bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plasma Indoleamine-2,3-Dioxygenase (IDO) is Increased in Drug-Naï ve Major Depressed Patients and Treatment with Sertraline and Ketoprofen Normalizes IDO in Association with Pro-Inflammatory and Immune- Regulatory Cytokines
Authors: Al-Hakeim Hussein Kadhem , Twayej Ahmed Jasim , Al-Dujaili Arafat Hussein , Maes Michael
Published: January 2020

Background:

Major Depression Disorder (MDD) is accompanied by an immune response
characterized by increased levels of inflammatory and immune-regulatory cytokines and stimulation of
indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). There is also evidence that anti-inflammatory drugs may have
clinical efficacy in MDD.

Objective:

This study examined a) IDO in association with interferon (IFN)-γ, Interleukin (IL)-4 and
Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)-β1 in 140 drug-naïve MDD patients and 40 normal controls; and
b) the effects of an eight-week treatment of sertraline with or without ketoprofen (a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory
drug) on the same biomarkers in 44 MDD patients.

Results:

Baseline IDO, IFN-γ, TGF-β1 and IL-4 were significantly higher in MDD patients as compared
with controls. Treatment with sertraline with or without ketoprofen significantly reduced the
baseline levels of all biomarkers to levels which were in the normal range (IDO, TGF-β1, and IL-4) or
still somewhat higher than in controls (IFN-γ). Ketoprofen add-on had a significantly greater effect on
IDO as compared with placebo. The reductions in IDO, IL-4, and TGF-β1 during treatment were significantly
associated with those in the BDI-II

Conclusion:

MDD is accompanied by activated immune-inflammatory pathways (including IDO) and
the Compensatory Immune-Regulatory System (CIRS). The clinical efficacy of antidepressant treatment
may be ascribed at least in part to decrements in IDO and the immune-inflammatory response.
These treatments also significantly reduce the more beneficial properties of T helper-2 and T regulatory
(Treg) subsets. Future research should develop immune treatments that target the immune-inflammatory
response in MDD while enhancing the CIRS.
Microwave Thermal Effect on Diels-Alder Reaction of Furan and Maleimide
Authors: Sun Simin , Teng Chong , Xu Jiaxi
Published: January 2020

Background:

Higher temperature regions (hot spots) have been observed in organic
reactions and are attributed to microwave selective heating. The accumulated heat in reaction systems
accelerates certain reactions.

Methods:

The theoretical calculation was applied to select a suitable Diels-Alder reaction as a
molecular probe to determine the microwave thermal effect on Diels-Alder reaction, one class of
bimolecular reactions. The kinetic investigations were utilized to determine the reaction activation
energies and further to calculate the actual reaction temperatures under different microwave conditions
from the Arrhenius equation.

Results:

On the basis of the theoretical calculational results, Diels-Alder reaction of furan and
maleimide was selected as a molecular probe to determine the microwave thermal effect in Diels-
Alder reaction. Their activation energies under thermal conditions were determined from kinetic
data by using the Arrhenius equation. The actual reaction temperatures under different microwave
conditions were further deduced from their activation energies and the Arrhenius equation.

Conclusion:

Higher temperature regions (hot spots) were observed in Diels-Alder reaction, and
they are more obvious in less polar solvents than those in more polar solvents in the microwave
irradiated reactions.
Analysis of Optimum Precoding Schemes in Millimeter Wave System
Authors: Singh Divya , Shukla Aasheesh
Published: January 2020

Background:

Millimeter wave technology is the emerging technology in wireless communication
due to increased demand for data traffic and its numerous advantages however it suffers
from severe attenuation. To mitigate this attenuation, phased antenna arrays are used for unidirectional
power distribution. An initial access is needed to make a connection between the base station and
users in millimeter wave system. The high complexity and cost can be mitigated by the use of hybrid
precoding schemes. Hybrid precoding techniques are developed to reduce the complexity, power
consumption and cost by using phase shifters in place of converters. The use of phase shifters also
increases the spectral efficiency.

Objective:

Analysis of Optimum Precoding schemes in Millimeter Wave System.

Methods:

In this paper, the suitability of existing hybrid precoding solutions are explored on the basis
of the different algorithms and the architecture to increase the average achievable rate. Previous
work done in hybrid precoding is also compared on the basis of the resolution of the phase shifter
and digital to analog converter.

Results:

A comparison of the previous work is done on the basis of different parameters like the
resolution of phase shifters, digital to analog converter, amount of power consumption and spectral
efficiency. Spectral efficiency shows the average achievable rate of different algorithms at SNR= 0
dB and 5 dB. It also compares the performance achieved by the hybrid precoder in the fully connected
structure with two existing approaches, dynamic subarray structure with and without switch
and sub connected or partially connected structure, and gives the comparative analysis of hybrid
precoding with the different resolutions of the phase shifter and DAC.

Conclusion:

In this paper, some available literature is reviewed and summarized about hybrid precoding
in millimeter wave communication. Current solutions of hybrid precoding are also reviewed
and compared in terms of their efficiency, power consumption, and effectiveness. The limitations of
the existing hybrid precoding algorithms are the selection of group and resolution of phase shifters.
The mm wave massive MIMO is only feasible due to hybrid precoding.
Usability of a Mobile Phone App Aimed at Adolescents and Young Adults During and After Cancer Treatment: Qualitative Study (Preprint)
Authors: Hanghøj Signe , Boisen Kirsten A , Hjerming Maiken , Elsbernd Abbey , Pappot Helle
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

Adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients are seldom involved in the process of testing cancer-related apps. As such, knowledge about youth-specific content, functionalities, and design is sparse. As a part of a co-creation process of developing the mobile phone app Kræftværket, AYAs in treatment for cancer and in follow-up participated in a usability think-aloud test of a prototype of the app. Thus, the app was initiated, created, and evaluated by AYAs with cancer experience.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the results of a think-aloud test administered to see how the prototype of the app Kræftværket was used by AYAs in treatment for cancer and in follow-up, and to investigate the strengths and weaknesses of the app.

METHODS

A total of 20 AYA cancer patients aged 16 to 29 years (n=10 on treatment, n=10 in follow-up) were provided with the first version of the co-created mobile phone app Kræftværket during a 6-week test period (April-May 2018). After the test period, 15 participated in individual usability think-aloud tests. The tests were video-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach.

RESULTS

The thematic analysis led to the following themes and subthemes: navigation (subthemes: intuition, features, buttons, home page, profile), visual and graphic design (subthemes: overview, text and colors, photos, videos, YouTube), and usefulness (subthemes: notifications, posts, adding). The analysis identified gender differences in app utilization—female participants seemed to be more familiar with parts of the app. The app seemed to be more relevant to AYAs receiving treatment due to app functions such as tracking symptoms and searching for relevant information. Lack of notifications and incorrect counting of posts were perceived as barriers to using the app.

CONCLUSIONS

Usability testing is crucial to meet the needs of the AYA target audience. AYA cancer apps should preferably be relevant, targeted, and unique, and include a tracking function and AYA-produced videos. Notifications and correct marking and ordering of posts are critical to make apps engaging and dynamic. Further research is recommended to evaluate the Kræftværket app with the input of more AYAs.
Evaluation of the Level of Evidence Supporting the Recommendations Constituting the American Academy of Dermatology Clinical Practice Guidelines: Cross-Sectional Analysis (Preprint)
Authors: Cook Courtney , Ottwell Ryan , Rogers Taylor , Checketts Jake , Musuvathy Sanjeev , Vassar Matt
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

Clinical practice guidelines are evidence-based recommendations used by physicians to improve patient care. These guidelines provide the physician with an assessment of the benefits and harms of a treatment and its alternatives. Therefore, it is essential that the clinical practice guidelines be based on the strongest available evidence. Numerous studies in a variety of different fields of medicine have demonstrated that recommendations supported by weak evidence are a common theme in clinical practice guidelines. A clinical guideline based solely on weak evidence has the capability to reduce the quality of care provided by physicians.

OBJECTIVE

Our primary objective is to evaluate the levels of evidence supporting the recommendations constituting the American Academy of Dermatology clinical practice guidelines.

METHODS

Using a cross-sectional study design, authors SM and RO located all current clinical practice guidelines on the American Academy of Dermatology website on June 10, 2017, and December 11, 2019. Each recommendation and its corresponding evidence rating were extracted in a duplicate and blinded fashion. A consensus meeting was planned a priori to resolve disagreements in extractions or stratifications.

RESULTS

In total, 6 clinical guidelines and their subsections were screened and 899 recommendations were identified. Our final data set included 841 recommendations, as 58 recommendations contained no level of evidence and were excluded from calculations. Many recommendations were supported by a moderate level of evidence and therefore received a B rating (346/841, 41.1%). Roughly one-third of the recommendations were supported by a strong level of evidence and were given an A rating (n=307, 36.5%). The clinical practice guideline with the highest overall strength of evidence was regarding the treatment of acne, which had 17 of 35 (48.6%) recommendations supported by strong evidence and only 2 (5.7%) supported by weak evidence. The clinical practice guideline with the fewest recommendations supported by strong evidence was melanoma (13/63, 20.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical practice guidelines that lack strong supporting evidence could negatively affect patient care, and dermatologists should be mindful that not all recommendations are supported by the strongest level of evidence. An increased quantity of quality research needs to be performed in the field of dermatology to improve the evidence supporting the American Academy of Dermatology clinical practice guidelines.
Patterns of Use of Smartphone-Based Interventions Among Latina Breast Cancer Survivors: Secondary Analysis of a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Baik Sharon H , Oswald Laura B , Buscemi Joanna , Buitrago Diana , Iacobelli Francisco , Perez-Tamayo Alejandra , Guitelman Judith , Penedo Frank J , Yanez Betina
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

Latina breast cancer survivors experience poorer health-related quality of life (HRQoL), greater symptom burden, and more psychosocial needs compared to non-Latina breast cancer survivors. eHealth platforms such as smartphone apps are increasingly being used to deliver psychosocial interventions to cancer survivors. However, few psychosocial eHealth interventions have been developed specifically for Latina breast cancer survivors. Further, little is known about how Latinas, in general, engage with eHealth interventions and whether specific participant characteristics are associated with app use in this population. We evaluated the use of 2 culturally informed, evidence-based smartphone apps for Latina breast cancer survivors—one that was designed to improve HRQoL and reduce symptom burden (My Guide) and the other to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors (My Health).

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of our study were to explore the patterns of use of the My Guide intervention app and My Health attention-control app among Latina breast cancer survivors.

METHODS

Eighty Latina breast cancer survivors were randomized to use the My Guide or My Health app for 6 weeks. Assessments were collected at baseline (T1), immediately after the 6-week intervention (T2), and 2 weeks after T2 (T3). Specific study outcomes included subdomains of HRQoL, symptom burden, cancer-specific distress, cancer-relevant self-efficacy, and breast cancer knowledge.

RESULTS

On average, participants used their assigned app for more than 1 hour per week. Sociodemographic or psychological characteristics were not significantly associated with app use, except for employment status in the My Health group. Content related to common physical and emotional symptoms of breast cancer survivors as well as recommendations for nutrition and physical activity were most frequently accessed by My Guide and My Health participants, respectively. Lastly, clinically meaningful improvements were demonstrated in breast cancer well-being among low app users (ie, <60 minutes of use/week) of My Guide and social well-being among high app users (ie, ≥60 minutes of use/week) of My Health.

CONCLUSIONS

The favorable rates of participant use across both apps suggest that Latina breast cancer survivors are interested in the content delivered across both My Guide and My Health. Furthermore, since sociodemographic variables, excluding employment status, and baseline HRQoL (psychological variable) were not related to app use, My Guide and My Health may be accessible to diverse Latina breast cancer survivors.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03645005; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03645005
E-Cigarette Advocates on Twitter: Content Analysis of Vaping-Related Tweets (Preprint)
Authors: McCausland Kahlia , Maycock Bruce , Leaver Tama , Wolf Katharina , Freeman Becky , Jancey Jonine
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

As the majority of Twitter content is publicly available, the platform has become a rich data source for public health surveillance, providing insights into emergent phenomena, such as vaping. Although there is a growing body of literature that has examined the content of vaping-related tweets, less is known about the people who generate and disseminate these messages and the role of e-cigarette advocates in the promotion of these devices.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify key conversation trends and patterns over time, and discern the core voices, message frames, and sentiment surrounding e-cigarette discussions on Twitter.

METHODS

A random sample of data were collected from Australian Twitter users who referenced at least one of 15 identified e-cigarette related keywords during 2012, 2014, 2016, or 2018. Data collection was facilitated by TrISMA (Tracking Infrastructure for Social Media Analysis) and analyzed by content analysis.

RESULTS

A sample of 4432 vaping-related tweets posted and retweeted by Australian users was analyzed. Positive sentiment (3754/4432, 84.70%) dominated the discourse surrounding e-cigarettes, and vape retailers and manufacturers (1161/4432, 26.20%), the general public (1079/4432, 24.35%), and e-cigarette advocates (1038/4432, 23.42%) were the most prominent posters. Several tactics were used by e-cigarette advocates to communicate their beliefs, including attempts to frame e-cigarettes as safer than traditional cigarettes, imply that federal government agencies lack sufficient competence or evidence for the policies they endorse about vaping, and denounce as propaganda “gateway” claims of youth progressing from e-cigarettes to combustible tobacco. Some of the most common themes presented in tweets were advertising or promoting e-cigarette products (2040/4432, 46.03%), promoting e-cigarette use or intent to use (970/4432, 21.89%), and discussing the potential of e-cigarettes to be used as a smoking cessation aid or tobacco alternative (716/4432, 16.16%), as well as the perceived health and safety benefits and consequences of e-cigarette use (681/4432, 15.37%).

CONCLUSIONS

Australian Twitter content does not reflect the country’s current regulatory approach to e-cigarettes. Rather, the conversation on Twitter generally encourages e-cigarette use, promotes vaping as a socially acceptable practice, discredits scientific evidence of health risks, and rallies around the idea that e-cigarettes should largely be outside the bounds of health policy. The one-sided nature of the discussion is concerning, as is the lack of disclosure and transparency, especially among vaping enthusiasts who dominate the majority of e-cigarette discussions on Twitter, where it is unclear if comments are endorsed, sanctioned, or even supported by the industry.
Workshop on Implementation Science and Digital Therapeutics for Behavioral Health (Preprint)
Authors: Lord Sarah E , Campbell Aimee N C , Brunette Mary F , Cubillos Leonardo , Bartels Sophia M , Torrey William C , Olson Ardis L , Chapman Steven H , Batsis John A , Polsky Daniel , Nunes Edward V , Seavey Katherine M , Marsch Lisa A
Published: January 2020

UNSTRUCTURED

Digital therapeutics can overcome many of the barriers to translation of evidence-based treatment for substance use, mental health, and other behavioral health conditions. Delivered via nearly ubiquitous platforms such as the web, smartphone applications, text messaging, and videoconferencing, digital therapeutics can transcend the time and geographic boundaries of traditional clinical settings so that individuals can access care when and where they need it. There is strong empirical support for digital therapeutic approaches for behavioral health, yet implementation science with regard to scaling use of digital therapeutics for behavioral health is still in its early stages. In this paper, we summarize the proceedings of a day-long workshop, “Implementation Science and Digital Therapeutics,” sponsored and hosted by the Center for Technology and Behavioral Health at Dartmouth College. The Center for Technology and Behavioral Health is an interdisciplinary P30 Center of Excellence funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, with the mission of promoting state-of-the-technology and state-of-the-science for the development, evaluation, and sustainable implementation of digital therapeutic approaches for substance use and related conditions. Workshop presentations were grounded in current models of implementation science. Directions and opportunities for collaborative implementation science research to promote broad adoption of digital therapeutics for behavioral health are offered.
EXTREMELY LOW-FREQUENCY-PULSED ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD EXPOSURE IN THE HEALING PROCESS OF SPRAGUE-DAWLEY RATS WITH DELAYED-UNION FEMUR FRACTURE: A STUDY OF THE FAILURE LOAD OF AXIAL FORCE
Authors: DJAJA ANDIKA D. , NOOR ERWIN A. , DILOGO ISMAIL H.
Published: January 2020

Objective: Under normal conditions, fractures can heal, but under some conditions, complications can occur, such as delayed union or nonunion. Interaction between the processes of angiogenesis and osteogenesis (the interaction of osteoblast and osteoclast) is the determining factor in the healing process. Exposure to an electromagnetic field, as a physical stimulus, affects osteogenesis both in the developmental stage of the embryo and in the fracture healing process. This study was conducted to determine the healing of delayed-union fractures through exposure to an extremely low-frequency-pulsed electromagnetic field (ELF-PEMF), comparing the failure load scores in experimental animals.

Methods: The study was conducted in the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, with 56 experimental rats during August and September 2018.

Results: There was a significant difference in the failure load score in both groups in the fourth and fifth weeks of the study. There were no differences in clinical improvement in the two groups.

Conclusion: This study concluded that there was an improvement in delayed-union fracture healing after the administration of ELF-PEMF, as seen in the difference in failure load scores.
CONTINUOUS VERSUS ON-DEMAND PROTON PUMP INHIBITOR TREATMENT FOR LARYNGOPHARYNGEAL REFLUX: A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL
Authors: TAMIN SUSYANA , RANI ABDUL AZIZ , BACHTIAR ADANG
Published: January 2020

Objective: This study aimed to compare continuous and pro re nata (PRN) proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatments for laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).

Methods: This randomized clinical trial included 52 LPR patients with lingual tonsil hypertrophy (LTH). Those patients who showed LPR improvement with an initial PPI trial were randomly divided into continuous and PRN PPI treatment groups. The Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) score, Reflux Finding Score (RFS), and LTH grade were used to assess the treatment results.

Results: The PPI treatment (30 mg of lansoprazole twice daily) for 6 mo resulted in a significantly decreasing RSI score (p<0.001). The PPI treatments for the first 8 w and the second 8 w also showed significant LPR improvement. However, there was no significant improvement after the third 8 w (p>0.05). After 6 mo, the PPI treatment also resulted in a continuous decrease in the RFS (p<0.001). There were no significant differences in the mean RSI scores (p=0.518) and mean RFSs (p=0.393) between the continuous and PRN PPI groups. In the grade II LTH cases, there was a significant improvement after 6 mo of PPI treatment (p<0.001), although there was no improvement after the first 2 mo in the treatment group. For the grade III LTH cases, there was no significant improvement after the first 2 mo and 6 mo of the PPI treatment.

Conclusion: Six months of PPI treatment improved the RSI score, RFS, and LTH grade, although there was no difference between the continuous and PRN PPI treatment groups.
PROPHYLACTIC ANTIBIOTICS ALONE VERSUS COMBINED PROPHYLAXIS AND POSTOPERATIVE ANTIBIOTICS FOR PREVENTING SURGICAL-SITE INFECTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH EAR AND NOSE RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY
Authors: KOENTO TRIMARTANI , SALEH RANGGA R.
Published: January 2020

Objective: The aim of this study was to acquire supporting data for the rational use of antibiotics in plastic reconstructive surgery in the Ear-Nose-Throat/Head and Neck Surgery Department at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital–Faculty of Medicine Indonesia University.

Methods: This pilot study, with a negative trial design, included 12 subjects who were randomly divided into two groups: preoperative prophylactic antibiotic-only group and a combination of prophylactic and postoperative antibiotic group (controls).

Results: The results showed that only 1 of the 12 subjects (in the prophylactic antibiotic-only group) developed an SSI. None of the controls (combined-use group) had an SSI. The difference between the two groups was not significant.

Conclusion: The use of postoperative antibiotic appears not to be necessary in plastic reconstructive surgery patients to prevent SSIs. Further study, however, is required to support the findings of this study.
COMPARISON OF THE EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF THE SUPINE AND PRONE POSITIONS IN PERCUTANEOUS NEPHROLITHOTOMIES FOR KIDNEY STONES
Authors: RAHMADI RIO , RASYID NUR , BIROWO PONCO
Published: January 2020

Objective: This study was designed to compare the efficacy and safety of the supine and prone positions in percutaneous nephrolithotomies (PCNLs) used for the treatment of kidney stones in Indonesian patients.

Methods: This was a single-blinded randomized controlled trial of those patients undergoing PCNLs from February to May of 2018. There were 19 subjects in the supine group and 19 in the prone group for a total of 38 study subjects. The study outcomes that were compared included the operative time, hospital length of stay (LOS), stone-free rate, blood loss, conversion to open surgery, blood transfusion, and complications. These outcomes were evaluated using the Student’s t test and the chi-squared test.

Results: There were no significant differences in the patient demographics or stone locations between the two groups. Additionally, the medians of the operative times, LOSs, blood losses, and blood transfusions were not statistically different. There was a higher stone-free rate in the supine group than in the prone group (70.0% vs. 47.4%, respectively, p = 0.151). More subjects were transfused in the supine group (30.0%) than in the prone group (15.8%), but this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.292). The only complications were infundibular lacerations, which occurred in 20% of the subjects in the supine group and 15.8% of the subjects in the prone group (p = 0.732).

Conclusion: This study showed that the supine and prone positions for PCNLs had similar efficacy and safety outcomes.
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TRIPLE-DOSE ALBENDAZOLE IN COMPARISON WITH MEBENDAZOLE FOR THE TREATMENT OF TRICHURIASIS IN CHILDREN
Authors: SUNGKAR SALEHA , IRMAWATI FANNY P. , HASWINZKY ROSE A. , DWINASTITI YASMINE A. , WAHDINI SRI , FIRMANSYAH NURHADI E. , ADAWIYAH ROBIATUL , BUNTARAN STANLEY , KEKALIH ARIA , KUSUMOWIDAGDO GLADYS
Published: January 2020

Objective: Trichuriasis is difficult to treat with single-dose anthelmintic. Although a higher cure rate (CR) can be achieved by treatment with triple-dose albendazole and mebendazole, the results of studies are inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of triple-dose albendazole and mebendazole in treating trichuriasis.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in a primary school in the Pandeglang District, Banten Province, Indonesia in July–August, 2018; 382 children were recruited. Stools were collected and examined microscopically using the Kato–Katz method to identify Trichuriasis eggs. Children positive for Trichuris trichiura were randomized and divided into two groups. One was given a triple dose of 400 mg albendazole and the other a triple dose of 500 mg mebendazole. On day 14 after treatment, stools were reexamined to calculate CR and the egg reduction rate (ERR). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.

Results: The prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infection was 42%, and that of trichuriasis and ascariasis was 25.1% and 29.8%. There was a significant difference (Wilcoxon test, P<0.01) in the intensity of infection before and after intervention. Both groups showed high values of CR (mebendazole: 95.2%, albendazole: 85.4%; Fisher’s exact test, P = 0.125) and ERR (mebendazole: 99%, albendazole: 96%; Mann–Whitney test, P = 0.110). There was no significant difference in CR and ERR between the two groups.

Conclusion: Triple-dose albendazole was as effective as triple-dose mebendazole in treating trichuriasis.
INHIBITION OF COX-2 EXPRESSION BY LUNASIN-RICH SOYBEAN EXTRACT ON COLORECTAL CANCER
Authors: KUSMARDI KUSMARDI , KARENINA VANNESSA , ESTUNINGTYAS ARI , TEDJO ARYO
Published: January 2020

Objective: The incidence of colorectal cancer has been growing faster than most other cancers in the past decade, especially in developing countries. One of the substances that is currently being investigated as potential chemopreventive agent is lunasin, which is contained in soybeans. This research explored the effect of lunasin on COX-2 expression in the distal colons of mice in which colorectal carcinogenesis was induced with azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS).

Methods: A total of 30 Swiss Webster mice were separated into six groups. In five of the groups—a negative control group, positive control group, and three intervention groups—carcinogenesis was induced with AOM and DSS; the sixth group received no interventions. Lunasin-rich soybean extracts were given in doses of 250, 300, and 350 mg/kgBW for 6 w to the intervention groups Immunohistochemical staining of COX-2 was then carried out on tissue samples from the distal colons of mice that had been sacrificed. The samples were microscopically assessed and photographed, and cell counts were performed using the Image J application. COX-2 expression is reported in the form of an optical density score (ODS).

Results: Significant differences between the negative control and the intervention groups were found at the 300 mg/kgBW (p = 0.047) and 350 mg/kgBW (p = 0.016) lunasin dosage levels.

Conclusions: This demonstrates that administration of lunasin-rich soy extracts can inhibit COX-2 expression in cryptic epithelial cells of the distal colon in mice with carcinogenesis induced by AOM and DSS.
PREVALENCE OF CTX-M-PRODUCING GRAM-NEGATIVE UROPATHOGENS IN SOKOTO, NORTH-WESTERN NIGERIA
Authors: TANKO NUHU , BOLAJI R. O. , OLAYINKA B. O. , EUGENE O. B. B.
Published: January 2020

Objective: Infections of the urinary tract remains one of the most common bacterial infections with many implicated organisms being Gram-negative, which are increasingly resistant to antimicrobial agents. The aim of the study was to evaluate the resistance of ESBL producing Gram-negative enterobacteriaceae to commonly prescribed antibiotics and the prevalence of CTX-M genes from these isolates using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Methods: The isolates were collected from urine over a period of 4 mo and studied, and were identified using Microgen Identification Kit (GN-ID). Susceptibility testing was performed by the modified Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method, and results were interpreted according to Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI). Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) production was detected by the double-disc synergy test (DDST). Molecular characterization was based on the isolates that were positive for the phenotypic detection of ESBL.

Results: Sixty one (61) isolates of Gram-negative uropathogens were identified. Of these, 19 (31.2%) were E. coli, 15 (24.6%) were Salmonella arizonae, Klebsiella pneumoniae were 7 (11.5%), Klebsiella oxytoca were 3 (4.9%), Enterobacter gergoviae were 6 (9.8%), 4 (6.6%) were Citrobacter freundii, 4 (6.6%) were Serratia marscence, and 1 (1.6%) were Enterobacter aerogenes, Proteus mirabilis, and Edwardsiella tarda each. Analysis of the bacterial susceptibility to antibiotics revealed most of them to be generally resistant to cotrimoxazole (73.3%), nalidixic acid (66.7%), norfloxacin (53.5%), ciprofloxacin (50.5%), gentamicin (48.6%), amoxicillin/clavulanate (45%), and the least resistant was displayed in nitrofurantoin (30%). Of the 15 ESBL producers, 11 (73.3%) were harbouring bla CTX-M genes.

Conclusion: The study revealed a high susceptibility to nitrofurantoin, whereas susceptibility to cotrimoxazole was lowest. It further portrays a high prevalence of enterobacteriaceae isolates harbouring bla CTX-M genes in Sokoto metropolis.
OPTIMIZATION OF THE TECHNOLOGY FOR PRODUCING A MAGNETO CONTROLLABLE NANOCOMPOSITE Ag@Fe3O4 USING MATHEMATICAL DESIGN
Authors: KRYSKIV ОLEG S. , CHAN TETYANA M. , KOVAL ALLA O. , SHPYCHAK OLEG S. , ROMAS KATERYNA P. , KRAN OLEKSANDRA S. , MARTYNIUK TETIANA V. , ANTONENKO OLGA V.
Published: January 2020

Objective: The purpose of the research was to optimize technology for producing a magneto controllable nanocomposite Ag@Fe3O4 with modern physicochemical and therapeutic requirements using methods of mathematical design of the experiment.

Methods: To optimize the synthesis process of the nanocomposite Ag@Fe3O4, the method of factor experiment was used. Mathematical calculations were performed using the STATISTICA 10 StatSoft Inc. system and Excel spreadsheet processor of MS Office 2019 Professional Plus.

Results: Based on the study of technological parameters of nanocomposite synthesis Ag@Fe3O4 (16 experiments) a regression equation was obtained: Y = 106.415+0.038X1+4.448Х2+1.806Х3–1.593Х4–18.945Х5–109.980Х6. By the use of this equation the synthesis parameters were optimized with the help of steepest ascent method. It was found that the maximum yield of Ag@Fe3O4 can be achieved under the following conditions: X1 (magnetite synthesis time, min)–40; X2 (glucose content in solution,%)–10; X3 (temperature of the Tollens reaction, °С)–65; X4 (magnetite silver coating time, min)–30; X5 (pH, units)–8.5; X6 (rate of addition of ammonia, mol/min)–0.36.

Conclusion: Using mathematical design of the experiment, a technology was developed for producing Ag@Fe3O4 with modern physicochemical and therapeutic requirements.
PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING, TOTAL PHENOL AND FLAVONOID CONTENT OF MIMOSA RUBICAULIS AND REINWARDITA INDICA
Authors: GURUNG ROSHANI
Published: January 2020

Objective: Phytochemicals as phenol and flavonoid have a powerful biological activity. So, this study aimed to carry out phytochemical screening, total phenol and flavonoid content in two plant species i.e. M. rubicaulis and R. indica.

Methods: The extraction of different parts of two plant species was done by maceration using ethanol. Phytochemical screening was done to confirm the presence of phytochemicals. Total phenol content was done by Folin ciocalteu method and total flavonoid content was done by Aluminium chloride colorimetric method.

Results: Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoid, phenol, terpenoids in both plant species. The highest concentration of phenol content was observed in the root and stem of an extract of M. rubicaulis i.e. 281.83±1.98 mg GAE/g dry extract weight and 225.37±0.60 mg GAE/g dry extract weight. The highest concentration of flavonoid contents was observed in the leaves of R. indica i.e. 462.21±4.67 mg QE/g dry extract weight followed by stem and root of M. rubicaulis i.e. 381.06±5.23 mg QE/g dry extract weight and 337.43±1.39 mg QE/g dry extract weight.

Conclusion: Phytochemical analysis concluded the presence of biologically important phytoconstituents like flavonoid and phenol in both plant species. Further studies, should be carried out to isolate specific chemical constituents and should be used in different studies to explore their biological effects.
PHARMACOLOGY OF NOVAL CANNABINOIDS
Authors: S. K. SUMITHA , PATTAMMADY VEENA S. , SAMBATHKUMAR R.
Published: January 2020

Cannabis is a plant rich in various compounds that have a variety of impacts on the physiology of humans and the effects of these metabolites have a significant role in managing a variety of clinical diseases. A substantial increase in the use of SC (synthetic cannabinoids) had seen in the last few years especially infrequent cannabis users. The SCs will generate psychoactive effects that were similar to cannabis. However, the composition and pharmacological characteristics of these drugs make them possibly hazardous.

Like all drugs, cannabis’ pharmacokinetics depends on the route of administration. Several studies showed that the bioavailability is less in oral administration when compared to inhalation. The main reason for this decrease in oral bioavailability is that cannabinoids undergo the first-pass metabolism before entering into the systemic circulation whereas in inhalation, it enters the circulation directly through the lungs.

Cannabis sativa is a psychoactive plant that contains more than 500 components of which 104 cannabinoids had been identified. Of these, 2 components such as Δ9-THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidol) were under the scientific investigation. Δ9-THC is the primary cannabinoid which was responsible for the consequences of psychotrophy. The potency of cannabis is assessed based on the THC concentration of a sample that is the main psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis. The adverse effects are in direct relation to the concentration of THC in the product after regular cannabis use. It can be assumed that several cannabinoids will find their way into the pharmacies from preclinical research within a century.
CLINICAL PHARMACIST-LED PROGRAM ON MEDICATION RECONCILIATION AND PATIENT COUNSELING IN THE DEPARTMENT OF GASTROENTEROLOGY
Authors: KRUTHIKA U. , SUDHASREE M. , MOUNIKA J. , KRISHNA N. TANDAVA , DIVYA M. , RAJANI A. , RAVI G.
Published: January 2020

Objective: To study the effects of medication reconciliation and patient counseling on the overall health benefits of the patients in the department of gastroenterology.

Methods: This study is a prospective interventional study, was conducted in a 500 bedded MNR Hospital. The sample size taken was 150 patients and the study population comprised of patients aged 18-80 y, admitted in the hospital during the study period of six months.

Results: Out of 150 patients, there were 98 (65.33%) male patients and 52 (34.67%) female patients. Patients between 18 and 30 y of age were 29(19.33%), between the age of 30 and 50 y were 71 (47.33%) and above 50 were 50(33.33%). Pancreatitis was most prevalent with 21% of total prevalence, followed by CLD and cholelithiasis with 17%, then IBD 16%, PUD and Gastritis 5%, GERD 4% and other diseases 15%.

Conclusion: The basic role of the pharmacist, is to help in minimizing the errors and to perform medication reconciliation. In patient counseling, pharmacists provide information about the disease, and the medications to increase patient safety and the changes in the behavior for the better outcome.
Assessing Metadata and Curation Quality
Authors: Grant Rebecca , Smith Graham , Hrynaszkiewicz Iain
Published: January 2020

Since 2017, the publisher Springer Nature has provided an optional Research Data Support service to help researchers deposit and curate data that support their peer-reviewed publications. This service builds on a Research Data Helpdesk, which since 2016 has provided support to authors and editors who need advice on the options available for sharing their research data. In this paper, we describe a short project which aimed to facilitate an objective assessment of metadata quality, undertaken during the development of a third-party curation service for researchers (Research Data Support). We provide details on the single-blind user-testing that was undertaken, and the results gathered during this experiment. We also briefly describe the curation services which have been developed and introduced following an initial period of testing and piloting.
Human Security Informatics, Global Grand Challenges and Digital Curation
Authors: Gilliland Anne J. , Lowry James
Published: January 2020

This paper argues that addressing humanitarian issues and concerns about social and societal inequities that are integral to many societal grand challenges needs to become a concerted and sustained focus of digital curation. It proposes a new framing emanating out of the archival and record-keeping community – Human Security Informatics (HSI) – for human and humanitarian-centered rather than data, artifact or research-centered digital curation research and development. Human security is proposed as a new concept that promotes the protection and advancement of individuals and communities. It prioritizes individual agency and rights, and human-centered and multidisciplinary approaches that support democratization, transparency and accountability in trans- and supra-national governance and policy-making. Within this ethos, HSI specifically targets data, documentary, record-keeping and other accountability and evidentiary components of societal grand challenges. In so doing it necessarily highlights curation grand challenges, and demands the reorientation of some fundamental assumptions of digital curation relating to technological, economic and policy infrastructure priorities and standards, trust, scale, universality and content-centricity. To illustrate its argument, two research endeavors are discussed. The first is an Archival Education and Research Initiative (AERI) study that analyzed six areas of societal grand challenges and identified key, and often overlooked, areas where HSI could and should contribute. The analysis also surfaced grand challenges facing the digital curation community itself, many with particular applicability to digital curation capacity, processes and priorities in bureaucratic archives. The second is the Refugee Rights in Records (R3) Project, an example of wide-ranging HSI research that is focused on data, social media content and record-keeping, as well as on individual human rights in and to records and documentation. In both examples the paper identifies several specific areas of relevance to digital curation where an HSI approach would be appropriate.
Ensaio de linguagem ou linguagem de ensaio
Authors: Duarte Pedro
Published: January 2020

Este texto é um ensaio de linguagem, ou seja, um ensaio sobre a linguagem. Mas é, também, a investigação da linguagem do ensaio, isto é, do tipo de escrita que entra em jogo na forma de prosa que chamamos de ensaios. Para tanto, ele mobiliza autores como Heidegger e, principalmente, Walter Benjamin, Lukács e Adorno. Todos eles, porém, entram em cena no intuito de ajudar num estudo sobre a importância da linguagem no enfrentamento da situação contemporânea do pensamento, cuja problematização filosófica fica evidente a partir das dificuldades, por exemplo, de escrever uma tese acadêmica tradicional.
Pisando em putas: Notas sobre o vigor contemporâneo do fascismo tupiniquim
Authors: Amaral Pedro
Published: January 2020

O artigo analisa fatos recentes relacionados ao combate à prostituição no Brasil, baseado em lei incoerente e ultrapassada, para, inspirado pela leitura de Mille Plateaux, de Deleuze e Guatarri, apontar a perigosa vitalidade do desejo fascista na sociedade brasileira contemporânea.
Sobre o tapete da verdade: Benjamin e Hölderlin
Authors: Castro Cláudia
Published: January 2020

Este artigo apresenta a leitura que Walter Benjamin faz da poesia hölderliniana no ensaio Dois poemas de Friedrich Hölderlin (1914/1915). Destacando a relevância desta lírica na formação do pensamento benjaminiano, o trabalho procura esclarecer o papel da crítica literária na construção de um conceito superior de experiência, objetivo primeiro do filósofo.
Beleza, amor e contemplação: sobre a possibilidade de se pensar uma estética em Plotino
Authors: Victor H. Moraes Emmanuel
Published: January 2020

Metafísica, ética e estética se confundem no pensamento de Plotino. O autor nos convida a uma conversão, a um exercício individual de transformação das atitudes e da maneira de olhar. Chama-nos a reaprendermos a ver e a enxergar em nós mesmos o princípio e fim de toda a realidade, o Uno.A beleza é o aguilhão que desperta em nós o amor e nos permite, através de uma ascese, termos um encontro místico, inefável e silencioso, no qual deixamos de lado até o próprio pensamento e nos abrimos à presença e ao super-derramamento de Amor do Uno, simples e primeiro. Fazer-se artista, esculpir a própria estátua, a própria alma, eis o resumo do convite plotiniano.
O aprendiz do belo: a arte-ética em Plotino
Authors: Reis Pinheiro Marcus
Published: January 2020

O artigo apresenta as características básicas da estética em Plotino, procurando esclarecer as imbricações necessárias entre estética e a proposta ética de conversão rumo ao inteligível. A arte se mostra como um processo de descoberta daquilo que é mais propriamente nosso, de nosso nível mais verdadeiro, o noûs. Na auto-descoberta apaixonada do noûs, o aprendiz do Belo se torna sua maior obra de arte, a escultura de si mesmo, que faz brilhar em sua própria vida o resplendor da virtude, mimese do inteligível. Também o artista, na nossa acepção do termo, ao criar sua obra exterior, faz brilhar sensivelmente os seus amores inteligíveis, unificando-se progressivamente com as esferas superiores. Suas obras são frutos do processo de conversão ao mundo das verdadeiras belezas, o noûs. Tais obras, cópias diretas do mundo inteligível (e não cópias de copias), são vestígios Daquele Belo, indicações que nos apontam para a transcendência, são obras-anaminese, que nos fazem escalar o caminho da ascese: arte-ética, a vida como um ato de artista.
The ban of Association of Croatian Theatre Volunteers by communist authorities in Croatia (1945 – 1947)
Authors: Bukvić Nenad
Published: January 2020

The article describes the ban of Association of Croatian Theatre Volunteers in Zagreb [Matica hrvatskih kazališnih dobrovoljaca, Zagreb], umbrella theatrical-volunteer organization in Croatia since the mid-1920s until Second World War. It was active in the country and abroad on popularisation of the art of drama, creation of the folk repertoire, as well as on bringing together acting societies, clubs and choirs. When the war ended, the Association applied for permission to restore its activities, but only in the Zagreb area. Its activities would be mainly related to education of actors – theatre volunteers and improving of theatre literature. The procedure of banning lasted from the autumn of 1945 until 5 February 1947, when the Government of the People's Republic of Croatia (PRC) [Vlada Narodne Republike Hrvatske] confirmed the ban order previously adopted by Ministry of Interior of the PRC [Ministarstvo unutrašnjih poslova Narodne Republike Hrvatske]. Also, its whole property was confiscated in favour of the State. The article also draws attention to the engagement in that ban case, showed by Aleksandar Freudenreich, a prominent architect and theater worker, as well as secretary of the Association in whole period since its founding. The ban case was analyzed in a broader context of creating a new socialist culture, in accordance with the revolutionary ideology of the new communist government.