bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Artificial Intelligence-Enabled and Period-Aware Forecasting COVID-19 Spread
Authors: Mbilong Paul Menounga , Berhich Asmae , Jebli Imane , El Kassiri Asmae , Belouadha Fatima-Zahra
Published: April 2021

Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has reached the stage of an international epidemic with a major socioeconomic negative impact. Considering the weakness of the healthy structure and the limited availability of test kits, particularly in emerging countries, predicting the spread of COVID-19 is expected to help decision-makers to improve health management and contribute to alleviating the related risks. In this article, we studied the effectiveness of machine learning techniques using Morocco as a case-study. We studied the performance of six multi-step models derived from both Machine Learning and Deep Learning regards multiple scenarios by combining different time lags and three COVID-19 datasets(periods): confinement, deconfinement, and hybrid datasets. The results prove the efficiency of Deep Learning models and identify the best combinations of these models and the time lags enabling good predictions of new cases. The results also show that the prediction of the spread of COVID-19 is a context sensitive problem.
Opportunities and Challenges of Feature Selection Methods for High Dimensional Data: A Review
Authors: Subbiah Siva Sankari , Chinnappan Jayakumar
Published: April 2021

Now a day, all the organizations collecting huge volume of data without knowing its usefulness. The fast development of Internet helps the organizations to capture data in many different formats through Internet of Things (IoT), social media and from other disparate sources. The dimension of the dataset increases day by day at an extraordinary rate resulting in large scale dataset with high dimensionality. The present paper reviews the opportunities and challenges of feature selection for processing the high dimensional data with reduced complexity and improved accuracy. In the modern big data world the feature selection has a significance in reducing the dimensionality and overfitting of the learning process. Many feature selection methods have been proposed by researchers for obtaining more relevant features especially from the big datasets that helps to provide accurate learning results without degradation in performance. This paper discusses the importance of feature selection, basic feature selection approaches, centralized and distributed big data processing using Hadoop and Spark, challenges of feature selection and provides the summary of the related research work done by various researchers. As a result, the big data analysis with the feature selection improves the accuracy of the learning.
An Advanced IoT-Based Tool for Effective Employee Performance Evaluation in the Banking Sector
Authors: Alti Adel , Almuhirat Ahmed
Published: April 2021

Nowadays, high-quality service becomes pivotal to ensure higher customer satisfaction for banking sectors. Through developmental methods, it helps them align their employees and resources to meet their strategic objectives. The challenge is that there is no automatic, strong and intelligent way, which helped the bank sectors to assess employee’s performance after receiving training while keeping scores. In this paper, we design and implement an effective tool based on IoT for assessing employees’ performance by applying the right evaluation metrics. Besides, we aim at determining the necessary information so that the manager has clear strategy that improves performance expectations and keeps it high. We develop also an evaluation model that can take incoming performance data of deployed sensors with work environments, performing data analysis of various employers and determine their performance while customizing the multi-criteria decision-making. The experimental results show that IoT-based tool generates remarkably higher performance than existing tools in the literature for nearly all training programs and all decision-making managers.
Extractive Text Summarization Using Recent Approaches: A Survey
Authors: Yadav Avaneesh Kumar , Maurya Ashish Kumar , Ranvijay  , Yadav Rama Shankar
Published: April 2021

In this era of growing digital media, the volume of text data increases day by day from various sources and may contain entire documents, books, articles, etc. This amount of text is a source of information that may be insignificant, redundant, and sometimes may not carry any meaningful representation. Therefore, we require some techniques and tools that can automatically summarize the enormous amounts of text data and help us to decide whether they are useful or not. Text summarization is a process that generates a brief version of the document in the form of a meaningful summary. It can be classified into abstractive text summarization and extractive text summarization. Abstractive text summarization generates an abstract type of summary from the given document. In extractive text summarization, a summary is created from the given document that contains crucial sentences of the document. Many authors proposed various techniques for both types of text summarization. This paper presents a survey of extractive text summarization on graphical-based techniques. Specifically, it focuses on unsupervised and supervised techniques. This paper shows the recent works and advances on them and focuses on the strength and weaknesses of surveys of previous works in tabular form. At last, it concentrates on the evaluation measure techniques of summary.
E-Service Application: Online Donation to Help Fight COVID-19
Authors: Nasr Iskander BelHaj , Jbeli Kabil , Smiti Abir
Published: April 2021

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) can promote research and find optimal solutions for complex and unstable situations. COVID-19 highlights the urgent need to innovate and offer modern solutions. Those solutions must meet the business requirement but also the current circumstances. In this paper, we are going to describe a new E-service application: Online Donation to Help Fight COVID-19. Our online donation software is perfect for nonprofits. The application has many features to suit our needs and their support response time. We use the Machine learning technique K-Nearest Neighbor to identify the ideal beneficiaries (school, hospital…). Our project can resolve the problem of donation management and establish the transparency and trust.
A Novel Image Encryption Using Parity Based Visual Cryptography
Authors: Rao Kanusu Srinivasa , Sridhar Mandapati
Published: April 2021

The current era is mainly focused on secured data transmission and every organization takes preventive measures to protect network’s private data. Among different techniques visual cryptography is a prominent one that that encrypts the visual information and decrypts secret using mechanical operations without any computation, but each share need pixel expansion. In the current work, we propose an Image encryption technique using (n, n) Visual cryptography based on simple operations without pixel expansion. The proposed novel technique gives an image encryption using visual cryptography based on Least significant bit (LSB) technique in spatial domain and parity mechanism using Exclusive-OR(XOR) operation. developed for encrypting grey scale image. Image encryption and decryption uses simple Boolean operations. The technique provides better quality of shares and recovers without any loss.
A Novel Fast Searching Algorithm Based on Least Square Regression
Authors: Challa Ratna Kumari , Chintha Siva Prasad , Reddaiah B. , Rao Kanusu Srinivasa
Published: April 2021

Currently, the machine learning group is well-understood and commonly used for predictive modelling and feature generation through linear methodologies such as reversals, principal analysis and canonical correlation analyses. All these approaches are typically intended to capture fascinating subspaces in the original space of high dimensions. These methods have all a closed-form approach because of its simple linear structures, which makes estimation and theoretical analysis for small datasets very straightforward. However, it is very common for a data set to have millions or trillions of samples and features in modern machine learning problems. We deal with the problem of fast estimation from large volumes of data for ordinary squares. The search operation is a very important operation and it is useful in many applications. Some applications when the data set size is large, the linear search takes the time which is proportional to the size of the data set. Binary search and interpolation search performs good for the search of elements in the data set in O(logn) and ⋅O(log(⋅logn)) respectively in the worst case. Now, in this paper, an effort is made to develop a novel fast searching algorithm based on the least square regression curve fitting method. The algorithm is implemented and its execution results are analyzed and compared with binary search and interpolation search performance. The proposed model is compared with the traditional methods and the proposed fast searching algorithm exhibits better performance than the traditional models.
Communication Patterns and Related Factors among Iranian Couples: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: HasaniMoghadam Sedigheh , Ganji Jila , Nia Hamid Sharif , Aarabi Mohsen , Khani Soghra
Published: April 2021

Background: Given the effect of various factors on the use of communication patterns by couples, this study aimed to determine the most common communication pattern among couples and related factors in Sari, northern Iran.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 520 people (260 couples) in Sari. Data were collected using a demographic–fertility factors questionnaire, Enrich couple scale, communication patterns questionnaire, general health questionnaire (GHQ-28), and NEO personality inventory. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 25 using descriptive and inferential statistics (multiple regression model).
Results: While the mean (standard deviation) age of women included in the study was 34.08 (7.71) years, the mean age of men was 39.13 (9.18) years. The most common communication patterns in both women and men was the mutual constructive communication, whereas the lowest frequent communication pattern was the demand/withdraw communication in both men and women. Marital satisfaction had a significant positive correlation with mutual constructive communication pattern in women and men (P = 0.001). In addition, a significant inverse correlation was observed between the number of marriage to date, women’s age, and spouses' demand/withdraw communication pattern with mutual constructive communication pattern in women. Also, a significant inverse correlation was observed between flexibility (P = 0.047), number of marriages (P = 0.013), and the wives' age (P = 0.005) with mutual constructive communication pattern in men.
Conclusion: According to the results of the study, it is necessary to recognize the factors related to couples’ communication patterns in order to improve the communication patterns so that marital conflicts could be avoided while a more effective communication is established. 
Keywords: communication patterns, couples, personality characteristics, marital satisfaction, public health
The Effect of Innovative Teach-back Tool Kit Session on the Postgraduate Nursing Students’ Knowledge About Injectable Artesunate
Authors: Ahmed Sahar , Eisa Eiman , Mohammed Montaha , Abdalla Samah
Published: April 2021

Background: Injectable artesunate (inj AS) is a new anti-malarial treatment recently introduced in Sudan for the treatment of severe malaria . Inj AS has demonstrated its superiority over injectable quinine in African and Asian patients. This study aimed to evaluate the outcome of innovative teach-back tool kit session on the knowledge of inj AS among the postgraduate nursing students at the University of Khartoum, Sudan.           
Methods: This interventional pre–posttest studyincluded30postgraduatenursing students selected though a full-coverage sampling method and meeting the selection criteria. Data were collected using standardized self-administered questionnaire after taking a written approval from the participants. The pretest included an initial assessment followed by implementation of interactive session about new anti-malaria treatment using an innovative teach-back toolkit, and the final assessment was conducted after two weeks (posttest). The collected data were then analyzed and interpreted using descriptive and inferential statistics based on the objective and hypothesis of the study. A two-tailed p-value at 0.05 was considered as  the level of significance using SPSS version 20.
Results:
Majority of the participants were aged between 20 and 30years; of them, 26 (87%) were female and 4(13%) male, and all of them had >1year of experience. The findings of the study showed that half of the participants (15[50%]) had a good knowledge score, 12 (40%) had a poor knowledge, and 3(10%) had a very poor knowledge score in the pretest. However, the knowledge scores increased significantly to 86.7% posttest, which is very good. The overall mean of pretest knowledge scores regarding inj AS was7.4 with a statically significant difference (p=0.000). The mean score was increased to 12 with a statically significant difference posttest (p=0.000).
Conclusion:
There was a statistically significant improvement in the knowledge scores of the postgraduate nursing students about inj AS after the implementation of interactive teaching session using innovative teach-back tool kit.
Keywords:inj artesunate, teach back-toolkit, nursing students, session
ENTRE O “POVO” E A “ELITE”: CULTURA POPULAR E APROPRIAÇÃO DIFERENCIAL À LUZ DA PRÁTICA DO FOLCLORE “ALEMÃO” NO BRASIL

BETWEEN THE “PEOPLE” AND THE “ELITE”: POPULAR CULTURE AND DIFFERENTIAL APPROPRIATION IN THE LIGHT OF THE PRACTICE OF “GERMAN” FOLKLORE IN BRAZIL
Authors: Voigt Lucas
Published: April 2021

No Brasil, verifica-se a existência de uma elite cultural responsável pela promoção e legitimação do folclore “alemão” autêntico. Tal constatação traz interessantes implicações, que podem ser sintetizadas no seguinte questionamento: “como uma prática cultural de origem popular pode depender de uma elite?”. À luz do aporte teórico- -metodológico da sociologia da cultura e das elites, o artigo propõe uma reflexão e um tensionamento acerca das fronteiras classicamente estabelecidas entre os domínios da cultura erudita e da cultura popular, tomando por base o caso do folclore “alemão” praticado no Brasil. Defende-se a pertinência da noção de “apropriação diferencial” para a análise da cultura popular (de modo geral) e do folclore “alemão” (de modo particular), conceito que possibilita a compreensão das múltiplas circulações, intersecções e apropriações de bens simbólicos entre os domínios do “popular” e do “erudito”, do “povo” e das “elites”, processos característicos e constitutivos dos produtos simbólicos de matriz popular.ABSTRACT In Brazil, it may be verified the existence of a cultural elite responsible for promoting and legitimating authentic “German” folklore. This finding has interesting implications, which can be synthesized in the following question: “How can a cultural practice of popular origin depend on an elite?”. In the light of the theoretical and methodological perspective of the sociology of culture and elites, the article proposes a reflection and problematization on the classically established boundaries between the domains of erudite culture and popular culture, based on the case of “German” folklore practiced in Brazil. I argue in favor of the relevance of the notion of “differential appropriation” for the analysis of popular culture (in general) and “German” folklore (in particular), a concept that allows the comprehension of the multiple circulations, intersections and appropriations of symbolic goods among the domains of “popular” and “erudite”, of the “people” and the “elites”, characteristic and constitutive processes of the symbolic products of popular origin.
CIRCULAÇÃO E RECEPÇÃO DA OBRA DE PIERRE BOURDIEU NO BRASIL: UMA ENTREVISTA COM SERGIO MICELI

CIRCULATION AND RECEPTION OF PIERRE BOURDIEU'S WORK IN BRAZIL: A CONVERSATION WITH SERGIO MICELI
Authors: Miceli Sergio , Silveira Treicy Giovanella da , Engerroff Ana Martina Baron
Published: April 2021

Entrevista realizada com o sociológo Sergio Miceli que teve como objetivo retomar as reflexões sobre o contexto de importação dos primeiros textos de Pierre Bourdieu para o Brasil, ou da “aclimatação das ideias ‘estrangeiras’” (ORTIZ, 2013, p. 83) e dos modos de circulação internacional de seus textos como um programa de pesquisa (GARCIA JR., PESSANHA, 2013, p. 29), assim como proporcionar um espaço de diálogo sobre as novas práticas sociológicas a partir da apropriação da sociologia francesa no Brasil.
Venice from Another Perspective
Authors: Cataluccio Francesco M.
Published: April 2021

This essay with a clearly personal touch is a narrative anchored in cultural texts which deals with experiencing Venice in a multi-faceted way. Talking about his many years of wandering around the city (in the company of, for instance, Joseph Brodsky) and describing places and architectural details important to him, the author argues that especially the mediation of painting, which also documented the history of Venice, allows for a better understanding of the phenomenon of the city. This fusion of the two modalities of experience is also reflected in the structure of the text, which closes the reflection on the contemporary condition of the city and various threats which Venice has to face.
“I think that poets and, more broadly, all artists have some certain cognitive impatience in them”
Authors: Król Karolina , Kandziora Jerzy
Published: April 2021

The interview covers the subject of Stanisław Barańczak and his works. Pondering on the way the poet pictures the existence of God in his poems is an important part of the text. Another crucial subject is the way Barańczak deals with his illness and portrays it in his poetic works. In the interview Jerzy Kandziora – an exquisite reasercher of the poetry written by Barańczak and Jerzy Ficowski − mentions his private relationship with both Barańczak and his wife.
Predicting Physical Activity Behavior Change Among Individuals Living With Severe Mental Illness
Authors: Huck Garrett , Chan Fong , Brickham Dana , Shelton Shaina , Scafella Erin
Published: April 2021

Individuals living with a severe mental illness (SMI) have an increased risk of comorbid health conditions, many of which can be attributed to unhealthy lifestyle habits and medication side effects. The purpose of the present study is to examine health behavior theories including the social cognitive theory, self-determination theory, and theory of planned behavior in an effort to predict individuals living with SMI's stage of change (SOC) relating to physical activity (PA). Each theory focuses on important theoretical behavior changing components, such as self-efficacy, autonomy, and intention. The sample of this study includes 60 people with SMI from an assertive community treatment (ACT) program in a large Midwestern city. The results indicated that individual outcome expectations may be the proximal predictor of SOC, although significant relationships were found between SOC, self-efficacy, autonomy, and intentions as well. Future research should focus on the value of positive beliefs about the benefits of PA as that was found to be significant predictor regarding individuals with SMI and their readiness to engage in PA.
Psychometric Validation of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule in a Sample of Community Dwelling Adults With Chronic Health Conditions and Disabilities
Authors: Chen Xiangli , Iwanaga Kanako , Wu Jia-Rung , Lee Beatrice , Chan Fong , Tansey Timothy N. , Bezyak Jill , Chan Chetwyn , Tao Jing
Published: April 2021

Chronic health conditions and disabilities interfere with major life activities, and these interferences are the result of complex interactions between health condition factors, psychological factors, personal factors, and socioenvironmental factors. The World Health Organization (WHO) International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) framework is a biopsychosocial model that conceptualizes the experience of disability with attention to these interactions. The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) is an assessment tool developed to measure self-reported activity limitations and restrictions to participation experienced by individuals with disabilities independent of his or her medical diagnosis. In order to allow practitioners to effectively use this tool with individuals with various chronic illnesses and disabilities, the current study aimed to evaluate the measurement structure and psychometric properties of the WHODAS 2.0. A total of 945 adults with disabilities participated in the current study. Results support two-factor structure of this measurement tool with adequate reliability and construct validity. The WHODAS 2.0 is a valid, useful tool for rehabilitation counseling professionals to more effectively support adults with chronic health conditions and disabilities in achieving their psychosocial and employment success.
Development of the Perception of Opioid Use Survey (POUS) Instrument
Authors: Burton Alison , Barnett Scott , Wood Elyssa , Smolsky Alison , Stanger Debra , Friesen Mary Ann , Schoem Lindsay , Mueller Scott , Metcalfe Stacey
Published: April 2021

Background and Purpose

A new instrument was designed specifically to evaluate nurses' knowledge, attitude, and practice toward patients who use opioids. This study team developed and tested the psychometric properties of the Perception of Opioid Use Survey (POUS) instrument.

Methods

The instrument was tested among 306 nurses at a 183 bed acute care community hospital, with psychometric evaluation for validity, reliability, and exploratory factor analysis.

Results

Internal consistency results were Cronbach's alpha = .550 for the overall scale and each subscale: Self-Efficacy = .796, Attitudes = .744, Community Impact = .806, and Causative Factors = .763.

Conclusions

Psychometric testing results support that the POUS is valid, reliable, and significantly correlated with theoretically selected variables.
The Mediating Role of Resilience and Social Support on the Relationship Between Childhood Neglect and Adult Well-Being
Authors: Koçtürk Nilüfer , Demirtas-Zorbaz Selen , Tarım, M S Bilge
Published: April 2021

Childhood neglect has a lifelong negative impact on the individual's physical health and well-being and is a risk for psychopathology. The main purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between child neglect, resilience, social support, and well-being. Data were collected from 450 women. A structural equation model was designed and tested to determine the correlations between the variables affecting well-being. The results revealed that the more women were neglected during childhood, the lower they perceived social support and the lower their resilience and well-being. Additionally, there was a significant relationship between resilience and well-being, whereas there was no significant relationship between social support and well-being. The findings show that neglect directly affects well-being in adulthood in the negative direction.
Postembolization syndromein the treatment of uterine fibroids (a review)
Authors: Nurmukhametova E. T.
Published: April 2021

The work includes the published results of domestic and foreign studies on the course and correction of post-embolization syndrome that occurs after embolization of the uterine arteries in the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids. The articles were searched in the Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and еLibrary databases.
Subclinical hypothyroidism: treat or watch?
Authors: Tsanava I. A. , Bulgakova S. V. , Melikova A. V.
Published: April 2021

Manifest hypothyroidism occurs in more than 5 % of the population, while prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism is much higher and reaches 15 %. In the practice of an endocrinologist, in most cases, the diagnosis and treatment of manifest hypothyroidism does not raise questions, while subclinical changes in thyroid hormones quite often generate a lot of discussions. The generally accepted reference range for TSH up to 4.50 μIU / ml is in conflict with data showing that more than 95 % of healthy people with euthyroidism have serum TSH levels up to 2.5 μIU / ml. At the same time, a lot of data has been accumulated on the effect of even slightly altered levels of thyroid hormones and TSH on various tissues, organs and systems of the body, especially on the cardiovascular, nervous and reproductive systems. This review analyzes the results of studies aimed at studying the relationship of subclinical hypothyroidism with cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, cognitive disorders, pathology of pregnant women.
The problem of “complicated wounds” and complicated wound process in female patients with breast cancer and approaches to its solution
Authors: Supilnikov A. A. , Trusova L. A. , Batukhtina E. V. , Makhlin A. E.
Published: April 2021

The review of the literature is devoted to the methods of complicated wounds treatment in patients with breast cancer. The main reasons of non-healing wounds after the radical mastectomy are studied; the general principles of chronic wounds treatment and the main ways of solving this problem are also studied.
A critical review of modern tools and methods of implant fixation in minimally invasive herniology
Authors: Matveev N. L. , Makarov S. A. , Kupriyanova A. S. , Armashov V. P.
Published: April 2021

The article provides a detailed description of methods and devices for fixation mesh implants used for ventral hernia repair. An illustrated description of the implant fixation technique for laparoscopic IPOM surgery is given.
Assessment of prevalence and risk factors of varicosis
Authors: Morozov A. M. , Sergeev A. N. , Askerov E. M. , Malkarov H. S. , Zhukov S. V. , Belyak M. A. , Peltikhina O. V.
Published: April 2021

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) of the lower extremities is characterized by a wide clinical spectrum, – asymptomatic manifestation in the stage of compensation, after a decade it acquires the shape of decompensation, aggravating complications. This disease is associated with a deterioration in the standard of living and working capacity of patients, is of particular social and economic importance. Varicose veins are a consequence of CVI, therefore, can be prevented in the early stages, through preventive measures. However, VVV is most often detected at later stages.

The aim of this study is to determine the most significant risk factors for the development of varicose veins, including the peculiarity of the influence of gender.

Material and methods. A survey of 470 people was conducted, and a statistical analysis of the results was carried out.

Results. The prevalence of varicose veins is distributed as follows: from 18 to 35 years – in 2.1 % of women, from 36 to 65 years – in 16 %, over 65 years – in 20.3 %. It can be noted that the increase in incidence increases with an increase in the age category, reaching significant values in the range from 36 to 65 years in women. This disease is more commonly diagnosed in women who have a hereditary predisposition to it. Alcohol consumption and being overweight had a lesser effect on the onset of symptoms. There is a high percentage of morbidity among workers who spend a long time at work in a static position (6 % spend time standing or sitting). Among them, 44.7 % of women have a hereditary predisposition with diagnosed VVV in 14.9 % of cases, with signs of VVV class C1 and higher – 23.4 %.

Findings. Women who have a hereditary predisposition to the disease and spend most of their time in a static position were at greater risk of developing varicose veins. Another predisposing factor was smoking among the respondents who did not have a genetic predisposition. As a preventive measure to maintain health, the greatest preference is given to regular walking and rest with the position of the legs located above the level of the heart. However, there is a significant number of women who do not carry out any preventive measures; more active sanitary and educational work should be carried out in these groups.
A clinical case of difficult determination of the treatment option for a patient with pulmonary embolism
Authors: Pronin A. G. , Pozhidaeva E. A. , Melnikova E. V. , Nevzorova Yu. A.
Published: April 2021

The article presents a clinical case of difficult verification of pulmonary embolism severity and difficulty of choosing a treatment option for a patient with this disease.
Salpingectomia Profilática como Método de Contraceção Definitiva: Estudo Transversal em Portugal
Authors: São Pedro Verónica , Pires Rafaela , Santos Fernanda , Tovim Rodrigues Carla , Santos Silva Isabel , Almeida Maria do Céu , Águas Fernanda
Published: April 2021

Introdução: A salpingectomia profilática foi proposta como estratégia de redução do risco de cancro do ovário e método de contraceção definitiva. O objetivo deste estudo foi conhecer os procedimentos realizados a nível nacional para contraceção definitiva de intervalo e peri-parto, a opinião e motivações dos clínicos, e os fatores demográficos ou profissionais influentes.Material e Métodos: Este é um estudo analítico transversal, baseado num questionário original enviado durante o ano de 2019 a especialistas e internos de Ginecologia-Obstetrícia a exercer em Portugal.Resultados: Obtivemos 225 respostas provenientes de médicos a exercer em 42 hospitais (37 públicos). A laqueação tubar laparoscópica por eletrocoagulação e corte (61%) foi o método mais frequentemente utilizado na mulher não grávida, seguido da salpingectomia (28%). Os principais motivos apontados para não realizar salpingectomia foram o aumento do tempo operatório (48,5%) e tratar-se de procedimento não equacionado (45,5%). Em alguns hospitais, a realização deste método dependia da decisão da equipa cirúrgica. No contexto per-cesariana, a técnica mais comum foi a de Pomeroy modificada (54%), seguida da salpingectomia (32,5%), com uma concentração no Norte do país com significado estatístico. A maioria (69%) dos participantes consideraram que a salpingectomia deveria ser o procedimento disponibilizado.Discussão: Apesar da evidência científica ainda ser escassa, a salpingectomia per-cesariana parece exequível e segura, podendo representar a melhor oportunidade para intervenção no contexto da contraceção definitiva.Conclusão: A salpingectomia profilática não é o procedimento de esterilização mais comum em Portugal, mas foi considerada como a escolha mais adequada. Os seus benefícios e riscos devem ser discutidos com as mulheres.
Avaliação da Adequação da Referenciação SNS24 a um Serviço de Urgência Pediátrico Durante a Pandemia COVID-19 em Portugal
Authors: Gonçalves Raquel , Sá Beatriz , Cunha Rita , Winckler Lina , Moleiro Pascoal
Published: April 2021

N/a.
Intravenous paracetamol vs. ketoprofen for pain management after the abdominal aortic surgery – pharmacokinetics and therapeutics
Authors: Rosada-Kurasińska Jowita , Bartkowska-Śniatkowska Alicja , Bienert Agnieszka , Grześkowiak Małgorzata , Sobczyński Paweł , Zielińska Marzena
Published: April 2021

Introduction. Acute postoperative pain continues to be a dilemma to patients and clinicians.Aim. To define the efficacy, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of paracetamol and ketoprofen in patients after the abdominal aortic surgery. Setting and design in University hospital – intensive therapy unit (clinical part), clinical pharmacy and biopharmacy unit (biochemical part), and pharmaceutical company (statistical part). Prospective randomized study.Material and Methods. 40 adult patients (50–84 years) undergoing abdominal aortic surgery were randomized equally into two groups. After extubation the patients in group 1 (G1) were administered a 1 g paracetamol infusion, and in group 2 (G2) – a 100 mg ketoprofen infusion, both within 15 minutes. All the patients received an epidural infusion of bupivacaine with fentanyl. The following parameters were recorded: mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), central venous pressure (CVP), plasma concentration of paracetamol and ketoprofen. Postoperative pain was assessed with the visual analogue scale (VAS).Results. The mean values of the MAP, HR and CVP were within normal limits in the both groups. No significant differences were noticed in the assessment of postoperative pain and total use of an opioid. The mean therapeutic plasma concentration of paracetamol and ketoprofen remained up to 180 minutes and up to 120 minutes, respecively.Conclusions. The study enabled us to conclude that intravenous paracetamol as well as ketoprofen have good effectiveness and tolerability. There is no need to modify dosage of these drugs to elderly patients. After paracetamol infusion the therapeutic plasma concentration remains longer than after the ketoprofen infusion.
Genetic variants and magnetic resonance imaging measures in multiple sclerosis: a systematic review
Authors: Nowak Jan Krzysztof , Guzikowska-Ruszkowska Izabela , Łopaciuch Jadwiga , Jankowska Wiesława , Piotrowska Ewa , Dziedzic-Szeszuła Ewa , Kapecka Kinga , Walkowiak Jarosław
Published: April 2021

Introduction. Although environmental factors play the major role in the etiopathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS), genetic factors are implicated as well. We aimed to summarize the current knowledge on the relationship between genetic variants and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging measures in MS.Material and Methods. A systematic review. In December 2016, Scopus (since the year 1980; including MEDLINE) was searched for studies meeting predefined criteria designed to identify articles regarding: multiple sclerosis, genetic variants, and MR imaging. These were then analyzed to identify publications linking polymorphisms and MR findings.Results. The search yielded 290 items; 26 were included in the final analysis. Two genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and two projects employing panels of a few dozen of genes of interest provided most of the data. The other publications concerned no more than 5 genes at a time. Twenty studies reported positive findings. The relationship between HLA-DRB1*15:01 or BDNF rs6265 (Val66Met) and the radiologic course of MS was not consistent across the studies. An intersection of the results of the two GWAS yielded: OPCML (rs11223055), PTPRD (rs1953594), and WWOX (rs11150140, rs1116525) (brain atrophy) as well as CDH13 (rs692612) and PLCB1 (rs6118257) (lesion load).Conclusions. Genetic variants were shown to correlate with MS-related brain atrophy and lesion load. Further research in the field is required.
Time estimation and time perceiving in patients receiving intravenous anaesthesia for endoscopic procedures
Authors: Płotek Włodzimierz , Sobol-Kwapinska Małgorzata , Cybulski Marcin , Kluzik Anna , Grześkowiak Małgorzata , Drobnik Leon
Published: April 2021

Introduction. The basic goals of the study were to analyze how patients receiving intravenous anaesthesia for endoscopy produce one-minute time intervals after anaesthesia, and to characterize the relationship between attitude towards time and the production of one-minute intervals. Material and methods. Twenty four intravenously anesthetized patients constituted the Anaesthesia Group and 25 nonanesthetized patients formed the Control Group. The Mini-Mental State Examination and the Sense of Coherence Meaningfulness Subscale were used to recognize the problem of dementia and depression, the Time Metaphors Questionnaire was used for the assessment attitudes toward time. Time production of one-minute was measured three times in each of four sessions. Results. The tested participants of both groups shortened the one-minute intervals. Duration of anaesthesia did not affect the time production. Perceiving time as empty and meaningless was related with misestimating time after colonoscopy. Conclusions. Time interpretation by using metaphors and time production are related with each other.
Complete Balanced Atrioventricular Septal Defect – Results of Bi-ventricular Surgical Correction
Authors: Sobieraj Michał , Szemień Michał , Bednarek Marcin , Wojtalik Michał , Mrówczyński Wojciech
Published: April 2021

Aim. The aim of this study was to analyze the results of surgical treatment of balanced AVSD during 10-year period in a single center. The adequacy of atrioventricular valves reconstruction was scrutinized as well as risk factors for mortality, redo surgery, pulmonary hypertension incidence were assessed.Materials and method. One hundred twenty one patients underwent surgical correction of AVSD between 2004 and 2013. All patients were operated by double patch technique with the apposition zone closure. Patients’ median age was: 109 (86–151) days, body weight: 4.5 (4–5.5) kg. Down syndrome was present in 100 (82.6%) patients. Results. Early mortality equaled 17.3% (21 patients) and late mortality was 1.7% (2 patients). Pulmonary hypertension (42.9%) and heart failure (33.3%) were the main causes. Cardiopulmonary bypass time (p < 0.0001), aortic cross-clamping time (p = 0.003), inotropic index value (p < 0.0001), maximal mean pulmonary artery pressure (p = 0.008) were significantly higher in the group of patients who died. Ten patients (8.3%) required early reoperation and nine (9%) required late reoperation. Early postoperative mitral valve regurgitation of III-rd or higher degree was risk factor for early and late reoperations (p = 0.0002). The probability of freedom from all reoperations at 6 months, 1 and 5 years was respectively: 0.83; 0.80 and 0.71.Conclusions. Pulmonary hypertension and low cardiac output syndrome have significant influence on results of AVSD treatment. The predisposing risk factors are prolonged time of surgical procedure and presence of pneumonia. Mitral valve reconstruction quality has an influence for early and late results.
The impact of factors in work environment (especially shift and night work) on neoplasia of female reproductive organs
Authors: Bilski Bartosz , Rzymski Paweł , Tomczyk Katarzyna , Rzymska Izabela
Published: April 2021

Shift work, due to disruption of circadian rhythms, can interfere with a number of physiological functions. It may lead to multiple pathologies (functional gastrointestinal disorders, peptic ulcer disease, hormonal disorders – including impaired melatonin secretion, cardiovascular disease, mental disabilities, neurological disorders etc.). In the last few years, we started to think about the association between disruption in melatonin secretion and the occurrence of certain malignancies. Authors describe and discuss pathophysiology, epidemiological and clinical data concerning influence of shift work to occurrence of some neoplasms.
Selected aspects of end-of-life care in the Intensive Therapy Unit
Authors: Miętkiewicz Sylwia , Siczyńska Bożena , Dyk Danuta
Published: April 2021

End-of-life (EOL) care represents a significant component of palliative/hospice care. It is applied in terminal hours, days or weeks of life, which require a very scrupulous, professional protection and paliative treatment, targeted at alleviation of sufferings. Mortality in wards of anaesthesiology and intense therapy (ICU) reaches 17%-24% and frequently, despite application of modern therapeutic methods, the patient dies. This paper aims at drawing readers’ attention to selected aspects of care given to patients and their families in the end-of-life in ICU. Dying represents a very difficult process not only for the patient and his/her family but also for the staff taking care over the patient. It represents a dynamic process and, therefore, the management should be modified depending on altering condition of a patient and his/her relatives; it is linked to adaptation of care and symptomatic treatment and to meeting half-way anxieties of patient’s relatives. The patient should be viewed in his/her entire set of biological, psychic, spiritual and social needs and it should be born in mind that securing an appropriate comfort of terminal moments in life is occasionally more important than a heroic battle for every minute of life. In the terminal period of life quality of life depends on an appropriate communication, acceptance that the patient and his/her family keep the key for undertaking decisions, for a continuous care, emotional support, for assurance of an appropriate care, correct symptomatic treatment, spiritual, emotional and organizational support.
Cerebrovascular mediated subclinical brain injury – interaction between cardiovascular function, brain structure and cognitive function – study rationale, design and principal methods
Authors: Katulska Katarzyna , Minczykowski Andrzej , Piskorski Jarosław , Wykrętowicz Mateusz , Stajgis Marek , Guzik Przemysław , Wykrętowicz Andrzej
Published: April 2021

Project entitled “Cerebrovascular mediated subclinical brain injury – interaction between cardiovascular function, brain structure and cognitive function- study rationale, design and principal methods” is a cross-sectional study in a group of older individuals with no apparent symptoms of stroke, transient ischemic attacks or cognitive impairment. The primary aim of the projects is further our understanding of the patomechanism of cerebrovascular disease associate brain injury as well as vascular cognitive impairment and give a better insight into the interplay between arterial wall, ventriculo-vascular coupling, wave reflection and pulsatility of the flow and how these interplays are mirrored by MRI neuroimaging. With our novel, interdisciplinary approach, we will define the methodology and build tools for those who want to follow in this challenging and non-standard direction.
Induction of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A by naturally occurring phytochemicals in human hepatoma cells
Authors: Krajka-Kuźniak Violetta , Krysztofiak Adam , Paluszczak Jarosław
Published: April 2021

UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) are important detoxification and drug-metabolizing enzymes, which catalyse the glucuronidation of exogenous and endogenous chemicals. The anti-carcinogenic activity of dietary phytochemicals is partly attributed to the induction of phase II enzymes, including UGT1A. Our earlier study showed that protocatechuic acid increased UGT activity in rat liver. A similar effect was observed for indole-3-carbinol and phenethyl isothiocyanate in rat liver. In this study we assessed the effect of protocatechuic acid, tannic acid, indole-3-carbinol and phenethyl isothiocyanate on the expression and protein level of UGT1A in hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. Cells were incubated with 2µM and 10µM of protocatechuic acid, tannic acid, or indole-3-carbinol and 1µM and 5µM of phenethyl isothiocyanate for 72 hours. Transcript level was measured by RT-PCR and protein level by the immunoblot assay. Treatment with protocatechuic acid, tannic acid, indole-3-carbinol and phenethyl isothiocyanate induced the expression and protein level of UGT1A. Phenethyl isothiocyanate increased the mRNA of UGT1A to the most extent (0.28–5.7 fold change, p < 0.05). Increased expression of UGT1A was accompanied by the enhancement of its protein level, with the exception of protocatechuic acid at the dose of 2µM. Overall, isothiocyanates and indoles were more potent as UGT inducers than phenolic acids. Collectively, the results suggest that the induction of UGT1A could contribute to the hepatoprotective and chemopreventive properties of these phytochemicals.
The role of microparticles in pathomechanisms of diabetic retinopathy – analysis of intercellular communication mechanisms in endothelial aging. Case control study in patients with metabolic syndrome, diabetes type 1 and type 2
Authors: Stępień Ewa , Szuścik Iwona , Tokarz Aleksandra , Enguita Francisco J. , Solnica Bogdan , Żurakowski Aleksander , Małecki Maciej
Published: April 2021

The project is proposed to explain the role of specific circulating microparticles (MPs) as conveyors in trafficking bio-active molecules in type 1 (T1DM) and type 2 (T2DM) diabetic patients with risk of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS). The possible role of miRNAs as modulators of these processes (in switching on/off mechanism on the molecular level) is proposed. An increased number of MPs with respect to glucose concentrations and levels of proangiogenic factors in vivo (patients’ plasma) is expected. The relationship between age of patents and MP content (cell membrane glycoproteins, phosphatidylserine or miRNA profile) is possible. MPs will be obtained from T1DM (n = 30) T2DM (n = 30), MS (n = 30) and controls (n = 30). Retinopathy in diabetic patients will be assessed by imaging method. Biological profile of MPs will be assessed in vitro by means of flow cytometry, molecular biology methods and cell proliferation assays.
Hybrid Classical-Quantum Fitting Attention States to Statistical Mechanics of Neocortical Interactions
Authors: Ingber Lester
Published: April 2021

Hybrid Classical-Quantum computing has already arrived at several commercial quantum computers, offered to researchers and businesses. Here, application is made to a classical-quantum model of human neocortex, Statistical Mechanics of Neocortical Interactions (SMNI), which has had its applications published in many papers since 1981. However, this project only uses Classical (super-)computers. Since 2015, a path-integral algorithm, PATHINT, used previously to accurately describe several systems in several disciplines, has been generalized from 1 dimension to N dimensions, and from classical to quantum systems, qPATHINT. Published papers have described the use of qPATHINT to neocortical interactions and financial options. The classical space described by SMNI applies nonlinear nonequilibrium multivariate statistical mechanics to synaptic neuronal interactions, while the quantum space described by qPATHINT applies synaptic contributions from Ca2+ waves generated by astrocytes at tripartite neuron-astrocyte-neuron sites. Previous SMNI publications since 2013 have calculated the astrocyte Ca2+ wave synaptic interactions from a closed-form (analytic) expression derived by the Principal Investigator. However, more realistic random shocks to the Ca2+ waves from ions entering and leaving these wave packets should be included using qPATHINT between electroencephalographic (EEG) measurements which decohere the quantum wave packets. This current project extends calculations to multiple scales of interaction between classical events and expectations over the Ca2+ quantum processes to include these random shocks in previous codes used to fit EEG data to the SMNI model, that included the analytic forms for the quantum processes but now replaced by qPATHINT. The Principal Investigator's Adaptive Simulated Annealing (ASA) importance-sampling optimization code is used for fitting the combined classical-quantum system. Gaussian Quadratures is used for numerical calculation of momenta expectations of the astrocyte processes that contribute to SMNI synaptic interactions. This project thereby demonstrates how some hybrid classical-quantum systems may be calculated quite well using only classical (super-)computers.