bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A REVIEW ON THE FIFTH PANDEMIC: CORONAVIRUS
Authors: NAVDEEP KAUR , SIMRANPREET KAUR , MANJINDER KAUR
Published: January 2021

Since the 1918 flu pandemic, the novel human coronavirus outbreak COVID-19 has been the fifth known pandemic. COVID-19 was first identified in Wuhan, China, and later spread across the world. It is an infectious disease caused by the coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) extreme acute respiratory syndrome virus. The patients exhibit flu-like symptoms, including dry cough, sore throat, high fever, and trouble in breathing. Despite too much affords, there is no appropriate treatment or medication which is a successful COVID-19 therapy. A variety of candidate drugs are being used for the treatment and reviewed. This involves clinically accessible medications that are being repurposed for the treatment of COVID-19, such as chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, and lopinavir/ritonavir. This review describes the different aspects of corona such as history, origin and spread, its types, life cycle, epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and precautions. This review makes us understand what type of virus is this and how we can take precautions to protect us from this life-threatening virus. There is an immediate need to prepare our young generation to fight against any such catastrophe in the future, if any, of science and technology. There is no reason to worry and to fight this epidemic, careful prevention and control are necessary. This article can help to create public awareness, knowledge, avoiding, handling, and treating COVID-19.
CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF NOVEL XANTHONE SOURCED FROM SWERTIA CHIRATA AGAINST SKIN CARCINOGENESIS
Authors: BARUA ATISH , CHOUDHURY PRITHA , PANDA CHINMAY KUMAR , SAHA PROSENJIT
Published: January 2021

Objective: Swertia chirata forms a rich source of bio-active compounds, among which xanthones form an important part. Among the xanthones present in it, 1,5,8 Tri-hydroxy-3-methoxy xanthone (TMX) was found to be the most active. The present study aims to evaluate the chemotherapeutic potential of it against metastatic skin cancer cell lines.

Methods: In this study, the antitumor activity of TMX (the active component of chirata plant) was evaluated in A431, SKMEL-5, and A375 cell line by using in-vitro assays such as cell viability assay, cell cycle analysis, caspase 3 activity assay, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level determination by dichlorofluorescein diacetate, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

Results: In vitro studies showed that TMX from S. chirata exhibited significant antitumor activity by inducing apoptosis and restricting proliferation in both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer cell lines, but no such activity was seen in normal skin cancer cell line WS1. The qRT-PCR analysis revealed that in both the melanoma ad non-melanoma cell lines, TMX could exert its antitumor activity by downregulating c-Myc, cyclin-D1, and β-catenin and up-regulating Wnt antagonist gsk-3β, thereby suppressing wnt self-renewal pathway, but such regulation was absent in normal cell line.

Conclusions: TMX from chirata could effectively inhibit the proliferation of metastatic skin cancer (both melanoma and non-melanoma) cell lines while being non-toxic to normal cell lines. The chemotherapeutic potential of TMX against metastatic skin cancer cell lines was achieved by downregulating several key regulatory genes enabling the suppression of the self-renewal pathway, the chief reason behind the invasiveness of cancer cells.
EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF DIFFERENT EXTRACTS OF MEDICINAL PLANTS
Authors: S KARTHIKA , N KANNAPPAN , TNK SURIYAPRAKASH
Published: January 2021

Objective: The present study was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant activity of different extracts of two medicinal plants.

Methods: In-vitro antioxidant activity of different extracts of Hydrocotyle javanica Thunb and Peristrophe bicalyculata (Retz.) Nees were determined by following methods such as Lipid peroxide assay (LPO), nitric oxide assay (NO), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT).

Results: Among eight different extracts, n-Hexane H. javanica extract and alcoholic P. bicalyculata extract showed more potent in vitro antioxidant activity in terms of LPO, NO, GSH, SOD, and CAT assay.

Conclusion: From the results, it can be concluded that n-Hexane H. javanica extract and alcoholic P. bicalyculata extract showed more potent in vitro antioxidant activity.
Investigation of the effect of ammonium nitrate fragmentation on the development of ammonal detonation
Authors: Paszula Józef , Dziewiątkowska Justyna , Buczkowski Daniel
Published: January 2021

Despite many years devoted to the study of the mixture of ammonium nitrate and aluminium, the composition is still very popular among others because of manufacture simplicity. Ammonals belong to nonideal explosives whose experimental results deviate from the theoretical ones. This thesis discusses the impact of fragmentation of the main component – ammonium nitrate – on the investigated detonation parameter. With a constant amount of aluminium dust, a series of detonation velocity measurements were carried out. The thesis was based on a continuous method using short-circuit sensors placed in the middle of the load. The methodology for determining the detonation velocity from the obtained voltage-time relationships was developed. Discussions of the obtained measurement results were carried out. Conclusions resulting from research on the development of the detonation process were formulated.
Plasmid-Curing, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant Properties and Phytochemical Analysis of Medicinal Plants from North East India
Authors: Aparna Gunjal  , Rajashree Patwardhan  , Aditi Jedhe  , Vaishnavi Choudhary
Published: January 2021

The medicinal importance of plants is in their bioactive substances which exert definite physiological action on the human body. In the present investigation antimicrobial activities of Garcinia pedunculata, Phlogacanthus thyrsiformis, and Ziziphus mauritiana were studied against microbial strains using agar disc diffusion. In-vitro phytochemical screening for chloroform, isoamyl alcohol and water extracts of parts of plants was performed. For MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration), grid method was used. The antioxidant activity of the plant extracts was studied using the ferric reducing antioxidant method and bioautography was studied using Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC). Garcinia pedunculata and Phlogacanthus thyrsiformis extracts showed highest antimicrobial activity. In-vitro phytochemical screening for chloroform, isoamyl alcohol and water extracts of parts of plants showed positive results for alkaloids, saponins, steroids, triterpenes, flavonoids and diterpenes. The MIC value of Garcinia pedunculata, Phlogacanthus thyrsiformis and Ziziphus mauritiana was 2560, 1280 and 2560 µL, respectively. The antioxidant activity revealed that there was an increase in absorbance with the increase of sample concentration. In Thin Layer Chromatography-Bioautography, chloroform extract of Garcinia pedunculata and Ziziphus mauritiana showed activity with zones of inhibition on bioautograms. The chloroform extract of Ziziphus mauritiana was found to be effective with curing efficiency for E. coli K12 (RP4), E. coli (pBR322) and E. coli (pRK2013) 62%, 57% and 49% respectively. Petroleum ether extract of Phlogacanthus thyrsiformis cured E. coli K12 (RP4), E. coli (pBR322) and E. coli (pRK2013) at 38%, 42% and 35% curing efficiencies respectively. This is the first report of plasmid curing by using chloroform Ziziphus mauritiana and petroleum ether extract of Phlogacanthus thyrsiformis. The present investigation has revealed applications and significance of plant extracts of Garcinia  pedunculata,  Phlogacanthus  thyrsiformis,  and  Ziziphus  mauritiana  as  plasmid  curing,  antimicrobial  and  antioxidant  agents  to control infections and spread of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria.
Effect of Myofascial Release Therapy In Addition To K-Tape on Chronic Plantar Fasciitis
Authors: Tamil Nidhi Pk  , Anandhan D  , Arun B  , Anantharaj K
Published: January 2021

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common cause of heel pain. Injury to the plantar fascia results in loss of normally resilient in fascia. Fascia becomes stiffened and prone to re-injury, which resulting in a vicious cycle of persistent pain and inflammation. Though many therapies would produce better results, there was less exploration on fascial release therapy and k- tape. The purpose of the study is to identify the effect of MFR in addition to K-tape on chronic plantar fasciitis. This is a Quasi- experimental  study  with  48  participants.  The  ethical  approval  was  obtained  and  the  study  was  conducted  in  multiple physiotherapy centers in Namakkal district, Tamil Nadu. All the participants were selected based on selection criteria mainly those who fulfil any of the three from below, 1) Heel pain increases in the morning with first few steps following prolonged bed rest 2) Pain localized to the inferior heel 3) Pain decreases with activity such as walking or moving 4) Pain score is between 3—7 cms in 10 cm VAS. 24 participants in the experimental group receive myofascial release therapy along with k-tape for 6 weeks, 24 participants in the control group receive stretching along with k-tape for 6 weeks. The outcome measures used in this study are pain and foot function by numerical pain scale and foot function index respectively. Results were analyzed using SPSS 20.0, the results show that there were significant differences obtained between the myofascial release therapy with the k-tape group when compared to k- tape only group. There was a pain score of 10.82 ± 0.196 (p < 0.001) and foot function index score of 10.6 ± 3.85 (p < 0.001). This study concluded that the use of Myofascial release therapy with K-tape reduces pain scores and improves foot function in plantar fasciitis.
Situación de la Gestión del Riesgo de Desastres en Centroamérica
Authors: Pérez García José Nicolás
Published: January 2021

Debido a su localización, Centroamérica está expuesta a múltiples amenazas que, con la combinación de la vulnerabilidad de cada uno de los países, hacen que la región se considere de alto riesgo. Por tal motivo, el presente trabajo tuvo como finalidad examinar la evolución y los desafíos de la gestión de los desastres a nivel centroamericano.  Los esfuerzos conjuntos en materia de gestión del riesgo se remontan a la década de 1990, con lo cual se han desarrollado estrategias y lineamientos para la prevención y mitigación de los desastres. Si bien hay avances significativos, todavía hay desafíos y situaciones por resolver, lo cual se refleja en la fragilidad de las sociedades ante las frecuentes y nuevas amenazas.
Folksonomia e os conceitos de ordem, desordem e organização à luz de Edgar Morin
Authors: Pinho Fabio Assis , Oliveira Jéssica Pereira de
Published: January 2021

Este artigo trata sobre a compreensão da folksonomia e objetivou verificar se os conceitos de ordem, desordem e organização de Morin (2005) podem contribuir para compreender a complexidade dela enquanto Sistema de Organização do Conhecimento (SOC), por meio de uma pesquisa do tipo exploratória, com abordagem dialética, sendo um estudo de natureza explicativa com apoio bibliográfico. O resultado dessa discussão demonstrou que os conceitos de ordem, desordem e organização permitem compreender adequadamente a gênese e a função da folksonomia para os SOC, pois ao distanciá-la dos sistemas tradicionais torna-se possível compreendê-la a partir da complexidade que ela carrega ao apoiar as relações entre os indivíduos nas comunidades virtuais e sua maneira de organizar e representar conteúdos informacionais para recuperação desses atores. Apesar de não ignorar as características da folksonomia, especialmente no tocante às suas implicações para a recuperação da informação, o foco não deve ser o destaque às suas lacunas a partir de uma visão tradicional, mas sim a compreensão da sua natureza dinâmica e complexa e sua relação singular entre ordem e desordem,  no intuito de enriquecer a sua prática e estimular a diversidade e o pluralismo lógico e cultural que a torna um sistema amplo de possibilidades de organização.

Palavras-chave: Folksonomia. Classificação Social. Ordem. Desordem. Organização.
Informação & Sociedade: Estudos - Espelho da Ciência da Informação no Brasil
Authors: Pinheiro Lena Vania Ribeiro , Chalhub Tania
Published: January 2021

Pesquisa descritiva, com metodologia emetrias de informação e comunicação e de análise de conteúdo em abordagem qualiquantitativa que tem por objetivo analisar operiódico Informação & Sociedade: Estudos na sua trajetória editorial e temáticas a fim de verificar seacompanham oprocesso de desenvolvimento da Ciência da Informação erepresentam as questões contemporâneas da área. Fazem parte da pesquisa os dados referentes à revista de 1991 a 2019, com informações sobreaspublicações,autoresetemas.Acoletadedadosfoirealizadanosistemadaprópriarevista,comextraçãode informações relacionadas à autoria (nome, afiliação institucional, número de autores por artigo), aos artigos (títulos). A análise das temáticas foi realizada com recorte temporal de 2005 a 2019. Com relação à autoria há um certo equilíbrio entre artigos com dois autores e com autoria única, aumentando o número de autores ao longo dos anos, assim como a participação de parcerias interinstitucionais. Vale destacar a participação de instituições estrangeiras, principalmente da Espanha e outros países da Europa como Portugal. Na análise dos principais temas dos artigos Competência em informação, Bibliotecas, Metrias da informação e comunicação, Gestão da informação e do conhecimento são os mais frequentes. O resultado mostra um misto de temas básicos da Ciência da Informação, como Recuperação da Informação com novas abordagens, periódicos eletrônicos, bibliotecas digitais e repositórios, além de questões teóricas como Epistemologia da Ciência da Informação.

Palavras-chave: Periódicoscientíficos. Comunicação Científica. ProdutividadeCientífica. Informação &Sociedade: Estudos.
Identificação e representação de conceitos por meio de termos
Authors: Cervantes Brígida Maria Nogueira
Published: January 2021

Apresenta um modo de identificação e representação de conceitos por meio de termos elaborado conforme orientações teóricase metodológicas de normas terminológicas e documentárias. Destaca a análise conceitual e síntese como processo utilizadopara a identificação e representação de conceitos tendo como base os contextos encontrados na literatura e validadosdo ponto de vista conceitual por pesquisadores e especialistas da área em estudo. Para a identificação de conceitos, énecessário que o processo de coleta de termos seja realizado de forma minuciosa. A análise de contextos é parte fundamentalpara que ocorra a síntese. Finaliza enfatizando que os cientistas se apropriam das palavras dando a elas um sentido específico.Portanto, palavras comuns podem ser utilizadas como conceitos. As palavras podem se transformar em conceitos no âmbitode perspectivas teóricas específicas.

Palavras-Chave: Sistema de Conceitos. Análise conceitual. Terminologias.
Determination of Optimum pH and Contact Time from the Adsorption Process of Cu(II) Ions by Corn Cob (Zea mays) Biomass
Authors: Windiastuti Riska T. , Santoso Tri
Published: January 2021

The use of Cu in daily life and industry can produce toxic waste, both for the human body and the environment. This study aimed to determine the optimum pH value and contact time, and the maximum capacity of the adsorption process of Cu(II) ions by corn cob biomass. The optimum pH and contact time were determined based on the adsorption graph of the adsorbent obtained from the optimization of pH and time, while the maximum adsorption capacity was determined using the Langmuir adsorption isotherm equation. The results showed that the optimum pH adsorption of Cu(II) ions by corn cob absorbent occurred at pH 7 with the absorption of 98.34%. Optimum contact time occurred at the 60th minute with the percentage of copper absorbed was 96.37%. Besides, the maximum capacity adsorption of corn cobs toward Cu(II) ions was 2.416 mg/g. This study concluded that corn cobs can be used as an adsorbent of Cu(II) ions.
Toward a Juris-cultural Studies of Human Rights
Authors: Erni John Nguyet
Published: January 2021

This special issue grew out of an advanced seminar on Cultural Studies that I guest-taught at the National University of Singapore in 2018, where there has been a long-time engagement with interdisciplinary teaching and learning in the field of Cultural Studies through NUS’s Asian Research Institute (and more recently through the university’s Department of Communication and New Media). The essays collected here represent a collection of sincere efforts to reframe political and ethical crises through a unified framework that can be called juris-cultural studies of law and rights. By “juris-cultural,” I refer to a genre of critical cultural analysis that investigates the mutually constitutive nature of law and culture, through dissecting “law as culture” in which cultural signifying practices are traceable to the presence or absence of legal norms, as well as through “culture as law” in which the contested meanings of cultural communities, their practices and politics, can shape or even dictate social norms and regulations. It is both a political language and a method that avoids separating law and culture but confronts their uneasy entanglements. The essays are united by a common critical method of combining critical legal theory with a cultural critique of law. Each essay centers on a particular court case, and performs critical reading of the legal logics and reasoning alongside a broader attention to social and cultural ideologies and power relations that overdetermine the outcome of the court judgment. The insights produced by such a method will hopefully present to readers an innovative approach adequate to the task of bringing the problems of rights, legal subjectivities, and critical justice squarely to the doorsteps of Cultural Studies.
The Air-conditioned Nation under Global Warming – An Exploratory Study of the Speech and Assembly Freedom and Politics of Space in Singapore
Authors: Wong Hei Ting
Published: January 2021

Singapore is known to have a citizenry loyal to its one-party dominated government. Cherian George refers Singapore as the “Air-conditioned Nation,” wherein free speech is sacrificed for economic stability in this metaphorical or virtual greenhouse and fostered a controlled and docile politic. Dissent from members of registered opposition parties or ordinary citizens, however, has been voiced during “illegal gatherings” in public places. Many of these attempts, both purposeful and accidental, challenge rules designed to limit the citizenry’s ability to voice publicly. In this paper, I examine these civil disobedient acts under the framework of construction and politics of socially- and mentally-constructed space in connection to the laws of Singapore. Utilizing the ideas of space as defined by Henri Lefebvre and Michel Foucault, I analyze three separate accounts of assembly and/or procession. I identify the relevant laws of Singapore and examine how these laws are interpreted and applied by law enforcement, revealing a tension between space and the body politic. Politics of space is a concept usually connected to social class; yet, class consciousness is what the Singaporean government strives to eliminate through the control of ideology and by limiting the freedom of speech in public spaces. My contribution examines the relationship between space and politics, reflecting the conflicts between the government, which has the power over the use of places and citizens who would like to express ideas differently from governmental-led ideologies physically and publicly in these places, and the opposition’s actions in this virtually-caged public space named Singapore.
Killing with No Punishment: Police Violence and Judicial (In)justice
Authors: Li Angus Siu-cheong
Published: January 2021

This article offers a critical reading of the Limbu Case that took place in 2009 in Hong Kong. The Limbu Case was about an ethnic Nepalese named Dil Bahadur Limbu who was shot dead by a police constable on a hillside, which resulted in controversies around issues such as excessive police use of force and discretionary policing in Hong Kong. In the coroner’s inquest (court case no.: CCDI298/2009) regarding Limbu’s death, a verdict of lawful killing was reached by a jury of five. In other words, the killing was defined as a permissible killing. Drawing attention to the process of questioning “reasonableness” of the killing, I attempt to shed light on the ambiguities of the coronial system in Hong Kong which results in a missed opportunity to prevent future deaths. In other words, this article uncovers how the state is unable to live up to its promise to protect people's right to life.
Corporate Internet disclosures during the coronavirus pandemic
Authors: Tasios Stergios , Chytis Evangelos , Karametou Panagiota , Tagkas Periklis
Published: January 2021

Corporate disclosures constitute the main means of communication between companies and their related parties, with the Internet being one of the most important. Although several studies have been conducted on the extent of disclosures on the Internet and the factors that affect it (Elsayed, Masry, & Elbeltagi, 2010; Botti, Boubaker, Hamrouni, & Solonandrasana, 2014; etc.), research during the crisis of the pandemic is limited. The purpose of this paper is twofold. On the one hand, it aims to examine the extent and quality of disclosures that companies provided on corporate websites during the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, an effort is made to assess which factors affected the extent of disclosure. These factors focus on firm-specific characteristics (company size, leverage, profitability, auditing firm size) and core corporate governance attributes (board size, ownership concentration and chief executive officer duality). Results indicate that average disclosure was relatively high. Regression analysis shows that the level of disclosure was significantly positively associated with company size, profitability and board size. This indicates that during the pandemic, larger companies, more profitable and with more board members, disclosed more information on their websites. The results of the study may be of interest for clients, financial and credit analysts, investors, supervisory authorities as well as management, in their effort to improve corporate disclosures and the level of social responsibility.
A novel respiratory device and the application of cardiorespiratory performance to hemodialysis patients
Authors: Yuenyongchaiwat Kornanong , Thanawattano Chusak , Buekban Chatchai , Charususin Noppawan , Pongpanit Karan , Hanmanop Somrudee , Namdang Phuwarin , Traitanon Opas
Published: January 2021

Background: Muscle wasting and limitation in physical activity have been
reported in patients with hemodialysis; this leads to poor quality of
life at the end. Objective: To develop the respiratory training device
and to determine the efficiency of the prototype on respiratory muscle
strength, functional capacity and dyspnea perception in hemodialysis
patients. Design, setting and participants: the development of
respiratory device was created and then effects of respiratory device
were examined in hemodialysis patients. A total of 25 patients with
quasi experimental study was recruited in the present study with aged ≥
35 years old. All participants had a history of hemodialysis 3 days per
week. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: The protocol was
conducted 15 inhales, three set per day with 40% of maximal inspiratory
pressure; totally 45 inhales. The participants were asked to perform for
three times per week during on hemodialysis. Respiratory muscle
strength, the 6minute walk test and rate of dyspnea scores were assessed
before and after 8-week intervention program. Paired t-tests was used to
compare between initial values and follow-up values in respiratory
prototype. Results: Of 25 patients at initially was enrolled, 22
individuals (88%) completed in the 8-week program. Significant improve
in inspiratory muscle strength, 6minite walk distance and rate of
dyspnea was observed after 8-week intervention (12.44± 3.55 cmH2O,
24.78 ± 8.89 meters, and 0.50 ± 0.19, respectively). Conclusion: Using
porotype of respiratory device can effectively improve cardiorespiratory
performance which is marked by increasing inspiratory muscle functional
capacity and rate of dyspnea in hemodialysis patients after 8-week
training program.
Surgical management of left ventricular posterior wall plication for cardiac shock with ischemic mitral regurgitation
Authors: Nakamae Kosuke , Oshitomi Takashi , Uesugi Hideyuki
Published: January 2021

Ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) is a common complication, which is
accompanied by myocardial infarction, causing heart failure and leading
to poor prognosis. Although several surgical techniques have been
reported, certain surgical methods have not been established for
treating IMR. We report a successful case of left ventricular posterior
wall plication through a left atriotomy over the mitral valve for IMR in
a patient who experienced cardiac shock and could not be weaned off
mechanical support. Posterior wall plication changed the left ventricle
from a spherical to an oval shape, restored the position of papillary
muscles and posterior wall, improved leaflet tethering, and prevented
further remodeling of the left ventricle. This method may be useful for
treating IMR and improve patients’ prognosis.
A web-based survey for COVID-19 infection among Indian dancers
Authors: Ghosh Pratiti
Published: January 2021

.
Reporting Device Performance of Emerging Photovoltaic Materials (Version 1)
Authors: Almora Osbel , Baran Derya , Bazan Guillermo C , Cabrera Carlos I , Catchpole Kylie R , Erten-Ela Sule , Guo Fei , Hauch Jens , Ho-Baillie Anita W Y , Jacobsson T Jesper , Janssen Rene A J , Kirchartz Thomas , Kopidakis Nikos , Li Yongfang , Loi Maria A , Lunt Richard R , Mathew Xavier , Mcgehee Michael D , Min Jie , Mitzi David B , Nazeeruddin Mohammad K , Nelson Jenny , Nogueira Ana F , Paetzold Ulrich W , Park Nam-Gyu , Rand Barry P , Rau Uwe , Snaith Henry J , Unger Eva , Vaillant-Roca Lídice , Yip Hin-Lap , Brabec Christoph J
Published: January 2021

Emerging photovoltaics (PVs), focuses on a variety of applications
complementing large scale electricity generation. For instance, organic,
dye-sensitized and some perovskite solar cells are considered in
building integration, greenhouses, wearable and indoors, thereby
motivating research on flexible, transparent, semitransparent, and
multi-junction PVs. Nevertheless, it can be very time consuming to find
or develop an up-to-date overview over the state-of-the-art performance
for these systems and applications. Two important resources for record
research cells efficiencies are the National Renewable Energy Laboratory
chart and the efficiency tables compiled biannually by Martin Green and
colleagues. Both publications provide an effective coverage over the
established technologies, bridging research and industry. An alternative
approach is proposed here summarizing the best reports in the diverse
research subjects for emerging PVs. Best performance parameters are
provided as a function of the photovoltaic bandgap energy for each
technology and application, and are put into perspective using, e.g.,
the Shockley-Queisser limit. In all cases, the reported data correspond
to published and/or properly described certified results, with enough
details provided for prospective data reproduction. Additionally, the
stability test energy yield (STEY) is included as an analysis parameter
among state-of-the-art emerging PVs.
Response to Pegylated Interferon in a COVID-19 Positive Elderly Woman with Primary Myelofibrosis Treated with Ruxolitinib
Authors: Frankel Arthur , Reddy Renuka , Desuza Kayla , Carlin Aaron , Smith Davey , deeb khaled , Xie Yushuang , Naik Eknath , Silver Richard , Hasselbalch Hans
Published: January 2021

An 83 year old female had asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection while taking
ruxolitinib. She remained RT-PCR positive for viral RNA for
>120 days, Pegylated interferon for 4 weeks led to viral
RNA clearance. The observations support combination therapy of
ruxolitinib + interferon for COVID-19.
Anti-epidemic effectiveness of sanitary and educational work with contingents at risk of plague infection in the Gorno-Altai high-mountain natural plague center
Authors: Kuklev E. V. , Toporkov V. P. , Mischenko A. I. , Safronov V. A. , Ivanova A. V. , Matrosov A. N. , Pospelov M. V. , Karnauhov I. G.
Published: January 2021

Objectiveis to reduce the risk of infection of people with plague in the territory of a natural focus on the basis of the targeted public health educational work with risk groups.

Materials and methods. In 2017, 30 visits were made by epidemiological groups to livestock farms in the epizootic zone to inform the population about the existing risks of plague infection and to conduct interviews to assess the level of alertness regarding the risk of the disease. Work was carried out with risk contingents with coverage of 1652 people (81% of the total number of people living in livestock camps).

Results. It was found that 64% of the respondents knew about the danger of plague infection in the region. 91% are aware of the role of marmots in infecting people with plague. 96.3% of respondents are aware of the ban on hunting groundhogs, while 39% continue to prey upon the grey (Altai) groundhog. The identified gaps in the population’s alertness regarding the risk of plague infection were eliminated through active sanitary and educational work with the population.

Conclusion. Direct work with the population, anti-epidemic groups, significantly affected the provision of epidemiological welfare as regards plague, which is confirmed by the absence of human plague cases in the natural focus in 2017-2019.
Post-infectious gastroenterological pathology’s mechanisms in children with rotavirus infection
Authors: Ermolenko K. D. , Gonchar N. V. , Lobzin Yu. V.
Published: January 2021

Introduction: Rotavirus infection (RVI) is one of the most common childhood illnesses in countries where routine vaccination against the disease isn`t introduced. The incidence of RVI in Russia remains at a consistently high level, leading to a huge socio-economic damage. In addition, in children who have undergone severe forms of the disease, have high risk of post-infectious functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract (FD), leading to a decrease in the quality of life and prolonged persistence of dyspeptic phenomena. The pathogenetic mechanisms and factors predisposing to FD in RVI convalescents remain insufficiently studied.

The aim of the study was to establish the possible role of intestinal microbiocenosis disorders and immune response in the formation of gastroenterological pathology in children, convalescents of RVI.

Material and methods: The work was performed in 2014- 2019. in Pediatric Research and Clinical Center for Infectious Diseases. In the course of the implementation, a comprehensive clinical and laboratory examination was carried out for 60 children aged 1 to 7 years who had suffered RVI in a severe or moderate form, since the onset of infection followed by a three-year follow-up observation. Particular attention was paid to the assessment of intestinal microbiocenosis and immune response in the study group of patients. The interpretation of dyspeptic symptoms in the follow-up period was carried out on the basis of the Rome IV revision criteria. The structure of gastrointestinal tract disorders after rotavirus infection has been established.

Results: It was shown that with RVI, persistent changes in the intestinal microbiota are observed, characterized by a decrease in the number of symbiotic Bacteroides thetaiataomicron, Lactobacillus spp. and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and overgrowth of semipathogenius microorganisms, including Bacteroides fragilis.

Conclusion: A close relationship of a number of factors (a decrease in the level of virus-induced production of IFNγ and serum IgA, overgrowth of Proteus spp., Bacteroides fragilis and a decrease in the level of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron) with the formation of FD in the follow-up period was revealed.
Over-time work of part-time health care professionals - case study of the General Hospital of Valjevo
Authors: Markovic Velisav , Obradovic Dragan , Brkovic Radoje , Galic Borislav
Published: January 2021

Introduction/Objective. In practice, for more than 10 years there has been ongoing litigation between healthcare institutions and healthcare workers, who have found that reduced working hours may be payment compensation for overtime work (on-call time, on-call duty, stand-by time). The objective of this paper was to analyze the problem and propose a solution in order to stop disputes and eliminate uncertainty. Methods. A case study method, comparative method and normative method were used in this article. Court practice has been analyzed in relation to a number of civil proceedings, as well as the opinion of the State Audit Institution of the Republic of Serbia and the Ministry of State Administration and Local Self-Government on a specific case. Results. Healthcare workers and healthcare institutions have different legal views about the right to salary supplement based on overtime work of healthcare workers who work reduced working hours. Although the court has taken a stand on the side of healthcare workers, disputes do not stop because healthcare institutions do not change their calculation method. Conclusion. The solution is to amend legal regulations that need to regulate in detail and unequivocally the manner of payment of salary supplements for healthcare workers in order to avoid any doubts and contentious situations.
Impaired Activated/Memory Regulatory T Cell Clonal Expansion Instigates Diabetes in NOD Mice
Authors: Mhanna Vanessa , Fourcade Gwladys , Barennes Pierre , Quiniou Valentin , Pham Hang P. , Ritvo Paul-Gydeon , Brimaud Faustine , Gouritin Bruno , Churlaud Guillaume , Six Adrien , Mariotti-Ferrandiz Encarnita , Klatzmann David
Published: January 2021

Regulatory T cell (Treg) insufficiency licenses the destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic β-cells by autoreactive effector T cells (Teffs), causing spontaneous autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice. We investigated the contribution to diabetes of the T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoires of naive regulatory T cells (nTregs), activated/memory Tregs (amTregs), and CD4+ Teffs from prediabetic NOD mice and normal C57BL/6 (B6) mice. NOD mice amTreg and Teff repertoire diversity was unexpectedly higher than that of B6 mice. This was due to the presence of highly expanded clonotypes in B6 amTregs and Teffs that were largely lost in their NOD counterparts. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) administration to NOD mice restored such amTreg clonotype expansions and prevented diabetes development. In contrast, IL-2 administration only led to few or no clonotype expansions in nTregs and Teffs, respectively. Noteworthily, IL-2–expanded amTreg and nTreg clonotypes were markedly enriched in islet-antigen specific TCRs. Altogether, our results highlight the link between a reduced clonotype expansion within the activated Treg repertoire and the development of an autoimmune disease. They also indicate that the repertoire of amTregs is amenable to rejuvenation by IL-2.
Digitalization of directed energy deposition process through a multidirectional height monitoring sensor system
Authors: Jothi Prakash Vishnuu , Buhr Malte , Emmelmann Claus
Published: January 2021

Industrialization of directed energy deposition (DED) process relies on the development and implementation of a quality assurance system that makes the process reliable and repetitive. One of the geometrical characteristics that needs constant monitoring and control during any DED process is the height of the deposited layer. In this paper, a multidirectional layer height monitoring system relying on the laser triangulation principle that has been developed for real-time direct measurement, in contrast to the majority of the sensor systems that derive layer height based on melt pool temperature, is presented. Existing commercial laser triangulation systems are unidirectional, which hinder the flexibility of the material handling system, like industrial robot, in most of the cases. An additional challenge lies on the integration with the deposition head due to its form, size, and extreme working conditions. Therefore, a novel configuration of laser triangulation sensors that enable multidirectionality and limit shadowing effect has been developed at Fraunhofer IAPT. In this paper, the development of such a sensor with a focus on the mechanical design has been presented. The sensor is designed for operation at high temperature and harsh environmental conditions close to the build zone. The developed sensor has been successfully tested for the powder-based laser metal deposition system. In-process layer height measurement and control are possible with this sensor, thereby enabling digitalization and quality assurance during the build process. 3D point cloud generated using this sensor can be used for the dimensional deviation measurement and also for downstream processes like machining. Such an in-process quality measurement and assurance system negates a postmeasurement step, thereby saving cost and time and ensuring quality.
Morphological Aspects of Acute Renal Injury in Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Zimina L. N. , Berdnikov G. A. , Rey S. I. , Kambarov S. Yu.
Published: January 2021

Summary. The use of endoscopic transsphenoidal access is an effective and safe method for the surgical treatment of pituitary adenomas (PA). In endoscopic transsphenoidal surgeries, there is a need to control intracranial pressure (ICP) for reposition and expansion of the tumor capsule. Currently, the main method for reducing ICP in transsphenoidal surgery is installation of an external lumbar drainage, which is associated with a number of complications.

Aim of study. To improve the results of surgical treatment of patients with arterial hypertension using hypertonic saline solution.

Material and methods. A clinical and anatomical analysis of material from 27 deceased patients who were treated in the cardiac surgery department of the Institute was carried out. Valve replacement was performed in 11 patients, aortic replacement - 2, valves and aorta - 7, combined operations - 7. The patient’s records, autopsy protocols, results of histological examination of surgical and autopsy material were studied. Already on the next day after surgery, an increase in serum creatinine by more than 25% was noted under the conditions of CBR. Morphological examination of the kidneys revealed acute pathological processes - necrosis of nephrocytes of the convoluted tubules in 59.3% of cases and dystrophic changes in 40.7% of cases against the background of chronic pathology (nephrosclerosis, vascular atherosclerosis, glomerulosclerosis, pyelonephritis, secondary contracted kidney). After coronary angiography with a radiopaque contrast agent (RCA), signs of excretory nephrosis were noted, often with fixation of the RCA in the loop of Henle, with tubulorexis and the formation of cell casts.
Management of Disorders of Homeostasis With Saline Enteral Solution in Acute Poisoning With Psychopharmacological Drugs
Authors: Matkevich V. A. , Potskhveriya M. M. , Simonova A. Yu. , Sukhodolova G. N. , Belova M. V. , Bitkova E. E.
Published: January 2021

Background.In acute poisoning, accompanied by a violation of the parameters of homeostasis, the problem of its management by the enteral route has been insufficiently studied.

Purpose of the study.To assess the possibility of correcting electrolyte and volemic disorders of the body using an enteral solution (ER) in case of poisoning with psychopharmacological drugs.

Material and methods.The study involved 120 patients who underwent intestinal lavage (IL) with ER on the 1st day in complex therapy. In the following days, 40 of them received infusion therapy, and 80 — drank glucose enteral solution (GES), 3–4 liters per day.

Results.IL had a corrective effect on the electrolyte composition of the blood, volemic and hemorheological parameters, as well as on central and peripheral hemodynamics. The subsequent administration of GER had a stabilizing effect on these indicators, comparable to that of infusion therapy.

Conclusion.In case of poisoning with psychopharmacological drugs, the use of saline enteral solution in the form of intestinal lavage and subsequent oral administration of the same solution in a daily volume of 3–4 liters, but with the addition of glucose, provides correction of impaired homeostasis indicators and may be an alternative to infusion therapy.
Effect of Xenon on the Phosphorylation of Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β and Antioxidant Enzymes in Rat Brain
Authors: Kuzovlev A. N. , Shpichko A. I. , Ryzhkov I. A. , Grebenchikov O. A. , Shabanov A. K. , Khusainov Sh. Zh. , Tsokolaeva Z. I. , Lobanov A. V.
Published: January 2021

Relevance. The increase in the number of severe brain injuries due to stroke and traumatic brain injury determines the need to study and develop effective strategies for neuroprotection. The article highlights new mechanisms of the neuroprotective action of the inhalation anesthetic xenon based on the data of our own experimental studies.

Aim of study. To assess the effect of anesthesia with xenon at a concentration of 0.5 MAC (minimum alveolar concentration) on the phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) and the content of antioxidant defense enzymes in the rat brain.

Material and methods. The effect of inhalation anesthesia with xenon on the phosphorylation of the GSK-3β enzyme in comparison with lithium chloride, as well as on the content of heme oxygenase, catalase, and Mn-superoxide dismutase in rat brain homogenates was studied by immunoblotting.

Results. The use of xenon at a concentration of 0.5 MAA causes an almost twofold increase in the content of the phosphorylated form of the GSK-3β enzyme in comparison with the control (p<0.05) and significantly increases the pool of antioxidant defense enzymes: heme oxygenase by 50% (p <0.05) and Mn-superoxide dismutase by 60% (p<0.05).

Conclusion. The conducted experimental study revealed new molecular mechanisms of action of the inhalation anesthetic xenon. The effect of xenon on the pool of enzymes involved in the protection of the brain from oxidative distress was found. The data obtained indicate the prospects for using xenon and require further research in this direction. The use of xenon at a concentration of 50 vol.% (0.5 MAA) for 30 minutes does not affect the content of the glycogen synthase-3β enzyme, at the same time causing an almost twofold increase in its phosphorylated form, the glycogen synthase-3β enzyme, and is accompanied by a significant increase the content of heme oxygenase, Mn-superoxide dismutase and a slight increase in the content of catalase in rat brain homogenates. Thus, the results of the study suggest that one of the possible mechanisms of the neuroprotective effect of xenon is the phosphorylation of glycogen synthase-3β, which prevents the opening of the mitochondrial pore, inhibiting the death of mitochondria-mediated apoptosis of neurons and increasing the level of antioxidant protection in them.
Structural Changes in the Fallopian Tubes in Patients With Ectopic Pregnancy
Authors: Titova G. P. , Damirov M. M. , Anchabadze I. V. , Medvedev A. A.
Published: January 2021

Relevance.Ectopic (extrauterine) pregnancy (EP) occupies a leading place in the structure of urgent gynecological morbidity. This pathology poses a threat to the health and life of a woman, being one of the leading causes of maternal mortality during pregnancy during the first trimester. Among emergency gynecological operations, surgical interventions for EP make up about 50%, and in recent years, most operations have been performed by the laparoscopic method. However, up to now, the pathomorphological changes in the fallopian tubes in patients with EP remain poorly understood.

Purpose of the study. To study the features of pathomorphological changes in the fallopian tubes in women with tubal pregnancy, operated on by the laparoscopic method, to substantiate the volume of surgery in patients with this pathology.

Material and methods. Morphological examination was performed in 100 women operated on for tubal pregnancy using the laparoscopic method. A comprehensive morphological study of the fallopian tubes removed during the operation was carried out.

Results and discussion. The implantation of the ovum in the fallopian tube led to significant changes in its macro- and microstructure, which were caused by the invasion of chorionic villi and involved all layers of the tube wall, differing only in the depth of penetration and prevalence. The anatomical features of the structure of the fallopian tubes contributed to the deep invasion of the ovum into the myosalpinx and subserous parts of the tube, creating the possibility of wall rupture in this area.

Conclusions. 1. In all cases of ectopic pregnancy, implantation of the ovum was accompanied by invasion of cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast, and it involved all layers of the tube wall, differing only in depth and prevalence. The invasive properties of the cytotrophoblast lead to the development of pronounced degenerative changes in the tube wall, which leads to functional inferiority of the tube after the onset of tubal pregnancy in it.

2. The chronic productive endomyosalpingitis diagnosed in most patients with ectopic pregnancy with deformation of the tube lumen against the background of changes in the tube wall caused by cytotrophoblastic invasion is an indication for tubectomy. Performing organ-preserving operations on an anatomically and functionally altered fallopian tube is impractical, since it is a high risk factor for recurrent tubal pregnancy in this tube.
Cadaver Course in the Training System of an Urgent Surgeon
Authors: Khubezov D. A. , Khubezov L. D. , Trushin S. N. , Ogoreltsev A. Yu. , Puchkov D. K. , Ignatov I. S. , Rodimov S. V. , Krotkov A. R.
Published: January 2021

Introduction. In our country, severe concomitant injury is one of the main causes of death among people of working age. This poses an urgent task for the national health care and education system in the form of training qualified emergency surgeons.

Purpose of the study. To improve the quality of practical training of specialists in the delivery of urgent surgical care for concomitant injury.

Material and methods. The “Cadaver course of operative surgery for severe concomitant injury” was developed. The participants of the cadaver course were senior students of the Ryazan State Medical University. At the stages of the course, theoretical training was carried out, work in a cadaver operating room with mentors and independently was performed, as well as a comparative assessment of learning outcomes with the results of similar tests of clinical residents of the 2nd year of study.

Results. Statistically significant differences were obtained in terms of indicators reflecting the level of practical training of students who completed the developed course. The level of theoretical training in the compared groups did not differ significantly.

Conclusion. New opportunities have been opened for the widespread introduction of the developed training course into the educational process. It is necessary to further improve the proposed methodology and study the results of its use.