bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with modern family planning use among women living with HIV who attended care and treatment clinics in Jigjiga town, Eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Aradom Habtom Semereab , Sendo Endalew Gemechu , Teshome Girum Sebsibe , Dinegde Negalign Getahun , Demie Takele Gezahegn
Published: December 2020

Background:

Family planning helps to reduce the number of high-risk births and prevent unplanned pregnancies and mother-to-child transmission of HIV. The main purpose of this study was to determine the usage of family planning and its associated factors among women living with HIV who attended care and treatment clinics.

Methods:

This was a health facility–based cross-sectional study conducted among 332 sexually active reproductive-age women living with HIV who visited care and treatment clinics from 15 April and 15 June 2017. We used a systematic sampling technique for sample selection. The data were collected using pretested and structured questionnaires through face-to-face interviews. Seriously ill women living with HIV who were unable to respond to the questionnaire and refused to participate were excluded from this study. Logistic regression was fitted, and an odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval with a p value less than 0.05 was used to identify factors associated with modern family planning use.

Result:

The study revealed that the overall use of the modern family planning method was 56.3%, and the most common method used was injectable (37.4%) followed by implants (28.9%). About 19% of the users reported dual contraceptive use. About 58% got family planning from antiretroviral therapy clinics. Almost all the women (97.6%) had heard of seven modern family planning methods. Desire to have another child was the most common (79.7%) reason for not using family planning. Women who attended primary/secondary education (adjusted odds ratio: 2.61; 95% confidence interval: 1.29–5.28], who had no future fertility desire (adjusted odds ratio: 2.94; 95% confidence interval: 1.51–5.73), who had discussed family planning with their husband (adjusted odds ratio: 2.06; 95% confidence interval: 1.04–4.10), and who were counseled by the antiretroviral therapy provider about family planning (adjusted odds ratio: 4.53; 95% confidence interval: 1.70–12.06) were more likely to use family planning methods than their counterparts.

Conclusion:

The results of this study revealed that the use of modern family planning was low. There is a high frequency of implant usage, fear of mother-to-child transmission as a motivator for family planning usage, and low dual method usage. Hence, improving women’s education, involving husbands, and consistent family planning counseling by antiretroviral therapy providers are promising strategies to improve the uptake of modern family planning by women living with HIV.
Risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children born from different ART treatments: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Djuwantono Tono , Aviani Jenifer Kiem , Permadi Wiryawan , Achmad Tri Hanggono , Halim Danny
Published: December 2020

Background

Various techniques in assisted reproductive technology (ART) have been developed as solutions for specific infertility problems. It is important to gain consensual conclusions on the actual risks of neurodevelopmental disorders among children who are born from ART. This study aimed to quantify the relative risks of cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and behavioral problems in children from different ART methods by using systematic review and meta-analysis. Healthcare providers could use the results of this study to suggest the suitable ART technique and plan optimum postnatal care.

Methods

Pubmed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases were used to search for studies up to January 2020. Of the 181 screened full manuscripts, 17 studies (9.39%) fulfilled the selection criteria. Based on the Newcastle-Ottawa scale ratings, 7 studies were excluded, resulting in 10 studies that were eventually included in the meta-analyses. Mantel-Haenszel risk ratio model was used in the meta-analysis, and the results are described using forest plot with 95% confidence interval. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 value.

Results

Pooled evaluation of 10 studies showed that the risk of cerebral palsy in children from assisted reproductive technology (ART) is higher than children from natural conceptions (risk ratio [RR] 1.82, [1.41, 2.34]; P = 0.00001). Risk of intellectual disability (RR 1.46, [1.03, 2.08]; P = 0.03) and ASD (RR 1.49 [1.05, 2.11]; P = 0.03) are higher in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) children compared to conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) children. The differences in the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children born after frozen and fresh embryo transfers are not significant. Analysis on potential cofounder effects, including multiple birth, preterm birth, and low birth body weight highlight possibilities of significant correlation to the risks of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Conclusions

Pooled estimates suggest that children born after ART are at higher risk of acquiring cerebral palsy. ICSI treatment causes higher risk of intellectual disability and ASD. These findings suggest the importance of the availability of intensive care unit at the time of delivery and long-term developmental evaluation particularly in children from ICSI.
Mutational Analysis of Ocriplasmin to Reduce Proteolytic and Autolytic Activity in Pichia pastoris
Authors: Baghban Roghayyeh , Farajnia Safar , Ghasemi Younes , Hoseinpoor Reyhaneh , Safary Azam , Mortazavi Mojtaba , Zarghami Nosratollah
Published: December 2020

Background

Ocriplasmin (Jetrea) is using for the treatment of symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion. This enzyme undergoes rapid inactivation and limited activity duration as a result of its autolytic nature after injection within the eye. Moreover, the proteolytic activity can cause photoreceptor damage, which may result in visual impairment in more serious cases.

Results

The present research aimed to reduce the disadvantages of ocriplasmin using site-directed mutagenesis. To reduce the autolytic activity of ocriplasmin in the first variant, lysine 156 changed to glutamic acid and, in the second variant for the proteolytic activity reduction, alanine 59 mutated to threonine. The third variant contained both mutations. Expression of wild type and three mutant variants of ocriplasmin constructs were done in the Pichia pastoris expression system. The mutant variants were analyzed in silico and in vitro and compared to the wild type. The kinetic parameters of ocriplasmin variants showed both variants with K156E substitution were more resistant to autolytic degradation than wild-type. These variants also exhibited reduced Kcat and Vmax values. An increase in their Km values, leading to a decreased catalytic efficiency (the Kcat/Km ratio) of autolytic and mixed variants. Moreover, in the variant with A59T mutation, Kcat and Vmax values have reduced compared to wild type. The mix variants showed the most increase in Km value (almost 2-fold) as well as reduced enzymatic affinity to the substrate. Thus, the results indicated that combined mutations at the ocriplasmin sequence were more effective compared with single mutations.

Conclusions

The results indicated such variants represent valuable tools for the investigation of therapeutic strategies aiming at the non-surgical resolution of vitreomacular adhesion.
Telehealth consultations in general practice during a pandemic lockdown: survey and interviews on patient experiences and preferences
Authors: Imlach Fiona , McKinlay Eileen , Middleton Lesley , Kennedy Jonathan , Pledger Megan , Russell Lynne , Churchward Marianna , Cumming Jacqueline , McBride-Henry Karen
Published: December 2020

Background

During the first COVID-19 pandemic ‘lockdown’ in Aotearoa/New Zealand (March–May 2020, in which strict ‘stay at home’ measures were introduced), general practices were advised to use telephone and video consultations (telehealth) wherever possible instead of the usual in-person visits. This was a sudden change for most practices and patients. This research aimed to explore how patients accessed general practice during lockdown and evaluate their experiences with telehealth, to inform how telehealth could be most effectively used in the future.

Methods

Using a mixed-method approach, we undertook an online survey and in-depth interviews with adults (> 18 years) who had contact with practices during lockdown, recruited through social media and email lists. We present descriptive statistics from the survey data (n = 1010) and qualitative analysis of interview data (n = 38) and open-ended survey questions, using a framework of access to health care, from the patient’s perspective.

Results

In general, patients reported high satisfaction with telehealth in general practice during lockdown. Telehealth was convenient and allowed patients to safely access health care without having to weigh-up the fear of COVID-19 infection against the need to be seen. Telehealth worked best for routine and familiar health issues and when rapport was established between patients and clinicians. This was easier with a pre-existing clinical relationship, but not impossible without one. Telehealth was less suitable when a physical examination was needed, when the diagnosis was unknown or for patients who had a strong preference to be seen in-person.

Conclusions

Even in this disruptive lockdown period, that prompted an unexpected and rapid implementation of telehealth services in general practices, most patients had positive experiences with telehealth. In the future, patients want the choice of consultation type to match their needs, circumstances, and preferences. Technological issues and funding barriers may need to be addressed, and clear communication for both patients and clinicians is needed about key aspects of telehealth (e.g. cost, appropriateness, privacy). Maintaining telehealth as an option post-lockdown has the potential to increase timely and safe access to primary health care for many patients.
Aligning text mining and machine learning algorithms with best practices for study selection in systematic literature reviews
Authors: Popoff E. , Besada M. , Jansen J. P. , Cope S. , Kanters S.
Published: December 2020

Background

Despite existing research on text mining and machine learning for title and abstract screening, the role of machine learning within systematic literature reviews (SLRs) for health technology assessment (HTA) remains unclear given lack of extensive testing and of guidance from HTA agencies. We sought to address two knowledge gaps: to extend ML algorithms to provide a reason for exclusion—to align with current practices—and to determine optimal parameter settings for feature-set generation and ML algorithms.

Methods

We used abstract and full-text selection data from five large SLRs (n = 3089 to 12,769 abstracts) across a variety of disease areas. Each SLR was split into training and test sets. We developed a multi-step algorithm to categorize each citation into the following categories: included; excluded for each PICOS criterion; or unclassified. We used a bag-of-words approach for feature-set generation and compared machine learning algorithms using support vector machines (SVMs), naïve Bayes (NB), and bagged classification and regression trees (CART) for classification. We also compared alternative training set strategies: using full data versus downsampling (i.e., reducing excludes to balance includes/excludes because machine learning algorithms perform better with balanced data), and using inclusion/exclusion decisions from abstract versus full-text screening. Performance comparisons were in terms of specificity, sensitivity, accuracy, and matching the reason for exclusion.

Results

The best-fitting model (optimized sensitivity and specificity) was based on the SVM algorithm using training data based on full-text decisions, downsampling, and excluding words occurring fewer than five times. The sensitivity and specificity of this model ranged from 94 to 100%, and 54 to 89%, respectively, across the five SLRs. On average, 75% of excluded citations were excluded with a reason and 83% of these citations matched the reviewers’ original reason for exclusion. Sensitivity significantly improved when both downsampling and abstract decisions were used.

Conclusions

ML algorithms can improve the efficiency of the SLR process and the proposed algorithms could reduce the workload of a second reviewer by identifying exclusions with a relevant PICOS reason, thus aligning with HTA guidance. Downsampling can be used to improve study selection, and improvements using full-text exclusions have implications for a learn-as-you-go approach.
Fighting through emotional trials: exploring the role of karate in emotional reflexivity
Authors: Maclean Chloe
Published: December 2020

Emotional trials – such as break-ups, abuse, bereavement and ill physical or mental health – are a common part of life. These are events that interrupt our everyday routine sense of normality, and are often accompanied by increased reflexivity. Much of the literature on how we reflexively come to understand and make our way through emotional trials focuses on verbal reflection. What we ‘do’ when we do reflexivity is often overlooked (Brownlie, 2014). This article, looks to expand Brownlie’s contention that leisure pursuits ‘are a way of engaging in reflexivity, that is, thinking and feeling through an activity’ (Brownlie, 2014: 158) by exploring the role of karate practice in reflexively working through emotional trials. This article draws on data from four photo-elicitation interviews and participant observations from two karate clubs drawn across nine months. Findings suggest that karate practice facilitated participants’ reflexive processes during times of emotional trial. Karate practice worked to provide temporal relief from inner talk related to participants’ emotional trials, and provided a space to ‘release’ negative emotions associated with their trials. Through achieving small physical accomplishments, participants perceived karate practice as a way to develop a ‘better self’ during or after an emotional trial. This article concludes that understanding active processes of doing reflexivity is essential for understanding how people make sense of and move on from emotional trials.
Asymmetric voltage waveform for enhanced exciton generation in alternative-current field-induced electroluminescence device
Authors: Kim Byeonggon , An Su-Min , Lim Duck-Kyu , Kim Chi-Heon , Park Ji-Sub , Kim Hak-Rin
Published: December 2020

We propose an alternating current (AC) field operation scheme by using an asymmetric voltage waveform to improve the electroluminescence property of AC field-induced electroluminescence (AC-FIEL) devices. Hole injection and transport can be improved by carbon nanotubes (CNT) doping into the emission layer of an AC-FIEL structure operated by a single electrode for AC-responsive alternating carrier injections. However, under an AC operation, highly unbalanced charge transports are inevitably present in CNT-doped AC-FIEL devices due to faster carrier paths through CNTs. Compared with symmetric waveform, asymmetric waveform can be adjusted to allow longer relative duty time for faster carriers in which the luminance level of CNT-doped AC-FIEL devices can be improved by 1.4 times at the same device structure and operation frequency condition.
Simulation of the laser-induced oxidation process in fabricated Sn-MTMO grayscale photomasks
Authors: Xia Feng , Zhang Kun , Li Shixia , Yun Maojin , Kong Weijin , Zhang Xinzheng , Liu Qian
Published: December 2020

Recently, metal-transparent-metallic-oxides (MTMO) grayscale photomasks fabricated by laser direct writing technology have been widely considered for its advantages, such as a low cost system, simple preparation techniques, high resolution, and good photo-thermal stability. Compared with In-MTMO, Sn-MTMO grayscale photomasks are more stable and cheaper, but its oxide components are more complex. In this paper, we proposed a simple Sn/SnO
x
multilayer oxidation model to simulate the laser-induced oxidation processes of fabricating Sn-MTMO grayscale photomasks based on the laser-induced Cabrera-Mott oxidation theory. Simulation results are consistent with the experimental results. This work will pave the way to study the fabrication improvements of Sn-MTMO grayscale photomasks on resolution and efficiency.
Post-stroke depression and the abilities of antidepressants to enhance the effectiveness of neurorehabilitation
Authors: Kotov S. V. , Isakova E. V. , Egorova Yu. V.
Published: December 2020

Stroke is the leading cause of disability in adults. Depression after a stroke is detected in one third of patients, complicating physical rehabilitation, worsening functional outcome, increasing mortality rates. The question of the use of antidepressants in the treatment of post-stroke depression is currently not completely resolved, there is no consensus on the most optimal drug. The drugs of choice are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, the use of tricyclic antidepressants is possible. A number of clinical studies indicate the effectiveness of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in the treatment of post-stroke depression, including through mechanisms including increased neuroplasticity and stimulation of neurogenesis, while others disprove their effectiveness. The article presents a clinical case of the use of vortiroxetin in the patient’s neurorehabilitation in the early recovery period of a stroke, its safety and positive effect are shown.
Normal pressure hydrocephalus and cerebral amyloid angiopathy: a set of diseases or the unity of pathogenesis?
Authors: Mendelevich E. G.
Published: December 2020

Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is cerebral ventriculomegaly characterized by a wide range of controversial issues related to the prevalence of the disease, the mechanisms of its development, and nosological independence. Developing in old age, NTH is often concurrent with other neurodegenerative or cerebrovascular diseases, posing certain diagnostic difficulties. The paper describes a clinical case of a patient initially diagnosed with NTH, followed by amyloid angiopathy signs detected during magnetic resonance imaging after bypass surgery. It discusses the diagnostic features of NTH and amyloid angiopathy and the possible common mechanisms of these diseases.
Efficacy and safety of antipsychotics in adolescents with an acute psychotic episode in relation to the activity of CYP3A and CYP2D6 isoenzymes
Authors: Ivashchenko D. V. , Osipov A. S. , Nazarova E. V. , Ovchinnikova M. A. , Buromskaya N. I. , Smirnov V. V. , Shimanov P. V. , Deitch R. V. , Fainshtein T. A. , Shagovenko E. N. , Akmalova K. A. , Kachanova A. A. , Grishina E. A. , Savchenko L. M. , Shevchenko Yu. S. , Sychev D. A.
Published: December 2020

Antipsychotics are a first-line treatment for psychotic disorders. The cytochrome P450 isoenzymes CYP3A4/5 and CYP2D6 metabolize most antipsychotics. The activity of these isoenzymes in children changes with maturation, so it is different from that in adults. Objective: to study the associations of CYP3A and CYP2D6 isoenzyme activity parameters with the efficacy and safety of antipsychotics in adolescents with an acute psychotic episode. Patients and methods. The investigation enrolled 53 adolescents with an acute psychotic episode who took antipsychotics. The observation period lasted 14 days. The CGAS, PANSS, UKU SERS, SAS, and BARS scales were used to evaluate the efficiency and safety of the therapy on day 14. The activity of CYP3A and CYP2D6 isoenzymes was measured by determining the metabolic ratios of the concentrations of endogenous substrates of the isoenzymes and their metabolites in a morning urine sample on days 1 and 14 of the study. The activity of CYP3A was assessed by the 6-beta hydroxycortisol/cortisol ratio; that of CYP2D6 was measured by the 6-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline/pinoline ratio. The influence of carriage of polymorphic variants CYP2D6*4,*9,*10, CYP3A4*22, CYP3A5*3 on the activity of isoenzymes was excluded by removing their carriers from the analysis. Results and discussion. The investigators revealed an association of certain antipsychotic-induced undesirable symptoms with CYP3A and CYP2D6 activity parameters. On day 1, a lower CYP2D6 activity was initially observed in patients with tremor (0.54 [0.34; 1.34] vs 1.25 [0.91; 1.75]; p=0.023). Also, patients with any documented adverse reaction (ARs) to therapy had initially a decreased CYP3A activity (1.2 [0.85; 2.29] vs 2.55 [1.44; 4.83]; p=0.047) and an enhanced CYP3A activity during therapy (the activity difference between day 14 and day 1 was 0.28 [-0.28; 2.32] vs -1.3 [-3.47; 0.66]; p=0.042). Conclusion. The initially reduced activity of CYP2D6 and CYP3A isoenzymes is a significant predictor of antipsychotic-induced ARs in adolescents with an acute psychotic episode. The predictive role of CYP2D6 and CYP3A activity levels in the efficacy of antipsychotics has not been confirmed.
A case of fixation amnesia in Langerhans cell histiocytosis involving the central nervous system
Authors: Lukina L. V. , Mikhailov V. A. , Ananyeva N. I. , Mazo G. E. , Sitnik L. I. , Kasyanov E. D.
Published: December 2020

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disease with hitherto unknown etiology and pathogenesis. It is extremely rare for clinicians to encounter histiocytic lesions of the central nervous system (CNS); the proportion of cases of which is only 1–4% of all polysystemic and multifocal bone lesions. The paper describes a clinical case of fixation amnesia in a female patient with focal brain lesions in LCH. It depicts the most characteristic clinical features and presents an algorithm for the diagnosis of histiocytic brain lesion. The results of the experimental psychological examination of the patient are considered in detail and the clinical presentations of fixation amnesia are described. There are neuroimaging data showing the lesions in the hypothalamic-pituitary region and temporal bone, which involve the auditory structures. The clinical findings have led to the conclusion that both the clinical and neuroimaging patterns of histiocytic lesions in the CNS are non-specific, which complicates the diagnostic search in LCH. For correct diagnosis and timely treatment, it is necessary to perform a biopsy of the pathological focus, followed by histological and immunohistochemical examination of the material.
Use of akatinol memantine for the treatment of Korsakoff's syndrome: a clinical case
Authors: Tyuvina N. A. , Maksimova T. N. , Prokhorova S. V. , Vysokova V. O.
Published: December 2020

Approaches to treating cognitive-amnestic disorders of various origins, including Korsakoff's syndrome (KS), are currently being actively elaborated. KS is manifested by severe memory impairment, leading to disability. It is quite common in alcohol abusers. There is still no proven effective treatment for KS. In view of the fact that studies on the treatment of KS have been very few, there are no clear recommendations for its most effective treatment. There has been evidence that in addition to thiamine deficiency, the toxic effect of glutamate that is actively released through binding to NMDA receptors during the ethanol withdrawal period is the basis for KS development. Memantine, a noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist, has recently been used successfully to treat KS. The paper describes a clinical case of a 55-year-old patient with KS treated with akatinol memantine, in which the latter has demonstrated its high efficacy and good tolerance. Analysis of the data available in the literature and the presented clinical case suggest that it is advisable to prescribe memantine for patients with alcohol-related memory impairment.
Computer-based cognitive stimulation for posttraumatic cognitive impairment: a clinical case
Authors: Zubritskaya E. M. , Prokopenko S. V. , Mozheyko E. Yu. , Gurevich V. A.
Published: December 2020

The paper describes a clinical case of applying a set of computer-based stimulation programs for cognitive impairment arising from severe open traumatic brain injury (TBI). It demonstrates the rehabilitation capabilities of a set of «Neurotechnology+» stimulation programs for correction of cognitive deficits in patients with dysregulated moderate cognitive impairment resulting from experienced severe open TBI. It is noted that the use of a set of the programs contributed to the improvement of impaired regulatory and neurodynamic functions, the expansion of phonemic and semantic speech activity, and the improvement of memory processes. The described case suggests that computer-based cognitive training has a positive impact on cognitive recovery after post-traumatic brain injury.
Biomarkers of atrial cardiopathy in patients with different pathogenetic subtypes of ischemic stroke
Authors: Mekhryakov S. A. , Kulesh A. A. , Syromyatnikova L. I. , Sobyanin К. V.
Published: December 2020

Studies of the biomarkers of atrial cardiopathy seem to be promising for identifying patients with cryptogenic stroke (CS), in which an intensive search for atrial fibrillation is indicated. Nevertheless, the diagnostic value of these markers and their threshold values require clarification.

Objective: to present the characteristics of echocardiographic markers for atrial cardiopathy and the serum concentration of N-terminal pro-Btype natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in embolic CS versus cardioembolic stroke (CES) and non-cardioembolic stroke (non-CES) to determine the threshold values of parameters with the highest sensitivity and specificity in differentiating CES and non-CES.

Patients and methods. A total of 259 patients with ischemic stroke were examined. The standard examination additionally involved calculation of the parameters that reflected left atrial LA) function (LAF): LA emptying fraction (LAEF), and LA functional index (LAFI). The serum NT-proBNP concentration was also determined in 75 patients.

Results and discussion. The patients with CES versus those with CS and non-CES were characterized by a considerable increase in LA diameter (4.3 [3.5; 4.5] cm vs 3.7 [3.4; 4.0] cm vs 3.7 [3.4; 3.9] cm; p=0.005 and p=0.009, respectively), LAVI (35.7 [30.5; 39.9] ml/m2 vs 28.5 [25.6; 34.6] ml/m2 vs 27.1 [24.5; 31.2] ml/m2 ; p< 0.001) and NT-proBNP level (559 [409; 1144] pg/ml vs 164 [65; 308] pg/ml vs 191 [63; 446] pg/ml; p=0.002 and p=0.019, respectively), as well as by a lower LAEF value [50.3 [48.5; 51.1]% vs 54.7 [51.6; 56.6]% vs 54.9 [52.5; 56.8]%; p< 0.001). The only parameter that showed significant differences between all the three groups (CES, CS, and nonCES) was LAFI (0.24 [0.2; 0.32] units vs 0.37 [0.3; 0.47] units vs 0.40 [0.34; 0.47] units; p<0.00 1), while maintaining the differences in the values for the two groups (CS and non-CES) (p=0.004). The following threshold values of biomarkers were obtained for CES and nonCES; these were a LA diameter of 41.5 mm (p< 0.001), a LAVI of 36.3 ml/m2 (p< 0.001), a LAEF of 51.8% (p< 0.001), a LAFI of 0.28 units (p< 0.001), and an NT-proBNP of 316 pg/ml (p< 0.001). Analysis of the ROC curves and the area under the curve (AUC) revealed that the most informative criteria for sensitivity and specificity were LAEF (79 and 88%, AUC 0.89), NT-proBNP (67 and 91%, AUC 0.89) and LAFI (93 and 72%, AUC 0.81).

Conclusion. The CS group and non-CES one are comparable in the echocardiographic manifestations of atrial cardiopathy and in serum NTproBNP values. LAEF and NT-proBNP concentrations are promising biomarkers to classify CS patients into potential arterio- and cardioembolic types.
Cerebral glucose metabolism and cognitive impairment in tremor-dominant and akinetic-rigid subtypes of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Miliukhina I. V. , Khomenko Yu. G. , Gracheva E. V. , Kataeva G. V. , Gromova E. A.
Published: December 2020

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a disease characterized by marked phenotypic heterogeneity. The akinetic-rigid (AR) and tremor-dominant (TD) types of PD differ not only in motor manifestations, but also in the severity of non-motor symptoms, including cognitive impairment (CI). It is the PD heterogeneity study that can achieve the task of creating a modern personalized therapy for this disease.

Objective: to study the characteristics of cerebral glucose metabolism in CI in patients with AR and TD PD.

Patients and methods. Examinations were made in 69 patients with PD (the TD and AR subtypes were in 23 and 46 patients, respectively). Their cognitive status was assessed using the Mini-mental State Examination, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, the Frontal Assessment Battery, and the Clock Drawing Test. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography was performed according to the standard procedure; glucose metabolism rate (GMR) was determined in different Brodmann areas (BA).

Results and discussion. GMR in the frontal areas (right BA 6, 8, 9, 46 and left BA 46) was lower in the AR group that in the TD one (p< 0.05). The severity of CI in the AR group correlated with GMR in the parietal and posterior cingulate cortex (BA 7, 23, 26, 29, 30, and 31). The TD group showed correlations of the values of cognitive tests mainly with GMR in the frontal and anterior cingulate cortex (BA 6, 8–11, 24), and in the parietal (BA 7) and temporal cortices (BA 22). The only area, in which GMR correlated with cognitive performance in both groups, was BA 7.

Conclusion. Two distinct patterns of GMR were identified in AR and TD within the general pattern of decreased cerebral glucose metabolism, which was specific for CI in PD. The findings may suggest that there are two different CI pathogenetic mechanisms associated with the clinical subtypes of PD.
Mapping the limb muscle motor points for targeted administration of botulinum toxin in the treatment of focal and segmental spasticity
Authors: Kovalenko A. P. , Sinelnikov K. A. , Shamigulov V. D. , Akhmedov N. N. , Shamina E. M.
Published: December 2020

Spasticity treatment remains an urgent problem of modern neurorehabilitation. The targeted injection of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) into the muscle motor points (MPs) is gaining more and more popularity. But there are insufficient data on the position of MPs, while a MP search methodology has not been worked out yet. Most information about MPs has been obtained on cadaveric material using anatomical dissection or Sihler’s staining technique. Clinical data on the targeted injection of BoNT into the MPs are contradictory, which may be due to the inaccurate determination of their position.

Objective: to verify upper and lower limb muscle MPs through electromyography (EMG).

Patients and methods. Forty healthy volunteers were examined and underwent anthropometric assessment. Upper and lower limb muscle projections were completely scanned using EMG and ultrasound.

Results and discussion. The anatomical localization of MPs in the upper and lower limb muscles involved in spasticity patterns was determined. The position of MPs was found to populationally identical, to have a slight deviation associated with the limb length, and to be unrelated to gender, age, and limb dominance. Original tables and maps for limb MP localization were created.

Conclusion. The findings can enhance the efficiency of BoNT administration and improve the quality of rehabilitation measures, since the use of reliable information on the position of MPs will allow targeted BoNT injection in the immediate vicinity of the site of biological action. In clinical practice, this opens a window of opportunity for the early initiation of rehabilitation measures aimed at restoring movement.
Contemporary views of the mechanisms for development of myofascial pain syndrome and its treatment strategies
Authors: Tabeeva G. R. , Kiryanova E. A.
Published: December 2020

Myofascial pain syndrome (MFPS) is a regional pain syndrome that can be diagnosed in any age group and is characterized by the presence of a trigger point in the muscle involved in the pathological process. Clarifying the molecular mechanisms of trigger point formation and dysregulation of specific skeletal muscle proteins is important to understand the causes of abnormal sarcomere contraction observed in myofascial pain. Wide variability in using the diagnostic criteria in some cases leads to the impossibility of performing a meta-analysis of the data; in this connection, the search for the gold standard for MFPS diagnosis is actively underway. At the moment, a special clinical examination is of paramount diagnostic value. The paper considers various treatment options for myofascial pain and discusses the priority importance of using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants, as well as non-drug therapies.
Early diagnosis and treatment of diabetic and alcoholic polyneuropathy in outpatient practice
Authors: Golovacheva V. A.
Published: December 2020

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic alcoholism (CA) are diseases that damage many organs and systems of the body and, in particular, lead to peripheral neuropathies. The pathogenesis of peripheral neuropathies caused by diabetes mellitus (DM) and CA is complex and diverse. Different types of peripheral neuropathies develop according to the leading pathogenetic mechanism. The most common type of peripheral neuropathy in DM is diabetic distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSPN) and that in CA is alcoholic polyneuropathy (APN). The principles of diagnosis and treatment of DSPN and APN are considered. Treatment of DSPN and APN is complex, which is aimed at treating the underlying disease and includes non-drug and drug treatments. The mainstay of DSPN treatment is achievement of the optimal blood glucose level, maintenance of a healthy lifestyle (diet, daily activity), and correction of cardiovascular comorbidities (if any) with symptomatic pharmacotherapy for neuropathic pain (if any) with antidepressants or anticonvulsants. Antioxidants, such as B group vitamins (B1, B6 and B12) and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), are widely used to treat DSPN in clinical practice. APN treatment involves cessation of alcohol consumption, physical and mental rehabilitation, and intake of B group vitamins (B1, B2, B6 and B12). The use of ALA in DSPN and APN is discussed.
Religions in Times of Peace: Conceptualizing the Practice of Interreligious Dialogue in the Post‐ Conflict Environment
Authors: Fitriyah Lailatul
Published: December 2020

The article makes the case of collaborating the notion of interreligious dialogueand the concept of the zone of peace in an attempt to provide a more practical yeteffective channel of reconciliation in the context of post‐interreligious violence. There arethree critics implied throughout the article. First, that the current state of most ofinterreligious dialogue in post‐conflict settings is lack of two things, namely, the inclusivestructure that would allow non‐scholars and non‐clergies to engage in the theologicaldialogue, and a coherent structure for the currently diasporic efforts in interreligiousdialogue. Second, that the concept of zone of peace is severely limited, particularly due toits dependence on material modalities in forging the path of reconciliation toward peace.And third, that the elusive and elitist nature of interreligious dialogue in post‐conflictsettings, and the limited material modalities of the zone of peace can be expanded bycollaborating the two notions into an applicable zone of interreligious peace. Lastly, thepaper will take the case of the village of Latta in Maluku to present a practical context forthe zone of interreligious peace.Keywords: interreligious dialogue, zone of peace, post-interreligious violence
Paradiplomasi Menuju Kota Dunia: Studi Kasus Pemerintah Kota Makassar
Authors: Fathun Laode Muhamad
Published: December 2020

The transformation of governance from centralized to decentralized opens the role of local governments to contribute in advancing national interests. The birth of the Regional Autonomy Law as a legal framework for local governments to pursue development goals by looking at a number of potentials they have. The role of local governments is not only becoming a local actor but also an international actor known as ‘paradiplomacy’. The example of paradiplomacy in international relations is initiating cooperation on foreign investment to attract foreign investors. Makassar is one city that has been implementing paradiplomacy to create a smart city in order to achive good governance characterized by integrity, accountability, and transparent. Therefore, due to the rapid progress of the information technology every single town and district as well as province should create IT-based smart city to create a public service that is more efficient and innovative. Keywords: Transformation of governance, paradiplomacy, investment, international relations, smart city, information technology
NGOs, Political Protest and Civil Society: Book Review
Authors: Gozutok Mahmut Ulas
Published: December 2020

Non‐governmental organizations (NGOs) play a key role for providing a platform for citizens to raise their discontents in democratic settings. NGO activities for encouraging democratic public engagement pose no threats against stability in consolidated democratic regimes with effectively functioning political parties. On the other hand, they can be acontentious issue in countries with shaky foundations of democracy. In fact, Huntington mainly champions in one of his most widely cited works by the civil society literature the idea that associations of social capital such as civil society can have detrimental repercussions on stability and order in infantile democratic regimes since political parties in such contexts are argued to be ill‐equipped to handle challenges brought bymodernization. On the other hand, primary elements of social capital (i.e.civil society) are acknowledged to be the prerequisites for effectivefunctioning of democracies.Keywords: NGOs, democracy, civil society, social capital
Opini Publik dan Politik Luar Negeri: Sikap Masyarakat Indonesia terhadap ODA Jepang dalam Proyek PLTA Koto Panjang dan Hubungan Bilateral Indonesia-Jepang
Authors: Kashiwabara Keigo
Published: December 2020

Japan has been playing an important role in the international society, especially in the field of the development of developing countries, through its ODA (Official Development Assistance). Indonesia, which has the biggest economic potential in Southeast Asia, is the largest recipient of Japanese ODA. Economic cooperation through ODA now functions as the core of the amicable bilateral relations between the two countries. However, ODA alternatively has had some negative aspects on its recipients. Some of the ODA projects (called Mondai-ankens) have actually triggered various problems at project sites and have consequently afflicted the local people. The most well-known mondai-anken that aroused national discussion on ODA policy is Koto Panjang Hydropower Plant Project implemented in Riau Province, in 1991-1997. The local community has been critical of Japanese ODA since the implementation of the project, which was done in a coercive manner under the Soeharto administration, caused costly damage to the local people such as poverty, scarcity of food, environmental destructuion, and so on. Although the mondai-anken issue caused considerable damage to the recipient country’s people, and the local commnity filed a complaint to the donor country, this issue had no political impact to the bilateral relations between the two countries.Keywords: ODA (Official Depelopment Assistance), Mondai-anken, Economic cooperation, Japan, Indonesia
Pembentukan Opini Publik oleh Media: Cable News Network (CNN) Indonesia dalam 2018 North Korea–United States Singapore Summit
Authors: Dalila Alya , Purnama Chandra
Published: December 2020

It is undeniable that media is mostly used as a propaganda tool of the political elite to achieve the national interest of its country. This research identifies and explains the establishment of CNN Indonesia in making public opinion as one of the extensions on CNN International regarding the Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump Summit in Singapore in 2018. This research utilized: agenda-setting, priming and framing theory to find out the detail process of forming public opinion by CNN Indonesia. This research also utilizes qualitative research methods based on Robert E. Stake’s explanation. The finding suggests that CNN Indonesia, through its agenda-setting, was able to make the summit has an urgency to be discussed in public. Its priming is able to increasing awareness of the importance of denuclearization and world peace which has been Indonesa’s foreign policy agenda. Through its framing, CNN Indonesia attempted to construct public opinion that the United States able to utilize its super power label in order to perquisite many parties, namely creating the world peace.
Sanksi Ekonomi dalam Tinjauan Politik dan Diplomasi Internasional: Resensi Buku
Authors: Ismail Achmad
Published: December 2020

Artikel ini membahas buku berjudul 'Sanksi Ekonomi: Tinjauan Politik dan Diplomasi Internasional yang ditulis Mohamad Rosyidin dan Elpeni Fitrah. Buku ini sangat komprehensif, terstruktur dan sistematis. Hal tersebut tersurat dari komposisi buku yang disusun. Para penulis membaginya kedalam dua bagian utama. Bagian pertama, para penulis berfokus menjabarkan tentang sanksi ekonomi dalam tataran perspektif teoritis dan bagian kedua, memberikan fokus bahasannya pada beberapa studi kasus penerapan sanksi ekonomi. Inilah yang membuat para pembaca buku ini menjadi lebih paham terkait sanksi ekonomi. Pemahaman ini tercuat karena tidak hanya sekedar dibahas pada tataran teoritis, juga menjadi lebih paham pada beberapa studi kasus secara faktual. Pembabakan seperti ini memberikan pemahaman lebih jelas kepada para akademisi HI memandang sanksi ekonomi ke dalam beberapa perspektif HI, oleh karenanya menjadi penjelas sekaligus pembeda bagaimana beberapa perspektif HI memandang satu fenomena yaitu sanksi ekonomi. Hadirnya beberapa contoh kasus dalam bab buku ini mengindikasikan pula kekuatannya, dengan kata lain, pembaca dihadapkan langsung ke dalam penerapan perspektif HI, keberhasilan/kegagalan serta dilema yang dihadapi dalam penerapan sanksi ekonomi.
Paradiplomasi Bandung Menuju Kota Wisata Halal
Authors: Dermawan Windy , Akim Akim , Primawanti Henike
Published: December 2020

This research aims to analyze paradiplomacy of Bandung City towards global public in the development of halal tourism. Paradiplomacy becomes important for subnational actors in the development of local resources and the use of foreign resources. Potential areas that have the opportunity to be developed is halal tourism, which is one of the new trends in tourism in the world. The Bandung city is one of the leading regions in the creative economy in West Java that sees this potential and participates in driving regional development through halal tourism. The method in this research is qualitative by collecting data through interviews and documentation studies. This research found that paradiplomacy became one of the instrument of the Bandung city in the utilization of foreign sources through halal tourism. Bandung City Government interacts toward global public by introducing Bandung as one of the destination in halal tourism. The results of this research also show that the paradiplomacy of the Bandung city is carried out through several stages, including introducing halal tourism to the global public, increasing positive appreciation of halal tourism, strengthening relationships with other actors abroad and influencing it by bringing cooperation with other actors.
Kekuatan Artificial Intelligence Tiongkok dan Kekhawatiran Masyarakat Global: Resensi Buku
Authors: Darmawan Arief Bakhtiar
Published: December 2020

This paper reviews a new book written by Kai-Fu Lee titled AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order which address the question of how artificial intelligence reshape the world order and how its impact on the world economy.
Green Open Space Functions in Kauman Area, Semarang City, Indonesia
Authors: Harjanti Intan Muning , Anggraini Pratamaningtyas
Published: December 2020

Based on the results of identification and analysis related to the functions of green open space in Kelurahan Kauman, both private and public green open space, it was found that private green open space located in residential areas, office areas, education area, and in the worship area. Whereas existing public green open space is in the form of active parks, passive parks, green lane along the road border, green lane along the river border and green green space on the medians road. Private green open space in residential areas has ecological, economic and aesthetic functions; Private green open space in office areas is dominated by ecological functions; while green space in the areas of education, worship, trade and services, is dominated by ecological and aesthetic functions. Whereas public Green Open Space in the form of urban park has an economic function; Green Open Space green lane in the form of road borders, island road, and road median has ecological and aesthetic function; and Green Open Space with specific function in the form of river borders has the ecological and aesthetic function.
High prevalence of diabetes in young people in Bangalore, India
Authors: Rajbhandari Satyan M , Kumar K Vijay , Selvarajan Raja , Murali Tara
Published: December 2020

Background and aims: The burden of diabetes in India is increasing, especially in cities. We conducted a cross- sectional survey of the prevalence of diabetes and a measure of prediabetes in an urban population in Bangalore, India.Methods: Screening was conducted free of charge and without need for a prior appointment in 32 screening sites throughout Bangalore. Diabetes was defined either on the basis of a self-reported prior diagnosis or as undiagnosed diabetes on the basis of a random blood glucose measurement of >11.1 mmol/L (200 mg/dL). A second index of dysglycaemia, termed prediabetes, was defined as a random blood glucose measurement of >7.8 mmol/L (140 mg/dL) but less than 11.1 mmol/L.Results: The study population comprised 3,691 subjects, screened over a period of 15 months. Previously diagnosed diabetes was present in 818 patients (22.2%), previously undiagnosed diabetes in 67 patients (1.8%) and the additional measure of prediabetes in 221 patients (6%). Accordingly, almost one-third of subjects (30%) had diabetes or prediabetes by our criteria. Diabetes (diagnosed or undiagnosed) and prediabetes were more common in older subjects than younger subjects, as would be expected.Conclusions: We observed high rates of dysglycaemia in a large urban population in Bangalore. Our data add to previous reports of a substantial burden of abnormal glucose regulation in this setting. Additional public health initiatives are required to protect the citizens of Bangalore from diabetes and its future complications.