bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of fallow tillage on winter wheat yield and predictions under different precipitation types
Authors: Feng Yu , Lin Wen , Yu Shaobo , Ren Aixia , Wang Qiang , Noor Hafeez , Xue Jianfu , Yang Zhenping , Sun Min , Gao Zhiqiang
Published: December 2021

In northern China, precipitation that is primarily concentrated during the fallow period is insufficient for the growth stage, creates a moisture shortage, and leads to low, unstable yields. Yield prediction in the early growth stages significantly informs field management decisions for winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). A 10-year field experiment carried out in the Loess Plateau area tested how three tillage practices (deep ploughing (DP), subsoiling (SS), and no tillage (NT)) influenced cultivation and yield across different fallow periods. The experiment used the random forest (RF) algorithm to construct a prediction model of yields and yield components. Our results revealed that tillage during the fallow period was more effective than NT in improving yield in dryland wheat. Under drought condition, DP during the fallow period achieved a higher yield than SS, especially in drought years; DP was 16% higher than SS. RF was deemed fit for yield prediction across different precipitation years. An RF model was developed using meteorological factors for fixed variables and soil water storage after tillage during a fallow period for a control variable. Small error values existed in the prediction yield, spike number, and grains number per spike. Additionally, the relative error of crop yield under fallow tillage (5.24%) was smaller than that of NT (6.49%). The prediction error of relative meteorological yield was minimum and optimal, indicating that the model is suitable to explain the influence of meteorological factors on yield.
Role of High Dose Calcium Supplementation in Pre-eclampsia: A Pilot Study
Authors: Chaudhuri Rahul , Saha Mriganka Mouli , Mukherjee Jayeeta , Sarkar Nayan Chandra , Pathak Sweta
Published: December 2021

Introduction: Pre-eclampsia is a serious condition complicating pregnancy. It is a multisystem disorder responsible for significant maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Thus, prevention of pre-eclampsia may improve both maternal and foetal outcomes. It has been found that reduced serum calcium level may cause high blood pressure by stimulating parathyroid hormone, rennin release and also by producing vasoconstriction in smooth muscle. Aim: To evaluate the role of high dose (2000 mg/day) calcium compared to normal dose (1000 mg/day) calcium in preventing the incidence and severity of pre-eclampsia. Materials and Methods: This was a pilot study and this prospective interventional study conducted from January 2017 to June 2018 in Kolkata, India with 200 primigravidas. About 100 women were given 1000 mg calcium and 100 women were given 2000 mg (high dose) calcium in a day. Incidence of gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, severe pre-eclampsia, neonatal outcome etc were assessed in both the groups. Normally distributed data were compared with Student’s unpaired t-test. p-value was considered statistically significant when ≤0.05. Results: There was a significant reduction in the incidence of pre- eclampsia (p-value=0.03) among the cases receiving high dose calcium, without any statistically significant reduction in severity of it. There was no reduction in incidence of gestational hypertension with high dose calcium. In neonatal outcome, there was better APGAR score in the high dose group compared to control group (16% in cases and 7% in control group, p-value=0.04). Conclusion: This pilot study paves the way for larger studies to study the role of high dose of calcium which may have a significant role in reduction of pre-eclampsia.
Placental Pathology in a COVID-19 Positive Patient with Abruptio Placentae- A Case Report
Authors: Jaiswal Nishtha , Yadav Reena , Tayal Prerna , Prakhya Lalita Jyotsna
Published: December 2021

The effects of Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome-Associated Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) on the placental tissue are still being explored. Whether these placental changes result in adverse foeto-maternal outcome is an aspect that needs to be understood. This is a report of 32-year-old pregnant woman who presented with Antepartum Haemorrhage (APH) and decreased foetal movements. She was also diagnosed to be positive for the SARS-CoV-2. The patient had abruptio placentae unrelated to pre-eclampsia. On histopathological examination, the umbilical cord showed funisitis with increased perivillous fibrin deposition on section from foetal and maternal surface of the placenta. Though the foetus was stillborn, with timely management the maternal outcome was not compromised.
Tubeless Supine Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy in Calyceal Diverticular Stone
Authors: Gupta Sandeep , Verma Ankit , Pal Dilip Kumar
Published: December 2021

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) has routinely been performed in prone position as a treatment for calyceal diverticular stone. PCNL is performed supine as an alternate modality for calyceal diverticular stones. The objective of the procedure is to reduce operative time and anaesthetic morbidity during supine tubeless PCNL in calyceal diverticular stone. The series is about three patients with calyceal diverticular stones. These patients underwent supine tubeless PCNL in Galdakao modified supine Valdivia position. There was no intraoperative, postoperative or on follow-up complications in any of the the patients. In all the patients stones were cleared completely in single sitting. Supine PCNL in calyceal diverticular stone could be an alternative with similar outcomes to the standard prone PCNL. It provides an additional benefit of performing the procedure in a single position, which is known to reduce total operating time and also reduces anaesthesia complications.
Effect of Maternal Body Mass Index on Intrapartum and Neonatal Outcome in Nulliparous Women in North Karnataka: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Andola Krutika Sainath , Sinhasane Hema , Kurle Ravikumar Subhash , Andola Umadevi Sainath , Andola Shruthi Sainath
Published: December 2021

Introduction: Nutrient intake and weight gain are the two main modifiable factors during pregnancy that influence maternal and infant outcome. Body Mass Index (BMI) derived from weight and height is a marker of metabolic and endocrinal status and is used to classify people from underweight to obese. Pregnancy complications related to maternal BMI is a growing problem. Both lean and obese mothers carry an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcome. Aim: To assess the effect of maternal BMI on labour and mode of delivery, neonatal outcome and to detect the obstetric complications in relation to different BMI’s. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted in Mahadevappa Rampure Medical College, Kalaburagi, Karnataka, India, from August 2014 to July 2016 in which total of 200 primigravidas with singleton pregnancy; in labour after 28 weeks of gestation were included. BMI was calculated using the formula by Quetelet. The women were categorised into underweight, normal, overweight and obese according to World Health Organisation (WHO). Results: Out of 200 cases, 111 (55.5%) were of normal BMI, 61 (30.5%) overweight, 16 (8.0%) obese and 12 (6.0%) underweight. Pre-eclampsia, oligohydramnios, Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR), anaemia, foetal birth weight <2.5 kg, increased incidence of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admissions and early neonatal complications were commonly seen in underweight which was statistically significant (p<0.01). Gestational hypertension (n=5), increased incidence of caesarean sections (n=13), foetal birth weight >3.5 kg (n=5), failed spinal anaesthesia (n=2), postpartum haemorrhage (n=4), post Lower Segment Caesarean Section (LSCS) wound gape (n=2) and prolonged hospital stay (n=3) were the complications seen in obese individuals. Conclusion: Maternal BMI showed a strong association between pregnancy complications and outcomes. Therefore, all the pregnant women need to be advised to maintain normal BMI in order to achieve a healthy outcome as both underweight and obese women carry risk for adverse pregnancy outcome.
Use of Vermicompost in the Control of Rhizoctonia sp: Impact on Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L) Production
Authors: Damien Abobi Akré Hebert , Martinez Guei Arnauth , Ferdinand Zro Bi Gohi , Jonathan Dale Dalé
Published: December 2021

The area planted for vegetable production is increasing in Côte d'Ivoire while crop yields are decreasing due to low soil fertility, poor application of mineral fertilizers and poor plant development due to pest pressure. The trial carried out at the experimental site of the University Jean Lorougnon Guédé of Daloa, Central-Western Côte d'Ivoire, aims at evaluating the potential of vermicompost to reduce the attacks of the Rhizoctonia sp fungus on the tomato crop and increase its production. The trial was carried out using the Fischer randomized block design where four treatments were repeated four times. Four substrates, composed of mixtures of soils and doses of vermicompost (0, 20, 40 and 60 t/ha), inoculated with the fungus, were used for the cultivation of tomato in pots. Agronomic and phytosanitary parameters were evaluated on tomato plants at the end of the trial. The results showed that the production increased with the addition of vermicompost and this, the higher the dose of vermicompost added. The health of tomato plants was also improved by the reduction of Rhizoctonia sp attacks, especially with the 60t/ha dose, for which the disease severity and incidence indices were the lowest, 15% and 14%, respectively, against 41% and 38% obtained with the control. Vermicompost could be used to control fungal diseases of tomato and improve its production.
Factors Influencing Participation of Farmer in Contract Farming in Narsingdi District of Bangladesh
Authors: Taslim A. , Karim M. R. , Rahman M. S.
Published: December 2021

Aims: Contract farming (CF) has been used extensively to integrate agricultural value chain both in the developed and developing countries. Participation in CF is associated with increased farm productivity and farmer income. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze socio-economic factors affecting farmer’s participation in contract farming.

Study Design: The selected 15 socio-economic factors were used to determine the impact on farmer’s participation in contract farming. Besides, the socio-demographic profile of the farmers in the study area was discussed.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted upon contract and non-contract farmers of Shibpur upazila under Narsingdi district of Bangladesh. The duration of the study was from July, 2019 to December, 2020.

Methodology: The study used nationally-representative data of smallholder vegetable farmers in Shibpur upazila of Narsingdi district. The data were collected from 75 contract farmer and 125 non-contract farmer of Shibpur upazila. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze fifteen factors that potentially affected farmers’ decision to participate in CF and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the socio-demographic profile of the farmer.

Results: The study found that farmers education, wife’s occupation, family size, labor, fertilizer use, training, savings and income were the significant factors in the model and farmers occupation, other family member's occupation, income source, land type, size of land, experience and storage place were non-significant predictors using P<0.01 and P<0.05 threshold.

Conclusion: Farmer’s education, female head's occupation, family size, land type, size of land holdings, labor use, type of fertilizers being used, training or technical knowledge and average monthly income of the respondents had a positive influence on farmer’s decision.
Cross-Cultural Differences in Temperament Between the United States and the People’s Republic of China: A Longitudinal Comparison
Authors: Jones Victoria , Wang Zhengyan , Yuan Shangqing , Pham Christie , P. Putnam Samuel , Gartstein Maria A.
Published: December 2021

Aims: The present study assessed cross-cultural differences in temperament and temperament stability between children from the United States (US) and the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Goals of the study include examining differences in three temperament factors (surgency, negative affectivity, and regulation/effortful control), conducting comparisons on fine-grained dimensions of factors demonstrating significant cross-cultural differences, and comparing temperament stability from infancy to toddlerhood.

Methodology: The US sample (N = 147) and PRC sample (N = 128) consisted of children whose temperament was longitudinally assessed in infancy and toddlerhood using the Infant Behavior Questionnaire-Revised Short Form (IBQ-R SF) and the Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire Short Form (ECBQ SF). Primary analyses involved evaluating mean differences in the three temperament factors: surgency, negative affectivity, and regulation/effortful control, with additional statistical tests conducted to investigate fine-grained distinctions.

Results: Findings revealed main effects of culture for each factor with culture x time interactions indicating negative affectivity significantly differed in toddlerhood, t(273) = -8.27, P < .001, d = 1.00, 98.75% CI [-0.70, -0.37], and regulation in infancy, t(273) = -5.17, P < .001, d = 0.62, 98.75% CI [-0.62, -0.22]. Specifically, the US sample exhibited higher surgency at both time points, lower negative affectivity in toddlerhood, and lower regulation in infancy. In addition, little difference was noted in temperament stability between the US and Chinese samples.

Conclusion: Our findings support previous reports identifying cultural differences in temperament and highlight that differences are not constant across early childhood, but rather that as development unfolds, their nature is subject to change.
Morpho-phenological Variability of Flowers Traits and Hybridization of Five Inbred Lines of Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] in Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: Simon Konan Assouman Jean , Nafan Diarrassouba , Martial Yao Saraka Didier , Randolphe Ossey Aristide
Published: December 2021

Knowledge of the morphology and floral phenology and the mastery of a manual pollination technique in a plant species are essential for its genetic improvement.

The objective of this work will be to determine the morpho-phenological characteristics of the flowers of five self-fertilization lines of cowpea and to identify an indicated manual pollination technique.

The study was carried out in the Botanical Garden of University Peleforo GON COULIBALY, Côte d’Ivoire where 10 morpho-phenological characters of the flower were evaluated on five lines of cowpea self-fertilization. Thus, three manual pollination techniques (A, B and C) were tested by evaluating traits such as knotting rates, filling rates and maternal and paternal effects on fruit yields.

The results revealed four stages of flower development in cowpea. These are successively stage of “floral button initiation”, “dark green floral button”, “pale green or pale-yellow floral button” and “blooming flower”. Of the three manual pollination techniques tested, technique C resulted in higher rates of knotting (45.38%) and pod filling (58.03%). Results also showed significant maternal and xenia effects on fruit yields in the cowpea.

On the basis of the results generated on the floral biology of the cowpea, it appears that a hybridization program can now be conducted at the UPGC Botanical Garden for the creation of high-performance varieties adapted to climate change for the benefit of producers in Côte d’Ivoire.
Development of Computer Vision System for Fruits
Authors: Sean Y. Dileep , Smith D.D. , Bitra V.S.P. , Bera Vimala , Umar Sk. Nafeez
Published: December 2021

Automated defect detection of fruits using computer vision and machine learning concepts has ‎become a significant area of research. In ‎this work, working prototype hardware model of conveyor with PC is designed, constructed and implemented to analyze the fruit quality. The prototype consists of low-cost microcontrollers, USB camera and MATLAB user interface. The automated classification model rejects or accepts the fruit based on the quality i.e., good (ripe, unripe) and bad. For the classification of fruit quality, machine learning algorithms such as Support Vector Machine, KNN, Random Forest classifier, Decision Tree classifier and ANN are used. The dataset used in this work consists of the following fruit varieties i.e., apple, orange, tomato, guava, lemon, and pomegranate. We trained, tested and ‎compared the performance of these five machine learning approaches and found out that the ANN based fruit detection performs better. The overall accuracy obtained by the ANN model for the dataset is 95.6%. In addition, the response time of the system is 50 seconds per fruit which is very low. Therefore, it will be very suitable and useful for small-scale industries and farmers to grow up their business.
Characterization of Pigeonpea Genotypes Based on DUS Traits
Authors: Ranjani M. S. , Jayamani P.
Published: December 2021

The research entails morphological characterization of pigeonpea genotypes based on qualitative traits which aids in varietal description and ensure genetic purity. The study was conducted at the Department of Pulses, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University during kharif, 2019 and rabi, 2019-2020. The experiment was conducted in Randomized complete block design with two replications. The 68-short duration pigeonpea genotypes were characterized and grouped based on 17 qualitative traits. The morphological characterization revealed that, more variation was identified for traits viz., pattern of streaks on standard petal, plant height, seed colour, seed shape and seed size. Sixty - eight genotypes were subjected to cluster analysis and were grouped into four major clusters with an average similarity of 80%. The similarity coefficient ranged from 0.65 to 1.00. The cluster I consisted of 60 genotypes. Two sub-groups were formed from Cluster I. The sub-group I had 59 genotypes at 84 per cent similarity, whereas the sub-group II consisted of the genotype ICPL19050. Cluster II was made up of six genotypes. The cluster II was divided into two sub-groups at 84 per cent similarity. Clusters III and IV were solitary clusters, each with a single genotype. The characterization of genotypes with specific traits could be used to identify the genotypes, maintenance of genetic purity and to utilize in future breeding programmes.
Determination of the Influence of Cultural Techniques "Densities and Opening Standardʺ on Agrophysiological Parameters of Clones Pb 260, Irca 111 and Rrim 703
Authors: Moussa Diarrassouba , Eric Francis Soumahin , Djézou Konan , Pulchérie N’guessan Kan , Perpetue Moro Affia , Antoine Koffi , Samuel Obouayeba
Published: December 2021

To find out the effect of cultural techniques on agrophysiological parameters, four combinations ̏planting densities (low density or DF at 350 t/ha, normal density or DN at 510 t/ha) and opening standards (opening at 65cm and opening at 50 cm) ̋ were tested on Hevea brasiliensis clones PB 260, IRCA 111 and RRIM 703. This study was conducted for nine years with a split-plot experimental design of two treatments and two subtreatments repeated three times. The different combinations of treatments and subtreatments tested were low density (DN-50 cm), low density (DN-65 cm), normal density (DF-50 cm), normal density (DF- 65 cm). The parameters evaluated were the production at bleeding and per hectare, the average annual increase in circumference, the rate of tree losses and the rate of trees with dry notches. Production per tree was significantly higher at 350 t/ha and 65 cm opening (DF-65 cm), while per hectare production was higher at 510 t/ha. The girths of the different clones are stronger at DF and at the 65 cm opening. The rate of tree loss and the rate of trees with dry notch were low at the 510 t/ha density and the 65cm opening. The appropriate density and opening standard was "normal density 510 t/ha and opening to circumference 50 cm". The cultivation techniques especially the density and opening standard judiciously applied can participate in the sustainable improvement of rubber productivity of rubber plantations.
Potable Water Accessibility in the Slums of Douala IV Municipality, Cameroon
Authors: Ahfembombi Lueong Lovees , N. Fogwe Zephania , Kimengsi Jude Ndzifon
Published: December 2021

The proliferation of slums in sub-Saharan Africa validates the need for renewed interest on access to basic services–potable water in this case. In the context of Bonaberi Douala, recent evidence on potable water accessibility is lacking, amidst rising population growth. To close this knowledge gap, this paper draws from a sample of 1115 households in 8 neighborhoods of Bonaberi to: (1) assess potable water accessibility and (2) examine the regularity of water flow. The results revealed that only 51.3% of slum dwellers have pipe water connections, while 33.4% rely on public standpipes. Furthermore, 28.4% make use of boreholes, while 46% use rainwater. About 12.5% of the population cover a distance of more than 200 m to fetch water. The pattern of water flow in several neighbourhoods is irregular; this precipitates the spread of waterborne diseases. The paper recommends that a control committee should be set aside to check water quality and reduce the spread of water-related diseases. The government and other local stakeholders should promote community water projects that can supply potable water in these slums.
Comparison on Awareness of Radiation Hazards among Females of Different Age Group
Authors: Joshua A. Aldrin , Priyadharshini R. , Sinduja Palati
Published: December 2021

Background: Radiation is a source of energy which travels through materials. The ionising radiation produce free radicals from an atom with the electron removal. X-ray is the most common ionizing radiation helping in diagnosis. There is an increase in the use of radiation in diagnosis, procedural along with surgical treatment where radiologists and the patients should be aware of the radiation hazards and its ill effects. The aim of our study is to analyse the radiation hazards awareness among females of various age groups.

Materials and Methods: The study was done as an online setting; the responses were obtained from 103 female participants from the Chennai sub population. A self-structured questionnaire comprising about 18 yes or no types of questions were prepared in google forms and circulated as a link to the participants. The responses were exported to google sheets and data was retrieved and analysed in SPSS software version 26. The results were obtained from SPSS software.

Results: From the results analysed, 74.76% have undergone X ray or any procedures but only few (25.24%) did not undergo any diagnostic procedures. 71.84% of them were aware that all radiation is hazardous whereas the rest (28.16%) were not aware. 88.35% of them accepted that bone marrow and child’s thyroid tissue are more sensitive to radiation but few (11.65%) did not accept it. 71.84% of the participants of females of age group 20-40 years were more aware than females of 40-60 years age group (16.50%) that bone marrow, the child's thyroid is the sensitive tissue affected by radiation. Chi square test was done and the association was found to be not statistically significant with P-value .236 (P = .05). Chi square test was done to check awareness of thyroid cancer caused mainly through radiations between the two age groups of females and the association was found to be not statistically significant with p-value is .703 (P = .05).

Conclusion: Within the limits of the study, the females of age group 20-40 years have higher levels of awareness than females of age group 40-60 years.
Prevalence and Management of Anemia in Adolescents in Primary Care Settings
Authors: Algaows Faisal Suliman , Aloseimi Jazi Abdullah , Almahmoudi Fatima Mohammed , Alzawani Abdulaziz Ali Mohammed , Abdulaziz A. Alzahrani Omar , Alismail Abdulelah Aref , Assiri Ohoud Hassan , Aldosseri Marwa Abdulla , Hausawi Fatimah Mohammad , Alanazi Bandar Alhumaidi , Namshah Abdullah Mohammed Obaid Bin , Alsaeed Mohammed Ibrahim Saleh
Published: December 2021

Anemia is defined as a drop in haemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (HCT), or red blood cell (RBC) count. Anemia is a widespread issue in primary care, and primary care physicians are generally the first to notice its symptoms. Anaemia is a prevalent clinical concern among the adolescents.  It is widely known that haemoglobin levels drop with age increase. Anemia has been linked to a variety of negative effects, including higher mortality, hospitalisation, and a worse quality of life. epidemiological reporting of anaemia is fragmented. Anemia is diagnosed in part by symptoms reported in general practice/family medicine (GP/FM). Management of anemia relies on the type of anemia and underlying cause, in this review we will be looking at Prevalence, etiology, classification and management of Anemia.
Efficacy of Ayurveda Interventions Specifically on Weight Gain in the Management of Protein Energy Malnutrition in Children: A Systematic Review Protocol
Authors: Khedekar Sumod , Rathi Renu , Rathi Bharat , Hattikar Heramb , Patlekar Suraj , Karambhe Avinash
Published: December 2021

Background: In India, Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM)remains a significant and challenging public health issue despite implementing different nutritional policies over the period. It is also accompanying with aggravated risk of all-cause morbidity, as well as fatality Ayurveda mentions about various nutritional disorders such as karshya, balashosha, phakka, yakshma which are having similar symptomatology and treatment approach as that of the PEM. Several clinical studies have been conducted and some are under trial but systematic review is still pending to explore an effective treatment modality to combat PEM in Children.

Aim: A systematic review to evaluate the efficacy of Ayurveda Interventions specifically on weight gain in the Management of Protein Energy Malnutrition in Children.

Materials and Methods: A systematic review which will evaluate published clinical work of Ayurveda treatment modalities specifically for weight gain in the management of PEM in children that will involve “The randomized controlled trials (RCTs), multiple-arms clinical trials, quasi-experimental trials, observational studies (case series and case reports) through databases like PubMed, COCHRANE, AYUSH Research Portal, DHARA; Google Scholar; etc. and Ayurveda compendia to fetch complete available literature.”

Observations and Discussion: The work of selection of the studies, data extraction, and synthesis will be taken up. Established guidelines for study selection, quality assessment, and narrative synthesis will be followed. Risk of bias assessment will be performed. A protocol will be designed that will ensure transparency for the completed review. Results of the study will be elaborately synthesized. The data will be presented in percentage, count and frequency; and if we find the data to be sufficiently homogeneous then meta-analysis will be carried out.

Conclusion: The results obtained from this systematic review will be useful in identifying the evidence-based efficacy of Ayurveda interventions on weight gain in the Management of PEM. It will also provide substratum for future research studies for generating good-quality evidence that can be helpful to design new health policy to combat PEM effectively.
Comparison of Medical Device Regulations in India, Japan and South Korea
Authors: B. V. Chandan , Venkatesh M. P. , M. Arjun , Krishna Pasupuleti Dheeraj , S. Indraprasad
Published: December 2021

Increased health awareness, a growing middle class, and government health efforts are projected to propel India's medical equipment market forward in the next years. With the publication of the Medical Device Rules in 2017, Indian authorities revised the medical device regulatory process. The devices included in the link are currently regulated medical devices and in vitro diagnostic devices, as well as their classifications. CLA (Central Licensing Authority) is in charge of all import device licencing, as well as manufacturing, loan, and wholesale licences for Class C and Class D medical devices.

Because of its complicated registration process and linguistic obstacles, Japan is regarded one of the most difficult markets for overseas medical device producers. The Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Agency, which works in tandem with the MHLW (Ministry of Health and Labour Welfare), is in charge of reviewing drug and medical device applications in Japan. The Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act is a federal law that regulates the sale of pharmaceuticals and medical devices. The Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act, also known as the Act on Securing Quality, Efficacy, and Safety of Pharmaceuticals, Medical Devices, Regenerative and Cellular Therapy Products, Gene Therapy Products, and Cosmetics, lays out the current PMDA (Pharmaceuticals and Medical devices Agency) laws in Japan.

South Korea is one of the largest health-care markets in the Asia-Pacific region. Medical Devices in South Korea are regulated by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), formerly known as the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). Medical Devices in South Korea are regulated by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, formerly known as the Korea Food and Drug Administration. The Medical Device Act of 2015 governs current medical device laws in Korea. To access the South Korean Medical-Device-Market, you must first obtain marketing approval from the local Medical Device Authority, the Medical Device Information & Technology Centre, which is part of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. With the MFDS notification No. 2020-29, the South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety launched UDI (Unique Device Identification System) operations in 2018. Article 20 of the Medical Device Act and Article 54-2 of the Medical Device Act Enforcement Regulations make UDI compliance mandatory.
A Comparative Evaluation between the Efficacy of Scaling & Root Planing (SRP) with Local Delivery of Chlorhexidine Gluconate and SRP Alone in Periodontal Pocket Reduction Therapy
Authors: Singh Dhirendra Kumar , Kumar Gunjan , Pathi Jugajyoti , Jalaluddin Md , Jena Samikshya
Published: December 2021

Aim: The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of locally delivered chlorhexidine as an adjunct to scaling and root planning (SRP) & SRP alone in bringing reduction of pocket depth in the treatment of moderate to severe periodontitis patients. 

Materials and Methods: A total number of 15 patients both males and females in the age group of 30-55 years were selected with total number of 30 sites with periodontal probing  pocket depth measuring 5-8mm in different quadrant of the mouth. A randomized, double blind, controlled clinical trial design was followed for the study. On one side scaling and root planning was done and on the other side scaling and root planning was done along with local delivery of chlorhexidine glugocate then the patient was examined after 0, 45, and 60 days using The clinical parameters the Plaque Index (PI), gingival index (GI), Bleeding on probing (BOP), Clinical attachment level (CAL) and Probing pocket depth (PPD).

Statistical Analysis: Student paired T-test has been carried out for this present study.

Results: The mean reduction of Plaque Index score between 0-45 day between control site and test site was 1.58±0.11 and the mean reduction of Plaque Index score between 0-60 day between control site and test site was 2.42±0.34 which is found not significant. At the Control site the mean plaque index score on 0 day was 2.2, on 45th day was 1.88 and on 60th day was 1.82. At the test site the mean plaque index score on 0 day was 2.6, on 45th day was 1.82 and on 60thday was 1.59. There was change from the base line values of mean plaque index between the control sites and test sites but was not significant.

Conclusion: There was improvement in all the clinical parameters of the test sites in comparison to the control sites from base line to 60 days, but the adjunctive use of chlorhexidine showed a significant improvement only on the clinical attachment level.
Synthesis and Characterization of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles from Aqueous Extract of Cyanotis tuberosa (Roxb.) Schult. & Schult. F. and Analysis of Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Anticancer Activity
Authors: Ramakrishna Gorantla , Peer Mulla Kaja , Bommana Kavitha , Nimmanapalli Yasodamma
Published: December 2021

Cyanotis tuberosa (Roxb.) Schult. & Schult.f family Commelinaceae is traditionally used as ethnomedicine for curing several health problems in India. In this study copper oxide CuONPs were synthesized using C. tuberosa tubers aqueous extract. The biosynthesized CuONPs were characterized using an Ultra violet–visible spectroscopy, Fourier-Transform Infra Red spectroscopy, X-RAY Diffraction Analysis, Scanning electron microscopy. The results obtained from SEM showed that the copper oxide nanoparticles were a face-centered cubic crystal structure. The characterization of the biosynthesized CuONPs through EDS also indicated that the reaction product was composed of highly pure CuO NPs. The invitro antimicrobial activity of different concentrations of green synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles of C. tuberosa showed that the highest inhibition zone was observed on Klebsiella pneumonia (15.25 mm). Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of green synthesized CuONPs of C. tuberosa tubers aqueous extract was also tested the highest percentage activity was exhibited at 100 μg/ml CuONPs (56.32). The human cancer cell line was used for cytotoxicity analysis at 48 hrs of incubation period, a significant abatement in cell viability was observed against the treated cell lines. The study concludes that the C. tuberosa tubers aqueous extract can be successfully used for the synthesis of CuONPs that exhibit effective in vitro anti-bacterial, antioxidant and anticancer activity.
A Review on Some Indigenous Medicinal Plants and their Key Applications
Authors: Sharma Rhydum , Tripathi Ashutosh
Published: December 2021

In India, 7,500 plant species out of 17,000 are officially integrated in ayurvedic pharmacopeia for over a millennium. There are many industrial uses of medicinal plants which include traditional medicines, phytopharmaceuticals, herbal teas, health food etc. Now days, in silico approaches have been developed which is used in virtual screening and analysis of medicinal plants to be used pharmacologically. It is a cost effective and efficient way for the production of new drugs which is done in three basic steps i.e. molecular docking, developing pharmacophores and determining molecular similarity in shape. WHO has also acknowledged the importance of medicinal plants and has created various guidelines and strategies to encourage its use. Agro industrial technologies also encourage the use of medicinal plants. India has wide variety of plant species in its ecosystem. Out of 17,000 species of plants 7,500 species are used as medicinal plants by the tribal groups, villagers and in traditional medicinal systems like Ayurveda. The aim of the review is to summarize the information on the recent development in the field of medicinal plants and their key applications.
Does Toxoplasma gondii Related to Schizophrenic Symptoms? A Narrative Systematic Review
Authors: Abdulgader Shatha , Prince Richard
Published: December 2021

Background: Accumulating evidence associated infectious agents with schizophrenia. Majority of these studies analyzed Toxoplasma. gondii association with schizophrenia.

Aims and Objectives: the present study aimed to perform systematic search on studies conducted on investigating association between T. gondii and schizophrenia using IgG antibodies against T. gondii. Secondary objective was to discuss possible mechanisms by which T. gondii linked to schizophrenia.

Methods: Systematic search performed using Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science and University of Manchester databases. Key words Schizo* AND Toxoplasm* used to find articles published from years 2010-2020, used IgG antibodies against T. gondii, and patients participated in these studies definitively diagnosed with schizophrenia using DSM-IV or ICD- 10.

Results: Total of 122 articles was identified after duplicated were removed, of these 24 were included in review. Two-third of studies found that schizophrenic patients had significantly higher IgG antibodies versus controls.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that T. gondii is associated with schizophrenia and that T. gondii might be risk factor for schizophrenia development. If causative link is ascertained, then it would be possible to treat and prevent schizophrenia.
The Use and Potential Interactions of Herbal Medicines among Diabetic Patients in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Alghamdi Saleh
Published: December 2021

Objectives: The use of herbal medicines as non-conventional treatment is popular, especially in developing countries where people suffering from chronic diseases as diabetes mellitus are more likely to use herbal medicines along with conventional medicines. However, their simultaneous use may concur serious drug interactions and may therefore result in a serious outcome. The present study was designed to identify the most commonly used herbal medicines and conventional anti-diabetic medications among Saudi population.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was developed and piloted.Data were retrieved and manually entered in Excel 2016. Frequencies and percentages were utilized to perform descriptive analysis. The study was approved by the Scientific and Research Committee of the main hospital taking part in the study.

Results: A total of 347 responses were recorded (69.4% response rate). 54% of participants were male, 53% were between the age of 41 and 64 years, and 35.5% had no formal education. Black tea, Peppermint, ginger, green tea, olive oil, and black seed were among the frequently mentioned herbal medicines. Black tea was used by the majority of patients (80%) while peppermint and ginger were used by more than half of patients, i.e., (56.5%) and (52.7%) respectively. Least common herb used by patients was Artemisia species (2.8%). A majority of patients (53.4%) used traditional medicine at least once daily, and 83% used traditional medicine without their physician's prescription.

Conclusion: Concomitant use of herbal and conventional anti-diabetic medication was a common practice among patients in Saudi Arabia, therefore, pharmacists-led educational programs should target both prescribers and general public about the possible interactions/risks of herbal medicines.
Quanton Fields: Evolution and Degrees of Freedom
Authors: Kassem Ayman
Published: December 2021

For long time the nature of spacetime had been the subject of debate, here another version will be discussed in the form of space and time fields where a new concept of energy constraining can explain the interactions between those fields.

This model comes in three parts: energy constraining, where the evolution of the quanton fields and their different transitions are discussed, the second part, energy fields, their degrees of freedom and the third part: electromagnetic waves as relativistic quantons and the generic form of Maxwell quations in terms of space and time fields.

This work links many of the physical phenomena back to the quanton based world.
Luminescence Enhancement, Encapsulation, and Patterning of Quantum Dots Toward Display Applications
Authors: Yu Meina , Saeed Mohsin Hassan , Zhang Shuaifeng , Wei Huiyun , Gao Yanzi , Zou Cheng , Zhang Lanying , Yang Huai
Published: December 2021

Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconductor nanoparticles (NPs) that have gained significant interest in the academia and industry because of their unique optoelectronic properties such as tunable emission wavelength, high color purity, wide color gamut, and high photoluminescence quantum yield. However, it remains a challenge to fabricate a QD colloid or solution into solid devices featuring the desired patterns and maintaining high efficiency. Recently, researchers have shown significant progress in the efficiency improvement and device fabrication of QD‐based displays, contributed by the development of both materials and device engineering. In this review, the recent progress in the engineering of QDs will be discussed, with an emphasis on the encapsulation methods and patterning strategies by which QDs are packaged into solid‐state devices with pixelated patterns as well as luminescence enhancement and modulation.
Biohybrid Variable‐Stiffness Soft Actuators that Self‐Create Bone
Authors: Cao Danfeng , Martinez Jose G. , Hara Emilio Satoshi , Jager Edwin W. H.
Published: December 2021

Inspired by the dynamic process of initial bone development, in which a soft tissue turns into a solid load‐bearing structure, the fabrication, optimization, and characterization of bioinduced variable‐stiffness actuators that can morph in various shapes and change their properties from soft to rigid are hereby presented. Bilayer devices are prepared by combining the electromechanically active properties of polypyrrole with the compliant behavior of alginate gels that are uniquely functionalized with cell‐derived plasma membrane nanofragments (PMNFs), previously shown to mineralize within 2 days, which promotes the mineralization in the gel layer to achieve the soft to stiff change by growing their own bone. The mineralized actuator shows an evident frozen state compared to the movement before mineralization. Next, patterned devices show programmed directional and fixated morphing. These variable‐stiffness devices can wrap around and, after the PMNF‐induced mineralization in and on the gel layer, adhere and integrate onto bone tissue. The developed biohybrid variable‐stiffness actuators can be used in soft (micro‐)robotics and as potential tools for bone repair or bone tissue engineering.
Multifunctional Biomimetic Nanovaccines Based on Photothermal and Weak‐Immunostimulatory Nanoparticulate Cores for the Immunotherapy of Solid Tumors
Authors: Li Jiachen , Huang Di , Cheng Ruoyu , Figueiredo Patrícia , Fontana Flavia , Correia Alexandra , Wang Shiqi , Liu Zehua , Kemell Marianna , Torrieri Giulia , Mäkilä Ermei M. , Salonen Jarno J. , Hirvonen Jouni , Gao Yan , Li Jialiang , Luo Zhenyang , Santos Hélder A. , Xia Bing
Published: December 2021

An alternative strategy of choosing photothermal and weak‐immunostimulatory porous silicon@Au nanocomposites as particulate cores to prepare a biomimetic nanovaccine is reported to improve its biosafety and immunotherapeutic efficacy for solid tumors. A quantitative analysis method is used to calculate the loading amount of cancer cell membranes onto porous silicon@Au nanocomposites. Assisted with foreign‐body responses, these exogenous nanoparticulate cores with weak immunostimulatory effect can still efficiently deliver cancer cell membranes into dendritic cells to activate them and the downstream antitumor immunity, resulting in no occurrence of solid tumors and the survival of all immunized mice during 55 day observation. In addition, this nanovaccine, as a photothermal therapeutic agent, synergized with additional immunotherapies can significantly inhibit the growth and metastasis of established solid tumors, via the initiation of the antitumor immune responses in the body and the reversion of their immunosuppressive microenvironments. Considering the versatile surface engineering of porous silicon nanoparticles, the strategy developed here is beneficial to construct multifunctional nanovaccines with better biosafety and more diagnosis or therapeutic modalities against the occurrence, recurrence, or metastasis of solid tumors in future clinical practice.
Multifunctional, Light‐Weight Wearable Sensor Based on 3D Porous Polyurethane Sponge Coated with MXene and Carbon Nanotubes Composites
Authors: Wen Lei , Nie Meng , Wang Chongqing , Zhao Yu‐na , Yin Kuibo , Sun Litao
Published: December 2021

With the rapid development of wearable electronics, a resistive sensor with high performance and multifunctional monitoring abilities turns out to be a great challenge for industrial application fields. Herein, a wearable 3D porous polyurethane (PU) sponge sensor coated with MXene and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composites is self‐assembled through a simple ultrasonic dip‐coating process. The alternate assembly and the synergistic effect of MXene and CNTs contribute to a tough and complete 1D/2D conductive network, which significantly extends the measurement ability of the proposed MXene/CNTs@PU sensor from a wide‐compressive strain range (−80%) to a wide‐stretching strain range (60%). Moreover, benefit from this unique tough multidimensional MXene/CNTs structure, the presented sensor is endowed with excellent electrical response and stability during the long‐term reproducibility test over 5000 cycles. This study also demonstrates the versatile applications (stretching and compression) of the MXene/CNTs@PU sensor, such as detecting subtle expressions, vocal vibrations, body actions of human motions, and lighting light emitting diode lamps. Thus, this advanced sensor indicates great potential for emerging applications in human–machine interaction, healthcare, and wearable devices.
Thermoelectric Generator: Materials and Applications in Wearable Health Monitoring Sensors and Internet of Things Devices
Authors: Hasan Md. Nazibul , Nafea Marwan , Nayan Nafarizal , Mohamed Ali Mohamed Sultan
Published: December 2021

Wearable sensors and biomedical devices have attracted a great deal of attention among users. Despite technological advancements in this field, a mixture of both progress and setbacks has been witnessed. The limited battery life of these devices for long‐term operation remains a major challenge. In this context, thermoelectric generators have emerged as potential candidates for harvesting energy from temperature gradients to power wearable sensors and devices. This review focuses on the working mechanism of a thermoelectric generator, as well as the current progress of a variety of promising and widely used inorganic and organic thermoelectric materials. Encouragingly, the highest ZT values of 2.27, 2.5, 2.8, 2.3, and 1.85 are obtained for bismuth telluride, lead telluride, tin selenide, copper selenide, and magnesium antimonide, respectively, at various temperature ranges. Meanwhile, organic materials such as poly (3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate, polyaniline composite, and graphdiyne showed the highest ZT values of 0.75, 0.74, and 4.8, respectively, at near‐room temperature. Furthermore, numerous novel thermoelectric generator‐powered wearable health monitoring sensors and Internet of Things devices are also presented. Finally, the current challenges and perspectives on the future development of thermoelectric generator, in particular for efficient materials and self‐powered devices, are also discussed.
Nickel‐Catalyzed Decarbonylative Cycloaddition of Benzofuran‐2,3‐diones with Alkynes to Flavones
Authors: Zhang Yu‐Yang , Li Han , Jiang Xiaoding , Subba Reddy Chitreddy V , Liang Hao , Zhang Yaqi , Cao Rihui , Sun Raymond Wai‐Yin , Tse Man Kin , Qiu Liqin
Published: December 2021

Using dppe as the ligand, the Nickel‐catalyzed decarbonylative cycloaddition of benzofuran‐2,3‐diones with alkynes was established, and a variety of functional flavones were synthesized in 65–99% yields. Terminal alkynes with substituted phenyl groups and internal alkynes such as aryl acyl acetylenes and diphenylacetylenes are suitable for this reaction. The effects of bases on the reactions of different types of alkyne substrates were also investigated and discussed.

magnified image