bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
BARRIERS TO CLOZAPINE USE IN TREATMENT-REFRACTORY POPULATION IN KARACHI, PAKISTAN
Authors: Shad Mujeeb Uddin , Hasan Shahzain 
Published: May 2024

Objective: To investigate the causes accountable for serving as barriers in prescribing clozapine in several outpatient departments in Karachi, Pakistan.
Study Desgin: A cross- Sectional Study.
Duration and Place od Study: Psychiatrist and residents conducting clinics in karachi, May to July 2022.
Method: This study was conducted over three months periods, using a structured questionnaire from 105 physicians with previous formal training in psychiatry. Statistical analysis was done using the Chi-Square test of association.
Results: Out of 105 doctors offering psychiatric services at various locations, 70% mentioned that they were uncomfortable prescribing clozapine earlier in the course, with its adverse effects profile being the most popular reason for its avoidance by the patients and/or their families. Clozapine's availability and its cost were also common barriers to prescribing clozapine. Most doctors agreed that they would have felt more comfortable if they had had some clozapine training and attended clozapine clinics during their training.
Conclusion: The anticipation of medication nonadherence and monitoring requirements coupled with overestimating the adverse effect profile stems from inadequate experience with the drug Steps should be taken by the graduate medical education at the training hospitals to organize clozapine clinics and offer clozapine training to promote the use of this effective drug to improve the prognosis and function suffering from this debilitating illness.
MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER, ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AND EPIGENETICS
Authors: Baig Saeeda 
Published: May 2024

New insights in the epigenetics have declared depression as genetic malady. For psychiatric disorders evaluation of epigenetic basis influenced by environment insults showed deeper understanding of complex multifactorial psychiatric disorder like Major depressive disorder (MDD). The World Health Organization (2008 report) has ranked MDD globally as the third cause of burden of diseases and predicted it to be the number one by 2030. Eight hallmarks of insults that lead to MDD are contaminated air, soil, food/water, ecological stressors, chemicals in households, occupational hazards as well as food/diet linked to absence of essential nutrients. Epigenetics, according to National Human Genome Research Institute, refers to changes in gene function causing their activation or deactivation without any alteration in DNA sequence. Epigenetics include histone modifications, DNA methylations, miRNAs and lncRNAs. Hypermethylation of serotonin transporter gene has been consistently found in loci encoding brain derived neurotrophic factors BDNF and SLC6A4. During pregnancy fetal epigenetic reprogramming may occur due to maternal stress and nutritional restriction. Increased cortisol or malnutrition in mothers, down-regulate cortisol enzyme, decreasing its expression in fetal cortex, making these children 4 times more at risk to stress later in life. Histones modifications including methylation and acetylation at lysine moiety during posttranslational modifications, affect neurons of CNS significantly leading to pathophysiology of MDD. Dysregulation of miRNAs and lncRNAs cause negative neural plasticity, stress responses, neurotrophic factors expression, neuroinflammation, neurotransmission, HPA axis, neurogenesis and gliogenesis and neural stem cell maintenance. Among epigenetic multifactorial disorders, psychiatric ailments have received prominence in etiology than other diseases.
ASSOCIATION OF PHYSICAL AND NEUROPSYCHIATRIC MORBIDITIES WITH THE SEVERITY AND MORTALITY OF COVID-19 PATIENTS IN PAKISTAN
Authors: Khalid Beenish , Farukh Sadia , Kumar Ashokh , Baig Saeeda 
Published: May 2024

Objective: This study aimed to find out the association of co-morbidities; risk factors and complications, with the severity and mortality of Covid-19 patients in our set of population
Methodology: Covid-19-positive patients (151) ages 18-80, were recruited, (June 2022 to May 2023) from Ziauddin Hospital, after informed consent and approval from Ethics Committee. The questionnaire recorded patients’ demographic variables, laboratory investigations, past medical history, and family history. Follow-up co-morbidities, recovery, death, or LAMA (Leave Against Medical Advice) data was taken from hospital records. Analyses were done using (SPSS) software. P-values of <0.05 were considered significant.
Results: Out of 151 patients; females were 56 (37%) and males 95 (63%). Among these 82(54.3%) recovered, 52(34.4%) passed away and 17(11.2%) LAMA. Deaths in males 40(26.4%), were higher, compared to females 12(7.9%). Overall 84 (56%), suffered severe infection, 24 (16%) moderate and 43 (28%) mild. The most common risk factors were complications of the heart (hypertension) 35(42.7) followed by diabetes 27 (32.9) (p<0.001). Neuropsychiatric manifestations such as depression 36(23.8), was highest among post covid-19 complications, 14 (17.07%) patients had stroke out of which 9(17.3) could not survive. The most common cause leading to covid 19 severity was Pneumonia 76(80%) then diabetes 63(80%) and hypertension 69(78%) (p<0.001). Majority of patients, 88(58.3%) were above 50 years of age, 35(23.2%) between 25-50 and 28(185%) <25 years.
Conclusion: The most common risk factor of Covid-19 were complications of the heart and diabetes. Highest post covid-19 complication among survivors was depression. The highest complication leading to death was Pneumonia.
Heavy Metal Stress Management through Phytoremediation to Mitigate Climate Change Impacts: An Overview
Authors: Maitry Abhishek , Patil Gunjan , Dubey Preety , Ramesh . 
Published: May 2024

Plant stresses are the conditions that adversely affect the growth, development, or productivity of plants/trees and can be caused by various physical, chemical, and biological factors. However, stress caused by the influence of heavy metals has a notable adverse effect on plant growth and productivity. These heavy metal contaminations are responsible for the harmful effects on biotic (plants and associated organisms) and the abiotic (soil, water, and air) environment. If not properly managed, mining activities are considered to be the prime source of heavy metal contamination in the surrounding environment. Phytoremediation may effectively remediate a wide range of heavy metal contaminants in different environments and hence offers an effective, carbon-neutral, and ecologically beneficial method for the removal of hazardous heavy metal contaminants. Phytoremediation enhances the growth and development of plants and nourishes the environment resulting in the ill effects of climate extremes in disturbed areas and hence mitigating the impacts of climate change. Phytoremediation has been widely studied for the remediation of heavy metal stress but it hasn't yet achieved commercial viability in degraded ecosystems of India where it is required the most. Through this review article, we tried to minimize this gap by reviewing some important phytoremediation studies in India which successfully reduced the negative impacts of heavy metals in different degraded ecosystems.
Morphological and Cultural Characterization of Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc on Chickpea and Its Management Using Combined Fungicide Molecules
Authors: Divyashree . , Manjula C. P. , Anandakumar Jayashree , Punith G. , Anusree K. , Harish J. , R Lakshmeesha 
Published: May 2024

Collar rot stands as a significant affliction of chickpea, attributed to the pathogen Sclerotium rolfsii. The current research investigated the morphological and cultural diversity among 10 isolates of S. rolfsii collected from major chickpea cultivation regions of Karnataka by assessing their growth rate, colony color and appearance, and features of Sclerotium including color, arrangement, and maturity days of Sclerotia were recored on two different media. The isolates BSR 2, BSR 5, BRS 9 and BSR 10 exhibited notably rapid growth on both Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) and Corn meal Agar (CMA). Overall, the growth of these isolates appeared denser, indicating more substantial mycelial formation on PDA compared to CMA. These findings underscore the existence of variability among the isolates. In vitro evaluation of fungicides for the management of collar rot was evaluated using new combi fungicides. Among those Carbendazim 12% + Mancozeb 63% (0.15%), Hexaconazole 4% WP + Zineb 68%, Carboxin 37.5% + Thiram 37.5 %, Tricyclazole18 % + Mancozeb 62% WP, Captan 70% + Hexaconazole 5% WP at 0.05 per cent concentration showed cent per cent inhibition. Hence, these combi fungicides have been proven effective in suppressing the pathogen, making them valuable tools for implementing successful disease management strategies during the initial stages of crop growth.
Dictyostelium: Cell Sorting and Patterning
Authors: Weijer Cornelis J , Williams Jeffrey G 
Published: December 2009

AbstractMulticellular development of the social amoebaDictyostelium discoideumresults from the chemotactic aggregation of single cells to form a fruiting body consisting of a stalk supporting a spore mass. The interplay of two extracellular signalling molecules, cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate) and the chlorinated hexaphenone DIF‐1 (differentiation‐inducing factor 1), directs cellular differentiation, and cAMP is also the chemo‐attractant that orchestrates all of morphogenesis. Although this is a relatively unusual mode of pattern formation, most of the fundamental processes that typify development in higher organism are on display, and the genetic accessibility of the organism makes it a very powerful and relevant model system. It has proven particularly valuable for understanding the basic mechanism of chemotaxis and the role that chemotaxis can play in the morphogenesis of a multicellular structure.Key concepts:Dictyosteliumcells aggregate by chemotaxis in response to propagating cAMP waves.cAMP waves propagate through cAMP relay, the ability of the cells to detect a small cAMP signal, synthesis and secrete cAMP in response and thus pass the cAMP signal on to their neighbours.Adaptation of the relay response ensures unidirectional wave propagation away from the centre.Chemotactic cell movement involves detection of a cAMP gradient across the length of the cell, resulting in a polarization of actin–myosin cytoskeletal dynamics and movement up the gradient.Multicellular morphogenesis, the arrangement of tissue in space and time, is controlled by the interplay of cAMP wave propagation and chemotaxis during all stages of development.Dictyosteliumdevelopment is separated from cell division but a cell's fate can be biased by its cell cycle position when development starts.Prespore cells are formed in response to cAMP signalling.Differentiation of prestalk cells is induced by a small organic molecule, DIF, which is secreted by the prespore cells. This induction forms part of a feedback loop that controls the prestalk–prespore ratio.The tip‐organizer cells are a subset of the prestalk cells that differentiation in response to a high local cAMP concentation.Dictyosteliumpattern formation occurs by the sorting out of differentiated cell types.
Phagocytosis: Enhancement
Authors: Peiser Leanne , Gordon Siamon 
Published: December 2009

AbstractPhagocytosis is the process of engulfment of particles by phagocytic cells, such as macrophages and neutrophils. The ingestion of pathogens, tissue debris or apoptotic cells by these cells may be enhanced by coating the particle with host molecules called opsonins, which allow the recognition and subsequent ingestion of the particles by phagocytic receptors. There are numerous opsonins, including complement‐derived proteins such as iC3b and immunoglobulin G, which are recognized by specialized receptors including complement receptor type 3 and FcγR. The failure of efficient uptake of particles and apoptotic cell debris can have deleterious effects on the host such as leading to the spread of infection and the generation of autoimmune conditions, such as systemic lupus erythematosus.Key concepts:Efficient removal of particulate matter by phagocytic cells requires direct recognition of the particle by the cell along with indirect binding via host‐derived molecules known as opsonins.Enhanced phagocytic uptake of pathogens and dying cells is mediated by a number of overlapping opsonins and phagocytic receptors.Ingested particles are recognized by a number of different receptors which may cooperate with each other to modulate their function/activity.Though multiple receptors can mediate phagocytosis, there are subtle differences in their signalling and cell biology that can result in different cellular outcomes downstream of uptake.Defects in the removal of both pathogens and apoptotic cells can lead to increased susceptibility to infection and autoimmune diseases.
Entrez and Forward Database Searching
Authors: Lewitter Fran 
Published: December 2009

Abstract

Entrez is a text‐based search system that provides integrated access to multiple databases of interest to the molecular biology community. It was developed by and is available through a website (
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/gquery
) at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). This tool provides the ability to query one or multiple databases. The interface also allows both simple and advanced searching. For example, one can enter one or a few terms in a search box to initiate a simple search, or, one can limit search terms to particular fields or use a controlled vocabulary. In addition, results include links to related entries and other relevant information that match the search criteria. The output can be saved to a local computer for further processing. There are also advanced tools – web‐based or programming tools – some discussed later.

Key concepts:

Entrez provides access to many different biologically oriented databases.

To restrict your search use features of Limits or Preview/Index.

Use ‘Batch Entrez’ to download lists of identifiers.

There are specific search options available for each database.

Help text specific to each database is available on its homepage.

Register for a My NCBI account so that you can define and store preferences and save search results.

There are several ways to download data retrieved from an Entrez search to a local computer.

The History feature is helpful to combine previous searches.
History of Molecular Biology
Authors: Morange Michel 
Published: December 2009

Abstract

Despite the huge place molecular biology has acquired in biological research, it remains difficult to provide a definition of it. Is molecular biology a scientific discipline, or a new vision of organisms? When did it emerge? Is molecular biology still alive, or has this discipline died, and been replaced by new disciplines such as systems and synthetic biology? Were molecular biologists too reductionist?
Three successive steps can be distinguished in the history of molecular biology: the 1930s, with the development of new technologies aimed at describing the structure of macromolecules, and an effort to ‘naturalize life’; a relatively short period (1940–1965) in which the main results were obtained; and the huge accumulation of molecular data that has modified biology since this time. Despite the fact that molecular explanations have in part reached their limits, I consider that molecular biology has succeeded in ‘naturalizing life’.

Key concepts:
Reductionism, to naturalize a phenomenon, systems biology, synthetic biology, mechanistic explanations, relations between molecular and evolutionary biology.
History of Comparative Anatomy
Authors: Cosans Christopher E , Frampton Michael 
Published: December 2009

AbstractComparative anatomy was first developed by Greek natural philosophers and physicians. It has had a rich interplay with Western culture since that time until the present. Our understanding of how the anatomy of plants and animals varies reflects the view we have of nature and the world. Comparative anatomy can be traced back to the ancient Greeks who made scattered anatomical observations. Aristotle, the student of Plato, made the first systematic dissections. Researchers made more detailed anatomical observations throughout antiquity, while thinkers of the Middle Ages incorporated anatomical ideas within a deeply religious culture. The Renaissance began around 1400 as an interest in early texts, including those on comparative anatomy, increased. The knowledge from ancient texts, fed by the advent of printing, led to the Scientific Revolution. Since the turn of the nineteenth century, much discussion of comparative anatomy has focused on the theory of evolution.Key ConceptsAnimal: A major kind of life form that has been distinguished from plants by virtue of possessing a sensorimotor system that gives it an ability to move around.Antiquity: In classical western European history, the time period from about 800bctoad450 when the oldest approaches to thought emerged and the oldest texts, mostly in Greek and Latin, were written.Classification: The procedure of comparing different living things and assigning them to abstract groups such as species and genera according to specific anatomical or behavioural criteria.Dissection: The procedure of intentionally cutting open a dead plant or animal in order to discern how its parts are interconnected and organized.Evolution: The process by which one species changes into other species during long periods of time.History: The process by which the ideas, beliefs, language, cultural practices and institutions of a people change over time, often in response to events, social interactions and technological inventions.Middle Ages: The historical period from aboutad450 to 1400 which saw the rise and dominance of Christian religion and culture within the boundaries of the classical Roman Empire.Nature: Those aspects of the world and the cosmos that exist independent of human institutions and technological contrivances, including such things as the developmental processes of plants and animal and the way bodies are.Renaissance: The historical period in Western civilization that succeeds the Middle Ages and precedes the Scientific Revolution of the seventeenth century, in which there is an intense desire to retrieve ancient Greco‐Roman knowledge and learning, which was accelerated by printing, the publication of books and the influx of Greek scholars after Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Empire inadScientific change: The process by which scientific accounts are modified as investigators consider new texts, ideas, observations and experimental methods.
Medical Genetics in Britain: Laying the Foundation (1940s–1960s)
Authors: Zallen Doris T 
Published: December 2009

Abstract

Medical genetics refers to the use of genetic information in the healthcare setting. This includes research efforts to understand the genetic basis of human illness. It also includes clinical services that use genetic knowledge to provide an assessment of risk for the occurrence of gene‐based disorders, determine an individual's actual genetic status, select treatments and develop programmes of disease prevention. In Britain, medical genetics as an area of specialty arose out of the activities begun in three separate settings during the period from mid‐1940s through the 1960s: the Clinical Genetics Research Unit at the Institute of Child Health in London, the Paediatric Research Unit at Guy's Hospital in London and the Nuffield Unit of Medical Genetics at the University of Liverpool Medical School. The research and clinical commitments of these separate units and the strong links connecting them provided the foundation on which present‐day medical genetics is built.

Key concepts:

Medical genetics, as an area of speciality, emerged late in the twentieth century in Britain largely through the efforts of physicians who, for the most part, had no formal training in genetics but who recognized its importance.

Activities undertaken at three separate medical units, each emphasizing different aspects of genetics (pedigree analysis, cytogenetics and genetic variation associated with common disorders), formed the foundation on which medical genetics, as an entity, developed.

Medical genetics was able to grow and establish itself more widely because of the many different types of close interactions among the members of the three founding groups and the support received from existing medical institutions.
Genetic Counselling
Authors: Walker Ann P 
Published: December 2009

Abstract

Genetic counselling has evolved and matured along with the science of medical genetics. Understanding the genetic basis of thousands of diseases and our growing ability to diagnose many of them – not just in the clinic but also prenatally and even at the time of conception – has made genetic counselling increasingly complex. Graduate degree programmes in genetic counselling were developed in response to the fact that such counselling requires knowledge of medical genetics, specific counselling skills and awareness of the psychosocial and ethical dimensions of hereditary disease. Such training now exists in 17 countries. Genetic counselling entails analysing family medical histories to assess the chance of inherited disease; explaining, coordinating and interpreting genetic tests; providing information about the condition's features, treatment and inheritance; helping people make decisions about reproductive and treatment options and guiding and supporting them as they deal with the impact of the condition or risk on their life.

Key concepts:

Genetic counselling is the process of helping people understand and adapt to the medical, psychosocial and familial aspects of hereditary disease.

Genetic counsellors interpret family medical histories and use this and other information to assess the chance of a hereditary disease occurring or recurring.

Genetic counsellors educate clients, medical professionals and the public about inheritance, testing, management and prevention of genetic disease.

Modern genetic counselling is nondirective and seeks to help individuals and families in making personal health and reproductive decisions that are consonant with their goals and ethical beliefs.

Genetic counsellors are allied health professionals who have graduate education in medical genetics and the psychosocial and ethical aspects of genetic disease, as well as specialized training in counselling.

There are now genetic counselling training programmes in 17 countries across 4 continents.

Genetic counsellors work not only in a variety of clinical settings, but also in public health and policy; diagnostic laboratories; research; biotech, pharmaceutical and Internet companies and advocacy and other not‐for‐profit genetics groups.