bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Change of GFAP or S100B Concentration in Serum Before and After Carotid Artery Stenting
Authors: Yuan Xiaofan , Yang Shu , Wang Duozi , Guo Lei , Wang Jianhong , Guo Fuqiang
Published: December 2019

In this study we monitored the concentration change of the cerebral biomarkers Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and S100B Protein (S100B) in serum of the patients, who were performed with carotid artery stenosis before and after carotid artery stent implantation. In total, thirty patients with unilateral carotid stenosis who underwent carotid artery stenting and had no complications were enrolled in the carotid artery stenting (CAS) group. The blood samples of operation patients were collected on three different time points: T1: the day before operation; T2: one day after operation (24 hours); T3, three days after operation (72 hours). Thirty patients who were excluded for carotid artery stenosis by Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) were selected as the control group. The blood samples of patients in control group were collected at D1 (before DSA) and D2 (24 hours after DSA). The concentrations of GFAP and S100B in serum from patients of both groups were measured with ELISA. The results showed that the serum concentrations of GFAP and S100B in control group did not change significantly before and after DSA (P>0.05); while the serum concentrations of GFAP and S100B was higher in the CAS group before operation than those in DSA group（P<0.05）. In the operation group, GFAP and S100B increased significantly on the first day after operation (T2) and decreased gradually on the third day after operation (T3) but increased compared with that before operation (T1) with statistical significance (P < 0.05). For patients with symptomatic stenosis before operation, the concentrations of GFAP and S100B in serum were higher than those in patients without symptomatic stenosis, and there was statistical difference between them (P < 0.05), but there was no statistical significance between them after operation (P > 0.05). So we confirm the cerebral biochemical markers GFAP and S100B have a certain change trend after CAS, which can be used as the cerebral biochemical markers in the pre-operative evaluation and post-operative efficacy in monitoring of carotid stent implantation.
The association between ambient air pollution and scarlet fever in Qingdao, China, 2014-2018: a quantitative analysis
Authors: Hu Xiaowen , Wei Tao , Han Yalin , Jia Jing , Pan Bei , Jiang Fachun , Ni Wei
Published: December 2019

Background: We conducted a distributed lag non-linear time series analysis to quantify the association between air pollution and scarlet fever in Qingdao city during 2014-2018. Methods: A generalized additive Mixed Model (GAMM) combined with a distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) was applied to quantify the distributed lag effects of air pollutions on scarlet fever, with daily incidence of scarlet fever as the dependent variable and air pollutions as the independent variable adjusted for potential confounders. Results: A total of 6,316 cases of scarlet fever were notified, and there were 376 days occurring air pollution during the study period. Scarlet fever was significantly associated with air pollutions at lag 7 days with different RRs of air pollution degrees (1.172, 95%CI: 1.038-1.323 in mild air pollution; 1.374, 95%CI: 1.078-1.749 in moderate air pollution; 1.610, 95%CI: 1.163-2.314 in severe air pollution; 1.887, 95%CI: 1.163-3.061 in most severe air pollution). Conclusions: Our findings show that air pollution is positively associated with scarlet fever in Qingdao. Moreover, the risk of scarlet fever could be increased along with the degrees of air pollution. It contributes to developing strategies to prevent and reduce health impact from scarlet fever and other non-vaccine-preventable respiratory infectious diseases in air polluted areas.
Human cystic echinococcosis in southwest Iran: a 15-year retrospective epidemiological analysis of 501 consecutive hospitalized cases (2004-2018)
Authors: Shahriarirad Reza , Erfani Amirhossein , Eskandarisani Mehrdad , Rastegarian Mohammad , Taghizadeh Hajar , Sarkari Bahador
Published: December 2019

Background: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is considered a neglected disease with significant mortality and morbidity in most of the developing countries. The current study aimed to retrospectively assess the epidemiologic and clinical features of human CE in a 15-year period in Fars province, southwestern Iran. Methods: Hospital records of patients undergone surgeries for CE in two main hospitals in Fars Province, southwestern Iran in a 15-year period (2004-2018) were reviewed and data concerning the patients' demographical and clinical features were retrieved from each record. Results: A total of 501 CE surgical cases were recorded during a 15-year period, giving an average annual incidence of 33.4 cases in which 242 (48.6%) were male and 256 (52.4%) were female. Patients' age ranged from 2 to 96 years, with a mean age of 34.92 (±19.87) years. A significantly higher rate of CE cases was noted in subjects ≥ 50 years of age. The highest frequency of cases (62: 12.5%) was recorded in the year 2017. The most commonly involved organs were liver (339 cases; 57.8%), and lung (279 cases; 47.6%). Concurrent involvement of two organs was seen in 58 (9.9%) cases of both lung and liver, 10 (1.6%) cases of lung and other locations (but not liver) and 23 (3.9%) cases of liver and other locations (but not lung). Recurrence was noted in 67 (13.37%) of the cases. The size of the lung hydatid cyst varied, ranging between 2 to 24 cm (mean = 7.33, SD= 3.737). The size of liver hydatid cysts ranged from 1 to 26 cm (mean: 9.04, SD= 4.275). Conclusion: The findings of the current study demonstrated a nearly constant prevalence of CE during the last 15 years in southern Iran. Further studies are needed to find out the reasons behind the recurrence of the disease, which is substantial, in surgically-treated patients.
Evolution of the Wx genotype combination in hybrid rice
Authors: Zhao bingran , Shao Ye , Peng Yan , Mao Bigang , Lv Qiming , Yuan Dingyang , Liu Xionglun
Published: December 2019

Background: With increased interest in the quality characteristics of hybrid rice, its quality traits have received a certain extent of improvement. However, comparisons to high-quality conventional rice, especially its eating quality, have revealed that more work is still required. Amylose content is a key determinant of the eating quality of rice, and Wx , the major gene controlling amylose content, has many allelic variants. A complete understanding of the Wx allelic variations in cultivated rice and the evolution process of the Wx genotype in hybrid rice are the premises for the rational utilization of rich genetic resources in the quality breeding of hybrid rice. Based on the 3K RGP re-sequencing data, we sought to analyse the allelic variation at the Wx locus and develop a set of Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR markers. Furthermore, we used the markers to analyse the evolution of a combination of the Wx genotype in hybrid rice.Results: Eight known alleles existing globally were identified, and their evident regional preferences and Indica - japonica background differences were revealed. An additional five non-synonymous mutations were identified in the coding region of the Wx gene for the first time, including a new functional site located in the active centre of OsGBSS1. By genotyping the basic hybrid parents obtained from 1976 to 2018, we found that only three Wx allelic variations existed. Wx lv was widely used in the female parents of the three-line hybrid rice, and Wx a was used in the female parents of early two-line hybrid rice; however, they were gradually replaced by Wx b .Conclusions: In this study, the Wx lv allele was found to be the cause of the poor eating quality of early hybrid rice. With the elimination of the Wx lv allele and introduction of Wx b in both parents, the eating quality of hybrid rice was generally improved. Only three allelic variations were present in the previous hybrid rice. For further eating quality improvement of hybrid rice, more Wx alleles should be introduced.
Bone-targeted PAMAM micelle to treat bone metastases of lung cancer
Authors: Bai Shao-bo , Cheng Ying , Liu Dao-zhou , Ji Qi-feng , Liu Miao , Zhang Bang-le , Mei Qi-bing , Zhou Si-yuan
Published: December 2019

Background: Bone is a frequent site of metastasis in lung cancer patients. So far, the treatment in bone metastasis of lung cancer still has not achieved any satisfactory effects in clinic. In this paper, alendronate (ALN) was selected to be connected with PAMAM via pH sensitive cis-aconitine anhydride (CA) to prepare bone-targeted micelle (DTX@ALN-PAMAM) to treat bone metastasis of lung cancer. Results: It was discovered that DTX@ALN-PAMAM released docetaxel (DTX) and ALN in pH-dependent manner. Besides, DTX@ALN-PAMAM showed high bind affinity with bone matrix, and quickly desorbed from bone matrix in weak acidic medium due to the rupture of cis-aconitamide bond between ALN and PAMAM. The in vitro results showed that DTX@ALN-PAMAM significantly enhanced the antitumor activity of DTX and decreased bone resorption through inhibiting the formation of osteoclasts in in-vitro 3D bone metastases model of lung cancer. In addition, DTX@ALN-PAMAM accumulated at bone metastases tissues for a relatively long time in tumor-bearing nude mice, which significantly reduced the bone resorption, relieved the pain response of tumor-bearing nude mice, and delayed the growth of bone metastases. Eventually, the therapeutic effect of DTX was improved on bone metastases of lung cancer. Conclusion: ALN modified PAMAM is a new and an effective platform for the treatment of bone metastasis of lung cancer.
WITHDRAWN: Content validity, construct validity and magnitude of change for the eight-item HAKIR questionnaire - a patient reported outcome in the Swedish national healthcare quality registry for hand surgery.
Authors: Carlsson Ingela K , Ekstrand Elisabeth , Åström Mikael , Stihl Kerstin , Arner Marianne
Published: December 2019

Background The Swedish National Healthcare Quality registry for hand surgery, called HAKIR, includes collection of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for all operations performed at the specialist departments of hand surgery. A prerequisite for PROMs is that the collection of data is based on psychometrically sound outcome instruments. This study therefore aims to evaluate content and construct validity, floor and ceiling effects, data completeness and magnitude of change over time for the eight-item HAKIR questionnaire.Methods Content validity was investigated by patients, an expert group and literature review. Construct validity was investigated through predefined hypotheses and correlation statistics between single-item questions and QuickDASH. Floor and ceiling effect and data completeness was analysed on 13197 preoperative, 10702 three months and 9986 twelve months postoperative questionnaires. Changes in scores for single-items between pre- and 3 and 12 months follow-up for elective hand-related diagnosis and between 3 and 12 months for acute injuries was quantified by effect size calculations.Results The HAKIR Questionnaire (HQ-8) included items concerning pain on load, pain on motion without load, pain at rest, stiffness, weakness, numbness, cold sensitivity and ability to perform daily activities. Correlation coefficients between single-items and total QuickDASH score at pre, 3 and 12 months follow-up ranged from 0.44-0.79. No ceiling effect but a floor effect in the total group was seen in all items at all follow-ups. Percentage of missing item responses was < 2.6% except for the cold sensitivity question. The magnitude of change for individual items varied between small to large effects size in elective hand-related diagnosis. For acute injuries a small effect size was seen between 3 and 12 months follow-up.Conclusions This study provides evidence of content and construct validity of the HQ-8 including lack of ceiling effect, expected floor effect, good data completeness and ability to detect changes in scores over time. Associations between single-items and QuickDASH indicate that HQ-8 measures unique disability aspects important in hand surgery. Further studies are needed to evaluate test-retest reliability, responsiveness including clinically important change of the HQ-8 questions in subgroups of hand-related diagnoses.
Supraspinatus and deltoid muscle fiber diversity in rotator cuff tear conditions
Authors: Ravn Morten Kjaer , Ostergaard Trine Ivarsen , Schroeder Henrik Daa , Nyengaard Jens Randel , Lambertsen Kate Lykke , Frich Lars Henrik
Published: December 2019

Background: Rotator cuff (RC) tears are associated with RC muscle atrophy and changes in composition that are crucial to the prognosis of RC repair. The aim of this study was to characterize muscle fiber composition in the supraspinatus (SS) muscle under tear conditions. Methods: Muscle biopsies were obtained from 21 patients undergoing surgery for RC tendon tear. Biopsies were obtained from the musculotendinous junction of the SS muscle and control biopsies were harvested from the deltoid muscle (DT). Biopsies were immunohistochemically processed for detection of type 1 (slow type) and type 2 (fast type) fibers and analyzed using unbiased, stereological principles. We counted the total numbers of type 1 and 2 muscle fibers/mm 2 and fiber diameter was used to estimate muscle fiber atrophy and hypertrophy. Results: We found significantly more type 2 cells/mm 2 in the SS compared to the DT (p<0.01). In addition, we found a significantly higher fraction of type 1 fibers than type 2 fibers in the DT (p<0.01), whereas both fiber types were equally present in the SS. The diameters of SS cells were generally smaller than those of DT cells. Atrophy of especially SS type 2 fibers was also demonstrated. Fiber atrophy was more pronounced in men than women. Discussion: The changes in the composition of SS muscle cell types suggest a shift from type 1 to type 2 muscle fibers and atrophy of both type 1 and 2 fibers. This composition indicates loss of endurance and rapid fatigue of the SS muscle under RC tear conditions.
WITHDRAWN: Early Patellofemoral Function of Unilateral TKA with Medial Pivot Prostheses is Superior than with Conventional Posterior-Stabilized Prostheses
Authors: Wang Zhen , Zhang Yuqing , Ding Changrong , Cai Xiaoyu , Gao Liang , Wang Yingzhen , Xu Hao
Published: December 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to provide a systematic evaluation of the patellofemoral joint design of Medial Pivot Prosthesis, which incorporates a variety of “Patella-friendly” design features, by comparing clinical and radiographic results with another prosthesis. MethodsEarly clinical and radiographic results of patients who underwent unilateral TKA with Medial Pivot Prosthesis (The study group, including 126 cases) and conventional Posterior-Stabilized Prosthesis (The control group) were retrospectively compared. Postoperative complications, including anterior knee pain, maltracking, patellar clunk or crepitus (PCC), were evaluated.ResultsThe postoperative Kujala score and its improvement from baseline in the study group (Group A) were significantly higher than those in the control group(Group B). The range of motion (ROM) in group A, including the improvement in ROM, was significantly inferior to group B. In the 90-degree Merchant view, the patellar tilt in group A was smaller than that in group B. Two cases of PCC and 3 cases of anterior knee pain were noted in group A, and 9 cases and 6 cases, respectively, were observed in group B. The incidence of PCC was significantly lower in group A. There were no significant between-group differences in the patella tilt angle at 30 or 60° or in the postoperative patellar translation at 30, 60 or 90°. No between-group difference in posterior condyles angle (PCA) was observed. The KSS scores and WOMAC scores between the two groups were similar.ConclusionThe medial pivot prosthesis could achieve satisfactory outcomes with superior patellofemoral performance attributed to its “patella-friendly” design characteristics compared to the conventional posterior-stabilized prosthesis.
Predictors of Duration of Injury-Related Disability Leave
Authors: Curtis William , Marmor Meir
Published: December 2019

Background: Medical leave due to workplace injury is common in the US workforce and creates significant financial drain on the economy. Although there are abundant data relating the duration of medical leave to specific injuries, there is a paucity of research correlating the duration of medical leave with a patient’s attributes or occupation. The primary objective of this study is to examine the influence of specific occupational and patient characteristics on the medical leave taken by employees. Methods: Using records accessed from a major academic institution of 2449 patients reporting medical leave, 547 patients met the inclusion criteria. Worker occupations were divided into three groups based on level of physical activity required for the job. Patient characteristics available for analysis included age, education level, sex, type of injury, and type of medical claim. The association between these factors and duration of disability leave was analyzed using bivariate and multivariable analysis as well Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.Results: Bivariate regression analysis showed that days off work were significantly correlated to physical requirement group (p= 0.0002), age (p=0.00357), injury type (p=0.002), insurance claim type (p=0.0001), injured body part (p=0.001), and level of education (p= 0.0005). On multivariable analysis, physical group, level of education, body part injured, and claim type remained statistically significant. Patient sex did not show significant correlation to days off work.Conclusions: Age, claim type, level of physical requirement, body part injured, and educational requirement are independent predictors of days lost from work following injury. Physicians should be aware of these factors when estimating length of disability leave to patients and their employers.
Sudden death of adults in Togo: Autopsy results of a series of 318 cases
Authors: Darre Tchin , Djiwa Toukilnan , Napo-Koura Gado
Published: December 2019

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to determine the circumstances of occurrence of these sudden deaths, risk factors, to identify the causes of sudden death in adults at autopsy. Results: A total of 318 sudden death cases were recorded. The sex ratio (M/F) was 1.8, and the mean age was 43 ± 0.36 years. Sudden deaths were the second most common reason for autopsies after traffic accidents. The place of death was home in 76.7% of cases and in hospitals in 23.3%. Obesity was noted in 59.4%, with an umbilical adipose panicle varying between 7 and 12 cm thick. Cardiovascular causes excluding cerebral involvement (n=173cases, 54.40%) followed by pulmonary causes (n=100 cases, 31.44%) were the most common cause of sudden death. The predominant cardiac pathology was infarction accounting for 32.07% of all causes of sudden death, and pulmonary embolism with 19.49% was the leading cause at the pulmonary level.
New Trends in Behavioral Economics: A Content Analysis of Social Communications of Youth
Authors: Nur-Al-Ahad Md. , Nusrat Syeda
Published: December 2019

This paper summarizes the arguments and counterarguments within the scientific discussion on the issue of psychological factors that determine the level of rational behavior of an individual in decision-making, the nature of his/her interpersonal and intergroup interaction. The aim of the study is to analyze the main types of youth behavior, depending on the structure of the society around them and the subject of discussion. The urgency of solving this scientific problem is the constant transformation of the norms and rules of behavior declared in society, influenced by the development of information technologies, opening access to scientific and humanitarian knowledge, increasing the number of deviant behavior of young people, difficulties in their adaptation in society, etc. The study of the main psychotypes of the individual in the article is carried out in the following logical sequence: the starting point of the study is the assumption of a change in youth behavior depending on the object of discussion and the environment in which it is located, after which the authors use the content analysis method to study the behavior of students presented in different WhatsApp groups. The object of the study was the students of some Malaysian universities. The systematization of literary sources and further analysis testify to the continued use of smartphones, which support many applications, in a daily life. WhatsApp has been identified as one of the most popular applications used by smartphone users for both communication and education. The study empirically confirms the successful use of WhatsApp by university students and teachers as a means of communication and knowledge transfer. In the study, the authors have identified the topic of discussions, type of messages and contributors as well as silent readers involved in WhatsApp groups. All the messages exchanged are categorized based on four main topics which are study, personal, current issues and others. It has been found all groups have been able to achieve their respective group objectives. Overall, the most frequently discussed topic for each group is regarding study and personal interest.
Keywords: behavioral economics, WhatsApp, students’ behavior, content analysis.
The Leadership’s Fairness and Social Skills − the Very Foundation of the Management and Functionality of an Entity
Authors: Trifu Alexandru
Published: December 2019

This paper is dealing with a very sensitive aspect of today’s environment within an entity: the Leadership and the new challenges of the new trends, ideas, and realities regarding the human factor, both from both the viewpoint of the management and the employees. The aim of the research is to analyze the role of the Leadership within corporate activities, different from what is known today by the syntagma “politically correctness”. An analysis of the literature in this domain based upon empirical observations through our own practice experiences leads to the verdict that, in this case, the corporate Leadership must be fair, as balanced as possible, empathic and pursuing the main goal(s) of the entity or organization, i.e., using skills and abilities to capacitate all employees, regardless of their gender, religion, beliefs, looks to reach the goal(s) in the benefit of corporation/organization, but also in the benefit of the employees and the environment. The methodological tools of the study are analytical and comparative methods, methods of logical generalization and scientific abstraction. Based on the analysis, it was concluded that the new approaches in theory of the firm are based on the qualities of the CEOs, how must be the behavior of the leaders, the importance of X and Y Economic models and, even, the impact of social and psychological aspects on Economics. In fact, it’s about the humanization of the entire management and the well-functioning of the entity is necessary to be based on human factors, but in a such manner, by training, by motivation, in order to capacitate all staff, all employees, no matters differences, to obtain the goals established and to gain benefits both for employees, management and for the firm/corporation in its relationships with the internal environment, but also with the natural and business environments. The results obtained can be useful for the owners of the enterprise and HR managers in terms of understanding the importance of leadership qualities in the successful functioning of the company and the formation of an understanding of the advisability of attracting a leader to work in various positions within the organization.
Keywords: leadership, entity, emotional intelligence, social skills, politically correctness, modus vivendi.
Examination of the Role of Business Ethics with Google Trends
Authors: Kiss Lívia Benita
Published: December 2019

Ethics has existed in religion and philosophy for thousands of years and has been applied to business activities in the same way ethical values and norms have been applied to everyday life. This article summarizes the arguments and counterarguments within the scientific discussion on the study of business ethics as the form of applied ethics, which studies morals, ethical principles and problems in the business environment. The main goal of the study is to analyze business ethics from the point of view of integration of general morals and ethical norms to business, a combination of key signs of the right (good) or wrong behavior while doing business, determined on the basis of expected behavior approved by the society. The study of the role of business ethics in the corporate sector of the economy allowed to determine the most general principles of business ethics, namely awareness, caring, compliance, consideration, fairness, honesty, implementation, integrity, integration, loyalty, responsibility, and trustworthiness. The methodological basis of the research is analytical, statistical and comparative methods based on the use of Google Trends. In general, in Google Books, the use of the term business ethics shows an exponential trend. The findings show that the highest search frequency of business ethics is in the “all” category, after that in the “business and industry” category, then in the “science” category, finally in the “law and government” category. On average, the highest interest frequency was in 2004 in all examined categories. The author has proved that a third-degree polynomial downward trend can be fitted to each time series. The analysis of this concept on a geographical basis showed that the interest frequency of the principles of business ethics was most significant in South and Central East Africa, in South and Southeast Asia, over and above in the Caribbean. Keywords: business ethics, principles of business ethics, Google Trends, Google Books Ngram Viewer, time series analysis.
Fostering Employee’s Service Quality and Customer Satisfaction: Evidence from Emerging Pakistan
Authors: Muneeb Farhan Muhammad , Chughtai Muhammad Salman , Anjum Uzma , Ma Jiyun
Published: December 2019

Providing quality services is a key condition for the stable functioning of companies in a changing environment. Given the fact that delivering exceptional quality services deemed to foster firm competitiveness, worldwide service quality and customer satisfaction captivate serious considerations from across the globe. An analysis of literary sources allows us to conclude that customer satisfaction and service quality have long-term predictors to enhance firms’ values. Employee service quality plays a significant role in satisfying customer’s needs in these digital times not only to accomplish firms’ particular objectives but also to socialize firms globally – to sustain customer’s confidence among competitors. The relevance of solving this scientific problem lies in the lack of research work, which highlighted functional aspects of employee’s service quality, yet numerous firms from across the globe are pugnacious to progress services, deteriorating money on ill-conceived service daily-routine packages and undermining credibility with management rhetoric not supported up with some strategic actions. Thus, this study aims to bring a deeper insight view, bonding employee’s service quality and customer satisfaction. A survey distributed on a sample of 278 customers of Telecom industry through electronic and simple forms. A statistical package social science (SPSS) was conducted to calculate the collected data. The results of data analysis revealed that three out of five predictor variables ‘assurance’, ‘responsiveness’, and ‘reliability’ have a significant impact on customer satisfaction while ‘empathy’ and ‘tangibility’ have an in-significant impact on customer satisfaction. According to the results of the study, it was concluded that ensuring customer satisfaction in changing conditions becomes a strategic prerequisite for creating competitive advantages of the company, improving the quality of customer service, in the context of easing pressure on profitability and achieving strategic long-term goals of the company. Therefore, this study peculiarly predicts that employee’s service quality is a crucial antecedent of customer satisfaction explicitly within the context of Telecom Industry in emerging Pakistan. Keywords: Service Quality, Customer satisfaction, Telecom industry of Pakistan, Profitability, Economic instability.
Breaking the Glass Ceiling Philosophy and Reality: A Study of Gender Progress and Career Development in the Corporate World
Authors: Itty Sarin Sajan , Garcia Jose Rafael , Futterman Calvin , Aust Sofia Garcia , Mujtaba Bahaudin G.
Published: December 2019

With the evolving nature of the business world, it has become a modern necessity to have a diverse workforce. As such, human resources professionals and managers must be prepared for the redesign of their organizations to be more inclusive throughout their formal hierarchies. Although the overall attitudes have become generally more feminist, the unfortunate reality is that women continue to face internal and external barriers which act as a ceiling to their career development and advancement. Rather than viewing the paucity of women in management positions as a problem because of public disdain towards gender disparities within the workplace, this paper emphasizes that organizations should view this as an opportunity to gain a competitive advantage, given that having more women in leadership positions is correlated to improved organizational performance.
The main argument of this research is that gender diversity can lead to better outcomes for an organization; in addition to this, research demonstrates that the inclusion of more women within management positions may also encourage a transformational leadership style, which could potentially lead to sustainable growth for a company. Throughout this paper, using the methodology of reviewing recently published literature, this paper demonstrates the fact that the glass ceiling is detrimental to the economic development of both women and the companies as institutional barriers seem to persistently block them from equitable advancement opportunities. Using published data and expert analysis, we provide suggestions and recommendations for the creation of an inclusive work environment where all employees can have fair and transparent progress based on their goals and qualifications.
The “glass ceiling” literature has empirically demonstrated that managers can reduce the negative gender-based stereotypes by empowering more qualified women to take on leadership responsibilities. At the meantime, professionals can serve as advocates in their local governments to create and change laws that are unfair and unjust. All local leaders, managers and employees must promote the benefits of diversity to build and encourage inclusion in the workplace. Furthermore, all organizations can improve their inclusion training so their employees can keep an open mind regarding diversity. With the application of the recommended skills and suggestions, coupled along with public awareness and advocacy for equity in hiring and promotion decisions, the “glass ceiling” can certainly be eliminated in all organizational settings.
Keywords: glass ceiling, discrimination, wage gap, inclusion, gender equality, mentoring, and career development.
MEDIA, STEREOTYPES AND MUSLIM REPRESENTATION: WORLD AFTER JYLLANDS-POSTEN MUHAMMAD CARTOONS CONTROVERSY
Authors: Sutkutė Rūta
Published: December 2019

In the 21st century media has become the dominant source of knowledge of Islam and Muslims and selectively decides what the West should know about Islam and what should be hidden. However, the underlying assumption is that, the media as an institution forming stereotypes depends on the local socio-cultural context. The goal of this paper – to find out how media (as the mediator) forms values, world view of a society, creates stereotypes in different cultural environments through analysis of Muhammad cartoons. The objectives are: to define the concepts of Neo-Orientalism, Muslimophobia and Islamophobia; to find out the connection between media representations and negative images of Islam and Muslims in the society; to reveal the main stereotypes of Muslims and Islam in online media in 4 different countries by analysing the case of Muhammad cartoons.
The conducted qualitative and quantitative content analysis confirmed the hypothesis that in the specific cultures the same event is presented in different ways while forming value based orientation for a specific audience. Western media seeks to portray Muslims as terrorists / Islamists that are against West, their values and any possibility of integration in Western societies. Meanwhile, Lebanon and India (Kashmir) media does not portray orientalism and Islamophobic views, because audiences are dominated by Muslims. However there are noticeable manifestations of Occidentalism - resistance to the West and the Islamophobic portrayal of public in media. Moreover, information serves as a public mobilization function, so there are reasons to believe that violent protests in Kashmir and Lebanon could have been encouraged by the media.
THE CONTENT AND STRUCTURE OF SOCIAL EDUCATION OF STUDENT YOUTH IN CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS OF THE PEOPLES OF THE NORTHERN AZOV REGION
Authors: Kuznietsova Maryna
Published: December 2019

The article analyzes the scientific research on the coverage of aspects and the content of social education of student youth in Christian denominations in the Northern Azov region.
The essence and structure of the peculiarities of the formation of social education of the student youth in the Christian confessions of the peoples of the North Azov region, in particular, in the global system of development of the inter-religious environment are determined.
It is considered in the article, that there is a great necessity to study the social environment, in which the social education of student youth is formed, and its interaction with various subjects of educational influence.
The basic concepts that make up the conceptual sphere are identified and the strategies of interaction between the state and religious organizations on the issues of social education of student youth are considered, which should be taken into account in the development of social programs, which should be extended to the social education of students as a whole and its individual aspects, as well as to find new opportunities to improve the social education of students.
MULTI-SCALE MODEL ELABORATION FOR CREDITWORTHINESS DIAGNOSTICS OF EXPORT PRODUCTION ENTERPRISES OF THE AGRICULTURAL TRADE MARKET
Authors: Sergienko Olena , Shapran Olena , Bilotserkivskyi Oleksandr , Alieksieieva Iryna
Published: December 2019

The methodology for the agrarian enterprises’ creditworthiness diagnostic has been developed and implemented, and has allowed to solve the following objectives: conducting of observations and evaluating of financially-economic indicators, classification of enterprises by the level of creditworthiness, distinction and identification enterprises according to the level of creditworthiness and assessing the differences between classes by creditworthiness, with taking into account the sizes of enterprises. Based on the use of the complex of multidimensional analytical methods, the differences are defined under either one-dimensional evaluation system (by creditworthiness and size) or a two-level assessment of the joint cross impact of factors on creditworthiness.
The proposed four-step technology for diagnosing of the agrarian enterprises creditworthiness substantially expands the components of the creditworthiness level evaluation of enterprises and, as a consequence, improves the timeliness of decision-making process about identifying and locating of weaknesses and "bottlenecks". The coverage of a sufficient number of financial and economic indicators and the implementation of a wide range of methods and models enable to fully evaluate and analyze the existing state of creditworthiness with a view to improve and establish the effective functioning of the enterprise as a whole.
EVALUATION OF PAIN SYNDROME AND EFFICIENCY OF PAIN MANAGEMENT IN LUMBAR SPINE SURGERY
Authors: Lyzohub Mykola , Georgiyants Marine , Lyzohub Kseniia
Published: December 2019

Multimodal analgesia for lumbar spine surgery is still a controversial problem, because of possible fusion problems, significant neuropathic component of pain, and influence of anesthesia type. Aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of pain management after lumbar spine surgery considering characteristics of pain, type of anesthesia and analgesic regimen.

Material and methods. 254 ASA I-II patients with degenerative lumbar spine disease were enrolled into prospective study. Patients were operated either under spinal anesthesia (SA) or total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA). In postoperative period patients got either standard pain management (SPM – paracetamol±morphine) or multimodal analgesia (MMA – paracetamol+parecoxib+pregabalin±morphine).

Results. We revealed neuropathic pain in 53.9 % of patients, who were elected for lumbar spine surgery. VAS pain score in patients with neuropathic pain was higher, than in patients with nociceptive pain. Total intravenous anesthesia was associated with greater opioid consumption during the first postoperative day. Multimodal analgesia based on paracetamol, parecoxib and pregabalin allowed to decrease requirements for opioids, postoperative nausea and dizziness. Pregabalin used for evening premedication had equipotential anxiolytic effect as phenazepam without postoperative cognitive disturbances.

Conclusions. Multimodal analgesia is opioid-sparing technique that allows to decrease complications. Spinal anesthesia is associated to a decreased opioid consumption in the 1st postoperative day.
METHODS FOR DETERMINING THE CHARACTERIZATION OF MASHES WITH FIBER FOR SEMI-FINISHED PRODUCTS ON THE MILK-PROTEIN BASE
Authors: Grek Olena , Tymchuk Alla , Tsygankov Sergii , Onopriichuk Olena , Savchenko Oleksandr , Ochkolyas Оlena
Published: December 2019

The aim of the work is to elaborate effective methods that characterize mashes of semi-products with potato fiber after thermal processing for avoiding excessive densification of products and stabilization of qualimetric parameters.

The article presents main methods for determining characteristics of mashes with potato fiber for thermally processed semi-products.

Methods for studying the ability of dietary fiber «Potex» to change the effective viscosity and water-retaining capacity of multicomponent systems are offered. Values that characterize deviations of parameters at using white sugar the dehydrating capacity and egg mélange, which influence is changed by the aforesaid parameters at thermal processing, are obtained.

The effectiveness of determining the water activity value аw for specifying storage parameters of mashes with potato fiber for semi-products is confirmed.

Qualimetric parameters of experimental samples are obtained. Least mass losses at frying (155±5 °С) and baking (185±5 °С) were observed at adding maximal amount of «Potex» (2.0 %) and fixed at level 4.3±0.2 % and 6.2±0.1 % respectively. Introduction of dietary fiber decreases a content of free water in mashes for semi-products and, as a result, there is observed a mass loss decrease at thermal processing. It allows to stabilize qualimetric parameters
CHANGE OF INDICES OF THE AMINO ACID COMPOSITION OF RATS’ HEARTS AT ARTIFICIAL HYPOBIOSIS
Authors: Umanska Anna
Published: December 2019

A series of unsolved questions in such sciences as: medicine, veterinary, biology still exist in the modern world. One of them is a search for new promising ways of anaesthetization, at which it would be unnecessary to use apparatuses as an “artificial heart”, “artificial ventilation of lungs” at short-term surgical interventions. Just artificial hypobiosis may become one of such methods. Main conditions for creation are a synchronous effect of such factors as hypoxia, hypercapnia, hypothermia. That is why for confirming the safety of this method in pre-clinical studies with a further perspective of using at clinical ones, it is necessary to study the mechanism of an effect and influence of the hypobiotic condition on the homeostasis of the living organism in detail. Rats are the best research object in this case. Just they have a similar physiological structure of such organs as a heart. An urgent question about changes that take place in the amino acid composition under the hypobiotic effect still be unexplained. That is why the aim of the study was to investigate amino acid changes of the rat heart under condition of artificial hypobiosis. White outbred male rats with mass 180–200 g were used in the experiments. The animals were divided in groups: control (intact) and experimental: the condition of artificial hypobiosis (first group) and 24 hours after release from artificial hypobiosis (second group). The number of animals in each group n=5. The experiments were conducted according to requirements of “The European convention about protection of vertebral animals, used with experimental or other scientific aims” (Strasbourg, France 1985), by general ethical principles of experiments with animals, approved by the First national congress of Ukraine on bioethics (2001). As a result of the conducted studies, a little decrease of several amino acids under condition of artificial hypobiosis was demonstrated. First of all, a decrease of such amino acids as aminosuccinic, glutamic, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, arginine was observed in rats’ hearths under artificial hypobiosis. There was also demonstrated an increase of the level of these amino acids in rats’ hearts after 24 hours after release from it.
Anticancer Activity of Natural Flavonoids: Inhibition of HIF-1α Signaling Pathway
Authors: Deng Xiangping , Peng Yijiao , Zhao Jingduo , Lei Xiaoyong , Zheng Xing , Xie Zhizhong , Tang Guotao
Published: December 2019

Rapid tumor growth is dependent on the capability of tumor blood vessels and glycolysis to provide oxygen and nutrients. Tumor hypoxia is a common characteristic of many solid tumors, and it essentially happens when the growth of the tumor exceeds the concomitant angiogenesis. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) as the critical transcription factor in hypoxia regulation is activated to adapt to this hypoxia situation. Flavonoids, widely distributed in plants, comprise many polyphenolic secondary metabolites, possessing broadspectrum pharmacological activities, including their potentiality as anticancer agents. Due to their low toxicity, intense efforts have been made for investigating natural flavonoids and their derivatives that can be used as HIF-1α inhibitors for cancer therapy during the past few decades. In this review, we sum up the findings concerning the inhibition of HIF-1α by natural flavonoids in the last few years and propose the idea of designing tumor vascular and glycolytic multi-target inhibitors with HIF-1α as one of the targets.
Effectiveness of Tolvaptan in the Treatment for Patients with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Xie Xuan , Cai Qian , Guo Xiao-Yuan , Bai Dong-Hai , Sheng Hai-Zhong , Wang Bao-Kui , Yan Kai , Lu An-Ming , Wang Xin-Ran
Published: December 2019

Aim and Objective:

Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) is a
common chronic kidney disease that leads to End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). The key target of
this therapy is to prevent the progression of kidney failure. Tolvaptan could slow kidney cyst
growth and are proven highly effective. The aims of this analysis are to perform a systematic
review, estimate and evaluate the efficacy and safety of tolvaptan in ADPKD patients.

Materials and Methods:

Randomized controlled trials of tolvaptan in ADPKD were identified in
PubMed, Ovid, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library electronic database. The changes
observed in kidney function, treatment efficiency and the incidence of adverse events between the
tolvaptan and placebo groups were compared. Data were analyzed by the RevMan software.

Results:

Eight trials, including 7 double-blinded randomised controlled trials and 1 quasi RCT
involving 1,536 patients were extracted. Significant differences in the annual rate of change in the
total kidney volume TKV at any stages of CKD (MD = -3.32, 95%CI =-4.57,-2.07, I2 =70%) and
the glomerular filtration rate (MD = 1.4, 95%CI = 0.83,1.97, I2 =0%) were observed between the
tolvaptan group and the placebo group. Subgroup analysis of patients in different CKD stages also
showed the same conclusion. There was an increase in the urine osmolality, and 24-hour urine
volume in patients receiving tolvaptan. Tolvaptan reduced the rate of serious hypertension and
kidney pain events in ADPKD patients. At higher doses, it increased the rate of adverse events
(liver injuries, thirst, pollakiuria, and nocturia). There was no significant risk of bias in the
included studies.

Conclusions:

Tolvaptan has a beneficial effect on ADPKD, but is associated with an increase in
adverse events at high doses when compared with the placebo. Further RCTs on tolvaptan may be
required to support this conclusion.
Identification of Anti-cancer Peptides Based on Multi-classifier System
Authors: Zhong Wanben , Zhong Bineng , Zhang Hongbo , Chen Ziyi , Chen Yan
Published: December 2019

Aim and Objective:

Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases, taking the lives of millions
every year. Traditional methods of treating cancer are expensive and toxic to normal cells.
Fortunately, anti-cancer peptides (ACPs) can eliminate this side effect. However, the identification
and development of new anti

Materials and Methods:

In our study, a multi-classifier system was used, combined with multiple
machine learning models, to predict anti-cancer peptides. These individual learners are composed of
different feature information and algorithms, and form a multi-classifier system by voting.

Results and Conclusion:

The experiments show that the overall prediction rate of each individual
learner is above 80% and the overall accuracy of multi-classifier system for anti-cancer peptides
prediction can reach 95.93%, which is better than the existing prediction model.
Preparation and Characterization of β-glucosidase Films for Stabilization and Handling in Dry Configurations
Authors: Zhang Liguang , Shen Yanan , Lu Wenjing , Guo Lengqiu , Xiang Min , Zhang Dayong
Published: December 2019

Background:

Although the stability of proteins is of significance to maintain protein function
for therapeutical applications, this remains a challenge. Herein, a general method of preserving
protein stability and function was developed using gelatin films.

Method:

Enzymes immobilized onto films composed of gelatin and Ethylene Glycol (EG) were developed
to study their ability to stabilize proteins. As a model functional protein, β-glucosidase was selected.
The tensile properties, microstructure, and crystallization behavior of the gelatin films were assessed.

Result:

Our results indicated that film configurations can preserve the activity of β-glucosidase under
rigorous conditions (75% relative humidity and 37°C for 47 days). In both control films and films containing
1.8 % β-glucosidase, tensile strength increased with increased EG content, whilst the elongation
at break increased initially, then decreased over time. The presence of β-glucosidase had a negligible
influence on tensile strength and elongation at break. Scanning electron-microscopy (SEM) revealed
that with increasing EG content or decreasing enzyme concentrations, a denser microstructure
was observed.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the dry film is a promising candidate to maintain protein stabilization and
handling. The configuration is convenient and cheap, and thus applicable to protein storage and transportation
processes in the future.