bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Publication of Clinical Trials on Medicinal Products: A Follow-Up Study
Authors: Sándor-Bajusz Kinga Amália , Kraut Andrea , Baasan Odgerel , Márovics Gergely , Berényi Károly , Lohner Szimonetta
Published: April 2021

Background: Clinical research should provide reliable evidence to clinicians, health policy makers and researchers, which is only possible once the results are made transparently available. The present research aims to investigate factors influencing publication rates, time and characteristics of clinical trials on medicinal products and to assess the degree of accessibility of trial results on a country level.Methods: Clinical trials authorized in Hungary in the year of 2012 were followed until publication and/or June 2020. Corresponding scientific publications were searched via clinical trial registries, Pubmed (MEDLINE) and Google.Results: Out of 330 clinical trials authorized in 2012, a total of 232 trials were completed for more than 1 year in June 2020. The proportion of industry-initiation was high (97%). Time to publication was 21 (22) months [median (IQR)]. Time to publication was significantly shorter when trials involved both European and non-European countries (p<0.001), and when registered in both EU CTR and clinicaltrials.gov (p<0.001) based on survival analyses. A significant amount (24.1%) of unpublished clinical trial results were accessible in a trial register. A total of 70.93% of available publications were published “open access”.Publications with domestic co-authors contribute to the research output of a country. In our study only 21.5% of the identified publications had a Hungarian author.Conclusions: We encourage academic researchers to plan, register and conduct trials on medicinal products. Registries should be considered as an important source of information of clinical trials results. Measurable domestic scientific impact of trials on medicinal products need further improvement.
Impact of Mild Aortic Valve Disease on Late Outcomes after Replacement of the Ascending Aorta Case-control Study
Authors: Nakamura Ken , Orii Kouan , Kondo Taichi , Nakao Mitsutaka , Wakatabe Makoto , Hashimoto Kazuhiro , Kunihara Takashi
Published: April 2021

Background: The time course of mild aortic valve disease after replacement of the ascending aorta is unclear. We sought to clarify it.Methods: Between January 2011 and December 2016, 26 patients (9 bicuspid and 17 tricuspid aortic valve disease) underwent replacement of the enlarged ascending aorta alone. We compared the postoperative disease course between bicuspid and tricuspid aortic valve by transthoracic echocardiography and computed tomography performed at 73 ± 23 and 60 ± 23 months post-surgery, respectively.Results: The bicuspid group was younger than the tricuspid group (62.1 ± 4.8 vs 73.3 ± 4.8 years). Pathophysiology predominantly involved aortic valve stenosis and regurgitation in the bicuspid and tricuspid group, respectively. The peak and mean pressure gradient increased (P = .16, and P = .46) and the aortic valve area decreased significantly in the bicuspid group (P = .005). Two patients in the bicuspid group who required re-operation had an aortic valve area of 1.2 cm2 at initial operation. Seventy percent of patients in the tricuspid group had less than mild aortic valve regurgitation preoperatively, which improved up to 82% at follow-up. Freedom from re-operation was 66.7% and 100% at 8 years for the bicuspid and tricuspid group, respectively. Conclusions: Aortic valve replacement may be considered for patients with bicuspid aortic valve stenosis if the aortic valve area is less than 1.2 cm2, even if the general diagnosis is mild aortic valve stenosis at initial surgery. Even mild aortic valve regurgitation may be improved by surgical intervention in the ascending aorta.
Targeted Transcriptomics of Frog Virus 3 in Infected Frog Tissues Reveal Non-Coding Regulatory Elements and microRNAs in the Ranaviral Genome and Their Potential Interaction With Host Immune Response
Authors: Tian Yun (Simon) , Khwatenge Collins , Li Jiuyi , Andino Francisco De Jesus , Robert Jacques , Sang Yongming (Simon)
Published: April 2021

Background: Frog Virus 3 (FV3) is a large dsDNA virus belonging to Ranaviruses of family Iridoviridae . Ranaviruses infect cold-blood vertebrates including amphibians, fish and reptiles, and contribute to catastrophic amphibian declines. FV3 has a genome at ~105 kb that contains nearly 100 coding genes and 50 intergenic regions as annotated in its reference genome. Previous studies have mainly focused on coding genes and rarely addressed potential non-coding regulatory role of intergenic regions. Results: Using a whole transcriptomic analysis of total RNA samples containing both the viral and cellular transcripts from FV3-infected frog tissues, we detected virus-specific reads mapping in non-coding intergenic regions, in addition to reads from coding genes. Further analyses identified multiple cis -regulatory elements ( CREs ) in intergenic regions neighboring highly transcribed coding genes. These CREs include not only a virus TATA-Box present in FV3 core promoters as in eukaryotic genes, but also viral mimics of CREs interacting with several transcription factors including CEBPs, CREBs, IRFs, NF-κB, and STATs, which are critical for regulation of cellular immunity and cytokine responses. Our study suggests that intergenic regions immediately upstream of highly expressed FV3 genes have evolved to bind IRFs, NF-κB, and STATs more efficiently. Moreover, we found an enrichment of putative microRNA (miRNA) sequences in more than five intergenic regions of the FV3 genome. Our sequence analysis indicates that a fraction of these viral miRNAs is targeting the 3’-UTR regions of Xenopus genes involved in interferon (IFN)-dependent responses, including particularly those encoding IFN receptor subunits and IFN-regulatory factors (IRFs). Conclusions: Using the FV3 model, this study provides a first genome-wide analysis of non-coding regulatory mechanisms adopted by ranaviruses to epigenetically regulate both viral and host gene expressions, which have co-evolved to interact especially in the host IFN response.
Melatonin Ameliorates The Toxicity Induced By Deoxynivalenol In Murine Ovary Granulosa Cells By Antioxidative And Anti-Inflammatory
Authors: Fan Hairui , Wang Shiqin , Wang Haifei , Sun Mingan , Wu Shenglong , Bao Wenbin
Published: April 2021

Background: Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a common fusarium mycotoxin contaminant of food and feedstuff, posing a serious threat to human and animal reproductive system by inducing oxidative stress and inflammation. The antioxidant melatonin participates in immunoregulation, playing a crucial role in animal development. So, our present study aimed to explore DON-induced toxicity in murine ovary granulosa cells (GCs), and assess the potential protective effect of melatonin. Results: Melatonin inhibits DON-induced oxidative stress in murine ovary GCs by decreased the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species, ameliorates DON-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. And inhibits the inflammatory response through inhibits reduce the activation of NF-κB and phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPKs induced by DON. Moreover, melatonin significantly improved the down-regulation of reproductive hormone gene expression induced by DON contaminant. These results once again demonstrate the properties of melatonin: antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.Conclusions: Melatonin have beneficial effects on mitigating the toxicity induced by deoxynivalenol in ovary Granulosa Cells. Offer a novel therapeutic strategy against mycotoxin contamination-induce diseases
Safety and Risk Factors of Tinavi Robot-assisted Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Placement in Spinal Surgery
Authors: Zhang Ren-Jie , Zhou Lu-Ping , Zhang Lai , Zhang Hua-Qing , Zhang Jian-Xiang , Shen Cailiang
Published: April 2021

Objective To determine the rates and risk factors of pedicle screw placement accuracy and the proximal facet joint violation (FJV) using TINAVI robot-assisted technique.Methods Patients with thoracolumbar fractures or degenerative diseases were retrospectively recruited from June 2018 and June 2020. The pedicle penetration and proximal FJV were compared in different instrumental levels to identify the safe and risk segments during insertion. Moreover, the factors were also assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses.Results A total of 72 patients with 332 pedicle screws were included in the current study. The optimal and clinically acceptable screw positions were 85.8% and 93.4%. Of the 332 screws concerning the intra-pedicular accuracy, 285 screws (85.8%) were evaluated as grade A according to the Gertzbein and Robbins scale, with the remaining 25 (7.6%), 10 (3.0%), 6 (1.8%), and 6 screws (1.8%) as grade B, C, D, and E. Moreover, in terms of the proximal FJV, 255 screws (76.8%) screws were assessed as grade 0 according to the Babu scale, with the remaining 34 (10.3%), 22 (6.6%), and 21 screws (6.3%) as grade 1, 2, and 3. Furthermore, the univariate analysis showed significantly higher rate of penetration for patients with age＜61 years old, sex of female, thoracolumbar insertion, shorter distance from skin to insertion point, and smaller facet angle. Meanwhile, the patients with the sex of female, BMI <25.9, grade I spondylolisthesis, lumbosacral insertion, longer distance from skin to insertion point, and larger facet angle had a significantly higher rate of proximal FJV. The outcomes of multivariate analyses showed that sex of male (adjusted OR 0.320, 95% CI 0.140–0.732; p =0.007), facet angle ≥45° (adjusted OR 0.266, 95% CI 0.090–0.786; p =0.017), distance from skin to insertion point ≥4.5cm (adjusted OR 0.342, 95% CI 0.134–0.868; p =0.024), and lumbosacral instrumentation (adjusted OR 0.227, 95% CI 0.091–0.566; p =0.001) were independently associated with intra-pedicular accuracy; the L5 insertion (adjusted OR 2.020, 95% CI 1.084–3.766; p =0.027) and facet angle ≥45° (adjusted OR 1.839, 95% CI 1.026–3.298; p =0.041) were independently associated with the proximal FJV.Conclusion TINAVI robot-assisted technique was associated with a high rate of pedicle screw placement and a low rate of proximal FJV. This new technique showed a safe and precise performance for pedicle screw placement in spinal surgery. Facet angle ≥45° is independently associated with both the intra-pedicular accuracy and proximal FJV.
Recurrent Heart Failure in a Patient With the Parachute Device Implantation: A Case Report
Authors: Li Jianghua , Xiong Wei , Dong Shaohong , Li Tangzhiming
Published: April 2021

Background: The parachute device is made to isolate of the aneurysm to exclude the dysfunctional myocardium might be a promising concept to improve clinical prognosis. However, the clinical practice revealed the device might result in death and worsen heart failure (HF). Case presentation: Herein, we report a male subject who received parachute device implantation after the ventricular aneurysm development caused by myocardial infarction. Even with standard treatment, the patient was still hospitalized for six times because of heart failure in the next 19 months and passed away before the transplantation was scheduled. This is a very rare case that a HF subject received parachute device implantation with early death.Conclusions: The progressive maladaptive remodeling would delay the reendothelialization of the device. The subsequent device displacement may enhance the mitral regurgitation and result in poor clinical outcome.Clinical Trial Registration: PARACHUTE China Approval Trial, NCT02240940, Registered September 16, 2014, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02240940
Neutral evolution test of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and its implications in the binding to ACE2
Authors: López-Cortés Georgina I. , Palacios-Pérez Miryam , Zamudio Gabriel S. , Veledíaz Hannya F. , Ortega Enrique , José Marco V.
Published: April 2021

As the SARS-CoV-2 has spread and the pandemic has dragged on, the virus continued to evolve rapidly resulting in the emergence of new highly transmissible variants that can be of public health concern. The evolutionary mechanisms that drove this rapid diversity are not well understood but neutral evolution should open the first insight. The neutral theory of evolution states that most mutations in the nucleic acid sequences are random and they can be fixed or disappear by purifying selection. Herein, we performed a neutrality test to better understand the selective pressures exerted over SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein, as well as in four of the identified health concern variants. Lys and Thr have higher occurrence rate on the Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) than in the overall sequence whereas Cys, His, and importantly Arg have low occurrence rate both in the whole protein and the RBD. Amino acids that have lower occurrence than the expected neutral control influence in the stability and or functionality of the protein. Our results show that most unique mutations either for SARS-CoV-2 or the variants of health concern are under selective pressures, which could be related either to the evasion of the immune system, increasing the virus’ fitness or altering protein – protein interactions with host proteins. Altogether all these forces have shaped the Spike protein. Understanding the evolutionary forces that act upon Spike protein may help designing better treatments and vaccines that target variants of health concern.
Cancer Immunotherapy Based on Carbon-Quantum-Dots
Authors: Liang Tao , Lei Josh Haipeng , Tao Jinsong , Guo Sen , Gao Hanlu , Zhu Lipeng , Zhou Yinning , Liu Youcheng , Xi Long , Tong Haibo , Liu Enshan , Zhang Bohan , Sun Heng , Zhang Huiqi , Luo Kathy Qian , Zhao Qi , Liu Tzu-Ming , Ouyang Defang , Ge Wei , Zheng Ying , Deng Chuxia , Tang Zikang , Qu Songnan
Published: April 2021

Cancer immunotherapy based on carbon-quantum-dots (CQDs) has proven effective. The CQDs composited cancer cell (CM-cancer) exhibit robust customized immunogenicity, which can recruit macrophages and dendritic cells to effectively deliver the cancer antigens into lymph nodes to activate CD8+ T cells, and eventually leads to an anti-cancer immune response all over the body. The CM-cancer is not only able to inhibit primary tumors, but also clearly eliminate metastatic tumors. Our research demonstrates a promising personalized cancer immunotheraputic technology for potential clinical applications.
Assessment of Discharge and Sediment Flows in a River Through a Combined Hydraulic and Hydrologic Routing Technique
Authors: Bulti Abebe Tadesse
Published: April 2021

An advancement on flood routing techniques is important for a good perdiction and forecast of the flow discharge in a river basins. Hydraulic and hydrologic routing techniques are widely applied in most simulation models separately. A combined hydrologic and hydraulic routing method is a recent approach that used to improve the modeling effort in hydrological studies. The main drawback of hydrologic routing methods was inaccuracy on downstream areas of the river basin, where the effect of hydraulic structures and the river dynamics processes are dominant. The hydraulic routing approaches are relatively good on a downstream reaches of a river. This research was done on the Awash River basin, at the upstream areas of a Koka dam. A combined hydrologic and hydraulic approach was used to assess the discharge and sediment flow in the river basin. The hydrologic routing method was applied at an upstream part of a river basin through a SWAT model. HEC-RAS model was applied at the middle and downstream areas of the study basin based on hydraulic routing principle. A combined routing method can improve the result from a simulation process and increases an accuracy on a prediction of the peak flow. It can simulate a flow discharges for both short and long-term duration, with good model performance indicators. Besides, sediment modeling was done by comparing a regression model, SWAT model, and combination of HEC-RAS and SWAT model. The result from the sediment modeling indicates that the regression model and combined model show good agreement in predicting the suspended sediment in the river basin. The integrated application of such different type of models can be one of the option for sediment modeling.
Prevalence and predicting factors of perceived stress among Bangladeshi university students using machine learning algorithms
Authors: Rois Rumana , Ray Manik , Rahman Atikur , Roy Swapan. K.
Published: April 2021

Background: Stress-related mental health problems are one of the most common causes of the burden in university students worldwide. Many studies have been conducted to predict the prevalence of stress among university students, however most of these analyses were predominantly performed using the basic logistic regression model. As an alternative, we used the advanced machine learning approaches for detecting significant risk factors and to predict the prevalence of stress among Bangladeshi university students.Methods: This prevalence study surveyed 355 students from twenty-eight different Bangladeshi universities using questions concerning anthropometric measurements, academic, lifestyles, and health-related information, which referred to the perceived stress status of the respondents (yes or no). Boruta algorithm was used in determining the significant prognostic factors of the prevalence of stress. Prediction models were built using decision tree (DT), random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), and logistic regression (LR), and their performances were evaluated using parameters of confusion matrix, ROC curves, and k-fold cross-validation techniques. Results: One-third of university students reported stress within the last 12 months. Students’ pulse rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, sleep status, smoking status, and academic background were selected as the important features for predicting the prevalence of stress. Evaluated performance revealed that the highest performance observed from RF (accuracy=0.8972, precision=0.9241, sensitivity=0.9250, specificity=0.8148, AUC=0.8715, k-fold accuracy=0.8983) and the lowest from LR (accuracy=0.7476, precision=0.8354, sensitivity=0.8250, specificity=0.5185, AUC=0.7822, k-fold accuracy=07713) and SVM with polynomial kernel of degree 2 (accuracy=0.7570, precision=0.7975, sensitivity=0.8630, specificity=0.5294, AUC=0.7717, k-fold accuracy=0.7855). The RF model perfectly predicted stress including individual and interaction effects of predictors.Conclusion: The machine learning framework can be detected the significant prognostic factors and predicted this psychological problem more accurately, thereby helping the policy-makers, stakeholders, and families to understand and prevent this serious crisis by improving policy-making strategies, mental health promotion, and establishing effective university counseling services.
Skull Modulated Strategy to Intensify Tumor Treating Fields on Brain Tumor: a Finite Element Study
Authors: Xin Yang , Liu Penghao , Xing Hao , Wen Xiaoyan , Wang Yu , Hu Chunhua , Li Luming , Ma Wenbin
Published: April 2021

Purpose Tumor treating fields (TTFields) are a breakthrough in treating glioblastoma (GBM). Whereas, the intensity cannot be further enhanced, due to the limitation of scalp lesions. Skull remodeling (SR) surgery can elevate the treatment dose of TTFields in the intracranial foci. This study was aimed at exploring the characteristics of SR surgery towards TTFields augmentation.
Methods The simplified multiple-tissue-layer model (MTL) model and realistic head (RH) model were reconstructed through finite element methods (FEM), to simulate the remodeling of the skull, which included skull drilling, thinning, and cranioplasty with PEEK, titanium, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), connective tissue and autologous bone.
Results Skull thinning could enhance the intensity of TTFields in the brain tumor, with a 10% of increase of average peritumoral intensity (API) by every 1 cm decrease in skull thickness. Cranioplasty with titanium accompanied the most enhancement of TTFields in the MTL model, but CSF was superior in TTFields enhancement when simulated in the RH model. Besides, API increased nonlinearly with the expansion of drilled burr holes. In comparison with the single drill replaced by titanium, 9 burr holes could reach 96.98% of enhancement in API, but it could only reach 63.08% of enhancement under craniectomy of 9-times skull defect area.
Conclusion Skull thinning and drilling could enhance API, which was correlated with the number and area of skull drilling. Cranioplasty with highly conductive material could also augment API, but might not provide clinical benefits as expected.
Keywords Tumor treating fields, skull remodeling, cranioplasty, skull replacement, brain tumor, finite element analysis
Review of Patricia Herlihy. Odessa Recollected: The Port and the People.
Authors: Lalande J.-Guy
Published: April 2021

Book review of Patricia Herlihy. Odessa Recollected: The Port and the People. Ukrainian Research Institute, Harvard University / Academic Studies P, 2018. Ukrainian Studies, edited by Vitaly Chernetsky. x, 258 pp. Illustrations. Tables. Maps. Notes (end of chapters). Index. $42.00, cloth.
ANALYSIS OF THE FINANCIAL STATUS OF THE BANKING SECTOR OF UKRAINE
Authors: Tsyhaniuk D. , Rudniak A.
Published: April 2021

Considering the significant negative impact of financial crises on the banking sector in Ukraine, issues related to the assessment of the financial condition of banks are becoming particularly relevant. Analysis of the impact of the global financial crisis on the activities of Ukrainian banks in recent years has led to the conclusion that an effective, working mechanism for anti-crisis management has not yet been developed, focused on forecasting, overcoming, and limiting the spread of the crisis in the banking system. In this study, we analyzed the state of the banking system of Ukraine, the factors of crises that affected the financial condition of the banking sector of Ukraine in the context of 2009-2019; studied the main performance indicators of banks currently operating in Ukraine; analyzed the financial results of banking activities; Identified systemic risks that operate in the banking sector, as well as the largest risk factors for the financial sector. Calculated indicators of financial stability indicated the existence of systemic risks. According to the results of our study, the dynamics of the ratio of non-performing loans pointed out that the banking system of Ukraine, along with the unstable political and general economic situation, further increases systemic risks for the banking system and for the economy in the entirety; analysis of the Z-score indicator confirmed the presence of systemic risks and clearly demonstrated the duration and level of the crisis; an analysis of the dynamics and the political component of the country's incapacity index indicated that now Ukraine is in the most volatile situation in the last decade.
Potential for the application of DNA technologies in the brewing industry
Authors: Lazareva E. G. , Gilmanov Kh. Kh. , Bigaeva A. V. , Tuylkin S. V. , Vafin R. R.
Published: April 2021

The article presents an analysis of the literature data on research related to the use of DNA technologies in the brewing industry. Significant relevance among them is the work on combating widespread falsification of food products, including alcohol. Classical methods of assessing the quality and safety of beer do not allow us to identify the substitution of raw materials declared by the manufacturer — one of the large-scale areas of falsification. Therefore, the question of applying new approaches to the assessment of the authenticity of brewing products is relevant. In particular, the most complete identification of falsifications in the alcohol industry is made by molecular genetic analysis methods. This article discusses the methods of extraction of nucleic acids, as well as markers used as genetic targets in the DNA authentication of alcoholic beverages. The analyzed material indicates the possibility of using molecular genetic methods based on the polymerase chain reaction as modern laboratory tools for determining the authenticity of manufactured goods. In addition, the potential of using DNA technologies in the fight against contamination of industrial enterprises has been identified.
Spectrophotometric method for evaluating proteolysis in cheeses and aromatic additives with a cheesy taste
Authors: Myagkonosov D. S. , Abramov D. V. , Ovchinnikova E. G. , Krayushkina V. N.
Published: April 2021

The spectrophotometric method for measuring protein content can be used to evaluate the degree of proteolysis in cheeses. At a wavelength of 280 nm, tryptophan and tyrosine are absorbed, a high amount of them is found in casein, the main protein of cheese mass. It was found that the value of the absorbance coefficient of the solution of proteins extracted from flavoring additives with cheese flavor (FA) and cheeses depends on the degree of proteolysis of proteins in the cheese mass and differs in FA and different types of cheeses. The highest absorbance coefficient is observed in the FA samples A1%1cm = 10.30, in which from 65 to 81% of the protein is converted into a soluble state. In cheeses, the degree of proteolysis is from 23 to 33%, and the absorbance coefficient of solution is from 1.1 to 2.4 (with the exception of Cheddar cheese), which indicates an incomplete transition of amino acids absorbing radiation at 280 nm into the extract released from cheeses. Using the spectrophotometric method, the results of measuring the content of soluble protein in cheeses and FA, strictly correlating with the results achieved by the Kjeldahl method (R2 > 0.81), can be obtained. To get reliable results of evaluating the content of water-soluble protein in cheeses, it is necessary to carry out measurements on a sample of cheeses belonging to the same species group, having the same specificity of proteolysis and slightly different absorbance coefficient between samples within the instance.
Effort expectancy and social influence factors as main determinants of performance expectancy using electronic banking
Authors: Fedorko Igor , Bačik Radovan , Gavurova Beata
Published: April 2021

This study is aimed at determining the effect of expected effort and social influence factors on expected performance when using internet banking. The study adapts the constructs and definitions from the UTAUT model in the context of the adaptation of online banking technology. With regard to the nature of the variables analyzed, the following statistical tests and methods were used: calculation of average values using descriptive statistics; multiple linear regression analysis – to interpret associations between quantitative variables. Banks, as well as users of these banking services in the online environment, are the subject of research. The survey sample consists of 454 men and women and reflects the profile of online consumers across different countries of the European Union. The results of this study show the impact of the social influence construct on the respondents’ behavior when using electronic banking. The expected effort factor in the study significantly affects the expected performance factor, which can be characterized by original research, which showed that the effect of perceived ease of use on behavioral intent and use is incompatible with the degree of system complexity.
To the Question of Concept of Total Quality Management Usage in Enterprise Management System
Authors: Abdullina Diana Azatovna
Published: April 2021

The scientific research thoroughly examines TQM basic concepts. The results of change experiments in enterprise management system are shown. The analysis of problems in management system has been undertaken, the ways of solution of latter are described.
Features of The Mental State of the Individual During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Kovalchuk Dmitrii Fedorovich
Published: April 2021

The article presents the results of an empirical study aimed at identifying the mental state of an individual during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was conducted online from April to December 2020 using the free association method and an online survey. The study involved 384 respondents of working age (from 30 years to 61 years). As a result of the study, certain psychological problems associated with the COVID-19 pandemic were identified.
Formation of Sound Producing in Children of Senior Preschool Age with General Speech Underdevelopment of Third Level with the Use of Sensorimotor Games and Exercises
Authors: Sergeeva Svetlana Ivanovna
Published: April 2021

The article provides the results of empirical research and experimentative work on the usage of sensorimotor games and exercises for the development of sound producing in children of senior preschool age with general speech underdevelopment of 3rd level.
Uma crise permanente
Authors: Dias da Silva Cristina
Published: April 2021

Este artigo propõe uma análise da política de saúde indígena brasileira, a partir do caso do Alto Tapajós (PA). As referências teóricas utilizadas são as publicações da área nos últimos vinte anos, sobretudo as etnografias e artigos que pensaram o contexto de criação dos Distritos Sanitários Especiais Indígenas no Brasil implantados e a Política Nacional de Atenção à Saúde dos Povos Indígenas. Dois eixos analíticos são discutidos: 1) a noção de articulação de saberes na saúde indígena como estratégia ambígua para uma política de afirmação de direitos; 2) A crise permanente na saúde indígena como símbolo de uma gestão de precariedades que reproduz desigualdades históricas.
On the reliability of investment risk assessments
Authors: Dolganov A. I.
Published: April 2021

The paper examines the reliability of investment risk estimates based on probabilistic realizations of purpose-designed scenarios. The calculations of the probabilities of scenario realization were based on logical and probabilistic methods. The reliability of risk assessment is understood as the probability of successful completion of a project, fulfillment of all contractual obligations: construction in compliance with the architectural and engineering design and quality requirements, within the contractual period and approved budget. Investment risks were estimated based on eight primary scenarios. The realization of the risks of the main group depended on the realization of the various numbers of risk scenarios of each subgroups in the main group. For instance, the first scenario of the main group consisted in the risk of faulty project ROI analysis and the risk of underestimated construction budget. The second one consisted in the risk of underestimated construction budget and risk associated with the selection of the basic flowsheet and primary process parameters, etc. The risks of each subgroup could be obtained by means of expert estimations or, in case of sufficient statistical data, based on the actual distributions. A mathematical model was developed for the purpose of a computerized solution. The mathematical model also allowed identifying such dependability factors as “weight”, “significance” and “contribution” of each risk in the success of an investment project (reliability structure of investment risk estimation). The analysis of calculation data enabled the identification of the probability of successful project completion (reliability), the risks that are the most important, significant and having the largest contribution to the successful implementation of investment projects. Also, the risks were identified that have the least pronounced effect on the successful implementation of an investment project.
A research of the characteristics of the Kijima-Sumita processes under an increasing rate function
Authors: Ankudinov A. V. , Antonov A. V. , Chepurko V. A.
Published: April 2021

Aim. The paper is dedicated to the research of the models of Kijima-Sumita incomplete restoration processes [1-7]. These models are relatively new and poorly studied. As the case of incomplete restoration is more typical for the operation of today’s technical systems, the study of the Kijima-Sumita models appears to be most relevant. In those models, the degree of incompleteness of restoration is defined by the value of coefficient q. The paper cites findings that elaborate upon [5] and [6]. In [5], the restoration function was evaluated in the form of a finite sum with the use of statistical tests. In [6], an integral equation was derived for the restoration function and failure flow parameter. The effect of the restoration factor on those indicators was analyzed as well.This paper aims to derive a density equation of time between failures for the Kijima-Sumita model and such dependability indicators as the average values of the overshoot, undershoot and cycle duration, as well as to analyze the effect of restoration factor q on those indicators. The findings are presented in graph form, with the assumption that the time to first failure adheres to the Weibull distribution law that is at the core of the dependability theory. This paper considers the case of the increasing rate function. Methods. The required calculations were conducted in the R free programming environment that is specially designed for statistical computing and graphics. The mathematical tools used in this work were the numerical integration methods, such as the method of trapezoids and method of rectangles modified for taking double integrals. Conclusions. For the Kijima-Sumita process, the paper derives equations and constructs graphs for the densities of time between failures, as well as average values of the overshoot, undershoot and cycle duration. The restoration equation for the Kijima incomplete restoration processes was deduced. The effect of the restoration factor on the above dependability indicators was analyzed for the case of increasing rate function showing that if parameter q increases, the average values of overshoot, undershoot and cycle duration decrease.
Synthesis, In Silico Pharmacokinetics, and Biological Evaluation of Some New Thiazolidinedione as PPAR-γ Agonists and Antibacterial Agents
Authors: Alzhrani Zohor Mohammad Mahdi , Alam Mohammad Mahboob , Nazreen Syed
Published: April 2021

Background:

The frequent use of antimicrobial agents to treat infections in diabetic patients
make them more drug resistant than non-diabetic patients, which accounts for a higher mortality
rate of diabetic patients. Therefore, it is a necessity today to synthesize new drugs with dual
modes of action as antidiabetic and antibacterial agents. In the present work, new derivatives containing
thiazolidinedione and 1,3,4-oxadiaozle have been synthesized and screened for PPAR-γ and
antibacterial activities.

Methods:

Compounds 5-12 have been synthesized from 2-methoxy benzaldehyde and thiazolidinedione
and characterized using different spectroscopic techniques such as IR, NMR, and mass spectrometry.
These compounds were tested for in vitro PPAR-γ transactivation, PPAR-γ gene expression,
and antibacterial activities. Finally, molecular docking was carried out to see the binding interactions
of molecules with the target protein.

Results:

All the compounds follow the Lipinski rule suggesting the synthesized derivatives have
good drug-likeness properties. Compounds 11 and 12 exhibited promising PPAR-γ transactivation
with 73.69% and 76.50%, respectively, as well as showed significant antibacterial activity with comparable
MIC of 3.12 μg/disc to standard drug amoxicillin. The docking result was found to be consistent
with the in vitro PPAR-γ transactivation results.

Conclusion:

Compounds 11 and 12 can be further investigated as lead molecules for the development
of new and effective antidiabetic and antibacterial agents.
Body Mass Index and Association of Psychological Stress with Exercise
Performance in Military Members: The Cardiorespiratory Fitness and
Hospitalization Events in Armed Forces (CHIEF) Study
Authors: Lin Ko-Huan , Su Fang-Ying , Yang Szu-Nian , Liu Ming-Wei , Kao Chung-Cheng , Nagamine Masanori , Lin Gen-Min
Published: April 2021

Aims:

To investigate the influence of body mass index (BMI) on the association between psychological stress and physical fitness.
Background: Both obesity and psychological stress reduce exercise performance.
Objective: It is unknown whether obesity may modify the relationship.

Background:

Both obesity and psychological stress reduce exercise performance.

Objective:

It is unknown whether obesity may modify the relationship.

Methods:

A population of 4,080 military subjects in Taiwan was divided to three groups according to the BMI ≥27.0 kg/m2 (obesity), 24.0-26.9 kg/m2 (overweight) and 18.5-23.9 kg/m2 (normal weight). Normal, slight, and great psychological stress was evaluated by the Brief Symptoms Rating Scale (BSRS-5) score ≤5, 6-9, and ≥10, respectively. Aerobic and anaerobic fitness were respectively evaluated by time for a 3000-meter run and numbers of 2-minute sit-ups and 2-minute push-ups. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with adjustments for age and sex was used to determine the relationship.

Results:

The mean time (sec) for a 3000-meter run (standard error) under slight and great stress differed from that under normal stress in the normal weight (881.0 (11.0) and 877.9 (5.8) vs. 862.2 (1.7), p=0.089 and 0.0088, respectively) and in the obesity (928.1 (16.8) and 921.8 (10.7) vs. 895.2 (1.6), p=0.054 and 0.016, respectively), while the differences were not significant in the overweight (877.1 (12.7) and 877.5 (7.1) vs. 867.1 (2.1), both p >0.5). The impacts of the BMI on 2-minute sit-ups had a similar pattern with that on a 3000-meter run whereas the impact of the BMI on 2-minute push-ups was insignificant.

Conclusions:

Mental stress may not affect physical fitness in overweight military personnel. The mechanism is not clear and should be further investigated.
Policy capacity and governance conditions for implementing sustainable development goals in Brazil
Authors: Koga Natália Massaco , Filgueiras Fernando , Baia do Nascimento Maricilene Isaira , Borali Natasha , Bastos Victor
Published: April 2021

This article examines governance conditions for implementing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Brazil. The SDGs are a commitment (signed and adopted in September 2015 by 193 countries) to achieve 17 key milestones by 2030 for formulating and implementing public policies that promote economic, social, and environmental development. Yet the Goals’ multifaceted and imbricated nature poses expressive challenges. One argues that the SDGs provide a rich set of interconnected policies to address key aspects of the governance debate, such as the capacities in a complex policy-implementation context; the association between administrative and relational policy capacities; and the dynamics of governance tools. This investigation entails quanti-qualitative analysis based on data produced by semi-structured interviews and a survey with a random sample of the Brazilian federal bureaucracy, answered by 2,000 individuals. The main findings are that the SDGs require a governance strategy capable of building capacity for promoting collaboration among state and society, horizontal and vertical coordination, and data and information for developing analytical capabilities. In sum, SDGs require higher levels of capacities, leadership, and proper institutional design to reach the necessary levels of collaboration for producing coherent and integrated policies, so leadership materializes as the main critical condition for SDGs’ implementation in Brazil.
Impact of an Educational Comic to Enhance Patient-Physician–Electronic Health Record Engagement: Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Alkureishi Maria A , Johnson Tyrone , Nichols Jacqueline , Dhodapkar Meera , Czerwiec M K , Wroblewski Kristen , Arora Vineet M , Lee Wei Wei
Published: April 2021

Background

Electronic health record (EHR) use can impede or augment patient-physician communication. However, little research explores the use of an educational comic to improve patient-physician-EHR interactions.

Objective

To evaluate the impact of an educational comic on patient EHR self-advocacy behaviors to promote patient engagement with the EHR during clinic visits.

Methods

We conducted a prospective observational study with adult patients and parents of pediatric patients at the University of Chicago General Internal Medicine (GIM) and Pediatric Primary Care (PPC) clinics. We developed an educational comic highlighting EHR self-advocacy behaviors and distributed it to study participants during check-in for their primary care visits between May 2017 and May 2018. Participants completed a survey immediately after their visit, which included a question on whether they would be interested in a follow-up telephone interview. Of those who expressed interest, 50 participants each from the adult and pediatric parent cohorts were selected at random for follow-up telephone interviews 8 months (range 3-12 months) post visit.

Results

Overall, 71.0% (115/162) of adult patients and 71.6% (224/313) of pediatric parents agreed the comic encouraged EHR involvement. African American and Hispanic participants were more likely to ask to see the screen and become involved in EHR use due to the comic (adult P=.01, P=.01; parent P=.02, P=.006, respectively). Lower educational attainment was associated with an increase in parents asking to see the screen and to be involved (ρ=−0.18, P=.003; ρ=−0.19, P<.001, respectively) and in adults calling for physician attention (ρ=−0.17, P=.04), which was confirmed in multivariate analyses. Female GIM patients were more likely than males to ask to be involved (median 4 vs 3, P=.003). During follow-up phone interviews, 90% (45/50) of adult patients and all pediatric parents (50/50) remembered the comic. Almost half of all participants (GIM 23/50, 46%; PPC 21/50, 42%) recalled at least one best-practice behavior. At subsequent visits, adult patients reported increases in asking to see the screen (median 3 vs 4, P=.006), and pediatric parents reported increases in asking to see the screen and calling for physician attention (median 3 vs 4, Ps<.001 for both). Pediatric parents also felt that the comic had encouraged them to speak up and get more involved with physician computer use since the index visit (median 4 vs 4, P=.02) and that it made them feel more empowered to get involved with computer use at future visits (median 3 vs 4, P<.001).

Conclusions

Our study found that an educational comic may improve patient advocacy for enhanced patient-physician-EHR engagement, with higher impacts on African American and Hispanic patients and patients with low educational attainment.
Implementing Exercise = Medicine in routine clinical care; Needs for an online tool and key decisions in Exercise = Medicine referral and within two Dutch academic hospitals. (Preprint)
Authors: Bouma Adrie J. , Van Nassau Femke , Nauta Joske , Krops Leonie A. , Van der Ploeg Hidde P. , Verhagen Evert A.L.M. , Van der Woude Lukas H.V. , Van Keeken Helco G. , Dekker Rienk
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND

There is much evidence to implement physical activity interventions for medical reasons in healthcare settings. However, the prescription of physical activity as a treatment, referring to as ‘Exercise is medicine’ (E=M) is currently mostly absent in routine hospital care in The Netherlands.

OBJECTIVE

To support E=M prescription by clinicians in hospitals, this study aimed: (1) to develop an E=M-tool for tailored physical activity advice and referrals to facilitate the E=M prescription in hospital settings; and (2) to provide an E=M decision guide on key decisions to prepare for E=M prescription in hospital care.

METHODS

A mixed method design was used employing a questionnaire and face-to-face interviews with clinicians, lifestyle coaches and hospital managers, a patient panel and stakeholders to assess the needs regarding an E=M-tool and key decisions in the implementation of an E=M-tool. Based on the needs assessment, a digital E=M-tool was developed. The key decisions informed the development of an E=M decision guide.

RESULTS

An online supportive tool for E=M was developed for two hospitals. Based on the needs assessment, two slightly different versions of an E=M-tool were developed, linked to the different patients’ electronic medical records and tailored to the two local settings (University Medical Centre Groningen, Amsterdam University Medical Centres). The E=M-tool existed of a tool algorithm, including patient characteristics assessed with a digital questionnaire (age, gender, PA, BMI, medical diagnosis, motivation to change physical activity, and preference to discuss physical activity with their doctor) set against norm values. The digital E=M-tool provided an individual tailored E=M-prescription for patients and referral options to local PA experts in- and outside the hospital. An E=M decision guide was developed to support the implementation of E=M prescription in hospital care.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provided insight into E=M-tool development and the E=M decision-making to support E=M prescription and facilitate tailoring towards local E=M treatment options, using strong stakeholder participation. Outcomes may serve as an example for other decision support guides and interventions aimed at E=M implementation.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

RR2-10.2196/19397
Correction: The Impact of COVID-19 Management Policies Tailored to Airborne SARS-CoV-2 Transmission: Policy Analysis (Preprint)
Authors: Telles Charles Roberto , Roy Archisman , Ajmal Mohammad Rehan , Mustafa Syed Khalid , Ahmad Mohammad Ayaz , de la Serna Juan Moises , Frigo Elisandro Pires , Rosales Manuel Hernández
Published: April 2021

UNSTRUCTURED

Daily new COVID-19 cases from January to April 2020 demonstrate varying patterns of SARS-CoV-2 transmission across different geographical regions. Constant infection rates were observed in some countries, whereas China and South Korea had a very low number of daily new cases. In fact, China and South Korea successfully and quickly flattened their COVID-19 curve. To understand why this was the case, this paper investigated possible aerosol-forming patterns in the atmosphere and their relationship to the policy measures adopted by select countries. The main research objective was to compare the outcomes of policies adopted by countries between January and April 2020. Policies included physical distancing measures that in some cases were associated with mask use and city disinfection. We investigated whether the type of social distancing framework adopted by some countries (ie, without mask use and city disinfection) led to the continual dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 (daily new cases) in the community during the study period. We examined the policies used as a preventive framework for virus community transmission in some countries and compared them to the policies adopted by China and South Korea. Countries that used a policy of social distancing by 1-2 m were divided into two groups. The first group consisted of countries that implemented social distancing (1-2 m) only, and the second comprised China and South Korea, which implemented distancing with additional transmission/isolation measures using masks and city disinfection. Global daily case maps from Johns Hopkins University were used to provide time-series data for the analysis. The results showed that virus transmission was reduced due to policies affecting SARS-CoV-2 propagation over time. Remarkably, China and South Korea obtained substantially better results than other countries at the beginning of the epidemic due to their adoption of social distancing (1-2 m) with the additional use of masks and sanitization (city disinfection). These measures proved to be effective due to the atmosphere carrier potential of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Our findings confirm that social distancing by 1-2 m with mask use and city disinfection yields positive outcomes. These strategies should be incorporated into prevention and control policies and be adopted both globally and by individuals as a method to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.