bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Sixth Corridor: The Contextualization of the TV Series Cosmos “A Spacetime Odyssey“
Authors: Tomašević Milan
Published: April 2023

The paper provides a framework for understanding the role of popular science in the sphere of the culture war currently being waged in the USA, and also in other places in the West. It focuses on the instrumentalization of the TV series Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey and a reading of the cultural political messages woven into this narrative. It first describes the development of popular science as a means of establishing a modernist worldview which, through popular literature, but above all through TV series, has become an integral part of the upbringing of numerous generations in the West. It points out a number of useful, but also deeply problematic aspects of using popular science in education, and underlines its inherent ambivalences. Particular attention has been paid to the mechanism by which popular science takes on the character of an instrument bringing audiences closer to relevant knowledge akin to truth. In this context the concepts of media, television, genre and formula are described, as means by which popular science is established as the vehicle for a very specific worldview. In this way, the deconstruction of the narrative pattern of the Cosmos series, created by Ann Druyan, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Seth MacFarlane, has been prepared. The key conventions of the series are highlighted, e.g. the specific way of presenting facts, the significant use of special effects, or the presence of speculations about the future, and the inventions of narratives such as the Ship of the Imagination, the Cosmic Calendar or the Halls of Extinction. All this has been done in order to show the utility value of popular science narratives in the context of the culture war that has been waged in the US for decades by, roughly speaking, proponents of liberal humanism versus conservative fundamentalists. Particular attention has been paid to defining the concepts of cultural war and hegemony, as key to understanding long-standing tensions and conflicts between creationists and humanists in the US. The paper shows how the authors and producers of the series consciously engaged in criticism of the creationist refusal to accept a series of facts relating to the process of global warming. At the same time, it looks at criticism of the series from the creationist perspective. An analysis of the culture war shows that scientific topics have been instrumentalized and suggests their profound value for every sociocultural context. The paper looks at the reading of political messages into a popular science narrative, and highlights the importance and value, but also the danger of such acts. The concluding section stresses the fact that the series Cosmos supports a certain way of thinking about the world around us, and emphasizes its utility value in promoting a specific liberal progressivist worldview.
A Cultural Critique or Just a Little Escapism? An Anthropological Analysis of the TV Series "The Chair"
Authors: Gačanović Ivana , Banić Grubišić Ana
Published: April 2023

This paper offers an analysis of the 2021 Netflix mini-series The Chair, a dramedy whose authors sought to give an "authentic" depiction, but also a cultural critique, of the functioning of a contemporary US university and US higher education. The series includes four important elements of higher education – the institution of the university, its administration, university staff (professors/lecturers), and the student population; due to the format of the series, however, these elements have not been given equal attention. Furthermore, through the story of a woman of color at a university who suddenly finds herself in the position of department chair, this six-part mini-series addresses and/or elaborates on a whole set of messages and issues with which the wider audience can identify – an audience interested in questions regarding universities, the humanities, and wider social issues such as gender, race, age and class (in)equalities in academia, and also in western society more generally (particularly in the USA), the problem of a crisis in the humanities, of neoliberalism at universities, the question of political correctness and the phenomenon of so-called cancel culture. The series is viewed both as a text and as a popular culture artifact, that is, as a product that meets certain societal needs (besides the need for mere entertainment), depicts real-life social relationships and transmits certain values, i.e., conveys a certain message. The series can also be seen as an educational text which can acquaint viewers with the purpose, values and people who work in academia, particularly in the humanities. In order to consider its various meanings more comprehensively, the series has been analyzed on two levels: the connotative and the denotative. The intersection of these two levels of analysis provides a fuller, clearer picture of the importance of the series as a work of pop culture which seeks to offer a cultural critique, and which has elicited a wide range of responses, mostly from the academic public. The public’s reception is thus viewed as a sort of corrective which seeks to confirm or refute certain messages conveyed by the series and thus provides us with a more complete view of them.
Holy War: Expansion of the Naqada Culture and State-Building in Egypt
Authors: Anđelković Branislav
Published: April 2023

Archaeological research would make little substantial progress without transcending on occasion the obvious limits of its ‘technical’ routine for the greatest common factor: the genuinely interdisciplinary and all-inclusive domain of palaeopolitics. Mortuary consolidation backed by the powerful ‘ideology of an afterlife’ paved the way for the political consolidation of the Naqada culture. The ever-larger Upper Egyptian proto-state was spearheaded by the ultimate politico-religious leader: the divine king, the god on earth, incarnated Horus, accompanied by an increasing number of followers/believers. Every religion has its respective birthplace, i.e. an absolute geographic location (Nekhen for instance) to which its roots can be traced. The iconography of coercion, along with so-called powerfacts, is firmly established in southern Upper Egypt. Holy war in direct connection with state-building is a well-known narrative, a historical and modern phenomenon.
The Dark Side of Urbanisation: Inequality, Precarity and “Gentrification” in Middle Kingdom Tell el-Dabca, Ancient Avaris
Authors: Matić Uroš
Published: April 2023

Tell el-Dabca, ancient Avaris (eastern Delta in Egypt), was initially settled in the late 11th-early 12th dynasty, when a planned settlement was built in area F/I. This settlement was abandoned two times. The first abandonment was followed by the return of the same people, or the people of the same social background and class, to the existing planned settlement. After the second abandonment and a hiatus, the demolition and levelling of the area took place. These changes were previously interpreted as a simple reorganization of space. This paper argues that the changes in the settlement structure in the area, are a reflection of a profound change in the social background and class of the inhabitants. These changes are a consequence of class inequality and precarity understood as “politically induced condition” (Butler 2009: 25) which allowed the “gentrification” of the area.
Elegy for an erōmenos: Paul Silentiarios, Queer Desire, and Funerary Epigram (AP 7.560)
Authors: Smith Steven D.
Published: April 2023

This essay advances a queer interpretation of a single funerary epigram by the early Byzantine poet Paul Silentiarios (Anthologia Palatina 7.560). The poem commemorates the life of Leontios, a young man from a faraway homeland whose premature death while living abroad (presumably in Constantinople) meant that his parents could not bury him; instead, Leontios’ grave is surrounded by the men who loved him in his adopted city. The essay draws on the insights of queer theorists Leo Bersani, Lee Edelman, and José Esteban Muñoz while also applying a rigorous philological approach to uncover how the poet uses the poetic conventions of funerary epigram to express joy in a shared carnality that affirms the intimacy of homosocial relations.
A Contribution to the Study of the Development of Museum Activities during World War II in Occupied Serbia
Authors: Krivošejev Vladimir , Ristanović Rade
Published: April 2023

Common stereotypical attitudes suggest that more extensive organized activities aimed at expanding the network of institutions for the protection of cultural assets began to be undertaken only after the end of World War II, under the auspices of the Communist party, when a new socialist social system was established. It was then, in 1947, that the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of Serbia was founded, followed by other local institutes of this kind. In that same period, local archives (archival centres) began to be established, increasing the capacity of archival activities initiated in 1898 with the founding of the State Archives of Serbia. At the same time, a series of new laws were passed; in addition, a number of museums were founded throughout Serbia, thus developing the museum network, which had previously – since the founding of the Serbian Museum (Muzeum serbski) in 1844 – expanded mainly in Belgrade, with only a small number of museums in other cities and towns in Serbia.

New research has shown that even during the German occupation in World War II, under the collaborationist government of general Milan Nedić new institutions were founded, partly actually and partly nominally, with the aim of establishing a functional protection network. With the introduction of appropriate legal acts (the Decree on the protection of cultural heritage), the first institution to be founded was the Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage in May 1942. It was not only the precursor of today’s Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of Serbia but also a central heritage institution, with connections to museums which began to be founded in county centres from the autumn of 1942 onwards. Committees were formed, administrators appointed and guidelines for further activities laid down. In the meantime, starting in April 1942, courses for museum workers were organized in Belgrade, and similar training was planned to take place in other cities in Serbia; also, a special Museum Act was being drafted.

It would seem that, although certain activities were recorded, museums founded during World War II did not have “firm foundations” and as of the latter half of 1943 there is no more mention of them, and the Museum Act was not passed. On the other hand, it is indicative that soon after the end of the war, musems were founded in all the towns and cities where initiatives for their founding had been recorded during the years of German occupation.
A contribution to the Transdisciplinary Terminology of Cultural Heritage
Authors: Nikolić Aleksandra
Published: April 2023

In the last two decades, the changes in the concept of cultural heritage intensified the attempts to create the foundations and standardize the nomenclature of heritage studies and the heritage theory. The standardization attempts mainly come from the professional associations and international organizations dealing with heritage conservation, but, at the same time, they reflect novel theoretical stand points, being continuously built in the conservation practice.  These changes in heritage theory allow for a wider interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary insights in the field. Such a situation opens a question of terminological compatibility of different fields expressing direct or indirect interest in cultural forms and processes, an example of which is covering a range of research programs under the umbrella term of cultural evolution. In this article, an instrumental definition of cultural heritage is generated to support the terminological analysis. The elements of this definitions are further used as a basis for a review of terminology in the fields of cultural evolution and cultural heritage, in order to create clusters of compatible terms in both fields. This article aims at stressing the need for transdisciplinary knowledge synthesis and integrated heritage terminology.
Revisiting Homosociality and Homosocial Spaces in Pre-Modern Ottoman Society
Authors: Pasin Burkay
Published: April 2023

This paper examines diverse conceptions of homosociality in pre-modern and modern societies, and discusses how these conceptions are politically, socially, culturally and spatially constructed and transformed throughout history, particularly during the modernization processes of the mid-19thcentury. Concentrating on two significant homosocial spaces, men’s coffeehouse and women’s section of the Ottoman-Turkish baths, it aims to demonstrate how homosociality is spatialized through the dissolution of the public/private dichotomy, as well as constructions of functionality in pre-modern Ottoman society. The paper follows a historical interpretative research methodology. Based on data derived from the second-hand sources available in the literature, the privatized public, complex, homoerotic and multi-functional characteristics of these homosocial spaces and their extensions towards and reflections on the Ottoman urban neighborhoods are critically analyzed and interpreted. The dissolution of the public/private dichotomy in these spaces also exemplifies the Foucaultian concept of heterotopia. The paper concludes that these traditional spaces and their modern versions demonstrate the constructedness of both gender categories and patriarchal structures.
Ioannes III Batatzes’s Italian Venture: Byzantine Imperial Revival in Mediterranean Diplomacy
Authors: Jovanović Aleksandar
Published: April 2023

Three Greek letters by the Holy Roman emperor Frederick II Hohenstaufen to the Eastern Roman emperor Ioannes III Batatzes, dating from the year 1250, cast light on the Laskarid involvement in Italian politics outside of the Balkan Peninsula, the traditional sphere of Byzantine influence. In two of the letters, the Holy Roman Emperor informs his son-in-law and ally Ioannes III about the war he is waging against the papal forces in Italy; in the third, Frederick II openly appeals to his Byzantine counterpart not to engage in unionist negotiations with the Holy See. Examining the content of these three letters, I suggest, helps us to redefine the role that the Laskarid polity played in the wider Mediterranean world of the mid-13th century. In this paper, I focus on the Italian case in order to illustrate that the Laskarid Roman Empire was an active political agent that sought to influence the politics of polities well outside its assumed political sphere of interest. The Italian example allows us to understand that the Byzantine Empire of Ioannes III Batatzes and his successors had enough vigor and resilience from the 1240s to the 1280s to project an image of itself as a dominant power invested in determining international affairs throughout Christendom.
Perceptions of the Impact of Covid-19 in Tepoztlan, Mexico: A Focused Ethnographic Study
Authors: Arizpe Lourdes
Published: April 2023

This article analyzes the transformation of Tepoztlan, a rural community in Mexico, as the Covid-19 pandemic changed people´s perceptions about their lives and future prospects, and deepened their connections to global networks. A focused ethnographic study revealed how women led the movement to close the town to outside visitors and, through negotiations and community decisions, how the town eventually opened up again, highlighting the impact on employment. Data from a statistical survey undertaken during the first peak of Covid-19 infections in 2020 showed the reactions of young women and women heads of households to the impact of the pandemic that, in their own words, “takes away our freedom of action”, while men of all age groups were deeply worried about economic futures. Unexpectedly, the re-opening of the town brought an influx of post-pandemic tourism that was seized by aggressive and illicit powerful groups as an opportunity to take over the town. Managing the risk of inadvertently providing information that may be used by such groups poses a dilemma for present-day anthropologists.
Effects of Exercise Training in Patients with Lung Cancer During Chemotherapy Treatment
Authors:   Department of Life Science, Abasyn University, Peshawar, Pakistan, Rehman Muheebur , Ahmad Uzair ,   College of Physical Therapy, Northwest Institute of Health Sciences, Peshawar, Pakistan, Waseem Mehwish ,   Faculty of Rehabilitation and Allied Health Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan, Ali Babar ,   Department of Paramedics, Medical Teaching Institution, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan, Tariq Muhammad Iqbal ,   Faculty of Rehabilitation and Allied Health Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Published: April 2023

Background: Cancer is the second greatest cause of death and disability after cardiovascular disease. Objective: To determine the effects of exercise training in patients with lung cancer during chemotherapy treatment. Methods: A randomised clinical trial was conducted in Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine (IRNUM) Peshawar. A total of 40 participants were randomly divided into two groups: i) the Experimental group (EG, n = 20) and ii) Control group (CG, n = 20). Both groups received exercise training for 4 weeks, with five sessions per week. The EG received pulmonary rehabilitation and aerobic training. The CG received only pulmonary rehabilitation. Both groups were evaluated at baseline and after 6 weeks through Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) Urdu version, Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT), digital spirometry, Borgs scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADs) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results: Both the EG and CG showed significant improvement in MAAS scores at post-study with a (P < 0.001). The scores of 6MWT were improved significantly in both groups after intervention with a (P = 0.001). The patient’s anxiety scores were significantly improved in both groups after intervention with a (P < 0.001), while depression scores were also improved considerably between the two groups at post-level with a (P < 0.001). Regarding spirometry value, both groups showed significant improvement after intervention for forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC (P < 0.001). Both groups show significant differences in patient pain intensity and dyspnea at post-level with P < 0.001. Conclusion: This study concluded that pulmonary rehabilitation along with aerobic training can be more effective than pulmonary rehabilitation alone for patients with lung cancer during chemotherapy treatment.
Translation Procedures done by Visually Impaired Translator: An Annotated Study
Authors: Sunardi Sunardi , Nugroho Raden Arief , Harjo Budi , Muljono Muljono , Suryaningtyas Valentina Widya , Setyaningsih Nina , Larassati Anisa , Giyanti Agus Sri
Published: April 2023

In understanding a language, people should consider the context usage such the cultural aspect and structure of the language itself. One of the study in translation is annotated translation. Jenny William and Andrew Chesterman reveal annotated translation is a translation with commentary. In this research, the researchers are challenged to know her ability in transferring Indonesian document, “Peraturan Gubernur Jawa Tengah No. 11 Tahun 2017”, a regulation of Central Java Governor to English by using annotated translation. This document contains an important information about fulfilling disabled people rights in Central Java. The researchers applied Larson’s theory in rendering the document. The translation process can be explored into 8 steps, those are preparation, analysis, transfer, initial draft, reworking initial draft, testing, polishing, and preparing the manuscript for the publisher. However, the researchers combined the processes by adding Agus Sri Giyanti’s own procedures as she is a visually impaired translator who was involved in this research. The procedures are converting the data and comprehending the text. This research also examines the classification of disability terminologies and their techniques used in translating the terms in order to establishing acceptable translation. In order to analyze the data, the researchers applied introspective and retrospective methodology. Introspective methodology is a method which is almost similar to the introspection of personal work. A retrospective study examines the factors of a causing problem by looking backward from the beginning of the study. This study firstly, aims at giving explanation for the disability terms on the Pergub Jawa Tengah No. 11 Tahun 2017. Secondly, to evaluate the ability of researcher in translating Indonesian regulation into English naturally. Last, since one of the researchers is a visually impaired translator, hopefully this study may provide some information on how the novice translator with visual impairment could translate Indonesian text into the English one independently.
Analysis of the development dynamics of cough syndrome in acute nasopharyngitis with intoxication syndrome
Authors: Savlevich E. L. , Markus P. V. , Doroshchenko N. E. , Batskalevich N. A.
Published: April 2023

Introduction. Although acute cough in acute inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract seems to be a minor problem and can be stopped on its own, it holds the leading position among all reasons for population receiving health care due to significant decrease in life quality.

Purpose. To  analyze the cough severity in patients with acute nasopharyngitis with intoxication syndrome in the treatment  of systemic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and local interferon therapy.

Materials and methods. The study included 62 patients with acute nasopharyngitis with intoxication syndrome, in the period from the onset of the first symptoms to the visit to the doctor was no more than 24 hours. They were divided into 2 groups: group 1 − 32 people (14 men, 18 women, age 34.4 ± 10.3 years) received traditional systemic therapy with NSAIDs, group 2 − 30 people (13 men, 17 women, age 41.1 ± 13.7 years) received interferon-α2b intranasally. Cough severity was assessed using a 3-point visual analog scale (VAS) on the day of admission and for the next 7 days.

Results. On the 1st day dry cough was observed in 62.5–63.3% of cases. Starting from the 3rd day of observation, there were statistically significant differences in the intensity of this symptom between the groups. In the traditional therapy of NSAIDs, an increase in the number of patients with a complaint of cough, and an increase in its severity compared with the first day  of observation was revealed. They lasted until the 6th day of illness, which was explained by the spread of the inflammatory process to the trachea and bronchi. In the treatment of local interferon therapy, cough regression was noted on day 4 in 83.3% of cases, with its complete disappearance in this group on day 6. The total duration of cough in group 1 was 6.0 (5.0; 8.0) days, in group 2 – 2.0 (1.0; 3.0) days.

Conclusion. In acute inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract, cough in the absence of prescribing drugs that affect this symptom persists on the eighth day of observation in 56.2% of patients with traditional therapy with systemic NSAIDs.
Analysis of monocyte subpopulations with cardiovascular, burn and other pathologies (2010 classification)
Authors: Zemskov V. M. , Revishvili A. Sh. , Kozlova M. N. , Shishkina N. S. , Kulikova A. N. , Balbutsky A. V. , Alekseev A. A. , Zemskov A. M. , Demidova V. S. , Popov V. A. , Plotnikov G. P. , Grishina T. I. , Suchkov S. V. , Vasiliev O. S. , Solovyova M. S.
Published: April 2023

A classification of monocyte subpopulations developed in 2010 with coverage of the immunobiological properties of cells, their functional activity and participation in various pathological processes (inflammatory, cardiovascular diseases, strokes, myocardial infarctions, aortic aneurysms, surgical modification of heart valves, diabetes, burns, etc.). The diagnostic and prognostic aspects of the analysis of monocytic subpopulations are considered. The unique data obtained by the staff of the Gamaleya Institute of epidemiology and microbiology. They consist in the fact that various physical forms of unmodified native type 1 collagen are powder, i.e. crushed bundles of collagen fibers, a hydrogel or a solution of extracellular matrix peptides, as well as a suspension of collagen fibers obtained from a powder, when applied to the surface of acute and chronic and diabetic wounds, bedsores, trophic ulcers, etc., can provide a pronounced anti-inflammatory, reparative, remodulating and regenerative effect on condition of wounds, providing their accelerated healing due to the local accumulation of “regenerative” subpopulations of Mon3 monocytes, which can be most directly used in burn tissue lesions. In this case, the analysis of monocytic subpopulations is of paramount importance. Moreover, possible potentiating effects of additional use in burns under the control of the analysis of monocyte subpopulations of powerful modern pluripotent immunomodulators – polyoxidonium, galavit and their possible combination with local use of collagen preparations are discussed. Finally, we obtained preliminary data indicating the development in burned patients of a deficiency in the absolute and relative content of the most important “patrolling” non-classical subpopulation of CD14+CD16++ monocytes compared with healthy primary (non-professional) donors, which can be a very important finding in the diagnosis and prognosis and substantiation of new methods of treatment of burns.
Antibacterial therapy: questions posed by COVID-19 and real clinical practice
Authors: Vizel A. A. , Vizel I. Yu.
Published: April 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic was accompanied at different times by the prescription of various drugs. The prescription of antibacterial drugs was regarded differently, and even the term “pneumonia” was the subject of discussion. The frequency of antibiotic use during the pandemic varied widely across countries, with a general trend towards overprescribing. According to most studies, in the early period of this viral infection, there were no indications for antibiotic therapy, while later, when a bacterial process is attached, a rational choice of the drug is important, taking into account the potential resistance of the pathogen, including the production of beta-lactamase. In the current version of the guidelines on COVID-19, the topic of bacterial infections has been carefully worked out. It is clearly stated that antibiotic therapy is prescribed only if there are convincing signs of a bacterial infection. On the one hand, it was noted that most patients with COVID-19 do not need antibiotic therapy, and on the other hand, for patients who do not need hospitalization with signs of a bacterial infection, amoxicillin and amoxicillin/clavulanate are the drugs of choice. The latter combination is also approved for hospitalized patients. Literature analysis has shown that amoxicillin/clavulanate remains a highly effective antibiotic for the initial treatment of community-acquired respiratory tract infections. In the conditions of import substitution, the creation of effective and safe, affordable domestic generics that have therapeutic equivalence with original drugs is a significant achievement of the Russian pharmaceutical science and industry. This review assesses the efficacy and safety of antibiotic use during a pandemic, as well as the place of amoxicillin/clavulanate in modern clinical practice.
Post-COVID syndrome: clinical presentations and therapeutic approaches
Authors: Chikina S. Yu.
Published: April 2023

The article presents a literature review on the pathogenesis, clinical and radiological manifestations and therapy options for post-COVID syndrome. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying lung injury in severe COVID-19 and ARDS of any other aetiology include acute injury to the alveolar epithelium and pulmonary vascular endothelium with increased alveolar-capillary permeability, interstitial and alveolar oedema, formation of hyaluronic membranes, and accumulation of neutrophils in the lung tissue. The completion of the acute phase is followed by hyperplasia of type II alveolocytes, proliferation of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts as manifestations of the reparative processes. Post-COVID syndrome combines pathological conditions that are accompanied by the clinically meaningful decline in quality of life and risk of death and persist for a long time after the disappearance of the infectious symptoms of the disease. Post-COVID lung parenchymal consolidations are accompanied by impaired pulmonary ventilation, frequent development of chronic respiratory failure with exercise-induced hypoxemia, reduce the patients’ quality of life and require treatment. Currently, attempts are being made to use various drugs for the treatment of post-COVID interstitial changes in lungs, but the evidence base for providing guidelines is currently insufficient. Bovhyaluronidase azoximer is one of the promising drugs. A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of bovhyaluronidase azoximer in patients with post-covid interstitial changes in lungs is currently being conducted in the Russian Federation. The study results can provide reliable information about the place and role of this drug in the treatment of post-COVID interstitial changes in lungs.
Colonialidade e desenvolvimento: uma crítica a partir do feminismo comunitário
Authors: Kempf Renata Borges , Góes Liz Meira , Wedig Josiane Carine , Borba Carolina dos Anjos de
Published: April 2023

A imposição do colonialismo e da colonialidade de raça, gênero e classe é marcada pela violência e pelo genocídio-epistemicídio sobre os povos da América Latina desde o final do século 15 e início do século 16. Essas relações de poder são perpetuadas pelas narrativas e práticas desenvolvimentistas euro-nortecentradas que classificam hierarquicamente os outros povos, definindo-os como subdesenvolvidos. Contrapondo-se a essa lógica, os feminismos do Sul apresentam alternativas ao desenvolvimento por meio de propostas descolonizadoras. O presente artigo propõe-se a mostrar de que modo o feminismo comunitário – mobilizado pelas teorias e práticas de mulheres indígenas – emerge como uma dessas experiências críticas ao desenvolvimento por meio de ações de corpos e saberes latino-americanos. As resistências efetuadas por essas mulheres ampliam as lutas feministas contra-hegemônicas e anticapitalistas, que visam o rompimento com a ideologia do desenvolvimento.
Seven-year performance of biosand filters in rural Rwanda
Authors: O'Connell Bethesda , Olomofe Charles , Quinn Megan , Slawson Deborah , Ntakirutimana Theoneste , Scheuerman Phillip
Published: April 2023

Waterborne diseases remain a significant public health problem, and biosand filters (BSFs) are a common household water filtration method for improving drinking water quality to prevent diseases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of BSFs over time in a rural Rwandan community. Sixteen BSFs were installed – eight in 2015 and eight in 2018. Influent and effluent samples were tested with Colilert Presence/Absence kits in 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2022. About 92.9% of filters were still in use in July 2022, but only 64.3% were functioning well, and 50% of effluent samples tested positive for fecal coliforms. A Kruskal–Wallis H test showed no statistically significant difference in effluent percent positive for fecal coliforms by filter age [χ2 (1) = 4.00, p = 0.41]. Recorded observations about each filter, such as rusted diffuser plates, may be useful for understanding the need for maintenance over time.
Hybrids Diazine: Recent Advancements in Modern Antimicrobial
Therapy
Authors: Mangalagiu Violeta , Danac Ramona , Diaconu Dumitrela , Zbancioc Gheorghita , Mangalagiu Ionel I.
Published: April 2023

Nowadays, antimicrobial therapies have become a very challenging issue because
of a large diversity of reasons such as antimicrobial resistance, over consumption
and misuse of antimicrobial agents, etc. A modern, actual and very useful approach in antimicrobial
therapy is represented by the use of hybrid drugs, especially combined five
and six-membered ring azaheterocycles. In this review, we present an overview of the recent
advanced data from the last five years in the field of hybrid diazine compounds with
antimicrobial activity. In this respect, we highlight here essential data concerning the synthesis
and antimicrobial activity of the main classes of diazine hybrids: pyridazine, pyrimidine,
pyrazine, and their fused derivatives.
Bioactive Pentacyclic Triterpenes Trigger Multiple Signalling Pathways
for Selective Apoptosis Leading to Anticancer Efficacy: Recent Updates
and Future Perspectives
Authors: Banerjee Jhimli , Samanta Sovan , Ahmed Rubai , Dash Sandeep Kumar
Published: April 2023

Nowadays, discovering an effective and safe anticancer medication is one of the major
challenges. Premature death due to the unidirectional toxicity of conventional therapy is common in
cancer patients with poor health status. Plants have been used as medicine since prehistoric times, and
extensive research on the anticancer properties of various bioactive phytomolecules is ongoing. Pentacyclic
triterpenoids are secondary metabolites of plants with well-known cytotoxic and chemopreventive
properties established in numerous cancer research studies. The lupane, oleanane, and
ursane groups of these triterpenoids have been well-studied in recent decades for their potential antitumor
activity. This review delves into the molecular machinery governing plant-derived triterpenes'
anticancer efficacy. The highlighted mechanisms are antiproliferative activity, induction of apoptosis
through regulation of BCL-2 and BH3 family proteins, modulation of the inflammatory pathway, interference
with cell invagination and inhibition of metastasis. Lack of solubility in mostly used biological
solvents is the major barrier to the therapeutic progress of these triterpenoids. This review also
highlights some probable ways to mitigate this issue with the help of nanotechnology and the modification
of their physical forms.
Maternal Worries During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study on Postpartum Women
Authors: Abedi Parvin , Afshari Poorandokht , Nasab Maryam Beheshti , Najafabadi Mitra Tadayon
Published: April 2023

Introduction:

Since mothers often express higher levels of stress, anxiety and depression, it is important to evaluate the effect of Covid-19 on their mental health during pregnancy and postpartum.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to explore the concerns of mothers in the postpartum period amidst the Covid-19 pandemic

Methods:

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study on 600 postpartum mothers. The sample size was determined based on the households covered by the health centers. The selected mothers completed a demographic questionnaire and Cambridge Worry Scale (CWS).

Results:

The mean age of study participants was 28.9(6.3)and 364 (60.7%) mothers had excessive anxiety during pregnancy. The highest concern was related to the fear of congestion in the maternity ward with a mean of 2.48, and the lowest level of concern was related to the health status of the mother with a mean of 1.41.

Conclusion:

we recommend that the health sector adopt new methods of providing care to mothers. Implementation of tests for assessment of the mother's mental state during pregnancy by a midwife consultant is also recommended
Immediate Reaction to Propranolol: An Extremely Rare but Important
Condition. A Case Report
Authors: González-Bravo Lucía , Sánchez-González María-José , Barbarroja-Escudero José , Monjo-Paz Josefa , Matas-Dominguez Dorotea , Alvarez-Mon Melchor
Published: April 2023

Introduction:

Beta-blockers involve a group of drugs widely used nowadays. Propranolol
was the first beta-blocker available in the market. It is the most prescribed first-generation betablocker
and is commonly used. Beta-blocker allergy is extremely unusual. Only an isolated case of
an urticaria reaction to propranolol has been published in 1975.

Case Presentation:

We present a 44-year-old man. In 2016, he was treated with a daily dose of 5
mg of propranolol prescribed for a diagnosis of essential tremor. On the third day of medical
treatment, he experienced an episode of generalized urticaria directly related to the administration
of propranolol. He continued with his habitual treatment and he had no other urticaria episodes. A
drug provocation test was carried out with gradually increasing doses of the culprit drug. Thirty
minutes after a total cumulative dose of 5 mg, the patient had several hives on the chest, abdominal
region and arms. Two weeks later, a new drug provocation test was performed to bisoprolol as an
alternative beta-blocker, with good tolerance.

Conclusion:

We describe a new case of urticaria secondary to propranolol, presenting as an immediate
hypersensitivity reaction. Bisoprolol has been succesfully proved to be a safe option.
Bisoprolol is a second-generation beta-blocker, it is available and commercialized worldwide,
which makes it a good alternative.
Outbreak of Monkeypox Virus Disease: An Update on Epidemiology,
Pathophysiology and Available Treatment Options
Authors: Kumar Akash , Angaria Neeti , Singh Gurvinder , Kumar Rajesh
Published: April 2023

The monkeypox virus is a zoonotic illness with a tropical distribution in Africa, and around
the world. The disease is spread through contact with infected animals or humans, and can also be
spread from person to person through close contact with respiratory or bodily fluids. Fever, swollen
lymph nodes, blisters, and crusted rashes characterize the disease. The incubation period is five to
twenty-one days. It is difficult to distinguish the rash caused by infection from varicella and smallpox.
Laboratory investigations are essential aspects of illness diagnosis and surveillance, and novel tests are
required for more accurate and faster diagnosis. Antiviral drugs are being used to treat monkeypox.
Scarring as well as other comorbidities, are prevalent in survivors, with the case mortality rate varying
from 1 to 11%. The virus was found in monkeys at a Danish research facility in 1958, from which the
term ‘monkeypox’ is derived. The primary human case was found in a child in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo (DRC) in 1970. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recently declared
monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern. This manuscript attempts to review the
various aspects of monkeypox disease and its allopathic as well as alternative treatment options
available and serves as a valuable resource for healthcare professionals, researchers, and the general
public.
Herbal Components for the Treatment of Various Kidney Disorders
Authors: Khan Javed , Yadav Shikha , Alam Md. Aftab
Published: April 2023

Acute kidney injury is described as a loss of renal excretory function that occurs suddenly.
AKI is one of several ailments grouped together as acute kidney diseases and disorders (AKD), in which
progressive degradation of kidney function or persistent renal dysfunction is associated with irreversible
loss of kidney cells and nephrons, potentially leading to chronic kidney disease (CKD). The prevalence
and incidence of KDs are assessed in light of population disparities in the prevalence of risk factors such
as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. However, the presence of these associated illnesses does not fully
explain the increased rate of progression of chronic renal disease in high-risk patients (CKD). The development
of renal disease is accompanied by a decline in renal function, which eventually leads to renal
failure. The current status of diagnostic testing does not allow for accurate early disease diagnosis, prognosis,
or therapy efficacy monitoring. Despite significant advances in care and understanding of the causes
of acute renal failure (ARF), many aspects of ARF remain controversial, confusing, and uncertain.
Accurate information on the disease's prevalence, genesis, and clinical manifestations is required to successfully
advocate for enough funding and resources to manage the disease. Herbal components for the
treatment of a variety of kidney disorders, and the page includes a list of plants that are good for kidney
treatment. This review focuses on several herbal products used to treat renal problems. It is clear from this
study that medicinal plants play an important role in the fight against many different diseases. Several
different plants and plant extracts have been shown to have beneficial effects in treating renal disease.
These medications have great promise for use in treating kidney damage because of their nephroprotective,
cytoprotective, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and reducing effects on oxidative
stress, renal hypertension, and blood toxins such as urea, creatinine, and others. Therefore, India's
traditional medicine offers a wide variety of medications that can be utilized in renal illnesses due to their
effectiveness in both treating the ailment and restoring normal kidney function. Therefore, it is suggested
that additional research be conducted to learn many aspects and mechanisms of medications.
Rethinking for Natural Pharmaceutical Technology: Parabens as Cosmetic
Preservatives and their Potential as Chemical Endocrine Disruptors
Authors: Elías Exequiel González , Maria Eugenia Sesto Cabral , Julieta Moreno Maria
Published: April 2023

Background:

The movement of conscious consumption is growing rapidly. The idea of leaving behind synthetic products and substances that generate waste from their production to their final disposal grows and widens the gap between the old capitalist paradigm and the concept of naturism. It includes environmental awareness, taking care of our body, and the conscious choice of what we eat, wear, and use in daily life, including cosmetic products.

Objective::

This study aimed to explore a new paradigm of formulation and consumption. A group of parabens was selected, and their replacement with preservatives approved for natural cosmetics was proposed. Some of the risks associated with the consumption of parabens in food, cosmetics, and medicines, were also examined. Moreover, the advantages and disadvantages of preservatives for the product and consumer were also discussed.

Methods::

For data collection, publications in indexed journals were searched, with the keywords: parabens, endocrine disrupting chemicals, and skin conditions related to the use of parabens.

Results::

Recent studies have reported that by using parabens in skin products, we create an imbalance in the skin flora. This preservative decreases the defense capacity of our first immune line and causes disorders that lead to irritation, rosacea spots, oiliness, and sectorized peeling. Furthermore, parabens are exogenous substances that alter the functions of the endocrine system and can cause adverse health effects.

Conclusion::

In Argentina, compounds from the paraben family are used by many brands as preservatives, which are dangerous to health and the environment. Therefore, a conscious, sustainable, biodegradable, and cruelty-free alternative is needed to replace parabens in cosmetics
Comparison of machine learning techniques for rainfall-runoff modeling in Punpun river basin, India
Authors: Ojha Shashi Shankar , Singh Vivekanand , Roshni Thendiyath
Published: April 2023

Machine learning (ML) models have emerged as potential methods for rainfall-runoff modeling in recent decades. The appeal of ML models for such applications is owing to their competitive performance when compared to alternative approaches, ease of application, and lack of rigorous distributional assumptions, among other attributes. Despite the promising results, most ML models for rainfall-runoff applications have been limited to areas where rainfall is the primary source of runoff. The potential of Random Forest (RF), a popular ML method, for rainfall-runoff prediction in the Punpun river basin, India, is investigated in this paper. The correlation coefficient (R), Root mean squared error (RMSE), Mean absolute error (MAE), and Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) are four statistical metrics used to compare RF performance to that of alternative ML models. Model evaluation metrics indicate that RF outperforms all others. In the RF model, we got the best NSE score of 0.795. These findings offer new perspectives on how to apply RF-based rainfall-runoff modeling effectively.
Store-and-Forward Teledermatology for Assessing Skin Cancer in 2023: Literature Review
Authors: Jones Leah Kirsten , Oakley Amanda
Published: April 2023

Background

The role of teledermatology for skin lesion assessment has been a recent development, particularly, since the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the ability to assess patients in person. The growing number of studies relating to this area reflects the evolving interest.

Objective

This literature review aims to analyze the available research on store-and-forward teledermatology for skin lesion assessment.

Methods

MEDLINE was searched for papers from January 2010 to November 2021. Papers were searched for assessment of time management, effectiveness, and image quality.

Results

The reported effectiveness of store-and-forward teledermatology for skin lesion assessment produces heterogeneous results likely due to significant procedure variations. Most studies show high accuracy and diagnostic concordance of teledermatology compared to in-person dermatologist assessment and histopathology. This is improved through the use of teledermoscopy. Most literature shows that teledermatology reduces time to advice and definitive treatment compared to outpatient clinic assessment.

Conclusions

Overall, teledermatology offers a comparable standard of effectiveness to in-person assessment. It can save significant time in expediting advice and management. Image quality and inclusion of dermoscopy have a considerable bearing on the overall effectiveness.