bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Embodied Conversational Agents for Patients With Dementia: Thematic Literature Analysis
Authors: Rampioni Margherita , Stara Vera , Felici Elisa , Rossi Lorena , Paolini Susy 
Published: March 2021

BackgroundAs the world’s population rapidly ages, the number of older adults with cognitive impairment will also increase. Several studies have identified numerous complex needs of people with dementia, which assistive technologies still fail to support. Recent trends have led to an increasing focus on the use of embodied conversational agents (ECAs) as virtual entities able to interact with a person through natural and familiar verbal and nonverbal communication. The use of ECAs could improve the accessibility and acceptance of assistive technologies matching those high-level needs that are not well covered to date.ObjectiveThe aim of this thematic literature analysis was to map current studies in the field of designing ECAs for patients with dementia in order to identify the existing research trend and possible gaps that need to be covered in the near future. The review questions in this study were as follows: (1) what research frameworks are used to study the interaction between patients with dementia and ECAs? (2) what are the findings? and (3) what are the barriers reported in these studies?MethodsSeparate literature searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase databases by using specific umbrella phrases to target the population (patients with dementia) and the technology-based intervention (embodied conversational agent). Studies that met the inclusion criteria were appraised through the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool and then discussed in a thematic analysis.ResultsThe search process identified 115 records from the databases and study references. After duplicates (n=45) were removed, 70 papers remained for the initial screening. A total of 7 studies were finally included in the qualitative synthesis. A thematic analysis of the reviewed studies identified major themes and subthemes: the research frameworks used to gather users’ perspectives on ECAs (theme 1), the insights shared by the 7 studies as well as the value of user involvement in the development phases and the challenge of matching the system functionalities with the users’ needs (theme 2), and the main methodological and technical problems faced by each study team (theme 3).ConclusionsOur thematic literature analysis shows that the field of ECAs is novel and poorly discussed in the scientific community and that more sophisticated study designs and proofs of efficacy of the approach are required. Therefore, by analyzing the main topic of the narrative review, this study underscores the challenge of synchronizing and harmonizing knowledge, efforts, and challenges in the dementia care field and its person-centered paradigm through the user-centered design approach. Enabling strict collaboration between interdisciplinary research networks, medical scientists, technology developers, patients, and their formal and informal caregivers is still a great challenge in the field of technologies for older adults.
Deceased-Donor Acute Kidney Injury and BK Polyomavirus in Kidney Transplant Recipients
Authors: Hall Isaac E. , Reese Peter Philip , Mansour Sherry G. , Mohan Sumit , Jia Yaqi , Thiessen-Philbrook Heather R. , Brennan Daniel C. , Doshi Mona D. , Muthukumar Thangamani , Akalin Enver , Harhay Meera Nair , Schröppel Bernd , Singh Pooja , Weng Francis L. , Bromberg Jonathan S. , Parikh Chirag R. 
Published: March 2021

Background and objectives
BK polyomavirus (BKV) infection commonly complicates kidney transplantation, contributing to morbidity and allograft failure. The virus is often donor-derived and influenced by ischemia-reperfusion processes and disruption of structural allograft integrity. We hypothesized that deceased-donor AKI associates with BKV infection in recipients.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements
We studied 1025 kidney recipients from 801 deceased donors transplanted between 2010 and 2013, at 13 academic centers. We fitted Cox proportional-hazards models for BKV DNAemia (detectable in recipient blood by clinical PCR testing) within 1 year post-transplantation, adjusting for donor AKI and other donor- and recipient-related factors. We validated findings from this prospective cohort with analyses for graft failure attributed to BKV within the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) database.

Results
The multicenter cohort mean kidney donor profile index was 49±27%, and 26% of donors had AKI. Mean recipient age was 54±13 years, and 25% developed BKV DNAemia. Donor AKI was associated with lower risk for BKV DNAemia (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.53; 95% confidence interval, 0.36 to 0.79). In the OPTN database, 22,537 (25%) patients received donor AKI kidneys, and 272 (0.3%) developed graft failure from BKV. The adjusted hazard ratio for the outcome with donor AKI was 0.7 (95% confidence interval, 0.52 to 0.95).

Conclusions
In a well-characterized, multicenter cohort, contrary to our hypothesis, deceased-donor AKI independently associated with lower risk for BKV DNAemia. Within the OPTN database, donor AKI was also associated with lower risk for graft failure attributed to BKV.

Podcast
This article contains a podcast at https://www.asn-online.org/media/podcast/CJASN/2021_03_10_CJN18101120_final.mp3
O papel dos inibidores da enzima conversora de angiotensina e dos antagonistas dos receptores de angiotensina em pacientes com Covid-19: uma revisão narrativa
Authors: Asturian Kathleen 
Published: March 2021

O objetivo deste trabalho é reunir e discutir os principais achados científicos, opiniões de especialistas e considerações de comunidades médicas a respeito da continuação do tratamento de pacientes hipertensos diagnosticados com Covid-19 em uso de anti-hipertensivos. Trata-se de uma revisão narrativa de literatura, restringida a publicações até abril de 2020, utilizando as bases de dados Medline e Embase e consulta a quatro sociedades científicas de Cardiologia. Um total de 93 publicações foram encontradas nas bases de dados consultadas, e, destas, nove publicações foram elegíveis para análise, sendo que seis publicações se mostraram favoráveis à continuação do tratamento com inibidores da enzima conversora de angiotensina e antagonistas dos receptores de angiotensina, o que foi ao encontro das recomendações das sociedades de Cardiologia; outras três publicações sugeriram que essas classes de anti-hipertensivos podem aumentar a gravidade da infecção. A continuação do tratamento com anti-hipertensivos durante a pandemia de coronavírus ou após o diagnóstico da infecção apresenta um paradoxo entre o potencial aumento da patogenicidade viral e a proteção pulmonar conferida pelo equilíbrio do sistema renina-angiotensina.
MARITIME SECURITY REGULATION CONCERNING INTERNATIONAL SHIP AND PORT FACILITY SECURITY CODE 2002 AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION IN INDONESIA
Authors: Wardani Ayu Kusuma 
Published: March 2021

Ministerial Regulation Number 134 of 2016 is a form of ratification of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code 2002 (ISPS Code, 2002), the objective of which is to establish a consistent standard framework for evaluating risk and enabling the government to compensate for changes in threats through measures appropriate safety measures. In its development, there are several regulations related to implementing the 2002 ISPS Code in Indonesia. These regulations were formed by adjusting the standard regulations in the 2002 ISPS Code with the safety conditions of ships and ports in Indonesia. The problem is, Indonesia has several large ports that operate as international ports in international trade.

The type of research used is normative legal research sourced from primary, secondary, and tertiary legal materials whose data collection is carried out by literature study. The results of the study show two things: (1) Maritime security arrangements relating to shipping safety standards and port facilities in the 2002 ISPS Code are divided into two parts, namely part A (Part A) containing systematic arrangements and implementation of the ISPS Code for signatory countries including and Definition, Purpose, Scope of Ship Safety Standards and Port facilities and ISPS Code Compliance Procedure. And part B (Part B) contains further explanation about part A including Determination of Security Level, Implementation of Ship Security, Implementation of Port Facility, and Information and Communication Security. (2) The implementation of the maritime security regulation related to security standards ships and port facilities in the ISPS Code in 2002 in Indonesia contained in via Law No. 17 the Year 2008 on the voyage, Ministerial Regulation Number 134 the Year 2016 concerning Management of Ship Safety and Port Facilities.
High-resolution ultrasound in the assessment of peripheral nerves in leprosy: A comparative cross-sectional study
Authors: Sreejith Kalathummarath , Sasidharanpillai Sarita , Ajithkumar Kidangazhiathmana , Mani Reeba Mary , Chathoth Anuradha Thalian , Menon Parappil Sreedevi , George Biju , Manakkad Shiny P. , Neerackal Reshma J. , Menon Devipriya , Mann Pardeep 
Published: March 2021

Background:
Detection of peripheral nerve thickening and nerve function impairment is crucial in the diagnosis and the management of leprosy.

Aims and objectives:
(1) To document the cross-sectional area, echotexture and blood flow of peripheral nerves in healthy controls and leprosy cases using high-resolution ultrasound, (2) to compare the sensitivities of clinical examination and high-resolution ultrasound in detecting peripheral nerve thickening in leprosy.

Methods:
Peripheral nerves of 30 leprosy patients and 30 age- and sex-matched controls were evaluated clinically and by high-resolution ultrasound. When the cross-sectional area of a peripheral nerve on high-resolution ultrasound in a leprosy patient was more than the calculated upper bound of the 95% confidence interval for mean for that specific nerve in controls, that particular peripheral nerve was considered to be enlarged.

Results:
Cross-sectional areas more than 7.1 mm2 for the radial nerve, 8.17 mm2 for ulnar, 10.17 mm2 for median, 9.50 mm2 for lateral popliteal and 11.21mm2 for the posterior tibial nerve were considered as nerve thickening on high-resolution ultrasound. High-resolution ultrasound detected 141/300 (47%) nerves enlarged in contrast to the 60 (20%) diagnosed clinically by palpation (P < 0.001). Clinical examination identified thickening in 31/70 (44.3%) nerves in cases with impairment of nerve function and 29/230 (12.6%) in the absence of nerve function impairment. High-resolution ultrasound detected thickening in 50/70 (71.4%) nerves with impairment of function and in 91/230 (39.6%) nerves without any impairment of function.

Limitation:
A single-centre study design was the major study limitation.

Conclusion:
High-resolution ultrasound showed greater sensitivity than clinical examination in detecting peripheral nerve thickening in leprosy cases. High-resolution ultrasound, may therefore improve the sensitivity of the diagnostic criterion of peripheral nerve enlargement in the diagnosis and classification of leprosy.
Increased serum levels of interleukin-6 in erythema nodosum leprosum suggest its use as a biomarker
Authors: Vilani-Moreno Fátima Regina , Brito-de-Souza Vânia Nieto , Silva Sônia Maria Usó Ruiz , Barbosa Adriana Sierra Assêncio Almeida , Sartori Beatriz Gomes Carreira , Campanelli Ana Paula , Barreto Jaison Antonio , Virmond Marcos da Cunha Lopes 
Published: March 2021

Background:Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) is a frequent complication of multibacillary leprosy that can result in significant morbidity, including peripheral nerve damage and physical disability. The identification of possible serum markers could be a valuable tool for the early detection of ENL.Aims:The purpose of this study was to evaluate selected serum mediators involved in the innate and adaptive immune responses to identify possible immunomarkers for ENL.Methods:The levels of interleukin-2, interleukin-4, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, interleukin-17, interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor, nitric oxide and anti-phenolic glycolipid-I antibodies were measured in the sera of leprosy patients with ENL [at the beginning of reaction (M0) and 1 month later (M1)], and then compared with the levels of the same markers in patients with untreated multibacillary leprosy without ENL (controls with leprosy: CTRL) and healthy individuals (healthy controls: CTRH).Results:Significantly higher levels of serum interleukin-6 were observed in M0 than in CTRL. In addition, pairwise comparisons showed higher levels of interleukin-6 in M0 compared to M1. Levels of tumor necrosis factor were higher in M0 than in CTRL, with no significant difference between M0 and M1. There were no differences in the levels of interleukin-2, interleukin-4, interleukin-10, interleukin-17 or interferon-γ between groups. The CTRL group had higher levels of nitric oxide compared to M0 and M1. High levels of anti-phenolic glycolipid-I were observed in M0, M1 and CTRL than in CTRH.Limitations:Three patients were not assessed at M1, decreasing the number of evaluated patients from 14 to 11.Conclusion:High-serum levels of interleukin-6 were observed during ENL, primarily in patients with more severe reactions; levels decreased after specific therapy, suggesting a role for this cytokine in pathogenesis and its utility as an ENL biomarker. Further studies should explore whether interleukin-6 could also be used as a predictive marker for ENL or as a specific target for its treatment.
Optimasi Produksi Bacterial Nanocellulose dengan Metode Kultur Agitasi
Authors: Asthary Prima Besty , Saepulloh Saepulloh , Sanningtyas Ayu , Pertiwi Gian Aditya , Purwita Chandra Apriana , Septiningrum Krisna 
Published: March 2021

Hampir sebanyak 90% industri farmasi di Indonesia masih menggunakan bahan baku impor. Indonesia memiliki salah satu bahan baku yang cukup melimpah yaitu selulosa. Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) adalah hasil sintesis dari bakteri aerobic seperti bakteri asam asetat Gluconacetobacter spp. yang berbentuk selulosa murni dengan diameter berukuran nano. Bahan baku BNC yang digunakan dalam industri farmasi adalah BNC dalam bentuk slurry atau high viscose nanocellulose. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk memilih bakteri dan kondisi optimum dalam memproduksi BNC. Bakteri yang digunakan adalah Gluconacetobacter xylinus dan Gluconacetobacter intermedius yang berasal dari InaCC-LIPI dan Gluconacetobacter sp. dari industri nata de coco. Inokulum dari ketiga jenis kultur bakteri tersebut dikultivasi selama 7 hari dalam medium Hestrin&Schramm (HS) cair menggunakan kultur statis dan agitasi dengan kecepatan pengadukan 150 rpm pada pH 5 dan suhu 25 ºC. Isolat bakteri Gluconacetobacter sp. dipilih sebagai bakteri penghasil BNC karena memiliki nilai yield paling tinggi. Kemudian isolat tersebut ditumbuhkan pada variasi kecepatan agitasi (100, 150, dan 200 rpm), variasi pH (4,0; 4,5; 5,0; dan 6,0), dan variasi suhu (25-30 ºC). Penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa Gluconacetobacter sp. memiliki kondisi optimum pada kecepatan agitasi 150 rpm, pH 5,5, dan suhu 27 ºC. Optimization of Bacterial Nanocellulose Production in Agitation Culture MethodsAbstractAlmost 90% of pharmaceutical industry in Indonesia still uses imported raw material. However, Indonesia has one of the abundant raw materials which is cellulose. Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) is a pure form of nanocellulose biopolymer material synthesized by microbes such as acetic acid bacteria of Gluconacetobacter spp. as pure cellulose and having diameter in nano scale. BNC used in pharmaceutical industry is in the slurry form/high viscose nanocellulose. The purpose of this study is to determine the bacteria and the optimum conditions to produce BNC. The bacteria used were Gluconacetobacter xylinus and Gluconacetobacter intermedius from InaCC-LIPI and Gluconacetobacter sp. from nata industry. The inoculums were cultivated for 7 days in liquid Hestrin & Schramm (HS) medium using static and agitation culture with a stirring speed of 150 rpm at pH 5 and temperature 25 ºC. The production of BNC has been conducted by using Gluconacetobacter sp., because it has the highest yield. Then it was inoculated at different variation of agitation speed (100, 150, and 200 rpm), pH (4.0; 4.5; 5.0; and 6.0), and temperature (25-30 ºC). This research shows that Gluconacetobacter sp. has optimum conditions at the agitation speed of 150 rpm, pH 5.5, and temperature 27 ºC.Keywords: Bacterial nanocellulose, Gluconacetobacter, agitation
Molecular Insights of Carbon Nanodot Formation and Their Two-Photon Emission Properties
Authors: Naskar Nilanjon , Wagner Manfred , Räder Hans Joachim , Qi Haoyuan , Kaiser Ute , Weil Tanja , Chakrabortty Sabyasachi 
Published: March 2021

The structure formation of carbon nanodots (C-dots) prepared from three different organic precursors is discussed at the molecular level. During microwave synthesis, organic chromophores associated with C-dot structures are formed that exhibit distinct optical features. We have elucidated the molecular structure of these fluorophores and investigated their optical properties with and without the C-dots. The emergence of two-photon emission was observed and correlated with the hybridization state of the carbon atoms within the C-dot as well as the formation of the fluorophores. Varying contents of sp2 and sp3 hybridization in different C-dots also affects their one-photon and two-photon emission characteristics. Understanding the molecular structure of the carbon nanocore and the organic fluorophores formed in C-dots would enable rational design of C-dots with improved optical features, which would be of great relevance for their applications, for example, in bioimaging.
Mechanism and Kinetics Studies of Oxidation of the Pharmaceutical Drug Amlodipine Besylate by N-bromosuccinimide in Aqueous Acidic Medium
Authors: Yamuna Princy S  , Vidyavati shastry  
Published: March 2021

The oxidation of the pharmaceutical drug Amlodipine besylate [AML] by N-Bromosuccinimide [NBS] was investigated aqueous acidic medium under pseudo-first-order condition. The experimental results indicated that the reaction exhibits first-order concerning N-bromosuccinimide, fractional-order concerning [AML] and sulphuric acid [H2SO4]. There was no substantial effect on the rate of the reaction with KNO3. The reaction stoichiometry shows one mole of amlodipine besylate consumes one mole of n-bromosuccinimide. The effect of temperature on the reaction rate was studied, and the activation parameters (Ea, ∆ G, ∆ H and ∆ S) are calculated and tabulated. LC-MS technique was used to identify the oxidation product of amlodipine besylate. Based on experimental results, a mechanism is proposed, and constants K1, K2 and k3 involved in the mechanism were evaluated. The observed rate constant values and the experimental value calculated by substituting the value of k3= 4.0 × 10−3 s -1, K2 = 1272 moldm-3s-1andK1= 1.96 x 10-6 in the rate equation is in good accordance with each other.
A Study to Assess the Knowledge of Control of Childhood Obesity among Mothers of School-Age Children at Maraimalai Nagar, Kancheepuram District
Authors: Deepika V  , Rasiga S  , Priyadarshini K  , Sujatha T  
Published: March 2021

In today's global scenario, there is an increasing incidence of childhood obesity due to the lifestyle changes in personal and eating behaviour which is the primary root cause of various childhood chronic diseases. The main aim of the study was to assess the knowledge of the control of childhood obesity among mothers of school-age children of 6-15years in Maraimalai Nagar. The non-experimental descriptive research design was adopted to assess the level of knowledge on the control of childhood obesity among mothers. One hundred mothers who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were selected by using a non-probability convenient sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to assess the demographic variables and awareness regarding childhood obesity among mothers. The study was conducted at Maraimalai Nagar. Reliability of the tool was established by a split-half method. The results reveal 17.5 % of subjects had inadequate knowledge, 81.4% had moderate knowledge, and only 1 % had adequate knowledge on childhood obesity. The study concludes that the mothers ignore to take preventive measures where their children could be a victim of child obesity. Thus, we affirmed the need for making mothers aware of the control of child obesity and how it can be prevented.
Host pathogen interaction and pathogen detection methods
Authors: Gargibala Satpathy  , Manikandan E  
Published: March 2021

Identification and detection of pathogens are the strategies towards the elucidation of infectious disease. There are growth and significance in the field of Nanomedicine. Present circumstance here is a need in research surrounding the topic of nanoparticle (NP) properties, mainly concerned with mechanisms of action with the bacterial cell. Metal NPs are now showing strong antibacterial activity. The bacterial cells have more resistance towards the antibiotics, which has met the research community to innovate novel antibiotic agents. The ability to detect micro-organisms has become an essential requirement in food-processing technology for clinical and environmental monitoring. In keeping with traditional methods of detection, those are time taking and develop the result solitary has to wait for long hours. Nowadays, there are many rapid and sensitive methods developed by the effort of researchers and inventors. Nanoparticles act as the alternative to pathogen detection. The size, shape and morphology of nanoparticles play a role for the pathogen nanoparticle communication. Here, in this review article, we discuss the nanoparticle and bacterial cell interaction. The different methods based on culture-based, optical sensing-based and nanoparticle-based methods all discussed in this chapter.
Application of Gunja (Abrus precatorius Linn.) Beeja lepa: An Ayurvedic protocol for the treatment of Gridhrasi (sciatica)
Authors: Harjodh Singh  , Sonali Chalakh  
Published: March 2021

The most common musculoskeletal disorder affecting the movement of legs is low back pain. Among the affected patients, 40% have ridiculer pain, and these cases can be classified under the umbrella of the sciatic syndrome. Low back pain is extraordinarily common, frequently resulting from degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine. The annual prevalence of disc-related sciatica in the general population is estimated at 2.2%. Sciatica is characterised by constant aching pain which felt in the lumbar region may radiate to the buttock, thigh, calf and foot. Acharaya Charaka explained Gridhrasi in eighty types of nanatmaja Vata vikara. The present study is aimed at evaluating the effect of Gunja (Abrus precatorius Linn.) Beeja lepa in the management of Gridhrasi (Sciatica) and thereby assessing the changes in quality life. The present study is designed as a Non-randomized controlled clinical study, in which a minimum of 30 patients will be enrolled. Gunja beej lepa will be administered external application two times in a day with lukewarm water. Assessment will be recorded on the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 14th and 28th day. Changes will be observed in subjective parameters such as Ruk (pain) Toda (pin pricking sensation) Stambha (Stiffness), Spandana (Fasciculation) and objective parameters such as measuring the changes in the angle of elevation of the leg by SLR Test, Sciatica Bothersomeness Index and Sciatica Frequency Index before and after the treatment. Suitable conclusion will be drawn post completion of the trial.