bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EVADR ceRNA transcript variants upregulate WNT and PI3K signaling pathways in SW480 and HCT116 cells by sponging miR-7 and miR-29b
Authors: Yari Mohsen , Soltani Bahram M. , Ghaemi Zahra , Omrani Mir Davood
Published: November 2022

Long noncoding RNAs are cancer regulators and EVADR-lncRNA is highly upregulated in colorectal cancer (CRC). Accordingly, we aimed to functionally characterize the EVADR in CRC-originated cells. Firstly, during the amplification of EVADR full-length cDNA (named EVADR-v1), a novel/shorter variant (EVADR-v2) was discovered. Then, RT-qPCR analysis confirmed that EVADR is upregulated in tumors, consistent with RNA-seq analysis. Interestingly, bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase assay verified that EVADR sponges miR-7 and miR-29b. When both EVADR-v1/-v2 variants were overexpressed in SW480/HCT116 cells, miR-7 and miR-29b target genes (involved in the WNT/PI3K signaling) were upregulated. Furthermore, EVADR-v1/-v2 overexpression resulted in elevated PI3K activity (verified by western blotting and RT-qPCR) and upregulation of WNT signaling (confirmed by western blotting, TopFlash assay, and RT-qPCR). Consistently, overexpression of EVADR-v1/-v2 variants was followed by increased cell cycle progression, viability and migration as well as reduced early/late apoptotic rate, and Bax/Bcl2 ratio of the CRC cells, detected by the cell cycle analysis, MTT, wound-healing, Annexin-V/PI, and RT-qPCR methods, respectively. Overall, we introduced two oncogenic transcript variants for EVADR that by sponging miR-7/miR-29b, upregulate WNT and PI3K signaling. Given the crucial role of these pathways in CRC, EVADR may present potential therapy use.
Influence of drive chamber discharging process on non-linear displacer dynamics and thermodynamic processes of a fluidic-driven Gifford-McMahon cryocooler
Authors: Panda Debashis , Kumar Manoj , Behera Suraj K. , Satapathy Ashok K. , Sarangi Sunil Kr.
Published: November 2022

Continuous effort is made on Gifford-McMahon cryocoolers (GMC) to amplify its refrigeration power, so they can be used to cool the cryopumps, high Tc magnets and development of efficient small-scale hydrogen liquefiers, etc. The fluidic-driven GMC is considered to be more reliable and prominent candidate than the mechanically-driven GMC due to its structural simplicity and reliability. Nonetheless, cooling mechanism of the fluidic-driven GMC is complicated, as the displacer motion inside the displacer cylinder is simultaneously controlled by the pressure difference between drive chamber and compression/expansion chamber. Different paths of displacer can be traced inside the displacer cylinder for different drive-chamber discharging process, hence, pressure–volume power of compression and expansion chambers, and refrigeration power changes. A theoretical study is conducted in present paper to visualize the influence of drive-chamber discharging process on the thermodynamic characteristics of fluidic-driven GMC for the first time. Thermodynamic cycles are drawn at the expansion chamber of the fluidic-driven GMC for different values of drive-chamber discharging process for two types of valve timing arrangements. Energy and work loss behaviors in different components of the GMC are also analysed. Adequate experimental investigations have also been carried out on a fluidic-driven displacer type GMC to verify the simulation results.
A Holistic Understanding of Scientific Methodology: The Cases of the CMS and OPERA Experiments
Authors: Mate Shonkholen
Published: November 2022

Philosophers of science are divided over the interpretations of scientific normativity. Larry Laudan defends a sort of goal-directed rules for scientific methodology. In contrast, Gerard Doppelt thinks methodological rules are a mixed batch of rules in that some are goal-oriented hypothetical rules and others are goal-independent categorical rules. David Resnik thinks that the debate between them is at a standstill now. He further thinks there are certain rules, such as the rule of consistency which is goal independent. However, he proposes a holistic understanding of the scientific methodology. Taking a thread from Resnik, the present paper also advocates a holistic understanding of the scientific methodology. Given that many scientific practices deal with systems, the focus will be given to the systems by assuming each as a constellation of methodological norms. By taking each system as a set of mutually supportive methodological rules whose instrumental values underwrite the coherence relation among them, the paper aims to provide what could be a viable holistic epistemological account that can explain scientific normativity at work in a scientific system. The paper will lay down specific holistic criteria for understanding the scientific methodology. They will be used to show how a holistic account could satisfactorily account for the success of the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment in discovering the Higgs boson and how the holistic account can account for the instrumental error behind the apparent faster-than-light neutrino anomaly of the Oscillation Project with Emulsion-t Racking Apparatus (OPERA) experiments respectively.
When yeast cells change their mind: cell cycle “Start” is reversible under starvation
Authors: Irvali Deniz , Schlottmann Fabian P , Muralidhara Prathibha , Nadelson Iliya , Kleemann Katja , Wood N Ezgi , Doncic Andreas , Ewald Jennifer C
Published: November 2022

Eukaryotic cells decide in late G1 phase of the cell cycle whether to commit to another round of division. This point of cell cycle commitment is termed “Restriction Point” in mammals and “Start” in the budding yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiae. At Start, yeast cells integrate multiple signals such as pheromones and nutrients, and will not pass Start if nutrients are lacking. However, how cells respond to nutrient depletionafterthe Start decision remains poorly understood. Here, we analyze how post‐Start cells respond to nutrient depletion, by monitoring Whi5, the cell cycle inhibitor whose export from the nucleus determines Start. Surprisingly, we find that cells that have passed Start canre‐import Whi5 into the nucleus. In these cells, the positive feedback loop activating G1/S transcription is interrupted, and the Whi5 repressor re‐binds DNA. Cells which re‐import Whi5 become again sensitive to mating pheromone, like pre‐Start cells, and CDK activation can occur a second time upon replenishment of nutrients. These results demonstrate that upon starvation, the commitment decision at Start can be reversed. We therefore propose that cell cycle commitment in yeast is a multi‐step process, similar to what has been suggested for mammalian cells.
Batik Sumber Ide Ratu Kalinyamat dan Ornamen Masjid Mantingan Jepara
Authors: Fadillah Icha Zulita , Naam Muh Fakhrihun
Published: November 2022

Ratu Kalinyamat sebagai tokoh wanita yang inspiratif dan fenomenal di Jepara dan peninggalan bangunan sejarah berupa ornamen yang ada di Masjid Mantingan menjadi ide dasar terciptanya karya batik tulis berupa jarik. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui proses penciptaan motif batik dan mendeskripsikan hasil karya batik dengan sumber ide dari Ratu Kalinyamat dengan kereta kencana dan ornamen masjid makam Mantingan Jepara. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode penelitian Research and Development (RnD). Teknik pengumpulan data dengan observasi, wawancara dengan juru kunci dan expert judgement, dan dokumentasi. Teknik analisis datanya menggunakan metode kualitatif deskriptif meliputi reduksi data dari narasumber dan expert judgement, display data berupa deskripsi atau narasi karya, kesimpulan atau verifikasi.  Hasil penelitian karya batik berjudul “Sang Ratu dan Kereta Kencana Penikmat Senja” pada bahan katun primissima dengan teknik batik tulis yang terdiri tahap mencuci kain, molani, nyanting, nemboki, nyolet, nglorod, dan pengemasan. Teknik pewarnaan colet menggunakan pewarna remasol dan fiksasi waterglass, karya batik dideskripsikan berdasarkan unsur dan prinsip desain yang meliputi aspek estetika , aspek bahan, aspek fungsional, aspek kualitas, dan aspek simbolik.
#FairLesen vs. #BuchistBuch
Authors: Leyrer Katharina
Published: November 2022

Soll der Verleih von E-Books in Öffentlichen Bibliotheken gesetzlich geregelt werden? Darüber streiten Bibliotheken mit Verlagen und Autor*innen. Dieser Beitrag systematisiert die Argumente, die die verschiedenen Konfliktparteien anbringen und ordnet diese ein. Dabei wird gezeigt, dass die E-Book-Ausleihe in Öffentlichen Bibliotheken den barrierefreien Zugang zu Bildung und Kultur sichert, aber eine Lösung gefunden werden muss, um die Leistung von Verlagen und Autor*innen angemessen zu vergüten.
Praxisstudien kompakt: Film- und Fernsehproduktion in Nordrhein-Westfalen
Authors: Rix Jennifer , Gläser Martin
Published: November 2022

Gut gemachte Studien zu aktuellen Themen der Wirtschaft sind für Praktiker und Wissenschaftler gleichermaßen interessant. Die in Heft 4/2020 gestartete Rubrik „Praxisstudien kompakt“ gibt Einblicke in relevante Praxisstudien zur Medienwirtschaft. In dieser Ausgabe stellen wir Ihnen die Studie mit dem Titel „Film- und Fernsehproduktion in NRW“ vor. Die jährlichen Studien dieser Reihe gelten als „Seismograph“ für die Branchenentwicklung in der Produktion von audiovisuellen Formaten für Fernsehen, Kino und Video-on-Demand (VOD) in Deutschland. Die Studie zeigt auf, dass das Produktionsvolumen im Vergleich zu 2019 in den Bereichen TV und Kino zurückgegangen ist, das Produktionsvolumen von VOD-Angeboten jedoch deutlich stieg. Auch berichtet die Studie von einer im internationalen Vergleich langsameren Konsolidierung im Produktionsmarkt.
Tagungsbericht: Lokalrundfunktage 2022 in Nürnberg
Authors: Schwegler Petra
Published: November 2022

Der lokale Rundfunk ist relevant für die Menschen, er sorgt für Medienvielfalt und Ausgewogenheit. Das machen die herausfordernden Zeiten mit Pandemie, Krieg und Krisen besonders deutlich. Was ist zu tun, dass Radio und Fernsehen vor Ort ihren Auftrag auch künftig bestmöglich erfüllen können? Zum 30. Jubiläum der Lokalrundfunktage, die am 5. und 6. Juli 2022 nach zwei Jahren mit digitalen Events in die Messe Nürnberg zurückgekehrt sind, diskutierten mehr als 70 Expert:innen über die Zukunft des Lokalfunks in der digitalen Welt.
The apudessive in Lithuanian
Authors: Petit Daniel
Published: November 2022

The paper describes the rise of the apudessive preposition pàs in Lithuanian. The apudessive meaning (‘at someone’s home’) was rare in Old Lithuanian, where pàs denoted spatial proximity in competition with priẽ. The preposition pàs underwent a multi-stage evolution [behind] > [adessive] (first only directional) > [adessive] (both directional and positional) > [apudessive] (both directional and positional).
The phonetic interaction of stress and intonation: a study of Standard Lithuanian
Authors: Švageris Evaldas
Published: November 2022

It is commonly accepted, that word stress in Standard Lithuanian has a complex phonetic nature. However, empirical data do not support such a view. The functional importance of acoustic parameters can only be proven relying on their “relations of relations” between stressed and unstressed syllables. To put it simply, we cannot state for sure that in all cases stressed syllables are superior in acoustical means. We can rely on intersyllabic relation of some sort only. If this is true, word stress is no more recognizable from a sintagmatic point of view. In addition, such interpretation presupposes a very complex mechanism of stress perception that is difficult to verify by experimental means. This article highlights the phonetic interaction of prosodic elements in the hope that more invariant features of acoustic stress structure can be captured from this perspective. The analyzed data show that prosodic elements selectively regulate the amount of acoustic energy, its degree of variation and dynamics. The first two are the prerogative of the phrasal intonation and the third is determined by the stress. The latter prosodic element, to put it more simply, is a factor that determines the control of acoustic energy distribution at the intersyllabic level.
The pancreas as a target organ for metastases: Multi-center study in Argentina
Authors: Rubio Juan Santiago , Glinka Juan , Balmer Matías , Ditulio Ornella , Mazza Oscar , Capitanich Pablo , Kohan Gustavo , Stork Gustavo , Brachetto Ezequiel , Menna José Luis , Pierini Leandro , Schelotto Pablo Barros , Gondolesi Gabriel E
Published: November 2022

Background: The pancreas is an uncommon site for metastases, accounting for 0.25% to 5% of pancreatic tumors, so that solitary pancreatic metastases are rare. The most frequent primary tumor capable of metastasizing in the pancreas is clear cell renal carcinoma (CCRC). Surgical resection remains the best therapeutic alternative to achieve long-term survival. Our aim is to present the long-term results of a multi-center study in Argentina of pancreatic resection due to pancreatic metastases. Methods: Multi-center, retrospective report of adult patients operated for pancreatic metastases from July 2010 to December 2019, in 7 high volume Argentinian HPB surgery centers. Results: 1557 pancreatic surgeries were performed, 48 (3.1%) due to pancreatic metastases. Median age was 62±11 years, 25 (52%) male. Twenty-six distal pancreatectomies, 12 pancreatoduodenectomies, 5 total pancreatectomies, 1 central pancreatectomy and 4 tumor enucleations were performed. The most frequent primary tumor was CCRC (N=35) followed by colorectal cancer (N=4). Mean number of pancreatic lesions was 1.6±3. Twenty-two (45%) patients had complications and 5 (10%) patients required reoperation; the 90-day mortality rate was 4.2%. Mean follow-up was 80 months. The mean disease-free interval was 5.3±6 years. The disease-free and overall survival was better in patients with pancreatic metastases of clear cell renal carcinoma compared with other type of cancer. Conclusion: Despite its rarity, pancreatic metastases must be considered as a possible diagnosis in patients with a prior oncological history; surgical resection remains as the main therapeutic option.
FUNDAMENTOS HIPOTÉTICOS PARA INVESTIGAR LA CRISIS ECONÓMICA
Authors: Reuben Soto Sergio
Published: November 2022

El artículo pretende integrar los desarrollos teóricos en el campo de los mercados imperfectos y  monopólicos, y el funcionamiento de la firma en tales condiciones, con las teorías de la distribución del ingreso; particularmente entre los grandes agregados macroeconómicos del capital y el trabajo.  Formulando así, hipótesis de trabajo desde una perspectiva integral, para enfocar el rompimiento del proceso de acumulación de capital expresado en la crisis económica actual.
STATISTICIAN’S NEW ROLE AS A DETECTIVE – TESTING DATA FOR FRAUD
Authors: Ely Kossovsky Alex
Published: November 2022

El objetivo de este trabajo es proporcionar al estadístico con un método para la difícil tarea de decidir si un determinado conjunto de datos podría haber sido inventado en forma fraudulenta o en aparente autenticidad. Esto no se hace mediante el examen de los números en sí, pero, sorprendentemente, se hace investigando el lenguaje digital utilizado en escribir esos números!  Lo que las letras son para las palabras, los dígitos son para los números. La técnica se basa en la Ley de Benford, una ley estadística que se refiere a la consistencia y predictibilidad de las proporciones relativas a los dígitos que ocurren en los datos típicos de la vida real, estableciendo que dígitos bajos son mucho más frecuentes que los dígitos altos. La ley es extremadamente útil como una herramienta para detectar el fraude, especialmente el fraude fiscal, ya que los estafadores tienden a inventar números donde los dígitos tienen aproximadamente las mismas proporciones, debido a la intuición equivocada de que todos los dígitos aparecen en los datos con igualdad de oportunidades.  Al comparar la distribución teórica de Benford con la distribución real de dígitos de los datos de la contabilidad de las empresas, el estadístico puede fácilmente descubrir el fraude en relación con datos falsos o inventados. Estas pruebas forenses digitales son ahora los procedimientos habituales en los departamentos de los ingresos fiscales de la mayoría de los gobiernos de todo el mundo, así como en la contabilidad de las grandes compañías de auditoría.
ESTRATEGIAS PARA LA CREACIÓN DE NUEVAS EMPRESAS, UN ENFOQUE SOCIOCULTURAL O INSTITUCIONAL
Authors: Chávez-Jiménez Enore Adriana , Vargas-Hernández, M. B. A.; Ph.D José G.
Published: November 2022

El presente trabajo tiene la finalidad de recapitular las principales teorías desde un enfoque sociocultural o institucional que fomentan la creación de nuevas empresas. Dado este contexto, se planteó la importancia del estudio teórico de los factores  que influyen para tomar decisiones en el desarrollo de nuevas empresas y cómo afecta el entorno en el cual se desenvuelven los mismos empresarios. El método de investigación empleado es la revisión de la literatura existente mediante el análisis de las principales teorías que intervienen en la creación de empresas, enfatizándose  en el enfoque sociocultural. El análisis concluye profundizando en cómo la actividad de entrepreneurship ha fomentado la creación de empresas, siendo un factor importante en el desarrollo económico del país.
EFECTOS DE LA INFLACION Y LA DEVALUACION EN LA EVALUACION DE FLUJOS DE INVERSION
Authors: Solé Madrigal Roberto
Published: November 2022

Siendo hoy en día tanto la inflación como la devaluación de las monedas una constante en todas las economías mundiales, y las “potencias” o economías desarrolladas no se escapan de ello aún cuando las tasas sean “de un dígito”, es importante poder tomar en cuenta sus efectos a lo largo del tiempo en un proyecto para su evaluación e impacto en sus métricas de evaluación tradicionalmente utilizadas: Valor Actual Neto (VAN) y Tasa Interna de Retorno (TIR).
Megelőzhető-e a ciklosporin A okozta fogíny-hyperplasia a dentalis plakk eltávolításával?
Authors: Schönfeld Bernadett , Szabadi András , Pintér Erika , Kun József , Bán Ágnes
Published: November 2022

Hazánkban mintegy 3500 ember él transzplantált szervvel, az összes donáció
meghaladja az évi 400-at, ebből a vesetranszplantációk száma például évente
250–300 között van. Az immunszuppresszió és a sebészi technikák fejlődésének
köszönhetően a páciensek túlélési aránya nő, ezért a fogorvosoknak is egyre
gyakrabban kell szembesülniük veseelégtelenségből származó orodentalis
elváltozások mellett az immunszuppresszív terápia miatt kialakuló
gingiva-hyperplasiával. A ciklosporin A alkalmazása esetén kialakult
gingiva-hyperplasia prevalenciája a 90%-ot is elérheti. Tanulmányunk célja
felhívni a figyelmet a dentalis plakk jelentőségére a ciklosporin A okozta
gingiva-hyperplasia kialakulásában, illetve hangsúlyozni, hogy a
gingiva-hyperplasia, valamint a szervkilökődés veszélye megelőzhető vagy
nagymértékben csökkenthető megfelelő individuális szájhigénia kialakításával és
sikeres parodontológiai oki terápia elvégzésével. Különös figyelmet érdemel az
interdiszciplináris együttműködés fontossága és a páciensek rendszeres
gondozása. Vizsgálatainkat és kezeléseinket a Pécsi Tudományegyetem Fogászati és
Szájsebészeti Klinikájának Parodontológiai Osztályán végeztük. Orv Hetil. 2022;
163(42): 1663–1669.
A nem alkoholos hasnyálmirigy-elzsírosodás klinikai jelentősége
Authors: Jermendy György
Published: November 2022

A pancreaticus lipidakkumuláció – amelyet egyre gyakrabban NAFPD (non-alcoholic
fatty pancreas disease) néven említenek az angol nyelvű szakirodalomban – az
elmúlt néhány évben került az érdeklődés előterébe. Az elváltozást több, eltérő
névvel illették korábban; a NAFPD megnevezést hazánkban még ma is csak ritkán
használjuk, magyar nyelvű megfelelője sem kristályosodott ki. A pancreaticus
lipidfelhalmozódást az ectopiás zsírszövet-akkumuláció egyik megjelenési
formájaként tartják számon. A NAFPD felismerése képalkotó vizsgálatokkal
lehetséges, a klinikai gyakorlatban leginkább az ultrahangvizsgálat és a
komputertomográfia jön szóba, de a kvantifikáció még nem kiforrott. A NAFPD
prevalenciája a felnőtt lakosság körében 30–35%-ra tehető, előfordulására
elhízott gyermekek/serdülők körében is számíthatunk. A NAFPD érinti a pancreas
endokrin és exokrin funkcióját. A NAFPD és a 2-es típusú diabetes/metabolikus
szindróma összefüggését több tanulmány igazolta, a NAFPD lokális
következményeiről még kevés ismerettel rendelkezünk. Adatok szólnak amellett,
hogy a NAFPD-nak szerepe lehet a heveny és az idült pancreatitis, illetve a
pancreascarcinoma kialakulásában, a pancreas exokrin diszfunkciójában. A NAFPD-t
előnyösen befolyásolja a testsúly csökkenése, ami elhízottak körében
életmód-terápiával, gyógyszeres intervencióval vagy bariátriai sebészeti
beavatkozással érhető el. Fontos, hogy a 2-es típusú diabetesben szenvedő,
testsúlyfelesleggel rendelkező betegek antihyperglykaemiás kezelése olyan
antidiabetikumokkal történjen, amelyek a jó glykaemiás kontroll mellett
testsúlyredukciót is eredményeznek. A NAFPD feltehetően gyakori, de ritkán
felismert, viszonylag új klinikai entitás, amely a belgyógyászaton belül több
szubspecialitás (gasztroenterológia, diabetológia, lipidológia, obezitológia),
illetve a sebészet területén tevékenykedő szakemberek érdeklődési körébe esik.
Orv Hetil. 2022; 163(44): 1735–1742.
Structural Determinants of Changes in Unemployment in Poland during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Knapińska Magdalena
Published: November 2022

Objective: The study analyses the determinants of the level and dynamics of unemployment in Poland in the years 2018–2021. The general hypothesis explored is: the level and structure of unemployment are influenced by the economic situation, the number of job offers reported by employers, migration and border movements, and social attitudes to employment. The article presents an analysis of whether these factors had an impact on the unemployment level in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic by presenting the development of these measures in the Polish economy.Research Design & Methods: The determinants were presented in the form of quantitative measures available for the quarters of the 2018–2021 period (sometimes the scope and availability of data resulted in a different time range). The data were obtained from public databases of the Central Statistical Office (GUS) and the results of surveys carried out by the Center for Public Opinion Research (CBOS) were used. To achieve the study’s aims, descriptive statistics, analysis, including logical analysis of cause-and-effect influences were used.Findings: The results of the analysis of the presented research material led to conclusions confirming the relationship between the successive waves of disease and the introduction of economic restrictions and the shaping of measures of the economic situation, the number of job offers reported to labour, migration and border traffic offices, as well as social moods regarding employment and opportunities of finding a job. Further research on the causality and determinants of the unemployment situation could lead to the diagnosis of monthly data, or to search for the strength of the tested relationships using more advanced econometric methods.Implications / Recommendations: The analysis included in this paper is an enrichment of the empirical explanation of the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. This pandemic is an interesting phenomenon not only in the medical sphere, but also carries a number of consequences affecting the world of the economy, which should be investigated with the greatest possible detail.Contribution: This article deepens the understanding the pandemic period and its implication on the labour market and its influence on the unemployment in 2018–2021.
Problems in Defining Leadership – A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Bugaj Justyna , Sulyma Alla
Published: November 2022

Objective: The paper offers an analysis and definition of the concept of leadership in the light of current socio-economic trends. The following research questions were posed: “How is leadership understood?” and “What elements comprise its definition?”. The definitions of leadership place the term in a range of categories: as a characteristic, a behaviour, a process, a role relationship, or a position in an organisational structure. It has been analysed through multiple paradigms, including classical, transactional, transformational, situational, and service leadership. It is not clear at present which definition is dominant, nor which research methods have been used to determine its constituent elements.Research Design & Methods: A critical and systematic literature review covering publications that appeared in the years 2010–2020; 55 full-text indexed publications were analysed from the Scopus database.Findings: The research draws together and organises definitions of leadership that have appeared in the last 10 years in the publications indexed from the Scopus database. The authors also put forward their own definition of leadership from the perspective of management and quality sciences.Implications / Recommendations: Organising the definition of leadership allows the authors to understand the diversity and complexity which have a positive impact on building, strengthening and developing leadership. The study also brings to light areas and directions for further research, e.g. in the gender of managers or discrepancies in the perception of leadership resulting from publications from various geographic and cultural regions.Contribution: Arranging the existing definitions of leadership and its components from the perspective of management and quality sciences; demonstrating that a qualitative approach is increasingly used in leadership research.
Wpływ wieku pracowników na postrzeganie składników proefektywnościowego klimatu organizacyjnego
Authors: Wziątek-Staśko Anna , Krawczyk-Antoniuk Olena
Published: November 2022

Objective: The article verifies the pro-efficiency model of organisational climate and presents the results of an analysis of the relationship between its parameters, assuming the employee’s age as a moderating variable.Research Design & Methods: Literature studies and empirical research using both quantitative and qualitative methods were done.Findings: The empirical research shows a correlation between the age of employees and their perception of the components of a pro-efficiency organisational climate.Implications / Recommendations: The components of the organisational climate highlighted in the model are correlated with selected parameters for the assessment of organisational effectiveness, and people of different ages perceive them differently.Contribution: The key value of the article is its examination of the impact of selected components of organisational climate on selected parameters of organisational effectiveness, in the opinion of people of different ages. The results of the research made it possible to identify the respondents’ various preferences, taking into account the moderating variable. This issue is important for science and management staff thanks to the benefits it promises organisations.
DAMP-mediated inflammation and regulated cell death in immunoinflammatory rheumatic diseases
Authors: Saidov M. Z.
Published: November 2022

The state of autoreactivity of innate immunity dominates in the pathogenesis of immunoinflammatory rheumatic diseases,  inducing non-infectious “sterile” inflammation. The  distinctive properties of this inflammation include  multiorgan affection and  recurrent clinical  course.  The  extracellular and intracellular “danger signals”  called DAMPs, seem to be a key factor  in progression of the inflammatory events.  These  factors  are  released  by the  loose  fibrous  connective tissue  in  the  course  of main  substance disorganization, as well as regulated and  accidental local  cell  death. In  immune/inflammatory rheumatic diseases,  the  DAMP-induced  patterns of  regulated cell  death  include   autophagy, apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis  and  netosis.  Membrane and  cytosolic  PRR  receptors, interacting with  DAMPs, promote these DAMP-induced forms of regulated cell death. At the same time,  the DAMP-induced modes  of regulated cell death  are often combined with simultaneous reaction of PRR  receptors to the pathogens that preexist in dead cells. TLR-DAMP interaction activates  similar  signaling  pathways, adaptive  molecules, transcription factors, forming  the  same  pro-inflammatory  inflammasomes as with  TLR-PAMP interaction. In  these  processes, the  antigen-presenting function of dendritic cells is expressed  to the  maximal extent.  Given  the  important role of infections as etiological factors  in immunoinflammatory rheumatic diseases,  these  processes  may be the key factor  inducing the phenomenon of antigenic cross-presentation. Interactions of DAMPs with PRR receptors of innate immunity cells cause the formation of a DAMP-mediated vicious circle. At the same time, increased levels of proinflammatory DAMPs, both  in situ and  in systemic  circulation, leads,  via the  PRR-DAMP interactions, to incresing  number of cells prone  to regulated cell death  and to even more  pronounced tissue  damage. In  turn,   these  processes   significantly   increase   the  levels  of  pro-inflammatory DAMPs in tissues,  thus causing  progression of “sterile” inflammation to immunoinflammatory rheumatic diseases.  The signaling  pathways, adaptive  molecules, transcription factors,  and  pro-inflammatory  inflammasomes have been identified in all types of regulated cell death  induced by PRR-DAMP interaction. The available research results  allow us to determine appropriate targets  which  may be subjected to pharmacological correction. In this respect, significant  progress  has been  made  in search  for medicinal tools  of regulating inflammation in SLE,  RA, Sjogren’s syndrome, SSD,  etc. Of sufficient  importance are both evaluation of serum DAMP levels as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, along with their  determination for assessing treatment efficiency  in immunoinflammatory rheumatic diseases.
Effect of azithromycin on migration of peripheral blood NK cells from patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Kadushkin A. G. , Tahanovich A. D. , Movchan L. V. , Zafranskaya M. M. , Shman T. V.
Published: November 2022

Currently, no drugs have been identified that could slow progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or have a significant impact on patient mortality. Therefore, research continues aimed at studying the mechanisms of COPD development and searching for drugs that affect its molecular pathogenesis. The aim of our work was to determine the ability of azithromycin combined with corticosteroids to affect the migration of peripheral blood NK cells from the COPD patients. In the present study, we have measured expression of chemokine receptors CCR5, CCR6, CCR7, CXCR3, CXCR4, CXCR6 on the surface of peripheral blood NK cells (CD3- CD56+) by means of flow cytometry in 54 smoking patients with COPD, 21 healthy smokers, and 20 healthy non-smokers. Moreover, the effect of azithromycin (10 µg/mL) and budesonide (10 nM) on the migration of NK cells from COPD patients (n = 8) towards CCL5 (10 nM) and CXCL10 (10 nM) was determined. We found that the percentage of NK cells expressing CXCR3 and CCR5 chemokine receptors was increased in smoking patients with COPD compared with healthy smokers and healthy non-smokers. However, the proportion of these NK cell subsets did not differ between healthy smokers and healthy non-smokers. There were no significant differences in the percentage of NK cells expressing CXCR4, CXCR6, CCR6, CCR7 chemokine receptors between the three groups of subjects. Addition of budesonide to the cell suspensions decreased the migration of blood NK cells towards CCL5 and CXCL10. Azithromycin was also shown to suppress the migration of blood NK cells towards these chemokines. The combination of azithromycin and budesonide was more potent at inhibiting NK cell chemotaxis towards CCL5 and CXCL10 than any of these drugs added alone. Our results demonstrate a change in the chemokine receptor profile of NK cells in COPD patients and indicate the advantages of the combined use of corticosteroids and azithromycin for COPD treatment.
Features of post-vaccination humoral immune response in the persons who underwent COVID-19 of various severity
Authors: Ivanova I. A. , Filippenko A. V. , Trufanova A. A. , Omelchenko N. D. , Chemisova O. S. , Noskov A. K.
Published: November 2022

The studies on humoral immune response in the individuals who have undergone COVID-19 and vaccinated with anti-COVID vaccines allows us to assess the  development  of  “hybrid”  immunity,  which contributes to understanding the mechanisms of its formation from the effector phase to the step of immunological memory. We assessed the relative and absolute contents of B cell populations and subpopulations, development of humoral immunity in the patients who suffered with COVID-19 of varying severity being thereafter vaccinated with “KoviVak” and “Sputnik V”. The study involved volunteers (age 47.3±14.5 years) who beared COVID-19 asymptomatically (n = 32), at moderate severity (n = 21), or had severe form of the disease (n = 12), then being vaccinated with “KoviVak” and “Sputnik V” 6-9 months after their recovery. The groups of vaccinated persons consisted of those who beared severe disease being vaccinated with “KoviVak” (n = 6) or “Sputnik V” (n = 6); moderate cases, vaccinated with “KoviVak” (n = 10) and “Sputnik V” (n = 11); asymptomatic cases vaccinated with “KoviVak” (n = 10) and “Sputnik V” (n = 22). We have determined relative and absolute numbers of B lymphocytes (CD45+CD19+), B1 lymphocytes (CD45+CD5+CD19-CD27-), B2 lymphocytes (CD45+CD19+CD5-CD27-), total population of memory B cells (CD45+CD19+CD5-CD27+), non-switched (CD45+CD19+IgD+CD27+), and switched (CD45+CD19+IgD-CD27+) memory  B  cells;  mature  naive   B   lymphocytes   (CD45+CD19+CD27-IgD+),   plasmoblasts   (CD45+CD19+CD38+++IgD-CD27+),   as  well as presence of IgG to S(RBD)-SARS-CoV-2 protein.

We have found that the humoral immunity among survivors of COVID-19 of varying severity is expressed for up to nine months. The largest number of volunteers who raised antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 S-protein was registered in the group of seriously ill patients. As soon as 1 month after “Sputnik V” vaccination and until the end of the observation, all the examined subjects in this group became seropositive. 4-5 months after injection of this vaccine, specific immunoglobulins were present in all patients who had asymptomatic or average-severity infection. All volunteers who received “KoviVak” had antibodies to the COVID-19 viral S protein from the beginning to the end of the study. Vaccination, especially with “KoviVak”, contributed to the highest increase, both in relative and absolute numbers of memory B lymphocytes in asymptomatic patients. Less pronounced changes in the content of B lymphocytes in COVID-19 patients who had severe and moderate clinical course may be associated with higher levels of these cells prior to injection of the vaccines. A positive correlation was found between the number of memory B cells and presence of immunoglobulins to the S protein SARS-CoV-2 in all examined patients.
Subpopulation composition of peripheral blood lymphocytes in COVID-19
Authors: Svirshchevskaya E. V. , Konovalova M. V. , Sadykov V. F. , Pyregov A. V. , Poltavtseva R. A.
Published: November 2022

The pathogenesis of severe coronavirus infection COVID-19 is associated with activation of immune system, cytokine storm, impaired blood clotting, microvascular thrombosis, organ ischemia and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. The role of various lymphocyte subpopulations in COVID-19 is still debated. The aim of our study was to analyze the subpopulational profile of peripheral blood lymphocytes in COVID-19 patients as compared with healthy donors.

The study included 20 COVID-19 patients (11 males and 9 females,) and 26 healthy donors. Average age of the patients was 52 and 56 years, respectively. Clinical examinations were performed by standard laboratory methods. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated in the Ficoll gradient. The cells were stained with antibodies to specific antigens of main lymphocyte populations, endothelial cells, and apoptotic cell markers. The analysis was performed by flow cytometry. The results showed that all patients had elevated C-reactive protein (14- to 35-fold), ferritin (1.2- to 13-fold), D-dimers (1.2- to 90-fold). 55% of men had a decrease in the absolute number of lymphocytes, in women this index was at the low normal limit. Cytometric analysis showed that, among peripheral blood lymphocytes, the proportion of functional cells expressing the CD45 marker ranged from 2 to 12% in 70% of patients, as compared with 80-99% among the donors. The proportion of CD45+ lymphocytes significantly correlated with the level of hemoglobin, but not with the levels of inflammatory biochemical markers. Among the functional lymphocytes of patients, there was a decrease in the proportion of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+T cells, increased proportion of natural killer CD56+ and the apoptotic (AnnexinV+) cell contents, but the proportion of CD19 and HLA-DR+B cells was not changed. Analysis of the lymphocyte (LC) subpopulations that did not express CD45 marker showed that this fraction contained different lymphocyte subsets with reduced expression of CD4, CD8, CD19, CD56 etc. in the blood of patients and donors. Higher percentage of endothelial cells expressing CD62P marker made the difference between patients and donors.

Laboratory determination of lymphocyte subsets in blood samples of COVID-19 patients does not reflect the real severity pattern of the disease, thus requiring studies of the CD45-expressing functional cell populations.
Features of ragweed pollen effect on humans in terms of peptidomics
Authors: Yanchenko U. V. , Alyahnovich N. S. , Semernick O. E. , Lebedenko A. A.
Published: November 2022

The E antigen of Ambrosia artemisiifolia (Amb a1) is the most potent ragweed allergen. In 97% of patients with ragweed pollen allergy, IgE antibodies to the Amb a1 are detected in blood serum, being associated with a positive skin prick test for the Amb a 1 allergen. In humans, the tryptase alpha/beta 1 (TPSAB1) enzyme is simultaneously released from mast cells resulting from contact of sensitized person with this allergen. Absence of tryptase inhibitor in humans is the typical feature of this enzyme. We have attempted to determine the most significant points of TPSAB1effects after its splitting into peptide fragments. Peptidase cleavage was carried out using the Bioscan 9.14 computer program ODO NICP Resan (Belarus), and the US National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. The international one-letter amino acid sequence code was used for calculations and presentation of results. The data on peptide interactions with human proteins were obtained using the SwissTargetPrediction program. The test specimen was as follows: Ambrosia artemisiifolia antigen E (Amb a1) GenBank: AAA32665.1. Cleavage of the sample was carried out from position 1 to the last amino acid (No. 396). The length of split fragments is not specified. The studied enzyme was Homo sapiens tryptase alpha/beta 1 (TPSAB1) Gene ID: 7177, updated: 13-May-2022; enzyme type: endopeptidase. Split positions: 1 r|x and 2 k|x. The following amino acid sequence was analyzed: Ambrosia artemisiifolia antigen E (Amb a1) GenBank: AAA32665.1. It has been found that the E antigen from Ambrosia artemisiifolia (Amb a1) contains 396 amino acid residues. The 40 peptide fragments of the split sample were obtained. The ligand-receptor interaction was analyzed for peptides with a length of 2 to 4 amino acid residues, which had the strongest regulatory potential (p1-4 mgik, p56-57 gk, p127-129 ldk, p143-145 gak, p274-276 mpr). It has been shown that each peptide from the Amb a1 sequence acts as a ligand for specific receptors mediating the effects upon certain mechanisms in the patient’s body. Further study of these interactions enables identification of the most significant proteins (enzymes), which, upon impact of E antigen from Ambrosia artemisiifolia (Amb a 1) may lead to changed functional activity of regulatory systems in humans suffering from allergies.
Associations between serum levels of C3, C4, and total classical complement activity in COVID-19 patients at the time of admission and clinical outcome
Authors: Razi A. , Azimian A. , Arezumand R. , Solati A. , Ahmadabad H. N.
Published: November 2022

In the present study, we investigated the association between complement system status at the time of admission and clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients. This single-center study was carried out with sixty-one adult patients with COVID-19 who were hospitalized at Imam Hassan Hospital of North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences (Bojnurd, Iran) with less than three days passage since onset of COVID-19 symptoms. Twenty-three healthy volunteers with demographic features similar to the patient group (matched by age and gender) were included in the study as a control group. Patient information including demographic information, demographic data, clinical characteristics, and clinical outcomes were obtained from electronic medical records. Of 61 hospitalized patients with COVID-19, 28 (47.54%) were female, and the average age was 48.78.8 years. The healthy control group included 23 cases (11 (47.8%) female, 12 (52.1%) males, mean age 46.44.4 years). Twenty-one of the 61 patients (34.4%) were admitted to the ICU, and sixteen of them (26.2%) died. Thirty-three (54.10%) patients with COVID-19 were hospitalized for less than 7 days, and 28 (45.90%) of them were hospitalized for 7 days. Our results show that length of hospital stay in the no-ICU group was significantly lower than the ICU admission or death groups (6.490.24 vs. 8.851.59 and 10.531.80, p = 0.0002). The levels of C3, C4, and CH50 were determined through the immunoturbidimetric method and single-radial-haemolysis plates, respectively, on serum samples obtained from patients at the time of admission or those in the control group. Our results indicate that C3, C4 and CH50 levels were markedly lower in COVID-19 patients than in the control group. We also found that complement parameter levels in COVID-19 patients who died or were admitted to ICU were significantly lower than in non-ICU COVID-19 patients. In general, it seems that serum level of C3, C4, and CH50 at admission may predict disease progression or adverse clinical outcome in COVID-19 patients.
Assessing implementation of prevention and infection control programs in armenian hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Palozyan Gennady H. , Avetisyan Sh. M. , Abovyan R. A. , Melik-Andreasyan G. G. , Vanyan A. V.
Published: November 2022

Aim of the study was to assess the current state of implementating key aspects of infection prevention and control (IPC) in Armenian hospitals, defined by the main WHO components, using the survey tool IPCAF (Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Framework). Materials and methods. 113 hospitals were involved in the study. All participants filled out the IPCAF questionnaire, consisting of 8 sections (each rated up to 100 points) devoted to various IPC aspects. Depending on the total final score, IPC programs were divided into the following categories: advanced (601800 points), intermediate (401600 points), basic (201400 points) and inadequate (0200 points). The study conducted a descriptive analysis of the overall IPCAF score as well as score evaluation of the relevant core components and some selected questions of particular interest. Results. The 2021 total average score for all IPCAF components for all hospitals in Armenia is 578.07.9 points, which is currently regarded as an intermediate level. At the same time, 47 (41.6%) hospitals were assigned to the advanced category, 63 (55.7%) to the average category and 3 (2.7%) to the basic category. Analysis of the main IPC components (CC, Core component) revealed that the maximum average scores were obtained for the components CC2 (IPC Guidelines) 80.8 points, CC8 (Creating a safe environment in medical premises, as well as materials and equipment for IPC) 75.5 points and CC7 (Workload, staffing and number of beds) 75.2 points. The lowest average scores were obtained for the key components: CC4 (Surveillance for healthcare-associated infections) with 54.7 points and CC3 (IPC education and training) with 59.5 points. Conclusion. Legislative and practical changes implemented in the real world during the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) pandemic have significantly contributed to improved scores for many key components of IPC programs. The study found that the IPCAF is a useful tool for assessing IPC standards and identifying gaps, regardless of a country economic development level. In our opinion, the re-use of IPCAF in all medical institutions should be encouraged, which is important for monitoring changes and trends in IPC, as well as proposing individual strategies in the development and improvement of IPC.
A correlation between LP-PLA2 and monocyte levels in atherosclerosis risk subjects
Authors: Kumboyono K. , Chomsy Indah N. , Vijayadas Dinesh , Wihastuti Titin A
Published: November 2022

Background. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most significant cause of death worldwide. More than 17.9 million people died from CVD, of which 85% deceased due to heart disease. On the other hand, atherosclerosis is one of the most dominant CVD in most developing countries and developed countries. Lp-PLA2 is an enzyme produced by inflammatory cells and a pro-atherogenic protein in atherosclerosis. In the process, monocytes will produce Lp-PLA2 so that it may hydrolyse oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) into lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC) and oxidized fatty acids (oxFA), atherogenic proteins involved in atherogenesis. A chronic inflammatory process that occurs in atherosclerosis requires early detection to avoid CVD severity. The research aims to determine the correlation between Lp-PLA2 concentration and monocyte count as well as percentage in cohorts linked to risk of atherosclerosis. Materials and methods. This study was a descriptive correlational analysis of the population with conditions at risk of atherosclerosis. The total number of respondents sampled in this research was 86. We used the ELISA method to measure Lp-PLA2 concentration and the Hematology Analyzer method to measure monocyte count and percentage. Results. The relationship between monocyte and Lp-PLA2 level accounts for a probability value of 0.028. The correlation coefficient of 0.789 is categorized as very strong. Conclusion. Increase in the concentration of Lp-PLA2 correlates with monocyte count and percentage in a population with conditions at risk of atherosclerosis.