bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
STUDENT'S ETHICAL JUDGMENT TOWARDS ACCOUNTING FRAUD: DOES FORENSIC ACCOUNTING COURSE MATTER?
Authors: Dewi Herlina Rahmawati , Mahmudi Mahmudi , Sekardevi Arienda Sausan
Published: December 2021

Abstrak: Penilaian Etis Mahasiswa Terhadap Kecurangan Akuntansi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh mata kuliah akuntansi (audit) forensik, status sosial ekonomi, kinerja akademik, dan jenis kelamin pada penilaian etis mahasiswa tentang kecurangan akuntansi. Populasi penelitian ini adalah seluruh mahasiswa akuntansi aktif angkatan tahun 2014-2016 di Fakultas Bisnis dan Ekonomi Universitas Islam Indonesia. Penelitian ini menggunakan data dari sampel sebanyak 120 responden yang dikumpulkan menggunakan metode purposive sampling. Teknik analisis data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah analisis regresi linier berganda. Studi ini menemukan bahwa mata kuliah akuntansi forensik (audit), status sosial ekonomi, dan kinerja akademik memiliki pengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap penilaian etis mahasiswa tentang kecurangan akuntansi. Sebaliknya, jenis kelamin tidak mempengaruhi penilaian etis mahasiswa tentang kecurangan akuntansi. Hasil penelitian ini memberikan pencerahan bahwa mata kuliah akuntansi forensik memiliki peran yang sangat penting dalam memperbaiki pertimbangan etis mahasiswa terhadap kecurangan akuntansi. Selain itu, mahasiswa dengan kemampuan akademik yang tinggi dan tingat sosial ekonomi yang tinggi cenderung memiliki pertimbangan etika yang lebih baik. Hal ini menunjukkan bahwa kemampuan bernalar yang baik dan rasional serta kecukupan ekonomi dapat menurunkan kecurangan akuntansi. Kata kunci: mata kuliah akuntansi forensik, status sosial ekonomi, kinerja akademis, jenis kelamin, penilaian etis, kecurangan akuntansi Abstract: Student's Ethical Judgment Towards Accounting Fraud. This study aims to determine whether forensic accounting (audit) courses, socioeconomic status, academic performance, and gender affect students' ethical judgments concerning accounting frauds. This study's population was all active accounting students from 2014-2016 at the Faculty of Business and Economics, Universitas Islam Indonesia. This study uses the purposive sampling method and collects the data from 120 respondents. The data analysis technique used in this study is multiple linear regression analysis. This study found that forensic accounting (audit) courses, socioeconomic status, and academic performance positively and significantly influence students' ethical judgments concerning accounting fraud. In contrast, gender did not affect the students' ethical judgments concerning accounting frauds. The results of this study provide insight that forensic accounting course have a very crucial role in improving students' ethical judgment against accounting fraud. In addition, students with high academic abilities and high socioeconomic levels tend to have better ethical judgments. This means that good and rational reasoning ability and economic adequacy can reduce accounting fraud. Keywords: forensic accounting course, socioeconomic status, academic performance, gender, ethical judgment, accounting fraud
Clinical and immunological characteristics of moderate-to-severe forms of COVID-19 at different levels of the tissue damage marker (lactate dehydrogenase)
Authors: Sizyakinа I. P. , Zakurskayа V. Ya. , Skripkinа N. A. , Antonova E. A. , Sizyakin D. B.
Published: December 2021

Objective: To study the features of the immune status in patients with a moderate-to-severe course of COVID-19, depending the levels of blood lactate dehydrogenase.

Materials and Methods: A total of 24 patients with a moderate-to-severe form of COVID-19 were examined. The control group consisted of 21 healthy volunteers. Methods: clinical, paraclinical (computed tomography of the lungs; complete blood count, blood biochemistry; immunological studies), statistical.

Results: Changes in complete blood count and blood biochemistry in patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19 consist in granulocytosis, lymphopenia, monocytopenia, and an increase in the level of C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase, with a simultaneous decrease in the total protein content. In patients with high levels of lactate dehydrogenase, a redistribution of lymphocyte populations towards B-cells was revealed with a decrease in the total number of T-cells. At the same time, there was a decrease in the production of IgM and IgG and a simultaneous increase in the synthesis of IgA.

Conclusions: The increase in blood LDH in COVID-19 patients is associated with a decrease in the content of T-cells due to severe lymphopenia, and a simultaneous increase in the content of B-cells without adequate enhancement of their antibody production function.
Preterm and term rupture of the amniotic sac in the third trimester: outcomes for mother and child
Authors: Enkova E. V. , Fomina A. S. , Enkova V. V. , Khoperskaya O. V.
Published: December 2021

Objective: To evaluate the characteristics of women in labor and pregnancy outcomes at different gestational periods with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) and preterm rupture of membranes (PROM) in the third trimester of pregnancy.

Materials and Methods: The study included pregnant women in the third trimester, at the gestation period of 28-41.6 weeks of pregnancy, divided into groups of PROM and PPROM: 173 (80.8%) and 41 (19.2%) pregnant women, respectively.

Results: It was found that PPROM is associated with a significantly lower gestational age, higher levels of C-reactive protein, and higher body temperature upon admission to the maternity hospital (P <0.05). Breech presentation and history of cesarean section were significantly associated with PPROM (P < 0.05), rather than PROM. The PPROM group had a significantly longer latency period compared to the PROM group, in which the latency period increased with a lower gestational age (28–31.6 weeks). A significantly higher rate of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) was observed in the PPROM group compared to the PROM group. Also, at the gestational age of 28-31.6 weeks, a significantly higher rate of admission to the NICU was revealed compared to the gestational age of 32-36. 6 weeks (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the characteristics of women in labor and pregnancy outcomes at different gestational periods with PPROM and PROM in the third trimester of pregnancy.
The fetus gender value in the structure of obstetric pathology in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Fabrikant A. D. , Botasheva T. I. , Rymashevsky A. N. , Petrov Yu. A. , Palieva N. V. , Kaushanskaya L. V. , Khloponina A. V.
Published: December 2021

Objective: To study the obstetric pathology and delivery outcomes in pregnant women with gestational diabetes depending on the sex of the fetus.

Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of 2014 histories of pregnancy and childbirth of women with gestational diabetes (GD) over the period of 2018-2021, was carried out. Two groups were formed based on the sex of the fetus: Group 1 (1012 pregnant women) with male fetuses and Group 2 (1002 pregnant women) with female fetuses. For statistical analysis, the proportions (%) were compared using the Pearson’s χ2 (chi-square) test.

Results: It was proved that the male sex of the fetus is a risk factor for the GD and concomitant obstetric complications (placental insufficiency, risk of preterm birth, fetal macrosomia). The prevalence of hypotonic bleeding, defects of the placenta, and placenta increta, and related cases of manual control of the uterine cavity and uterus extirpation in mothers of boys with GD was established. Also, in patients of this group, birth injuries consisting in a rupture of the posterior labial commissure were significantly more often registered as a result of childbirth with a large fetus, while cases of cervical rupture prevailed in women with female fetuses.

Conclusions: The revealed dependence of the nature of obstetric complications and the course of labor on the sex of the fetus in pregnant women with GD warrant developing a monitoring system that takes into account the gender of the fetus.
Vascular abnormalities visualized by multislice computed tomography of the abdomen: accidental findings or immediate causes of pain syndrome? (topic review)
Authors: Arutiunova N. K. , Araslanova L. V. , Riabchenko V. A. , Pisarenko E. A. , Ter-Ananiants E. I.
Published: December 2021

Abnormalities of the abdominal aorta branches may cause chronic mesenteric ischemia, progressive pathological changes of the internal organs in this setting, and chronic pain syndrome. The causes of chronic mesenteric ischemia may be divided into atherosclerotic and non-atherosclerotic. Atherosclerosis of the unpaired branches of the abdominal aorta involves stenosis or occlusion. Other causes include fibromuscular dysplasia, vasculitis (Takayasu, segmental mediolytic arteriopathy), and median arcuate ligament syndrome. These syndromes, the pathogenesis of some of which remains controversial, lead to nonspecific complaints such as abdominal pain, weight loss, and others. Digital subtraction angiography or duplex ultrasound may provide hemodynamic information in cases of vascular disease in this area. However, multislice spiral computed tomography is in many cases the first choice because it allows for a comprehensive assessment of the state of blood vessels and associated morphological changes of internal organs. Structural changes accompanying these syndromes can also occur in patients who are undergoing a medical examination for other reasons. However, these syndromes should not be diagnosed solely on the basis of imaging; instead, the findings should be compared with the clinical presentation, which implies collaboration of radiologists and clinicians.
Clinical and diagnostic significance of apoptosis markers in myocardial infarction in the setting of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Naumov A. V. , Prokofieva T, V. , Polunina O. S. , Saroyants L. V. , Polunina E. A.
Published: December 2021

Objective: To study the levels of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and annexin V-dependent apoptosis of cells in myocardial infarction (MI) with a different course of the disease and in the setting of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Materials and Methods: Sixty-five patients with MI were examined; 37 of them developed MI in the setting of COPD, and 28 patient had MI without COPD. The subjects were divided into subgroups depending on the presence of ST segment elevation. The control group included 30 somatically healthy individuals.

Results: In all examined patients with MI and in patients with MI with COPD, the number of annexin V-associated apoptotic cells and the level of HSP70 was statistically significantly higher than in healthy individuals. The value of the studied biomarkers was statistically significantly higher than in patients without COPD. In patients with MI with ST segment elevation, the values of the studied biomarkers were statistically significantly higher in patients without ST segment elevation in all the examined patients.

Conclusions: Higher values of the studied biomarkers in the group of comorbid patients compared with those with MI without COPD may be associated with intensified apoptosis in the setting of chronic systemic inflammation, which worsens the clinical course of both diseases. The greater significance of the levels of HSP70 and annexin V-dependent cell apoptosis in patients with MI with ST segment elevation compared with patients without ST segment elevation is due to the volume of myocardial lesion.
Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type I. Features of clinical manifestations, difficulties in diagnosis and methods of correction
Authors: Galkina G. A. , Mikhailichenko L. S. , Sozaeva D. I. , Berezhanskaya S. B. , Afonin A. A.
Published: December 2021

Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome (APG) type I is an orphan disease with autosomal recessive inheritance caused by mutations in the autoimmune regulator gene (AIRE); the disease onset typically occurs in childhood. The disease is characterized by a wide variety of clinical manifestations with a certain stage in the manifestation of individual symptoms. The rare occurrence of this pathology determines its late diagnosis, which can lead to the decompensated life-threatening conditions and an unfavorable outcome. Widely informing pediatric specialists will contribute to the development of a diagnostic algorithm for timely verifying the disease from the moment its first clinical manifestations appear, and will improve the quality and life expectancy of the patients.
West Nile fever in Volgograd Oblast: features of the epidemic process’s manifestations at the present stage
Authors: Nikitin D. N. , Udovichenko S. K. , Putintseva E. V. , Viktorov D. V. , Toporkov A. V.
Published: December 2021

Objective: To study the regional features of the West Nile fever (WNF) epidemic process manifestations using the example of the territory with stable and long-term pathogen circulation (Volgograd Oblast).

Materials and Methods: We used the data of the Reference Center for monitoring the WNF pathogen based on the Volgograd Research Anti-Plague Institute of Rospotrebnadzor over 1999–2021. The main method is a comprehensive epidemiological method.

Results: The long-term changes in the WNF incidence in Volgograd Oblast is characterized by a cyclical nature with an interval of 1–8 years and a tendency to decrease. The maximum risk of infection occurs in August (58.8%), but there is an increase in the number of cases in September. The average duration of the epidemic season is 8.4 weeks. Case fatality rate is at the level of 4.3%; the prevalence of the number of deaths in the group of 70 years and older (75%), as well as among men (63.6%) has been established. The greatest contribution to the incidence rate is made by the age group of 60 years and older (37.7%). Features of the clinical presentation include the dominance of forms without damage to the central nervous system (91.1%) and moderate clinical course (72.3%). The prevalence of the urban population among the infected was noted (85.5%).

Conclusion: A comparative analysis of the clinical and epidemiological WNF manifestations in Volgograd Oblast, territories with a stable circulation of the pathogen (Astrakhan and Rostov Oblasts) and, in overall, the Russian Federation, established differences in the duration of cyclical fluctuations in incidence, seasonality (Rostov Oblast), age structure of incidence (Astrakhan Oblast), distribution of cases by the severity of the clinical course, the site of the alleged infection and social status.
Results of epizootic monitoring of natural foci of particularly dangerous infections common to humans and animals in Rostov Oblast
Authors: Lukshina E. Y. , Batashev V. V. , Kovalev E. V. , Karpushchenko G. V. , Balakhnova V. V. , Panasyuk N. V. , Alieva A. A. , Sidelnikov V. V. , Schwager M. M. , Polovinka N. V. , Polonsky A. V. , Logvin F. V. , Tutunkova N. G. , Noskov A. K.
Published: December 2021

Objective: To analyze the results of epizootic monitoring of natural foci of particularly dangerous infections common to humans and animals in Rostov Oblast to establish their activity.

Materials and Methods:The data of epizootic monitoring conducted by zoologists; the results of laboratory research of field material obtained in natural foci of infectious diseases. Descriptive, zoological, genetic, serological methods, and retrospective epidemiological analysis were used.

Results: The results of the conducted epizootic monitoring showed the presence in Rostov Oblast of natural foci of particularly dangerous infectious diseases common to humans and animals. While the natural focus of the plague is in a depressed state and does not show activity, in the foci of tularemia, West Nile fever (WNF), Crimean hemorrhagic fever (CHF), ixodic tick-borne borreliosis (ITB), hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), Q fever, Batai fever, California serogroups, Syndbis revealed the antigens of these pathogens in biological material obtained from small mammals and blood-sucking insects, which indicates the epizootic activity of these foci. In the natural foci of WNF, CHF, ITB, HFRS, cases of these disease among the population were recorded, which confirms the epidemic activity of these foci.

Conclusion: The obtained results of epizootic monitoring over the period from 2008 to 2020 emphasize the relevance and necessity of continuing these studies in natural foci in Rostov Oblast.
Morbidity with temporary incapacity for work in the Southern Federal District of Russia. Selected indicators
Authors: Shastin A. S. , Tsepilova T. M. , Gazimova V. G. , Malykh O. L. , Gagarina M. S.
Published: December 2021

Objective: To analyze the patterns of morbidity with temporary incapacity for work in the Southern Federal District of the Russian Federation.

Materials and Methods: The object of the study is a unified interagency analytics platform. The subject of the research is the indicators of morbidity with temporary incapacity for work of the working population of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation of the Southern Federal District over 2005–2019: “The number of cases of temporary incapacity for work per 100 employees”, “The number of days of temporary incapacity for work per 100 employees”. The descriptive statistics methods were applied.

Results: The studied statistical indicators of temporary incapacity for work reveal a steady positive trend in the morbidity rate of the working population in all the constituent entities of the Southern Federal District. From 2014 to 2015, there was a significant reduction in the indicators of temporary incapacity for work in all the constituent entities of the district. The indicators in all the studied constituent entities simultaneously declined, this decline being more prominent than in the previous 10 years. The data of the federal statistical monitoring does not represent an overall set of cases and days of temporary incapacity for work.

Summary: It is deemed essential to amend Order of The Russian Federal Service for Statistics No. 723. All individuals and legal entities involved in medical activities for the examination of temporary incapacity for work in the relevant region must provide reports in accordance with Form 16-VN to the competent authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation.
The functional state of the kallikrein-kinin and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone systems in patients with localized kidney cancer
Authors: Ushakova N. D. , Frantsiyants E. M. , Rozenko D. A. , Popova N. N. , Marykov E. A. , Rozenko A. D.
Published: December 2021

Introduction. The development of a malignant tumor naturally affects renal function. During tumor formation, the renal tissue is destructed either by direct invasion into the parenchyma, or by mechanical change in the renal architecture caused by compression of the renal parenchyma, collecting ducts, tubules, and nephrons. In addition, a tumor can secrete biologically active substances, which have an indirect negative influence the functional state of the organ. Currently, it has been established that kallikrein-kinin and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone systems play an important role in the development of nephropathy of various genesis. At the same time, these systems' role in the development of renal function disorders in the setting of tumor damage has not yet been studied.

Purpose of the study. To study changes in the components of the kallikrein-kinin and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone systems in the case of localized kidney cancer.

Materials and methods. Forty-five patients diagnosed with T1N0M0 kidney cancer and 13 relatively healthy patients without cancer were examined. The determination of the components of the systems under study was carried out by the kinetic method after chromatography of blood plasma and urine using DEAE-Sephadex A-50 (Amersham Biosciences Corp., Sweden). The indices of angiotensin-1, renin, aldosterone, and cortisol were studied by an indirect method of radioimmunoassay. Statistical processing was carried out using Statistica 8.0 software (StatSoft Inc., IBM Corp., USA) by means of the Student-Fisher test (p < 0.05).

Results. The development of kidney cancer is accompanied by a 2.3-fold increase in the activity of kallikrein and other trypsin proteases with a significant deficiency of their inhibitors (p < 0,05). Against this background, there is a 1.3-fold decrease in the cortisol/renin ratio from a 2.9-fold and 2.3-fold increase in the values of the renin/angiotensin-I and cortisol/angiotensin-I interaction ratios, respectively, compared with the normal values of these indicators (p < 0,05).

Conclusions. Renal cell carcinoma is accompanied by trespassing of local metabolism with the formation of tubulointerstitial dysfunction and a shift of the proteinase-inhibitory balance towards proteolytic activation.
Robot-assisted pyeloplasty with buccal mucosa graft for the management of an extended recurrent ureteropelvic junction stricture
Authors: Guliev B. G. , Ilyin D. M. , Avazkhanov Zh. P.
Published: December 2021

A clinical case of robot-assisted pyeloplasty with buccal mucosa graft of an extended recurrent stricture of the left ureteropelvic junction is presented. The patient had previously undergone left-sided laparoscopic antevasal pyeloplasty and retrograde endopyelotomies with ureteral stenting. However, after these interventions, the dilatation of the left pelvicalyceal system persisted, the patient complained of lumbar pain and periodic exacerbations of chronic pyelonephritis. Transperitoneal robotic access isolated the ureteral upper third and the ureteropelvic junction from scar tissue, after dissecting the narrowed ureteral section, its length was about 3.0 cm. In this regard, plastic surgery was performed with a buccal mucosa graft, the ureter was drained with a stent. There were no postoperative complications, and on day 3 the patient was discharged. The stent was removed 4 weeks after. During the control ultrasound examination, the renal pelvicalyceal system was relatively reduced, and the patient did not notice any pain.
Impact of dietary supplements based on L-carnitine on free-radical processes in model systems
Authors: Galimov Sh. N. , Gromenko Yu. Yu. , Gromenko I. D. , Galimov K. Sh. , Gilyazova I. R. , Galimova E. F.
Published: December 2021

Introduction. According to the results of numerous studies and meta-analyses, the effectiveness of male infertility therapy with micronutrients-antioxidants in various variants remains low, especially concerning the increase in live-birth rates and the incidence of clinical pregnancy. This may be due to both the empirical nature of such therapy with an imbalance of ejaculate redox systems, and an overdose of individual ingredients of antioxidant complexes.

Purpose of the study. To evaluate the antioxidant activity of complex preparation based on L-carnitine for the treatment of male infertility in an experimental model system.

Materials and methods. The dietary supplements «AndroDoz®» («Nizhfarm» JSC, Russian Federation) and «Proxeed® plus» (Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals Inc., Italy) were tested. The antioxidant properties of the preparations were determined in vitro by recording chemiluminescence in model systems generating reactive oxygen species using the «LKB-Wallac 1256 chemiluminometer» (Wallac Oy/PerkinElmer®, Finland). Chemiluminescence was evaluated by the light sum and the maximum amplitude of the glow, the antioxidant activity in the biological environment was studied when adding drugs to chicken yolk lipids similar to blood lipoprotein complexes.

Results. The introduction of «AndroDoz®» and «Proxeed® plus» into the incubation medium in an amount comparable to the physiological level of L-carnitine in seminal plasma, inhibited the luminescence of the model system. At the same time, if «Proxeed® plus» almost completely inhibited the formation of radicals, then an equivalent dose of «AndroDoz®» reduced the intensity of chemiluminescence by 60%. Approximately in the same proportions, the preparations suppressed the intensity of lipid peroxidation processes in a model system with lipoprotein complexes similar to blood lipids, that is, the antioxidant activity was preserved in the biological environment. A decrease in the value of the chemiluminescence light sum was also found against the background of the use of these dietary supplements, which may indicate their protective effect on biological membranes, including subcellular structures of spermatozoa.

Conclusion. The combined dietary supplements used in the study have a high antioxidant potential. The preparation «Proxeed® plus» can completely suppress the processes of lipoperoxidation with the possible development of a deficiency of free radicals that provide vital processes. The preparation «AndroDoz®» has a milder effect on free-radical phenomena probably due to a lower content of active ingredients and a balanced composition, which reduces the risk of complications in the form of an «antioxidant paradox» or reductive stress.
Lipidomic profile of seminal plasma in non-obstructive azoospermia with sperm maturation arrest
Authors: Gamidov S. I. , Shatylko T. V. , Tambiev A. Kh. , Tokareva A. O. , Chagovets V. V. , Bitsoev T. B. , Starodubtseva N. L. , Popova A. Yu. , Frankevich V. E.
Published: December 2021

Introduction. The difference between obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermia with sperm maturation arrest is important for the choice of treatment tactics and adequate counseling of a married couple.

Purpose of the study. The study aimed to assess the semen lipid profile in patients with sperm maturation arrest. Materials and methods. Samples of seminal plasma for lipid composition of 24 men with normozoospermia and 64 men with azoospermia were studied. Patients with azoospermia underwent microdissection testicular biopsy followed by the detection of testicular tissue pathology. Lipid extracts were analyzed by liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. Lipid data were compared with the results of pathomorphological studies.

Results. Comparison of two groups revealed a statistically significant concentration differences for 22 lipids detected in positive-ion mode and 11 lipids detected in negative-ion mode. Those lipids mainly belong to the classes hexosylceramides, sphingomyelins and phosphatidylcholines — simple ethers and oxidized lipids. In multivariate analysis, the following lipids were found to be statistically significant predictors of sperm maturation arrest: PC 16: 0_22: 6 lipid (β-coefficient: -0.73; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): -1.42 to -0.27; odds ratio (OR): 0.48; OR CI: 0.24 to 0.76; Wald's test: -2.58; p = 0.01), SM d20: 1/22:2 lipid (β-coefficient 4.96; 95% CI 2.29 to 9.13; OR: 142.31; OR CI: 9.90 to 9.22^103; Wald's test: 2.93; p = 0.003); PG 20:3_22: 6 lipid (β-coefficient 2.52; 95% CI 1.13 to 4.49; OR: 12.37; OR CI: 3.10 to 89.27; Wald's test: 3.02; p = 0.002); PC O- 16: 1/16:0 lipid (β-coefficient 1.96; 95% CI -4.12 to 0.27; OR: 0.14; OR CI: 0.02 to 0.76; Wald's test: -2.05; p = 0.04). The prediction model characteristics of sperm maturation arrest, obtained during cross-validation in the positiveion mode composed: sensitivity 91%, specificity 85%; in negative-ion mode: sensitivity 75%; specificity 81%.

Conclusions. Even though early stages of spermatogenesis are equally preserved in both fertile men and men with homogeneous sperm maturation arrest, the semen in the studied group of patients differed in its lipid profile. Patients with non-obstructive azoospermia, associated with meiosis arrest, may have unique lipidomic characteristics of seminal plasma, which in the future will make it possible to differentiate various variants of severe male infertility using non-invasive methods.
Iodine-125 brachytherapy and robotic stereotactic radiotherapy — treatment options for patients with localized prostate cancer
Authors: Kiprijanov E. A. , Karnaukh P. A. , Vazhenin I. A. , Mozerova E. Ya. , Vazhenin A. V.
Published: December 2021

Introduction. Modern radiological treatment options for patients with localized prostate cancer (PCa) have several advantages and allow achieving high rates of biochemical control.

Purpose of the study. To compare immediate, proximate, and long-term results of low-dose Iodine-125 brachytherapy (I-125 BT) and robotic stereotactic radiotherapy (SBRT) in patients with localized low- and intermediate-risk PCa.

Materials and methods. The study included 296 patients with localized low- and intermediate-risk PCa. I-125 BT and SBRT were performed in 208 and 88 patients, respectively. All patients with an intermediate-risk PCa were prescribed neoadjuvant androgen-deprivation therapy (NADT) with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogues (LHRH) for 4-6 months. Only radiation treatment was used for low-risk PCa. As a result, two groups and four subgroups of patients were formed depending on the treatment method. The immediate, proximate, and long-term results of radiation treatment methods were studied in groups and subgroups.

Results. No complications were recorded during brachytherapy I-125. Radiation cystitis grade 1 and radiation rectitis grade 1 were diagnosed after SBRT in 16.6% and 4.0% of cases, respectively. In the only I-125 BT subgroup, the PSA level during the year decreased from 8.3 to 1.1 ng/ml, in the SBRT subgroup — from 7.5 to 0.8 ng/ml. In the case of combined treatment, PSA decreased from 1.2 to 0.93 ng/ml and from 4.5 to 0.5 ng/ml, respectively. Changes in prostate volume, residual volume, and urinary quality (I-PSS) were comparable in all subgroups. Five-year cancer-specific survival and overall survival in the group of patients after SBRT was 100%, after I-125 BT — more than 90%.

Conclusion. Radiation treatment options for patients with localized PCa are safe. Conducting NADT does not significantly reduce the prostate volume and does not affect the indicators of urodynamics. High rates of cancer-specific five-year survival rate testify to the effectiveness of the evaluated treatment options.
Surgical treatment of extended spongy urethral strictures in men: minimizing the risks of narrowing in the anastomotic zones between the buccal graft and the native urethra using the dorsal inlay technique
Authors: Mitusov V. V. , Kogan M. I. , Mirzaev Z. A. , Glukhov V. P. , Amirbekov B. G.
Published: December 2021

Introduction. Currently, the most common method of treating extended urethral strictures is augmentation urethroplasty using oral mucosa grafts. Analysis of the long-term outcomes of this surgery type shows a high incidence of relapses and complications.

Purpose of the study. To improve the outcomes of augmentation urethroplasty, in particular the dorsal inlay (Asopa) technique, in patients with extended spongy urethral strictures by minimizing the risk of recurrent strictures.

Materials and methods. The study is based on an analysis of the surgery in 90 patients (aged 18-72 years) with extended spongy urethral strictures. Seventy patients (group I) underwent dorsal inlay augmentation urethroplasty according to the Asopa technique, and 20 patients (group II) — according to the author's modified technique. Statistical data analysis was carried out using the SPSS ver.26 software (SPSS Inc. Chicago, IL, USA).

Results. A comparative analysis of the course of the early postoperative period showed a lower number of complications in group II patients compared to group I — 20.0% versus 34.3%, respectively. The recurrent strictures were registered for groups I and II in 18.8% and 5.6% of cases 6 months after surgery, respectively. The recurrent urethral narrowing was most often localized in the area of distal anastomosis between the buccal graft and the native urethra in patients from both groups.

Conclusion. The modified dorsal inlay augmentation urethroplasty technique developed and implemented in clinical practice by increasing the internal urethral lumen in the areas of proximal and distal anastomosis between the buccal graft and the native spongy urethral body allows minimizing the risks of recurrent urethral narrowing after augmentation urethroplasty.
Tracking Subjective Sleep Quality and Mood With Mobile Sensing: Multiverse Study
Authors: Niemeijer Koen , Mestdagh Merijn , Kuppens Peter
Published: December 2021

Background

Sleep influences moods and mood disorders. Existing methods for tracking the quality of people’s sleep are laborious and obtrusive. If a method were available that would allow effortless and unobtrusive tracking of sleep quality, it would mark a significant step toward obtaining sleep data for research and clinical applications.

Objective

Our goal was to evaluate the potential of mobile sensing data to obtain information about a person’s sleep quality. For this purpose, we investigated to what extent various automatically gathered mobile sensing features are capable of predicting (1) subjective sleep quality (SSQ), (2) negative affect (NA), and (3) depression; these variables are associated with objective sleep quality. Through a multiverse analysis, we examined how the predictive quality varied as a function of the selected sensor, the extracted feature, various preprocessing options, and the statistical prediction model.

Methods

We used data from a 2-week trial where we collected mobile sensing and experience sampling data from an initial sample of 60 participants. After data cleaning and removing participants with poor compliance, we retained 50 participants. Mobile sensing data involved the accelerometer, charging status, light sensor, physical activity, screen activity, and Wi-Fi status. Instructions were given to participants to keep their smartphone charged and connected to Wi-Fi at night. We constructed 1 model for every combination of multiverse parameters to evaluate their effects on each of the outcome variables. We evaluated the statistical models by applying them to training, validation, and test sets to prevent overfitting.

Results

Most models (on either of the outcome variables) were not informative on the validation set (ie, predicted R2≤0). However, our best models achieved R2 values of 0.658, 0.779, and 0.074 for SSQ, NA, and depression, respectively on the training set and R2 values of 0.348, 0.103, and 0.025, respectively on the test set.

Conclusions

The approach demonstrated in this paper has shown that different choices (eg, preprocessing choices, various statistical models, different features) lead to vastly different results that are bad and relatively good as well. Nevertheless, there were some promising results, particularly for SSQ, which warrant further research on this topic.
Development and Application of a Metaverse-Based Social Skills Training Program for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder to Improve Social Interaction: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Lee JooHyun , Lee Tae Seon , Lee SeungWoo , Jang JiHye , Yoo SuYoung , Choi YeJin , Park Yu Rang
Published: December 2021

BACKGROUND

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by abnormalities in social communication and limited and repetitive behavioral patterns. Children with ASD who lack social communication skills will eventually not interact with others and will lack peer relationships when compared to ordinary people. Thus, it is necessary to develop a program to improve social communication abilities using digital technology in people with ASD.

OBJECTIVE

We intend to develop and apply a metaverse-based child social skills training program aimed at improving the social interaction abilities of children with ASD aged 7-12 years. We plan to compare and analyze the biometric information collected through wearable devices when applying the metaverse-based social skills training program to evaluate emotional changes in children with ASD in stressful situations.

METHODS

This parallel randomized controlled study will be conducted on children aged 7-12 years diagnosed with ASD. A metaverse-based social skills training program using digital technology will be administered to children who voluntarily wish to participate in the research with consent from their legal guardians. The treatment group will participate in the metaverse-based social skills training program developed by this research team once a week for 60 minutes per session for 4 weeks. The control group will not intervene during the experiment. The treatment group will use wearable devices during the experiment to collect real-time biometric information.

RESULTS

The study is expected to recruit and enroll participants in March 2022. After registering the participants, the study will be conducted from March 2022 to May 2022. This research will be jointly conducted by Yonsei University and Dobrain Co Ltd. Children participating in the program will use the internet-based platform.

CONCLUSIONS

The metaverse-based Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS) will be effective in improving the social skills of children with ASD, similar to the offline PEERS program. The metaverse-based PEERS program offers excellent accessibility and is inexpensive because it can be administered at home; thus, it is expected to be effective in many children with ASD. If a method can be applied to detect children's emotional changes early using biometric information collected through wearable devices, then emotional changes such as anxiety and anger can be alleviated in advance, thus reducing issues in children with ASD.

CLINICALTRIAL

Clinical Research Information Service KCT0006859; https://tinyurl.com/4r3k7cmj

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

PRR1-10.2196/35960
Factors Affecting Collaboration Portal Effectiveness of the Audit Board of Indonesia
Authors: Syahputra Afrialdi , Santosa Paulus Insap , Hartanto Rudy
Published: December 2021

The Audit Board of the Republic of Indonesia is known as Badan Pemeriksa Keuangan (BPK). In carrying out its duties and functions, it empowers and relies on information technology (IT) infrastructure that covers all aspects, including planning, procurement, service provision, information asset security, service continuity, and evaluation. BPK implements a collaboration portal to meet service needs and teamwork during the audit process, ad-hoc committees, and leader instructions to follow BPK’s strategic plan. BPK needs to assess the effect of the collaboration portal in supporting employee performance and improving IT services. As a result, this study aims to investigate the factors that influence the effectiveness of the BPK collaboration portal. This study used Delone and McLean model of information system success by looking at the relationship of system quality, information quality, service quality, facilitating conditions, and collaboration quality to user satisfaction and individual job performance. The research method used a quantitative approach with partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The sample data was collected from 60 respondents at BPK. The data obtained from the respondents were processed using the SmartPLS application. The study results show that information quality, facilitating conditions, and collaboration quality positively and significantly affect user satisfaction. There is a positive and significant influence of user satisfaction on individual job performance. In addition, system quality and service quality do not significantly influence user satisfaction with collaboration portal services.
Motivation and compliance to type 2 diabetes mellitus diet
Authors: Rimadania Deshita , Sari Eka Afrima , Mambang Sari Citra Windani
Published: December 2021

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is one of chronic diseases resulting from decreased insulin production and is characterized by an increase in glucose in the blood. Dietary adherence is one of the effective managements that can control blood sugar levels. This management requires supporting factors and one of them is motivation. This research aimed to describe the motivation and dietary compliance of patients with type 2 DM at the working area of Puskesmas Padalarang. This quantitative descriptive research used a cross-sectional approach. The samples were selected using proportional random sampling techniques. This study used the Treatment Self-Regulation Questionnaire (TSRQ) with the validity score 0.4821 and a diet adherence questionnaire with the validity score 0.4732. The results showed that the internal motivation of respondents was a good internal motivation with 33.3% and 66.7% had low motivation. Only 2.2% had good external motivation and almost all respondents had a low external motivation with 97.8%. Meanwhile, there were only 3.3% with a good level of adherence, 94.4% with a sufficient level of adherence and 2.2% had a poor level of diet adherence. Therefore, it is expected for Puskesmas to implement more motivational interviewing therapy to increase motivation and diet adherence in type 2 DM patients.
Impact of index card match method on the knowledge and attitudes about leucorrhoea among adolescent girls
Authors: Syaiful Yuanita , Fatmawati Lilis , Qomariah Siti Nur , Firdani Mafrukahtul
Published: December 2021

Leucorrhoea is a reproductive health problem that often appears in adolescents. Girls between the ages of 12-16 are at high risk of leucorrhoea. The Index Card Match (ICM) method is recognized as an effective preventive effort of the adolescent health education. This research aimed to discover the impact of the ICM method on the knowledge and attitudes about leucorrhoea among adolescent girls and prove the ICM method’s effectivity between the treatment and control groups. This study used a quasi-experimental design with a pre–post-test and control group. The population of this research was 40 adolescent girls. The sample included as many as 32 respondents using purposive sampling who were then divided into 2 groups: treatment and control, with each group consisting of 16 respondents. The independent variable was health education using the ICM method. The dependent variables were knowledge and attitude. The instruments used a questionnaire of knowledge and attitude, index card match, leaflet, and event activity unit. Data analysis used a paired T-test and the independent T-test with the significance set as p<0.05. The results of the paired sample T-test in the treatment group obtained the value of p = 0.000 (p <0.05), which means that after the ICM method there was significant improvement in the knowledge about leucorrhoea among the adolescent girls. The independent T test obtained p value = 0.000 (p <0.05), which indicated there was significant difference in knowledge between the treatment and control groups. The paired T test in the treatment group obtained the value of p = 0.000 (p <0.05), which means that after the ICM method there was significant change in the attitudes about leucorrhoea among the adolescent girls. The independent T test obtained the value of p = 0.000 (p <0.05), which indicated there was a significant difference in post-test attitudes between the treatment and control groups. Health education with the index card match method was one of the effective learning methods that could be accepted well by the respondents. As a result, the respondents could improve their learning about leucorrhoea.
Effect of disaster preparedness training towards knowledge of COVID-19 among rural society in Banjararum Village, Kulon Progo Regency, Yogyakarta
Authors: Sutono Sutono , Achmad Bayu Fandhi
Published: December 2021

The number of COVID-19 daily cases in Indonesia reached a record high in 2021, and the prevalence of active cases increased beyond hospital capacity. Disaster preparedness training involving the key role of society is substantial to stop the spread of COVID-19. This study aimed to determine the effect of disaster preparedness training towards the knowledge of COVID-19 pandemic among rural society. The intervention involved 29 participants, who were located in a rural area of the Special Region of Yogyakarta Province. Participants were required to complete the pre-test and post-test to determine the effect of disaster preparedness training on participant knowledge. There was a significant effect of disaster preparedness training on public knowledge about COVID-19 (P <0.005). There was an increase in the mean score between pre-test (9.93) and post-test (11.68). By increasing society’s knowledge, the society can play a maximum role in COVID-19 prevention and control measures.
An analysis of Trophy Hunting Tourism Marketing Mix Performance of Zimbabwe
Authors: Kuguyo Timothy T. , Gandiwa Edson
Published: December 2021

The study analysed the performance of trophy hunting tourism marketing mix activities in Zimbabwe in an attempt to improve tourism performance. Mixed methodology research comprising of 137 survey stakeholders and survey 274 tourists, one (1) focus group discussion and four (4) in-depth interview key informants was carried out from January 2019 to June 2019.Hunting quotas were based on the three regions, of Zimbabwe and Wildlife Management Authority, namely Southern Region, Western Region and Northern Region showing tourists type and stakeholder classes, and this was done. Quantitative data were analysed by correlation tests and one sample mean test values using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Qualitative data were synthesised using content and narrative analyses. The study indicated that Zimbabwe performed highly in terms of process, product, people and place marketing mix strategies in its trophy hunting activities. The results indicated a weak relationship between perceptions of local and foreign trophy hunting tourists on rating the marketing mix performance of Zimbabwe. Tourists and stakeholders were found to have a significant positive relationship in their perceptions of wildlife tourism performance of Zimbabwe. The test of trophy hunting acceptability showed a statistically significant and above average performance of Zimbabwe on trophy hunting marketing mix. The study concluded that, though Zimbabwe performs high on overall trophy hunting tourism marketing mix strategies, there was need for improvements on promotion and pricing strategies.
COVID-19 Detection and Analysis Using Chest X-Ray and CT- Scan Images
Authors: Dar Dawood Ahmad
Published: December 2021

Abstract: COVID-19 seems to be the most devastating and lethal illness characterized by an unique coronavirus for the human body. Coronavirus, which is considered to have originated in Wuhan, China, and is responsible for a huge number of deaths, spread swiftly around the world in December 2019. Early discovery of COVID-19 by proper diagnosis, especially in situations with no evident symptoms, could reduce the death rate of patients. The primary diagnostic tools for this condition are chest Xrays and CT scans. COVID-19 may be detected using a machine vision technique from chest X-ray pictures and CT scans, according to this study.The model's performance was evaluated using generalised data throughout the testing step. According to recent studies gained using radiological imaging techniques, such images convey crucial data about the COVID-19 virus. This proposed approach, which makes use of modern artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, has shown to be effective in recognising COVID-19, and when combined with radiological imaging, can aid in the correct detection of this disease. The proposed approach was created in order to provide accurate assessments for COVID and non-COVID patients.The results demonstrate that VGG-16 is the best architecture for the reference dataset, with 98.87 percent accuracy in network evaluations and 95.91 percent success in patient status identification. Convolutional layers were developed, with distinct filtering applied to each layer. As a result, the VGG-16 design performed well in the classification of COVID-19 cases. Nevertheless, by modifying it or adding a preprocessing step on top of it, this architecture allows for significant gains. Our methodology can be used to help radiologists validate their first screenings and can also be used to screen patients quickly via the cloud.