bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Actions of a State Civil Servant upon Receipt of an Illegal Order from the Supervisor: Legal and Psychological Aspects
Authors:   Head of the Department of Constitutional and Municipal Law of the Siberian Institute of Management – Branch of the RANEPA PhD (Law), Sigarev Andrey V.
Published: May 2022

The article examines the situation when a civil servant receives an unlawful order from the head. The reason for such situations is the competition between the imperatives of legality and expediency in performance.The article examines the situation when a civil servant receives an unlawful order from the head. The reason for such situations is the competition between the imperatives of legality and expediency in performance.
A Review of the Monograph by M.V. Anisiforova Administrative Law Measures of Combating Illegal Circulation of Precursors of Drugs and Psychotropic Substances
Authors:   Honored Lawyer of the Russian Federation Chief Research Scientist of the Federal State Institution Research Institute of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia LL.D., Professor, Dugenets Aleksandr S.
Published: May 2022

The monograph examines the administrative procedures and production of counteraction to illicit trafficking in precursors of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. The theoretical, regulatory and organizational and legal foundations of administrative and procedural activities in this area are revealed, first of all, the features of the application of measures of administrative prevention, suppression and administrative responsibility. The article deals with the typical errors associated with the use of measures of administrative and procedural support by officials of the internal affairs bodies in the fight against illegal trafficking in drug precursors.
The Concept of Electronic Justice and New Understanding of the Documentary Support of Judicial Proceedings
Authors:   Associate Professor of the Department of Civil Procedure Law of the Northwestern Branch of the Russian State University of Justice, PhD (Law), Latysheva Natalya A.
Published: May 2022

Modern legal relations in the field of documentarization of legal proceedings are formed in the composition of electronic justice as a developing «unified technological platform», which creates current tasks for the near future. These include: the organization of monitoring the execution of the innovative norms and the creation of opportunities for their practical application in judicial proceedings, as well as further improvement of obsoletic legal regulation in order to ensure that it meets the needs of a dynamically evolving information society.
Court Costs in the Civil Procedure: Peculiarities of Adjudication in Case of Payment by Other Entities
Authors:   Senior Lecturer of the Department of Civil Law and Procedure of the Law School of the Far Eastern Federal University, Managing Partner of Verno Consulting Group, Romanov Andrey A.
Published: May 2022

The article is devoted to the procedures for the payment of court costs by persons who are not participants in the case (representatives of the parties, etc.) due to the peculiarities of Russian tax law and accounting legislation and the issues of further awarding of court costs incurred following the adoption of the final judicial act in the case.
Classification of Criminal Acts not Constituting a Crime from the Perspective of Methods of Regulation of Criminal Relations
Authors:   Deputy Branch Director for Research of the Russian State University of Justice, PhD (Law), Associate Professor, Garbatovich Denis A.
Published: May 2022

The article reveals the classification of non-criminal criminal offenses, depending on what methods of criminal regulation are used in their regulation: 1) non-criminal criminal offenses, in the regulation of which a dispositive method of regulating legal relations is used; 2) non-criminal criminal acts, in the regulation of which an imperative method of regulating legal relations is used.
Editorial: Covid-19 Responses: Insights into Contemporary Humanitarianism
Authors: Allouche Jeremy , J.H. te Lintelo Dolf
Published: May 2022

The multifaceted nature of the Covid-19 pandemic has presented a crisis for the international humanitarian system, not only in terms of health impacts, but of socioeconomic challenges and increased inequalities. At a time when the number of people in need of assistance has drastically expanded, humanitarian funding has been cut as countries focus on their domestic economies. Moreover, pandemic responses have accelerated existing trends of eroding global refugee protection norms and regimes. International travel bans and lockdowns have impeded humanitarian access, thereby constraining conventional humanitarian response mechanisms and processes. Yet, the pandemic has given unanticipated impetus to the localisation agenda of the international humanitarian community. In the (partial) absence of state or international humanitarian responses, everyday forms of humanitarianism practised by and within local communities have been brought into sharp relief. These showcase a rich tapestry of actors, efforts, and solidarity practices that offer relief, typically at the micro level.
Localising Refugee Assistance: Examining Refugee-Led Organisations and the Localisation Agenda During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Easton-Calabria Evan
Published: May 2022

Drawing on 70 interviews with humanitarians, members of governments, and civil society organisations, including refugee-led organisations, from major refugee-hosting countries in 2020 and 2021, this article explores the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on humanitarian localisation and international refugee commitments, notably the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR). It highlights the work and widening recognition of refugee-led organisations during the pandemic, examining how they could be more prominent within the broader localisation agenda and ways in which the GCR and accompanying Global Refugee Forum may have contributed to some of their greater recognition today. Informant perspectives are shared on challenges to localisation wrought by the pandemic, including limited time, lack of communication with beneficiaries, and constrained budgets, and recommendations are presented on how to further refugee leadership and localisation in the ongoing context of Covid-19.
Physical exercise program during the COVID-19 pandemic for stroke survivors: an intervention development study
Authors: Torriani-Pasin Camila , Palma Gisele S. , Makhoul Marina P. , Antonio Beatriz A. , de Freitas Tatiana B. , Domingues Vitoria L. , Magalhães Renata X. , Mochizuki Luis
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND: To mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic, social isolation was needed. Since individuals after stroke have a high risk if catching the COVID-19, and physical exercise is one of the most effective treatments for the disease. Staying physically active through a remote exercise program is an appropriate solution to minimize the inactivity effects.
AIM: To report the process of development of a remote physical exercise program based on a face-to-face physical exercise program.
METHOD: We developed the remote physical exercise program, maintaining the structure of the face-to-face version. Two weeks under social isolation, the remote physical exercise program has started. For the first 2 weeks, for familiarization purposes, we have provided the participants with only a few parts of the session followed by a test session in a synchronous mode of delivery. From the third week onwards, the activities were fully developed.
RESULTS: An asynchronous remote physical exercise was chosen to ensure that the individuals would be able to perform the physical exercises with a caregiver or family member at home, as safe as possible. The sessions were delivered by a single video with all five components, including the parameters of prescription (time, sets, and repetitions), safety instructions, and alternatives exercises. We created two questionnaires to investigate attendance, barriers, safety, and overall experience.
CONCLUSION: This paper purposed an asynchronous remote physical exercise program with a single video per session to initiate telemonitoring for stroke survivors, who had already participated in a face-to-face program of physical exercise before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Effect of 30 pilates sessions on body posture, perception and dynamic balance in healthy women
Authors: Pivotto Luiza R. , Schmit Emanuelle F. D. , Candotti Cláudia T. , Rodrigues Ana Paula , Neto Edgar S. W. , Souza Catiane , Loss Jefferson F.
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND: The development of research has not followed the increase in the number of Pilates practitioners. So, due to the popularity of the Pilates Method, especially among women, studies that verify the effects of exercises are important.
AIM: To verify the effect of 30 sessions of the Pilates Method on static body posture, postural habits, body image perception and dynamic balance in healthy adult women.
METHOD: This is a quasi-experimental study, characterized by a 15-week Pilates exercise intervention program, twice a week. Outcomes static body posture, postural habits, body image perception, and dynamic balance were evaluated in three moments: 30 days before the intervention started (M1), just before the intervention started (M2) and ended (M3).
RESULTS: Nineteen healthy women [26.8 (3.5) years, 57.9 (6.8) kg, 160.6 (6.9) cm] participated in the study. There were differences in M2 compared to M3, and this represented an increase in the balance score (p<0.001), in the proportion of individuals with aligned trunk postural balance (p=0.002), in the proportion of individuals with a neutral pattern to pick up an object from the floor (p<0.025), and a decrease in the perception of distance between trochanters (p=0.037).
CONCLUSION: Thirty Pilates sessions practiced twice a week by healthy adult women can improve dynamic balance, the postural habit of pick up an object from the floor, and static body posture.
Bastidores da elaboração dos PCN
Authors: Valente Wagner Rodrigues , Metz Lauro Igor
Published: May 2022

O texto tem como objetivo realizar uma análise histórica do movimento de elaboração dos Parâmetros Curriculares Nacionais de Matemática para os anos iniciais. O estudo realiza uma primeira aproximação aos bastidores da produção curricular dos PCN, uma proposta oficializada na década de 1990. O artigo limita-se ao contexto da elaboração da matemática para os primeiros anos do Ensino Fundamental. Como fontes de pesquisa utilizam-se documentos, entrevistas e produções científicas relacionados com o tema. O processo de investigação opta por uma escolha teórico-metodológica que envolve a mobilização do conceito de expert. Realiza-se uma análise em diferentes escalas de observação de modo a dar ênfase a esse tipo de marcha de investigação para estudos que intentem compreender os processos e dinâmicas de elaboração dos saberes presentes no ensino e na formação de professores.
Structural and Optical Characterization of Mechanochemically Synthesized CuSbS2 Compounds
Authors: Esperto Luís , Figueira Isabel , Mascarenhas João , Silva Teresa Pena , Correia José Brito , Neves Filipe
Published: May 2022

One of the areas of research on materials for thin-film solar cells focuses on replacing In and Ga with more earth-abundant elements. In that respect, chalcostibite (CuSbS2) is being considered as a promising environmentally friendly and cost-effective photovoltaic absorber material. In the present work, single CuSbS2 phase have been synthesized directly by a short duration (2 h) mechanochemical synthesis step starting from mixtures of elemental powders. X-ray diffraction analysis of the synthesized CuSbS2 powders revealed a good agreement with the orthorhombic chalcostibite phase, space group Pnma, and a crystallite size of 26 nm. Particle size characterization revealed a multimodal distribution with a median diameter ranging from of 2.93 m to 3.10 m. The thermal stability of the synthesized CuSbS2 powders was evaluated by differential thermal analysis. No phase change was observed by heat treating the mechanochemically synthesized powders at 350 C for 24 h. By UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy the optical bandgap was determined to be 1.41 eV, suggesting that the mechanochemically synthesized CuSbS2 can be considered suitable to be used as absorber materials. Overall, the results show that the mechanochemical process is a viable route for the synthesis of materials for photovoltaic applications.
Benefits of an Integrated Power and Hydrogen Offshore Grid in a Net-Zero North Sea Energy System
Authors: Martínez-Gordón Rafael , Gusatu Laura , Morales-España Germán , Sijm Jos , Faaij André
Published: May 2022

The North Sea Offshore Grid concept has been envisioned as a promising alternative to: 1) ease the integration of offshore wind and onshore energy systems, and 2) increase the cross-border capacity between the North Sea region countries at low cost. In this paper we explore the techno-economic benefits of the North Sea Offshore Grid using two case studies: a power-based offshore grid, where only investments in power assets are allowed (i.e. offshore wind, HVDC/HVAC interconnectors); and a power-and-hydrogen offshore grid, where investments in offshore hydrogen assets are also permitted (i.e. offshore electrolysers, new hydrogen pipelines and retrofitted natural gas pipelines). We compare these scenario results with a business as usual scenario, in which offshore wind is connected radially to the shore and no offshore grid is deployed. All scenarios are run with the IESA-NS model, without any specific technology ban and under open optimization. This paper also presents a novel methodology, combining Geographic Information Systems and Energy System Models, to cluster offshore spatial data and define meaningful offshore regions and offshore hub locations. This novel methodology is applied to the North Sea region to define nine offshore clusters taking into account offshore spatial claims, and identifying suitable areas for single-use and multi-use of space for renewable energy purposes. The scenario results show that the deployment of an offshore grid provides relevant cost savings, ranging from 1% to 4.1% of relative cost decrease (2.3 bn € to 8.7 bn €) in the power-based, and ranging from 2.8% to 7% of relative cost decrease (6 bn € to 14.9 bn €) in the power-and-hydrogen based. In the most extreme scenario (H2) an offshore grid permits to integrate 283 GW of HVDC connected offshore wind and 196 GW of HVDC meshed interconnectors. Even in the most conservative scenario (P1) the offshore grid integrates 59 GW of HVDC connected offshore wind capacity and 92 GW of HVDC meshed interconnectors. When allowed, the deployment of offshore electrolysis is considerable, ranging from 61 GW to 96 GW, with capacity factors of around 30%. Finally, we also find that, when imported hydrogen is available at 2 €/kg (including production and transport costs), large investments in an offshore grid are not optimal anymore. In contrast, at import costs over 4 €/kg imported hydrogen is not competitive.
Application of Two Novel Acoustic Emission Parameters on Identifying the Instability of Granite
Authors: Ji Zhenxing , Jiang Peihua , Yi Haiyang , Zhuo Zhuang , Li Chunyuan , Wu Zhide
Published: May 2022

The issue of monitoring and early warning of rock instability has received increasing critical attention in the study of rock engineering. To investigate the damage evolution process of granite under triaxial compression tests, acoustic emission (AE) tests were performed simultaneously. This study firstly introduced two novel parameters, i.e., the coefficient of variation (CoV) of the information entropy and correlation dimension of the amplitude data from the AE tests, to identify the precursor of the failure of granite. Then the relationship between the changes in these parameters and the stress-time curve was compared and analyzed. The results of this study show that: (1) There is a strong correlation between the CoV of the information entropy and the failure process of granite. The granite failed when the CoV curve raised to a plateau. (2) The fluctuation of the correlation dimension indicates the different stages of the loading process, i.e., the initial compaction stage, the linear elastic stage, the yield stage, and the failure stage. Each stage contains a descending and a rising process in the correlation dimension curve, which indicates that this parameter could be used to identify the precursor of the failure as well. (3) The combined analysis of the two can improve the accuracy of rock instability prediction. This study provides new insights into the prediction of rock instability, which has theoretical implications for the stability of subsurface engineering rock masses.
Sustainable Development Goals and Land Tenure Security in Uganda
Authors: Nakanwagi Teddy Triza
Published: May 2022

Land tenure security is important for achieving a number Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The purpose of this paper was to investigate variation in land tenure security across three districts located in different geographical regions of Uganda. Using a quantitative cross-sectional survey data collected in early 2019. The findings show that Kanungu district found in South-Western Uganda had significantly higher levels of land tenure security as compared to Nakasongola (Central) and Nwoya (Northern). Research findings have implications on further study and benchmarking land governance systems in Kanungu. Furthermore, they have implications on implementation of government and donor land titling or registration programs in terms of priority areas. They further sheds light on the importance of accounting for geographical context in land tenure studies.
Which Front-of-Package Labels Help Indian Consumers Identify and Reduce Unhealthy Food Purchases? A Randomized Field Experiment
Authors: Singh S.K. , Taillie Lindsey Smith , Gupta Ashish , Bercholz Maxime , Popkin Barry , Murukutla Nandita
Published: May 2022

Policies to require front-of-package labels (FOPLs) on foods may help Indian consumers better identify foods high in nutrients of concern including sugar, saturated fat, and sodium, and discourage their consumption, outcomes critical for preventing rises in diet-related non-communicable disease. The objective was to test whether FOPLs helped Indian consumers identify ‘high-in’ foods and reduce intentions to purchase them. We conducted an in-person randomized experiment (n=2,869 adults between ages 18 and 60 years old) in six states of India in 2022. Participants were randomized to one of five FOPLs: a control label (barcode), warning label (octagon with “High in [nutrient]”), Health Star Warning (HSR), Guideline Daily Amount (GDA), or traffic light label. Participants then viewed a series of foods high in sugar, saturated fat, or sodium with the assigned FOPL, and rated product perceptions and label reactions. Fewer than half of participants in the control group (39.1%) correctly identified all products high in nutrient(s) of concern. All FOPLs led to an increase in this outcome, with the biggest differences observed for the warning label (60.8%, p<0.001) followed by the traffic light label (54.8%, p<0.001), GDA (55.0%, p<0.001), and HSR (45.0%, p<0.01). Relative to the control, only the warning label led to a reduction in intentions to purchase the products. The results suggest that warning labels are the most effective FOPL to help Indian consumers identify and avoid unhealthy foods.
Sustainable Transformation of Digital Health Services- A Stakeholder Exploratory Case Study
Authors: Zhou Siyu , Ni Ziling , Ogihara Atsushi , Wang Xiaohe
Published: May 2022

The ageing transformation of digital health services faces issues of how to distinguish influencing factors, redesign services, and effectively promote measures and policies. In this study, in-depth interviews are conducted and grounded theory applied to open coding, main axis coding, and selective coding to form concepts and categories. Trajectory equifinality modeling clarified the evolution logic of digital transformation. Based on the theory of service ecology, a digital health service ageing model is constructed from the "macro-medium-micro" stages and includes governance, service, and technology transformation paths. The macro stage relies on organizational elements to promote the institutionalization of management and guide the transformation of governance for value realization, including the construction of three categories: mechanism, indemnification, and decision-making. The meso stage relies on service elements to promote service design and realize service transformation suitable for aging design, including the construction of three categories: organization, resources, and processes. The micro stage relies on technical elements to practice experiencing humanization, including the construction of three categories: target, methods, and evaluation. These results deepen the understanding of the main behaviors and roles of macro-organizational, meso-service, and micro-technical elements in digital transformation practice and have positive significance for health administrative agencies to implement action strategies.
REGISTRATION RELIABILITY INDEX IN ASSESSING CARE DELIVERY TO CANCER PATIENTS IN THE FAR EASTERN FEDERAL DISTRICT
Authors:   Amur State Medical Academy, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Blagoveshchensk, Russia, Gordienko V.P. , Poberezhestsky A.V. ,   Amur Regional Oncological Dispensary, Blagoveshchensk, Russia
Published: May 2022

Significance. Underregistration of primary cases of malignant neoplasms in the Russian Federation ranges from 15 to 20% yearly. This problem is especially important for cancer localizations with high lethality within the first year after the diagnosis, because the median survival rate in this category of patients in most cases is counted in months. Purpose. To evaluate medical care delivery to cancer patients in the Far Eastern Federal District (FEFD) using one of the three objective statistical indicators - the registration reliability index. Material and Methods. The authors have calculated ratio between mortality and morbidity (registration reliability index (RRI) in different territorial entities of FEFD with high (RRI>0.70) lethality within the first year among newly diagnosed cancer patients, making it possible to obtain more accurate information on care delivery across each group of cancer. Results. High levels of this index indicate one of the main reasons for high mortality among the newly diagnosed cancer patients – it is underregistration. The authors have analyzed numerical values of the index of registration reliability in 2008 - 2020 in patients with esophageal, stomach, hepatic, pancreatic, tracheal, bronchial and lung cancer. A high level of this index was registered in liver, esophageal, and pancreatic cancer, it was higher or close to the control figure (1.0). Decrease in the index among patients with stomach, tracheal, bronchial and lung cancer was registered among both sexes across all territorial entities of the Far East, it was more pronounced in females. Discussion. The present study has tracked current success in cancer care delivery to the population of the Russian eastern regions, which as a complex of basic indicators (morbidity and mortality) makes it possible to predict quality of life of cancer patients rather than just obtain reliable information on the incidence of malignant neoplasms among newly diagnosed cases. Conclusion. Interpretation of numerical values of the registration reliability index is the basis for planning anti-cancer measures in individual territories of the vast country, which should be primarily focused on detecting cancer at early stages.
Investigation on the Expression Ability of a Developed Constitutive Model for Rocks Based on Statistical Damage Theory
Authors: Gao Meiben , Cui Shenghua , Li Tianbin , Ma Chunchi , Wu Zhongteng , Zhang Yan , Gao Yang , Fu Zhe , Zhong Yuyi
Published: May 2022

The three-parameter Weibull distribution has a strong ability to fit many kinds of experimental data, which provides a solution for using a unified expression to characterize the elastic-brittle, strain softening, elastic-plasticity, and other constitutive behaviors of rocks. Therefore, a statistical damage constitutive model based on three-parameter Weibull distribution was constructed through theoretical analysis and derivation. Its expression ability was verified by combining with the conventional triaxial compression test data of marble. Meanwhile, the application effect of this statistical damage constitutive model on granite and sandstone was analyzed. The results show that the statistical damage constitutive model of rock based on three-parameter Weibull distribution can well express elastic-brittle, elastic-plastic, strain softening behaviors of rock by setting reasonable constitutive parameters, which lays a theoretical foundation for constructing a unified rock constitutive model. Conventional triaxial tests of marble show that with the increasing of confining pressure (σ3= 5, 15, 25, 35 MPa), the plastic deformation increases and the failure mode gradually changes from brittle tensile failure to shear failure, showing brittle-ductile and brittle-plastic transition characteristics. And its constitutive behaviors are characterized by elastic-brittleness, strain softening, and elastic-plasticity, which can be well expressed by the statistical damage constitutive model. When σ3 is 25 and 35 MPa, sandstone samples show elastic-brittle behavior. And for granite samples, they show strain softening behavior when σ3 is 5 MPa. The statistical damage constitutive model is also suitable for describing both sandstone elastic-brittle behavior and granite strain softening behavior. It is concluded that the three-parameter Weibull distribution provides a useful approach to characterize various constitutive behaviors of rock, and the model has a wide potential in numerical simulation for mining engineering, geoengineering, and other rock engineering.
Epidemiology of Extrapulmonary TB and its risk factors in Damascus, Syria.
Authors: Jbawi Ahmad al , Fadel Mohammad , Kahal Fares , Najjar Michel , Albuaini Sara , Mohammad Yser
Published: May 2022

Background:
Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health concern worldwide and is the 13th leading cause of death, and the second deadliest infectious disease after COVID-19 worldwide1. Extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) cases accounted for 15% of the 7.2 million cases of TB worldwide in 2019. ² global statistics indicate that Tuberculosis causes 4,500 deaths every day¹. We aim to study the epidemiology of EPTB and its risk factors.
Methods:
A multicenter retrospective study was conducted at the National Center for Tuberculosis Control in Damascus in the year 2020 to analyze the patients with extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
Results:
205 patients were diagnosed with extrapulmonary tuberculosis in Damascus and its countryside in the year 2020, and the most common site of extrapulmonary tuberculosis was Lymph Nodes (102) 49.75%, while ear and breast were the least common (1 case of each). Cervical nodes were the most affected with EPTB (80.40%), while Mediastinal nodes were the least affected (1.96%). The most incidence rate was in patients between 25 and 34 years old, while the least incidence rate was in patients older than 65 years old. The percentage of infected females was approximately 66%, while the percentage of infected males was approximately 34%. The majority of infected patients were residents in the city (78.68%) compared to infected patients from the countryside (21.31%). The most common comorbidity was Hypertension: 23.41% of cases, while kidney diseases were the least common. Smoking was the most common risk factor. The most common general symptom associated with extrapulmonary tuberculosis was fever 55.60%, while night sweats were the least common symptom 14.63%.
Conclusion:
Tuberculosis is a major public health concern worldwide that can cause death or cause long-lasting complications but still can be prevented by vaccination and avoiding the possible risk factors that were studied in this study.
Long-chain fatty dihydropyridines with antihypertensive and cardioprotective potential for damage caused by ischemia and reperfusion
Authors: SANTA-HELENA EDUARDA , Ribeiro Joaquim de Paula , Gioda Carolina Rosa , Cabrera Diego da Costa , De Falco Anna , D’Oca Marcelo G. Montes , Nery Luiz Eduardo Maia , Gonçalves Carla Amorim Neves
Published: May 2022

Purpose
In this study, three fatty dihydropyridines were synthesized and tested for their antihypertensive and cardioprotective properties. Dihydropyridines 2c, 8c, and 9a contain the oleic chain and the nitro unit; the oleic chain and the chlorine unit; the palmitic chain and the chlorine unit, respectively.
Methods
For the experiments, animals were treated with Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) to induce hypertension and after treated with the new dihydropyridine (DHPs) compounds and the standard drug nifedipine. Then, the animals’ heart was removed and subjected to global ischemia and reperfusion. Analyses of cardiac parameters were performed to monitor cardiac functionality; lactate dehydrogenase values were quantified in perfusates. After ischemia and reperfusion were performed, analyses to check the oxidative status and lipid damage.
Results
The present study results suggest that the new fatty DHPs have antihypertensive effects offering protection against ischemia in the heart of rats.
Conclusion
The cardioprotection of new DHPs occurs by increasing antioxidants that defend and prevent the decline in cardiac function and the antihypertensive function of the new compounds.
Hindlimb unloading induces time-dependent disruption of testicular histology in mice
Authors: Ranade Anu V , Qaisar Rizwan , Karim Asima , Azeem Muhammad , Jose Josemin , Ramachandran Gopika , Ibrahim Zainab , Elmoselhi Adel , Ahmad Firdos , Abdel-Rahman Wael M
Published: May 2022

Objectives
Mechanical unloading of the body in the hindlimb unloaded (HU) mice induces pathology in multiple organs, but the effects on testes are poorly characterized. We investigated the histology and Raman spectroscopy of the mouse testes following HU condition.
Methods
We divided male, c57BL/6j mice into ground-based controls or experimental groups for two and four weeks of HU. The testes tissues were dissected after euthanasia to investigate histological and Raman spectroscopic analysis.
Results
We found an HU-induced atrophy of testes irrespective of the time duration (p < 0.05). Histological analysis revealed that the HU induced epithelial thinning, luminal widening, and spermatozoa decline in the seminiferous tubules of the mouse testes. In addition, we found a thickening of the epididymal epithelia and tunica albuginea. These changes were accompanied by a generalized depression in the Raman spectra, indicating an altered concentration and/or orientation of several molecules. We also report reduced signal intensities of hydroxyproline and tryptophan, potentially contributing to testicular pathology during HU.
Conclusion
Taken together, our findings indicate that the two or four weeks of HU induce disruption of testicular architecture and molecular phenotypes. Our results may have implications for understanding and/or treating male infertility associated with prolonged bed rest and spaceflight.
iPSC-Neural Crest Derived Cells Embedded in 3D Printable Bio-Ink Promote Cranial Bone Defect Repair
Authors: Glaeser Juliane D , Bao Xianchao , Kaneda Giselle , Avalos Pablo , Behrens Phillip , Salehi Khosrowdad , Da Xiaoyu , Chen Angel , Jiang Wensen , Castaneda Chloe , Tawackoli Wafa , Sheyn Dmitriy
Published: May 2022

Background
Cranial bone loss presents a major clinical challenge and new regenerative approaches to address craniofacial reconstruction are in great demand. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) differentiation is a powerful tool to generate mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Prior research demonstrated the potential of bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) and iPSC-dervied mesenchymal progenitor cells via the neural crest (NCC-MPCs) or mesodermal lineages (iMSCs) to be a promising cell source for bone regeneration. Overexpression of human recombinant bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)6 efficiently stimulates bone formation. The goal of this study was to evaluate the potential of iPSC-derived stem cells via neural crest or mesoderm overexpressing BMP6 and embedded in 3D printable bio-ink to generate viable bone graft alternatives for cranial reconstruction.
Methods
Cell viability and osteogenic potential of cells and bio-ink (Ink-Bone or GelXa) combinations were investigated in vitro using bioluminescent imaging. Osteogenic potential of bio-ink-cell constructs was evaluated in osteogenic media or nucleofected with BMP6 using qRT-PCR and in vitro µCT. For in vivo testing, two 2mm circular defects were created in the frontal and parietal bones of NOD/SCID mice and treated with Ink-Bone, Ink-Bone + BM-MSC-BMP6, Ink-Bone + iMSC-BMP6 or Ink-Bone + iNCC-MPC-BMP6 or left untreated. For follow up, µCT was performed at weeks 0, 4 and 8 weeks. At time of (week 8), histological and immunofluorescent analyses were performed.
Results
Both bio-inks supported cell survival and promoted osteogenic differentiation of iNCC-MPCs and BM-MSCs in vitro. At 4 weeks, cell viability of both BM-MSCs and iNCC-MPCs were increased in Ink-Bone compared to GelXA. Combination of Ink-Bone with iNCC-MPC-BMP6 resulted in an increased bone volume in the frontal bone compared to the other groups at 4 weeks post-surgery. At 8 weeks, both iNCC-MPC-BMP6 and iMSC-MSC-BMP6 resulted in an increased bone volume and partial bone bridging between implant and host bone compared to the other groups.
Conclusions
The results of this study show the potential of NCC-MPC-incorporated bio-ink to regenerate frontal cranial defects. Therefore, this bio-ink-cell combination should be further investigated for its therapeutic potential in large animal models with larger cranial defects, allowing for 3D printing of the cell-incorporated material.
Effect of Continuous and Intermittent Blood Flow Restriction Deep-squat Training on Thigh Muscle Activation and Fatigue Levels in Male Handball Players
Authors: Wang Yan , Li Zhiyuan , Che Tongtong
Published: May 2022

Background: We aimed to investigate acute changes before and after low-intensity continuous and intermittent blood flow restriction deep-squat exercises on the thigh muscle activation characteristics and fatigue level under suitable individual arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) to provide a theoretical basis and practical reference for athletes undergoing blood flow restriction training. Methods: Twelve elite male handball players were recruited. Continuous (Program 1) and intermittent (Program 2) blood flow restriction deep-squat exercises were performed with 30% one-repetition maximum intensity. Program 1 does not include decompression during the intervals, while Program 2 contains decompression during each interval. Electromyography (EMG) was performed before and after two blood flow restriction training programs in each period. EMG signals of the quadriceps femoris, posterior femoral muscles, and gluteus maximus, including the root mean square (RMS) and normalized RMS and median frequency (MF) values of each muscle under maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) before and after exercise were calculated. Results: The RMS value under MVC (RMSMVC) of the rectus femoris, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, gluteus maximus decreased after continuous and intermittent blood flow restriction training programs, and those of the biceps femoris and semitendinosus increased; rectus femoris changed significantly after continuous exercise (P<0.01). RMSMVC values of the biceps femoris and semitendinosus changed significantly after intermittent exercise (P<0.01). The RMS values of the vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, and semitendinosus were significantly increased after continuous and intermittent blood flow restriction training (P<0.05). The gluteus maximus RMS value significantly decreased after cuff binding (P<0.05); The MF values of rectus femoris, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, and gluteus maximus decreased significantly after continuous blood flow restriction training (P<0.05). Conclusion: Continuous blood flow restriction deep-squat training under 50%AOP is more effective than the intermittent training in removing pressure on the thigh muscle group. In the third and fourth sets of exercise, all muscle groups showed a significant increase except the medial femoral muscle. However, this may also cause fatigue that may be harder to eliminate than that after intermittent training.
Sustainable, high-performance, and biodegradable plastic made from chitin
Authors: Zhou Youquan , He Yunqing , Lin Xiaoying , Yue Feng , Liu Mingxian
Published: May 2022

A high-performance biodegradable plastic was made from chitin KOH/urea solution. The solution was transferred into hydrogel by crosslinking using epichlorohydrin and ethanol immersing, and chitin bioplastic was finally prepared by hot-pressing method. The solution concentration has a positive impact on viscosity, crystallinity, and smoothness. 4% chitin bioplastic exhibits the high barrier properties, flame retardancy, high-temperature resistance, mechanical properties (tensile strength up to 107.1 MPa) and soil degradation properties. Chitin bioplastic can be completely degraded by microorganisms in 7 weeks. In addition, biosafety tests suggest that chitin is safe to cells and crops (wheat and mung beans). The chitin bioplastic was further applied to container, straw, and photo protection, and it was found that the water resistance and transparence are comparable to that of commercial polypropylene plastic. The excellent performance and safety as well as sustainability of chitin bioplastic are expected to become a good substitute for conventional fossil fuel-based plastic.
CT Features in Differentiating Chromophobe Cell Renal Carcinoma from Renal Oncocytoma and CK7 Expression Evaluation: A Radiomics Analysis
Authors: Yu Ziyang , Ding Jie , Pang Huize , Fang Hongkun , He Furong , Xu Chenxi , Li Xuedan , Ren Ke
Published: May 2022

Background: To investigate the value of computed tomography (CT)-based radiomics model analysis in differentiating chromophobe cell renal carcinoma (chRCC) from renal oncocytoma (RO) and predicting the expression of Cytokeratin 7 (CK7).Methods: In this retrospective study, radiomics was applied for patients with chRCC and RO who underwent surgery between January 2013 and December 2019 comprised the training cohort, and the validation cohort was collected between January and October 2020. The corticomedullary (CMP) and nephrographic phases (NP) were manually segmented, and radiomics texture parameters were extracted. Support vector machine was generated from CMP and NP after feature selection. Shapley additive explanations were applied to interpret the radiomics features. A radiomics signature was built using the selected features from the two phases, and the radiomics nomogram was constructed by incorporating the radiomics features and clinical factors. Receiver operating characteristic curve was calculated to evaluate the above models in the two sets. Furthermore, Rad-score was used for correlation analysis with CK7.Results: A total of 80 patients with chRCC and RO were analyzed in the training cohort and 36 patients with chRCC and RO in the validation cohort. Subsequently, 396 radiomics features were selected from each phase. The radiomics features combining two phases yielded the highest area under the curve values of 0.951 and 0.890 in the training and validation sets, respectively. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient was statistically significant between Rad-score and CK7.Conclusion: We proposed a non-invasive and individualized CT-based radiomics nomogram to differentiation between chRCC and RO preoperatively and predict the immunohistochemical protein expression for accurate clinical diagnosis and treatment decision.
Divergence and relationships of Cymbidium tortisepalum cultivars by EST-SSR markers
Authors: Li Meiyu , Luo Qing , Zhao Xueying , Ding Changchun , Chi Zhaojin , Lu Zuzheng , Bo Wenhao
Published: May 2022

Cymbidium tortisepalum has a variety of excellent ornamental properties and value, but no further work has been done on population genetics and evaluating genetic variation to establish molecular marker-assisted breeding and molecular identification. In this study, the HiSeq platform and the Illumina sequencing platform were used for transcriptome sequencing of 'Lianbansu' and library construction respectively. A total of 9485 putative EST-SSRs were identified from 28,235 unigenes. Of the 192 primer pairs randomly selected from the 9485 primer pairs designed, 90 pairs of primers gave accurate amplification products, and 86 pairs of primers showed polymorphism in the 8 orchid cultivars detected. 38 pairs of highly polymorphic primers with good repeatability and stability were screened from 90 pairs of primers with amplification capability to study the genetic diversity, population structure and evolution history of 51 orchid cultivars were studied. The number of alleles ranging from 3 to 12, with an average of 6. The effective allele is 1.2436–5.8188, with an average of 2.8189. The observed and expected heterozygosity with the average of 0.4662 and 0.5973 ranged from 0.1569 to 0.8431 and 0.1978 to 0.8363. The first two principal coordinates detected 39.66% of the total variation. It was found the ΔK-value had one peak (When K = 2). It can be seen that many orchid cultivars have multiple sources, rich genetic diversity and diversified strains, which are caused by long-term natural evolution and artificial hybridization. Taken together, the primers developed in this study have the transferability of many cultivars and hybrids in Chinese orchids.
Increasing brain glucose metabolism by ligustrazine piperazine ameliorates cognitive deficits through PPARγ-dependent enhancement of mitophagy in APP/PS1 mice
Authors: Li Zongyang , Meng Xiangbao , Ma Guoxu , Liu Wenlan , Li Weiping , Cai Qian , Wang Sicen , Huang Guodong , Zhang Yuan
Published: May 2022

We have previously proven beneficial effects of PPARγ agonists on Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the present study, we identified ligustrazine piperazine derivative (LPD) as a novel PPARγ agonist, which was detected by a dual-luciferase reporter assay system. LPD treatment significantly decreased Aβ40 and Aβ42 levels in PC12 cells stably transfected with APP695swe and PS1dE9. Intragastric administration of LPD for 3 months dose-dependently reversed cognitive deficits in APP/PS1 mice. LPD treatment substantially increased brain 18F-FDG uptake and reduced hippocampal Aβ plaques in APP/PS1 mice. LPD treatment decreased the levels of Aβ40 and Aβ42 and induced mitophagy in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, LPD treatment significantly increased OCR, ATP production, maximal respiration, spare respiratory capacity, and basal respiration in APP/PS1 cells. LPD treatment upregulated PPARγ and PINK1, increased the phosphorylation of Parkin (Ser65), and increased the LC3-II/LC3-I ratio but decreased SQSTM1/p62 in vivo and in vitro. Importantly, all these protective effects mediated by LPD were abolished by cotreatment with the selective PPARγ antagonist GW9662. In summary, LPD ameliorated cognitive deficits through PPARγ-dependent enhancement of mitophagy in APP/PS1 mice.
Evaluating Pancreatic Factors using Preoperative Computed Tomography to Predict Pancreatic Fistula After Distal Pancreatectomy
Authors: Hu YuHai , Chen YiPing
Published: May 2022

Background A postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is a common and clinically relevant complication following distal pancreatectomy (DP). This study aimed to assess whether pancreatic factors, obtained with preoperative computed tomography (CT), may predict a clinical POPF after DP.MethodsOne hundred and ten patients were retrospectively assessed to determine the association between clinical POPF and clinicopathological data and imaging data from preoperative CT. Evaluations included the thickness of the pancreatic cut-line (TPC), main pancreatic duct (MPD) dilation, and pancreatic index (PI), which was calculated with the pancreas/spleen CT density ratio.ResultsClinical POPF occurred in 22 (20%) patients. Univariate analysis showed that TPC and extrapancreatic malignancy were significantly associated with clinical POPF after DP; PI and MPD dilation were not. A 15.35-mm cutoff value for TPC was determined according to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. TPC ≥ 15.4 mm was identified as a significant independent risk factor of clinical POPF in multivariate analyses (odds ratio 28.41; P<0.001). In the subgroup of thick pancreatic cut-line, all four patients with dilated MPD developed clinical POPF; there was no statically significant difference compared with non-dilated MPD.ConclusionsPI cannot predict the occurrence of clinical POPF after DP, for which TPC is a significant risk factor. When a thick pancreatic cut-line coexists with a dilated MPD, the clinical POPF rate may further increase.
Psychological distress and associated factors among patients attending orthopedic unit, Dilla university referral hospital, Dilla, Gedeo zone, South Ethiopia 2021
Authors: Ababu Henok , Kassaw Chalachew , Sileshy Bethelhem
Published: May 2022

BackgroundPsychological discomfort is a state of emotional distress caused by everyday stressors and obligations that are difficult to manage. It's one of the most common mental health problems on the planet. The physical status of a person has an impact on his or her psychological well-being, and if not handled well, it will eventually have an impact on his or her well-being. Orthopedic trauma has a wide range of effects on survivors' physical health, as well as a variety of mental health concerns that impede recovery. Psychiatric problems and behavioral abnormalities are 3–5 times more common in people who have been harmed, and they are a predictor of poor outcomes. It is crucial to begin further therapies as soon as possible.MethodsA cross-sectional study was undertaken at Dilla University Referral Hospital on an institutional basis. The data was collected via a face-to-face interview and the Kessler psychological distress scale (K-10) was used to assess psychological distress. A total of 366 people were chosen using simple random selection. SPSS21 was used to enter and evaluate the data. To find related factors, bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used. Variables having a p-value of less than 0.05 were deemed statistically significant.ResultOut of all respondents, 114 (31.4%) of the individuals have experienced psychological anguish. Independent variables such as being female (adjusted odds ratio (AOR = 5.8, 95 percent CI (3.5–11.1), being under 27 years old (AOR = 2.34, 95 percent CI (1.89–3.68), being unable to read and write educational status, married (adjusted odds ratio (AOR = 2.67(1.24–5.34), poor social support (AOR = 1.4, 95 percent CI (1.21–2.89), and poor sleep quality (AOR = 1.5, 95 percent).ConclusionThe prevalence of psychological distress was high. Being female, having poor social support, and having a high PSQI score were significantly associated factors with psychological distress. It is good if clinicians emphasize orthopedic patients especially females and those having poor social support and low sleep quality symptoms.