bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of the aerosol contribution to the top-of-atmosphere radiance for satellite ocean color retrievals
Authors: Marinyuk V. V. , Pavlova M. A. , Rogozkin D. B. , Sheberstov S. V.
Published: August 2024

A method is proposed for characterization of the aerosol contribution to the top-of-atmosphere (TOA) radiance. The method is based on solving the problem of radiative transfer in the atmosphere-ocean system and expanding the solution in powers of the aerosol optical thickness τ
a
. We show that the linear term of the expansion is analytically expressed in terms of the bidirectional transmittance/reflectance of the aerosol-free Rayleigh atmosphere. A procedure is also proposed for successively extracting the terms of higher order in τ
a
from the data of the TOA radiance computation with the DISORT code. As analysis shows, the radiance expansion in τ
a
is not purely polynomial. Beginning from the quadratic term, the coefficients of the series expansion in powers of τ
a
become dependent logarithmically on τ
a
. The approach proposed enables us to reproduce analytically the τ
a
-dependence of the TOA radiance with controlled accuracy. We determine the expansion coefficients up to the cubic term inclusive and validate our results on the aerosol model embedded in NASA’s SeaDAS algorithm for aerosol loadings, representative for the Barents and Kara seas. In the visible and near-infrared spectral ranges, accounting for the terms up to a quadratic one is found to be sufficient for the atmospheric correction of satellite ocean color data typical for the Arctic region.
Black and white: a bifunctional optical standard for near-perfect white light diffuse reflection and blackbody radiation
Authors: Chang Sih-Wei , Chen Yen-Jen , Wan Dehui , Chen Hsuen-Li
Published: August 2024

Durable optical standards with precise calibration are crucial for optical measurements. This study used calcium fluoride (CaF2), silicon dioxide, and hexagonal boron nitride to fabricate a bifunctional optical standard (CaF2-based bifunctional material) for diffuse reflectance and thermal emission. The average relative total diffuse reflectance of our developed material in the UV–Vis–NIR region was equal to 100.6% of the average value of the commercial PTFE standard plate. Furthermore, by exploiting the complementary absorption characteristics of its polar materials, the CaF2-based bifunctional material provided high emissivity (96.7%) in the mid-infrared region. Meanwhile, the CaF2-based bifunctional material possessed a high laser-damage threshold and excellent thermal stability compared with commercial standards. As a durable optical standard, our developed material could meet requirements for a broad range of applications, such as high-temperature optical calibration.
Identification of a genetic region linked to tolerance to MRSA infection using Collaborative Cross mice
Authors: Nagarajan Aravindh , Scoggin Kristin , Adams L. Garry , Threadgill David , Andrews-Polymenis Helene
Published: August 2024

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) colonizes humans asymptomatically but can also cause opportunistic infections, ranging from mild skin infections to severe life-threatening conditions. Resistance and tolerance are two ways a host can survive an infection. Resistance is limiting the pathogen burden, while tolerance is limiting the health impact of a given pathogen burden. In previous work, we established that collaborative cross (CC) mouse line CC061 is highly susceptible to Methicillin-resistant S. aureus infection (MRSA, USA300), while CC024 is tolerant. To identify host genes involved in tolerance after S. aureus infection, we crossed CC061 mice and CC024 mice to generate F1 and F2 populations. Survival after MRSA infection in the F1 and F2 generations was 65% and 55% and followed a complex dominant inheritance pattern for the CC024 increased survival phenotype. Colonization in F2 animals was more extreme than in their parents, suggesting successful segregation of genetic factors. We identified a Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) peak on chromosome 7 for survival and weight change after infection. In this QTL, the WSB/EiJ (WSB) allele was present in CC024 mice and contributed to their MRSA tolerant phenotype. Two genes, C5ar1 and C5ar2, have high-impact variants in this region. C5ar1 and C5ar2 are receptors for the complement factor C5a, an anaphylatoxin that can trigger a massive immune response by binding to these receptors. We hypothesize that C5a may have altered binding to variant receptors in CC024 mice, reducing damage caused by the cytokine storm and resulting in the ability to tolerate a higher pathogen burden and longer survival.
Left-digit bias in out-hospital cardiac arrest: The JCS-ReSS study
Authors: Suzuki Takahiro , Mizuno Atsushi , Yoneoka Daisuke , Nakashima Takahiro , Matoba Tetsuya , Node Koichi , Yonemoto Naohiro , Tahara Yoshio , Kobayashi Yoshio , Ikeda Takanori
Published: August 2024

Introduction

The left-digit bias (LDB), a numerical-related cognitive bias, not only potentially influences decision-making among the general public but also that of medical practitioners. Few studies have investigated its role in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

Methods

We retrospectively included all consecutive patients with OHCA witnessed by family members registered in the All-Japan Utstein Registry of the Fire and Disaster Management Agency between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2020. Target outcomes were the percentage of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (BCPR) performed by family members or paramedics and the percentage of prehospital physician-staffed advanced cardiac life support (ACLS). Using a nonparametric regression discontinuity methodology, we examined whether a significant change occurred in the percentages of BCPR and ACLS at the age thresholds of 60, 70, 80, and 90 years, which would indicate the presence of LDB.

Results

Of the 1,930,273 OHCA cases in the All-Japan Utstein Registry, 384,200 (19.9%) cases witnessed by family members were analyzed. The mean age was 75.8 years (±SD 13.7), with 38.0% (n = 146,137) female. We identified no discontinuities in the percentages of chest compressions, mouth-to-mouth ventilation, or automated external defibrillator (AED) usage by family members for the age thresholds of 60, 70, 80, and 90 years. Moreover, no discontinuities existed in the percentages of chest compressions, advanced airway management, and AED usage by paramedics or prehospital ACLS by physicians for any of the age thresholds.

Conclusions

In conclusion, our study did not find any evidence that age-related LDB affects medical decision-making in patients with OHCA.
Expression pattern of Stlhcb gene family in potato and effects of overexpression of Stcp24 gene on potato photosynthesis
Authors: Tang Xinhua , Liu Yulin , Li Shiwei , Pei Yating , Wei Qiaorong , Zhang Lili , Shi Ying
Published: August 2024

Potato is one of the four staple food crops in the world. It has a wide range of cultivation, high yield, and high nutritional value. Enhancing the photosynthesis of potato is particularly important as it leads to an increase in the potato yield. The light-harvesting pigment-binding protein complex is very important for plant photosynthesis. We identified 12 Stlhcb gene family members from the potato variety "Atlantic" using transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics. The proteins encoded by the Stlhcb gene family have between 3358 and 4852 atomic number, a relative molecular weight between 24060.16 and 34624.54 Da, and an isoelectric point between 4.99 and 8.65. The RT-qPCR results showed that the 12 Stlhcb genes were expressed in a tissue-specific and time-dependent fashion under low light. The relative expression of the Stlhcb genes in the leaves was significantly higher than that in the stems and roots, and the relative expression of these genes first increased and then decreased with the prolongation of light exposure time. The Stcp24 gene with the highest expression was cloned, and an expression vector was constructed. A subcellular localization analysis was performed in tobacco and an overexpression experiment was performed in potato using an Agrobacterium-mediated method. The subcellular localization analysis showed that the protein encoded by Stcp24 was located in chloroplasts as expected. Overexpression of Stcp24 in transgenic potato increased the yield of potatoes and the content of chlorophyll a and b; increased the net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, electron transport efficiency, and semi-saturated light intensity; and promoted photosynthesis and plant growth. This study provides a reference for the study of the function of the potato light-harvesting pigment-binding protein gene family. It lays a foundation for further study of the mechanism of the photosynthesis of potato, improvement of the light energy utilization of potato, and molecular breeding of potato.
A novel TREX1 inhibitor, VB-85680, upregulates cellular interferon responses
Authors: Flowers Stephen , Petronella Brenda A. , McQueney Michael S. , Fanelli Barbara , Eisenberg Warren , Uveges Albert , Roden Allison L. , Salowe Scott , Bommireddy Venu , Letourneau Jeffrey J. , Huang Chia-Yu , Beasley James R.
Published: August 2024

Activation of the cGAS-STING pathway plays a key role in the innate immune response to cancer through Type-1 Interferon (IFN) production and T cell priming. Accumulation of cytosolic double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) within tumor cells and dying cells is recognized by the DNA sensor cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) to create the secondary messenger cGAMP, which in turn activates STING (STimulator of INterferon Genes), resulting in the subsequent expression of IFN-related genes. This process is regulated by Three-prime Repair EXonuclease 1 (TREX1), a 3’ → 5’ exonuclease that degrades cytosolic dsDNA, thereby dampening activation of the cGAS-STING pathway, which in turn diminishes immunostimulatory IFN secretion. Here, we characterize the activity of VB-85680, a potent small-molecule inhibitor of TREX1. We first demonstrate that VB-85680 inhibits TREX1 exonuclease activity in vitro in lysates from both human and mouse cell lines. We then show that treatment of intact cells with VB-85680 results in activation of downstream STING signaling, and activation of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). THP1-Dual™ cells cultured under low-serum conditions exhibited an enhanced ISG response when treated with VB-85680 in combination with exogenous DNA. Collectively, these findings suggest the potential of a TREX1 exonuclease inhibitor to work in combination with agents that generate cytosolic DNA to enhance the acquisition of the anti-tumor immunity widely associated with STING pathway activation.
Learning from regulatory failure: How Ostrom’s restorative justice design principle helps naïve groups create wiser enforcement systems to overcome the tragedy of the commons
Authors: DeCaro Daniel A. , DeCaro Marci S. , Janssen Marco A. , Lee Allen , Graci Alanea , Flener Devin
Published: August 2024

Rule enforcement is critical in democratic, self-governing societies. Many political disputes occur when citizens do not understand the fundamental rationales for enforcement (e.g., COVID-19 pandemic). We examined how naïve groups learn and develop wise enforcement systems. Based on theories from behavioral economics, political science, psychology, and education, we predicted that groups need to experience failure of an enforcement system, but be guided on restorative justice principles to collectively learn from this failure. Undergraduate students (N = 288) from a Midwestern U.S. metropolitan university self-governed a simulated common-pool resource with real financial payoffs. Groups began with one of three conditions designed to create different experiences with enforcement and regulatory failure: (a) no enforcement (no communication or peer sanctioning), (b) lax enforcement (communication with peer-sanctioning), or (c) regulatory abuse (peer sanctioning without communication). Half then received facilitated guidance on restorative justice principles (e.g., discuss whether/why to use sanctions). To examine cooperation, we measured how well participants maintained the resource. To examine group learning, we created a novel coding system, which tracked groups’ constitutional decisions about conservation agreements and enforcement, conceptual understanding, and the enforcement systems they created. The no-enforcement and lax-enforcement conditions quickly yielded moderate cooperation via voluntary agreements. However, such agreements prevented groups from discovering how and why to use enforcement (peer sanctioning) to improve performance. Initial exposure to regulatory failure had different effects depending on facilitation. Unfacilitated groups fixated on initial misconceptions, causing them to abandon or create less sophisticated enforcement systems, hindering cooperation. Facilitated groups learned from prior failure—discovering principles of wise enforcement (e.g., collective efficiency, self-restraint)—and created more sophisticated enforcement systems (e.g., coordinated sanctions) that improved cooperation. Guidance on restorative justice principles and experience with regulatory abuse may be necessary preconditions for naïve individuals to understand and develop wiser collective enforcement systems.
Road safety attitude and behaviour among motorcycle riders in Ghana: A focus on traffic locus of control and health belief
Authors: Mohammed Abdul-Raheem , Yussif Buhari Gunu , Alhassan Mustapha
Published: August 2024

Road traffic accident is a leading cause of death and various life deformities worldwide. This burden is even higher among motorcycle riders in lower-to-middle-income countries. Despite the various interventions made to address the menace, the fatalities continue to be on the ascendency. One major area that has received little attention is the attitude and behaviour of motorcycle riders. The present study aimed to examine the contribution of traffic Locus of Control (LoC) and health belief on road safety attitude and behaviour. 317 motorcycle riders participated in the study. The participants completed a questionnaire comprising various sections such as motorcycle riding behaviour, road safety attitude, risk perception, the intention to use helmets, and traffic LoC. The results showed a significant positive correlation between road safety attitude and behaviour (r (295) = .33, p < .001). Drifting towards internal LoC was associated with more positive behaviour on the roads (r (295) = -.23, p < .001). Intention to use helmet, health motivation, perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers were the factors in the health belief model that were associated with road safety attitude (r (295) = .404, p < .001). Finally, the multiple linear regression model showed that road safety attitude and traffic LoC made significant contributions to road user behaviour [F(3, 293) = 13.73, p < .001]. These findings have important implications towards shaping responsible behaviour among motorcycle riders.
Using machine learning methods to predict all-cause somatic hospitalizations in adults: A systematic review
Authors: Askar Mohsen , Tafavvoghi Masoud , Småbrekke Lars , Bongo Lars Ailo , Svendsen Kristian
Published: August 2024

Aim

In this review, we investigated how Machine Learning (ML) was utilized to predict all-cause somatic hospital admissions and readmissions in adults.

Methods

We searched eight databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, ProQuest, OpenGrey, WorldCat, and MedNar) from their inception date to October 2023, and included records that predicted all-cause somatic hospital admissions and readmissions of adults using ML methodology. We used the CHARMS checklist for data extraction, PROBAST for bias and applicability assessment, and TRIPOD for reporting quality.

Results

We screened 7,543 studies of which 163 full-text records were read and 116 met the review inclusion criteria. Among these, 45 predicted admission, 70 predicted readmission, and one study predicted both. There was a substantial variety in the types of datasets, algorithms, features, data preprocessing steps, evaluation, and validation methods. The most used types of features were demographics, diagnoses, vital signs, and laboratory tests. Area Under the ROC curve (AUC) was the most used evaluation metric. Models trained using boosting tree-based algorithms often performed better compared to others. ML algorithms commonly outperformed traditional regression techniques. Sixteen studies used Natural language processing (NLP) of clinical notes for prediction, all studies yielded good results. The overall adherence to reporting quality was poor in the review studies. Only five percent of models were implemented in clinical practice. The most frequently inadequately addressed methodological aspects were: providing model interpretations on the individual patient level, full code availability, performing external validation, calibrating models, and handling class imbalance.

Conclusion

This review has identified considerable concerns regarding methodological issues and reporting quality in studies investigating ML to predict hospitalizations. To ensure the acceptability of these models in clinical settings, it is crucial to improve the quality of future studies.
A multi-view representation technique based on principal component analysis for enhanced short text clustering
Authors: Ahmed Majid Hameed , Tiun Sabrina , Omar Nazlia , Sani Nor Samsiah
Published: August 2024

Clustering texts together is an essential task in data mining and information retrieval, whose aim is to group unlabeled texts into meaningful clusters that facilitate extracting and understanding useful information from large volumes of textual data. However, clustering short texts (STC) is complex because they typically contain sparse, ambiguous, noisy, and lacking information. One of the challenges for STC is finding a proper representation for short text documents to generate cohesive clusters. However, typically, STC considers only a single-view representation to do clustering. The single-view representation is inefficient for representing text due to its inability to represent different aspects of the target text. In this paper, we propose the most suitable multi-view representation (MVR) (by finding the best combination of different single-view representations) to enhance STC. Our work will explore different types of MVR based on different sets of single-view representation combinations. The combination of the single-view representations is done by a fixed length concatenation via Principal Component analysis (PCA) technique. Three standard datasets (Twitter, Google News, and StackOverflow) are used to evaluate the performances of various sets of MVRs on STC. Based on experimental results, the best combination of single-view representation as an effective for STC was the 5-views MVR (a combination of BERT, GPT, TF-IDF, FastText, and GloVe). Based on that, we can conclude that MVR improves the performance of STC; however, the design for MVR requires selective single-view representations.
‘It’s the hope that kills you’: Challenging cisheteropatriarchal possibilities of romance, friendship and care in Ted Lasso
Authors: Thompson Samantha , Barr Julian
Published: August 2024

Leading up to the Ted Lasso (2020–23) series finale in May 2023, fans anticipated whether various white, heterosexual romantic relationships on the show would come to fruition. When the finale finally aired, there was considerable disappointment at the lack of romantic conclusions for their characters, rather than satisfaction in the friendships that were developed over the show’s three seasons. Yet, queer and feminist theorizations of friendship position friendship as central to the human experience and valuable in analysing the social impacts of cisheteropatriarchal norms. In our analysis of social media posts, we employ feminist queer analysis to critically examine the interplay between the show’s portrayal of friendship and fans’ reactions to these plotlines that were shaped by cisheteronormative imaginaries of what types of relationships we should expect in television while the show defied romantic comedy tropes to focus on friendship. We argue that the romance-focused fan reactions obstructed the full spectrum of possible relationships, platonic and romantic, that were developed throughout the show’s run. When taken together, these relationships deepen our understanding of the ways that Ted Lasso can be taken as an illustration of the importance of friendship and care in our everyday lives, which should be treated with the same gravity as romantic relationships in popular culture.
El golpe civil-militar, la dictadura y las disputas políticas en el Estado de Pará: 1964-1985
Authors: Petit Pere
Published: August 2024

En perspectiva metodológica de la historia local e historia regional y dialogando con la producción historiográfica nacional, este artículo tiene como objetivo contribuir al conocimiento de la historia política del Estado de Pará, durante y después del golpe cívico-militar de 1964 hasta el final de la dictadura militar en el Brasil (1985). Examinado, especialmente, la participación de los militares y el apoyo de sectores de la sociedad civil al golpe militar, la represión que sufrieron los estudiantes, sindicalistas y organizaciones políticas de izquierda y “populistas” paraenses y las disputas entre algunos líderes político-militares por el control de las principales instituciones políticas y administrativas en el Pará y por el liderazgo en el “partido en el poder” (ARENA).
Guimarães Rosa: la trascendencia del realismo
Authors: De Oliveira Caixeta Maryllu
Published: August 2024

La escritura de João Guimarães Rosa trasciende el realismo al indeterminar las representaciones en la forma. Según señala Hansen (2012), en emForma literária e crítica da lógica racionalista en Guimarães Rosa/em, la ficción literaria de Guimarães Rosa indetermina las representaciones en la forma de un fondo productor de misterio. Este artículo puntualiza algunas operaciones de indeterminación en el cuento emHiato/em de emTutaméia: terceiras estórias/em, cuento en que, con una ficción de la forma, Guimarães Rosa interviene en el campo literario universal y no solo en el brasileño. Este artículo destaca dos aspectos relevantes en la recepción de la intervención de Guimarães Rosa en el campo literario brasileño: la predilección por el realismo y el imaginario sagrado. Como se intenta mostrar, Guimarães Rosa responde parcialmente a la recepción de la cultura letrada, habituada a las representaciones realistas, y va más allá de sus expectativas al contemplar, simultáneamente, el imaginario sagrado. También interviene en un proyecto histórico de adecuación del imaginario a los patrones realistas de representación. En el caso de no querer colaboran en la naturalización de patrones realistas, la ficción literaria universal tiene como desafío producir el sentido de realidades cada vez más complejas a través de una lengua que, domesticada en representaciones, reitera los lugares del lenguaje en una sociedad de clases. Desde el siglo XIX, los escritores enfrentan la dificultad de proponer representaciones válidas en un mundo de creciente diversidad, y el campo literario brasileño demanda la representación de la realidad nacional. La intervención de la ficción de Guimarães Rosa en ese proyecto de representación contempla el imaginario sagrado proyectado por una parte de la recepción, imaginario que, habituado a la forma como método de formular en la lengua el deseo y la práctica, acoge los efectos de indeterminación como misterio.
Políticas públicas de educación: ¿qué piensan los jóvenes activistas políticos brasileños?
Authors: Pinheiro Diógenes , Gil Esteves Luiz Carlos , Farah Neto Miguel
Published: August 2024

Este trabajo se propone revisar el rico período de la vida política brasileña, entre 2011 y 2014, para conocer las demandas y percepciones de los jóvenes militantes sobre los derechos, especialmente los derechos a la educación que se venían incorporando a las políticas públicas para la juventud y al Estatuto la Juventud. El objetivo es pensar de qué modo la construcción de un marco institucional y legal se convierte en un instrumento de movilización para la juventud, y en general, de lucha por la ampliación de sus derechos. En esta clave de interpretación, es posible pensar de manera más compleja en las relaciones entre la juventud militante y no militante, presentes en el eslogan “¡Ningún derecho menos!", que resonó en las manifestaciones de 2013, pero que fue elaborado por toda una generación de jóvenes activistas políticos. La conclusión es que escuchar a la juventud organizada contribuye de manera importante al debate, especialmente por ampliar temáticas y dar visibilidad a los nuevos sujetos de derechos surgidos en el reciente ciclo de políticas públicas de juventud en el país, que parece terminar en 2016, con la ruptura producida en el Gobierno Federal y la consiguiente extinción de numerosos programas y políticas que venían garantizando, aunque tímidamente, la ampliación de los derechos de los jóvenes brasileños.
Gastrointestinal Follicular Lymphoma of the Cecum Treated via Endoscopic Full-Thickness Resection
Authors: Mauro Anthony J. , Bell Phoenix D. , McGrath Kevin
Published: August 2024

Gastrointestinal follicular lymphoma (GI-FL) is an uncommon non-Hodgkin lymphoma that affects the gastrointestinal tract. It typically occurs within the duodenum with the appearance of multiple nodules. Treatment options, depending on stage and grade of the tumor, include aggressive chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, surgical or endoscopic resection, or simply monitoring as focal disease may be indolent. We present a rare case of a GI-FL presenting as a solitary lesion within the cecum treated via endoscopic full-thickness resection using the Ovesco full-thickness resection device. This case demonstrates the effectiveness of endoscopic full-thickness resection in treating small GI-FL in the colon.
Study of post-nutrition dynamics hormone concentrations in metabolically healthy and unhealthy obese patients
Authors: Matveev G. A. , Vasilieva E. Yu. , Babenko A. Y. , Shlyakhto E. V.
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a pathology that highly contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Meanwhile, different obesity phenotypes have varying levels of risk, and the indication of early predictors that can help determine the likelihood of developing cardiometabolic disorders is an important task. Since obesity is characterized by excessive energy intake, hormones involved in energy homeostasis (leptin and other adipokines, ghrelin, incretins) can be considered as serious candidates for the role of such predictors. The profile of changes in their level in the post-­nutrition status testifies in favor of the development of resistance not only to insulin, but also to leptin, and to ghrelin, and, possibly, to incretins.

AIM: This study aims to investigate the relationship between the dynamics of the level of hormones involved in energy homeostasis in a sample with a standard carbohydrate breakfast and metabolic health.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Metabolic parameters (including НОМА-IR and НОМА-B, lipid profile, glucose level, blood pressure) were assessed in 90 obese patients (BMI 37.31±4.83 kg/m2). Additionally, biomarkers such as adiponectin, CRP were measured. Levels of leptin, ghrelin, GLP1 and GIP were assessed before and 60 minutes after a standard carbohydrate breakfast. These hormone levels were classified depending on the nature of the changes, considering the physiological dynamics described in the literature in healthy people or not. Patients were divided into groups of metabolically healthy and ­metabolically unhealthy obesity, first using the most commonly known criteria (Meigs et al.), then based on the criteria discussed in the literature for perfectly healthy obesity, in which there are no metabolic disorders.

RESULTS: The analysis revealed that patients without metabolic disorders had a ghrelin level profile similar to that in healthy people without obesity, while patients with at least one of the manifestations of the metabolic syndrome showed evidence of ghrelin resistance (the level of ghrelin on an empty stomach was reduced, and after food it was not adequately reduced). Adiponectin levels were normal in metabolically healthy patients. Incretin levels showed unidirectional changes in obesity, regardless of metabolic status. The level of CRP did not differ between the groups. The glycemic level was significantly lower in metabolically healthy patients (the group was characterized by normal insulin levels and had a lower degree of insulin resistance).

CONCLUSION: The data obtained allow us to consider ghrelin resistance as an early and rather sensitive indicator of the development of metabolic disorders in obesity.
Congenital disorders of glucose metabolism in adults with nondiabetic hypoglycemia
Authors: Yukina M. Yu. , Troshina E. A. , Nuralieva N. F. , Popov S. V. , Mokrysheva N. G.
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND: Recent clinical descriptions have shown that in adult patients, the cause of nondiabetic hypoglycemia (NDH) may be various genetically determined disorders of glucose metabolism or insulin synthesis/bioavailability. In this connection, in adult patients with NDH of unclear genesis, it is important to conduct a genetic study in order to search for mutations in genes associated with congenital disorders of glucose metabolism (CDGM).

AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of genetic testing to exclude CDGM in adult patients with idiopathic NDH.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Based on the analysis of the literature, a targeted panel has been developed, including 30 genes, mutations in which are associated with the following groups of diseases: 1) congenital hyperinsulinism (KCNJ11, ABCC8, GLUD1, HADH, UCP2, HNF4A, HNF1A, GCK, INSR, SLC16A1); 2) glycogen storage diseases (AGL); 3) other carbohydrate metabolism disorders (ALDOB, FBP1); 4) glycosylation defects (PMM2, ALG3, PGM1, MPI); 4) defects in fatty acid oxidation (ACADM, ETFA, ETFB, ETFDH, FLAD1, SLC25A32, SLC52A1, SLC52A2, SLC52A3); 5) disorders of ketone body metabolism (CPT1A, CPT2, HMGCL); 6) mitochondrial disorders (DLD). Twenty nine patients (n=29: with idiopathic NDH n=17 and with insulinoma n=12) aged 19 to 66 years underwent a genetic study using this custom panel.

RESULTS: As a result of the examination 12 genetic variants (all heterozygous) were identified in 8 patients with idiopathic NDH (47%, 95% CI (23%; 72%)), at that two mutations were detected in three patients: in the genes AGL and HMGCL; ACADM and FLAD1, respectively; and one patient had three mutations: one mutation in the ETFA gene and two mutations in the ABCC8 gene. Frequencies of genetic variants: AGL — 18%, 95% CI (4%; 43%), ETFA — 12% (1%; 36%), HMGCL — 6% (0%; 29%), ALDOB — 6% (0%; 29%), CPT1A — 6% (0%; 29%), ABCC8 — 6% (0%; 29%), ACADM — 6% (0%; 29%), FLAD1 — 6% (0%; 29%). 5 genetic variants (all heterozygous) were identified in 5 patients with insulinoma (42%, 95% ДИ (15%; 72%)). Frequencies of genetic variants: ABCC8 — 17%, 95% CI (2%; 48%), HNF1A — 8% (0%; 38%), ETFDH — 8% (0%; 38%), MPI — 8% (0%; 38%). We did not include benign variants in this analysis. At the same time, clinically significant variants were identified only in one patient from the group with idiopathic NDH (6%, 95% CI (0%; 29%)) in the ABCC8 gene and in one patient from the group with insulinoma (8%, 95% CI (0%; 38%)) in the same gene congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI).

CONCLUSION: A panel of 30 genes has been developed, variants of which are associated with a CDGM. The results of our study confirm the possibility of detecting CDGM in adulthood, in particular CHI, and indicate the need for genetic testing, primarily in patients with idiopathic NDH.
Joint involvement in patients with acromegaly: potential markers for early diagnosis
Authors: Perepelova M. A. , Lutsenko A. S. , Utkina M. V. , Tarbaeva N. V. , Przhiyalkovskaya E. G.
Published: August 2024

Acromegaly is a rare neuroendocrine disease caused by excessive production of growth hormone (GH), which acts as a trigger for cartilage tissue destruction leading to joint damage.

Patients with acromegaly, especially in the active stage, often complain of joint pain in various locations. Joint pain can be one of the first symptoms of the disease, the intensity of which worsens without proper treatment. Increased production of GH leads to configuration changes in the joints, which in turn trigger destructive processes typical of degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis. Despite successful treatment of acromegaly, joint-related issues can persist and significantly worsen the quality of life for patients. In this regard, the search for potential markers of early joint involvement in acromegaly is relevant for use in predicting the severity of arthropathy progression and monitoring this cohort of patients.

This review provides a general overview of the effects of growth hormone on cartilage tissue, the characteristics of musculoskeletal pathology in patients with acromegaly and possible markers associated with early joint damage.
Evolution of pregnancy planning in hyperprolactinemia
Authors: Dzeranova L. K. , Vorotnikova S. Yu. , Pigarova E. A.
Published: August 2024

Hyperprolactinemia has multiple etiologies and is the most common endocrine manifestation of pathology of the hypo­thalamic-pituitary axis. Hyperprolactinemic hypogonadism is of great scientific interest due to the prevalence of endocrine pathology in the reproductive period and its effect on metabolic processes. Hyperprolactinemia is one of the serious obstacles to the implementation of reproductive function in both women and men. The article discusses current issues of diagnosis and management tactics for patients with hyperprolactinemia of various etiologies within the framework of preconception preparation.
Corrigendum: Androgen insensitivity syndrome: preventive gonadectomy, "pros" and "cons" (Obesity and metabolism. 2024;21(1):85-91. doi: https://doi.org/10.14341/omet13024)
Authors: Starostina E. A. , Frolkova N. V. , Seidova S. M. , Przhiyalkovskaya E. G. , Platonova N. M. , Troshina E. A.
Published: August 2024

A corrigendum on "Androgen insensitivity syndrome: preventive gonadectomy, "pros" and "cons"" (Obesity and metabolism by Еvgenia A. Starostina, Nadezhda V. Frolkova, Seidbike M. Seidova, Elena G. Przhiyalkovskaya, Nadezhda M. Platonova (2024). Obesity and metabolism. 2024;21(1):85-91. doi: https://doi.org/10.14341/omet13024

On page 87 the sentence “In addition, testosterone preparations are used to treat infertility in patients with a mild form of STF [3]” was removed. Added paragraph “Birnbaum W et al. conducted a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, crossover study in three university medical centers and three specialized hospitals in Germany. In this study, patients aged 18-54 years with karyotype 46,XY, genetically confirmed CAIS, removed gonads, were treated with either estradiol drugs at a dose of 1.5 mg/day for 6 months, followed by a transition to testosterone 50 mg /day for 6 months (sequence A), or testosterone preparations 50 mg/day for 6 months, followed by a transition to estradiol 1.5 mg/day for 6 months (sequence B).

In the study, testosterone was well tolerated and as safe as estrogen. The authors suggested that testosterone may be an ­alternative replacement therapy for CAIS, particularly for patients with reduced sexual function."

A new source has been added in the reference list section under No. 30: “Birnbaum W, Marshall L, Werner R, et al. Oestrogen versus androgen in hormone-replacement therapy for complete androgen insensitivity syndrome: a multicentre, randomized, double-dummy, double-blind crossover trial. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2018;6(10):771-780. doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(18)30197-9.”

The authors regret the error. The original version of the article has been replaced.
Agomelatine: pharmacological profile, possible application, advantages
Authors: Medvedev V. E. , Kotova O. V. , Palin A. V. , Mikheeva O. V. , Akarachkova E. S.
Published: August 2024

Agomelatine is an antidepressant with a unique pharmacological action that is both a melatonin agonist and a selective serotonin antagonist. The drug's unique pharmacological profile includes the properties of a dual 5-HT2С receptor antagonist as well as the properties of a melatonin MT1 and MT2 receptor agonist. Through its effect on melatonin receptors, agomelatine resynchronizes disturbed circadian rhythms and has a positive effect on sleep architecture. In addition, agomelatine shows a novel and fundamentally different mechanism of anxiolytic action compared to other classes of drugs used to treat anxiety. The article presents studies of agomelatine that demonstrate good treatment results in terms of response rates and remission in major depressive disorder of varying severity and generalized anxiety disorder. Agomelatine in a daily dose of 25–50 mg not only reduces the degree of anhedonia, apathy, anxiety, reduces somatic symptoms of depressive and anxiety disorders, but is also well tolerated, normalizes sexual dysfunctions in patients in psychiatric and general medical networks, it is used in cardiovascular, neurological diseases, and post-COVID-19.
Treatment of post-traumatic cognitive disorders and asthenia: results of an observational study
Authors: Kamchatnov P. R. , Tsarapkina O. Yu. , Malyukova N. G. , Miretskaya A. V. , Danshina E. F. , Skipetrova L. A. , Cheremin R. A.
Published: August 2024

Post-traumatic cognitive impairment (CI) and asthenia are common, disabling and often obligatory manifestations of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The search for effective drugs against CI and asthenia after TBI is of great importance.

   Objective: to investigate the efficacy and safety of Prospekta in the treatment of post-traumatic CI and asthenia in real-life clinical practice.

   Material and methods. The observational study involved 50 patients of both sexes aged 21–45 years (mean age 41.5 ± 5.9 years) with complaints of CI and fatigue after TBI received within the last 2 years, who were prescribed 1 tablet of Prospekta twice daily for 4 weeks. Cognitive functions, particularly the speed of attention switching, were assessed using the Schulte table method, visual-motor abilities were assessed using the Trail Making Test (TMT). Asthenic syndrome was assessed using the subjective asthenia rating scale (Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, MFI-20). At the end of treatment, the safety of therapy and TBI outcomes were assessed using Dobrokhotova's differentiated TBI outcomes scale.

   Results. The average time to complete the Schulte table technique after 4 weeks of therapy with Prospekta decreased by 16.2 seconds, part A of the TMT – by 6.6 seconds and part B – by 19.8 seconds (p < 0.0001). The average score on the MFI-20 scale decreased by an average of 8 points after 4 weeks of therapy (p < 0.0001), which was mainly due to an increase in motivation (by 22 %), activity (by 16 %) and a decrease in emotional lability (by 20 %). The average score on Dobrokhotova's differentiated TBI outcome scale at the end of therapy was 3.2 ± 1.2 (mild/moderate asthenia). Treatment with Prospekta halved the number of patients with clinically significant mental asthenia, reduced motivation and reduced activity after TBI. No adverse events were recorded.

   Conclusion. The drug Prospekta can be recommended for monotherapy in patients with TBI to improve cognitive function and reduce asthenic syndrome in real-life clinical practice, contributing to the improvement of quality of life and functional activity of the injured individuals.
Gerstmann–Sträussler–Scheinker syndrome with phenotypic change in dynamics and misdiagnosis of a motor neurone disease (clinical case)
Authors: Shevchuk D. V. , Grishina D. A. , Nuzhny E. P. , Zakharova M. N.
Published: August 2024

This article presents a clinical case of Gerstmann–Sträussler–Scheinker syndrome (GSS) – a progressive inherited prion disease with an extremely rare phenotype that changed dynamically during the course of the disease and eventually led to the misdiagnosis of a motor neurone disease. An important feature of this case is a progressive myelopathy, probably due to the deposition of prion protein plaques, with the development of symptoms of lower motor neuron involvement (muscle atrophy, areflexia, fasciculations and muscle hypotonia). Clinical, laboratory, electrophysiological and neuroradiological features of this case are presented. The final diagnosis was verified by whole-exome sequencing – a typical mutation p.P102L in the prion protein gene PRNP was identified. It is discussed whether GSS should be included in the differential diagnosis in patients with progressive motor disorders, a family history and unchanged long nerve conduction function according to electromyography.
Гибридный численно-аналитический метод решения задач переноса ионов соли в мембранных системах с осевой симметрией
Authors: Kazakovtseva Ekaterina V. , Kovalenko Anna Vladimirovna , Pismenskiy Alexander V. , Urtenov Mahamed Ali Huseevich
Published: August 2024

Целью работы является разработка нового гибридного численно-аналитического метода решения краевых задач с осевой симметрией, например, с вращающимся мембранным диском, основанного на сращивании асимптотического решения вблизи катионнообменной мембраны (КОМ) с численным решением в оставшейся части области. Для это используется следующий метод:
1) предлагается базовая математическая модель переноса ионов соли в электрохимической ячейке с вращающимся катионнообменным мембранным диском на основе общих законов сохранения, представленных уравнениями Нернста-Планка-Пуассона и Навье-Стокса с естественными граничными и начальными условиями. Эта модель не содержит никаких подгоночных параметров или упрощающих предположений. Однако численное решение соответствующей краевой задачи представляет собой значительные вычислительные сложности при реальных концентрациях раствора и больших скачках потенциала и угловой скорости вращения мембранного диска, связанные с большими градиентами концентрации и потенциала вблизи КОМ в квазиравновесной области пространственного заряда (ОПЗ);
2) область решения разбивается на две части, одна из которых представляет собой небольшую область возрастания катионов (ОВК), расположенную вблизи КОМ, и оставшуюся основную часть области (ОЧО);
3) в ОВК находится аналитическое решение методом сращивания асимптотических решений;
4) в ОЧО строится упрощенная математическая модель, которая отличается от базовой математической модели таким граничным условием на границе с ОВК, которое позволяет затем произвести сращивание решения соответствующей краевой задачи с решением в ОВК.
Основным результатом является гибридный численно-аналитический метод, дает возможность проводить численный анализ переноса ионов соли при реальных концентрациях раствора электролита бинарной соли при широком диапазоне изменения скачка потенциала и угловой скорости вращения мембранного диска.
По результатам работы можно сделать следующий вывод: сочетание аналитического (асимптотического) метода решения в области погранслоя и численного решения в остальной области, за исключением погранслоя, с их последующим сращиванием позволяет построить эффективный гибридный численно-аналитический метод решения задач переноса ионов соли в мембранных системах с осевой симметрией.
Математические модели нелинейной динамики функционально-градиентных нано/микро/макромасштабных пористых замкнутых цилиндрических оболочек Кирхгофа-Лява
Authors: Yakovleva Tatiyana Vladimirovna , Krys'ko Vadim Anatolievich
Published: August 2024

Построены новые математические модели динамики нелинейных нано/микро/макромасштабных функционально-градиентных пористых замкнутых цилиндрических оболочек.
В качестве кинематической модели для оболочек выбрана гипотеза Кирхгофа-Лява.
Геометрическая нелинейность учитывается по модели фон Кармана.
Наноэффекты учитываются согласно модифицированной моментной теории упругости.
Вариационные и дифференциальные уравнения, граничные и начальные условия получены из принципа Гамильтона.
Проводится доказательство теоремы существования решения на основе теории обобщенных решений дифференциальных уравнений (методы гильбертовых пространств, вариационные методы).
В качестве примеров рассмотрены нано/микро/макромасштабные замкнутые цилиндрические оболочки как системы с «почти» бесконечным числом степеней свободы под действием полосовой поперечной знакопеременной нагрузки.
В качестве метода сведения уравнений в частных производных к задаче Коши принят метод Бубнова-Галеркина в высших приближениях. Исследована его сходимость.
Задача Коши решена методами Рунге-Кутты от четвертого до восьмого порядков точности и методом Ньюмарка. Применение нескольких численных методов на каждом этапе моделирования необходимо для достоверности получаемых результатов.
Исследование характера сложных колебаний замкнутой цилиндрической нано/микро/макромасштабной оболочки проведено методами нелинейной динамики, для этого построены сигналы, фазовые портреты, применены Фурье-анализ и различные вейвлет-преобразования, среди которых вейвлет Морле оказался наиболее информативным.
Анализ типа хаотических колебаний проводится на основе спектра показателей Ляпунова методом Сано-Савада и старшего показателя несколькими методами: Канца, Розенштейна, Вольфа.
Показано, что величина размерно-зависимого параметра и учет пористости оказывают существенное влияние на характер колебаний цилиндрических оболочек. Обнаружено явление гиперхаоса.
Intercomparison of drone and conventional spraying of macro and micro nutrients on growth yield and quality of Tuberose (Agave amica Medik.) cv. Arka Prajwal
Authors: Arunkumar M , Keisar Lourdusamy D , Chitra R , Pazhanivelan S , Raju M , Vakeswaran V
Published: August 2024

Improper nutrient management is one of the major challenges for sustainable production of tuberose cultivation. The present study has utilized drones to deliver agricultural inputs, particularly nutrients, in tuberose cultivation over 2 seasons (2022-2024) in Sathiyamangalam, Tamil Nadu. Present study has conducted with 10 treatments replicated thrice in a randomized block design, the treatments included NPK 19:19:19, micronutrients, humic acid and GA3 at various concentrations. Nutrients were applied via foliar spray using drones and knapsack sprayers. Results demonstrated a significant positive impact of drone-facilitated foliar nutrient application on tuberose growth and yield. Drone spray of micro nutrient mixture + 0.5 % poly feed + 0.6 % humic acid + 150 ppm GA3 with spray fluid of 50 L ha-1 recorded the maximum plant growth and yield attributes over other treatments. The study showed enhanced flowering attributes in tuberose, including a reduced time to first spike emergence (77.18 days), increased spike length (99.22 cm) and number of florets per spike (43.39). Additionally, higher yield and quality parameters were observed, such as hundred floret weight (221.57 g), floret diameter (4.36 cm), floret length (6.88 cm), spike weight (126.89 g) and yield per plant (390.51 g). Physiological parameters were also higher in plots treated with a drone spray of MN mixture + 0.5 % poly feed + 0.6 % humic acid + GA3 at 150 ppm, followed by those treated with a knapsack spray of the same mixture. The findings revealed that foliar application of nutrients and growth regulators using drones significantly improved the growth, yield and quality of tuberose.