bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Associations of reproductive breast cancer risk factors with breast tissue composition
Authors: Yaghjyan Lusine , Austin-Datta Rebecca Jane , Oh Hannah , Heng Yujing J , Vellal Adithya D , Sirinukunwattana Korsuk , Baker Gabrielle M , Collins Laura C , Murthy Divya , Rosner Bernard , Tamimi Rulla M
Published: August 2020

Background
We investigated the associations of reproductive factors with percentage of epithelium, stroma, and fat tissue in benign breast biopsy samples.
Methods
This study included 983 cancer-free women with biopsy-confirmed benign breast disease (BBD) within the Nurses’ Health Study and Nurses’ Health Study II cohorts. Percentage of each tissue type (epithelium stroma, and fat) was measured on whole section images with a deep-learning technique. All tissue measures were log-transformed in all the analyses to improve normality. The data on reproductive variables and other breast cancer risk factors were obtained from biennial questionnaires. Generalized linear regression was used to examine the associations of reproductive factors with percentage of tissue types, while adjusting for known breast cancer risk factors.
Results
As compared to parous women, nulliparous women had a smaller percentage of epithelium (β= -0.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.41, -0.11) and fat (β= -0.34, 95% CI -0.54, -0.13) and a greater percentage of stroma (β = 0.04, 95% CI 0.01, 0.08). Among parous women, number of children was inversely associated with percentage of stroma (β per child= -0.01 (-0.02, -0.00). Duration of breastfeeding of ≥ 24 months was associated with a reduced proportion of fat (β= -0.30, 95% CI -0.54, -0.06; p-trend = 0.04). In a separate analysis restricted to premenopausal women, older age at first birth was associated with a greater proportion of epithelium and a smaller proportion of stroma.
Conclusions
Our findings suggest that reproductive factors with a protective effect on breast cancer risk may be associated with a greater proportion of epithelium and a smaller proportion of stroma, potentially suggesting importance of epithelial-stromal interactions. Future studies are warranted to confirm our findings and to elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms.
Clinical presentations and long-term prognosis of childhood-onset polyarteritis nodosa in a single centre: a retrospective study
Authors: Lee Jeong-Seon , Kim JoongGon , Lee Soyoung
Published: August 2020

Background: Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a systematic necrotizing vasculitis involving medium-sized arteries. Childhood-onset PAN ranges from mild to severe systematic disease causing damage and early mortality. As it is a rare disease in children, there is less study on clinical features, diagnosis and treatment than adults. And diagnosis occurs relatively late in most paediatric patients with polyarteritis nodosa. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, treatment strategies, and long-term outcomes among patients with childhood-onset polyarteritis nodosa treated at a single-centre in Korea. We further aimed to evaluate the usefulness of the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS) and Five-Factor Score (FFS) in paediatric patients.Methods: We retrospectively analysed data collected from patients with childhood-onset PAN treated at our institution from March 2003 to February 2020. Results: Nine patients (6 male and 3 female) were included in the study. The median ages at symptom onset and diagnosis were 7.6 (3–17.5) and 7.7 (3.5–17.6) years, respectively. The median follow-up duration was 7.0 (1.6–16.3) years. Eight patients were diagnosed with systemic PAN, while one was diagnosed with cutaneous PAN. All patients exhibited skin manifestations, while five exhibited Raynaud’s phenomenon. Organ involvement was observed in one patient. Constitutional symptoms such as fever, arthralgia, myalgia, and weight loss were also observed. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies were absent in all patients. The median BVAS at diagnosis was 8 (range: 2–29), and one patient had an FFS of 1. Prednisolone was initially used for induction in all patients, and other drugs were added in cases refractory to prednisolone. All patients survived despite some complications such as intracranial haemorrhage or digital necrosis requiring amputation.Conclusions: Early diagnosis and treatment may minimise sequelae in patients with childhood-onset PAN. Further multicentre studies are required to clarify the unique characteristics of childhood-onset PAN and establish treatment guidelines, early detection strategies, and biomarkers. Trial registration: Retrospectively registered.
Health seeking behavior of Japanese retirees in Thailand: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Miyashita Yumiko , Akaleephan Chutima , Vedrasco Liviu
Published: August 2020

Background

Despite widespread cross-border migration of retirees, little is known about their healthcare seeking behavior in a destination country. This study explores factors related to the use of health services in Thailand by Japanese long-stay retirees.
Methods

A survey of Japanese long-stay retirees aged 50 and older was conducted in cooperation with nine Japanese self-help clubs in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Phuket. The dependent variable was receiving medical treatment in Thailand in the previous 12 months. People who did not receive treatment in Thailand were divided into two groups; those who had treatment only in Japan and those who did not have treatment anywhere. Independent variables included i) predisposing factors: age, sex, years lived in Thailand, ii) enabling factors: marital status, adjusted annual household income, and iii) need factors: existence of chronic diseases, and health related Quality of Life.
Results

Of 226 eligible participants, 106 persons (47%) received medical treatment in Thailand, 41 (18%) received treatment only in Japan, and 79 (35%) did not in either country in the previous 12 months. The multivariate analysis identified that Japanese retirees who stayed in Thailand less than five years were less likely to see doctors in Thailand. Retirees who had no chronic diseases and did not return to Japan tended not to receive treatment anywhere while those who were covered by Japan’s national health insurance and stayed in Thailand for shorter periods in the past 12 months were more likely to get treatment only in Japan.
Conclusion

Thai government’s retirement tourism promotion policy should encourage sharing of transparent medical quality and pricing information by medical facilities to promote the trust in Thai medical services. Further studies are required on the impact of the 2017 and 2019 government policy on mandatory health insurance for retirees on their health seeking behaviors. It is also important to explore possible long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the international retirement migration trends including on the Japanese and other retirees in Thailand.
Assessment of the Relationship Between Gametocyte Density, Multiplicity of Infection and Mosquito Infectivity in Plasmodium Falciparum Infections
Authors: Touray Abdoulie O. , Mobegi Victor Atunga , Wamunyokoli Fred , Butungi Hellen , Herren Jeremy K.
Published: August 2020

Background: Malaria is a major public health threat in sub-Saharan Africa. Asymptomatic P. falciparum gametocyte carriers are potential infectious reservoirs for sustaining transmission in many malaria endemic regions. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of gametocyte carriage and some of its associated risk factors among asymptomatic schoolchildren (age 5-15 years) in Mbita, western Kenya and further analyse the association between gametocyte density, multiplicity of infection (MOI) and mosquito infection prevalence.Methods: Rapid diagnostic test (RDT) was used to screen for P. falciparum parasite infection among asymptomatic schoolchildren (5-15 years old) residing in Mbita, Western Kenya and the results were further verified using microscopy. Microscopy positive gametocyte carriers were selected to feed laboratory reared An. gambiae s.s. mosquitoes using membrane feeding method. Genomic DNA was extracted from dry blood spots (DBS) samples and P. falciparum populations were genotyped using 10 polymorphic microsatellite markers. Assessment of the association between MOI and gametocyte density and mosquito infection rates was conducted. Results: The prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum infection among the study population was 29.11% (1421/4881). A significantly higher prevalence of P. falciparum infection was found among the male gender 31.54% (764/2422) (p-value < 0.001) compared to the females 26.72% (657/2459). The microscopy gametocyte prevalence among the study population was 2% (84/4881). Children (5-9 years) have a higher risk of gametocyte carriage (Odd Ratios = 2.1 [95% CI = 1.3–3.4], P = 0.002) as compared to those between the ages of 10-15 years. Our results indicate that, about 68.1% of the variation in mosquito infection prevalence is accounted for by the gametocytes density and MOI (R-SQR. = 0.681, p < 0.001).Conclusion: The study reports a P. falciparum infection prevalence of 29.11% with a gametocyte prevalence of 2% among the study population as determined by microscopy. Age was a significant risk factor for gametocyte carriage as indicated by the higher risk of gametocyte carriage among the younger children (5-9 years). The gametocyte density and multiplicity of infection statistically significantly predicted mosquito infection prevalence. Both of the variables added significantly to the prediction, (p < 0.05).
Performance evaluation and analysis of distributed multi-agent optimization algorithms with sparsified communication
Authors: Fodor Lidija , Jakovetić Dušan , Nataša Krejić , Jerinkić Nataša Krklec , Škrbić Srđan
Published: August 2020

There has been significant interest in distributed optimization algorithms, motivated by applications in Big Data analytics, smart grid, vehicle networks, etc. While there have been extensive theory and theoretical advances, a proportionally small body of scientific literature focuses on numerical evaluation of the proposed methods in actual practical, parallel programming environments. This paper considers a general algorithmic framework of first and second order methods with sparsified communications and computations across worker nodes. The considered framework subsumes several existing methods. In addition, a novel method that utilizes unidirectional sparsified communications is introduced and theoretical convergence analysis is also provided. Namely, we prove R-linear convergence in the expected norm. A thorough empirical evaluation of the methods using Message Passing Interface (MPI) on a High Performance Computing (HPC) cluster is carried out and several useful insights and guidelines on the performance of algorithms and inherent communication-computational trade-offs in a realistic setting are derived.
Treatment-related Biomarkers in Pulmonary Hypertension Patients on Oral Therapies
Authors: Swaminathan Aparna C , Zhu Hongmei , Tapson Victor , Lokhnygina Yuliya , Poms Abby , Kelleher Zachary , Gaspard Elijah , Kennedy Karla , Fee Brian , Fortin Terry , Mason S. Nick , Parikh Kishan , McMahon Tim
Published: August 2020

Background: Multiple classes of oral therapy are available for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), but there is little to guide clinicians in choosing a specific regimen or therapeutic class. We aimed to investigate whether treatment-relevant blood biomarkers can predict therapy response in prevalent PAH patients.Methods: This prospective cohort study longitudinally assessed biomarkers along the endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (cGMP, ADMA, SDMA, nitrite, and S-nitrosohemoglobin) pathways along with the cGMP/NT-proBNP ratio over 12 months in patients with WHO Group 1 PAH on oral PAH-specific therapies. The relationship between biomarkers and 6MWD at the same and future visits was examined using mixed linear regression models. As cGMP can be elevated when NT-proBNP is elevated, we also tested the relationship between 6MWD and the cGMP/NT-pro BNP ratio. Patients with PAH with concomitant heart or lung disease or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) were included in a sensitivity analysis. Results: The study cohort included 58 patients with PAH treated with either an endothelin receptor antagonist (27.6%), phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor (29.3%) or a combination of the two (43.1%). Among biomarkers along the current therapeutic pathways, ET-1 and the cGMP/NT-proBNP ratio associated with same visit 6MWD (p = 0.04 and p=0.009 respectively). ET-1 (p=0.01) and cGMP/NT-proBNP ratio (p < 0.001) also predicted future 6MWD in the larger cohort (n = 108) of PAH patients with concomitant left heart disease (n = 17), lung disease (n = 20), or CTEPH (n = 13). Finally, in the larger cohort, SDMA associated with 6MWD at the same visit (p = 0.003) in all subgroups and ADMA associated with 6MWD in PAH patients with concomitant lung disease (p=0.027) and PAH patients on ERA therapy (p = 0.01). Conclusions: ET-1, cGMP/NTproBNP ratio, and dimethylarginines ADMA and SDMA are mediators along pathways targeted by oral PAH therapies that associate with or predict 6MWD.
Resumption of the Treatment for Non-COVID-19 Gynecologic Patients after Lifting Lock down: Experiences from Wuhan
Authors: Dong Weihong , Gao Rui , Cai Jing , Yang Shouhua , Guo Jianfeng , Zhao Jing , Wang Zehua , Cai Liqiong
Published: August 2020

Background: To share our experiences of resumption of the treatment for gynecologic patients after lifting lockdown in a hotspot area of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)pandemic.Methods: The triage process used to resume the medical activities for gynecologic patients at the Wuhan Union Hospital after a 76-day lockdown of the city is described and its effectiveness to avoid COVID-19 nosocomial transmission is shown.Results:The non-emergency patients are pre-triaged by contact history and body temperature at outpatient clinic and negative COVID-19 screening tests are required for an admissionin the buffering rooms at the gynecologic department. The buffering lastsfor at least three days for symptom monitoring and a second round of COVID-19 tests before they can be transferred to the regular gynecologic wards. For patients who need emergency surgery, the first screening should be completed at the quarantine wards after the surgery, followed by buffering at the gynecologic department. We received 19298 outpatient visits, admitted 326 patients, and performed 223 operations in the first two months after the lockdown was lifted, andno single COVID-19 case occurredin the hospitalized patients while the proportion of potentially high-risk patients with cancer and severe anemia were increased in comparison with the same period in 2019 and the latest two months before the lockdown.Conclusions:We provide an effective triage system with buffering at two levels to guarantee safe and timely treatment for non-COVID-19 gynecologic patients in a post-lockdown phase.
Selocalcitol: Scope of inhalational formulation for prevention and cure of COVID-19 illness
Authors: Kaur Sumanpreet , Yadav Deepak , Singh Sukhpreet , Kumari Monu , Kumar Deepak , Syal Kirtimaan , Bhattacharyya Rajasri , Banerjee Dibyajyoti
Published: August 2020

Vitamin D has generated interest in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. Some authorities believe that it is beneficial; others think that without proven deficiency it should not be administered. The results of clinical trial are still awaited. Therefore nothing regarding the matter is conclusively known. In this context we believe that selocalcitol, a Vitamin D analogue if administered via inhalational route, has the potential to prevent SARS-CoV2 infection. The basis of this idea is presented here.
An Intersectional Analysis Providing More Precise Information on Inequities in Self-Rated General Health
Authors: Wemrell Maria , Karlsson Nadja , Vicente Raquel Perez , Merlo Juan
Published: August 2020

BackgroundIntersectionality theory combined with an analysis of individual heterogeneity and discriminatory accuracy (AIHDA) can facilitate our understanding of health disparities. This enables a more precise application of proportionate universalism for resource allocation in public health. Analyzing self-rated general health in Sweden, we show how an intersectional perspective allows for a detailed mapping of health inequalities while avoiding simplification and stigmatization based on indiscriminate interpretations of differences between group averages. MethodsWe analyzed responses (n=133,244) to 14 consecutive National Public Health Surveys conducted in Sweden in 2004–2016 and 2018. Applying AIHDA, we investigated the risk of bad self-rated general health across 12 intersectional strata defined by gender, income and migration status, adjusted by age and survey year. We calculated prevalence ratios (with 99% confidence intervals) to evaluate between-strata differences, using native men with high income as the comparison reference. We calculated the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) to evaluate the discriminatory accuracy of the intersectional strata. ResultsThe analysis of intersectional strata showed a clear social gradient where the risk of bad self-rated health among immigrated women with low income was six times higher (PR 6.01 [99% CI 5.32–6.79]) than that of native men with high income. A large degree of heterogeneity was present, however, as the discriminatory accuracy of the intersectional strata for identifying individuals according to their self-assessed general health status was relatively low (AUC=0.674).ConclusionsAn intersectional AIHDA approach provides more precise information on the distribution of bad self-assessed general health in the population and could thus guide public health interventions according to the principle of proportionate universalism.
An entropy-based image watermarking scheme by improving robustness in shearlet and wavelet domain
Authors: Zhuang Yujian , Zhou Xiaoyi , Liu Sheng
Published: August 2020

The existing robust digital watermarking schemes mainly embed information in the fixed positions or with fixed embedding strength, while seldom considering adaptive adjustment based on the characteristics of the cover image, thus it reduces the imperceptibility and the robustness of watermarking. Aiming at these issues, we propose a scheme which can be able to dynamically adjust the watermark embedding position and strength. Therefore, it guarantees the trade-off between robustness and imperceptibility. The appropriate embedding positions are dynamically selected for the watermark by comparing the image entropy, and the embedding strength of the image blocks are adaptively adjusted according to the entropy and the Just Noticeable Difference (JND) model in the Human Visual System (HVS)-based wavelet domain. Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) is performed on the image blocks to ensure the resistant ability of geometric attacks. The experimental results show that the scheme has good imperceptibility as well as strong robustness against various attacks. The robustness in common attacks is improved by at least 1% compared with similar watermarking schemes.
Coinfection with SARS-CoV-2 and dengue virus: a case report
Authors: Hariadi Prasetyo , Lokida Dewi , Naysilla Adhella M , Lukman Nurhayati , Kosasih Herman , Mardian Yan , Andru Gestana , Pertiwi Inggar , Sugiyono Retna I , Pradana Antonius A , Salim Gustiani , Butar-butar Deni P , Lau Chuen-Yen , Karyana Muhammad
Published: August 2020

Background: Since its emergence in China, SARS-CoV-2 has infected more than 15.5 million people worldwide, including in regions where dengue virus (DENV) is hyperendemic such as Latin America and Southeast Asia, including Indonesia. Hence, anticipation for simultaneous infection by DENV and SARS-CoV-2 has been raised.Case presentation: We describe a 68-year-old woman with diabetes mellitus type II who was admitted to the Tangerang District Hospital on 14 April 2020. She lived in a neighborhood where a few people were contracting dengue fever. She presented with five days of fever, malaise, anorexia, nausea, myalgia, and arthralgia. Hematology results revealed anemia, thrombocytopenia, normal leukocyte count, increased neutrophil proportion, and decreased lymphocyte proportion and absolute lymphocyte. Her chest X-ray showed right pericardial infiltrates. Although dengue was clinically suspected, as she met COVID-19 screening criteria, she was also tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The patient was treated with ceftriaxone, paracetamol, azithromycin, oseltamivir, and chloroquine. She was clinically improved four days later and was discharged from the hospital on 25 April 2020 after SARS-CoV-2 rRT-PCR was negative on two consecutive samples. Dengue was diagnosed retrospectively based on sero-conversion of dengue IgM and a very high dengue IgG index (Focus Diagnostics®, ELISA), and sero-conversion of dengue IgM and positive IgG (PanBio ®Dengue duo cassette), which was equivalent to high hemagglutination inhibition antibody titer found in secondary dengue infection.Conclusion: The overlapping clinical presentations of COVID-19 and dengue; limited diagnostic capacity of laboratories in resource constrained settings; and complexities of interpreting results make identification of COVID-19 in the dengue endemic setting challenging. Clinicians in endemic areas must maintain a high index of suspicion for the possibility of COVID-19 coinfection with DENV and other tropical pathogens.
‹Making› the subject
Authors: Bettinger Patrick , Draheim Saskia , Meier Simon , Witte Ellen
Published: August 2020

Der Beitrag rückt die Frage «Was verstehen wir unter ‹Lernen› im Zusammenhang mit Medien?» ins Zentrum und skizziert auf Grundlage der Ergebnisse eines ethnographischen Forschungsprojektes, bei dem FabLabs und Makerspaces im Rahmen einer teilnehmenden Beobachtung erkundet wurden, ein relationales Konzept von Lernen. Im Forschungsprojekt wurde das beobachtete Geschehen unter einer praxis- und diskurstheoretischen Rahmung analysiert, wobei insbesondere die Frage nach der Rolle von Artefakten im Vordergrund stand. Ausgehend von der Untersuchung materiell-diskursiver Praxis lässt sich Lernen mit Medien in dieser Herangehensweise als performatives Relationierungsgeschehen begreifen, an dem heterogene (d.h. menschliche und nichtmenschliche) Entitäten beteiligt sind. Der Beitrag stellt die Eckpunkte des Forschungsprojektes sowie ausgewählte Ergebnisse vor und diskutiert diese vor dem Hintergrund post-anthropozentrischer Lerntheorien.
OSMANLI PARLAMENTOSUNDA ANAYASAYA AYKIRILIK TARTIŞMALARI
Authors: ÖRSTEN ESİRGEN Seda
Published: August 2020

Türk hukuk tarihinin ilk anayasası olan 1876 tarihli Kanun-i Esasi, anayasanın üstünlüğü ve bağlayıcılığı ilkelerini benimsediği gibi, değişiklik yapılmasını olağan kanun yapım usulünden farklı şekilde düzenlediği için katı bir anayasa olarak nitelendirilmiştir. Ancak anayasaya aykırı bir kanunun kabulü halinde herhangi bir yargısal denetim öngörülmemiş; bu durum, söz konusu dönem açısından son derece olağan bulunmuştur. Bununla birlikte, Kanun-i Esasi’de iki kanatlı parlamentonun, üyeleri Padişah tarafından belirlenen kanadı olan Heyet-i Ayan’ın görevleri arasında kanunların anayasaya uygunluğunun siyasal denetimi de yer almıştır. Bu doğrultuda, Birinci ve İkinci Meşrutiyet dönemi boyunca Osmanlı parlamentosunda gerçekleşen görüşmelerde ileri sürülen anayasaya aykırılık iddiaları değerlendirilerek, gerek Devletin temel organları, gerek kişi hak ve özgürlükleri açısından hangi konuların dile getirildiği araştırılmıştır. Söz konusu iddiaların değerlendirilmesi, 1924 Anayasası döneminde ülkede Amerikan modeli bir anayasa yargısı kurulması ihtimali tartışılırken, bu tartışmalara altyapı hazırlanıp hazırlanmadığı açısından önemlidir. Dolayısıyla Türk hukuk sisteminde 1961 Anayasası’yla anayasa yargısı sistemi kabul edildiğinde, konunun Kanun-i Esasi döneminden itibaren süregelen bir tartışma zeminine sahip olduğu ileri sürülebilir.
Examination of the passport of the national program “Digital economy of the Russian Federation” on the checklist of social system engineering
Authors: Lavrenyuk Natalia M. , Tikhonova Anyuta S.
Published: August 2020

Digitalization of society and public life is an objective fact and a challenge for Russia, which is rich in resources and risks. The article provides an assessment of the passport of the national program “Digital economy of the Russian Federation”, which is among the 12 national projects on 12 areas of strategic development, established by the decree of the President of the Russian Federation from 7 May 2018 No. 204 “On the national goals and strategic objectives development of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2024” and contributes to the solution of problems in the field of “Digital economy”. This fact already raises a number of topical questions: “Why is the program included in the list of projects?”, “Why will the national program on the digital economy be implemented within the framework of state programs of the Russian Federation: ‘Information society’ and ‘Economic development and innovative economy’?”, “How much does it contribute to the preservation and development of an integral Russia?”. The authors set a goal — using structural and functional diagnostics to give an expert opinion on the prospects for achieving qualitative and quantitative targets of the national program “Digital economy of the RF” and their value. The methodological key for the examination is the modification of the checklist for system social engineering. The introductory part of the work is devoted to the relationship between the categories of integrity and value, social system engineering, which are important for building the desired social reality, as well as an overview of approaches to social design, its goals and purpose. The main part of the work analyzes the passport of the national program “Digital economy of the RF” from the point of view of its structure, the function of their implementation at the level of state administration, and it also considers the coverage of federal and regional programs and projects of elements of the digital economy in terms of the completeness of significant tasks to be solved. In conclusion, a summary is given in the form of responses to the social engineering checklist: “Are we building a whole?”, “Are we building a valuable entity?” and “Are we building a valuable entity correctly?”.
Drug Discovery by Drug Repurposing: Combating COVID-19 in the 21st Century
Authors: Sanghai Nitesh , Shafiq Kashfia , Tranmer Geoffrey K.
Published: August 2020

Due to the rapidly developing nature of the current COVID-19 outbreak and its almost immediate
humanitarian and economic toll, coronavirus drug discovery efforts have largely focused on
generating potential COVID-19 drug candidates as quickly as possible. Globally, scientists are working
day and night to find the best possible solution to treat the deadly virus. During the first few
months of 2020, the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak quickly developed into a pandemic, with a mortality rate
that was increasing at an exponential rate day by day. As a result, scientists have turned to a drug repurposing
approach to rediscover the potential use and benefits of existing approved drugs. Currently,
there is no single drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), for the treatment of
severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, previously known as 2019-nCoV) that
causes COVID-19. Based on only in-vitro studies, several active drugs are already in the clinical pipeline,
made possible by following the compassionate use of medical protocols. This method of repurposing
and the use of existing molecules like Remdesivir (GS-5734), Chloroquine, Hydroxychloroquine,
etc. has proven to be a landmark in the field of drug rediscovery. In this review article, we will
discuss the repurposing of medicines for treating the deadly novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).
Synaptic Signals from Glutamate-Treated Neurons Induce Aberrant Post-Synaptic Signals in Untreated Neuronal Networks
Authors: Guaraldi Mary , Lee Sangmook , Shea Thomas B.
Published: August 2020

Background and Objective:

Glutamate neurotoxicity is associated with a wide range of disorders and can impair synaptic function. Failure to clear extracellular glutamate fosters additional cycles and spread of regional hyperexcitation.

Methods and Results:

Using cultured murine cortical neurons, herein it is demonstrated that synaptic signals generated by cultures undergoing glutamate-induced hyperactivity can invoke similar effects in other cultures not exposed to elevated glutamate.

Conclusion:

Since sequential synaptic connectivity can encompass extensive cortical regions, this study presents a potential additional contributor to the spread of damage resulting from glutamate excitotoxicity and should be considered in attempts to mitigate neurodegeneration.
Social Networking Service and Depression: Evidence from China
Authors: Dui Hao-Jian
Published: August 2020

Background:

The rapid development of Social Networking Service (SNS) all over the world has changed everyone's life, of course, China is no exception. At the same time, the possible depression caused by SNS has attracted the attention of academia, but there is little research on the impact of age heterogeneity, especially in China.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to further explore the effects of SNS and some factors on depression and to find the differences in these relationships between different age groups.

Methods:

Based on the data of the tracking interview of China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) in 2018 (N= 8,666), this study analyzed the relationship between SNS and depression in China and considered the heterogeneous influence in different age groups and other factors (gender, living in urban or rural, household registration, income, cognitive ability, years of education, health, relationship status, CPC membership, religion, social status, popularity). The theoretical basis of age stages is from Erikson’s Eight Stages of Development.

Results:

(1) The multiple regression analysis revealed that the depression was positively correlated with SNS dependence, on the whole. However, this effect was not always significant in every age group, and it was most positive at the ages of 16-18. (2) The depression was negatively correlated with health and popularity at all levels of age. (3) The depression appeared obviously gender difference, and it was intensifying by increasing age. (4) For the whole sample, the effects of income, cognitive ability, relationship status and social status on depression were significant, however, the situation was different for each individual age group in this article. (5) The mitigate of religious beliefs on depression was significant only at ages 41-65, and the coefficient was unstable. (6) The effects of years of education, living in urban or rural, household registration, CPC membership on depression were not significant in this study.

Conclusion:

The impact of SNS on depression was more significant among young people, especially adolescents. A bad situation of health or popularity could increase the risk of depression. Females were more prone to depression. There were different influences of income, cognitive ability, social status, relationship status and religion on depression in different age groups.
Development, Pre-clinical Investigation and Histopathological Evaluation of Metronidazole Loaded Topical Formulation for Treatment of Skin Inflammatory Disorders
Authors: Thakur Divya , Kaur Gurpreet , Wadhwa Sheetu , Puri Ashana
Published: August 2020

Background:

Metronidazole (MTZ) is an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent with
beneficial therapeutic properties. The hydrophilic nature of the molecule limits its penetration
across the skin. Existing commercial formulations have limitations of inadequate drug concentration
present at the target site, which requires frequent administration and poor patient compliance.

Objective:

The aim of the current study was to develop and evaluate water in oil microemulsion of
Metronidazole with higher skin retention for the treatment of inflammatory skin disorders.

Methods:

Pseudo ternary phase diagrams were used in order to select the appropriate ratio of surfactant
and co-surfactant and identify the microemulsion area. The selected formulation consisted
of Capmul MCM as oil, Tween 20 and Span 20 as surfactant and co-surfactant, respectively, and
water. The formulation was characterized and evaluated for stability, Ex vivo permeation studies
and in vivo anti-inflammatory effect (carrageenan induced rat paw edema, air pouch model), anti-psoriatic
activity (mouse-tail test).

Results:

The particle size analyses revealed the average diameter and polydispersity index of the selected
formulation to be 16 nm and 0.373, respectively. The results of ex vivo permeation studies
showed statistically higher mean cumulative amount of MTZ retained in rat skin from microemulsion,
i.e., 21.90 ± 1.92 μg/cm2, which was 6.65 times higher as compared to Marketed gel (Metrogyl
gel®) with 3.29 ± 0.11 μg/cm2 (p<0.05). The results of in vivo studies suggested the microemulsion
based formulation of MTZ to be similar in efficacy to Metrogyl gel®.

Conclusion:

Research suggests the efficacy of the developed MTZ loaded microemulsion in the
treatment of chronic skin inflammatory disorders.
Suicidal tendencies prevalence and its associated risk factors among Nigerian university students:A Quantitative survey (Preprint)
Authors: Lawrence Kehinde
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

Stemming from the recent increase reported rate of suicide among undergraduate students in Nigeria,has created a concern to the society

OBJECTIVE

this study aims to investigate some risk factors associated with suicidal tendencies among undergraduate students in Nigeria using a quantitative survey research approach

METHODS

A multistage sampling method was used to select 2123 sampled undergraduate students in Southwest Nigeria. A self-developed questionnaire consist of indices of suicidal tendencies was used to collect data. While, Logistic regression was employed as statistical tools.

RESULTS

Findings suggests that 151 (7.5%) of the respondents had suicidal tendencies with risk factors like alcoholism (OR = 1.02, {1.01–1.04}) and helplessness (OR = 1.04; {1.01–1.06}) reported strong and significant association (p < 0.05). While depression (OR = .985, {.960–1.01}), hopelessness (OR = .999, {.971–1.01}), self-worry (OR = 1.00, {.988–1.02}), self-doubt (OR = 1.00, {.983–1.03}), inefficacy (OR = .991, {.966–1.02}), age (OR = 1.00, {.043–2.325}) and gender (OR = 1.04, {.724–1.50}) showed weak and non-significant association with suicidal tendencies (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study concludes there is slight prevalence of suicidal tendencies among undergraduate students, however, there is a need to introduce suicidal prevention education into university curriculum as a way to contain the prevalence of suicide among adolescents and youths. Further, studies should focus on the development of psychosocial interventions that can be used by counselling psychologist, public health and social health workers for individuals identified with suicidal tendencies, while regular suicide awareness and prevention programms are urgently suggested in the interim.
Changes in the Matrilineal System within Minangkabau Children's Carito
Authors: Gayatri Satya , Adi Ida Rochani , Udasmoro Wening
Published: August 2020

This article explores the transformation of the matrilineal system within Minangkabau children’s carito. In general, children’s carito are considered bedtime stories that convey positive values; as such, research into them has focused on values. Children’s carito have been collected through interviews with storytellers who retain the carito within their memories. The memories of these storytellers have changed together with changes in the storytellers themselves and in their environments. To explore the changes in the matrilineal system within the carito, one story has been analyzed over three generations (from grandparents, parents, to children). Changes in the matrilineal system are evidenced through the carito characters’ emergence and disappearance, their actions, and their interactions with their mothers, who—as in the matrilineal system—are central within the carito. Changes, differences, and behaviors within the carito indicate the dynamic transformation of communal families to conjugal families and ultimately nuclear families.
English Blends in Indonesian Context: Their Formation Processes and Meanings
Authors: Moehkardi Rio Rini Diah
Published: August 2020

This research aims at observing the blending process, the patterns of blending, and the possible new meanings of the English-influenced blends found in the Indonesian context. The influence of English and Indonesian not only in terms of the source words involved, but also of the morphological processes of the blends and also to see whether there are some semantic changes, anticipating the cultural influence of the blend creators. Data are collected from advertisement of schools events, brand name of food and beverage products, also names of cafes and restaurants found mostly in Yogyakarta. The data are analyzed using Mattiello’s formula (2013) in categorizing the process of blending: morphotactical, morphonological, and morphosemantic. The results show that morphotactically the data can be classified into total and partial blends of which there are more blends whose first source words are kept full and followed by clipped second source words. In morphopohonological process, there is no non-overlapping blends; phonological overlap also takes place, but not orthographical one. Morphosemantically, attributive blends are more frequent than the coordinative ones.
Pembongkaran Puitik terhadap Diksi-Diksi Gender dalam Sajak-Sajak Dorothea: Kontra Hegemoni Dunia Penciptaan Kaum Lelaki
Authors: Asmara Rangga , Kusumaningrum Widya Ratna
Published: August 2020

In the last two decades, women’s issues have been attracting public attention, particularly for those who see and study women from male world of construction. In the literature framework, the existing problems are not limited to the women’s involvement in the creation, criticism, and as readers only. However, the growth of the creation of female poets has opposed to men's superiority towards women. The role of gender and institution of marriage, which have been the symbol of hegemonic masculinity, has become a deconstruction and parody. The aim of this study is to dismantle the gender dictions in the Dorothea’s poem, which reflect the hegemonic masculinity. The object of this research is the poetry collections entitiled ‘Nikah Ilalang’ by Dorothea Rosa Herliany. Technique of data collection used was notetaking. In analyzing the data, Dorothea's poetries are studied by using heuristic and hermeneutic techniques. In using hermeneutic technique, this study used semiotic approach and potential/actual hypogram in order to find a proper model as matrix actualization.
Subaltern, Politik Etis, dan Hegemoni dalam Perspektif Spivak
Authors: Setiawan Rahmat
Published: August 2020

Istilah subaltern merujuk pada populasi yang secara sosial, politik, dan geografis ditundukkan oleh suatu kelompok yang menguasai mereka. Dari sana kita memahami bahwa selalu ada praktik hegemonik dalam diskusi subaltern yang mana suara mereka selalu dimanipulasi secara etis sebagai bagian dari praktik politik suatu kelompok untuk mendominasi. Itu mengapa kelompok subaltern merupakan alat dari suatu praktik hegemonik yang melambangkan dominasi politik, militer, sosial, dan bahkan kultural oleh suatu kelompok di atas kelompok lainnya. Karena hegemoni bersifat tak langsung, maka praktik ini biasanya dioperasikan melalui hal-hal yang bersifat ideologi dan cenderung etis terhadap kelompok yang akan dikuasai, dan dalam kajian teoretis Spivak, kelompok subaltern adalah kelompok yang suaranya selalu direpresentasikan, sementara representasi hanyalah alat untuk menuju dominasi nyata. Oleh karena itu, topik mengenai subaltern adalah mengenai bentuk praktik politik etis kelompok hegemon terhadap kelompok subaltern yang menjelaskan adanya hegemoni yang bertopeng. Kata Kunci: Subaltern, Politik Etis, Hegemoni, dan Spivak.
Representasi Konflik Politik 1965 dalam Cerpen Susuk Kekebalan karya Han Gagas
Authors: Sulistyo Hary
Published: August 2020

Cerpen Susuk Kekebalankarya Han Gagas merupakan salah satu cerpen dalam buku kumpulan cerpen Catatan Orang Gila. Cerpen tersebut menceritakankonflik politik 1965 dengan setingcerita di Ponorogo, Jawa Timur. Seperti halnya peristiwa bersejarah tersebut, Han Gagas menarasikan keterlibatan negara yang terepresentasikan dalam bentuk aparatusnya yaitutentarayang dibantu oleh masyarakat untuk menyerang tokohyang dianggap simpatisan Lekra, yaitu Warok Wulunggeni beserta pengikutnya sebagai representasi ideologi resisten terhadap hegemoni negara. Persoalan yang perlu dicermati berkaitan dengan bentuk representasi ideologi dominan sebagai cerminan hegemoni negara dalam cerpen, bentuk resistensi idologi resisten terhadap hegemoni negara dalam cerpen, danbentuk dominasi negara terhadap ideologi resisten yang tercermin dalam cerpen. Teori yang digunakan dalam tulisan ini adalah Negara dan Hegemoni Antonio Gramsci yang terdiri dari Hegemoni, Resistensi, Konsensus, dan Dominasi. Metode analisis tulisan ini dengan melihat persoalan tekstual dalam cerpen dan mengoperasikan vitur-vitur teori Antonio Gramsci yang berkaitan dengan perebutan momentumdan kekuasaan khususnya pada era 1965. Analisis tulisan ini menghasilkan; 1. Ideologi dominan sebagai representasi hegemoni negara dalam perebutan momentum yang terepresentasikan dalam cerpen tersebut adalah kelompok masyarakat anti-PKI yang dipimpin oleh Warok Wirodigdo dan seorang bapak bersenapan; 2. Bentuk resistensi ideologiresisten yang tercermin dalam cerpen tersebut yaitu perlawanan secara fisik oleh kelompok Warok Wulunggeni terhadap representasi negara yaitu massa yang dipimpin Warok Wirodigdo dan bapak bersenapan; 3. Dominasi negara terhadap kelompok resisten yaitupenumpasankelompok Warok Wulunggenisebagai tokoh Lekra. Kata kunci: susuk kekebalan, resistensi dan dominasi negara, konflik politik 1965
Pemaknaan dan Transmisi Mantra Tri Sandhya Pada Remaja Hindu Bali Di Daerah Malang
Authors: Candra Khairul , Noviyanti Luh Putu Ema , Nurlaily Kiky
Published: August 2020

Tulisan ini mengulas makna dan transmisi mantra Tri sandhya. Mantra Tri Sandhyamerupakan salah satu bentuk sastra lisan yang ada di Bali. Mantra Tri Sandhya merupakan mantra yang dimiliki oleh orang Hindu Bali yang dalam kehidupan sehari-hari. Pada saat ini, mantra Tri Sandya mulai dilupakan dan jarang oleh remaja Hindu Bali. Berdasarkan latar belakang tersebut, penelitian ini dilakukan untuk (1) membaca makna mantra Tri Sandhya: (2) mantra transmisi Tri Sandhya pada remaja Hindu Bali yang tinggal di Malang. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode deskriptif kualitatif. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini untuk mengambil data dalam bentuk kalimat bukan angka-angka. Sumber data dari penelitian ini adalah Mantra Tri Sandhya. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan Semiotika dengan teori Riffaterre. Semiotika untuk mengkaji tanda-tanda yang ada dalam mantra, Tri Sandhya, dapat dipahami makna dari mantra Tri Sandhya. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa mantra makna Tri Sandhya dan mantra transmisi Tri Sandhya pada remaja Hindu Bali di wilayah Malang saat ini.
PENALARAN MORAL ANAK DALAM CERITA PADA MAJALAH BOBO DAN HARIAN KOMPAS
Authors: Kurniawan Heru
Published: August 2020

Children's stories in Bobo Magazine and Kompas Daily represent both levels of praconventional and conventional moral reasoning. From these two levels of moral reasoning, there are three stages of a child's moral reasoning, namely moral reasoning for obedience of punishment, relativist-instrument moral reasoning, and moral reasoning of a good child. Of these three moral reasoning, the dominant moral reasoning of children is the relativist-instrument and the orientation of a good child, while obedience reasoning does not dominate. This shows that mutual moral awareness of children is transactional and existential, namely children are conditioned to do good because they want to get a prize, and awareness of their desire to be good children. With the reality of such children's stories, our children who read children's stories wake up to the realization that I am doing good because of the gifts and awareness to be a good child.
PERSPEKTIF SANTRI DALAM KARYA SASTRA: SEBUAH REPRESENTASI WACANA RELIGIUS-HUMANIS
Authors: Astutiningsih Irana , Pujiati Hat
Published: August 2020

Pesantren  kerap dicurigai sebagai lahan subur penyemai bibit radikalisme yang mengancam keutuhan bangsa dan negara, sejatinya sangat akrab dengan nilai-nilai yang humanis, yang salah satunya direpresentasikan dalam karya sastra pesantren.  Kajian ini membincang representasi wacana religius-humanis dalam sastra pesantren sebagai objek material, berupa tiga cerita pendek berjudul “Di Antara Dua Pilihan”, “Cinta Sejati Itu Tidak Mudah”, dan “Seruas Bingung. Ketiganya” terbit di buletin Tanwirul Afkar, sebuah buletin salah pondok pesantren Salafiyah Syafi’iyah di Sukorejo, Jawa Timur. Oleh sebab itu, teori representasi Stuart Hall dipakai sebagai alat analisis. Terkait dengan pendekatan konstruksionis model diskursif Foucauldian yang bertitik tekan pada produksi pengetahuan melalui wacana yang melibatkan sistem bahasa, ketiga cerpen dianalisis dengan memetakan wacana religius-Humanis dan dikaitkan dengan latar kontekstual tempat wacana tersebut diproduksi. Hasil analisis menunjukkan bahwa dalam sastra pesantren konstruksi wacana religius-humanis dihadirkan melalui nilai- nilai kemanusiaan yang universal, alih-alih terjebak pada dikotomi yang rigid antara benar dan salah, sebagaimana pemahaman yang kerap memicu radikalisme. Nilai religius justru hadir seiring dengan nilai kemanusiaan universal sebagai satu representasi keberpihakan santri penulis terhadap wacana religius-humanis melalui sastra pesantren.Kata Kunci: wacana; pesantren; sastra pesantren; religius-humanis; representasi Pesantren (Islamic Boarding School) is suspected as a fertile place for the radicalism which treat the united nations and states of Indonesia as a republic. As a religious school, pesantren is supposed to be representative for humanism since religion is taken as a living guide for human being. This article discusses representation of religious-humanist discourse in Pesantren Literature as the material object; they are short stories entitled: “Diantara Dua Pilihan”, “Cinta Sejati Itu Tidak Mudah” dan “Seruas Bingung”. The short stories were published in Tanwirul Afkar,a monthly bulletin in Salafiyah Syafi’iyah Islamic Boarding School at Sukorejo, Situbondo, East Java Indonesia. We apply Stuart Hall’s representation theory as a tool to analyze the stories. Focusing on Foucauldian’s discursive method in constructionist model that emphasizes on the knowledge production in discourses through language, we map the contextual background to find out the genealogy of religious-humanist discourse production. The result shows that religious-humanist discourses in Pesantren literary works are presented through universal human values, instead of being trapped in a rigid dichotomy between right and wrong that lead to a radicalism. Religiosity comes along with the universal human values as a representation of santri writers’s partialit on religious-humanist discourse through Pesantren literature.Keywords: discourse; pesantren; pesantren literature; religious-humanist; representation