bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of disability in patients with alkaptonuria
Authors: Kuzin Alexander V. , Zaytseva Elena M. , Amirdzhanova Vera N. , Makarov Sergey A. , Agzamov Jahangir S. , Ismailov Khalid G. , Zar Vadim V. , Dolzhenkova Elena A. , Politova Natalia N.
Published: January 2021

Background. Alkaptonuria is an orphan, autosomal recessive disease in which clinical symptoms debut in adulthood and are characterized by progressive degenerative changes in large joints (knee, hip, shoulder) and the spine, often leading to the need for joint replacement. Developing changes often lead to persistent disability.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate disability among adult patients with alkaptonuria.
Materials and methods. The study included 46 adult patients (31 m 67.4% and 15 w 32.6%) with a reliable diagnosis of alkaptonuria at the age of 20 to 76 years (avg age 56.83 10.52). The assessment of the presence of a disability group at the time of patients treatment to a rheumatologist was carried out.
Results. It turned out that disability was determined in 34 (75.6%) patients, there were no signs of persistent disability in 11 patients (24.4%). Among the patients who had signs of persistent disability, most often during the survey period, group 2 disability was established (61.8%), the differences between this and other groups were statistically significant (p 0.05). For the first time, disability in the study cohort of patients was established at the age of 31 to 59 years (the average age was 50.83 5.5 years).
Conclusions. It is important to note that in the vast majority of cases, persistent disability occurs in patients who were of working age, which underscores the importance of alkaptonuria as a medical and social problem.
Medical and social expertise of patients after amputation of the lower limbs on the background of atherosclerosis
Authors: Kugotov Amirbi G.
Published: January 2021

Rationale. Up to 200 reconstructive operations on the aorta and arteries of the lower extremities are performed annually in the Kabardino-Balkar Republic for obliterating arterial diseases, the main of which is atherosclerosis. After performing reconstructive operations on the arteries of the lower extremities, 4045% of patients developed a relapse of ischemia during the next 35 years due to the progression of the underlying disease, 80% of them undergo high-level amputations of the extremities. Carrying out medical and social expertise in the early stages after amputation is an important link in the rehabilitation of this contingent of patients.
Purpose. assessment of medical and social expertise and quality of life of patients who have undergone amputation of the lower extremities against the background of obliterating arterial diseases.
Materials and methods. The object of the study was 87 patients who had undergone amputation of the lower extremities, who were hospitalized in the vascular department of the Republican Clinical Hospital of Nalchik from 2015 to 2019. Results: The following results were obtained during the examination of patients at the Medical and social expertise bureau in Nalchik: The third group of disability was assigned to 14 patients; The second group of disability was assigned to 68 patients; The first group of disability was assigned to 5 patients. In this case, the objective data of the state of hemodynamics in the lower extremities were assessed. When assessing the quality of life of disabled people using the SF-36 questionnaire, the following results were obtained: after amputation of the lower limb, the indicators of physical health sharply decreased, and the indicator of social role also significantly decreases, not reaching half the value of the scale (38 points).
Conclusion. It is necessary to carry out a medical and social examination of patients after amputation of the lower limbs by the visiting commission of the Main Bureau of Medical and Social Expertise in the postoperative period in the hospital, while up to a period of 6 months (before hip prosthetics) for group 1 of disability patients , considering that these patients during this period need constant outside care. It is necessary to create, on the basis of rehabilitation centers, orthopedic workshops for the manufacture of good quality limb prostheses, and train patients in the use of prostheses by specialists of rehabilitation centers. After teaching the patient to use a prosthesis in a rehabilitation center, undergo a medical and social examination to obtain an appropriate group of disabilities.
Reconstructive surgery for locally advanced malignant tumors periacetabular region
Authors: Zagorodnii Nikolaii V. , Karpenko Vadim Y. , Karasev Anatolii L. , Zelyanin Aleksandr S. , Lysenko Ivan S. , Iluridze Georgii D.
Published: January 2021

The article presents the history of development and improvement of various methods of surgical treatment of patients with tumor lesions of the pelvic bones, as well as modern types of operations in this category of patients. Based on the analysis of literature data of domestic and foreign sources are considered possible complications and their causes, summarizes the surgical and oncologic results of the most relevant studies devoted to this subject.
Modern aspects of the treatment of Koenig’s disease in children
Authors: Vorotnikov Alexander A. , Airapetov George A. , Vasyukov Vacheslav A. , Yagubov Vladimir G.
Published: January 2021

Relevance. Koenigs disease, or osteochondritis dissecans of the knee joint, has been known since the end of the 16th century. The incidence is high (18-30 cases per 100 thousand of the population), while there is no common opinion on the management tactics and the treatment method for this pathology. Incorrect treatment choice as well as the lack of active management tactics provokes inevitably the transformation of primary pathology in early deforming arthrosis, followed by a pronounced decrease in joint function and the working capacity of an adult patient.
Material and methods: electronic scientific library PubMed, SciVerse (Science Direct), and Scopus were the open Internet tools we searched for literature sources. For data search we used following keywords: dissecting osteochondritis, Koenigs disease, osteochondritis dissecans. The article presents the main results in the publications of domestic and foreign experts with an emphasis on the diagnosis and treatment of dissecting osteochondritis. In some cases, their own comments about the diagnosis and treatment are made.
Conclusion. In our opinion, the surgical objectives are to restore the congruency of the articular surfaces by improving vascularization of the affected area, tight fixation of the unstable fragment and protecting the supporting part of the loaded condyle section in the postoperative period. Due to the rarity of such a pathology and the lack of research with a high level of evidence base, further development of treatment methods is actual.
Longitudinal Uses of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study
Authors: Piesse Andrea , Opsomer Jean , Dohrmann Sylvia , DiGaetano Ralph , Morganstein David , Taylor Kristie , Carusi Charles , Hyland Andrew
Published: January 2021

Objectives: The Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study is a nationally representative study of the US population on tobacco use and its effects on health, with 3 waves of data collection between 2013 and 2016. Prior work described the methods of the first wave.
In this paper, we describe the methods of the subsequent 2 waves and provide recommendations for how to conduct longitudinal analyses of PATH Study data. Methods: We use standard survey quality metrics to evaluate the results of the follow-up waves of the PATH Study. The recommendations
and examples of longitudinal and cross-sectional analyses of PATH Study data follow a design-based statistical inference framework. Results: The quality metrics indicate that the PATH Study sample of approximately 40,000 continuing respondents remains representative of its target population.
Depending on the intended analysis, different survey weights may be appropriate. Conclusion: The PATH Study data are a valuable resource for regulatory scientists interested in longitudinal analysis of tobacco use and its effects on health. The availability of multiple sets of specialized
survey weights enables researchers to target a wide range of tobacco-related analytic questions.
Socioeconomic Impact of COVID-19 in MENA region and the Role of Islamic Finance
Authors: Hassan M. Kabir , Rabbani Mustafa Raza , Abdulla Yomna
Published: January 2021

This paper analyses the socio-economic impact of the noble Corona virus (COVID-19) on ‘Middle East and North Africa’ (MENA) region as well as the role and opportunities of Islamic finance post COVID-19. The findings show that pandemic has affected the MENA region massively like any other region in the world. Since around 69% of the word’s crude oil supply is from this region alone, this causes it to suffer from dual shocks of COVID-19 pandemic as well as the declining crude prices that is caused by shocks from both ends, negative supply shock and a negative demand shock. The 19 countries in MENA region include from some of the richest countries of the world such as, Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, to some of the most vulnerable, poor and war ridden countries like Yemen, Syria, and Morocco. To mitigate the adverse effects of the pandemic, we suggest some immediate actions that can be taken such as a public fund to support health system, financial support to individuals and SME’s, financial support to corporations in order to prevent job loss and layoff and assurance of liquidity in domestic markets to prevent liquidity crunch. Finally, the paper analyses the role of Islamic finance in the region in recovery post COVID-19 and show that Islamic finance can be utilized as an alternative financial system in providing the relief to the COVID-19 affected people and entrepren
Cultural Dimensions and Sustainable Stock Exchanges Returns in the Asian Region
Authors: Darsono Susilo Nur Aji Cokro , Wong Wing-Keung , Ha Nguyen Tran Thai , Jati Hafsah Fajar , Dewanti Diah Setyawati
Published: January 2021

Research aims: The aim of this paper is to examine the effect of four cultural dimensions such as power distance index (PDI), individualism (IDV), uncertainty avoidance index (UAI), and long-term orientation (LTO) on the sustainable investment return in Asian sustainable stock exchanges.Design/Methodology/Approach: Quantitative research method was applied for this research. Monthly sustainable stock indices from seven Asian countries for the period 2015-2019 were considered. This research employed the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression and Feasible Generalized Least Square (FGLS) regression with id and time fixed effect.Research findings: The outcomes of our empirical investigation underlined the fact that: (i) an increase in power distance (PDI) would increase the market returns in the Asian region; (ii) individualism (IDV) had a positive and significant impact on the market returns, and the increase of individualism in the Asian countries would lead to the higher sustainable stock returns; (iii) increase in the uncertainty of avoidance (UAI) by investors in the Asian region would lead to the higher stock returns; (iv) the long term orientation (LTO) had a significant and positive impact on market returns. It showed that if the investor had a long-term orientation on the sustainable stock exchange in the Asian region, it would lead to increased stock returns.Theoretical contribution/Originality: This research's theoretical contribution is to present the causal relations of cultural differences on the sustainable investment return in the Asian region.Practitioner/Policy implication: This research’s implication is to increase the concern of individual investors, portfolio managers, and investment companies regarding the cultural dimension effect on sustainable investment.Research limitation/Implication: The limitations still exist in this research, such as: (1) limited data for sustainable stock indices in the Asian region; (2) this research mainly focused on four cultural dimensions instead of six dimensions in Hofstede's model; (3) the future research should include the control variables and some other financial variables related with the sustainable investment.
COVID-19 and Stock Market Reaction in Indonesia
Authors: Trisnowati Yanuar , Muditomo Arianto
Published: January 2021

Research aims: COVID-19 Pandemic happens all over the world. Pandemic impact hits almost all elements of life, one of the affected real sectors is finance especially the stock market. This research is aimed to present the reaction of the equity market in Indonesia towards the COVID-19 pandemicDesign/Methodology/Approach: The research method that is used is the study to examine market reaction towards the pandemic and abnormal return around the occurrence by using two methods; mean-adjusted abnormal return and market model.Research findings: From the research conducted over the 10 indicators of the stock market index in Indonesia, it is concluded that 8 industrial sectors that have tenacious reaction toward the COVID-19 pandemic hit in Indonesia, where it is also found that the agriculture sector; basic and chemical industry;  miscellaneous, consumer goods; property and real estate;  transport and infrastructure; finance; trade, service, and investment, give stronger reactions compared with mining and manufacture.Theoretical contribution/Originality: Researches about the stock market reaction to the non-economy phenomenon have already been carried out, but the research that is specifically done to study sectoral index reaction towards the non-economy occurrences is still wide open to doing for deeper research.Practitioner/Policy implication: This research can be important information for investors to understand the behavior of stock market efficiency in Indonesia in making decisions of investmentResearch limitation/Implication: Non-economy event that becomes the subject of research is the COVID-19 pandemic that appeared and escalated fast all over the world. The researcher conducted the research and presented it as quickly as possible since the time is limited. It is meant to show a systematic and scientific thinking framework in addressing the non-economy events, but still in the context of reliability on the result of research to the same topic about the COVID-19 effect in other countries.
The Relationship Between Corporate Governance and Integrated Reporting
Authors: Mawardani Hayyin Agustina , Harymawan Iman
Published: January 2021

Research aims: The objective of this research is to investigate the level of integrated reporting information disclosure in the annual reports of non-financial public listed companies in Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) during 2017 to 2018, as well as its relationship with corporate governance that measured by the independent board, the board size, board gender diversity, and types of the external audit firm, whether a corporate audited by Big-4 accounting public firm or non-Big-4 accounting public firm.Design/Methodology/Approach: In this research, the authors utilized a total of 936 observations. The analysis used in this research is using the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) Regression.Research findings: This research showed that corporations with a higher number of independent board members and a bigger board size are disclosing a higher level of integrated reporting information. However, the authors did not find a significant correlation between board gender diversity and audit firm types on the level of Integrated Reporting information disclosure.Theoretical contribution/ Originality: This research contributes to adding to the literature of integrated reporting disclosure theory.Practitioner/Policy implication: Hopefully, the findings can give the policy-maker a comprehensive picture of the relationship between corporate governance and integrated reporting disclosure.Research limitation/Implication: The limitation of this paper is the measurement of Integrated Reporting disclosure that was conducted using content analysis by word count was done manually which may contain subjectivity of the authors.
Development of a novel intraarticular injection of diclofenac for the treatment of arthritis: a preclinical study in the rabbit model
Authors: Wen Xinyuan , Huang Xiaoqing , Wu Huosheng
Published: January 2021

Purpose: To develop a novel intraarticular injection of diclofenac for the treatment of arthritis. Method: Diclofenac loaded nanoparticles were prepared by a nanoprecipitation technique using Eudragit L 100 as the polymer and polyvinyl alcohol as the surfactant. The nanoparticles were evaluated for particle size, zeta potential, scanning electron microscopy, drug release, encapsulation efficiency, and loading efficiency studies. The optimized nanoparticulate formulation was developed for intra articular injection. Intraarticulate injection was evaluated for pH, appearance, viscosity, osmolarity and syringability studies. The optimized injection formulation was tested in an arthritic model consisting of 25 rabbits. Result: Nanoprecipitation method was found to be suitable for diclofenac nanoparticles. The shape of the prepared nanoparticles was found to be spherical and devoid of any cracks and crevices. The average particle size of a diclofenac nanoparticle was found to range from 87±0.47 to 103±0.26 nm. The zeta potential of the prepared nanoparticles was found to be in the range of 0.598±0.34 to 0.826±0.25 mV. The encapsulation efficiency was found to be between 73.45% to 99.03%, while the drug loading was observed between 10.34 to 35.32%. The percentage drug release at 12 hours was found to range from 73.45% to 99.03%. Conclusion: The developed intraarticular injection was found to be within the physically and chemically accepted limits. Animals treated with the intra articular injection of diclofenac showed a significant reduction in swelling as compares to the other groups.
Critical Inclination of Failure Surface and Seismic Active Earth Thrust for a Broken Slope Backfill
Authors: ÇALIK Ümit
Published: January 2021

This paper presents an analytical approach, based on the limit-equilibrium state, to determine the critical inclination of failure surface and active earth thrust for a cohesive-frictional backfill with a broken slope and a surcharge load at a constant distance from a retaining wall under the seismic condition. A combined analysis using Mononobe-Okabe’s and Culmann’s methods within a trial and error procedure is performed in this study. The influences of several parameters such as wall height, surcharge magnitude, cohesion, and internal friction angle of the backfill, adhesion between the wall-backfill interface, tension cracks, horizontal and vertical seismic acceleration coefficients have been investigated on the critical inclination of failure surface and the active earth thrust. Additionally, the performance of the proposed approach is explored by geotechnical software (Geo5) and two available methods in the literature. All of the results and the detailed comparisons are given in tabular and graphical forms.
Possibilities and Prospects of Hemodynamic Surgery of Varicose Veins in the Era of Endovascular Thermal Obliteration
Authors:   N.I. Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Golovina V.I. , Seliverstov E.I. ,   N.I. Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Efremova O.I. ,   N.I. Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Zolotukhin I.A. ,   N.I. Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University
Published: January 2021

Долгое время единственным эффективным способом хирургического лечения варикозной болезни нижних конечностей считалось полное удаление ствола подкожной вены. Со временем помимо модификаций удаления вен с помощью зондов появились также эндовенозные термические методы облитерации, однако общим во всех этих методиках оставалось полное иссечение\облитерация несостоятельного сегмента ствола. Данная концепция начала претерпевать изменения только после появления и развития дуплексного ультразвукового сканирования сосудов, благодаря которому появилась возможность более глубокой оценки гемодинамики венозной системы и, как следствие, определения дальнейшего необходимого способа лечения отдельно взятого пациента. Именно благодаря подробному изучению венозной гемодинамики в 1988 г. французский ангиолог Клод Франчески предложил метод амбулаторной консервативной гемодинамической коррекции венозной недостаточности (Conservatrice et Hémodynamique de l’Insuffisance Veineuse en Ambulatoire), ставший известным в мире как метод CHIVA. Данный способ подразумевает устранение столба гидростатического давления в вене, устранение механизма рециркуляции крови, сохранение механизма re-entry и удаление притоков, не имеющих связи с точкой re-entry. В результате выполнения CHIVA происходит восстановление нормального физиологического тока крови путем устранения рефлюкса из глубокой вены в поверхностную и сохранения дренажа из поверхностных вен в глубокие. В представленном обзоре подробно рассматриваются достоинства и недостатки метода CHIVA, а также проведен сравнительный анализ методики с другими существующими на данный момент способами лечения варикозной болезни.
Transiente diffusion equation: an alternative finite difference approach
Authors: Oliveira Marcelo Franco de
Published: January 2021

This work is concerned with development of an alternative finite difference method approach to the solution of the transient diffusion equation. In this approach is assumed that the potential function has a linear variation in some time interval. Thus an integral with respect to time is carried out in the initial diffusion equation. A constant time weighting function is adopted. The time integration reduces the order of the time derivative that appears in the initial equation. Two numerical examples are presented to verify the accuracy and applicability of the proposed approaches. The results are compared with the standard corresponding analytical solutions.
Integration of and visions for community pharmacy in primary health care in Denmark
Authors: Hansen Rikke N. , Nørgaard Lotte S. , Hedegaard Ulla , Søndergaard Lone , Servilieri Kerly , Bendixen Susanne , Rossing Charlotte
Published: January 2021

In 2014, the Danish government launched a plan for health entitled: “Healthier lives for everyone – national goals for the health of Danes within the next 10 years”. The overall objective is to prolong healthy years of life and to reduce inequality in health. In Denmark, the responsibility for health and social care is shared between the central government, the regions and the municipalities. National and local strategies seek to enhance public health through national and local initiatives initiated by different stakeholders. The Danish community pharmacies also contribute to promoting public health through distribution of and counselling on medication in the entire country and through offering several pharmacy services, six of which are fully or partly remunerated on a national level. Because of greater demands from patients, health care professionals and society and a lack of general practitioners, the Danish community pharmacies now have the opportunity to suggest several new functions and services or to extend existing services. The Danish pharmacy law changed in 2015 with the objective to maintain and develop community pharmacies and to achieve increased patient accessibility. The change in the law made it possible for every community pharmacy owner to open a maximum of seven pharmacy branches (apart from the main pharmacy) in a range of 75 km. This change also increased the competition between community pharmacies and consequently the pharmacies are now under financial pressure. On the other hand, each pharmacy may have been given an incentive to develop their specific pharmacy and become the best pharmacy for the patients. Community pharmacies are working to be seen as partners in the health care system. This role is in Denmark increasingly being supported by the government through the remunerated pharmacy services and through contract with municipalities. Concurrent with the extended tasks for the Danish community pharmacies and utilisation of their excellent competencies in medication the community pharmacies need to focus on their main tasks of supplying medicines and implementing services. This requires efficient management, an increased use of technology for distribution and communication and continuing education and training.
Analysis of Trace Elements, Anticholinesterase Activity and ADME/Tox Profiling of some Achillea Species
Authors: TAŞKIN Duygu , ŞAHİN Talip , ÖZDEMİR Mücahit , YALCİN Bahattin
Published: January 2021

In this study, the anti-cholinesterase activities of different extracts of Achillea lycaonica, A. vermicularis and A. nobilis L. subsp. neilreichii (Kerner) Formanek species were examined and then trace elements (Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, and Pb) of the plants were analysed by ICP-MS. The pharmacokinetic properties of the phenolic compounds of these plants previously analyzed by us and the ADME-Tox (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) profiles of the trace elements we identified in this study were estimated. According to the data obtained, it was determined that all three plants showed high acetyl-cholinesterase inhibition activity. The concentration of trace elements was lower than that declared by WHO, except for the A. lycaonica. It was determined that V, Cr, Fe, Co, and As metals in A. lycaonica exceeded the limit values determined by WHO. According to ADMET estimates, it is thought that the toxic values of all three plants are not high, and therefore the use of A. nobilis and A. vermicularis plants does not pose any health risk but A lycaonica should be used carefully due to the heavy metals.
Sleep disorders and relationship with comorbid anxiety and depression in carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: ÇEVİK YURTOĞULLARI Şükran , SEFEROGLU Meral
Published: January 2021

Objectives: In this study, it was aimed to assess relationship of disease severity with sleep quality, depression and anxiety in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and to compare findings with healthy controls.
Methods: The study included 35 patients diagnosed as CTS and 20 healthy individuals. In CTS patients, symptom severity and functional disorders were assessed using Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BTCQ). The sleep quality was assessed using Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) in CTS patients and healthy controls. The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used to evaluate depression and anxiety accompanying to CTS and sleep disorder.
Results: In the assessment of general sleep quality, it was found that PSQI scores were significantly higher in CTS group when compared to healthy controls (p < 0.0001). Again, the BDI and BAI scores were also significantly higher in CTS group than control group (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.003, respectively). There was a strong, positive correlation between BTCQ symptom severity scale (SSS) and PSQI (r = 0.774; p < 0.0001). A significant, positive correlation was observed between Boston SSS and BDI scores (r = 0.666; p < 0.001). When assessed correlation between anxiety scores and Boston SSS and functional state scale (FSS), it was found that anxiety was increased by increasing severity of CTS, indicating a positive, moderate correlation (r=0.469, p < 0.0001 and r=0.464, p < 0.0001).
Conclusions: The pain in patients with CTS can impair sleep quality, which, in turn, may increase risk for depression and anxiety. Thus, comorbid psychiatric symptoms and signs should be considered in the treatment of patients with CTS.
Isolasi Senyawa Metabolit Sekunder Ekstrak Etanol Spons Stylotella sp Asal Kepulauan Selayar
Authors: Damayanti Aspina , Ilyas Asriani , Firnanelty Firnanelty
Published: January 2021

Isolation of secondary metabolite compound has been conducted from sponge Stylotella sp., Selayar Island. Stylotella sp., one of Demospongiae class sponge, is found spreading in Selayar Island. This study aims to determine secondary metabolite compounds contained in the ethanol extract of Stylotella sp. sponge by extraction, fractionation and purification methods. The purity test was carried out by three eluent systems of TLC, namely chloroform:ethyl acetate (9:1), n-hexane:acetone (9:1), and chloroform:acetone (9:1). Each eluent produced a single spot. FTIR analysis of Stylotella sp. isolate showed that the pure isolates contained alkaloid compounds with the appearance of a typical functional group of alkaloid compounds. Keywords: Alkaloids, sponge Stylotella sp, extraction  Telah dilakukan isolasi senyawa metabolit sekunder dari spons Stylotella sp. asal Kepulauan Selayar. Spons Stylotella sp merupakan spons kelas Demospongiae yang ditemukan penyebarannya di Perairan Pulau Selayar. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui golongan senyawa metabolit sekunder yang terdapat pada ekstrak etanol spons Stylotella sp. dengan metode ekstraksi, fraksinasi dan pemurnian. Uji kemurnian dilakukan dengan uji tiga sistem eluen pada KLT yaitu kloroform:etil asetat (9:1), n-heksan:aseton (9:1), dan kloroform:aseton (9:1). Masing-masing eluen menghasilkan noda tunggal. Isolat hasil analisis FTIR menunjukkan bahwa isolat murni mengandung senyawa alkaloid dengan munculnya gugus fungsi khas senyawa golongan alkaloid. Kata kunci: Alkaloid, spons Stylotella sp., ekstraksi
SARS-CoV-2 and Cancer: Beyond Immunosuppression
Authors: Mendes Pedro Diogo , Mendes Pedro Marta Maria , Valadas Emília , Hanscheid Thomas
Published: January 2021

N/a.
Characteristics of breast cancer in BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation carriers and non-carriersfrom a genetic counseling unit in Croatia
Authors:   Department of Oncological Pathology and Clinical Cytology, Ljudevit Jurak University Department of Pathology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia Genetic Counseling Unit, University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia, Ramić Snježana , Alfier Gabriela , Kirac Iva , Milas Ivan , Orešić Tomislav
Published: January 2021

Breast cancer (BC) represents 25% of all malignancies in Croatian women, and in 18.8% of cases, it is diagnosed before the age of 50. Croatia launched BRCA testing of people at increased family risk. Hereditary BC is mainly caused by a pathogenic mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene and is a significant risk factor for developing breast and ovarian cancer. The present study included 127 women diagnosed with BC, with a strong family history of BC and the known status of the germline mutations in the BRCA1/BRCA2 genes. The majority of women were BRCA1/2 mutation non-carriers, while 15.7% were BRCA1/2 mutation carriers, and 4% had a variant of unknown significance (VUS). BRCA1/2 mutation carriers were younger than non-carriers (median 38.5 years vs. 44 years) (P=.01) and had tumors of higher histological grade (P<.001). The intrinsic subtype of BC differs significantly depending on the type of mutation (P<.001). Triple-negative BC prevailed (87.5%) in BRCA1 mutation carriers, and 12.5% had a luminal B/HER2-negative BC. Four patients were BRCA2 mutation carriers, and two of them had luminal B/HER2-positive BC. Most BRCA1/2 non-carriers (69.2%) and all VUS-carriers have luminal B/HER2-negative BC. Our results show that BRCA1/2 mutation testing is essential for women with a family history burden. It is a piece of valuable information in breast cancer risk assessment and contributes to early diagnosis.
Management of cancer of unknown primary
Authors:   Division of Oncology and Radiotherapy, University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia, Andrašek Iva , Ravlić Mirna , Mikulandra Martina , Cmrečak Franjo , Bilić-Knežević Sara , Beketić-Orešković Lidija
Published: January 2021

Cancer of an unknown primary site is most commonly an aggressive metastatic tumor with a median patient survival of 6 to 9 months. Histologically, it is predominantly adenocarcinoma, and if the primary site is subsequently diagnosed, it is usually the pancreas or lung. Biopsy should be performed whenever possible to classify a tumor of unknown primary origin into one of the following entities: adenocarcinoma, poorly differentiated carcinoma with characteristics similar to adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, neuroendocrine carcinoma, poorly differentiated neoplasm. After determining the primary tumor type, the subtype is determined by immunohistochemical staining. In oligometastatic disease, there is a possibility of surgical treatment. Radiotherapy is used as a part of combined modality treatment. Most patients with cancer of unknown primary have an unfavorable prognosis despite multiple chemotherapy agents, and no protocol can be recommended as standard therapy.
Rheological Behavior of Blends of Metallocene Catalyzed Long-Chain Branched Polyethylenes. Part I: Shear Rheological and Thermorheological Behavior
Authors: Chen Chuangbi , Shekh Mehdihasan I. , Cui Shuming , Stadler Florian J.
Published: January 2021

Long-chain branched metallocene-catalyzed high-density polyethylenes (LCB-mHDPE) were solution blended to obtain blends with varying degrees of branching. A high molecular LCB-mHDPE was mixed with low molecular LCB-mHDPE are varying concentrations, whose rheological behavior is similar but whose molar mass and molar mass distribution is significantly different. Those blends were characterized rheologically to study the effects of concentration, molar mass distribution, and long-chain branching level of the low molecular LCB-mHDPE. Owing to the ultra-long relaxation times of the high molecular LCB-mHDPE, the blends started behaving clearly more long-chain branched than the base materials. The thermorheological complexity showed an apparent increase in the activation energies Ea determined from G’, G”, and especially δ. Ea(δ), which for LCB-mHDPE is a peak function, turned out to produce even more pronounced peaks than observed for regular LCB-mPE and also LCB-mPE with broader molar mass distribution. Thus, it is possible to estimate the molar mass distribution from the details of the thermorheological complexity.
MRI Images, Brain Lesions and Deep Learning
Authors: Castillo Darwin , Lakshminarayanan Vasudevan , Rodríguez-Álvarez María José
Published: January 2021

Medical brain image analysis is a necessary step in the Computers Assisted /Aided Diagnosis (CAD) systems. Advancements in both hardware and software in the past few years have led to improved segmentation and classification of various diseases. In the present work, we review the published literature on systems and algorithms that allow for classification, identification, and detection of White Matter Hyperintensities (WMHs) of brain MRI images specifically in cases of ischemic stroke and demyelinating diseases. For the selection criteria, we used the bibliometric networks. Out of a total of 140 documents we selected 38 articles that deal with the main objectives of this study. Based on the analysis and discussion of the revised documents, there is constant growth in the research and proposal of new models of deep learning to achieve the highest accuracy and reliability of the segmentation of ischemic and demyelinating lesions. Models with indicators (Dice Score, DSC: 0.99) were found, however with little practical application due to the uses of small datasets and lack of reproducibility. Therefore, the main conclusion is to establish multidisciplinary research groups to overcome the gap between CAD developments and their complete utilization in the clinical environment.
Formation of Nickel(II)Porphyrin and Its Interaction with DNA in Aqueous Medium
Authors: Habib Ahsan , Serniabad Salma , Khan Mohammad Shamim , Islam Rokayea , Chakraborty Mrittika , Nargis Aklima , Quayum Md Emran , Alam Md Ashraful , Rapozzi Valentina , Tabata Masaaki
Published: January 2021

In this work, kinetics of the reaction between 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(N-methylpyridium-4-yl)porphyrin and Ni2+ species were investigated in aqueous solution at 25 ±1 ºC in I = 0.10 M (NaNO3). Speciation of Ni2+ was carried out in I = 0.10 M (NaNO3) in order to provide the distribution of the Ni2+ species with different solution pH. The experimental data have been compared with the speciation diagram constructed from the values of hydrolysis constants of Ni2+ ion. Speciation data showed that the hexaaquanickel(II), [Ni(H2O)6]2+, ions take place in hydrolysis reactions through formation of [Ni(OH2)6-n(OH)n]2-n species with solution pH. Based on the speciation of Ni2+ and pH dependent rate constants, rate expression can be written as: d[Ni(TMPyP)4+]/dt = (k1[Ni2+(aq)] + k2[Ni(OH)+(aq)] + k3[Ni(OH)2o(aq)] + k4[Ni(OH)3-(aq)])[H2TMPyP4+], where k1, k2, k3 and k4 were found to be k1 = (0.62 ± 0.22) × 10-2; k2 = (3.60 ± 0.40) × 10-2; k3 = (2.09 ± 0.52) × 10-2, k4 = (0.53 ± 0.04) × 10-2 M-1s-1 at 25 ±1 °C, respectively. Kinetic results showed that monohydroxo, [Ni(H2O)5(OH)]+, is the most reactive among the [Ni(OH2)6-n(OH)n]2-n species. The enhanced reactivity has been ascribed to the formation of hydrogen bonding between oxygen atom of hydroxyl group of the [Ni(H2O)5(OH)]+ species and the pyrrolic hydrogen atom of the [H2TMPyP]4+. The rate of formation of [Ni(II)TMPyP]4+ complex was to be 3.99 × 10-2 M-1s-1 in I = 0.10 M, NaNO3 (25 ± 1 ºC). Ionic strength effect on the reaction rate is suggested that the net charge of the tetracationic porphyrin is to be +3.6 on the basis of Brønsted-Bjerrum equation. The UV-Vis and fluorescence data revealed that [Ni(II)TMPyP]4+ and H2(TMPyP)4+ interact with DNA, and UV-Vis results suggest that Ni(II)-porphyrin and free base porphyrin interact with DNA via outside binding with self-stacking and intercalation, respectively. Mechanism of kinetics of formation of the [Ni(II)TMPyP]4+ complex in aqueous medium is discussed. An investigation of application of the [Ni(II)TMPyP]4+ complex along with other metalloporphyrins such as Zn2+-, Ru2+-, Pt2+-, [Au(III)TMPyP]5+ as anti-COVID-19 agents is now in progress under international collaboration.
Fungi Rickiani: The Brazilian Clavarioid Collection at PACA and BPI Herbaria
Authors: N. M. Furtado Ariadne , Neves Maria Alice
Published: January 2021

Seventy-two clavarioid specimens from Johannes Rick's collection at PACA and BPI were revised. Eleven taxa are presented. Illustrations of the microstructures are provided for nine taxa. The description of Scytinopogon robustus includes information from recently collected specimens and SEM photographs of the basidiospores. A new combination, Clavulina ridleyi, is proposed.
A Scoping Review of Selected Studies on Risk Factors Associated with the Malaria Status among Children Under-five Years in Sub-Sahara Africa
Authors: Obasohan Phillips Edomwonyi , Walters Stephen J. , Jacques Richard , Khatab Khaled
Published: January 2021

Background/Purpose: In recent times, Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) had been rated by the World Health Organization, (WHO), as the most malaria endemic region in the world. Evidence synthesis of the risk factors associated with malaria among children aged under-five in SSA is urgently needed. This would help to inform decisions that policy makers and executors in the region need to make for the effective distribution of scare palliative resources to curb the spread of the illness. This scoping review is aimed to identify studies that have used multivariate classical regression analysis to determine risk factors associated with malaria among children under-five years old in SSA. Methods/Design: The search terms followed PICOTS, (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome, Timing, Setting), and were used in searching through the following databases: PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Scopus, and MeasureDHS. The databases were searched for published articles from January 1990 to December 2020. Results: Among the 1154 studies identified, only thirteen (13) studies met the study’s inclusion/exclusion criteria. Narrative syntheses were performed on the selected papers to synchronise the various risk factors identified. Factors ranging from child-related, (age, birth order and use of bed net), parental/household-related, (maternal age and education status, household wealth index) and community-related variables, (community wealth status, free bed net distribution), were some of the identified significant risk factors. Conclusion: It is timely to have a synthesis of risk factors that influence the malaria status of children under-five in SSA. The outcome of the review will increase the knowledge of the epidemiology of morbidity that will form the basis for designing efficient and cost-effective distribution of palliatives and controls of malaria in SSA.
Forecast for the second Covid-19 wave based on the improved SIR model with a constant ratio of recovery to infection rate
Authors: Kröger Martin , Schlickeiser Reinhard
Published: January 2021

We start out by deriving simple analytic expressions for all measurable amounts of cases and fatalities during a pandemic evolution exhibiting multiple waves, described by the semi-time SIR model. The approximant shares all relevant features with the exact solution, including time and position of the peak of daily new infections, as well as the asymptotic behaviors at small and large times. We derive exact analytic expressions for the early doubling time, late half decay time, and a half-early peak law, characterizing the dynamical evolution. We show, in particular, how the asymmetry of the first epidemic wave and its exponential tails are affected by the initial conditions; a feature that has no analogue in the all-time SIR model. We apply the approach to available data from different continents. Our analysis reveals that the immunity is very strongly increasing during the 2nd wave, while it was still at a very moderate level of a few percent in several countries at the end of the first wave. The wave-specific SIR parameters describing the infection and recovery rates we find to behave in a similar fashion, while their ratio k was decreasing only by a about 5% for most countries. Still, an apparently moderate change of k can have significant consequences for the relevant numbers like the final amount of infected or deceased population. As we show, the probability for an additional wave is however low in several countries due to the fraction of immune inhabitants at the end of the 2nd wave, irrespective the currently ongoing vaccination efforts. We compare with alternate approaches.
Foreign Internships as A Factor of Foreign Language Teachers’ Professional Development
Authors: Tretyakova Galina V. , Chernyishkova Natalya V. , Rosaria Filone Rosaria
Published: January 2021

The aim of the study is to find ways to expand teacher efficacy by participating in foreign internships. Survey methods were used to collect the data from students. Descriptive statistics was used to examine the overall trends in foreign language teachers’ professional development. Thus, passing a training abroad leads to the development and improvement of language, professional, and cultural competencies of not only teachers, but also students; improving the skills of teachers, their motivation; increasing not only the prestige of the educational organization, but also the publication activity of university employees in world scientific publications; improving educational technologies. And most importantly, students, as direct participants of the educational process, are more than satisfied with their results. The article is of interest for the foreign language teachers.
Variability of the dynamics of somatometric parameters in schoolchildren with different nutritional status (longitudinal study)
Authors:   Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation, Gritsinskaya V.L. , Novikova V.P. ,   Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation, Khavkin A.I. ,   N.I.Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation
Published: January 2021

Objective. To identify specific features of pubertal growth spurt in adolescents depending on their nutritional status in prepuberty. Patients and methods. We analyzed the dynamics of height and weight in 645 children (331 boys and 314 girls) aged between 8 and 16 years. All study participants were divided into three groups depending on whether their weight and height at the age of 8 years were within the normal limits given in the ‘WHO Growth Reference 2007’: children with physical development; underweight children; and overweight children. Results. The dynamics of somatometric parameters during pubertal growth spurt varied between children with different nutritional status. Underweight boys demonstrated prolonged and low-amplitude pubertal growth pattern; in boys with normal physical development, the growth spurt was usually shorter and had high amplitude. In overweight boys, the pubertal growth spurt started with higher annual increase in height, had a more pronounced amplitude, and was shorter than in peers (р < 0.001 ÷ р < 0.05). Both underweight girls and girls with normal physical development demonstrated low-amplitude pubertal growth spurt lasting for two years. Overweight girls had two peaks of pubertal growth spurt, which usually started earlier than in other girls (р < 0.001 ÷ р < 0.01). Conclusion. Our findings can be used as a guide for predicting pubertal spurt in children during medical examinations, determining adequate physical activity in physical education classes at school and in sports sections. Key words: children, nutritional status, pubertal growth spurt
Coronavirus infection in children
Authors:   I.M.Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation, Geppe N.A. , Afanasyeva O.I. ,   A.A.Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation, Zaplatnikov A.L. ,   Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education, Moscow, Russian Federation, Kondyurina E.G. ,   Novosibirsk State Medical University, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation
Published: January 2021

This literature review aims to provide an update on the problem of coronavirus infection in children. It covers specific features of the pathogens and ways of their transmission in children and focuses on the nuances of the clinical course. It also describes the approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of seasonal coronavirus infections and COVID-19. Particular attention is paid to treatment and prevention of acute respiratory viral infections (ARVIs), including seasonal coronavirus infections, during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic using Anaferon for children, a drug with an immune-mediated antiviral effect. The article provides the data on experimental and clinical evaluation of Anaferon efficacy in children with coronavirus infections. Experimental in vitro studies of Anaferon for children demonstrated its antiviral efficacy against highly pathogenic MERS-CoV. Clinical trials, including double-blind placebo-controlled RCTs, showed that the inclusion of Anaferon for children in the comprehensive therapy of seasonal coronavirus infections reduced the disease duration, mitigated symptoms, and decreased the incidence of nosocomial infections. These effects were associated with the modulating activity of Anaferon for children affecting both cellular and humoral immunity. The analysis of studies evaluating Anaferon for children allows us to recommend this drug for widespread use in the treatment and prevention of seasonal ARVIs, including those caused by coronaviruses during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Key words: Anaferon for children, treatment, coronavirus infection, prevention, COVID-19