highlights the problem of finding new effective treatment strategies for COVID-19. Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) is considered as a therapeutic target. The theoretical basis for the successful use of TNF-α inhibitors (ITNFα) for the treatment of COVID-19 is presented, as well as data on existing practical developments, including ongoing clinical trials. Two drugs from the group of ITNFα – infliximab and adalimumab – are currently being considered as possible options. The safety issues of ITNFα treatment in patients with immunophaling rheumatic diseases and COVID-19 are discussed. The review also provides current data on vaccination against COVID-19, in particular on the vaccines currently available in Russia, which are at different stages of clinical trials. We conclude that randomized clinical trials of the effectiveness and safety of ITNF-α in patients with the new coronavirus infection are needed. Such trials will promote transition from theoretical speculations to real clinical practice.
Recent advances and prospects of axial spondyloarthritis / ankylosing spondylitis treatment
Authors: Erdes Sh. F.
Published: April 2021

Well-established and some little-known treatments of axial spondyloarthritis / ankylosing spondylitis (AS), which have appeared in recent years are discussed, also discussed are emerging trends for AS treatment.
TAFSIR KESALEHAN SOSIAL BAGI ANGGOTA KOMUNITAS HIJRAH TERANG JAKARTA DAN SHIFT BANDUNG
Authors: Haryadi Didid , Munandar Aris
Published: April 2021

Individual piety is a personal achievement in the rituals of human worship. However, its manifestations can affected the social piety of the worshipper, such as tolerance towards people of other religions, caring for the environment, and loving the country. 'Terang Jakarta' and 'Shift Bandung' communities are representations of the hijrah movement in Indonesia, which seeks to realize social piety among its members. The Middle-class youths in various big cities across the country, who experienced a dark life, are active actors of this Hijrah community. This paper aims to analyze the meaning of social piety for the members of both communities, as a part of religious cosmopolitanism and the strengthening of the Hijrah movements in Indonesia. This study used a qualitative approach and Herbert Mead's Symbolic Interactionism theory. The research found that the formation of the meaning of social piety for the members of both communities was carried out by the administrators through the same pattern, namely emphasizing the redefinition of social piety through the distribution of Islamic values that resulted from collective study among them. This process is implemented through massive dissemination of ideas on social media and through a layered regeneration system. The manifestation of social piety is embodied in the understanding of community members about social guidelines, such as love for the country, tolerance, and being involved in social activities in society.Kesalehan individual adalah pencapaian yang bersifat pribadi dalam ritus ibadah manusia. Manifestasinya dapat membentuk kesalehan sosial, seperti sikap toleransi terhadap umat beragama lain, peduli terhadap lingkungan, dan mencintai tanah air. Komunitas ‘Terang Jakarta’ dan ‘Shift Bandung’ merupakan representasi dari gerakan hijrah di Indonesia yang berupaya untuk mewujudkan kesalehan sosial tersebut pada anggota-anggotanya. Anak-anak muda kelas menengah di kota besar dengan pengalaman hidup yang kelam merupakan para pelaku aktif yang terlibat secara langsung dalam komunitas hijrah ini. Tulisan ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis tafsir kesalehan sosial oleh anggota kedua komunitas tersebut, sebagai salah satu bagian dari kosmopolitanisme beragama dan menguatnya gerakan hijrah di Indonesia. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dan teori Interaksionisme Simbolik Herbert Mead. Hasil riset menemukan bahwa pembentukan ‘tafsir’ kesalehan sosial terhadap anggota kedua komunitas ini dilakukan oleh pengurus melalui pola yang sama, yaitu menekankan pemaknaan ulang kesalehan sosial melalui distribusi nilai Islam yang dipelajari secara kolektif. Proses ini dilakukan melalui penyebaran gagasan secara massif di media sosial dan melalui sistem kaderisasi berlapis. Adapun bentuk manifestasi kesalehan sosial tersebut terwujud dalam pemahaman anggota komunitas tentang pedoman bermasyarakat, seperti cinta tanah air, toleransi, dan terlibat dalam kegiatan sosial di masyarakat.
DI ANTARA DUA ARUS: STUDI FENOMENOLOGI NARASI PASCA ISLAMISME ANAK MUDA MUSLIM DI YOGYAKARTA
Authors: Darmawan Arif Budi , Susanti Ayu Dwi , Hakim Azinuddin Ikram , Naufal Fadhil
Published: April 2021

The end of the New Order era is an opportunity to develop a new structure in Indonesia. The beginning of the reformation era was marked by the emergence of the Islamist movements or the rising religious spirit era. In this article, the term Islamism is not defined as a discourse within politics of religion, but it refers to narrative spiritual expression in the public space. In a more specific way, this article would like to describe how young Muslims criticize Islamism in their daily lives. This research found that Islamism that occurs in family milieu and in the circle of a friendship has created anxiety mong them. This anxiety appears in the form of disagreement on monolithic definition of Islamism, the criticism of the new pattern of piety in the public space, and the counter narrative to the Islamism phenomenon. Pasca runtuhnya rezim Orde Baru seolah menjadi ‘keran’ bagi terbukanya sistem dan struktur sosial di masyarakat, salah satunya ditandai dengan menguatnya Islamisme atau kebangkitan semangat beragama. Islamisme yang akan diulas di penelitian ini bukan merujuk pada diskursus relasi politik agama, namun lebih kepada eksistensi dari ekspresi keagamaan yang muncul dalam bentuk meningkatnya penggunaan atribut Islam di ruang publik. Penelitian ini secara khusus berupaya memberikan gambaran bagaimana pemuda Muslim mengkritisi fenomena Islamisme dalam kehidupan sehari-hari. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan adanya Islamisme yang terjadi di ruang lingkup keluarga dan pertemanan melahirkan berbagai keresahan bagi anak muda. Keresahan itu terwujud melalui ketidaksetujuan tentang pemaknaan baru dalam Islam yang dinilai homogen, kritik atas pola kesalehan di ruang publik, dan munculnya konter narasi berupa perlawanan atas fenomena Islamisme.
MAKNA DAN PERUBAHAN RELASI GENDER BAGI PEREMPUAN PEKERJA DADAKAN DI MASA PANDEMI COVID-19
Authors: Setiyono Ditha Aziezah , Imelda Johanna Debora
Published: April 2021

2020 is a historic year due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus. As a result, people are forced to adapt to a new normal situation, which changes their daily lives order. In this condition, women are experiencing a double burden, including when men, as 'breadwinners', has experiencing the termination of employment (PHK) or decreasing in his income. There are various ways that women do for supporting their children and family needs. Such as being an unexpected worker. This study aims to provide an explanation on the meaning of being an unepected worker and gender relation changes using Bourdieu perspective. The research method employed is descriptive qualitative, using a case study. Data are collected through in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation. The results showed that the meaning of becoming an unexpected worker and  the process of gender relations changes cannot be separated from the habitus of women. Work has economic and non-economic meaning when workers become impromptu workers. In the context of changing gender relations, the higher level of women education, the more parallel the gender relations are formed. Vice versa, the lower of their educations, the more domination of men in a gender relation. Tahun 2020 menjadi tahun bersejarah karena merebaknya virus Covid-19, akibatnya masyarakat mengubah tata cara kehidupan sehari-hari. Dalam kondisi ini, perempuan menjadi pihak yang harus bekerja ekstra, termasuk saat laki-laki sebagai 'income earner' mengalami Pemutusan Hubungan Kerja (PHK) atau pengurangan pendapatan. Berbagai cara dilakukan perempuan untuk anak dan kelangsungan keluarga, salah satunya dengan menjadi perempuan pekerja dadakan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk memberi gambaran makna menjadi pekerja dadakan dan perubahan relasi gender yang terjadi denga menggunakan teori sosial Bourdeui. Metode penelitian yang digunakan penelitian kualitatif deskriptif dengan jenis studi kasus. Pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui wawancara mendalam, observasi dan dokumentasi. Hasil penelitian menunjukan makna menjadi pekerja dadakan dan perubahan relasi gender tersebut tidak lepas dari habitus perempuan. Terdapat makna ekonomi dan non-ekonomi saat perempuan menjadi pekerja dadakan. Dalam konteks perubahan relasi gender semakin tinggi tingkat pendidikan semakin sejajar relasi gender yang terbentuk. Begitu pula sebaliknya, semakin rendah tingkat pendidikan semakin perempuan didominasi oleh laki-laki dalam sebuah relasi gender.
DEKONSTRUKSI KARAKTER DRUPADI DALAM PEWAYANGAN (STUDI GENDER DAN LIVING QUR’AN MENGENAI POLIANDRI)
Authors: Hidayatullah Ahmad , Bakhri Syamsul
Published: April 2021

One of the many evidences about the concepts of justice and gender equality in Islam can be seen in the creation of the plot and of a central female character in the Javanese puppet, namely Drupadi. This article employs a qualitative research with this literature study approach to determine the deconstruction character of Drupadi.  The validity of the data is obtained by triangulating data sources and integrating data from journals and books about Drupadi characters in puppets, supported by analysis of gender studies and living Qur'an studies of the concept of polyandry. The results showed that there is a deconstruction of the character of Drupadi figures from the Hindu to the Islamic version. Drupadi, who is described in the Mahabharata story of having five husbands, in a Javanese puppet show, especially after the arrival of Islam, is described only married to Yudhistira. The deconstruction of Drupadi's character as a symbol of women is no longer objectified. Drupadi's new character reflects equality between men and women in Islam.Satu dari sekian bukti tentang adanya konsep keadilan dan kesetaraan gender dalam Islam bisa dilihat dalam pembangunan alur dan karakter tokoh perempuan sentral pada pewayangan Jawa, yakni Drupadi. Penelitian kualitatif dengan pendekatan studi pustaka ini, bertujuan untuk menentukan dekonstruksi karakter Drupadi di Wayang. Validitas data diperoleh dengan melakukan triangulasi sumber data, mengintegrasikan data dari jurnal dan buku tentang karakter Drupadi dalam wayang dengan berfokus pada analisis studi gender dan Living Qur’an mengenai poliandri. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa telah terjadi dekonstruksi karakter tokoh Drupadi dari versi Hindu ke versi Islam; Drupadi dalam cerita Mahabharata melakukan Poliandri dengan 5 suami, dalam pewayangan Jawa setelah datangnya Islam hanya bersuamikan Yudhistira. Dekonstruksi karakter Drupadi menjadi simbol bahwa perempuan tidak lagi menjadi objektifikasi seksual. Karakter Drupadi yang baru mencerminkan kesetaraan antara pria dan perempuan dalam ajaran Islam.
PENGANTAR REDAKSI
Authors: Arifin Achmad Zainal
Published: April 2021

Alhamdulillah, puji syukur atas terbitnya Jurnal Sosiologi Reflektif (JSR) Vol.16/No.1 Tahun 2021 ini. Untuk terbitan edisi Oktober kali ini, JSR masih melanjutkan isu-isu yang diangkat dalam Konferensi Panel ke-4 Jurnal Sosiologi Reflektif yang dilaksanakan pada tanggal 24-25 November 2020, yaitu terkait dengan ragam ekspresi keberagamaan pada beberapa kelompok social-keagamaan yang ada di masyarakat, khususnya komunitas penghayat keagamaan, komunitas Islam tradisional, dan komunitas berbasis profesi. Isu yang dimunculkan pada terbitan kali ini juga cukup beragam, meski kajian dari perspektif gender terasa lebih dominan karena diwakili setidaknya oleh empat artikel.
Native Speaker’s Perception Of The Naturalness In The Japanese Speech Act Response Of Compliment Among Japanese Learners In Indonesia
Authors: Aryanto Bayu , Hadi Syamsul , Hariri Tatang
Published: April 2021

Responding to compliment sometimes puts the speech partner in a dilemma. Receiving a compliment can cause a chance of a self-compliment impression. If you refuse a compliment, it will give the impression of not appreciating the reasonable judgment of the speech partner (complimenter). This dilemma will be more complicated for foreign language learners, including those who have linguistic skills at an advanced level. This article contains how native speakers provide an assessment for the compliment responses of speeches to Japanese learners, especially in Central Java and D.I.Yogyakarta. Fifty-three respondents were Japanese learners, and five were native Japanese speakers as judges to assess the naturalness of the respondents' compliment speech responses. Among 424 responses of Japanese learners' compliment speech, 55 per cent of the respondents' speech was considered unnatural. It indicates that there has been a socio-pragmatic failure and a pragma-linguistic failure. Socio-pragmatic failure can be seen in the "lack of competence" to consider extra-linguistic factors, such as the failure to consider whom the partners are speaking, the failure to understand the horizontal distance and vertical distance speech partners. The use of speech levels that are not under the conversation context is quite visible in the data.
Locality in Makoto Shinkai’s Kimi no Na wa: Negotiating Japanese Youth Identity
Authors: Kadafi Muammar , Utami Shofi Mahmudah Budi
Published: April 2021

Japan becomes one of the countries that has been producing worldwide popular culture, namely through anime. Besides its popularity which attracts wider audiences, anime cultivates cultural content as it is also found in popular anime entitled “Kimi no Na wa”. Aside from its popular culture, Japan has undoubtedly been known for its ‘high culture’ products such as haiku or Zen, to which Japanese identity is attached. Then, the content of Japanese locality performed in the anime highlights some crucial issues related to Japanese identity, including the problematic relationship between traditionality and modernity, generations, and genders. Thus, the local content in the anime is interesting to scrutinize how traditional values are depicted and negotiated concerning Japanese identity. Since this study is descriptive-qualitative research, it answers the problem by describing the phenomenon and employing the interpretative method by Hall’s concept of identity. The selected data related to locality and identity obtained from the movie and poster are grouped and approached by Hall’s semiotic representation to see the relation to its significations. Finally, this brings out the interpretation of the data indicating that the anime portrays the ‘return’ to local culture. It is referred to as ‘nihonjinron’, which is particularly emphasized in youth life. Through this film, the identity is negotiated. The characters (Taki and Mitsuha) perform post-modern subjects; a case in point accepts the changes as they develop their identity in the current era.
Efficacy of fungicides, plant extracts and biocontrol agents against Ascochyta blight (Ascochyta rabiei) of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under field conditions
Authors: Ahmad Salman , Khan Muhammad Aslam , Ahmad Irfan , Iqbal Zafar , Ashraf Ejaz , Atiq Muhammad , Ali Yasir , Naseer Saima
Published: April 2021

Two fungicides, Aliette and ThiovitJet @ 0.15%, containing Aluminum tris (O-ethyl phosphonate) and sulphur compounds, respectively; two plant extracts, Melia azedarach and Azadirachta indica @ 8% and one biocontrol agent, Trichoderma harzianum @ 107 conidia ml-1 were investigated against ascochyta blight of chickpea under field conditions. Treatments were evaluated on three varieties susceptible to chickpea blight. Field trial revealed that Aliette and ThiovitJet significantly decreased disease severity to 17 and 23% respectively, followed by M. azedarach and A. indica which decreased severity to 50 and 56% respectively, compared to control with 75% disease severity. T. harzianum, with a severity of 63%, was significantly less effective than fungicides and both plant extracts in controlling blight disease. The current research revealed that systemic and sulphur containing fungicides, both plant extracts and the biocontrol agent have the potential to control ascochyta blight of chickpea.
Effect of soluble silica fertiliser on total sugar, protein, starch content along with amylase and cellulase activity in banana
Authors: Rangwala Tasneem , Bafna Angurbala , Vyas Nagesh , Gupta Rohan
Published: April 2021

Fertilisers have become an important factor used by farmers to increase yield and improve product quality. Earth’s crust carries a large amount of elemental silicon. However, silicon is not considered an essential element for plant growth therefore is not included in fertilisers. Silicon has shown to enhance the growth and productivity of various crops. The present study aimed to explore the potential of soluble silica in improving the biochemical parameters of banana (Grand naine variety). The field experiment was conducted at Ropni Vasaad village, Burhanpur District of Madhya Pradesh from August 2017 to September 2018. Silica was supplied as potassium silicate in the liquid form under the trade name AgriboosterTM. Doses were administered at the interval of one month starting from planting the tissue culture explants till harvesting the final crop. Eight treatments were designed which included three different concentration of soluble silica applied alone and with combination with compound fertilisers. Control was without any treatment. A significant increase in fresh and dry weight was observed with all the treatments. All the combinations of soluble silica resulted in significant increase in starch and total sugar content. The protein content showed significant increase with treatments consisting of soluble silica and compound fertiliser. Cellulase and amylase activity declined on treatment with soluble silica. The present study reveals that if soluble silica is either applied alone or with compound fertiliser, it can enhance the biochemical parameters and can indirectly delay ripening of banana by altering activity of cellulase and amylase.
In vitro photoprotective, antioxidant and antibacterial activity of Vernonia squarrosa (D. Don) Less
Authors: Das Adwaita , Burman Sunanda , Chandra Goutam , Bandyopadhyay Abhijit
Published: April 2021

Vernonia squarrosa (D. Don) Less. (Asteraceae) is an ethnomedicinally important plant of unexplored medicinal potential. The Hydro-Methanolic Leaf Extract (HMLE) reveals presence of alkaloids, terpenoid, tannins, phenols, flavonoids, saponins and also cardiac glycosides with notable amount of phenol, flavonoid, ? carotene and lycopene. The high antioxidant activity of HMLE when assessed by 2, 2 diphenyl 1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) shows significant EC50 value of 11.63 ± 2.60 µg/ml. Photo-protection efficiency of HMLE was determined and expressed as Sun Protection Factor (SPF). Reasonably high SPF value of 38 (SPF=38 at 200 µg/ml) provides UV blockage up to 98%. HMLE extract was also screened for antibacterial activity against four human pathogenic bacterial strains, Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 2940), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC 2453), Bacillus subtilis (MTCC 441), Escherichia coli (MTCC 739). Results showed prominent antibacterial impact on these tested bacteria. Lupeol, a pentacyclic triterpenoid was found to be present as a dominant member in Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of HMLE. Lupeol is a pentacyclic triterpenoid compound with diverse pharmaceutical applications. This is the maiden report of bioactive compounds from V. squarrosa highlighting their antibacterial, photoprotective and antioxidant activities.
Potencies of Justicia adhatoda L. for its possible phytotoxic activity
Authors: Khan Md. Sirajul Islam , Kaium Md. Abdul , Sarkar Bittam Kumar , Begum Rokeya , Begum Noorjahan , Islam Mohammed Ariful , Chowdhury Md. Tazul Islam , Habib Marzia , Hakim Md. Abdul
Published: April 2021

The phytotoxic effects of Justicia adhatoda L. were investigated on cauliflower, broccoli, tomato, foxtail millet and barnyard grass. The experiments were carried out under laboratory and in pot experiments. Six different aqueous methanol extract concentrations (control, 0.001, 0.003, 0.01, 0.03 and 0.1 g DW equivalent mL-1 extract) were tested in the laboratory and six aqueous extract concentrations (control, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 g DW mL-1 extract equivalent) were evaluated in the pot experiment. Results showed a reduction in germination and growth (shoot length, root length and biomass weight) at higher extract concentration compared to control. The leaf extracts from J. adhatoda showed that the foxtail millet and barnyard grass are germinating below 50 % both in the laboratory condition and in the pot experiment at their maximum concentration. When maximum extracts have been applied, we have found less than 0.5 cm of shoot and root of foxtail millet and barnyard grass. Maximum dry weight reduction was observed in foxtail millet and barnyard grass at the same concentration. The findings show that J. adhatoda may have phytotoxic potential and thus contains phytotoxins. Therefore, J. adhatoda can be used in sustainable crop production as a mulch or soil additive to suppress weeds.
Factors affecting food security of children from corn farming households in cagayan valley, phillipines
Authors: Yra Arlyn J
Published: April 2021

In the Philippines, the adoption of Bt maize has been persistent to address the benefits for smallholder producers. The objective of this study is to identify the factors affecting the food security of children from corn farming households in Cagayan Valley, Philippines. Multi-stage random sampling was used in a cross-sectional study of 1-10-year-old children of corn farmers in the provinces of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, and Cagayan. In this particular study, a total of 408 children from corn farming households were included. A face-to-face interview was conducted to gather socio-economic and demographic information. Food insecurity was assessed using a nine-item Radimer/Cornell food insecurity measure translated to the Ilocano dialect. Descriptive statistics were performed for all variables to describe the percentage distributions of all Radimer/Cornell food insecurity items. Regression analysis was employed to examine the factors affecting food security. The result of the study revealed that educational attainment of father, occupation of both parents and type of corn grown are significant factors of food security of children from corn farming households. Moreover, parents who have higher educational attainment and whose primary occupation was Bacillus thuringiensis corn farming have food secured children. The result of analysis on the food security of children from this study provides a useful baseline information for future interventions towards the fight against poverty, hunger and malnutrition.
Nutritional, phytochemical and cytotoxicity analyses of air potato Dioscorea bulbifera L.bulbils
Authors: Gutierrez Ruby Lyn V.
Published: April 2021

Air potato Dioscorea bulbifera L. is a crop that robustly grows and voluminously fruits but less utilized and adopted for consumption and cultivation. This investigation focused on the determination of the nutritional and phytochemical content and cytotoxicity of air potato D. Bulbifera L. bulbils from Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino. Analyses revealed that the bulbils contained moisture of 17.52-26.84%, ash of 0.737-7.28g/100g, lipids of 0.1593-0.2032g/100g, the crude fiber of 0.29-2.7942, the protein of 1.0 mg/ml, and total carbohydrates of 0.8189-0.8721g/100g sample. These primary metabolites are essential for plant growth, development, defense against diseases, and stress. These nutrients are vital for human nutrition and wellness as well. The presence of secondary metabolites such as anthraquinones, anthrones, coumarins, essential oils, fatty acids, flavonoids, phenols, steroids, triterpenes, and tannins were also revealed in the phytochemical screening. These secondary metabolites are distinct characteristics of plants which when properly extracted can be a source of materials for breakthroughs in food development, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals. The bulbils were also found to be nontoxic. Thus, safe to be eaten. Geographical and environmental awareness, proper preparation and cooking management are must considerations to ensure its safety and economic value. With these capacities discovered, undeniably air potato is a cheap but rich source of material for food and medicine. These results are baseline data for bulbils found in the locality to be adopted to maximize the crop's produce for food processing, development, income generation, and cultivation.
A critical review of anticancer properties of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal with respect to the biochemical mechanisms of its phytochemical constituents
Authors: Surya U R , Naik P M , Vinayak U , Praveen N
Published: April 2021

Cancer is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, the conventional chemotherapeutic drugs have been known for their toxicity and numerous side effects. A new approach to treat cancer involves phytochemical drugs. In the present review, anti-cancer activity of a class of steroidal lactones called withanolides obtained from Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal is discussed. The commonly studied bioactive compounds namely withaferin-A, withanoside IV, withanoside VI and withanolide-A among others obtained from methanolic and chloroform extract of the leaves and various alcoholic, aqueous and chloroform extract of roots have shown inhibition to various human cancer cell lines including skin, breast, colon, prostate, liver, ovary, cervical and lung. Prominent mechanisms of action include induction of apoptosis by NOS upregulation, ROS production and NBS2 or COX-2 inhibition; cytotoxicity by humoral and cell mediated immune response, activation of p53 and pRB and inhibition of various viral oncoproteins; cell cycle arrest by Cdc2 facilitated mitotic catastrophe, cyclin-D1 down-regulation and inhibition of transcription factors. Cancers are also controlled by inhibition of angiogenesis and metastasis of the tumor cells. In addition to anti-tumorogenic properties, W. somnifera also holds properties that make it a potential adjuvant in integrated cancer therapeutics and in enhancing the effectiveness of ongoing radiation therapy.
False-seronegative HCV infection motivated by interference with cryoglobulins
Authors: Recio Comí Gemma , Molina Clavero Carmen , Calabuig Ballester Sandra , Benavent Bofill Clara , Picó-Plana Ester , Martín Grau Carla , Gutiérrez Fornés Cristina , Sans Mateu Ma Teresa
Published: April 2021

Objectives

Cryoglobulins (CGs) are serum proteins that undergo a reverse cold-induced precipitation in vitro. The CGs are a well-known cause of analytical interferences in several laboratory tests, leading to spurious results. With this in view, we present a case of a patient initially misdiagnosed due to CGs interference in Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) serology.

Case presentation

We report a case of a woman of advanced age affected by acute renal failure that required urgent haemodialysis. In the absence of infections and other causes of CGs production, a diagnosis of acute renal failure secondary to essential cryoglobulinemia was established. However, an unexpected positive HCV viral load was encountered. At this point, a false-seronegative HCV infection conditioned to CGs interference in vitro was suspected, confirmed by repeating serology in pre-warmed serum. Finally, the patient was correctly diagnosed with HCV-secondary cryoglobulinemia.

Conclusions

As shown in the case, the presence of CGs in blood may represent a challenge for the correct interpretation of several laboratory tests. The identification of CGs and the pre-treatment of serum are decisive to avoid spurious results and reach a genuine diagnosis.
A Redistributed Bundle Algorithm Based on Local Convexification Models for Nonlinear Nonsmooth DC Programming
Authors: Shen Jie , Xu Na , Guo Fang-Fang , Li Han-Yang , Hu Pan
Published: April 2021

For nonlinear nonsmooth DC programming (difference of convex functions), we introduce a new redistributed proximal bundle method. The subgradient information of both the DC components is gathered from some neighbourhood of the current stability center and it is used to build separately an approximation for each component in the DC representation. Especially we employ the nonlinear redistributed technique to model the second component of DC function by constructing a local convexification cutting plane. The corresponding convexification parameter is adjusted dynamically and is taken sufficiently large to make the ”augmented” linearization errors nonnegative. Based on above techniques we obtain a new convex cutting plane model of the original objective function. Based on this new approximation the redistributed proximal bundle method is designed and the convergence of the proposed algorithm to a Clarke stationary point is proved. A simple numerical experiment is given to show the validity of the presented algorithm.
Gonadotropins for testicular descent in cryptorchid congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism males beyond infancy
Authors: Sharma Shreya , Shah Ravikumar , Patil Virendra , Lila Anurag R. , Sarathi Vijaya , Shah Nalini , Bandgar Tushar
Published: April 2021

Objectives

To study the effect of combined gonadotropin therapy (CGT) on testicular descent ± spermatogenesis in congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) patients with cryptorchidism beyond infancy.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included CHH patients with cryptorchidism [bilateral (n=5) or unilateral (n=1)] treated with CGT for testicular descent ± pubertal induction. All participants were treated with CGT [human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)] with hMG pretreatment in three and monitored for changes in testicular volume (TV), serum total testosterone (T), serum inhibin-B, and sperm concentration.

Results

Complete testicular descent to the scrotal position was achieved in 5/6 patients (10/11 testes) after 4.7 ± 1.6 months of treatment. There was 44 ± 18%, 97.5% (IQR: 44–195), 10-fold (IQR: 3–19.6), and two-fold (IQR: 1.7–9.3) increase in stretched penile length, ultrasound measured TV, T level, and serum inhibin-B from baseline, respectively. In two pediatric cases, testicular descent occurred with isolated hMG therapy. At the last follow up (median: 23.5, IQR: 10.5–38.7 months), all the descended testes remained in scrotal position. In four pubertal/postpubertal age patients, continuous CGT (18–60 months) yielded T and inhibin-B levels of 16.64 ± 1.46 nmol/l and 106 ± 32.6 pg/mL, respectively. All the three patients with available semen analysis had sperm concentration of ≥5 million/mL and one of them achieved paternity.

Conclusions

A trial of CGT before orchiopexy may be considered in CHH males with cryptorchidism even beyond the narrow age-window of infancy. CGT may also have beneficial effects on future spermatogenesis and fertility outcomes in these patients.
The Role of School Libraries in Supporting Inquiry-Based Methods for Teaching Science in Nigerian Schools: Challenges and Possibilities
Authors: Olajide Olabode , Zinn Sandy
Published: April 2021

Using a constructivist lens, this study investigated the role of school libraries in supporting an inquiry-based approach for teaching and learning science subjects in senior secondary schools in Ekiti State, Nigeria, the challenges faced and possibilities presented. The significance of this study is based on the importance Nigeria has assigned to science education as a means to achieving national development. A mixed-methods approach was chosen for the study. The population of the study included school librarians, principals, and science teachers in public senior secondary schools as well as staff in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology concerned with supporting and managing resources for science teaching and learning. Data was collected using questionnaires, interviews, and observation. Quantitative data collected through the questionnaires were analyzed using the SPSS, while qualitative data were transcribed and thematically analyzed. The findings revealed the library resource most frequently available in school libraries for supporting science curriculum implementation is a textbook. Most of the staff in charge of the library had no librarianship qualification. Teacher-centred approaches predominated amongst teachers. The study emphasizes how school libraries are underrated as support for the curriculum. It proffers some far reaching recommendations to position school libraries for better performance.
Driving plasmonic nanoantennas at perfect impedance matching using generalized coherent perfect absorption
Authors: Grimm Philipp , Razinskas Gary , Huang Jer-Shing , Hecht Bert
Published: April 2021

Coherent perfect absorption (CPA) describes the absence of all outgoing modes from a lossy resonator, driven by lossless incoming modes. Here, we show that for nanoresonators that also exhibit radiative losses, e.g., plasmonic nanoantennas, a generalized version of CPA (gCPA) can be applied. In gCPA outgoing modes are suppressed only for a subset of (guided plasmonic) modes while other (radiative) modes are treated as additional loss channels - a situation typically referred to as perfect impedance matching. Here we make use of gCPA to show how to achieve perfect impedance matching between a single nanowire plasmonic waveguide and a plasmonic nanoantenna. Antennas with both radiant and subradiant characteristics are considered. We further demonstrate potential applications in background-free sensing.
The crystal structure of 4-(6-acetyl-5-methyl-4,7-dihydrotetrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-yl)benzonitrile, C14H12N6O
Authors: Wang Wenxiang
Published: April 2021

C14H12N6O, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 17.827(4) Å, b = 11.021(2) Å, c = 7.0936(14) Å, β = 100.59(3)°, V = 1370.0(5) Å3, Z = 4, R

gt
(F) = 0.0824, wR

ref
(F
2) = 0.2208, T = 293 K.
CRISPR/Cas-based Diagnostics and Gene Therapy
Authors: Qiu Meiyu , Li Pei
Published: April 2021

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) technology, an easy, rapid, cost-effective, and precise gene-editing technique, has revolutionized diagnostics and gene therapy. Fast and accurate diagnosis of diseases is essential for point-of-care-testing (POCT) and specialized medical institutes. The CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins system shed light on the new diagnostics methods at point-of-care (POC) owning to its advantages. In addition, CRISPR/Cas-based gene-editing technology has led to various breakthroughs in gene therapy. It has been employed in clinical trials for a variety of untreatable diseases, including cancer, blood disorders, and other syndromes. Currently, the clinical application of CRISPR/Cas has been mainly focused on ex vivo therapies. Recently, tremendous efforts have been made in the development of ex vivo gene therapy based on CRISPR-Cas9. Despite these efforts, in vivo CRISPR/Cas gene therapy is only in its initial stage. Here, we review the milestones of CRISPR/Cas technologies that advanced the field of diagnostics and gene therapy. We also highlight the recent advances of diagnostics and gene therapy based on CRISPR/Cas technology. In the last section, we discuss the strength and significant challenges of the CRISPR/Cas technology for its future clinical usage in diagnosis and gene therapy.
Letter to the Editor: Admission Values of Plasma Biomarkers Predict the Short-Term Outcomes in Acute Aortic Dissection
Authors: Cheng Zeyi , Wang Luchen , Guo Yingqiang
Published: April 2021

Not applicable.
Anti-inflammatory Treatment and Cardiovascular Outcomes: Results of Clinical Trials
Authors: Lorenzatti Alberto J
Published: April 2021

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the vasculature where cholesterol accumulates in the arterial wall stimulating infiltration of immune cells. This plays an important role in plaque formation, as well as complications caused by its build up. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines are implicated throughout the progression of the disease and different therapies that aim to resolve this chronic inflammation, reduce cardiovascular (CV) events and improve clinical outcomes have been tested. The results from the pivotal CANTOS trial show that targeting the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β successfully reduces the incidence of secondary CV events. This review briefly assesses the role of inflammation in atherosclerosis, providing a picture of the multiple players involved in the process and offering a perspective on targeting inflammation to prevent atherosclerotic CV events, as well as focusing on the results of the latest Phase III clinical trials.
Cardiovascular Medical Education During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: Challenges, Adaptations, and Considerations for the Future
Authors: Shapiro Hilary , Reza Nosheen
Published: April 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has greatly impacted graduate medical education for cardiovascular fellows in training. During the initial case surge in the US in early 2020, most training programs reformatted didactic curricula, redeployed fellows in training to non-cardiac services or furloughed fellows in training on non-essential services, reimagined procedural training in light of decreased case volumes, and balanced issues regarding trainee wellbeing and safety with occupational COVID-19 exposure risk. In this article, the authors review the educational challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and discuss opportunities to incorporate technological and curricular innovations spurred by the pandemic into cardiovascular fellowship training in the future.