bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive Profiling and Characterization of The Absorbed Components and Metabolites in Mice Serum and Tissues Following Oral Administration of Qingfei Paidu Decoction by UHPLC-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap HRMS
Authors: Liu Wei , Huang Jian , Zhang Feng , Zhang Congcong , Li Rongsheng , Wang Yongli , Wang Chaoran , Liang Xinmiao , Zhang Weidong , Yang Ling , Liu Ping , Ge Guang-Bo
Published: December 2020

Background: Qingfei Paidu decoction (QFPDD) is a Chinese medicine compound formula recommended for combating corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China. This study aims to identify the main constituents in QFPDD and the absorbed components (including prototypes and metabolites) in serum and tissues after oral administration of QFPDD to mice.Methods: A practical and sensitive method of UHPLC-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap HRMS was developed to identify the chemical constituents in QFPDD and the absorbed prototypes as well as the metabolites in mice serum and tissues following oral administration of QFPDD.Results: A total of 405 chemicals, including 40 kinds of alkaloids, 162 kinds of flavonoids, 44 kinds of organic acids, 71 kinds of triterpene saponins and 88 kinds of other compounds in the water extract of QFPDD were tentatively identified via comparison with the retention times and MS/MS spectra of the standards or refereed by literature. With the help of the standards and in vitro metabolites, 195 chemical components (including 104 prototypes and 91 metabolites) were identified in mice serum after oral administration of QFPDD. In addition, 165, 177, 112, 120, 44, 53 constituents were identified in the lung, liver, heart, kidney, brain, and spleen of QFPDD-treated mice, respectively.Conclusions: An UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS based method was established for chemical profiling the constituents in QFPDD, while the absorbed prototypes and metabolites occurring in mice serum and tissues were investigated following oral administration of QFPDD. These findings provided key information and guidance for further investigation on the pharmacologically active substances and clinical applications of QFPDD.
Ocimum Sanctum Ameliorates Valproic Acid – Induced Hepatotoxicity
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad Omer , Rahim Qurratulain , Khan Hania Mehboob , Akhter Imran , Naeem Faiza , Ahmad Fiaz ud din
Published: December 2020

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of hepatoprotective potentials of Ocimum sanctum against Valproic-acid-induced-hepatotoxicity in Wistar-albino-rats. METHOD: 70% of ethanolic extract of Ocimum sanctum was prepared under reduced pressure of rotary evaporator. Wistar albino rats were used as the experimental model and rats were divided into four groups (six animals each). The normal group received normal saline and group 2, 3 and 4 was injected valproic acid (500mg/kg) for four consecutive days respectively. Group 1 and 2 received normal saline throughout the period of study about 21 days while group 3 and 4 received different doses of extract of OS i.e. 200mg/kg and 300mg/kg. Through retro-orbital blood samples were collected on alternative days such as 0,7,21. By using one-way ANOVA, data was analyzed. Hepatotoxicity induced by valproic acid at the dosage of (500mg/kg) resulted in significant elevation in weight of animals and serum hepatic enzymes level of ALAT, ASAT, ALP and increase in the serum bilirubin. RESULTS: OS at different doses (200mg/kg and 300mg/kg) considered statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05) against all parameters. OS cause a significant reduction in weight of animals and serum enzymes biomarkers i.e. (ALAT, ASAT and ALP) including bilirubin content. OS may prove its hepatoprotective activity by increase a significant level of protein albumin. CONCLUSION: antioxidant activity of OS and secondary metabolites such as flavonoids depicts hepatoprotective nature against valproic-acid-induced-hepatotoxicity.
Comparative Evaluation of Korean White Ginseng and Red Ginseng Efficacies in a Mouse Model of Ischemia/Reperfusion-Induced Stroke
Authors: Jin Myungho , Kim Kyung-Min , Lim Chiyeon , Cho Suin , Kim Young Kyun
Published: December 2020

Background: Stroke is a condition characterized by brain tissue damage owing to a decrease in the brain's oxygen supply due to blocked blood vessels, and 80% of all strokes are classified as cerebral infarction. Notably, the incidence rate tends to increase with increasing age. In this study, we compared the efficacy of white ginseng (WG) and red ginseng (RG) extracts (WGex and RGex, respectively) in an ischemic stroke mouse model and confirmed the underlying mechanisms of action.Methods: Mice were orally administered WGex or RGex 1 h before performing middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2 h; the size of the infarct area was measured 24 h after MCAO. The neurological deficit score was evaluated, the efficacy of the two drugs was compared, and the mechanism of action was confirmed using methods such as tissue staining and protein quantification.Results: In the MCAO-induced ischemic stroke mouse model, WGex and RGex showed neuroprotective effects in the cortical region, with RGex demonstrating a generally stronger efficacy than WGex. Furthermore, it was confirmed that ginsenoside Rg1, a representative indicator substance, was not involved in mediating the effects of WGex and RGex.Conclusion: WGex and RGex inhibited brain injury attributed to ischemia/reperfusion, with RGex revealing a more potent effect. At 1,000 mg/kg body weight, only RGex reduced cerebral infarction and edema, and both anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic pathways were involved in mediating these effects.
The Interaction of the Oxytocin Receptor Gene and Subtypes of Child Abuse on Social Cognition in Euthymic Patients With Bipolar Disorder Type I
Authors: Rios Ulises , Moran Javier , Hermosilla Jimena , Gonzalez Rene , Muñoz Paulina , Herrera Luisa , Moya Pablo R , Jimenez Juan Pablo
Published: December 2020

Background: Most studies on cognitive impairment in Bipolar Disorder (BD) have neglected the role of early stress, despite the high frequency of childhood maltreatment in this clinical group. The aim of this study was to establish a connection between a history of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse in childhood and social cognition (SC) functioning in patients with BD type I in euthymia, and to test a possible moderating effect of the polymorphism rs53576 in the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene. Results: We found a high frequency of child abuse, indicating that BD patients who had been victims of physical and emotional abuse as children, and were carriers of the GG genotype at OXTR rs53576, displayed higher social cognition alterations, specifically in an emotion recognition test. Conclusions: The gene-environment interaction study presented here proposes a Differential Susceptibility model of a genetic polymorphism that can be plausibly associated with SC functioning. This evidence might help to identify at-risk clinical subgroups within a diagnostic category with well-established intra-group heterogeneity such as BD. Future research aimed at testing the inter-level impact of early stress constitutes an ethical-clinical duty in light of the high rates of childhood abuse reported in bipolar patients.
Knowledge and Attitude Towards Preconception Care and Associated Factors Among Health Care Providers in North Wollo Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia, 2020
Authors: Belay Teketay Debalkie , Alemayehu Mulunesh , Mekonen Nakachew , Tegegne Tesfaye Birhane
Published: December 2020

Introduction: preconception care is provision of biomedical, behavioral, and social health interventions to reproductive age women and their partners before pregnancy to improve maternal and child health. Its package was developed in 2012. Preconception care not well studied in Ethiopia particularly in the study area. Objective: The aimed to assess the level of knowledge and attitude towards preconception care and associated factors among healthcare providers in North Wollo Zone, 2020. Methods: institution based cross sectional study on 536 health care providers was conducted. Multi stage sampling technique was used. Simple random sampling technique was employed to select the health institutions and study participants. Data were collected; structured, pre tested and self-administered questionnaire. Binary logistic regression used to compute descriptive statistics. P-value < 0.05%, OR with 95% CI used for presence and strength of significant association. Result: This study revealed that 49.1% and 44.2% of health care providers had good knowledge and favorable attitude towards preconception care, respectively. Variables; higher monthly salary [AOR 1.9: 95% CI: 1.1-3.2)], midwifery as profession [AOR: 2.1(95% CI: 1.1-3.7)], library in the institution [AOR: 2.6 (95% CI: 1.2-5.8)], ever heard about preconception care [AOR: 5.6 (95% CI: 3.0 - 10.4)] on knowledge and degree & above educational status [(AOR: 2.1 (95% CI: 1.4-3.1)], good knowledge [AOR: 2.3 (95% CI: 1.3-3.3)] and ever read guideline [AOR: 2.0 (95% CI: 1.2-3.3)] on favorable attitude of preconception care were significantly associated factors respectivelyConclusion and recommendation: nearly half of the participants had poor knowledge and unfavorable attitude on preconception care due to mentioned factors and can be averted by making the institutions to have library, health care providers should to read about preconception care.
Excessive Hormones Concentration in Serum May Increase the Risk of Polyspermy for Single Oocyte
Authors: Zhao Haijing , Qiu Qi , Yuan Ping , Ouyang Nengyong , Zhu Yuqin , Wang Wenjun
Published: December 2020

Background: Fertilization of an oocyte by multiple sperms is known as polyspermy. Here, the purpose of this work was to investigate the possible correlation between hormones concentration in serum and the fertilization outcome of single oocyte in IVF cycles.Methods: In this retrospective analysis, the baseline characteristics and serum hormones levels of female patients retrieving single oocyte in IVF cycles were analyzed. Female age, duration of infertility, body mass index (BMI), basal follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), basal luteinizing hormone (LH), basal estradiol (E2), the level of FSH, LH, E2 and progesterone (P) on the day of Gonadotropin (Gn), the level of FSH, LH, E2 and P on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) were measured. Results: According to the number of pronucleus in single oocyte on Day1, patients were assigned to IVF-2PN group (two pronucleus) and IVF-3PN group (three or more pronucleus). There were extremely higher levels of basal E2, LH and E2 on the day of Gn in IVF-3PN group compared with IVF-2PN group (P<0.01). The significantly higher level of LH on the day of HCG was present in IVF-3PN compared to IVF-2PN group (P<0.05). Forthermore, the optimal cutoff value of basal E2 (70.5 IU/L), LH (6.315 IU/L) and E2 (128.5 IU/L) on the day of Gn and LH (3.28 IU/L) on the day of HCG were determined by ROC curve analysis. The results showed that the percentage of IVF-2PN significantly decreased and the percentage of IVF-3PN considerably increased when the basal E2 concentration was higher than the cutoff value (P<0.05), the same tendency were present in the analysis of LH concentration, E2 concentration on the day of Gn and LH concentration on the day of HCG (P<0.01). Conclusions: Our data indicated for the first time that the excessive concentration of basal E2, excessive concentrations of LH and E2 on the day of Gn and excessive concentration of LH on the day of HCG may significantly increase the risk of polyspermy for single oocyte in IVF cycles.
Spectroscopic Evaluation of Chalcone Derivatives and their Zinc Metal Complexes: A Combined Experimental and Computational Approach on the Binding of the Complexes with the Serum Albumin
Authors: Vlasiou Manos C.
Published: December 2020

Three chalcone derivatives (L1, L2, L3) were synthesized using Claisen-Schmidt condensation reaction. Their molecular structures and spectroscopic properties (IR, UV-vis, 1HNMR), were calculated at B3LYP level. Electrostatic interactions and HOMO-LUMO properties were calculated using TD-DFT method. Molecular docking was used to compare the HSA (human serum albumin) interactions with the ligands and their Zn complexes (C1, C2, C3) which were synthesized by interaction between the ligands and the Zn (II) ion in a 2:1 M ratio. Elemental analysis, FT-IR, and UV–Vis spectroscopy studies investigated the structure of the synthesized complexes. UV–Vis, molecular docking and molecular dynamics were used to study the interactions of the Zn complexes with the BSA (bovine serum albumin). The biological activity of the Zn-Chalcone complexes was generally higher than the chalcones when evaluated spectroscopically and theoretically.
Prognostic Value of Atherosclerotic Extent in Diabetic Patients with Non-Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Liu Zinuan , Ding Yipu , Dou Guanhua , Yang Xia , Wang Xi , Shan Dongkai , He Bai , Jing Jing , Chen Yundai , Yang Junjie
Published: December 2020

Background: The prognostic value of non-obstructive CAD has always been underestimated due to its moderate stenosis. Whether the atherosclerotic extent is related to the prognosis in this group of people is uncertain, especially in the presence of diabetes. We aim to investigate the prognostic value of atherosclerotic extent in diabetic patients with non-obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD).Method: The analysis was based on a single center cohort of diabetic patients referred for coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) due to suspect CAD. Major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) were recorded, including cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, stroke and unstable angina (UA) requiring hospitalization. Four groups were defined based on coronary stenosis combined with segment involvement score (SIS), a semiquantitative index of the extent of atherosclerosis, including normal, non-obstructive SIS<3, non-obstructive SIS≥3 and obstructive. Time to event was estimated by using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. Leidon risk score was used to replace SIS for sensitivity analysis.Results: In total, 1241 patients were included (age 60.2±10.4 years, 54.1% male), experiencing 131 MACEs (10.6%) during a median follow-up of 2.6 years. Diabetic patients with non-obstructive CAD accounts for 50.2% of included population（N=623）. In multi-variate Cox model adjusting for age, gender, hyperlipidemia and presence of high-risk plaque, hazard ratio (HR) for SIS < 3 and SIS ≥ 3 in non-obstructive CAD were 1.84 (95%CI: 0.70-4.79) and 3.71 (95%CI: 1.37-10.00) respectively.The latter showed a higher risk of cardiac adverse events than the former group（HR：2.02 95%CI:1.11-3.68, p＝0.021）, while HR for obstructive CAD was 5.46 (95%CI: 2.18-13.69). Sensitivity analysis was performed using Leidon Risk Score instead of SIS. After adjustment, HR for Leidon ≥ 5 with non-obstructive disease was 1.92（95% CI: 1.06-3.48 p=0.032）in comparison to the non-obstructive group of Leidon < 5.Conclusion: In diabetic patients with non-obstructive CAD, atherosclerotic extent was associated with higher risk of major adverse cardiac events at long-term follow-up. Efforts should be made to determine risk stratification for the management of DM patients with non-obstructive CAD.
Increased Plasma Level of IGFBP4 in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients and the Restoration of its level Through Multilevel Sleep Surgery
Authors: Alterki Abdulmohsen , Shawaf Eman Al , Al-Khairi Irina , Cherian Preethi Cherian Preethi , Srira Devarajan , Hammad Maha , Thangavel Alphonse T. , Ebrahim Mahmoud A , Al-Mulla Fahd , Abu-Farha Mohamed , Abubaker Jehad
Published: December 2020

Background: IGFBP4 is the smallest member of the insulin-like growth factor binding protein family (IGFBP). It’s a hepatic protein that plays a role in modulating the activity and bioavailability of IGF-I. The expression of IGFBP4 was found to increase under conditions of hypoxia. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a common disorder, characterized by cyclic episodes of intermittent hypoxia and fragmented sleep. Methods: We quantified levels of circulating IGFBP1, IGFBP2, IGFBP3, IGFBP4 and IGFBP7 in fasting plasma samples of 67 Kuwaiti participant using Multiplexing assay. The study involved 28 controls, and 39 patients with OSA.Results: Levels of circulating IGFBP4 were significantly higher in people with OSA (253.65 ±20.46 ng/ml) compared to the control group (173.35 ±20.86 ng/ml, p = 0.008). There was an increase in levels of IGFBP3 and IGFBP7, however it was not significant. People with OSA had a significantly high AHI score (22.99 ±3.39 events/h) in comparison to the control (2.12 ±0.2 events/h). The increase in IGFBP4 correlated positively to IGFBP7 (r = 0.422, P = 0.01). There was a significant decline in circulating IGFBP4 after 3-months of surgery (225.89 ±18.16 ng/ml, p = 0.012). This was accompanied by a prominent improvement in OSA (AHI 8.97 ± 2.37 events/h, p = 0.001). Conclusion: In this study our data showed a significant increase in circulating IGFBP4 in people with OSA. we also report a significant positive correlation between IGFBP4 and IGFBP7 at baseline, which suggests a potential synergy in the actions of IGFBP4 and IGFBP7 at conditions of OSA-induced hypoxia. OSA significantly improved after 3-month of surgical intervention, which concurred with a significant decline in IGFBP4 levels. Altogether, this suggests a potential role for IGFBP4 in OSA-induced hypoxia.
Factors associated with stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia.
Authors: Seboka Binyam Tariku , Hailegebreal Samuel , Yehualashet Delelegn Emwodew , Demeke Abel Desalegn
Published: December 2020

Background: HIV is a major public health concern in many developing countries. HIV related discriminatory attitudes or stigmas considered as a key in the prevention and control of HIV prevalence. This work evaluated the overall attitude of the population towards people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Ethiopia, which helps in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS. Methods: Secondary data was obtained from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey. Data included 20,770 samples of women and men between the ages of 15 to 49 years, which is a nationally representative sample in Ethiopia. Analytical methods used in this paper include descriptive analysis and multivariate logistic regression to identify factors associated with discriminatory attitudes .Results: A total of 20,770 samples who have heard about HIV/AIDS were included in the analysis. Out of this, 41% of respondents said they would not buy fresh vegetables from vendor and 34.1% of them indicated HIV positive children should not attend school with HIV negative children. Multivariate Logistic regression results indicated having discriminatory attitudes were associated with the lack of knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention methods, endorsement transmission misconceptions, and never have been tested for HIV. Furthermore, respondents reside in rural areas, lack of formal education, belonging to poor wealth quantile, and lack of media exposure shows a higher level of discriminatory attitudes.Conclusion: The findings of this research showed a high magnitude of stigma towards people living with HIV/AIDS among reproductive age women and men in Ethiopia. For stigma and discriminatory attitudes to be decreased interventions should focused on improving HIV related knowledge’s through mass medias such as television and newspapers, especially through medias that can address the rural community.
Maternal bile acid profile and subtype analysis of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy
Authors: Shao Yong , Chen Siyu , Li Huan , Tang Qing , Xu Di
Published: December 2020

Background ICP pregnant women have a unique profile of serum bile acid metabolism, thus the early and accurate identification of ICP patients is beneficial to early appropriate treatment and improvement of pregnancy outcomes. In this study, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was used to analyze the 15 types of serum bile acid profiles among patients with ICP in third trimester, patients with cholelithiasis, and patients with hepatitis B virus. The ICP diagnostic model established by partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was used to screen the differential bile acids for clinical subtypes of ICP. 144 cases of ICP patients were involved in this study, and divided into four subgroups according to serum level of TBA, DBIL, and ALT.Results ①The differential serum bile acid profiles of ICP group and normal pregnant women were DCA, TDCA, TCA, GDCA and GLCA.②The differential serum bile acid profiles of the ICP1 group (ICP with jaundice) and normal pregnant women were TCDCA, TCA, GCA, GCDCA, TUDCA and GUDCA.③The differential serum bile acid profiles of the ICP3 group (Hyperchoicemia of pregnancy) and normal pregnant group was GUDCA, LCA, GLCA, UDCA, TUDCA, CDCA, and TLCA (P <0.05).④The differential serum bile acid profiles of ICP4 group (idiopathic aminotransferase abnormality during pregnancy) and normal pregnant group was UDCA, GUDCA, TUDCA, GCA and GLCA (P<0.05).⑤The occurrence of meconium-stained amniotic fluid, premature delivery and cesarean section in ICP1 group was significantly higher than normal group,ICP2 group,ICP3 group,and ICP4 group (P<0.05); The occurrence of meconium-stained amniotic fluid, premature delivery and cesarean section in ICP2 group, ICP3 group, and ICP4 group was significantly higher than normal group (P<0.05), but no difference was found among ICP2 group, ICP3 group, and ICP4 group (P> 0.05).Conclusion: Maternal serum bile acid profiles are useful to differentiate the four subtypes of ICP. ICP with jaundice could be an important predictor of adverse pregnancy outcomes of ICP.
High mortality rate of obstetric critically ill patients in Rwanda and its predictability
Authors: Rudakemwa Alcade , Cassidy Amy Lucille , Twagirumugabe Theogene
Published: December 2020

Background Reasons for admission at the intensive care units (ICU) for obstetric patients vary from a setting to another. Outcomes from ICU and its prediction models are not well explored in Rwanda because of lack of appropriate scores. This study intended to assess profile and accuracy of predictive models for obstetric patients admitted in ICU in the two public tertiary hospitals in Rwanda.Methods We prospectively collected data from all obstetric patients admitted in the ICU of public referral hospitals in Rwanda from March 2017 to February 2018 to identify reasons for admissions and factors for prognosis. We analysed the accuracy of mortality prediction models including the quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) and Modified Early Obstetric Warning Score (MEOWS) by using the Logistic Regression and adjusted Receiver Operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results Obstetric patients represented 12.8% of all ICU admissions and 1.8% of all deliveries. Sepsis (31.9%) and haemorrhage (25.5%) were the two commonest reasons for ICU admission in our study participants. The overall ICU mortality for our obstetric patients was 54.3% while the average length of stay was 6.6 days. MEOWS score was an independent predictor to mortality (adjusted OR=1.25[1.07-1.46]; p=0.005) and so was the qSOFA score (adjusted OR=2.81[1.25-6.30]; p=0.012). The adjusted Area Under the ROC (AUROC) for MEOWS was 0.773[0.666-0.880] and that of the qSOFA was 0.764[0.654-0.873] signing fair accuracies for ICU mortality prediction in these settings for both models.Conclusion Sepsis is the commonest reason for admissions to ICU for obstetric patients in Rwanda. Simple models comprising MEOWS and qSOFA could accurately predict the mortality for those patients but further larger studies are needed before generalization.
Teach Them How to Fish, Help Them to Survive: Empowering Future Doctors in Nigeria through Work-Study Programmes
Authors: Kanmodi Kehinde Kazeem
Published: December 2020

The work-study programme is a student-friendly and institution-friendly initiative that had been in legal existence for decades in the Western world. The benefits attached to work-study are enormous, some of which include acquisition of technical skills, research skills, administrative skills, leadership skills, increased financial income, and on-the-job experience, just to mention a few. However, in Nigerian tertiary schools, the work-study programme is yet to gain much foothold; many Nigerian students are not benefitting from school-created part-time job positions since many schools do not have such programmes in place. Although some Nigerian tertiary schools had embraced and as well created work-study programmes for students in this recent decade; however, the programme is still premature in such schools because not all of students are equally benefitting from that programmes. The medical and dental students especially those in the clinical phase of academic programmes are yet to benefit from such programmes due to the unfavourable structure of academic programmes and other factors. Hence, this article is to emphasise on the need for the creation of doable work-study opportunities for medical and students in Nigeria.
Planning and Implementing an Online Undergraduate Medical Student Selection
Exercise during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Experience of the School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia
Authors: Abdul Rahim Ahmad Fuad , Mat Pa Mohamad Najib , Mohammad Jamilah Al-Muhammady , Baharuddin Kamarul Aryffin , Yusoff Muhamad Saiful Bahri , Ismail Muhd Al-Aarifin , Mat Zin Nor Azman
Published: December 2020

This article described the context, planning and implementation of a video-conference-based undergraduate student selection exercise held in response to restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. A task force has brainstormed the ideas and decided a face-to-face interview using a video conferencing application which was the best way to achieve the objective set for the exercise. Facilitators communicated with interviewers and candidates, and hosted video meetings between the two parties. Interviewers were trained using online videos, a webinar and a trial run. They rated candidates using a printed rating instrument as well as an online form. About 615 candidates were interviewed in this study. Initial impressions were positive and will be followed-up by a proper evaluation.
Five Tips for Teaching and Learning During the COVID-19 Movement Control Order Era: A Family Medicine Perspective
Authors: Ganeson Malanashita , Amirthalingam Sasikala Devi , Kim Kwa Siew
Published: December 2020

The Malaysian government’s ongoing movement control order (MCO) to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread, has disrupted the teaching and learning (T&L) activities of higher education institutions in the country. This paper seeks to outline the steps taken by the Department of Family Medicine of the International Medical University (IMU), Malaysia, to adapt its online teaching and learning activities. The five tips are: i) understand how to use online T&L platforms; ii) teachers should create multiple communication channels; iii) ensure attendance is captured; iv) enhance the online T&L experience and v) conduct online formative assessments.
STUDENTS’ ARCHITECTURE AND ART PROJECTS IMPLEMENTATION IN THE SUBJECT- SPATIAL ENVIRONMENT OF UNIVERSITY AS THE METHOD TO INCREASE SELF-MOTIVATION IN PROFESSIONAL CREATIVE SELF-EXPRESSION
Authors:   South Ural State Humanitarian and Pedagogical University (Chelyabinsk), Shentsova O.M. , Besedina I.V. ,   Astrakhan State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering (Astrakhan).
Published: December 2020

The article examines the problem of increasing self-motivation in professional creative self-expression of university students studying art. . The authors of the study believe that implementation of students’ training architecture and art projects should become the basis for developing education programs for art schools. The idea can be implemented providing that students will be involved into the process of university subject-spatial environment creation; education programs will be adapted to implementation of students’ training architecture and art projects; the situation of success will be created in the process of education activities. All these factors will help to increase students’ self-motivation in professional creative self-expression. The authors justify the necessity of creation of the education conditions mentioned above and provide the findings of the study.
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP IN THE ASPECT OF PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL
Authors:   Russian State Professional and Pedagogical University (Yekaterinburg)., Fedorov V.A. , Vasiliev S.V. ,   JSC " NPK Uralvagonzavod "(Nizhny Tagil).
Published: December 2020

The paper reveals the characteristic features of an individual’s professional identity in the context of public-private partnership and the role of the employer as the main participant of such interaction. The authors present a structural-functional model as well as organizational and educational requirements for its implementation. The article summarizes the experience of a large industrial enterprise in creating conditions that facilitate professional identity of young people. The findings of the study indicate the effectiveness of the employer's participation in building a system of interaction with educational organizations in order to help graduates to make an informed choice of their future profession.
PROTEST TRENDS IN MODERN UNIVERSITY CULTURE
Authors:   Orenburg State University (Orenburg), Kiryakova Aida V. , Frolov Oleg V. ,   Orenburg State University (Orenburg)
Published: December 2020

Introduction. The paper presents the results of a study of protest trends in modern university culture. Basing on the analysis of the value reasons for the emergence of protest behavior of students, the authors define the essence of cultural protest as a collective declaration and as an interpretation of personal freedom in the context of a conservative university culture. It also examines the specific motives of cultural protest. The authors have analyzed an array of scientific studies which offer definitions that determine not only the value connotation of such phenomenon as "cultural protest" but also the degree of its constructive and destructive influence on university culture. Research methodology and technique. The methodological basis of the study was a culturological approach, the priority of which is explained by the fact that the values and norms of culture, spiritual and moral traditions of humane education are oriented towards the human personality, and the axiological approach, which makes it possible to determine the composition and hierarchy of values that determine the content of the interaction of a person with the world and people, and to reveal the influence of values on personal development. Within the framework of these methodological foundations, the authors used the methods of theoretical (interdisciplinary analysis of philosophical, cultural, pedagogical, psychological and sociological literature) and empirical (participant observation, analytical interview, written questionnaire) research. Research results. The scientific research involved 250 students of the Orenburg State University. Applying empirical methods, the authors proceeded from the assumption that modern young people who are in the student period are at a special stage of their spiritual life which is associated with finding oneself in the world, becoming involved with it, developing their own worldview, defining identity and uniqueness. Here at this stage they are able to determine the individual way of life, to defend the value-semantic position, without which the realization of the act of life creation is impossible. Conclusion. The problem of cultural protest is relevant both in theoretical and practical terms, since the security of the culture of interaction in the institutionally united university community depends on the degree of its development.
CASHLESS GOVERNMENT: A CORRUPTION PREVENTION STRATEGY IN GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
Authors: Kurniati Paramita Nur , Nugroho Bernardus Yuliarto
Published: December 2020

The phenomenon of corruption cases continues to increase from year to year, both from the number of cases that occur and the amount of state financial losses incurred. The criminal acts of corruption committed are also increasingly systematic and massive in all aspects of society's lives. To respond to this phenomenon, the Government, in this case the Ministry of Finance, issued a "breakthrough" in the system of government expenditure transactions, by issuing cashless government system with modern payment instruments. The cashless payment system is expected to close the potential gaps of corruption arising from conventional payment systems using physical money. Transactions carried out with non-cash payment systems can be traced in full and in detail, starting from who the user is, when and where the transaction is conducted, what is the purpose of using the transaction, and what is the nominal value. The use of cashless payment instruments is also expected to be able to fulfill the principles of (1) flexibility, (2) safety in transactions and fraud avoidance, (3) effectiveness, and (4) accountability while paying attention to the precautionary principles in the use of state budget. The cashless government system is expected to be a solution to the acceleration of government performance and public services within the framework of presenting clean, transparent and accountable governance. In the end, improving the working system of government organizations is expected to be able to encourage economic growth and provide benefits for improving the welfare of the community.
INDONESIAN NATIONAL POLICE'S ANTI-CORRUPTION FUNCTION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Setyawan Nugroho Ari
Published: December 2020

Economic development relation with corruption and anti-corruption have been a long discussion. The research shall try to know about the works of anti-corruption function of the INP and its contribution to economic developpment. This research explores the works of the Directorate for Corruption Crime and how the works is connected to national economic development. Anti-corruption works of the INP are contributing to economic development through several ways. Firstly, the directorate does its main job in investigating corruption cases. Corruption case investigation has additional task on how on finding assets of prepetators as retribution of state loss caused by corruption. Secondly, the directorate is mandated as police unit which is advanced as free from corruption area sample within police force. Thirdly, the directorate is assigned as the part of INP integrity enforcer of the INP to investigate corrupt police officers. Number four, anti-corruption directorate is appointed to assist the Chief of INP in any of anti-corruption issue that need INP contribution on it, especially on prevention matter. However, the works,are not well supported by addequate infrastructures. By this understanding, actors who are involving on giving technical assistance for strengthening law enforcement agencies, hopefully, will contributte better toward contries' anti-corruption measures through the improvement of their anti-corruption functions.
RELIGIOSITY MODERATION ON THE EFFECT OF WHISTLEBLOWING INTENTION AND FRAUD TENDENCY
Authors: Nopeanti Veni , Tarjo Tarjo , Haryadi Bambang
Published: December 2020

This study examined the effect of whistleblowing intention on fraud tendency and the role of religiosity as a moderating variable of the effect of whistleblowing intention on fraud tendency in higher education institutions. The sample in this research was finance staff at State Universities in East Java. The research data were obtained by distributing questionnaires directly to the respondents. The methods used for data analysis in this research were simple linear regression and Moderated Regression Analysis (MRA). The results show that whistleblowing intention has an effect on fraud tendency. Besides, religiosity is also proven to be a moderating variable of whistleblowing intention effect on fraud tendency in higher education institutions.
Methodological Tools for Diagnosing Insolvency (Bankruptcy) of Organizations in the Anti-Crisis Management System
Authors: Chernichenko Svetlana , Kotov Roman
Published: December 2020

Introduction. Bankruptcy is the most important element of legal regulation of modern market relations. National economy has to be able to predict a potential default in the general system of anti-crisis management. Therefore, it needs advanced techniques and tools of anti-crisis diagnostics for the timely management solutions.

Study objects and methods. The analytical information presented in this work is multi-tiered and reflects the all-Russian, industrywide, regional, regional-industry, and corporate levels. The research featured agricultural enterprises of the Kemerovo region. The information underwent three types of formatting: legislative, statistical, and diagnostic.

Results and discussion. During the first stage, the authors assessed external factors and trends in individual components of anti-crisis diagnostics in a given economy sector against the background of all-Russian and industry-wide trends. Enterprises appeared sensitive to bankruptcy risk; the trend decreased in 2014–2018. The second stage involved developing of a selective-indicative model for diagnosing insolvency of Russian organizations. The model took into account regional and industrial traits and focuses on large and medium-sized agricultural enterprises in the region. The model selected general indicators from a set of studied parameters, formed from fifty financial ratios presented in twenty-two of the most well-known methods of anti-crisis analysis. Bankruptcy was diagnosed on the basis of preference matrix, according to the criterion of the active use of coefficients in analytical practice. A comparative analysis of bankruptcy criteria and indicators made it possible to define the degree of adequacy of the set of indicators. Four analytical vectors were defined after thematic grouping of the identified indicators: balance sheet liquidity (current liquidity ratio), property and capital structure (financial dependence and asset mobility ratios), security (working capital ratio with own circulating assets), efficiency (economic profitability, or loss ratio, and the ratio of business activity in the market). The equation of rating assessment of the insolvency probability demonstrated the total impact of these indicators, taking into account their individual “equity participation” in the aggregate of key parameters.

Conclusion. The final set of general exponents of the diagnostic model can be qualified as a neuro-analogue of “classical” models that ignores the values of the regression coefficients, which are usually not adapted to Russian realities. The model built on the basis of bankruptcy indicators, taking into account their individual “equity participation” in the rating number, can be used as a flexible methodological tool for diagnosing bankruptcy in the national economy of Russia.
Development of New Mash Filters for Craft Beer Brewing
Authors: Borodulin Dmitry , Shalev Aleksey , Safonova Elena , Prosin Maksim , Golovacheva Yana , Vagaytseva Elena
Published: December 2020

Introduction. New innovative technologies make food industry more effective. The present paper introduces a new method of hopped wort production based on novel mash filters.

Study objects and methods. The research featured two new designs of mash filters. The study of the mashing process involved malt, hops, drinking water, and beer wort. The research included generally accepted methods of physicochemical and sensory research.

Results and discussion. Both models differed from the traditional design. Mash filter I had a cylindrical filtration vat at its bottom with filters in the lower and upper parts of the vat. A pump was installed on the outer side of the steam jacket to produce forced circulation of the liquid medium flow through the vat. The steam jacket was covered with Corundum Classic superfine liquid thermal insulation. Mash filter II had a filtration bottom made of perforated sheet and provided intensive liquid circulation. It also had a regulated mixer that moved the mash, which significantly improved the mashing process. After the mashing, the mash passed through the filtration bottom, separating the liquid phase from the solid phase. The crushed material was discharged through a hatch in bottom. The physicochemical and sensory profiles of the obtained beer wort and beer samples complied with State Standard 30060-93 “Beer. Methods for determination of organoleptic indices and product’s volume”. Mash filter II produced beer wort of higher quality and improved the sensory properties of the finished product. This model proved more effective in extracting proteins and digestible sugars during amylolysis due to a better mixing and circulation of liquid medium flow during the wort preparation.

Conclusion. The new modified mash filter made it possible to reduce the brewing time by 28.6%. Not only was it more user friendly, but it also was less heat and electricity consuming. In addition, it reduced the production area as it combined the stages of mashing and filtering.
Casein Proteolysis in Bioactive Peptide Production: Optimal Operating Parameters
Authors: Milenteva Irina , Davydenko Natalia , Rasshchepkin Aleksandr
Published: December 2020

Introduction. Public health is gradually deteriorating as a result of unhealthy lifestyle and diet, which triggers allergic reaction to certain foods. Milk and dairy products are rich in biologically active substances, which makes them a good dietary supplement for athletes, diabetic patients, etc. However, this popular food contains allergens, for instance, such proteins as αS1-casein, αS2-casein, β-casein, and κ-casein. Therefore, one of the most urgent tasks of modern food science is to reduce the allergenic properties of casein. Heat treatment is an option, but thermal exposure leads to denaturation and produces new antigenic determinants, e.g. epitopes.

Biotechnological processing is a more promising method. It is based on the catalytic properties of proteolytic enzymes. Enzymes make it possible to obtain a protein hydrolyzate with amino acids of various molecular weights. The present research provided the optimal working parameters of casein proteolysis by various enzymes (endopectidases), namely trypsin, chymotrypsin, and thermolysin.

Study objects and methods. Casein hydrolysates are casein-based biopeptides, and casein is an accessible and valuable milk protein. Trypsin, chymotrypsin, and thermolysin were used as proteases. The experiment was based on standard methods. Results and its discussion. At 47 ± 2°C and pH 7.5 ± 0.2, the production of low-molecular-weight components of casein hydrolyzate proved feasible when thermolysin was used at a ratio of 1:100 for 24.00 ± 0.05 h, and chymotrypsin and trypsin – at a ratio of 1:25 for 24.00 ± 0.05 h.

Conclusion. The resulting casein hydrolysates contain biologically active peptides and can be used in formulations of low-allergy functional dairy products in allergy-friendly, sports, and baby diets.
Comparative study of the fullness of dwarf Siberian pine seeds Pinus pumila (Pall.) Regel from places of natural growth and collected from plants introduced in northwestern Russia by microfocus X-ray radiography to predict their sowing qualities
Authors: Karamysheva Anastasia , Trofimuk Lev , Priyatkin Nikolay , Arkhipov Mikhail , Gusakova Ludmila , Sshukina Polina , Staroverov Nikolay , Potrakhov Nikolay
Published: December 2020

As a result of analysis of the quality of Pinus pumila seeds by the method of microfocus X-ray radiography in combination with the automatic analysis of digital X-ray images, it was found that the best characteristics of individual structures and organs of seeds were demonstrated in samples collected from trees growing at site 71 of BIN RAS; the worst — from seeds taken from South Sakhalin. The seeding qualities of Pinus pumila seed samples were determined by standard methods. Based on analysis of the characteristics of digital X-ray images of Pinus pumila seeds, it was found that a seed sample from site 71 BIN RAS was characterized by the high level of embryo area 4.19±0.49 mm2, maximum embryo to thalus ratio 60.95±7.45 %, high level of endosperm area 23.93±1.24 mm2, and maximum ratio square of embryo area 9.45 ±1.17 %. The same sample was characterized by a maximum weight of 1000 seeds and a maximum absolute and soil germination ratio, compared to other samples. The obtained data showed that Pinus pumila seeds collected from plants introduced in northwestern Russia by most parameters are not inferior or are even superior to seeds from the natural range.
Some biological traits of the parasitoid wasp Rhopalicus tutela (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) in spruce forests of Moscow Region, Russia
Authors: Chilakhsaeva Ekaterina
Published: December 2020

Some biological traits of Rhopalicus tutela (Walker), a parasitoid of the European spruce bark beetle Ips typographus (L.), were studied both in forests of Moscow Region, Russia, and under laboratory conditions. Females of R. tutela have mature eggs after overwintering and thus do not need additional feeding to lay eggs. Under laboratory conditions at 8 °C, the life expectancy of males is 58±44 days and that of females is 36±45 days. An increase of temperature shortens the developmental period of R. tutela, which can proceed without diapause. The duration of one generation in the laboratory at 22–24 °C is 14–16 days. In spruce forests of Moscow Region, R. tutela has two or three generations per year.
Toxic effects of mazut on early developmental stages of blenny Parablennius sanguinolentus
Authors: Rudneva Irina
Published: December 2020

Coastal marine waters are known as spawning sites of fish and invertebrate, which are highly sensitive to crude oil and its derivates in their early developmental stages. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of mazut at concentrations of 0.00001, 0.02, 0.1, and 0.2 ml/l on antioxidant enzyme activities in developmental embryos (stage V) of the Black Sea blenny Parablennius sanguinolentus. The biomarkers of oxidative stress — namely superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (PER) and glutathione reductase (GR) — were investigated. This revealed a non-uniform impact of mazut concentration on fish embryos. The correlations between enzyme activities and mazut concentrations were non-linear, and tested antioxidants fluctuated independently from one another. The obtained results can be applied to the development of oil toxicity tests for assessment of water quality and in conservation biology.
Climate change or regional human impacts? Remote sensing tools, artificial neural networks, and wavelet approaches aim to solve the problem
Authors: Foroumandi Ehsan , Nourani Vahid , Sharghi Elnaz
Published: December 2020

Lake Urmia, as the largest lake in Iran, has suffered from water-level decline and this problem needs to be investigated accurately. The major reason for the decline is controversial. The current paper aimed to study the hydro-environmental variables over the Lake Urmia basin using remote sensing tools, artificial neural networks, wavelet transforms, and Mann–Kendall trend tests from 1995 to 2019 in order to determine the primary reason of the decline and to find the most important hydrologic periodicities over the basin. The results indicated that for the monthly-, seasonally-, and annually-based time series, the components with 4-month and 16-month, 24- and 48-month, and 2- and 4-year, respectively, are the most dominant periodicities over the basin. The agricultural increase according to the vegetation index and evapotranspiration and their close relationship with the water-level change indicated that human land-use is the main reason for the decline. The increasing agriculture, in the situations that the precipitation has not increased, caused the inflow runoff to the lake to decline and the remaining smaller discharge is not sufficient to stabilize the water level. Temperature time series, also, has experienced a significant positive trend which intensified the water-level change.