bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do automatic push notifications improve patient flow in the emergency department? analysis of an ED in a large medical center in Israel
Authors: Trotzky Daniel , Posner Liron , Mosery Jonathan , Cohen Aya , Avisar Shiran , Pachys Gal
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Congestion in emergency departments [ED] is a significant challenge worldwide. Any delay in the timely and immediate medical care provided in the ED can affect patient morbidity and mortality. Our research analyzed the use of an innovative platform to improve patient navigation in the ED, as well as provide updated information about their care. Our hope is that this can improve ED efficiency and improve overall patient care.

Objective

The primary objective of our study was to determine whether the use of an automatic push notification system can shorten ‘length of stay’ (LOS) in the ED, improve patient flow, and decrease ED patient load.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study utilizing data extrapolated from the electronic medical records of 2972 patients who visited the walk-in ED of a large-scale central hospital in Israel from January 17, 2021 to March 15, 2021. During this period, the automatic push text notification system was activated on a week-on week-off basis. We compared data from our experimental group with the control group.

Results

The results of this study indicate that the use of an automatic push notification system had a minimal impact on specific parameters of ED patient flow. Apart from a few significant reductions of specific timed-intervals during patients’ ED visit, the majority of results were not statistically significant.

Conclusion

This study concluded that the anticipated benefits of a push text notification system in the ED do not, at this stage, justify the system’s additional cost. We recommend a follow-up study to further investigate other possible benefits.
Soybean (Glycine max L Merr) host-plant defenses and resistance to the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch)
Authors: Scott Ian M. , McDowell Tim , Renaud Justin B. , Krolikowski Sophie W. , Chen Ling , Dhaubhadel Sangeeta
Published: October 2021

In southern Ontario, Canada, the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) is an emerging pest of soybean (Glycine max) due to the increasing incidence of warmer, drier weather conditions. One key strategy to manage soybean pests is breeding resistant cultivars. Resistance to pathogens and herbivores in soybean has been associated with isoflavonoid phytoalexins, a group of specialized metabolites commonly associated with root, leaf and seed tissues. A survey of 18 Ontario soybean cultivars for spider mite resistance included evaluations of antibiosis and tolerance in relation to isoflavonoid and other metabolites detected in the leaves. Ten-day and 4-week trials beginning with early growth stage plants were used to compare survival, growth, fecundity as well as damage to leaves. Two-spotted spider mite (TSSM) counts were correlated with HPLC measurements of isoflavonoid concentration in the leaves and global metabolite profiling by high resolution LC-MS to identify other metabolites unique to the most resistant (R) and susceptible (S) cultivars. Within 10 days, no significant difference (P>0.05) in resistance to TSSM was determined between cultivars, but after 4 weeks, one cultivar, OAC Avatar, was revealed to have the lowest number of adult TSSMs and their eggs. Other cultivars showing partial resistance included OAC Wallace and OAC Lakeview, while Pagoda was the most tolerant to TSSM feeding. A low, positive correlation between isoflavonoid concentrations and TSSM counts and feeding damage indicated these compounds alone do not explain the range of resistance or tolerance observed. In contrast, other metabolite features were significantly different (P<0.05) in R versus S cultivars. In the presence of TSSM, the R cultivars had significantly greater (P<0.05) concentrations of the free amino acids Trp, Val, Thr, Glu, Asp and His relative to S cultivars. Furthermore, the R cultivar metabolites detected are viable targets for more in-depth analysis of their potential roles in TSSM defense.
A physician-led medical emergency team increases the rate of medical interventions: A multicenter study in Korea
Authors: Lee Su Yeon , Ahn Jee Hwan , Kang Byung Ju , Jeon Kyeongman , Lee Sang-Min , Lee Dong Hyun , Lee Yeon Joo , Kim Jung Soo , Park Jisoo , Moon Jae Young , Hong Sang-Bum
Published: October 2021

Background

According to the rapid response system’s team composition, responding teams were named as rapid response team (RRT), medical emergency team (MET), and critical care outreach. A RRT is often a nurse-led team, whereas a MET is a physician-led team that mainly plays the role of an efferent limb. As few multicenter studies have focused on physician-led METs, we comprehensively analyzed cases for which physician-led METs were activated.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed cases for which METs were activated. The study population consisted of subjects over 18 years of age who were admitted in the general ward from January 2016 to December 2017 in 9 tertiary teaching hospitals in Korea. The data on subjects’ characteristics, activation causes, activation methods, performed interventions, in-hospital mortality, and intensive care unit (ICU) transfer after MET activation were collected and analyzed.

Results

In this study, 12,767 cases were analyzed, excluding those without in-hospital mortality data. The subjects’ median age was 67 years, and 70.4% of them were admitted to the medical department. The most common cause of MET activation was respiratory distress (35.1%), followed by shock (11.8%), and the most common underlying disease was solid cancer (39%). In 7,561 subjects (59.2%), the MET was activated using the screening system. The commonly performed procedures were arterial line insertion (17.9%), intubation (13.3%), and portable ultrasonography (13.0%). Subsequently, 29.4% of the subjects were transferred to the ICU, and 27.2% died during hospitalization.

Conclusions

This physician-led MET cohort showed relatively high rates of intervention, including arterial line insertion and portable ultrasonography, and low ICU transfer rates. We presume that MET detects deteriorating patients earlier using a screening system and begins ICU-level management at the patient’s bedside without delay, eventually preventing the patient’s condition from worsening and transfer to the ICU.
Of herds and societies—Seasonal aspects of Vinča culture herding and land use practices revealed using sequential stable isotope analysis of animal teeth
Authors: Gillis Rosalind E. , Bulatović Jelena , Penezić Kristina , Spasić Miloš , Tasić Nenad N. , Makarewicz Cheryl A.
Published: October 2021

Late Neolithic Vinča communities, spread over much of central and northern Balkans during the late sixth to mid-fifth millennium BC and characterised by unusually large and densely population centres, would have required highly organised food production systems. Zooarchaeological analysis indicates that domesticate livestock were herded, but little is known about the seasonal husbandry practices that helped ensure a steady supply of animal products to Vinča farming communities. Here, we present new stable carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) isotopic measurements of incremental bioapatite samples from the teeth of domesticated livestock and wild herbivore teeth from two late Neolithic Vinča culture sites: Vinča-Belo brdo and Stubline (Serbia). Our results show a low variation overall within sheep and goats in terms of pasture type that may have been composed of seasonal halophyte plant communities, which have higher δ13C values due to the saline rich growing environments. Cattle feeding strategies were more variable and provided with supplementary forage, such as cut branches or leafy hay, during winter. The sharp distinction in the management of cattle and sheep/goat may be associated with the development of herding strategies that sought to balance livestock feeding behaviours with available forage or, more provocatively, the emergence of household-based control over cattle–an animal that held a central economic and symbolic role in Vinča societies.
The use of local therapy in preventing urethral strictures: A systematic review
Authors: Jacobs Marleen E. , de Kemp Vincent F. , Albersen Maarten , de Kort Laetitia M. O. , de Graaf Petra
Published: October 2021

Background

Urethral stricture disease is a common problem amongst men in Western countries often leading to a decreased quality of life. Current endoscopic treatment procedure shows an unsatisfying stricture recurrence rate which could be improved by addition of local therapies.

Objectives

To provide an overview of both preclinical and clinical studies in order to investigate current level of evidence on the addition of local therapy to improve urethral stricture recurrence rates after endoscopic procedures.

Methods

We performed a literature search in December 2020 and August 2021 using Cochrane, Embase, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science and identified articles through combinations of search terms for ‘urethral stricture disease’, ‘stricture formation’ and ‘local interventions’. We used the SYRCLE, RoB-2 and ROBINS-I tools to assess risk of bias across included studies. We did not perform a meta-analysis due to methodological differences between studies.

Results

We included 32 articles in the qualitative analysis, 20 of which were preclinical studies and 12 clinical studies. Regarding preclinical articles using an animal model, nearly all interventions showed to have a positive effect on either urethral fibrosis, urethral stricture formation and/or fibrotic protein expression levels. Here, immunosuppressants and chemotherapeutics seemed most promising for possible clinical purposes. Regarding clinical studies, mitomycin-C and hyaluronic acid and carboxymethylcellulose showed positive effects on urethral stricture recurrence rates with low to intermediate risk of bias across studies. However, the positive clinical effects of mitomycin-C and steroids seemed to decrease in studies with a longer follow-up time.

Conclusion

Although local adjuvant use of mitomycin-C or hyaluronic acid and carboxymethylcellulose may carry clinical potential to improve urethral structure recurrence rates after endoscopic procedures, we believe that a large, well-designed RCT with a yearlong follow-up time is necessary to identify the true clinical value.
Locus-specific analysis of Transposable Elements during the progression of ALS in the SOD1G93A mouse model
Authors: Valdebenito-Maturana Braulio , Arancibia Esteban , Riadi Gonzalo , Tapia Juan Carlos , Carrasco Mónica
Published: October 2021

Transposable Elements (TEs) are ubiquitous genetic elements with the ability to move within a genome. TEs contribute to a large fraction of the repetitive elements of a genome, and because of their nature, they are not routinely analyzed in RNA-Seq gene expression studies. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a lethal neurodegenerative disease, and a well-accepted model for its study is the mouse harboring the human SOD1G93A mutant. In this model, landmark stages of the disease can be recapitulated at specific time points, making possible to understand changes in gene expression across time. While there are several works reporting TE activity in ALS models, they have not explored their activity through the disease progression. Moreover, they have done it at the expense of losing their locus of expression. Depending on their genomic location, TEs can regulate genes in cis and in trans, making locus-specific analysis of TEs of importance in order to understand their role in modulating gene expression. Particularly, the locus-specific role of TEs in ALS has not been fully elucidated. In this work, we analyzed publicly available RNA-Seq datasets of the SOD1G93A mouse model, to understand the locus-specific role of TEs. We show that TEs become up-regulated at the early stages of the disease, and via statistical associations, we speculate that they can regulate several genes, which in turn might be contributing to the genetic dysfunction observed in ALS.
Characteristics of new HIV diagnoses over 1995–2019: A clinic-based study in Montréal, Canada
Authors: Giguère Katia , Vaziri Maliheh , Olivier Clément , Charest Louise , Szabo Jason , Thomas Réjean , Maheu-Giroux Mathieu
Published: October 2021

Background

Characterization of populations at risk of acquiring HIV is required to inform the public health response to HIV. To identify potential changing needs in HIV prevention and care cascade, we aim to describe how the demographic profiles and exposure categories of newly diagnosed HIV positive individuals attending a large sexual health clinic in Montréal (Canada) evolved since the beginning of the antiretroviral therapy era in the mid-1990s.

Methods

Using diagnosis data from participants of the Clinique médicale l’Actuel cohort of HIV-positive patients, we examined the distribution of exposure categories (sexual orientation, sexual behaviours, injection drug use, being born in an HIV-endemic country) by gender and year of diagnosis. Time trends in mean age and in the proportion of patients with late (CD4 <350 cells/μL) or advanced stage (CD4 <200 cells/μL) of HIV infection at diagnosis were assessed through meta-regressions.

Results

A total of 2,612 patients diagnosed with HIV between January 1st, 1995 and December 31st, 2019 were included. Overall, mean age was 35 years (standard deviation: 10 years) and remained stable over time. The proportion of patients with advanced stage of HIV infection decreased from 16% in 1995 to 4% in 2019. Although men who have sex with men (MSM) consistently accounted for the highest proportion of new diagnoses (77%, 2,022/2,612 overall), their proportion decreased since 2013. There was also a concomitant decrease in the proportion of people who inject drugs, with none of the newly diagnosed participants reporting injection drug use since 2017, and an important increase in the proportion of patients born in an HIV-endemic country (24%, 7/29 in 2019), especially among women. Compared to patients from non-endemic countries, those from HIV-endemic countries were characterized by higher proportions of heterosexuals (88% vs 17%) and of women (52% vs 7%), and were twice likely to get diagnosed at an advanced stage of HIV infection (32% vs 15%).

Conclusions

In absolute numbers, MSM continue to account for the largest exposure category. However, patients from HIV-endemic countries, who tend to be diagnosed at later stages of HIV infection, constitute an increasing proportion of newly diagnosed individuals. These persons could face distinct barriers to rapid diagnosis. Tailoring HIV testing strategies and other prevention interventions to the specific unmet prevention needs of these individuals is warranted.
Triple reassortment increases compatibility among viral ribonucleoprotein genes of contemporary avian and human influenza A viruses
Authors: Waters Kaitlyn , Gao Cheng , Ykema Matthew , Han Lei , Voth Lynden , Tao Yizhi Jane , Wan Xiu-Feng
Published: October 2021

Compatibility among the influenza A virus (IAV) ribonucleoprotein (RNP) genes affects viral replication efficiency and can limit the emergence of novel reassortants, including those with potential pandemic risks. In this study, we determined the polymerase activities of 2,451 RNP reassortants among three seasonal and eight enzootic IAVs by using a minigenome assay. Results showed that the 2009 H1N1 RNP are more compatible with the tested enzootic RNP than seasonal H3N2 RNP and that triple reassortment increased such compatibility. The RNP reassortants among 2009 H1N1, canine H3N8, and avian H4N6 IAVs had the highest polymerase activities. Residues in the RNA binding motifs and the contact regions among RNP proteins affected polymerase activities. Our data indicates that compatibility among seasonal and enzootic RNPs are selective, and enzoosis of multiple strains in the animal-human interface can facilitate emergence of an RNP with increased replication efficiency in mammals, including humans.
La retórica edad-impunidad en los juicios por los crímenes cometidos durante el genocidio argentino (1975-1983)
Authors: Zylberman Lior , Taboada Adriana
Published: October 2021

Desde la reapertura de los juicios por los crímenes cometidos por la última dictadura militar en Argentina, han emergido nuevos aspectos en la escena judicial, siendo uno de ellos la “retórica edad-impunidad”. En su dimensión visual, entendemos por dicha retórica a la representación de los perpetradores que ha ido tomando forma en los últimos años, habilitando la posibilidad de eximirlos de culpa y responsabilidad por los crímenes cometidos en virtud de su avanzada edad. Sostenemos que lo visual configura una determinada estética que brinda andamiaje a la impunidad y su naturalización, dando lugar a una forma de impunidad que puede ser denominada como “impunidad gerontológica”. Para adentrarnos en la construcción de esa representación, pondremos en tensión el par visto/no visto a través de fotografías y editoriales de la prensa escrita, siendo nuestros principales puntos de anclaje teórico el concepto de “viejismo” aportado por la gerontología y la “fórmula del martirio” que surge del estudio de las representaciones de masacres y genocidios desarrollado por José Emilio Burucúa y Nicolás Kwiatkowski.
The vitality and revitalisation attempts of the Mansi language in Khanty-Mansiysk
Authors: Horváth Csilla
Published: October 2021

A manysi egy Nyugat-Szibériában beszélt őshonos kisebbségi nyelv. Nyelvészetileg az uráli nyelvcsaládba, szociológiailag az őshonos északi kisebbségi nyelvek közé tartozik. A manysi kétnyelvűség (és feltehető többnyelvűség) kezdetei kétségkívül a távoli múlt homályába vesznek, kezdetei nehezen megállapíthatók, annyi bizonyos, hogy már a korai kutatók (pl. Munkácsi 1889a: 208, 222-224) is panaszkodnak amiatt, az asszimiláció és a gyors nyelvcsere mennyire nehézzé teszi anyanyelvi beszélők megtalálást. Ez alapján valószínűsíthető, hogy manysik legalább egy része már a 19. században is nyelvi veszélyeztetettségnek volt kitéve, a folyamat pedig azóta is tart. Disszertációmban a következő kérdésekre keresem a választ: (1) Milyen mértékű volt a manysi nyelv vitalitása Hanti-Manszijszkban a revitalizációs törekvések, kezdeményezések megjelenése előtt. (2) Milyen a manysi nyelv revitalizációját célul kitűző törekvések, kezdeményezések figyelhetők meg Hanti-Manszijszkban? Kik ezeknek a törekvéseknek a kezdeményezői, kik a legaktívabb közreműködői? Mi ezeknek a kezdeményezéseknek a célja, kikből áll a célközönsége? Saját céljaikhoz viszonyítva ezek a kezdeményezések mennyiben tudtak eredményessé válni? (3) Hogyan változott Hanti-Manszijszkban a manysi nyelv vitalitásának helyzete a manyi revitalizációs törekvések eredményeként?
Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis: Using Presenting Findings to Predict Disease Course
Authors: Havlichek Daniel , Choung Rok Seon , Murray Joseph A.
Published: October 2021

INTRODUCTION:

Studies on eosinophilic gastroenteritis have identified broad spectrums of disease. We aimed to characterize subtypes of disease and ascertain outcomes of each group.

METHODS:

This is a retrospective cohort study from a large tertiary medical center including 35 patients diagnosed with eosinophilic gastroenteritis from 2007 to 2018. We defined 2 groups of patients based on clinical and laboratory findings at presentation. Severe disease was defined as having weight loss at time of presentation, hypoalbuminemia at presentation, serosal disease involvement, or anemia at diagnosis. The remaining patients were labeled as mild disease group. We collected and compared demographic data, clinical features, laboratory findings, an allergy history, and disease course of both cohorts.

RESULTS:

Among 35 patients with eosinophilic gastroenteritis, 18 patients met the criteria for severe disease and 17 patients for mild disease. Of the patients with severe eosinophilic gastroenteritis, 6 (38%) had remission without chronic symptoms, whereas 10 (63%) had chronic symptoms requiring chronic medical therapy. Of the mild group, 12 patients (80%) had disease remission without chronic medications. An allergy history was more common in the severe disease group (83%) compared with the mild disease group (45%). Prednisone and open capsule budesonide were the most commonly used treatment medications in both groups.

DISCUSSION:

Patients with eosinophilic gastroenteritis may be characterized into 2 forms. Patients with weight loss at time of presentation, hypoalbuminemia at presentation, serosal disease involvement, or anemia at diagnosis were associated with a chronic disease course requiring chronic medications.
Clinical Impact of Pathogenic Germline Variants in Pancreatic Cancer: Results From a Multicenter, Prospective, Universal Genetic Testing Study
Authors: Uson Pedro L. S. , Samadder N. Jewel , Riegert-Johnson Douglas , Boardman Lisa , Borad Mitesh J. , Ahn Daniel , Sonbol Mohamad B. , Faigel Douglas O. , Fukami Norio , Pannala Rahul , Kunze Katie , Golafshar Michael , Klint Margaret , Esplin Edward D. , Nussbaum Robert L. , Stewart A. Keith , Bekaii-Saab Tanios
Published: October 2021

INTRODUCTION:

To report the prevalence and outcomes of unselected pancreatic cancer (PC) patients with pathogenic/likely pathogenic germline variants (PGVs) detected using a universal testing approach.

METHODS:

We undertook a prospective, multisite study of germline sequencing using a >80 gene next-generation sequencing platform among 250 patients with PC (not selected for age or family history of cancer) between April 1, 2018, and March 31, 2020. Demographic, tumor characteristics, and clinical outcomes were compared between PGV carriers and noncarriers.

RESULTS:

Of 250 patients, the mean age was 65 years (SD 8.7), 56% was male, 83.6% was White, and 65.6% had advanced disease (stages III and IV). PGVs were found in 15.2% (N = 38) of patients, and 2 patients had more than 1 PGV. Variants of uncertain significance were found in 44.4% (N = 111). Family history of cancer (odds ratio: 2.36, 95% confidence interval: 1.14–5.19, P = 0.025) was associated with a higher risk of PGV. In a median follow-up of 16.5 months, the median overall survival was 16.8 months in PGV carriers compared with 16.5 months in noncarriers (hazard ratio: 0.51, 95% confidence interval: 0.25–1.01, P = 0.05). Higher levels of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 and advanced disease stages (III and IV) were associated with worse outcomes in both groups. Overall, 68% of PGV carriers had mutations in homologous recombination repair genes, including BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, ATM, CHEK2, NBN, and RAD51C.

DISCUSSION:

Universal multigene panel testing in PC reveals that 1 in 6 patients are carriers of PGV. Multigene germline testing should be used to aid in treatment selection, prognostication, and familial cancer counseling.
Lifetime Risk Assessment of Lung Cancer Incidence for Nonsmokers in Japan Considering the Joint Effect of Radiation and Smoking Based on the Life Span Study of Atomic Bomb Survivors
Authors: Shimada Kazumasa , Kai Michiaki
Published: October 2021

Background: The lifetime risk of lung cancer incidence due to radiation for nonsmokers is overestimated because of the use of the average cancer baseline risk among a mixed population, including smokers. In recent years, the generalized multiplicative (GM)-excess relative risk (ERR) model has been developed in the life span study of atomic bomb survivors to consider the joint effect of radiation and smoking. Based on this background, this paper discusses the issues of radiation risk assessment considering smoking in two parts.Materials and Methods: In Part 1, we proposed a simple method of estimating the baseline risk for nonsmokers using current smoking data. We performed sensitivity analysis on baseline risk estimation to discuss the birth cohort effects. In Part 2, we applied the GM-ERR model for Japanese smokers to calculate lifetime attributable risk (LAR). We also performed a sensitivity analysis using other ERR models (e.g., simple additive (SA)-ERR model).Results and Discussion: In Part 1, the lifetime baseline risk from mixed population including smokers to nonsmokers decreased by 54% (44%–60%) for males and 24% (18%–29%) for females. In Part 2, comparison of LAR between SA- and GM-ERR models showed that if the radiation dose was ≤200 mGy or less, the difference between these ERR models was within the standard deviation of LAR due to the uncertainty of smoking information.Conclusion: The use of mixed population for baseline risk assessment overestimates the risk for lung cancer due to low-dose radiation exposure in Japanese males.
X-Rays through the Looking Glass: Mobile Imaging Dosimetry and Image Quality of Suspected COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Schelleman Alexandra , Boyd Chris
Published: October 2021

Background: This paper aims to evaluate the clinical utility and radiation dosimetry, for the mobile X-ray imaging of patients with known or suspected infectious diseases, through the window of an isolation room. The suitability of this technique for imaging coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients is of particular focus here, although it is expected to have equal relevance to many infectious respiratory disease outbreaks.Materials and Methods: Two exposure levels were examined, a “typical” mobile exposure of 100 kVp/1.6 mAs and a “high” exposure of 120 kVp/5 mAs. Exposures of an anthropomorphic phantom were made, with and without a glass window present in the beam. The resultant phantom images were provided to experienced radiographers for image quality evaluation, using a Likert scale to rate the anatomical structure visibility.Results and Discussion: The incident air kerma doubled using the high exposure technique, from 29.47 μGy to 67.82 μGy and scattered radiation inside and outside the room increased. Despite an increase in beam energy, high exposure technique images received higher image quality scores than images acquired using lower exposure settings.Conclusion: Increased scattered radiation was very low and can be further mitigated by ensuring surrounding staff are appropriately distanced from both the patient and X-ray tube. Although an increase in incident air kerma was observed, practical advantages in infection control and personal protective equipment conservation were identified. Sites are encouraged to consider the use of this technique where appropriate, following the completion of standard justification practices.
Design and Fabrication of CLYC-Based Rotational Modulation Collimator (RMC) System for Gamma-Ray/Neutron Dual-Particle Imager
Authors: Kim Hyun Suk , Lee Jooyub , Choi Sanghun , Bang Young-bong , Ye Sung-Joon , Kim Geehyun
Published: October 2021

Background: This work aims to develop a new imaging system based on a pulse shape discrimination-capable Cs2LiYCl6:Ce (CLYC) scintillation detector combined with the rotational modulation collimator (RMC) technique for dual-particle imaging.Materials and Methods: In this study, a CLYC-based RMC system was designed based on Monte Carlo simulations, and a prototype was fabricated. Therein, a rotation control system was developed to rotate the RMC unit precisely, and a graphical user interface-based software was also developed to operate the data acquisition with RMC rotation. The RMC system was developed to allow combining various types of collimator masks and detectors interchangeably, making the imaging system more versatile for various applications and conditions.Results and Discussion: Operational performance of the fabricated system was studied by checking the accuracy and precision of the collimator rotation and obtaining modulation patterns from a gamma-ray source repeatedly.Conclusion: The prototype RMC system showed reliability in its mechanical properties and reproducibility in the acquisition of modulation patterns, and it will be further investigated for its dual-particle imaging capability with various complex radioactive source conditions.
Whatever is Seen is Sold: Merchandise Mantra
Authors: Singla Babita , Dyczek Berenika , Soto Rosario Mercedes Huerta , Mukthar KP. Jaheer
Published: October 2021

Purpose: This paper aims to analyze the effect of the future display to know the changing scenario of the promotion tactics used for sales especially the display matrix and its importance. Design/methodology/approach: A complete of fifty retail stores were personally surveyed with a structured questionnaire. These retailers are spread across the well-developed Mall road area of Bathinda city. Simple statistical analysis like descriptive statistical analysis evaluates the effectiveness of future displays and understands consumers’ level of satisfaction was administered. Findings: The preferences of the consumers indicate their priority for future display. The consumers’ preference of marketplace largely depends on the convenience in purchasing at the marketplace alongside the supply of attractive display, basic amenities, and affordability. Results suggest that the proper investment in retail merchandise with proper planning will help in selling more products with higher margins. It had been found that a lot of times consumers make their purchase on basis of the attractive display of products without an entire search and analysis about the merchandise. Hence, buyers are often attracted to a far better presentation and may pay more prices for it. Research Limitations/Implications: This paper analyses the extent of satisfaction of the consumers under survey concerning future display. The retailers are in a relatively advantageous position in terms of awareness of the effectiveness of future displays. Practical implications: The results may help the retail outlet owners to know the role of future display in an increment of store sales volume so that they will make better decisions within the emerging merchandise techniques as per the predictive retail environment. Originality/value: The subject is comparatively less researched in emerging markets especially where organized retail remains in its early stages.
Aplikasi Pupuk Organik Kotoran Ayam dan Jerami Padi pada Pertumbuhan dan Produksi Bawang Merah (Allium cepa L. var. bima curut)
Authors: Khasanah Mudlikatun , Suedy Sri Widodo Agung , Prihastanti Erma
Published: October 2021

Salah satu varietas bawang merah lokal adalah bima curut dengan kemampuan adaptasi yang baik, ukuran umbi besar, dan jumlah anakan yang banyak. Optimasi peningkatan produksi bawang merah salah satunya melalui pemupukan menggunakan pupuk organik dari kotoran ayam dan jerami padi. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mengetahui pengaruh pupuk organik dari bahan kotoran ayam dan jerami padi terhadap pertumbuhan dan produksi bawang merah. Rancangan penelitian yang digunakan adalah RAL (Rancangan Acak Lengkap), dengan 7 perlakuan yaitu: P0 (tanpa pupuk); P1 (pupuk anorganik); P2 (pupuk kotoran ayam:pupuk jerami, perbandingan 0:1); P3 (pupuk kotoran ayam:pupuk jerami, perbandingan 1:0); P4 (pupuk kotoran ayam:pupuk jerami perbandingan 1:1); P5 (Pupuk kotoran ayam:pupuk jerami, perbandingan 1:2); P6 (pupuk kotoran ayam:pupuk jerami, perbandingan 2:1); tiap perlakuan dengan 4 ulangan. Analisis data menggunakan Analysis of Variance dilanjutkan dengan uji Duncan’s Multiple Range Test pada taraf signifikasi 95%. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa penggunaan pupuk organik kotoran ayam dan jerami padi berpengaruh nyata meningkatkan pertumbuhan dan produksi bawang merah berupa: jumlah daun sebesar 41% dan tinggi tanaman sebesar 42%, serta jumlah umbi/rumpun sebesar 41%; jumlah umbi/m2 sebesar 22%; berat basah sebesar 35%; dan berat kering sebesar 31% dibandingkan kontrol (P0).
Cytokine profile of patients with the measles infection of varying severity
Authors: Veklych K. A. , Popov M. M. , Liadova T. I. , Martynenko O. V. , Sorokina O. H. , Sarkis-Ivanova V. V.
Published: October 2021

Aim: to determine the nature of the cytokine response in patients with measles infection of varying severity, both with and without complications.
Materials and methods. 65 patients who were treated in the Kharkiv regional infectious hospital from 2017 to 2019 were included in the study. All patients were divided into 4 groups depending on the severity of the disease and the presence of complications.
All patients included in the study on the day of admission to the hospital and on the 10th day of hospital stay were examined for serum concentrations of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines as well as interferons alpha and gamma, which was carried out by solid-phase enzyme immunoassay using kits manufactured by “Vector-best” company (RF) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Statistical processing of the obtained data was carried out using the IBM SPSS Statistics 22.0 software package.
Results. The study of the levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in dynamics showed a decrease in their levels on the 10th day of hospital stay in patients who did not have complications, and their increase in patients whose illness was accompanied by the development of pneumonia. Levels of INFα and INFγ in dynamics increased in all groups of patients. Significant changes in relation to the control group in the ratio of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the dynamics were observed only in patients with a dissociative type of cytokine response. In patients of this group on the 1st and 10th days of hospital stay the ratio index of IL-6/IL-10 was shifted towards a significant predominance of proinflammatory cytokines.
Conclusions. The study demonstrates the presence of three possible types of cytokine response in patients with measles infection of varying severity: normoreactive, dissociative and hyporeactive. Each type was typical to a specific group of patients and influenced the clinical course of the disease and the development of complications, which is associated with the dynamics of increasing levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and increasing levels of INFα and INFγ. The dynamics of increase in levels of these factors in severe disease is lower than in moderate disease. Taking into account the obtained data it can be assumed that in process of anti-infectious immunity formation in response to measles infection the prevalence of the Th-1 immune response over the Th-2 response becomes important.
Role of speckle tracking echocardiography in patients with myocardial infarction
Authors: Kobets A. V. , Kopytsia M. P. , Tytarenko N. V. , Rodionova Yu. V.
Published: October 2021

All over the world cardiovascular diseases are one of the main reason of morbidity and mortality in the structure of non-communicable diseases, and myocardial infarction has a leading role. Markers of modern advanced ultrasound techniques, speckle tracking echocardiography, play significant role in the detection and assessment of cardiovascular disease. Deviation of them can detect myocardial ischemia, hypertrophy, dystrophy and infiltration, severe systemic diseases, cardiotoxicity of the drugs, etc.
This technology significantly improves diagnostic capabilities of transthoracic echocardiography, it allows to assess myocardial function in all three planes (longitudinal, circumferential and radial), in which myocardium moves during cardiac cycle. Speckle tracking echocardiography can determine the volume of myocardial damage, differentiate subendocardial and transmural myocardial infarction, identify viable and fibrous areas of the myocardium, that is confirmed by the results of magnetic resonance imaging. Besides, this method helps to detect and assess mechanical dyssynchrony and also predict the risk of pathological left ventricular remodeling and life-threatening adverse cardiovascular events (arrhythmias, increasing of heart failure, recurrent myocardial infarction, stroke, death, etc.), that is important for patients with acute myocardial infarction to identify high-risk patients.
The most studied markers of this technique are longitudinal, circumferential and radial strain, mechanical dispersion and postsystolic shortening. Markers of this ultrasound technique significantly complete other markers of transthoracic echocardiography, such as left ventricular ejection fraction, to assess risk stratification of cardiovascular complications. The value of speckle-tracking echocardiography markers has been demonstrated alone or in combination with other markers.
Prognostic value of serum S100B concentration in patients with acute spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Koziolkin О. A. , Kuznietsov A. A.
Published: October 2021

Aim of the work – to evaluate the informativeness of serum protein S100B levels in detection of short-term prognosis in patients with acute period of spontaneous supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage (SSICH) on the background of concervative therapy.
Materials and methods. Prospective cohort study of 90 patients with acute SSICH on the background of conservative therapy was done. Level of neurological deficit was evaluated using Full Outline of Unresponsiveness Scale, Glasgow Coma Scale and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale. Computed tomography was done to detect the intracerebral hemorrhage volume (ICHV), secondary intraventricular hemorrhage volume (SIVHV) and total volume of intracranial hemorrhage (TVICH). Laboratory blood samples were taken within 24 hours of hospitalization. Levels of S100B protein in serum were measured using immunoassay analysis. Unfavorable variants of course (early neurological deterioration (END) during 48 hours from hospitalization) and disease acute period outcome of ICH (modified Rankin score 4–6 on the 21st day of the disease) were considered as endpoints. Statistical processing of the obtained results included correlation analysis, logistic regression analysis and ROC-analysis.
Results. Neurological deterioration during 48 hours after hospitalization was detected in 18 (20.0 %) patients, unfavorable SSICH acute period outcome was revealed in 49 (54.4 %) patients. It was detected that serum S100B protein correlates with ICHV (R = 0.34, P ˂ 0.01), SIVHV (R = 0.39, P ˂ 0.01) and TVICH (R = 0.45, P ˂ 0.01). Thus, the patients with unfavorable SSICH acute period course and outcome are characterized with the higher S100B protein levels (P ˂ 0.0001). High sensitive multipredicive logistic regression model that integrates prognostic value of serum of S100B protein concentration with informativeness of clinical, neurological parameters (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score, SIVHV) was elaborated. It helps to detect the individual risk of unfavorable acute SSICH period outcome on the ground of conservative therapy with the accuracy 90.0 % (AUC ± SE (95 % CІ) = 0.95 ± 0.02 (0.89–0.99), P ˂ 0.0001).
Conclusions. Serum S100B protein levels in patients with SSICH on the 1st day after hospitalization is the informative additional parameter in verification of short-term prognosis on the background of conservative therapy.
The effect of cytomegalovirus on clinical and paraclinical as well as immune parameters of children with rotavirus infection
Authors: Sliepchenko M. Yu. , Kuznetsov S. V.
Published: October 2021

The aim is to evaluate the effect of cytomegalovirus on clinical and paraclinical as well as immunological parameters in children with rotavirus infection (RVI).
Materials and methods. 50 children aged one to three years, patients with moderate and severe intestinal infections of rotavirus etiology were examined. All children were examined for herpes virus infections types 1, 2, 4, 5, 6. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the level of specific Ig G and Ig M for herpes viruses types 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and in the case of a positive test, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) determined the presence of DNA (qualitatively) of these herpesviruses. Group 1 (mono-RVI), which was taken as a reference, included 33 children in whom no infection with any of these viruses of the herpes group was detected. Group 2 included 17 patients who underwent RVI on the background of CMV infection, the presence of infection with other viruses of the herpes group was excluded. Immune response parameters (CD 3+, CD 4+, CD 8+, CD 16+, CD 22+, Ig A, Ig M, Ig G, IL 1β, 4, TNF-α) in the acute period of the disease and in the period of convalescence were analyzed.
Qualitative indicators were given in the form of absolute and relative (%) value. Significance of differences was determined using Pearson’s χ2 test (Pearson’s Chi-squared test). Quantitative indicators were given in the form of median (Me) and values of lower (LQ) and upper (UQ) quartiles. The significance of differences in quantitative indicators in two unrelated groups was determined using the Mann–Whitney U-test. The threshold value of the confidence level was taken as 0.05.
Results. The analysis of the obtained data allows to establish that in the acute period of RVI infection in children with CMV leads to lower figures of temperature reaction, lower vomiting rate, prolongation of hospitalization, along with decrease in leukocytes, CD 16+ (%) cells and immunoregulatory index (CD 4+/CD 8+) against the background of increased levels of monocytes, CD 8+ (%) T-lymphocytes, concentrations of IL-4 and TNF-α. During convalescence, the presence of CMV is associated with an increase in the duration of fever and diarrhea, an increase in monocytes, CD 8+ (%) T cells, concentrations of IL-4, TNF-α and lower figures of immunoregulatory index, CD 16+ (%), CD 22+ (%) T cells and Ig M.
Conclusions. Latent cytomegalovirus infection in children with rotavirus gastroenteritis significantly affects a number of clinical and paraclinical as well as immune parameters, which leads to a decrease in the intensity of clinical manifestations in the acute period of the disease and the prolongation of some symptoms during convalescence.
Pathomorphological changes of the placenta in coronavirus disease (COVID 19)
Authors: Savchuk T. V. , Gychka S. H. , Leshchenko I. V.
Published: October 2021

The aim of this research was to study the pathomorphological changes in the placenta in case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the anamnesis during different periods of gestation.
Materials and methods. 53 placentas of women with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) (RNA determination of the SARS-CoV-2) during the pregnancy were studied. The material was divided into the following groups: 1 and 2 – placentas in cases with a negative PCR test in full-term newborns who were born in satisfactory condition and high Apgar score. Group 1 (n = 29) – mother’s history of COVID-19 at 34–39 weeks of gestation; group 2 (n = 17) – mother’s history of COVID-19 at 23-33 weeks of gestation; 3 (n = 7) – placenta in case of antenatal fetal death.
Results. Statistically significant differences were revealed between study groups: chorioamnionitis prevailed in group 1 (in 28 cases (96.6 %); confidence interval (CI): 86.4–100.0 %; P1-2 = 0.004); in groups 2 and 3 – arteriosclerosis (in 13 cases (76.5 %); CI: 52.2– 93.9 %; P1-2 = 0.0003 and in 7 cases (100 %); CI: 75.7–100.0 %; P1-3 = 0.001; respectively). COVID-19 was diagnosed in group 1 from 34 to 39 weeks of gestation (median 36.5), group 2 from 23 to 33 weeks (median 28.0), in group 3 from 13 to 32 weeks with a median of 24.5. Antenatal fetal death was observed between 14 and 41 weeks (median 31.4).
Conclusions. Pathomorphological changes in the placenta in the coronavirus disease COVID-19 depended on the duration of the post-COVID interval (the time interval from the diagnosis of COVID-19 and the moment of delivery), due to the sequential change in the phases of the inflammatory process: alteration, exudation and proliferation, followed by fibrosis. The formation of acute placental insufficiency in coronavirus disease COVID-19, diagnosed up to 1–6 weeks to delivery, is associated with the development of severe disorders of circulation and acute exudative inflammatory reactions of varying severity. The formation of chronic placental insufficiency is associated with the proliferative stage of inflammation. These changes lead to the development of fibrosis in the wall of arterioles and intervillous space. The most significant structural changes in the placenta, leading to placental insufficiency, were observed in group 2 – at the time of infection in the period from 23–33 weeks of pregnancy. Coronavirus disease COVID-19 in the mother in the second trimester of pregnancy is a risk factor for perinatal losses, which are caused by the changes in the placenta described above with an increase in the duration of the post-COVID interval.
Research in biologically active substances of the volatile fraction from Highbush blueberry vegetative organs
Authors: Stremoukhov O. O. , Koshovyi O. M. , Komisarenko M. A.
Published: October 2021

Ukraine ranked second in the world after Peru in the pace of laying new Highbush blueberry plantations. Experts estimate that in 2018, in Ukraine, from 0.7 thousand hectares to 1.0 thousand hectares of new Highbush blueberry plantations were laid. Over the past 12 years, previously little-known product, Highbush blueberries have become one of the main berry crops. At present, commercial plantations blueberries take the 3rd place after black currants and strawberries. Zhytomyr region boasts the biggest areas planted with Highbush blueberries in Ukraine, followed by Volyn and Kyiv. According to estimates, the export of blueberries from Ukraine may increase to 20 thousand tons in 5 years.
In addition to the use of Highbush blueberries in the food industry, they are a promising source of BAS for pharmaceutical and medical use, so their study is a promising area of pharmaceutical science. In Ukraine, there are no domestic standardized medicines manufactured from Highbush blueberries, and there are only foreign dietary and functional supplements. Abroad, Highbush blueberry medicines are used to improve vision and as astringents for colitis, enterocolitis and diarrhoea. In this regard, the development of domestic standardized medicines based on Highbush blueberries raw materials is an urgent task for modern pharmacy.
The aim of the research was to study the phytochemical profile of the volatile fraction of Highbush blueberry vegetative organs (leaves, stems and fruits).
Materials and methods. The objects of research were the leaves, fruits and stems of Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.), in which the composition of the the volatile fraction components was studied by chromato-mass spectrometry on a gas chromatograph Agilent Technologies 6890 with a mass spectrometric detector 5973.
Results. Chromato-mass spectrometry in the composition of volatile fractions of leaves, fruits and stems of Highbush blueberries revealed 65 substances. 49 substances were identified in the Highbush blueberry leaves, of which 36 substances of terpene nature, 13 organic acids, and 2 compounds were not identified. In the Highbush blueberries fruits, 47 substances were found, of which 36 substances are of terpene nature, 14 are organic acids and 3 were not identified. In the Highbush blueberries stems, 50 substances were found, of which 33 substances are of terpene nature, 14 are organic acids and one was not identified.
Conclusions. As a result of phytochemical studies, it is for the first time that the component composition of volatile fractions of leaves, stems and fruits of Highbush blueberries from the flora of Ukraine was established. The content of 65 substances was identified and established, including 14 organic acids and 39 terpene compounds.