bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non-invasive methods of molecular diagnosis, clinical monitoring and approaches to the personalized therapy of diffuse midline glioma
Authors: Petersen E. V. , Chudakova D. A. , Erdyneeva D. B. , Kalinkin A. A. , Claros R. , Shabalina E. Y. , Gudkov D. A. , Mynbaev О. A. , Reshetov I. V.
Published: June 2023

The purpose of the study was to summarize and analyze modern data about non-invasive methods of molecular diagnosis and approaches to the personalized therapy of diffuse midline glioma (DMG). Material and Methods. The search and analysis of publications was carried out using Google Scholar, Pubmed, Elsevier, Web of Science, Elibrary systems. The review includes publications published from 2011 to 2022. Of the 102 articles found, 59 were used to write the review. Results. In this review, we discuss the spectrum of somatic driver mutations present in DMG tumor cells and their relationship with the sensitivity of tumor cells to certain types of therapy - a pharmacogenetic approach to the selection of individual treatments (targeted therapy). We provide examples of new methods of targeted therapy for DMG, which are currently at the stage of preclinical laboratory development. Also, we discuss examples of the use of 3D cell cultures for the development of targeted therapies, including the use of perfusion systems. The review describes the methods of analysis of liquid biopsy, which allow the detection of tumor-specific biomarkers in the non-invasive diagnosis of DMG, including a number of methods that have not yet been tested in the clinic. The following is a list of tumor-specific biomarkers for diagnosing, monitoring, and selecting targeted therapy for DMG. Finally, we discuss the possibility of implementing these methods in the clinic and present the results of several clinical trials. Conclusion. In oncology, new methods of molecular genetics, such as analysis of liquid biopsy, allow diagnosis and monitoring of treatment in cases where classical methods that require tissue sampling are not applicable (for example, the analysis of genetically heterogeneous tumors and tumors of surgically inaccessible localization). These tumors include DMG, a primary brain tumor most common in children. The available data confirm the relevance of the search for new specific tumor biomarkers, as well as targets for targeted therapy of the paediatric-type diffuse gliomas.
Role of computed tomography in sarcopenia detection
Authors: Sheberova E. V. , Silanteva N. K. , Agababian T. A. , Potapov A. L. , Nevolskikh A. A. , Ivanov S. A. , Kaprin A. D.
Published: June 2023

The study aimed to summarize the available data on the role of computed tomography in sarcopenia detection in cancer patients. Material and Methods. A literature search was conducted in the Medline, Scopus, Pubmed, and Elibrary systems. More than 100 articles published in 2008-2022 were analyzed. We included 45 articles in this review. Results. According to the European Consensus, sarcopenia is a syndrome characterized by progressive and generalized loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength due to age-related, neurohumoral changes, malnutrition or muscle catabolism. It is difficult to overestimate the importance of sarcopenia, since this syndrome is one of the five main risk factors for morbidity and mortality in people over 65 years of age. Sarcopenia is mainly observed in inflammatory diseases, malignancy or organ failure. According to most researchers, CT is considered the gold standard method to assess muscle mass and quality. It is a reliable method for quantitative analysis, which was shown in a study based on the comparison of quantitative assessment of various muscle groups based on CT with muscle volume measured on cadaveric tissues. The purpose of this literature review was to highlight the importance of computed tomography for the detection of sarcopenia in clinical practice. Based on the results of the literature analysis, sarcopenia is still a challenge for modern oncology. Sarcopenia negatively affects the prognosis of the disease and quality of life of cancer patients. Sarcopenia may develop due to metabolic changes caused by cancer treatment, as a result of which the degradation of muscle protein begins to prevail over its synthesis. Conclusion. Given the high prevalence and prognostic significance of sarcopenia in oncology, the need for its early diagnosis and active treatment becomes obvious. The use of routine CT examinations for the diagnosis of sarcopenia will allow us to search for possible causes and optimize treatment, determine the likelihood of risks and determine the treatment strategy at an early stage, when therapy can be most effective.
Volumetric tumor segmentation according to diffusion-weighted MRI data in predicting and evaluating the response to chemotherapy in bladder cancer
Authors: Grigoriev E. G. , Frolova I. G. , Usynin E. A. , Usova A. V. , Tabakaev S. A.
Published: June 2023

The purpose of the study was to develop and evaluate the technique for volumetric tumor segmentation based on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) in predicting and assessing the response to chemotherapy in patients with bladder cancer (BC). Material and Methods. We examined 26 patients with morphologically verified transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. The group was characterized by the presence of one or several tumors with a size of 17 to 46 mm. Before planning chemotherapy according to the M-VAC scheme, a study and post-processing of DW-MRI with volumetric segmentation of lesions, assessment of the volume and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in the entire tumor mass were performed. According to the ADC data, shape of the tumor and its relation to the bladder wall, the coefficient (C) for predicting the response to chemotherapy was calculated. Results. In the cases with a coefficient value below 0.51, a high risk of treatment failure was predicted, at C≥0.74, a positive effect of treatment was predicted. With a value of 0.51≤C<0.74, the prognosis was uncertain, stabilization was more likely. The sensitivity and specificity of the method were 92.3 % and 92.4 %, respectively. Conclusion. The method of volumetric segmentation makes it possible to predict and evaluate bladder cancer response to chemotherapy with a sufficiently high accuracy. The advantages of the method are the possibility of assessing the tumor regardless of the degree of filling of the bladder, with non-contrast MRI, and with large lesions.
Functional results and quality of life after oral cavity reconstruction using autografts
Authors: Zakirova A. A. , Reshetov I. V. , Istranov A. L. , Sukortseva N. S.
Published: June 2023

The purpose of the study was to conduct a comparative analysis and evaluate the functional results and quality of life of patients with head and neck cancer after radical surgery, depending on the reconstruction techniques used and the feasibility of using autografts for the repair of tissue innervation. Material and Methods. From 2014 to 2021a total of 133 patients with oral cavity cancer underwent simultaneous or delayed reconstruction after radical surgery at Clinical Hospital 1 of Sechenov University. All patients were divided into 4 groups: group 1 (n=37, the main group): reconstruction with free flaps “with reinnervation”, group 2 (n=24): reconstruction with free flaps “without reinnervation”, group 3 (n=23): reconstruction with pedicled axial flaps “with innervation”, and group 4 (n=49): reconstruction with pedicled axial flaps “without innervation”. The QLQ-H&N43 questionnaire was taken as the main tool, speech and swallowing functions were assessed by using scales, and sensibility was assessed by the Semmes-Weinstein and Weber tests, as well as by pain and temperature sensation. Results. In the main group, statistically significant best results were achieved in the following main scales of the QLQ-H&N43 questionnaire: total score - Me=21 (Q1-9; Q3-29) (p=0.038); speech -Me=27 (Q1-7; Q3-37) (p=0.05) and body image - Me=22 (Q1-0; Q3-47) (p=0.049). In group 1, significantly better results were obtained in assessing all sensory tests, except for the temperature sensation. In relation to less discomfort on the donor area and greater satisfaction with the cosmetic result, group 1 also gained better scores than other groups. Conclusion. The use of innervated flaps improves the quality of life and patient satisfaction with the treatment results in long-term follow-up.
Feasibility of simultaneous integrated boost for high-dose treatment of high-risk prostate cancer
Authors: Sukhikh E. S. , Sukhikh L. G. , Taletsky A. V. , Startseva Zh. A. , Verkhoturova V. V. , Rozanov V. V. , Selikhova E. A.
Published: June 2023

Background. Radiation therapy for high-risk prostate cancer presents a challenge for cancer radiotherapists. The improvement of treatment outcomes is associated with radiation dose escalation and prophylactic irradiation of lymph nodes, therefore, the development of the new treatment schemes is needed. Simultaneous integrated boost technique based on the volumetric modulated arc therapy is the most efficient treatment option. Material and Methods. The anatomical data of 10 patients with high-risk prostate cancer was used for dosimetry-based treatment planning. Both simultaneous integrated boost and sequential boost technique were considered. The treatment planning goal was to deliver the equivalent dose of 96 Gy at 2 Gy per fraction (EQD2=96 Gy) (α/β=1.5 Gy) to the prostate, EQD2=62.5 Gy to the seminal vesicles and EQD2=50 Gy to lymph nodes avoiding damaging the organs at risk, mainly the bladder and rectum. The irradiation was based on volumetric modulated arc therapy with two partially coplanar arcs and two rotations at each arc. The obtained dose distributions were compared with respect to dose-volume histograms and equivalent uniform doses (EUD). Results. In the case of sequential boost, the minimal dose delivered to the prostate was equal to 95.9 ± 2.1 Gy, EUD=104.9 ± 1.7 Gy. The dose delivered to 2 cm3 (D2cc) bladder was 97.4 ± 2.0 Gy. Normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) was 1.64 %. The dose delivered to 2 cm3 (D2cc) rectum was 103.4 ± 9.2 Gy and NTCP was 27.4 %. In the case of simultaneous integrated boost, the minimal dose delivered to the prostate was equal to 90.4 ± 2.3 Gy, EUD=103.9 ± 1.3 Gy. The bladder dose was as high as D2cc=96.1 ± 5.2 Gy, NTCP=0.176 ± 0.132 %, the rectum dose - D2cc=81.1 ± 6.0 Gy, NTCP=2.34 ± 1.92 %. Conclusion. Volumetric modulated arc therapy along with simultaneous integrated boost have shown the feasibility of simultaneous irradiation of the prostate, seminal vesicles and lymph nodes up to the prescribed dose values without significant over irradiation of the organs at risk (OARs). Dose values in the tumor as high as EUD=103.9 ± 1.3 Gy along with prophylactic irradiation of lymph nodes may result in higher tumor control probability value and should be considered for clinical trials.
Artificial intelligence in colorectal cancer: a review
Authors: Singh G.
Published: June 2023

The study objective: the study objective is to examine the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of Colorectal Cancer (CRC) and discuss the future potential of AI in CRC. Material and Methods. The Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Medline, and eLIBRARY databases were used to search for the publications. A study on the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of Colorectal Cancer (CRC) was discovered in more than 100 sources. In the review, data from 83 articles were incorporated. Results. The review article explores the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine, specifically focusing on its applications in colorectal cancer (CRC). It discusses the stages of AI development for CRC, including molecular understanding, image-based diagnosis, drug design, and individualized treatment. The benefits of AI in medical image analysis are highlighted, improving diagnosis accuracy and inspection quality. Challenges in AI development are addressed, such as data standardization and the interpretability of machine learning algorithms. The potential of AI in treatment decision support, precision medicine, and prognosis prediction is discussed, emphasizing the role of AI in selecting optimal treatments and improving surgical precision. Ethical and regulatory considerations in integrating AI are mentioned, including patient trust, data security, and liability in AI-assisted surgeries. The review emphasizes the importance of an AI standard system, dataset standardization, and integrating clinical knowledge into AI algorithms. Overall, the article provides an overview of the current research on AI in CRC diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis, discussing its benefits, challenges, and future prospects in improving medical outcomes.
COVID-19 and the adoption of digital marketing by micro and small enterprises in Nigeria
Authors: Olufunke Olasanmi Omoneye , Godwin Inneh Eghosa , John Ayoola Tajudeen , Ogechukwu Obokoh Lawrence , Ehiobuche Christian
Published: June 2023

This study aims to analyze digital marketing adoption among micro and small enterprises (MSEs) operating in Lagos State, Nigeria. This state was chosen because it was the worst hit by the COVID-19 pandemic regarding the reported number of infections and it has a large concentration of MSEs. There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic brought changes to how businesses operate. It succeeded in pushing business owners into adopting new business strategies, all in the bid to adapt to the reality of the pandemic and the associated changes. The cross-sectional survey design was adopted; data were collected through an online survey of 240 MSEs operating in Lagos State. The results show no substantial increase in digital marketing adoption during the pandemic relative to the pre-pandemic era. The findings, however, reveal that digital marketing use differed significantly according to sector and size before and during the pandemic. No changes were found in digital marketing adoption in the information technology and finance sectors, while a decline in digital marketing adoption was reported in the hospitality sector. On the other hand, there was a rise in the use of digital marketing during the pandemic in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors. These findings provide an empirical managerial perspective establishing the link between reality and theoretical business underpinnings.
Public policy and financial regulation in preventing and combating financial fraud: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Filatova Hanna , Tumpach Milos , Reshetniak Yaroslav , Lyeonov Serhiy , Vynnychenko Nataliia
Published: June 2023

This study aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis on the topic of public policy and financial regulation in preventing and combating financial fraud using a variety of bibliometric methods and tools, including the in-built tools of Scopus by Elsevier (SciVal) and Web of Science by Clarivate Analytics, as well as VOSviewer software. The most relevant publications related to the search terms were identified. Based on the results, a map illustrating the interrelationships of concepts such as “financial fraud,” “public policy,” and “financial regulation” with other categories was created, allowing for the identification of five clusters, each of which was characterized in detail. The results of the evolutionary and temporal analysis of scientific research showed that before 2000, scholars focused on the legislative aspects of combating financial fraud; from 2000 to 2015, on risk management and the impact of financial fraud on economic growth; from 2016 to the present, on the search for methods and tools to detect and combat financial fraud. The spatial analysis confirmed a predominantly intercontinental connection between researchers. The comparison of subject areas demonstrated the interdisciplinary nature of the study, with a predominant focus on the fields of “computer science” and “economics, econometrics, and finance,” which is logical considering the economic nature and the ongoing technological transformation of financial fraud. The results can be utilized to develop new strategies, policies, and legislative initiatives to ensure financial integrity and increase confidence in financial systems.
AcknowledgmentThis study is funded by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and contains the results of the projects No. 0123U101945 “National security of Ukraine through prevention of financial fraud and money laundering: War and post-war challenges”, 0121U109559 “National security through the convergence of financial monitoring systems and cyber security: Intelligent modelling of financial market regulation mechanisms” and by the Vega Agency No. 1/0638/23.
Inclusive development: Assessment of regional inequality in Kazakhstan and measures to reduce it
Authors: Nurlanova Nailya , Alzhanova Farida , Saparbek Nurgul , Dnishev Farkhat
Published: June 2023

In recent years, inequality in the economic and social development of regions and population has increased in Kazakhstan. The purpose of this paper is to assess the level of differences between the regions of Kazakhstan in the field of social, economic, innovation, and infrastructural inclusion and offer recommendations for reducing regional inequality. The research hypothesis is that the high level of economic inequality of the regions determines the high level of differences in the field of social inclusion, inclusion in the field of infrastructure and innovation. The assessment of regional differences was carried out according to four groups of economic, social, innovative, and infrastructural indicators; private and integral indices of inclusive development of regions were calculated. The gaps between the highest and lowest index by groups were revealed: social inclusion – 3.37; economic inclusion – 7.45; infrastructure inclusion – 2.96; innovative inclusion – 6.67. A map of inclusive development of the regions of Kazakhstan is developed. Estimates showed that despite the large gap in the economic development of the regions, the gap in social and infrastructural development remained smaller. In cases where the gap between the maximum and minimum values of the index in the regions increased, more and more regions found themselves in the group with a low level of inclusive development.
AcknowledgmentThis study is funded by the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Grant No. AP09259004 “Priorities and mechanisms of inclusive regional development of Kazakhstan in the context of overcoming the economic recession”).We would like to thank the anonymous reviewers and issue editors for their helpful comments.
Corporation income taxation impact on unemployment rate: VAR model approach
Authors: Ngoc Son Nguyen
Published: June 2023

Corporate income tax is an important tax for the state to regulate budget revenue and is an important tool for encouraging and promoting production and business development to create jobs. This study investigated the relationship and impact between corporate income tax and unemployment in Vietnam, China, and South Africa to investigate whether higher corporate income tax contributes to higher unemployment. Data on corporate taxation and unemployment rates from 2000 to 2020 are collected, and the VAR model, cointegration, and impulse response tests were applied to estimate the impact of taxation on the unemployment rates of developed, developing, and underdeveloped countries. The corporate tax and unemployment rates have a close relationship: South Africa, China, and Vietnam correspond to 82%, 54.3%, and 47%, and the majority of the model’s variables for the three countries are non-stationary at lag I(0), with the exception of the variable for China’s unemployment rate, which demonstrates that the probabilities of the model’s variables for Vietnam and South Africa are greater than the alpha of 0.05 and are, respectively, 0.6193, 0.7299, 0.3421, and 0.6347. Thus, variables have a lag after year, in this case, assuming that other factors remain unchanged if the corporate tax rate decreases by 1%, South Africa’s unemployment rate decreases by 10%. Similarly, Vietnam’s unemployment rate decreased by 1.1%, but China’s unemployment increased by 2.9%. The suggestion is that the government adjusts tax laws to better match micromanagement and regulate and balance the relationship between taxes and unemployment.
Everyday Life at a Provincial School in the 1930s: The Stalinist Way Newspaper in the Town of Taiga, West Siberia
Authors: Tikhomirov Nikita V.
Published: June 2023

The article describes the school education in the town of Taiga, West Siberia, during the accelerated construction of socialism in the 1930s. The research relied on a local newspaper called The Stalinist Way. The author used the historical and anthropological approach based on the principles of total history. The key task was to reconstruct the everyday life of the local community in the context of the Soviet cultural revolution. The analysis made it possible to summarize the unique testimonies of ordinary people about various aspects of school life, teachers, their role in the community, and relations with the local authorities. The findings expand the understanding of the regional history of Western Siberia in the XX century and the all-Russian processes at the local level. This article contributes to the domestic theory and methodology of everyday life studies. It also adds a new, heuristic value to the Soviet periodical press as a historical source, as well as reveals new prospects for anthropological criticism.
The United States of America in the Four Power Agreement on Berlin (1971)
Authors: Popov Yuriy P.
Published: June 2023

The article describes the role of the United States in the Quadripartite Agreement on the issue of West Berlin signed by France, the USA, the UK, and the USSR in 1971. American participation in the negotiations consisted of two stages: passive interaction and intense activity. The author believes that Washington faced internal and external obstacles that affected the dynamics of the US involvement in the negotiations. The Federal Republic of Germany pursued its own "new eastern policy", which complicated the diplomatic maneuvers of the United States on the status of West Berlin. However, it was President Kissinger who helped to smooth the contradiction between the USA, as well as to find a compromise with the USSR, thus solving the West Berlin problem. The Quadripartite Agreement on Berlin was an important step in the emerging détente between the two superpowers.
Olaf Scholz, His Program of the Future, and the European Direction in Russia's Foreign Policy
Authors: Sindeev Alexey A.
Published: June 2023

The article features the current European direction in Russia’s foreign policy in the context of the Western ideas and its response to them. The author focuses on the current ideological state of the modern European direction as part of Russia’s foreign policy and the role of the historical community in its development. The research objective was to identify and classify the dominant European ideas, as well as to define their influence on the European direction of Russia’s foreign policy and to outline the prospective cross-thematic historical research. The combined historical-subject and historiographical goal resulted from the incomplete nature of the processes under study and the opportunities for the Russian historical community to participate in the formation of the modern European direction of Russia’s foreign policy. The author believes that the cooperation of historians and social scientists can bring about major practical benefits. The research relied on standard historical methods and the method of discursive analysis. The chronological scope of the article is limited to 2022 and the early 2023, which made it impossible to provide a brief overview of the related literature in the introduction. The article is debatable and refers to a mixed type of subject-theoretic articles on recent history. The main practical results are the four possible directions of cross-thematic research: 1) the history of splits in Europe, European states, and European societies, as well as their consequences; 2) worldviews, conflicting worldviews, struggle and dialogue of worldviews, uni-/multivariant and un/productive synthesis of ideas and their consequences; 3) the first stage of globalization in modern history and prospects for European integration; 4) options, types, and patterns of partnerships and collaborations within Europe and individual European countries, as well as societies outside Europe.
Political Socialization of Soviet Schoolchildren as Part of Children's Public Diplomacy: International Visits
Authors: Turygin Alexander A. , Kupriyanov Boris V. , Talalaev Artyom A.
Published: June 2023

The article describes the concept of political socialization of Soviet schoolchildren based on children's public diplomacy in 1982–1986. The authors concentrated on the international visits made by Samantha Smith and Yekaterina Lychyova. The research did not involve other factors of political socialization, e.g., weekly political information, fundraising events for the starving children of Africa and Nicaragua, foreign pen-palls, etc. These international visits provided valuable practical experience of interaction between Soviet and foreign children. Children's diplomacy is a relatively new phenomenon for Russian historiography, and the authors attempted to define its theoretical and symbolic meaning. The ideology-affected political socialization transformed children's everyday life, depriving it of the freedom of choice and opportunities. The analysis of children's diplomacy with its potential opportunities and shortcomings made it possible to determine the bottlenecks of political socialization. It revealed the tension between the public and private dimensions of international politics and actualized the factor of transnational activity in the development of bilateral Soviet-American relations. The research relied on the personal experience of those children, their memories, memoirs of their contemporaries, media publications, etc. The project of children's diplomacy failed because it deviated from its original scenario. Every time the process was out of direct control of political elites, children’s psychology and behavior interfered with the plan.
Entrepreneurship of Bukharan Jews during Economic Modernization of Central Asia in the Early XX Century: Yusuf Davydov Trading House
Authors: Shaidurov Vladimir N.
Published: June 2023

In the early XX century, Turkestan represented a remarkable model of economic modernization. Russian commercial banks and the local bourgeoisie welcomed the economic integration of the Central Asian periphery into the Russian Empire. Bukharan Jews had found their economic niche by the 1860s: they traded in cotton and acted as intermediaries between Turkestan cotton producers and Russian textile workers. However, the segregationist policy in the regional industry prohibited them to establish trading houses and, therefore, restricted their ability to obtain bank loans. Eventually, the liberal economic policy initiated by Prime Minister Sergei Yu. Witte facilitated the reorganization of Bukharan-Jewish enterprises. The patriarchal family businesses turned into modern trading and industrial companies, e.g., the Davydov Trading House, the Vadyaev Brothers, etc. The National Bank and the Russian Commercial Bank opened their outlets in the most important commercial and industrial centers of Turkestan, which was another important step towards economic modernization. This article focuses on the role of Russian commercial banks in the activities of Bukharan-Jewish business circles during the modernization of the Central Asian periphery of the Russian Empire in the early XX century. The Davydov Trading House was reorganized in 1906 and became a leader in the cotton trading market. It used the loans from Russian banks to build cotton ginning factories, breweries, and an internal network of seed-cotton suppliers. Unlike the Vadyaev Brothers, the Davidov family failed to create a stable family business model: in the summer of 1914, the Trading House and all its property were controlled by a committee board established by the major creditors from among the Russian commercial banks. In spite of the Great War, the board managed to save the Davydov Trading House from bankruptcy and modernized its operations.
A Review of Noise Management Practice in Nigeria
Authors: Orikpete Ochuko Felix , Ewim Daniel
Published: June 2023

Technological advancement, modern systems of transportation, and an expanding human population have brought in their wake a disturbing situation of exposure to environmental noise. This paper was therefore written to create awareness about the expository effects and impacts of environmental noise pollution on the human population. The target population of interest was the Nigerian population. The key findings were linked and related to existing regulations in Nigeria and other countries to enable effective intervention strategies to reduce the harmful impact of noise pollution. Noise pollution was identified as contributing to the poor health of citizens and as a barrier to development and growth at the national level. By focusing on adverse effects and risk factors, the paper highlighted methods to promote the best interests of the vulnerable population. The paper also acknowledged the issue of industrial and environmental noise pollution from the perspective of its contribution to the economic growth and development of the country. Noise pollution was, therefore, required to be measured and controlled with the help of effective strategic laws. It would help reduce the negative effects on the economy and the vulnerable Nigerian population. This paper will be useful in anticipating future reforms that can reduce the considerable noise pollution and its negative impact on the population group
The Importance of Digitalization for Sustaining Cultural Environments in Resilient Cities
Authors: DENİZ Deniz
Published: June 2023

In recent years, cities have started to develop faster than ever, and this improvement led to crucial changes in terms of social, environmental, as well as cultural conditions. Today, people mostly prefer living in cities for many reasons where cities’ sources have been forced to their limits for adaptation to this growth. In this respect, planners and designers have started to search for sustainable and innovative solutions with the help of technology and digitalization. With this dramatic improvement, not only planning and design professionals but also governments started to take into consideration smart and long-term solutions for resilient cities.
Sustainable cities are self-sufficient with its natural and cultural environments. They can also manage their economic and social acts from the viewpoint of sustainability. With the increasing demand for technological developments in the age of digitalization, cities should also include ‘Smartness’ in order to achieve sustainable development for resilience where environmental, social, and cultural aspects need to be provided in a sustainable way via creating smart solutions.
Digital transformation can help to fulfill the needs and future expectations of city dwellers by increasing opportunities and cultural values for a sustainable lifestyle as one of the fundamentals of resilient cities. In this regard, this paper mainly discusses how digitalization and smart technologies can help for sustainable development and propose a new model for digital transformation to achieve culturally resilient cities.
Technical aspects and outcomes of using homografts in atrioventricular valve surgery: a systematic review
Authors: Nuzhdin M.D. , Komarov R.N. , Matsuganov D.A. , Melnikov I.Yu. , Tsaregorodtsev A.V.
Published: June 2023

Objective: To summarize and critically appraise the world experience with homografts in mitral and tricuspid valve surgery.Methods: We conducted a systematic review according to the PRISMA criteria. We searched the following terms in available databases, such as PubMed (National Center for Biotechnology Information), Cochrane Library, Web of Science (Clarivate), and Google Scholar: ((mitral homograft) OR (tricuspid homograft) OR (homograft) AND (valve replacement) OR (valve repair)).Results: We recruited 3 specialists to search the information matching our inclusion and exclusion criteria and selected 23 publications covering the period 1988-2021 for analysis. The mean follow-up period was 15 [6-60] months. Survival at the end of the follow-up period was 100% [90.7%-100.0%]; freedom from graft dysfunction was 100%, and freedom from reoperation was 100% [79%-100%].Conclusion: The world experience with homografts in atrioventricular valve surgery is limited to small case series with inconclusive surgical aspects and a heterogeneous follow-up period. The immediate results suggest that homografts could be used as an alternative valve substitute for a wide spectrum of diseases both in primary and revision surgery.
Received 19 April 2023. Revised 14 May 2023. Accepted 15 May 2023.
Funding: The study did not have sponsorship.
Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Contribution of the authorsConception and study design: M.D. Nuzhdin, R.N. KomarovData collection and analysis: M.D. Nuzhdin, D.A. Matsuganov, I.Yu. Melnikov, A.V. TsaregorodtsevStatistical analysis: D.A. MatsuganovDrafting the article: M.D. NuzhdinCritical revision of the article: R.N. Komarov, M.D. NuzhdinFinal approval of the version to be published: M.D. Nuzhdin, R.N. Komarov, D.A. Matsuganov, I.Yu. Melnikov, A.V. Tsaregorodtsev
Manifestações artísticas urbanas contemporâneas a territorialidade como expressão da alternativa artística
Authors: Januário Susana
Published: June 2023

The study of urban artistic manifestations shows that their relationship with the territories where they are located or take place is characterised by being dialogic, since they are mutually relevant and beneficial. The inscription of these manifestations in the territory will result in the consubstantiation of a particularly characteristic dimension of these manifestations: their alternative inclination. Based on the intensive study of a set of cases, distributed throughout the national territory, we seek to demonstrate, based on the social representations of the interviewed actors/agents, how the cases are demarcated in the territory and configure alternative obliquities
Smart Floor Mats for a Health Monitoring System Based on Textile Pressure Sensing: Development and Usability Study
Authors: Kim Hyunsoo , Jang Seong Jin , Lee Hee Dong , Ko Jae Hoon , Lim Jee Young
Published: June 2023

Background

The rise in single-person households has resulted in social problems like loneliness and isolation, commonly known as “death by loneliness.” Various factors contribute to this increase, including a desire for independent living and communication challenges within families due to societal changes. Older individuals living alone are particularly susceptible to loneliness and isolation due to limited family communication and a lack of social activities. Addressing these issues is crucial, and proactive solutions are needed. It is important to explore diverse measures to tackle the challenges of single-person households and prevent deaths due to loneliness in our society.

Objective

Non–face-to-face health care service systems have gained widespread interest owing to the rapid development of smart home technology. Particularly, a health monitoring system must be developed to manage patients’ health status and send alerts for dangerous situations based on their activity. Therefore, in this study, we present a novel health monitoring system based on the auto-mapping method, which uses real-time position sensing mats.

Methods

The smart floor mats are operated as piezo-resistive devices, which are composed of a carbon nanotube–based conductive textile, electrodes, main processor circuit, and a mat. The developed smart floor system acquires real-time position information using a multiconnection method between the modules based on the auto-mapping algorithm, which automatically creates a spatial map. The auto-mapping algorithm allows the user to freely set various activity areas through floor mapping. Then, the monitoring system was evaluated in a room with an area of 41.3 m2, which is embedded with the manufactured floor mats and monitoring application.

Results

This monitoring system automatically acquires information on the total number, location, and direction of the mats and creates a spatial map. The position sensing mats can be easily configured with a simple structure by using a carbon nanotube–based piezo-resistive textile. The mats detect the activity in real time and record location information since they are connected through auto-mapping technology.

Conclusions

This system allows for the analysis of patients’ behavior patterns and the management of health care on the web by providing important basic information for activity patterns in the monitoring system. The proposed smart floor system can serve as the foundation for smart home applications in the future, which include health care, intelligent automation, and home security, owing to its advantages of low cost, large area, and high reliability.
Protocol for a Formative Study to Develop a Self-Rehabilitation Intervention for Functional Mobility among Community-dwelling Stroke Survivors in LMICs (Preprint)
Authors: Ibrahim Rabi'u , Lawal Isa Usman , Joseph Conran
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND

Stroke is a significant source of acquired adult neurological disability. The increased burden of stroke in Low and Lower-middle Income Countries is currently approaching epidemic level. The consequences of stroke have long-standing effects and require long-term management of the resultant limitations. Lack of resources, inadequate number of professionals, poor awareness, and lack of technical capacity have made the accessibility and availability of stroke rehabilitation services difficult in Low and Lower-middle Income Countries. The development of specific and appropriate stroke rehabilitation approaches that can be self-administered, targeting community-dwelling stroke survivors in Low and Lower-middle Income Countries settings, is highly important.

OBJECTIVE

To develop and validate a culturally-suitable Task-specific, Self-rehabilitation Training model that can be self-administered by community-dwelling stroke survivors through tele-rehabilitation.

METHODS

A formative research design is proposed to support the development of a culturally-adaptable Task-Specific Training programme to be delivered through tele-rehabilitation that can be self-administered by community-dwelling stroke survivors. Focus group discussions with community-dwelling stroke survivors will be conducted to gather information regarding challenges they faced in carrying out daily activities. The gathered information will be used to inform the development of a Task-specific self-rehabilitation Training model. A Delphi technique will be employed to refine the items in the initial model and come up with a Task-specific, self-rehabilitation programme target at improving functional ability among community-dwelling stroke survivors.

RESULTS

Ethical approval (NHREC/06/12/5) to conduct this study has been sought and obtained. The study sites had been selected.

CONCLUSIONS

This study protocol is expected to be useful for researchers in the planning and implementation of similar studies.
A brief web-based person-centred care training programme for the management of generalized anxiety disorder: A feasibility randomized controlled trial in Spain (Preprint)
Authors: Ramos-García Vanesa , Rivero-Santana Amado , Peñate-Castro Wenceslao , Álavrez-Pérez Yolanda , Duarte-Díaz Andrea , Torres-Castaño Alezandra , Trujillo-Martín María del Mar , González-González Ana Isabel , Serrano-Aguilar Pedro , Perestelo-Pérez Lilisbeth
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND

Shared decision making (SDM) is a crucial aspect of patient-centered care in the field of healthcare. While several SDM training programs for health care professional have been developed, only a few have been evaluated. In Spain, Evaluation of SDM training programs in for healthcare professionals, in field generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is limited.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a brief training program of a web-based on the attitudes of primary care (PC) professionals that attends patients with GAD towards SDM and person-centered care (PCC) Spain.

METHODS

We conducted a feasibility randomized controlled trial (RCT). Professional healthcare were units of randomized. A sample of thirty-four professional healthcare in Canary Islands, were divided into an intervention group (a PCC training programme) or a control group (waiting list). The researcher was blinded to group allocation; it was not possible to blind professionals. The main outcome was the Leeds Attitudes Towards Concordance scale (LATConII) score at baseline and 3 months (pre and post intervention). The intervention consisted of two online sessions based on the integrated elements of the PCC model to improve their attitudes and skills towards SDM.

RESULTS

A total of 13 primary care center and 23 professionals were assessed. The intervention seems to have a moderate effect in changing the attitude of professionals towards a more favourable relationship model. The intervention group significantly increased their scores compared to baseline in the total scale (B = 0.4, p = 0.033) and Communication/empathy (B = 0.58, p = 0.033), whereas the control group significantly decreased in Shared control (B = -0.43, p = 0.037).

CONCLUSIONS

A brief session PCC training programme for health professionals was feasible and produced significant improvements in participants’ attitude towards the SDM model. These findings highlight the potential of targeted training interventions to promote a patient-centered approach in primary care settings. Further research is warranted to explore the long-term effects and implementation strategies of SDM training programs in various healthcare contexts.
Keywords: person-centered care, primary care, training professional, shared decision-making.
Policies and Management Interventions to Enhance Health and Care Workforce Capacity for Addressing the COVID-19 Pandemic: Protocol for a Living Systematic Review (Preprint)
Authors: Cavalcante de Oliveira Ana Paula , Lopes Galante Mariana , Senna Maia Leila , Craveiro Isabel , Pereira da Silva Alessandra , Fronteira Ines , Chança Raphael , Ferrinho Paulo , Dal Poz Mario
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND

Countries and health systems have had to make challenging resource allocation and capacity-building decisions to promote proper patient care and ensure health and care workers’ safety and well-being, so that they can effectively address the present COVID-19 pandemic as well as upcoming public health problems and natural catastrophes. As innovations are already in place and updated evidence is published daily, more information is required to inform the development and implementation of policies and interventions to improve health and care workforce capacity to address the COVID-19 pandemic response.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this protocol review is to identify countries’ range of experiences with policies and management interventions that can improve health and care workers’ capacity to address the COVID-19 pandemic response and synthesize evidence on the effectiveness of the interventions.

METHODS

We will conduct a living systematic review of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods studies and gray literature (technical and political documents) published in English, French, Hindi, Portuguese, Italian, and Spanish between January 1, 2000, and March 1, 2022. The databases to be searched are MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, SCOPUS, and Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature. In addition, the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Research Database and the websites of international organizations (International Labour Organization, Economic Co-operation and Development, and The Health System Response Monitor) will be searched for unpublished studies and gray literature. Data will be extracted from the selected documents using an electronic form adapted from the Joanna Briggs Institute quantitative and qualitative tools for data extraction. A convergent integrated approach to synthesis and integration will be used. The risk of bias will be assessed with Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools, and the certainty of the evidence in the presented outcomes will be assessed with the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation.

RESULTS

The database and gray literature search retrieved 3378 documents. Data are being analyzed by 2 independent reviewers. The study is expected to be published by the end of 2023 in a peer-reviewed journal.

CONCLUSIONS

This review will allow us to identify and describe the policies and strategies implemented by countries and their effectiveness, as well as identify gaps in the evidence.

CLINICALTRIAL

PROSPERO CRD42022327041; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=327041

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

RR1-10.2196/50306
5G Key Technologies for Helicopter Aviation Medical Rescue (Preprint)
Authors: Han Sr Wei , Li 2nd Yuanting , Chen 3rd Changgen , Huang Danni , Wang Junchao , Li Xiang , Ji Zhongliang , Li Qin , Li Zhuang
Published: June 2023

UNSTRUCTURED

Rapid global population growth and urbanization have heightened the demand for emergency medical rescue, with helicopter medical rescue emerging as an effective solution. The advent of 5G communication technology, characterized by large bandwidth, low latency, and high reliability, offers substantial promise in enhancing the efficiency and quality of helicopter rescue operations. However, the full integration of 5G technology into helicopter emergency medical services is still in its nascent stages and requires further development. In this viewpoint, we present our experience from the Shenzhen University General Hospital of the application of 5G low-altitude network communication technology, body area network disease sensing technology, and 5G air-ground collaborative rapid diagnosis and treatment technology in aeromedical rescue. We consider that the 5G air-to-ground collaborative rapid diagnosis and treatment technology enables high-quality remote consultation, enhancing emergency medical rescue and providing strong support for future rescue operations.
Unlocking the mystery of internal investigation: the use of information from private internal investigations in the Polish criminal process
Authors: Sakowicz Andrzej , Zieliński Sebastian
Published: June 2023

This study aims to present the problems associated with the use of information from private internal investigation in a criminal process. The paper first presents the essence, functions, limits, and purposes of internal investigations, taking into account legal restrictions, including constitutional ones. Further in the paper, the authors critically analyze the possibility of using materials obtained and produced in internal investigations in criminal proceedings. A significant number of internal investigations are conducted by attorneys. Therefore, the paper also evaluates the permissibility of abolishing the attorney-client privilege and of the court or the law enforcement agencies obtaining the materials produced by an attorney in the course of an internal investigation or questioning of the lawyer. Having an attorney conduct an internal investigation improves the security of the information produced in the course of the internal investigation, as the materials are covered by the attorney-client privilege. However, one should bear in mind that in Poland this is not an absolute protection. The considerations led the authors to the conclusion that internal investigations are a valuable tool of the system for preventing irregularities in corporations and an important source of materials that can be used in criminal proceedings.