bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between dietary patterns and diabetic kidney disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and a mediational analysis: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Liu Yijun , Li Ping , Li Jing , Xu Linxin , He Yasha , Qiao Jing , Guan Zhaojuan , Zhang Yanbo , Wang Yan
Published: January 2024

Aims
This study aimed to investigate the relationship between different dietary patterns and diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and explore the mediating effect produced by blood glucose levels.
Materials and Methods
This study was conducted according to the China Chronic Disease and Risk Factors Surveillance (CCDRFS). Two districts and two counties were randomly selected from CCDRFS in Shanxi Province to collect general information, dietary records, physical measurements, and laboratory tests. 1,332 patients were enrolled.
Results
The prevalence of DKD was 21.9%, which was lower in urban than in rural areas. Dietary patterns were constructed: 'animal protein', 'coarse grains and plant protein', 'nuts and fruits', 'refined grains and vegetables', 'dairy', and 'added sugars', with factor contributions of 15.4%, 10.0%, 8.3%, 8.1%, 7.6%, and 7.2% respectively, explaining 56.6% of the total dietary variation. Patients in the highest quartile of dietary pattern scores for 'nuts and fruits' experienced a 50.5% lower risk of albuminuria and 'added sugars' showed a 3.123-fold increase risk of reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) compared with those in the lowest quartile. The 'nuts and fruits' dietary pattern negatively affected UACR through the mediation of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), with a total effect value of -0.019.
Conclusions
In T2DM, the 'nuts and fruits' dietary pattern decreased the risk of albuminuria, and the 'added sugars' dietary pattern increased the risk of decreased eGFR. FPG and HbA1c partially mediated the association between the 'nuts and fruits' dietary pattern and DKD.
Influenza surveillance in pigs: balancing act between broad diagnostic coverage and specific virus characterization
Authors: Stadler Julia , Zwickl Sophia , Gumbert Sophie , Ritzmann Mathias , Lillie-Jaschniski Kathrin , Harder Timm , Graaf-Rau Annika , Skampardonis Vassilis , Eddicks Matthias
Published: January 2024

Background
Monitoring of infectious diseases on swine farms requires a high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the test system. Moreover, particularly in cases of swine Influenza A virus (swIAV) it is desirable to include characterization of the virus as precisely as possible. This is indispensable for strategies concerning prophylaxis of swIAV and furthermore, to meet the requirements of a purposeful monitoring of newly emerging IAV strains in terms of vaccine design and public health. Within the present cross-sectional study, we compared the diagnostic value of group samples (wipes of surfaces with direct contact to mouth/nose, dust wipes, udder skin wipes, oral fluids) to individual samples (nasal swabs, tracheobronchial swabs) for both swIAV identification and characterization. Sampling included different stages of pig production on 25 sow farms with attached nursery considered as enzootically infected with swIAV. Firstly, samples were analyzed for IAV genome and subsequently samples with Ct-values < 32 were subtyped by multiplex RT-qPCR.
Results
Nasal swabs of suckling piglets and nursery pigs resulted in a higher odds to detect swIAV (p < 0.001) and to identify swIAV subtypes by RT-qPCR (p < 0.05) compared to nasal swabs of sows. In suckling piglets, nasal swabs and sow udder skin wipes were significantly more often swIAV positive compared to contact wipes from the farrowing unit (p = 0.007; p = 0.036). In the nursery, group sampling specimens yielded higher rates of swIAV detection compared to individual samples. However, in general nasal swabs were more likely to have Ct-value < 32 and thus, to be suitable for subtyping by RT-qPCR compared to dust wipes, contact wipes, udder skin wipes and tracheobronchial swabs (p < 0.05). Despite the high detection rate of swIAV in dust wipes, those specimens had the lowest odds of identifying subtypes by RT-qPCR (p < 0.05). Interestingly, different subtypes were found in different age groups as well as in different specimens in the same holding.
Conclusion
Although population-based specimens are highly effective for swIAV monitoring, nasal swabs are still the preferable sampling material for the surveillance of on-farm circulating strains due to significantly higher virus loads. Remarkably, sampling strategies should incorporate suckling piglets and different age groups within the nursery to cover all on-farm circulating strains.
Colonoscopy Utilization in Elderly Dementia Patients: Characteristics, Complications, and Charges in a National Matched-Cohort Analysis
Authors: Shweikeh Faris , Hong Gordon , Rogers Kathleen , Mouchli Mohamad , Hoscheit Matthew , Lembo Anthony
Published: January 2024

Background
It is projected that the elderly population will continue to increase. Many will develop chronic conditions such as dementia.
Aims
Our aims are to describe the utilization of colonoscopy among dementia patients and compare outcomes in those with and without dementia.
Methods
This population-based analysis utilized the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) during 2019. Patients with dementia over the age of 60 years receiving colonoscopy were identified utilizing the Elixhauser comorbidity measure and ICD-10 codes. Propensity score matching was used to correct for effects of uneven features of the clinical outcomes. Multivariate regression analysis was used to assess the effect of patient factors.
Results
Initially, 50,692 patients without dementia were compared with 4,323 patients with dementia. Dementia patients were more likely to be female, older, less likely white, had lower income, and more likely to be on Medicare. In the matched comparison (4,176 in each group), complications analysis showed dementia patients did not have higher colonoscopy-related complications. They did have higher rates of other complications including renal/AKI (p = 0.0042), pulmonary/pneumonia (p = 0.003), cerebrovascular accidents (p = 0.0063), and sepsis (< 0.0001). Dementia patients were also less likely to have routine discharges (< 0.0001), had longer hospital stays (< 0.0001), and higher hospital costs (< 0.0001).
Conclusions
Elderly dementia patients have similar colonoscopy-related complications as patients without dementia. However, they do have higher complications in general. The decision whether to perform colonoscopy in this patient population is multifactorial. A careful assessment of a dementia patient’s history can help with this decision.
One-step fabricated ZnO electron-transporting layers for perovskite light-emitting diodes with sub-bandgap turn-on voltage
Authors: SUN XINZHI , BAI JIALIN , WANG TING , ZHANG HANZHUANG , JI WENYU
Published: January 2024

Efficient charge injection into the emitters, which can reduce the voltage loss at interfaces, is a prerequisite for high-performance light-emitting diodes, with low voltage operation. Here we develop a sol-gel ZnO (s-ZnO) electron-transport layer for the perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) with green-emission formamidinium lead bromide (FAPbBr3) perovskites as emitters. Polyethylenimine (PEI) is mixed into the s-ZnO precursor as a modifier, which not only promotes the wettability of s-ZnO films, but also passivates the defects of s-ZnO without sacrificing their electrical conductivity. As a result, highly efficient FAPbBr3 films are obtained on the s-ZnO films. The maximum current efficiency of PeLED with s-ZnO:PEI electron-transporting layer reaches 13.5 cd/A, 45% higher than that based on pristine s-ZnO without PEI modifier. Benefiting from the outstanding charge-transport properties of s-ZnO and high-quality perovskite film, the turn-on voltage of the s-ZnO based PeLEDs is only 1.9 V, much lower than the band-gap voltage (~ 2.3 V) of FAPbBr3.
Motor nerve detection and functional rehabilitation for Athlete based on functional near-infrared spectroscopy imaging
Authors: Liu Dongdong
Published: January 2024

With the rapid development of society and economy, people's living pressure is constantly increasing, and some diseases such as motor neuron disease (ALS) are troubling people. However, the accuracy of diagnosing ALS is still relatively low. Therefore, this article specifically designs a motor nerve detection system and a functional rehabilitation system based on functional infrared spectroscopy. Firstly, this article provides an in-depth explanation of the principles of functional infrared spectroscopy imaging technology, and summarizes the principles and characteristics of functional near-infrared spectroscopy imaging technology. The research process mainly utilizes functional near-infrared spectroscopy to evaluate patients themselves, and then conducts subsequent experiments to accurately analyze the sensitivity and differences of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (FNIRS) parameters for different difficulties. The research results indicate that the FNIRS signal can make patients more sensitive. Within the specified range, the HbO (oxygen hemoglobin) and tHb (total hemoglobin) levels of patients will change with the difficulty of the task, and there will be a downward trend after the difficulty exceeds a specific value. Therefore, the imaging technology based on functional infrared spectroscopy proposed in this article achieves the design of a system for motor nerve detection and functional rehabilitation, and verifies the effectiveness of this system.
Quantitative Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Tibetan Buddhist Religious Space with Monasteries as the Carrier: A Case Study of U-Tsang, China
Authors: Fang Subin , Zhao Yaolong , Liu Xinxin , Yang Yao
Published: January 2024

Tibetan Buddhism has an inseparable connection with the spatial characteristics, development process, and human-natural environment of the Tibetan Plateau. This paper takes monasteries as carriers of Tibetan Buddhist culture in U-Tsang region which is one of the traditional geographical units of Tibet. Using geospatial analysis methods, this study explores the spatial quantification characteristics of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and qualitatively and quantitatively analyzes the factors that influence the spatial distribution of monasteries. The results indicate that: (1) Political activities of human society influence the pattern of political power. Under the unique context of Tibetan theocracy system, the scope of political authority has a significant influence and affects the religious spatial pattern in the U-Tsang region throughout history. The distribution of monasteries in the U-Tsang region shows significant spatial differences at three sub-regional scales. (2) The religious spatial pattern in the U-Tsang is the result of the diverse interaction of human-natural factors. The results indirectly endorse that religious space is an inevitable product of the interaction between humans and the environment. (3) The religious spatial distribution patterns in the three major Tibetan regions have distinct characteristics, closely related to the superior conditions of their respective historical and geographical environments.
Oceanic Maintenance of Atmospheric Blocking in Wintertime in the North Atlantic
Authors: Mathews Jamie , Czaja Arnaud
Published: January 2024

The connection between atmospheric blocking over the North Atlantic and the diabatic influence of the Gulf Stream is investigated using potential vorticity and moist potential vorticity diagnostics in the ERA5 reanalysis data set during wintertime (1979 - 2020). In line with previous research, the reliance atmospheric blocking has on turbulent heat fluxes over the Gulf Stream and its extension, for induction and maintenance, is shown to be significant. The air-sea heat flux generates negative potential vorticity air masses in the atmospheric boundary layer. These air masses subsequently contribute to the block's negative potential vorticity anomaly at upper levels through ascending motion in the warm conveyor belt. It is shown that the block's size and frequency partially depends on oceanic preconditioning via anomalous oceanic heat transport and heat content, prior to the blocking event, both of which allow for stronger turbulent heat fluxes. It is further hypothesized that the block feeds back positively on itself through the advection of cold dry air over the Gulf Stream, sustaining this air-sea interaction. This in turn decreases ocean heat content, eventually halting this air-sea interaction and severing the atmospheric block from its maintenance pathway.
A rare asymtomatic metallic foreign body retained in the subconjunctival space for over 50 years: A Case Report
Authors: Su Wenqi , Jiang Feng , Li Xing , He Tiangeng
Published: January 2024

Background Superficial foreign body present on the conjunctiva or cornea can be easily detected and removed, and may pose minimal harm if addressed promptly. In this report, we present a case with a metallic foreign body remained within the subconjunctival space for over 50 years without significant ocular complications.Case presentation: An 80-year-old woman complained of tearing and blurred vision in the left eye. Slit-lamp examination showed the presence of a tiny metallic foreign body within subconjunctival space and the cataract in the left eye. No further abnormal findings were observed in the fundus and extraocular components during the examination. After inquiring about the patient's history of trauma, it was revealed that over 50 years ago, the patient experienced an ocular injury from a shard of iron while working at a factory. Since the patient's strong desire to alleviate ocular discomfort, the subconjunctival foreign body was removed under topical anesthesia in the operating room. After a 1-month follow-up, the patient reported the complete relief of tearing symptoms.Conclusions In this case, there appears to be no severe consequences associated with the long-term retention of a subconjunctival metallic foreign body. Nonetheless, it is imperative to conduct meticulous patient evaluations and interventions to mitigate the potential risk of injury.
Ricci Soliton in Deformed C12-Manifolds
Authors: Delloum Adel
Published: January 2024

This study centers on the exploration of specific deformations applied to almost contact metric manifolds, preserving the intrinsic structure of C12-manifolds. Subsequently, our investigation delves into the realm of Ricci solitons within the context of C12-manifolds subjected to such deformations. A detailed analysis is undertaken to understand the behavior of Ricci solitons, particularly when the potential vector field exhibits pointwise collinearity with the Reeb vector field or is orthogonal to it.
Engineering Resilient Community Pharmacies: Exploring an Integrative Approach to Medication Safety
Authors: Chui Michelle A. , Berbakov Maria E. , Gilson Aaron M. , Stone Jamie A. , Lehnbom Elin C. , Hoffins Emily L. , II James H. Ford
Published: January 2024

Introduction: The increase of people with complex chronic health conditions is stressing the U.S. healthcare delivery system. Community pharmacies play a role in ensuring patients’ safe medication use for chronic care management, but their efforts are undermined by volatile work demands and other system barriers.
Methods: This study seeks to conceptualize, design, implement, and test a MedSafeMapTM for the community pharmacy setting to enhance pharmacists’ and technicians’ abilities to either avoid, or to quickly identify and recover from, medication errors before patient safety is endangered.
Discussion: The MedSafeMap is an innovative approach that will be used by pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to better navigate the complex tasks in the pharmacy, and to facilitate communication with both patients and clinicians, while safely providing medications to complex patients with chronic health conditions.
Prevalence of Fat-Soluble Vitamin Deficiency in Post Hepaticoportoenterostomy Biliary Atresia Patients
Authors: Srima Kornkanok , Tanatip Narumon , Damrongmanee Alisara , Ukarapol Nuthapong
Published: January 2024

Purpose
To primarily evaluate the prevalence of fat-soluble vitamin (FSV) deficiency in children with EHBA. The secondary objective was to explore any possible associated risk factors.
Methods
FSV deficiency was diagnosed if either 1) vitamin A level < 0.7 micromol/L, 2) serum 25-OH D < 20 ng/mL, 3) vitamin E to cholesterol ratio < 2.22 micromol/mmol, or 4) INR > 1.5 correctable with parenteral vitamin K administration.
Results
Thirty EHBA patients (13 males) with an average age of 7.9 years old were consecutively enrolled. The prevalence of at least one FSV deficiency was 36.7% (95% CI 18.4, 54.9), in which the most common one was vitamin A deficiency (36.7%), followed by the deficiency of vitamin D, E, and K, respectively. Univariate analysis showed statistically significant differences in hepatomegaly, albumin, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, hemoglobin level, anemia for ages, ESR, CRP, BUN, creatinine level, and PELD score between those with and without any FSV deficiency.
Conclusion
Vitamin A deficiency was the most frequently observed. Adequate vitamin supplementation should be carefully reviewed to prevent its deficiency, particularly in EHBA patients with high PELD scores, potentially indicative of LT.
A Cost‒Benefit Analysis of AlternativeManagement Strategies for Red Deer in Denmark
Authors: Jensen Frank , Lundhede Thomas , Sunde Peter
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we conduct a cost‒benefit analysis (CBA) of alternative management strategies for red deer in Denmark: free harvest, trophy hunting, maximum harvest and natural demographic population compositions. To capture the effect of each strategy, we use a biological sex- and age-structured population model, and in the net benefit, we include meat values, recreational values, browsing damage costs and traffic damage costs. These values and costs are assumed to differ for the various sex and age classes of red deer. We show that the maximum harvest strategy leads to a reasonably high positive total net benefit, while the free harvest strategy yields a small positive net benefit. Furthermore, the trophy hunting strategy generate a high negative net benefit, while a small negative net benefit is obtained under the strategies with a natural demographic population composition.
JEL codes: D61; Q29; Q51
Open Innovation in Healthcare Ecosystem – a systematic review
Authors: Torab-Miandoab Amir , Samad-Soltani Taha , Rezaei-hachesu Peyman
Published: January 2024

Background: Several countries are facing significant troubles of health services, particularly rising prices. Innovative technologies and services are expected to help boost medical quality and cut costs. In this sense, there is a lack of innovative work in spite of a growing interest in open innovation and approaches that advocate for expanded cooperation among various actors in healthcare.
Objective: This paper describes the findings of a study concerning the commitment of the healthcare sector to open innovation.
Materials and methods: The search for literature focused on English-language papers to 12 January 2020. Based on the indicated criteria for inclusion, 29 articles were included.
Results: Results show that most experiments concentrate on the areas of pharmaceutical research (drug discovery) and health informatics (health information systems and infrastructures) that were brought out as concepts or applied as pilot and prototype.
Conclusions: The participation of the healthcare sector limited in open innovation, and more work is required with an emphasis how to get open innovation.
Frequency-independent optical spin injection in Weyl semimetals
Authors: Gao Yang , Wang Chong , Xiao Di
Published: January 2024

We demonstrate that in Weyl semimetals, the momentum-space helical spin texture can couple to the chirality of the Weyl node to generate a frequency-independent optical spin injection. This frequency-independence is rooted in the topology of the Weyl node. Since the helicity and the chirality are always locked for Weyl nodes, the injected spin from a pair of Weyl nodes always add up, implying no symmetry requirements for Weyl semimetals. Finally, we show that such frequency-independent spin injection is robust against multiband corrections and lattice-regularization effect and capable of realizing all-optical magnetization switching in the THz regime.
The impact of home office on employee productivity and work balance
Authors: Grenčíková Adriana , Španková Jana , Kordoš Marcel
Published: January 2024

The implementation of the home office has changed the organization of work not only during the pandemic but also permanently, so it is considered challenging to explore the effects on work processes and the value orientation of employees. This study aims to identify the employees’ subjective perceptions of work productivity, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of home office during each wave of the COVID-19 outbreak, by taking into account the views of each generational cohort. The paper analyzes the effects of the home office on employee productivity in Slovak firms and its impacts on private life. Descriptive statistical methods were used to process the data obtained by questionnaire survey, conducted in several phases from September 1, 2020, till August 20, 2022, on a sample of 1167 respondents reached by random selection. The questionnaire was distributed through social network sites and targeted at people who use information and communication technologies, which is a requirement of the home office. The hypothesis was verified using the chi-square test. Based on the survey results, workers who use home offices feel isolated and prefer a combined form of work; they lack social contact, which reflects negatively on their mental health. The combined form of work also significantly impacts the sustainability of work productivity. The study recommends that organizations ensure work-life balance, understanding the particular generations working within the home office.
Target groups of young women for triphasic combined hormonal contraception
Authors: Kuznetsova I. V.
Published: January 2024

Hormonal contraception is widely used to prevent unintended pregnancies and is represented by a large number of drugs that allow to personalize the choice of contraceptives for each woman. Combined oral contraceptive (COC) variants include not only drugs that differ in qualitative composition, but also modifications of the dosage regimen. Among the non-trivial regimens are triphasic active ingredient dosing that enables to achieve a reduction in progestogen burden while maintaining contraceptive efficacy. This approach is important in prescribing COCs to women who have previously experienced or may potentially experience adverse reactions to progestogens. Identification of target groups of women predisposed to progestogen-dependent side effects helps to correctly prescribe COCs and improve adherence to the contraceptive method. Thus, changes in bleeding characteristics during the use of hormonal contraceptives may lead to refusal of COCs. With the exception of patients who are prescribed COCs for additional therapeutic purposes to control the menstrual cycle rhythmicity and intensity, women expect that they keep the usual pattern of their cycle and react negatively to any changes or deviations from the reference ranges. Meanwhile, the bleeding profile during the use of hormonal contraceptives can change significantly. Characteristics such as the intensity and predictability of uterine bleeding are important for the assessment of the effect of a contraceptive on uterine bleeding. This analytical review presents groups of young women for whom initial use of triphasic COCs may be the best choice.
Evolution of insulin therapy in the light of innovative technologies of the 21st century
Authors: Demidova T. Yu. , Titova V. V.
Published: January 2024

The advent of insulin biosimilars has ushered in a new era in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, promising increased accessibility and affordability of this life-saving medication. This comprehensive review explores the evolving landscape of insulin biosimilars, focusing on their therapeutic equivalence, regulatory considerations, and clinical implications. Biosimilars are biological drugs produced using innovative technologies that replicate the structure and action of the reference drug in a very close way and are not inferior in effectiveness and other characteristics to the original, but are more affordable in pricing. Assessing their therapeutic equivalence requires a multifaceted approach including physicochemical and biological characterization, preclinical studies, and performance testing. The introduction of biosimilar drugs into clinical practice is gradually gaining importance for global health, especially in the treatment of oncological, autoimmune, endocrine diseases and, in particular, diabetes. The process of their registration and introduction into patient treatment practice has already been standardized in developed countries, international documents necessary for implementation have been issued, and convincing and clear confirmation of the positive results obtained during preclinical and clinical studies proving the bioequivalence and interchangeability of the biosimilar and the reference drug is required. The clinical implications of insulin biosimilars are of paramount importance, impacting patient outcomes, healthcare costs, and overall diabetes management. This review synthesizes existing evidence on the efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of insulin biosimilars, providing insights into their potential role in diabetes therapy. Insulin biosimilars represent a promising avenue for expanding access to insulin therapy while addressing the economic burden of diabetes care. This review underscores the importance of continued research, robust regulatory oversight, and informed clinical decision-making to maximize the benefits of insulin biosimilars for patients and healthcare systems worldwide.
Molecular mechanisms of inhibition of cellular senescence
Authors: Khanalieva I. A. , Svechnikova E. V.
Published: January 2024

Introduction. Advances in studying skin ageing processes have proven the importance of high-quality synthesis of type I and III collagen. Protein synthesis is a genetically conditioned process encoded by many genes. Mutations in these genes lead to disorders in this process. The skin ageing genes FLG, AQP3, COL1A1, MMP1, ELN correlate with certain skin morphotypes, and studying the variability of gene transformations opens up new vistas for predicting the development of signs of ageing at any age and, as a result, timely prevention of ageing problems.

Aim. To evaluate the effect of skin ageing correction therapy based on the ageing protein expression and the type I and III collagen production according to genetically conditioned ageing variants.

Materials and methods. Patients in the comparison groups who had the major signs of skin aging received correction therapy according to regimen 1 (SKINOPRO ACTIVE 8 mg/ml every 7 days) and regimen 2 (SKINOPRO FORTE 12 mg/ml every 7 days). Evaluation of the efficacy of therapy with hyaluronic acid, silica and zinc drugs was based on an analysis of the pathomorphological view of biopsy specimens and an immunohistochemical analysis of Ki-67, p53, AP-1, Collagen I, Collagen III, TGF-b, Klotho, calreticulin expression.

Results. The results support the importance of identification of aberrations in genes encoding the skin collagen synthesis to personalize treatment methods for correcting signs of aging in patient with different morphotypes.

Conclusion. The article presents interim results of a comparative analysis of methods for correcting involutional changes in the face and neck skin. The possibility of further clinical studies of pharmacological drugs used to correct the morphofunctional signs of aging of the face and neck skin using the presented test findings is discussed.
Justification for exogenous replacement of magnesium deficiency in women planning pregnancy: experienc of using the drug
Authors: Mezhevitinova E. A. , Iurova M. A. , Abakarova P. R. , Kepsha M. A.
Published: January 2024

Introduction. During pregnancy, the body’s need for most micronutrients increases, and therefore timely detection and adequate correction of deficient conditions are justified, starting from the stage of pre-gravidar preparation.

Objective. The purpose of the study is to present literature data on the role of magnesium in homeostasis and own experience of the effectiveness of the use of magnesium preparation.

Materials and methods. A review of the literature for 2021–2023 in the databases was conducted in the databases PubMed (the National Library of Medicine), The Cochrane Library, as well as in scientific citation databases (Scopus, Web of Science) The experience of own application of the preparation containing magnesium lactate dihydrate (470 mg) is also presented + pyridoxine hydrochloride (5 mg).

Result and discussion. The intake of magnesium into the human body with food is insufficient. Exogenous magnesium replenishment is clinically justified in isolated or associated with other conditions of established deficiency, primarily with intense emotional and physical exertion, sleep deprivation, as well as with emotional lability, palpitations, muscle fasciculations, with magnesium elimination due to iatrogenic exposure or increased demand, for example, gestational-conditioned. Regular use of Magne B6® has demonstrated its effectiveness in the treatment of symptoms of psychological daily stress (fatigue, irritability, deterioration of sleep quality) in women planning pregnancy.

Conclusions. The results obtained appear to be important in terms of reducing the risks of clinical progression of somatic symptoms and potential gestational complications, as well as improving the quality of life of childbearing age women who are actively planning to implement their reproductive function.
Case report of leukoencephalopathy with predominant brainstem and spinal cord involvement and lactate elevation behind the mask of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Kirillova P. A. , Ryabov S. A. , Popova E. V. , Bryukhov V. V.
Published: January 2024

Leukoencephalopathy with brainstem and spinal cord involvement and lactate elevation (LBSL) is a rare or underdiagnosed autosomal-recessive mitochondrial disease that sometimes mimics progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). Difficulties in diagnosing LBSL are due to the possibility of the onset of the disease in adulthood, and the nonspecific clinical picture in the form of slowly progressive neurological symptoms (pyramidal, cerebellar, sensory and cognitive impairments) without the involvement of other organs and systems characteristic of mitochondrial pathology. However, a notable feature of LBSL is its pathognomonic magnetic resonance imaging of the white matter of the brain and spinal cord, which allows a reliable diagnosis when certain criteria are met. Currently, there are no drugs registered for the specific treatment of LBSL, however, correct diagnosis is necessary to complete the epidemiological data, and to prevent the prescription of drugs with side effects that worsen the quality of life of patients. The number of clinical publications about LBSL is small, both in Russian and foreign publications, and therefore each identified case is of great interest. The article presents a brief review of the literature and a case report of a patient with the adult-onset LBSL, who received disease modifying therapy of multiple sclerosis for a long time. The patient’s main problems were progressive lower paraparesis and ataxia. To make clinicians more aware, we have reviewed the difficulties in differential diagnosis between LBSL and MS, we provided detailed medical history, neurological status, and magnetic resonance imaging findings.
Obstetric and perinatal outcomes after a new coronavirus infection in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy
Authors: Khvorostukhina N. F. , Sheveleva D. I. , Novichkov D. A. , Stepanova N. N. , Suvorova G. S. , Odnokozova O. S. , Akhmedova Yu. K.
Published: January 2024

Introduction. The management of pregnant women in the conditions of the spread of a new coronavirus infection has become a priority task for doctors of all specialties, since it is with this pathology that an increase in the frequency of unfavorable gestation outcomes is currently associated.

The aim of the study: to study obstetric and perinatal outcomes after a new coronavirus infection in the I and II trimesters of pregnancy.

Objective. To study the features of the course of pregnancy, childbirth and perinatal outcomes in ICI, depending on the method of delivery.

Materials and methods. A comparative study of the birth histories of women after coronavirus infection in 2021 was carried out. Group 1 (n = 26) consisted of patients with COVID-19 infection in the first trimester, group 2 (n = 30) – in the second trimester. The 3rd group is represented by relatively healthy women (n = 35). Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistica 7.0, SPSS 17 packages, as well as the statistical functions of MS Excel 2013.

Results and discussion. The course of pregnancy after COVID-19 infection suffered in the first and second trimesters is associated with an increased risk of placental insufficiency (26.9 and 30%, respectively), the development of sympthoms of threatening termination (61.5 and 46.7%), anemia (38.5 and 43.3%), gestational hypertension (15.4 and 16.7%), bacterial vaginosis (19.2 and 20.0%), premature rupture of fetal membranes (34.6 and 16.7%), with the prevalence of urgent labor, but an increase in premature (13.3%) and operative labor (36.7%) with the manifestation of the disease in the second trimester. Newborns of mothers with COVID-19 infection are more often born in a state of asphyxia (65.4 and 53.3%). The structure of perinatal pathology is dominated by cerebral ischemia (42.3 and 40%), perinatal hypoxic damage to the central nervous system (19.2 and 23.3%), neonatal jaundice (11.5 and 23.3%), intrauterine pneumonia (15.4 and 10.0%), congenital malformations (7.7 and 30.0%; p1-2 = 0.04).

Conclusion. The results of the study once again have confirmed the need for further study of the problem in order to find measures to reduce obstetric and perinatal complications in women after COVID-19 infection.
Microbial eczema: modern possibilities of consistent topical therapy
Authors: Tlish M. M. , Shavilova M. E. , Psavok F. A.
Published: January 2024

At the present stage, there is an increase in the prevalence of allergic spectrum diseases. Epidemiological studies and the active introduction of genomic technologies in recent years have made it possible to accumulate data indicating the significant role of bacteria and fungi in the development of sensitization, which is one of the triggering and supporting factors for the course of microbial eczema. Dermatosis has a chronic relapsing course, in the formation of which delayed-type hypersensitivity, free-radical processes, and violations of the epidermal barrier play a significant role. A number of studies have noted the relationship between the development of microbial eczema and genetic factors, neuroendocrine and vegetative-vascular disorders. Features of etiopathogenesis and the recurrent nature of the course of microbial eczema necessitate an integrated approach to the management of patients with this dermatosis. Treatment of the disease includes elimination of the action of bacterial and fungal agents, anti-inflammatory therapy and restoration of the epidermal barrier. To suppress the infection, the appointment of antibacterial and antifungal drugs is indicated. However, their use as monotherapy in patients with eczema can provoke an exacerbation of the allergic process. In this regard, the article describes the current possibilities of using topical glucocorticosteroid drugs in combination with antibiotics and antimycotics. Attention is focused on ways to prevent complications and a staged approach to the management of patients with microbial eczema, the important components of which, after stopping the infectious process, are the suppression of inflammation and the restoration of the epidermal barrier. We present our own observations of patients with microbial eczema treated with preparations containing combinations of glucocorticosteroid with antibiotics and antimycotics, glucocorticosteroid with ceramides.
Principles of management of patients with short bowel syndrome
Authors: Shemenkova V. S.
Published: January 2024

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a rare disease accompanied by the phenomena of malabsorption (impaired absorption of food) and maldigestion (phenomena of creato-, steato-and amilorrhea), as a result of resection of most of the small intestine (usually with a residual part of the intestine less than 200 cm) from – due to various etiological factors. One of the severe complications of this syndrome is the development of intestinal failure, which can be manifested by the occurrence of water, electrolyte and white matter disturbances, hypovitaminosis, and deficiency of micro-and macronutrients. It is possible to suspect the development of intestinal failure if the patient continues to have repeated diarrhea 2–3 months after surgery and a progressive decrease in body weight by 5% or more of the initial weight within a month. Therefore, an important aspect in the treatment of SBS is the correction of electrolyte disturbances and maintenance of nutritional status. However, the severity of the patient’s condition is often determined not only by the course of the disease itself, but also by the long-term use of parenteral nutrition after surgery. Therefore, an important aspect in the management of patients with SBS is the cessation of parenteral nutrition as early as possible and the transition to a physiological nature of food intake. This can be achieved both by choosing certain surgical treatment techniques and by using drug therapy – an analogue of glucagon-like peptide-2 – Teduglutide, which increases the functional ability of enterocytes to absorb. SBS is a significant social problem due to the high mortality rate in childhood and a significant percentage of disability in people of working age, which makes it highly relevant to discuss the management strategy for this category of patients.
Alternative Communication System for People with Severe Neuromotor Disorders using Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Floriano Carolina Souza , Brito Leonardo , Rocha Adson Silva
Published: January 2024

Communication difficulties are frequent for many people with severe motor disabilities, making it difficult for them to interact with their families, caregivers and society in general. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) then aims to compensate for the communication deficit of these people, providing the individual with a better quality of life. However, these individuals with severe neuromotor disorders who have severe movement restrictions find great challenges in the use of several current assistive technologies. In this context, the objective of this article is to present an Alternative Communication System based on Artificial Neural Networks with a user-centered approach and their needs, for use by this public. The input and processing of signals is performed by reading the facial reference points, using the MediaPipe FaceMesh library, and the development of the classifier of gestures/facial expressions is carried out by implementing a Recurrent Neural Network Model, using long memory units term (LSTM) and dense layers. Real-time experimental results indicate that the proposed system has a good performance, with an average accuracy of 91.8%, demonstrating recognized results in the recognition of registered gestures.
Feature Extraction from EEG signals for detection of Parkinsons Disease
Authors: Souza Caroline , Viana Giovanni , Coelho Bruno , Massaranduba Ana Beatriz , Ramos Rodrigo
Published: January 2024

The Electroencephalogram (EEG) is a medical tool that captures, in a non-invasive way, electrical signals from the brain activities performed by neurons. EEG signals have been the target of study as a biomarker of Parkinsons disease (PD), where several methods of analysis are applied. The present work aims to evaluate features extracted from EEG signals, through methodologies such as HOS, Haralick descriptors, and Fractal Features, as new biomarkers for PD identification. Data from 50 individuals, available at the Open Neuro repository, who underwent an attentional cognitive task were analyzed. RF and SVM algorithms were employed for the classification of the extracted features. The best accuracy achieved was 79.49% in differentiating between Parkinsons subjects and control subjects using Haralick descriptors and RF classifier, suggesting that these features can identify activations in brain areas caused by dopaminergic medication.
Identificação de metabólitos no plasma e urina com potencial uso como biomarcadores para o monitoramento dos efeitos adversos dos AINEs em gatos via aprendizado de máquina
Authors: Santos Silva Cecilia Aparecida , Ferreira Danton Diego , Ferrante Marcos , Villarino Nicolas
Published: January 2024

Os anti-inflamatórios não esteróides (AINEs), como o meloxicam, podem ser usados para melhorar a dor crônica e, ao mesmo tempo, ajudar a reduzir o uso de opióides. No entanto, a administração crônica desses medicamentos pode causar danos gastrointestinais e renais em alguns pacientes, limitando as opções terapêuticas desses pacientes que necessitam de controle da dor e da inflamação. A fim de discriminar animais que receberam AINEs de animais saudáveis (controle) e determinar em qual estágio estão os efetivos dos AINEs no organismo do paciente, foram desenvolvidos 2 modelos, um k-nearest neighbors algorithm (KNN) e um Gaussian Naive Bayes algorithm (NB). A base de dados usada é composta por um grupo de 6 gatos saudáveis e um grupo de 6 gatos que foram tratados com meloxicam. Foram coletadas informações metabolômica plasmática e urinária 5 vezes durante um período de até 31 dias em ambos os grupos. A partir disso, separou-se os dados em três bases: (i) base de substâncias hidrossolúveis, composta por 114 substâncias e 6 amostras, (ii) base de substâncias lipossolúveis com 195 substâncias e 5 amostras, e (iii) base composta por todas as substâncias analisadas com 5 amostras. Além disso, cada base de dados possui 5 classes, uma para cada vez em que as substâncias foram coletadas e medidas. Foi utilizado o Fisher's Discriminant Ratio (FDR), com a finalidade de ranquear as substâncias que mais se alteraram de uma classe para a outra. Apesar da baixa quantidade de amostras e da necessidade de se usar a menor quantidade de substâncias possíveis, resultados satisfatórios foram alcançados.
Redes Neurais Artificiais como algoritmo de reconstrução da informação depositada no Calorímetro Eletromagnético do Experimento ATLAS reduzindo os efeitos de Crosstalk
Authors: Santos Marton , Farias Paulo César , Simas Filho Eduardo , Laforge Bertrand , Seixas José Manoel
Published: January 2024

ATLAS is the largest experiment at the LHC accelerator complex in CERN. It is situated at one of the collision points in the accelerator tunnel. The experiment consists of a collection of specialized sub-detectors designed to characterize the particles generated by collisions in the LHC. One of these specialized detectors is the liquid argon (LAr) calorimeter, which contains approximately 187k sensor cells used to characterize electromagnetic showers. The LAr calorimeter has a high cell density, which, combined with the high collision rates and the mechanical and electronic structure of the detector readout, leads to crosstalk (XT) effects between adjacent sensor cells. Crosstalk degrades the accuracy of energy and time reconstruction for incoming particles. To address this challenge, an electromagnetic shower simulator based on the ATLAS LAr calorimeter was developed, along with a machine learning approach to mitigate the XT effects. The results demonstrate that the energy and time-of-flight of particles can be reconstructed very closely to the desired values. The proposed approach reduces the error fluctuations in energy estimation by at least 37 times compared to the standard algorithm. Additionally, it decreases the error fluctuations in time estimation by three orders of magnitude.
Análise de Desfechos de COVID-19 no RJ através de Técnicas de Aprendizado de Máquina
Authors: Zavaleta Jorge , Silva Robson Eduardo , Oliveira Fabiano Saldanha , Velasque Luciane , Figueiredo Karla
Published: January 2024

Given the rapid spread of COVID-19, having tools to screen patients and reduce the risk of death is crucial. This study focuses on the outcomes (cures and deaths) of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Rio de Janeiro State for both vaccinated and unvaccinated patients. Machine Learning (ML) algorithms were used to classify outcomes based on symptom, comorbidity, and age data obtained from the State Health Secretariat of Rio de Janeiro. After cleaning the dataset and selecting relevant attributes, the final model achieved an accuracy of 87,3% and a precision of 86,6% in predicting outcomes for unvaccinated patients. Similarly, the final model for vaccinated patients achieved an accuracy of 86,3% and a precision of 83,1% in predicting outcomes. In addition, the attributes of patients that stand out with and without the vaccine were evaluated. Overall, these results demonstrate the potential benefits of using machine learning methods to improve patient screening and reduce the risk of COVID-19-related deaths.
Inequality of Blockade Suffering and the Nature of (Soviet) Class
Authors:   City University of New York, Sloin A.
Published: January 2024

Jeffrey Hass’ Wartime Suffering and Survival is an important study of the social history of emotions and group psychologies during the siege of Leningrad. Hass explores how Leningraders responded to the inhuman conditions of suffering, death, and starvation. Following Pierre Bourdieu, Hass examines the collective responses of different social strata to the siege, and how class was reconceptualized in terms of mental frameworks of meaning-making, rather than relations to private property ownership. His analysis reveals how entrenched class distinctions were in Soviet society, and how they impacted the strategies of survival employed by the population. By combining theory with archival documents, Hass provides an innovative approach to understanding the class-food nexus in Soviet society, and how the extreme conditions of the siege amplified the exploitative wage labor relationship. Jeffrey Hass’ work shows how theory can allow deeper access into archival documents and enrich analysis, thus offering an innovative avenue for reconceptualizing class as an agentive category. To push back on the question of class, the Marxist understanding of class is critiqued, as Marx is quite critical of the idea that class can be reduced to relations of private property. Class is instead seen as a phenomenon created through the process of proletarianization and the alienation of human labor — and not simply as one of property ownership. It is thus suggested that, in the context of hyperinflation, siege, scarcity, and threatening social breakdown, food also began to function as money, constituting part of the wage and the most desperately needed part. Read through this perspective, Jeff’s workers seem far less like a group bounded together not only by habitus and customs of thought, but also by a social system of hyper-statist domination grounded from the outset of the revolution on the wage labor form.