bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The use of complementary and alternative medicine among hypertensive and type 2 diabetic patients in Western Jamaica: A mixed methods study
Authors: Adeniyi Omolade , Washington LaTimberly , Glenn Christina J. , Franklin Sarah G. , Scott Anniecia , Aung Maung , Niranjan Soumya J. , Jolly Pauline E. 
Published: February 2021

Background
The simultaneous or intermittent use of alternative treatments and prescription medications for hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus can have adverse health effects.

Objectives
To identify beliefs and practices associated with the use of alternative treatments for hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus among patients.

Methods
A mixed-methods study including an investigator-administered survey and focus group discussion sessions using convenience sampling was conducted among patients aged ≥18 years during May to August 2018. Descriptive statistics were used to describe and compare demographic characteristics among groups of survey participants using JMP Pro 14.0. Thematic analysis was conducted to analyze the qualitative data using NVivo.

Results
Most study participants (87–90%) were on prescription medication for their condition. Of survey participants, 69% reported taking their medication as prescribed and 70% felt that prescription medicine was controlling their condition. Almost all participants (98%) reported using alternative treatments, mainly herbal medications, and 73–80% felt that herbal medicines controlled their conditions. One-third believed that herbal medicines are the most effective form of treatment and should always be used instead of prescription medication. However, most participants (85%) did not believe that prescription and herbal treatments should be used simultaneously. Most (76–90%) did not discuss herbal treatments with their healthcare providers. Four themes emerged from the focus group sessions: 1) Simultaneous use of herbal and prescription medicine was perceived to be harmful, 2) Patients did not divulge their use of herbal medicine to healthcare providers, 3) Alternative medicines were perceived to be highly effective, and 4) Religiosity and family elders played key roles in herbal use.

Conclusions
This study provides useful insights into perceptions and use of alternative treatments by patients that can be used by healthcare providers in developing appropriate interventions to encourage proper use of prescription medicines and alternative medicines resulting in improved management of these chronic diseases.
Effectiveness of mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM) as prognostic marker in COVID-19 critically ill patients: An observational prospective study
Authors: Montrucchio Giorgia , Sales Gabriele , Rumbolo Francesca , Palmesino Filippo , Fanelli Vito , Urbino Rosario , Filippini Claudia , Mengozzi Giulio , Brazzi Luca 
Published: February 2021

Objective
To test the effectiveness of mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM) in comparison to C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), D-dimer, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in predicting mortality in COVID-19-ICU-patients.

Methods
All consecutive COVID-19 adult patients admitted between March and June 2020 to the ICU of a referral, university hospital in Northern-Italy were enrolled. MR-proADM and routine laboratory test were measured within 48 hours from ICU admission, on day 3, 7 and 14. Survival curves difference with MR-proADM cut-off set to 1.8 nmol/L were tested using log-rank test. Predictive ability was compared using area under the curve and 95% confidence interval of different receiver-operating characteristics curves.

Results
57 patients were enrolled. ICU and overall mortality were 54.4%. At admission, lymphocytopenia was present in 86% of patients; increased D-dimer and CRP levels were found in 84.2% and 87.7% of patients respectively, while PCT values > 0.5 μg/L were observed in 47.4% of patients. MR-proADM, CRP and LDH were significantly different between surviving and non-surviving patients and over time, while PCT, D-dimer and NT-pro-BNP did not show any difference between the groups and over time; lymphocytes were different between surviving and non-surviving patients only. MR-proADM was higher in dying patients (2.65±2.33vs1.18±0.47, p<0.001) and a higher mortality characterized patients with MR-proADM >1.8 nmol/L (p = 0.016). The logistic regression model adjusted for age, gender, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and PCT values confirmed an odds ratio = 10.3 [95%CI:1.9–53.6] (p = 0.006) for MR-proADM >1.8 nmol/L and = 22.2 [95%CI:1.6–316.9] (p = 0.022) for cardiovascular disease. Overall, MR-proADM had the best predictive ability (AUC = 0.85 [95%CI:0.78–0.90]).

Conclusions
In COVID-19 ICU-patients, MR-proADM seems to have constantly higher values in non-survivor patients and predict mortality more precisely than other biomarkers. Repeated MR-proADM measurement may support a rapid and effective decision-making. Further studies are needed to better explain the mechanisms responsible of the increase in MR-proADM in COVID-19 patients.
COVID-19, más allá del virus: una aproximación a la anatomía de un pandesastre sindémico
Authors: Alcántara-Ayala Irasema 
Published: February 2021

El 11 de marzo de 2020, la Organización Mundial de la Salud declaró el brote de la enfermedad por COVID-19 como una pandemia mundial. Más allá de los desafíos médicos y científicos para entender el virus SARS-CoV-2 como causante de dicha enfermedad y, por ende, desarrollar una vacuna para mitigar los efectos de su propagación, la crisis emanada instiga a reflexionar con urgencia acerca del significado de esta pandemia como resultado de los procesos de intervención de los seres humanos en el planeta. En dicho tenor, este artículo tiene como objetivo proporcionar una base para la comprensión de la construcción social del riesgo de desastre y del desastre desencadenado por la enfermedad por COVID-19, esta última visualizada como una amenaza sociobiológica. Asimismo, de manera adicional al enfoque epidemiológico, se enfatiza la importancia de abordar esta encrucijada, desde una perspectiva integral transdisciplinaria.
Si bien en el caso del desastre actual detonado por la propagación del COVID-19 no es posible observar directamente los escombros y los daños característicos de otro tipo de desastres como aquellos desencadenados por amenazas naturales o socio-naturales (ejemplo: sismos o inundaciones), las consecuencias a nivel global nos llevan a proponer su tipificación como un pandesastre sindémico. Esto es, un desastre de orden multiescalar con impacto global en un contexto de sindemia que involucra un estado de disrupción extrema del funcionamiento de la sociedad con consecuencias adversas de índole social, económica, cultural, política e institucional, generado por la concatenación de problemas de salud de la población exacerbados por condiciones de susceptibilidad individual, vulnerabilidad y exposición preexistentes. Para concluir, se hace referencia a una serie de consideraciones finales orientadas a enmarcar esfuerzos de transformación dirigidos hacia la gestión integral en la actual sociedad del riesgo.
Relation between Pesticide Exposure and Hypertension Incidence among Sprayers of Jasmine Farmers in Kaliprau Village, Ulujami District, Pemalang
Authors: Wafa Ali , Sulistiyani Sulistiyani , Joko Tri 
Published: February 2021

Background: The use of pesticides in Kaliprau Village is not following the dosage required in the packaging label with the frequency of spraying 3-4 times per week. Spray farmers mix more than two types of pesticides and when spraying do not use personal protective equipment (PPE). The incidence of hypertension in Kaliprau Village in 2016 was 524 people and increased in 2017 to 843 people. The purpose of this study was to determine the relathionship between pesticide exposure and hypertension incidence among sprayers of jasmine farmer in Kaliprau Village, Ulujami District, Pemalang. Methods: This research is observational analytic using a survey method approach with cross-sectional design. The sample in this study was 102 respondents with data analysis using Chi-Square. Results: Data analysis shows that there is a relationship between years of work (p = 0,000). While the frequency of spraying (p = 0.574), spraying time (p = 0.739), length of work (p = 0.721), wind direction (p = 0.171), pesticide dose (p = 0.145), dilution method (p = 0.448), method storage (p = 0.648) not related to hypertension. Conclusions: there is a relationship between the length of service and the incidence of hypertension among sprayers of jasmine farmer in Kaliprau Village, Ulujami District, Pemalang District.
Could Pictorial Health Warning Change Smoking Behavior among Teenagers? : A Cross-Sectional Study among Junior High School Students
Authors: Hidayah Ranti Yunita , Handayani Novia , Musthofa Syamsulhuda B 
Published: February 2021

Abstract Background: The Indonesian Ministry of Health has established a regulation about the inclusion of pictorial health warning and information on the packages of tobacco product since 2013. It was intended to encourage smokers to stop smoking. This study aimed to analyze the effect of pictorial health warning to teenagers’ smoking behavior.Methods: This was a quantitative study with cross sectional research design. The population was junior high school students in Semarang City. The samples were chosen from 16 junior high schools in Semarang City, representing 16 districts. Each junior high school was chosen by using probability sampling techniques. A total of 160 respondents were chosen by using simple random sampling method.Results: The results showed that variables which have relationship with smoking behavior among teenagers were accessibility (p = 0.006), exposure (p = 0.039) and peer support (p = 0.008). Variables which did not have relationship with smoking behavior among teenagers were pocket money (p = 0.112), daily cigarette use (p = 0.641), knowledge (p = 0.535), attitude (p = 0.759)Conclusion: The inclusion of pictorial health warning, especially on the packages of tobacco product encourage students as novice smokers to stop smoking.
Abnormal Cortico-Basal Ganglia Neurotransmission in a Mouse Model of l-DOPA-Induced Dyskinesia
Authors: Dwi Wahyu Indriani , Chiken Satomi , Hasegawa Taku , Sano Hiromi , Nambu Atsushi 
Published: February 2021

l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (l-DOPA) is an effective treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD); however, long-term treatment inducesl-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID). To elucidate its pathophysiology, we developed a mouse model of LID by daily administration ofl-DOPA to PD male ICR mice treated with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), and recorded the spontaneous and cortically evoked neuronal activity in the external segment of the globus pallidus (GPe) and substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr), the connecting and output nuclei of the basal ganglia, respectively, in awake conditions. Spontaneous firing rates of GPe neurons were decreased in the dyskinesia-off state (≥24 h afterl-DOPA injection) and increased in the dyskinesia-on state (20–100 min afterl-DOPA injection while showing dyskinesia), while those of SNr neurons showed no significant changes. GPe and SNr neurons showed bursting activity and low-frequency oscillation in the PD, dyskinesia-off, and dyskinesia-on states. In the GPe, cortically evoked late excitation was increased in the PD and dyskinesia-off states but decreased in the dyskinesia-on state. In the SNr, cortically evoked inhibition was largely suppressed, and monophasic excitation became dominant in the PD state. Chronicl-DOPA treatment partially recovered inhibition and suppressed late excitation in the dyskinesia-off state. In the dyskinesia-on state, inhibition was further enhanced, and late excitation was largely suppressed. Cortically evoked inhibition and late excitation in the SNr are mediated by the cortico-striato-SNrdirectand cortico-striato-GPe-subthalamo-SNrindirectpathways, respectively. Thus, in the dyskinesia-on state, signals through thedirectpathway that release movements are enhanced, while signals through theindirectpathway that stop movements are suppressed, underlying LID.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTParkinson's disease (PD) is caused by progressive loss of midbrain dopaminergic neurons, characterized by tremor, rigidity, and akinesia, and estimated to affect around six million people world-wide. Dopamine replacement therapy is the gold standard for PD treatment; however, control of symptoms usingl-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (l-DOPA) becomes difficult over time because of abnormal involuntary movements (AIMs) known asl-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID), one of the major issues for advanced PD. Our electrophysiological data suggest that dynamic changes in the basal ganglia circuitry underlie LID; signals through thedirectpathway that release movements are enhanced, while signals through theindirectpathway that stop movements are suppressed. These results will provide the rationale for the development of more effective treatments for LID.
NOX1/NADPH Oxidase Promotes Synaptic Facilitation Induced by Repeated D2Receptor Stimulation: Involvement in Behavioral Repetition
Authors: Asaoka Nozomi , Ibi Masakazu , Hatakama Hikari , Nagaoka Koki , Iwata Kazumi , Matsumoto Misaki , Katsuyama Masato , Kaneko Shuji , Yabe-Nishimura Chihiro 
Published: February 2021

Repetitive behavior is a widely observed neuropsychiatric symptom. Abnormal dopaminergic signaling in the striatum is one of the factors associated with behavioral repetition; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying the induction of repetitive behavior remain unclear. Here, we demonstrated that the NOX1 isoform of the superoxide-producing enzyme NADPH oxidase regulated repetitive behavior in mice by facilitating excitatory synaptic inputs in the central striatum (CS). In male C57Bl/6J mice, repeated stimulation of D2receptors induced abnormal behavioral repetition and perseverative behavior.Nox1deficiency or acute pharmacological inhibition of NOX1 significantly shortened repeated D2receptor stimulation-induced repetitive behavior without affecting motor responses to a single D2receptor stimulation. Among brain regions,Nox1showed enriched expression in the striatum, and repeated dopamine D2receptor stimulation further increasedNox1expression levels in the CS, but not in the dorsal striatum. Electrophysiological analyses revealed that repeated D2receptor stimulation facilitated excitatory inputs in the CS indirect pathway medium spiny neurons (iMSNs), and this effect was suppressed by the genetic deletion or pharmacological inhibition of NOX1.Nox1deficiency potentiated protein tyrosine phosphatase activity and attenuated the accumulation of activated Src kinase, which is required for the synaptic potentiation in CS iMSNs. Inhibition of NOX1 or β-arrestin in the CS was sufficient to ameliorate repetitive behavior. Striatal-specificNox1knockdown also ameliorated repetitive and perseverative behavior. Collectively, these results indicate that NOX1 acts as an enhancer of synaptic facilitation in CS iMSNs and plays a key role in the molecular link between abnormal dopamine signaling and behavioral repetition and perseveration.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTBehavioral repetition is a form of compulsivity, which is one of the core symptoms of psychiatric disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder. Perseveration is also a hallmark of such disorders. Both clinical and animal studies suggest important roles of abnormal dopaminergic signaling and striatal hyperactivity in compulsivity; however, the precise molecular link between them remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated the contribution of NOX1 to behavioral repetition induced by repeated stimulation of D2receptors. Repeated stimulation of D2receptors upregulatedNox1mRNA in a striatal subregion-specific manner. The upregulated NOX1 promoted striatal synaptic facilitation in iMSNs by enhancing phosphorylation signaling. These results provide a novel mechanism for D2receptor-mediated excitatory synaptic facilitation and indicate the therapeutic potential of NOX1 inhibition in compulsivity.
Functional P2X7Receptors in the Auditory Nerve of Hearing Rodents Localize Exclusively to Peripheral Glia
Authors: Prades Silvia , Heard Gregory , Gale Jonathan E. , Engel Tobias , Kopp Robin , Nicke Annette , Smith Katie E. , Jagger Daniel J. 
Published: February 2021

P2X7receptors (P2X7Rs) are associated with numerous pathophysiological mechanisms, and this promotes them as therapeutic targets for certain neurodegenerative conditions. However, the identity of P2X7R-expressing cells in the nervous system remains contentious. Here, we examined P2X7R functionality in auditory nerve cells from rodents of either sex, and determined their functional and anatomic expression pattern. In whole-cell recordings from rat spiral ganglion cultures, the purinergic agonist 2',3'-O-(4-benzoylbenzoyl)-ATP (BzATP) activated desensitizing currents in spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) but non-desensitizing currents in glia that were blocked by P2X7R-specific antagonists. In imaging experiments, BzATP gated sustained Ca2+entry into glial cells. BzATP-gated uptake of the fluorescent dye YO-PRO-1 was reduced and slowed by P2X7R-specific antagonists. In rats, P2X7Rs were immuno-localized predominantly within satellite glial cells (SGCs) and Schwann cells (SCs). P2X7R expression was not detected in the portion of the auditory nerve within the central nervous system. Mouse models allowed further exploration of the distribution of cochlear P2X7Rs. In GENSAT reporter mice, EGFP expression driven via theP2rx7promoter was evident in SGCs and SCs but was undetectable in SGNs. A second transgenic model showed a comparable cellular distribution of EGFP-tagged P2X7Rs. In wild-type mice the discrete glial expression was confirmed using a P2X7-specific nanobody construct. Our study shows that P2X7Rs are expressed by peripheral glial cells, rather than by afferent neurons. Description of functional signatures and cellular distributions of these enigmatic proteins in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) will help our understanding of ATP-dependent effects contributing to hearing loss and other sensory neuropathies.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTP2X7receptors (P2X7Rs) have been the subject of much scrutiny in recent years. They have been promoted as therapeutic targets in a number of diseases of the nervous system, yet the specific cellular location of these receptors remains the subject of intense debate. In the auditory nerve, connecting the inner ear to the brainstem, we show these multimodal ATP-gated channels localize exclusively to peripheral glial cells rather than the sensory neurons, and are not evident in central glia. Physiologic responses in the peripheral glia display classical hallmarks of P2X7R activation, including the formation of ion-permeable and also macromolecule-permeable pores. These qualities suggest these proteins could contribute to glial-mediated inflammatory processes in the auditory periphery under pathologic disease states.
Empleo de un compost de algas y restos de pescado como sustrato para la producción de plantas hortícolas
Authors: Pinto Paulo Augusto da Costa , Corral Bellas Rafael , Illera Vives Marta , López Mosquera Elvira 
Published: February 2021

El compostaje es una técnica viable para tratar algas y restos de pescado ya que, además de reducir su volumen, se consigue un producto rico en nutrientes interesante para la fertilización de cultivos o como medio de cultivo. Tras un proceso de compostaje de 108 días, se evaluó la viabilidad del producto obtenido con los residuos antes mencionados para ser utilizado como sustrato en semilleros de lechuga, judía y tomate. La alta conductividad eléctrica que poseía el compost (11,05 dS/m en extracto de saturación) produjo una reducción en el crecimiento de las plántulas de lechuga y judía, por la elevada sensibilidad a la salinidad de estas especies. Sin embargo, se produjo un aumento en el crecimiento de las plántulas de tomate, que son más resistentes a la salinidad. De acuerdo con los resultados obtenidos se pudo concluir que el compost resultante de algas y restos de pescado es válido para ser usado como sustrato sólo para especies resistentes a la salinidad, siendo conveniente su uso mezclado con otro material o habiendo realizado un lavado previo de los materiales.
Frau Ava’s Antichrist: Its Composition and Translation into Lithuanian
Authors: Burov Aleksej , Kraužlys Modestas 
Published: February 2021

The present article explores Frau Ava’s (1060–1127) apocalyptic poem Antichrist, in which, for the first time in German literature, the opponent of Christ is the protagonist. Antichrist will be Frau Ava’s second poem translated into Lithuanian. By drawing on canonic and apocryphal texts of the Scripture as well as on patristic literature, the article aims to identify traces of written and oral forms of Christian apocalyptic tradition found in the poem. The main focus will be on Adso Dervensis’ (circa 910–992) text De ortu et tempore Antichristi. The analysis of the composition of Antichrist suggests that Ava did not only translate and compile well-known narratives and motifs but also displayed a variety of artistic expressions unattested in apocalyptic tradition. Moreover, the article provides a Lithuanian translation of 118 lines of the poem.
Volatility forecast of CIDC Construction Cost Index using smoothing techniques and machine learning
Authors: Velumani P. , Nampoothiri N.V.N. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe Construction Industry Development Council (CIDC) of India has been calculating and publishing the Construction Cost Index (CCI), monthly, since 1998. Construction cost variations interrogate different kinds of projects such as roads, power plants, buildings, industrial structures, railways and bridges. The success rate of completion of construction project is diminished due to the lack of prediction knowledge in CCI. Predicting CCI in greater accuracy is quite difficult for contractor and academicians. The following factors are influenced higher in CCI such as population, unemployment rate, consumer price index (CPI), long term interest rate, domestic credit growth, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and money supply (M4). CCI can be used to forecast the construction cost. The relevant resource data was collected across the nation between 2003 and 2018. As outcome-based, non-econometric tools such as smoothing techniques, artificial neural network (ANN) and support vector machines (SVMs) have produced a better outcome. Among these, smoothing techniques have given the notable low error and high accuracy. This accuracy has measured by Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), Mean Square Error (MSE) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE). The major objective of this research is to help the cost estimator to avoid underestimation and overestimation.