bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pelvic organ prolapse and uterine preservation: A cohort study (POP-UP study)
Authors: Gagyor Daniel , Kalis Vladimir , Smazinka Martin , Rusavy Zdenek , Pilka Radovan , Ismail Khaled
Published: December 2020

Background: Abdominal and laparoscopic sacro-colpopexy (LSC) is considered the standard surgical option for the management of a symptomatic apical pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Women who have their uterus, and for whom an LSC is indicated, can have a laparoscopic sacro-hysteropexy (LSH), a laparoscopic supra-cervical hysterectomy and laparoscopic sacro-cervicopexy (LSCH+LSC) or a total laparoscopic hysterectomy and laparoscopic sacro-colpopexy (TLH+LSC). The main aim of this study was to compare clinical and patient reported outcomes of uterine sparing versus concomitant hysterectomy LSC procedures. Methods: A retrospective analysis of clinical, imaging and patient reported outcomes at baseline, 3 and 12 months after LSH versus either LSCH+LSC or TLH+LSC between January 2015 and January 2019 in a tertiary referral urogynecology center in Pilsen, the Czech Republic. Results: In total, 294 women were included in this analysis (LSH n = 43, LSCH+LSC n = 208 and TLH+LSC n = 43). There were no differences in the incidence of perioperative injuries and complications. Operating time and blood loss were higher in the concomitant hysterectomy compared to the uterine sparing group but this was only significant when comparing LSH to TLH+LSC (p = 0.048). There were no statistically significant differences in any of the clinical or patient reported outcomes except for a significantly lower anterior compartment failure rate (p= 0.017) and higher optimal mesh placement rate at 12 months in women who had concomitant hysterectomy procedures (p = 0.006). Conclusion: LSH is associated with shorter operative time and intraoperative blood loss; nevertheless, it increases the incidence of anterior compartment failures and suboptimal mesh placement based on postoperative imaging techniques.
A plasmid-encoded papB paralogue modulates autoaggregation of Escherichia coli transconjugants
Authors: Monarrez Ruben , Okeke Iruka
Published: December 2020

Objective: Plasmids are key to antimicrobial resistance transmission among enteric bacteria. It is becoming increasingly clear that resistance genes alone do not account for the selective advantage of plasmids and bacterial strains that harbor them. Deletion of a 32 Kb fitness-conferring region of pMB2, a conjugative resistance plasmid, produced a hyper-autoaggregation phenotype in laboratory Escherichia coli. This study sought to determine the genetic basis for hyper-autoaggregation conferred by the pMB2-derived mini-plasmid. Results: The 32 Kb fragment deleted from pMB2 included previously characterized nutrient acquisition genes as well as putative transposase and integrase genes, a 272 bp papB/ pefB-like gene, and several open-reading frames of unknown function. We cloned the papB/ pefB paralogue and found it sufficient to temper the hyper-autoaggregation phenotype. Hyper-autoaggregation conferred by the mini-plasmid did not occur in a fim-negative background. This study has identified and characterized a gene capable of down-regulating host adhesins and has shown that trans-acting papB/pefB paralogues can occur outside the context of an adhesin cluster. This plasmid-mediated modification of a bacterial host’s colonization program may optimize horizontal transfer of the mobile element bearing the genes.
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells therapy enhance immunoregulatory properties in acute graft versus host diseas with combination of regulatory T cells
Authors: Park Min-Jung , Baek Jin-Ah , Kim Se-Young , Jung Kyung-Ah , Choi Jeong Won , Park Sung-Hwan , Kwok Seung‐Ki , Cho Mi-La
Published: December 2020

Background: Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) play a critical role in modulating the immune response and promoting immune tolerance in models of autoimmunity and transplantation. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) exert therapeutic potential due to their immunomodulatory properties, which have been demonstrated both in vitro and in clinical trials. Cell-based therapy for acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) may enable induction of donor-specific tolerance in the preclinical setting. Methods: We investigated whether the immunoregulatory activity of the combination of MDSCs and Tregs on T cell and B cell subset and alloreactive T cell response. We evaluated the therapeutic effects of combined cell therapy for a murine aGVHD model following MHC-mismatched bone marrow transplantation. We compared histologic analysis from the target tissues of each groups were and immune cell population by flow cytometric analysisResults: We report a novel approach to inducing immune tolerance using a combination of donor-derived MDSCs and Tregs. The combined cell-therapy modulated in vitro the proliferation of alloreactive T cells and the Treg/Th17 balance in mice and human system. Systemic infusion of MDSCs and Tregs ameliorated serverity and inflammation of aGVHD mouse model by reducing the populations of proinflammatory Th1/Th17 cells and the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in target tissue. The combined therapy promoted the differentiation of allogeneic T cells toward Foxp3+Tregs and IL-10-producing regulatory B cells. The combination treatment control also activated human T and B cell subset.Conclusions: Therefore, the combination of MDSCs and Tregs has immunomodulatory activity and induces immune tolerance to prevent of aGVHD severity. This could lead to the development of new clinical approaches to the prevent aGVHD.
A Real-Time PCR Assay for Rapid Identification of Inducible and Acquired Clarithromycin Resistance in Mycobacterium abscessus
Authors: Sharma Meenu Kaushal , La Yanni , Janella Debra , Soualhine Hafid
Published: December 2020

Abstract Background: Mycobacterium abscessus is a rapidly growing mycobacteria involved in severe infections of the lung, skin, or soft tissue. Macrolides such as clarithromycin are the recommended first line drugs for treatment of M. abscessus infections. However, M. abscessus has dual mechanisms of resistance to macrolides, making treatment by macrolides difficult. A functional erm(41) gene confers for inducible resistance while acquired mutations on the 23S rRNA rrl gene confer for constitutive resistance. Methods: We have developed a real-time PCR assay to detect both inducible and acquired resistance to clarithromycin, and compared the results to traditional erm(41) and rrl sequencing and phenotypic susceptibility testing using Sensititre™ plates. Results: Of the total 126 M. abscessus isolates tested, truncated erm(41) was found in 23/126 (18.3%) of the samples, 27/126 (21.4%) had a T28C mutation in erm(41), and 2/126 (1.6%) had an acquired A2058C mutation in rrl. The phenotypic results correlated with the expected sequencing results in 121/126 samples (96%). Phenotypic testing compared to real-time PCR resolved 2 of these discrepancies by showing the existence of both erm(41) alleles in the isolates that sequencing missed. One culture was found to be mixed with two M. abscessus subsp. as per hsp65 sequencing and 2 isolates had discordance between molecular and phenotypic results. It was presumed that 3 isolates showed discrepancy between sequencing and real-time PCR, but one culture was mixed and other 2 detected both alleles by real-time PCR leading to 100% concordance when compared to sequencing. Conclusion: In conclusion, real-time PCR is more accurate for detection of both acquired and induced clarithromycin resistance, specifically when mixed genic profiles are present in a sample.
Changes in plastid biogenesis leading to the formation of albino regenerants in barley microspore culture
Authors: Gajecka Monika , Marzec Marek , Chmielewska Beata , Jelonek Janusz , Zbieszczyk Justyna , Szarejko Iwona
Published: December 2020

Background: Microspore embryogenesis is potentially the most effective method of obtaining doubled haploids (DH) which are utilized in breeding programs to accelerate production of new cultivars. However, the regeneration of albino plants significantly limits the exploitation of androgenesis for DH production in cereals. Despite many efforts, the precise mechanisms leading to development of albino regenerants have not yet been elucidated. The objective of this study was to reveal the genotype-dependent molecular differences in chloroplast differentiation that lead to the formation of green and albino regenerants in microspore culture of barley.Results: We performed a detailed analysis of plastid differentiation at successive stages of androgenesis in two barley cultivars, ‘Jersey’ and ‘Mercada’ that differed in their ability to produce green regenerants. We demonstrated the lack of transition from the NEP-dependent to PEP-dependent transcription in plastids of cv. ‘Mercada’ that produced mostly albino regenerants in microspore culture. The failed NEP-to-PEP transition was associated with the lack of activity of Sig2 gene encoding a sigma factor necessary for transcription of plastid rRNA genes. A very low level of 16S and 23S rRNA transcripts and impaired plastid translation machinery resulted in the inhibition of photomorphogenesis in regenerating embryos and albino regenerants. Furthermore, the plastids present in differentiating ‘Mercada’ embryos contained a low number of plastome copies whose replication was not always completed. Contrary to ‘Mercada’, cv. ‘Jersey’ that produced 90% green regenerants, showed the high activity of PEP polymerase, the highly increased expression of Sig2, plastid rRNAs and tRNAGlu, which indicated the NEP inhibition. The increased expression of GLKs genes encoding transcription factors required for induction of photomorphogenesis was also observed in ‘Jersey’ regenerants. Conclusions: Proplastids present in microspore-derived embryos of albino-producing genotypes did not pass the early checkpoint of their development that are required for induction of further light-dependent differentiation of chloroplasts. The failed activation of plastid-encoded RNA polymerase during differentiation of embryos was associated with the genotype-dependent inability to regenerate green plants in barley microspore culture. The better understanding of molecular mechanism underlying formation of albino regenerants may be helpful in overcoming the problem of albinism in cereal androgenesis.
Predicting the Incidence of Brucellosis in Western Iran using Markov switching model
Authors: Mohammadian-Khoshnoud Maryam , Sadeghifar Majid , Cheraghi Zahra , Hosseinkhani Zahra
Published: December 2020

Objective Brucellosis is a zoonosis almost chronic disease. Brucellosis bacteria can remain in the environment for a long time. Thus, climate irregularities could pave the way for the survival of the bacterium Brucellosis. Brucellosis is more common in men 25 to 29 years of age, in the western provinces, and in the spring months. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of climatic factors as well as predicting the incidence of Brucellosis in Qazvin province using the Markov switching model (MSM). This study is a secondary study of data collected from 2010 to 2019 in Qazvin province. The data include Brucellosis cases and climatic parameters. Two state MSM with time lags of 0, 1 and 2 was fitted to the data. The Bayesian information criterion (BIC) was used to evaluate the models.Results According to the BIC, the two-state MSM with a one-month lag is a suitable model. The month, the average-wind-speed, the minimum-temperature have a positive effect on the number of brucellosis, the age and rainfall have a negative effect. The results show that the probability of an outbreak for the third month of 2019 is 0.30%.
Nothing wrong about change: The adequate choice of the dependent variable and design in prediction of cognitive training success
Authors: Mattes André , Roheger Mandy
Published: December 2020

Background Even though investigating predictors of intervention success (e.g Cognitive Training, CT) is gaining more and more interest in the light of an individualized medicine, results on specific predictors of intervention success in the overall field are mixed and inconsistent due to different and sometimes inappropriate statistical methods used. Therefore, the present paper gives a guidance on the appropriate use of multiple regression analyses to identify predictors of CT and similar non-pharmacological interventions.Methods We simulated data based on a predefined true model and ran a series of different analyses to evaluate their performance in retrieving the true model coefficients. The true model consisted of a 2 (between: experimental vs. control group) x 2 (within: pre- vs. post-treatment) design with two continuous predictors, one of which predicted the success in the intervention group and the other did not. In analyzing the data, we considered four commonly used dependent variables (post-test score, absolute change score, relative change score, residual score), five regression models, eight sample sizes, and four levels of reliability.Results Our results indicated that a regression model including the investigated predictor, Group (experimental vs. control), pre-test score, and the interaction between the investigated predictor and the Group as predictors, and the absolute change score as the dependent variable seemed most convenient for the given experimental design. Although the pre-test score should be included as a predictor in the regression model for reasons of statistical power, its coefficient should not be interpreted because even if there is no true relationship, a negative and statistically significant regression coefficient commonly emerges.Conclusion Employing simulation methods, theoretical reasoning, and mathematical derivations, we were able to derive recommendations regarding the analysis of data in one of the most prevalent experimental designs in research on CT and external predictors of CT success. These insights can contribute to the application of considered data analyses in future studies and facilitate cumulative knowledge gain.
The Morphology of Patella changed significantly after Soft Tissue Correction for children with Recurrent Patella Dislocation
Authors: Niu Jinghui , Qi Qi , Hao Kuo , Lin Wei , Piao Kang , Wang Fei
Published: December 2020

Background: Although morphological improvement of femoral trochlea has been investigated in children with patellar dislocation after surgery, whether the patellar shape changed under the same condition is still unknown. The purpose of the study was to investigate the changes of patellar morphology in transverse plane following surgical correction of recurrent patella dislocation in children.Methods: A total of 22 patients with a mean age of 9.9 years (7 to 12) were included. All had unilateral recurrent patellar dislocation. The knees with recurrent patellar dislocation were treated with medial patellar retinaculum plasty and defined as the affected side. The contralateral knees with no symptom of patellar instability were considered as the unaffected side. All patients were treated between October 2014 and August 2018. Axial CT (Computed Tomography) scans were undertaken in all patients to assess the patella morphological characteristics on a particular axial image preoperatively and at the final follow-up.Results: There were not significant differences about patellar transverse diameter, thickness and Wiberg angle between affected side and unaffected side before surgery and at the last follow-up respectively ( The mean follow-up period: 28.0 ± 3.3 months). However, before surgery, the Wiberg-index in the affected side (0.74 ± 0.06) was significantly different from that in the unaffected side (0.64 ± 0.04). At the last follow-up, the Wiberg-index in the affected side (0.67 ± 0.05) and the unaffected side (0.65 ± 0.04) were not significantly different. Also, in the affected side, the Wiberg-index at the last follow-up was significantly lower than that before surgery (P < 0.05). The Wiberg-index in the unaffected side was not significantly different before surgery and at the last follow-up. Conclusion: The patellar morphology can change significantly after surgical procedures in children with patellar recurrent dislocation whose epiphysis is not closed.
Comparison of clinical features on admission between coronavirus disease 2019 and influenza A among children: a retrospective study in China
Authors: Liang Feng , Wang Xianfeng , Li Hui , Chen Jun , Liu Lei , Shao Jianbo , Xu Yi , He Liya , Liang Huiying , Li Kuanrong , Gong Sitang , Xia Huimin
Published: December 2020

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) share similar symptoms with influenza A (IA), but it is more worthwhile to understand the disparities of the two infections regarding their clinical characteristics on admission. Methods: A total of 71 age-matched pediatric IA and COVID-19 patient pairs were formed and their clinical data on admission were compared. Results: Fever, cough, nasal congestion and nausea/vomiting were the most common symptoms on admission for both infections but occurred less often in COVID-19. The IA patients were more likely to have lower-than-normal levels of lymphocyte count and percentage and to have higher-than-normal levels of activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, serum C-reactive protein, and serum procalcitonin, while the COVID-19 patients had higher odds of having lower-than-normal levels of neutrophil count and percentage. Conclusion: This study suggests that influenza A is more symptomatic than COVID-19 for children and might be an overall more severe infection at the time of admission.
The Type VI Secretion System of Xanthomonas phaseoli pv. manihotis is involved in virulence and in vitro motility
Authors: Benavides Nathaly Andrea Montenegro , Borrero Alejandro Alvarez , Ortiz Mario Luis Arrieta , Rodriguez-R. Luis Miguel , Rozo David Octavio Botero , R. Javier Felipe Tabima , Mosos Luisa Fernanda Castiblanco , Beltran Cesar Trujillo , Restrepo Silvia Restrepo , Bernal Adriana
Published: December 2020

Background: The type VI protein secretion system (T6SS) is important in diverse cellular processes in Gram-negative bacteria, including interactions with other bacteria and with eukaryotic hosts. In this study we analyze the evolution of the T6SS in the genus Xanthomonas and evaluate its importance of the T6SS for virulence and in vitro motility in Xanthomonas phaseoli pv. manihotis (Xpm), the causal agent of bacterial blight in cassava (Manihot esculenta). We delineate the organization of the T6SS gene clusters in Xanthomonas and then characterize proteins of this secretion system in Xpm strain CIO151. Results: We describe the presence of three different clusters in the genus Xanthomonas that vary in their organization and degree of synteny between species. Using a gene knockout strategy, we also found that vgrG and hcp are required for maximal aggressiveness of Xpm on cassava plants while clpV is important for both motility and maximal aggressiveness. Conclusion: We characterized the T6SS in 15 different strains in Xanthomonas and our phylogenetic analyses suggest that the T6SS might have been acquired by a very ancient event of horizontal gene transfer and maintained through evolution, hinting at their importance for the adaptation of Xanthomonas to their hosts. Finally, we demonstrated that the T6SS of Xpm is functional, and significantly contributes to virulence and motility. This is the first experimental study that demonstrates the role of the T6SS in the Xpm-cassava interaction and the T6SS organization in the genus Xanthomonas.
Three thousand year paleo-tsunami history of the southern part of the Japan Trench
Authors: Higaki Hokuto , Goto Kazuhisa , Yanagisawa Hideaki , Sugawara Daisuke , Ishizawa Takashi
Published: December 2020

This study conducted a field survey and multiproxy analyses on sediment cores retrieved from the Kobatake-ike pond in Choshi City, Chiba prefecture, Japan. Kobatake-ike pond is located at a high elevation (i.e., 11 m above present-day sea level) and faces the southern part of the Japan Trench. Three sedimentological events were detected within the continuous mud and peat sequences of three thousand years. Based on the multi-proxy analyses, including mineralogical composition, diatom assemblages, and geochemical markers, these sedimentological events were associated with past tsunamis. The most recent event was a sandy layer from the AD 1677 Enpo tsunami, reported by an earlier study conducted in the pond. The estimated recurrence interval for tsunamis was approximately 700 years, comparable to that of the central part of the Japan Trench. The timing of at least two of three sedimentological events seems to have been close (i.e., intervals of few tens of years) before or after the occurrence of large earthquakes and tsunamis along the central part of the Japan Trench. This implies a possible spatiotemporal relation of earthquake generations between the central and southern parts of the Japan Trench, which can be associated with drastic changes in stress fields in the neighborhood of the rupture area. The risk of future large earthquakes and tsunamis along the southern part of the Japan Trench seems exceptionally high, considering the stress change caused by Tohoku-oki earthquake with 9.0 Mw in 2011. This study necessitates the need to investigate the spatiotemporal relationship of large earthquakes from the perspectives of geology, seismology, and history.
Strategies for increasing gait speed in patients with hip osteoarthritis: their clinical significance and effects on hip loading
Authors: Tateuchi Hiroshige , Akiyama Haruhiko , Goto Koji , So Kazutaka , Kuroda Yutaka , Ichihashi Noriaki
Published: December 2020

Background: Changes in gait speed are required in various situations and can be achieved by changing stride length, cadence, or both. Differences in strategies for increasing gait speed may have different effects on hip joint and physical function. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of strategies for increasing gait speed on hip pain, physical function, and changes in hip loading during gait in patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA). We hypothesized that patients who increase gait speed mainly by increasing cadence would have lesser hip pain, a higher physical function, and a lower rate of increase in hip moments with increasing gait speed.Methods: Forty-seven patients with secondary hip OA (age, 48.3 ± 11.0 years) were included. Gait speed, stride length, cadence, and peak and impulse of the hip moments were measured during gait at self-selected normal and fast gait speeds. The patients were classified as types S (with mainly increasing stride length, n = 11 [23.4%]), C (with mainly increasing cadence, n = 23 [48.9%]), and SC (with increasing stride length and cadence, n = 13 [27.7%]) according to whether they used changes in stride length and/or cadence to transition from normal to fast gait. Hip pain, physical function, and hip moments changes during gait were compared between types.Results: The physical function was higher in types C (38.0 ± 8.8, P = 0.018) and SC (40.6 ± 8.5, P = 0.015) than in type S (28.2 ± 7.8), even after adjustment for age and minimum joint space width. Hip pain was not significantly different between types. The robustness of these results was confirmed with sensitivity analysis. The rates of increases in peak external hip adduction (P = 0.003) and internal rotation moments (P = 0.009) were lower in type C than in type SC.Conclusions: Type C tended to suppress the increase in hip moments during fast gait. Types C and SC, which included increased cadence, maintained higher physical function levels than type S. Encouraging the use of cadence-increasing strategy may be useful for reducing hip loading and maintaining physical function in patients with hip OA.
Effects of sevoflurane and propofol on the optic nerve sheath diameter in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgery: A Randomized controlled clinical studies
Authors: Geng Weilian , Chen Changxing , Sun Xingfeng , Huang Shaoqiang
Published: December 2020

Background The results of studies on changes in intracranial pressure in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery are inconsistent. Meanwhile, previous neurosurgery studies have suggested that propofol and sevoflurane have inconsistent effects on cerebral blood flow and cerebrovascular self-regulation. The purpose of this study is to compare changes in the optic nerve sheath diameter in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgery under anesthetic maintenance with propofol versus sevoflurane. Methods This study included 110 patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgery with an estimated operative time of more than 2 hours under general anesthesia. The study was a randomized controlled study. The optic nerve sheath diameter（ONSD）at various time points was measured by ultrasound, including when the patients entered the operating room (Tawake), after successful anesthesia induction and endotracheal intubation (Tinduction), when the body position was adjusted to the Trendelenburg position and the CO2 pneumoperitoneum pressure reached 14 mmHg, which was recorded as T0. Then, measurements were conducted every 15 minutes for the first 1 hour and then once every hour until the end of the surgery（T15,T30,T45 ,T1h ,T2h…）, after the end of surgery and the tracheal tube was removed (Tend), and before the patients were transferred to the ward (Tpacu).Results A significant difference in optic nerve sheath diameter was found between two groups at T15, T30, T45 (4.64±0.48mm and 4.50±0.29mm, respectively, p=0.031;4.77±0.45mm and 4.62±0.28mm, respectively, p=0.036;4.84±0.46mm and 4.65±0.30mm, respectively, p=0.012), while there was no significant difference at Tawake and other time points. Conclusion During laparoscopic gynecological surgery lasting more than 2 hours, the optic nerve sheath diameter was slightly larger in the propofol group than that in the sevoflurane group in the first 45 minutes. No significant difference was observed between the two groups 1 hour after surgery. Trial registration clinicaltrials.gov，NCT03498235. Retrospectively registered 1 March2018,https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/app/action/SelectProtocol?sid=S0007UMM&selectaction=Edit&uid=U00040C5&ts=39&cx=c7i8icThe manuscript adheres to CONSORT guidelines.
Handwashing and disinfection precautions taken by U.S. adults to prevent coronavirus disease 2019, Spring 2020
Authors: Brown Laura , Hoover E. Rickamer , Barrett Catherine , Esschert Kayla L. Vanden , Collier Sarah , Garcia-Williams Amanda
Published: December 2020

Objectives. The objectives of this study were to assess self-reported hygiene precautions taken by U.S. adults during spring 2020 to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and to identify demographic characteristics associated with these hygiene precautions. Results. We obtained data from Porter Novelli Public Services’s national survey, Spring ConsumerStyles, conducted March 19 – April 9, 2020 among a nationally representative random sample of 6,463 U.S. adults aged 18 years or older. We present data from the survey question: “What, if any, precautions are you taking to prevent coronavirus?”. Respondents replied yes or no to the following precautions: washing hands often with soap and water and disinfecting surfaces at home and work often. Most respondents reported taking hygiene-related precautions to prevent COVID-19; more respondents reported handwashing (93%) than disinfecting surfaces (74%). Men, younger respondents, those with lower income and education levels, and respondents in self-rated poor health had lower reported rates of both handwashing and disinfecting surfaces. Communications about hygiene precautions for COVID-19 prevention may need to target sub-populations with the greatest gaps in hygiene-related practices. Research identifying barriers to these practices and developing effective messaging could inform and improve these communications.
Thematic priorities of the Ukrainian medical book
Authors: Sadovnycha Nataliia
Published: December 2020

Introduction. The rapid development of medical science and the steady public demand
for qualified information on health care, prevention, and treatment of illnesses lead to the expansion of the medical book`s thematic diversity as one of the major channels of information support.
Relevance and purpose. Despite the considerable interest of researchers of book publishing and journalism, linguists, literary critics the subject matter of the medical book is considered only tangentially. The purpose of our article is to study the thematic priorities of the medical book of Ukraine.
Methodology. We used general and specific methods of empirical and theoretical levels of research. The comparative-historical method gave the opportunity to study the development of a medical book in chronological order for 1991–2017. Content analysis, structural and typological methods were used to divide medical books into specific thematic and typological groups.
Results and findings. In order to analyze the thematic priorities of the Ukrainian medical
book, the catalogs of the leading libraries of Ukraine and some regional libraries were studied, we also examined the contents of 488 issues of the bibliography of the Chronicle of Books of the State Scientific Institution of the Ivan Fedorov Book Chamber of Ukraine. Medical publications include books of the medical profession reflecting the specifics of the industry; intended for a wide readership, which is usually determined by its interest in a specific type of specialized literature. Chronological boundaries of the study: the second half of 1991-2017 years. It covers the period of state independence of Ukraine.
Conclusions. During 1991–2017, 4306 medical books were published. There are 6 major
thematic groups identified: «physiotherapy» – 38 %, «pathology and clinical medicine» – 23 %, «health and general hygiene» – 16 %, «medicines and pharmacology» – 9 %, «theoretical medicine» – 8,5 %, «diet and food hygiene» – 5,5. The theme of the book – its problematic aspect and the subject matter of the author’s thinking is often given in the title of the publication, its contents and fully disclosed in the text. The recipient is offered traditional and emerging scientific knowledge to diagnose, treat, and prevent disease in a variety of ways, and to promote health.

Keywords: book, topic, problem, medical literature, medical information space.
Stylistic marking of the text as a method of manipulation: psychological aspect
Authors: Pochapska Oksana
Published: December 2020

Introduction. Up to date, the situation in the Ukrainian media space has not changed
dramatically from the Soviet Period. This gives wide possibilities for variations to manipulate the minds of the audience, a large part of which is made up of people of 55 years of age who are accustomed to reading and trusting the press. Accordingly, the study of the relationship between the audience’s trust in the journalistic publication and the manner of presenting news of the specified category of the population will enable to form ways of introducing media literacy for different categories of society, which is relevant today.
Significance and purpose. In our study, we analyze the reactions of this audience as it
is the part of the active population that in one way or another influences the formation of conscious perception of the surrounding reality of modern youth. The purpose of the study is to research the relationship between the stylistic marking of the text and the audience’s confidence in the information presented in the publication (based on the analysis of regional periodicals 1943-1960).
Research methods. During the study such methods as surveys (oral and online surveys)
were used to examine the audience’s response to texts of different styles, content analysis,
which analyzed the frequency of use of satirical-humorous genres, stylistically labeled
vocabulary and religious imagery for criticism/condemnation of those people or phenomena that did not fit into the criteria of the USSR; genre, stylistic and semantic analysis.
Results. The analysis of the period 1943-1960 showed that in the newspaper “low” style
was used to ridicule those who did not fit into the Soviet system of vision of the state and citizens in the state. As a result, a population of 55+ (experimentally confirmed) formed a well-founded distrust of information presented in a satirical form. This makes it possible to predict the effectiveness and efficiency of journalistic materials.
Conclusion. Selected publications analyzed that the Soviet print periodicals clearly
distinguished the manner of presenting information about the so-called «positive» and
«negative» heroes. At the same time, the survey revealed a tendency of public confidence in the information that does not contain stylistically marked vocabulary. Accordingly, we can say that stylistic marking of the text is one of the methods of manipulation of public opinion.
Prospective for further research. Studying the peculiarities of the perception of newspaper texts by different categories of the population is a prospect for further research.

Keywords: newspaper, stylistic marking, manipulation, consciousness, audience.
The role of suggestion in public opinion shaping of the audience of the Internet editions
Authors: Rudenko Natalia
Published: December 2020

Introduction. Mass-and socially communicative technologies, that produce the content
of modern mass media, are aimed at changing the beliefs, worldview, value orientations of the society, formation of certain behavioral patterns, and transformation of public opinion. Consumers of information, in particular, the audience of Internet editions, become an object of external influences and information aggression. Thus, a comprehensive study of the influence of semantic and structural organization of the content of the modern mass media on public opinion formation is really an actual and urgent task.
The purpose of our research is to determine the role of such kind of manipulative technology as a suggestion in shaping the public opinion of the content consumers of the Internet editions (on the material of the electronic versions of the popular newspapers «The Guardian», «USA Today», «China Daily», «The Day», «Moscow Times»). In addition to theoretical, the basic methods of research were also empirical, in particular sociological research, for which the questionnaire was compiled. The respondents were offered to answer 13 questions, 10 of which were of a closed type and 3 questions on an assessment by a scale from 1 to 10. The questionnaire consisted of two blocks. The first block «Target Survey» contained 5 questions, the second block «Associative experiment» – 8 questions Anonymous survey was conducted in December 2018 – March 2019. The audience of the survey consisted of postgraduate students of different specialties, lecturers, and students of the departments of Germanic philology, journalism, and philology at Sumy State University (1st, 2nd, and 3d year students).
According to the results of the survey, the most popular sources of information are social networks and electronic information portals, and newspapers. The level of confidence in the popular mass media is 75 %, while most consumers trust electronic information portals and newspapers. The level of influence on the personal opinion of the consumers of information is 60 %. The overall efficiency of the suggestion is 80 %. By the level of influence in its initial effect on the change and formation of reactions, the most effective instruments of suggestion at the lexical level are irony, emotionally-marked vocabulary, contrasts, set-expressions, metaphor-symbols, and also the instruments at the communicative-strategic level (emotionally-evaluative judgments).

Keywords: public opinion, Internet editions, content, suggestion, survey.
The Author and the Reader: Communication in P. Kulish’s fiction
Authors: Boyarska Lyubov
Published: December 2020

Purpose of the paper: to analyze, with «Letters from the Khutor (Farm, small village)»
as the study material, the methods of communication with the reader, author strategies of addressing the recipient, drawing his attention, the technologies of «furthering an idea» and creating an atmosphere of trust and understanding. Also analyzed are their advantages, disadvantages, and shortcomings.
Methods. Observation, analysis, and generalization, as well as literary concepts of
receptive aesthetics, structuralism, post-structuralism, and mythological criticism enabled us to identify the fictional author of the letters and the Exemplary Reader (recipient) of the literary work in question. We were also able to define interaction strategies between the writer and the reader.
Results and conclusions. In his «Letters», P. Kulish offers the reader a postmodern literary game, in the process of which the Exemplary Reader has to decipher certain meanings and allusions. Particularly, the writer creates the image of a fictional author of the text. It’s an idealized image of a khutor-owning Cossack (free, educated, and wealthy). Another persona the fictional writer adopts is the image of the Apostle Paul, who bestows certain significance (even sacredness) unto the text, making it into a spiritual message.
In communication with the reader, P. Kulish uses the technology of text fragmentation,
repetition, addressing the reader directly, intimation, and burlesque sentimentalist
stylization of the narrative. Such stylization and demonstrative moralizing are considered to be communication shortcomings.
Keywords: P. Kulish, game, author, reader, «Model/Ideal reader», text, hoax, stylization.
CREATING TARAS SHEVCHENKO’S CULT ON THE TERRITORY OFTHE SUMY REGION DURING THE PERIOD OF THE UKRAINIAN REVOLUTION (1917-1921)
Authors: Artiukh V. O.
Published: December 2020

Within the article, an attempt is made to trace the process of creating quasi-religious
Taras Shevchenko’s cult on the territory of the Sumy region at the turning point of history for the Ukrainian nation - national liberation struggle during 1917-1921. The fact is admitted that within Taras Shevchenko’s cult the ways of the reality mythical perception manifest distinctly.
Its main methods of functioning are identified: celebrating holidays and holding
demonstrations, erecting the monuments, naming natural and cultural objects after the Kobzar, using his image in book publishing. Shevchenko’s holiday phenomenon is reconstructed on the example of celebrations in the towns of Sumy and Konotop, also in the villages of Perekopivka and Vedmezhe (Romny county). The point is stressed that erecting the monuments (busts) to Shevchenko and performing sacred rituals of worshipping nearby constitute a symbolic action
of forming the sense of collective unity of Ukrainians. As an example, the history of creating the monument to the Kobzar in the town of Romny and the bust in the township of Voronizh is considered.
The attention is paid to the precedents of naming after Shevchenko numerous new points of the cultural landscape during the period of reconstructing the symbolic space at the time of the Revolution on the territory of the Sumy region. Specific examples in the sphere of toponymy are cited. The role of “Prosvita” fellowship centres is emphasized. They played the part of either organizers or participants of the majority of commemorative practices for honoring the figure of Shevchenko. Some facts of establishing the book publishing by “Prosvita” fellowship centers in the Sumy region are given. The Kobzar’s figure and creative heritage were often popularized by means of those books and brochures (Konotop, Okhtyrka, and Pidlypne).
The specificities of Shevchenko’s image interpretation within the Bolshevik ideology
are covered in the article. Unlike Ukrainians, who paid more attention to the national character of Shevchenko’s creative heritage, the Bolsheviks underscored its class and revolutionary features. The absence of antagonistic differences and the presence of numerous points of agreement in Kobzar’s image interpretation by “nationalists” and communists should also be emphasized.
The conclusion is drawn about the importance of Shevchenko’s cult on the territory of
the present-day Sumy region for spreading Ukrainian national and Socialist ideologies in
broad masses’ consciousness.
Keywords: Taras Shevchenko, cult, the Sumy region, national identity
Management of Pest Insects and Plant Diseases in Fruit and Nursery Production with Laser-guided Variable-rate Sprayers
Authors: Chen Liming , Zhu Heping , Horst Leona , Wallhead Matthew , Reding Michael , Fulcher Amy
Published: December 2020

Laser-guided variable-rate intelligent spray technology is anticipated to reduce pesticide use in production of crops and safeguard the environment. However, the ability of this technology to effectively control insect pests and diseases of crops must be validated before it becomes part of integrated pest management programs. Abilities of three different intelligent sprayers were tested to control pest insects and plant diseases at one fruit farm and two ornamental nurseries in Ohio during three consecutive growing seasons. The same sprayers with disabled intelligent functions were used as conventional constant-rate applications for comparisons. Test crops were apple (Malus pumila), peach (Prunus persica), blueberry (Vaccinium sect. Cyanococcus), black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis), crabapple (Malus sp.), maple (Acer sp.), birch (Betula sp.), and dogwood (Cornus florida). There were five insects and six diseases total involved in the investigations in the fruit farm and two nurseries. The field tests showed the intelligent spray applications reduced pesticide and foliar fertilizer use by ≈30% to 65% on average during the 3-year experiments. At the same time, intelligent spray technology was similar or more effective than conventional spray technology when controlling insects and diseases on a variety of crops. These results demonstrated that intelligent spray technology was environmentally friendly and more effective for control of insect and disease pests in fruit farms and ornamental tree nurseries.
Karyotypic Characteristics and Genetic Relationships of Apricot Accessions from Different Ecological Groups
Authors: Li Wenwen , Liu Liqiang , Zhou Weiquan , Wang Yanan , Ding Xiang , Fan Guoquan , Zhang Shikui , Liao Kang
Published: December 2020

The present study aims to reveal the karyotypic characteristics and genetic relationships of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) accessions from different ecological groups. Fourteen, 9, and 30 accessions from the Central Asian ecological group, North China ecological group, and Dzhungar-Ili ecological group, respectively, were analyzed according to the conventional pressing plate method. The results showed that all the apricot accessions from the different ecological groups were diploid (2n = 2x = 16). The total haploid length of the chromosome set of the selected accessions ranged from 8.11 to 12.75 μm, which was a small chromosome, and no satellite chromosomes were detected. All accessions had different numbers of median-centromere chromosomes or sub-median-centromere chromosomes. The karyotypes of the selected accessions were classified as 1A or 2A. Principal component analysis revealed that the long-arm/short-arm ratio (0.968) and the karyotype symmetry index (−0.979) were the most valuable parameters, and cluster analysis revealed that the accessions from the Central Asian ecological group and Dzhungar-Ili ecological group clustered together. In terms of karyotypic characteristics, the accessions from the Dzhungar-Ili ecological group and Central Asian ecological group were closely related.
Far-red Fraction: An Improved Metric for Characterizing Phytochrome Effects on Morphology
Authors: Kusuma Paul , Bugbee Bruce
Published: December 2020

Phytochrome, a well-studied photoreceptor in plants, primarily absorbs in the red (R) and far-red (FR) regions and is responsible for the perception of shade and subsequent morphological responses. Experiments performed in controlled environments have widely used the R:FR ratio to simulate the natural environment and used phytochrome photoequilibrium (PPE) to simulate the activity of phytochrome. We review why PPE may be an unreliable metric, including differences in weighting factors, multiple phytochromes, nonphotochemical reversions, intermediates, variations in the total pool of phytochrome, and screening by other pigments. We suggest that environmental signals based on R and FR photon fluxes are a better predictor of plant shape than the more complex PPE model. However, the R:FR ratio is nonintuitive and can approach infinity under electric lights, which makes it difficult to extrapolate from studies in controlled environments to the field. Here we describe an improved metric: the FR fraction (FR/R+FR) with a range from 0 to 1. This is a more intuitive metric both under electric lights and in the field compared with other ratios because it is positively correlated with phytochrome-mediated morphological responses. We demonstrate the reliability of this new metric by reanalyzing previously published data.
SPONTANEOUS PNEUMOMEDIASTINUM: A RARE AND UNUSUAL COMPLICATION OF DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS
Authors:   Department of Radiology, Fourth Military Hospital, Dakhla, Morocco., Bellamlih Habib , Benabdelfedil Yousra ,   Department of Endocinology, Moulay Ismail Military Hospital, Meknes, Morocco., Moutaoukil Mohamed ,   Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive care, Fourth Military Hospital, Dakhla, Morocco., Chekabab Abderrahim ,   Department of Biology, Fourth Military Hospital, Dakhla, Morocco.
Published: December 2020

Spontaneous pneumomediastinumis defined as the presence of free air in the mediastinum without any apparent concomitant factors or disease. It is most often affecting young males which is usually benign and self-limiting.The pathophysiology of this disease is probably based on a pressure gradient between the alveolus and the lung interstitium. The most important examination to make a diagnosis of spontaneous pneumomediastinum is radiography. Generally, no special interventions are indicated for the treatment.We report a case of 26-year-old manwith a benign spontaneous pneumomediastinum complicating an inaugural diabetic ketoacidosis.
LEVERAGING THE STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS TO ADVANCE EXCELLENCE IN UNIVERSITIES
Authors:   ijar, Philbert L. Vumilia Professor
Published: December 2020

Organizations use the strategic planning process to manage Organizations use the strategic planning process to manage purposefully the daily operations and anticipate challenges that may affect the operations of the enterprise to build a stronger future. In this era of COVID-19, planning has become vital and a way of life for organizations, including universities, currently faced with a turbulent economic, political, cultural, and pandemic stresses of the 21st century. To manage change, including the current stresses from the COVID-19 pandemic, university managers must confront tough questions regarding universitys technical, structural, political, and cultural foundations. The present study examines the divergent views, beliefs, and assumptions about the benefits of strategic planning process undertaken to improve excellence. Questions in the data-gathering instrument were directed to probe the perceptions of faculty and staff of a university in Tanzania.