bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endotheliumprotectiv and antihypoxic properties of quercetin in elderly patients with metabolic syndrome
Authors: Korkushko O. V. , Antoniuk-Shcheglova I. A. , Naskalova S. S. , Bondarenko O. V. , Hryb O. M. , Shatylo V. B. , Koshel N. M.
Published: September 2021

Aim: To investigate the effectiveness of course quercetin in improving functional state of the microvascular endothelium and to determine the possibility of using quercetin to increase body resistance to hypoxia in the elderly.
Materials and methods. The effectiveness of quercetin in improving the functional state of the endothelium and increasing body resistance to hypoxia was studied in 110 elderly patients with metabolic syndrome, who were divided equally into the main and control groups. Patients in the main group received quercetin at a daily dose of 240 mg for 3 months, and patients in the control group received placebo for the same period. Before and after treatment, the microvascular endothelial function was studied by laser Doppler flowmetry using the post-occlusive hyperemia test. Acute hypoxic test was performed under isocapnicnormobaric hypoxia, during which the followings were recorded: blood saturation (SpO2), heart rate and diastolic blood pressure (BP).
Results. In the group of patients receiving quercetin, there was an improvement in blood flow to the skin, as evidenced by a statistically significant increase in the maximum volumetric rate of cutaneous blood flow and the duration of the recovery period of OSHSK to baseline in the post-occlusive hyperaemia.
The course of quercetin also led to a less significant decrease in SpO2 during hypoxic test and to a decrease in the absolute values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, while reducing an increase of the systolic blood pressure on the 20th min of the hypoxic test.
Conclusions. In elderly patients with metabolic syndrome (within a 3 month course) the use of quercetin has improved the microvascular endothelium functional status and increased the resistance to hypoxia.
Challenges in the morphological diagnostics of infectious lung diseases among HIV-infected patients: a case-series study
Authors: Liskina I. V. , Nikolaieva O. D. , Melnyk O. O. , Zahaba L. M.
Published: September 2021

HIV-infection is a long-term infectious disease, characterized by deterioration of the immune system and it is often complicated by the development of opportunistic diseases, mainly of infectious origin. HIV-associated infections become generalized in the late stages of the disease and often may combine, that makes challenges in the diagnosis of these diseases. Differential morphological diagnosis of HIV-associated lung infections is quite complex. Most frequently, there is the need to differentiate between tuberculosis, bacterial or septic pneumonia, cytomegalovirus lung lesions, and deep mycoses.
The aim. To demonstrate the expediency and necessity to apply special complex morphological methods in HIV-infected patients with secondary lung lesions using the series of clinical cases as an example.
Materials and methods. The case series consisted of 7 cases with discordance between the clinical-radiologic, laboratory data and histological conclusions. Of these, there were 5 cases of life-time and 2 autopsy diagnoses. All the clinical and laboratory data of these cases were retrospectively analyzed, and a number of additional special histological examinations were performed. The Ziehl–Neelsen and fluorescent methods, Gomori–Grocot and alcian blue-PAS staining as well as immunohistochemical examinations were used for the detection of mycobacterial antigens with different antibodies to M. tuberculosis.
Results. The case series of initial morphological misdiagnosis or indeterminate histological diagnosis was revealed among hospitalized HIV-infected patients. Clinical data did not provide an accurate diagnosis of pulmonary pathology. According to the traditional histological examination, a tuberculous process was diagnosed in 3 cases, a chronic granulomatous process – in 2 cases, but without specifying the etiology. In two cases of autopsy, pneumocystis pneumonia was suspected in combination with other infections. Additional morphological examination with using 2–6 special methods made it possible to determine the correct diagnosis. In 2 cases of provisional diagnosis of tuberculosis, invasive cryptococcosis and “pneumonia in a drug user” were revealed. Cryptococcosis and pneumocystis pneumonia were detected in 2 cases with an unspecified process. In the autopsy cases, the diagnosis of pneumocystis pneumonia was ruled out, while viral-bacterial pneumonia and tuberculosis associated with cytomegalovirus infection were detected.
Conclusions. The presented factual material demonstrates the principal importance of using a comprehensive morphological examination in cases of lung inflammatory processes in HIV-infected patients. Clinical patient data, namely HIV-status at the time of diagnostic procedures as well as radiological and microbiological findings serve as a substantial aid in the diagnosis.
Prognostic significance of CT-determined sarcopenia in patients with metastatic pulmonary adenocarcinoma
Authors: Kechedzhyiev V. V. , Kolesnik O. P.
Published: September 2021

The aim. To determine the prognostic significance of computed tomography (CT)-determined sarcopenia in patients with metastatic pulmonary adenocarcinoma.
Materials and methods. Thirty patients with metastatic pulmonary adenocarcinoma who received polychemotherapy in the medical center “ONCOLIFE” from 2019 to 2020 were examined. The cross-sectional area was measured using archival CT images. The criteria of sarcopenia was skeletal muscle index at the level of the third lumbar vertebra <55 cm2/m2 for men and <39 cm2/m2 for women.
Results. Among 30 patients with stage IV non-squamous cell lung cancer, sarcopenia was present in 17 (56.6 %) cases. The median age at diagnosis was 62 years. Patients with sarcopenia had worse 1-year overall survival than those without sarcopenia (23.5 % vs. 65.9 %, respectively, P = 0.024 by the log-rank test). A statistically significant gender difference was not observed for survival.
Conclusions. CT-determined sarcopenia is an important prognostic marker in patients with metastatic pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Further study is needed to improve treatment outcomes of sarcopenia in patients with malignant neoplasms.
Evaluation of the bone tissue metabolism in patients with generalized periodontitis of various degrees exposed to work-related harmful factors by the oral fluid Klotho protein content
Authors: Vozna I. V. , Samoilenko A. V. , Pavlov S. V. , Kokar O. O.
Published: September 2021

The aim of the work is to study the Klotho protein concentration in the oral fluid of patients exposed to work-related harmful factors and to reveal correlations with the content of bone tissue and vitamin D metabolism markers.
Materials and methods. The study group consisted of 126 patients with generalized periodontitis of initial (n = 8), I (n = 32), II (n = 68) and III (n = 18) degree of severity, chronic course, working in hazardous conditions of the “Dniprospetsstal” plant in Zaporizhzhia. The comparison group consisted of 32 periodontitis patients of initial (n = 5), I (n = 10), II (n = 11) and III (n = 6) degree of severity without exposure to work-related harmful factors. The control group included 20 otherwise healthy individuals aged 19–25 years without signs of periodontal diseases. The levels of vitamin D, VDBP, MMP-8 and osteocalcin were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, the concentration of soluble Klotho was detected by the enzyme-linked ImmunoChem-2100 immunosorbent assay.
Results. It was found, that in the study group of patients working in hazardous work-related conditions, the decrease in oral fluid Klotho protein concentration was greater, than in the comparison group of patients with periodontal diseases, but not exposed to work-related hazardous conditions.
The indicator of Klotho protein is an early marker of the periodontal disease progression and varies inversely with the severity of periodontitis, starting in the early stages of the disease. The correlation coefficient between the level of Klotho protein and the degree of the disease severity in the comparison group patients was γ = -0.957, P < 0.05 and γ = -0.906, P < 0.05 – in the study group.
In the patients with periodontal diseases, there was a decrease in the Klotho protein concentration with a parallel increase in the marker of bone tissue destruction - MMP-8, and a decrease in the marker of remodeling – osteocalcin, as compared to the controls. The decrease in Klotho protein concentration occurred with vitamin D deficiency and worsened with the vitamin D-binding protein reduction.
Conclusions. The Klotho protein is the early, sensitive and specific diagnostic biomarker in dental diseases, and its measurement can be used as a predictor of inflammatory periodontal disease and its complications. The Klotho protein is one of the main regulators of bone metabolic processes.
Psychological сomponents of miscarriage. Ways to overcome
Authors: Zhyvetska-Denysova A. A. , Tkachenko V. B. , Vorobiova I. I.
Published: September 2021

Habitual miscarriage is a stressful condition and a significant factor of frustration for married couples. The psycho-emotional state of the pregnant woman affects the course of the subsequent pregnancy and its outcome. Correction of the psychological component of habitual miscarriage is a promising direction for preventing reproductive losses.
The aim of the work is to study the psychological components of miscarriage and determine the ways of their correction.
Materials and methods. The level of chronic stress was studied in pregnant women with symptoms of miscarriage and a history of habitual reproductive losses (main group) based on indicators of psychoemotional state, the condition of the autonomic nervous system, and the degree of activation of stress-implementing systems. The results were evaluated with the scale PSS, PSM-25 as adapted by N. Ye. Vodopianova, Spielberger–Khanin inventory and the scale by L. D. Malkova, Baevsky index, cortisol content in the blood and urine. The pregnant women with a physiological course of pregnancy and uncomplicated history were included in the control group. Based on the fact that the etiology of habitual miscarriage is multifactorial, and the psychological component is amenable to correction, stress-protective therapy was included in the treatment complex of habitual miscarriage. To assess the effectiveness of treatment, the main group was divided into subgroups: 1 – with psychotherapy, 2 – without psychotherapy.
Results. A high level of personal perception of stress, anxiety and asthenia determine the psycho-emotional state of the main group pregnant women, among whom two dominant psycho types were identified: A – a high level of anxiety and low neuropsychic resistance; B – poise and good adaptive ability against the background of stress. Non-drug stress-protective therapy in the complex of miscarriage treatment contributes to: a decrease in psycho-emotional stress in pregnant women with psycho type A – 2.6 times, anxiety level – 1.7 times, asthenia level – 2.3 times; and also: a decrease in similar indicators in pregnant women with psycho type B – 1.6 times, 3.9 times and 2.5 times, respectively (P < 0.05); a decrease in the frequency of premature termination of pregnancy by more than 11 %.
Conclusions. The psychological component of miscarriage is a high level of personal perception of stress, anxiety and asthenia. Stress-protective therapy in combination with pathogenetic therapy of miscarriage improves pregnancy outcomes for the mother and the fetus. It is advisable to conduct pregravid training with the participation of a psychologist in women with a history of reproductive losses in order to overcome the psychological component of stress perception, expand adaptive potential, increase neuropsychic stability, and form a positive orientation toward pregnancy and motherhood.
Analysis of physical therapy application in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (literature review)
Authors: Bas O. A. , Ivasyk N. O. , Tyravska O. I. , Hertsyk A. M.
Published: September 2021

The aim – theoretical review of the use of physical therapy in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
The problem of restoring the health of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (GLL) is due to the increased incidence of cancer, the duration of special treatment and the development of complications and comorbidities.
The main complaints are fatigue, pain, muscle weakness, decreased mobility and endurance, depression, anxiety, mood swings. Pathology of the musculoskeletal system, gastrointestinal tract and endocrine system occur with equal frequency.
Today, the main expected therapeutic effect in pediatric oncology should be considered not only the clinical recovery of patients, but also their return to the previous social position in the family, school and community, the restoration of physical, psychological and social health. The problem of physical therapy of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia was studied by many scientists. According to the literature, physical exercises reduce the fatigue associated with the tumor process, improving the functional capacity of the body and increasing metabolism. There is a positive effect of exercise on muscle strength and flexibility, but there are ambiguous conclusions from different authors on the effect of exercise on cardio-respiratory function in the course of maintenance therapy in children with GLL who have cancer fatigue.
Conclusions. An important area of physical therapy in oncology is the use of dosed physical activity, which, according to many researchers, increases the effectiveness of treatment. Recently, the prevailing opinion is that regular physical activity is safe and can have potential benefits for the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory and immune systems of pediatric patients with hematological diseases.
Assessment of hemodynamic parameters of hepatic and visceral blood flow in decompensated liver cirrhosis
Authors: Tugushev A. S. , Cherkovska O. S. , Mikhantiev D. I.
Published: September 2021

The aim. To assess the hemodynamic parameters of the hepatic and visceral blood flow in patients with compensated and decompensated liver cirrhosis.
Materials and methods. 290 patients with liver cirrhosis were examined: 206 had gastrointestinal bleeding, 84 had diuretic-resistant ascites. Ultrasonic scanning, Doppler sonography, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, angiography, radioisotope scintigraphy were performed to assess blood flow in the portal, splenic and superior mesenteric veins and in the hepatic, splenic and superior mesenteric arteries.
Results. Change in the hepatic microcirculatory blood flow in the natural course of liver cirrhosis was characterized by decreased portal and increased arterial blood flow, “arterialization” of hepatic blood flow based on scintigraphy. Decompensation of the disease was associated with progressive reduction in both portal and arterial hepatic blood flow, which were correlated with the severity of functional liver disorders regardless of the complication nature.
The portal blood flow in the natural course of liver cirrhosis was characterized by 3.5–4.5 times increased volume of visceral blood. Decompensation of the disease was accompanied by a decrease in blood flow in the portal vein as compared to the splenic and superior mesenteric veins by 1.8–2.2 and 1.5–2.7 times, respectively. Arterial blood flow in the natural course of liver cirrhosis was characterized by a relatively increased hepatic arterial flow. The ultrasound criterion of hepatic blood flow “arterialization” was an increase in hepatic-splenic arterial index, which can be used as a sign to differentiate between different forms of portal hypertension. Decompensation of the disease was characterized by an average of 8.2 % decreased arterial blood flow in the hepatic artery compared to the splenic artery in dynamics.
Prognostically unfavorable signs were the progression of splenomegaly degree, the increase in the portal vein diameter with the decreased velocity characterizing the increase in congestive index by 2.4–2.6 times, the decrease in the hepatic artery diameter and velocity in it over time.Conclusions. The hepatic and visceral blood flow characteristics should be considered when choosing method of conservative, surgical or minimally invasive treatment of liver cirrhosis complications. Based on the hepatic hemodynamic characteristics, the mismatch between portal perfusion (reduced) and visceral blood flow (increased) is the essence of portal hypertension in liver cirrhosis. Accordingly, the criterion of treatment effectiveness in decompensated liver cirrhosis should be improved portal liver perfusion and (or) reduced volume of visceral blood flow.
Microbiological monitoring as a component of efficient prevention and treatment of purulent-septic infections in an orthopedics and traumatology department
Authors: Polishchuk N. M. , Kyryk D. L. , Yurchuk I. Ye.
Published: September 2021

Efficient monitoring of circulating purulent-septic infectious agents in a clinical setting and a study on antibiotic susceptibility of isolated strains of microorganisms allows identifying changes in the pathogen structure and trends in antibiotic resistance development, which helps to determine the tactics of antibacterial therapy and elaborate appropriate measures.
The aim of the study. Retrospective analysis of the results of microbiological monitoring of purulent-septic infectious (PSI) agents in the Orthopedics and Traumatology Department (OTD) of the Zaporizhzhia Central Ambulance and Emergency Care Hospital over the period 2017–2020 to determine the main antibacterial drugs for empirical therapy.
Materials and methods. We analyzed the bacteriological test results of 664 clinical material samples obtained from OTD patients using bacteriological examination statistical reporting and analytical data of the WHONET 5.6 software.
Results. The main PSI pathogens in the OTD were from the ESKAPE group: E. coli, S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, A. baumannii, E. faecalis, P. aeruginosa and S. epidermidis, P. mirabilis, C. amycolatum. Isolates of E. faecalis were sensitive to vancomycin, linezolid, S. aureus – to linezolid, tigecycline, netilmicin, A. baumannii – to tigecycline. All P. aeruginosa strains were resistant to ticarcillin/clavulanate, cefepime, chloramphenicol, imipenem, meropenem, aztreonam, ciprofloxacin. E. coli and K. pneumoniae were resistant to ampicillin, ticarcillin/clavulanate, aztreonam, ceftriaxone, cefepime. The number of isolates sensitive to piperacillin/tazobactam, carbapenems, levofloxacin, gentamicin, amikacin, chloramphenicol ranged from 37 % to 65 %.
Conclusions. E. coli, S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, A. baumannii, E. faecalis, P. aeruginosa, S. epidermidis, P. mirabilis, C. amycolatum play an important role in the structure of PSI pathogens in the Orthopedics and Traumatology Department of Zaporizhzhia Central Ambulance and Emergency Care Hospital. The antibiotics of choice as the antibacterial empirical therapy for enterococcal infections are vancomycin, linezolid, for staphylococcal infections – vancomycin, linezolid, tigecycline, netilmicin. PSI pathogens continually evolve developing antibiotic resistance, and it is of particular importance to monitor antibiotic susceptibility of microorganisms within the OTD.
Thiotriazolin effectiveness in complex treatment of patients with post-COVID syndrome
Authors: Kryvenko V. I. , Kolesnyk M. Yu. , Bielenichev I. F. , Pavlov S. V.
Published: September 2021

The aim of this work is to evaluate the complex therapeutic effect of Thiotriazolin (anticoagulant, antiplatelet, metabolitotropic, endothelioprotective activity) in patients with post-COVID syndrome in comparison with basic therapy.
Materials and methods. The studies involved 30 patients aged between 30 to 60 years with post-COVID syndrome. Of these, 15 persons received basic therapy (antibiotics, anticoagulants, acetylsalicylic acid), and other 15 patients received Thiotriazolin in the form of 200 mg tablets twice a day for 30 days against the background of basic therapy. Inclusion criteria were a positive PCR test for COVID-19; if the PCR test was negative, then the patients were enrolled based on the presence of IgM COVID-19 or IgG COVID-19 (with X-ray confirmed pneumonia). The rate of lung damage is up to 45 %. The patients had the following comorbidities: diabetes mellitus in the stage of compensation, arterial hypertension, ischemic heart disease without heart failure. The results of the study were calculated using the standard statistical package Statistica for Windows 13 (StatSoft Inc., № JPZ804I382130ARCN10-J), аs well as SPSS 16.0, Microsoft Office Excel 2003.
Results. The inclusion of Thiotriazolin in the complex basic therapy of post-COVID syndrome led to a significant increase in the effectiveness of basic endothelioprotective, anticoagulant and antiaggregatory therapy and contributed to the prevention of thrombus formation. The administration of Thiotriazolin led to a significant improvement in general clinical parameters in patients with post-COVID syndrome – complaints of tachycardia disappeared, blood pressure was stabilized (without additional correction with antihypertensive drugs), weakness and increased fatigue disappeared. Saturation in 14 (93.4 %) patients increased to 97–98 %. In the control group only 7 (46.7 %) of 15 patients had oxygen saturation at 97–98 % level.
Conclusions. The introduction of the drug Thiotriazolin in the form of 200 mg tablets twice a day for 30 days into the complex basic therapy of post-COVID syndrome leads to a significant increase in the basic endothelioprotective, antiaggregatory and anticoagulant therapy and contributes to the prevention of thrombus formation against the background of improving the state of the myocardium and vascular endothelium.
A modern view on tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy
Authors: Vozianov S. O. , Sahalevych A. I. , Boiko A. I. , Haiseniuk F. Z. , Kohut V. V. , Dzhuran B. V. , Sosnin M. D.
Published: September 2021

Urolithiasis ranks second among urological diseases, after inflammatory processes, and first among surgical interventions in urological hospitals. The problem of this disease treatment is a long-term rehabilitation and disablement, which entails a significant increase in costs and requires changes in the tactics of treatment of patients. Since its introduction until today, percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is the standard treatment for nephrolithiasis with a stone size of more than 1.5–2.0 cm. In its standard version, PCNL ends with the placement of nephrostomy catheter through the formed parenchymal channel, but there are techniques of the surgery completion either without nephrostomy catheter with a JJ stent – tubeless PCNL, or without nephrostomy and JJ stent at all – totally tubeless PCNL. However, nowadays, the use of tubeless and totally tubeless techniques is one of the most controversial topics in percutaneous nephrolithotomy in terms of safety and efficacy in their application.
Aim. To analyze the results and safety of percutaneous nephrolithotomy by means of tubeless and totally tubeless techniques based on scientific evidence. Analysis of the scientific literature shows that tubeless and totally tubeless PCNL techniques are a safe method of percutaneous surgery and their application reduces pain and analgesic requirements in the postoperative period, shortens the length of postoperative hospital stay, and enhances recovery after surgery in patients, therefore resulting in cost-saving treatment.
Conclusions. Tubeless and totally tubeless PCNLs are recommended for widespread use in urological practice, but it is worth to mention that these techniques should be performed in selected patients and by an operating surgeon with significant experience in percutaneous surgery.
Frequencies of polymorphisms in genes affecting the pharmacokinetics of warfarin in the Zaporizhzhia region
Authors: Kolesnik M. Yu. , Mykhailovskyi Yа. М.
Published: September 2021

The aim of the study: to establish the frequencies of polymorphisms in VKORC1, CYP2C9 and CYP4F2 genes among residents of the Zaporizhzhia region.
Materials and methods. A total of 150 persons (62 male, 88 female) with a median age of 46 years (26; 58) undergoing preventive examination at the Medical Educational and Scientific Center “University Clinic” of Zaporizhzhia State Medical University (ZSMU). The CYP2C9, CYP4F2, VKORC1 genes polymorphisms in atrial fibrillation patients were determined in the Department of Molecular Genetic Studies of the ZSMU Medical Laboratory Center. Amplification of DNA fragments containing polymorphic regions was performed using multiplex real time polymerase chain reaction with Warfarin Pharmacogenetics kits (LLC NPO DNA Technology) in a CFX-96 thermocycler (BioRad) with a fluorescence detection scheme.
Results. It was determined that among Zaporizhzhia region residents, the frequencies of CYP2C9*2 genotypes were: C/C – 77.3 %, C/T – 22.7 %, T/T – 0; CYP2C9*3 genotypes: A/A – 88.7 %, A/C – 10.7 %, C/C – 0.6 %; CYP4F2 genotypes: C/C – 56.0 %, C/T – 35.3 %, T/T – 8.7 %; VKORC1 genotypes: G/G – 38.0 %, G/A – 50.0 %, A/A – 12.0 %. There were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of genotype frequencies between males and females and between different age groups. The frequencies of CYP2C9, CYP4F2, VKORC1 genotypes in different populations were compared. Their variability in different geographic regions was established.
Conclusions. CYP4F2 and VKORC1 genes polymorphisms are more common in the Zaporizhzhia region, while the prevalence of CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3 genes polymorphisms is much lower. It is necessary to take into account the prevalence of genes polymorphisms that affect warfarin metabolism for each individual population to select its dose by pharmacogenetic testing.
Comparative assessment of the amino acids content of some legumes species in Southern Ukraine
Authors: Hrechana O. V. , Serbin A. H. , Rudnik A. M. , Shevchenko I. M. , Salii O. O.
Published: September 2021

The data on the composition and amount of amino acids have been analyzed in the raw materials of five legume species. All of them grow in Southern Ukrainian flora (Securigera varia (L.) Lassen, Vicia cracca L., Lupinus luteus L., Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pall., Melilotus albus Medic.) and may be used as a source of amino acids, especially essential, whose resource has to be replenished from the outside.
Aim. We have studied and compared the amino acid profile of some species of the Ukrainian South Legumes, and used the multidimensional statistical cluster analysis to construction of histograms based on the amino acids content and composition of such plants as: Securigera varia (L.) Lassen, Vicia cracca L., Lupinus luteus L., Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pall., Melilotus albus Medic.
Materials and methods. The raw materials were harvested at the South of Ukraine and were investigated by gas-liquid chromatography. The amino acid analyzer has been used after hydrochloric acid hydrolysis at elevated temperature.
Results. 19 amino acids have been identified, of which nine are essential or partially interchangeable. The non-polar amino acid proline is in the lead in terms of quantity among the essential amino acids. Its amount was 6932 mg/100 g and the ability to accumulate it was noted in Melilotus officinalis (2276 mg/100 g). The smallest proline amount was found in Lupinus luteus (388 mg/100 g). The sulfur-containing non-polar amino acid methionine is in the smallest amount in the selected plants (506 mg/100 g). Our attention was drawn to the absence of the polar amino acid glutamine among the non-essential amino acids in some plants. Securigera varia, Vicia cracca, and Melilotus officinalis did not contain glutamine. In this subgroup, the polar aspartic acid was found in the highest amount (6824 mg/100 g) with the highest content in Vicia cracca and the lowest – in Melilotus albus (2660 mg/100 g and 385 mg/100 g, respectively).
Conclusions. The analysis of the presence and number of amino acids was the basis for our multidimensional statistical cluster analysis and histograms of the presentation of the amino acid profile of the studied plant members of the family Fabaceae L. In constructing the dendrogram, three clusters were identified, and representatives of one genus (Melilotus L.) were attributed to different clusters which is significant for further chemosystematic studies.
The impact of chronic heart failure on heart remodeling in patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Lysenko V. А. , Syvolap V. V.
Published: September 2021

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and chronic heart failure (CHF) often coexist due to common pathophysiological mechanisms and risk factors. However, the effect of CHF on heart remodeling in patients with permanent AF has been insufficiently studied.
The aim: to study the influence of CHF on changes in structural and geometric parameters and diastolic function of the heart in patients with permanent AF.
Materials and methods. The study included 100 patients (men – 60 % (n = 60); women – 40 % (n = 40)) with CHF of ischemic origin and AF, stage II AB, NYHA II-IV FC, and 16 coronary heart disease patients (men – 62.5 % (n = 10), women – 37.5 % (n = 6)) with AF without signs of CHF. Patients were comparable in age (P = 0.267), height (p = 0.406), weight (P = 0.518), body surface area (P = 0.388). Doppler echocardiography was performed on the device Esaote MyLab Eight (Italy) according to standard methods.
Results. Patients with AF and signs of CHF were dominated by individuals with eccentric hypertrophy (49 % vs. 19 %; P = 0.0270), and patients with AF without signs of CHF – with eccentric remodeling (0 % vs. 25 %; P = 0.0001). Patients with AF and signs of CHF had significantly higher systolic pressure in the pulmonary artery (54.85 ± 14.23 mm Hg vs. 42.99 ± 11.94 mm Hg; P = 0.028) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) (12.18 (9.80; 15.33) mm Hg vs. 8.92 (7.62; 10.50) mm Hg; P = 0.005) than patients with AF without signs of CHF, indicating more pronounced pulmonary hypertension and a more significant increase in left atrium pressure. AF patients with signs of CHF demonstrated significantly higher left ventricle end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), as evidenced by the parameters: E\E’ medial (9.87 ± 5.24 vs. 6.15 ± 1.39; P = 0.001), E/E’ mean (8.38 ± 4.21 vs. 6.06 ± 1.97; P = 0.005), e’ medial (9.96 ± 3.79 cm/s vs. 12.81 ± 3.60 cm/s; P = 0.004). AF patients with signs of CHF had decreased LV EF (55.58 ± 14.65 % vs. 65.44 ± 10.87 %; P = 0.006), systolic velocity of the medial fibrous ring of the mitral valve S (6.92 ± 2.41 cm/s vs. 8.40 ± 2.03 cm/s; P = 0.015), and significantly higher values of TEI RV (0.58 ± 0.16 c. u. vs. 0.48 ± 0.11 c. u.; P = 0.011), but decreased TAPSE values (16.22 ± 4.60 mm vs. 19.54 ± 5.00 mm; P = 0.067), indicating more pronounced systolic dysfunction of both ventricles.
Conclusions. Comorbidity of CHF and AF in patients is accompanied by the increased percentage of eccentric hypertrophy (49 %; P = 0.027), more pronounced systolic dysfunction of the left and right ventricles, increased LVEDP, PCWP, systolic pressure in the pulmonary artery, dilation of the inferior vena cava.
Comparative efficacy of leukotriene modifier and inhaled corticosteroids in the complex treatment of steroid-naive patients with bronchial asthma combined with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with neutrophilic type of inflammation
Authors: Feshchenko Yu. I. , Yashyna L. O. , Ihnatieva V. I. , Polianska M. O. , Opimakh S. H. , Zvol I. V. , Moskalenko S. M. , Humeniuk H. L. , Vlasova N. A. , Halai L. A.
Published: September 2021

The aim: to compare the efficacy and tolerability of the leukotriene modifier and inhaled corticosteroids in combination with long-acting β2-agonist formoterol in steroid-naive patients with asthma combined with COPD with neutrophilic inflammation.
Materials and methods. After obtaining the written consent, 30 patients with asthma combined with COPD and a number of blood neutrophils >4000/μl were randomized (1:1): group I – received a fixed combination of budesonide/formoterol 160/4.5 μg/1 inhalation twice daily as a basic therapy; group II – montelukast 1 tab. (10 mg) once daily and inhalation of formoterol 12 mcg/dose twice daily. The duration of therapy was 12 weeks. General clinical methods, asthma control questionnaires, COPD questionnaire, physical tolerance evaluation (6-minute walk test), pulmonary function tests, quality of life assessment were performed to all the patients before and after the treatment course studied.
Results. The combination of budesonide/formoterol improved clinical symptoms – significantly (P < 0.05) increased the total ACT score, decreased the average ACQ score, shortness of breath (mMRC scale), COPD symptoms. PFT indices were improved significantly (P < 0.05), bronchoobstruction at the level of large, medium and small bronchi was significantly reduced. Physical tolerance was significantly improved. There were no statistically significant dynamics of the studied indices in patient group II. The patients of both groups showed a tendency to improve their quality of life. In patients of I group, there was a significant decrease in activity limitations and the total SGRQ score.
Conclusions. The combination of inhaled corticosteroid/formoterol has proven to be more effective than the leukotriene modifier or formoterol in steroid-naive patients with asthma combined with COPD and neutrophilic inflammation.
Gender features of structural and functional changes of the heart and levels of copeptin and NTproBNP in patients with acute Q-myocardial infarction in the presence of pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Syvolap V. D. , Zemlianyi Ya. V. , Lashkul D. A.
Published: September 2021

The aim. To evaluate the gender features of structural and functional changes in the heart and levels of copeptin and NTproBNP in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with concomitant pulmonary hypertension (PH).
Materials and methods. 74 patients with AMI and concomitant PH who were treated in the intensive care unit and emergency cardiology for patients with myocardial infarction of the Municipal Non-Profit Enterprise “City Hospital of Emergency and Ambulance” of Zaporizhzhia City Council were examined. The patients were divided into two groups: the first group consisted of 42 male patients (mean age 71.06 ± 2.21 years) and 32 female patients (mean age 76.41 ± 2.32 years). All the patients were examined in the first three days by two-dimensional echocardiography on a device MyLab50 (“Esaote”, Italy). The serum levels of kopeptin and NTproBNP were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a set of reagents Elabscience (USA).
Results. There was a trend towards a predominantly anterior AMI in the group of men and lower AMI – in the group of women. Individuals with functional class III and IV heart failure predominated (76.1 %) among the men with AMI and PH. At the same time, there were significantly more persons with III and IV functional class in the group of men than in the group of women (P < 0.05). There was a significant diastolic left ventricular posterior wall thickening in women compared to men (8.4 %; P < 0.05) and a tendency to diastolic interventricular septal thickening in females. There was an upward trend in end-systolic and end-diastolic sizes in the group of men compared to women; however, the differences did not reach the required level of significance. Evaluation of serum copeptin and NTproBNP in patients with AMI and PH revealed significantly higher levels of these indicators in the group of men compared to women (P < 0.05).
Conclusions. Men with AMI and PH had more severe heart failure compared to women due to the predominance of patients with functional classes III and IV. Women with AMI and PH demonstrated predominantly concentric type of remodeling in the form of significantly thickened LV posterior wall and the tendency to increase interventricular septum wall thickness, and eccentric hypertrophy in the form of LV dilatation prevailed in men. Men with AMI and PH had significantly higher serum copeptin and NTproBNP levels compared to women.
A support theorem for\break the Hitchin fibration: The case of GL
n
and K
C
Authors: de Cataldo Mark Andrea A. , Heinloth Jochen , Migliorini Luca
Published: September 2021

We compute the supports of the perverse cohomology sheaves of the Hitchin fibration for

GL
n

{\mathrm{GL}_{n}}

over the locus of reduced spectral curves. In contrast to the case of meromorphic Higgs fields we find additional supports at the loci of reducible spectral curves. Their contribution to the global cohomology is governed by a finite twist of Hitchin fibrations for Levi subgroups. The corresponding summands give non-trivial contributions to the cohomology of the moduli spaces for every

n
≥
2

{n\geq{2}}

. A key ingredient is a restriction result for intersection cohomology sheaves that allows us to compare the fibration to the one defined over versal deformations of spectral curves.
Reflections on research questions in mobile assisted language learning
Authors: Kukulska-Hulme Agnes
Published: September 2021

Research questions are central to mobile assisted language learning (MALL) projects and studies, yet they have received little attention to date. Taking research questions as its central focus, this paper offers some reflections on the complexity of the broader field of mobile learning, on different kinds of research, on salient themes and challenges in mobile learning and MALL, and it suggests some research directions for the future. Since MALL research is interdisciplinary, and since research questions are an object of study in other fields of knowledge, the paper refers to sources from multiple disciplines to support a more comprehensive consideration of current and future research questions in MALL. The paper is fundamentally an invitation to a global conversation about research questions in MALL.
Designing an online business communication course in English by responding to student needs through an evidence-based approach
Authors: Shrestha Prithvi N.
Published: September 2021

Communication skills are essential for the employability and academic success of business graduates. These skills are either embedded in undergraduate business management courses or taught in a separate course. Designing an English communication course for business management students is reported widely in the literature. However, research on such courses for distance education is scarce despite their increasing demand for distance courses due to an increasing globalisation of higher education and workplaces. This paper reports on the evidence-based design of an award-winning online business communication course in English which responded to changing needs of distance business management students at The Open University, UK. It draws on student needs analysis data (student surveys, online forum posts, industry skills survey reports and a content analysis of business management courses and assignments) and course evaluation surveys to investigate how the online course addressed student needs in terms of course content, teaching and learning and assessment. It argues that student needs analysis is paramount for any new course design and online delivery because the success of a course relies on meeting student needs. The paper has implications for business communication course design and business communication teachers.
The effectiveness of corpus-based training on collocation use in L2 writing for Chinese senior secondary school students
Authors: Fang Liuqin , Ma Qing , Yan Jiahao
Published: September 2021

Corpus tools are known to be effective in helping L2 learners improve their writing, especially regarding their use of words. Most corpus-based L2 writing research has focused on university students while little attention has been paid to secondary school L2 students. This study investigated whether senior secondary school students in China, upon receiving corpus-based training under the framework of data-driven learning (DDL), could improve their vocabulary use, especially the use of collocations, in their writing for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test. Twenty-two students aged 16–18 in a senior secondary school in Nanchang, China who were planning to take the IELTS exam participated in the study. Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA) and Word and Phrase were the main corpora that the participants used to learn various search functions. Pre-writing and post-writing tests were administered to measure the effect of corpus training. In addition, a questionnaire and interviews were used to collect students’ perspectives and attitudes. The results indicate that students made improvement in word selection after three corpus training sessions, and their attitudes towards corpus use were positive even though they were restricted from using computers to access corpora inside their school.
Investigation on the acoustic properties of structural gradient 316L stainless steel hollow spheres composites
Authors: Wang Chunhe , Guo Chunhuan , Jiang Fengchun
Published: September 2021

In this study, a kind of structural gradient metal hollow spheres composites (SG-MHSCs) were fabricated using two kinds of 316L stainless steel hollow spheres with different diameters and A356 aluminum through the casting method. Then the density of the SG-MHSCs was measured by the direct measurement; the microstructure of the SG-MHSCs was characterized by the Scanning Electron Microscope. Meanwhile, the acoustic performance of MHSCs was tested by the impedance tube, and the sound absorption and insulation mechanism SG-MHSCs were discussed and analyzed.
Total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio and monocyte/HDL cholesterol ratio are related with subclinical hypothyroidism in polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Cakir Isil , Simsek Yasin
Published: September 2021

Objectives

There is an association between serum thyrotropin (TSH) and lipid profile. However, there is a little information regarding the relation between subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH), atherogenic indices and inflammation in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Herein, we aimed to evaluate the impact of SCH on lipids and inflammatory markers in newly diagnosed PCOS patients.

Methods

Two groups were performed for total 99 PCOS patients: SCH (TSH>2.5 mIU/L) and euthyroid groups (TSH<2.5 mIU/L). Complete blood count, lipids, atherogenic indices were evaluated, inflammatory markers as platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte/high density lipoprotein ratio (MHR) and mean platelet volume/platelet ratio (MPR) were calculated.

Results

SCH group had higher WBC, PLT, PCT, PLR, MPR and non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Differences between MHR, total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol (TC/HDL), triglycerides/HDL cholesterol (TG/HDL) and low density lipoprotein/HDL cholesterol (LDL/HDL) levels were significantly higher (p=0.001; 0.01; 0.01; 0.02, respectively), TC/HDL cholesterol levels were positively correlated with TSH (p=0.028, r=0.402) in SCH group. TC/HDL levels were also correlated with WBC, PLT, PDW, PCT, MPR and MHR (p=0.003; 0.011; 0.031; 0.037; 0.006; 0.002; r=0.515; 0.442; −0.382; 0.370; −0.471; 0.523, repectively).

Conclusions

TC/HDL and MHR may serve as beneficial markers for evaluating the inflammatory state of PCOS with SCH. Screening thyroid hormones and curing SCH in PCOS may lower lipids, decelerate developing hypothyroidism and cardiovascular morbidities.
Das phönizische Kolorit von Psalm 45
Authors: Mathys Hans-Peter
Published: September 2021

Psalm 45 has – apart from its frame – a distinct Phoenician orientation. In addition to the »daughter of Tyre,« there are mythical-theological aspects that point to Phoenicia, such the titling of the king as a god, the pairing of God’s law and justice, and the parallel expression »scepter and throne«; likewise, there are also »civilizational« aspects, such as the emphasis on beauty, clothing, ivory palaces, myrrh, aloes, and cassia, and finally the extensive, primarily female constellation of people in the psalm. This thesis finds support through texts of various origins, but especially from the Old Testament.
Telling the Story: Before and After
Authors: Moore Penelope
Published: September 2021

This article offers a coda to “Incest from a Young Age … Lasting a Lifetime” (Moore, 2020). It explains how I started writing about my experiences with incest. I tell about the empathic failure of my analyst who could not hear of the incest. I also describe some of the events that have occurred since the paper was published, many of them unanticipated.
Psychodynamic Psychiatry and the Therapeutic Space in the Era of COVID-19
Authors: Ingram Douglas H.
Published: September 2021

Psychodynamic psychiatric practice during the COVID-19 pandemic has required most clinicians to conduct treatment online or by telephone. The result is a natural experiment that appears to endorse the efficacy of distance therapy. Consequently, the brick-and-mortar consulting room is no longer the presumptive therapeutic space for the conduct of psychodynamic psychiatric or other treatment approaches. The therapeutic space is reconceived as the place or medium intended for treatment and is distinguished from both the therapeutic relationship and conduct of treatment that occurs within that space. How different therapeutic spaces impact treatment is discussed with specific application to psychodynamic psychiatry and virtual venues. The “digital object” becomes a new presence; the patient's freedom to disclose mental contents is retained though empathic attunement is diminished; a shift in power dynamics may occur; timing of sessions gains greater precision in the online environment. Beyond the pandemic, practicing online is likely to become an accepted supplementary therapeutic space for evaluation and treatment by psychodynamic psychiatrists.
An International Survey of the Concept of Effective Psychodynamic Treatment During the Pandemic
Authors: Gordon Robert M. , Shi Zhenyu , Scharff David E. , Fishkin Ralph E. , Shelby R. Dennis
Published: September 2021

Introduction: Most psychotherapists had no choice during the COVID-19 pandemic but to offer teletherapy in order to provide needed treatment. Several psychoanalytic theorists wondered if the very concept of treatment would change without an embodied relationship in an office setting.

Methods: To attempt to understand the current concept of effective psychodynamic treatment in the new norm of teletherapy, we surveyed practitioners from 56 countries and regions who remotely treated patients psychodynamically during the beginning months of the pandemic. We asked the practitioners to rank six factors felt to be important to psychodynamic treatment: use of the couch during sessions, session in-office or via teletherapy, cultural similarity between therapist and patient, number of sessions a week, patient factors (motivation, insightfulness, and high functioning) and therapist factors (empathy, warmth, wisdom, and skillfulness).

Results: We received 1,490 survey responses. As predicted, we found that the therapist and patient variables were considered much more important (both tied as highest rankings) to effective treatment than any of the other variables, including if the therapy was in-office or by teletherapy.

Discussion: Psychodynamic practitioners worldwide confirmed that the empathy, warmth, wisdom, and skillfulness of the therapist and the motivation, insightfulness, and level of functioning of the patient are most important to treatment effectiveness regardless if the treatment is remote or embodied.