bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Some Issues of Qualification of Crimes Against the Procedure for Issuing Securities
Authors:   Voronezh State University, Ryzhenkov Nikolay N.
Published: July 2022

Relevance. During the financial and economic crisis caused by many factors, among which are the collapse of the "oil deal" in the OPEC format, the economic consequences of the spread of COVID-19, the formation of a credit bubble, the unpredictability of currency volatility, there is a decrease in the profitability of the usual savings and savings instruments. On the other hand, against the background of these phenomena, the need for business to attract third-party capital is only growing, which, together with the desire of citizens not only to preserve, but also to multiply their free savings, causes the rapidly increasing popularity of investing in securities. At the same time, of particular importance for the investment process is its first stage – the issuance (issue) of securities. Without proper legal protection, this institution becomes a fertile ground for various kinds of abuses that cause significant damage to investors, securities holders, corporations, and the state. The purpose of the work is to determine the criminal-legal mechanism for protecting the issue of securities in the Russian Federation. Objectives: to give a legal description of criminal encroachments on the procedure for issuing securities (including solving the problems of delineation from general norms), to compare the legislation of the Russian Federation regulating the procedure for issuing securities with the similar legislation of some other states, to determine the sufficiency and necessity of the existing system of criminal law norms through which the issue of securities is protected. Methodology. In the course of the work, methods of comparative, systemic and structural-functional analysis, systematic interdisciplinary analysis and synthesis were used. The study was conducted using general philosophical methods of induction and deduction, a comparative legal method. Results. The study revealed that the existing system of criminal law norms aimed at protecting the issue of se-curities does not meet the challenges of the modern reality of the stock market, and the approaches applied by the legislator to the construction of criminal law prohibitions are not relevant to the initial norms of civil and financial law. Conclusion. It seems appropriate to follow the example of European states and qualify the criminal acts com-mitted in the process of issuing securities as fraud. At the same time, Article 185 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation should be formulated in such a way that its blank nature refers the law enforcement officer directly to such a dynamic corporate law.
The Main Stages of Cooperation Between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan in the Field of Education and Science in Recent History
Authors:   Southwest State University, Pirakov Farhod
Published: July 2022

Relevance. At the present stage of international humanitarian relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan, there are a number of issues that have not been sufficiently studied, in particular, in the field of cooperation in the field of higher education and science. An analysis of the positive experience of relations between countries in this area will make it possible to find the optimal solution to the problems that arise today. The purpose of this article is to study the history of the development of educational and scientific– technical cooperation between Russia and Tajikistan after 1991. Research objectives: to analyze the treaties and agreements concluded between the countries during the study period; study materials containing information on the specifics of organizing the process of training qualified personnel for Tajikistan in Russian universities; to identify the degree of effectiveness of interstate cooperation in the educational, scientific and technical sphere in the period 1991– 2020; study the efforts of countries in promoting the study of the Rus-sian language in Tajikistan. Methodology. The source base of the study includes published (agreements, legislative acts, collections of documents, scientific papers, Internet resources) and archival materials. The work uses general scientific methods of synthesis and analysis of information, as well as methods characteristic of historical research: comparative historical and historical and legal. Results. The study showed that at the present stage, humanitarian relations between Russia and Tajikistan, based on the positive experience of the Soviet period, are developing dynamically. The study of the concluded interstate documents made it possible to identify the degree of effectiveness of cooperation between the countries. Conclusion. The results obtained in the study can serve as a basis for studying the problem of organizing and further developing interstate relations between Russia and Tajikistan in the field of higher education and science, taking into account historical experience.
"Embassy of the Russian Church": restoration of Russian Pilgrimage ties With the Middle East in 1964
Authors:   Regional Open Social Institute, Apanasenok Alexander V.
Published: July 2022

The relevance of the research topic is due to the significance of the academic understanding of the phenomenon of Orthodox pilgrimage to the Holy Land of the citizens of the USSR, as well as the need to fit this phenomenon into the history of international relations of the Russian Orthodox Church. The purpose of the research is to identify the main features of the first pilgrimage trip of Soviet citizens to the Middle East in 1964. Objectives: to study the organizational characteristics and event content of the journey of a group of believers from the USSR to the territory of historical Palestine in 1964, to identify degree of compliance of this journey with tra-ditional pilgrimage norms; to characterize the features of the representation of the trip in the memoirs of members of the pilgrimage group; to analyze the influence of the factor of Soviet citizenship of pilgrims on their behavior and communi-cation in the Holy Land. Methodology. The conducted research combined work with archival documents reflecting the goals and progress of the 1964 pilgrimage trip, as well as published memoirs of its participants. In the process of analyzing memories the method of content analysis was used - a qualitative and quantitative study of their texts. In addition, historical-genetic and historical-comparative methods were used in the course of solving the tasks. Results. The paper demonstrates the inconsistency of the first pilgrimage trip of Soviet citizens to the Middle East with the traditions of Orthodox pilgrimage formed within the framework of Russian culture in the previous centuries. This discrepancy was determined by the lack of personal initiative, sacrifice, asceticism on the part of the group members, their dependence on church and state institutions, as well as the representative functions assigned to them. The study demonstrated that the delegation that went to the Holy Land had important church-diplomatic tasks that did not allow believers to focus on religious practices. The need to observe political loyalty to the Soviet state caused the pilgrims to be limited in words and actions, and also determined the choice of their subsequent memories. Conclusions. The article concludes that the trip of believers from the USSR to the Holy Land undertaken in 1964 became a significant event in the history of international relations of the Russian Orthodox Church and had a wide resonance in Orthodox circles of the Middle East. This event nominally revived the practice of Russian pilgrimage to historical Palestine, but the actual pilgrimage component of the journey turned out to be far from traditional ideals and norms.
Private Law of Moldova of the XVI–XVII Centuries
Authors:   Pridnestrovian State University named after T. G. Shevchenko, Pogoretskaya Irina I.
Published: July 2022

Relevance. The article examines the main sources of legal regulation of private law institutions in Moldova of the XVI - XVII centuries. The main institutions of private law are revealed: property rights, obligation, inheritance, family law. The main features of the Moldovan minority, the rights of inheritance by daughters (sinisfora) are determined. The characteristic features of the family law of Moldova, the issues of dowry are revealed. The purpose of the article is to determine the range of the main sources of private law in Moldova of the XVI - XVII centuries, as well as to identify the features of the development of individual institutions of private law in medieval Moldova. Objectives: to analyze the main sources of private law in Moldova of the XVI - XVII centuries, as well as to identify some features of private law institutions of the medieval Moldovan state. Methodology. The methodological basis was the principles of historicism, methods of objectivity and scientific approach; historical and comparative approaches. The results of the scientific research allowed us to conclude that the main source of private law was customs. The development of the main private law institutions continues: property rights, property, obligation, inheritance, family law. The main institutions of private law were formed under the direct influence of Byzantine legislation. The Moldovan private legal system of the XVI-XVII centuries was characterized by the priority of younger children over older ones (including daughters) – the minority, as well as equality in inheritance not only of sons, but also of daughters (sinisfora). Conclusions. It was concluded that during the period under study, the main private law branches of law, in par-ticular property, obligation, inheritance, and family law, continue to take shape. The formation of these institutions takes place under the direct influence of Byzantine legislation. Among the sources of private law are the custom, the Syntagma of Matthew Vlastar, the Byzantine Agricultural Law, the Code of Vasily Lupu of 1646. The Moldovan legal system of the XVI-XVII centuries was characterized by equality of inheritance, both sons and daughters (sinisfora). In addition, Moldovan law was characterized by a minority, which became widespread not only in relation to sons, but also daughters. All this testified to the relative independence of Moldovan women, which is explained by historically established family traditions, as well as customary law. In this sense, despite the immaturity of the Moldovan legal system in certain provisions of inheritance law, namely, in equality of rights of heirs regardless of gender, Moldova was ahead of many developed European countries with rich legal traditions.
Modelo productivo para el cultivo de cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) en el departamento de Sucre
Authors: Martínez Atencia Judith del Carmen , Novoa Yánez Rafael Segundo , Martínez Botello Darwin Hernando , Espinosa Carvajal Manuel Ramón , Martínez Reina Antonio María , Grandett Martínez Liliana María , Contreras Santos José Luis , Rodríguez Pinto María del Valle
Published: July 2022

El cacao (Theobroma cacao), como cultivo comercial, es de alta importancia en áreas tropicales de Centro y Sur América, Sureste de Asia y África y es el sustento de millones de agricultores. En el departamento de Sucre el cultivo ha tenido gran relevancia durante los últimos años por su fácil adaptación y producción, favorecido por las diversas zonas agroecológicas que le permiten desarrollarse y generar una buena productividad, además de garantizar excelentes ingresos para los productores que procuran mejorar su calidad de vida. A pesar de sus virtudes para el territorio, el reto aún es grande ya que se requiere empoderar a los productores de conocimiento para un manejo sostenible del cultivo y que la aplicación del modelo contribuya al aumento de la resiliencia ante las adversidades del clima. Este documento consta de once capítulos que abordan diferentes áreas temáticas, que buscan orientar a los productores de cacao del departamento de Sucre para el desarrollo de este sistema productivo con enfoque de sostenibilidad y competitividad. Se incluyen aspectos relacionados con el entorno ambiental requerido por la especie, así como su origen, características fenológicas, distribución espacial, requerimientos edafoclimáticos, sistemas de siembra en arreglos agroforestales, prácticas culturales para el cultivo, rehabilitación de plantaciones improductivas, manejo integrado de enfermedades y artrópodos plaga, cosecha y poscosecha, transformación y valor agregado y las características socioeconómicas, tecnologías locales de producción, que están relacionados con los retornos económicos de este sistema productivo en la zona de estudio.
Representing Physician Suicide Claims as Nanopublications: Proof-of-Concept Study Creating Claim Networks
Authors: Leung Tiffany I , Kuhn Tobias , Dumontier Michel
Published: July 2022

Background

In the poorly studied field of physician suicide, various factors can contribute to misinformation or information distortion, which in turn can influence evidence-based policies and prevention of suicide in this unique population.

Objective

The aim of this paper is to use nanopublications as a scientific publishing approach to establish a citation network of claims in peer-reviewed publications about the rate of suicide among US physicians.

Methods

A list of articles from a previously published scoping literature review on physician suicide was used to identify those articles that commented on or investigated suicidal behaviors of physician populations, including students, postgraduate trainees, and practicing physicians. The included articles were from peer-reviewed publications and asserted a claim about the annual rate of physician suicide. Manual data extraction was performed to collect article (or resource) type, title, authors, digital object identifier or URI, publication year, claim (about annual physician suicide rate), data of last access of the article (eg, for a webpage), and citations supporting the claim. Additional articles, websites, or other links were only added to the set of claims if they were cited by a peer-reviewed article already included in the data set. A nanopublication was created for each article or resource using Nanobench with an investigator-developed literature-based claim nanopublication template.

Results

A set of 49 claims concerning the rate of US physician suicide was represented as nanopublications. Analysis of the claim network revealed that (1) the network is not fully connected, (2) no single primary source of the claim could be identified, and (3) all end-point citations had a claim with no further citation, had no apparent claim, or could not be accessed to verify the claim. The nanopublication strategy also enabled the capture of variant claims published on a website.

Conclusions

Nanopublications remain to be adopted in broader scientific publishing in medicine, especially in publishing about physician mental health and suicide. This proof-of-concept study highlights an opportunity for more coordinated research efforts in the subject of physician suicide. Our work integrates these various claims and enables the verification of nonauthoritative assertions, thereby better equipping researchers to advance evidence-based knowledge and to make informed statements in the advocacy of physician suicide prevention. Representing physician suicide rate claims as nanopublications can be extended and improved in future work.
Experiences of Patient-Led Surveillance, Including Patient-Performed Teledermoscopy, in the MEL-SELF Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial: Qualitative Interview Study
Authors: Drabarek Dorothy , Habgood Emily , Janda Monika , Hersch Jolyn , Ackermann Deonna , Low Don , Low Cynthia , Morton Rachael L , Dieng Mbathio , Cust Anne E , Morgan Adelaide , Smith Elloise , Bell Katy L J
Published: July 2022

Background

Current clinician-led melanoma surveillance models require frequent routinely scheduled clinic visits, with associated travel, cost, and time burden for patients. Patient-led surveillance is a new model of follow-up care that could reduce health care use such as clinic visits and medical procedures and their associated costs, increase access to care, and promote early diagnosis of a subsequent new melanoma after treatment of a primary melanoma. Understanding patient experiences may allow improvements in implementation.

Objective

This study aims to explore patients’ experiences and perceptions of patient-led surveillance during the 6 months of participation in the MEL-SELF pilot randomized controlled trial. Patient-led surveillance comprised regular skin self-examination, use of a mobile dermatoscope to image lesions of concern, and a smartphone app to track and send images to a teledermatologist for review, in addition to usual care.

Methods

Semistructured interviews were conducted with patients previously treated for melanoma localized to the skin in New South Wales, Australia, who were randomized to the patient-led surveillance (intervention group) in the trial. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data with reference to the technology acceptance model.

Results

We interviewed 20 patients (n=8, 40% women and n=12, 60% men; median age 62 years). Patients who were more adherent experienced benefits such as increased awareness of their skin and improved skin self-examination practice, early detection of melanomas, and opportunities to be proactive in managing their clinical follow-up. Most participants experienced difficulty in obtaining clear images and technical problems with the app. These barriers were overcome or persevered by participants with previous experience with digital technology and with effective help from a skin check partner (such as a spouse, sibling, or friend). Having too many or too few moles decreased perceived usefulness.

Conclusions

Patients with melanoma are receptive to and experience benefits from patient-led surveillance using teledermoscopy. Increased provision of training and technical support to patients and their skin check partners may help to realize the full potential benefits of this new model of melanoma surveillance.
Emojis and Emoticons in Healthcare and Dermatology Communication: A Narrative Review (Preprint)
Authors: Szeto Mindy D , Barber Cara , Ranpariya Varun K , Anderson Jarett , Hatch Jonny , Ward Jordan , Aguilera Megan N , Hassan Shahzeb , Hamp Austin , Coolman Tyler , Dellavalle Robert P
Published: July 2022

BACKGROUND

Emoticons and emojis have become staple additions to modern day communication. These graphical icons are now imbedded into daily society through the various forms of popular social media and through users’ personal electronic conversations. With ever increasing use and inclusivity, exploration of the possible healthcare and dermatology applications of these tools is imperative.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this narrative review is to provide and evaluate an up-to-date literature survey examining the utility of emoticons and emojis in medicine. Special attention will be drawn to existing and potential usage in the field of dermatology, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

A PubMed search of peer-reviewed publications was performed in mid-2021 to collect articles with emoticon or emoji keywords in combination with other healthcare or dermatology-relevant keywords. Screening of publications and described studies was performed by authors with education and research experience in healthcare, dermatology, social media, and electronic communication trends. Selected articles were grouped by common subjects to be qualitatively analyzed and presented for in-depth discussion.

RESULTS

From this extensive search, researchers were able to identify a wide variety of publications detailing the use of emoticons and emojis within general healthcare, pediatric healthcare, public health, and dermatology. Key subject areas that emerged from the investigation included the ability of emoticons or emojis to improve communication within pediatric healthcare, enhance mood and psychological assessment or mental health screening in adults, develop interventions to improve patient medication adherence, complement novel means of public health and COVID-19 surveillance, and bolster dermatology-specific applications.

CONCLUSIONS

This review illuminated the repurposing of emojis or emoticons for a myriad of advantageous functions in the healthcare and public health, with applications studied in many populations and situations. Dermatology-specific uses were relatively sparse in the literature, which highlights a potential opportunity for growth in future studies and practices. The importance of diversity and inclusivity has extended to emojis, with the recent introduction of Skin of Color customization and new emojis better representing the comprehensive spectrum of users’ experiences. A continuously evolving and technology-driven population creates a unique niche for emoticons and emojis to ease worldwide communication and understanding, transcending barriers of age, language, and background. We encourage future studies and innovation to further understand and expand their utility.
Exploring Public Perceptions of Dental Care Affordability in the United States: Mixed Method Analysis via Twitter (Preprint)
Authors: Yashpal Shahen , Raghunath Ananditha , Gencerliler Nihan , Burns Lorel E
Published: July 2022

BACKGROUND

Dental care expenses are reported to present higher financial barriers than any other type of health care service in the United States. Social media platforms such as Twitter have become a source of public health communication and surveillance. Previous studies have demonstrated the usefulness of Twitter in exploring public opinion on aspects of dental care. To date, no studies have leveraged Twitter to examine public sentiments regarding dental care affordability in the United States.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to understand public perceptions of dental care affordability in the United States on the social media site, Twitter.

METHODS

Tweets posted between September 1, 2017, and September 30, 2021, were collected using the Snscrape application. Query terms were selected a priori to represent dentistry and financial aspects associated with dental treatment. Data were analyzed qualitatively using both deductive and inductive approaches. In total, 8% (440/5500) of all included tweets were coded to identify prominent themes and subthemes. The entire sample of included tweets were then independently coded into thematic categories. Quantitative data analyses included geographic distribution of tweets by state, volume analysis of tweets over time, and distribution of tweets by content theme.

RESULTS

A final sample of 5314 tweets were included in the study. Thematic analysis identified the following prominent themes: (1) general sentiments (1614 tweets, 30.4%); (2) delaying or forgoing dental care (1190 tweets, 22.4%); (3) payment strategies (1019 tweets, 19.2%); (4) insurance (767 tweets, 14.4%); and (5) policy statements (724 tweets, 13.6%). Geographic distributions of the tweets established California, Texas, Florida, and New York as the states with the most tweets. Qualitative analysis revealed barriers faced by individuals to accessing dental care, strategies taken to cope with dental pain, and public perceptions on aspects of dental care policy. The volume and thematic trends of the tweets corresponded to relevant societal events, including the COVID-19 pandemic and debates on health care policy resulting from the election of President Joseph R. Biden.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings illustrate the real-time sentiment of social media users toward the cost of dental treatment and suggest shortcomings in funding that may be representative of greater systemic failures in the provision of dental care. Thus, this study provides insights for policy makers and dental professionals who strive to increase access to dental care.
Remotely Conducted App-Based Intervention for Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes Risk Awareness and Prevention: Single-Group Feasibility Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Buss Vera Helen , Varnfield Marlien , Harris Mark , Barr Margo
Published: July 2022

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus are two of the most prevalent chronic conditions worldwide. An unhealthy lifestyle greatly contributes to someone’s risk of developing these conditions. Mobile health is an emerging technology that can help deliver health promotion interventions to the population, for example, in the form of health apps.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of an app-based intervention for cardiovascular and diabetes risk awareness and prevention by measuring nonusage, dropout, adherence to app use, and usability of the app over 3 months.

METHODS

Participants were eligible if they were aged 45 years or older, resided in Australia, were free of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, were fluent in English, and owned a smartphone. In the beginning, participants received an email with instructions on how to install the app and a user guide. After 3 months, they received an email with an invitation to an end-of-study survey. The survey included questions about general smartphone use and the user version of the Mobile Application Rating Scale. We analyzed app-generated and survey data by using descriptive and inferential statistics as well as thematic analysis for open-text comments.

RESULTS

Recruitment took place between September and October 2021. Of the 46 participants who consented to the study, 20 (44%) never used the app and 15 (33%) dropped out. The median age of the app users at baseline was 62 (IQR 56-67) years. Adherence to app use, that is, using the app at least once a week over 3 months, was 17% (8/46) of the total sample and 31% (8/26) of all app users. The mean app quality rating on the user version of the Mobile Application Rating Scale was 3.5 (SD 0.6) of 5 points. The app scored the highest for the information section and the lowest for the engagement section of the scale.

CONCLUSIONS

Nonusage and dropouts were too high, and the adherence was too low to consider the intervention in its current form feasible. Potential barriers that we identified include the research team not actively engaging with participants early in the study to verify that all participants could install the app, the intervention did not involve direct contact with health care professionals, and the app did not have enough interactive features.
Peer Review of “Representing Physician Suicide Claims as Nanopublications: Proof-of-Concept Study Creating Claim Networks” (Preprint)
Authors: Chan Eric C
Published: July 2022

UNSTRUCTURED

This is a peer review report related to ms#34979.
Peer Review of “Representing Physician Suicide Claims as Nanopublications: Proof-of-Concept Study Creating Claim Networks” (Preprint)
Authors: Soares Teles Ariel
Published: July 2022

UNSTRUCTURED

This is a peer review report related to ms# 34979.
Plan D- Vitamin D supplementation in psychotic disorders: a placebo controlled randomized trial (Preprint)
Authors: Nerhus Mari , Melle Ingrid , Hanssen-Bauer Ketil , Bjella Thomas D. , Andreassen Ole A. , Steen Nils-Eiel , Lagerberg Trine Vik
Published: July 2022

BACKGROUND

Cognitive impairments and negative symptoms in schizophrenia are associated with poor outcome, and may have common underlying mechanisms, such as psychomotor retardation. Vitamin D is a neuroactive component associated to both cognitive impairments and negative symptoms. The aim of the study is to evaluate the treatment effect of vitamin D supplementation compared to placebo on measures of psychomotor retardation.

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective is to investigate whether vitamin D supplementation is superior to placebo in improving processing speed.
The secondary objectives are to investigate whether vitamin D supplementation is superior to placebo in improving negative symptoms, social and physical activity.

METHODS

Study design: Randomized placebo-controlled double blind trial.
Study population: Men and women, aged 18-65 years, diagnosed with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder, in treatment for their disorder at the Division of Mental Health Services at Akershus University Hospital, and with baseline Vitamin D levels below 75 nmol/l.
Intervention: Participants will be randomized 1:1 to either vitamin D3 (50µg capsules) or placebo daily for 12 weeks. The medical product or placebo will be given in addition to treatment as usual.
Study measures: Cognitive tests for processing speed, symptom assessments for negative symptoms and blood sampling for vitamin D analyses will be performed at baseline and after 12 weeks intervention. During the 12 week intervention period the participants will use a smart phone application (MinDag) for daily self-report of occupational, social- and physical activity, and biweekly self-report of negative symptoms. Study participants will also wear an actigraph (MotionWatch 8 actigraph from CamNtech) for continuous registration of physical activity.

RESULTS

The study is currently recruiting. Primary outcome is change in cognitive performance on the symbol coding test from the Brief assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS). Secondary outcomes are change in negative symptoms from the clinician rated Brief negative symptom scale (BNSS), and change in self-reported negative symptoms from the scale Self-assessment of Negative Symptoms (SNS). Secondary outcomes also include change in self-reported social activities from the MinDag app and change in actigraph registered physical activity.

CONCLUSIONS

The results from the study will indicate whether vitamin D supplementation could represent a beneficial treatment strategy for impaired processing speed and related symptoms in schizophrenia.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT05211635.
The healthcare trajectories of older people in foster families: protocol for an Observational Study (Preprint)
Authors: Boucaud-Maitre Denis , Villeneuve Roxane , Simo-Tabué Nadine , Dartigues Jean-François , Amiéva Hélène , Tabué-Teguo Maturin
Published: July 2022

BACKGROUND

Foster families (1 to 3 people per family) for dependent older people could be a viable alternative to nursing homes. The aim of the Karukera Study of Ageing in Foster Families (KASAF) is to study the care pathways of dependent elderly people in foster care over a year.

OBJECTIVE

The main objective will be to obtain the annual rate of hospitalisation in this setting. The secondary objectives will be to assess hospitalisations costs, the incidence of mortality, the prevalence of geriatric syndromes, as well as the quality of life of residents and foster caregiver burnout.

METHODS

As a prospective, longitudinal cohort study, KASAF will include 250 people, aged 60 and older, and living in foster families in Guadeloupe. All participants will be followed for a year, with a baseline visit, an intermediate visit at 6 months and a final visit at 1 year. We will collect anthropometric measures, information on general health status and care pathways (hospitalization, medical and paramedical consultations), as well as data on medical history, nutritional status, and physical frailty. Cognitive impairment, depressive and anxiety symptoms will also be assessed along with functional abilities (mobility, instrumental activities of daily living and activities of daily living). A systematic update of vital status (death) and care pathway will be carried out at each follow-up. Additional information on the residents’ living status and potential hospitalizations will be collected after 3 and 9 months. Finally, foster caregivers will be interviewed at inclusion, after 6 months and after a year to assess their own quality of life and burnout symptoms.

RESULTS

In total, 109 elderly people from 56 foster families were enrolled. The one-year follow-up was ended in June 2022. Data analyses are ongoing and expected to be published in December 2022.

CONCLUSIONS

Foster families are a potentially innovative way to accommodate dependent older people, and have never been formally assessed, the most robust results dating back to thirty years. In theory, it is less expensive than nursing homes for the community, but in the absence of scientific studies on the associated health outcomes (number of hospitalisations, deaths, etc.), this model has not been validated and remains rare in metropolitan France or other countries. Beyond mortality and morbidity, the numerous outcomes will allow to assess the evolution of geriatric syndromes over time.

CLINICALTRIAL

NCT04545775
Investigating Patients' Continuance Intention Towards Conversational Agents in Outpatient Department: Cross-Sectional Field Survey (Preprint)
Authors: Li Xingyi , Xie Shirong , Ye Zhengqiang , Ma Shishi , Yu Guangjun
Published: July 2022

BACKGROUND

Conversational agents(CAs) have been developed in outpatient departments to improve doctor-patient communication efficiency. As end users, patients’ continuance intention is essential for the sustainable development of the agents.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify key factors influencing patients’ continuance intention towards CAs and provide corresponding optimization strategies.

METHODS

This study proposed an extended expectation-confirmation model and empirically tested the model via a cross-sectional field survey at Shanghai eye and ENT hospital outpatient department. Structured interviews were conducted and analyzed through manual deductive coding to better understand the confirmation of patients’ initial expectations. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was applied to assess the model and hypotheses.

RESULTS

A total of 172 completed questionaries were received (100% response rate). The proposed model explained 75.5% of the variance of continuance intention. Satisfaction (β = .68; P<.001) and perceived usefulness (β = .221; P=.004) were both significant predictors of continuance intention. Patients' extent of confirmation significantly and positively affected both perceived usefulness (β = .817; P<.001) and satisfaction (β = .61; P<.001). Contrary to expectations, perceived ease of use had no significant impact on perceived usefulness (β = .048; P=.367), satisfaction (β =- .004; P=.633) and continuance intention (β = .026; P=.91).74 of 172 patients participated in the structured interviews. The answers were categorized into three aspects, personalized interaction (mentioned 50 times), effective utilization (mentioned 37 times) and publicity on benefits (mentioned 5 times).

CONCLUSIONS

Implementing CA systems is not once and for all. By identifying key factors influencing patients’ continuance intention, this study provides a feedback channel for the administrators to gain insight into patients’ experience and thoughts. To maintain patients’ continuance intention and promote the sustainable development of CAs, efforts should be made towards maximizing patients’ satisfaction and perceived usefulness. Feasible measures include understanding patients’ expectations after their actual use and optimizing CA systems accordingly.
The role of vitamin D for the management ofdepression in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis andhypothyroidism in the West-Ukrainian population
Authors: Kamyshna Iryna
Published: July 2022

Background. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is known to be an essential endocrine disease that affects the population and may lead to hypothyroidism. This disease is one of the most commonly spread autoimmune diseases. Hypothyroid patients frequently experience features of depression, which is prevalent among other symptoms in hypothyroidism. Data from recent research has proved that vitamin D deficiency may cause depression manifestations in the population. The purpose of the work is to study the effect of cholecalciferol in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis and hypothyroidism in the West-Ukrainian population on the level of depression in these patients. Materials and methods. The study included the 56 patients with hypothyroidism (H) caused by autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT). We identified the severity of depression levels using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), which is reliable for depression assessment. Examinations were performed at the beginning and end of the 12-week treatment. Results. In patients of group 1 who received cholecalciferol and L-thyroxine, the level of depression on the Hamilton scale decreased by 40%, while in patients who received only L-thyroxine, the level of depression decreased by 25%. In addition, there was a significant difference between patients in groups 1 and 2 after treatment (p=0.003). That is, treatment with additional cholecalciferol on the background of L-thyroxine was more effective than treatment with L-thyroxine alone. Analyzing the effect of treatment in patients with Group 1 with the additional appointment of cholecalciferol on the background of L-thyroxine in 21.4% of patients disappeared depression. In addition, there was a decrease in depression in other patients in this group. Thus, in the remaining patients the severity of depressive manifestations decreased from moderate severity to mild depressive disorder. At the same time, after treatment only L-thyroxine depressive disorder of moderate severity decreased from 78.6 to 35.7% to mild depressive disorder, but complete disappearance of depression in this group of patients after treatment was not observed. Conclusions. Vitamin D supplementation should be administered in patients suffering from autoimmune thyroiditis and hypothyroidism which may correct depression disorders in these patients.
Insulin resistance: metabolic and somatic changes in children
Authors: Gromnatska N.M. , Sklyarova O.Y. , Kulya O.O.
Published: July 2022

Background. Insulin resistance is the major sign of etiology and pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome and can precede its development for many years. Early identifying the beginning of insulin resistance in children is important to prevent diabetes mellitus in adult life. The purpose was to identify metabolic and somatic changes in children with insulin resistance. Material and methods. Out of 182 children of the general sample, who was estimated fasting plasma insulin and glucose, HOMA-IR, and glucose/insulin ratio, 2 groups were formed: group 1— children with IR— 56 (30.8%) and group 2— 126 (69.2%) children with normal insulin sensitivity. In children anthropometric data, lipid metabolism (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C, LDL-C, VLDL-C), blood pressure, leptin were determined. Results. From examined subjects 56 children were generally obese (BMI > 95th percentile), 71 children were abdominally obese (WC >90th percentile), 55 children were with normal body mass (BMI < 90th percentile). Insulin resistance was identified in 21 (37.5%) children with general obesity more rarely, than in 38 (39.4%) children with abdominal obesity (p=.049) and in 7 (12.7%) children with normal BMI (p=.003). In insulin-resistant children BMI, waist and hip circumference was larger than in children with normal insulin sensitivity. The lipid profile in children with different insulin sensitivity did not differ, but in insulin-resistant children an association of basal glucose with TG/HDL-C ratio (r=.53; p=.001), blood insulin with TG (r=.34; p=.018), and TG/HDL-C ratio (r=.54; p=.001) was estimated. The HOMA-IR significantly correlated with VLD-C (r=.40; p=.005), TG (r=.49; p=.001), TG/HDL-C ratio (r=.43; p=.002). The glucose/insulin ratio was in significant association with the TG/non-HDL-C ratio. The incidence of hypetension (>95th percentile) diagnosis in insulin-resistant children was by 33.8% higher (p=.001). Blood leptin concentration was 1.8 falled higher in insulin-resistant children and significantly correlates with waist circumference, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and diastolic blood pressure. Conclusions. Insulin resistance is related to cardiometabolic risks, such as general and abdominal obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, hyperleptinemia, and leptin resistance, and is a screening biomarker for children and adolescents with an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases.
Hypoglycemia: varieties of etiopathogenesis and clinic. Observations from practice
Authors: Lіashuk P.M. , Lіashuk R.P. , Marchuk Yu.F. , Stankova N.I. , Kudina M.B.
Published: July 2022

Hypoglycemic syndrome is often noted in clinical practice in the treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), especially with insulin. This syndrome is manifested by symptoms caused by neuroglycopenia (insufficient supply of glucose to the brain, which utilizes 20% of all glucose). Hypoglycemia occurs quite often, in about 40% of people with type 1 DM. The clinical syndrome of postprandial (reactive) hypoglycemia of various etiologies is considered, which is manifested by a hypoglycemic condition in the next hours after eating, especially easily digestible carbohydrates. In most cases, there is a violation of the hypothalamic regulation of carbohydrate metabolism, and the clinical picture is dominated by symptoms of activation of the sympathoadrenal system. Such hypoglycemia is usually transient, as glucose levels return to normal rapidly due to the release of counterinsular hormones. The importance of the latter in the regulation of insulin secretion is evidenced by the fact that after oral glucose loading, a higher level of insulin secretion is determined than in the case of intravenous administration of an equivalent dose. Elderly patients with hypoglycemia are more likely to develop neurological disorders than adrenergic disorders (palpitations, tremors, hunger). These symptoms may be mistaken for signs of cerebrovascular ischemia, as a result, hypoglycemia is not adequately detected and treated. In addition to the acute adverse effects of hypoglycaemia, a hypoglycaemic episode may have long-term consequences. Frequent hypoglycemic conditions have a significant psychological impact and are also a risk factor for dementia. The paper presents the data, based on scientific sources and own observations, on etiopathogenesis of hypoglycemia, as well as their most frequent clinical varieties, in particular, in the syndrome of unrecognization of hypoglycemia, postprandial hypoglycemia, in chronic insulin overdose in patients with diabetes mellitus in old age and insulinism.
Генетичні особливості ремоделювання серця у хворих на діабетичну нефропатію
Authors: Nesen A. , Savicheva K. , Semenovykh P. , Shcherban T. , Topchii I.
Published: July 2022

Актуальність. Цукровий діабет (ЦД) є однією з найбільш пріоритетних медико-соціальних проблем сучасності. Основними причинами смертності у хворих на ЦД є ішемічна хвороба серця, артеріальна гіпертензія з розвитком гіпертрофії міокарда лівого шлуночка та діабетичне ураження нирок. Мета роботи: визначення поліморфізму Alu Ins/Del гена ангіотензинперетворюючого ферменту (АСЕ) у хворих на ЦД 2-го типу з діабетичною нефропатією (ДН) та виявлення можливого асоціативного зв’язку особливостей ремоделювання серця з генетичним профілем обстежених. Матеріали та методи. Обстежені 73 хворі на ДН, контрольну групу становили 19 здорових осіб. Хворі на ЦД 2-го типу були розділені на три групи: І група — хворі на ДН, носії D/D поліморфізму гена АСЕ (n = 23); ІІ група — хворі на ДН, носії І/D поліморфізму гена АСЕ (n = 32); ІІІ група — хворі на ДН, носії І/І поліморфізму гена АСЕ (n = 18). Ампліфікацію ДНК та генотипування здійснювали методом ПЛР в режимі реального часу з використанням набору реагентів «SNP-ЭКСПРЕСС-SHOT» («Литех», РФ). Усім пацієнтам проводили трансторакальну ехокардіографію на ультразвуковому апараті «ULTIMA PA» («Radmir», Україна) згідно з рекомендаціями Американського ехокардіографічного товариства. Результати. У хворих з генотипом D/D розміри лівого шлуночка серця, а саме ТЗС ЛШ, а також ІММ ЛШ достовірно більші, ніж у гетерозигот І/D (р < 0,05). У групі хворих на ДН, що мали поліморфізм І/І досліджуваного гена, відзначалися достовірно більші розміри устя аорти, ніж у носіїв гомозиготного варіанта D/D гена АСЕ (р < 0,05). У хворих на ЦД 2-го типу, гомозигот за алеллю D/D гена АСЕ, відмічається значне переважання концентричної гіпертрофії у структурі змін геометрії ЛШ (78,3 %) порівняно з гетерозигатами I/D (56,3 %) та носіями І/І поліморфізму (66,7 %). Встановлений негативний кореляційний зв’язок рівня ЛПДНЩ з ФВ ЛШ та позитивний з рівнем креатиніну сечі. Рівень ЛПНЩ позитивно корелював з показниками, що відображають гіпертрофію ЛШ, а саме з ТМШП ЛШ та ТЗС ЛШ. Також виявлений позитивний кореляційний зв’язок рівня креатиніну сечі та КДР ЛШ. У хворих на ДН поліморфізм I/D асоційований із зниженням ризику зростання ММ ЛШ понад 251 г (ВШ= 0,24 (0,08–0,76); р = 0,012 — кодомінантна модель успадкування; ВШ = 0,24 (0,09–0,63); р = 0,003— надмірно-домінантна модель успадкування). Висновки. Гетерозиготний генотип І/D гена АСЕ асоційований із зниженням ризику зростання ММ ЛШ та ІММ ЛШ порівняно з D/D генотипом, що вказує на важливий вплив цього поліморфізму не тільки на патогенез ДН, а й на розвиток та прогресування серцево-судинних ускладнень в когорті хворих на ЦД 2-го типу.
Performance of Chlorella sp. and Multicultural Bacteria in Removing Pollutants from Nutrient-Rich Wastewater
Authors: Azni Mohd Edyazuan , Abidin Atiqah Zainal , Noorain Roslan , Hitam Sharifah Mariam Syed , Ernawati Lusi , Abdullah Rosnah , Shoiful Ahmad , Mohamad Rozyanti Binti
Published: July 2022

The most common method of treating palm oil mill effluent (POME) is by using various types of bacteria communities. However, the utilization of microalgae in consuming the high nutrient content in wastewater offer additional benefit, particularly for CO2 sequestration. In this study, we proposed to evaluate the performance of multicultural bacteria obtained from municipal wastewater and Chlorella sp. for batch treatment of POME at different COD concentrations (ranges between 600 to 1,300 mg/L), microalgae species (C. vulgaris and C. pyrenoidosa) and speed of agitation (0 and 150 rpm). The results showed that between the bacteria and microalgae that are involved in POME treatment, microalgae give high removal of colour (93%) and ammoniacal nitrogen (95%). As for the COD and phosphate removal, both microorganisms show comparable performances. It was observed that C. pyrenoidosa was able to remove more colour compared to C. vulgaris where higher lipid yield production was obtained (47.6%). However, there is no significant impact of agitation on pollutant removal. This study also reveals that co-cultivation of different microalgae species does not affect the efficiency of the system. This study provides an important insight into developing an efficient and environmentally friendly method to treat wastewater by incorporating green technology in the treatment system
Immobilization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) Seed Fiber for Bioethanol Production
Authors: Bahlawan Zuhriyan Ash Shiddieqy , Megawati Megawati , Damayanti Astrilia , Putri Radenrara Dewi Artanti , Permadhini Ayu Nur , Sulwa Khoridatus , Felicitia Fahreza Pracenda , Septiamurti Anggun
Published: July 2022

Bioethanol is alternative renewable energy typically obtained from glucose through a fermentation process using Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In the bioethanol fermentation process using yeast, there are several inhibiting factors, such as a high concentration of substrate, ethanol as the product, and nutrients. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of fermentation time (12- 72 hours), immobilized carrier size (sizes of 0.5 cm3 , 1 cm3 , and 1.5 cm3 ), and medium pH (3.0, 4.0, and 5.0) on the ethanol fermentation process using immobilized yeast in jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) seeds and subsequently to compare its performance with a free cell system. The highest ethanol concentration (89.15 g/L) with a yield of 96.92% was obtained by immobilizing yeast in jackfruit seed at a fermentation time of 72 hours, carrier size of 0.5 cm3 , and medium pH of 5.0. When compared to the free cell system fermentation under identical operating conditions, immobilized yeast in jackfruit seed obtained 1.41 times higher ethanol concentration. Jackfruit seed also led to a higher ethanol concentration compared to other S. cerevisiae carriers. Altogether, our findings imply that jackfruit seed has great potential as a carrier of S. cerevisiae in the process of fermenting glucose into ethanol