bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attitudes of Swedish Language Twitter Users Toward COVID-19 Vaccination: Exploratory Qualitative Study (Preprint)
Authors: Beirakdar Safwat , Klingborg Leon , Herzig van Wees Sibylle
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND

Social media have played an important role in shaping COVID-19 vaccine choices during the pandemic. Understanding people’s attitudes toward the vaccine as expressed on social media can help address the concerns of vaccine-hesitant individuals.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to understand the attitudes of Swedish-speaking Twitter users toward COVID-19 vaccines.

METHODS

This was an exploratory qualitative study that used a social media–listening approach. Between January and March 2022, a total of 2877 publicly available tweets in Swedish were systematically extracted from Twitter. A deductive thematic analysis was conducted using the World Health Organization’s 3C model (confidence, complacency, and convenience).

RESULTS

Confidence in the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine appeared to be a major concern expressed on Twitter. Unclear governmental strategies in managing the pandemic in Sweden and the belief in conspiracy theories have further influenced negative attitudes toward vaccines. Complacency—the perceived risk of COVID-19 was low and booster vaccination was unnecessary; many expressed trust in natural immunity. Convenience—in terms of accessing the right information and the vaccine—highlighted a knowledge gap about the benefits and necessity of the vaccine, as well as complaints about the quality of vaccination services.

CONCLUSIONS

Swedish-speaking Twitter users in this study had negative attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines, particularly booster vaccines. We identified attitudes toward vaccines and misinformation, indicating that social media monitoring can help policy makers respond by developing proactive health communication interventions.
Identifying and Categorizing Adverse Events in Trials of Digital Mental Health Interventions: Narrative Scoping Review of Trials in the International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number Registry (Preprint)
Authors: Gómez Bergin Aislinn D , Valentine Althea Z , Rennick-Egglestone Stefan , Slade Mike , Hollis Chris , Hall Charlotte L
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND

To contextualize the benefits of an intervention, it is important that adverse events (AEs) are reported. This is potentially difficult in trials of digital mental health interventions, where delivery may be remote and the mechanisms of actions less understood.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to explore the reporting of AEs in randomized controlled trials of digital mental health interventions.

METHODS

The International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number database was searched for trials registered before May 2022. Using advanced search filters, we identified 2546 trials in the category of mental and behavioral disorders. These trials were independently reviewed by 2 researchers against the eligibility criteria. Trials were included where digital mental health interventions for participants with a mental health disorder were evaluated through a completed randomized controlled trial (protocol and primary results publication published). Published protocols and primary results publications were then retrieved. Data were extracted independently by 3 researchers, with discussion to reach consensus when required.

RESULTS

Twenty-three trials met the eligibility criteria, of which 16 (69%) included a statement on AEs within a publication, but only 6 (26%) reported AEs within their primary results publication. Seriousness was referred to by 6 trials, relatedness by 4, and expectedness by 2. More interventions delivered with human support (9/11, 82%) than those with only remote or no support (6/12, 50%) included a statement on AEs, but they did not report more AEs. Several reasons for participant dropout were identified by trials that did not report AEs, of which some were identifiable or related to AEs, including serious AEs.

CONCLUSIONS

There is significant variation in the reporting of AEs in trials of digital mental health interventions. This variation may reflect limited reporting processes and difficulty recognizing AEs related to digital mental health interventions. There is a need to develop guidelines specifically for these trials to improve future reporting.
Social Presence, Negative Emotions, and Self-Protective Behavioral Intentions of Nonsmokers in Response to Secondhand Smoking in Virtual Reality: Quasi-Experimental Design (Preprint)
Authors: Liu Miao , Zhu Yicheng , Xu Zihan , Meng Sitong
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND

The application of virtual reality (VR) in health care has grown rapidly in China, where approximately half of the population is directly exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS). As VR headsets have become increasingly popular and short video platforms have incorporated 360° videos in China, new formats and opportunities for health campaigns about SHS have emerged.

OBJECTIVE

In a simulated environment of exposure to SHS, this study aims to explore the emotional and behavioral responses to enhanced social presence brought about by VR in contrast to flat-screen videos. It also aims to examine whether and to what extent video modality (360° video vs flat-screen video) and contextual cues (high threat vs low threat) influence psychometric and intentional variables among viewers.

METHODS

A total of 245 undergraduate and graduate students who were nonsmokers and from a large university in China participated in this study between October 2020 and January 2021. This study created 4 different versions of a SHS experience in a café with a 2 (360° video on a head-mounted display vs flat-screen display) × 2 (high threat vs low threat) experimental design. It developed and tested a path model examining the effects of experience modality and threat levels on social presence, emotions (anger and disgust), and eventually behavioral intentions (staying away and asking for help).

RESULTS

We found that both video modality (P<.001) and threat level (P=.005) significantly influenced social presence, whereas the interaction of video modality and threat level did not have a statistically significant effect on social presence (P=.55). Negative emotions mediated the relationships between social presence and SHS-related self-protective behaviors. Specifically, anger positively predicted the intention to ask smokers to stop smoking through the waitress (P<.001). Disgust and fear both positively predicted the intention to stay away from the SHS environment (P<.001 for disgust; P=.002 for fear).

CONCLUSIONS

This study explored the potential mediating mechanisms that influence individuals’ responses to the risks of SHS in public areas. The results demonstrated that social presence and negative emotions are 2 important mediators that underlie the relationship between video modality and behavioral intention regarding SHS in a VR setting. These findings suggest that an immersive environment could be a better stimulator of anti-SHS emotions and behaviors than flat-screen videos.
Bot or Not? Detecting and Managing Participant Deception When Conducting Digital Research Remotely: Case Study of a Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Loebenberg Gemma , Oldham Melissa , Brown Jamie , Dinu Larisa , Michie Susan , Field Matt , Greaves Felix , Garnett Claire
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND

Evaluating digital interventions using remote methods enables the recruitment of large numbers of participants relatively conveniently and cheaply compared with in-person methods. However, conducting research remotely based on participant self-report with little verification is open to automated “bots” and participant deception.

OBJECTIVE

This paper uses a case study of a remotely conducted trial of an alcohol reduction app to highlight and discuss (1) the issues with participant deception affecting remote research trials with financial compensation; and (2) the importance of rigorous data management to detect and address these issues.

METHODS

We recruited participants on the internet from July 2020 to March 2022 for a randomized controlled trial (n=5602) evaluating the effectiveness of an alcohol reduction app, Drink Less. Follow-up occurred at 3 time points, with financial compensation offered (up to £36 [US $39.23]). Address authentication and telephone verification were used to detect 2 kinds of deception: “bots,” that is, automated responses generated in clusters; and manual participant deception, that is, participants providing false information.

RESULTS

Of the 1142 participants who enrolled in the first 2 months of recruitment, 75.6% (n=863) of them were identified as bots during data screening. As a result, a CAPTCHA (Completely Automated Public Turing Test to Tell Computers and Humans Apart) was added, and after this, no more bots were identified. Manual participant deception occurred throughout the study. Of the 5956 participants (excluding bots) who enrolled in the study, 298 (5%) were identified as false participants. The extent of this decreased from 110 in November 2020, to a negligible level by February 2022 including a number of months with 0. The decline occurred after we added further screening questions such as attention checks, removed the prominence of financial compensation from social media advertising, and added an additional requirement to provide a mobile phone number for identity verification.

CONCLUSIONS

Data management protocols are necessary to detect automated bots and manual participant deception in remotely conducted trials. Bots and manual deception can be minimized by adding a CAPTCHA, attention checks, a requirement to provide a phone number for identity verification, and not prominently advertising financial compensation on social media.

CLINICALTRIAL

ISRCTN Number ISRCTN64052601; https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN64052601
POTENTIAL INTERACTIONS ANALYSIS OF ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUGS USED IN GERIATRIC
Authors: FITRIA NAJMIATUL , WULANSARI SUCI , SARI YELLY OKTAVIA
Published: February 2023

Objective: Hypertension is a degenerative disease that increases with age. Elderly patients are at the highest risk due to organ function decreasing. Therefore, drug interactions are possible. This study determined the potential drug interactions, which aimed to assess the potential for drug interactions based on the mechanism and severity, and next, to determine the relationship between polypharmacy and drug interactions.

Methods: This research was conducted retrospectively using data from medical records of geriatric patients with hypertension at the outpatient polyclinic of RSI Ibnu Sina Padang for 2021. Purposive sampling was used in this study.

Results: A sample of 155 patients was included in the inclusion criteria. The data were checked using Stockleys Drug Interaction, Adverse Drug Interaction, and software on the Drug Interaction Checker (www. drugs. com), then analyzed descriptively using SPSS. The results showed that the number of potential drug-drug interactions was quite high at 63.2%. The most common mechanism pattern is pharmacodynamics (66.67%), with the highest severity of drug interactions being moderate (88%). The study showed a significant association between polypharmacy and drug interactions (p=0.000).

Conclusion: The active role of pharmacists is expected in monitoring drug use that can potentially cause drug interactions. This action can prevent unwanted events associated with concurrent drug use.
Money as a computational machine
Authors: Wilkins Inigo , Dragos Bogdan
Published: February 2023

This article presents a speculative philosophical account of money as a computational machine. It does so by leveraging a computational and machinic framework, drawing primarily from the work of Philip Mirowski and Jean Cartelier. The argument is focused on a specific level of abstraction, i.e., the monetary operations involved in the creation and transfer of units of account, asking whether it is possible to view these operations as computations that mediate economic relations. As the primary function of such a machine would be one of social coordination, the article also highlights the political consequences of its implementation across society.
Finding the Poem - Modern Gaelic Verse and the Contact Zone
Authors: Krause Corinna
Published: February 2023

Rather than "celebrating the joyous carnival of cultural differences", contemporary translation and publication practices dominating the contact zone which is Gaelic verse might well be evidence of bilingualism's "uglier face" resulting in "some kind of double monolingualism." (Grutman 224) This article will argue towards the re-evaluation of translation in this particular contact zone as a site of friction and differences between languages and cultures which is in need of translation and publication practices which resist the illusion of one-to-one equivalence.
Levallois technology in southern Patagonia (Argentina and Chile): current knowledge and future perspectives
Authors: Pallo María Cecilia
Published: February 2023

Situated on the extreme point of South America, southern Patagonia has yielded the southernmost evidence of Levallois lithic technology. There, enough evidence of the use of a method of core preparation for production of predefined flakes similarly structured to the known Levallois technology (LT) in the Old World is present. An overview of the currently available information (distribution, chronology, frequency, artifact classes, raw materials and techno-morphological attributes) on Levallois technology in southern continental Patagonia and on the Isla Grande of Tierra del Fuego (Argentina and Chile) is presented here in order to discuss its place in the shared technological background of local hunter-gatherers during the Holocene.

The analysis of the information shows that the LT occurs at very low frequency, mainly involving cores, knives and sidescrapers on local raw materials but encompassing a high diversity in terms of ecological contexts and human subsistence. These findings are an indicator that several populations were simultaneously familiar with this technology, possibly through long-distance movements of individuals or social networks to share ideas and information on how to make and use these artifacts. In this regard, the middle Holocene was an important period when the LT became a shared technological phenomenon on a macro-regional scale. However, the evidence on LT is still scarce in Patagonian contexts and emphasizes possible linkages with other reduction strategies, especially the Discoid flaking method, the search for maximize lithic raw material exploitation and even the need to produce versatile tools to deal with a diversity of tasks. It is still unclear therefore whether the LT reflects a truly method to get predetermined flakes with specific morphological features or it mainly attended to other circumstances due to the influence of environment, the spatial organization of human groups or the lithic reduction systems. This issue probably requires an exhaustive study of Levallois cores, specially their own particular sequential development of reduction, frequency and relationship with other knapping techniques recorded in the Patagonian lithic assemblages.
Diversity and traditional knowledge of pulque agave landraces in the community of San Pedro Tlalcuapan, Tlaxcala, Mexico
Authors: Muñoz-Camacho Lizbeth Liliana , Bello-Cervantes Eribel , Romano-Grande Elvira , Trejo-Hernández Laura
Published: February 2023

There is scarce information available about how peasants recognize Agave landraces. This study aims to identify the agave species and landraces used for “pulque” production and analyze their morphological variability in a Nahualt community, San Pedro Tlacuapan (SPT), Tlaxcala, Mexico. To this end, we used traditional knowledge and conventional statistical methods. Semi-structured interviews were administered; from these, the frequency of mentions, lexical marking, and perception about each landrace were evaluated. A total of 36 morphological vegetative characters were measured in the main landraces, and ordination analyses (PCA) were performed. SPT is home to 8 landraces of Agave americana and Agave salmiana subsp. salmiana. “Manso” was the most frequently mentioned landrace, and 5 qualitative characters used by local experts to identify landraces were observed. One morphological cluster was associated with each landrace analyzed, and the variables characterizing them are rosette size, leaf shape, number of leaves, and tooth shape. The information about agave diversity from local experts can be integrated into measurements of morphological diversity through conventional statistical methods.
Luciérnagas (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) del norte-occidente de México, con la descripción de 48 especies nuevas
Authors: Zaragoza-Caballero Santiago , López-Pérez Sara , González-Ramírez Mireya , Geovanni M. Rodríguez-Mirón Geovanni M. , Vega-Badillo Viridiana , Domínguez-León Daniel E. , Cifuentes-Ruiz Paulina
Published: February 2023

Se sintetiza la información de luciérnagas de la región norte-occidente de México, que abarca los estados de Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, Sinaloa, Durango, Zacatecas, San Luis Potosí, Nayarit, Jalisco, Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, Querétaro, Colima y Michoacán. Se comentan 67 especies de las 69 registradas, que corresponden a los géneros Ankonophallus Zaragoza-Caballero y Navarrete-Heredia, 2014 (2), Aspisoma Laporte, 1833 (4), Aspisomoides Zaragoza-Caballero, 1995 (2), Bicellonycha Motschulsky, 1853 (5), Chespirito Ferreira, Keller y Branham, 2020 (1), Cratomorphus Motschulsky, 1853 (3), Microphotus LeConte, 1866 (7), Nelsonphotus Cicero,2006 (1), Paracratomorphus Zaragoza-Caballero, 2013 (1), Photinoides McDermott, 1963 (1), Photinus Laporte, 1833 (25), Photuris Dejean, 1833 (2), Pleotomus LeConte, 1861 (3), Prolutacea Cicero, 2006 (1), Pterotus LeConte, 1859 (1), Pyractomena Melsheimer, 1846 (1), Pyropyga Motschulsky, 1852 (8) y Tenaspis LeConte, 1881(1). Se describen e ilustran 48 especies nuevas pertenecientes al género Photinus, incluyendo por primera vez una especie de luciérnaga para Zacatecas. Se presentan 2 claves, una para la identificación de los géneros de Lampyridae y otra para el reconocimiento de las especies de Photinus de la región. Además, se reportan registros nuevos estatales para 9 especies. Se reconoce a México como un centro de diversificación del género Photinus.
Genetic diversity and population histories of two species of Phidippus (Araneae: Salticidae) from northwestern Mexico
Authors: Ceccarelli Fadia Sara , Garduño-Villaseñor Luz Abril , Hernández-Salgado Luis Carlos
Published: February 2023

The northwestern Mexican Baja California state is an ecologically unique area being the only part of the country with a Mediterranean ecosystem and a high species diversity and endemism for many groups. Studies on the biodiversity of the region are scarce, especially regarding ecologically important groups such as terrestrial arthropods. Even scarcer are studies on another important aspect of diversity, namely genetic diversity. Due to the paucity of information, the genetic diversity and population histories of the 2 most abundant species of Phidippus (Araneae: Salticidae) of the region are presented, based on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA data. Phidippus johnsoni, the more widespread of the 2, belonged to 1 large, panmictic population in Baja California, while P. phoenix was divided into 2 populations. Both species have high genetic diversity and estimated large population sizes, which increased during the last 150,000 years for P. johnsoni, and the last 30,000 years, after the Last Glacial Maximum for P. phoenix. This study, therefore, reinforces the importance of this area, not only for its species diversity but also for the genetic diversity found within the populations, which reflects ecological stability during the Pleistocene, allowing for the accumulation of genetic diversity through time.
SÍNDROME DE BURNOUT EM PROFESSORES: um olhar para literatura com ênfase na necessidade de intervenção
Authors: Quintiliano Julian Gonçalves , Júnior Gilmar Antoniassi , Silva Luciana de Araújo Mendes
Published: February 2023

Work considered as a source of survival is also linked to the formation of identity and the individual is related not only to pleasure but also to illness. The wear and tear related to working conditions can generate stress that is prolonged, originating the Burnout Syndrome in professionals. The teaching professional is one of the categories that is most exposed to the occurrence of this syndrome and this fact can harm both the professional and the school community they serve. Faced with this reality, the present study sought to briefly describe aspects of the relationship between health and work; discuss the risk factors associated with stress in the teaching profession; reporting on the Burnout Syndrome in teachers began its consequences and the need for actions aimed at the prevention and treatment of those affected. It is characterized as a narrative review of the literature that used the Google Scholar platform as a database, the search being carried out using the following words: “burnout” and “teachers”. Works in the Portuguese language were used preferably in the period from 2002 to 2022, counting for the composition of the corpus of this review a total of 56 works that include articles, books, TCCs, dissertations and theses. The study showed that work according to its organization and demands can have consequences for both physical and mental health. In the second case, one of the conditions that has been highlighted is Burnout. In the specific case of teachers, the profession is considered a complex task with many demands, often double shifts and direct contact not only with students but also with parents and other social actors in the school, which can lead to physical and mental exhaustion. , behavioral changes in the relationship with colleagues, low appreciation of their profession and consequently brought numerous consequences preventing the well-being of teachers. The investigated literature indicated some paths that can help to change this situation and alert to the urgency of rethinking working conditions through urgent actions to be adopted.
Detecting Tumors in MRI Scans using a Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: SEYEDHASHEMI SEYEDAMID , Esmaeili Mehdi
Published: February 2023

A brain tumor is a dangerous cancer that develops when cells divide
uncontrollably and abnormally. Recent advancements in deep learning have
aided the medical imaging industry in diagnosing various disorders
medically. Convolutional neural networks are the most often used machine
learning algorithm for visual recognition and learning. Additionally, we
demonstrate by using CNN to classify brain MRI images into two
categories: cancer and non-cancer. Using the transfer learning method,
we evaluated our convolutional model’s performance to previously trained
ResNet-v2-152, Inception-v3, and Inception-Resnet-v2 models. As a result
of the experiment, a moderate dataset was used. However, the test result
indicates that the suggested model’s accuracy was adequate, reaching 99
percent, compared to 98 percent for ResNet-v2-152, 98 percent for
Inception-v3, and 97 percent for Inception-Resnet-v2. The suggested
model requires far less computational resources and is more efficient.
A Reproduction of Torao Tago’s Diary of April-June 1942, with Bibliographical Notes
Authors: IZUMI Tsukasa
Published: February 2023

This paper is comprised of the reproduction of a threemonth period of Torao Tago’s diary, which in total covers the six years from 1940 to 1945. Tago became famous after his play won second place in a creative writing contest sponsored by the magazine “KAIZO” in 1931. This period is covered in the diary, from April to June 1942. Tago had been writing novels all that time. His diary shows that while Japan was at war, it had little effect on the lives of the citizens of Tokyo.
Reforming the Systems of Reading for the Greater East Asia：Thought War and Book Distribution
Authors: SAKAMOTO Hiroshi
Published: February 2023

This study elucidates cultural controls within Japan, generation of culture for overseas audiences, and the association between the two by considering the dissemination of literature among readers. The findings can be broadly summarized in the following two points：First, we can view the transmission and propagandization of culture not only from the perspective of the sender, that is, the writer, but also the persons or organizations that teach, introduce, translate, and disseminate it. Second, it is possible to clarify the association between academic knowledge and cultural controls within Japan and external cultural manipulation.
How Takuboku Ishikawa’s Works have been Received around the World
Authors: IKEDA Isao
Published: February 2023

Donald Keene has praised Takuboku’s diary for its commitment to telling the truth. However, only Takuboku’s poems and Tankas have been introduced to a wide audience, having been translated into 19 languages. In particular, his poem “End of Endless Discussion”, which has a social dimension, and his Tankas, which are nostalgic and deal with conventional topics, were among the first of his works to be translated. As Keene points out, Takuboku’s work has been positively received across time periods, ethnicities, and borders because of its commitment to “truth over beauty.”
Between Adoration and Criticism Towards Japanese Colonialism：Reception Toward Murudeka 17805 Movie in Indonesia
Authors: PASARIBU Rouli Esther
Published: February 2023

This research study on how a collaborative war movie between Indonesia and Japan entitled Murudeka 17805 (2001) is received in Indonesia. Through content analysis of the movie, it is found that this movie depicts the intimate yet hierarchical relation between Indonesia and Japan, whereas Japan acts as the elder sibling who guides and will transfer their knowledge and skills to Indonesia, so that Indonesia may be able to fight against the colonizers. This is in line with the ideology of Greater East Asian War, termed “Greater Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.” Through the comments analysis of YouTube viewers, the result shows that there are comments expressing gratitude and adoration toward Indonesian and Japanese soldiers who had fought in the battlefield, and on the other hand there are also comments criticizing Japanese colonialization and arguing that the movie itself is a propaganda movie. The number of comments expressing gratitude and adoration and expressing neutrality by inviting the readers to forget about the past is larger than the number of comments criticizing the movie. The result of this study shows that this phenomenon is related to several factors：younger generation who never experienced Japanese occupation, the history lessons in schools which focusing more on memorizing events rather than critically reflecting on the past, the act of silencing critics toward Japan by Indonesian government in 1970s, and the massive spread of Japanese pop culture in Indonesia since 1990s. Although the number is not as high as grateful and adoring comments, comments that have critical reflection toward the movie still exists. The commentators are usually those who have heard stories about Japanese occupation in the past from the previous generation or have learned about it from various sources of knowledge.
Formation technologies of professional competence for prospective teachers
Authors: Sadirbekova Dinara , Shalgynbayeva Zafura , Мakhatova Valentina , Tabyldieva Oryngul , Zharmukhametova Raushan , Sladkova Marina , Amangeldi Ardak , Anuarbekova Aray , Abdol Elonora
Published: February 2023

The organizational and atavistic block of research competencies is characterized by the criterion of acquiring skills to organize research activities by a teacher. Thus, this study attempts to analyze the formation technologies of professional competence for prospective teachers. To attain the aim of the study, a descriptive method is utilized. The studies of the process of managing the psychological and pedagogical competencies of a higher education teacher are considered to come to a reliable conclusion. Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that there is a necessity for the proper organization of activities and the active use of technology for working with students and young people, which makes it possible to combine teaching and educational goals as much as possible, both in the educational process and beyond.
Molecular evidence of Theileria orientalis infection in cattle from Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Stevanovic Oliver , Radalj Andrea
Published: February 2023

There are no data on the distribution of oriental theileriosis in cattle from Bosnia and Herzegovina. For the first time, a possible endemic focus of Theileria orientalis infection was confirmed in specific areas of Pale municipality, Sarajevo-Romanija region, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Selective sampling included 30 cattle from 10 smallholder farms in several locations in Pale municipality. The total of 30 whole blood samples were screened for the presence of piroplasms using commercial PCR. Positive PCR products were sequenced in both directions, the sequences were analyzed and a phylogenetic tree was created. Piroplasm (Babesia/Theileria-specific) DNA fragments were detected in 13/30 examined cattle (43%). At the farm level, PCR-positive animals were identified in 6/10 examined farms (60%). Upon sequence analysis, the species Theileria orientalis was confirmed. This survey reports a high rate of PCR-positive cases of bovine piroplasmosis and provides the first description of Theileria orientalis in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Regenerative histogenesis in a skeletal muscle defect with local implantation of gene-activated hydrogel based on hyaluronic acid in the experiment
Authors: Deev R. V , Bozo I. Y , Mavlikeev M. O , Bilyalov A. I , Titova A. A , Indeykin F. A , Babkova A. R , Presnyakov E. V , Yasinovsky M. I , Trofimov V. O , Baranov O. V , Odintsova I. A , Komlev V. S , Isaev A. A
Published: February 2023

Optimization of the reparative regeneration of striated skeletal muscle tissue is actual for clinical practice. Volumetric muscle loss usually heals through the fibrous scar formation. Herein, there are numerous of methods under developed focused on reparative myogenesis induction. One of the promising approaches in this area is formed by gene-activated materials, particularly, in the hydrogel form. We developed a gene-activated hydrogel based on hyaluronic acid and plasmid DNA with the gene of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A). Firstly, we showed a biocompatibility of the product in the subcutaneous test in mice. Using marker plasmid DNA carrying the luciferase gene, prolonged delivery of gene constructs to cells in vivo with a peak in transgene expression at day 7 was confirmed, while the same plasmid DNA in an aqueous solution provided a maximum level of delivery at day 1. Being implanted into a volumetric defect of the anterior tibial muscle in rats the gene-activated hydrogel activated angiogenesis in 2 weeks after surgery and induced MYH7B+-muscle fibers formation in the central zone of the defect at average number 50,0±16,1 and 21,8±10,5 in 2 and 4 weeks, respectively, whereas a hydrogel without plasmid DNA did not have any myogenic effects. Thus, plasmid DNA with VEGFA in the sodium alginate-based hydrogel induced angiogenesis in the volumetric muscle loss model and stimulated reparative myogenesis that could be used for further development of products effective for treatment of patients with muscle pathology.
Cell-free DNA and IL-8 in follicular fluid of women within in vitro fertilization program
Authors: Andreeva E. A , Khonina N. A , Demchenko E. N , Gavrilova E. D , Ostanin A. A , Pasman N. M , Chernykh E. R
Published: February 2023

The effectiveness of the in vitro fertilization (IVF) program does not exceed 40% and mostly depends on the oocytes quality, that is affected by the composition of the follicular fluid: a content of cytokines, growth factors, cell-free DNA (cfDNA), et al. Increased level of cfDNA in the follicular fluid is associated with indicators of ovarian reserve, as well as the effectiveness of stimulation in the IVF program. One possible reason for the high level of cfDNA can be considered an increase of IL-8 concentration. However, the role of IL-8 in regulation of reproductive processes is ambiguous and is presented in a few studies. In this connection, the aim of the study was to investigate a content of cfDNA and IL-8 in the follicular fluid of women, as well as the relationship between them, depending on the parameters of folliculo- and oogenesis, early embryogenesis and IVF outcomes. 62 women with infertility and undergoing IVF treatment have been enrolled in the study. We collected follicular fluid samples from dominant follicles using transvaginal ultrasound aspiration. The concentration of IL-8 in the follicular fluid was evaluated by flow fluorimetry. Measurement of cfDNA in the follicular fluid was performed by fluorimetric method. A negative correlation between IL-8 level in the follicular fluid and the number of received oocytes, as well as the quality of embryos was revealed. At the same time, a higher level of cfDNA was recorded in women with low blastocyst quality and non-developing pregnancy. Correlation analysis showed the absence of a significant direct relationship between IL-8 and cfDNA in the whole group. Moreover, in subgroups characterized by a higher IL-8 level, we found a weak negative correlation between cfDNA and IL-8 concentrations. The results suggest that enlarged level of cfDNA in the follicular fluid is not a consequence of IL-8 increase; the levels of IL-8 and cfDNA in the follicular fluid are two independent factors with multidirectional effects involved in various stages of reproductive process.
Association of TNF, MMP9, CYBA polymorphism with subclinical arterial wall changes and cardiovascular diseases risk factors
Authors: Akopyan A. A , Kirillova K. I , Strazhesko I. D , Samokhodskaya L. M , Leonov S. L , Gelfand E. M , Sorokina A. G , Orlova I. A
Published: February 2023

Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress play key role in arterial wall changes and cardiovascular diseases. There is limited evidence on influence of genotypes, which are correlated with dironic inflammation and oxidative stress at arterial wall changes (pulse wave velocity, carotid artery intima-media thickness, endothelium-dependent vasodilation, presence of atherosclerotic plaques) and risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. We examined association of TNF-238G>A polymorphism, MMP9 -1562C>T polymorphism, CYBA c.214Т>С polymorphism with arterial wall changes and risk factors of cardiovascular diseases in 160 healthy people of different ages. GG genotype of TNF -238G>A polymorphism was associated with lower levels of aldosterone (p=0,021), higher levels of glycated haemoglobin (p=0,02) and insulin-like growth factor (p=0,032). СТ genotype of MMP9 -1562C>T polymorphism was associated with most commonly found obesity (p=0,05). CC and TC genotypes of CYBA c.214Т>С polymorphism were associated with shorter leucocyte telomere length (p=0,011). There wasn't found any association of TNF, MMP9, CYBA polymorphism with arterial wall changes. Association was found between TNF -238G>A polymorphism and MMP9 -1562C>T polymorphism with metabolic parameters, CYBA c.214Т>С polymorphism with leucocyte telomere length.
New therapeutic strategies for the treatment of metachromatic leukodystrophy
Authors: Shaimardanova A. A , Chulpanova D. S , Solovyeva V. V , Mullagulova A. I , Kitaeva K. V , Rizvanov AA. A
Published: February 2023

Metachromatic leukodystrophy is an autosomal recessive hereditary neurodegenerative disease belonging to the group of lysosomal storage diseases, which is characterized by the damage of the myelin sheath that covers most of the nerve fibers of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Metachromatic leukodystrophy caused by the deficiency of arylsulfatase A (ARSA) lysosomal enzyme (OMIM 250100) or sphingolipid activator protein B (SapB or saposin B) (OMIM 249900). Clinical manifestations of metachromatic leukodystrophy are progressive motor and cognitive impairment in patients. ARSA and SapB protein deficiency are caused by the mutations in the ARSA and PSAP genes, respectively. The severity of clinical signs in metachromatic leukodystrophy is determined by the residual ARSA activity, depending on the type of mutation. There is currently no effective treatment for this disease. Clinical cases of bone marrow or cord blood transplantation have been described, however, the therapeutic effectiveness of these methods remains insufficient to prevent aggravation of neurological disorders in patients. Encouraging results were obtained using gene therapy for delivering the wild-type ARSA gene using vectors based on various serotypes of adeno-associated viruses, as well as using mesenchymal stem cells and combined gene-cell therapy. This review discusses therapeutic strategies for the treatment of metachromatic leukodystrophy, as well as diagnostic methods for this disease.
Immunological aspects of coronavirus disease caused by SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Abakushina E. V
Published: February 2023

The pandemic outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is rapidly spreading all over the world. Although some progress has been made in understanding the viral structure and invasion mechanism of coronaviruses that may cause severe syndrome, due to the limited understanding of the immune effects caused by SARS-CoV-2, it is difficult for us to prevent patients from developing the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and syndrome of cytokines storm, the major complications of coronavirus infection. In this review, we summarized immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 and described some mechanism of evasion from immune system. This may provide clue of using immune therapy as combine treatment to prevent the patient develop into ARDS and largely reduced complications.
Participation of ABC-transporters in lipid metabolism and pathogenesis of atherosclerosis
Authors: Kotlyarov S. N , Kotlyarova A. A
Published: February 2023

Atherosclerosis is one of the key causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is known that a leading role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis is played by a violation of lipid metabolism. ABC transporters provide lipid cell homeostasis, performing a number of transport functions - moving lipids inside the cell, in the plasma membrane, and also removing lipids from the cell. In a large group of ABC transporters, about 20 take part in lipid homeostasis, playing, among other things, an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. It was shown that cholesterol is not only a substrate for a number of ABC transporters, but also able to modulate their activity. Regulation of activity is carried out due to specific lipid-protein interactions.
Autologic platelet-rich plasma use in varicocelectomy
Authors: Epifanova M. V , Kostin A. A , Chalyy M. E , Gvasalia B. R , Gameeva E. V , Artemenko S. A , Epifanov A. A
Published: February 2023

Varicocele is a disease that is diagnosed in approximately 10% of males' population. There is data of varicocele which consider the condition as one of the most common causes of male infertility. It is only surgical treatment, to date, that is effective one. However, there is still a group of patients whose fertility problem have not been resolved with the varicocelectomy, that have led scientists to find new ways for treating male infertility. Regenerative medicine and platelet-rich plasma (PRP), in particular, have recently grown up rapidly worldwide. Many preclinical and clinical trials have already demonstrated PRP-therapy effectiveness and safety, despite the novelty of the method. This is why the interest in use PRP-therapy for treating male infertility has increased.
Analysis of efficacy of combined therapy of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in mSOD1 transgenic mice model
Authors: Mukhamedyarov M. A , Petukhova E. O , Salafutdinov I. I , Kuznetsov M. S , Safiullov Z. Z , Islamov R. R , Zefirov A. L
Published: February 2023

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive, fatal neurode-generative disease characterized by damage of the motor neurons of the brain and spinal cord. The lack of effective methods of therapy of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is one of the most important problems of contemporary medicine. The aim of this work was to study the effectiveness of combined use of the antioxidant drug edaravone and gene-cell therapy with umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells producing vascular endothelial growth factor, glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor and neural cell adhesion molecule in the model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis on mSOD1 transgenic mice. Analysis of survival dynamics of mSOD1 transgenic mice showed that gene-cell therapy is more effective than edaravone therapy or combined therapy. Conducting of behavioral tests showed that all types of used therapy are able to support the parameters of horizontal activity and grip strength test of mSOD1 mice during 8 weeks from beginning of the therapy at the level corresponding to wild type mice. Conducted study showed that gene-cell therapy with use of umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells producing vascular endothelial growth factor, glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor and neural cell adhesion molecule is more effective than antioxidant therapy with edaravone or combined (antioxidant and gene-cell) therapy. These findings could be used in studies aimed on development of treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
The possibility of using human hormones for maturation of swine oocytes in vitro
Authors: Smetanina I. G , Tatarinova L. V
Published: February 2023

Gonadotropins have been used for the last 50 years in assisted reproductive technologies. Often, due to hyperstimulation, there is a worsening effect on both eggs and patients. Therefore, it is possible to use the swine oocyte maturation system in vitro as a culture model for testing hormones used in humans. The purpose of our research was to study the possibility of using human chorionic gonadotropin for maturation of swine oocytes in vitro. The criterion of successful maturation was the presence of the first polar body (MII stage), as well as the ability of matured oocytes to reach the blastocyst stage after artificial (parthenogenetic) activation. It is shown that in the medium with Ovogest(human chorionic gonadotropin derived from urine) there is a tendency to improve the maturation of the nucleus compared to the variant with Pregnyl(human chorionic gonadotropinderived from urineandused for "human” in vitro fertilization) - 59,5% vs 45,8%. After artificial activation, the oocytes reached the stage MII, the cleavage is approximately the same in both cases (89,4% vs 81,2%). But, the percentage of blastocysts obtained, both from the total number of activated eggs, and from the number of cleaving after activation, was greater in variant with Pregnyl(42,4% vs 23,4% without significant difference and 51,2% vs 26,2% with significant difference р
Therapeutic effects of intra-arterial administration of glial progenitor cells-conditioned medium in acute experimental ishemic stroke in rats
Authors: Cherkashova E. A , Salikhova D. I , Namestnikova D. D , Leonov G. E , Gubskiy I. L , Solovieva A. A , Akopyan G. B , Kurilo V. V , Nikitina M. P , Fatkhudinov T. Kh , Chekhonin V. P , Gubskiy L. V , Yarygin K. N , Bukharova T. B , Goldshtein D. V
Published: February 2023

Transplantation of various types of stem cells as a possible therapy for stroke has been tested for years and the results are promising. Recently, most researchers are inclined to assume that the therapeutic effect of stem cell therapy is based on the mechanism of paracrine action associated with the secretion wide set of regulatory proteins. The aim of this study was to evaluate therapeutic effects of iPSC-derived glial progenitor cells conditioned medium in the rat middle cerebral artery occlusion model of the ischemic stroke. We showed that intra-arterial administration of glial progenitor cells conditioned medium promoted faster decrease of neurological deficit compared to the control group. Moreover, expression of gap43, bax, and tnfa genes involved in neuritogenesis, apoptosis and neuroinflammation was altered. However, no significant enhanced reduction of the infarct volume was registered. Our results demonstrated that administration of glial progenitor cells conditioned medium induced functional recovery after experimental stroke and may affect brain plasticity.
Bone plasty of extended fiber defect in orthopedic reconstructive-reconstructive surgery using original tissueengineering graft (clinical case)
Authors: Chirva Yu. V , Babich M. I , Al-Hanih Murad
Published: February 2023

A case of successful replacement of defects in the calcaneus and fibula in a patient with calcaneal osteoblastoclastoma using a tissue-engineered scaffold is described. The treatment used a scaffold from a collagen biomimetic and autobone. The operation was performed in two stages. At the first stage, the tumor was removed, the defect was made of the fibula. After that, the defect of the fibula was 12 cm. He was filled up with a scaffold. In the second stage, the calcaneal cavity was minimally invasively filled with the same scaffold. The result was studied after 3, 6 and 12 months. After a year, good anatomical results were obtained, the bone defect was filled.
Pilot study of bone tissue reparative regeneration of the young Trachemys scripta shell
Authors: Deev R. V , Podluzhnyi P. S , Galkov S. S , Chernoraev A. V
Published: February 2023

The turtles skeleton plan is an evolutionary developmental novelty in connection with the formation of a tortoise-specific carapacial ridge, which induces the growth of ribs in the dorsal direction and the subsequent formation of several carapace plates. The bone plates of these reptiles have different histogenesis: the neural and costal plates develop according to the mechanism of indirect osteogenesis by perichondral ossification of the axial skeleton elements (vertebrae and ribs), the peripheral and plastron bones develop according to the mechanism of direct osteogenesis in the dermis of the skin - these are the so-called «skin bones», which are derived from individual osteogenic cells outside the axial skeleton and develop by intramembranous osteogenesis. An experiment was carried out to study the post-traumatic osteogenesis of the carapace bone plates on a freshwater turtles Trachemys scripta at the age of 3 months. Two defects of carapace costal plates with a diameter of 4 mm and a depth to the fascia were performed with further routine histological examination. It was found that already on the 90th day the turtles carapace bones were restored with the formation of a full-fledged bone regenerate by the mechanism of indirect osteogenesis.
Analysis of the legal regulation of the use of umbilical cord blood and its components in the Russian Federation and abroad
Authors: Litvinova L. S , Goncharov A. G , Shupletsova V. V , Gazatova N. D , Melashchenko O. B , Yurova K. A , Pestrikova A. A
Published: February 2023

Umbilical cord blood is a unique source of hematopoietic cells for transplantation in hematological diseases and other socially significant pathologies. The development of regenerative medicine requires clear protocols governing the use of umbilical cord blood and its components (cells, plasma) in clinical practice. In the Russian Federation, today, there is no proper regulatory framework for working with umbilical cord blood and its components, which is a limiting factor in the development of cellular technologies and regenerative medicine in general. The article analyzes the legal framework for regulating the use of umbilical cord blood and its components in the Russian Federation and abroad - the countries of the European Union and America.