bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of plasma biomarkers in Down syndrome: the relative levels of Aβ42 decrease with age, whereas NT1 tau and NfL increase
Authors: Mengel David , Liu Wen , Glynn Robert J. , Selkoe Dennis J. , Strydom Andre , Lai Florence , Rosas H. Diana , Torres Amy , Patsiogiannis Vasiliki , Skotko Brian , Walsh Dominic
Published: January 2020

Background Down syndrome (DS) is the most common genetic cause of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), but diagnosis of AD in DS is challenging due to the intellectual disability which accompanies DS. When disease-modifying agents for AD are approved, reliable biomarkers will be required to identify when and how long people with DS should undergo treatment. Three cardinal neuropathological features characterize AD, and AD in DS – Aβ amyloid plaques, tau neurofibrillary tangles, and neuronal loss. Here, we quantified plasma biomarkers of all 3 neuropathological features in a large cohort of people with DS aged from 3 months to 68 years. Methods Using ultra-sensitive single molecule array (Simoa) assays, we measured 3 analytes (Aβ42, NfL, and tau) in plasmas of 100 individuals with DS and 100 age- and sex-matched controls. Tau was measured using an assay (NT1) which detects forms of tau containing at least residues 6-198, and the stability of the 3 analytes was established using plasma from ten healthy volunteers collected at 6 intervals over a five day period. Results High Aβ42 and NT1 tau, and low NfL, were observed in infants. Across all ages, Aβ42 levels were higher in DS than controls. Levels of Aβ42 decreased with age in both DS and controls, but this decrease was greater in DS than controls and became prominent in the third decade of life. NT1 tau fell in adolescents and young adults, but increased in older individuals with DS. NfL levels were low in infants, children, adolescents and young adults, but thereafter increased in DS compared to controls. Conclusions High levels of Aβ42 and tau in both young controls and DS suggest these proteins are produced by normal physiological processes, whereas, the changes seen in later life are consistent with emergence of pathological alterations. Our plasma biomarker results are in good agreement with prior neuropathology studies and indicate that the third and fourth decades (i.e. 20 to 40 years of age) of life are pivotal periods during which AD processes manifest in DS. Application of the assays used here to longitudinal studies of individuals with DS aged 20 to 50 years of age, should further validate the use of these biomarkers, and in time may allow identification and monitoring of people with DS best suited for treatment with emerging AD therapies.
Cell Cycle Activity Correlates with Increased Anti-Tumor Immunity in Diverse Cancers
Authors: Jiang Shanmei , He Yin , Li Mengyuan , Wang Xiaosheng
Published: January 2020

Objectives The cell cycle pathway regulating cell proliferation is overactivated in various cancers. Immune evasion is another important mechanism for tumor cell hyperproliferation. Nevertheless, the relationship between cell cycle and tumor immunity remains not fully understood. Materials and Methods Using the cancer genomics datasets for 10 cancer cohorts from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) program, we investigated the association between cell cycle activity (CCA) and anti-tumor immune signatures. We also explored the association between CCA and PD-L1 expression in these cancer cohorts. Moreover, we investigated the association between CCA and immunotherapy response in several cancer cohorts receiving immunotherapy. Results CCA likely exhibited positive associations with anti-tumor immune signatures (CD8+ T cell infiltration and immune cytolytic activity) in these cancer cohorts. The strong positive associations of CCA with DNA damage repair pathways and with tumor mutation load may explain the positive associations between CCA and anti-tumor immune signatures. Moreover, CCA displayed significant positive correlations with PD-L1 expression. Finally, we found that the enhanced CCA tended to be associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes in the TCGA cancer cohorts, though such association was not observed in the cancer cohorts receiving immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Conclusions CCA has significant positive associations with both anti-tumor immune signatures and tumor immune-suppressive signatures in diverse cancer types. Our findings provide new insights into cancer biology and potential clinical implications for cancer immunotherapy.
Closed Drainage versus Non-drainage for Single-level Lumbar Discectomy: a prospective randomized controlled study
Authors: Guo Hua , Ji Zhaohua , Gao Xi , Zhang Yuting , Yuan Li , Hao Dingjun , Wang Biao
Published: January 2020

Background In spine surgery, postoperative epidural hematoma and wound infections can have devastating neurologic compromise. Closed drainage is commonly used for prevention of postoperative hematoma, infection, and associated neurologic impairment after lumbar decompression, but it remains unclear whether closed drainage reduces postoperative complications and improves clinical outcomes or not. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of closed drainage in reducing complications and improving clinical outcomes after single-level lumbar discectomy. Methods 420 patients with single-level lumbar disc herniation were recruited between March 2012 and March 2015 (169 females and 251 males, age 50.0±6.4 years). Patients were randomly assigned to either closed drainage group (214 patients) or non-drainage group (206 patients). The rates of postoperative complications (fever, symptomatic epidural hematoma, wound infections, and requiring revision surgery) were compared between the two groups using a chi square test or Fisher exact test. Pain intensity was evaluated by VAS. Functional ability was measured for all the patients using ODI. The lower extremity VAS score and ODI score were evaluated preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the last follow-up. The operation area VAS scores were evaluated preoperative, postoperative day 1, week 1, week 2, month 1, and at the last follow-up. The scoring results were compared between the two groups using a t test. Results The difference in postoperative fever between patients in the closed drainage group (18.7%) and non-drainage group (28.2%) was statistically significant ( p <0.05). This is mainly due to the difference of patients with fever less than 38.5 °C . There was no significant difference in symptomatic epidural hematoma, infection rate, and re-operation rate when the two groups were compared. Only compared the postoperative day 1 operation area VAS score, the closed drainage group (5.1±0.8) was better than the non-drainage group (6.0±0.7) and with a significant statistical difference ( p <0.05). The left scoring results compared between the two groups were not significant difference ( p >0.05). Conclusions We believe that closed drainage can be beneficial to reduce postoperative fever rate and alleviate postoperative operation area pain in the early postoperative period, but it has no effect on preventing postoperative occurrence of symptomatic epidural hematoma, wound infections, need for revision surgery; and improving clinical outcomes in single-level lumbar discectomy.
Effect of different land use systems and soil depths on soil chemical properties alteration in Yerer forests and its surrounding area, at the central highland of Ethiopia
Authors: Bato Yadesa , Bekele Tamrat , Demissew Sebsebe
Published: January 2020

Background Different land-use systems have different potentials to change soil chemical properties either positively or negatively. Hence, scientifically information on the soil chemical properties dynamics under different land-use systems is crucial for best land management practices, and to avoiding ecological negative impacts of it for sustainable development. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of different land-use systems and soil depths on selected soil chemical properties in Yerer forest and its surrounding area, central Ethiopia. The land-use systems included natural forest, four exotic tree plantation species (Eucalyptus globules, Cupressus lusitanica, Grevillea robusta, and Pinus patuala), grassland, grazing land, and agricultural cropland . Results The analysis of variance (ANOVA) for the majority of soil chemical properties of OC, TN, Avial. P, soil pH, EC, CEC, and exchangeable bases (Ca, Mg, K, Na) were showed that significant variations among land-use systems (P<0.0001). The highest mean values of OC (3.487% DM), TN (0.313% DM), Avail.P (31.515 mg/kg of soil), CEC (33.634 meq/100gm soil), Exch. Ca (17.126 cmol(+)/kg soil), Exch. Mg (5.369 cmol(+)/kg soil), and Exch. K (3.597 cmol(+)/kg soil) were observed under natural forest than others of land-use systems. The results also showed that the lowest mean values of OC (1.472% DM), TN (0.130%DM), soil pH (5.377), CEC (18.983 meq/100gm soil), Exch. Ca (9.931 cmol(+)/kg soil), Exch. K (1.197 cmol(+)/kg soil), and Exch. Na (0.206 cmol(+)/kg soil) were recorded under agricultural cropland than other land-use systems. The highest mean values of EC (3.474ds/m), and Exch. Na (0.604 cmol(+)/kg soil) were observed under Eucalyptus globules plantation forest. The overall mean values of OC, TN, Avail.P, CEC, Exch. Mg, Exch. Ca, Exch. K, and Exch. Na accumulation at the topsoil layer was higher than that of the subsoil layer except for soil pH and EC. Conclusion In general, the majority of soil chemical properties under agricultural cropland and Eucalyptus globules plantation forest were poorer than the soils subjected to other land-use systems which indicated that changes in land use system were significantly affected soil chemical properties.
Associated factors of poor treatment outcomes in patients with giant cell arteritis: clinical implication of large vessel lesions
Authors: Sugihara Takahiko , Hasegawa Hitoshi , Uchida Haruhito A , Yoshifuji Hajime , Watanabe Yoshiko , Amiya Eisuke , Maejima Yasuhiro , Konishi Masanori , Murakawa Yohko , Ogawa Noriyoshi , Furuta Shunsuke , Katsumata Yasuhiro , Komagata Yoshinori , Naniwa Taio , Okazaki Takahiro , Tanaka Yoshiya , Takeuchi Tsutomu , Nakaoka Yoshikazu , Arimura Yoshihiro , Harigai Masayoshi , Isobe Mitsuaki
Published: January 2020

Background: Relapses frequently occur in giant cell arteritis (GCA) patients treated with conventional immunosuppressive therapy, and identification of associated factors with poor treatment outcomes is relevant to adjust treatment appropriately. Methods: We enrolled 139 newly-diagnosed GCA patients treated with glucocorticoids between 2007 and 2014 in a retrospective, multi-center registry. Patients were diagnosed as having GCA with temporal artery biopsy, large-vessel lesions (LVLs) detected by imaging, 1990 American College of Rheumatology classification criteria, or combination of these. Poor treatment outcomes (non-achievement of clinical remission by week 24 or relapse during 52 weeks) were evaluated. Clinical remission was defined as absence of clinical signs and symptoms in cranial and large-vessel areas, polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), and elevation of C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. A patient was determined to have relapse if he/she had either one of the signs and symptoms that newly appeared or worsened after achieving clinical remission. Re-elevation of CRP without clinical manifestations was considered as relapse if other causes such as infection were excluded and the treatment was intensified. Associated factors with poor treatment outcomes were analyzed by using the Cox proportional hazard model.Results: Cranial lesions, PMR, and LVLs were detected in 77.7%, 41.7%, and 52.5% of the enrolled patients, respectively. Treatment outcomes were evaluated in 119 newly-diagnosed patients who were observed for 24 weeks or longer. The mean initial dose of prednisolone was 0.76 mg/kg/day, and 29.4% received any concomitant immunosuppressive drugs at baseline. Overall, 41 (34.5%) of the 119 patients had poor treatment outcomes; 13 did not achieve clinical remission by week 24, and 28 had relapse after achieving clinical remission. Cumulative rates of the events of poor treatment outcomes in patients with and without LVLs were 47.5 % and 17.7%, respectively. A multivariable model showed the presence of LVLs at baseline was significantly associated with poor treatment outcomes (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 3.54, 95% CI 1.52-8.24, p=0.003). Cranial lesions and PMR did not increase the risk of poor treatment outcomes. Conclusion: Presence of LVLs detected by imaging at baseline was an associated factor for poor treatment outcomes in patients given conventional immunosuppressive therapy without biologics.
Survive and Thrive in Brazil: The Boa Vista Early Childhood Program: Study protocol of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Brentani Alexandra , Ferrer Ana Paula Scolezze , Bessa Luana , Chang Susan , Walker Susan , Powell Christine , Hamadani Jena , Grisi Sandra , Fink Günther
Published: January 2020

Background A growing body of evidence suggests that early life health and developmental outcomes can be improved through parental support programs. The objective of this project was to test the feasibility, impact, and relative cost-effectiveness of an adapted “Reach Up and Learn” program delivered through home visiting programs as well as through center-based parenting groups on child health and development in the municipality of Boa Vista, Brazil. Methods A randomized stepped wedge design was used to roll out and evaluate the two parenting platforms in Boa Vista municipality. A total of 39 neighborhoods with high vulnerability index were selected for the study. For the first phase of the program, 9 neighborhoods were randomly selected for home visits, and 2 were randomly selected for the center-based parenting groups. In the second phase of the program, 10 neighborhoods were added to the home visiting program, and 8 were added to the center-based program. In the final phase of the program, the remaining 10 control areas will also be assigned to treatment. Study eligibility will be assessed through a baseline survey completed by all pregnant women in the 39 study areas. Pregnant women will be eligible to participate in the study if they are either classified as poor, were under age 20 when they became pregnant, or if they indicate to have been exposed to domestic or sexual violence. To assess program impact, an endline survey will be conducted when children reach age 2. The primary study outcome is child development at age 2 as measured by the PRIDI instrument. Secondary outcome will be infant mortality, which will be assessed linking municipal vital registration systems to the program rollout. Discussion This trial will assess the feasibility and impact of parenting programs rolled out at medium scale. The results from trial should create evidence urgently needed for guiding Brazil’s national Criança Feliz program as well as similar efforts in other countries.
Analyzing Research Fronts in Medical Informatics Field Based on Topic Model and Life Cycle Theory
Authors: Feng Jia , Mu Xiaomin , Li Fangfang , Shen Yong , Wang Wei , Xu Ying
Published: January 2020

Background: Medical informatics (MI) is a multidisciplinary field in which researchers pursue scientific exploration, problem-solving, and decision-making to facilitate the effective use of biomedical data, information and knowledge for the improvement of human health. The purpose of this study is to identify research fronts in the field of MI and ultimately elucidate research activities and trends in this field.
Methods: This study used topic model to identify research topics in the field of MI based on the latent Dirichlet allocation method (LDA). And the topic cloud is utilized to visualize the research topics. For identifying the research front topics, we proposed the indicators of identifying research front topics. In addition, we investigated how front topics change over time, and divided them into five categories based on the life cycle theory.
Results: The data were collected from 35981 published journal abstracts between 2007 and 2016. In the topic distribution of MI, we found that the scope of MI related research has become increasingly interdisciplinary, particular for medical data analysis. Also, in the analysis of research fronts of MI, we found that the use of natural language processing and medical text knowledge extraction play an essential role for systematic analysis and indexing of the underlying semantic contents.
Conclusions: By categorizing the research fronts, the results shows that there are twelve growing, five stable and two declining research fronts. We hope that this work will facilitate greater exploration of the method of identifying the research fronts. Moreover, the findings of this study provide an insight on the research fronts and trends in MI.
Conversion of haemodialysis patients from iron sucrose to iron isomaltoside: a real-world experience
Authors: Silva Jorge Antonio Jesus , Lamplugh Archie , Dhada Sameera , Burton James O , Bhandari Sunil
Published: January 2020

Background Anaemia is common in haemodialysis (HD) patients and associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Intravenous (IV) iron combined with erythropoietin (EPO) is the mainstay treatment of anaemia in these patients. The comparative efficacy and risk of adverse events with IV iron preparations have been assessed in only a few trials. Methods This was an observational longitudinal repeated measures retrospective study designed to compare the safety and efficacy of iron sucrose (IS-Venofer®) versus iron isomaltoside (IIM-Diafer®) in haemodialysis patients. The study included patients currently on dialysis and receiving Venofer who were switched to Diafer and monitored for at least 12 months for each iron preparation. Results A total of 190 patients were included and had a mean age of 65.8 years. Non-inferiority was confirmed with no change in mean haemoglobin per mg of iron administered over a 12-month period. In total there were 41,295 prescriptions of iron isomaltoside and 14,685 of iron sucrose with no difference in the reported adverse events during the study period (7 each, none were severe). There was a statistically significant effect on Hb over time after converting (T0), including after adjustment for multiple comparisons. There were significant improvements in ferritin over time, which remained at 6 months (P<0.01). The weekly iron dose was similar after adjustment (P=0.02). The EPO dose did not differ significantly after month 0 in patients switched to IIM. Conclusions This study demonstrates the comparative safety and efficacy of iron isomaltoside versus iron sucrose, with similar dosing schedules in dialysis patients., with no differential impact on Hb, and ferritin which were maintained at satisfactory levels for at least 12 months. There was no difference in reported adverse events.
Implementation of a transformative learning collaborative training for family doctor teams and managers: a description of participant process and perception
Authors: Cao Peiya , Huang Yanli , Luo Huiqiang , Liu Danping
Published: January 2020

Background:
The Health Commission of Wuhou reformed its primary care system by implementing a Transformative Learning Collaborative (TLC): a structure that supports shared learning and rapid change among a group of providers or organisations. This paper examines the adaptation of a district TLC to implement, disseminate, and scale up the principles of a District Model for family doctor teams and managers of Community Health Centres (CHCs) in China. We describe TLC as a means of informing training content and evaluated the implementation through participant feedback.
Methods:
A district TLC was implemented to disseminate a District Model, which included six quality improvement principles and was developed to reform the primary care delivery process. Family doctor teams (n=26, 52 family doctor individuals) and managers (n=13) from thirteen CHCs in a Chinese district participated in the TLC organisation. The TLC process was described, and survey data served to assess the activities and resource usefulness. The perceived implementation enablers and inhibitors were also descriptively analysed.
Results:
The purpose, content, and process of TLC were described. The implementation included four steps: structure establishment, participants identification, activities implementation, and setting up a feedback system. The survey findings captured family doctors’ and managers’ feedback with regard to preference, needs, concerns, and problems in implementing TLC training. In general, most family doctors and managers indicated that TLC was necessary. All the successfully implemented Plan-Do-Study-Action cycles (77.6%) were applied to the model. Family doctors and managers agreed that coaches, a programme director, and data analysts were useful resources. The top three enablers for successful TLC implementation were managers’ support (93.9%); improvements in self-ability and team-based ability and impacts on participants’ career goals (89.8%), and support from family doctor teams (87.8%).
Conclusions:
This study offered a guided process for running TLC in the primary care system of China and provided valuable feedback from family doctors and managers regarding TLC training. Challenges were also found for future research and consideration. Our findings suggest that manager support is necessary for collaboration in family doctor teams and that participants play an important role by evaluating learning sessions and providing recommendations for future learning.
Quitting the quitline: a qualitative study of patient experience of electronic referrals to quitlines
Authors: Albert Elizabeth L. , Rose Jeanmarie C. , Gill India J. , Flocke Susan A.
Published: January 2020

Background: The use of electronic referrals (eReferrals) to state quitlines (QLs) for tobacco-using patients is a promising approach for addressing smoking cessation on a large scale. However, QL contact, enrollment, and completion rates are low. The purpose of this study was to examine the eReferral to QL process from the patient’s perspective in order to inform strategies for improving QL engagement.Methods: We conducted interviews with 55 patients who agreed to an eReferral at a primary care visit to 1 of 8 safety-net community health centers in Cuyahoga County, Ohio (September 2017-August 2018). Interviews were designed to explore the experiences of three subgroups of patients who subsequently: 1) declined participation in the QL; 2) were unreachable by the QL; or 3) were enrolled in or had completed the QL program. Analysis was guided by a phenomenological approach designed to identify emergent themes.Results: Reasons for QL program non-completion included changing life circumstances and events making cessation unviable; misunderstandings about the QL; discomfort with telephonic counseling; perceived lack of time for counseling; cell phone barriers; and having already quit smoking. We found that some individuals who were no longer receiving QL support because they had been classified as program complete, unreachable, or declined - desired continued support from the QL.Conclusions: Integrating QL care with community-based resources that address the socio-economic mediators of tobacco use, and/or incorporating culturally adapted interventions could be promising strategies. Follow up by the referring primary care provider to encourage engagement and offer support is recommended.
Would large reference populations unveil the potential of deep neural networks for improved genome-enabled prediction of complex traits? The case for body weight in broilers.
Authors: Passafaro Tiago Luciano , Lopes Fernando B. , Dórea João R. R. , Craven Mark , Breen Vivian , Hawken Rachel J. , Rosa Guilherme J. M.
Published: January 2020

Background: Deep neural networks (DNN) are a particular case of artificial neural networks (ANN) composed by multiple hidden layers, and have recently gained attention in genome-enabled prediction of complex traits. Yet, few studies in genome-enabled prediction have assessed the performance of DNN compared to traditional regression models. Strikingly, no clear superiority of DNN has been reported so far, and results seem highly dependent on the species and traits of application. Nevertheless, the relatively small datasets used in previous studies, most with fewer than 5,000 observations may have precluded the full potential of DNN. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the impact of the size of the reference population on the performance of DNN compared to Bayesian regression models for genome-enable prediction of body weight in broilers. Results: Predictive performance of DNN improved as sample size increased, reaching a plateau at about 0.32 of prediction correlation when 60% of the entire training set size was used. Interestingly, DNN showed superior prediction correlation with smaller sample sizes and poorer prediction correlation with larger samples sizes compared to Bayesian Ridge Regression (BRR) and Bayes Cπ without including the tuning data in the training data. Conversely, Bayesian models fitted with the training and tuning sets showed the best performance in terms of prediction correlation, but such advantage vanished for larger sample sizes. DNN presented the lowest mean square error of prediction regardless the amount of data used to train the predictive approaches, as well as with Bayesian models including or not the tuning set into the training set. The predictive bias was lower for DNN compared to Bayesian models regardless the amount of data used with estimates closed to the unit with larger sample sizes. Conclusions: DNN had worse prediction correlation compared to BRR and Bayes Cπ, but improved mean square error of prediction and bias relative to both Bayesian models for genome-enabled prediction of body weight in broilers. Such findings, highlights advantages and disadvantages between predictive approaches depending on the criterion used for comparison. Nonetheless, further analysis is necessary to detect scenarios where DNN can clearly outperform Bayesian benchmark models.
Pollen germination and hand pollination in pitaya (Hylocereus undatus)
Authors: Li Juncheng , Shi Honghui , Huang Xiaoling , Wang Yulin , Junsheng Zhao , Dai Hongfen , Sun Qingming
Published: January 2020

Hand pollination is a necessary aiding method for pitaya ( Hylocereus undatus ) production to achieve a high yield. With the cultivated area of pitaya going up exponentially in the recent years, a systematic study was carried out to understand the mechanism behind the high yield. In this study, we first developed an optimal medium for the in vitro germination of pitaya pollen. Upon testing the activity of the pollen collected from or stored for different time, we observed that the relative high pollen germination rates (27.2–65.1%) were those collected at between 2 h before blooming and 6 h after blooming, the highest activity was at 2 h after blooming, and that storing them for 24 h at 4°C reduces their germination rate from 65.2% to 35.5% and their production to about 82%. Therefore, it is not appropriate to pollinate plants with pollen that have been stored for more than 24 h, without bringing a breakthrough in pollen storage. We also observed that stigma receptivity and pollen activity are synchronous, which together determine fruit setting rate and fruit size. Pollination within 6 h after blooming provides the best fruit setting percentage and fruit size, the other favorable option being pollination at 6:00 pm, that is, 2 h before blooming; however, pollination at 6:00 am the next morning is expected to lead to 23% reduction in the production. These results will be useful for reproductive biology studies in this species. Moreover, this work set an important foundation for collecting pollen and selecting the right time of hand pollination to improve the yield and breeding efficiency in pitaya.
Evaluation of the knowledge of intern doctors on transfusion medicine in Turkey
Authors: Kupesiz Funda Tayfun , Ocak Suheyla , Koc Begum Sirin , Evim Melike Sezgin , Tufekci Ozlem , Kintrup Gulen Tuysuz , Aygünes Utku , Eker Ibrahim , Koluman Basak Unver , Ilhan Gul , Andic Neslihan , Toret Ersin , Akinci Ayse Burcu , Gunes Burcak Tatli , Yilmaz Fergun , Gokcebay Dilek Gurlek , Ozer Tugba Belgemen , Isik Melek , Oymak Yesim , Atesagaoglu Berna , Ozunal Isil Erdogan , Duran Mustafa , Erkan Deniz Ozel , Gurpinar Erol , Aydinok Yesim
Published: January 2020

Background: Proper clinical use of blood products requires competent theoretical and practical knowledge of transfusion medicine. In this study, we aimed to evaluate levels of transfusion medicine knowledge and attainment of educational targets and identify factors affecting the education of transfusion medicine. Methods: A multicentric survey study was performed among final-year medical students. The questions were prepared based on learning objectives for transfusion medicine curriculum. The questionnaire focused on the safety of blood transfusion administration. Results: The survey included 727 (24%) of 3009 students enrolled in 13 medical schools. In the competence self-assessment, 65% of the students reported that transfusion medicine education was insufficient. Only 14% felt competent in recognizing transfusion complications and applying first-line treatment. For initiating and monitoring transfusions, 41% stated they could manage under supervision and 7% stated they had sufficient practice, while the remaining 52% considered themselves completely insufficient in this area. The 10 questions assessing basic knowledge and attainment of educational targets had 53 choices. This indicates that intern doctors were not able to recognize 50% of the correct and 30% of the incorrect information. Conclusion: A large proportion of medical students did not have adequate theoretical knowledge or self-assessed practical competency in transfusion medicine.
Bifidobacterium mongoliense genome seems particularly adapted to milk oligosaccharides digestion leading to production of antivirulent metabolites
Authors: Bondue Pauline , Milani Christian , Arnould Emilie , Ventura Marco , Daube Georges , Lapointe Gisèle , Delcenserie Veronique
Published: January 2020

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) could promote the growth of bifidobacteria, improving young children’s health. In addition, fermentation of carbohydrates by bifidobacteria can result in the production of metabolites presenting an antivirulent activity against intestinal pathogens. Bovine milk oligosaccharides (BMO), structurally similar to HMO, are found at high concentration in cow whey. This is particularly observed for 3’-sialyllactose (3’SL). This study focused on enzymes and transport systems involved in HMO/BMO metabolism contained in B. crudilactis and B. mongoliense genomes. The ability of B. mongoliense to grow in media supplemented with whey or 3’SL was assessed. Next, the effects of cell-free spent media (CFSM) were tested against the virulence expression of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium.
Due to the presence of genes encoding β-galactosidases, β-hexosaminidases, α-sialidases and α-fucosidases, B. mongoliense presents a genome more sophisticated and more adapted to the digestion of BMO/HMO than B. crudilactis . In addition, HMO/BMO digestion involves genes encoding oligosaccharide transport systems found in B. mongoliense but not in B. crudilactis . B. mongoliense seemed able to grow on media supplemented with whey or 3’SL as main source of carbon (8.3±1.0 and 6.7±0.3 log cfu/mL, respectively). CFSM obtained from whey resulted in a significant under-expression of ler , fliC , luxS , stx1 and qseA genes

(-2.2, -5.3, -2.4, -2.5 and -4.8, respectively; P<0.05) of E. coli O157:H7. CFSM from 3’SL resulted in a significant up-regulation of luxS (2.0; P<0.05) gene and a down-regulation of fliC (-5.0; P<0.05) gene. CFSM obtained from whey resulted in significant up-regulations of sopD and hil genes (2.9 and 3.5, respectively; P<0.05) of S. Typhimurium, while CFSM obtained from 3’SL fermentation down-regulated hil and sopD genes (-2.7 and -4.2, respectively; P<0.05).
From enzymes and transporters highlighted in the genome of B. mongoliense and its potential ability to metabolise 3’SL and whey, B. mongoliense seems well able to digest HMO/BMO. The exact nature of the metabolites contained in CFSM has to be identified still. These results suggest that BMO associated with B. mongoliense could be an interesting synbiotic formulation to maintain or restore intestinal health of young children.
Problems and Perspectives of Internet-Insurance in Ukraine
Authors: Yanyshyn Y. , Bryk H. , Kashuba Y.
Published: January 2020

The problems and prospects of insurance development in the internet are considered in the article. Considerable attention in the research is paid to the theoretical aspects of the essence of «internet insurance». The main stages of the insurance process through the internet and the key requirements that apply to the insurer and the insured when completing the insurance contract are described. It is determined that for the insurance company key advantages in the organization of virtual business are: lower costs associated with the organization of the company's website; lower transaction costs for customer service operations; expansion of geographical diversification of company insurance products; an opportunity to increase the sale of insurance products at the expense of open access to customers from around the world; customer service on a qualitatively new level – seven days a week, 365 days a year. The analysis of the insurance products market in the internet was conducted. The study found that insurance services offered through the internet in Ukraine include property, personal insurance and liability insurance. The most widespread in Ukraine are such insurance products as insurance for travelling abroad, medical insurance, CASCO, compulsory insurance of civil liability of owners of land vehicles, insurance of property of individuals, etc. The easiest procedure for purchasing a policy among all of these is auto insurance. The key attention is paid to ways of improving the mechanism of providing internet insurance. In the course of the study, specific directions for developing an e-commerce strategy for insurance companies based on SWOT-analysis were improved; developed an algorithm for strategic management of the insurance company and a conceptual model of interaction between the insurer and the insured in the framework of the process of strategic marketing planning in the market of internet services. An important role in the processes of management of the insurer was given to the complex of marketing communications, namely the elements of the marketing mix: «product», «price», «sales», «promotion». It is determined that for entering an insurance company into the market of internet services, the subject of planning is the outline of the main goals regarding sales and income received, as well as the definition of their potential consumers (market segment), the forming of their own image and reputation.
Keywords: internet insurance, insurer, on-line insurance, virtual economy, internet services.
The Antecedents of Electronic Banking Adoption in Saudi Arabia: Using Diffusion of Innovation Theory
Authors: Oweis K. A. , Alghaswyneh O. F.
Published: January 2020

Despite the rapid growth in technology and the research effort given on investigating the adoption of electronic banking services, both banks and academic researchers in developing countries perceive the problem of low-level adoption of electronic banking. Most studies which have investigated the adoption, acceptance, or intention to use electronic banking, have agreed that customers «trust is one of the most important impediments that have frustrated the success of the adoption process. Therefore, in developed countries,customers» trust became the pivot of research studies that investigated the electronic dealings between customers and new IT/IS innovations. Recently, a few researchers have started investigating online trust in developing countries. Although electronic banking services have been widely adopted in developed countries, there is still low usage in developing countries such as Saudi Arabia. This quantitative research aims to empirically determine the significant antecedents of electronic Banking Service Adoption, as well as to explain how the Diffusion of Innovation Theory (DOIT) is being used in determining the antecedent of electronic banking in Saudi Arabia. Using an adopted survey instrument, (5-point-Likert scale) is used. Were eventually used to further analyse the data using mainly The Partial Least Square (PLS). This study contribute to the body of knowledge by extending existing literature to identifying the factors influencing the acceptance of electronic banking among banks customers, developing a comprehensive model which contributes to online customer literature by extending the Diffusion of Innovation Theory (DOIT) to include trust and system reliability applying them to the context of electronic banking, extending existing literature by applying the developed model to Saudi customers, contributing to technology acceptance theories by showing the role of system reliability in the acceptance of electronic banking, Contributing to the electronic trust literature by examining the role of customer trust in the context of electronic banking and how it might be increased.
Keywords: electronic banking services, developing countries, Diffusion of Innovation Theory, trust, partial least square.
Features of Foresight Methodology Application in the Forestry Complex of Ukraine: Sectoral and Spatial Aspect
Authors: Mishenin Y. , Yarova I. , Mishenina H.
Published: January 2020

This article substantiates the content basis of application of the foresight methodology in the forestry complex in the context of sustainable spatial forestry management. Socio-ecological and economic effectiveness of sustainable forestry is determined by the completeness of continuous and non-exhaustive use of all components of forest ecosystems, including non-market, at all levels of spatial development (local, regional, national and global). It stipulates the high responsibility of the world community, society, state, local authorities and businesses for political, institutional, economic, technological, and project decisions in the sphere of forestry management in the spatial-temporal dimension. It leads to the need for qualitative forecasting of the future sustainable development of the forestry complex, which determines the search and application of modern effective approaches to strategic planning and management of the forestry complex, among which foresight is particularly highlighted. Thus, the paper considers the key features of foresight, which must be taken into account when investigating the future vision of sustainable spatial development of forestry. Thus, the purpose of this study is to generalize and identify the features and possibilities of using the foresight methodology in the forestry complex in the context of sustainable spatial development. The particular features of nature management in the forestry complex in the process of foresight research should be taken into consideration. Existing principles and classification signs for the foresight are presented in the context of sustainable forestry. The application of existing foresight methods is implemented on the example of using the scenario approach to the substantiation of organizational and economic conditions for the formation and development of ecosystem entrepreneurship. At the same time, we have considered the application of the scenario approach within the framework of solving the problem of forest ecosystem business development. The development of entrepreneurship on the ecological and economic basis should become a qualitatively new and effective type of forestry management based on the use of advanced, innovative methods, forms, methods of production organization and combination of resources. The variable development of the use of the scenario approach to the substantiation of organizational and economic conditions for the formation and development of forest ecosystem entrepreneurship has been presented. Thus, the use of various foresight technologies (in particular, the scenario approach) will provide a qualitatively new level of constructive substantiation, in particular, the national strategy for sustainable forestry and long-term forestry programs on an innovative basis.
Keywords: foresight, forestry complex, sustainable spatial forestry, foresight principles, foresight classification, scenario, ecosystem entrepreneurship
Public Administration in EU: Harmonization of Income Taxes
Authors: Korecko J. , Bacik R. , Voznakova I.
Published: January 2020

In the European communities, the need for tax harmonization has begun to commence since the beginning of integration efforts in the 1960s. The first attitudes to tax harmonization were very ambitious. The plan was not only structural harmonization but also harmonization of tax rates. The paper examines the nature and course of the direct tax harmonization process, describes its advantages and disadvantages as well as the positive and negative effects of tax competition. The paper aims to examine the development and volume of selected income taxes collected in the Member States of the European Union. It tells whether the harmonization of income taxes is still a stagnant process. Cluster analysis deals with looking for similarities of multidimensional objects. Two clustering methods were used – hierarchical agglomeration clustering and non-hierarchical clustering. Cluster analysis aimed to achieve groups of states that would have some homogeneity. Cluster analysis sorted the data into sets with the highest possible similarity within the group and the most significant difference between the groups. Analysis of tax burden and income tax rates confirmed significant differences in these indicators across the EU. On the other hand, cluster analysis revealed similar developments in tax systems in terms of their geographical location in Europe. Cluster analysis can be used to suggest possible steps to co-operate in harmonizing Member State taxes in the future. The authors of this article propose the possibility of harmonizing taxes and cooperating gradually within clusters rather than trying to apply uniform rules in all EU Member States at the same time. The conclusion of the article raises problems in the field of harmonization of direct taxes in the EU. The possibility of preserving autonomy in deciding on tax burden in the country is left to the many Member States because they see that autonomy as a competitive advantage, particularly in the field of investment.
Keywords: tax, harmonization, income, European Union, cluster analysis.
QUALITY INVESTIGATION OF FROZEN GARDEN STRAWBERRIES AT PARTIAL DEHYDRATION BEFORE FREEZING
Authors: Zamorska Iryna , Zamorskyi Volodymyr , Halahur Yuliya , Osyka Viktor , Belinska Svitlana , Motuzka Iuliia , Bozhko Tetiiana , Krasulya Olena , Fil Mariia
Published: January 2020

Garden strawberry is an important berry culture, consumed fresh and frozen. But a quality of frozen berries is not always at the high level because of changing organoleptic properties, tissues structure and biological active substances losses. It motivates searches for different methods of previous processing of berries before freezing. There was used a production technology of frozen strawberry with partial dehydration before freezing for solving the problem.

Garden strawberries of varieties Rusanivka, Honey and Polka were dried on air before freezing (“control” variant), and another part was partially dehydrated in a drying chamber at temperature 40 °С during
30 min (“partial dehydration” variant) with further freezing to final temperature - 18 °С, with packing in packages of polyethylene film with a mass up to 500 g and storing in a refrigerator at temperature -18 °С during 6 months. There were studied main parameters of the chemical composition of fresh and frozen strawberries: content of dry soluble substances, sugars, organic acids, ascorbic acid and sugar-acidic index. Organoleptic quality parameters of frozen strawberries were assessed by the 5-point scale. The experiment was repeated trice.

It has been established, that frozen strawberries, partially dehydrated before freezing, saved by 0.2–0.3 % more dry soluble substances, by 0.2 % – sugars, by 7.0-7.9 % – ascorbic acid at a practically equal level of organic acids.

The organoleptic mark of frozen partially dehydrated strawberries was by 0.2–0.3 points higher against the control. Among the studied varieties of strawberry, Polka berries got a mark higher by 0.2–0.9 points.
INVESTIGATION OF THE EMULSIFYING CAPACITY OF SNACK PASTE BASED ON FATLESS COTTAGE CHEESE
Authors: Gurskyi Petro , Pertsevoy Fedor , Kondrashyna Lidiia
Published: January 2020

Technological parameters of the process of refined deodorized sunflower oil emulsification in a protein base – fatless cottage cheese for making a snack paste are presented. The expedience of introducing a melting salt – sodium citrate as a main emulsifier and its concentration are substantiated.

It has been established, that with increasing a content of sodium citrate the emulsifying capacity of a protein base grows, and at its concentration 2.0 %, reaches the maximal value – 50 vol un of oil. At a further increase of the sodium citrate concentration the emulsifying capacity decreases probably as a result of an abrupt рН growth.

It has been proved, that at adding dry skimmed milk in amount 4.0±0.5 % as an additional emulsifier in the protein base of a snack paste at 40 % of fatless cottage cheese in the recipe an increase of its emulsifying capacity by 6 vol un of oil, probably as a result of the growth of surface active substances, takes place.

The temperature influence on the viscosity of the snack paste protein base has been investigated and the rational concentration of refined deodorized sunflower oil has been determined as 25±2 %.

It has been established, that the temperature decrease from 50 to 30 °С and content increase of sunflower oil in the protein base from 25±2 % to 30±2 % result in the essential viscosity increase that may worsen emulsifying conditions.

It has been proved, that emulsion stability that is an important parameter for a snack paste of the emulsion type with a long storage term depends on content of main protein-containing components, sunflower oil and active acidity of the protein base.

The obtained results have a practical importance for determining the rational concentration of refined deodorized oil and sodium citrate that provides more necessary emulsifying capacity of the protein base and emulsion stability at storage in the technology of snack pastes, based on fatless cottage cheese
To pediatrician about feverish conditions in children: what to know and know how
Authors: Zakharova I. N. , Zaplatnikov A. L. , Tvorogova T. M. , Machneva E. B.
Published: January 2020

Fever is one of the most common nonspecific reactions to various pathological processes in children. The article tells about the specifics of thermoregulation processes, etiology and pathogenesis of fever in children, mechanisms of action of antipyretics. The focus is on age peculiarities of thermoregulatory mechanisms, as well as differential diagnosis of fever based on the etiological factor. The article also emphasizes the importance of adequate choice of antipyretic drugs for children.