bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intra-arterial chemoembolization as a component of neoadjuvant treatment of rectal cancer. Literature review
Authors: Kalinin R. E. , Kulikov E. P. , Verkin N. I. , Mertsalov S. A. , Golovkin E. Yu. , Shanaev I. N. , Zotova O .V.
Published: November 2024

Interventional oncology is a rapidly evolving field of cancer treatment. Minimally invasive techniques, such as transarterial embolization with chemotherapeutic and radioactive agents, are common treatments and are found in many guidelines for the treatment of primary and metastatic liver lesions. It is known that the growth and development of a malignant neoplasm is primarily determined by angiogenesis. Rapid growth is ensured where the formation is directly related to the arterial bed. Therefore, when the drug is injected into the target vessel and providing tissue ischemia, it is possible to achieve a high degree of tumor pathomorphosis. This technique has an advantage for patients who, in some cases, cannot be treated surgically, and also increases the effectiveness of the chemotherapeutic effect. With the advent of necessary equipment in hospitals and the accumulation of experience in the use of minimally invasive interventions, it became possible to implement a new method of treating tumors of various localizations. In this review, we consider the results of domestic and foreign authors on the topic of intra-arterial chemoembolization before surgical treatment in patients with rectal cancer. It is noted that the analysis of the literature revealed a small number of works devoted to the chosen topic, despite the relevance of this problem for modern oncology.
The role of bioelements ‒ components of free radical oxidation ‒ in the genesis of childhood obesity
Authors: Lesnaya A. S. , Darenskaya M. A. , Rychkova L. V. , Semenova N. V. , Prokhorova Zh. V. , Shevchuk V. А. , Kolesnikova L. I.
Published: November 2024

Currently, there is no common understanding of the bioelement status of obese children and adolescents. In this regard, we have summarized the available data on open access and presented information on the role and content of bioelements involved in the regulation of free radical homeostasis in the genesis of childhood obesity. The literature review revealed modern ideas about obesity as a metabolic pathology. The multifactorial nature of the development of oxidative stress in obesity, including in children and adolescents, is considered, the role of bioelements in the regulation of free radical homeostasis is revealed and it is shown that they can act as cofactors of antioxidant enzymes and/or be initiators of oxidative reactions. The most significant bioelements involved in the regulation of free radical processes are copper, zinc, manganese, selenium and iron. The analysis of the literature shows that children and adolescents with obesity experience changes in the metabolism of the main bioelements involved in the regulation of redox homeostasis. The content of copper, zinc, selenium, manganese and iron may vary depending on the gender and age of the subjects, as well as the type of biomaterial being studied.
Recent achievements in prenatal genetic diagnosis of small supernumerary marker chromosomes
Authors: Omarov M. A. , Mulyukov A. R. , Burmistrov I. A. , Akhmadishin E. I. , Lapteva M. S. , Nizamutdinova A. N. , Nurieva K. Z. , Iagudina R. A. , Kurbanadamov M. R.
Published: November 2024

Small supernumerary marker chromosomes (sSMCs) are structurally abnormal chromosomes that cannot be clearly identified or characterized by traditional karyotyping. They can appear in a variety of forms, including rings, centric fragments, and other structural abnormalities, and are often detected during prenatal diagnosis. sSMCs occur in approximately 0.075 % of unselected prenatal cases and can be associated with a wide range of phenotypic presentations, from normal development to severe congenital malformations and syndromes. Understanding and interpreting the clinical significance of sSMCs remains challenging in genetic counseling due to their high heterogeneity and potential impact on fetal phenotype. Advances in the field of molecular cytogenetics, including techniques such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), as well as microarray comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) and next-generation sequencing (NGS), have significantly improved the ability to accurately characterize sSMCs. These methods can determine their origin, size and genetic content, which is critical for risk assessment and decision-making during pregnancy. Thus, modern molecular cytogenetics techniques play a key role in the identification and characterization of sSMC, allowing for more accurate genetic counseling and helping to make informed pregnancy decisions. However, despite technological advances, sSMCs continue to pose a challenge for prenatal diagnosis due to their complexity and potential impact on fetal development. In this article, we aim to provide a general overview of sSMCs and of their impact on prenatal diagnosis, as well as consider the clinical significance and potential impact of sSMCs on pregnancy outcome.
The role of extracellular ATP in regulating the functional activity of cells
Authors: Patrakeeva V. P.
Published: November 2024

A search and analysis of scientific articles presented in the databases PubMed, ScienceDirect, Elsevier, eLibrary for 2000–2024 was carried out. The selection criterion was the presence in the articles of information on the concentration of extracellular ATP in normal and pathological tissues, the mechanisms of purinergic regulation of cell functioning, and the expression of CD73 and CD39 ectonucleotidases on cells, which regulate proinflammatory extracellular ATP catabolism to immunosuppressive adenosine. Modern data are presented on the role of extracellular ATP in the regulation of cell functioning under normal and pathological conditions, during inflammation and the formation of cellular and humoral immune responses, as well as on the study of the mechanisms of purinergic signaling from extracellular ATP in the development of targeted drugs for various diseases, including neoplasms, neurodegenerative and autoimmune pathologies.
Comparative analysis of the height of the maxillary sinuses, the thickness of their upper wall and bone plate in the first period of adulthood and old age using 3D digital technologies
Authors: Balandin A. A. , Gorobchenko A. S. , Balandina I. A.
Published: November 2024

Aim of the study was to carry out a comparative analysis of the height of the maxillary sinuses, the thickness of their upper wall and bone plate in the first period of adulthood and old age using 3D digital technologies. Material and methods. The work is based on the results of a 3D study of the facial part of the skull of 92 people with a normal maxillary sinus structure who were treated at a dental clinic in Perm. All patients were mesocrans, right-handed. The subjects were divided by gender and age into two groups. The first group consisted of 21 women and 27 men of the first period of adulthood (from 22 to 35 years old), the second group was represented by 23 men and 21 women of senile age (from 75 to 86 years old). The 3D study consisted in measuring the height of the maxillary sinuses and determining the thickness of their upper wall and bone plate. The height of the sinus was considered to be its largest vertical size on the frontal section. The thickness of the upper sinus wall was determined as the widest part of the orbital surface of the maxillary bone at its most prominent point. The thickness of the bone graft was calculated as the distance from the periosteum of the roots of six teeth (from the canine to the third molar) to the deepest point of the bottom of the maxillary sinus in the projection of these teeth. Results. There is a decrease in sinus height in old age compared to the first period of adulthood (p < 0.01). The dynamics of the maxillary sinuses size indicators is manifested in thinning of the upper wall and bone lamina by old age (p < 0.01). Both in the first period of adulthood and in old age there is a tendency to anatomical asymmetry of maxillary sinuses with predominance of parameters on the right side (p > 0.05). Conclusions. The data of a lifetime comparative analysis of the linear dimensions of the right and left sinuses in patients of the first adult and infantile ages, allow us to form an idea about the
Ultrasound examination of the liver post mortem: are there any changes in size after autopsy?
Authors: Opryshko I. A. , Izranov V. A. , Gordova V. S. , Shushval M. S. , Stepanyan S. A. , Abdujabborov Kh.
Published: November 2024

The liver size is important to take into account when it is necessary to assess the course and severity of various diseases, including infectious, malignant and systemic diseases. The liver linear dimensions of the same patient depend on the method of examination (palpation, percussion, sonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging). The objective of this investigation was to compare the linear diameters of the liver according to ultrasound data of cadavers before autopsy and liver linear diameters after extraction of it from the abdominal cavity. Material and methods. All data were obtained in the pathology department of the Regional Clinical Hospital of the Kaliningrad Region. We examined 25 cadavers (12 females and 13 males). Before the autopsy we performed the ultrasound examination with measuring of the linear diameters of the functional left and right lobes with a convex transducer of a portable S6 ultrasound system (SonoScape, China). After the autopsy we did 3 sagitally oriented incisions for maximum linear measurements similar to previous ultrasound ones. Results and discussion. After extraction of the liver from the abdominal cavity the anteroposterior diameters of both lobes decreased on average by half after autopsy (p < 0.001), the craniocaudal diameters of the left and right lobes, on the contrary, increased on average 2 times and 1.25–1.35 times respectively (p < 0.001). The oblique craniocaudal maximum diameter of the right lobe increased (“stretches”) by an average of 1.11–1.15 times (p = 0.002). Conclusions. After extraction of the liver from the abdominal cavity all the linear diameters changed. The oblique craniocaudal maximum diameter of the right lobe is the most “stable”, due to which it possible to imagine the intravital diameter of the liver.
Predictors of successful microvascular decompression surgery in patients with classical trigeminal neuralgia according to the neuroimaging data
Authors: Alzeeralhouseini A. F. , Moisak G. I. , Filimonova E. A. , Rzaev J. A.
Published: November 2024

Trigeminal neuralgia presents significant challenges in neurosurgery, with patients responding variably to Microvascular Decompression (MVD). Advanced neuroimaging techniques, specifically MRI using the Constructive Interference in Steady State (CISS) sequence and Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), have emerged as promising tools in predicting the outcomes of MVD. Aim of the study was to determine neuroimaging predictors of successful microvascular decompression surgery in patients with classical trigeminal neuralgia. Material and methods. This retrospective study analyzed 58 patients who underwent microvascular decompression for classical trigeminal neuralgia at the Federal Neurosurgical Center in Novosibirsk, Russia, between January 2017 and December 2021. Outcomes were assessed by the Barrow Neurological Institution (BNI) scale. Preoperative neuroimaging with CISS and DTI was used to evaluate neurovascular conflict severity, nerve diffusion and other criteria. Results. 79.3 % (BNI I & II) of patients were practically free of pain postoperatively, in which 65.5 % (BNI I) had successfully completely recovered from the procedure with no pain, and 13.8 % (BNI II) had a good outcome. And the study found a significant correlation between favorable MVD outcomes and higher Sindou grades 2 and 3, indicating more severe neurovascular conflict (p < 0.001). Also significant differences were observed in outcomes based on fractional anisotropy values on symptomatic nerve (p = 0.029). Discussion. Anatomical factors which measured by MRI had limited impact on outcomes, while Sindou grading showed a significant correlation with surgical outcomes, and higher fractional anisotropy values were associated with poorer outcomes. Conclusions. The investigation of neuroimaging predictors for MVD surgery outcomes in patients with trigeminal neuralgia, received from CISS-sequence imaging and pre-treatment DTI, indicates the importance of estimation of severity of vascular compression in surgical planning and the predictive value of fractional anisotropy values from DTI for preoperative assessments.
Clinical and functional characteristics of chronic heart failure in different age groups
Authors: Gerasimenko O. N. , Zimina Yu. D. , Pankova I. V. , Tolmacheva A. A. , Solovyova V. I. , Voevoda M. I. , Nikolaev Yu. A.
Published: November 2024

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a common complication of many cardiovascular diseases. It is important to study the clinical and functional features of CHF to clarify the further prognosis of this disease due to the unfavorable course and high mortality rate. Diagnosis and treatment of CHF is an issue for doctors of various specialties, in particular when it comes to geriatric patients with multiple concomitant diseases. Various physiological and morphological transformations in the aging population contribute to heart failure. The most common type of HF in older people is HF with preserved ejection fraction. Atypical clinical symptoms of CHF are much more common in elderly people than in young people. The prevalence of HF with age is associated with a longer period of influence of damaging factors on the heart, such as arterial hypertension, metabolic stress or ischemia-related damage. Due to the unfavorable course and high mortality rate, it is important to study the clinical and functional characteristics of CHF to clarify its prognosis. However, the data available on this issue vary significantly; the mechanisms, issues of diagnosis and treatment of patients with heart failure in different age groups have not been sufficiently studied, which determined the purpose of this study ‒ to investigate the features of the clinical and functional characteristics of CHF depending on age. Material and methods. The study included 90 male and female patients with diagnosed CHF stages I-IIB, NYHA functional class I-IV, aged 40–86 years, who underwent echocardiography, general and biochemical blood tests. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 – patients of working age (women 16–54 years old and men 16–59 years old, n = 20), group 2 – patients older than working age (women 55 years and older, men 60 years and older, n = 70). Results and its discussion. According to the data obtained, the average age of all surveyed was 68.1 ± 9.8 years. The second stage of CHF prevailed in both the first and second groups of the studied categories of participants. Atypical symptoms prevailed, which creates difficulties in its diagnosis and treatment. The frequency of CHF decompensation in patients over working age, as well as the concentration of natriuretic peptide, is higher compared to the group of CHF patients of working age, which is probably due to the presence of comorbid pathology and cognitive deficit. The data obtained can be used to develop an approach to stratify the risk of CHF.
Population-based study of comorbidities in unruptured brain aneurysms using complex network analysis
Authors: Kivelev Ju. V. , Dubovoy A. V. , Krivoshapkin A. L.
Published: November 2024

Complex network analysis is a relatively new method of analysis in medical research. It can be utilized in population- based study of different comorbidities. The aim of this study was to estimate the effectiveness of complex network methodology in analysis comorbidities in unruptured brain aneurysms patients. Material and methods. A comprehensive network analysis of a sample of 628,831 individuals was performed, after constructing bipartite networks all the connections between index diagnosis and revealed comorbidities were statistically validated. Results and discussion. Altogether, 1787 patients with unruptured aneurysm were identified (ICD code I67.1). After complex network analysis bipartite networks were established based on index diagnosis, there were 182 codes of comorbidities. Of those, 150 from 182 codes (82 %) were found in people aged from 40 to 70 years, men had 67 (37 %) codes and women had 115 (63 %). In addition to traditional discirculatory and heart diseases, analysis elucidated previously scarcely described comorbidities including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in non-smokers women older than 60 years. Conclusion. Demonstrated data shows the effectiveness of network complex analysis in population-based research of comorbidities in unruptured aneurysm patients.
The impact of gastroesophageal reflux disease on the quality of life of children and adolescents in the Republic of Tyva
Authors: Polivanova T. V. , Kasparov E. V. , Vshivkov V. A.
Published: November 2024

Aim of the study was to investigate quality of life indicators in children and adolescents with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in the Mongoloid and Caucasian populations of the Republic of Tyva. Material and Methods. Schoolchildren aged 7–18 years of the indigenous (25 Mongoloids – Tuvans with GERD and 354 practically healthy) and newcomers population Republic of Tyva (5 Caucasians with GERD and 158 practically healthy) were examined using a cross-sectional method. Gastroenterological complaints and demographic information were recorded. To assess the quality of life of children, adapted Russian parent (CHQ-PF28) and child (CHQ-PF45) versions of the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) were used. The questionnaire allows you to assess various areas of a child’s life. Results and discussion. A decrease in the quality of life was established in schoolchildren of both ethnic populations in the presence of GERD on a number of scales as assessed by the children themselves and their parents. However, unlike parents, children’s assessments tended to decrease in the “family cohesion” section (p = 0.068), which, to a certain extent, may reflect the presence of intrafamily problems that can have a traumatic effect on the child. According to parents’ assessments, in schoolchildren with GERD in the Caucasian population, the decrease in indicators concerned only the “physical activity” scale (p = 0.039). In the Tuvan population, more extensive deviations were noted ‒ in sections “general health assessment” (p = 0.041), “physical activity” (p = 0.024), “changes in health status” (p = 0.006), “pain/ discomfort” (p = 0.037). According to the assessment of children, Caucasians with GERD did not show a decrease in indicators, and Tuvans with GERD had fewer deviations on the scales than, according to their parents. Conclusions. Tyva schoolchildren with GERD showed a decrease in quality of life indicators, which was more pronounced among Mongoloids - Tuvans, and there were differences in its assessment by the children themselves and their parents.
Evaluation of the endovideosurgical treatment efficacy of patients with various forms of infertility in a gynecological hospital
Authors: Sulima A. N. , Beglitse D. A. , Gunar Z. V. , Yal’chi A. S.
Published: November 2024

Infertility is a condition of the reproductive system, which is expressed in the absence of clinical pregnancy after 12 months of regular sexual activity without contraception. Despite the achievements of reproductive medicine, the problem of infertile marriage is far from being resolved. Restoring fertility in married couples requires rapid development of medical technologies in the field of reproductive medicine. Currently, cystectomies and myomectomies of various localizations are performed endoscopically. The undoubted advantages of laparoscopic operations are a decrease in the severity of pain syndrome, shortening the period of hospital stay after surgical treatment, and early activation of patients, as well as improvement the quality of care and increase the likelihood of spontaneous pregnancy. Aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of endovideosurgical treatment of patients with various forms of infertility in a gynecological hospital. Material and methods. A statistical review of the medical documentation of the gynecological department of the Simferopol City Clinical Maternity Hospital No. 1 for 2020 was performed, data from 105 women of reproductive age (from 22 to 43 years) who underwent surgical treatment for infertility were analyzed. The patients were divided into six groups according to nosological units. The results and discussion. 47 women (44.76 %) became pregnant. In group 1 (N97.0, n = 20), 11 (55 %) became pregnant, in group 2 (n = 41), 18 (43.9 %) became pregnant. In group 3 (N97.2, n = 2), pregnancy did not occur (0 %). In group 4 (N97.3, n = 1), pregnancy did not occur after surgical treatment (0 %). In group 5 (N97.8, n = 8), two patients became pregnant (25 %). In group 6 (N97.8, n = 33), 16 (48.5 %) became pregnant. Conclusions. A positive relationship between surgical treatment of patients with various causes of infertility and the frequency of pregnancy in the natural cycle was revealed, which indicates the need for endoscopic diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to restore fertility.
A clinical case of asymptomatic drug-induced thrombocytopenia
Authors: Zolotarev A. A. , Pyhtunova E. A. , Trifonova O. Yu. , Kseneva S. I. , Udut V. V.
Published: November 2024

Thrombocytopenia is a condition in which the level of platelets in the blood decreases and becomes less than 150×109/L. This can lead to an increased risk of bleeding. One of the causes of thrombocytopenia may be medication; its association with the use of more than 300 drugs has now been documented. The pathogenesis of such, drug-induced thrombocytopenia (DITP), is described as a consequence of direct cytotoxic effects of drug on megakaryocytes, which leads to increased platelet destruction in the bloodstream or dysfunctional thrombopoiesis. In the diagnosis of DITP the leading role belongs to the clinical approach: first of all, it is carried out on the basis of data of drug history and a minimum set of laboratory tests, including counting the number of platelets in the blood and determining the clotting time. Since thrombocytopenia may be associated with the risk of serious bleeding, its timely diagnosis is of key importance for determining the tactics of therapeutic intervention. We present a clinical case of DITP, after the combined use of drugs of different groups – statin, xanthine oxidase inhibitor, cytostatic drug of antimetabolite group, non-selective beta- adrenoblocker and two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with different mechanism of action. The described case showed that to avoid polypharmacy in patients with DITP it is necessary to assess hemostatic potential by low-frequency piezotromboelastography, because even in conditions of insufficient platelet count they can provide preserved functional ability to maintain hemostasis.
Mucocele of the appendix: our experience in treatment of rare pathologies
Authors: Lisin O. E. , Shestakov E. V. , Andreev I. S. , Medvedeva E. S. , Katorkin S. E.
Published: November 2024

A mucocele of the appendix is a cystic formation of the appendix, the lumen of which is filled with mucin of varying consistency. There are benign and malignant forms of the disease. Its pathogenesis varies depending on the etiology and has not yet been fully studied. The clinical picture of this disease is nonspecific and there are difficulties in preoperative diagnosis. The purpose of the study is to present a rare clinical case of mucocele of the appendix, as well as literature data on this pathology. Successful treatment of a patient with appendix mucocele, an atypical location of the tumor was demonstrated. Based on the results of intraoperative express biopsy, as well as postoperative pathomorphological examination, surgical intervention was carried out to the required extent and with a favorable prognosis for the patient’s future life. Choosing the right method of surgical treatment allows you to avoid dangerous complications, such as the development of mucinous cystadenocarcinoma and pseudomyxoma peritonei. When performing surgery, it is necessary to be guided by the principles of safety from the patient’s point of view and not be afraid of performing access conversion.
Determining cardiovascular disease risk factor exposure among locomotive crew workers of the Trans-Baikal Railway
Authors: Lazutkina A. Yu.
Published: November 2024

According to the epidemiological dictionary definition, environmental factors have a property of influence. However, the exposure doses of risk factors (RF) and their relation to the severity, prevalence of the harmful effect in the exposed population remains unknown. Aim of the study was to find out the exposure to predictors of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in the group of employees of locomotive crews (ELC) of the Trans-Baikal Railway (TBR). Material and methods. Predictors of acute coronary syndrome, coronary heart disease, cerebral stroke and sudden cardiac death were determined using multivariate statistical analysis during the 2008–2013 study of 22 items of a natural group of initially healthy 7959 male employees of locomotive crews (ELC) of the Trans-Baikal Railway (TBR) aged 18–66 years old. The qualities of predictors as screening tests were assessed by the quality control method of a verifiable diagnostic test (VDT) with binary outcomes. Using this method the exposure doses in the observation group were found out by determining the sensitivity value of CVD predictors. Results. The studied CVDs had overlapping predictors that had different quantitative scores in terms of VDT indicators. Exposure to risk factors at the population level can be measured by the sensitivity index of VDT, which reflects the prevalence (accumulation) of risk factors among those individuals who have the final outcome. Conclusions. Risk factors in different exposures (concentration) form different CVDs. It is necessary to monitor RF in ELC to assess their exposures, predict CVD, and organize therapeutic and preventive measures and medical care.
O novo já nasce velho: a Idade Média pós-BNCCE a questão da mulher medieval nos livros didáticos de história do guia PNLD-2020
Authors: Lima Douglas mota xavier de
Published: November 2024

Nos últimos anos é notório o interesse dos pesquisadores brasileiros das áreas de História Antiga e História Medieval com as questões do ensino de história, em especial com o ensino desses conteúdos na educação básica. Inserindo-se nessas preocupações, o presente artigo explora o principal instrumento pedagógico da educação pública no país, o livro didático. Aproveitando o assunto do dossiê temático, o artigo apresenta apontamentos acerca da Idade Média nos manuais escolares, especificamente nas obras do Ensino Fundamental - Anos finais aprovadas pelo Programa Nacional do Livro e do Material Didático (PNLD) e indicadas no Guia do Livro Didático 2020. O objetivo do artigo é problematizar possíveis mudanças de inserção e abordagem do conteúdo impulsionadas pela Base Nacional Comum Curricular (BNCC). Para isso, após apresentar panorama da inserção da Idade Média nos manuais aprovados, o artigo analisa um caso, os papeis sociais das mulheres medievais, tema de “objeto de conhecimento” e “habilidade” da BNCC para o 6º ano do Ensino Fundamental. O trabalho sustenta-se em sete livros didáticos aprovados no PNLD e propõe estudo comparativo do tema nos manuais. Os resultados demonstram a redução do conteúdo de Idade Média nos livros didáticos pós-BNCC e que as obras permanecem abordando as mulheres medievais de forma dissociada da narrativa principal dos capítulos e de maneira superficial.
Por uma História Antiga que promova a dignidade humana: um ensaio/provocação
Authors: Belchior Ygor
Published: November 2024

Este texto é uma reflexão em forma de ensaio a respeito do ensino de História Antiga e a promoção da dignidade humana. A dignidade da pessoa humana é um dos direitos essenciais de qualquer indivíduo, assegurando proteção contra todo tratamento degradante e discriminação odiosa, seja referente à nacionalidade, opção política, origem étnica, orientação sexual, credo, etc. A História Antiga, por sua vez, foi fundada pensando em ser a origem do mundo branco, europeu e masculino, e exaltando essas qualidades como superiores a quaisquer outras, uma abordagem que não é compatível com a promoção da dignidade humana.
TRADUÇÃO D’A AVENTURA DE LLUDD E LLEFELYS (CYFRANC LLUDD A LLEFELYS), SÉCULOS XIII E XIV
Authors: Campos Matheus
Published: November 2024

A Aventura de Lludd e Llefelys, Cyfranc Lludd a Llefelys, é um texto galês medieval que aparece em manuscritos dos séculos XIII ao XIV, registrado pela primeira vez inserido em uma tradução galesa da História dos Reis da Grã-Bretanha, Historia Regum Britanniae, de Geoffrey de Monmouth, século XII. No texto galês, Lludd assume a coroa da Grã-Bretanha, mas tem seu reino assolado por três pragas: os corannyeit, o grito da primeira noite de maio e o desparecimento da comida do banquete real. Então, o rei busca auxílio de Llefelys, seu irmão, e livra a Ilha dos tormentos. O tema das pragas que atormentam a unidade da Grã-Bretanha é lugar comum nos textos galeses medievais e a Aventura de Lludd e Llefelys parece estar inserida num continuum narrativo que recobra diversos motivos, personagens e eventos da história e da produção literária da Gales medieval. Assim, apresentamos uma tradução do texto, do galês médio para o português, bem como alguns comentários sobre a obra.
Enhancing Binary Classification Performance in Biomedical Datasets: Regularized ELM with SMOTE and Quantile Transforms Focused on Breast Cancer Analysis
Authors: Aina Brilliant Friezka , Kallista Meta , Wibawa Ig. Prasetya Dwi , Nugroho Ginaldi Ari , Meiska Ivana , Naf’an Syifa Melinda
Published: November 2024

Using microarray datasets, this research investigation addresses the problem of unbalanced data in binary classification tasks. The objective is to increase classification performance by adding Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) regularization, as well as Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique (SMOTE) for data over-sampling and Quantile Transformer for data scaling. The study began with gathering important biological datasets from reputable sources such as UCI and Kaggle, including Pima Indian Diabetes, Heart Disease, and Wisconsin Breast Cancer. SMOTE was employed to solve the difficulty of data imbalance in the preparation of the dataset. The data was then separated into training (80%) and testing (20%) sets before being scaled using Quantile Transformation. To boost accuracy, ELMs were employed with an emphasis on introducing regularization techniques. Quantile Transforms are used to generate a Gaussian or uniform probability distribution from numerical input variables. Regularized ELM (R-ELM) surpasses ELM in terms of AUC, despite ELM's faster calculation time. The final selection of the regularization parameter (C) in R-ELM influences the model's performance and calculation time. Overall, R-ELM with SMOTE produces encouraging results when it comes to effectively categorizing biological dataset properties. A subsequent investigation and validation of additional datasets, however, are necessary to establish its generalizability and robustness.
The Psychological Impact of Being First: A Critical Analysis of Mental Health Support for First-Generation Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Students—The Case for Social Workers
Authors: Hill Rhea
Published: November 2024

Background:First-generation Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) students’ graduation rates are lower than those of White students. Systemic racism, stereotypes, inequitable treatment from instructors, microaggressions, uncharted paths, and lack of support are major contributors to the onset of mental health challenges for these groups.

Objective:The purpose of this article is to critically review the experiences of BIPOC college students, focusing on their mental health challenges and the barriers they encounter in college, and to offer implications for social work practice.

Methods:This article draws on existing research to explore the factors contributing to the mental health challenges faced by BIPOC and first-generation college students (FGCS), and examines the role of social workers in addressing these issues.

Findings:Despite the significant stressors they face, BIPOC and FGCS students are less likely to seek mental health support and are more likely to drop out. There is a lack of effective approaches to encourage BIPOC students to seek the mental health services they need.

Conclusion:Social workers are well-suited to dismantle racial injustices and empower individuals. This article highlights the critical role of social work in addressing the mental health needs of BIPOC students and promoting their academic success.
What Can Network Analysis Tell Us About the Intolerance of Uncertainty?
Authors: Volarov Marija , Velimirović Mina , Janičić Bojan , Mihić Ljiljana
Published: November 2024

In this study, we explored the network structure of intolerance of uncertainty (IU) using a community sample. We tested the interplay of emotions, behaviors, and beliefs about uncertainty (as measured by the Serbian Intolerance of Uncertainty-11 Scale) and evaluated whether our results would align with those obtained by the Italian researchers, considering the use of somewhat different versions of the scale in somewhat different cultural settings. The walktrap community detection algorithm yielded two communities referring to 1) Inhibitory anxiety and 2) Prospective anxiety. Thus, our findings suggest that IU can be decomposed into these two aspects regardless of which approach is used – network approach or factor analysis. The three most central nodes referred to perceiving uncertainty as upsetting and intolerable and believing one must avoid all the uncertainty. Two central nodes belonged to the Prospective anxiety community, and the third one belonged to the Inhibitory anxiety community and indicated reduced overall quality of life due to uncertainty. The roles of these three constituents in understanding the nature of IU are discussed further in the paper.
Nutritional Risk, Nutritional Status and Some Biochemical Parameters In Adult Burn Patients in Burn Intensive Care Unit: A Prospective Study
Authors: Özenir Çiler , Kızıltan Gül
Published: October 2024

Nutritional therapy is very important in burn patients and plays a role in the prevention and treatment of malnutrition. Therefore, it is necessary to assess nutritional status, prevent or minimize nutritional problems, and monitor nutritional therapy. This study was conducted to determine the nutritional risk, nutritional status and biochemical parameters of adult burn patients in the burn intensive care unit. The 59 patients (women: 16, men: 43) between the ages of 19-64 were included in the study. Parameters such as NRS-2002 (admission and discharge), dietary intake, nutritional support status, serum albumin, and total protein (admission and discharge) were evaluated to determine the nutritional risk and nutritional status of the patients. In addition, body weight, mid-upper arm circumference, and triceps skinfold thickness were measured and body mass index was calculated (admission and discharge). The duration of hospitalization and burn percentage of men patients were higher than women (P
Indonesian News Extractive Summarization using Lexrank and YAKE Algorithm
Authors: Wijaya Julyanto , Suganda Girsang Abba
Published: October 2024

The surge in global technological advancements has led to an unprecedented volume of information sharingacross diverse platforms. This information, easily accessible through browsers, has created an overload, making it challenging for individuals to efficiently extract essential content. In response, this paper proposes a hybrid Automatic Text Summarization (ATS) method, combining LexRank and YAKE algorithms. LexRank determines sentence scores, while YAKE calculates individual word scores, collectively enhancing summarization accuracy. Leveraging an unsupervised learning approach, the hybrid model demonstrates a 2% improvement over its base model. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed method, the paper utilizes 5000 Indonesian news articles from the Indosum dataset. Ground-truth summaries are employed, with the objective of condensing each article to 30% of its content. The algorithmic approach and experimental results are presented, offering a promising solution to information overload. Notably, the results reveal a two percent improvement in the Rouge-1 and Rouge-2 scores, along with a one percent enhancement in the Rouge-L score. These findings underscore the potential of incorporating a keyword score to enhance the overall accuracy of the summaries generated by LexRank. Despite the absence of a machine learning model in this experiment, the unsupervised learning and heuristic approach suggest broader applications on a global scale. A comparative analysis with other state-of-the-art text summarization methods or hybrid approaches will be essential to gauge its overall effectiveness.
Image Denoising Using the Geodesics' Gramian of the Manifold Underlying Patch-Space
Authors: Gajamannage Kelum , Paffenroth Randy , Jayasumana Anura
Published: October 2024

With the proliferation of sophisticated cameras in modern society, the demand for accurate and visually pleasing images is increasing. However, the quality of an image captured by a camera may be degraded by noise. Thus, some processing of images is required to filter out the noise without losing vital image features. Even though the current literature offers a variety of denoising methods, the fidelity and efficacy of their denoising are sometimes uncertain. Thus, here we propose a novel and computationally efficient image denoising method that is capable of producing accurate images. To preserve image smoothness, this method inputs patches partitioned from the image rather than pixels. Then, it performs denoising on the manifold underlying the patch-space rather than that in the image domain to better preserve the features across the whole image. We validate the performance of this method against benchmark image processing methods.
Political party building in populist style
Authors: J Braun Michel J
Published: November 2024

This article assesses the local organisation of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in its first participation in South Africa’s local government elections in 2016. Drawing on original interviews with local party activists, it explains how the EFF’s brand of populism mobilised at the grassroots level during its formative years. The study argues that the party’s populist style was effective because it helped appropriate existing diverse networks of political activists by positioning itself as the voice of ‘ordinary black people’ against business and government ‘elites’. This orientation of the EFF appealed to youth, activists, and mineworkers who felt excluded from the African National Congress (ANC); while the protests and regalia of its populist style nurtured feelings of collective identity and efficacy among local party organisers. The article indicates how a populist style can be effective in exploiting generational cleavages to build a viable opposition party within the constraints of a dominant party system.
Democratic deficit and underdevelopment in Nigeria: a qualitative study of the 2023 Presidential Elections
Authors: Jatula Victor
Published: November 2024

Discontentment with democracy in West Africa centres on abuse of power and political corruption. In Nigeria, dissatisfaction lies not just with these but also with insecurity, economic recession and the electoral process – a system fraught with complications, controversies and contradictions. Using the political economy of elections as its theoretical framework together with mixed research methods, this paper interrogates the relationship between Nigeria’s democratic culture and the 2023 presidential elections. Here I present a politicised electoral management institution, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Its performance is shaped, not by legislative instruments and constitutional guidelines, but by a dysfunctional democratic culture that reflects the extent to which ethnicised politics, class, institutionalised loyalty and money politics determine election results and Nigeria’s version of democracy. Although fragile and prebendal, democracy continues to consolidate amidst delayed development. The paper recommends increased media advocacy for reform.
Characteristics of Patients with Newly Diagnosed High-Grade Advanced Ovarian, Fallopian Tube and Primary Peritoneal Cancer in 2018–2023 and the Impact of Molecular Diagnostics on the Chemotherapy in Clinical Practice
Authors: Millert-Kalińska Sonja , Stawicka-Niełacna Małgorzata , Tomczak Lidia , Pruski Dominik , Przybylski Marcin , Jaszczyńska-Nowinka Karolina , Poprawski Grzegorz , Mądry Radosław
Published: November 2024

High-grade advanced ovarian, fallopian tube and primary peritoneal (HGAOC) cancer are malignancies in which, apart from surgical treatment, systemic treatment plays an important role. The improvement in treatment results is associated with the introduction of polyADP-ribose polymerase inhibitors (PARPis). The aim of this study is to present a cross-section of patients treated for HGAOC, in one center, including the distribution of treatment principles following the most up-to-date guidelines. We observed patients who reported to the Department of Gyneacological Oncology between January 2018 and December 2023. We analyzed 437 women with a first diag-nosis of HGAOC, who had not been treated before. The introduction of combined treatment with bevacizumab and PARPi into the first line of treatment, regardless of any remnants left during cytoreductive surgery, was introduced in November 2022. Since then, 30% (18/60) of patients (14 with olaparib and 4 with niraparib) have used the above regimen. Previously, in May 2021 - Oc-tober 2022, it was 27% of patients (13/81 with olaparib and 9/81 with niraparib). Among patients starting treatment in January 2018 - April 2021, only 4.7% (5/106) received the platinum + paclitaxel + olaparib regimen. In both groups – with and without BRCA1/2 pathogenic or likely- pathogenic variant, significantly more patients used PC + PARPi or PC + BEV + PARPi in periods II and III than in period I (p<0.01). The introduction of modern treatment in our center very quickly changed the structure of patient treatment. Carriers of BRCA1/2 pathogenic or likely-pathogenic variant had previously received only chemotherapy, disappeared after the introduction of PARPi, in favor of new therapies. Most patients with no BRCA1/2 pathogenic or likely-pathogenic variant, who used PARPi in therapy in our center – received niraparib and therefore they are beneficiaries of mo-lecular diagnostics in the field of HRD.
The Role of Environmental Certifications in the Hospitality Industry: Assessing Sustainability, Consumer Preferences and Economic Impact
Authors: Velaoras Konstantinos , Menegaki Angeliki N. , Polyzos Serafeim , Gotzamani Katerina
Published: November 2024

Hotel certifications have become increasingly vital in promoting sustainability within the hospitality industry, providing frameworks that guide hotels toward reducing their environmental footprint, enhancing operational efficiency and gaining a competitive edge in the marketplace. This review explores the development, types and impacts of hotel certifications, with a focus on prominent schemes such as ISO 14001, LEED, Green Key, and EarthCheck. Through an analysis of case studies from globally recognized hotels, we highlight how certifications contribute to significant reductions in energy and water use, improved waste management and enhanced biodiversity protection, while also delivering economic benefits through cost savings and increased guest loyalty. The paper also examines consumer perceptions of certifications and their willingness to pay (WTP) for certified hotels. Findings suggest that eco-conscious travelers, particularly younger generations, are willing to pay a premium for hotels that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability, though consumer awareness of certification schemes remains limited. The barriers to adopting certifications, such as high initial costs, resource limitations and management resistance, are also discussed, along with the challenges posed by greenwashing and the proliferation of certification schemes. Looking to the future, this review identifies key trends that will shape the evolution of hotel certifications, including increased transparency, the integration of smart technologies, the expanding role of social responsibility and alignment with global sustainability goals such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Hotel certifications are not only crucial for environmental sustainability, but also serve as a powerful tool for enhancing the economic viability of hotels in an increasingly competitive and sustainability-driven market.
Quantifying the Influence of Cloud Seeding on Ice Particle Growth and Snowfall Through Idealized Microphysical Modeling
Authors: Mehdizadeh Ghazal , Erfani Ehsan , McDonough Frank , Hosseinpour Farnaz
Published: October 2024

Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique for enhancing precipitation in arid and semi-arid regions, including Western U.S. However, designing an optimal cloud seeding operation based on comprehensive evaluation metrics, such as seeding agent dispersion and atmospheric conditions, has yet to be thoroughly explored for this region. This study investigated the impacts of cloud seeding, particularly utilizing silver iodide, on ice particle growth within clouds through numerical modeling. By leveraging the Snow Growth Model for Rimed Snowfall (SGMR), the microphysical processes involved in cloud seeding across five distinct events were simulated. The events were in the Lake Tahoe region, nestled within the Sierra Nevada Mountain ranges in the western U.S. This model was executed based on six primary variables, including cloud top height, cloud base height, cloud top temperature, cloud base temperature, liquid water content, and ice water content. This study incorporated datasets from the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications Version 2 and the Clouds and the Earth Radiant Energy System. Findings revealed the importance of ice nucleation, aggregation, diffusion, and riming processes and highlighted the effectiveness of cloud seeding in enhancing ice particle number concentration, ice water content, and snowfall rates. However, event-specific analyses indicated diverse precipitation responses to cloud seeding based on initial atmospheric conditions. The SGMR modeling hints at the importance of improving ice microphysical processes and provides insights for future cloud seeding research using regional and global climate models.