bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome as a Manifestation of Post-COVID-19 Syndrome
Authors: Trisvetova E. L.
Published: May 2022

The pandemic of coronavirus infection, the complex and insufficiently studied mechanisms of which cause disorders in the functions of many organs and systems of the body, has led to the emergence of new problems that are far from being resolved. Researchers note the difficulty in predicting the course of the disease and outcome due to the detection of many symptoms that arose at the height of the disease and persisted for 3-6 months after recovery. The term "post-COVID-19syndrome" has appeared, reflecting the condition of a patient who has undergone COVID-19, with a negative PCR test, and with symptoms lasting more than 12 weeks from the onset of the disease, which cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis. Postural orthostatic tachycardia as a manifestation of the post-COVID-19syndrome has been described in young women who have undergone coronavirus infection of varying severity. In the case of the development of the syndrome of postural orthostatic tachycardia, the quality of life deteriorates, and the ability to work of patients is limited. There is no evidence base for drug therapy of postural tachycardia syndrome, in most cases empirical drug and non-drug methods of treatment are used.
Economic assessments of intervention strategies in the prevention of frailty for elderly of 60 years and over living at home: a systematic review
Authors: Kehoua Gilles , Goff Myriam Le , Gayot Caroline , Laroche Marie-Laure , Druet-Cabanac Michel , Tchalla Achille
Published: May 2022

Introduction: The objective was to conduct a systematic review of economic assessment of interventional strategies, in the prevention of frailty in elderly of 60 years and over living at home. Methods: The keywords were searched in databases such as Pubmed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar and Embase. Articles published in English and French between 31/10/2010 and 31/12/2021 were included. The CHEERS statement reading grid was used to assess the quality of the studies in terms of economic assessments. Results: The search had identified nine relevant research studies, including seven randomised controlled trials and two quasi-experimental studies. Of these studies, we classified them into three programs: five studies on frailty screening, three studies on falls prevention and one study on the analysis of drugs and treatments prescribed and delivered. According to the cost-effectiveness plan of these programs, four studies had no conclusion on economic results, two studies had a dominant strategy, less expensive and more efficient, and three studies had a dominated strategy, more expensive and not efficient. Only 40% of the studies were of good quality. Conclusion: Only two multidimensional and interdisciplinary intervention strategies were highly efficient, cost-effective and improved the quality of life of elderly. Economic results were more mixed. Many methodological weaknesses were present in these studies.
Oncological and Reproductive Outcomes for Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist Combined with Aromatase Inhibitors or Levonorgestrel-releasing Intrauterine System Fertility-Sparing Treatment in Women with Endometrial Cancer or Atypical Endometrial Hyperplasia: A single-center retrospective analysis of 179 cases
Authors: Chen Junyu , Cao Dongyan , Yang Jiaxin , Yu Mei , Zhou Huimei , Cheng Ninghai , Wang Jinhui , Zhang Ying , Peng Peng , Shen Keng
Published: May 2022

Purpose
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) combined with levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) or aromatase inhibitor (AI) in women with endometrial carcinoma (EC) and atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AEH) who wish to preserve their fertility.
Methods
179 EC/AEH patients who were contra-indicated or unsuitable for high-dose oral progestin were included in our study. Patients were treated with the combination of GnRHa with LNG-IUS (group GLI: GnRHa IH every 4 weeks and LNG-IUS insertion constantly) or combination of GnRHa with AI (group GAI: GnRHa IH every 4 weeks and oral letrozole 2.5mg, daily). Histological evaluation was performed every 3–4 months. After achieving complete remission (CR), maintenance treatments including LNG-IUS, cyclical oral contraceptives or low-dose cyclic progestin were recommended until they began attempting to conceive. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of PUMCH in 07-07-2009 (S-244)
Results
Overall, 169 (94.4%) patients achieved CR, 96.7% in AEH and 93.3% in EC patients. The CR rate in GLI and GAI was 93.5% and 95.8%, respectively. The median time to CR was 6 (3–18) months, 4 (3–10) months in AEH and 8 (3–18) months in EC patients. After a median follow up of 27.5 months, 41 (24.3%) women developed recurrence with the median recurrence time of 17 (6–77) months. Of the patients with CR, 134 cases desired to conceive, 42 (32.3%) women became pregnant, 24 (17.9%) of them successfully delivered and 5 (3.7%) were in pregnancy, while 13 of them miscarried.
Conclusion
GnRHa combined treatment achieved good oncological and reproductive outcomes. Future larger multi-institutional studies should be designed to confirm these preliminary findings.
Clinical value of combination detection of direct antiglobulin test and serum albumin globulin ratio in severe hyperbilirubinemia caused by ABO hemolytic disease of the newborn: A single-center retrospective analysis
Authors: Duan Ling , Chen Ping , Hu Hongbing , Tu Na
Published: May 2022

Background
To analyze clinical application of combination detection of direct antiglobulin test(DAT) and albumin globulin ratio(AGR) in severe hyperbilirubinemia caused by ABO hemolytic disease of the newborn(ABO-HDN).
Methods
The measurement of DAT, AGR and combination detection of DAT and AGR was done to predict severe ABO-HDN hyperbilirubinemia in 270 full-term infants based on whether the infants received transfusions of blood components. The infants were divided into three groups according to the results of DAT and ARG and compared the differences of phototherapy day and hospitalization day of the three groups.
Results
Of 270 cases enrolled in this study, 69 infants were DAT positive. ROC curve analysis showed that DAT cutoff value > ± with a sensitivity of 39.4% and a specificity of 83.9% and AGR cutoff value < 2.05 with a sensitivity of 54.1% and a specificity of 85.7%, the AUCs for DAT, AGR and combination detection of DAT and AGR were 0.621, 0.740 and 0.750 respectively. The phototherapy day and hospitalization day were significantly longer in group of AGR < 2.05 and DAT > ± than that of group of AGR < 2.05 and group of DAT > ±.
Conclusions
DAT and ARG could be early predictors for the severity ABO-HDN hyperbilirubinemia and combination detection of DAT and AGR could further increase its predictive value.
Milk production of Ankole crossbreds and Holstein Friesian cattle in different production environments of Rwanda
Authors: Manzi Maximillian , Ntawubizi Martin , Hirwa Claire d’andre , Strandberg Erling
Published: May 2022

The aim of the study was to assess the productive performance of dairy cattle in three different agroecological zones of Rwanda: Congo-Nile/Western, Central plateau/Central, and Eastern plateau/East agroecological zones. A single-visit multi-subject survey was conducted to obtain information on the dairy cattle performance from 51 farms. The breed groups were classified as Ankole x Holstein Friesian (AF), other Ankole crossbreds (AX) and pure Holstein Friesian (F). F had higher milk yield than AF in all zones and AF had higher milk yield than AX, except in the Western zone. Across all zones, F produced 10 L more than AX and 6 L more than AF per day. Cows in the Eastern zone had the highest milk yield, which was contrary to our expectation, because the Western zone receives more annual rainfall, and hence should have a better pasture level. The large difference in performance of Holstein Friesians and its crossbreds in different agroecological zones indicates that considerable improvement could be achieved by improving the production environment.
Intensive Care Unit Length of Stay and Mortality Comparison between On-pump and Off-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
Authors: Ibrahim Rita Zahara , Joyo Ericko Ongko
Published: May 2022

Background
Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) techniques, both on-pump (ONCABG) and off-pump (OPCABG), were compared recently in order to seek the most effective technique to reduce the cost of prolonged intensive care unit length of stay (ICU LOS) and mortality. This study aim to compare ICU LOS and mortality in ONCABG and OPCABG
Methods
Secondary data was used in this study. Statistical analyses were performed in SAS 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc, Cary, NC). The analyses included descriptive statistics for all variables, generalized linear models for ICU LOS, and logistic regression for mortality. All models were fitted in bivariate and multivariate forms to consider multiple factors (i.e., age, sex, race, EF, comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity). Statistical significance was determined at the level of alpha = 0.05.
Results
Demographic data of 1569 patients shows variance of characteristics. The analysis shows significant and longer ICU LOS in OPCABG (Mean = 0.558; SE = 0.026 vs Mean = 0.408; SE = 0.633; p < 0.001). Similar results were demonstrated after adjustment of covariates effects (OPCABG Mean = 0.816; SE = 0.073 vs ONCABG Mean = 0.661; SE = 0.091). Logistic regression shows that there was no significant difference of mortality in OPCABG and ONCABG, both in the unadjusted (OR = 1.165, 95%, CI = 0.485-2.8) and the adjusted model (OR = 1.165, 95% CI = 0.482–2.817).
Conclusion
ICU LOS was significantly longer in OPCABG patients than in ONCABG patients. There was no significant difference in mortality between the two groups.
Role of advanced paleomagnetic and paleogeographic studies for unmasking anthropological site structures: Implementation for the northern part of the Levantine Corridor
Authors: Eppelbaum Lev V , Katz Y.
Published: May 2022

The study of the ancient anthropological sites of the Levantine Corridor is very significant for understanding the evolution of ancient hominins and the time of their dispersal from East Africa to the Caucasus and Eurasia. The paleomagnetic studies and event stratigraphy of the latest Cenozoic for the Levantine region are comprehensively generalized. Compiled combined paleomagnetic-facial chart enabled the exact correlation of the northern Levantine ancient hominin sites. For a thorough analysis of the well-studied anthropological site of Ubeidiya (northern Israel), used the following principal methodologies: paleogeographic analysis combined with examination of hydrospheric disturbances, analysis of cyclic stratigraphy, generalization of detailed paleomagnetic data, biostratigraphic correlation, lithological-facial analysis, event stratigraphy, and structural-tectonic studies. Methods of comparative analysis of several anthropological sites surrounding the site of Ubeidiya were also employed. Comprehensive paleomagnetic mapping and profiling have been applied to a few areas in the northern part of the Levantine corridor. It can reveal some essential tectonic-structural peculiarities of the sites disposed of this strip. Because of the combined multifactor analysis, the age of this site was increased by 1 million years to 2.6–2.1 million years since its foundation. The new recognized age requires a revision of the entire global process of dispersal of primitive man from Africa to the north.
Recyclable and Thermally Responsive Self-healing Waterborne Polyurethane Based on Diels-alder Reaction
Authors: Cheng Bing-Xu , Bi Chang-Shun , Li Qing , Zhao Si-Qi , Wu Wei , Huang Chong-Xing , Zhao Hui
Published: May 2022

A type of waterborne polyurethane with excellent self-healing and recyclable properties was successfully prepared by introducing Diels-Alder (DA) reaction groups into the polymer matrix. The results showed that all obtained waterborne polyurethane dispersions with a particle size of about 400 nm, had good dispersibility and storage stability, which was confirmed by the zeta potential and the particle size test. FT-IR was used to verify the thermal reversibility of DA and the retro-DA reaction on the WPU-DA films. In addition, the thermal stability of the WPU-DA films was significantly improved due to the introduction of the DA bond. The cross-linked waterborne polyurethane had good reprocessability and had great potential application prospects in intelligent materials.
A Push-pull Mechanism Between Prrt2 and B 4 Differentially Regulates Membrane Exposure and Biophysical Properties of Nav1.2 Sodium Channels
Authors: Valente Pierluigi , Marte Antonella , Franchi Francesca , Sterlini Bruno , Casagrande Silvia , Corradi Anna , Baldelli Pietro , Benfenati Fabio
Published: May 2022

Proline-Rich Transmembrane protein 2 (PRRT2) is a neuron-specific protein implicated in the control of neurotransmitter release and neural network stability. Accordingly, PRRT2 loss-of-function mutations associate with pleiotropic paroxysmal neurological disorders, including paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia, episodic ataxia, benign familial infantile seizures, hemiplegic migraine. PRRT2 is a negative modulator of the membrane exposure and biophysical properties of Na+ channels NaV1.2/NaV1.6 predominantly expressed in brain glutamatergic neurons. NaV channels form complexes with β-subunits that facilitate the membrane targeting and the activation of the α-subunits. The opposite effects of PRRT2 and β-subunits on NaV channels raises the question of whether PRRT2 and β-subunits interact or compete for common binding sites on the α-subunit, generating Na+ channel complexes with distinct functional properties. Using a heterologous expression system, we have observed that β-subunits and PRRT2 do not interact with each other and act as independent non-competitive modulators of NaV1.2 channel trafficking and biophysical properties. PRRT2 antagonizes the β4-induced increase in expression and functional activation of the transient and persistent NaV1.2 currents, without affecting resurgent current. The data indicate that β4-subunit and PRRT2 form a push-pull system that finely tunes the membrane expression and function of NaV channels and the intrinsic neuronal excitability.
Temperature-controlled laser thermal therapy system using a newly developed laparoscopic system equipped with an ultra-compact thermographic camera
Authors: Harada Manabu , Morimoto Yuji , Ohara Mutsuki , Ohya Jun , Masamune Ken , Itazaki Yujiro , Sugihara Takao , Tsujimoto Hironori , Kishi Yoji , Ueno Hideki
Published: May 2022

Laser thermal therapy is one of the treatments for malignant tumors. We developed a thermal endoscope using an ultra-compact thermo-sensor and established a new laparoscopic laser thermal therapy system to heat cancer tissue at an appropriate temperature, focusing on the fact that thermographic cameras are capable of two-dimensional temperature mapping. Hpatocellular carcinoma (N1S1) cells were implanted into the livers of SD rats (n=13) to create orthotopic hepatocellular carcinoma. Six of the rats underwent laparoscopic laser thermotherapy (70°C, 5 min) using the newly developed system, and the others underwent laparoscopic insertion only. Lesion volume measurement and histological evaluation were performed in all of the rats. The laparoscopic laser thermal therapy system provided stable temperature control. In the case of 70°C for the set temperature, the temperature of the target cancer was maintained within the range of 68-72°C for 93.2% of the irradiation time (5 min). The median volume of the tumors that were thermally treated was significantly smaller than that of the untreated tumors. The newly developed laparoscopic laser thermal therapy system was capable of maintaining the temperature of the tumor surface at any desired temperature and was proven to be effective in the treatment of the rat hepatocellular carcinoma model.
Manually Controlling Branched Flow of Light
Authors: Huang Chuanfu , Wang Zheng
Published: May 2022

Branched flow is a fundamental natural phenomenon of wave propagation, which can reflect the characteristics of energy transmission in nonlinear medium. Recently, branched flows of light have been clearly observed from laser beam irradiation on soap films1. Here, we apply the quasiparticle notation suggested by our previous work to generate branched flow of light2, e.g., a simple experiment was designed by exploring light interacting with tiny glass spheres in a background of pure water. The images indicate that branched flow of light can be successfully produced from the point of contact between the laser beam and the glass spheres. Moreover, two different approaches have been applied to simulate and interpret the experimental findings, and the observed branched flow of light can be attributed to the newly proposed concept of the main branched flow of light, while the sub-branched flow of light that could not be detected experimentally due to scattered light from imperfect glass pellets. These discoveries may have significant implications for manually controlling or a better understanding of branched flow of light.
Chicken-derived RSPO1 and WNT3 contribute to maintaining longevity of chicken intestinal organoid cultures
Authors: Oost Miriam J. , Ijaz Adil , Haarlem Daphne A. van , Summeren Kitty van , Velkers Francisca C. , Kraneveld Aletta D. , Venema Koen , Jansen Christine A. , Pieters Raymond H.H. , Klooster Jean Paul ten
Published: May 2022

Intestinal organoids are advanced cellular models, which are widely used in mammalian studies to mimic and study in vivo intestinal function and host-pathogen interactions. Growth factors WNT3 and RSPO1 are crucial for the growth of intestinal organoids. Chicken intestinal organoids are currently cultured with mammalian WNT3a and RSPO1, however, maintaining their longevity has shown to be challenging. Based on the limited homology between mammalian and avian RSPO1, we expect that chicken-derived factors are required for the organoid cultures. We examined the effect of chicken-specific WNT3 and RSPO1 in combination with Prostaglandin E2 and a Forkhead box O1-inhibitor on the development of chicken intestinal organoids. Isolated crypts from embryonic tissue of laying hens were successfully cultured for 15 passages in the presence of chicken-derived WNT3 and RSPO1, whereas no growth was observed when mammalian factors were used. Furthermore, stem cells maintained their ability to differentiate into goblets, enterocytes, and enteroendocrine cells for the 3D and 2D structures. The chicken intestinal organoids can be an important tool to study responses of the intestinal epithelium to pathogens, drugs or feed additives.
Vegetation shadow casts impact remotely sensed reflectance from permafrost thaw ponds in the Subarctic forest-tundra zone.
Authors: Freitas Pedro , Vieira Gonçalo , Mora Carla , Canário João , Vincent Warwick F.
Published: May 2022

Thermokarst lakes and ponds are a common landscape feature resulting from permafrost thaw, but their intense greenhouse gas emissions are still poorly constrained as a feedback mechanism for global warming because of their diversity, abundance and remoteness. Thermokarst waterbodies may be small and optically diverse, posing specific challenges for optical remote sensing regarding detection, classification and monitoring. This is especially relevant when accounting for external factors that affect water reflectance, such as scattering and vegetation shadow casts. In this study in the forest-tundra zone of northern Canada, we evaluated the effects of shadowing across optically diverse waterbodies. We used ultra-high spatial resolution multispectral data and digital surface models obtained from Unmanned Aerial Systems for modelling and analyzing shadow effects on water reflectance at Earth Observation satellite overpass time. Our results show that shadowing causes variations in reflectance, reducing the usable area of remotely sensed pixels for waterbody analysis in small lakes and ponds. The effects were greater on brighter and turbid inorganic thermokarst lakes embedded in postglacial silt-clay marine deposits and littoral sands, where the mean reflectance decrease was from − 51 to -70%, depending on the wavelength. These effects were also dependent on lake shape and vegetation height and were amplified in the cold season due to low solar elevations. Remote sensing will increasingly play a key role in assessing thermokarst lake responses and feedbacks to global change, and this study shows the magnitude and sources of optical variations caused by shading that need to be considered in future analyses.
Psychological flexibility and work engagement among Chinese nurses: Mediating role of self-compassion and negative emotions
Authors: Yang Yan , Ma Anna , Wang Lina , Chen Han , Xie Mengyao , Chang Hongjuan
Published: May 2022

Background: Work engagement affects nurses’ job performance and the quality of nursing. The question of how to enhance the level of work engagement has received more attention in the health care sector. Psychological flexibility, self-compassion, and emotions may be useful for improving work engagement. The purpose of this study is to analyse the mediating effects of self-compassion and negative emotions between psychological flexibility and work engagement of Chinese nurses during infectious disease pandemics.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,569 Chinese nurses. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to determine the mediating effect of self-compassion and negative emotions on the relationship between psychological flexibility and work engagement.Results:Work engagement was inversely connected with psychological flexibility (r = − 0.251, P< 0.001) . Self-compassion and negative emotions played a partially mediating role on the associations of psychological flexibility with work engagement (β1 = − -0.021, β2 = − -0.044).Conclusion: Hospital administrators should develop concrete measures that incorporate negative emotions and self-compassion in interventions targeting psychological flexibility, which may enhance the level of work engagement during infectious disease pandemics.
Computational And Biological Studies Of Platinum(II) Complex Of Tryptathrin Schiff Base
Authors: Dhaduk Milan P. , Dabhi Ravi A. , Bhatt Bhupesh S. , Bhatt Vaibhav D. , Patel Mohan N.
Published: May 2022

A series of tryptanthrin alkaloid based ligands (L1-L7) and corresponding platinum(II) complexes were synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopic techniques, LC-MS, magnetic measurement, and electronic spectra. DFT studies were performed for structure optimization. Viscosity measurement, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and molecular docking studies were used to determine the binding mode between CT-DNA and complexes; the intercalation mode of bindings was concluded from the study. The Kb values for compounds-DNA binding were found in the range of 0.42 × 105 – 3.90 × 105 M− 1. The binding study of complexes with BSA was evaluated by fluorescence quenching study, and the value of Ksv, binding constant (Ka), and binding site(n) were in the range of 1.14–2.70 × 103 M− 1, 0.13–0.55 × 105 M− 1, and 0.94–1.16, respectively. Bacteriostatic activity of the synthesized compound was performed against gram + ve and gram -ve bacteria. MIC values of complexes and ligands were found in the range of 35–75 µM and 150–245 µM, respectively. BSLB was performed to check the cytotoxicity of the synthesized compounds. The LC50 values of the ligands and complexes were found in the range of 9.24–11.18 µg/mL and 5.9–7.94 µg/mL, respectively. Anticancer activity against the MG-63 cell line was performed to check potency against the cancer cell line. The IC50 values of the synthesized compounds were found in the range of 10.9 µg/mL 28.7µg/mL. IC50 value of the complex III is 10.9 µg/mL, which is comparable with the standard drug cisplatin.
Assessment of farmers’ socioeconomic and conservation practice towards watershed management in the South West of Ethiopia
Authors: Woldeab Bizuneh , Ambelu Argaw , Beyene Abebe , Efrem Zewdu , Deribe Siyoum , Megersa Moa , Alemu Tibebu , Mereta Seid Tiku
Published: May 2022

Background
Watershed resource conservation is important for the wellbeing of the environment and communities. Understanding farmers’ socioeconomics and watershed conservation practices help in determining necessary interventions to address environmental threats. The study area is important at regional and national level due to the hydroelectric dam of the mega power project. This study deals with the farmers’ socio economic and conservation practices of Gilgel Gibe watershed. The study targeted 305 households in 4 districts of Jimma Zone surrounding the Gilgel Gibe Reservoir I. Semi-structured questionnaire was administered via interviews and focus group discussions led by trained survey interviewers.
Result
The findings of the study indicated that majority of farmers in the watershed have adequate knowledge, positive attitude and bad practice towards watershed conservation. To achieve better means of subsistence and improve their living condition farmers are forced to put stress on natural resource, degrading watershed and increase pollution loads that affect water quality of tributaries and reservoir.
Conclusion
Based on the present scenario, we forwarded stakeholders to establish team from the elders, officials at woreda and zonal level to initiate commitment, coordinate conservation activity and promote households’ income generating activities at homestead level like conservation agriculture.
Development and validation of risk score to predict in-hospital mortality among severely malnourished children under the inpatient treatment center: A follow up study
Authors: Mekonnen Eskedar Getie , Wagnew Fasil , Dadi Abel Fekadu , Hassen Hamid Yimam , Kassie Belayneh Ayanaw , Tilahun Ambaye Dejene , Gonete Almaz Tefera , Tarekegn Gebrekidan Ewnetu , Anlay Degefaye Zelalem , Mulatie Rahel , Takele Wubet Worku
Published: May 2022

Introduction: The prognosis of severely malnourished children is determined by various factors. The care provided to the child throughout the management is one of the most influencing factors for the child’s status after treatment. There is no evidence-based model that shows the risk of mortality among severely malnourished children. Thus, this study aimed to develop and validate a model to predict mortality among children with severe acute malnutrition.Method: We developed a prediction model using a retrospective cohort of 677 children with severe acute malnutrition admitted to the Amhara region referral hospitals. A stepwise multivariable analysis was done to develop the model. The accuracy of the model was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and calibration plot. All accuracy measures were internally validated using the bootstrapping technique. To improve the clinical applicability, a simplified risk score was developed to classify children with severe acute malnutrition at high or low risk of mortality. The clinical impact of the model was evaluated using a decision curve analysis across various threshold probabilities. Result: Child’s Age, the form of malnutrition, HIV/AIDS, heart failure, provision of antibiotics, and folic acid and vitamin A supplementation remained in the prediction model. The AUC of the model was 0.81 (95%CI: 0.76-0.85). The decision curve analysis indicated that the model provides higher net benefit across ranges of threshold probabilities. Conclusion: The model can guide clinicians in identifying severely malnourished children with a high risk of mortality. As the model showed easily obtainable predictors of mortality, it provides a considerable opportunity for care providers to avert hundreds of mortalities among those children. The model needs to be externally validated in another context before utilizing it for clinical decision-making.
A comparative study of initial 131I therapy and reoperation for detection and treatment of residual lymph node metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid cancer
Authors: Dai Hongyuan , Qi Zhibing , Huang Shuhui , Qi Mengfang , Huang Rui
Published: May 2022

Purpose This study assesses the diagnostic performance of 131I SPECT/CT and treatment efficacy of initial postoperative radioiodine (RAI) compared with reoperation on residual lymph node metastasis (LNM). Methods Patients with iodine-avid LNM detected on postoperative 131I SPECT/CT and who underwent re-operative dissection within 12 months were included. LNMs (numbers and locations) detected via both methods were compared. The ongoing risk stratification was used to evaluate the therapeutic response to RAI and reoperation. Results Fifty-three patients with 95 iodine-avid LNMs detected by 131I SPECT/CT were enrolled in this study. A total of 51 (96.2%) patients had 212 LNMs confirmed by reoperation (p=0.004). The sensitivity and specificity of 131I SPECT/CT in detecting LNM were 44.8% (95/212) and 91.6% (87/95), respectively. The location frequency of residual LNMs found by 131I SPECT/CT was similar to that of reoperation (p=0.057). Excluding 2 false-positive patients, the remaining 51 patients were in structural incomplete response (SIR) after a single RAI treatment. Sixteen patients were evaluated on a second RAI treatment after reoperation. The SIR, biochemical incomplete response (BIR), indeterminate response (IR) and excellent response (ER) were 4 (23.5%), 4 (23.5%),5 (29.4%) and 3 (17.6%), respectively (p=0.000). Conclusion 131I SPECT/CT has high specificity but relatively low sensitivity in finding all residual LNMs. Reoperation is more effective than RAI therapy, however, less than 20% of patients achieved ER. The success rate must be balanced with the risk of reoperation for residual LNMs.
Metabolomic Profiling of Equine Cord Blood Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Both Early and Late Stages of Culture
Authors: Oji Saba , Pilgrim Cara Ruth , Koch Thomas Gadegaard , Madan Pavneesh
Published: May 2022

Introduction: Equine Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSC) hold great potential as a future form of cellular therapy. Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) is used as a supplement MSC culture, but challenges with its use have initiated a desire to create a defined media to expand these cells. MSCs have shown great variability in species, tissue source and passage number. Due to this, to effectively create a replacement for FBS we must better understand how it meets the metabolic needs for each type of MSC. Objectives: The goal of this study is to determine key pathways and differences in pathways between the early and late passages of equine cord blood MSCs. Methods: This study utilized metabolomics to give a snapshot of the metabolism in the long-term culture of equine cord blood MSCs (eCB-MSC) by comparing the profile of plain culture media to spend media. Results: We found two significantly different metabolites between the early and late passage of eCB-MSC, alpha-ketoglutaric acid (p = 0.019) and creatine (p = 0.012). As well, the metabolic results allowed us to perform an enrichment analysis to assess which pathway(s) were most relevant. Conclusion: The two metabolites suggest a difference in metabolism between the early and late passage reflecting different cellular priorities. Insights into the unique metabolism of these cells and how the requirement of the cell differs between the early and late passage may allow the formulation a serum free media tailored to the metabolic needs of eCB-MSC.
The protective effect of selenium on the acute injury in S. aureus-infected mouse mammary gland
Authors: Junjun Liu , Guanjian Zhan , Yuping Zhao , Jianhua Qin , Yueshang Wang
Published: May 2022

In this study the protective effect of dietary Selenium during pregnancy on the acute mammary injury induced by S. aureus were observed. Eighty BALB/c pregnant mice were randomly divided into four groups: Control group (CG; Se-deficient basal diet during pregnancy without S. aureus infection; n = 20), Negative control (NG; 0.2 mg/kg Se-supplemented diet during pregnancy without S. aureus infection; n = 20), Positive group (PG; Se-deficient basal diet during pregnancy and infected with S. aureus four days after pregnancy; n = 20) and Treatment group (TG; 0.2 mg/kg Se-supplemented diet during pregnancy and infected with S. aureus. four days after pregnancy; n = 20). 24 h after infection, all mice were euthanized and the mammary tissues were sampling. Pathological section and scanning electron microscope were used to observe the pathologic injury in mammary gland, 54146 genes were detected by high throughput sequencing to identify the differentially expressed gene, ELISA was used to determine the expression level of IL-1β and TNF-α. Results shown that the mammary tissue structure were damaged by S. aureus, after selenium treatment the acute injury lightened, meanwhile 24434 were detected differentially expressed after S. aureus infection, which mainly regulate T cell activation, keratinization, cytokine production. Whereas only 20467 differentially expressed genes were detected in TG, in which genes code T cell activation and cytokine production were marked downregulated and gene code cell adhesion was upregulated. furthermore, selenium treatment significantly decreased the expression level of IL-1β and TNF-α induced by S. aureus. In conclusion, selenium played a protective effect on the acute injury in S. aureus-infected mouse mammary gland.
Factors Affecting the Readiness of Health Centers Staff to Use the Electronic Health Record System
Authors: Sadagheyani Hassan Ebrahimpour , Darrudi Reza , Mohammadpour Ali
Published: May 2022

Introduction: In an era when the collaboration of health organizations is an important key to provide effective healthcare services, the Implementation and widespread use of Electronic Health Record System (EHRS) are essential.Aim: The present study was designed to evaluate the factors related to the readiness of employees for using of the EHRS in health centers affiliated with Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences.Methods: The research population of the present cross-sectional study with 383 sample sizes included all healthcare providers in health centers affiliated with Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences who used the EHRS. A reliable and valid researcher-made questionnaire was used in this study. Data analysis was performed using SPSS V.22 software and Pearson correlation coefficient, t-test and ANOVA at the α= 0.05 significance level. Results: In the present study, 175 (45.7%) male and 208 (54.3%) females participated. There was a direct and significant relationship between the mean of International Computer Driving License (ICDL) scores and HER objectives and mission’s familiarity scores (14.9 ± 4.0 and 10.3 ± 2.6, respectively) (P = 0.000, r = 0.503). Among the human and technical as well as managerial factors, the human factor was one of the most effective factors regarding the use of the EHRS by staff. Conclusion: The effective implementation of the EHRS by staff is directly influenced by the following factors: employees' need for computer skills and related software, presence of medical IT specialists, the impact of EHRS on job position, and staff familiarity with EHRS objectives and missions.
Decision-making under uncertainty – a quantum circuit approach
Authors: Xin Lizhi , Xin Houwen
Published: May 2022

Decision’s biggest challenge is uncertainty. We propose a quantum expected value theory for decision-making under uncertainty. Decision-making under uncertainty is the unification of people’s subjective beliefs and the objective world. Quantum density operator as value operator which we call it quantum circuit is proposed to simulate people’s subjective beliefs. Quantum circuit guides people to choose corresponding actions based on their subjective beliefs through objective world. The quantum circuit is a decision tree constructed from quantum gates and logic operations. The genetic programming can be used to optimize and auto-generate quantum circuits. Our proposed synapse’s quantum circuit hypothesis states that the combination of neurotransmitter and receptor functioned as quantum circuit open or close ion channels probabilistically which determines the excitation or inhibition of synapse.
ASSESSMENT OF DENTAL STUDENTS’ ATTITUDE TO DISTANCE LEARNING: CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
Authors: Berezhna Antonina V. , Liubchenko Anastasiia O. , Medvedieva Marharyta S.
Published: May 2022

Introduction. For a long time, the question of the expediency of introducing distance learning in the medical education remained debatable. However, the pandemic of COVID-19 has affected all sides of life. Medical universities were forced to introduce distance learning.
Purpose. To assess dental students’ attitude to distance learning in order to further improve the quality of educational process at the Medical University during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Materials and methods. In October-November, 2021, a cross-sectional epidemiological study on the attitude of students to distance learning and their evaluation of its effectiveness was conducted in Medical University in Kharkiv. Dental students were invited to take part in an online survey created using the Google Forms service. Participation in the survey was anonymous, voluntary and free. All participants were informed about the purpose and objectives of the study. A total of 202 people were surveyed. The average age of the respondents was 19.3 ± 1.8 years.
Methods of descriptive statistics were used for statistical analysis. The significance of difference between the two samples on qualitative characteristics was assessed using Student's t-test. The level of significance was 5%. Statistical data processing was performed using the Microsoft Office 2016 software package.
Results. The majority of respondents (38.6%, n = 78) indicated that distance learning is quite effective, but less effective than traditional university attendance. 20.3% (n = 41) and 7.9% (n = 16) of dental students rated ineffective and inefficient distance learning, respectively. Among those who supported the distance form of practical classes (47.5%, n = 96), the majority of respondents were students of the I–III year (67.7%, n = 65; t-test = 5.25, p < 0.05).
The analysis of the answers provided by students of the II–V year and interns (in general 170 people) on the practical component of education revealed the following: 53.5% of respondents (n = 91) stated that they gained less practical skills than earlier. Ninety-nine respondents (58.2%) stated that due to the introduction of distance learning they got to lack practical skills, so in the future this could affect them as professionals and the quality of their healthcare service. Almost a third of respondents (34.1%, n = 58) assumed that medical university did not provide proper practical skills, so practical experience would be needed outside the medical university. The vast majority of respondents (71.2%, n = 121) said that there were more opportunities to try dental procedures at work in a dental office than in a phantom class at the medical university.
Conclusions. A significant number of dental students indicated loyalty to distance learning, but they complained about the lack of practical skills. The introduction of mixed and hybrid forms of education that will solve the problem of obtaining practical medical competencies is promising for higher dental education.
CLINICAL CASE: RARE COURSE OF JUVENILE SCLERODERMA IN RESIDENTS OF DONETSK REGION
Authors: Koniushevska Alla A. , Parkhomenko Тatiana A. , Vaizer Natalia V. , Tymoshyna Olga V. , Kuzevanova Maria V.
Published: May 2022

The article presents a clinical case of a rare onset and a special clinical course of juvenile scleroderma. A clinical case of a child who was born and lives in the ecologically unfavorable industrial Donetsk region is described.
The literature review of influence of unfavorable environment on morbidity and features of autoimmune pathology course in patients of Donetsk region is offered. In particular, the literature indicates that negative environmental factors lead to an increase in the progression of systemic scleroderma; over the past 20 years, there has been a tendency to increased mortality of children suffering from it, which is associated with deteriorating environmental conditions in industrial regions. The growing incidence and prevalence of scleroderma, the variety of clinical manifestations, and difficulties in early diagnosis of the disease make it important to study the options for the course of this pathology in children and adolescents in the early stages of the disease.
A feature of this clinical case was the onset of juvenile scleroderma with severe convulsive syndrome at the age of 8 years, which required Finlepsin at a dose of 200 mg daily. Further course was also uncharacteristic: within 2 years, there was a linear indentation in the forehead on the right side; the patient was diagnosed with linear "saber-shaped" limited scleroderma, Parry–Romberg facial hemiatrophy syndrome, and further developed manifestations of systemic involvement, lesions of internal organs: pneumofibrosis and scleroderma esophagitis. The management and observation of the patient are presented here. It was emphasized that early aggressive intervention led to the prevention of severe organ pathology and death.
The described clinical case expands the knowledge of physicians on the clinical polymorphism of the onset and course of the disease, which allows faster and more accurate identification of the disease, timely and adequate therapy, and will lead to earlier stabilization and remission of the disease.
RISK OF ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION IN THE POPULATION OF WESTERN UKRAINE DEPENDING ON CLINICAL, GENDER, AND MOLECULAR-GENETIC PREDICTORS
Authors: Sydorchuk Andriy R. , Harbuzova Victoria Yu.
Published: May 2022

Introduction. Nowadays, the number of adults with hypertension has doubled worldwide from 650 million in 1990 to 1.28 billion in 2019, mostly in low- and middle-income countries. Late diagnosis of the disease leads to increased morbidity, target organs damage, and early disability. Therefore, risk factors stratification for patients with hypertension is an important task of modern medicine.
Objective. To study the risk of essential arterial hypertension (EAH) in the population of Western Ukraine, taking into account anthropometric, clinical and demographic, gender and genetic factors (NOS3, rs2070744 and GNB3, rs5443).
Materials and methods. 100 patients with EAH and 48 apparently healthy individuals (the control group) participated in the study. All participants underwent clinical and laboratory examinations. Risk factors included a burdened anamnesis of cardiovascular disease (CVD), type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), body mass index (BMI) in men (M) and women (W). GNB3 (rs5443) and NOS3 (rs2070744) genes genotyping was performed by real-time PCR.
Results. The EAH risk in the population generally increased due to the CVD burdened heredity regardless of the NOS3 (rs2070744) and GNB3 (rs5443) genes genotypes by almost 3–4.5 times, with the most pronounced correlation in the mutation C-allele carriers of the NOS3 gene and in T-allele carriers of the GNB3 gene [OR = 3.10–4.29; OR (95% CI): 1.03–13.77; p ≤ 0.041–0.005], due to DM2 – by 7–14 times [OR = 7.14–14.25; OR (95% CI): 1.0–127.2; p ≤ 0.043–0.006], due to increased WC (M > 102 cm, W > 88 cm) – by 3.5–17 times [OR = 3.45–16.67; OR (95% CI): 1.06–66.09; p ≤ 0.035–0.0001]. Gender analysis confirmed the association between increased risk of EAH and elevated WHR, but only for women (> 0.85 U) – by 4.5–51 times [OR = 4.44–51.33; OR (95% CI): 1.10–346.9; p ≤ 0.036–0.0001] in TT‑genotype carriers of the NOS3 gene and in the CC-genotype carriers of the GNB3 gene. Augmented BMI (> 25.0 kg/m2) also enhanced the EAH risk by more than 6–9 times [OR = 6.29–9.0; OR (95% CI): 1.0–83.07; p ≤ 0.034–0.011], but only in women with TT genotype of the NOS3 gene and the CC genotype of the GNB3 gene (rs5443) – by 5 times [OR = 4.80; OR (95% CI): 1.25–18.42; p = 0.019] and 11.5 times [OR = 11.50; OR (95% CI): 2.01–65.91; p = 0.004], respectively.
Conclusions. The risk of EAH in the Western Ukraine population increased with burdened CVD heredity regardless of genetic factors, DM2, elevated BMI, WC and WHR, but only in women, with the most pronounced correlation in the TT genotype carriers of NOS3 gene and CC genotype patients of GNB3 gene.
ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECT OF CITRATE BUFFER WITH ANTIBIOTIC
Authors: Gancho Olga V. , Bublii Tetiana D. , Oleksij P. Kostyrenko Oleksij P. Kostyrenko , Fedorchenko Vira I.
Published: May 2022

Antibiotic resistance of pathogens to medications is an essential problem globally. Thus, new medication compositions are one of the ways to solve this problem. This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial efficacy of the citrate buffer combined with the antibiotic «Amoxiclav» on standard reference strains of microorganisms.
We used standard cultures of C. albicans ATCC10231, E. coli ATCC25922, S. aureus ATCC25923, E. faecalis ATCC29213, M. luteus ATCC4698, S. epidermidis ATCC14990 in the study conducted at the Microbiology, Virology and Immunology Department of the Poltava State Medical University. The sensitivity of standard microorganism strains to the composition was studied with a quantitative method of serial dilutions based on CLSI. ISO/TC 212 «Clinical laboratory testing and in vitro diagnostic test systems. 2021».
Thus, the results of this study clearly showed a synergistic effect of citrate buffer and amoxiclav on all the reference strains of microorganisms. Reference strains of Staphylococcus aureus and epidermal staphylococcus showed the highest sensitivity to citrate buffer, which was 4 times (p < 0.05) higher than that shown by micrococci, enterococci and fungi, and 8 times (p < 0.01) higher than that of Escherichia coli, which appeared least sensitive to the test substance. Amoxiclav also inhibited the growth of S. aureus ATCC 25923 and S. epidermidis ATCC 14990 and had the minimal effect on the reference strain of E. coli ATCC 25922, the minimal inhibitory concentration of which was 31.3 times (p < 0.0001) higher than that of staphylococci. The proposed citrate buffer-amoxiclav combination significantly increased the antimicrobial efficacy of its components against all the reference strains of microorganisms. Thus, the sensitivity of E. coli ATCC 25922 and M. lysodeikticus ATCC 4698 to the proposed combination increased 8-fold (p < 0.05) compared to their sensitivity to citrate buffer or amoxiclav alone. The sensitivity of Staphylococcus aureus and enterococcі to the composition increased to the maximum: up to 32-fold (p < 0.001) to the buffer and 4‑fold to the antibiotic (p < 0.01). The effect of a significant increase in the sensitivity of C. albicans ATCC10231 strain to the citrate buffer after adding amoxiclav was gone up 128-fold (p < 0.0001). It was the evidence of a synergistic fungicidal action of the antibiotic-citrate buffer combination.