bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Social Distancing on COVID-19 Mortality in US Counties: Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Tran Phoebe , Tran Lam , Tran Liem 
Published: January 2021

Background
Previous studies on the impact of social distancing on COVID-19 mortality in the United States have predominantly examined this relationship at the national level and have not separated COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes from total COVID-19 deaths. This approach may obscure differences in social distancing behaviors by county in addition to the actual effectiveness of social distancing in preventing COVID-19 deaths.

Objective
This study aimed to determine the influence of county-level social distancing behavior on COVID-19 mortality (deaths per 100,000 people) across US counties over the period of the implementation of stay-at-home orders in most US states (March-May 2020).

Methods
Using social distancing data from tracked mobile phones in all US counties, we estimated the relationship between social distancing (average proportion of mobile phone usage outside of home between March and May 2020) and COVID-19 mortality (when the state in which the county is located reported its first confirmed case of COVID-19 and up to May 31, 2020) with a mixed-effects negative binomial model while distinguishing COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes from total COVID-19 deaths and accounting for social distancing– and COVID-19–related factors (including the period between the report of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 and May 31, 2020; population density; social vulnerability; and hospital resource availability). Results from the mixed-effects negative binomial model were then used to generate marginal effects at the mean, which helped separate the influence of social distancing on COVID-19 deaths from other covariates while calculating COVID-19 deaths per 100,000 people.

Results
We observed that a 1% increase in average mobile phone usage outside of home between March and May 2020 led to a significant increase in COVID-19 mortality by a factor of 1.18 (P<.001), while every 1% increase in the average proportion of mobile phone usage outside of home in February 2020 was found to significantly decrease COVID-19 mortality by a factor of 0.90 (P<.001).

Conclusions
As stay-at-home orders have been lifted in many US states, continued adherence to other social distancing measures, such as avoiding large gatherings and maintaining physical distance in public, are key to preventing additional COVID-19 deaths in counties across the country.
Sex Disparity in Deceased-Donor Kidney Transplant Access by Cause of Kidney Disease
Authors: Ahearn Patrick , Johansen Kirsten L. , Tan Jane C. , McCulloch Charles E. , Grimes Barbara A. , Ku Elaine 
Published: January 2021

Background and objectives
Women with kidney failure have lower access to kidney transplantation compared with men, but the magnitude of this disparity may not be uniform across all kidney diseases. We hypothesized that the attributed cause of kidney failure may modify the magnitude of the disparities in transplant access by sex.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements
We performed a retrospective cohort study of adults who developed kidney failure between 2005 and 2017 according to the United States Renal Data System. We used adjusted Cox models to examine the association between sex and either access to waitlist registration or deceased-donor kidney transplantation, and tested for interaction between sex and the attributed cause of kidney failure using adjusted models.

Results
Among a total of 1,478,037 patients, 271,111 were registered on the waitlist and 89,574 underwent deceased-donor transplantation. The rate of waitlisting was 6.5 per 100 person-years in women and 8.3 per 100 person-years for men. In adjusted analysis, women had lower access to the waitlist (hazard ratio, 0.89; 95% confidence interval, 0.89 to 0.90) and to deceased-donor transplantation after waitlisting (hazard ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.94 to 0.98). However, there was an interaction between sex and attributed cause of kidney disease in adjusted models (P<0.001). Women with kidney failure due to type 2 diabetes had 27% lower access to the kidney transplant waitlist (hazard ratio, 0.73; 95% confidence interval, 0.72 to 0.74) and 11% lower access to deceased-donor transplantation after waitlisting compared with men (hazard ratio, 0.89; 95% confidence interval, 0.86 to 0.92). In contrast, sex disparities in access to either the waitlist or transplantation were not observed in kidney failure secondary to cystic disease.

Conclusions
The disparity in transplant access by sex is not consistent across all causes of kidney failure. Lower deceased-donor transplantation rates in women compared with men are especially notable among patients with kidney failure attributed to diabetes.
AN EFFICIENT THREE COMPONENT ONE-POT SYNTHESIS OF -1,2,3,4-TETRAHYDRO-4-OXO- 6-(5-SUBSTITUTED 2-PHENYL-1H-INDOL-3-YL)-2-THIOXOPYRIMIDINE-5-CARBONITRILE AS ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTITUBERCULAR AGENTS
Authors: WALMIK PRABHAKER 
Published: January 2021

Objective: The objective of the study was to synthesis of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-4-oxo-6-(5-substituted 2-phenyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-2-thioxopyrimidine-5- carbonitrile derivatives (4a-c).
Methods: The structures of all these unknown compounds have been confirmed with the help of physical and spectral techniques such as IR, 1H, and 13C NMR and mass spectral data and these newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for in-vitro antimicrobial and antitubercular activities.
Results: Screening studies have demonstrated that the newly synthesized compound 4a exhibited promising antimicrobial and antitubercular properties.
Conclusion: The final results revealed that compound 4a exhibited promising antimicrobial and antitubercular properties when compared to the standard drugs.
VALIDATION OF A DEVELOPED ANALYTICAL METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF NATEGLINIDE AND METFORMIN HCL IN PURE AND PHARMACEUTICAL DOSAGE FORM BY REVERSED-PHASE HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY AND ITS DEGRADATION STUDIES
Authors: ISMAIL K.MD , RAO A LAKSHMANA 
Published: January 2021

Objective: The objective of the study was to develop a versatile analytical method and validate according to International Council for Harmonization guidelines for simultaneous estimation of nateglinide and metformin HCl by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) in active pharmaceutical ingredient and in tablet dosage form.
Methods: Analytes, metformin and nateglinide, are separated and eluted from stationary phase luna phenyl hexyl column (150 mm ×4.6 mm, 3.5 μm) (micrometer) using polar mobile phase composed of acetonitrile:1% orthophosphoric acid 30:70 v/v, with flow rate of 1 ml/min for 8 min at ambient column temperature, at 221 nm (nanometer) detection. Acid, base, peroxide, thermal, and photolytic-induced degradation studies were performed on nateglinide and metformin.
Results: Through isocratic flow, both metformin and nateglinide are detected at retention times of 2.79 min and 5.13 min, respectively, at 221 nm. The linearity and range of analytical method for nateglinide and metformin were 0.61–9.15 μg/ml and 7.5–75.15 μg/ml, respectively. The R2 value for nateglinide was 0.9998 and for metformin HCl was 0.9991. The limit of detection and limit of quantification for nateglinide were 0.21 μg/ml and 0.63 μg/ml and for metformin were 4.8 μg/ml and 14.6 μg/ml, respectively. The % relative standard deviation for method precision was found to be 0.22% and 0.64% for both nateglinide and metformin, respectively. The mean %recovery for nateglinide and metformin was 99.88% and 99.21%, respectively. The %thermal degradation was identified as 17.7% and 17.5% for nateglinide and metformin, respectively.
Conclusion: The developed chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method was selective, specific, economic, precise, and accurate. Hence, it can be one of the preferred analytical methods of choice for the estimation of nateglinide and metformin by RP-HPLC in pure and in tablet dosage form.
INVESTIGATION ON PHARMACOGNOSY OF KATHA POWDER AS WELL AS IT’S IN VITRO CYTOTOXIC ACTIVITY
Authors: SHARMA PANKAJ 
Published: January 2021

Objective: The present study delves into the investigation of quantitative phytochemical in Katha powder, and it is in vitro cytotoxic activity.
Methods: Coarsely dried chips of Acacia catechu heartwood were treated with a 10% hydro-alcoholic solution to obtain Katha as the final product. The powdered Katha was standardized through pharmacognostic parameters. Phytochemical investigations were carried out to screen polyphenols (tannins and flavonoids) of interest which later were confirmed by thin-layer chromatography. The cytotoxicity effect of Katha powder on MCF-7, A431, and HepG2 cells was characterized by the trypan blue dye exclusion and MTT colorimetric assays technique. Control assay was carried out for samples containing only the appropriate volumes of blank solutions and showed no effect on cell growth. Different cells were exposed to Katha powder for about 48 h and performed cytotoxicity assays. The effect of Katha powder against these cell lines concentration range 10–100 μg/ml showed a decrease in percent cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, as compared with that of the control when examined by the trypan blue exclusion assay technique and MTT colorimetric assays technique.
Results: Quantitative phytochemical investigations were showed that Katha is rich in the content of polyphenols (tannins and flavonoids) and having good pharmacological potential. The effect of Katha powder against these cell lines concentration range 10–100 μg/ml showed a decrease in percent cell viability in a dose-dependent manner.
Conclusion: So from this investigation it is to be suggested that the Katha powder is rich in the phenolic compound and shows a good anticancer effect against MCF-7, A431, and HepG2 cells.
PRELIMINARY SCREENING OF PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS, ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIMICROBICIDAL ACTIVITIES IN THE METHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACT OF COUROUPITA GUIANENSIS
Authors: ILANGOVAN SUJATHA , P THAVASUMANI 
Published: January 2021

Objective: The objective of the study was the preliminary screening of the methanolic leaf extract of Couroupita guianensis for various phytochemical constituents, its antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities.
Methods: Phytochemical screening of 18 qualitative, 6 quantitative constituents, antioxidant activity, alpha-amylase inhibitory activity, and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity of the methanolic extract of the leaf of C. guianensis was performed adopting the standard protocols. The disk diffusion methods were used for assessing the antibacterial and antifungal activities of the extract.
Results: The preliminary studies revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponin, flavonoids, phenol, tannin, and terpenoids in the methanolic extract of the leaf of C. guianensis. Potent antioxidant, free radical scavenging activity, and inhibitory activity against α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity of the methanolic extract were also evident.
Conclusions: The preliminary studies in the methanolic extract of the leaf of C. guianensis are suggestive of the therapeutic potentials of the methanolic extract of leaves of C. guianensis.
EVALUATION OF ANTI-ALZHEIMER ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC AND METHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF POLYGONUM GLABRUM AGAINST ALUMINUM CHLORIDE-INDUCED ALZHEIMER’S IN EXPERIMENTAL RATS
Authors: Y SUNEESHA , KUMAR T VINAY 
Published: January 2021

Objective: The current study aimed at the investigation of the effectiveness of ethanolic and methanolic extract of Polygonum glabrum in aluminum chloride-induced Alzheimer’s disease in experimental rats.
Methods: The behavioral parameters evaluated by following methods such as Morris water maze test, radial arm maze test, and active avoidance test. Biochemical parameters were also estimated such as acetylcholine and acetylcholine esterase.
Results: Polygonum glabrum extract was instituted to be neuroprotective against AlCl3-induced toxicity. Enhanced learning and memory were allied to the ingestion of extract in rats. Al overload, acetylcholinesterase enzyme hyperactivity is responsible for Alzheimer’s disease which is neutralized or reduced with treatment of extract, which might be due to the synergistic action of its active constituents. Ethanolic extract was shown slightly higher efficacy as compared to methanolic extract.
Conclusion: Based on these current findings, it is suggested that lowering Aβ is an unproven strategy, and it may be time to refocus on other targets for the treatment of this disease, including pathological forms of tau.
EVALUATION OF RENOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF CILNIDIPINE IN PATIENTS WITH MILD TO MODERATE HYPERTENSION AND TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS – A PROSPECTIVE STUDY
Authors: R RAMYA , OM SHAJAHAN , KALADHARAN ANAKHA 
Published: January 2021

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the renoprotective effect of cilnidipine by estimating urinary albumin and creatinine levels in mild-to-moderate hypertension (HTN) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and also evaluate the adverse drug profile of cilnidipine in the same patients.
Methods: This was a single-center, prospective, open-labeled, randomized study. A total of 60 patients of either gender aged between 30 and 60 with mild-to-moderate HTN with type 2 DM were included in the study. Urine albumin and urine creatinine were measured at day 1 and day 181. Blood pressure (BP) was measured in all visits. The drug cilnidipine at a dose of 10–20 mg oral was given and the corresponding improvement in the levels of urine albumin and other parameters was identified.
Results: There was a significant reduction in the mean systolic BP from 150.07±5.44 mmHg in visit 0 to 123.03±5.23 mmHg in visit 3. And also, there was a significant reduction in the mean diastolic BP from 95.5±8.15 mmHg in visit 0 to 80.8±2.42 mmHg in visit 3. The mean heart rate at visit zero was 76.71±4.86. At the end of 6 months of treatment, there was a significant reduction to 70.63±2.74. There was a significant reduction in the microalbuminuria from 66.62±8.39 to 38.8±6.45. The mean reduction was 27.56±10.25. There was no change in the creatinine level.
Conclusion: The study reveals that the drug cilnidipine is safe and effective in reducing the microalbuminuria and also effectively reduces BP in hypertensive patients. Hence, the drug cilnidipine can be safely administered to the patient with diabetes and HTN.
EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF GABAPENTIN AND PREGABALIN IN CHEMOTHERAPY-INDUCED PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY
Authors: N MANJUSHREE , CHAKRABORTY ANANYA , V SHASHIDHAR 
Published: January 2021

Objectives: Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN) occurs as a common Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) of anti-cancer drugs. The prevalence varies from 10% to 100%. To date, there is no standard effective treatment protocol for this condition. However, the neuro-modulators such as gabapentin and pregabalin are increasingly being used to treat CIPN. With this background this study was undertaken to compare the efficacy and safety of gabapentin and pregabalin in CIPN.
Methods: This study was conducted in the department of medical oncology at Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bengaluru. It was initiated after the approval from Institutional Ethics Committee. After obtaining written informed consent, the participants were randomized into two groups. Group A received gabapentin, 300 mg orally and Group B received pregabalin 75 mg orally; twice daily for 8 weeks. They were followed up at 2, 4, and 8 weeks. The intensity and quality of pain were assessed by visual analog scale (VAS) and pain quality assessment scale (PQAS). Safety was assessed by reported ADR. Data were analyzed using Student’s t-test and Mann–Whitney U-test. p=0.05 or less was considered as statistically significant.
Results: Reduction in VAS and PQAS scores at 8 weeks was statistically significant in each group (p<0.0001). The ADR common to both the groups was drowsiness and sedation. The prevalence of ADR was more in the gabapentin group.
Conclusion: Both gabapentin and pregabalin have similar clinical efficacy in the treatment of CIPN. The prevalence of ADR was higher in gabapentin group compared to pregabalin group.
EXPERIMENTAL THERAPEUTIC EVALUATION OF THE AFRICAN VEGETABLES (CLERODENDRUM VOLUBILE LEAF AND IRVINGIA GABONENSIS SEED EXTRACTS) IN TRASTUZUMAB-MEDIATED HEPATO-RENAL DYSFUNCTION IN WISTAR RATS
Authors: ADENEYE ADEJUWON , OLORUNDARE OLUFUNKE , AKINSOLA AKINYELE , SOYEMI SUNDAY , MGBEHOMA ALBAN , OKOYE IKECHUCKWU , ALBRECHT RALPH , NTAMBI JAMES , MUKHTAR HASAN 
Published: January 2021

Objective: The use of trastuzumab (TZM) in the clinical management of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive metastatic breast and gastric cancers, gastro-esophageal adenocarcinoma, and colorectal carcinoma has been limited by its off-target cardiac, hepatic, and renal toxicities which till date have no effective therapies in either their prevention or amelioration. Thus, the present study is designed at investigating the protective and therapeutic potentials of 400 mg/kg/day Clerodendrum volubile ethanol leaf extract (CVE) and Irvingia gabonensis ethanol seed extract (IGE) pretreatments in TZM-intoxicated Wistar rats based on their reported folkloric use in the local management of kidney and liver diseases and the previously reported therapeutic potential of these African vegetables in TZM cardiotoxicity.
Methods: Forty-nine male Wistar rats were randomly allotted into seven groups of seven rats per group. Group I rats were treated with 10 ml/kg/day of 5% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) sterile water p.o. and 1 ml/kg/day 5% DMSO sterile water i.p.; Groups II and III rats were orally pretreated with 400 mg/kg/day CVE and IGE, respectively, 3 h before 1 ml/kg/day/i.p. 5% DMSO sterile water; Group IV rats were orally pretreated with 10 ml/kg/day 5% DMSO sterile water 3 h before 2.25 mg/kg/day/i.p. TZM; and Groups V-VII rats were pretreated with 20 mg/kg/day Vit. C, 400 mg/kg/day CVE, and 400 mg/kg/day IGE all dissolved in 5% DMSO sterile water, respectively, 3 h before i.p. injections of 2.25 mg/kg/day TZM, all for 7 days. Liver function parameters, renal function parameters, oxidative stress markers, and histopathological investigations were the study measuring endpoints.
Results: Oral pretreatment with 20 mg/kg/day Vit. C, 400 mg/kg/day CVE and IGE significantly ameliorated TZM-mediated hepatic and renal toxicities by effectively lowering the serum alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, and urea levels. CVE and IGE pretreatments also significantly reversed TZM-induced decreases in the hepatic and renal tissue catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione- S-transferase activities and reduced malondialdehyde levels. CVE and IGE pretreatments also improved TZM-induced hepatic and renal histological lesions.
Conclusions: Overall, the chemotherapeutic/chemopreventive potentials of CVE and IGE in TZM-induced hepatorenal dysfunction were either wholly or partly mediated through free-radical scavenging and antioxidant activities.
Pensamiento mágico, religiosidad y decisiones bioéticas en estudiantes de medicina de Sonora
Authors: Gómez-Alcalá Alejandro V. , Borboa-Osuna Manuel J. , Ornelas-Aguirre José Manuel 
Published: January 2021

Introducción: Aunque la comunidad suele apreciar a los médicos que tienen creencias religiosas, éstas pueden influir sobre sus decisiones bioéticas y afectar la atención de pacientes en grupos vulnerables.Objetivo: Estudiar las creencias religiosas y el pensamiento fantástico entre estudiantes de medicina, así como su efecto en la resolución de dilemas éticos.Método: A alumnos del octavo semestre se les aplicó una encuesta validada de pensamiento mágico (EPM), la encuesta de religiosidad DUREL (ER) y un cuestionario de decisiones bioéticas, seguida de la descripción, correlación e inferencia estadística apropiada.Resultados: Se estudiaron 50 alumnos de 20 a 27 años, 26 mujeres y 24 hombres; la mitad contestaron ser católicos y 20 (40%) no tener ninguna religión. Los puntajes promedio en EPM (29 a 88, promedio 46 ± 13.5) y ER (5 a 26, promedio 9.8 ± 4.9) tradujeron un pensamiento racional, escéptico y laico y mostraron una correlación significativa entre si (r = 0.37, p = 0.008); pero en la mitad de los jóvenes se encontraron rasgos de pensamiento mágico y en 3 cuartas partes de religiosidad. Todos los estudiantes aceptaron prescribir anticonceptivos y atender por igual a homosexuales, pero la inducción de aborto o asistencia al suicidio provocaron decisiones divididas que posibilitaron la creación de 4 perfiles bioéticos, en los que los puntajes EPM y ER resultaron significativamente diferentes.Conclusiones: Existe asociación entre el pensamiento mágico y la religiosidad en estudiantes de medicina; ambas se asocian, además, con un razonamiento bioético de corte tradicionalista que puede originar objeciones de conciencia en tratamientos controvertidos.
Nasionalisme Etnis Tionghoa Di Kota Banda Aceh
Authors: Putra Irwan , Yusuf Rusli , Sanusi Sanusi , Maimun Maimun 
Published: January 2021

Banda Aceh ialah Ibukota Provinsi Aceh yang paling banyak di tinggali oleh masyarakat Etnis Tionghoa. Sebagai daerah yang strategi dari zaman dahulu, Banda Aceh menjadi pusat perekonomian bagi masyarakat tanpa terkecuali etnis tionghoa. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan metode studi kasus. Secara keseluruhan subjek dalam penelitian ini berjumlah 20 orang yang dilakukan wawancara secara mendalam yang kemudian dianalisis melalui model interaktif dari yang terdiri dari 4 jalur yaitu pengumpulan data, reduksi data, penyajian data dan penarikan kesimpulan. Hasil penelitian mengungkapkan bahwa nasionalisme etnis tionghoa dapat dikatakan tinggi hal ini terungkap berdasarkan data wawancara yang dikumpulkan. Nasionalisme etnis tionghoa ini tergambarkan mulai dari aktif berpartisipasi mereka dalam mengibarkan bendera merah putih, taat membayar pajak dan ikut upacara dan berpartisipasi. Selanjutnya pada aspek tanggung jawab, para etnis tionghoa memiliki toleransi antar umat beragama yang tinggi. Hal ini berdasarkan pada wawancara yang mendalam terhadap informan yang mengatakan bahwa mereka aktif menjaga keamanan dan kerukunan umat beragaman di kota Banda Aceh. Tingginya nasionalisme etnis tionghoa tidak terlepas dari kondisi lingkungan masyarakat aceh yang mendukung untuk perekonomian dan tempat yang toleransi. Kemudian perasaan nasionalisme masyarakat tionghoa tidak dapat hanya dilihat dari apa yang terlihat (tampak), tetapi nasionalisme tionghoa harus diterjemahkan sebagai keinginan mereka berada dan bersama-sama membangun serta menjaga negara Indonesia.