bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automated Segmentation of Articular Disc of the Temporomandibular Joint in Magnetic Resonance Images Using Deep Learning: A Proof-of-Concept Study
Authors: Ito Shota , Mine Yuichi , Yoshimi Yuki , Takeda Saori , Tanaka Akari , Onishi Azusa , Peng Tzu-Yu , Nakamoto Takashi , Nagasaki Toshikazu , Kakimoto Naoya , Murayama Takeshi , Tanimoto Kotaro
Published: May 2021

Temporomandibular disorders are typically accompanied by a number of clinical manifestations that involve pain and dysfunction of the masticatory muscles and temporomandibular joint. The most important subgroup of articular abnormalities in patients with temporomandibular disorders includes patients with different forms of articular disc displacement and deformation. Here, we propose a fully automated articular disc detection and segmentation system to support the diagnosis of temporomandibular disorder on magnetic resonance imaging. This system uses deep learning-based semantic segmentation approaches. Two hundred and seventeen magnetic resonance images obtained from patients with normal or displaced articular discs were used to evaluate three deep learning-based semantic segmentation approaches: our proposed encoder-decoder CNN named 3DiscNet (Detection for Displaced articular DISC using convolutional neural NETwork), U-Net, and SegNet-Basic. Of the three algorithms, 3DiscNet and SegNet-Basic showed comparably good metrics (Dice coefficient, sensitivity, and PPV). This study provides a proof-of-concept for a fully automated segmentation methodology of the articular disc on MR images with deep learning, and obtained promising initial results indicating that it could potentially be used in clinical practice for the assessment of temporomandibular disorders.
Production, Purification, and Characterization of Extracellular Alkaline Protease From Bacillus Firmus Var. Arosia NCIB 10557
Authors: Dias Michele Francisca , Silva Zilpa Silva das Graças da , de Santana Juliana Silva , Pinheiro Irapuan Oliveira , SANTOS ANA CÉLIA OLIVEIRA DOS
Published: May 2021

The most important alkaline proteases from the commercial standpoint are produced by bacteria of the genus Bacillus and used mainly in the formulation of detergents. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the production, partial purification, and characteristics of alkaline protease obtained by Bacillus firmus var. arosia NCIB 10557 in fed-batch fermentation with constant feeding profile and carbon source restriction. Firstly, it was carried out on batch fermentation and after 6.5 h of fermentation, glucose became limiting, and then the fed-batch was started with a flow rate of 0.0802 mL/min. Maximum activity (998.1 U/mL) was reached after 10.5 h of fed-batch, with a subsequent 60.91 % drop in activity after two hours. The purification steps resulted in a 1.65-fold increase in the value of the specific activity. The protease showed optimum activity at 37°C and pH 9 and residual activity above 80 % at pH 11 and 12. Residual activity was greater than 70 % at temperatures ranging from 30 to 70 °C and 90 % of this activity was maintained for 30 minutes at 70 °C until the occurrence of complete inactivation. Enzyme activity was estimated using SDS. The organic solvents Triton X-100, Tween-20, EDTA and β-mercaptoethanol and the ions Zn2+, Fe2+, Cu2+ and Ni2+ partially inhibited the activity of the protease. Ca2+, Mn2+ and Mg2+ had no stimulating action on the enzyme.
Filiform-Fire Needle for Upper Extremity Spastic Paralysis After Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Cao Siqiao , Xia Chen , Chen Shenxu , Yu Xiyi , Yuan Ying , Shu Shi , Zhou Qinghui
Published: May 2021

Background: Filiform-fire-needle（FFN）has been used in clinical treatment of upper extremity spastic paralysis after stroke(UESPAS). This study will evaluate the effect of filiform-fire-needle in the treatment of UESPAS under the background of standardized clinical research, and study the relationship between the efficacy and the course of treatment, so as to provide high-quality evidence-based basis for further clinical treatment and future research design.Methods: A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted to evaluate the clinical efficacy of FFN acupuncture therapy for patients with UESPAS. UESPAS patients were recruited in Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, China and they were randomly divided into FFN acupuncture group (F group), filiform needle acupuncture group (A group) or rehabilitation treatment group (R group). During the 20-day treatment, the same acupoints were taken in A group and F group. F group was treated once every 2 days for a total of 10 times, while A group and R group were treated 8 d in a row and then rest for for 2 days for a total of 16 times. In this study, the primary outcome indicators were modified Ashworth scale (MAS), secondary results including Fugl-Meyer assessment of Upper Extremity Motor Function (FMA-UE), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Barthel index (BI). The above scales were evaluated before treatment, 10 days and 20 days after treatment. The safety was evaluated by self-made acupuncture adverse reaction observation table.Results: A significant difference was observed in MAS, FMA-UE, BI, NIHSS in the three groups from pre- to post treatment. From the evaluation of the changes of MAS, the curative effect of F group was better than the other two groups after 10 days of treatment, and F group was better than the R group on the 20th day, but there was no significant difference among the three groups after follow-up. The the difference of FMA-UE score showed F group was higher than the other two groups after 20 days of treatment and follow-up. The change of BI score in group F was higher than that in group R after 10 days of treatment, and the change of BI score in group F was higher than that in the other two groups after 20 days of treatment and follow-up. No significant change in the score of NIHSS was found in three groups.Conclusions: FFN acupuncture therapy has an advantage in relieving upper limb spasm and improving the activities of daily life of stroke patients in the short term, and in the long term, FFN has advantages in improving the motor ability of spastic limbs and improving the ability of daily life of patients.
Influence of rs1292037 Genetic Variant on miR-21 Gene Expression in Patients with type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Bayat Reza , Salehi Zivar , Dalili Setila , Bahreini Farbod
Published: May 2021

BackgroundMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that play a pivotal role in the central dogma of molecular biology by regulating gene expression. Alterations in the expression pattern of miRNAs are seen to be linked with several human diseases including autoimmune diseases such as pediatric type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the miRNAs coding genes can influence pancreatic development and insulin secretion. We contemplated a relation between miR-21 expression level as well as miR-21 rs1292037 SNP and pediatric T1DM.ResultsThe heterozygous T/C genotype was seen to be more common amongst T1DM patients than amongst controls (OR = 2.74 (1.78-4.27), P<0.0001). The C allele was more frequent in patients than in control subjects (OR = 1.36 (1.03-0.8), P = 0.02). miR-21 expression was seen to be upregulated in patients compared to the controls by more than twofold (p<0.0001). In the study population, miR-21 was found to be significantly upregulated when carrying the T/C genotype. Conclusions﻿We report that the miR-21 rs1292037 variant is related to T1DM. Our study also suggests that the miR-21 expression level is upregulated in T1DM patients compared to the control subjects.
Synthesis and Characterization of Some Benzidine-Based Azomethine Derivatives with Molecular Docking Studies and Anticancer Activities
Authors: Erdoğan Musa , yeşildağ ali , Yıldız Barış , Tüzün Burak , Özden Özkan
Published: May 2021

In this paper, a new benzidine-based azomethine derivate 2 with a proposed new mechanism and its two derivatives 4a-b have been designed, synthesized and characterized by 1H, 13C NMR, FT-IR, and HRMS spectroscopic techniques, and their anticancer properties were investigated. The target compounds 2, 4a-b were obtained with excellent yields (91% and above) by condensation of benzidine (1) with three different aldehyde derivatives (formaldehyde, benzaldehyde 3a or p-nitrobenzaldehyde 3b) in refluxing EtOH. Surprisingly, treatment of benzidine (1) with formaldehyde afforded N4,N4,N4',N4'-tetrakis(ethoxymethyl)-[1,1'-biphenyl]-4,4'-diamine (2). The anticancer properties of these benzidine derivatives 2, 4a-b against two cell lines (MDA-MB-231 human breast adenocarcinoma and DLD1 human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines) were investigated with a colorimetric assay using the tetrazolium salt WST-8 (2-(2-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, monosodium salts). The obtained results showed that the benzidine-based azomethine derivatives 2, 4a-b had a significant effect against human breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231). Then, molecular docking calculations were made to compare the biological activities of benzidine-based azomethine derivatives 2, 4a-b against cancer proteins. ADME/T analysis was performed to examine the drug properties of benzidine-based azomethine derivatives 2, 4a-b. The compounds 2, 4a-b are promising as potential anticancer drug candidates.
The Space-evolution Frame as Alternative to Space-time
Authors: Du Xiaonan
Published: May 2021

As a alternative to Minkowski spacetime frame, this paper propose a four dimensional Euclidean space that combine three spacial dimension with evolution instead of time. It is called space-evolution, in which time is considered as world line length and is absolute.
The space-evolution frame provide a new perspective for understanding of time, space and special relativity. It is
self-consistent
without losing compatibility to special relativity, the Lorentz transform and its predictions could be derived geometrically by simple coordinate rotation.
Relationship Between Tooth Loss and Sarcopenia in Chinese Suburban Community-dwelling Older Adults
Authors: Wang Feng , Wang Jingru , Han Peipei , Liu Yuewen , Ma Weibo , Zhang Hui , Wu Ning , Sang Sijia , Xia Yining , Pan Jiangtao , Liu Yang , Xie Fandi , Niu Shumeng , Hu Hao , Wang Hongbing , Yu Ying , Guo Qi
Published: May 2021

Background: Both sarcopenia and loss of teeth are associated with aging. The purpose of this study was to investigate potential relationships between tooth loss and sarcopenia and components of sarcopenia, including declining muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance, in Chinese suburban community-dwelling older adults.Methods: The subjects were 1494 people over 60 years of age (average age: 71.64 ± 5.97 years；men, n=609) from Chongming District of Shanghai and Hangu District of Tianjin. The Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) criteria were used to define sarcopenia. The three basic diagnostic components of sarcopenia (muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance) were assessed using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer, a grip strength test, and a four-meter walk test, respectively. The subjects were divided into groups depending on self-reported loss of teeth. Results: After adjusting for confounding variables, we found no correlation between tooth loss and sarcopenia or muscle mass. However, the walking speed of female participants with at least 10 teeth lost was 0.059 m/s slower than that of participants with fewer than 10 teeth lost (P＜0.001), and grip strength was 1.577 kg lower among male participants with at least 10 teeth lost than among males with fewer than 10 teeth lost (P =0.023).Conclusion: Our results suggest that tooth loss is negatively correlated with muscle strength in males and average walking speed in females. These results are consistent with the importance of good oral hygiene in preventing declines of physical performance in older adults.
Discussing the Mechanism of Dahuang Huanglian Xiexin Decoction in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus via Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking
Authors: Cen Xi , Wang Yan , Zhang LeiLei , Xue XiaoXiao , Wang Yan , Zhu Xiangdong , Zhang Wei
Published: May 2021

BackgroundType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is regarded as Pi Dan disease in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Dahuang Huanglian Xiexin Decoction (DHXD), a classical TCM formula, has been used for treating Pi Dan disease in clinic, its pharmacological mechanism has not been elucidated. MethodsThis study used network pharmacological analysis and molecular docking approach to explore the mechanism of DHXD on T2DM. Firstly, the compounds in DHXD were obtained from TCMSP and TCMID databases, the potential targets were determined based on TCMSP and UniProt databases. Next, Genecards, Digenet and UniProt databases were used to identify the targets of T2DM. Then, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was established with overlapping genes of T2DM and compounds, and the core targets in the network were identified and analyzed. Then, the David database was used for GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. Finally, the target genes were selected and the molecular docking was completed by Autodock software to observe the binding level of active components with target genes.ResultsA total of 397 related components and 128 overlapping genes were identified. After enrichment analysis, it was found that HIF-1, TNF, IL-17 and other signaling pathways, as well as DNA transcription, gene expression, apoptosis and other cellular biological processes had the strongest correlation with the treatment of T2DM by DHXD, and most of them occurred in the extracellular space, plasma membrane and other places, which were related to enzyme binding and protein binding. In addition, 42 core genes of DHXD, such as VEGFA, TP53 and MAPK1, were considered as potential therapeutic targets, indicating the potential mechanism of DHXD on T2DM. Finally, the results of molecular docking showed that HIF-1 pathway had strong correlation with the target genes INSR and GLUT4, quercetin and berberine had the strongest binding power with them respectively.Conclusion﻿This study summarized the main components of DHXD in the treatment of T2DM, identified the core genes and pathways, and systematically analyzed the interaction of related targets, trying to lay the foundation for clarifying the potential mechanism of DHXD on T2DM, so as to carry out further research in the future.
Nanoneedle-forest NiCo2O4@nitrogen-doped Carbon-Mo2C/CC as Double Functional Electrocatalysts for Water Hydrolysis and Zn-air Batteries
Authors: Xu Changhua , Wang Qiguan , Zhao Shaoting , Wang Sumin
Published: May 2021

The construction of efficient and stable non-precious metal electrocatalysts for water hydrolysis and metal-air batteries is a key to tackle the energy shortage and environmental pollution. Herein, a composite consisting of needle-forest nickel cobalt oxide and nitrogen-doped carbon (NDC)-molybdenum carbide loaded on carbon cloth (NiCo2O4@NDC-Mo2C/CC) is synthesized from the hydrothermal method. The introduction of nitrogen-doped carbon and carbon cloth improves the electrical conductivity of the composite, the existence of NDC-Mo2C on CC makes NiCo2O4 produce generous oxygen vacancies. Therefore, NiCo2O4@NDC-Mo2C/CC shows the low overpotentials of HER (120 mV) and OER (220 mV) @10 mA cm-2 and excellent performances for overall water electrolysis in alkaline medium. Also, NiCo2O4@NDC-Mo2C/CC exhibits robust oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) performance and a large specific capacity of 778 mAh g−1 and energy density of 104 mW cm−2 as air cathode in Zn-air batteries. This work enriches knowledge to explore multifunctional electrocatalysts to replace noble metallic catalysts.
How to Promote Learning of Evidence-Based Medicine Among Japanese Medical Students
Authors: Kataoka Yoshihiro , Maeno Takami , Inaba Takashi , Ninn Sayaka , Suzuki Masatsune , Maeno Tetsuhiro
Published: May 2021

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) has become increasingly widespread over the last 30 years. However, the ideal curriculum for undergraduate EBM education has yet to be developed. To establish an EBM curriculum suitable for the educational environment in Japan, we conducted a qualitative study to identify the elements needed to facilitate undergraduate EBM learning among Japanese medical students. Participants were supervising physicians working in teaching hospitals or clinics. Six physicians were interviewed individually from October 2019 to January 2020. The interviewees were asked about their own EBM learning and teaching experiences, what they kept in mind when teaching EBM to medical students and what they felt was needed to improve current undergraduate EBM education. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Thematic analysis extracted five themes: awareness of foreground questions in clinical practice, motivating learning through observation of role models, awareness of the role of medical students and active learning, understanding patient background as a starting point for practicing EBM, and prioritizing understanding “why” rather than “how” in EBM. Japanese medical students with limited clinical experience may first need to observe their supervisors practice EBM to develop the motivation to learn and grasp the bigger picture of EBM. It is important for medical students to develop an interest in their patients through conversations. Focusing on learning the rationale rather than the skills for practicing EBM may be the key to facilitating initial interest in undergraduate EBM education for subsequent continuous learning.
Identification of Potential Therapeutic Targets For Rheumatoid Arthritis By Bioinformatics
Authors: Du Yi-kuan , Ye Erbai , Xiao Xiaoling , Zhang Senpeng , Ye XinNi , He LuLu , Yang Chun
Published: May 2021

Objective: Based on GEO database, we performed bioinformatics analysis on rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-related gene chips to obtain key genes and signaling pathways of RA, understand the molecular mechanism of RA occurrence and development, and provide candidate targets for the diagnosis and treatment of RA.Methods: The chip GSE77298 related to rheumatoid arthritis in GEO database was retrieved, and the R Programming Language analyzed the differential genes. Subsequently, the differential gene protein-protein interaction (PPI) relationship was constructed. The hub gene was screened, and the DAVID database was used for GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway analysis of key differential genes. The miRNAs were then subjected to target gene prediction, and then a miRNA-mRNA visualization network map was constructed using Cytoscape. Finally, transcription factors were predicted by the AnimalTFDB database.Results: ①The chip with the serial number of GSE77298 was retrieved from GEO database, and 1539 differential genes were screened out using the R Programming language analysis, including 1156 up-regulated genes and 383 down-regulated genes. ②By DAVID online functional enrichment analysis of differential genes, it was shown that the signaling pathways were mainly rheumatoid arthritis, Staphylococcus aureus infection, chemokine signaling pathway, viral myocarditis, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, etc. ③PPI was constructed through String database. Its hub genes were CXCL12, CD44 and CDH2. The top 10 key differential genes in Degree were CXCL8, PTPRC, MMP9, TLR2, FN1, ITGB2, CXCL1, CCL5, CXCR4 and CXCL10. ④Ten important miRNAs such as hsa-miR-30a-3p, hsa-miR-34a-5p, hsa-miR-30d-3p were predicted. ⑤Transcription factors such as GTF3C2, GLYR1, TRIM24, YY1 were predicted.Conclusion: PI3K-AKT signaling pathway and many other pathways are involved in the occurrence and development of RA, and CXCL8, SOCS3, and TLR2 genes may be the key genes in RA. Ten important miRNAs such as has-miR-340-5p may participate in the pathogenesis of RA. Many transcription factors such as YY1 may be involved in RA's disease process, which will provide directions for further research on RA diagnosis and treatment targets of RA.
DEBTOR RATING AS A TOOL OF DEBT MANAGEMENT
Authors: Hanus I. , Plikus I. , Zhukova T.
Published: May 2021

IFRS 9 “Financial Instruments” introduced a new model of impairment based on expected credit losses, in which the impairment is based on expected credit losses, and the provision for losses is recognized before the credit loss, i.e. companies recognize losses immediately after initial recognition of the financial asset and revise the amount of the provision for expected credit losses at the reporting date. To create a provision for credit losses, IFRS 9 allows using several practical tools, including the rating debtors’ method. However, IFRS 9 does not express a clear opinion on how the expected credit loss for receivables should be calculated. In this regard, in our opinion, it is possible to apply an individual approach to the choice of credit risk assessment method, determining the debtor’s credit rating and the choice of the default probability, and so on. The paper substantiates that the debtors’ rating by the level of corporate default risk is a method that can reliably assess the probable risks. This method uses credit ratings. The paper proposes using the international credit ratings, which will allow a more objective creditworthiness assessment of both foreign and domestic debtors, taking into account macroeconomic factors used by rating agencies to determine the class of credit risk. The article presents the credit rating of Ukraine and changes in the credit rating of Ukraine for 15 years (2004-2019), shows the model of applying the international default probability rates. Two variants of applying this model are offered. Under the first option, the total amount of receivables from the counterparty / group of debtors is multiplied by the percentage of default probability. The second option involves applying the selected ratio according to the credit rating class at the last stage of calculating the expected credit losses by the simplified method. Due to the fact that there is no single approach to choosing the probability of default and everything relies on expert opinion, we propose using the data of the Annual Global Corporate Default And Rating, which is an analysis of market conditions in the world, the corporate defaults overview, the coefficient of bankruptcy probability of economic entities for each of the risk groups. The paper proposes using the annual rate of corporate defaults, as the expected credit losses must be calculated by companies on a regular basis and revalued at least once a year (on the balance sheet date). It is substantiated that the use of the average rate (Average Rate) to assess the probability of default, it is this rate that takes into account the past experience of companies that are in the corresponding zone of default risk for all the periods under consideration.
FISCAL RISKS OF SUMY CITY BUDGET EXECUTION IN CONNECTION WITH COVID-19
Authors: Riabushka L. , Pakhnenko O. , Kulish O.
Published: May 2021

The article analyzes the revenues of the budget of the city of Sumy and examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the dynamics of tax revenues of local budgets in 2020. Based on the analysis of local budget revenues, the share of local budget revenues in the Consolidated Budget of Ukraine, and the share of local budget revenues in GDP, it was found that the decentralization reform has increased the independence and financial adequacy of local budgets, but the budget system of Ukraine remains highly centralized. The article analyzes the actual budget revenues of Sumy. It showed the presence of an annual increase in the absolute amount of revenues, but the growth rate of own revenues of the city budget decreased annually during 2017-2019. It is determined that despite the progress made in ensuring the independence and fiscal adequacy of local budgets, the new risks that arose in 2020 in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic and the introduction of quarantine restrictions have worsened the situation at all levels of the budget system and posed significant threats to the implementation of budget targets and maintaining their balance. The general decline in business activity of business entities, rising unemployment and the transition to part-time employment, restrictions on tourism activity have led to a significant reduction in expected revenues from personal income tax, single tax, tourist tax. An additional negative impact on the actual revenues of local budgets was the introduction of legislative initiatives on temporary exemption from taxation and the establishment of other tax benefits, including benefits for the payment of personal income tax; exemption from accrual and payment of land tax in March 2020 and deferral of payment for April 2020; tax holidays for real estate tax; changes in income margins and single tax rates, etc. Given the weakness of the revenue base of most local budgets, it is proposed to implement such measures only taking into account the need to maintain the adequacy of local budgets and minimize the negative consequences of fiscal risks. On the other hand, more effective management of local budget funds, balance and rationality in the use of available financial resources are becoming important.
PANDEMIC COVID-19 AS A CRISIS-FORMING FACTOR OF HEALTHY REGIONS DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Letunovska N. , Vasilyeva T. , Smiyanov V.
Published: May 2021

The article investigates the concept of the healthy development of regions as a purposeful process of development of all spheres of life of a territorial unit. Its authors consider it an essential component of the successful development of a country in a market economy. The situation of the regions is a macroeconomic indicator. In today's market conditions, the sustainable development of the regions is hindered by such a crisis-forming factor as the COVID-19 pandemic. Ensuring effective counteraction to its negative impact is a determinant of forming the strategic potential of the country. The authors consider the coronavirus pandemic as a factor that initially affected the health care system and, in a relatively short period, spread to various areas of the socio-economic situation of entire countries and regions. The study performed a bibliometric analysis of the fundamental concepts of "economic crisis" and "pandemic" in their relationship. The authors analyze the main approaches to the isolation of economic cycles related to the turning points in the history of society, in particular, the crisis phenomena that force the world to adapt, change and modernize various spheres of life. They highlight the initial parameters of the market position of some countries in the European region that involved in the fight against the consequences of the spread of COVID-19. Most countries are adversely affected by the spread of coronavirus, which affects macroeconomic policies' effectiveness and the subsequent strategy for managing essential quality of life parameters. They give forecasts of opportunities to overcome the crisis in their economies. They conclude that the scale of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the country depends on the measures of its government to counter local opportunities to review economic regimes. The authors construct the map of the economic impact of COVID-19 at different levels with isolated crisis events on each analyzed wave of the spread of the consequences of the crisis-forming factor. Many of the effects of a pandemic can be seen in the short term, while others are diagnosed in the medium and long term.
ATTRACTING FOREIGN INVESTMENT AS A TOOL FOR ENSURING COMPETITIVENESS AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY
Authors: Karintseva O. , Dehtyarova I. , Kharchenko M. , Dolgosheieva O. , Kirilieva A.
Published: May 2021

The article reveals the essence of investing and its role for the development of the national economy. It is determined that the country's investment activity is a tool for strengthening the national economy which in turn will be an indicator of sustainable development and a high level of competitiveness among other leading countries. It is noted that the national economy is a single socio-economic system that has many components in different sectors of economic activity. In order for the development process to continue, it is necessary to resolve the contradictions that arise between the individual elements of the economic system. The paper identifies the most attractive types of economic activity for foreign investors and highlights the prerequisites for choosing an investment object. Analyzing the foreign experience of the mechanism of attracting foreign investment, the emphasis is on the fact that there are several mechanisms of attracting foreign investment in the world. The main components of the complex mechanism for attracting foreign direct investment are institutional, legal, monetary, budgetary and tax, territorial and organizational mechanisms. All mechanisms of international cooperation for investing in highly efficient Ukrainian companies provide many current and future benefits. It is determined that the world experience of attracting foreign investments is ideal for Ukraine In the light of the above facts, they drew attention to the fact that the issue of attracting foreign investment to Ukraine is very important and needs much attention. On Ukraine's path to sustainable development, attracting foreign direct investment is an important tool for increasing economic prosperity, thereby destroying and restoring national barriers. The article formulates the functions of attracting foreign investment at the micro and macro levels. The study found that an effective mechanism for attracting foreign direct investment to the country as a whole is to be attractive to investors, which leads to real attraction of funds. Attracting foreign investment in the implementation of strategic goals of the state will improve and enhance the efficiency of certain parts of the national economy.
GEOSPATIAL, FINANCIAL, HUMAN, AND TEMPORAL FACTORS IN THE STUDY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY AND SMART GRIDS
Authors: Matvieieva Y. , Myroshnychenko I. , Kolosok S. , Kotyuk R.
Published: May 2021

Balanced development of smart grids is becoming an increasingly important issue for the energy sector's successful operation. This article provides a bibliographic review of publications in the study of renewable energy and smart grids' deployment parameters. A sample of works for 2009-2020 from the Scopus® database, which contains bibliographic information about scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals, books, and conferences, was selected for analysis.
The authors identified three clusters of research areas using VOSviewer (version 1.6.15) in the context of the impact of geospatial parameters on smart grids' development. The first cluster consists of the financial, human, and temporal components of the geospatial factor of smart grid deployment. The authors found the largest number of links in the first cluster in terms of "costs" (a total of 29 links with an average impact of 9). The second cluster coincides with concepts related to geospatial information systems (GIS), digital storage, information systems, and cartographic information use. Research on renewable energy also belongs to the second cluster of publications. And the third cluster highlights all the concepts of smart grids by their technical types and in the context of optimization. The third cluster focuses on the ideas with the strongest link power.
The results of the analysis of the Scopus® database allowed to determine the level and dynamics of scientific interest in the geospatial factors of the development of smart grids over the past 10 years.
It is established that research in the field of geospatial factors of smart grid development is carried out by different countries, but the most active analysis of the impact of geospatial parameters on the development of smart grids in the following countries: USA, Canada and China.
Based on the use of the Scopus® database, the article identified institutions and organizations that fund the study of geospatial factors and smart grids and made a significant contribution to the development of this topic.
Consortium for Blood Group Genes (CBGG): 2008 report
Authors: A. Denomme G. , Westhoff C.M. , Castilho L. , Reid M.E.
Published: May 2021

The Consortium for Blood Group Genes is a worldwide organization whose goal is to have a vehicle to interact, establish guidelines, operate a proficiency program, and provide education for laboratories involved in DNA and RNA testing for the prediction of blood group, platelet, and neutrophil antigens.
Immunohematology

2009;25:75–78.
Lewis blood group system review
Authors: Combs M.R.
Published: May 2021

The expression of Lewis blood group antigens depends on the alleles inherited at two independent loci, FUT2 (Secretor [SE ] gene) and FUT3 (Lewis [LE ] gene). The Se and Le alleles encode separate fucosyltransferases that interact to form Lewis antigens in secretions and fluids. The Lewis antigens on RBCs are not integral to the membrane but are passively adsorbed from the plasma. The antigens are widely distributed in human tissue and fluids and are receptors for some pathogenic bacteria. Lewis antibodies are rarely clinically significant, although there are rare reports of hemolytic transfusion reactions, hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn, and renal transplant rejection. This review provides a general overview of the Lewis blood group system. An extensive overview by Daniels1 contains additional detailed information on the Lewis blood group system and related antigens.
Historic milestones in the evolution of the crossmatch
Authors: Sandler S.G. , Abedalthagafi M.M.
Published: May 2021

The introduction of the serologic crossmatch—first proposed by Hektoen (1907) and first performed by Ottenberg (1908)—made it possible to transfuse blood without fear of unpredictable and potentially disastrous acute hemolytic reactions, most of which were attributable to direct agglutinating (IgM) anti-A, anti-B, or anti-A,B. Previously transfused or previously pregnant recipients continued to experience sporadic hemolytic transfusion reactions as a result of “incomplete” (IgG) blood group antibodies. Coombs’ introduction of the antiglobulin test (1945) made it possible to detect “incomplete” (IgG) antibodies and to develop laboratory methods to identify and transfuse serologically compatible RBCs. During the past 50 years, the antibody screen has evolved to be more effective than the crossmatch for detecting the presence of potential serologic incompatibility and has, in fact, replaced the crossmatch as the key step in pretransfusion compatibility testing. The antibody screen has become the serologic surrogate for the crossmatch and, currently, the computer crossmatch is becoming the electronic surrogate for the crossmatch. In historical perspective, the past 100 years witnessed the rise and fall of the cross-match. Today, hemolytic transfusion reactions are more likely to be the result of misidentifying the intended transfusion recipient than of failure of routine compatibility testing to detect serologic incompatibility. The introduction of the serologic crossmatch—100 years ago—had a major positive impact on all aspects of clinical medicine. As a result of these advances, we are quickly approaching the limits of improving the safety and efficacy of blood transfusions by conventional serologic methods. Future improvements are more likely to be the result of applications of molecular genotyping—which could not have become available at a more perfect time. When Immunohematology publishes its 50th-anniversary issue, the improvements in transfusion science are more likely to be based on molecular methods than on conventional blood bank serology.
Immunohematology

2009;25:147–151.
Characterization of three novel monoclonal anti-Oka
Authors: Tian M.H. , Halverson G.R.
Published: May 2021

Anti-Oka was first described by Morel and Hamilton in 1979. The Oka antigen has a very high incidence, and only eight probands that are Ok(a–) have been found; all are of Japanese heritage. In this study, we describe the generation and characterization of three novel monoclonal antibodies (Mabs), MIMA-25, MIMA-144, and MIMA-149. The reactivity of these three Mabs was compared with the original human polyclonal anti-Oka. Mice were immunized with transfected HEK cells to induce an immune response, and the spleen B lymphocytes were fused with mouse myeloma X63-Ag8.653 cells to form antibody-secreting hybridomas. The resulting Mabs were tested serologically, by flow cytometry, and by immunoblotting. The specificity of each antibody was determined after excluding specificities to common antigens in the Rh, Kell, Duffy, Kidd, MNS, Lewis, Lutheran, P1, Colton, Diego, Xga, and Dombrock blood group systems. In each case only the Ok(a–) RBC sample was nonreactive. The Mabs and the original human anti-Oka each have a unique pattern of reactivity when tested with enzyme-treated cells; however, none were reactive by immunoblotting. We have generated three novel anti-Oka Mabs: MIMA-144 is an indirectly agglutinating IgG2b antibody, and MIMA-25 and MIMA-149 are directly agglutinating antibodies (IgM and IgA, respectively), underscoring their usefulness as typing reagents for the clinical laboratory.
Immunohematology

2009;25:174–178.
Neonatal red cell transfusions
Authors: Litty C.A.
Published: May 2021

This review discusses RBC transfusion in the neonatal age group and explores how one institution arrived at current common practice. Special considerations such as CMV infectious risk and GVHD are discussed.
Immunohematology

2008;24:10–14.
Unexplained agglutination of stored red blood cells in Alsever’s solution caused by the gram-negative bacterium Serratia liquefaciens
Authors: Martincic I. , Mastronardi C. , Chung A. , Ramirez-Arcos S.
Published: May 2021

Alsever’s solution has been used for decades as a preservative solution for storage of RBCs. From October 2005 to January 2006, unexplained hemagglutination of approximately 10 to 20 percent of RBCs stored for several days in a modified version of Alsever’s solution was noticed in quality control testing at the Canadian Blood Services Serology Laboratory. An investigation, including microbial testing,was initiated to determine the cause of the unexplained hemagglutination. The gram-negative bacterium Serratia liquefaciens was isolated from supernatant solutions of agglutinated RBCs. Further characterization of this strain revealed that it has the ability to form biofilms; presents high levels of resistance to chloramphenicol, neomycin, and gentamicin; and causes mannose-sensitive hemagglutination. The source of S. liquefaciens contamination in RBC supernatants was not found. However, this bacterium has not been isolated since January 2006 after enhanced cleaning practices were implemented in the serology laboratory where the RBCs are stored. This biofilm-forming,antibiotic-resistant S.liquefaciens strain could be directly linked to the unexplained hemagglutination observed in stored RBCs.
Immunohematology

2008;24:39–44.
RHD deletion in a patient with chronic myeloid leukemia
Authors: Murdock A. , Assip D. , Hue-Roye K. , Lomas-Francis C. , Hu Z. , Vege S. , Westhoff C.M. , Reid M.E.
Published: May 2021

Anomalous expression of the Rh antigen, D, has occasionally been observed in patients with certain myeloproliferative disorders. Indeed, this phenomenon led to the tentative assignment of RH to the short arm of chromosome 1. PCR-based analyses were performed on DNA from an 82-year-old D+ Caucasian patient with chronic myeloid leukemia after her RBCs became D–. For nearly 7 years, the patient’s RBCs typed as strongly D+, but in March 2006, they typed weakly D+ and in August 2006 typed D– by both direct hemagglutination and the IAT. The D– typing persisted until the patient’s death in September 2006. To study the underlying cause of the change in D type, PCR-based assays were performed on DNA extracted from peripheral WBCs from the patient’s sample collected in August 2006. No amplification was obtained using primers designed to amplify RHD exons 5, 8, or 10, and intron 4. Very weak amplification was obtained using primers designed to amplify RHD exons 3, 4, or 7. Two assays that detect the hybrid Rhesus box showed deletion of RHD. Amplification of RHCE in the patient’s DNA was as efficient as that of control samples, and multiplex and PCR-RFLP assays predicted her RBCs would be C–E–c+e+. Based on finding a hybrid Rhesus box and absence of D-specific exons, we conclude that DNA from the patient’s WBCs carries a deleted RHD. This explains the molecular mechanism underlying the change from D+ to D–.
Immunohematology

2008;24:160–164.
Serologic and molecular characterization of the B(A) blood group in the Chinese population
Authors: Guo Z.H , Xiang D. , Zhu Z.Y. , Liu X. , Chen H.P. , Wang J.L , Liu D.Z , Zhao T.M
Published: May 2021

B(A) phenotype individuals have normal B antigen and a small amount of A antigen on the RBCs with anti-A in the plasma. Some highly potent monoclonal anti-A reagents are capable of agglutinating B(A) RBCs, which therefore usually results in a discrepancy between RBC and plasma ABO grouping. To date, five B(A) alleles (ABO*B(A)01, B(A)02, B(A)03, B(A)04, and B(A)05) have been defined by nucleotide sequences. To get a more complete picture of B(A) phenotypes found in the Chinese population and resolve blood donor typing problems caused by B(A) alleles, a serologic and molecular study of nine unrelated Chinese individuals and three families carrying B(A) alleles was conducted. Allele B(A)02 with a 700C>G mutation, allele B(A)04 with a single 640A>G substitution, and allele B(A)05 with a 641T>C mutation were detected in multigenerational families and unrelated blood donors. Neither the B(A)01 nor B(A)03 alleles with 703A>G substitutions were observed in this study. In addition, a polymerase chain reaction with a sequence-specific primer genotyping assay was developed for rapid identification of B(A)02, B(A)04, and B(A)05 alleles using genomic DNA samples.
Immunohematology

2007;23:69–74.
A confusion in antibody identification: anti-D production after anti-hrB
Authors: Lomas-Francis C. , Yomtovian R. , McGrath C. , Walker P.S , Reid M.E
Published: May 2021

It is well known that certain combinations of alloantibodies are frequently found together. Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) are mostly of African ancestry, and they may make anti-hrB. A transfusion of hrB–blood is often achieved by using e–(R2R2) RBCs; it is generally believed that hrB–patients readily make anti-E or a“broad-spectrum” anti-Rh34 (-HrB). We describe two multiply transfused D+ patients with SCD and a history of anti-hrB who subsequently produced anti-D. This raises the question whether anti-hrB together with anti-D is a more common antibody combination than anti-hrB with anti-E or anti-Rh34.
Immunohematology

2007;23:158–60.
Human platelet alloantigen systems in three Chinese ethnic populations
Authors: Yan L. , Zhu F. , He J. , Sandler S.G.
Published: May 2021

Knowledge of the prevalence of human platelet antigens (HPA) in different populations is important for effective diagnosis and management of immune-mediated platelet disorders. The purpose of this study was to determine HPA gene frequencies in the majority Han ethnic population of China and in ethnic She and Tajik minority populations. Using PCR sequence specific primers, HPA-1, -2, -3, -4, -5, and -6, we determined genotypes for ethnic Han, She, and Tajik blood donors. HPA gene frequencies for Chinese Han were found to be similar to those of She, reflecting the historic affinities of these two populations. HPA gene frequencies for Tajik were closer to those for Caucasians than to Chinese Han, She, or other Asian populations, reflecting their disparate origin and historic geographic isolation. HPA gene frequencies in these Chinese populations reflect their historic origins. Knowledge of these findings may be used to better understand and treat immune-mediated platelet disorders in these populations.
Immunohematology

2006;22:6–10.
Chimerism and mosaicism are important causes of ABO phenotype and genotype discrepancies
Authors: Cho D. , Lee J.S. , Yazer M.H , Song J.W , Shin M.G. , Shin J.H , Suh S.P. , Jeon M.J. , Kim J.Y. , Park J.T , Ryang D.W
Published: May 2021

Discrepancies between blood group genotype and RBC phenotype are important to recognize when implementing DNA-based blood grouping techniques. This report describes two such cases involving the ABO blood group in the Korean population. Propositus #1 was a 22-year-old healthy man undergoing pretransfusion testing for minor surgery. Propositus #2 was a 23-year-old male blood donor. RBCs from both propositi were determined to be group AB and demonstrated unusual agglutination patterns on forward typing, which were inconsistent with their ABO genotype determined by allele-specific (AS) PCR. RBCs from propositus #1 demonstrated mixed field agglutination with both anti-A and -B, while RBCs from propositus #2 demonstrated mixed field only with anti-A reagents. Both had B/O genotypes by AS-PCR. Cloning and sequencing of ABO exons 6 and 7 revealed three alleles in both propositi: propositus #1: A102/B101/O04; propositus #2: A102/B101/O01. A panel of nine short-tandem repeat (STR) loci was tested on DNA extracted from blood, buccal mucosal cells, and hair from the propositi and on DNA isolated from their parents’ blood. In all tissues tested from propositus #1, three loci demonstrated a double paternal and a single maternal DNA contribution, indicating that he was a chimera or a mosaic; in those from propositus # 2, one STR locus demonstrated a double paternal DNA contribution, indicating that he was a tetragametic chimera. Chimerism and mosaicism are uncommon but important causes of ABO genotype and phenotype discrepancies. The evaluation of patients and donors with unusual or unexpected serology in pretransfusion testing and consensus ABO alleles may include the evaluation of STR loci to detect these phenomena.
Immunohematology

2006;22:183–187.
Rh antigens and phenotype frequencies of the Ibibio, Efik, and Ibo ethnic nationalities in Calabar, Nigeria
Authors: Jeremiah Z.A. , Odumody C.
Published: May 2021

This report forms part of the study on the Rh phenotypes within the various ethnic nationalities in the south-south region of Nigeria. The aim is to demonstrate the Rh polymorphisms among the people of African descent. The frequencies of Rh blood group antigens and phenotypes of the Ibibio, Efik, and Ibo ethnic nationalities in Calabar municipality, Nigeria, were determined using standard serologic techniques. Of the 720 Calabar individuals tested, the frequencies of the Rh antigens within the nationalities were c (100%), e (96.38%), D (96.38%), E (15.22%), and C (3.62%) for the Ibibios; c (100%), e (95.60%), D (96.70%), E (21.98%), and C (0%) for the Efiks; and c (100%), e (94.29%), D (91.43%), E (28.57%), and C (2.86%) for the Ibos. The overall frequencies of the Rh antigens in these 720 individuals were c (100%), e (95.56%), D (94.44%), E (18.89%), and C (2.78%). Forty (5.56%) were found to be D–, while all were found to possess the c antigen. The most frequently occurring Rh phenotype was Dccee, with a frequency of 73.61 percent. The alternative allele, C, did not appear in homozygous form (CC) in the population tested. This study further demonstrates the variability of Rh blood group phenotypes in Nigeria and Africa.
Immunohematology

2005;21:21–24.