bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effectiveness of interventions on nutrition social behaviour change communication in improving child nutritional status within the first 1000 days: Evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mahumud Rashidul Alam , Uprety Sophiya , Wali Nidhi , Renzaho Andre M.N. , Chitekwe Stanley
Published: June 2021

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the robustness of designs and tools used in NSBCC interventions and establish their effectiveness. EBSCOhost as an umbrella database including Medline (Ovid) and CINAHL, EMBASE and ProQUEST databases were searched for peer-reviewed articles from January 1960 to October 2018. Additional sources were searched to identify all relevant studies including grey literature. Studies’ biases were assessed according to Cochrane handbook. Pooled estimate of effectiveness of interventions on infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices and child nutritional status with 95% confidence intervals were measured using random-effects models. Eighty studies were included in this review: Fifty-one (64%) were cluster randomised trials (RCTs), 13 (16%) were RCTs and 16 (20%) quasi-experimental. Of the included studies, 22 (27%) measured early initiation of breastfeeding, 38 (47%) measured exclusive breastfeeding, 29 (36%) measured minimum dietary diversity, 21 (26%) measured minimum meal frequency, 26 (32%) measured HAZ, 23 (29%) measured WHZ, 27 (34%) measured WAZ, 20 (25%) measured stunting, 14 (17%) measured wasting, and 11 (14%) measured underweight. The overall intervention’s effect was significant for EBF (OR = 1.73; 95% CI: 1.35–2.11, p < 0.001), HAZ (Standardized Mean Differences, SMD = 0.19; 95% CI: 0.17–0.21; p < 0.001), WHZ (SMD = 0.02; 95% CI: 0.004 to 0.04; p < 0.001), and WAZ (SMD = 0.04; 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.06; p < 0.001). Evidence shows the effectiveness of NSBCC in improving EBF and child anthropometric outcomes. Further research should test the impact on child nutritional status with clearly specified and detailed NSBCC interventions.
A simple alternative for Rh phenotyping red cells that have a persistently positive Rh control
Authors: Hardman J.T. , Beck M.L. , Lamley P.
Published: June 2021

Investigation of a patient’s red cell sample with a persistently positive Rh control revealed that if the patient’s red cells were treated with ZZAP, then incubated at 37°C with commercial Rh-typing reagents, then washed four times with saline, the positive Rh control could be circumvented and the Rh phenotype readily determined. One hundred red cell samples of known Rh phenotype were treated with ZZAP and coated with autoantibody to resemble the cells of the index case. Accurate results were obtained when these modified cell samples were tested against Rh typing reagents from three manufacturers using a 37°C incubation followed by four saline washes. The procedure, termed Z37W, appears to be a simple alternative that can assist in determination of Rh phenotypes when the Rh control is positive.
Selection of tests and services to generate revenue for reference laboratories
Authors: Hare V.
Published: June 2021

The 1980s have brought heightened awareness of the operating costs of immunohematology reference laboratories. Revenues can be increased by raising existing charges, expanding services, and acquiring new customers. Selection of tests and services to further increase revenue is best made following a thorough assessment of community needs and the capabilities and resources of the reference laboratory.
Polymorphism of Interleukins and Tumor Necrosis Factor a Genes in Multiple Myeloma Patients with Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Svitina Svetlana Pavlovna , Sidorova Zh.Yu. , Kostroma I.I. , Zhernyakova A.A. , Chechetkin A.V. , Chubukina Zh.V. , Gritsaev S.V. , Kapustin S.I. , Bessmeltsev S.S.
Published: June 2021

Aim. To assess polymorphism value of interleukins (IL6, IL1B, IL10) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF) genes in multiple myeloma (MM) patients who received autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT). Materials & Methods. The study enrolled 37 MM patients (15 men and 22 women) aged 38-66 years (mean age 54.5 ± 6.4 years), who received auto-HSCT. After transplantation, partial (PR), very good partial (VGPR), and complete (CR) responses were reported in 11, 7, and 19 patients, respectively. In 23 (62.2 %) patients CD34+ cell collection on the day of the first leukocytapheresis session exceeded the suboptimal level of 2.5 x 106/kg. The control group included 236 healthy subjects. Genotyping by PCR with subsequent analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphism of amplified products was performed. To identify between-group differences in genotype distribution, Fisher's exact test with measurements of odds ratio (OR) and р-value was used. Results. The study group of patients was distinguished from the control group by more than twofold increased proportion of homozygous IL1B -31C (OR 2.7; p = 0.029). The proportion of heterozygous -174G/C allelic variant of IL6 gene in the subgroup of patients with CR after auto-HSCT was considerably higher than in patients with VGPR and PR (OR 5.6; p = 0.022). In the subgroup of patients with CD34+ cell collection > 2.5 x 106/kg the proportion of those with IL10 -592C/C genotype was twice as high as in patients with lower CD34+ cell collection (OR 3.9; p = 0.091). Conclusion. The present study confirms the relationship of -31C/T polymorphism in IL1B gene in homozygous state with higher MM risk. It proved the association of -174G/C polymorphism in IL6 gene and -592C/A polymorphism in IL10 gene with the chosen criteria for auto-HSCT efficacy. To precisely clarify the value of variants in the above genes for predicting chemotherapy effect in MM, further studies involving more patients are required.
Current Issues of Targeted Therapy of Polycythemia Vera
Authors: Melikyan Anait Levonovna , Subortseva I.N.
Published: June 2021

The issues of therapy response criteria, first-line hydroxy-carbamide intolerance and resistance to it as well as early changes in treatment strategy remain controversial and debatable in the management of polycythemia vera patients. The review outlines the results of literature data analysis related to the estimation of first-line therapy efficacy, it considers the spectrum and frequency of adverse events of hydroxycarbamide treatment, and focuses on the experience of using ruxolitinib, JAK2 inhibitor. The review provides results, including the long-term ones, of the comparative analysis of ruxolitinib use and the best available therapy of polycythemia vera patients with hydroxycarbamide resistance. The present review uses the materials of expert panel with the participation of Prof. Giuseppe A. Palumbo (University of Catania, Sicily, Italy) held on June 7, 2020.
Treatment of Mastocytosis: A Literature Review
Authors: Chernavina Karina Maksimovna , Orlova A.S. , Nikitin E.A.
Published: June 2021

The term “mastocytosis” refers to a group of rare heterogeneous disorders resulting from proliferation and accumulation of neoplastic mast cells in various organs. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies these diseases into three types: cutaneous mastocytosis, systemic mastocytosis (SM), and mast cell sarcoma (MCS). Depending on the degree of aggressiveness SM can be indolent, smoldering, aggressive (ASM), or associated with another proliferative hematological disease of non-mast cell line (SM-AHD). SM also includes mast cell leukemia (MCL). Numerous studies confirm the prognostic value of the WHO classification. All mastocytosis patients require treatment aimed at reducing the symptoms of mast cell activation. In case of prognostically unfavorable types of mastocytosis, such as ASM, SM-AHD, MCL, and MCS, more intensive treatment methods should come into consideration, which include allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, cytoreductive therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), interferon-α, and cladribine. In the pathogenesis of mastocytosis, mutations in different KIT gene exons have a dominating role. Most common is KITD816V activating mutation (80-90 % of SM cases). Some of TKIs (imatinib mesylate and midostaurin) had been successfully used in clinical trials and were approved for treating prognostically unfavorable mastocytosis. However, in some patients exclusive TKI treatment does not result in long-lasting remission due to therapy resistance induced by KIT activating mutations as well as other additional somatic mutations and molecular changes. For the purpose of comparative analysis, the review provides the results of major clinical trials dealing with various methods of mastocytosis treatment.
Multiple Myeloma and Dendritic Cell Vaccines
Authors: Gribkova Irina Vladimirovna , Zavyalov A.A.
Published: June 2021

Despite advances in the treatment of multiple myeloma, most of patients after its completion retain minimal residual disease (MRD-positive status), which increases the risk of relapse. Antigen-specific immunotherapy of tumors contributes to improving the clinical outcomes in such patients by the killing of cancer drug resistant clone of tumor cells without any damage to normal tissues. Dendritic cells (DC) are antigen-presenting elements with the main function of antigen-capturing, processing, and presenting them to naive T-lymphocytes for the activation of immune response against the captured antigen. The unique ability of DC to activate T-helpers and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes as well as to target thereby the immune reactions was used in developing DC-based tumor immunotherapy. This approach suggests the implementation of the so-called ‘DC-vaccines’. The clinical trials performed by now also showed the results of using DC-vaccines in various tumors including hematological ones. On the whole, according to the studies DC-vaccines are characterized by satisfactory safety profile, moderate immunological activity, and moderate clinical efficacy. The present review provides the results of clinical trials dealing with the use of DC-based vaccines in multiple myeloma patients. Besides, the potentials of improving the clinical efficacy of this therapy are discussed.
Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome and Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Authors: Pivnik Aleksandr Vasilevich , Vukovich A.M. , Petrenko A.A.
Published: June 2021

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is defined as a clinically significant exacerbation of known oligosymptomatic serious, more often infectious, diseases with considerably increased CD4+ T-lymphocyte count in response to highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) of HIV infection. The review comprehensively discusses tuberculosis issues in HIV-positive HAART recipients. Related recommendations contain strict guidelines on compulsory treatment of tuberculosis prior to HAART assignment. Similar recommendations for specific therapy preceding HAART are provided for other opportunistic infections (mycotic and cryptococcal infections, parasitosis, molluscum contagiosum, toxoplasmosis, herpes-zoster virus, leishmaniasis, syphilis, and lepra). Without prior specific therapy of an opportunistic infection its exacerbation with pronounced symptoms and signs on HAART can be fatal for the patient. Lymphomas including Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) are dealt with in the context of the same challenge. However, what remains unclear is the specificity of targeted T-lymphocytes in the microenvironment to hitherto unclarified cause-specific antigens of the tumor. As opposed to other malignant lymphoid tumors arising with low level of CD4+ T-lymphocytes, HL develops when the level of CD4+ T-lymphocytes is increased in response to HAART in HIV-positive patients during the first months of anti-retroviral therapy. HL is diagnosed in 8 % of HIV-positive off-HAART subjects. After HAART assignment the HL incidence goes up to 17 %. Therefore, IRIS can be considered the main challenge in the study of etiology and pathogenesis of HL in HIV-positive patients. In this context, the demand to extend the research in this field becomes not only obvious but crucial for practical applications.
Development of a model of a ground-penetrating radar section of a frozen rock massif with a crack
Authors:   N. V. Chersky Mining Institute of the North of the Siberian Branch of RAS, Kirill Olegovich SOKOLOV
Published: June 2021

Revelance of the work. The presence of cracks significantly affects the physical and mechanical properties of rocks, which should be taken into account when planning mining operations and building mining facilities. In the conditions of the spread of permafrost rocks, characteristic of northeastern Russia, the study of fracturing is possible by the GPR method, which is used to assess the structure of rock massifs in placer deposits. The criteria for detecting cracks based on the features of wave georadar fields are currently known, and the main problem that prevents the full use of the georadar method for studying cracks in subsurface layers of rocks is the labour-consuming nature of processing and interpreting data from georadar measurements. Purpose of the work – to determine the patterns of cracks occurrence in frozen rocks in GPR wave fields. Methodology of the work. Based on the results of longstanding field work at the developed areas of alluvial diamond deposits in the Anabar region of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), the main elements of the radarogram structure were determined and presented in the form of a single formula. The developed formula is implemented in programs in the SCM Matlab and the results of its execution are compared with the results of modeling in the gprMax system. Results of the work and the scope of their application. The resultant formula describes the main elements of GPR radarograms quite correctly, which confirmed their comparison with the obtained model data. The correlation coefficient between the obtained matrices (Matlab and gprMax) without the low-amplitude values of multiple reflections was 0.91, which shows the identity of the structure of GPR wave fields. Conclusions. The studies carried out have confirmed the possibility of a mathematical description of the ground penetrating radar wave field obtained by sounding a mass of frozen rocks with a crack. The high correlation coefficient showed the adequacy of the developed radarogram model, which will be finalized taking into account the directional diagrams of existing georadars.
Analysis of the components of the water balance of river basins during the formation of the Selenga and Onon rivers
Authors:   Krasnoyarsk State Agrarian University, Ol’ga Igorevna IVANOVA
Published: June 2021

The purpose of the study is to study in detail the components of the water balance of the river basin that affect the amount of flood runoff. The objects of the study are the rivers of Eastern Siberia – Selen-ga and Onon. The work is based on the materials of standard long-term observations of the hydrometeorological network of the Trans-Baikal UGMS, and the databases of the GPCC Center for Atmospheric Precipitation Climatology were used. Relevance. Floods are characterized by non-periodic and short-term rise in the water level in the river, which can lead to catastrophic consequences and major material damage. The methodology of the study consists in a complex hydrological and geographical analysis of the processes of flood runoff, namely, the method of water balance. In the course of the study, a geographical analysis of flood factors in the conditions of the steppe, forest-steppe and taiga zones of Eastern Siberia was carried out. During the thirty-year period of hydrometeorological observations in the basins of the Selenga and Onon rivers, graphs of changes in water flow over time (hydrographs) were constructed and genetically related values of flood runoff and flood-forming precipitation were calculated. The combination of landscape characteristics and climatic features determines the hydrological indicators of the river in its various sections, forming a general picture of the hydrological indicators of the river network as a whole. Conclusions. According to the ratio of the maximum water flow rates of various origins, spring floods and summer floods in the Selenga and Onon river basins, groups of rivers were identified according to the predominant genesis of the maximum flow. For the rivers of the Selenga and Onon basins, fluctuations in river flow and atmospheric precipitation are studied, and their relationships with the characteristics of atmospheric circulation are established. Both rivers under consideration are transboundary, which imposes certain difficulties on the ability to solve problems of determining and predicting hydrometeorological processes.
Rotation system as the basic source of workforce for the development of oil and gas resources of the arctic polar regions
Authors:   Institute of Economics of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladimir Grigor’evich LOGINOV
Published: June 2021

The purpose of the study is to analyze the use of the rotation system in the development of oil and gas resources in the Arctic region using the example of its polar municipal regions. Relevance. The depletion of the main hydrocarbon reserves in the previously developed areas of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug led to a shift in industrial development to new sparsely populated areas located beyond the Arctic Circle characterized by extreme natural conditions and with significant potential of natural resources that are attractive to investors. The absence of local labor resources in the regions of development and the low qualification level of local labor resources demanded that they be attracted from other regions using a rotation system. The research methodology consists in the generalization and analysis of information regarding the application of the rotation system in the studied areas. The main methods were statistical, retrospective analysis, comparison, groupings, averaging, and analogy. The information base of this study is data from regional and municipal statistics. Results. In the course of the study, the expediency of using a rotation system as the main method was confirmed, which has no alternative, the method of attracting labor force in the development of oil and gas resources in extreme polar regions. The need for shift personnel for the basic and infrastructure industries at various stages of the development of mineral deposits from the initial (pioneer) stage to their permanent operation has been identified. The characteristic of the natural-resource and socio-economic potential of the attractive Yamal region in terms of investment is given. The special place and its role in the economy of the region are noted, medium-term development prospects are considered. Conclusions. The rotation system of attracting workers to the development of oil and gas resources is generally recognized and used both in domestic and foreign practice. The increase in the share of rotational personnel in the total number of employed in the polar regions is due to their low population density, the lack of local skilled labor and the extreme nature of the natural environment, which prevents the adaptation of the newcomer population to climatic conditions and the creation of a permanent contingent of labor resources.
Features of the composition of metapelites from the basement of the Arctic part of the West Siberian megabasin (Verkhnerechenskaya exploration area, Yamal Peninsula)
Authors:   The Zavaritsky Institute of Geology and Geochemistry of the Ural Branch of RAS, Vladimir Sergeevich PONOMAREV , Kirill Svyatoslavich IVANOV ,   The Zavaritsky Institute of Geology and Geochemistry of the Ural Branch of RAS, Yuriy Viktorovich EROKHIN ,   The Zavaritsky Institute of Geology and Geochemistry of the Ural Branch of RAS, Nadezhda Nikolaevna FARRAKHOVA ,   The Zavaritsky Institute of Geology and Geochemistry of the Ural Branch of RAS
Published: June 2021

Relevance of the work. Comprehensive studies of the geology of the Arctic part of Western Siberia are very important for the search for oil and gas in this vast but understudied territory. At present, unfortunately, we know little about the geological structure of the Arctic in the region of Western Siberia, where the sedimentary cover is mainly investigated (the thickness of which is about 3–4 km) and only a few wells are drilled to the foundation. Therefore, a comprehensive study of core samples from this little-studied territory seems extremely relevant. The purpose of the work is a detailed description of the mineralogy and petro-geochemical features of garnetquartz-chlorite-muscovite schists from the well Verkhnerechenskaya no. 2 from the foundation Arctic part of the West Siberian megasbasin. Scope of application of work. This work can be useful in constructing geological maps of the pre-Jurassic foundation of the Yamal Peninsula. Results of work and conclusions. Mineralogy has been studied in detail and the trace element composition of garnetquartz-chlorite-muscovite schists is obtained. The mineral composition of the rocks is as follows: almandine, muscovite, quartz, chamosite, calcite, albite, rutile, titanite, fluorapatite, zircon, xenotime-(Y) and pyrite. The progressive zonality in the almandine is determined, which is confirmed by the calculated data of metapelite formation temperature, progressive metamorphism. Distribution of rare, scattered and REE in the studied rocks is characteristic of metamorphic schists from the foundation of the Urals part of the West Siberian megasbasin, which compel the framing of monzodiorite-granite massifs of Shaimsko-Kuznetsov meganticlinorium of Western Siberia. Probably, the metapelites studied are the result of warming up the thickness of sedimentary rocks with granite intrusion located in the vicinity of Verkhnerechenskaya area. Later, the rocks underwent propylitization with the formation of secondary carbonate and pyrite.
On the digitalization of the parameters of native gold particles in the study of placers and concentrate and mineralogical studies
Authors:   Ural State Mining University, Aleksandr Grigor’evich BARANNIKOV
Published: June 2021

Relevance of the work is due to the need to increase the efficiency of studying the particles of native gold in placers using morphometric (morphogranulometric) parameters in their documentation. Graphic materials (maps, plans, sections) based on digitalization of the collected data help to increase the reliability of the forecast, make it possible to use the selected areolas in combination with other methods when assessing ore-bearing zones and areas. Purpose of the work: development of a systematics of native gold identification on a morphometric basis. Substantiation on the basis of digital data of placer samples indicators – form of gold grains, average grain size, hydraulic particle size; study of the spatial variability of the revealed parameters of the metal within the rebuilt placers. Research methodology: diagnostics (description) of the morphology of gold grains and other typomorphic features based on the quantitative parameters of particles with the subsequent calculation of the shape coefficients (flatness, elongation); generalization and interpretation of the results of the description of native gold previously obtained during the exploration of the Ural placers. Results. The proposed systematics of native gold outwards on a morphometric basis allows a more rigorous approach to the identification of metal particles (excluding the subjectivity of describing the outward look of ore). When substantiating the average size of gold grains, significant discrepancies were noted in the results obtained by two independent methods: when measuring the parameters of gold grains on a morphogranulometric basis and using traditional sieve grain size analysis. The geological factors that determine the level of discrepancy between the compared methods are considered. It is about how the revealed discrepancies should be taken into account in the practice of forecasting and prospecting works. It is argued that the most important indicator characterizing the migratory mobility of gold particles in an aquatic environment is their hydraulic size (HS, cm/s). An approach to substantiating HS based on measurements of morphogranulometric parameters of particles (axes A, B, C) is proposed. Examples are considered based on the interpretation of the accumulated digital data in the mineralogical mapping of a number of ore-bearing areas and sites. Conclusions. Long years of studying native gold from placers using the developed systematics of particles on a digital (morphogranulometric) basis have been tested by the practice of forecasting and prospecting and research works. The described approach, based on digitalization of the accumulated information, is recommended for implementation and further improvement
Analysis of dielectric losses in chromespinelide samples from the ophiolite complexes of the Urals
Authors:   Institute of Geophysics of the Ural Branch of RAS, Vladimir Vasil’evich BAKHTEREV
Published: June 2021

Relevance is determined by the need to search for scientifically based criteria for the identification of chromite mineralization. The purpose of this work is to study the features of dielectric losses and their temperature dependence of ore-forming chromespinelides in relation to the chemical composition and phase transformations in their structure. Research methodology. To study the dielectric properties of chromespinelides, samples were prepared in the form of a cube with an edge of 0.02 m (two cube samples were prepared from each sample). Measurements were performed in an open system at atmospheric pressure. Dielectric losses were measured with a two-electrode setup every 10 degrees in the temperature range 20–900 °C. Heating rate is 4 deg/min. The temperature in the system was determined with a platinum-piatinum-rhodium thermoeiectric coupie at 0.01 m from the sampie. As a measuring device for determining the tangent of the angie of dielectric losses (tg δ) at alternating voitage, the “Digitai L, C, R Meter” E7-8 was used. The operating frequency of the device is 1 kHz. In the initial sample and the duplicate sampie after its roasting to 900 °C, the content of oxides of ferrous and ferric iron was determined. The reiative change in the ratios of oxide and ferrous iron in the initial sample and in the dupiicate sample after roasting was compared with the position of the maximum dielectric losses on the temperature scale. Results. Samples of chromite ore from various deposits and ore occurrences of the Urals were studied by physical, physicochemical, mineralogical and petrographic methods. The temperature dependences of dielectric losses of 21 samples of chromite ore, consisting of 80–90% of chromespinelides, were obtained. All curves clearly show the maximum dieiectric iosses. This indicates that the losses are of a relaxation nature. The position of the maximum on the temperature scaie is different for the studied chromespinelides and is mainly associated with a change in the ratio H. H value is the relative change in the ratio of oxide and ferrous iron FeO/Fe2 O3 in a chromespinelide sample during its heating to 900 °C. The position of the maximum dielectric losses for the studied samples varies from 450 °C (sampie 1 – massive chromitite from the Podenny mine III deposit – Alapaevsi<y massif) to 842 °C (sample 21 – massive chromite ore from the Tsentrainy deposit – Ray-lz massif). In this case, H vaiue varies from 1.61 to 11.14, respectively. A relationship was revealed between the position of the maximum dieiectric losses on the temperature scale of the studied samples of chromite ore and the parameter H. Conclusions. The above results in combination with other physicochemical parameters can be used as an indicator of a rapid assessment of the type of mineralization.
LIMITED URETHERAL MOBILIZATION PROCEDURE (LUMP) FOR DISTAL PENILE HYPOSPADIAS REPAIR, A SINGLE CENTRE RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS
Authors:   Muhammad Riaz-ul-Haq, Associate Professor Paed. Surgery, AIMC and Jinnah Hospital Lahore., Riaz-ul-Haq Muhammad , Raza Wasati Arslan ,   Arslan Raza Wasati, FCPS, HOD, Paed. Surgery, AIMC and Jinnah Hospital Lahore., Rafi Mazhar ,   Mazhar Rafi, Professor of Paed.Surgery, Sheikh Zayed Medical College Rahim Yar Khan., Jamil Sohail ,   Sohail Jamil, SR Paed.Surgery Jinnah Hospital Lahore. Mob: 03370407638, Naeem Binish ,   Binish Naeem, PGR, Paed.Surgery, Jinnah Hospital Lahore., Sultan Yasir ,   Yasir Sultan, PGR, Paed.Surgery, Jinnah Hospital Lahore.
Published: June 2021

Background: Distal penile hypospadias is one of the commonest varieties of hypospadias. Different techniques have been mentioned in literature. The success rate is usually assessed by rate of fistula formation and over all cosmetic appearance and functional outcome. Limited Uretheral Mobilization Procedure (LUMP) for distal penile hypospadias is considered a good technique with almost zero fistula rate in some series. As no new urethral tube is constructed there is no risk of fistula. Objective: To evaluate the results of the Limited Urethral Mobilization Procedure (LUMP) for distal hypospadias repair. Methods.It is retrospective analysis of 32 patients aged up to 12 years who were treated with Limited urethral mobilization procedure for distal penile hypospadias in the Department of Paediatric Surgery Jinnah Hospital Lahore from December 2018 to November 2019. All patients were operated under general anesthesia. The urethra proximal to the meatus was mobilized adequately in such a way that it should reach the tip of glans easily without any ventral bending of penis.Then the urethra was placed in the glandular wings and reconstruction of glans was carried out. Dartos flap was also placed to cover the urethra as a safety measure to avoid urethrocutaneous fistula formation. Follow up was done for a period of 3 months with respect to fistula formation, meatal stenosis, retraction , chordee and over all cosmetic appearance. Results: Age range of children was 9 months to 12 years. Operation time ranged from 60-80 minutes. Seven of 32 cases were previously operated for distal penile hypospadias but after disruption of repair meatus was lying at coronal or subcoronal level. They also underwent LUMP. Five cases had minor chordee, it was corrected at the time of uretheral mobilization by simple excision of fiberous tisse in 4 patients while modified Nesbit dorsal placation was done in one. Cosmetically normal looking circumcised penis with slit like meatus was achieved in all.Two cases got superficial wound infection, two had meatal stenosis, one meatal retraction, one ventral chordee and one urethrocutaneous fistula. Conclusion: LUMP for distal penile hypospadias is a simple and effective procedure with minimum complications.There is no chance for development of urethrocutaneous fistula, a major postoperative complication of other surgical techniques for uretheroplasty. Postoperative management is simple and hospital stay is short.
THE POSSIBLE LINK BETWEEN VITAMIN D LEVELS AND RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME: A HOSPITAL-BASED CASE-CONTROL STUDY FROM KASHMIR, INDIA
Authors:   MD Psychiatry, Lecturer at IMHANS-Kashmir (Department of Psychiatry GMC-Srinagar)., Amin Rehana , Batool Seema ,   Senior Resident at Department of Psychiatry GMC Anantnag., Kawoos Yuman ,   Senior Resident at Department of Psychiatry GMC Srinagar., Maqbool Masood ,   Lecturer Clinical Psychology, at IMHANS-Kashmir (Department of Psychiatry GMC-Srinagar)., Malla Altaf ,   MD Psychiatry, Lecturer at IMHANS-Kashmir (Department of Psychiatry GMC-Srinagar)., Maqbool Mohammad ,   Professor and Head of the Department of Psychiatry (IMHANS-Kashmir) an associated Hospital of GMC Srinagar.
Published: June 2021

Background & Objectives: Various pathophysiological mechanisms and risk factors have been identified in patients with restless leg syndrome and there exist other factors also that are yet to be identified and are under-researched. Evidence suggests a possible link between Vitamin D deficiency and Restless leg syndrome.The aim was to study the Vitamin D levels in patients diagnosed with RLS and to find a correlation between Vitamin D and RLS. Methods: This was a case-control study carried out in the outpatient department of the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences Kashmir.A total of 144 subjects were enrolled in the study. Fifty-one were diagnosed cases of RLS and 93 were healthy controls.The Vitamin D levels were analysed by the chemiluminescent immunoassay method in both cases as well as controls.The descriptive statistics were used for various socio-demographic and clinical variables.The data were analysed by chi-square test, t-test and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: The vitamin D levels were significantly low in the RLS group in comparison to the control group. There was a significant correlation between vitamin D levels, vitamin D deficiency and restless leg syndrome (OR= 1.01, p-value 0.005 and OR= 5.40, p-value <0.0001 respectively). Interpretation &conclusions: Vitamin D levels were low in patients with RLS. This signifies vitamin D may have some role in the pathophysiology of RLS.Vitamin D regulates the nervous system development and function therefore, its use can be considered in the management of RLS when other modalities cannot prove as a promising agent.
World-famous scientist Leon Tsenkovsky (1822–1887): to the 200th anniversary of the father of the anthrax vaccine in the Russian Empire
Authors: ŻWANKO LUBOW , PRYCHODKO TAMARA , BORODAJ IRYNA , TATARCZUK LUDMYŁA , PIDHAJNA TETIANA , KOLOMIJEC NATALA , MACHONIN GENNADIJ , KIBKAŁO DMYTRO
Published: June 2021

The aim of the proposed article is to cover the life and scientific achievements of Leon Tsenkovsky (1822–1887), a prominent microbiologist, botanist, bacteriologist, traveler, theorist and scientist-practitioner, a talented teacher, creator of his own vaccine against anthrax in Russia, one of the most prominent researchers of primitive organisms at that time. The authors of the article came to the conclusion that the scientist occupies a forward position among the Polish scholars, who were working during the statelessness of Poland and brought glory to their homeland. The narration of the material is presented in the context of the main stages of the scientist's life – „Warsaw”, „Petersburg”, „Yaroslavl”, „Foreign”, „Odessa”, „Kharkiv”. Particular attention is paid to the Kharkiv period of the scientist's life, when he proved himself as a talented scientist-practitioner, creating the so-called „Tsenkovsky vaccine”, which was not inferior in effectiveness to Pasteur's invention. It is demonstrated that in addition to scientific activities, he was engaged in public and teaching activities at the Imperial University and Kharkiv Veterinary Institute. The memory of Leon Tsenkovsky in Kharkiv is immortalized on the pages of a calendar dedicated to prominent Polish scientists associated with the city, as well as in a commemorative plaque that will be unveiled at the former Kharkiv Veterinary Institute in autumn 2021 and dedicated to the prominent Poles, creators of veterinary medicine in the territory of East of Ukraine.
The Bidayuh People of Sarawak Borneo: Ritual and Ceremonies
Authors:   Associate Professor of Academy of Malay Studies, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia., Pawi Awang Azman Awang , Ungang Chali ,   Research Scholar of Academy of Malay Studies, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Published: June 2021

This study aims to analyse the role of rituals and ceremonies of the Bidayuh tribes in Sarawak Borneo as a way of life of the Bidayuh people. Therefore, the cultural history of the Bidayuh people as well as the function and influence to the entire community which becomes the pride and identity is analysed. The data were taken from the Bajo asal (traditional songs), girite Bidayuh damba (stories and legendary), and the exploration and preview of the authenticity of the role in the manifestation of the Bidayuh culture and tradition in the numerous villagers through dynamic modernization. The content analysis was used to identify the rituals and ceremonies of the ethnic group. With this regard, emic perspective approach was applied to the study of the description of Bidayuh ritual, focussing on the internal elements and their functions in the Bidayuh society area in Bau, Padawan, and Serian division of Sarawak. Among the findings of this community is how important it is to preserve their beliefs to make sure the management of paddy fields are always cared for and preserve abundant harvests, apart from the ‘guardians’ to safe keep the peace of the village. The function and preservation through the ritual and ceremonies as their weltanschauung, influences the peasant society in that area. The study is highlighted to ensure people that the existence of the ritual and ceremonies is still implemented in the modern era as a part of the ancient heritage in Borneo Island- Sarawak.
Performance Space of the Digital Performer/Reader inside Andy Campbell and Judi Alston’s Digital Fiction the Nightingale’s Playground
Authors:   Department of English, Faculty of Liberal Arts, ICFAI University, Tripura. Research Scholar, Dept of English, Tripura University., Roy Gitanjali
Published: June 2021

A digital performer has to negotiate with different kinds of affordances inside the space of a digital text. The Nightingale’s Playground (2010), a digital fiction authored by Andy Campbell and Judi Alston offers the reader/player with four versions of the text centering on the protagonist Carl Robertson who tries hard to search for his lost school friend Alex Nightingale. The online texts (‘Consensus Trance’, ‘Fieldwork Book’) and the gaming version of the digital fiction (‘Consensus Trance II’) offer the reader different decisional platforms. This makes it a challenging task for the reader to connect the affordances of the digital text. At the same time, the offline pdf version of the digital fiction hints at Carl being affected by a psychological disorder. The paper shall focus on how a digital reader negotiates his/her position inside the digital text by decoding the programmer’s/author’s encoded plot.
Water and sustainable development
Authors: Bozorg-Haddad Omid , Komijani Samira , Goharian Erfan
Published: June 2021

The never-ending exploitation of natural resources after the industrial revolution has caused irreversible damage to our environment and life. This vast resource deployment was expected to finally decelerate after the emergence of the Sustainable Development paradigm in the late 1980s. The concept of sustainable development aims to balance the tradeoff between supply and the needs of societies to also preserve the needs of future generations. Nonrenewable resources, especially water, have been at the heart of sustainable development goals. Sustainable Water Management (SWM) is an essential component of sustainable development. To achieve SWM, various water management challenges, in both developing and developed countries, should be addressed by attracting stakeholders to invest in water system efficiency and improvement projects, as well as by recycling and reusing water. To assess sustainable management policies and practices, evaluation of performance metrices – such as the Water Resources Sustainability Index, reliability, resiliency and vulnerability, and the Stability Index – is imperative. A cost-efficient policy should also facilitate the attainment of sustainability in all socioeconomic, and environmental sectors.
Drinking water quality, exposure and health risk assessment for the school-going children at school time in the southwest coastal of Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Md. Aminur , Islam Md. Rashidul , Kumar Sazal , Al-Reza Sharif M.
Published: June 2021

Scarcity of safe drinking water in the coastal regions throughout the world has long been recognized due to hydrological vulnerability and natural disaster, which is severe in developing countries like Bangladesh. This study focuses on trace metal(loid)s contamination and their associated health risks for primary school children from the consumption of tubewell water at school time in the vulnerable southwest coastal region of Bangladesh. The average content of electrical conductivity (EC), turbidity, chloride, total dissolved solids (TDSs), hardness, iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) were 1,983.6 ± 1,434.6 μS cm−1, 10.46 ± 10.3 NTU, 676.3 ± 648.1, 1,089.1 ± 788.6, 560.6 ± 326.6, 2.18 ± 1.99, and 0.19 ± 0.36 mg L−1, respectively, which exceeded their respective health-based guideline values. The concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) were lower than the World Health Organization provisional guideline values. Spearman's correlation analysis revealed that the EC of groundwater is dependent on TDS, chlorides, and other cations contributing to hardness, while turbidity results from the Fe content in groundwater. The hazard quotients (HQs) of As, Fe, Mn, and Zn intake were lower than unity for both boys and girls, indicating no non-carcinogenic risks to the children. However, cancer risks (CRs) from As exposure through drinking water were 1.5 and 1.8 times higher than the provisional safe value of 10−4 for boys and girls, indicating a lifetime cancer risk to the school-going children. Therefore, prompt and effective monitoring is a crying need to ensure water's continuous usability for drinking purposes in the study area.
Direct resource recovery from sewage using a combined system of anaerobic-aerobic biological treatment and food production
Authors: Tanikawa Daisuke , Shimomura Kenta , Motokawa Daisuke , Itoiri Yuya , Kimura Zen-Ichiro
Published: June 2021

A combined system of an anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR), a down-flow hanging sponge (DHS) reactor, an aquarium tank (AT), and a constructed wetland (CWL) was proposed as a new concept for sewage treatment. The ABR and DHS reactor, AT, and CWL were applied for biological sewage treatment, bioassay, and nutrient removal with food production, respectively. Killifishes and tomatoes were cultivated in the AT and CWL, respectively. In the ABR, 81.3% of total chemical oxygen demand and 76.5% of total biochemical oxygen demand were removed at 5.1 h of hydraulic retention time (HRT). Most remaining organic matter and 47.1% of ammonia were removed in the DHS reactor. In the CWL, 97.0% of total inorganic nitrogen and 78.6% of phosphate were removed with 3.87 kg/m2 of tomatoes producing yield at 4.4 days of HRT. In addition, anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria Candidatus Scalindua and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria Nitrospira and Nitorosococcus were considered as contributors to nitrogen removal in the CWL. The final effluent's water can be utilized as recycled water by installation of sand filtration and disinfection processes. Therefore, the proposed system can be applied as a low-energy, low-cost sewage treatment system with direct resource recovery.
Loperamide-induced Constipation Activates Inflammatory
Signaling Pathways in the Mid Colon of SD Rats Via Complement
C3 and its Receptors
Authors: Choi Yun Ju , Kim Ji Eun , Lee Su Jin , Gong Jeong Eun , Jang Miran , Hong Jin Tae , Hwang Dae Youn
Published: June 2021

Background:

Complement component 3 (C3) receptors play an important
role as inflammatory mediators in the innate immune system, although their mechanisms
were not well studied during constipation.

Objective:

The aim of this study is to investigate the regulatory role of C3 and its
receptors' downstream signaling during constipation.

Methods:

Alterations in the C3, C3a receptor (C3aR), and C3b receptor (C3bR)
expressions, PI3K/AKT pathway, RhoA/MLC pathway, MAP kinase pathway, and
inflammatory cytokine expressions were measured in the mid colon of loperamide (Lop)
treated SD rats.

Results:

Lop treatment successfully induced constipation phenotypes, including
decreased stool parameters and histological structure alterations. The expression levels
of C3 were significantly increased, whereas expressions of C3aR and C3bR were
decreased during Lop-induced constipation. Moreover, significant upregulation was
observed in the phosphorylation levels of PI3K, AKT, and GSK3β in mid colons of Lop
treated SD rats. The expression of RhoA and phosphorylation of MLC were also
enhanced in the Lop treated group. Furthermore, a similar pattern was detected in the
MAP kinase pathway and inflammatory cytokine expressions. Subsequent to the Lop
treatment, the phosphorylation of ERK and p38, as well as the mRNA levels of NF-κB,
TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1α were remarkably increased in the mid colon.

Conclusion:

These results indicate that Lop-induced constipation is tightly linked to the
downregulation of C3aR and C3bR expressions, and upregulation of the C3 and C3Rs
downstream signaling pathway, including PI3K/AKT, RhoA/MLC, and MAP kinase
pathways as well as inflammatory cytokine expressions in the mid colon of SD rats.
Fabrication of Chitosan-coated Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Bearing Rosuvastatin as a Drug Delivery System
Authors: Dini Ghasem , Ghahfarokhi Mojdeh Rahnama , Movahedi Behrooz
Published: June 2021

Aim:

In this work, to improve the solubility and bioavailability of the rosuvastatin (RSV) drug, chitosan-coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (CS-MSNs) as a drug delivery system were fabricated.

Methods:

To do this, first MSNs with a maximum specific surface area were synthesized from sodium silicate as silica source and different molar ratios of cethyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and pluronics (P123, PEO20PPO17PEO20) as surfactants via the sol-gel process. Then, the synthesized MSNs were coated by CS polymer with the help of (3-glycidoxypropyl)methyldiethoxysilane (GPTMS) as a linker between MSNs and CS. Subsequently, the RSV drug was loaded into the synthesized CS-coated MSNs. The products were characterized by different techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The in vitro drug release profile of the fabricated DDS was evaluated in a typical phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution at different pH values (i.e., 4, 6, and 7.4) for 48 h. To assess the cytotoxicity, the viability of the human fibroblast cells exposed to the fabricated DDS was also examined.

Results:

The results showed that at an optimal molar ratio of P123/CTAB, the amorphous MSNs with a specific surface area of about 1080 m2/g, a pore diameter of 4 nm, a pore volume of 1.1 cm3/g, and an average size of about 30 nm were synthesized. Also, the presence of all the components, including the CS coating and the RSV drug, was confirmed in the structure of the fabricated DDS by FTIR analysis. Due to the pH-responsive feature of the CS coating, the RSV drug release from the fabricated DDS showed a reasonable environmental response; as the pH value of the PBS solution decreased, the degree of drug release increased.

Conclusion:

The CS coating enhanced the cytotoxicity of the fabricated DDS and led to sustainable drug release behavior, which would provide a beneficial approach for drug delivery technology.