Open Access Journals Research Articles

EFFICACY OF NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO IMPROVE SLEEP QUALITY INDICES IN POST-STROKE INSOMNIA PATIENTS

Background: Post-stroke insomnia (PSI) is a highly prevalent complication of stroke. Clinical manifestations of PSI include non-refreshing, non-restorative sleep quality and short sleep duration, leading to stroke recovery impediment, cognitive, emotional, and daytime dysfunction, and poor quality of life in stroke patients. PSI can be treated with medications, but studies have reported various adverse effects of hypnotic drugs in PSI. Objective: This study explores non-pharmacological treatments for their efficacy to improve sleep quality in PSI patients. Methods: An electronic search in Medline, Google Scholar, Elsevier, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), and Semantic Scholar was performed to identify studies examining the efficacy of non-pharmacological approaches to PSI. Results: A total of ten studies examining the efficacy of non-pharmacological approaches to PSI were reviewed. The characteristics of PSI patients in these studies comprised the older population typically at several months after suffering commonly from ischemic type stroke. The evaluated treatments are EEG biofeedback, acupuncture, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), light therapy, and repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). All treatments successfully improved sleep quality, insomnia symptoms, and quality of life in stroke patients as assessed by various measurements including PSQI and actigraphy. Only mild adverse events were reported following acupuncture, such as local hematoma and hand numbness. Conclusion: Non-pharmacological approaches can be considered efficacious in improving sleep quality index, insomnia symptoms, and quality of life of PSI patients. Furthermore, they do not cause severe or long-lasting adverse effects, thus deemed safe for stroke patients.

Nursing Research in Arab Countries: Current Status, Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities.

Twenty-two Arab countries comprise the League of Arab States. While united in Arab identity, diversities among these countries exist at many levels. Conducting and publishing research in the Arabic speaking countries is an essential pillar for improving the status of the nursing profession. The purpose of this study is to assess the current status, trends, challenges, and opportunities of nursing research in Arab countries. An integrative review was conducted using (1) Index Medicus for the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office Database Journals Directory (IMEMR), (2) the Iraqi Academic Scientific Journals Database (IASJD), (3) Ulrichsweb (UW), (4) The Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research/Middle Eastern Journals (GFMER), (5) the Nursing Journal Directory (NJD), (6) the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), and (7) Google Scholar. Journals and articles that met inclusion criteria were accessed, retrieved, reviewed, and subjected to content analysis by three authors, two of which were fluent in English, French, and Arabic languages. A third author fluent in all three languages confirmed the findings. Nursing research in Arabic-speaking countries has evolved over the past decades but is still lacking compared to global nursing research. Moreover, it was found to be largely situated within academic institutions and linked to tenure and promotion requirements. Nursing journals in Arabic-speaking countries do not adequately represent that overall region and are limited in access.

Topical Therapies of Pyogenic Granuloma in Children: A Systematic Review of Case Reports, Case Series, and Cohort Studies

Abstract Pyogenic granuloma (PG) is a benign vascular tumor removed surgically or by physical modalities, such as electrocautery and cryotherapy. Other treatment options may be warranted, especially in children, using nonsurgical approach. The study aims to determine the effectiveness and safety of topical treatments on PG in children in the clearance of lesions. Systematic literature search were done in February 2023 in the following database: PubMed, HERDIN, Cochrane Library, Hindawi, Directory of Open Access Journals, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. The search included studies involving PG treated with topical medications in the pediatric age group. Twenty-five studies (9 cohort studies, 6 case series, and 10 case reports) were included and utilized the following medications: timolol, propranolol, corticosteroids, common table salt, imiquimod, and ingenol mebutate. Among the medications, timolol was the most reported drug to provide partial to complete resolution in 62 out of 149 patients. All the reviewed topical medications provided partial to complete resolution with minimal adverse effects. Among them, topical timolol, propranolol, and table salt have demonstrated high response rates. Topical therapy in children with PG may be considered as a nonsurgical option. However, further clinical trials are warranted to determine its effectiveness.

Research on Open Access Journals Based on Article Processing Charges

Research on Open Access Journals Based on Article Processing Charges

Effects of Photofunctionalisation on Osseointegration and Stability of Dental Implants: A Systematic Review

Introduction: Dental implant osseointegration is crucial for the long term success of implant-supported restorations. Photofunctionalisation (PF), a novel surface modification technique, has been proposed as a means to enhance implant osseointegration. Aim: To evaluate the current evidence regarding the effects of PF on dental implant osseointegration. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in electronic databases, including PubMed, Directory of Open Access Journals, and Google Scholar, for studies published up until August 2022. The search strategy combined keywords related to dental implants, PF, and osseointegration. Two independent reviewers screened the titles, abstracts, and full texts of the identified studies, following predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data extraction and quality assessment using the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool for randomised clinical trials, the ROBINS-I tool for non randomised studies, and the The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for observational studies were performed. Results: A total of five studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review. The outcomes assessed included implant stability, osseointegration, and survival rates. The findings of the included studies suggested that PF of dental implants may promote osseointegration by enhancing early bone formation, increasing implant stability, and improving Bone-To-Implant (BIC) contact. Conclusion: The available evidence suggests that PF of dental implants may have a positive impact on osseointegration. However, due to the limited number of studies, further research is needed to provide more definitive conclusions regarding the clinical benefits of photofunctionalised dental implants in pathologically compromised bone sites.

The efficacy and safety of transcorneal electrical stimulation for patients with retinitis pigmentosa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a heterogeneous group of genetically inherited degenerative disorders characterized by progressive loss of peripheral vision. Tran's corneal electrical stimulation (TES) has been proposed as a treatment for various ocular conditions, but its mechanism remains uncertain. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of trans-corneal electrical stimulation (TcES) as a treatment for RP by comprehensively examining the available literature in medical databases. The literature of the related studies was retrieved from five databases including central, midline, scopus, directory of open access journals, and clinicalTrials.gov. All of the selected scholarly databases were extensively searched online for articles that were published between January 2019 and July 2023. TES was found to be safe for RP patients, with positive effects on the visual field area (VFA) and scotopic b-wave amplitude. It significantly attenuated the annual decline in the visual field hence effectively doubling its half-life from 10 to 20 years. No significant side effects were observed during TES. TES offers a promising treatment option for RP, with potential benefits in slowing disease progression and preserving vision. The OkuStim system and TES present an affordable and adaptable approach, with opportunities for patient self-administration. However, further studies with larger sample sizes and longer durations are needed to confirm these findings and optimize treatment parameters.

Evaluation of postoperative complications after removal of mandibular third molar by conventional bur technique and lingual split technique

ABSTRACT Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect and safety including postoperative outcomes in the extraction of impacted mandibular third molar by conventional bur technique and lingual split technique. Methods, Selection Criteria, and Search Strategy: A total of 40 healthy individuals, both male and female, aged from 18 to 40 years, underwent surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars under local anesthesia in a single session. An intensive electronic search was conducted on Google, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Directory of Open Access Journals, Ovid Medline, and Cochrane Central online databases from their respective inception dates to November 2020. Initially, the search criteria included the terms: ((mandibular OR lower) AND (third molar OR wisdom) AND lingual split). The following outcomes were investigated: pain, swelling, trismus, and dry socket on the first day before surgery, the second (post 24 h), and on the seventh day. Results and Observations: The present retrospective comparative study evaluates the postoperative complications after the removal of the third molar. A total of 40 subjects of either sex were randomized to be treated either with the conventional bur technique (Group A) or the lingual split technique (Group B). The ages of Groups A and B ranged from 19 to 40 years and from 19 to 42 years, respectively, with a mean ± SD of 26.20 ± 6.01 and 27.15 ± 6.21 years, respectively. The mean age of Group B was slightly higher than Group A. Comparing the mean age of the two groups, t-test revealed similar (P > 0.05) age between the two groups (26.20 ± 6.01 vs. 27.15 ± 6.21, t = 0.49; P = 0.626). The subjects in both groups were age-matched, suggesting that age may have had minimal influence on the outcome measures (swelling, trismus, and pain). Conclusion: In the realm of mandibular third molar (M3) extraction, it is acknowledged that this surgical procedure can present challenges, and there exists a diversity of professional approaches between dentists and oral surgeons. Prior to determining a treatment course for each M3, it is imperative to possess a comprehensive understanding of the pertinent anatomical structures, including the inferior dental and lingual nerves. Additionally, a thorough clinical assessment and the utilization of radiographic imaging are essential for carefully evaluating each case and balancing the advantages and disadvantages of various treatment plans. Timely removal of the third molar (tooth M3) can significantly reduce the adverse complications associated with delayed extraction.

Enhancing emotion regulation with an in situ socially assistive robot among LGBTQ+ youth with self-harm ideation: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

IntroductionPurrble, a socially assistive robot, was codesigned with children to support in situ emotion regulation. Preliminary evidence has found that LGBTQ+ youth are receptive to Purrble and find it to...

Are Pay-Walled Doors of Access Open During the Pandemic? Analysing the Open-Access Landscape of COVID-19 Research

Open access (OA) to research results is indispensable for knowing more about COVID-19 and ways to contain it. The study investigates the OA status of the research output on COVID-19 using the Web of Science. The results show that about 85 per cent of the publications are available as OA, which shows a decline over time. Almost an equal proportion of articles are funded and non-funded, with the Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institutes of Health, both in the United States, as the leading sponsors. Although the United States and China were the top contributors, Sweden and the Netherlands share the highest percentage of OA articles. Among publishers, Elsevier, Springer Nature, the Multidisciplinary Publishing Institute, and Wiley were the leading OA publishers, and universities mainly dominated OA research on COVID-19. This study will be helpful for researchers and policymakers to identify the leading contributors to OA research during public health emergencies of international concern.

Sample Size Calculations in Nursing Student Mobile Application Research: A Systematic Review

Background:Research must certainly have subjects or samples that will be used in the research, including research on mobile phone applications. Research using mobile applications has begun to be widely carried out, so this phenomenon needs to be analysed as to what is ideal among researchers in determining the number of samples used in the research. Objective:This systematic review aims to analyse the sample size and calculation technique used by previous researchers to research mobile phone applications involving nursing students as research samples. Methods:This systematic review took electronic database sources through journal search engines, such as Google Scholar, Pro-Quest, PUBMED, and Science Direct. The criteria for the journals taken were open-access journals published within the last five years (2018–2023). The journal search used the keywords “mobile phone application” and “nursing students." Results: Atotal of six journals had eligibility out of the 18 journals assessed, showing that the largest number of samples used by previous researchers was 256, while the minimum was 25. Conclusion:Whether large or small, the number of samples used in implementing mobile applications among nursing students does not follow existing trends but must be calculated according to a representative portion of the subject population to be studied.

Mothers working to prevent early stillbirth study (MiNESS 20–28): a case–control study protocol

IntroductionIn the UK, 1600 babies die every year before, during or immediately after birth at 20–28 weeks’ gestation. This bereavement has a similar impact on parental physical and psychological well-being...

The State of Stroke Research in Malawi: Results from a Mapping Review Study.

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability globally, and low-income countries such as Malawi bear a heavy burden. Tailored, high-quality research is essential for bridging existing gaps and improving the healthcare provided in low-resource settings while maximizing available resources. This mapping study aimed to synthesize the current state of stroke research in Malawi. Six databases were thoroughly searched: CINAHL complete, Ovid MEDLINE and EMBASE, Web of Science Core Collection, PubMed, and Google Scholar. The search retrieved 598 references and identified 20 studies published between 2005 and 2023. Of these, 70% were conducted at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital only; open-access journals published 95% of the studies. Cross-sectional studies were the most common (50%), followed by case-control studies (20%). The Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Program authors contributed the most articles as main authors (25%). The number of citations per article ranged from 0 to 168 on Google Scholar, and the number of authors per article ranged from 1 to 15. Authors from thirty-five different institutions from 11 other countries partnered with Malawi on stroke articles, and England contributed 45.7% of the institutions. Most articles focused on pathophysiology (30%), followed by diagnosis (20%) and stroke management (15%). The highest number of participants included in the analysis was 739 and the highest number of stroke participants was 222. The identified challenges included the need for more infrastructure and under-utilization of available services. The Wellcome Trust has emerged as the primary funding agency for stroke research in Malawi. The study found limited collaboration among local institutions in Malawi, with most research focused in Blantyre District. There is a critical need for increased interdisciplinary teamwork to boost nationwide research.

The use of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa) on farm animal’s productivity, health and reproductive performance: a review

Global food insecurity is mostly the result of human-animal competition for food, as well as recent population growth, erratic weather patterns and environmental shocks. Therefore, maximising the production of animal proteins can reduce the competition between demand and consumption. Hence, the current review aimed at outlining the use of hemp on the production, health and reproductive performances of farm animals. The data used in this review were accessed using Google Scholar, Science Direct, ResearchGate and the directory of open-access journals. It was found that industrial hemp, particularly its derivatives such as hemp-seed meal and oil, has gained attention for its potential benefits in animal nutrition and health. The impact of hemp on farm animals, their productivity, health and reproductive performance, is an area of ongoing research. Our findings on the assessment of the nutritional benefits of hemp to livestock have shown hemp to be a great nutritional source to livestock because, hemp-seed cake, a byproduct of hemp oil extraction, is rich in essential and non-essential amino acids, fibre, and healthy fats, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. When incorporated into animal feed, it can contribute to a balanced diet, potentially improving overall health and productivity. Furthermore, the health benefits may be due to the fatty acid profile in hemp that is known to have positive effects on animal reproduction (optimal fertility and gestation) and health, including anti-inflammatory properties, which could benefit conditions related to inflammation. Additionally, hemp contains compounds such as cannabinoids and terpenes that might offer therapeutic effects, although the effects of these compounds in animals are still being studied. In conclusion, there is limited direct research on hemp’s effect on reproductive performance in farm animals. Hence, more research is necessitated.

DrugRepoChatter: A Drug Repurposing Expert Chatbot Curated by the REPO4EU Consortium

The amount of scientific literature available is overwhelming, especially in fast-evolving fields like drug repurposing. Researchers face a significant challenge: staying up-to-date is nearly impossible due to the sheer volume of publications, databases, and tools available. This situation creates an urgent need for more efficient ways to access and integrate information from these articles. To tackle this problem, we developed “DrugRepoChatter,” a tool designed to help researchers navigate the flood of recent literature on data sources, methods, and tools relevant for mechanism-based drug repurposing. DrugRepoChatter uses a vector database containing 285 open-access articles carefully selected by experts from the REPO4EU project to cover the latest developments in drug repurposing. The chatbot works by finding semantic similarities between a user’s question and the information stored in the database, effectively answering questions by drawing directly from the content of these articles. DrugRepoChatter is available as a web tool at https://apps.cosy.bio/drugrepochatter/ This tool makes the review process much more efficient and ensures that researchers can quickly find relevant information. By facilitating faster access to the scientific literature and enabling researchers to easily find the tools and information they need, DrugRepoChatter accelerates knowledge discovery. This tool not only streamlines the process of reviewing the literature but also helps integrate scattered information into a cohesive, accessible format.

A narrative review on problems in product quality, regulatory system constraints, and the concept of quality by design as a solution for quality assurance of African medicines.

The provision of medicines with confirmed quality and efficacy is critical for maintaining the public health and building confidence in the healthcare systems. However, the presence of poor-quality medicines still presents a significant challenge in the pharmaceutical landscape across the African regions. This is further exacerbated by the lack of consistency or discrepancy in the current regulatory framework. As a consequence, given the current constraints, a robust regulatory structure that can guarantee the supply chains attainment of the intended medicinal product requirements are required. The review aimed to provide a detailed analysis of the quality issues in the pharmaceutical supply in Africa, highlighting the challenges and proposing potential solutions for its mitigation. The review was conducted from May 2023 to April 2024. This narrative review examined poor-quality medicines, regulatory challenges, and mitigation strategies in the African pharmaceutical industry. The review utilized databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science. The search strategy was customized to include open-access articles published in peer-reviewed scientific journals in English and focused exclusively on studies conducted in African countries. The review portrays the prevalence of poor-quality medicinal products in various regions of Africa. Among various categories of findings, 42% of the reports on poor-quality medicinal products come from the African region, as per the WHO report. Furthermore, separate findings on substandard medicinal products from many African countries were encountered. The presence of problems in the regulatory system, such as the absence of any pharmacopeia belonging to any African country and variation/inconsistency in each country's regulatory set-up, was indicated. Other factors for the inability to enforce regulatory law, such as insufficient skilled and committed human resources, the presence of corruption, as well as financial resource scarcity, were revealed in the review. From the situational analysis, the possibility of building a robust quality assurance system in the near future through a quality by design approach under existing resource limitations was discussed. The pharmaceutical sector in Africa faces significant challenges, including the prevalence of poor-quality medicines and weak regulatory enforcement. Tackling these challenges are vital for enhancing health outcomes throughout the continent through the provision of high-quality medicines. Trending toward quality by design in the quality assurance system under prevailing financial scarcity can be very beneficial.

Empowerment of Women's Leadership Through Various Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Programmes

This systematic literature review identifies women's leadership empowerment through various Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes. Women in leadership positions offer numerous advantages and play a crucial role in achieving gender equality and fostering a more inclusive and prosperous society. 20 articles based on qualitative and quantitative research from prominent research platforms such as Scopus, Directory of Open Access Journal (DOAJ), and Google Scholar were analysed using PRISMA guidelines. The review determines nine training programme domains and their impact on the development of women's leadership, such as Change Management, Coaching and Mentoring, Conflict Resolution, Communication Skills, Gender Equality, Inspiring workers, LeadingInnovation, Problem-solving, and Project Management. The findings reveal the significance of implementing and expanding specialised TVET programmes to ensure women's active participation and leadership in various sectors. This study highlights the transformative potential of TVET in empowering women and calls for further research and policy development in this field.

Self-Care Management Interventions for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review

Aim of the study: To assess the self-care management interventions for type 2 diabetes mellitus in Saudi Arabia through a systematic review. Methods: A systematic review was conducted by searching for articles from three online journal collection sites – PubMed Central (PMC), CINAHL Open Access and Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). Other articles were obtained from the Google scholar and the Google advanced search engine. The resultant articles were subjected to a thorough scrutiny within the inclusion criteria and quality assessment. An abstraction table was then used to summarize the outcomes. Results: Initial search gave a yield of 2410 articles, which were finally reduced to nine articles. One type of intervention program was identified across the articles – the educational intervention. Across the studies, education program had a significant positive impact on patients’ self-management of type 2 diabetes mellitus and patients’ clinical outcomes, with notable impacts on self-care knowledge, behaviors and attitude towards desired practices. There was also a significant impact of the intervention programs on glycemic level and risks of cardiovascular diseases, such as lipid profile. However, the impact of the educational programs depended on smoking and marital status. Conclusion and Recommendations: educational programs are effective in improving the self-management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Saudi Arabia. However, there is a need to focus on the large-scale application of the education, especially in the clinical setup to come up a sustainable culture of patients’ education.

INVESTIGATING THE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF ONLINE RESEARCH IN UKRAINE TODAY

The article aims to analyze the issue of administering and performing online research, determine its pros and cons and establish the factors impacting it and its necessity. It is built on a methodo-logical approach that uses online data and online research methods, which includes a review of open-access articles, whose analysis is provided in the literature review part, as well as the results of the author’s online research.The data presented suggests that wider access to the Internet is becoming more common, and its importance is increasing. Research is more and more using this environment for investigating various issues. Ukraine is experiencing a rise in the relevance of online research due to the re-strictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and martial law.The author of the article initiated the online discussion to ascertain the opinion of Ukrainian re-searchers and academicians about the possibility of conducting online research, its benefits and drawbacks, the accuracy of the results obtained and the appropriateness of the Internet as a tool for scientific investigation. The target audience comprises researchers from the National Academy of Educational Sciences (NAES) of Ukraine and university teachers, aged between 25 to 65 and over, with differing academic degrees and research experience.

Maximizing Journal Article Impact: Strategies for Enhanced Visibility in Today's Academic Sphere

In the dynamic realm of academia, researchers face the dual challenge of generating groundbreaking insights and ensuring widespread visibility for their contributions. This article explores the evolving strategies employed by researchers to enhance the visibility of their journal articles in the changing landscape of academic technology. Online publishing platforms have transformed scholarly communication, democratizing knowledge through open-access journals, preprint servers, and institutional repositories. Beyond traditional metrics, we delve into innovative methods, collaboration, and technology-driven solutions that amplify the reach and impact of scholarly articles. Visibility extends beyond dissemination, encapsulating the art of captivating diverse audiences and transcending disciplinary boundaries. This research article illuminates the path towards heightened visibility, empowering researchers to contribute to the collective tapestry of knowledge through means such as Academia.edu, ISSUU, Scribd, ResearchGate, social media, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), and ORCID. Enhanced visibility offers multifaceted advantages, including increased citations, higher impact factors, knowledge dissemination, international collaboration, career advancement, public engagement, and job opportunities within the scholarly community. Researchers are equipped with the insights needed to thrive in the evolving landscape of journal article visibility in the digital cosmos. Keywords academic publishing; article visibility; journal impact; research visibility; article promotion; citation indexing; academic visibility strategies; research impact factors

Становление и развитие научного журнала «Золотоордынское обозрение»

In 2023, it will be ten years since the release of the first issue of our journal, “Golden Horde Review”. The decision to publish a special periodical was made by the Academic Council of the Marjani Institute of History of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences on April 16, 2013. During this past period of the journal’s activity, the editors managed to intensify research on the history of the Golden Horde and the Tatar Khanates, popularize Turkic-Tatar history at the international level, and introduce new sources into scientific circulation. From the first issues, the publication acquired a high degree of scientific inte­rest; the magazine has managed to gain popularity among a wide audience of researchers and interested readers. Over the ten years of its activity, the journal has received a worthy assessment from the Russian and international scientific community, has achieved high quality publications, and has consistently increased its rating in leading scientometric databases. The journal is included in the List of peer-reviewed scientific journals and publications of the Higher Attestation Commission for the publication of the main scientific results of dissertations. In 2017, the Golden Horde Review journal was included in the Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI) on the Web of Science Core Collection platform and the international SCOPUS database. The publication is also included in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). Indexing in scientometric databases significantly increases the accessibility, popularity, and citations of the journal. Today, the scientific journal, “Golden Horde Review,” is one of the most popular and authoritative scientific publications among specialists in this field, as evidenced by the active participation of historians from many countries around the world in the scientific activities of the journal.