bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Altered central and blood glutathione in Alzheimer Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment: a meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Jinghan J , Thiyagarajah Mathura , Song Jianmeng , Chen Clara , Herrmann Nathan , Gallagher Damien , Rapoport Mark J. , Black Sandra E. , Ramirez Joel , Andreazza Ana C. , Oh Paul , Marzolini Susan , Graham Simon J. , Lanctot Krista L
Published: April 2021

Background: Increasing evidence implicates oxidative stress (OS) in Alzheimer Disease (AD) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Depletion of the brain antioxidant glutathione (GSH) may be important in OS-mediated neurodegeneration, though studies of post-mortem brain GSH changes in AD have been inconclusive. Recent in vivo measurements of brain and blood GSH may shed light on GSH changes earlier in the disease.Aim: To quantitatively review in vivo GSH in AD and MCI compared to healthy controls (HC) using meta-analyses. Method: Studies with in vivo brain or blood GSH levels in MCI or AD with a HC group were identified using Medline, PsychInfo, and Embase (1947-June 2020). Standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for outcomes using random effects models. Outcome measures included brain GSH (Meshcher-Garwood Point Resolved Spectroscopy (MEGA-PRESS) versus non-MEGA-PRESS), and blood GSH (intracellular versus extracellular) in AD and MCI. The Q statistic and Egger’s test were used to assess heterogeneity and risk of publication bias, respectively. Results: For brain GSH, 4 AD (AD=135, HC=223) and 4 MCI (MCI=213, HC=211) studies were included. For blood GSH, 26 AD (AD=1203, HC=1135) and 7 MCI (MCI=434, HC=408) studies were included. Brain GSH overall did not differ in AD or MCI compared to HC; however, the subgroup of studies using MEGA-PRESS reported lower brain GSH in AD (SMD [95%CI] -1.45 [-1.83, -1.06], p<0.001) and MCI (-1.15 [-1.71, -0.59], z=4.0, p<0.001). AD had lower intracellular and extracellular blood GSH overall (-1.10 [-1.58, -0.62], z=4.46, p<0.001). In a subgroup analysis, intracellular GSH was lower in MCI (-0.66 [-1.11, -0.21], p=0.025). Heterogeneity was observed throughout (I2 >85%) and not fully accounted by subgroup analysis. Egger’s test indicated risk of publication bias.Conclusion: Blood intracellular GSH decrease is seen in MCI, while both intra- and extracellular decreases were seen in AD. Brain GSH is decreased in AD and MCI in subgroup analysis. Potential bias and heterogeneity suggest the need for measurement standardization and additional studies to explore sources of heterogeneity.
Prognostic Aspects of Positive Ascites Cytology and Effects of Therapeutic Interventions in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: a Large-scale Multi-institutional Study
Authors: Yoshihara Masato , Emoto Ryo , Kitami Kazuhisa , Iyoshi Shohei , Uno Kaname , Mogi Kazumasa , Tano Sho , Yoshikawa Nobuhisa , Matsui Shigeyuki , Kajiyama Hiroaki
Published: April 2021

Positive ascites cytology is a strong prognostic factor in patients with early-stage ovarian cancer (OvCa). However, limited information is currently available on the impact of positive ascites cytology on patient prognoses under each clinical background. We herein investigated the comprehensive impact of positive ascites cytology on patients with epithelial OvCa and the effectiveness of additional therapeutic interventions, including complete staging surgery and chemotherapy. Among 4,730 patients with malignant ovarian neoplasms, retrospectively identified in multiple institutions, 1,906 with epithelial OvCa were included. In the investigation of its effects on clinical factors using a multivariate analysis, positive ascitic cytology correlated with a poor prognosis. Positive ascites cytology had a significantly worse prognosis than those with negative cytology in all subgroups except for patients with stage IV tumors and a mucinous histology. Chemotherapy may be effective in reducing the negative impact of positive ascites cytology on the prognosis of patients in terms of progression-free and overall survivals, while complete staging surgery did not improve the prognosis of patients with positive ascites cytology. Collectively, our findings suggested that positive ascites cytology had a negative impact on the prognosis of patients with epithelial OvCa, but not those with stage IV tumors or a mucinous histology.
SHED Aggregate Derived Exosomes-shuttled miR-222 Promotes the Regenerative Properties of Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells
Authors: Zhou Feng , Guo Jia , Wang Fang , Zhao Wanmin , He Xiaoning , Wu Meiling , Ji Kun , Li Bei , Jin Yan , Zhou Miao
Published: April 2021

Background: Periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) aggregate is still limited in clinical application for lack of angiogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the effects and underlying mechanism of exosomes derived from stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) aggregate (SA-Exo) on the aggregate formation and angiogenic properties of PDLSCs.Methods: SA-Exo were isolated by ultracentrifugation. The effect of SA-Exo on the aggregate formation and angiogenic differentiation of PDLSCs were evaluated by investigating extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and tube formation assay. MicroRNA (miRNA) sequencing was employed to screen different miRNA expression. The effect of targeting miRNA on ECM deposition and angiogenesis of PDLSCs aggregate was investigated after overexpression and inhibition of miRNA. Periodontal bone defect rat models were established to evaluate the effect of the PDLSCs aggregate and SA-Exo combination on periodontal bone regeneration. Results: SA-Exo could significantly enhance the ECM deposition and angiogenic ability of PDLSCs. The expression of ECM-associated proteins (COL-I, integrinβ1, and fibronectin), angiogenesis-related proteins (PDGF, ANG, TGFβRII), and related pathway (p-SMAD1/5 and p-SMAD2/3) were upregulated in PDLSCs aggregate with SA-Exo. Mechanistically, miR-222 was found relatively abundant in SA-Exo, which promoted ECM deposition and angiogenesis of PDLSCs. In vivo experiment further validated that combinational use of PDLSCs aggregate and SA-Exo promote more bone formation and neovascularization in rat’s periodontal bone defect.Conclusions: SA-Exo-shuttled miR-222 contributes to PDLSCs aggregate engineering by promoting aggregate formation and angiogenesis, which might through activate the TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway.
Estimating the wear rate of diamond cutting wire segment in building stone cutting using SVR and GA_MLP system
Authors: Babajan Omid Jami , Bagherpour Raheb
Published: April 2021

As the cutting stone is a wear process, performing this process with diamond pieces' aid can be considered the wear of stone particles bypassing diamond grains on its surface. To better understand this process as well as the conditions governing the cutting diamond grain, it is necessary to familiar with the cutting mechanism along with the affecting parameters. In this matter, predicting the amount of segment consumption plays a prominent role to estimate the production cost as well as to schematize the building stone mines. This paper utilized the data obtained from Carbonate and Granite stones to estimate the amount of consumption of diamond cutting wire segments. To do so, two methods, namely support vector regression (SVR) and genetic algorithm + Multilayer perceptron (GA-MLP) were chosen using the MATLAB software toolboxes in order to estimate the segment erosion. In each of the above algorithms, a lowpass smoothing filter, called Savitzky-Golay was employed on the data. For this purpose, three rock properties including uniaxial compressive strength, Shimazk friction factor, and Young's modulus, were also employed as the model's input. After that, twelve models were constructed and then the segment erosion was estimated as well. Ultimately, the accuracy of the above models was assessed using the coefficient of determination (\({R}^{2}\)), mean square error (MSE), root mean square error (RMSE), mean value absolute error (MAD), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and variance of factor analysis (VFA). According to the obtained results, it can be concluded that the SVR approach and the Savitzky-Golay filter with Polynomial Kernel could better estimate the wear rate of the diamond cutting wire segment.
The Effect of Educational Intervention Based on Health Belief Model on Preventive Behaviors of Type 2 Diabetes Among at-risk Male Students
Authors: Safajou Saleh , Rezaeian Mohsen , Abadi Yaser Salim , Nasirzadeh Mostafa
Published: April 2021

Background: One of the most important strategies to prevent diabetes as an important health issue in adolescents is education and awareness. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of educational intervention (EI) based on health belief model (HBM) on preventive behaviors of type 2 diabetes.Methods: The educational trial study was conducted in 2019-2020 among 143 high school male students at risk in Khash city (in southwestern Iran), using a random cluster method in two intervention and control groups. Data collection tools were demographic characteristics, knowledge, model constructs and disease prevention behaviors questionnaires. The training program was held in 7 one-hour sessions. Data were collected before, immediately and three months after the intervention and analyzed by SPSS 20 software using Chi-square, Independent t-test and Repeated Measures ANOVA at significant level of 0.05. Results: Immediately after the implementation of the training program in the intervention group, a significant increase was observed in the mean scores of knowledge, model constructs and behavior (P =0.0001). Three months after the EI, there was a significant difference between the mean scores of knowledge, perceived barriers, Cues to action and behavior between the two groups (p <0.05).Conclusion: Considering the effect of EI based on HBM on the promotion of diabetes prevention behaviors in students, the design, implementation and evaluation of theory-based EIs in the control and prevention of diabetes in adolescents is recommended.
Pressure-controlled ventilation-volume guaranteed (PCV-VG) for postoperative pulmonary complications: a protocol for a systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis
Authors: Zheng Jianqiao , Du Li , Deng Xiaoqian , Zhang Lu , Wang Jia , Chen Guo
Published: April 2021

BackgroundMore than 300 million major surgical procedures are performed worldwide yearly. Above 30% of patients undergoing surgery with mechanical ventilation may experience postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs). PPCs are the main cause of perioperative morbidity and mortality and it can be decreased by optimizing the mechanical ventilation. Pressure-controlled ventilation-volume guaranteed (PCV-VG) is a new ventilation mode, which combines the advantages of volume-controlled ventilation and pressure-controlled ventilation, might reduce PPCs. The efficacy of PCV-VG for PPCs has not yet been systematically reviewed. Hence, we will conduct a systematic review to evaluate the efficacy of PCV-VG for PPCs. The aim of this protocol is to investigate the benefits of PCV-VG versus conventional ventilation mode for PPCs.MethodsWe will search PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Ovid medline, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese BioMedical Literature, Wanfang and VIP databases from their inception until May 2021, to identify randomised controlled studies using related keywords. Simultaneously, clinical registration tests and gray literature will also be retrieved. Studies published in English or Chinese will be considered. The primary outcome will be the incidence of PPCs, secondary outcomes will be intraoperative parameters of respiratory and hemodynamic function. Data synthesis/statistical analyses will be performed using the Review Manager software (version 5.4) and Stata (version 16). Heterogeneity will be assessed by the standard chi-square test and I2 statistic. Two authors will independently search, extract data from and assess the risk bias of included studies according the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Trial sequential analysis will be used to control the risks of random errors. Funnel plots and Egger’s regression test will be used to assess the publication bias. Certainty of the evidence will be assessed by modified Jadad Scale.DiscussionThis study will systematically and comprehensively search literature and integrate evidence on the efficacy of PCV-VG for PPCs. Our results will help clinical decision-making and support the development of clinical practice guidelines.
The comparison of Self-organized map and k-means algorithms used for 4G network performance evaluation
Authors: Wang Shaoxuan
Published: April 2021

With the increasing complexity of mobile networks, it has become more and more difficult to perform effective management of mobile networks, which has led to more data to be evaluated and optimized. This article focuses on the performance evaluation of Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks by using two unsupervised learning techniques. Besides, this paper aims to identify the pros and cons of these two clustering algorithms as well. To achieve the above goals, different dimensional datasets for learning a process based on two classic unsupervised clustering methods are introduced to this work. A Self-organized map (SOM) neural network and k-means are as a comparison algorithm and the sample data with three different degree correlation coefficients features with 63 LTE cells, which is from a major European city. The purpose behind using these two methods is to see how different dimensions of the datasets can be used for testing clustering effectiveness and we propose a method based on the features extracted from key performance indicators (KPIs) and Euclidean distance is used as the evaluation standard for the distance between different clusters and samples within clusters. The comparing results show that k-means has a better cluster performance in low dimension data set, whereas the SOM’s performance unsatisfactory. On the other hand, the SOM’s clustering performance is better than k-means in high dimension and big data set and it could visualize results. It was verified that there is a significant difference in the obtained results using different clustering algorithms.
Visual Assessment of Coronary Artery Calcium in Non-ECG Gated Chest CT: A Multicenter Study
Authors: Yamamoto Hideya , Fujimoto Shinichiro , Aoshima Chihiro , Minamino Tohru , Fujii Takashi , Wakabaayshi Shinichi , Urabe Yoji , Ueda Hironori , Kunita Eiji , Abe Mitsunori , Higashino Hiroshi
Published: April 2021

Purpose: We sought to evaluate the visual measurements of coronary artery calcium (CAC) in chest CT without ECG gating, and to compare their predictive abilities for obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: We analyzed 163 subjects who underwent both coronary and chest CT examinations at 6 centers within 3 months. Agatston scores were calculated on standard ECG-gated scans and then classified into none (0), mild (1–99), moderate (100–400), and severe (>400) grades. Chest CT images were reconstructed with standard 5.0 mm axial slices. CAC in chest CT scans was measured using two methods: Weston score (sum of the assigned score of each vessel, range: 0–12) and number of slices showing CAC (Ca-slice#). Results: We found excellent inter-observer agreement in the estimates of the Weston score and Ca-slice# (R² = 0.913 and 0.955, respectively). When each of the two scores was divided into four levels, good agreement with the 4-grade Agatston score was observed (kappa value = 0.604 and 0.794, respectively). Of the 155 patients remaining after excluding non-diagnostic studies, obstructed CAD, defined as the presence of ≥70% stenosis on CT angiography, was found in 43 (27%). Receiver-operator characteristic curves of 4-grade hierarchies of Agatston score, Weston score, and Ca-slice# provided similar diagnostic powers to detect obstructed CAD (0.722, 0.706, and 0.718, respectively).Conclusion: The visual assessments of CAC detected by ECG non-gated chest CT scans were in good agreement with the ECG-gated Agatston score and also provided equivalent power to detect obstructive CAD. This study was registered at UMIN-CTR (identifier: UMIN000039178; registered date; Jan 16, 2020)
Mesoporous CdO/Al2O3 nanocomposite with enhanced optoelectronic properties for visible-light photocatalysis and bactericidal applications
Authors: B Janani , Syed Asad , Elgorban Abdallah M. , Bahkali Ali H. , Khan S. Sudheer
Published: April 2021

Pristine Al2O3 and CdO are known to possess poor photocatalytic activity individually. The formation of CdO/Al2O3 heterojunction was investigated for the enhancement of photocatalytic performance. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) has been used to determine the crystalline feature and elemental composition of the NCs respectively. Peaks ascribed to Cd-O and O-Al-O was noted in fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The NCs exhibits a high surface area (27.23 m2/g) to their contributing particles which was analysed using BET analyser. The band gap energy of CdO/Al2O3NCs was observed to be 2.95 eV which shows a considerable energy shift from its individual particles, CdO (2.73 eV) and Al2O3 (3.94 eV). The results displayed that the degradation efficiency of the CdO-Al2O3 NCs was enhanced 14 times than pristine Al2O3 and 3.5 times than pristine CdO. The MB dye has showed the half life period of 80 min. TOC analysis of degraded product supported high mineralization of the pollutants. The dye degradation was driven by OH. radicals and the CdO-Al2O3 nanocomposite possessed high reusability which was confirmed by six cycle test. Growth inhibition of E. coli, P. aeruginosa and B. subtilis was attained by exposure to CdO/Al2O3 NCs. The CdO-Al2O3 NCs can be a viable solution for degradation of organic contaminants effectively under natural sun light as well as an efficient antibacterial agent.
Interleukin-10-592 Polymorphism: Impact on Relapse and Survival After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Children With Hematological Malignancies
Authors: Schwenk Laura , Wittig Susan , Gruhn Bernd
Published: April 2021

Purpose Interleukin-10 (IL-10) potentially can promote the development of alloimmunity. The aim of this study was to investigate if the IL-10-592 CC genotype in the donor reduces the risk of relapse after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and if that has an impact on event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS).Methods A cohort of 211 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n=99), acute myeloid leukemia (n=69), myelodysplastic syndrome (n=31) or chronic myeloid leukemia (n=12) who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in a single center and their respective donors were genotyped of IL-10 gene for rs1800872 using TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction.Results The IL-10-592 CC genotype was detected in 107 of the 211 donors (50.7%) and in 98 of the 197 patients (49.7%). Genotype AC was found in 95 donors (45%) and in 84 patients (42.6%). 9 donors (4.3%) and 15 patients (7.6%) were homozygous for AA. Ultimately, we observed a significantly reduced incidence of relapse rate (RR) in patients who were transplanted from a donor with the IL-10-592 CC genotype (19% versus 43% (AC) versus 49% (AA); p=0.0007). In addition, a significant increase of event-free survival (p=0.004) and overall survival (p=0.006) was detected if the IL-10-592 CC genotype is present in the donor. The occurrence of the IL-10-592 CC genotype, in either donors or recipients, had no significant impact on acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease.Conclusion The IL-10-592 CC genotype in the donor was associated with a significant decrease of RR which led to a significant increase of EFS and OS after HSCT. This is the first study to describe an association of the IL-10 gene polymorphism with RR, EFS, and OS after HSCT. Selecting a donor with the IL-10-592 CC genotype could be a useful therapeutic strategy for improving the outcome after allogeneic HSCT.
Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in Six Lower- and Middle-Income Countries
Authors: Kebede Adugna , Kanwagi Robert , Dibaba Asrat Tolossa , Kalam Md Abul , Davis Thomas , Larson Heidi
Published: April 2021

Background: While a vaccine is the only clinical preventive measure to control the infection and mortality caused by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), delayed acceptance or refusal of COVID-19 vaccines may increase and prolong the threat to global public health and the economy. Identifying behavioural determinants is considered a critical step in explaining and addressing the barriers of vaccine refusal, but there is a lack of evidence around COVID-19 vaccine refusal and delay from a behavioural perspective. This study aims to identify the behavioural determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and provide recommendations to design actionable interventions to increase the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine in six lower-and-middle income countries.Methods: Taking into consideration the Health Belief Model (HBM), Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), and other behavioural models, a Barrier Analysis (BA) approach was employed to examine twelve potential behavioural determinants of vaccine acceptance in Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Tanzania. In all six countries, at least 45 interviews with those who intended to take the vaccine (“Acceptors”) and another 45 or more interviews with those who did not (“Non-Acceptors”) were conducted, totalling 542 interviews. Data analysis was performed to find statistically significant (a p-value of less than 0.05) differences between Acceptors and Non-acceptors and to identify which beliefs were most highly associated with acceptance and non-acceptance of the behaviour based on estimated relative risk (ERR). Results: The analysis showed that perceived social norms, perceived positive and negative consequences, perceived risk of getting COVID-19, perceived severity of COVID-19, trust in COVID-19 vaccines, perceived safety of COVID-19 vaccines, and expected access to COVID-19 vaccines had the highest association with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Bangladesh, Kenya, Tanzania, and DRC. Additional behavioural determinants found to be significant in both Myanmar and India were perceived self-efficacy, trust in COVID-19 information provided by leaders, perceived divine will, and perceived action efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines. The study also identified important perceptions and beliefs around COVID-19 and its severity, advantages and disadvantages of being vaccinated, and action efficacy of the vaccine to control the spread of the virus.Conclusion: Many of the determinants found to be significant and their level of significance varied from country to country. National and local plans should include messages and activities that address the behavioural determinants found in this study in order to significantly increase the uptake of COVID-19 vaccine across these countries.
Post-Transplant Diarrhea is Associated with Increased Rejection in Lung Transplant Recipients: A Retrospective Review
Authors: Choudhry Aruj , Leopold Andrew , Selby Alexandra , Chamarthy Padma , Friedman Emily , Goraya Navneet , Smith Michael , Schey Ron , Mamary A. James , Parkman Henry P. , Shenoy Kartik , Ehrlich Adam C. , Malik Zubair
Published: April 2021

Background

Diarrhea causes significant morbidity among solid organ transplant recipients. It is described in liver and kidney transplant recipients, but not in lung transplant (LTx) recipients. The primary aim of this study was to characterize diarrhea in LTx recipients.
Methods

Retrospective review was performed for all patients undergoing LTx at our tertiary care hospital between 01/2011 and 02/2019. Electronic medical records were reviewed for the development of diarrhea.
Results

A total of 564 patients (66.3% male, mean age 64.4 ± 8.8 years) underwent LTx during the 8-year study period, with 289 patients (51.2%) experiencing post-LTx diarrhea. The most common etiologies of diarrhea were medication-induced (33.6%) and CDI (15.6%). Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) was the most common cause of medication induced diarrhea (33.3%). Diarrhea and age were significantly associated with increased LTx rejection rates in multivariate analysis (Diarrhea OR = 2.26, 95% CI = 1.48–3.45; Age OR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.95-1.0).
Conclusions

Diarrhea is common in LTx recipients, with medication-induced diarrhea being the most common etiology. Diarrhea and younger age were associated with an increased risk of LTx rejection. Recognizing the causes of diarrhea in LTx recipients is important for early diagnosis and treatment, leading to greater quality of life and improved graft function.
Phosphates of the Streltsovsky ore field of South-Eastern Transbaikalia (Part I)
Authors:   Transbaikal State University, Pavlenko Yu.
Published: April 2021

The conclusions’ reliability of the geologists who created the largest uranium ore base in the country on the territory of the Streltsovsky ore field (SRP) in South-Eastern Transbaikalia, about the belonging of spatially isolated phosphate mineralization and powerful industrial mineralization to a single final stage of Late Mesozoic tectonomagmatitic activation, is clarified. The relevance of the research lies in the need to study the geological materials on the SRP and the adjacent area to assess the prospects for involving in the exploitation of phosphate mineralization developed on the flanks of uranium deposits developed under the state program of the TOP. The object of study is the “blind” Argunskoye and Zherlovoye deposits and their western flanks on the surface, and the subject is the phosphate mineralization developed in the block of terrigenous-carbonate rocks. The purpose of the research is to clarify the time and features of the formation of phosphates, and the task is to assess the industrial significance of phosphate mineralization to make a decision on the feasibility of additional study of this scarce raw material. The methodology of scientific research is based on the interpretation of geological facts given in the literature and stock materials, use of concepts, terms, creation of hypotheses and their consequences, consistency of the comparison of which with the established facts determines the relatively high reliability of geological results. We used a descriptive method that takes into account a system of interrelated consistent positions, and a method of theoretical modeling, which raises the strategic goals of nature cognition to a higher scientific level. The results of the research are presented in three articles (parts). The first part contains information about the structural and geological positions of the region, the ore field, and the geological structure of the Western tectonic block of the SRP and the Argun, as well as the Vent uranium deposits. It is established that phosphate mineralization is the product of metamorphic transformations of Riphean phosphorites and igneous apatites associated with the Middle Riphean moderately alkaline peridotite-gabbro-gabbrodiorite complex. Phosphate mineralization is older than the Late Mesozoic uranium and other types of industrial mineralization by at least 1 billion years
The features of online news websites in Bangladesh
Authors: Kabil Khan Abdul , Shnaider Anna
Published: April 2021

The Internet has opened borderless opportunities in the field of journalism and mass communication, especially significant on how journalistic stories will be created and distributed across the multiple platforms. Since 2006 Bangladeshi mainstream news organizations have been transforming and reshaping their strategy towards being a digital-only news outlet. News organizations are now using different features of mobile devices and social media to tell stories and engage with their target audiences.

We consider digital-only platforms as a new media, social media and convergence media platforms. Almost each traditional media outlet observed has the analogue or another version on the web. Social media platforms, like Facebook, Twitter, weblogs, Tik Tok have provided the opportunity for the traditional journalists to share news quickly, get feedback from the audience and have two-way communication with the reader. Over the years they have created thousands of new jobs for aspiring journalists.

In this article, we analyze the basic features of online news media that exists in contemporary Bangladesh and provide an account of the development trends. We outline the new genres, techniques and use as a sample two most famous online news platforms: The Daily Star and bdnews24. This study is based on both primary and secondary sources of qualitative data to understand the new genres of online news media, challenges and opportunities to work in the ever-changing media landscape.
Endothelial progenitor cells in pathogenesis of new coronaviral infection
Authors: Kuzubova N. A. , Titova O. N. , Lebedeva E. S. , Volchkova E. V.
Published: April 2021

Pulmonary vascular endothelium dysfunction is one of the main pathogenic factors responsible for many clinical manifestations of the severe course of COVID-19. Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are the endogenous regenerative reserve that maintains the integrity of the vascular endothelium and its restoration in case of damage by pathogenic factors. A decrease in the circulating EPCs is regarded as a predictor of morbidity and mortality in conditions associated with development of endothelial dysfunction, including COVID-19. The exact phenotype of progenitor cells capable of differentiating into endothelial cells has not been determined. In most laboratories antigens CD133+, CD34+, VEGFR-2+ (CD 309) or combination of these are used to identify EPCs. The process of EPCs mobilization and migration is controlled by molecular signals from immune cells located in the damage area. Stromal cell factor 1 (SDF-1), produced by the bone marrow and many other tissues, is an important chemoattractant for EPCs which express its receptors. The results of studies carried out in 2020 indicate that SARS-Cov-2 infects both hematopoietic stem cells, transforming into EPCs, and directly circulating EPCs, causing inflammatory and procoagulant reactions that complicate the COVID-19 course. There is no consensus on the mechanism of EPCs infection with coronavirus – directly through the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2) receptor or through an ACE2-independent mechanism. Today there is no effective therapy for COVID-19. The use of the EPCs regenerative potential, and the search for ways to enhance the EPCs mobilization from the depot, and increase their functional activity may become a promising approach to the prevention of severe complications and mortality from COVID-19.
Perimenopausal period and mood disorders
Authors: Pizova N. V. , Pizov N. A. , Pizov A. V.
Published: April 2021

The article is devoted to the possibilities of correction of neuropsychiatric disorders in perimenopause, a condition associated with the cessation of menstruation in a woman and a decrease in the level of ovarian steroid hormones (estrogen and progesterone) due to the loss of the ovarian follicular mass. It is known that biological and endocrine changes during this period are often accompanied by autonomic symptoms. In perimenopause, women may experience symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats, insomnia, vaginal dryness, mood disorders, etc. Although most symptoms are not life-threatening, they can have a negative impact on the quality of life, physical and mental health of perimenopausal women. During menopause, women are at higher risk of developing depression, stress, anxiety and emotional disorders. In addition, during perimenopause, women experience not only depressive symptoms but also cognitive impairment, which may be related to changes in hormonal background. Drugs that are used in the treatment of mood disorders affect different neurotransmitters, in particular serotonin, norepinephrine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). One of the benzodiazepine derivatives is Tofisopam, first developed in Hungary and marketed in a number of European countries under the name Grandaxin. It is indicated for the treatment of neurotic and somatic disorders associated with tension, anxiety, autonomic disorders, lack of energy and motivation, apathy, fatigue, depressed mood and alcohol withdrawal syndrome, including during perimenopause. Tofisopam has good anxiolytic activity with no observable sedative, anticonvulsant, amnestic or muscle relaxant effects.
Possibilities of using multidirectional immunomodulators for acute and recurrent infectious and inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract
Authors: Morozova S. V. , Selezneva L. V.
Published: April 2021

In many countries, with the prevention of acute respiratory diseases in children and adults, the use of various types of biologically active substances of natural and synthetic origin, called immunostimulants of various mechanisms of action, has been introduced. The purpose of this article is to provide a useful overview of main roles of available immunostimulants and their potential for use in inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract. The article discusses aspects of the clinical use of immunomodulatory drugs in acute and recurrent infectious and inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract (SARS-CoV-2 included). The mechanisms of action of immunomodulators on the immune system are briefly outlined. On the drug Imunorix the evidence base of mechanisms of correction of the immune system in respiratory diseases of the upper respiratory tract is given, as well as the analysis of the clinical efficacy of drug. The use of immunostimulator to increase the level of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgM, IgG) and subpopulations of T-lymphocytes (CD3 +, CD4 +). Also, the use of the drug has shown its usefulness in the appointment of antibacterial drugs in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infectious diseases. This article also provides an overview of recent clinical studies of drug. Researchers from various countries have tried to better clarify and define the mechanisms of action of immunostimulator both in vitro and in vivo. Of course, the improvement in research methodology over the past 20 years, and the acquired knowledge in various areas of clinical immunology, should become the starting point for further research on the drug. Randomized controlled trials of the trial use of the drug in the prevention of acute respiratory infections.
Nord Stream 2 in the mirror of German party discussions
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Rastvortseva Alexandra
Published: April 2021

Russian-German energy relations, which have been continuing for over half a century, are an important component of bilateral interactions. Since the 1960s of the last century, Russia and Germany have been strengthening their cooperation, carrying out a large number of joint projects, setting up enterprises and building gas pipelines. In this article, the author examines the German internal political discussion around the construction of the transnational project Nord Stream 2, which, despite the initial approval of both sides, has repeatedly been the subject of controversy both in the internal and external political arena of Germany. The project was opposed not only by the Bundestag parties, referring to environmental problems and political contradictions, but also by European neighbors, as well as the United States of America, which have their own economic interests in the field of energy cooperation with Germany. The article presents an analysis of the discourse on this issue, based on the statements of the main politicians in Germany, party members at meetings of the Bundestag, as well as on information published in the German-language electronic media in the context of political pressure through the institutions of the European community and sanctions policy from the United States. The author comes to the conclusion that, despite the polarity of opinions on the construction of the gas pipeline, not only in internal political discussions, but also at the international level, Germany, while maintaining obligations to implement this project, is guided by its own political and economic doctrine and is able to make decisions, contrary to pressure from states with their own interests in this area of interaction.
Foreign experience in legal regulation of extrajudicial forms of protection of an individual’s rights and freedoms, excluding the criminality of the act
Authors:   Research Institute of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia, Smirnov Alexander М. ,   Russian Federation International Law Institute
Published: April 2021

The article describes the provisions of the sources of criminal law of some foreign countries regarding the regulation of extrajudicial forms of protection of an individual’s rights and freedoms, excluding the criminality of the act. The author refers to these forms as a necessary defense, causing harm to the person who committed the crime, and extreme necessity. The article discusses the possibility of implementing the provisions of these sources in Russian criminal law to improve the state response to the implementation of these forms. The author comes to the conclusion that the most positive and constructive features of legal regulation in foreign countries, extrajudicial forms of protection of an individual’s rights and freedoms while excluding the criminality of the act, deserve scientific attention and consideration of their implementation in domestic criminal law and legal practice. The main features consist of the following: the conditions for the onset of the right to necessary defense, extreme need and infliction of harm during the detention of a person who has committed a crime, and the grounds for exceeding it; taking into account the situation when determining the legitimacy of the given circumstances; allocation of privileged conditions under which a person is either exempted from criminal liability or not exempted from it, but can count on mitigation of punishment; criminal prosecution for actions if absolutely necessary only if they have resulted in more harm than the harm prevented; regulation of legal and factual error with the necessary defense and extreme necessity; legal regulation of the conditions for the use of weapons in the implementation of these forms; holding accountable those who provoked the necessary defense; the emergence of the right to necessary defense of the person whose rights are being encroached upon.
Essay on Application of Byzantine Law in the Modern Bessarabia
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Rudokvas Anton D. , Novikov Andrej A. ,   St. Petersburg State University
Published: April 2021

The article describes the application of Byzantine law in the region of Bessarabia which formed part of the Russian Empire from the early 19th century until 1917. The empire allowed the local population to apply their local laws for the regulation of their civil law relations. Due to historical reasons, these local laws were identified with the law of the Byzantine Empire which had already disappeared in 1453. The authors of the article provide a general description of the sources of Bessarabian law and then turn to case study research regarding the jurisprudence of courts on the issues of the Law of Succession in Bessarabia. They demonstrate that in interpreting the provisions of the law applicable, Russian lawyers often referred to Roman law as a doctrinal background of Byzantine law. Furthermore, they did not hesitate to identify Roman law with Pandect law. Even though the doctrine of the Law of Pandects had been created in Germany on the basis of Roman law texts, it was far from the content of the original law of the Ancient Roman Empire. The fate of the practical application of Byzantine law in Bessarabia reflects some general problems of the ‘legal transplants’ in the history of law and therefore provides additional materials for the theoretical study of the issues of ‘legal transfer’ in history and nowadays.
Benefits in law, legal science and practice
Authors:   Academy of Management of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, Repev Artem G.
Published: April 2021

The article presents a theoretical analysis of “privilege” as a category of jurisprudence through the prism of the system of advantages in law. The relevance of the research is due to the fact that despite the study (mainly in the field of financial and banking law) of benefits, this legal phenomenon has not become the object of a comprehensive analysis. For the first time, the author proves the significant impact of benefits on the functioning of many areas of modern society (state policy, economy, social relations, etc.). The practical significance of the study is due to the consideration of benefits as means aimed at strengthening the independence and special legal status of subjects in need of state support (business community, employees of state law enforcement and other bodies, etc.), as well as social assistance (disabled people, veterans, minors, etc.). The author aims to prove the social, state-legal necessity of using this legal tool in the process of regulating public relations, to consider the main functions and goals of benefits, their internal classification. Using a variety of means and methods of cognition, the objective and subjective determinants of legislative consolidation of such a deviation from equality are identified, based on social and natural causes of occurrence, economic conditions and special legal factors. The need to analyze legislation and law enforcement practice has determined the necessity to identify existing patterns and shortcomings of technical and legal consolidation of benefits. These include the presence of synonymy in the legislation, which is characteristic of the system of advantages, in which the same terms denote different legal phenomena in their essence; the absence of a definitive apparatus, which makes it necessary to develop technical and legal measures aimed at improving the legislative consolidation of benefits, removing administrative barriers to their implementation.
Metacognitive regulation, basic psychological needs and subjective vitality of first year university students
Authors: Makarova Daria
Published: April 2021

Intellectual performance is influenced by many factors, besides intelligence and cognitive skills, including the type of motivation and metacognitive regulation. The authors of the arti- cle became interested in the question of whether there is a connection between productivity of metacognitive regulation and different types of motivation (extrinsic and intrinsic). Accord- ing to the self-determination theory (SDT), maintaining intrinsic (autonomous) motivation requires satisfying of one’s basic psychological needs. Also, SDT distinguishes the concepts of self-control and self-regulation (a particular case of which is metacognitive regulation) and postulates the existence of a connection between self-regulation and the level of subjective vitality. The aim of the study was to test the following hypothesis: the higher the level of satisfaction of three basic psychological needs and the level of subjective vitality, the higher the level of productivity of metacognitive regulation of intellectual performance. Participants (first-year university students, n = 116, 70 men) completed Russian versions of two questionnaires, created inside the SDT paradigm: “Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale” and “Subjective Vitality Scale”. To assess the productivity of metacognitive regulation of intellectual activity, a new modified version of the questionnaire “Features of intellectual activity” (D.N.Makarova, M.V.Osorina) was used. Multiple regression analysis was performed using SPSS to test the hypothesis. The final model, which explains 31.4 % of the variance of the dependent variable, shows that the higher the level of subjective vitality and the levels of satisfaction of need in autonomy and competence, the higher the level of productivity of metacognitive regulation of intellectual performance. The proposed hypothesis was partly refuted: no relationship was found between the level of satisfaction of the need in relatedness and the level of productivity of metacognitive regulation.
Features of the value-semantic sphere of search and rescue volunteers
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Chipurnaya Polina , Kuznetsova Elena ,   St. Petersburg State University
Published: April 2021

Studying the values and meanings that volunteers embody in their activities complements the description of volunteering with the participants’ subjective ideas. This makes it possible to increase the effectiveness of programs for attracting, training, and supporting volunteers. This article describes the results of a study of the value-semantic sphere of the search and rescue volunteers in comparison with professional rescuers. To assess the sustainability of the realization of personal values in volunteering, part of the study was conducted during the high-risk COVID-19 pandemic. 100 people participated in the research: 74 volunteers and 26 professional rescuers. Schwartz’s value questionnaire and Alfried Langle’s existence scale, as well as two questionnaires by the authors and interviews were used. The study revealed differences in the value hierarchy of volunteers and rescuers in terms of reputation values, interpersonal conformity and humility. The leading values for volunteers are independence of thought and action. The main reasons for volunteer’s actions are the desire to help, communication, emotional involvement in activities, and usefulness to society. Overall, there were insignificant changes in volunteering activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the value of maintaining the volunteer group’s activities gained additional meaning for volunteers.
The credibility of news media text: The experience of macrostructural analysis
Authors:   Vladimir State University named after A. G. and N. G. Stoletov, Negryshev Andrey A.
Published: April 2021

The problem of textual credibility is considered in line with the theory of reference from the standpoint of a text’s grammar. The referential semantics of a text is determined by the type of discourse in which the text is generated. Subsequently, the criteria for credibility are discur sively conditioned. The article reveals the referential aspects of news media text as a “product” of news discourse with its accuracy and objectivity requirements to factually ascertain a message. To describe these characteristics, the concept of referential density of the text is introduced, which is revealed through macrostructural text analysis. The basic definitions of this analysis are provided, its methodology is described and its testing is carried out to explicate the degree of reference density of the text. The key terms of macrostructural analysis are the macro-textual position and the ways of filling it. The main macro-textual positions of the news media text are headline ↔︎ text, compositional-factual, compositional-logical, compositional-syntagmatic relations and stylistic perspective. The different ways of filling these positions reveal different degrees of factuality/interpretability, which can be located on the reference scale in a certain sequence. Scales for each macro-textual position are combined into a referential matrix of the text, graduated in the direction of decreasing reference density/increasing interpretability. Another way to visualize the results of macro-textual analysis is to construct a radar diagram, on which the referential focus of the text is especially evident. Using the example of three news reports of the Russian press, the analysis of the filling of macro-textual positions, of which reveals varying degrees of reference density, three types of referential focus of news media text are demonstrated: concentrated, shifted and diffused. The distinguished types reflect the corresponding referential types of news media text, the referential density of which is a “linguistic dimension” of its credibility.