WEBSITE GLOBALIZATION STRATEGY : A CROSS-CULTURAL ANALYSIS OF WEBSITE STRUCTURE

Master'sMASTER OF SCIENC

A bioinformatics approach to the identification of hub genes of Huo Xin Pill (HXP) for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction

Purpose: To apply bioinformatics for the identification of potential genes associated with Huo Xin Pill (HXP), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) used for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction AMI).Methods: Mouse AMI expression profile dataset GSE153485 and HXP-treated mouse AMI expression profile dataset GSE147365 were downloaded from GEO database. Then, R software was used to screen differentially-expressed genes in AMI and differentially-expressed genes in HXP-treated AMI. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses, Venn diagrams, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis were carried out on the hub genes linked to the effect of HXP on AMI.Results: Six hub genes were identified. Based on the differential analysis of the sham and AMI groups, GSE153485 and GSE147365 had 840 and 2116 differentially-expressed genes, respectively (p < 0.05). The GO and KEGG analyses revealed enrichments in actin filament organization, membrane repolarization, and regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. Differential analysis of the use of HXP on AMI showed that GSE147365 had 380 differentially-expressed genes, comprising 96 up-regulated genes and 284 down-regulated genes (p < 0.05). Thirteen potential acting target genes were obtained using a enn diagram, while 6 key acting genes were obtained via final screening.Conclusion: Six (6) hub genes linked to HXP and AMI have been identified using bioinformatics: Egr2, Tubb2a, Col4a2, Cnn2, Lmna, and Col4a1. This study provides a partial experimental basis for the use of HXP in the treatment of AMI. In addition, it provides new potential targets for the treatment of AMI

La ley de Okún: Una demostración empírica para Colombia y Costa Rica (1992-2016)

The presence of the Okun law in the economies of Colombia and Costa Rica during the period 1992-2016 is examined, given a new framework of commercial relations that seek to stimulate employment through economic growth.Se examina la presencia de la Ley de Okun en las economías de Colombia y Costa Rica durante el periodo 1992-2016, dado un nuevo marco de relaciones comerciales que buscan la estimulación del empleo por medio del crecimiento económico

Metaphorically speaking: possibilities of theatre performance in the Digital age

This essay reflects on the quality of the theatre performance as medium in the digital age through a discussion of the theatre of Peter Handke. The aim is to make manifest and engage with habits of thought and perception shaped by the digital, as well as investigate the ways in which they intersect with habits of thought and perception materialized in and mobilized by theatre performance in the specific case of Handke�s theatre (a theatre created, arguably, at the beginnings of the digital age). Engaging with Ludwig Wittgenstein�s philosophy, the essay looks at theatre performance as a site for the negotiation of the relation between techne and poiesis in the digital age. It focuses on the notion of metaphor in order to examine ways in which both the theatre under investigation and the digital unsettle and re-imagine the concept of identity traditionally understood in terms of unity and sameness.Este artículo evalúa la calidad de la actuación teatral como medio en la era digital a través de un análisis del teatro de Peter Handke. El objetivo es poner de manifiesto y relacionar los hábitos de pensamiento y percepción formados en lo digital así como investigar el modo en que estos se cruzan con hábitos de pensamiento y percepción materializados y puestos en marcha por la actuación teatral en el caso específico del teatro de Handke (un teatro creado, sin duda, en los inicios de la era digital). En la línea de la filosofía de Ludwig Wittgenstein, este artículo trata la actuación teatral como un espacio para la negociación de la relación entre techné y poiesis en la era digital. Se centra en la noción de metáfora para examinar cómo tanto el teatro investigado como el digital alteran y modifican el concepto de identidad tradicionalmente entendida en términos de unidad e igualdad

Hablar metafóricamente: Posibilidades teatrales en la era digital

[EN] This essay reflects on the quality of the theatre performance as medium in the digital age through a discussion of the theatre of Peter Handke. The aim is to make manifest and engage with habits of thought and perception shaped by the digital, as well as investigate the ways in which they intersect with habits of thought and perception materialized in and mobilized by theatre performance in the specific case of Handke’s theatre (a theatre created, arguably, at the beginnings of the digital age). Engaging with Ludwig Wittgenstein’s philosophy, the essay looks at theatre performance as a site for the negotiation of the relation between techne and poiesis in the digital age. It focuses on the notion of metaphor in order to examine ways in which both the theatre under investigation and the digital unsettle and re-imagine the concept of identity traditionally understood in terms of unity and sameness. [ES] Este artículo evalúa la calidad de la actuación teatral como medio en la era digital a través de un análisis del teatro de Peter Handke. El objetivo es poner de manifiesto y relacionar los hábitos de pensamiento y percepción formados en lo digital así como investigar el modo en que estos se cruzan con hábitos de pensamiento y percepción materializados y puestos en marcha por la actuación teatral en el caso específico del teatro de Handke (un teatro creado, sin duda, en los inicios de la era digital). En la línea de la filosofía de Ludwig Wittgenstein, este artículo trata la actuación teatral como un espacio para la negociación de la relación entre techné y poiesis en la era digital. Se centra en la noción de metáfora para examinar cómo tanto el teatro investigado como el digital alteran y modifican el concepto de identidad tradicionalmente entendida en términos de unidad e igualdad

Advantages of Hyaluronic Acid and Its Combination with Other Bioactive Ingredients in Cosmeceuticals

This study proposes a review on hyaluronic acid (HA) known as hyaluronan or hyaluronate and its derivates and their application in cosmetic formulations. HA is a glycosaminoglycan constituted from two disaccharides (N-acetylglucosamine and D-glucuronic acid), isolated initially from the vitreous humour of the eye, and subsequently discovered in different tissues or fluids (especially in the articular cartilage and the synovial fluid). It is ubiquitous in vertebrates, including humans, and it is involved in diverse biological processes, such as cell differentiation, embryological development, inflammation, wound healing, etc. HA has many qualities that recommend it over other substances used in skin regeneration, with moisturizing and anti-ageing effects. HA molecular weight influences its penetration into the skin and its biological activity. Considering that, nowadays, hyaluronic acid has a wide use and a multitude of applications (in ophthalmology, arthrology, pneumology, rhinology, aesthetic medicine, oncology, nutrition, and cosmetics), the present study describes the main aspects related to its use in cosmetology. The biological effect of HA on the skin level and its potential adverse effects are discussed. Some available cosmetic products containing HA have been identified from the brand portfolio of most known manufacturers and their composition was evaluated. Further, additional biological effects due to the other active ingredients (plant extracts, vitamins, amino acids, peptides, proteins, saccharides, probiotics, etc.) are presented, as well as a description of their possible toxic effects

The Particularities of Pharmaceutical Care in Improving Public Health Service during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Nowadays, humanity is confronted with one of the most difficult challenges. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was identified for the first time in Hubei, China in December 2019 and produced the COVID-19 pandemic, a devastating disease that led to many complications and deaths. The authorities and the global healthcare system have been alerted regarding the prevention and treatment of this pathology. Even though worldwide quarantine was declared, health care professionals, including pharmacists, have been at the frontline in this war. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the authorities relied on the involvement of the community, hospital, or clinical pharmacists in offering support to the entire population. Also, the authorities implemented measures for emergency authorization of the vaccines, or the drugs used in COVID-19 treatment. In order to facilitate the population’s access to healthcare services, the authorities have established regulations regarding, the extension of prescriptions by pharmacists, working hours, prevention of shortages and price-increase, drive-thru services, etc. However, several countries have taken financial measures to support the pharmacies’ activity. At the same time, pharmaceutical associations elaborated guidelines for the protection of pharmacists and patients alike. Additionally, the pharmacies have come to support the health system and patients by adapting pharmaceutical care to the new needs like preparation and supply of disinfectants, patient care, information, and counseling, especially to COVID-19 patients, as well as the implementation of home drugs-delivery systems. The important roles played by pharmacists were to perform COVID-19 tests and further vaccines, as well as to combat the abundance of misinformation and fake news. The clinical and hospital pharmacy services have also been adapted. Strengthening the role of the pharmacist in the medical team was important for the purpose of providing correct and complete information regarding drugs used in the COVID-19 pathology. In all these activities, pharmacists needed creativity and professionalism, but also the support of pharmacy owners and managers. With this crisis, pharmaceutical care has entered a new phase, demonstrating the ability of pharmacists to be competent and accessible providers of public health. Based on this information, we conducted a narrative review whose purpose was to identify the impact of the authorities’ decisions on pharmaceutical practice, the involvement of professional associations, and the responsibilities of the pharmacy owners and management. On the other hand, we performed a global assessment on the pharmaceutical care services provided by community pharmacists as well as by clinical or hospital pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic

An Exploratory Research of 18 Years on the Economic Burden of Diabetes for the Romanian National Health Insurance System

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) rises constantly each year worldwide. Because of that, the funds allocated for the DM treatment have increased over time. Regarding the number of DM cases, Romania is among the top ten countries in Europe. Based on the National Diabetes Programme (NDP), antidiabetic drugs and other expenditures (Self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) test, HbA1c, insulin pumps/insulin pumps supplies) are free of charge. This programme has undergone many changes in drugs supply, in the last two decades: re-organizing the NDP, authorization of new molecules with high prices (e.g., SGLT-2 inhibitors, etc.) or new devices (e.g., insulin pumps, etc.) The main purpose of this study is to identify and analyse the impact of the DM costs on the Romanian health budget and to highlight the evolution of these costs. A retrospective longitudinal research on the official data regarding the DM costs from 2000 to 2017 was performed. The DM funds (DMF) were adjusted with the inflation rate. In this period, the average share of DMF in the total funds allocated for health programmes was 21.3 ± 3.4%, and DMF average growth rate was 25.4% (r = 0.488, p = 0.047). On the other hand, the DMF increased more than 14 times, in spite of the patients’ number having increased only about 2.5 times. Referring to the structure of DMF, the mean value of the antidiabetic drugs cost was of 96,045 ± 67,889 thousand EUR while for other expenditures it was of 11,530 ± 7922 thousand EUR (r = 0.945, p < 0.001). Between 2008 and 2017, the total DMF was 181,252 ± 74,278 thousand EUR/year. Moreover, the average patients’ number was 667,384 ± 94,938 (r = 0.73, p = 0.016), and the cost of treatment was 215 ± 36 EUR/patient/year. Even if the cost is rising, the correct and optimal treatment is a main condition for the diabetic patient’s health and for the prevention of its complications, which have multiple socio-economic repercussions