bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporal Evolution of the Resistance Genotypes of Plasmodium Falciparum in Isolates From Equatorial Guinea During 20 Years (1999 to 2019).
Authors: Berzosa Pedro , Fuente Irene Molina-de la , Ta-Tang Thuy-Huong , González Vicenta , García Luz , Rodríguez-Galet Ana , Diaz-Regañón Ramón , Galán Rosario , Cerrada-Gálvez Laura , Ncogo Policarpo , Riloha Matilde , Benito Agustín
Published: September 2021

Background: Malaria is one of the deadliest disease in the world, particularly in Africa. The resistance to antimalarial drugs is one of the most important problems to global malaria control. The study assess the evolution of the different resistance markers over time and the possible influence of the interventions and treatment changes that have been made in Equatorial Guinea.Methods: 1223 biological samples distributed from 1999 to 2019 were included in the study. The screening of the mutations in pfdhfr, pfdhps, pfmdr1 and pfcrt genes were carried out by nested PCR and RFLPs, and the study of pfk13 genes was carried out by nested PCR, followed by sequencing to determine the presence of mutations Results: the haplotypes partially and fully resistant (pfdhfr + pfdhps) increase over time. In 2019, the fully resistant is increasing although super resistant remains lower. There is also a continued decline over time in pfmdr1 and pfcrt gene mutations. Since 2008, when ACTs were introduced in the country, the number of mutations detected in pfk13 has been increasing over time, with more mutations being observed in 2019. In this year, were detected 2 synonymous and 5 non-synonymous mutations, although are not related to resistance to ACTs. In addition, the non-synonymous A578S mutation, the most frequent on the African continent, was detected in 2013, although it has not been detected in the following years.Conclusions: The withdrawal of the use of CQ as a treatment in the country has been effective over time, as wild-type parasite populations outnumber mutant populations. The upward trend observed in SP resistance markers evidence its misuse alone or in combination with AS or AQ in some areas of the country, this allows selective pressure from SP to continue. SNPs 540E and 581G do not exceed the limit of 50% and 10% respectively, which means that SP as an IPT is still effective in the country. As for the pfk13 gene, no mutations have been detected in relation to resistance to ACTs. However, in 2019 there is a greater accumulation of non-synonymous mutations compared to years prior to 2008.
Parents and Teachers Intervention for Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Abstract
Authors: Hosseinnia maede , Mazaheri Maryam Amidi , Heidari zahra
Published: September 2021

Background: this study evaluated the effect of parents and teachers educational intervention to decrease the ADHD symptoms in children. Method: Seventy-two children and their parents and teachers participated in this quasiexperimental study and randomly divided into two groups of test and control. Data collected by CSI4-questionnaire. Parents and teacher in test group participated in training sessions. Student’s ADHD symptoms were assessed before and after the educational intervention. Results: Two mounts after the intervention, based on parent and teacher report, the ADHD symptoms was decreased significantly only in test group students. Conclusion: parents and teachers training and developing appropriate strategies can diminish ADHD symptoms in all three aspects including inattention and reduce the side effects of ADHD. Trial registration: The study was approved by the by the Research Deputy of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. In addition, The Ethical Committee of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences approved the study proposal. (ID code: IR.MUI.RESEARCH.REC.1398.297). The required permission from Education Department of Isfahan City was attained. Participation in the study was voluntary. Before taking part in the study, selected teachers provided written consent also study goals were described to them.
Identification and characterization of a natural polymorphism in FT-A2 associated with increased number of grains per spike in wheat
Authors: Glenn Priscilla , Zhang Junli , Brown-Guedira Gina , DeWitt Noah , Cook Jason P. , Li Kun , Dubcovsky Jorge
Published: September 2021

Increases in wheat grain yield are necessary to meet future global food demands. A previous study showed that loss-of-function mutations in FLOWERING LOCUS T2 ( FT2 ) increase spikelet number per spike (SNS), an important grain yield component. Unfortunately, associated reductions in fertility offset potential increases in grain number. Here, we report a natural mutation resulting in an aspartic acid to alanine change at position 10 (D10A) associated with significant increases in SNS and no negative effects on fertility. Using a high-density genetic map, we delimited the SNS candidate region to a 5.2 Mb region on chromosome 3AS including 28 genes. Among them, only FT-A2 showed a non-synonymous polymorphism (D10A) present in two different populations segregating for the SNS QTL on chromosome arm 3AS. These results, together with the known effect of the ft-A2 mutations on SNS, suggest that variation in FT-A2 is the most likely cause of the observed differences in SNS. We validated the positive effects of the A10 allele on SNS, grain number, and grain yield per spike in near-isogenic tetraploid wheat lines and in an hexaploid winter wheat population. The A10 allele is present at very low frequency in durum wheat and at much higher frequency in hexaploid wheat, particularly in winter and fall-planted spring varieties. These results suggest that the FT-A2 A10 allele may be particularly useful for improving grain yield in durum wheat and fall planted common wheat varieties.
Anticancer effect of Sargassum oligocystom hydroalcoholic extract against SW742, HT-29, WiDr and CT-26 colorectal cancer cell lines and expression of P53 and APC genes
Authors: Ghazy Esraa , Fadil Adil G. , Hussen Bashdar Mahmud , Al-Marzoqi Ali H.
Published: September 2021

Background
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the world, with enhancing morbidity and mortality each year. Due to the drug resistance against CRC, the use of novel compounds besides chemotherapy is required. Natural seafood contains large amounts of biologically active substances with new chemical structures and new medicinal activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Sargassum oligocystom algae on SW742, HT-29, WiDr and CT-26 CRC cell lines and to evaluate the expression of P53 and APC genes using quantitative real time PCR (RT-qPCR).
Methods
The cytotoxicity of S. oligocystom hydroalcoholic extract was determined by MTT and trypan blue methods in six different concentrations including 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mg / mL on various CRC cell lines and a control group. The expression of P53 and APC genes in exposure to 2mg/mL of the extract was also evaluated using RT-qPCR.
Results
The LD50 and LD90 of S. oligocystom included 0.5-1 and > 2mg/mL, respectively mostly affecting SW742 and CT-26 cells. In the trypan blue test, 90% viability and death of cells was observed at 0.1 and 4mg/mL of extract, respectively. The 2mg/mL was a safe cytotoxic concentration. A significant viability decrease was observed at concentrations ≥ 1mg/mL (p < 0.001). S. oligocystom extract at 2 mg/mL significantly increased the expression of APC being 2.2 fold (p < 0.001) but not P53 gene to be 0.66 fold (p = 0.323) after 24h.
Conclusion
These results indicated that the brown algae S. oligocystom extract had significant antitumor effects against the SW742, HT-29, WiDr and CT-26 CRC cell lines and especially CT-26, suggesting that it may be a potential candidate for further studies and therefore designing drugs of natural anti-cancer origin. The S. oligocystom had anticancer effect via increase in the APC gene expression.
Gigantol Alleviates IL-1β-Induced Inflammation and Catabolism in Mouse Osteoarthritis via PI3K/Akt/NF-κB Pathways In Vivo and In Vitro
Authors: Zhu Gaosheng , Miao Keze , Dong Mingwei , Cai Jie , Shen Zhihao , Zhang Huawei , Chen Hua , Cai Leyi
Published: September 2021

Osteoarthritis (OA), a prevalent disabling disease, is characterized by irreversible cartilage degradation and persistent inflammation. The etiology as well as pathogenesis of OA are not completely unclear and need further investigation. Gigantol, is a bibenzyl derivative extracted from Dendrobium plants and has been found exhibit multiple effects such as anti-inflammatory effects. Nevertheless, the biological function of gigantol on osteoarthritis (OA) is still uncertain. This study aimed at examining the anti-inflammatory effects and latent mechanisms of gigantol in IL-1β-mediated OA progression. In vitro, we identified that gigantol treatment suppressed tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), nitric oxide (NO), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) mediated mouse OA chondrocytes. Gigantol was also shown to dose dependently downregulate the metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) as well as thrombospondin motifs 5 (ADAMTS5) levels. Moreover, IL-1β-mediated AKT and PI3K phosphorylation as well as NF-κB activation were inhibited by gigantol. Meanwhile, in vivo, we detected that gigantol treatment inhibited degradation of the cartilage degradation and lowered the Osteoarthritis Research Society International scores (OARSI) in OA mouse. Therefore, gigantol is a promising therapeutic option for OA.
Distributed context-dependent choice information in mouse posterior cortex
Authors: Orlandi Javier , Abdolrahmani Mohammad , Aoki Ryo , Lyamzin Dmitry , Benucci Andrea
Published: September 2021

Choice information appears in multi-area brain networks mixed with sensory, motor, and cognitive variables. In the posterior cortex—traditionally implicated in decision computations—the presence, strength, and area specificity of choice signals are highly variable, limiting a cohesive understanding of their computational significance. Examining the mesoscale activity in the mouse posterior cortex during a visual task, we found that choice signals defined a decision variable in a low-dimensional embedding space with a prominent contribution along the ventral visual stream. Their subspace was near-orthogonal to concurrently represented sensory and motor-related activations, with modulations by task difficulty and by the animals’ attention state. A recurrent neural network trained with animals’ choices revealed an equivalent decision variable whose context-dependent dynamics agreed with that of the neural data. Our results demonstrated an independent, multi-area decision variable in the posterior cortex, controlled by task features and cognitive demands, possibly linked to contextual inference computations in dynamic animal–environment interactions.
Early warning system for drivers’ phone usage with deep learning network
Authors: Hou Jixu , Xie Xiaofeng , Cai Qian , Deng Zhengjie , Yang Houqun , Huang Hongnian , Wang Xun , Feng Lei , Wang Yizhen
Published: September 2021

Dangerous driving, e.g., using mobile phone while driving, can result in serious traffic problem and threat to safely. To efficiently alleviate such problem, in this paper, we design a intelligent monitoring system to detect the dangerous behavior in driving. The monitoring system is combined by camera, terminal server, target detection algorithm and voice reminder. Furthermore, we applied an efficiently deep learning model, namely mobilenet combined with single shot multi-box detector (mobilenet-SSD), to identify the behavior of driver. To evaluate the performance of proposed system, we construct a dangerous driving dataset which consists of 6796 images. The experimental results show that the proposed system can achieve accuracy of 99% in 100 testing images. It can be used for real-time monitoring of the driver’s status.
Expanding Perigraft Seroma after A scending Aorta Replacement
Authors: Kanemitsu Shinji , Sakamoto Shunsuke , Teranishi Satoshi , Mizumoto Toru
Published: September 2021

BackgroundPerigraft seroma is a persistent and sterile fluid confined within a fibrous pseudomembrane surrounding a graft that develops after graft replacement. Development of perigraft seroma is an uncommon complication that occurs after the surgical repair of the thoracic aorta using woven polyester grafts. mechanism underlying perigraft seroma formation remains unclear.Case presentationHerein, we describe the case of 77-year-old man who underwent repeat sternotomy for the treatment of large perigraft seroma 1 year after ascending aorta replacement for acute type A dissection. After removing a cloudy yellow fluid, we covered the prosthetic graft with fibrin glue and wrapped it with a new graft. Bacterial culture and laboratory examination of the fluid confirmed the final diagnosis of perigraft seroma, and there was no evidence of recurrence. The area in which fluid accumulated around the graft shrunk 1 year after surgery.Conclusions﻿The cause of a expanding perigraft after repair of the thoracic aorta remains unknown. Physicians should be aware that chronic expanding mediastinal seroma with Dacron grafts is one of the rare postoperative complications of thoracic aortic surgery. Applying fibrin glue to the graft surface might effectively prevent the recurrence of perigraft seroma.
Protein acetylation regulates xylose metabolism during adaptation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Tan Yong-Shui , Wang Li , Wang Ying-Ying , He Qi-En , Zhu Zhen , Song Kai , Liu Zhi-Hua , Li Bing-Zhi , Yuan Ying-Jin
Published: September 2021

Background
Lignocellulosic biomass upgrading has become a promising alternative route to produce transportation fuels in response to energy security and environmental concerns. As the second most abundant polysaccharide in nature, hemicellulose mainly containing xylose is an important carbon source that can be used for the bioconversion to fuels and chemicals. However, the adaptation phenomena could appear and influence the bioconversion performance of xylose when Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain was transferred from the glucose to the xylose environment. Therefore, it is crucial to elucidate the mechanism of this adaptation phenomena, which can guide the strategy exploration to improve the efficiency of xylose utilization.
Results
In this study, xylose-utilizing strains had been constructed to effectively consume xylose. It is found that the second incubation of yYST218 strain in synthetic complete-xylose medium resulted in a 1.24-fold increase in xylose consumption ability as compared with the first incubation in synthetic complete-xylose medium. The results clearly showed that growing S. cerevisiae again in synthetic complete-xylose medium can significantly reduce the stagnation time and thus achieved a faster growth rate, by comparing the growth status of the strain in synthetic complete-xylose medium for the first and second time at the single-cell level through Microfluidic technology. Although these xylose-utilizing strains possessed different xylose metabolism pathways, they exhibited the “transient memory” phenomenon of xylose metabolism after changing the culture environment to synthetic complete-xylose medium, which named ‘xylose consumption memory (XCM)’ of S. cerevisiae in this study. According to the identification of protein acetylation, partial least squares analysis and the confirmatory test had verified that H4K5Ac affected the state of “XCM” in S. cerevisiae. Knockout of the acetylase-encoding genes GCN5 and HPA2 enhanced the “XCM” of the strain. Protein acetylation analysis suggested that xylose induced perturbation in S. cerevisiae stimulated the rapid adaptation of strains to xylose environment by regulating the level of acetylation.
Conclusions
All these results indicated protein acetylation modification is an important aspect that protein acetylation regulated the state of “XCM” in S. cerevisiae and thus determine the environmental adaptation of S. cerevisiae. Systematically exploiting the regulation approach of protein acetylation in S. cerevisiae could provide valuable insights into the adaptation phenomena of microorganisms in complex industrial environments.
Aging-related variation of cuticular hydrocarbons in wild type and variant Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Cortot Jérôme , Farine Jean-Pierre , Ferveur Jean-François , Everaerts Claude
Published: September 2021

The cuticle of all insects is covered with hydrocarbons which have multiple functions. Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) basically serve to protect insects against environmental harm and to reduce dehydration. In many species, some CHCs also act as pheromones. CHCs have been intensively studied in Drosophila species and more specially in D. melanogaster. In this species, flies produce about 40 CHCs forming a complex sex- and species-specific bouquet. The quantitative and qualitative pattern of the CHC bouquet was characterized during the first days of adult life but remains unexplored in aging flies. Here, we characterized CHCs during the whole—or a large period of—adult life in males and females of several wild type and transgenic lines. Both types of lines included standard and variant CHC profiles. Some of the genotypes tested here showed very dramatic and unexpected aging-related variation based on their early days profile. This study provides a concrete dataset to better understand the mechanisms underlying the establishment and maintenance of CHCs on the fly cuticle. It could be useful to determine physiological parameters, including age and response to climate variation, in insects collected in the wild.
Semen parameters in men recovered from COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Tiwari Sagar , KC Niranjan , Thapa Sajan , Ghimire Anuja , Bijukchhe Sanjeev M , Sah Guru Sharan , Isnuwardana Ronny
Published: September 2021

Background: The novel beta-coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has infected millions of people globally with high risk among male then female. However, the effect of COVID-19 andrology is still a subject of dispute. We planned to analyze the overall consequences of COVID-19 on semen parameters and male sex hormones.Main text: Systematic search was performed on MEDLINE and Scopus database until June 11 2021. We included observational studies, which reported mean ± standard deviation of the semen parameters and serum sex hormones of those reproductive-aged male recovered from COVID-19 and controls who did not suffered from COVID-19. We used Random-effect model to pool the studies, as heterogeneity was present. Heterogeneity was evaluated by Q test and I2. All studies were assessed with their quality and publication bias.We assessed 966 articles for eligibility and found 7 eligible studies meeting PICO criteria. This include 934 participants with mean age 37.34 ± 10.5. Random-effect model meta-analysis showed that men recovered form COVID-19 had semen parameters less than those who had not suffered from COVID-19. The overall mean difference (MD) [95% confidence interval (CI)] in semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm number, and progressive sperm motility was -0.20 (-0.45, 0.05), -16.59 (-34.82, 1.65), -45.44 (-84.56, -6.31), -1.73(-8.20, 4.75) respectively. Considering sex hormones; Luteinizing hormone and prolactin was found more among those recovered with the significant MD (95% CI) of 3.47 (1.59, 5.35) and 3.21 (1.71, 4.72) respectively.Conclusion: Both the semen parameters and sexual hormones were found to be affected after infected with COVID-19. However, the mechanism for testicular involvement remains doubtful.This systematic review and meta-analysis has been registered in PROSPERO (ID: CRD42021259445)
Pilimiction, A Rare Manifestation of Ovarian Teratoma: A Case Report
Authors: Issack Feysel Hassen , Hassen Seid Mohammed , Hassen Seid Kedir , Gebreselassie Kaleab Habtemichael , Mummed Ferid Ousman , Hassen Ibsa Kedir
Published: September 2021

Introduction: Adnexal teratoma involving the urinary bladder is a very rare condition. Presentation is variable ranging from irritative LUTS (lower urinary tract symptoms) to pilimiction or trichiuria (passage of hair in the urine).Case presentation: We report a case of 42-year-old woman who presented with pilimiction and lower abdominal pain. Contrast enhanced computed tomography scan (CECT) and Cystoscopy were used for the diagnosis. Tumor markers were negative. Right side salpingo-oophorectomy and partial bladder wall excision were performed. Histopathology of the specimen showed features consistent with mature teratoma. The Patient reported improvement of symptoms in the subsequent follow up visits.Conclusion: Pilimiction is a pathognomonic sign of bladder teratomas. Therefore, it is wise to think of this pathology in patients who report passage of hair through the urine (trichiuria or pilimiction), as in our case. Cystoscopy and cross-sectional imaging aided in the initial diagnosis. However, definitive diagnosis was provided by histopathology.
Functional antibody and T-cell immunity following SARS-CoV-2 infection, including by variants of concern, in patients with cancer: the CAPTURE study
Authors: Fendler Annika , Au Lewis , Shepherd Scott , Byrne Fiona , Cerrone Maddalena , Boos Laura , Rzeniewicz Karolina , Gordon William , Shum Ben , Gerard Camille , Ward Barry , Xie Wenyi , Schmitt Andreas , Joharatnam-Hogan Nalinie , Cornish Georgina , Pule Martin , Mekkaoui Leila , Ng Kevin , Carlyle Eleanor , Edmonds Kim , Rosario Lyra Del , Sarker Sarah , Lingard Karla , Mangwende Mary , Holt Lucy , Ahmod Hamid , Stone Richard , Gomes Camila , Flynn Helen , Agua-Doce Ana , Hobson Philip , Caidan Simon , Howell Michael , Wu Mary , Goldstone Robert , Crawford Margaret , Cubitt Laura , Patel Harshil , Gavrielides Mike , Nye Emma , Snijders Ambrosius , MacRae James , Nicod Jerome , Gronthoud Firza , Shea Robyn , Messiou Christina , Cunningham David , Chau Ian , Starling Naureen , Turner Nicholas , Welsh Liam , As Nicholas van , Jones Robin , Droney Joanne , Banerjee Susana , Tatham Kate , Jhanji Shaman , O'Brien Mary , Curtis Oliva , Harrington Kevin , Bhide Shreerang , Bazin Jessica , Robinson Anna , Stephenson Clemency , Slattery Tim , Khan Yasir , Tippu Zayd , Leslie Isla , Gennatas Spyridon , Okines Alicia , Reid Alison , Young Kate , Furness Andrew , Pickering Lisa , Gandhi Sonia , Gamblin Steve , Swanton Charles , Nicholson Emma , Kumar Sacheen , Yousaf Nadia , Wilkinson Katalin , Swerdlow Anthony , Harvey Ruth , Kassiotis George , Larkin James , Wilkinson Robert , Turajlic Samra
Published: September 2021

Patients with cancer have higher COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Here we present the prospective CAPTURE study (NCT03226886) integrating longitudinal immune profiling with clinical annotation. Of 357 patients with cancer, 118 were SARS-CoV-2-positive, 94 were symptomatic and 2 patients died of COVID-19. In this cohort, 83% patients had S1-reactive antibodies, 82% had neutralizing antibodies against WT, whereas neutralizing antibody titers (NAbT) against the Alpha, Beta, and Delta variants were substantially reduced. Whereas S1-reactive antibody levels decreased in 13% of patients, NAbT remained stable up to 329 days. Patients also had detectable SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells and CD4+ responses correlating with S1-reactive antibody levels, although patients with hematological malignancies had impaired immune responses that were disease and treatment-specific, but presented compensatory cellular responses, further supported by clinical. Overall, these findings advance the understanding of the nature and duration of immune response to SARS-CoV-2 in patients with cancer.
Investigating Fracture Failure in Origami-based Sheet Metal Bending
Authors: Ablat Muhammad Ali , Alafaghani Ala’aldin , Sun Jian-Qiao , Nikhare Chetan , Qattawi Ala
Published: September 2021

Origami-based sheet metal (OSM) bending is a promising new die-free folding technique for sheet metal. OSM bending principle is based on deforming the material along a pre-defined fold line, which is determined using material discontinuity (MD) produced by laser or waterjet cutting. The objective of this work is to study and evaluate the fracture in OSM bending under the influence of various MD types, kerf-to-thickness (k/t) ratios, and sheet thicknesses. The research goal is to provide information on selecting an optimized k/t ratio and type of MD that allows for fracture-free bending. Four different ductile fracture criteria (DFC) are used and calibrated from experimental data to forecast fracture. The DFC calibration is used to produce a set of critical damage values (CDV) for assessing the possibility of fracture in the OSM bending. In addition, the study provides fracture evaluation using finite element analysis (FEA) integrated with experimental cases for a broader range of OSM bending parameters and MDs. The results demonstrated that an MD with a higher k/t ratio is less likely to fracture during the OSM bending, whereas a higher sheet thickness increases the possibility of fracture. Furthermore, the study identifies the k/t ratio limit that ensures successful bending without fracture and categorizes MD types into two groups based on fracture likelihood. The fracture in the first group is dependent on the limiting k/t ratio, whereas the possibility of fracture in the second group is independent of the k/t ratio due to its topology.
Food and beverage stocks responding to COVID-19
Authors: Cao Mai Phuong Lai
Published: September 2021

This paper investigated how food and beverage (F&B) stocks react to COVID-19. The event study method was applied to four events including the first and second events, were the first COVID-19 positive patients detected in the largest and second-largest economic center of Vietnam. The third and fourth events are related to strong measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19: the nationwide lockdown at the beginning of the second quarter of 2020, and the lockdown of Danang at the beginning of the third quarter of 2020. The results show that the reaction of F&B stock prices to events supports the semi-strong form of efficient market theory. The strong and lasting negative reaction of F&B stocks to the first event can be explained by surprise (first case in Vietnam) and Hochiminh city’s economic engine driving role in the development of Vietnam’s economy. The study finds that heuristic decision-making from nationwide lockdowns (suppression of supply chains during lockdowns) can explain the sub-sector of farming-fishing-ranching products reacted more strongly to the lockdown event in Danang. Based on the research results, this paper provides some policy implications for managers and notes for securities investors.
Comorbid patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and coronary heart disease: opportunities for early diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension in outpatient settings
Authors: Kalashnik D. N. , Korolchuk I. S.
Published: September 2021

Introduction. A comorbid patient with the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in combination with cardiovascular diseases (CHD) has a poor prognosis due to the early progression of the pulmonary hypertension (PH). The study surveyed an opportunity of the PH detection using an active PH verification strategy in outpatients with COPD and stable angina pectoris.

Goal. To evaluate the frequency of РH in patients with mild and moderate COPD in combination with CHD and the possibility of using the echocardiographic criterion «right atrial area» to prove РH.

Materials and methods. The study included 52 outpatient patients with an average age of 62.8 ± 8.14 years. A comprehensive assessment of the Borg dyspnea scale, echocardiography, pulse oximetry at rest and after the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) were carried out. Two groups of patients were compared depending on the development of РH after T6MX.

Results and discussion. It was shown that in patients with COPD (GOLD I-II) and angina pectoris, PH was initially detected in 3.3% of cases, and after the 6MWT in 63.3% of patients. In this group, after T6MX, an increase in pulmonary artery pressure was determined from 18.5 ± 10.6 mmHg to 41.2 ± 12.5 mmHg (p < 0.05). After physical activity with increased pressure in the pulmonary artery, there was a significant increase in the area of the right atrium. Only 1/3 of patients with PH had hypoxemia after the 6MWT.

Conclusions. The T6M test makes it possible to detect РH in more than half of patients with COPD (GOLD I-II) and CHD in an outpatient setting. An enlargement in the area of the right atrium according to echocardiography, along with the other indicators of morphological and functional changes in the right heart, can be an additional diagnostic criterion for PH in comorbid patients with COPD and cardiovascular diseases.
Rational mucolytic therapy in respiratory diseases: clinical interpretation of pharmacological properties for informed choice
Authors: Lazareva N. B. , Maximov M. L. , Kukes I. V.
Published: September 2021

Respiratory diseases remain a common group of diseases in the practice of general physicians and pulmonologists. Currently, there are various treatment protocols for patients with respiratory diseases, where one of the pharmacological groups is mucolytic drugs. They affect the physical and chemical properties of sputum by splitting complex mucins, which leads to its liquefaction. Indications for use of drugs of this group are clinical conditions, in which there is a cough with thick, viscous, difficult to detach sputum. The article discusses the possibility of treating several respiratory diseases with mucolytic therapy, provides a comparative characteristic of drugs of this pharmacological group. The clinical and pharmacological effects of erdosteine are discussed in detail: mucolytic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory. These properties of the drug are extremely important in clinical practice conditions, because in addition to the mucolytic properties themselves, the patient has many adverse processes due to inflammation. All this is associated with additional damaging factors regarding the tissues and may also indicate an increased risk of complications. Thus, the multipurpose effects of the mucolytic erdosteine in various respiratory tract diseases are presented. In addition to acute respiratory viral diseases, the clinical experience of using erdosteine in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is discussed in detail. The most important indicator to assess the effectiveness of drugs used in this disease is the reduction in the number of exacerbations per year and the severity of the course of the exacerbation. The conclusions, which are given according to the results of a number of studies, determine significant advantages in the use of erdosteine as mucolytic therapy.
Differential diagnosis of polyneuropathies in diabetes mellitus
Authors: Khramilin V. N.
Published: September 2021

Diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) is heterogeneous in its clinical course and clinical manifestations. Depending on the primary lesion of large or small nerve fibers, different onset, course and clinical manifestations of polyneuropathy are possible. In patients with diabetes, the incidence of associated lesions of the peripheral nervous system is high. When verifying the diagnosis of DPN, it is necessary to carry out a differential diagnosis with a number of diseases: paraneoplastic neuropathies, metabolic neuropathies, neuropathies in vasculitis, toxic neuropathies, autoimmune neuropathies, inflammatory neuropathies and hereditary neuropathies. Diabetes is not the only cause of polyneuropathy. Up to 50% of all cases of polyneuropathies in diabetes have additional causes. Diagnosis of diabetic polyneuropathy - diagnosis of exclusion. The development of polyneuropathy in patients with a duration of type 1 diabetes less than 5 years, the absence of nephropathy and / or retinopathy, asymmetry in symptoms and signs, the predominance of motor symptoms, beginning with upper limb lesions, rapid progression should justify the doctor for differential diagnostic search. You should also take into account the characteristics of the patient (old age, vegetarianism and alcohol use), medical and toxic effects (taking metformin> 3 years and> 2 g / day; cytostatics, chemotherapy, heavy metals), family history of neuropathy. Therapeutic tactics should be individualized and take into account the polyneuropathy polyetiology. The purpose of this review is to discuss the most common reasons peripheral neuropathy in diabetes mellitus. The differential diagnosis of the diabetic polyneuropathy is the focus of this article.
Analysis of the thyroid status of pregnant women in the region of mild iodine deficiency
Authors: Suplotova L. A. , Makarova O. B. , Maksyukova E. N. , Smolina L. N.
Published: September 2021

Introduction. Thyroid hormones play an important role during pregnancy, providing organogenesis, growth and development of the fetus, participate in the formation and development of the brain and its structures, affecting cognitive abilities. Thyroid dysfunction is associated with the pathological course of pregnancy and childbirth, as well as a negative effect on the fetus. Iodine deficiency, which persists throughout Russia, creates the preconditions for the more frequent development of subclinical hypothyroidism and hypothyroxinemia in pregnant women. Therefore, early detection of thyroid dysfunction during gestation in the region of iodine deficiency is relevant.

Aim. To assess the thyroid status in pregnant women in the region of iodine deficiency.

Materials and methods. A single-center, prospective, one-sample study was performed in a population of pregnant women registered from June 2019 to December 2019 to the antenatal clinic in Tyumen.

Results. According to the results of biomedical monitoring of iodine deficiency in the population of pregnant women in Tyumen, iodine supply improved, as evidenced by the median concentration of ioduria 154.4 μg / l, the frequency of endemic goiter was 0.37%. Continuous screening of women in the 1st trimester of pregnancy without thyroid pathology revealed subclinical hypothyroidism in 21.5% of pregnant women, carriage of antibodies to thyroperoxidase was found in 10.5% of women.

Conclusions. Given the persisting problem of iodine deficiency, the widespread occurrence of subclinical hypothyroidism in the population of pregnant women, it is necessary to include the study of thyroid status in the standard of examination of pregnant women when registering in an antenatal clinic for early diagnosis and timely treatment of hypothyroidism. It is also recommended to continue preventive measures aimed at replenishing the iodine deficiency starting from the stage of pregravid preparation.
Assessment of vitamin D supply at different age
Authors: Kondratyeva E. I. , Loshkova E. V. , Zakharova I. N. , Shubina Yu. F. , Saprina T. V. , Nikonova V. S. , Melyanovskaya Yu. L. , Zodbinova A. E. , Zhekayte E. K. , Odinaeva N. D.
Published: September 2021

Introduction. Carrying out studies on the supply of vitamin D in the Russian population is an important task in order to demonstrate the global nature of the problem of vitamin D deficiency.

Objective of  the  study. To conduct a  study of  the  level of  vitamin  D at different age periods and to assess the  relationship of the 25(OH)D supply with the seasons of the year.

Materials and methods. The study included 10707 people, 78.8% (n = 2323) women and 21.2% (n = 2266) men, mean age 49.86 ± 21.925 years (Me 56.00).

Results. Only 17.1% (n = 1833) of the examined had an adequate level of 25(OH)D, 31.4% (n = 3362) people had an insufficient level of 25 (OH) D, 43.7% (n = 4681) of the examined – a deficiency of 25(OH)D and among 7.8% (n = 831) a severe deficiency of 25(OH)D was revealed. An adequate level of 25(OH)D was found only in the group of children under 3 years of age (mean value 40.55 ng/ml). From 4 to 7 years of age, there is a pronounced 2-fold decrease in the concentration of 25(OH)D in all seasons of the year. A consistently low content of 25(OH)D is observed in the period 8-10 years – 20.91 ng / ml, and in the period 11-18 years – 18.30 ng/ml. The lowest average values of 25(OH)D were found at the age of 11-18 years (18.30 ng/ml) and from 19 to 22 years (19.15 ng/ml), as well as in senile (76 years and above) age (19.05 ng/ml). The lowest median concentration of 25(OH)D is recorded in spring (17.70 ng/ml) and winter (18.80 ng/ml), with a slight positive trend in summer (20.40 ng/ml) and autumn (22.00 ng/ml) season.

Conclusions. The optimal level of 25(OH)D was found in every fifth (17.1%) subject, vitamin D deficiency (20.01–30.00 ng/ml) was observed in  every third (3362  people out of  10707  examined, 31.4%), a  moderate calcidiol deficiency is recorded among 4681 people (43.7%), a severe deficiency of 25 (OH) D among the surveyed is 7.8%.
Results of migraine treatment depending on its menstrual association
Authors: Kiryanova E. A. , Kovalchuk N. A. , Tabeeva G. R.
Published: September 2021

Introduction. Menstrual migraine attacks are considered more intense, prolonged, and resistant to treatment than non-menstrual ones. Currently, effect of preventive therapy on the course of menstrual-associated migraine has not been well studied; there are isolated studies on the beneficial effect of hormonal therapy on these attacks.

The aim of the study was to compare the treatment results in the groups of menstrual-associated and non-menstrual migraine.

Materials and methods. This comparative study included 91 patients aged 18 to 48 years (mean age 33,82 ± 8.4) with migraine and menstrual cycle. Depending on the menstrual association of migraine attacks, the patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 – 54 patients (mean age 36.07 ± 7.37 years) with menstrual-associated migraine (MAM); group 2 – 37 patients (mean age 30.46 ± 8.81 years) with non-menstrual migraine (NMM).

Results. Patients with MAM had more migraine days per month, more often received therapy associated with medication-overuse headache (MOH), more often had experience with triptans in comparison with NMM patients. After the treatment, the number of days with migraine per month in the MAM group remained more than in the NMM group: 8 or more days per month were noted in 36.4%, while among NMM patients – 10.8%. The transition to the new therapy with monoclonal antibodies to the CGRP receptor / ligand was positively assessed by 42.9% of MAM patients and 8.1% of NMM patients. Increased duration of hormonal therapy was characterized by a decrease in the number of days with migraines per month (cor = -0,28).

Conclusion. In the MAM group, more severe diseases and frequent formation of MOH are observed, as well as a higher resistance to therapy than in NMM. In general, the use of standard therapy regimens for MAM is less effective than for NMM.
Diagnostic and treatment algorithms for acute low back pain
Authors: Golovacheva V. A. , Golovacheva A. A.
Published: September 2021

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common reasons to see a physician. In 90–95% of cases, LBP is nonspecific (musculoskeletal). Timely diagnosis of acute nonspecific LBP and its effective treatment are of practical importance, have a favorable effect on the prognosis of recovery and significantly reduce the risk of chronic pain. The diagnosis of acute nonspecific LBP is established on the basis of complaints, clinical picture, data of somatic and neurological examination, absence of “red flags” (symptoms and signs characteristic of specific causes of back pain, discogenic radiculopathy or lumbar stenosis). Drug and non-drug methods are used in the treatment of acute nonspecific LBP. In acute nonspecific LBP, great importance is attached to informing the patient about the causes of pain and a favorable prognosis, the need to stay active, avoid staying in bed and wearing corsets. As pharmacotherapy, the prescription of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is effective. Nimesulide, an NSAID that is used to treat various pain syndromes, is effective and safe in the treatment of acute nonspecific LBP. In addition to NSAIDs, muscle relaxants and B vitamins may be prescribed. Therapeutic exercises are not prescribed during the acute period of back pain. Therapeutic exercises are effective in preventing exacerbations of LBP. We present our own clinical example of managing a patient with acute nonspecific LBP. Complex treatment based on international and Russian recommendations allowed to help her relatively quickly and effectively. The achieved positive effect was maintained for 3 months of follow-up of the patient.
LEI DO PROCESSO ADMINISTRATIVO ALEMÃO E SUA APLICABILIDADE NO ORGANOGRAMA EXECUTIVO E NA ORGANIZAÇÃO DA JURISDIÇÃO ADMINISTRATIVA DOS ESTADOS E DA FEDERAÇÃO
Authors: Coêlho Diego Henrique Damasceno
Published: September 2021

A Lei do Processo Administrativo Federal da Alemanha (Verwaltungsverfahrensgesetz – VwVfG) representa a positivação de um sistema de garantias isonômicas, dentro do Estado Democrático de Direito, através do nivelamento entre o cidadão e a Administração Pública. Para a melhor compreensão da referida Lei e do sistema de administração alemão, o trabalho apresenta breves comentários sobre os principais órgãos da Administração Pública, ilustrados por seus organogramas, bem como aponta os procedimentos especiais previstos na lei, acrescidos de fluxogramas, ajustados de maneira inédita para o idioma português, de modo a facilitar a assimilação completa dos contextos onde surgem as demandas e como a Lei em comento pode ser aplicada para sanar conflitos, nas esferas administrativa ou judicial.Palavras-chave: Lei do Processo Administrativo Federal da Alemanha; Verwaltungsverfahrensgesetz – VwVfG; Administração Pública; organograma; fluxograma.
‘They will listen to women who speak but it ends there’: examining empowerment in the context of water and sanitation interventions in Ghana
Authors: Dery Florence , Bisung Elijah , Dickin Sarah , Atengdem Jeremiah
Published: September 2021

Gender plays a vital role in shaping access to and governance of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in many contexts. Notably, women and men have different WASH-associated roles as well as varying access to resources and power. This study explores the meanings of women's empowerment in the WASH sector from the perspective of local stakeholders in the Asutifi North District, Ghana. A qualitative approach was employed, which involved 15 key informant interviews with community leaders, local government professionals, and WASH practitioners. Participants conceptualized empowerment in terms of four major themes: (1) availability of resources, (2) WASH information, (3) social and cultural structures, and (4) agency. Participants defined empowerment as a multifaceted process shaped by their physical, social, cultural, and political environments. The study provides researchers and practitioners with a greater understanding of the dimensions of empowerment that are relevant to strengthening WASH interventions and practices.
High occurrence of Acanthamoeba spp. in the water samples of public swimming pools from Kerman Province, Iran
Authors: Eftekhari-Kenzerki Raheleh , Solhjoo Kavous , Babaei Zahra , Rezanezhad Hassan , Abolghazi Ahmad , Taghipour Ali
Published: September 2021

Acanthamoeba spp. is a free-living amoeba that can cause major infections in humans, including keratitis and granulomatous encephalitis. Thus, water resources play an important role in transmitting Acanthamoeba spp. infection to humans. The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of Acanthamoeba spp. in public swimming pools from three cities of Kerman Province, southeastern Iran. Eighty water samples of 20 public indoor swimming pools were taken from Kerman, Jiroft, and Kahnauj cities. Water temperature (°C), pH, and free chlorine concentration (ppm) were measured. Filtration and cultivation were applied on non-nutrient agar medium. The polymerase chain reaction was applied by using the genus-specific primers (JDP1 and JDP2) on positive samples; these primers can amplify the 423–551 bp fragment. Eighteen of the 20 swimming pools (including 32/80; 40% samples) were contaminated with Acanthamoeba spp. All swimming pools of Jiroft and Kahnauj and 88.2% of swimming pools in Kerman were contaminated. As such, all 32 Acanthamoeba isolates were amplified using the JDP primer pairs. Two genotypes, T3 and T4, were also identified. The present research is the first to report Acanthamoeba spp. in public swimming pools from Kerman Province. Due to high occurrence of this protozoan, it is recommended to use warning signs around swimming pools to create awareness of this infection.
Risk assessment of Cretaceous water inrush in the Ordos Basin based on the FAHP-EM
Authors: Zhu Tingen , Li Wenping , Chen Weichi
Published: September 2021

A study on the risk of Cretaceous water inrush in the Ordos Basin in China is of great significance to the safe production and environmental protection of the western coal seam. This paper selects the following five key influencing factors for Cretaceous water inrush: the coal seam mining thickness, rock quality designation, distance between the top boundary of the water-conducting fracture zone and the bottom boundary of the Cretaceous system, the thickness of the Cretaceous aquifer, and the height of the water head. Furthermore, based on an analysis of geological and hydrogeological conditions of the Yingpanhao coal mine, the comprehensive weights of these factors were found using a fuzzy analytic hierarchy process and the entropy method (FAHP-EM) to be 0.27, 0.25, 0.22, 0.08, and 0.18, respectively. This paper describes the use of ArcGIS's spatial overlay analysis to create a risk assessment zoning map using these weightings. By comparing the evaluation results of the FAHP-EM and the water inrush coefficient method, it is shown that the FAHP-EM provides additional insight in assessing the risk of coal seam roof water inrush. The research results of this paper provide a theoretical basis for coal mining safety in western China to assess water inrush.
Experimental study of the rheology of water–kaolinite suspensions
Authors: Zhu Zhongfan
Published: September 2021

How the added electrolyte condition and size of primary sediment particles, as well as the particle concentration, affect the rheological behaviours of water–sediment suspension remains to be of interest in the sediment field. In this work, rheological experiments of water–kaolinite suspensions with different electrolyte conditions, two particle sizes and 39 solid concentrations were performed. The Bingham fluid model has been adopted to fit the experimental data, and the viscosity and Bingham shear stress values were calculated for each suspension. It has been found that an increase in electrolyte concentration and/or valence leads to a larger viscosity value of the suspension, whereas an increase in electrolyte valence yields a smaller Bingham shear stress value. A simple interpretation based on DLVO theory was presented in this study. It has also been observed that a fine-grained kaolinite suspension corresponds to larger suspension viscosity and Bingham shear stress values. Additionally, some experimental information on the viscosity–solid concentration and Bingham shear stress–solid concentration relationships were also presented in this study. For the viscosity–solid concentration data, the Krieger and Dougherty formula provided the best fit, and a simple exponential relation showed a good fit for the measured shear stress–solid concentration data.