bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Parents in Bangalore Regarding the Oral Health of Children during COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Shakir Arshiya , Talukdar Manjaree , P. Swati Manohar , Nagaraj Sneharaj , Parameshwara Pavana Mysore , Subramanium Priya
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) was declared a pandemic by WHO in early 2020. In India during the month of March, a lockdown was announced. All dental institutions and clinics were closed by looking at the emergency situation all around the world. The study was intended to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice of parents in relation to the oral health of their children during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS A self-designed, structured, online questionnaire of 26 close-ended questions was distributed to 500 mothers of children aged 1 to 10 years of age through messages, WhatsApp, and emails. Participants were given a consent form to be filled online and it was a prerequisite to attend all the questions. Data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using the chi-square goodness of fit test. The P-value where P ≤ 5 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS A standardized self-designed online questionnaire was used to perform this crosssectional survey. Before commencing with the study, the institutional review board reviewed and approved it. A panel of specialists created the questionnaire and consent form, which were then evaluated by parents to determine its face validity. A parent or caretaker then completed the questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS Parents’ knowledge, attitude, and perspective towards the oral hygiene of their children during the pandemic were very good and parents took proper home measures to tackle their oral health problems. KEY WORDS COVID-19, Oral Health, Child, Parents, Oral Hygiene
Clinicopathological Characteristics of Colorectal Carcinoma in Adults and Demonstration of Microsatellite Instability
Authors: Longkumar Sungjemla , A. R. Seena
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity from cancer. The risk group ranges from 69-79 years and the mean age being 62 years. This study was done to assess and compare the clinicopathological characteristics of colorectal carcinoma in adults above and below 50 years and also study the expression of MLH1 for demonstration of microsatellite instability in colorectal carcinoma. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the Government Medical College, Trivandrum, Kerala, after obtaining ethical committee clearance (IEC.15/18/2017/MCT dt 19/12/2017). All cases of colorectal carcinomas that had surgical resection and the specimen brought to the Pathology department were included in the study. Carcinomas which were secondary deposits from elsewhere were excluded. Sample size was 61 calculated using the formula n=4pq/d2. Study variables included age, site, histology type, stage, differentiation, lymphatic and vascular spread and lymphocyte infiltration were recorded. Routine H&E sections were used to observe the morphology, invasion, grade, and stage of the tumours. Then MSI was detected using MLH I. Clinical details were collected from the patients and medical records. Data were entered in excel sheets. categorical variables are expressed as proportions and quantitative variables are expressed as mean and standard deviation. Chi square test was used as the test of significance for categorical variables. RESULTS Clinicopathological features of 61 cases were studied and the mean age was 61 years. Most cases were left-sided cancer with moderately differentiated classical adenocarcinoma being the most common histopathological subtype. Individuals less than 50 years presented with adenocarcinoma with mucinous and signet ring cell morphology and with poor differentiation. 67.2 % had no lymphovascular invasion. The majority of the cases were positive for MLH1. The cases which showed negativity for MLH1 were cases with mucinous differentiation or signet ring cell type and were predominantly moderate to poorly differentiated and this relation was found to be significant. CONCLUSIONS The study concludes that the majority of CRC occurred in individuals between 61 - 70 years of age, they were left-sided moderately differentiated adenocarcinomas with stage IIB disease, most were negative for lymphovascular invasion and tumour infiltrating lymphocytes. Younger patients had a higher percentage of mucinous and signet-ring cell histology. 78.7 % were positive for MLH1. KEY WORDS Colorectal carcinoma, MLH1, Microsatellite instability
Hysterical Visual Loss and Malingering - Diagnostic Dilemma for an Ophthalmologist
Authors: Sharma Deepak Kumar , Thakur Pankaj Kumar , Chauhan Anubhav , Wapa Anchit , Rajput Gian Chand
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND Attenuation of vision may be due to underlying organic condition or due to functional visual disorder or malingering if secondary gain is associated. Causes of pathological vision loss include advanced primary open angle glaucoma, hereditary macular dystrophies and optic neuropathies. Problem in establishing diagnosis is faced where superimposition of organic and functional visual loss is there. Distinction between functional visual loss and pathological visual loss is made by thorough and careful examination of the patient by applying basic rules and tools of ophthalmology in which examining surgeon is well versed, but patient is unaware. During routine practice, every ophthalmologist encounters patients with nonorganic vision loss. The purpose of the article is to demonstrate how to distinguish between normal visual function without missing any organic visual loss. Examination of such patients requires number of tests including baseline visual acuity, pupillary reactions, slit lamp examination of anterior segment, fundus examination, visual field analysis, optical coherence tomography, visual evoked potential and electroretinography. By proving integrity and functioning of visual system, diagnosis of functional visual loss can be confirmed. Once the conclusive diagnosis is established, it is to be revealed with caution to the patient/patient’s attendant as it can lead to medico legal issues. Here, we present series of cases who presented to us in a tertiary care center of North India during a period of six months in the year of 2019 where case 1 and case 2 presented with decreased vision due to underlying pathological condition, case 3 presented with reduced vision due to functional visual disorder. Case 4, 5 and 6 provided decisive evidence of malingering. KEY WORDS Fogging, Hysterical Visual Loss, Malingering, Menace Reflex, Optokinetic Nystagmus.
Egy műhelyvita tanulságai – javaslatok kkv-politikánk továbbépítéséhez
Authors: Román Zoltán
Published: September 2021

Az OECD „A társadalmak haladásának mérése és elősegítése" címmel 2007. június 27-30-án Isztambulban rendezett II. világfórumának (130 országból 1200 résztvevővel!) jó ideig nem volt visszhangja nálunk. Az MTI hírt sem adott róla, a hazai média nem is említette, pedig két fő „üzenete" nekünk is szólt, és szól ma a korábbinál is nagyobb nyomatékkal. Az első üzenet arra hívta fel a figyelmet, hogy a gazdasági növekedés, és ennek alapjaként a versenyképesség kiemelt cél, de eszközeinek, útjainak megválasztásánál sosem mellőzhetjük társadalmi, szoc;iális hatásainak vizsgálatát, gyakori kedvezőtlen jelenségeinek mérséklését. Másik üzenete: adjon a statisztika és a gazdaságkutatás a társadalmi haladásról és a gazdaságról átfogóbb és reálisabb jelzéseket, s ezeket a szakpolitika és a civil társadalom jobban ismerje, értse és hasznos(tsa. Miután Központi Statisztikai Hivatalunk a 2212/2007. (XI. 14.) kormányhatározattal megbízást kapott a társadalmi haladás hazai indikátorrendszerének kidolgozására, ezt társadalmi vitára bocsátása után hamarosan közzé is teszi.
Association of polymorphic loci of susceptibility to diabetes mellitus type 2 in various ethnic groups of the Russian Federation
Authors: Avzaletdinova D. S. , Morugova T. V. , Sharipova L. F. , Kochetova O. V.
Published: September 2021

The multifactorial nature of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) was confirmed by numerous researches. The first investigations devoted to molecular-genetic mechanisms of T2D were carried out on the basis of linkage disequilibrium (LD) studying and later the candidate genes of T2D have begun investigated. We have analyzed the literature data including the case-control studies in populations of Russia. There were revealed 33 genes and 65 polymorphic markers in the analyzed works. The analysis of association of T2D in the ethnic groups of Russian Federation was carried out on following genes: ABCC8, ADIPOQ, ADIPOR1, ADIPOR2, C2CD4A/C2CD4A, CDKAL1, ­CDKN2A/2B, CCL11, CCL20, CCL5, CYBA, FABP2, FTO, GCLC, GPX2, GSTP1, GSTT1, HHEX/IDE, IGF2BP2, IRS1, KCNJ11, KCNQ1, LPL, LRP5, MC4R, PPARG, SLC2A2, SLC30A8, SLC30A8, TCF7L2, TMEM18, WFS1, ZFAND6. The major of studies are replicative, i.e. repeating previous investigations of foreign authors, and were performed on Russian, Tatar and Yakut populations. At the same time not all the loci of genetic susceptibility have demonstrated the association with T2D in the population of Russia. In this work the systematic review of studies of molecular-genetic markers of T2D in the ethnic groups of Russian Federation was made for the first time.
The hemostatic parameters in pregnant women with different types of diabetes mellitus
Authors: Kapustin R. V. , Kopteeva E. V. , Arzhanova O. N. , Tiselko A. V. , Androsova N. Е. , Oparina T. I.
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in pregnancy is on the rise. Despite that gestational hypercoagulability is a physiological condition, diabetic pregnancy is associated with a high risk of venous thromboembolic complications (VTEC). There are many surveys related to the hemostatic parameters in non-pregnant women, but studies in pregnant women are not enough.

AIMS: To assess the coagulation and vascular-platelet hemostasis parameters in pregnant women with various types of diabetes mellitus, taking into account its correction method. The data were compared with these indicators in women with preeclampsia and healthy pregnant women at the same gestational age.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational, single-center, retrospective cohort study was carried out at D.O. Ott ­Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Medicine. The study included 1994 pregnant women who presented several groups taking into account the type of DM and its correction method, a group of women with preeclampsia (PE), and healthy women. The analysis of clinical data was carried out at 28–32 gestational weeks from 2012 to 2017. The study’s primary endpoint was taken as indicators of fibrinogen content, prothrombin index, thrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and international normalized ratio (INR) antithrombin III, D-dimer, von Willebrand factor, and fibronectin. Additionally, the incidence of VTEC during pregnancy and within six weeks after delivery, gestational arterial hypertension, preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, premature birth, and stillbirth cases was assessed.

RESULTS: in pregnant women with various types of diabetes mellitus and preeclampsia, a state of pathological hypercoagulation was observed compared to the control group. These changes were characterized by an increase and activation of the following blood parameters: fibrinogen, the degree and rate of platelet aggregation, D-dimer, homocysteine, von Willebrand factor, and fibronectin. At the same time, the content of antithrombin III was significantly reduced in patients with DM. Correlation analysis established a direct relationship between the range of the studied factors with the degree of glycemic control and the frequency of obstetric complications.

CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes mellitus in pregnancy is associated with a hypercoagulation condition and overexpression in the synthesis of endothelial dysfunction markers. Moreover, the severity of these processes depends on the type of DM and the severity of metabolic disorders. In diabetic pregnancy, exceptional attention to coagulation indicators, regular monitoring, and preventive treatment is required in order to improve the perinatal outcomes.
Time in range is a tool for assessing the quality of glycemic control in diabetes
Authors: Suplotova L. A. , Sudnitsyna A. S. , Romanova N. V. , Shestakova M. V.
Published: September 2021

The presence of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems has expanded diagnostic capabilities. The implementation of this technology into clinical practice allowed to determine the patterns and tendencies of excursions in glucose levels, to obtain reliable data concerning short-term glycemic control. Taking into consideration the large amount of obtained information using CGM systems, more than 30 different indicators characterizing glycemic variability were proposed. However, it is very difficult for a practitioner to interpret the data obtained due to the variety of indicators and the lack of their target values. The first step in the standardization of indices was the creation of the International Guidelines for CGM in 2017, where the Time in Range (TIR) (3,9–10,0 mmol/l, less often 3,9–7,8 mmol/l) was significant. To complement the agreed parameters and simplify the interpretation of obtained data using CGM, in 2019 the recommendations were prepared for the International Consensus on Time in Range, where TIR was validated as an additional component of the assessment of glycemic control along with HbA1c. In the literature review the issues of the association of TIR with the development of micro- and macrovascular complications in type 1 and 2 diabetes are considered. The relationship with other indicators of the glycemic control assessment was also analyzed and the dependence of insulin therapy on TIR was shown. TIR is a simple and convenient indicator, it has a proven link with micro- and macrovascular complications of diabetes and can be recommended as a new tool for assessing the glycemic control. The main disadvantage of TIR usage is the insufficient apply of CGM technology by the majority of patients with diabetes.
Prevalence of carbohydrate metabolism disorders in patients with new coronavirus infection
Authors: Markova T. N. , Lysenko M. A. , Ivanova A. A. , Pavlova E. S. , Ponomareva A. A. , Chibisova V. V. , Isaev T. K. , Sinyavkin D. O. , Mkrtumyan A. M.
Published: September 2021

BACKGRAUND: There is evidence of a multifactorial effect of SARS-CoV2 on carbohydrate metabolism with the development of hyperglycemia and the weighting of COVID19 even in people without DM.

AIMS: Assess the prevalence of disorders carbohydrate metabolism (DCM) in hospitalized patients with a new coronavirus infection without a history of DM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with PCR-confirmed diagnosis of COVID19 aged 18-75 years (n=72) without a history of diabetes were examined. Observation was carried out from the moment of hospitalization to discharge. Patients were collected anamnesis data, laboratory and instrumental studies, HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial glycemia.

RESULTS: The prevalence of DCM (HbA1c≥6%) in 72 patients with COVID19 without a history of diabetes admitted to the hospital was 41,7%, while HbA1c ≥6,5% had 8,3%. The median HbA1c in the moderate-flow group was 5,7% [5,3–6,0], and in the severe-flow group it was 6,0% [5,8–6,2] (p=0,008). Participants were divided into groups according to the level of HbA1c≥6% and < 6%. The examined patients showed a high prevalence of risk factors for developing DM: age over 45 years — 83,3%, cardiovascular diseases — 46,3%, obesity — 50%. The study groups didn’t differ statistically in terms of risk factors for DM. In the group with HbA1c≥6%, FPG≥6,1 mmol / l on the second day and postprandial glycemia ≥7,8 mmol/l were observed in more cases than in the group with HbA1c<6% (39,1% vs 12,9%, p=0,051 and 47,8% vs 3,2%, p=0,0001, respectively). The prevalence of DCM in HbA1c was higher than in FPG (41,7% vs 29,2%, p=0,006). On the seventh day, the number of patients with FPG ≥ 6,1 mmol / l in the first group decreased from 39,1% to 4,4% (p=0,01), and in the second group-from 12,9% to 9,7% (p=1,0). There was a direct correlation between the level of HbA1c and C-reactive protein (r=0,271; p=0,048), and an inverse correlation with the content of lymphocytes in the blood (r=-0,25; p=0,068).

CONCLUSIONS: In patients with a new coronavirus infection without a history of DM, a high prevalence of DCM was detected — 41,7%. Against the background of comparability of the studied groups by risk factors for DM, an increase in HbA1c, FPG and postprandial glycemia is a manifestation of transient hyperglycemia. Given the high prevalence of DCM, it can be assumed that SARS-CoV2 has diabetogenic properties.
Clinical characteristics of patients with COVID-19 depending on the treatment received and the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Lobanova K. G. , Demidova T. Y. , Perekhodov S. N. , Antsiferov M. B.
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an independent risk factor for adverse clinical outcomes in patients with Covid-19. There is currently insufficient data evaluating the efficacy and safety of drugs for the treatment of COVID-19, especially in patients with T2DM.

AIM. The aim of study was to identify an associative relationship between the drugs used and the clinical outcomes of patients with Covid-19 and T2DM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS. A retrospective analysis of the clinical outcomes of 1753 patients with COVID-19 who were hospitalized to the redesignated departments of multidisciplinary city clinical hospital in the period from 23.03.2020 to 01.06.2020.

RESULTS. The total number of patients is 1,753, of which 311 (17.7%) are patients with DM2. 92.6% of patients received treatment for COVID-19. At the same time, 91.4% of patients received antibiotics (a/b), 61.5% — bronchodilators, 56.6% — injectable anticoagulants (a/c), 45.2% — hydroxychloroquine, 6.3% — antiviral drugs, 5.4% — oral a/c, 4.6% — glucocorticosteroids (GCS), 1.9% — Tocilizumab.

Decrease of risk of death among patients with COVID-19 was as the therapy of a/b (OR 0.07, 95% CI 0.05–0.11, p<0.05), bronchodilators (OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.08–0.18, p<0.05) and injection a/c (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.34–0.67, p<0.05). At the same time, among patients with DM2, compared with patients without DM2, there was a more pronounced reduction in the risk of death during injectable a/c therapy: among patients with DM2, the risk of death decreased by 2.6 times (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.21–0.73, p<0.05), among patients without DM2 — by 2.1 times (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.31–0.71, p<0.05). Antiviral drugs was associated with an increased chance of death among patients without DM2 (OR 2.64, 95% CI 1.44–4.86, p<0.05) and among patients with DM2 (OR 4.98, 95% CI 2.11–11.75, p<0.05).

CONCLUSION. A significant decrease of the risk of death among patients with COVID-19 was as the therapy of a/b, bronchodilators, and injectable a/c. An increase of the risk of death was observed during therapy with antiviral drugs.
Oral semaglutide: the innovation in type 2 diabetes management
Authors: Shestakova M. V. , Shamkhalova M. Sh. , Galstyan G. R. , Ruyatkina L. A. , Suplotova L. A.
Published: September 2021

Oral semaglutide is the first-in-class glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist available in the form of pills administered per os. PIONEER — the clinical trial program assessing the efficacy and safety of oral semaglutide — demonstrated the dose-­dependent efficacy of the drug: the reduction of up to -1,4% in terms of glucose-lowering effects and the decrease of up to 5 kg in terms of weight loss. Moreover, oral semaglutide is superior in this regard compared to empagliflozin 25 mg, liraglutide 1,8 mg and sitagliptin 100 mg according to the dedicated trials of clinical program. From the cardiovascular perspective oral semaglutide has been proven to be safe. Therapeutic concentration of semaglutide in oral form is reached under ­several conditions: taking tablets on a daily basis in a fasting state with up to half a glass of water and waiting 30 minutes before drinking, eating, or taking other drugs. Most frequent adverse events were GLP-1 associated gastrointestinal reactions (­nausea, vomiting and diarrhea), most of the events were transient and occurred generally during dose escalation.
Attitude towards Immigrants in Russia: Regional Aspect
Authors:   National Research University Higher School of Economics, Demidova Olga
Published: September 2021

The paper examines the issues related to the identifying factors that influence the attitude of Russian people towards immigrants. As such factors, we selected the individual characteristics of the respondents (gender, age, educational level, marital status, income level, etc.), as well as indicators characterizing the respondent’s place of residence (region, type of settlement) and the economic situation in the corresponding region. (gross regional product per capita, unemployment rate, share of industries in which migrants are most employed, etc.). The analysis was based on the data of the 7th World Value Survey for Russia in 2017, containing information on 1,810 respondents from 61 Russian regions. With the help of linear regression models and geographically weighted regression was shown that the best attitude towards immigrants demonstrated young people and older generation, respondents with higher education and with average or high-income level. However, attitudes towards immigrants are varying sufficiently and greatly depend on the place of residence. The best attitude towards immigrants demonstrate residents of non-capital cities, as well as residents of the Samara and Saratov regions, the worst – residents of the most poor and most rich regions.Attitude towards immigrants is also improving with an increase in the share of construction and trade in the economy of the region (these industries employ the most immigrants). Local residents are gradually getting used to immigrants, the higher the proportion of migrants who came from abroad, the better the residents of the respective region relate to immigrants
Fishing Fleet Development Program: Expectations аnd Realities
Authors:   Kaliningrad State Technical University, Klippenshtein Elena , Morozova Yulia ,   Kamchatka State Technical University, Shulikov Aleksey ,   Kamchatka State Technical University
Published: September 2021

The review is devoted to the analysis of expert opinions on the interim results of the implementation of the program ‘Development of the fisheries complex’. The high rate of reduction of the fishing fleet, the increasing risks of a lack of production capacity and restrictions on the increase in the volume of production of aquatic biological resources, the low degree of processing of catches on ships and the lack of innovations in the fisheries complex were prerequisites for the development of the Federal Program ‘Development of the Fisheries Complex’, adopted in 2014. It was supposed to solve a number of tasks that ensure the departure from the raw material orientation of exports by stimulating the production of products with a high share of added value through the development of the scientific and technical potential of the fisheries complex. Its implementation has indeed contributed to a sharp increase in investment in the modernization of the existing fishing fleet and in the construction of new vessels due to the change in the principle of quota allocation. However, the analysis of the implementation of investment projects shows a steady lag behind the deadlines for putting new ships into operation, which leads to negative financial consequences for investor companies. Due to the late commissioning of fishing vessels, investor companies are unable to catch products and meet their financial obligations to financial institutions in a timely manner. The change in the historical principle of quota allocation and the introduction of a new ‘keel quota’ mechanism, deprives fishing enterprises of a certain part of the potential income with which these enterprises intended to cover previously made investments in the modernization and re-equipment of the fleet and coastal processing. It can be stated that at present this program supports only the shipbuilding complex, ignoring the financial interests of both fishing and fish processing enterprises. The author’s position is based on the fact that it is necessary to carry out not only the modernization and renewal of the fleet, but also to develop technologies for deep and waste-free processing of extracted aquatic bioresources within the framework of existing food programs. In terms of organizing the processing of waste generated during the extraction of aquatic bioresources, it is necessary to adjust the program ‘Development of the fisheries complex’
Relationship Between Employee Engagement and Innovative Behavior: Empirical Study of PT Bank BRI Syariah Tbk in DKI Jakarta, West Java, and Banten
Authors: Izzatuddin Syahid , Kusumastuti Retno
Published: September 2021

The innovative behavior of employee is one of the important triggers in the production of company innovation. Employee engagement is an important factor in encouraging employees to behave innovatively. This study focuses on the relationship between employee engagement and innovative behavior of Bank BRI Syariah employees in the provinces of DKI Jakarta, West Java and Banten. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between employee engagement and innovative behavior. This study used a quantitative research approach with data collection techniques through online questionnaire. The sample in this study were 98 permanent employees of Bank BRI Syariah from various areas of responsibility within the provinces of DKI Jakarta, West Java, and Banten. This study used several data analysis techniques, namely the reliability and validity of the questionnaire, descriptive analysis, and the coefficient of correlation test between variables. The results showed a positive and significant relationship between employee engagement and innovative behavior. This study recommends that companies pay more attention to the level of their employee engagement as it has a positive relationship with innovative behavior of the employees, which in turn can increase the company’s innovation potential.
Effect of Rhizophagus intraradices on growth and physiological performance of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana L.) under drought stress
Authors: Tyagi Jaagriti , Shrivastava Neeraj , Sharma AK , Varma Ajit , Pudake Ramesh
Published: September 2021

Under abiotic stress conditions, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi help plants by improving nutrient and water uptake. Finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) is an arid crop having soils with poor water holding capacity. Therefore, it is difficult for the plants to obtain water and mineral nutrients from such soil to sustain life. To understand the role of mycorrhizal symbiosis in water and mineral up-take from the soil, we studied the role of Rhizophagus intraradices colonization and its beneficial role for drought stress tolerance in finger millet seedlings. Under severe drought stress condition, AM inoculation led to the significant increase in plant growth (7 %), phosphorus and chlorophyll content (29 %). Also, under drought stress the level of osmolytes such as proline and soluble sugars were found to be increased in AM inoculated seedlings. Under water stress, the lipid peroxidation in leaves of mycorrhized seedlings was reduced by 29 %. The flavonoid content of roots in AM colonized seedlings was found 16 % higher compared to the control, whereas the leaves were accumulated more phenol. Compared to the control, ascorbate level was found to be 25 % higher in leaf tissue of AM inoculated seedlings. Moreover, glutathione (GSH) level was also increased in mycorrhiza inoculated seedlings with a maximum increment of 182 % under severe stress. The results demonstrated that AM provided drought tolerance to the finger millet seedlings through a stronger root system, greater photosynthetic efficiency, a more efficient antioxidant system and improved osmoregulation.
Pyrenocarpous lichens in Goa with five new records to India
Authors: Randive Pallavi , Mishra Gaurav Kumar , Nayaka Sanjeeva , Upreti Dalip Kumar , Janarthanam M.K.
Published: September 2021

The pyrenocarpous lichens are the one which produces perithecial ascocarps. They are one of the prominent groups of lichens in tropical forests. Frequent incidence of pyrenocarpous taxa in lichen biota of Goa prompted us to take up the exclusive study of this group in the State. The study revealed the occurrence of 79 species belonging to 15 genera and seven families. The family Pyrenulaceae had the maximum number of 23 species, while 20 belonged to the family Porinaceae. In comparison to North Goa, South Goa is fairly well explored for lichens representing 71 species from 11 localities. The following five species are reported as new to India — Porina exserta, P. siamensis, Pyrenula dissimulans, P. pyrenastrospora and P. rinodinospora. With the addition of five new records, the Goa State now represents 165 species of lichens, out of which 48% is represented by pyrenocarpous lichens. The present study will be useful for monographic studies on pyrenocarpous lichens and for environmental monitoring studies in the area, as this can be considered as a key indicator species.
Critical comments to the bill on protection of the rights of purchasers of residential premises or single-family houses and on the Developer Guarantee Fund
Authors: Szulc Piotr
Published: September 2021

The article presents reflections on the bill on the protection of the rights of a purchaser of residential premises or a single-family house and on the Developer Guarantee Fund, Parliamentary printed matter no. 985. According to the bill drafter, the proposed changes are a response to “bankruptcies of property developer businesses and related financial losses of those who have purchased residential premises or houses through these businesses”. A number of provisions of the Act, the structure of which remains unclear, give rise to numerous interpretation disputes and significantly undermine the certainty of legal dealings. Firstly, there is no regulation regarding the supervision of the developer guarantee fund and its legal status. The regulation regarding the developer guarantee fund is scarce compared to that of the Bank Guarantee Fund, thus leaving significant room for abuse. Secondly, the bill is significantly defective in its lacking any method for calculating the contribution depending on the level of risk of a given developer going bankrupt. All entities are to be subject to the same contribution.
Evaluation of methods for feasible parameter set estimation of Takagi-Sugeno models for nonlinear regression with bounded errors
Authors: Wittich Felix , Kroll Andreas
Published: September 2021

In data-driven modeling besides the point estimate of the model parameters, an estimation of the parameter uncertainty is of great interest. For this, bounded error parameter estimation methods can be used. These are particularly interesting for problems where the stochastical properties of the random effects are unknown and cannot be determined. In this paper, different methods for obtaining a feasible parameter set are evaluated for the use with Takagi-Sugeno models. Case studies with simulated data and with measured data from a manufacturing process are presented.
Evaluierung von Merkmalen zur Abbildung von Veränderungen in ungeordneten Bilddaten
Authors: Münke Friedrich R. , Schilling Marcel P. , Mikut Ralf , Reischl Markus
Published: September 2021

Durch das Aufkommen von kostengünstigen und mobilen Kameras ist es möglich, einfach und flächendeckend ungeordnete Bilddaten in großem Umfang zu erheben. Dadurch können Veränderungen von Gebieten bzw. Objekten aufgezeichnet werden. Die Abbildung von objektbezogenen Veränderungen in aufgezeichneten Bildaufnahmen ist jedoch eine Herausforderung, da diese von externen oder szenischen Veränderungen überlagert werden können. Insbesondere der Umgang mit stark variierenden Blickwinkeln ist eine aktuelle Forschungsfrage. In dieser Arbeit wird ein allgemeines Vorgehen zur Repräsentation von Objektveränderungen vorgestellt. Es wird ein Datensatz eingeführt, um den Ansatz auf Realdaten zu evaluieren. In diesem Zusammenhang werden unterschiedliche Konfigurationen getestet und im Nachgang Empfehlungen für eine effektive Parametrierung herausgearbeitet. Im Anschluss wird als Anwendung eine Klassifikation von Objektzuständen vorgestellt.
Ovarian cancer diagnosis using pretrained mask CNN-based segmentation with VGG-19 architecture
Authors: Senthil Kavitha , Vidyaathulasiraman
Published: September 2021

Objectives

This paper proposed the neural network-based segmentation model using Pre-trained Mask Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) with VGG-19 architecture. Since ovarian is very tiny tissue, it needs to be segmented with higher accuracy from the annotated image of ovary images collected in dataset. This model is proposed to predict and suppress the illness early and to correctly diagnose it, helping the doctor save the patient's life.

Methods

The paper uses the neural network based segmentation using Pre-trained Mask CNN integrated with VGG-19 NN architecture for CNN to enhance the ovarian cancer prediction and diagnosis.

Results

Proposed segmentation using hybrid neural network of CNN will provide higher accuracy when compared with logistic regression, Gaussian naïve Bayes, and random Forest and Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifiers.
Clinical significance of activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling in apoptosis inhibition of oral cancer
Authors: Wang Yufeng , Cao Zheng , Liu Fengjia , Ou Yuejian
Published: September 2021

Wnt/β‐catenin signaling is an evolutionarily conserved pathway and plays a crucial role in regulating cancer cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. However, the molecular mechanism behind the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling-mediated carcinogenesis and apoptosis resistance in oral squamous cell carcinoma is not well characterized so far. In the present study, we have investigated the effect of β‐catenin depletion of the perversely activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway on apoptosis resistance and tumorigenesis of the human OSCC cell line SCC-55. RT-PCR and western blot analysis demonstrated that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and its downstream targets such as DKK1 and AXIN2 are aberrantly activated in SCC-55 cells. Furthermore, upon silencing (RNA interference) of β‐catenin in SCC-55, cells became more sensitive toward the chemotherapeutic drugs and thus resulted in apoptotic cell death. Meanwhile, flow cytometry analysis confirmed the enhanced apoptosis and activation of caspases in β‐catenin RNAi cells. Besides ensuing β-catenin–siRNA transfection, the cell proliferation and cancer colony generating efficiencies are significantly impeded compared to the non-transfected cells. Furthermore, the tumorigenicity was inhibited by the downregulation of OCT-4 in β‐catenin-silenced SCC-55 cells. Altogether, Wnt/β‐catenin signaling could potentially target anti-cancer drugs to induce apoptosis and achieve a better clinical outcome.
Triaxial creep tests of glacitectonically disturbed stiff clay – structural, strength, and slope stability aspects
Authors: Kaczmarek Łukasz , Dobak Paweł , Szczepański Tomasz , Kiełbasiński Kamil
Published: September 2021

This study concerns the creep impact on strength parameters of the selected very cohesive soils (PI = 30–70%). The analysis refers to Neogene clays characterized by a complex structure, resulting directly from a complicated load history in the geological time scale and identified glacitectonic deformations. In the process of samples’ preparation for strength tests as well as during the interpretation of the post-failure state, particular attention was paid to the soil structure. The imaging methods (X-ray densitometry and computer microtomography) enabled the comparison of the soil structure and the selection of samples with similar characteristics. The completed program of strength tests consisted of two series of tests in the triaxial stress state, differentiated by the occurrence of the initial creep stage, preceding the typical strength test scheme under undrained conditions. This study allowed to obtain a quantitative assessment of the influence of the creep process on the strength parameters of tested soils. Constant stress lower than 60% of the shear stress deviator leads to the deceleration creep course (m parameter 0.64–0.89). As a result, higher values of internal friction angle (20% increase comparing to triaxial tests without creep stage) and cohesion reduction are obtained from triaxial creep tests. Creep parameter m is found to be a valuable indicator for differentiation of landslide activity trend. The tests proved low values of axial strains (1–5%) at failure, which was associated with lithogenesis. By the implementation of obtained strength parameters into the 3D finite element model of the slope, the potential influence of the creep process on the stability of an exemplary cross section of the Warsaw slope could be determined.
Rückzug aus Kalkül. Das Palastkaisertum im Weströmischen Reich unter Honorius
Authors: Maier Felix K.
Published: September 2021

Im Jahr 395 wurde der zehnjährige Honorius Kaiser des Weströmischen Reiches. Honorius verbrachte die meiste Zeit seiner Herrschaft zurückgezogen im Palast und überließ seinen Heermeistern die Kommandogewalt bei militärischen Operationen. In der Forschung hat man die Regierungsphase des Honorius oft als Symptom für einen Niedergang angesehen. Das neu entstandene Palastkaisertum habe den Machtkämpfen am Hof und innerhalb des Reiches Vorschub geleistet und die Zentralgewalt sukzessive ausgehöhlt, so dass Rom – vor allem im Westen – den Bedrohungen an der Reichsgrenze schutzlos ausgeliefert gewesen sei. Die vorliegende Studie wendet sich gegen eine solche Sichtweise und argumentiert stattdessen, dass das Palastkaisertum des Honorius nicht dem jungen Alter des Kaisers geschuldet war und auch nicht den Niedergang des Weströmischen Reiches einläutete; das vermeintlich ,passive‘ Regieren stellte vielmehr eine adäquate Reaktion auf die komplexen außen- und innenpolitischen Herausforderungen der Zeit dar und trug zu einer Stabilisierung der Verhältnisse bei. Die Konsolidierung der Zentralgewalt erfolgte nicht über herkömmliche, traditionelle und geradezu stereotype Manifestationen von Macht, sondern durch die Kombination aus scheinbar diskreditierenden Faktoren und paradox anmutender Entwicklungen.
The complex relationship between physical activity and diabetes: an overview
Authors: Palermi Stefano , Iacono Olimpia , Sirico Felice , Modestino Michele , Ruosi Carlo , Spera Rocco , De Luca Mariarosaria
Published: September 2021

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a widespread condition, representing a challenging disease to manage. Exercise is being increasingly recommended as part of the therapeutic regimen for DM but the management of different forms of physical activity is difficult for individuals with diabetes, trainers, and physicians. Regular exercise can improve health and well-being, helping individuals to achieve their target lipid profile, body composition, cardio-respiratory fitness, and glycemic goals. People with diabetes tend to be as inactive as the general population, with a large percentage of individuals not achieving the minimum amount of recommended physical activity levels. Indeed, several barriers to exercise exist for persons with diabetes, including sports eligibility, multi-modality management of diabetic athletes, and inadequate knowledge about adequate type and intensity of exercise. The aim of the present review is to provide the current understanding of mechanisms, recommendations, and beneficial effects of different modalities of exercise for the treatment of DM.
The word as a unit of internal predictability
Authors: Mansfield John
Published: September 2021

A long-standing problem in linguistics is how to defineword. Recent research has focused on the incompatibility of diverse definitions, and the challenge of finding a definition that is crosslinguistically applicable. In this study I take a different approach, asking whether one structure is more word-like than another based on the concepts of predictability and information. I hypothesize that word constructions tend to be more “internally predictable” than phrase constructions, where internal predictability is the degree to which the entropy of one constructional element is reduced by mutual information with another element. I illustrate the method with case studies of complex verbs in German and Murrinhpatha, comparing verbs with selectionally restricted elements against those built from free elements. I propose that this method identifies an important mathematical property of many word-like structures, though I do not expect that it will solve all the problems of wordhood.
Downregulation of RAB7 and Caveolin-1 increases MMP-2 activity in renal tubular epithelial cells under hypoxic conditions
Authors: Yu Wenmin , Ke Xiumei , Li Meiren , Ye Ping , Peng Jing , Li Huimin
Published: September 2021

Tubulointerstitial fibrosis leads to tubular basement membrane thickening and accumulation of interstitial extracellular matrix (ECM). Matrix metallopeptidase-2 (MMP-2) is involved in the breakdown of ECM. Chronic hypoxia often occurs in the kidney tissues of patients with chronic kidney disease. Our previous study reported the effect of autophagy and endocytosis on MMP-2 activity in hypoxia-treated HK-2 cells. In this study, the relationship between the Ras-related protein Rab-7a (RAB7) and MMP-2 activity was further investigated. RAB7 overexpression decreased MMP-2 activity. In contrast, the results for RAB7 knockdown displayed the opposite pattern. Short hairpin RNA technology was used to knockdown Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) or Beclin-1 (Bec-1) in HK-2 cells. The two genes displayed differential effects on MMP-2 activity. Cav-1 and RAB7 interference increased MMP-2 activity. This study suggested that autophagy and endocytosis, RAB7, Cav-1, and Bec-1 may serve as potential mediators for altered MMP-2 activity.
GJA1 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression by mediating TGF-β-induced activation and the epithelial–mesenchymal transition of hepatic stellate cells
Authors: Niu Gengming , Zhang Xiaotian , Hong Runqi , Yang Ximin , Gu Jiawei , Song Tao , Hu Zhiqing , Chen Liang , Wang Xin , Xia Jie , Ke Zhongwei , Ren Jun , Hong Liang
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Gap junction protein, alpha 1 (GJA1), which is correlated with recurrences and unfavorable prognoses in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), is one of the specific proteins expressed by activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).

Methods

Expression of GJA1 was compared between HCCs and nontumor tissues (NTs), between hepatic cirrhosis and NTs, and between primary and metastatic HCCs using transcriptomic datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus and the Integrative Molecular Database of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. The in vitro activities of GJA1 were investigated in cultured HSCs and HCC cells. The underlying mechanism was characterized using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis and validated by western blotting.

Results

The expression of GJA1 was significantly increased in HCCs and hepatic cirrhosis compared to that in NTs. GJA1 was also overexpressed in pulmonary metastases from HCCs when compared with HCCs without metastasis. Overexpression of GJA1 promoted while knockdown of GJA1 inhibited proliferation and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β-mediated activation and migration of cultured HSCs. Overexpression of GJA1 by lentivirus infection promoted proliferation and migration, while conditioned medium from HSCs overexpressing GJA1 promoted migration but inhibited proliferation of Hep3B and PLC-PRF-5 cells. Lentivirus infection with shGJA1 or conditioned medium from shGJA1-infected HSCs inhibited the proliferation and migration of HCCLM3 cells that had a high propensity toward lung metastasis. Mechanistically, GJA1 induced the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in HSCs and HCCLM3 cells.

Conclusion

GJA1 promoted HCC progression by inducing HSC activation and the EMT in HSCs. GJA1 is potentially regulated by TGF-β and thus may be a therapeutic target to inhibit HCC progression.
Does context matter? European-specific risk factors for radicalization
Authors: Wolfowicz Michael , Weisburd David , Hasisi Badi
Published: September 2021

In this study we sought to identify whether risk and protective factors for radicalization can be classed as ‘universal’ factors or whether they have heterogeneous cross-regional effects. Specifically, we sought to identify whether there were factors which displayed significantly different effects in European contexts compared to other democratic countries. We conduct a confirmatory meta-analysis based on a recent Campbell Collaboration systematic review and meta-analysis (Wolfowicz, Litmanovitz, Weisburd and Hasisi, 2021). Studies were classified as being from either EU or non-EU countries and moderator analysis was used to identify between-region heterogeneity. The analysis was possible for 23 factors pertaining to radical attitudes, 13 pertaining to radical intentions and 4 for radical behaviours. For radical attitudes, the estimates for European studies were significantly larger for Gender, Socio-economic status, and Parental involvement, whereas the estimates for Religiosity, Institutional trust, Integration, and Moral neutralizations were significantly smaller compared to other democratic countries in other regions. For radical intentions, the estimates for Self-esteem was significantly larger for European studies. For radical behaviours, the estimate for Unemployment was significantly larger for European studies than for democratic countries in other regions. Overall, most risk and protective factors for radicalization appear to have ‘universal’ effects across democratic countries, but there are some factors that may be more relevant for targeting by counter-radicalization in certain contexts. Although European counter-radicalization has often focused on factors such as integration and institutional trust, these factors have relatively small relationships with radicalization, and these relationships are even smaller in the European context compared to democratic countries in other regions. The findings suggest that mitigation strategies, and interventions providing employment opportunities in particular, may be well suited to the European context if the goal is to develop locally-oriented approaches to counter-radicalization.
The crystal structure of the cocrystal di-μ2-chlorido-octamethyl-di-μ3-oxido-bis(2,3,4,5-tetrafluorobenzoato-κ2
O,O′)tetratin(IV) ─ octamethyl-di-μ3-oxido-bis(μ2-2,3,4,5-tetrafluorobenzoato-κ2
O:O′)-bis(μ2-2,3,4,5-tetrafluorobenzoato-κ2
O:O;O′)tetratin(IV) C58H54Cl2F24O16Sn8
Authors: Sun Junshan
Published: September 2021

C58H54Cl2F24O16Sn8, triclinic,

P

1
‾

$P‾{1}$

(no. 2), a = 7.609(4) Å, b = 13.938(6) Å, c = 19.190(9) Å, α = 77.599(7)°, β = 89.846(7)°, γ = 79.841(7)°, V = 1955.2(15) Å3, Z = 1, R

gt
(F) = 0.0578, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1660, T = 298 K.