bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dentophobia in Children During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Stan Dorina , Voicu Dragos , Antohe Magda , Boev Monica , Chiscop Iulia , Stefanescu Ovidiu Mihai , Burlea Lucian Stefan
Published: February 2024

Dentophobia is a significant problem in oral health management. In the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the associated sanitary measures (quarantine, social distancing) at national level, the fear and dental anxiety are supposedly increased, especially in children. Pediatric patients are emotionally affected when they faced with the need for emergency dental intervention.
The current study seeks to assess the emotional state of children aged 8-12, who needed dental care during quarantine, at the regional level, as well as the degree of anxiety of their parents. Dental anxiety was assessed independently by the dentist, parents and children themselves. If in children, the level of dental anxiety increased insignificantly, compared to the pre-pandemic period, the levels of parental anxiety were higher. The boys in the pandemic group had a higher level of anxiety, especially in the parental assessment.
The results suggest that the reorganization of oral care in the pandemic scenario did not have a major effect on children's dental anxiety. However, the results of the assessment in boys show that they may be more vulnerable and need special care to alleviate their anxiety and reduce their risk of dentophobia in the future. These conclusions should be treated with caution, given the small sample size, which requires further confirmation. It is also important to convince parents of the safety of a visit to the dentist during a pandemic, to minimize their anxiety about their children's dental fears.
Poczucie osamotnienia a wsparcie społeczne i zadowolenie z życia u mężczyzn uzależnionych od alkoholu
Authors: Chodkiewicz Jan , Światkowska Magdalena
Published: February 2024

The aim of the study was the answer to the a question about social and psychological correlates of feeling of loneliness among males beginning of therapy. The determinants of the feeling of loneliness were identified too. Social and demographical data, social support and life satisfaction were included to independent variables. Research was conducted on 60 alcohol dependent males which are at the beginning of the therapy. Recluse people which undertook therapy in past have the higher level of oneliness. Males with higher level of loneliness are less satisfied with many aspects of their lives and have weaker social support. The results indicated that four of examined variables became the feeling of loneliness predictors: emotional support, social integration, satisfaction with oneself and state of health.
A Survey of U.S. and Canadian Physicians’ Clinical Practices Related to Pharmacologic, Herbal, and Nutritional Substances Used to Increase Milk Production
Authors: Sadovnikova Anna , Sommers Jan , Oberhelman-Eaton Sara
Published: February 2024

Objectives:Physicians may be asked to prescribe, recommend, or discuss foods, herbs, and medications for low milk supply. It is unclear how factors such as education, experience, and regulations influence clinical practice. The objective was to document physicians’ clinical practice surrounding pharmacologic, nutritional, and herbal products for the management of low milk supply.

Methods:Physicians from two Facebook groups completed an anonymous, online survey about their clinical use of pharmaceutical, supplemental, and nutritional substances perceived to increase milk production. The association between practice patterns and lactation medicine expertise or country for different perceived galactagogues was determined.

Results:A total of 307 physicians completed the primary portion of the survey. There was no difference in the proportion of physicians in Canada or the United States (U.S.) who were defined as lactation medicine experts. Canadian physicians were more likely to prescribe metformin, levothyroxine, and domperidone for low milk supply compared with U.S.-based physicians. Canadians and experts were more likely than U.S.-based and nonexpert physicians, respectively, to include herbs in their practice. Patient request, personal and clinical experience, and lack of education, research, or access were frequently selected as reasons for or against using a specific substance.

Conclusions:The U.S. Food and Drug Administration ban on domperidone affects low milk supply management in North America. Though Canadian physicians prescribed domperidone without limitations, U.S. physicians were less likely to incorporate it into clinical practice. Despite a lack of evidence, physicians in North America frequently used herbs and foods to increase milk production.
Natural capital and biodiversity accounting in palm-oil production
Authors:   Aalborg University Business School, Denmark, Rimmel Gunnar , Abdullah Maizatulakma ,   The National University of Malaysia, Malaysia
Published: February 2024

This chapter reviews natural capital and biodiversity accounting in Malaysian palm-oil production. It outlines the palm-oil industry’s impact on biodiversity and natural capital. It then assesses the transparency of sustainability information in the Malaysian palm-oil industry. Five initiatives for improving the transparency of sustainability reporting and the implementation of best practice by palm-oil companies are highlighted. These five initiatives are Carbon Disclosure Project, Forest 500, No Deforestation, No Peat and No Exploitation Implementation Reporting Framework, Sustainability Policy Transparency Toolkit (SPOTT), and Worldwide Fund for Nature Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard. The chapter includes examples of SPOTT data from Malaysian palm-oil companies. This chapter ends with a discussion of weaknesses in current governance that justify the need for more governmental initiatives towards sustainable palm-oil production.
Natural capital accounting and biodiversity in the Italian winemaking industry
Authors:   University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy, Doni Federica , Corvino Antonio ,   University of Foggia, Italy, Bianchi Martini Silvio ,   University of Pisa, Italy
Published: February 2024

Biodiversity is a key resource for our planet’s natural systems. This chapter analyses the Italian context by exploring the relationship between biodiversity and the winemaking sector. This chapter first introduces the Italian winemaking sector. It then discusses how biodiversity is defined in the winemaking sector. The chapter goes on to analyse a range of reports on sustainability and biodiversity produced by a sample of five leading Italian winemaking companies. It then discusses a particular case study of Cantine Teanum, a family-run small-medium enterprise (SME) situated in the Apulia Region, By conducting a semi-structured interview with Cantine Teanum, the authors investigated ‘why’ and ‘how’ biodiversity is beginning to play a significant role in the winemaking industry. The findings provide an interesting insight about the main actions and policies carried out by winemakers and, at the same time, barriers in protecting biodiversity in vineyard management.
Natural capital and biodiversity accounting in the Swedish agri-food sector
Authors:   University of Gothenburg, Sweden, Jonäll Kristina
Published: February 2024

This chapter describes how Swedish agri-food companies account for their impact on natural capital/ecosystem services and biodiversity. Sustainability reports or annual reports from 36 of the largest companies in the agri-food sector have been studied. Although most companies in the study have a more general attitude in their reports when discussing biodiversity, there seems to be an increased acknowledgement of the importance of biodiversity and nature’s contribution in the business community. No common regulations or guidelines for reporting of biodiversity, and lack of framework and a common definition, make it hard for companies to report in a uniform and comparable way.
Exploring corporate weather accounting by the UK food retail industry
Authors:   Northeastern University London, UK, Barone Elisabetta A. V. ,   University of Galway, UK, Atkins Jill ,   Cardiff Business School – Cardiff University, UK, Maroun Warren ,   University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
Published: February 2024

This chapter explores the extent to which companies in the UK food retail and production industries are disclosing information on weather-related risk, especially in relation to climate change-induced weather risk, in their annual/integrated reports, their sustainability (or equivalent) reports and on their corporate websites. The primary focus is on UK food retailers and producers and the changing British climate. However, we also consider the impact of climate change in other countries which affect the companies under study, due to their inclusion in the supply chain, as well as disclosures relating to non-food areas of their businesses. More specifically, our study seeks to assess the quality and consistency of these disclosures, from a critical perspective and draws conclusions as to whether these weather disclosures are discharging adequate accountability to stakeholders in terms of their information content, depth of discussion and detail.
The circular economy and sustainable soybean farming in Brazil: an integrated approach
Authors:   University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, van Zijl Wayne
Published: February 2024

This chapter provides an overview of a circular economy system combined with principles from the International Integrated Reporting Council’s integrated reporting framework. The model proposes that the circular economy and the principles of integrated thinking must be considered at the national level to achieve sustainable development because at this level it is more practical to obtain a complete picture of how financial and extra-financial capitals interact and can be enhanced. Governments must play a crucial role to ensure planning and policy development which promotes the creation of closed-loop systems where the output, end-of-life products and waste are designed to be used as inputs to the same or other systems.
Perubahan Tradisi Pembacaan Al-Barzanji ke Surat Yasin dalam Masyarakat Bugis
Authors: Persada Nur , Mugiyono Mugiyono , Nurhayat Muhammad Arpah
Published: February 2024

The background in this research is that in the past the reading of Yasin letters in Bugis society was very rare. However, the reading of Al-Barzanji is very often read in various events, for example the hajj pilgrimage, which every Friday night always reads Al-Barzaji, housewarming events, housewarming thanksgiving and other celebration events. Surah Yasin is read only at death events. The Bugis community also understands that reading the Yasin letter is read by someone who has died, more than that there are some of the Bugis people who understand that reading the Yasin letter means praying for someone to die soon. Over time the reading of Al-Barzanji began to be shifted with the reading of the Yasin letter which was previously read for people who have passed away now has been read at events such as moving houses, thanksgiving wedding, thanksgiving for hajj and other celebratory events. There is also a change in understanding of the reading of the Yasin letter which is now understood to ask for salvation to Allah SWT. The purpose of reading the Yasin letter in the Bugis community in Sungai Semut Village, Makarti Jaya Subdistrict, Banyuasin Regency, is as safety, to get the pleasure of Allah SWT, to facilitate death and to make matters easier. The researcher uses the study of the living Qur'an, which is a scientific study in the Al-Quran that looks at social phenomena in the form of the Al-Quran that lives in the Muslim community.
Pesan Moral Dalam Kisah Kesabaran Nabi Ayub as
Authors: Mu’minin Miftakul , Mugiyono Mugiyono , Nurhayat Muhammad Arpah
Published: February 2024

The patience of the Prophet Job in the face of various trials, should be followed by other human beings. But there are some people who still take shortcuts far from what God almighty taught. In particular this paper departs from two problems, namely: how the Prophet Ayyub was patient in dealing with various trials and what moral message can be taken from the patience of the Prophet Ayyub. The type of research used is literature research using the primary data of the Quran and skunder data which includes various sources that have a connection to the discussion, then collect the data by reading, recording, grouping according to the nature and type, connecting between existing data and analyzing it. So it is concluded that in the face of various trials the Prophet Ayyub received it sincerely, did not complain and did not stay away from Allah Almighty.
The Effectiveness of Various Essential Oils on the Market as Aedes Aegypti Mosquito Repellent
Authors: Army Mitasari  , Aris Santjaka  , Iqbal Ardiansyah
Published: February 2024

Introduction: In Indonesia, the average dengue cases are 121,191 each year with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 0.69%. Mosquito control with common chemical methods will negatively impact the environment and human health and can cause mosquitoes to develop resistance. Environmentally-friendly replacement chemicals derived from plants such as citronella contains 16.27% citronella and 19.88% geraniol. In addition, lavender plants also contain 35% alcohol comprising linalool and geraniol as well as other chemicals such as borneol. Furthermore, 8-20% of camphor and borneol in rosemary can also be a natural mosquito repellent ingredient. Methods: This study is a True Experiment with The Posttest-Only Controlled Group Design. The number of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes used for each treatment was 20. The study subjects were divided into 4 groups comprising 0.4 ppm of citronella, lavender, and rosemary essential oils and aquades as control. Replication was carried out 3 times and observations were conducted for 20 minutes. Results and Discussion: The Anova Factorial test resulted in a p-value of ≤ 0.05. In addition, there was a significant difference in the number of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes expelled from humidifier vapor. Furthermore, the Least Significant Difference (LSD) test showed that citronella essential oil was most effective in repelling mosquitoes because it has a p-value of ≤ 0.05 and largest average difference between other essential oils. Conclusion: Essential oils from citronella are most effective and stable for 30 seconds to 20 minutes to repel mosquitoes compared to lavender and rosemary essential oils
Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles for human diseases
Authors: Zhang Xiaofang , Che Xiaofang , Zhang Sibo , Wang Runze , Li Mo , Jin Yi , Wang Tianlu , Song Yingqiu
Published: February 2024

Stem cell therapy is a novel approach for treating various severe and intractable diseases, including autoimmune disorders, organ transplants, tumors, and neurodegenerative diseases. Nevertheless, the extensive utilization of stem cells is constrained by potential tumorigenicity, challenges in precise differentiation, rejection concerns, and ethical considerations. Extracellular vesicles possess the ability to carry diverse bioactive factors from stem cells and deliver them to specific target cells or tissues. Moreover, they offer the advantage of low immunogenicity. Consequently, they have the potential to facilitate the therapeutic potential of stem cells, mitigating the risks associated with direct stem cell application. Therefore, the use of stem cell extracellular vesicles in clinical diseases has received increasing attention. This review summarizes advances in the use of extracellular vesicles from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). MSC extracellular vesicles are used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, liver injury, COVID-19, and allergies; in the repair of tissue damage in heart disease, kidney injury, and osteoarthritic diseases; as a carrier in the treatment of tumors; and as a regenerative agent in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
PELATIHAN PENGISIAN E-SPT UNTUK PELAKU UMKM KOTA BANJARMASIN
Authors: Analisa  , Wahyuni  , Riri Velina Sari
Published: February 2024

Kegiatan    Pengabdian    kepada Masyarakat  (PKM)    ini    bertujuan    untuk    memberikan  pelatihan  bagi   para      pelaku   UMKM      dengan      memberikan  pemahaman    tentang    syarat,    perhitungan  dan    tata  cara  pelaporan  pajak  penghasilan  khususnya  melalui  e-SPT.    Permasalahan  mitra  yang  akan diselesaikan dalam  kegiatan  ini  adalah  sebagian  UMKM  di  kota Banjarbaru   dan   sekitarnnya   belum   memahami   tentang pengisian SPT dan penggunaan e-SPT untuk melaporkan kewajiban perpajakannya.   Metode   yang   diterapkan      untuk      mengatasi      masalah      tersebut adalah   dengan memberikan Pelatihan secara langsung untuk mengisi e-SPT. Kegiatan   ini   dibagi menjadi  3  tahap  sesi  perencanaan,  pelaksanaan  dan evaluasi.    Dari  hasil  Kegiatan  menunjukkan  adanya peningkatan   pemahaman   dan   pengetahuan   setelah mengikuti  kegiatan  Pelatihan.    Artinya,  tujuan  dari PKM   ini   telah   tercapai.      Rata-rata   hasil   angket kepuasan  menunjukkan  bahwa  mitra  (peserta)  puas dengan materi, metode penyampaian, dan keseluruhan Pelatihan
Potensi Asap Cair Tandan Kosong Kelapa Sawit Untuk Menekan Pertumbuhan Gulma Teki (Cyperus kyllingia)
Authors: Khairunida Khairunida , Soedijo Samharinto , . Salamiah
Published: February 2024

C. kyllingia is an annual weed that can cause problems because it can reduce the quantity and quality of cultivated plant production, so this weed needs to be controlled. Weed control with synthetic herbicides is currently more popular because its effectiveness can be seen more quickly. However, if synthetic herbicides are used for a long period of time, they will affect soil conditions. Therefore, an alternative weed control using liquid smoke from empty oil palm fruit bunches (TKKS) is needed. The research aims to determine the potential of TKKS liquid smoke in controlling the growth of sedge weed (C. kyllingia). The design used a 1 factor Completely Randomized Design consisting of 5 treatments and 5 replications with liquid smoke concentrations of 0%, 8.3%, 16.6%, 25% and 33.3%. Research shows that TKKS liquid smoke has the potential to be used as a natural herbicide because it has an effect on suppressing the growth of the C. kyllingia weed. The best concentration that can suppress weed growth is 33.3% liquid smoke.
Aplikasi Agensia Hayati Metarhizium anisopliae Terhadap Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith
Authors: Ramadhani Roni , Soedijo Samharinto , Rosa Helda Orbani
Published: February 2024

Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is an invasive insect pest that has a high appetite, causing damage and reduced yields in corn plants. One way to control these larvae is to use the biological agent Metarhizium anisopliae. The aim of this research was to determine the influence of several spore densities of the entomopathogenic fungus M. anisopliae on S. frugiperda. The design used in this research was a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) which consisted of 4 treatment levels of spore suspension density 107,108, 109  and a water control treatment as a comparison with 6 replications. Application was carried out on 3-4 instar larvae with an observation period of 12 hours for 4 days. The results of this study showed that the application of the biological agent M. anisopliae with a spore density treatment of 109caused the highest larval mortality of 76.7%. Lethal time (LT_50) for larval mortality caused by M. anisopliae is 2.80 days. From probit analysis, the Lethal Concentration (LC_50) value was 2.44 x 109 spores/ml.
Pengaruh Aplikasi Pupuk Organik Plus Pada Bawang Merah (Allium ascalonicum) terhadap Keanekaragaman Arthropoda di Lahan Gambut
Authors: Oktaviani Yerenia Teresa , Pramudi Muhammad Indar , . Salamiah
Published: February 2024

Shallots (Allium ascalonicum L.) from the Lilyceae family are annual horticultural plants. The aim of this research is to determine the effect of the application of organic fertilizer plus on the diversity of arthropods in shallot plants in peatlands. The method used in this research was a one-factor Completely Randomized Design (CRD) consisting of 4 treatments and 5 replications. Data from arthropod identification results are grouped based on order and family which are presented in tabular form. Then an analysis was carried out using diversity indices, species richness and species evenness. The results of the research show that the most dominant arthropods are the predator group. The results also show that the level of arthropod species diversity is moderate, the level of arthropod species richness is low, the level of evenness of arthropod species shows an unstable distribution. The most dominant group of arthropods is the predator group and the results of the LSD analysis test at the 5% level showed a real influence on the diversity of arthropods in shallot plants in peatlands where organic fertilizer plus 125 g/hole was applied with an average of 48.40 individuals.
Strengthening Pathogen and Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance by Environmental Monitoring in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Stakeholder Survey
Authors: Tiwari Ananda , Miller Taru , Baraka Vito , Tahita Marc , Maketa Vivi , Kabore Berenger , Kingpriest Paul , Mitashi Patrick , Lyimo Eric , Sebukoto Hillary , Pitkänen Tarja
Published: February 2024

Background: Waterborne diseases pose a significant global public health threat, compelling enhanced comprehensive surveillance. This study investigates the current infectious disease and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance systems, including wastewater and environmental surveillance (WES), in three sub-Saharan African countries: Tanzania, Burkina Faso, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The three countries have their specificities regarding wastewater networks and logistic systems. So, emphasizing the need to strengthen existing disease surveillance, the paper advocates for incorporating WES systems specifically designed for countries' context to monitor waterborne and re-emerging pathogens, as well as AMR.Methods: National workshops were conducted to assess the current clinical and environmental surveillance systems and identify priority pathogens for new environmental monitoring. Data were collected through surveys from experts in academia, research, policy, and healthcare. Results: Prioritized pathogens for WES include waterborne (poliovirus, Salmonella Typhi, Vibrio cholerae), respiratory (influenza A&B, SARS-CoV-2), other (Measles and Rubella, Mycobacterium tuberculosis). Recommended AMR pathogens include drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Salmonella spp., methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase and carbapenemase-producing E. coli. Tanzania, Burkina Faso, and the DRC employ DHSI2-based centralized electronic systems for clinical data collection, complemented by Excel and paper-based registries. The WES approach is commonly employed for monitoring poliovirus and rarely for AMR and other pathogens. Discussion and conclusions: WES is a valuable tool for early detection of locally circulating human-derived pathogens, aiding in outbreak detection, data-driven epidemic response, and prevention. The availability of WES results underscores the importance of effective sanitation for safeguarding human, animal, and environmental health. WES is a pivotal tool for integrated risk management, preventing waterborne outbreaks, protecting drinking water sources, and ultimately gaining various UN Sustainable Development Goals. The study highlights the importance of customized WES systems in line with each country's context, emphasizing localized approaches for effective monitoring of waterborne pathogens and AMR.
The Effects of SARS-CoV-2 on Angiopoietin/Tie Axis and Vascular Endothelium
Authors: Janchivlamdan Dolgormaa , Shivkumar Maitreyi , Singh Harprit
Published: February 2024

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection can cause potentially life-threatening coronavirus disease (COVID-19). COVID-19 is a multisystem disease and is associated with significant respiratory distress, systemic hyper inflammation, vasculitis and multi-organ failures. SARS-CoV-2 causes deterioration of numerous systems with increasing evidence implying that COVID-19 affects endothelium and vascular function. The endothelium is important for preserving vascular tone and homeostasis. The overactivation and dysfunction of endothelial cells are significant outcomes of severity in patients with COVID-19. The Angiopoietin 1/Tie 2 pathway plays an important role in endothelium quiescence and vessel stability. The disruption of Angiopoietins/Tie balance affects vessel contact barrier and leads to vessel leakage, and this in turn causes endothelial dysfunction. Although vascular instability through SARS-CoV-2 is associated with endothelial dysfunction, it is still not understood if the virus affects Angiopoietin/Tie axis directly or via other mechanisms such as cytokine storm and/or immune response associated with the infection. This review provides an overview of the impact SARS-CoV-2 has on endothelial function and more specifically the Angiopoietin/Tie pathway.
The Role of Cytokines in Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma: Focus on the State of the Art and Possible Therapeutic Targets
Authors: Guglielmo Alba , Zengarini Corrado , Agostinelli Claudio , Sabattini Elena , Pileri Alessandro
Published: February 2024

Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs), encompassing mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS), present a complex landscape influenced by cytokines and cellular responses. In this work, the intricate relationship between these inflammatory proteins and disease pathogenesis is examined, focusing on what is known at a clinical and therapeutic level regarding the most well-known inflammatory mediators. An in-depth look has been given to their possible alterations caused by novel immunomodulatory drugs and how they may alter disease progression.From this narrative review of the actual scientific landscape, Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) emerges as a central player, demonstrating a dual role in both promoting and inhibiting cancer immunity, but the work navigates through all the major Interleukins known in inflammatory environments.Immunotherapeutic perspectives are elucidated, highlighting the crucial role of the cutaneous microenvironment in shaping dysfunctional cell trafficking, antitumor immunity, and angiogenesis in MF, showcasing advancements in understanding and targeting the immune phenotype in CTCL.In summary, this manuscript aims to comprehensively explore the multifaceted aspects of CTCL, from the immunopathogenesis and cytokine dynamics centred around TNF-α and IFN-γ to evolving therapeutic modalities. Including all the major known and studied cytokines in this analysis broadens our understanding of the intricate interplay influencing CTCL, paving the way for improved management of this complex lymphoma.
Title Arnica D30 – an Alternative for Managing Procedural Pain in Full-Term Neonates
Authors: Petleshkova Penka Vasileva , Krasteva Maya Bogdanova , Pacheva Iliyana Hristova , Dragusheva Snezhana Stefanova , Ruseva Margarita Lyubenova
Published: February 2024

Background: Despite scientific advances, the management of procedural pain in neonates remains suboptimal. Applying adequate therapy to control pain during the neonatal period is a moral and ethical act. In recent decades, ample evidence has accumulated regarding the risks, associated with both untreated pain and the use of more aggressive analgesic therapy. Thus, the emphasis in neonatal clinical practice is on non-aggressive pain management techniques, including homeopathic agents. The efficacy and safety of homeopathic agents for reducing procedural pain in neonates is the subject of the present study. Materials and Methods: Healthy full-term newborn babies with an average age of 72-84 hours were included. They were divided into three study groups: group (A) – not anesthetised, /n= 67/, group (B) – anesthetised with Arnica D30 /n=40/ and group (C)- anesthetised with Sol.Glucose 25% /n=40/. The severity of the pain was assessed using the multimodal - Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) and the unimodal - Neonatal Facial Coding System (NFCS) scale. Assessments were done 30s before, 30 seconds after, and 5 minutes after the painful stimulus caused by the heel prick. Heart rate, transcutaneous oxygen saturation, respiratory rate and blood pressure were examined at the same intervals. The results obtained were processed statistically by descriptive analysis and ANOVA at a significance level of p< 0.05. Results: 5 minutes after heel prick both scales showed a statistically significant lower score in those given Arnica D30, compared to those who received Sol.Glucose 25%. When monitoring the physiological indicators, we found a significant increase in the heart rate 30 seconds after the procedure.5 minutes after the heel prick we recorded significantly respiratory rate and systolic blood pressure in all three groups compared to pre-procedural values. Conclusions: Arnica D30 has better analgesic effects compared to Sol.Glucose 25% for newborn babies after heel prick tests.
Entropy has a Great Potential to Steer Education above and Beyond
Authors: Mageed Ismail A.
Published: February 2024

Numerous scientific fields employ entropy, the Shannonian measure of disorder and inaccessible information. Current paper examines educational uses of entropy. The major objectives of this survey are to create a coherent perspective of the applicability of classical entropies and to provide a concise detailed explanation that blends technical pertinence with conceptual extraction from the most recent literature. What's more intriguing are the closing thoughts mixed with a few unsolved issues and the creation of a future work schedule in these areas.
Exploring Natural Compounds as Potential MAO-B Inhibitors for Parkinson's Disease Treatment: Insights from Docking Simulations and Toxicity Predictions
Authors: Ferrari Ivan Vito
Published: February 2024

This study explores the potential of natural compounds, including Daidzin, Luteolin, and Silibinin, as inhibitors of human monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Docking simulations were performed using Autodock Vina with Pyrx program to evaluate the binding affinities of these compounds with MAO-B. Results indicate that Daidzin, Luteolin, and Silibinin exhibit promising binding affinities with MAO-B, with Daidzin demonstrating the highest affinity. Toxicity parameters were further predicted using the PkCSM Server, confirming the low toxicity of these compounds. Overall, the findings suggest that Daidzin, Luteolin, and Silibinin have the potential to be effective and safe treatments for Parkinson's disease through their inhibition of MAO-B. Further experimental validation is warranted to support their therapeutic efficacy in clinical settings.
A New Cloud‐Native Tool for Pharmacogenetic Analysis
Authors: Yuan David Yu , Park Jun Hyuk , Li Zhenyu , Thomas Rohan , Hwang David M , Fu Lei
Published: February 2024

Background: Advancement of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies provides opportunities for large-scale Pharmacogenetic (PGx) studies and pre-emptive PGx testing to cover a wide range of genotypes present in diverse populations. However, NGS-based PGx testing is limited by the lack of comprehensive computational tools to support genetic data analysis and clinical decisions.

Methods: Bioinformatics utilities specialized for human genomics and the latest cloud-based technologies are used for developing a bioinformatics pipeline for analyzing the genomic sequence data and reporting PGx genotypes. A database was created and integrated in the pipeline for filtering the actionable PGx variants and clinical interpretations. Strict quality verification procedures were conducted on variant calls with whole genome sequencing (WGS) dataset of the 1000 Genomes Project (G1K). The accuracy of PGx allele identification was validated using the whole genome sequencing dataset of the Pharmacogenetics Reference Materials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Results: The newly created bioinformatics pipeline, Pgxtools, can analyze genomic sequence data, identify actionable variants in 13 PGx relevant genes, and generate reports annotated with specific interpretations and recommendations based on clinical practice guidelines. Verified with two independent methods, we have found that Pgxtools consistently identifies variants more accurately than the results in the G1K dataset on GRCh37 and GRCh38.

Conclusions: Pgxtools provides an integrated workflow for large-scale genomic data analysis and PGx clinical decision support. Implemented with cloud-native technologies, it is highly portable in a wide variety of environments from a single laptop to high performance computing clusters and cloud platforms for different production scales and requirements.
FET- PET RANO for Radiotherapy Assessment of Gliomas
Authors: Zarębska Izabela , Harat Maciej
Published: February 2024

Conventional MRI sequences are standard methods to monitor patients with brain tumors but have significant limitations especially after irradiation. Currently, the role of FET-PET in radiotherapy of glioblastoma is emerging, starting from target definition, response assessment and in distinguishing progression from post-irradiation changes.
Recently a PET RANO criteria have been published providing optimal strategy for treatment evaluation with amino-acid PET. Earlier, a PET/RANO group reported contribution of PET imaging to radiotherapy planning and monitoring in glioma patients. Also, increasing evidence have showed advantages of amino-acid PET vs. RANO MRI for prediction of overall survival.
In this narrative review we aimed to summarize published data on FET-PET based treatment response assessment to radiotherapy and focused on details in protocols.
Fast Fake – easy to train Face Swap model
Authors: Walczyna Tomasz , Piotrowski Zbigniew
Published: February 2024

"Deep fake" technologies are often associated with face-swapping algorithms based on images or videos. Although much research is focused on developing these techniques, there is still room for improvement, especially in human and visual assessment. In this study, we present an innovative approach to the problem of face replacement based on one model while preserving background features. Our model uses the Adaptive Attentional Denormalization method from FaceShifter while integrating identity features from the ArcFace and BiSeNet models to support the attribute extraction process. We used Fast GAN as a generative model to optimize and accelerate the training process on smaller data sets. Our research proves the effectiveness of the proposed approach by combining innovative methods and architectures in one coherent solution.
Molecular Process Of Trigeminal Neuralgia, its Pharmacologic, and Comparison of Surgical Treatment Options with Outcomes
Authors: Shah Siddharth , Ikram Jibran , Khan Malik Waleed Zeb
Published: February 2024

According to published descriptions, one of the most incapacitating forms of orofacial pain is trigeminal neuralgia (TN). At its core, trigeminal neuropathic pain (TN) is still a clinical diagnostic that has to be differentiated from other forms of TN and face pain linked to other neuralgias or headache disorders. Imaging can only help with the cause of the pain, whether it’s a vascular origin or not. It is becoming more and more evident that there is no one-size-fits-all medication or surgical procedure that can effectively treat every patient with trigeminal neuralgia (TN). This is probably because TN is a diverse collection of conditions that all present with face discomfort. Medical therapy using anticonvulsants like carbamazepine is still the first-line treatment for TN. If this doesn't work for the patient, surgical treatments are available. Microvascular decompression is often a safe, efficient operation with results that are both rapid and long-lasting. Patients who may benefit from percutaneous techniques such as radiofrequency ablation, glycerol ablation, balloon compression, or a combination, include those who cannot undergo general anesthesia or whose medical conditions prohibit a suboccipital craniectomy. Radiosurgery may be a great option for patients with bleeding diathesis brought on by blood-thinning medications who are not eligible for invasive procedures or who do not want to undergo open surgical procedures, as long as the patient is aware that achieving maximum pain relief may take several months. In conclusion, peripheral neurectomies persist in offering a low-cost and resource-saving substitute for pain management to those residing in areas with restricted financial and healthcare resources. In the end, developing a better understanding of the molecular processes behind trigeminal neuralgia will lead to new, less intrusive, and more effective treatments.
Bark Browsing and Recovery: A Comparative Study between Douglas Fir and Silver Fir Species in the Western Carpathians
Authors: Konôpka Bohdan , Šebeň Vladimír , Pajtík Jozef
Published: February 2024

The foraging behavior of ruminating ungulates significantly impacts forest ecosystems due to their nutritional requirements. This study focuses on inter-specific comparisons of bark browsing (stripping) between Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) and silver fir (Abies alba Mill.). Field measurements were conducted at the previously established research-demonstration site "Husárik" in the Javorníky Mountains, north-western Slovakia. We didn’t only measure the sizes of wounds on stems but also assessed the dimensions of unrecovered parts of wounds, subsequently calculating areas of recovered bark patches. Then, the total areas of wounds, recovered patches, and unrecovered parts were determined. Additionally, the percentages of wound areas, recovered areas, and unrecovered areas were expressed as their proportions to the total bark surface. Influencing factors such as the position of wounds along the vertical stem profile and stem diameter class were analyzed using two- and three-way ANOVA followed by Fisher's LSD test. The results demonstrate the susceptibility of both tree species to bark browsing by ruminating ungulates, primarily red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) in our study site. Douglas fir exhibited slightly less intense browsing compared to silver fir, while silver fir had a slightly higher recovery rate. Specifically, 17.0% of the bark surface in Douglas fir and 21.5% in silver fir were browsed. The proportions of recovered areas on wounds were 62.5% and 69.6% in Douglas fir and silver fir, respectively. Regarding the vertical stem profile, the most intense browsing occurred at a height of 101-125 cm from the ground level, with rates of 40.7% in Douglas fir and 47.0% in silver fir. Browsing intensity showed negligible variation among diameter classes, which were classified as up to 35 mm, 35-50 mm, and over 50 mm. Our findings suggest that, as an introduced species, Douglas fir is not any suitable substitute for other commercially significant tree species in European countries where ruminating ungulates are overabundant.
Sedentary Behavior, Physical Activity and Functionality of Older Care Home Residents
Authors: Scheidt Isabela Vinharski , Rodacki André Luiz Felix , Nascimento Vitor Bertoli , Bento Paulo Cesar Barauce
Published: February 2024

Background: Nursing home residents (NHRs) have special needs and may experience reduced functionality, higher sedentary behavior time (SBT) and decreased physical activity (PA). This study aimed to characterize NHRs based on SBT, PA, and functional performance (FP), and to identify associations between these factors. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 65 NHRs aged ≥60, evaluated by accelerometer (SBT, PA) and the following tests: Timed Up and Go (TUG), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Barthel Index (BI), and Mini-Mental State Examina-tion (MMSE). Health-related variables and anthropometry were assessed. The FP (TUG, SPPB, BI), SBT, PA intensities were used for K-means clustering analysis. Results: The cluster analysis identified: C1 – better FP, shorter SBT, and longer time in PA intensities; C2 - lower FP, longer SBT, and shorter time in PA. In addition, C2 were older, with lower MMSE, lower body mass index, and walking aids use. The SBT showed a negative weak correlation with BI. The moderate PA (MPA) was moderately correlated with the SPPB and strongly correlated with the TUG and BI. Conclusions: MPA is strongly associated with better FP and independence. NHRs have dif-ferent physical and cognitive profiles, which indicates the need for personalized strategies to prevent disability and increase PA.
Pharmacotherapy for bacterial vaginosis: antibiotics vs antiseptics
Authors:   I.M.Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation, Shikh E.V. , Makhova A.A. ,   I.M.Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation, Kostin R.K. ,   I.M.Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation
Published: February 2024

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the public health challenges faced by physicians and scientists all over the globe. According to the antimicrobial resistance prevention strategy adopted in Russia, it is necessary to take measures to ensure rational prescribing and use of antibiotics and, in certain situations, to replace them with medications from other pharmacological groups. In some cases, antiseptics can be a worthy alternative to antibiotics. Dequalinium chloride is an antimicrobial antiseptic agent with a broad bactericidal and fungicidal activity, which allows the treatment of mixed vaginal infections. During intravaginal administration there is no penetration of the drug into the systemic bloodstream, so it is safe for use in clinical practice at any gestational age. The findings support a comparable efficacy of dequalinium chloride and clindamycin against mixed biofilms that are commonly formed on the vaginal mucosa; numerous clinical studies have demonstrated their comparable clinical efficacy in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis. Dequalinium chloride has multiple modes of action against pathogens, which makes the development of resistance to this agent unlikely and thus reduces the risk of resistant strains dominating the microbiome. Wider application of topical antiseptics in the pharmacotherapy for vulvovaginal infections will optimize antibiotic potency, limiting the growth of antimicrobial resistance. Key words: antimicrobial resistance, bacterial vaginosis, antiseptics, dequalinium chloride, pharmacotherapy
Regulatory functional systems in the pathogenesis of benign mammary dysplasia
Authors:   Scientific Centre for Family Health and Human Reproduction Problems, Irkutsk, Russian Federation, Danusevich I.N.
Published: February 2024

This article presents an analysis of publications devoted to the role of functional systems in the development of benign breast conditions, which were selected from the scientific databases Russian State Library, elibrary, PubMed, Cochrane, Medline, Medscape. The results obtained indicate that the neuroendocrine, immune, and free radical lipid oxidation systems are involved in the development of benign breast pathology. Changes in these systems negatively affect a woman’s reproductive and breast health and increase the risk of breast cancer. Key words: hormones, benign breast pathology, immunity, free radical oxidation of lipids
Endothelial dysfunction in recurrent pregnancy loss: genetic and environmental factors
Authors:   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation, Nagaeva O.A. , Shcherbakova L.N. , Revina D.B. , Alekseenkova M.V. , Zaytseva N.I. , Kirillova K.I. , Samokhodskaya L.M. , Panina O.B.
Published: February 2024

Objective. To examine the association between the carriage of endothelial dysfunction-related gene polymorphisms and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Patients and methods. This case-control study included 87 patients who were divided into two groups. The study group consisted of 65 patients with a history of two or more consecutive pregnancy losses (2 to 11 losses). Primary RPL was detected in 20 patients, secondary in 26, and tertiary in 19. The control group consisted of 22 women with a history of three or more full-term births without episodes of miscarriage. The frequency of polymorphisms of the VEGFA -634G>C and IL6 -174G>C genes was determined by a ready-to-use real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test kits. Results. Carrying the VEGFA -634G>C GC genotype increases the risk of RPL 4-fold (p = 0.0072) and the IL6 -174G>C GC genotype – 3-fold (p = 0.028). Analysis of the impact of combinations of unfavorable genotypes showed that 65.0% of patients with primary RPL, 61.5% with secondary RPL, 63.2% with tertiary RPL, and 9% of healthy controls had a combination of GC VEGFA -634G>C and CC IL6 -174G>C. One of the key environmental factors determining the realization of susceptibility genes is age: the maximum age at the time of the first intended pregnancy was observed in patients with primary RPL (32.6 years vs. 25.5 years in the control group; p < 0.05), with 9% of healthy controls having a combination of two genotypes associated with pregnancy loss. That is, successful pregnancy at a younger age is possible even when carrying multiple risk alleles. The birth interval length is also important for successful pregnancy: a short inter-pregnancy interval allows to carry out the reproductive function during the most favorable period of the reproductive system before the influence of genotypes predisposing to RPL begins. Other environmental factors leading to the realization of carriage of RPL risk alleles include a history of intrauterine interventions and sexually transmitted infections. Conclusion. Study of the VEGFA -634G>C and IL6 -174G>C gene polymorphisms may serve as an effective method to predict RPL. For patients carrying these unfavorable gene polymorphisms, it is especially important to perform the reproductive function in time, i.e., before the realization of environmental factors. Key words: recurrent pregnancy loss, VEGF, endothelial dysfunction, susceptibility genes