bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for diabetic retinopathy in women with type 2 diabetes
Authors:   Perm State Medical University named after Academician E.A. Wagner, DEMICHEVA T. P.
Published: December 2023

The research objective was to establish the most significant risk factors for diabetic retinopathy in women with type 2 diabetes. Material and methods. The research base is the City Endocrinological Department (Perm Regional Clinical Hospital) of a large industrial center of Perm region. 121 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy were examined. To determine the risk factors for the development of diabetic retinopathy in women with type 2 diabetes, the logistic regression method and the odds ratio calculation were used. Results. The research showed that 66.1% of hospitalized women had diabetic retinopathy. Statistically significant relationships were established between the likelihood of diabetic retinopathy and clinical and metabolic characteristics. The duration of diabetes mellitus of more than 6 years increased the risk of diabetic retinopathy by 3.5 times, and over 16 years — by 8 times. The chance of developing retinopathy increased by 3 times in patients with non-target values of glycated hemoglobin and with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol > 2.5 mmol/l — by 2.5 times. The predictors of the development of diabetic retinopathy in women with type 2 diabetes mellitus were identified, the quantitative expressions of which were the starting points of the probability of complications: the patient’s age > 52.08 years, the duration of diabetes mellitus > 13.02 years, the total cholesterol level > 5.05 mmol/l. Conclusion. The calculated risk of developing diabetic retinopathy in women with type 2 diabetes mellitus in percentage terms allows determining the probability of developing pathology as «high», «medium», and «low». Patients with a high probability of developing retinopathy belong to a risk group that requires careful monitoring. The tool proposed to the attending physician allows assessing the condition, timely identifying the pathological impact of risk factors on the body before the appearance of patient complaints and functional disorders, and timely preventing complications.The predictors of the development of diabetic retinopathy in women with type 2 diabetes were identified, the quantitative expressions of which were the starting points for the likelihood of complications.
Combined lung damage in patients in a tuberculosis dispensary during the COVID-19 epidemic
Authors:   Omsk State Medical University, PUZYREVA L. V. , SITNIKOVA S. V. ,   Clinical TB Dispensary No. 4, RUDENKO S. A. ,   Clinical TB Dispensary No. 4, ZHIGALOVA L. A. ,   Clinical TB Dispensary No. 4, TOROBAEV SH. K. ,   Clinical TB Dispensary No. 4, PUGACHEV A. N. ,   Clinical TB Dispensary No. 4, SKUBA E. V. ,   Clinical TB Dispensary No. 4, BALABOKHINA M. V. ,   Centre for the Prevention and Control of AIDS and Infectious Diseases, MUSIN M. A. ,   Omsk State Medical University
Published: December 2023

Diagnosis of lung diseases is difficult, especially during an epidemic, with a large number of patients and a limited time for diagnosis. The purpose — to evaluate the results of differential diagnosis of lung diseases and the outcome of the disease in patients with suspected coronavirus pneumonia COVID-19 and pulmonary tuberculosis. Material and methods. We analyzed 705 records of patients admitted to the Tuberculosis Dispensary with suspected tuberculosis and coronavirus pneumonia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results. It is difficult to establish the disease etiology by evaluating complaints and X-ray, especially against the background of HIV infection. We assessed the proportion of isolated viral pneumonia, bacterial-viral pneumonia, combination of viral pneumonia with pulmonary tuberculosis, both with and without the presence of HIV infection. Evaluation of the immune status of patients with HIV infection and laboratory diagnostics made it possible to suspect and identify pneumocystosis of the lungs. The outcome in each category of patients was analyzed. Significant criteria for the development of an unfavorable outcome of coronavirus pneumonia were obtained. Conclusion. Each patient with a suspected diagnosis of pneumonia needs high-quality and timely diagnostics to verify the infectious agent of the lungs and assess the patient’s HIV status.
Socially significant infections in migrants in the Republic of Tatarstan
Authors:   Republic Clinical Dermatovenerologic Dispensary, MINULLIN I. K. , VAFINA G. G. ,   Republic Clinical Dermatovenerologic Dispensary, BILDUK E. V. ,   Republic Clinical Dermatovenerologic Dispensary, GARIFULLINA I. V. ,   Republic Clinical Dermatovenerologic Dispensary, EREMEEVA ZH. G. ,   Republic Clinical Dermatovenerologic Dispensary
Published: December 2023

The purpose — to present the frequency of detection of socially significant infections (HIV infection, tuberculosis, syphilis) in a group of foreign citizens undergoing a medical examination at the regional level. Material and methods. We used forms 089u/kv, a register of infectious diseases (form 060/u), information on the number of infectious diseases that pose a danger to others identified in foreign citizens and stateless persons who arrived on the territory of the Republic of Tatarstan in 2013–2022. Mathematical, analytical and descriptive methods of statistical analysis are used. The data were processed in Microsoft Excel 2010 and using the OpenEpi online calculator. Results. The incidence rates of socially significant infections (HIV infection, tuberculosis, syphilis) in the Republic of Tatarstan have been declining in recent years. Medical examination of foreign citizens with a wide range of clinical, laboratory and instrumental methods of examination makes it possible to annually identify persons with socially significant infections; 25% of syphilis registered among the population of the Republic of Tajikistan is syphilis among foreign citizens. Conclusion. The annual registration of socially significant infections (syphilis, HIV infection, tuberculosis) among foreign citizens determines their importance in maintaining the epidemic process as sources, which determines the need for their examination, treatment and dispensary observation. The results obtained demonstrate the high efficiency of the modern organizational model of medical examination of labor migrants on the basis of Republic Clinical Dermatovenerologic Dispensary in a «single window» regime, which makes it possible to significantly increase the efficiency of the timely detection of socially significant infections and the implementation of anti-epidemic measures.
Structural and geometric heart remodeling in patients with chronic heart failure in the presence of a comorbid condition: gender features
Authors:   Kazan State Medical University, KHAZOVA E. V. , BULASHOVA O. V. ,   Kazan State Medical University
Published: December 2023

Structural-geometric remodeling is a complex progressive and maladaptive process that stimulates hypertrophy, dilatation and dysfunction of the left ventricle (LV), potentiating the progression of chronic heart failure (CHF). Despite the general patterns of cardiac remodeling, there are a number of structural, geometric and molecular features of myocardial reorganization, depending, among other things, on the etiology of CHF, the gender of the patient, and the presence of concomitant pathology. The purpose — is to study the condition of the chambers and the geometry of the LV according to echocardiography in patients with CHF in the presence of concomitant pathology. Material and methods. 517 patients with CHF of ischemic etiology, of both sexes, were examined. Echocardiographic phenotyping of CHF was carried out, including in the presence of concomitant conditions — chronic kidney disease (CKD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes mellitus (DM). Results. LV hypertrophy (LVH) was detected in 62.8% of patients with CHF (72.1% of women and 54.7% of men, p < 0.001): normal LV geometry — in 20.3% (26.5% men and 13.1% women, р < 0.001), concentric remodeling — in 16.9%, eccentric and concentric LVH — in 23.2% and 39.7% (50.9% women and 30% men р < 0.001). LVH was detected more often in CHF and CKD than without CKD (p = 0.025), including in 75.6% of women and 57.9% of men (p = 0.009). Normal LV geometry was found in 23.9% of patients with CHF without CKD and 14.9% with CKD (p = 0.015). In CHF combined with CKD, concentric LVH was more often formed (р<0.001). In CHF, LVH was present in 65.1% of patients without COPD and 49.6% with COPD; the differences were significant in men (p = 0.002). In patients with CHF and COPD, concentric remodeling developed more often than in CHF without COPD (p = 0.036), and eccentric LVH was less common (p = 0.025). LVH was more common with CHF and diabetes than without diabetes (p = 0.01); concentric LVH prevailed (p = 0.001).
Evaluating lytic activity of bacteriophages against Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from children with pneumococcal carriage
Authors:   Kazan Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of Rospotrebnadzor, BAYAZITOVA L. T. , TYUPKINA O. F. ,   Kazan Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of Rospotrebnadzor, CHAZOVA T. A. ,   Kazan Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of Rospotrebnadzor, RODIONIOVA M. S. ,   Kazan Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of Rospotrebnadzor, ANAMOV R. I. ,   Kazan State Medical University, POPTSOV O. I. ,   Kazan State Medical University, VALIULLINA I. R. ,   Republic Clinical Hospital, NASYBULLOVA Z. Z. ,   Republic Clinical Hospital
Published: December 2023

Streptococcus pneumoniae and Klebsiella pneumoniae are opportunistic pathogens, commensals; at the same time, they can cause life-threatening infections. These bacteria have a plastic genome and can evade the host’s immune response. Antibiotic-resistant strains are of particular concern. The use of bacteriophages is considered as an alternative or adjunct to antimicrobial therapy. Sensitivity to antimicrobial drugs and to bacteriophages of 70 strains of Klebsiella pneumonia was studied, which were isolated from Streptococcus pneumoniae carriers who applied for diagnostic research in consultation and diagnostic polyclinic of Kazan Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of Rospotrebnadzor. Based on the results of phagolysability of K. pneumoniae isolates with different sensitivity profiles to antimicrobial drugs, phage preparations were ranked in the following sequence (as activity decreases): Klebsiella bacteriophage polyvalent purified > Pyobacteriophage complex > sextaphage.
Toxic effects of chronic nicotine and alcohol intoxication on a newborn child
Authors:   Kazan State Medical University, GABITOVA N. KH. , CHEREZOVA I. N. ,   Kazan State Medical University, VASINA A. I. ,   Kazan State Medical University
Published: December 2023

Smoking tobacco and consumption of nicotine containing products are a serious medical, social and economic problem throughout the world, as is the consumption of alcoholic beverages. The habit of smoking often develops in adolescence, forming the main contingent of chronic smokers in the future. Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of perinatal morbidity and mortality by 27%. Children born to smoking mothers are characterized by neonatal adaptation disorders, which become pathological when exposed to tobacco metabolites (nicotine, carbon monoxide, etc.). The most common forms of neonatal adaptation disorder are toxic-metabolic encephalopathy, cerebral ischemia, respiratory disorders and intrauterine growth retardation. The clinical cases presented in the article demonstrate the negative impact of smoking on the adaptation period in the form of respiratory disorders, resulting in unreasonable prescription of an antibacterial drug, and brain damage with a fatal outcome due to chronic nicotine intoxication.
Genetically determined syndrome of infantile cerebral palsy caused by intragenous deletion of the EBF3 gene
Authors:   Kazan State Medical University, AFANDIEVA L. Z. , GAYNETDINOVA D. D. ,   Kazan State Medical University, KISILEV R. P. ,   Kazan State Medical University, RASHITOVA E. L. ,   Kazan State Medical University
Published: December 2023

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of non-progressive disorders of a heterogeneous nature that develop from an early period of neuroontogeny; its clinical manifestation is mainly disturbances in motor development, posture control, and activity limitation. The estimated prevalence of cerebral palsy in developed countries is between 1.0 and 2.3 per 1000 live births. The most common causes of cerebral palsy are hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, periventricular leukomalacia, brain malformations, intrauterine infections, and neonatal strokes; however, in up to 20% of patients with cerebral palsy, the etiology remains unspecified. The technological development and the possibility of conducting genomic studies make it possible to identify many genetic factors that are of great importance not only in the cerebral palsy etiology, but also in differentiating genetic syndromes that manifest neuromotor dysfunctions similar to those in cerebral palsy. Mutations at many genetic loci can cause a cerebral palsy-like phenotype. The establishment of an etiological diagnosis is of great clinical importance for optimal treatment. The purpose — to update the need for a genetic examination of patients with severe cerebral palsy and comorbid disorders through the example of our own clinical observation of a family with a genetically determined cerebral palsy syndrome caused by an intragenous deletion of the EBF3 gene. We present our own observation of a family with a genetically determined syndrome of cerebral palsy, three people in which are carriers of an intragenous deletion of the EBF3 gene. A literature review, data from clinical and anamnestic, laboratory, instrumental and genetic research methods are presented. Results. The presented results demonstrate the clinical polymorphism of gene mutations that disrupt transcriptional regulation. Intragenic deletion of the EBF3 gene leads to severe motor disorders that mimic cerebral palsy, manifested by a delay in psychomotor and speech development and in higher brain functions from birth. Conclusion. Timely detection of genetically determined disorders under the guise of cerebral palsy will help to timely establish a diagnosis and refer the family for medical genetic counseling.
Comparative assessment of blood pressure variability in the dynamics of treatment with fixed combinations of antihypertensive drugs
Authors:   Kazan State Medical University, GUMEROV F. R. , MAYANSKAYA S. D. ,   Kazan State Medical University
Published: December 2023

Increased variability of blood pressure (BPV) is associated with the development of cardiovascular complications regardless of the average blood pressure (BP) values. The problem of BPV remains open today. The conducted prospective studies confirm the significance of this indicator. However, such studies are few, while new information about this indicator will help determine the prognostic capability of modern antihypertensive drugs in preventing the progression of cardiovascular diseases. The purpose — to comparatively assess BPV in patients with 2–3 degree hypertension, when taking two different fixed combinations (FC) of antihypertensive drug. Material and methods. The study involved 80 patients who were divided into 2 groups of 40 people in a randomized manner. Group 1 took FC of losartan plus amlodipine. Group 2 took FC of losartan plus hydrochlorothiazide. With the help of an automatic tonometer with the function of BPV assessment, this indicator was determined before the start of treatment (first visit) and after 3 months (second visit). Systolic and diastolic BPV were evaluated during visits (short-term) and between visits (long-term). Results. In each of the studied groups, a decrease in short-term BPV was registered during three months of treatment. When comparing two groups of patients receiving different FC of antihypertensive drugs, a statistically significant decrease in systolic and diastolic short-term BPV was achieved only when taking the FC of losartan plus amlodipine (p < 0.01). At the same time, the long-term BPV practically did not differ between the groups. Conclusion. At the end of the three-month study, all patients reached the target blood pressure level. Short-term BPV decreased by the third month of treatment in both groups of patients. When comparing two groups receiving different FC of antihypertensive drug, a statistically significant decrease in short-term BPV was achieved when taking losartan with amlodipine. Long-term BPV, practically did not differ between the groups. The problem of the value of a short-term BPV currently remains open and requires further study.
EVALUATING THE EFFECT OF WISDOM ON CORPORATE MANAGERS’ INTENTIONS TO CONTRIBUTE TO NON-STATE SOCIAL PROTECTION IN THE FUTURE
Authors: BAAH RICHMOND , VOLKOVA TATJANA , LUDVIGA IVETA
Published: December 2023

Topicality: Management literature largely frames business contributions to a society based on concepts of ‘responsibility’ and ‘business case’. Even though the ‘responsibility’ discourse is considered less effective, experiments on the ‘business case’ did not result in a strong positive intention of corporate managers towards society. The underpinnings of these two concepts are called into question in periods of crisis and uncertainty, where wisdom is especially required for decision-making. The research aim: This study aims to assess the effects of wisdom on corporate managers’ intentions to contribute to non-state social protection in the future. Methodology: The authors conducted a survey and mediation analysis of a serial multiple mediation model using Andrew Hayes’s PROCESS Macro as an add-in SPSS. Findings: The research finds a strong relationship between wisdom and corporate managers’ good intentions and concludes that wise corporate managers have good intentions to contribute to non-state social protection in the future. Wise corporate managers have good intentions towards society. Novelty: This research pushes the boundaries of SPW theory by empirically showing that wisdom also leads to good intentions. In addition, the study contributes to the scant literature on wise management decision-making and on non-state social protection. Keywords: Decision-making, non-state social protection, health crisis, social responsibility, wisdom, intentions. JEL Code: M140 Paper classification: Research paper
Małżeństwo mieszane katolicko-prawosławne według obowiązującego prawa kanonicznego w Polsce
Authors: Trojanowski Bartosz
Published: December 2023

Sakrament małżeństwa pomiędzy katolikiem i prawosławnym traktowany jest w prawie kanonicznym jako małżeństwo mieszane. Jednak ze względu na bliskość doktrynalną obu Kościołów, jest ono również traktowane odmiennie niż inne możliwe małżeństwa mieszane. Nie zwalnia to jednak od przestrzegania wymaganych przez prawo przepisów w celu uzyskania wymaganego zezwolenia i ewentualnie dyspensy od formy kanonicznej. Przyczyny i możliwe kwestie kanoniczne i duszpasterskie, które mogą stanowić problem w takich małżeństwach, stanowią zasadniczą treść tego artykułu. Dlatego też, wychodząc od koncepcji małżeństwa mieszanego i wymogów prawnych, przedstawiono także niebezpieczeństwa, jakie wiążą się z takim związkiem, czyli wszelkiego rodzaju zagrożenia duchowe dla strony katolickiej, jakie mogą wystąpić w takim małżeństwie. Do potencjalnych trudności takich małżeństw należą: rozbieżności w rozumieniu małżeństwa, zagrożenie wiernością własnemu Kościołowi i niebezpieczeństwo indyferentyzmu religijnego, przeszkody w praktykowaniu wiary, trudności w wychowaniu religijnym dzieci.
Wymagane przez prawo zezwolenie ordynariusza miejsca powinno spełniać warunki, które ułatwią kompetentnej władzy rozstrzygnięcie konkretnego przypadku. W artykule wymieniono także najczęstsze sytuacje, z jakimi mogą spotkać się duszpasterze w przypadku małżeństw mieszanych katolika i prawosławnego. Wśród nich wymieniono: trudność w udowodnieniu sakramentu chrztu lub stanu wolnego, niechęć do instytucji rękojmi po stronie katolickiej lub niekatolickiej, wyrażanie chęci przyłączenia się do Kościoła drugiej strony.
Disciplinary Procedures in the Early Church
Authors: Přibyl Stanislav
Published: December 2023

The paper refers to numerous documents from the period of the early Church which give testimony to the fact that the Church was never ruled by a charismatic anarchy or boundless democracy. Nevertheless, the data concerning the arrangement of the Church, which is passed on to us through the Scriptures, specifically the New Testament, and the writings of Apostolic Fathers, is not found in the form of a systematic treatise. Rather, it is found occasionally, mostly in connection with resolving some concrete issue. It is therefore necessary to arrange these various mentions in logical accordance with one another. The text of the paper firstly analyzes the issue of charismatic authority which is, above all, described in the Acts of the Apostles, Pauline letters, and especially in the early Christian treatise, the Didache. This treatise also mentions the hierarchical duties of the bishops and deacons, which can also already be seen in the New Testament alongside the duties of apostles, prophets, teachers, evangelists and presbyters. Some of the Church offices mentioned have primarily a missionary role, others are established for the pastoral care of existing and stable Christian communities. The Church order described in the eighteenth chapter of the Gospel according to St. Matthew is chiefly addressed to these stable communities. The First Epistle of Clement, written still in the first Christian century, gives testimony to the deposing of presbyters in the Church of Corinth and the intervention of the Roman authority in this dispute. Canon Law, which gradually begun to develop in the Church, followed directly in the footsteps of these disciplinary customs, which we know from early Christian literature.
Breast amyloidosis associated with Sjögren syndrome: A diagnostic pitfall in breast pathology
Authors: Khaldi Oumeima , Ghalleb Montassar , Jallali Amani , Fenniche Insaf , Somai Mehdi , Daoud Fatma , Boussema Fatma , Kammoun Salma , Hamza Khadija , Ayadi Med Ali , Dhieb Tarek
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND: Amyloidosis is an uncommon disorder characterized by the extracellular deposition of amorphous and insoluble proteins in an abnormal fibrillary configuration. Mammary amyloidosis is an unusual and easily overlooked diagnosis with an ambivalent presentation that could mimic breast cancer. CASE REPORT: We here report the case of 60-year-old Caucasian woman who presented to our surgical oncology department for clinically and radiologically suspicious breast mass. A fine needle biopsy was irrelevant, so we performed a lumpectomy. Final histology revealed an amyloid deposit and further workup was consistent with nodular cutaneous and breast AL amyloidosis associated with Sjögren’s syndrome. CONCLUSION: Although rare, an awareness of the clinicopathologic characteristics of this easily overlooked entity is of great importance for breast surgeons.
Application of machine learning algorithm and data evaluation in computer network security situation awareness technology
Authors: Zhang Xuxia , Chen Weijie , Wang Jian , Fang Rang
Published: December 2023

With the rapid development of information technology and the rapid popularization of the Internet, while people enjoy the convenience and efficiency brought about by new technologies, they are also suffering from the harm caused by cyber attacks. In addition to efficiently thwarting network assaults, a high volume of complicated security event data might unintentionally increase the strain of policy makers. At present, NS threats mainly include network viruses, trojans, DOS (Denial-Of-Service), etc. For the increasingly complex Network Security (NS) problems, the traditional rule-based network monitoring technology is difficult to predict the unknown attack behavior. Environment-based, dynamic and integrated data fusion can integrate data from a macro perspective. In recent years, Machine Learning (ML) technology has developed rapidly, which could easily train, test and predict existing third-party models. It uses ML algorithms to find out the association between data rather than manually sets rules. Support vector machine is a common ML method, which can predict the security of the network well after training and testing. In order to monitor the overall security status of the entire network, NS situation awareness refers to the real-time and accurate reproduction of network attacks using the reconstruction approach. Situation awareness technology is a powerful network monitoring and security technology, but there are many problems in the existing NS technology. For example, the state of the network cannot be accurately detected, and its change rule cannot be understood. In order to effectively predict network attacks, this paper adopted a technology based on ML and data analysis, and constructed a NS situational awareness model. The results showed that the detection efficiency of the model based on ML and data analysis was 7.18% higher than that of the traditional NS state awareness model.
FAIR digital objects for academic publishers
Authors: Schultes Erik
Published: December 2023

For 200 years, collective scholarly knowledge was advanced by reporting new findings in the form of narrative text that is rich in logic, pinned to data, hedged with cautious nuance, and yielding novel claims. Authors' narratives evolved over the years into the now familiar academic research article, whose form has radiated into thousands of specialized intellectual niches (i.e., journal titles). In the last decades the corpus of collective scholarly knowledge (both narrative text and published data) has come to exceed human comprehension and challenges the ability of researchers, even those working in narrowly defined disciplines, to keep up. As a response, a wide range of abstracting and indexing services emerged and were among the first to push toward “electronic” publishing. By now, articles are routinely made available in digital repositories, but still the content and the form remain bound to human readers while the powerful information processing capabilities of machines, which ought to assist the researcher, are marginalized to the mundane calculation of impact scores. Today, the long-form narrative and the lack of standards in the academic publishing industry make the bulk of this information notoriously difficult for the machine process and reuse in scientific applications. As such, the classical research article has become increasingly untenable as a meaningful unit of intellectual progress. Since 2016, the FAIR Principles have provided guidance on how to compose data, including information contained in narrative text, to make them machine actionable. Recent developments in FAIR Digital Objects are now being exploited in academic publishing to expose FAIR information at the source, avoiding cumbersome text mining, and making exact meaning available to machine assistants supporting human scholars. Here I describe some of these long-term developments and how they relate to a new Sage/IOS Press journal called FAIR Connect. These trends signal an inevitable movement towards the FAIRifcation of scholarship, and hint at key issues that will impact the practice and business of academic publishing.
The Reliability and Clinical Validation of Automatically-Derived Verbal Memory Features of the Verbal Learning Test in Early Diagnostics of Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Possemis Nina , ter Huurne Daphne , Banning Leonie , Gruters Angelique , Van Asbroeck Stephanie , König Alexandra , Linz Nicklas , Tröger Johannes , Langel Kai , Blokland Arjan , Prickaerts Jos , de Vugt Marjolein , Verhey Frans , Ramakers Inez
Published: December 2023

Background: Previous research has shown that verbal memory accurately measures cognitive decline in the early phases of neurocognitive impairment. Automatic speech recognition from the verbal learning task (VLT) can potentially be used to differentiate between people with and without cognitive impairment. Objective: Investigate whether automatic speech recognition (ASR) of the VLT is reliable and able to differentiate between subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: The VLT was recorded and processed via a mobile application. Following, verbal memory features were automatically extracted. The diagnostic performance of the automatically derived features was investigated by training machine learning classifiers to distinguish between participants with SCD versus MCI/dementia. Results: The ICC for inter-rater reliability between the clinical and automatically derived features was 0.87 for the total immediate recall and 0.94 for the delayed recall. The full model including the total immediate recall, delayed recall, recognition count, and the novel verbal memory features had an AUC of 0.79 for distinguishing between participants with SCD versus MCI/dementia. The ten best differentiating VLT features correlated low to moderate with other cognitive tests such as logical memory tasks, semantic verbal fluency, and executive functioning. Conclusions: The VLT with automatically derived verbal memory features showed in general high agreement with the clinical scoring and distinguished well between SCD and MCI/dementia participants. This might be of added value in screening for cognitive impairment.
A Longitudinal Study on Memory Enhancement in Subjective Cognitive Decline Patients: Clinical and Neuroimaging Perspectives
Authors: Na Seunghee , Lee Chonghwee , Ho SeongHee , Hong Yun Jeong , Jeong Jee Hyang , Park Kee Hyung , Kim SangYun , Wang Min Jeong , Choi Seong Hye , Han SeungHyun , Kang Seung Wan , Kang Sungmin , Yang Dong Won
Published: December 2023

Background: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) refers to the self-reported persistent cognitive decline despite normal objective testing, increasing the risk of dementia compared to cognitively normal individuals. Objective: This study aims to investigate the attributes of SCD patients who demonstrated memory function improvement. Methods: In this prospective study of SCD, a total of 120 subjects were enrolled as part of a multicenter cohort study aimed at identifying predictors for the clinical progression to mild cognitive impairment or dementia (CoSCo study). All subjects underwent 18F-florbetaben PET and brain MRI scans at baseline and annual neuropsychological tests. At the 24-month follow-up, we classified SCD patients based on changes in memory function, the z-score of the Seoul verbal learning test delayed recall. Results: Of the 120 enrolled patients, 107 successfully completed the 24-month follow-up assessment. Among these, 80 patients (74.8%) with SCD exhibited memory function improvements. SCD patients with improved memory function had a lower prevalence of coronary artery disease at baseline and performed better in the trail-making test part B compared to those without improvement. Anatomical and biomarker analysis showed a lower frequency of amyloid PET positivity and larger volumes in the left and right superior parietal lobes in subjects with improved memory function. Conclusions: Our prospective study indicates that SCD patients experiencing memory improvement over a 24-month period had a lower amyloid burden, fewer cardiovascular risk factors, and superior executive cognitive function. Identifying these key factors associated with cognitive improvement may assist clinicians in predicting future memory function improvements in SCD patients.
Suspecting Non-Alzheimer’s Pathologies and Mixed Pathologies: A Comparative Study Between Brain Metabolism and Tau Images
Authors: Malotaux Vincent , Colmant Lise , Quenon Lisa , Huyghe Lara , Gérard Thomas , Dricot Laurence , Ivanoiu Adrian , Lhommel Renaud , Hanseeuw Bernard
Published: December 2023

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology can be disclosed in vivo using amyloid and tau imaging, unlike non-AD neuropathologies for which no specific markers exist. Objective: We aimed to compare brain hypometabolism and tauopathy to unveil non-AD pathologies. Methods: Sixty-one patients presenting cognitive complaints (age 48–90), including 32 with positive AD biomarkers (52%), performed [18F]-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET (brain metabolism) and [18F]-MK-6240-PET (tau). We normalized these images using data from clinically normal individuals (n = 30), resulting in comparable FDG and tau z-scores. We computed between-patients correlations to evaluate regional associations. For each patient, a predominant biomarker (i.e., Hypometabolism > Tauopathy or Hypometabolism≤Tauopathy) was determined in the temporal and frontoparietal lobes. We computed within-patient correlations between tau and metabolism and investigated their associations with demographics, cognition, cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF), CSF biomarkers, and white matter hypointensities (WMH). Results: We observed negative associations between tau and FDG in 37 of the 68 cortical regions-of-interest (average Pearson’s r = –0.25), mainly in the temporal lobe. Thirteen patients (21%) had Hypometabolism > Tauopathy whereas twenty-five patients (41%) had Hypometabolism≤Tauopathy. Tau-predominant patients were more frequently females and had greater amyloid burden. Twenty-three patients (38%) had Hypometabolism≤Tauopathy in the temporal lobe, but Hypometabolism > Tauopathy in the frontoparietal lobe. This group was older and had higher CVRF than Tau-predominant patients. Patients with more negative associations between tau and metabolism were younger, had worse cognition, and greater amyloid and WMH burdens. Conclusions: Tau-FDG comparison can help suspect non-AD pathologies in patients presenting cognitive complaints. Stronger Tau-FDG correlations are associated with younger age, worse cognition, and greater amyloid and WMH burdens.
A Novel Mutation in Frabin (FGD4) Causing a Mild Phenotype of CMT4H in an Indian Patient
Authors: Nishadham Vikas , Santhoshkumar Rashmi , Nashi Saraswati , Vengalil Seena , Bardhan Mainak , Polavarapu Kiran , Sanka Sai Bhargava , Anjanappa Ram Murthy , Kulanthaivelu Karthik , Saini Jitender , Chickabasaviah Yasha T. , Nalini Atchayaram
Published: December 2023

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease 4H(CMT4H) is an autosomal recessive demyelinating form of CMT caused by FGD4/FRABIN mutations. CMT4H is characterized by early onset and slowly progressing motor and sensory deficits in the distal extremities, along with foot deformities. We describe a patient with CMT4H who presented with rapidly progressing flaccid quadriparesis during the postpartum period, which improved significantly with steroid therapy. Magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography demonstrated considerable nerve thickening with increased cross-sectional area in the peripheral nerves. A nerve biopsy revealed significant demyelination and myelin outfolding. This is the first report of an Indian patient with a novel homozygous nonsense c.1672C>T (p.Arg558Ter) mutation in the FGD4 gene, expanding the mutational and phenotypic spectrum of this disease.
Design of a mid-field wireless power transmission system for deep-tissue implants
Authors: Zhang Ying , Zhang Xiulun , He Diwei , Tang Danfeng , Chen Zhiying
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND: Implantable medical devices are being valued as one of the developments of wireless biomedical technology. OBJECTIVE: This paper presents a mid-field wireless power transmission (WPT) system, which is designed for implantable applications and operates at the 2.40–2.48 GHz band of Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM). METHODS: A new compact transmitter structure is proposed, and a small 4-C planar ring antenna is designed as the receiving element. A measurement setup is fulfilled on porcine tissues to verify the power transmission system. RESULTS: The experimental results show that the operating bandwidth is 2.2–2.62 GHz and the transmission coefficient can reach -26.32 dB at a distance of 50 mm. The effects of tissue differences, placement depth, and different transmission distances were also measured. The displacement and deflection tolerances between the transmitter and the implant receiver also have good performance. In the safety standard of specific absorption rate, for the 1 W output power from the mid-field transmitter, the receiving power of the implantable antenna at the mid-field distance can reach 79.6 mW. CONCLUSION: With measurements of different implantation and transmission distance on pork, the mid-field power transmission efficiency is proven and shows the high performance of the system.
New concept of orthosis treatment for knee osteoarthritis: Clinical and radiological outcomes
Authors: Huizinga Maarten R. , de Vries Astrid J. , Verkerke G.J. , Brouwer Reinoud W.
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND: Given the increasing numbers of young patients with knee osteoarthritis there is a need for treatments that can postpone a joint prosthesis (total knee replacement). OBJECTIVE: As an alternative to the effective yet invasive knee joint distraction procedure, a knee orthosis was developed aiming to unload the affected knee and improving synovial fluid flow. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of using a load-reducing orthosis for two months on functioning, pain, and disease progression (e.g. amount of damaged cartilage) in patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee for at least one year. METHODS: This is an interventional single-center pilot study. Ten patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of one knee (5 males/5 females; median age 57; age range 42–59) used a custom-made orthosis for 60 days during daily life activities that involved knee loading (e.g. standing, walking, but not during stair climbing). Cycling was not allowed. Clinical outcomes were assessed up to 24 months after intervention at 6 timepoints using patient reported-outcome measures Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) range 0–100; Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), range 0–100 for pain. Minimum joint space width (mJSW) was assessed using knee images digital analysis (KIDA) and articular cartilage volume with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using custom software at baseline and at 12 and 24 months follow-up. RESULTS: Clinically beneficial effects were found for functioning (WOMAC improvement compared to baseline ranged between 18 points at 3 months follow-up and 31 points at 12 months follow-up, with only the 24-months follow-up (improvement of 27 points) not reaching statistical significance (p< 0.05)) and for pain (VAS improvement compared to baseline at follow-up time points ranged between 41–56 points; all p< 0.05). No improvements in mJSW- or MRI-derived parameters were found. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that use of a custom-made knee-unloading orthosis for 60 days can result in improved functional ability and decrease in pain in relatively young patients with knee osteoarthritis. No effect on disease progression could be evidenced.
Features of incidence of urology diseases among the adult population of the Dnipropetrovsk region
Authors:   Municipal enterprise ", Yuntunen H.M. ,   Dnipropetrovsk Regional Blood Transfusion Station",   , Dnipro, Onul N.M. ,   Dnipro State Medical University, Dnipro
Published: December 2023

Purpose: to determine the regional features of urological morbidity and its specific weight in the structure of the general morbidity of the adult population of the Dnipropetrovsk region. Materials and methods. Bibliosemantic, analytical, and medical-statistical methods were used, which make it possible to characterize the current state of health of the population and determine trends in the incidence and prevalence of diseases. The results. The average long-term indicator of the primary morbidity of the population of the Dnipropetrovsk region for all classes of diseases was 7,272.23 per 10,000 adult population, total morbidity was 22,250.84 per 10,000 adult population with a tendency to increase, hospital morbidity was 2,167.9 per 10,000 adult population, with a general tendency to decrease the level of hospitalization. Diseases of the genitourinary system rank second, fourth, and sixth in the structure of primary morbidity, prevalence of morbidity, and hospital morbidity of the adult population, respectively. The leading nosological groups of urological diseases registered for the first time in the adult population of the region are cystitis - 64.88 cases per 10 thousand population, kidney infections - 43.23 per 10 thousand population and kidney and ureter stones - 17.92 per 10 thousand population with a tendency to increase indicators during the studied period, with the exception of kidney and ureter stones. Similar trends persist for the prevalence of diseases. The level of hospitalization of the population of the region turned out to be the highest for kidney and ureter stones - 25.28 per 10 thousand population and kidney infections - 20.01 per 10 thousand population, remained relatively stable during 2012-2019, while during 2020- In 2021, a significant decrease was noted for kidney and ureter stones, kidney infections, while the indicator of hospital morbidity for kidney and ureter stones remained relatively stable. Conclusions. Significant levels of morbidity and prevalence of diseases of the genitourinary system, including urological diseases, negative trends towards their increase require improvement of monitoring of the health status of the population, prevention, timely and complete detection of urological pathology, and high-quality treatment.
Compliance determination of domestic base of hygienic standards for carcinogenic substances in the atmospheric air of populated areas with EU requirements
Authors:   State Institution ", Chernychenko I.O. ,   O.M. Marzіeiev Institute for Public Health of the NAMSU",   , Kyiv, Lytvychenko O.M. ,   State Institution "O.M. Marzіeiev Institute for Public Health of the NAMSU", Kyiv, Babii V.F. ,   State Institution "O.M. Marzіeiev Institute for Public Health of the NAMSU", Kyiv, Kondratenko O.Ye. ,   State Institution "O.M. Marzіeiev Institute for Public Health of the NAMSU", Kyiv, Hlavachek D.O. ,   State Institution "O.M. Marzіeiev Institute for Public Health of the NAMSU", Kyiv
Published: December 2023

The purpose of this work was to assess the safety of domestic (hygienic) standards for carcinogenic substances in the atmospheric air of populated areas and determine the concentration level corresponding to the acceptable risk indicator. Materials and methods. Bibliosemantic, bibliographic and hygienic research methods were used in this research. The results were obtained based on the collection and analysis of data on chemical carcinogenic compounds dangerous to humans, based on materials from international Directives, domestic regulatory frameworks and the IARC database. To assess the danger of individual substances and hygienic regulatory levels, risk indicators were determined according to recommended methodological documents. Indicators of reference concentrations for carcinogenic substances standardized in Ukraine were taken from data of the integrated risk information system (IRIS) US EPA. Results and discussion: the studies conducted indicate the need to revise the hygienic standards for carcinogenic substances included in the domestic regulatory framework for the atmospheric air of populated areas. The current standards for the most part exceed the level of acceptable or acceptable risk of probable cancer development among the population and those employed in production. This issue can be resolved by using an accelerated methodology, which is based on the calculation of the dose-risk scale. Accepted hygienic standards for the indicator of carcinogenic risk should be considered as annual averages for the atmospheric air of populated areas, and the current average daily concentrations according to international recommendations should be aimed at preventing acute exposure to chemical carcinogens within 24 hours and manifest themselves over a period of about 14 days. Conclusion: sanitary (hygienic) standards for carcinogenic substances in the air, included in the domestic bases, overwhelmingly exceed the level of permissible (acceptable) risk of cancer development and do not ensure safety for the population and persons involved in production and require revision in accordance with the requirements of the EU countries and the USA. It is proposed to resolve this issue using an accelerated methodology, which is based on the calculation of the dose-risk relationship (scale).
Rodenticides as the basis of deratisation: general characteristics, classification, mechanisms of action, features of application and prospects (review of literature data)
Authors:   State Institution ", Babii V.F. ,   O.M. Marzіeiev Institute for Public Health of the NAMSU",   , Kyiv, Hlavachek D.O ,   State Institution "O.M. Marzіeiev Institute for Public Health of the NAMSU", Kyiv
Published: December 2023

The aim of work is to analyze the current state of the use of rodenticides to control rodents in various areas of human activity, as well as prospects for improving rodenticides. Materials and methods of research: bibliosemantic, bibliographic and analytical methods of research. The research materials were foreign research articles. Research results and discussion. Various methods are used around the world to directly control rodent populations or reduce the damage caused by them. These methods include physical (traps, barriers), chemical (toxic baits, fumigants, repellents), biological/cultural (resistant plants, crop type, sanitation, habitat manipulation). The use of chemicals for rodent control has been practiced for almost a century and is common today. Most rodenticides used today are anticoagulants, which prevent blood clotting. The biological effectiveness of rodent control is determined not only by the toxicity of the rodenticide drug, but also by many other conditions that are closely related to the biological characteristics of the development of rodents. All rodenticides are enteric drugs. The mechanism of toxic effects of drugs in this group is different and is determined by the active substances on the basis of which they are made. The article presents various approaches to the classification of rodenticides and describes the ways of their impact on target and non-target animal species. The risk and toxicity of the most commonly used rodenticides, which have different chemical compositions and can have a wide range of clinical manifestations, are also assessed. The amount of bait that constitutes a lethal dose depends on the toxicity of the poison and the severity of the person. Conclusion: among the prospects for the further use of rodenticides, the leading place is occupied by the development of an “ideal rodenticide”, highly toxic to rodents in small quantities, non-toxic to non-target species and allows to avoid fear of the bait in rodents and, accordingly, rejection of it.