bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synergistic Effects of Ethanol Extract of Allium sativum (Garlic) with DAPT and ATRA on Notch Signaling Targeted Molecular Action on Lung Cancer Cell line (A549)
Authors: Ravichandran Ragavi , Wilson D. David , Viswanathan S. , Siddikuzzaman  , Bonati Lucia , Rajendran Selvamani , Grace V. Berlin
Published: August 2023

Background:

The activated oncogenic Notch signalling is an emerging target to treat cancer
progression and recurrence. Synthetic inhibitors of Notch receptors are in pre-clinical studies. However,
the overexpression of Notch signalling molecules at the gene level needs to be regulated to control cancer
progression.

Objective:

We propose that this can be achieved by gene-regulatory drugs in combination with natural
phytochemical compounds.

Methods:

The ethanol extract of Allium sativum alone and in combination with DAPT and ATRA were
evaluated for cytotoxicity on A549 cells by MTT and Trypan blue assays. Their effects on Notch 1, Hes 1
and p53 gene expressions were studied by RT-PCR and qPCR. Their inhibition on metastatic invasion of
A549 cells was analyzed by in vitro wound scratch assay. The phytochemicals of the extract were
identified by GC-MS analysis.

Results:

Many organosulfur compounds having anti-cancer potency were identified in GC-MS. The
combination treatment with 50μg (IC50) of garlic extract exhibited a highly significant (P≤0.01)
synergistic inhibitory effect on A549 cell growth and migration. It has also significantly reduced the
expression of Notch 1 and Hes 1 oncogenes and enhanced p53 gene expression, compared with the
individual treatments. This indicates the synergistic action of the extract on the downregulation of Notch
signalling at the mRNA level.

Conclusion:

Our study results imply that the combination therapies have potent molecular treatment
action via down-regulating Notch signaling target genes and upregulating p53 gene expression as an
underlying mechanism of inhibitory action on A549 lung cancer cells.
Therapeutic Potential of the Herbal Plant Uncaria gambir: A Systematic
Review
Authors: Pramanik Farina , Satari Mieke Hemiawati , Azhari Azhari
Published: August 2023

Background:

Uncaria gambir is an Indonesian medicinal herb with healing effects. This
plant contains flavonoids, which can be used as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents to accelerate
healing. In Indonesia, Uncaria gambir is widely accessible, simple to grow, and has a long
history of use as an alternative medicine. Following this, studies are conducted in the medical industry
using Uncaria gambir.

Objective:

This study aimed to comprehensively review the use of Uncaria gambir extract as an
herbal plant for treating experimental animals.

Methods:

This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-
Analyses guidelines, and the risk of bias was evaluated by modifying the ARRIVE guidelines.

Results:

A report was presented on review articles from 12 publications sourced from PubMed, ScienceDirect,
Wiley Online Library, ProQuest, EBSCO Host, and other relevant studies. The Uncaria
gambir isolates tested were catechin and ethyl acetate, used primarily for lesions, pain, edema, and
diabetes in experimental Wistar rats.

Conclusion:

Uncaria gambir is an herbal plant that contains flavonoids, which can be used as antiinflammatory,
antioxidant, antibacterial, and hepatoprotective agents and can potentially be applied
in the medical field as adjuvant therapy.
Validation of charge welds and skin contamination FEM predictions in the extrusion of a AA6082 aluminum alloy
Authors: NEGOZIO M.
Published: August 2023

Abstract. The reduction of scraps related to Charge Welds and Skin Contamination defects is getting an increased industrial attention in order to improve the extrusion process overall efficiency. Recently, FEM simulations allowed the prediction of these defects under different die designs or processing conditions without performing time-consuming and expensive experimental analysis. However, the validation of the FEM codes has not been fully experimentally assessed. In this paper, Charge Welds and Skin Contamination defects were experimentally analysed in the extrusion of a AA6082 aluminum alloy profile produced under strictly monitored processing conditions. The collected data were used to assess the accuracy of the predictions made by using two commercial FEM codes Qform Extrusion UK and Altair HyperXtrude. The final aim of this work is to discuss the reliability of the FEM simulations and to validate their applicability in the industrial field.
Comparison of specific cutting energy in dry and wet post- process turning of Ti6Al4V EBM parts
Authors: COZZOLINO E.
Published: August 2023

Abstract. Additive Manufacturing (AM) is accelerating more and more today. Among its advantages, AM is claimed to be green technology. However, AM parts usually require postprocessing to improve their surface finishing and to be assembled. In this study, some Ti6Al4V cylindrical samples have been manufactured by Electron Beam Melting and then post- processed by turning. Both dry and wet turning has been performed under the same process parameters. Surface roughness has been measured both before and after each turning pass along the parallel and perpendicular direction to the cylindrical axis and energy consumption has been recorded during each turning pass. Specific Cutting Energy (SCE) has been calculated to evaluate the energy efficiency of the turning process. The results of this study demonstrate that dry turning is more energy efficient than wet turning by selecting the same machining process parameters while obtaining a comparable surface roughness.
Additive foam manufacturing
Authors: Landolfi L.
Published: August 2023

Abstract. Traditional foams manufacturing processes are used to create quickly and cost-effectively high-strength and low-weight structures; lately there have been efforts to produce foams in Additive Manufacturing (AM), making it possible to produce free-form foamed structures. One of the biggest advantages of the additive foam manufacturing (AFM) technique proposed in this paper is the use of a physical blowing agent (PBA), which, as opposed to a chemical blowing agents (CBA), can be used to foam almost any thermoplastic polymer without modifying its chemical properties, resulting in a polymer life-cycle advantage, especially from the recycling point of view. The research being presented aims to investigate the effect of process parameters on the microstructure and properties of 3D printed physical foams, in terms of density, dimensions and mechanical properties.
PET foaming: development of a new class of rheological additives for improved processability
Authors: Aversa C.
Published: August 2023

Abstract. Polymer foaming is a process broadly used for manufacturing light weight packaging solutions. Polystyrene (PS) is the most widespread material for this application, as it combines easy processability, low cost and high performance of the resulting items. However, foamed PS is difficult to recycle and highly polluting for the oceans and aquatic environment. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is, instead, commonly recycled and R-PET is broadly used for several industrial applications. Yet, PET quickly loses viscosity during the foaming process, due to thermo-hydrolytic and oxidative degradation thus causing poor foaming. In this paper, an innovative combination of chain extenders, anti-oxidants and nucleating agents to modify PET rheology is studied. The additives were experimented both in off-line and in-line apparatus. The experimental results show PET rheology can be customized by appropriately modulating the content of the different additives, thus making PET suitable for foaming process of high-quality items.
Reinforcement learning for energy-efficient control of multi-stage production lines with parallel machine workstations
Authors: Loffredo A.
Published: August 2023

Abstract. An effective approach to enhancing the sustainability of production systems is to use energy-efficient control (EEC) policies for optimal balancing of production rate and energy demand. Reinforcement learning (RL) algorithms can be employed to successfully control production systems, even when there is a lack of prior knowledge about system parameters. Furthermore, recent research demonstrated that RL can be also applied for the optimal EEC of a single manufacturing workstation with parallel machines. The purpose of this study is to apply an RL for EEC approach to more workstations belonging to the same industrial production system from the automotive sector, without relying on full knowledge of system dynamics. This work aims to show how the RL for EEC of more workstations affects the overall production system in terms of throughput and energy consumption. Numerical results demonstrate the benefits of the proposed model.
Tool path strategies for a new Agile incremental bending system
Authors: Simonetto E.
Published: August 2023

Abstract. In the last years, driven by the advent of industry 4.0 and more recently by the Covid19 pandemic, the paradigm of Agile manufacturing has become an important issue. To address these needs, manufacturing companies are looking for new processes to reduce production rap-ups times and costs related to traditional bending and stamping technologies. This paper proposes a new system, to produce bent elongated profiles of different thickness and shape by incremental forming. The novel machine uses two opposite rollers, to locally deform a workpiece by repeatedly moving back and forth along the profile to be bent. However, to fully exploit the new system potentialities ensuring the quality of the final products, the correct design of the tools paths are of utmost importance. An analysis of different tool path strategies to bend profiles up to 90° is presented. Finally, the proposed paths were validated on AISI304 sheets of 1 and 3 mm thickness.
Influence of long and short glass fiber on the mechanical behaviour of a single cell metamaterial
Authors: Giorleo L.
Published: August 2023

Abstract. Additive manufacturing is presenting new challenges in various aspects of part production. Among these, the potential benefits derived from material complexity have been growing in recent years, especially when using polymeric materials. In fact, mixing polymers with long/short fibres lead to moderate to significant improvements in the mechanical properties of the parts. The degree of improvement strongly depends on the part geometry and can become critical in the case of a workpiece with a repeating pattern, such as metamaterials. In this preliminary research, the authors investigate the mechanical performance of a single- hourglass cell which is a common auxetic geometry used to achieve a negative Poisson ratio in metamaterials. Nylon was used as the matrix, and glass as the fibre. FFF additive process was used to produce samples with different cell designs (in width, size, inclination) and the nature of the fibres (long and short). The results were analysed using statistical methods.
Wie de schoen past... : op weg naar vaccinaties op maat
Authors: van Baarle Debbie
Published: August 2023

In haar inaugurele lezing 'Wie de schoen past 2.0....' zal Professor Debbie van Baarle ingaan op het belang van het verbeteren van vaccinatiestrategieën voor ouderen en kwetsbare patiënten, met name door gebruik te maken van nieuwe gepersonaliseerde strategieën. Vaccinatie is een zeer effectief middel om levensbedreigende infectieziekten te voorkomen, met name in de groeiende populatie ouderen. Met het ouder worden neemt de capaciteit van het immuunsysteem, dat verantwoordelijk is voor de bescherming tegen infecties, af. Dit leidt tot een verhoogd infectierisico met een ernstiger ziekteverloop, maar ook tot een lagere effectiviteit van vaccinatie. Van Baarle's onderzoek richt zich op het begrijpen van de immuunmechanismen die betrokken zijn bij bescherming, specifiek de T-celrespons. Een beter begrip van hoe deze T-cellen virussen herkennen, de functies die belangrijk zijn bij het bestrijden ervan en de levensduur van deze respons zal inzicht geven in belangrijke immuunreacties die nodig zijn voor effectieve vaccinatie. Standaard vaccinatieprogramma's succesvol zijn geweest in het beschermen van de bevolking tegen infectieziekten. Echter, met een toenemend aantal ouderen is een beter passende strategie nodig om diegenen te beschermen die dat het meest nodig hebben. Daarom willen we voorspellers van een vaccinatierespons vinden, zodat we daarmee ouderen kunnen identificeren die alternatieve vaccinatiestrategieën nodig hebben. De resultaten van onze studies zullen gebruikt worden om individuen te identificeren die risico lopen op (bepaalde) infectieziekten en om vaccinatiestrategieën te sturen om de immuunrespons op virussen te verbeteren en daardoor vaccinaties te verbeteren. Als resultaat zal de focus op specifieke risico/kwetsbare groepen van een "one size fits all" aanpak verschuiven naar een nieuw tijdperk van gepersonaliseerde vaccinatie.
Biological activities of purified prolidase from pathogenic E.coli
Authors: Abdul Hussein Seror A. , H. Zaki Neihaya , H.Rasool Khetam
Published: August 2023

Prolidase is a ubiquitous enzyme that plays a chief role in the metabolism of proline-rich proteins. The goal of this study extraction and purify
prolidase from E. coli and evaluate some applications such as anti-biofilm and
anticancer. Hundred stool Samples were collected from infants with breastfeeding, non-vomiting, and non-diarrhea to isolate E.coli bacteria. A 16S rRNA gene
(585 bp) was found in all isolates of E. coli via PCR identification. Depending on
the qualitative method on prolidase agar, only 40 (80%) isolates could produce
prolidase from 50 isolates that were considered non-pathogens, then only 32 isolates revealed different levels in prolidase production with specific activity equal
to (2.1U/mg) of E.coli.
MS12. Sucrose, casein, and 40Co were the chosen isolate's best conditions for
producing prolidase. Cold acetone precipitation and dialysis were used to extract
the enzyme, and DEAE-cellulose and the Sephadex G-150 column were used in
purification with specific activity (2 U/ml) and (6.6 U/mg) protein. Prolidase
showed the highest effect on biofilm at 500 μg/ml concentration against P. aeruginosa, then E. coli, 65% and 60.3% respectively. Brain Tumor Cell Line (A127),
Colorectal Adenocarcinoma cells (CaCo-2), and Normal embryonic liver cell line
(WRL-68) were used to test the prolidase effect on these cell lines. An assay of
MTT was used to detect the inhibiter concentration (IC50) values and cytotoxic
effect of purified prolidase.
Keywords: E.coli, Prolidase, purification, antibiofilm, anticancer activity
The Impact of the Socioeconomic Status(SES) on the Oral Health
Status Among 15 Year-Old School Adolescents In Kerbala City/Iraq
Authors: R. Kareem Ahmed , M. Alwaheb Athraa
Published: August 2023

Dental caries, plaque, calculus and gingivitis are the most common
and widely spread oral health conditions affecting humans at different ages. Socioeconomic status was reported to be one of the factors affecting the severity of
oral diseases. The aim of the study included studying the impact of socioeconomic status on oral health variables and investigating the prevalence and severity of
dental caries, gingivitis, dental plaque, and dental calculus and an excellent data
baseline for planning future preventive programs. The total sample was composed of 500 male students at 15 years old selected randomly from the secondary
schools in Karbala city. Assessment of the socioeconomic status using a questionnaire; information about the student's socioeconomic status (SES) was obtained from the student's guardians. Diagnosis and recording of dental caries were
according to the criteria described by WHO (2013). gingival index of Loe and
Silness (1963) was followed for recording gingival health condition, the Plaque
index of Silness and Loe (1964) was used for plaque assessment, and the assessment of calculus was done by applying the Ramfjord index (1959). A high prevalence of dental caries (95.60%) was found, and the caries-free students represented (4.40%); the caries prevalence and severity represented by (DMFT)(DMFS)
respectively and the (FS) component of the DMF were significantly affected by
the socioeconomic status (SES), Dental plaque and calculus are more in low SES
group than other groups, with no significant differences, The mean of gingivitis
of the total sample was(1.908), also finding gingivitis is more in low SES group
than other groups with a Significant difference(0.011), and regarding the Gingival severity, all subjects have the moderate type of gingivitis (1.1-2). There is a
clear and significant increase in the prevalence of dental caries and gingivitis
concerning the socioeconomic status of this adolescent group of students. This
requires good dental school health programs and improvement in the education
level about the importance of oral health and more regular dental visits.
Keywords: Dental caries, oral health, gingivitis, socioeconomic
In vitro Study: Determining the Antibacterial Activity of Different Concentrations of Essential Oil against Streptococcus sanguinis Isolated from supragingival Plaque
Authors: Maher Kudiar Noora , Najah Mohammed Ayser
Published: August 2023

Several mouth diseases are common health issues, including dental caries and periodontal disease. In the absence of prevention, these conditions result in periodontal pockets. It has been proven that periodontal diseases are associated with supra-gingival plaque bacteria, including Streptococcus sanguinis. To avoid antibiotic side effects and bacteria becoming increasingly resistant, an alternative to antibacterial agents must be developed to ensure no side effects or increased resistance. As a consequence, natural herbs and Ayurveda drugs have become increasingly important. This research aims to investigate the antibacterial activity of Eucalyptus Globules essential oil against Streptococcus sanguinis bacteria. An evaluation of the anti-microbial effects of different concentrations of Eucalyptus Globules oil on Streptococcus sanguinis bacteria was conducted using a well-plate approach was also utilized to compare the effects of Eucalyptus Globules oil on bacterial growth in comparison to 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash. It was found that Eucalyptus Globules essential oil was highly antibacterial against Streptococcus sanguinis as the concentration of extract increased, with a highly significant difference (P ≤ 0.01) between all concentrations and chlorhexidine. Thus, this antibacterial activity of Eucalyptus Globules essential oil against Streptococcus sanguinis suggests that it could be used as a natural antibacterial component in treating oral infections. Keywords: Essential oil, Eucalyptus Globules, Dental plaque, Antibacterial activity.
Effect of adding different cinnamon oil concentrations on the chemical, physical, and microbial properties of local goose liver meat during different storage periods
Authors: Shakor Ahmed Al-Perkhdri Adnan , Ibrahim Abdullah Sami , Sami Shaker Ahmed
Published: August 2023

Cinnamon oil is a plant extract used to exert antimicrobial actions against essential pathogens. 96 samples of goose liver were used and divided for four treatments (control, T1=0.025, T2=0.050, T3=0.075) for three different storage times (1, 15, 20 days). After the storage periods, finished samples were analyzed, including chemical traits (carbohydrate, protein, ash, and moisture) and physical traits (pH, water holding capacity, loss during cooking, and loss during throwing). Also, a microbial trait was measured (cold bacteria and total bacteria). Significant differences were found just in (pH, loss during throwing, cold bacteria, and total bacteria (0.000, 0.046, 0.000, and 0.000), respectively, in the three different storage periods. There were statistically significant differences between the different levels of cinnamon oil and the storage periods, which affected the microbial number. Further studies are needed to test other goose meat parts with different cinnamon levels. Keywords: Liver, meat, storage, chemical, physical, microbiological
Effect Of Bacteria And Yeast Bio Fertilization On Nitrogen Budget,
Growth, And Yieid Of Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) When Intercropping With Faba Bean (Vicia Faba L.)
Authors: Ahmed Mohammed Hussein , Ubaid Hasan Kareem
Published: August 2023

The study was conducted in the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences - University of Baghdad on soil with a mixture of loam during the
winter season of the year (2020-2021). The study included a field experiment to
evaluate the effect of the prepared nitrogenous bacterial biofertilizer and yeast
extract at a concentration of 5 g.L-1
and mineral fertilization on the nitrogen
budget in the soil and in the growth parameters of wheat plants and the interaction under the 50% level of the fertilizer recommendation with the use of a recommendation treatment Complete fertilizer 100% For comparison, the amount of
water added to each experimental unit was measured after draining 50% of the
prepared water using a water meter. A (factorial) experiment was carried out by
arranging the split plates (The Split-Plot Design) according to the (RCBD) design. The results of the experiment showed the moral superiority of the intercropping coefficients in Dry weight, the yield of grain weight, and nitrogen concentration in the soil and plants for biological fertilization treatment, where bacterial
fertilization and yeast recorded the highest values compared with the mineral fertilization 50 and 100% If it gives an average of (6.667 and 11.533) (Mg.ha-1
) for
dry weight and grain yield, respectively, and 39,730 mg.Kg-1
nitrogen concentration in the soil and 1.367 % nitrogen concentration in the plant compared to the
dry weight (4.567 and 4.633) (Mg.ha-1
), grain yield (10,066 and 8,300) (Mg.ha-1
),
and the nitrogen concentration in the soil (24,400 and 22,200) mg.Kg-1
and nitrogen concentration in the plant (1.237 and 1.043), respectively, for 50 and 100%.
The mineral fertilization treatments of 100% also recorded the highest value of
ammonia volatilization, amounting to 19,700, followed by 50% treatment at
17.746, and the lowest amount of volatile ammonia was recorded by the bacterial
fertilization treatment at 12.976, then the treatment of 12.976 Bacteria with yeast
extract 16.980 and yeast treatment 17.960 (kg N ha-1
)for the intercropping treatments.
Keywords: Bio fertilization, Yeast extract, Mineral fertilization, Budget nitrogen
intercropping
It is partially extracted from the Ph.D. thesis of the first researcher.
Prevalence of parallel infection of dental caries and tonsillitis among some Iraqi children
Authors: Shabeeb Dunia B. , N. Naji Eman
Published: August 2023

Aims and Objectives: This study aims to investigate the role of dental caries-causing bacteria in increasing acute or chronic tonsillitis among Iraqi children. Materials and Methods: 120 patients were part of the study and were divided into 6 groups; each group had 20 patients aged 6–12. Swab samples were obtained from dental plaque and tonsils to identify the bacterial flora. Identification methods included metabolic capability, microscopic reading, and biochemical reaction. Results: The results showed that Streptococcus pneumonia was the most common Gram-positive bacterial species isolated from three different groups and control rate (32.9 %). Also, Moraxella catarrhalis, Granulicatella elegant and Streptococcus parasanguinis appeared in both tonsillitis and dental caries. Conclusion: An interesting association between dental caries and tonsillitis in children aged 6 to 12 appeared. Most Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial isolates were multi-drug resistant to antimicrobial agents. Keywords: parallel infection, dental caries, tonsillitis, Iraqi children.
Protective Role of Ethanolic Alcoholic Extract of Boswellia carterii Against
Some Physiological and Histological Disorders Induced by Amoebic Infection
Experimentally
Authors: Aziz Mahdi Al-badry Fatima
Published: August 2023

The current study was designed to prospect the protective effect of alcoholic extract of Boswellia carterii in some physiological parameters and histopathological changes caused by amoebic infection experimentally of female rats; thirtytwo adult female rats were used. It was divided into four groups: the first group
received physiological saline as the control group, the second group was infected
experimentally with amoeba (Entamoeba histolytica), which was administrated
(1 mL/Amoebic suspension /Animal /day) for 10 days, and the third and fourth
groups treated with alcoholic extract of plant at (1 mL /animal/day) for one and
two months respectively after amoebic infection was ten days. The results indicated a significant decrease (P≤0.05) in body weight and liver enzymes (ALT,
AST, ALP) of the amoebic group compared with the control group. In contrast, a
significant increase (P≤0.05) in these parameters occurred by using alcohol extract of the plant compared with the infected group by amoeba. Also, the phagocytosis factor and kidney functions (urea and creatinine) were increased significantly (P≤0.05) when amoebic infection compared with the control group. That
alcoholic extract caused a significant decline (P≤0.05) for natural levels in these
parameters compared with the amoebic group. On the other hand, the present results reported that administering an alcoholic extract of Boswellia carterii caused
improvement in the histopathological damage of the kidney and liver, which resulted from amoebic infection experimentally by Entamoeba histolytica. These
histological changes in the kidney comprised fibrosis, inflammation, structural
changes in glomeruli as absence, shrinkage and death of glomeruli, enlargement
of Bowman's space, congestion and hemorrhage. While in livers, that included infiltration of inflammatory cells, enlargement of the sinusoid, congestion, and severe hemorrhage.
Keywords: Boswellia carterii, Liver Enzymes, Kidney
Evaluation of miR-146 and miR-196 as potential biomarkers in a sample of
Iraqi breast cancer patients
Authors: A. Sahan Khadija , Aziz Ismail H. , Nadhir Dawood Sana , Abdul Razzaq Shaymaa S.
Published: August 2023

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease defined by molecular types and subtypes. It constitutes the most commonly-diagnosed cancer and the leading cause
of cancer death in women worldwide, according to the International Agency for
Research on Cancer (IARC) World Cancer Reports in 2020. The study aimed to
evaluate the miR-146 and miR-196 expression level and their association with
the ca15-3 serum level of the participants diagnosed with breast cancer. There
were 105 samples, three groups of 35 fresh blood samples and FFPE Tissue samples, which were collected as malignant, benign and healthy control. CA15-3
concentration was elevated in a malignant group with a mean equal to (36.14
Units/ml) in comparison to (27.07 Units/ml) for the benign group and (14.34
Units/ml) for the healthy control group (p<0.01). The results revealed that the expression of miR-146 in Malignant breast tumor tissue was (2.378 ±0.76) times
more, while in benign breast tissue, with the fold of expression (1.197 ±0.38) in
comparison with apparently healthy tissue. At the same time, the expression of
miR-196 in Malignant breast tumor tissue was (8.11 ±2.15) times more, while in
benign breast tissue, with a fold of expression (2.584 ±0.84) compared with apparently healthy tissue with highly significant differences.
Keyword: Breast Cancer, miR-146, miR-196, ca15-3, FFPE
Approaches to Research Ethics in Health Research on YouTube: Systematic Review
Authors: Tanner Joshua P , Takats Courtney , Lathan Hannah Stuart , Kwan Amy , Wormer Rachel , Romero Diana , Jones Heidi E
Published: August 2023

Background

YouTube has become a popular source of health care information, reaching an estimated 81% of adults in 2021; approximately 35% of adults in the United States have used the internet to self-diagnose a condition. Public health researchers are therefore incorporating YouTube data into their research, but guidelines for best practices around research ethics using social media data, such as YouTube, are unclear.

Objective

This study aims to describe approaches to research ethics for public health research implemented using YouTube data.

Methods

We implemented a systematic review of articles found in PubMed, SocINDEX, Web of Science, and PsycINFO following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. To be eligible to be included, studies needed to be published in peer-reviewed journals in English between January 1, 2006, and October 31, 2019, and include analyses on publicly available YouTube data on health or public health topics; studies using primary data collection, such as using YouTube for study recruitment, interventions, or dissemination evaluations, were not included. We extracted data on the presence of user identifying information, institutional review board (IRB) review, and informed consent processes, as well as research topic and methodology.

Results

This review includes 119 articles from 88 journals. The most common health and public health topics studied were in the categories of chronic diseases (44/119, 37%), mental health and substance use (26/119, 21.8%), and infectious diseases (20/119, 16.8%). The majority (82/119, 68.9%) of articles made no mention of ethical considerations or stated that the study did not meet the definition of human participant research (16/119, 13.4%). Of those that sought IRB review (15/119, 12.6%), 12 out of 15 (80%) were determined to not meet the definition of human participant research and were therefore exempt from IRB review, and 3 out of 15 (20%) received IRB approval. None of the 3 IRB-approved studies contained identifying information; one was explicitly told not to include identifying information by their ethics committee. Only 1 study sought informed consent from YouTube users. Of 119 articles, 33 (27.7%) contained identifying information about content creators or video commenters, one of which attempted to anonymize direct quotes by not including user information.

Conclusions

Given the variation in practice, concrete guidelines on research ethics for social media research are needed, especially around anonymizing and seeking consent when using identifying information.

Trial Registration

PROSPERO CRD42020148170; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=148170
Deferring Postoperative Follow‑Up Visits up to 4 Weeks After Uneventful Cataract Surgery in a Tertiary Level Eye Hospital: Protocol for a Prospective, Quantitative, Experimental Control Study
Authors: Parajuli Sanket , Dhakhwa Parami , Adhikary Rabindra
Published: August 2023

Background

Routine examination after cataract surgery, including a refraction test 4 to 6 weeks after surgery, is mandatory in most hospitals. In recent years, there has been growing interest in exploring alternative approaches to postoperative follow-up in cataract surgery patients due to the increasing number of cataract surgeries being performed, the limited availability of health care resources, and the need to optimize the use of health care services.

Objective

We aim to compare postoperative visual outcomes after a day 0 examination in patients with 2 follow‑ups, one on day 7 and other on day 30, and patients with a single ophthalmic follow‑up between days 25 to 30.

Methods

A prospective, quantitative, experimental control study will be carried out in Reiyukai Eiko Masunaga Eye Hospital, located in Banepa, Kavrepalanchok, Nepal. All patients undergoing cataract surgery meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria irrespective of the type of surgery (small-incision cataract surgery or phacoemulsification) will be included in the study. The patients will be randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups. Patients in group 1 will be examined on day 1, day 7, and day 30, whereas patients in group 2 will be examined on day 1 and once between days 25 to 30. The minimum clinically important difference (MCID) in our study will be set according to the improvement in the Snellen visual acuity chart.

Results

The study is expected to be completed within 6 to 8 months from the start of the project. Data analysis and report writing will be carried out in a 2-month period. Best-corrected visual acuity will be compared between the 2 groups to determine if the MCID is achieved. The cost-effectiveness of the new approach will also be analyzed.

Conclusions

We aim to conclude that we can safely defer the 1-week postoperative follow-up visit in patients undergoing uncomplicated cataract surgery and that, moreover, we can reduce the patient load at the hospital and decrease patient expenses by decreasing the frequency of hospital visits.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

PRR1-10.2196/48616
Centering Public Perceptions on Translating AI Into Clinical Practice: Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement Consultation Focus Group Study
Authors: Lammons William , Silkens Milou , Hunter Jamie , Shah Sudhir , Stavropoulou Charitini
Published: August 2023

Background

Artificial intelligence (AI) is widely considered to be the new technical advancement capable of a large-scale modernization of health care. Considering AI’s potential impact on the clinician-patient relationship, health care provision, and health care systems more widely, patients and the wider public should be a part of the development, implementation, and embedding of AI applications in health care. Failing to establish patient and public engagement and involvement (PPIE) can limit AI’s impact.

Objective

This study aims to (1) understand patients’ and the public’s perceived benefits and challenges for AI and (2) clarify how to best conduct PPIE in projects on translating AI into clinical practice, given public perceptions of AI.

Methods

We conducted this qualitative PPIE focus-group consultation in the United Kingdom. A total of 17 public collaborators representing 7 National Institute of Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaborations across England participated in 1 of 3 web-based semistructured focus group discussions. We explored public collaborators’ understandings, experiences, and perceptions of AI applications in health care. Transcripts were coanalyzed iteratively with 2 public coauthors using thematic analysis.

Results

We identified 3 primary deductive themes with 7 corresponding inductive subthemes. Primary theme 1, advantages of implementing AI in health care, had 2 subthemes: system improvements and improve quality of patient care and shared decision-making. Primary theme 2, challenges of implementing AI in health care, had 3 subthemes: challenges with security, bias, and access; public misunderstanding of AI; and lack of human touch in care and decision-making. Primary theme 3, recommendations on PPIE for AI in health care, had 2 subthemes: experience, empowerment, and raising awareness; and acknowledging and supporting diversity in PPIE.

Conclusions

Patients and the public can bring unique perspectives on the development, implementation, and embedding of AI in health care. Early PPIE is therefore crucial not only to safeguard patients but also to increase the chances of acceptance of AI by the public and the impact AI can make in terms of outcomes.
Twitter Sentiment About the US Federal Tobacco 21 Law: Mixed Methods Analysis (Preprint)
Authors: Dobbs Page D , Boykin Allison Ames , Ezike Nnamdi , Myers Aaron J , Colditz Jason B , Primack Brian A
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND

On December 20, 2019, the US “Tobacco 21” law raised the minimum legal sales age of tobacco products to 21 years. Initial research suggests that misinformation about Tobacco 21 circulated via news sources on Twitter and that sentiment about the law was associated with particular types of tobacco products and included discussions about other age-related behaviors. However, underlying themes about this sentiment as well as temporal trends leading up to enactment of the law have not been explored.

OBJECTIVE

This study sought to examine (1) sentiment (pro-, anti-, and neutral policy) about Tobacco 21 on Twitter and (2) volume patterns (number of tweets) of Twitter discussions leading up to the enactment of the federal law.

METHODS

We collected tweets related to Tobacco 21 posted between September 4, 2019, and December 31, 2019. A 2% subsample of tweets (4628/231,447) was annotated by 2 experienced, trained coders for policy-related information and sentiment. To do this, a codebook was developed using an inductive procedure that outlined the operational definitions and examples for the human coders to annotate sentiment (pro-, anti-, and neutral policy). Following the annotation of the data, the researchers used a thematic analysis to determine emergent themes per sentiment category. The data were then annotated again to capture frequencies of emergent themes. Concurrently, we examined trends in the volume of Tobacco 21–related tweets (weekly rhythms and total number of tweets over the time data were collected) and analyzed the qualitative discussions occurring at those peak times.

RESULTS

The most prevalent category of tweets related to Tobacco 21 was neutral policy (514/1113, 46.2%), followed by antipolicy (432/1113, 38.8%); 167 of 1113 (15%) were propolicy or supportive of the law. Key themes identified among neutral tweets were news reports and discussion of political figures, parties, or government involvement in general. Most discussions were generated from news sources and surfaced in the final days before enactment. Tweets opposing Tobacco 21 mentioned that the law was unfair to young audiences who were addicted to nicotine and were skeptical of the law’s efficacy and importance. Methods used to evade the law were found to be represented in both neutral and antipolicy tweets. Propolicy tweets focused on the protection of youth and described the law as a sensible regulatory approach rather than a complete ban of all products or flavored products. Four spikes in daily volume were noted, 2 of which corresponded with political speeches and 2 with the preparation and passage of the legislation.

CONCLUSIONS

Understanding themes of public sentiment—as well as when Twitter activity is most active—will help public health professionals to optimize health promotion activities to increase community readiness and respond to enforcement needs including education for retailers and the general public.
The Role of Trust as a Driver of Private-Provider Participation in Disease Surveillance: Cross-Sectional Survey From Nigeria (Preprint)
Authors: Mitchell Ellen MH , Adejumo Olusola Adedeji , Abdur-Razzaq Hussein , Ogbudebe Chidubem , Gidado Mustapha
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND

Recognition of the importance of valid, real-time knowledge of infectious disease risk has renewed scrutiny into private providers’ intentions, motives, and obstacles to comply with an Integrated Disease Surveillance Response (IDSR) framework. Appreciation of how private providers’ attitudes shape their tuberculosis (TB) notification behaviors can yield lessons for the surveillance of emerging pathogens, antibiotic stewardship, and other crucial public health functions. Reciprocal trust among actors and institutions is an understudied part of the “software” of surveillance.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to assess the self-reported knowledge, motivation, barriers, and TB case notification behavior of private health care providers to public health authorities in Lagos, Nigeria. We measured the concordance between self-reported notification, TB cases found in facility records, and actual notifications received.

METHODS

A representative, stratified sample of 278 private health care workers was surveyed on TB notification attitudes, behavior, and perceptions of public health authorities using validated scales. Record reviews were conducted to identify the TB treatment provided and facility case counts were abstracted from the records. Self-reports were triangulated against actual notification behavior for 2016. The complex health system framework was used to identify potential predictors of notification behavior.

RESULTS

Noncompliance with the legal obligations to notify infectious diseases was not attributable to a lack of knowledge. Private providers who were uncomfortable notifying TB cases via the IDSR system scored lower on the perceived benevolence subscale of trust. Health care workers who affirmed “always” notifying via IDSR monthly reported higher median trust in the state’s public disease control capacity. Although self-reported notification behavior was predicted by age, gender, and positive interaction with public health bodies, the self-report numbers did not tally with actual TB notifications.

CONCLUSIONS

Providers perceived both risks and benefits to recording and reporting TB cases. To improve private providers’ public health behaviors, policy makers need to transcend instrumental and transactional approaches to surveillance to include building trust in public health, simplifying the task, and enhancing the link to improved health. Renewed attention to the “software” of health systems (eg, norms, values, and relationships) is vital to address pandemic threats. Surveys with private providers may overestimate their actual participation in public health surveillance.
Authors’ Reply: Modernizing Gender, Sex, and Sexual Orientation Data Through Engagement and Education (Preprint)
Authors: Queen Roz , Courtney Karen L , Lau Francis , Davison Kelly , Devor Aaron , Antonio Marcy G
Published: August 2023

UNSTRUCTURED
Tele-oncology Implementation Logic Model: Results of an Instrumental Study (Preprint)
Authors: Alishahi Tabriz Amir , Turner Kea , Naso Cristina M. , Gonzalez Brian D. , Nguyen Oliver T. , Hallanger Johnson Julie , Patel Krupal B. , Hong Young-Rock , Powell Byron J. , Spiess Philippe E.
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND

The onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic changed the landscape of oncology practice and placed tele-oncology at the center of cancer care delivery. As tele-oncology will likely remain a key part of cancer care delivery, healthcare organizations need to determine how to implement tele-oncology programs.

OBJECTIVE

We conducted an instrumental case study at a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center that successfully implemented tele-oncology.

METHODS

Data were collected from three sources between June 2020–February 2022. We conducted semi-structured interviews among clinicians directly involved in implementing and/or managing tele-oncology and surveys of administrators of the center’s tele-oncology and clinicians who used the program. Document analysis of implementation deliverables was also analyzed. Data collection and analyses were guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. We used the Implementation Research Logic Model to develop a framework depicting determinants and key steps for implementing tele-oncology.

RESULTS

We interviewed 40 clinicians. Of 364 employees invited to complete online surveys, 151 (41.5%) responded. We found that hospitals should: 1) adopt an easy-to-use and adaptable platform to deliver tele-oncology; 2) build a multidisciplinary tele-oncology team to provide the administrative, legal, workflow, and clinical support; 3) provide training and resources to ensure all team members can complete their responsibilities; 4) identify early adopters, departments, and clinicians with successful experiences; 5) evaluate clinical and implementation outcomes frequently; 6) advocate for policies that are supportive of tele-oncology in the future.

CONCLUSIONS

We presented the tele-oncology implementation framework that can be used by hospitals to implement tele-oncology.

CLINICALTRIAL

N/A
Leveraging Social Media to Predict COVID-19–Induced Disruptions to Mental Well-Being Among University Students: Modeling Study (Preprint)
Authors: Das Swain Vedant , Ye Jingjing , Ramesh Siva Karthik , Mondal Abhirup , Abowd Gregory D , De Choudhury Munmun
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND

Large-scale crisis events such as COVID-19 often have secondary impacts on individuals’ mental well-being. University students are particularly vulnerable to such impacts. Traditional survey-based methods to identify those in need of support do not scale over large populations and they do not provide timely insights. We pursue an alternative approach through social media data and machine learning. Our models aim to complement surveys and provide early, precise, and objective predictions of students disrupted by COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to demonstrate the feasibility of language on private social media as an indicator of crisis-induced disruption to mental well-being.

METHODS

We modeled 4124 Facebook posts provided by 43 undergraduate students, spanning over 2 years. We extracted temporal trends in the psycholinguistic attributes of their posts and comments. These trends were used as features to predict how COVID-19 disrupted their mental well-being.

RESULTS

The social media–enabled model had an F1-score of 0.79, which was a 39% improvement over a model trained on the self-reported mental state of the participant. The features we used showed promise in predicting other mental states such as anxiety, depression, social, isolation, and suicidal behavior (F1-scores varied between 0.85 and 0.93). We also found that selecting the windows of time 7 months after the COVID-19–induced lockdown presented better results, therefore, paving the way for data minimization.

CONCLUSIONS

We predicted COVID-19–induced disruptions to mental well-being by developing a machine learning model that leveraged language on private social media. The language in these posts described psycholinguistic trends in students’ online behavior. These longitudinal trends helped predict mental well-being disruption better than models trained on correlated mental health questionnaires. Our work inspires further research into the potential applications of early, precise, and automatic warnings for individuals concerned about their mental health in times of crisis.
Effectiveness of Modified Shaoyao Tang in Treating Ulcerative Colitis:Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (Preprint)
Authors: Li Xi , Bi Yunpeng , Yan Huixin , Li Yuchun
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a very common inflammatory bowel disease, mainly characterized by persistent and diffuse inflammatory reactions in the colon mucosa. Many randomized controlled clinical studies have shown that Shaoyao Tang has good therapeutic effects on UC. However, there is currently no systematic review or meta-analysis published on the treatment of UC with Shaoyao Tang, which is worthy of our team's research.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this system review plan is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Jiawei Shaoyao Tang in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

METHODS

This system review will collect Web of Science, Pubmed, Embase, VIP, Wanfang, CNKI, and China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM) to collect all eligible randomized controlled trials from the establishment of the database until August 15, 2023. These two researchers will strictly follow the screening process, including research screening, data extraction, and quality evaluation. The main outcome is clinical efficacy. The main software used in this study is Review Manager V5.4 software.

RESULTS

The current systematic review and meta-analysis will investigate the role of Shaoyao Tang in the treatment of UC.

CONCLUSIONS

The conclusion of this study will provide some reference for clinical doctors to use Shaoyao Tang to treat UC.

CLINICALTRIAL

PROSPERO CRD42023423361; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=423361