bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Applying the Toyota production system to decrease the time required to transport patients undergoing surgery from the general ward to the operating room and reviewing the essence of lean thinking
Authors: Lin Chien-Chung , Chueh Jui-Wen , Chen Hung-Ming , Chiu Yao-Hui , Chu Dachen
Published: December 2022

Background

Sending a patient to the operating room is the first step in surgery. Delayed patient transport causes the patient to go hungry for a longer time, aggravating the patient’s physical discomfort and psychological stress. The issue of delays in transporting inpatients to the operating room has rarely been discussed in the literature. The Toyota production system is a famous and excellent scientific method of reducing waste and increasing efficiency. Our goal is to use the Toyota method to decrease the time required to transport the inpatient to the operating room and to review the concepts underlying lean thinking.

Methods

We employed an A3 8-step problem-solving process. A current value stream map featuring numerical data (concerning 46 patients) measured in the workplace was developed. The total time spent on transport was 53 min, but we expected patients to be transported within 30 min. We hoped to reduce the time wasted by half, i.e., by 23*50% = 12 min. These 12 min were saved by reducing the time spent on “waiting for an attendant at the ward” by 9 min and the time spent on “elevator transport” by 3 min. According to the value stream map featuring the time measurements, the root causes of delayed transportation can be divided into process-related, attendant-related, and elevator-related factors. We formulated 5 countermeasures. The ECRS (Eliminate, Combine, Rearrange, Simplify) technique was used to rearrange, combine, and simplify the existing process. Hospital executives established norms for attendant prioritization of work and rules for elevator use.

Results

According to the original indicators, all goals were attained. “Total time spent” decreased by 62.3%. The time required for attendants to report to the nursing station decreased by 56.5%. The time spent on elevator transport decreased by 44.4%. We developed a process for future use based on information-assisted patient and staff identification. Finally, we standardized successful processes.

Conclusion

The seemingly trivial factors that delay patient transport are associated with seven types of waste. The A3 8-step problem-solving process is useful in this context. In proposing this improvement process, we believe that we are following the spirit of the Toyota production system.
The devil is in the details: Variable impacts of season, BMI, sampling site temperature, and presence of insects on the post-mortem microbiome
Authors: Tarone Aaron M. , Mann Allison E. , Zhang Yan , Zascavage Roxanne R. , Mitchell Elizabeth A. , Morales Edgar , Rusch Travis W. , Allen Michael S.
Published: December 2022

Background

Post-mortem microbial communities are increasingly investigated as proxy evidence for a variety of factors of interest in forensic science. The reported predictive power of the microbial community to determine aspects of the individual’s post-mortem history (e.g., the post-mortem interval) varies substantially among published research. This observed variation is partially driven by the local environment or the individual themselves. In the current study, we investigated the impact of BMI, sex, insect activity, season, repeat sampling, decomposition time, and temperature on the microbial community sampled from donated human remains in San Marcos, TX using a high-throughput gene-fragment metabarcoding approach.

Materials and methods

In the current study, we investigated the impact of BMI, sex, insect activity, season, repeat sampling, decomposition time, and temperature on the microbial community sampled from donated human remains in San Marcos, TX using a high-throughput gene-fragment metabarcoding approach.

Results

We found that season, temperature at the sampling site, BMI, and sex had a significant effect on the post-mortem microbiome, the presence of insects has a homogenizing influence on the total bacterial community, and that community consistency from repeat sampling decreases as the decomposition process progresses. Moreover, we demonstrate the importance of temperature at the site of sampling on the abundance of important diagnostic taxa.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that while the bacterial community or specific bacterial species may prove to be useful for forensic applications, a clearer understanding of the mechanisms underpinning microbial decomposition will greatly increase the utility of microbial evidence in forensic casework.
Identification of a de novo mutation of the FOXG1 gene and comprehensive analysis for molecular factors in Chinese FOXG1-related encephalopathies
Authors: Lu Guanting , Zhang Yan , Xia Huiyun , He Xiaoyan , Xu Pei , Wu Lianying , Li Ding , Ma Liya , Wu Jin , Peng Qiongling
Published: December 2022

Background

FOXG1-related encephalopathy, also known as FOXG1 syndrome or FOXG1-related disorder, affects most aspects of development and causes microcephaly and brain malformations. This syndrome was previously considered to be the congenital variant of Rett syndrome. The abnormal function or expression of FOXG1, caused by intragenic mutations, microdeletions or microduplications, was considered to be crucial pathological factor for this disorder. Currently, most of the FOXG1-related encephalopathies have been identified in Europeans and North Americans, and relatively few Chinese cases were reported.

Methods

Array-Comparative Genomic Hybridization (Array-CGH) and whole-exome sequencing (WES) were carried out for the proband and her parent to detect pathogenic variants.

Results

A de novo nonsense mutation (c.385G>T, p.Glu129Ter) of FOXG1 was identified in a female child in a cohort of 73 Chinese children with neurodevelopmental disorders/intellectual disorders (NDDs/IDs). In order to have a comprehensive view of FOXG1-related encephalopathy in China, relevant published reports were browsed and twelve cases with mutations in FOXG1 or copy number variants (CNVs) involving FOXG1 gene were involved in the analysis eventually. Feeding difficulties, seizures, delayed speech, corpus callosum hypoplasia and underdevelopment of frontal and temporal lobes occurred in almost all cases. Out of the 12 cases, eight patients (66.67%) had single-nucleotide mutations of FOXG1 gene and four patients (33.33%) had CNVs involving FOXG1 (3 microdeletions and 1 microduplication). The expression of FOXG1 could also be potentially disturbed by deletions of several brain-active regulatory elements located in intergenic FOXG1-PRKD1 region. Further analysis indicated that PRKD1 might be a cooperating factor to regulate the expression of FOXG1, MECP2 and CDKL5 to contribute the RTT/RTT-like disorders.

Discussion

This re-analysis would broaden the existed knowledge about the molecular etiology and be helpful for diagnosis, treatment, and gene therapy of FOXG1-related disorders in the future.
Exploring barriers to diversified dietary feeding habits among adolescents in the agrarian community, North West Ethiopia
Authors: Agedew Eskezyiaw , Abebe Zeweter , Ayelign Abebe
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Adolescence is a critical and neglected age group of the population in any form of nutritional intervention. A comprehensive study that assesses barriers that influence their diversified feeding habit is not well investigated in qualitative approaches. Therefore, this study was conducted to fill this gap by providing evidence on exploring barriers to diversified feeding habits of adolescents in the agrarian community, North West Ethiopia.

Objective

The aim of the study was to explore barriers to diversified feeding habits of adolescents in the agrarian community, North West Ethiopia.

Methods

A phenomenological qualitative study design was conducted among adolescents in the age group of 10–19 years, and adults in the age range of 25 to 64 years (representatives of farmers, agricultural, health, and education sectors). We conducted 24 in-depth interviews (12- adolescents, 4-health, 2- agricultural extension, 3-education, and 3-farmer representative) among purposively selected community groups. In-depth interview guides and observation checklist were utilized for data collection. The audio-recorded qualitative data were transcribed word by word into English. Finally, the translated data were exported to ATLAS ti version 7.1 software for thematic analysis based on inductive content analysis. All coded quotations, including memos written throughout the coding process, were then analyzed to identify themes inductively.

Results

Dietary habit of adolescents in the study area was predominantly plant-based cereals with low protein, vitamins, and mineral contents. Adolescents have limited consumption of fruits, vegetables, and animal source foods. Adolescents with these feeding habits had suboptimal intake of micronutrients and proteins, which are crucial for their rapid growth stage. Individual-level barriers, family-level influence, dietary tradition of community, agricultural practice (poor agroforestry practice of the community, and poor agricultural practice to produce year-round diverse food items), and week multi-sectorial collaboration for nutritional intervention all influenced adolescent dietary habits.

Conclusion

Multiple layers of barriers influenced the diverse dietary habits of adolescents in the study setting. These multiple and interconnected influences ranged from individual level to multi-sectorial collaboration. Nutritional interventions should be implemented at the individual, family, agricultural, and multi-sectorial levels to improve adolescents’ diverse dietary habits.
The association between serum cadmium and diabetes in the general population: A cross-sectional study from NHANES (1999–2020)
Authors: Gong Rongpeng , Pu Xiaolu , Cheng Zhenqian , Ding Jie , Chen Zhenghao , Wang Yongjun
Published: December 2022

Background

Associations between serum cadmium and diabetes had been reported in previous studies, however there was still considerable controversy regarding associations. Studies in general population that investigated the effects of serum cadmium on diabetes were currently lacking. We designed this cross-sectional study among U.S. adults under high and low cadmium exposure to assess associations between serum cadmium and diabetes.

Methods

This cross-sectional study analyzed 52,593 adults who aged more than 20 years and participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 1999–2020. The missing values and extreme values in the covariables were filled by multiple interpolation. Univariate logistics regression, multivariate logistics regression and smooth fitting curves were used to analyze the association between serum cadmium and diabetes. Simultaneously, sensitivity analysis was carried out by converting the serum cadmium from continuous variable to categorical variable. The stratification logistics regression model was used to analyze whether there were special groups in each subgroup to test the stability of the results.

Results

In this cross-sectional study, serum cadmium levels were negatively correlated with the occurrence of diabetes in the low serum cadmium exposure group (OR = 0.811, 95% CI 0.698, 0.943; P = 0.007). There was no association between serum cadmium level and the occurrence of diabetes in the high serum cadmium exposure group (OR = 1.01, 95% CI 0.982, 1.037; P = 0.511). These results were consistent across all the subgroups (P for interaction >0.05).

Conclusion

Serum cadmium was negatively associated diabetes among the representative samples of the whole population in the United States under the normal level of serum cadmium exposure. However, there was no association between serum cadmium level and the occurrence of diabetes in the high serum cadmium exposure group. This study promoted an update of new preventative strategy targeting environment for the prevention and control of diabetes in the future.
Case report: Chronic neutrophilic leukemia associated with monoclonal gammopathies. A case series and review of genetic characteristics and practical management
Authors: Vermeersch Gaël , Delforge Michel , Havelange Violaine , Graux Carlos , Michaux Lucienne , Devos Timothy
Published: December 2022

Chronic neutrophilic leukemia (CNL) is a rare but potentially aggressive BCR::ABL1 negative myeloproliferative neoplasm, characterized by sustained mature, neutrophilic leukocytosis. The discovery of key driver mutations in the colony-stimulating-factor-3 receptor (CSF3R) gene resulted in the updated World Health Organization (WHO) diagnostic criteria in 2016. A significant number of CNL cases have been associated with plasma cell dyscrasias, predominantly multiple myeloma (MM) and monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS). Compared to pure CNL, mutated CSF3R is infrequently reported in CNL cases associated with monoclonal gammopathies (MG). Until now it remains unclear whether CNL and occurring plasma cell neoplasms are clonally related or CNL is developing secondary to the underlying dyscrasia. Owing to its rarity, currently no standard of care management exists for CNL and MG-associated CNL. In this case series we report the multi-center experience of five MG-associated CNL cases with a median age of diagnosis of 69 years. Three patients (66%) showed predominance of lambda light chain expression. Four (80%) eventually evolved to MM, and one CNL-MGUS patient developed secondary acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Mutated CSF3R was present in the patient who developed AML but was absent in other cases. To assess possible associated genetic aberrations we performed recurrent analysis with next-generation sequencing (NGS). Two patients (40%) deceased with a median time of survival of 8 years after CNL diagnosis. Three (60%) are currently in follow-up with no reoccurring leukocytosis. This case series, followed by a short review, provides a long-term clinical and genetic overview of five CNL cases associated with MG.
A review of deep learning-based deformable medical image registration
Authors: Zou Jing , Gao Bingchen , Song Youyi , Qin Jing
Published: December 2022

The alignment of images through deformable image registration is vital to clinical applications (e.g., atlas creation, image fusion, and tumor targeting in image-guided navigation systems) and is still a challenging problem. Recent progress in the field of deep learning has significantly advanced the performance of medical image registration. In this review, we present a comprehensive survey on deep learning-based deformable medical image registration methods. These methods are classified into five categories: Deep Iterative Methods, Supervised Methods, Unsupervised Methods, Weakly Supervised Methods, and Latest Methods. A detailed review of each category is provided with discussions about contributions, tasks, and inadequacies. We also provide statistical analysis for the selected papers from the point of view of image modality, the region of interest (ROI), evaluation metrics, and method categories. In addition, we summarize 33 publicly available datasets that are used for benchmarking the registration algorithms. Finally, the remaining challenges, future directions, and potential trends are discussed in our review.
RecurIndex assay as an aid for adjuvant chemotherapy decisions in HR-positive HER2-negative breast cancer patients
Authors: Wang Haibo , Ma Li , Zhang Yanan , Wang Ouchen , Wei Zhimin , Xie Xiaohong , Zha Xiaoming , Zeng Jian , Lv Qing , Ren Yu , Wang Huimin , Du Furong , Cao Shangzhi
Published: December 2022

Background

Adjuvant chemotherapy is a major adjuvant treatment modality for hormonal receptor (HR)-positive and HER2-negative early breast cancer, but only 2%-20% of patients derive practical benefits. How to balance its potential benefits and risks becomes a challenging clinical problem. The purpose of this study was to assess whether RecurIndex assay could serve as an aid for adjuvant chemotherapy decisions in Chinese patients with HR-positive HER2-negative early breast cancer.

Methods

The tissue samples of pT1-2N0 HR-positive HER2-negative breast cancer from multiple centers were detected using RecurIndex assay, based on which the patients were assigned into low- and high-risk groups. The survival outcomes of low- and high-risk patients including those with and without adjuvant chemotherapy were compared, and the risk factors for recurrence and metastasis were identified.

Results

Totally 445 patients were eligible for analysis. By contrast to high-risk patients, low-risk patients represented better 7-year recurrence-free survival (RFS), distant recurrence-free survival (DRFS) and local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) rates. For low-risk patients, no significant differences were shown between those with and without adjuvant chemotherapy in 7-year RFS, DRFS and LRFS rates. These differences were also inapparent between high-risk patients with and without adjuvant chemotherapy. The multivariate model revealed high-risk patients had a significantly elevated risk of recurrence and metastasis than those at low risk.

Conclusion

HR-positive HER2-negative early breast cancer patients at low risk stratified by RecurIndex assay might be exempt from adjuvant chemotherapy. Whether adjuvant chemotherapy may derive survival benefits for high-risk patients still needs larger cohorts to verify.
Development and validation of nomograms by radiomic features on ultrasound imaging for predicting overall survival in patients with primary nodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Deng Hongyan , Zhou Yasu , Lu Wenjuan , Chen Wenqin , Yuan Ya , Li Lu , Shu Hua , Zhang Pingyang , Ye Xinhua
Published: December 2022

Objectives

To develop and validate a nomogram to predict the overall survival (OS) of patients with primary nodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(N-DLBCL) based on radiomic features and clinical features.

Materials and methods

A retrospective analysis was performed on 145 patients confirmed with N-DLBCL and they were randomly assigned to training set(n=78), internal validation set(n=33), external validation set(n=34). First, a clinical model (model 1) was established according to clinical features and ultrasound (US) results. Then, based on the radiomics features extracted from conventional ultrasound images, a radiomic signature was constructed (model 2), and the radiomics score (Rad-Score) was calculated. Finally, a comprehensive model was established (model 3) combined with Rad-score and clinical features. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were employed to evaluate the performance of model 1, model 2 and model 3. Based on model 3, we plotted a nomogram. Calibration curves were used to test the effectiveness of the nomogram, and decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to asset the nomogram in clinical use.

Results

According to multivariate analysis, 3 clinical features and Rad-score were finally selected to construct the model 3, which showed better predictive value for OS in patients with N-DLBCL than mode 1 and model 2 in training (AUC,0. 891 vs. 0.779 vs.0.756), internal validation (AUC, 0.868 vs. 0.713, vs.0.756) and external validation (AUC, 914 vs. 0.866, vs.0.789) sets. Decision curve analysis demonstrated that the nomogram based on model 3 was more clinically useful than the other two models.

Conclusion

The developed nomogram is a useful tool for precisely analyzing the prognosis of N-DLBCL patients, which could help clinicians in making personalized survival predictions and assessing individualized clinical options.
Concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy versus concurrent chemoradiotherapy alone in locally advanced cervical cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Haonan , Ma Xiao , Sun Chenyu , Wu Meng , Xu Zhiyuan , Zhou Shuang , Yao Nan , Liu Suya , Qin Xiaobing , Han Zhengxiang
Published: December 2022

Objective

This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) after concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT) in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) via meta-analysis.

Methods

A systematic literature search of MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was conducted from January 10, 1966 to May 20, 2022. Randomized controlled trials and observational studies comparing the CCRT alone with CCRT plus ACT were included. The literature search, quality assessment, and data extraction were conducted by two reviewers independently. The primary endpoints were 3-year rates of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Complete response rate, local recurrence, distant metastasis, and adverse events were secondary outcomes. The hazard ratios (HRs) and relative risk (RR) were pooled.

Results

Nine studies with a total of 2732 patients were included in this meta-analysis, including 1411 patients in the CCRT group and 1321 in the CCRT plus ACT group. The HR for 3-year rates of OS and PFS of the CCRT group compared with the CCRT plus ACT group was 0.72 [95%confidence interval (CI) = 0.44–1.17] and 0.78 (95%CI = 0.5–1.75), respectively. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in the complete response rate (RR = 1.06, 95%CI = 0.96–1.16). However, local recurrence and distant metastasis were significantly lower in the CCRT plus ACT group than in the CCRT group (RR = 0.63, 95%CI = 0.44 –0.91 and RR = 0.64, 95%CI = 0.47–0.88). Grade 3–4 acute toxicities were more frequent in the CCRT plus ACT group (RR = 1.73, 95%CI =1.19–2.52).

Conclusion

Although associated with a decreased risk of local recurrence and distant metastasis, ACT did not significantly improve the survival rate and the complete response rate with increasing grade 3–4 acute toxicities in patients with LACC. Thus, this ACT regimen cannot be recommended for patients with LACC.

Systematic review registration

https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2022-9-0089/, identifier INPLASY202290089.
Effective practices for improving service professionals’ ethical behaviors: A multiple method study
Authors: Hu Ying , Yang Yefei , Lee Peter K. C.
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Enhancing frontline professional service employees’ ethics has been an increasingly important issue for organizations in sustaining their reputation and long-term profitability. While many organizations have implemented general ethics programes such as ethics codes and ethical training, unethical scandals regularly still appear in many service organizations. This research offers new insights into the practices that can effectively enhance marketing practitioners’ ethical behaviors and the pertinent contextual factors that have a bearing on the effectiveness of ethics programes.

Methods

It uses a multi-method methodology to conduct two studies in the Chinese banking setting. Based on the rank of revenue and profitability published by Fortune magazine of year 2021, in Study 1, we choose five main Chinese banking organizations to conduct case studies to explore the framework of effective ethics programes of banks. In Study 2 we use the valid instruments from the literature to measure the involved constructs and employs data from randomly selected 146 frontline banking teams in five main Chinese banking organizations to examine the effectiveness of three specific ethics practices and ascertain the moderating role of role stress in such effectiveness.

Results and discussion

Our findings indicate the effective behavior control practices within organizations’ ethics programes and the implications of having a stressful workplace when adopting such practices. In addition, we integrate organizational concepts regarding behavior control and employee ethics, and use two empirical methods to systematically explore the effectiveness of ethics programes. This paper advances the management and marketing literature and has significant managerial implications for improving frontline service professionals’ ethical behaviors.
Development and validation of children's mind wandering scales
Authors: Cao Zhiwei , Huang Ying , Song Xiaolan , Ye Qun
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Mind wandering is generally considered an endogenous mental state that arises spontaneously, which is one of the most common experiences of consciousness and typically occurs at a significant cost to mental health and behavioral performance. Previous studies have shown that mind wandering appears to be a stable trait and can be assessed reliably in adults. Surprisingly little, however, is known about how to measure the frequency of mind wandering in children, given that children can accurately introspect their experiences. The present studies aimed to develop the Frequency of Children's Mind Wandering Scale (CMWS-F) and the Context of Children's Mind Wandering Scale (CMWS-C) to assess the frequency of mind wandering and contexts in which mind wandering occurs for children aged 8 to 11 years.

Methods

The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to develop the CMWS-F and CMWS-C. To further assess the validity of the scales, we compared the scores in CMWS-F/CMWS-C and the frequencies of probe-caught mind wandering in the typical tasks.

Results

In study 1a, the EFA (n = 292) and CFA (n = 346) showed that attentional failure and spontaneous thinking were the two main dimensions of CMWS-F. In study 1b, contexts about mind wandering in children could be divided into high-demand and low-demand contexts using EFA (n = 258) and CFA (n = 347). Study 2 showed moderate positive correlations between the frequencies of probe-caught mind wandering in the tasks and the scores in the scales.

Discussion

The results showed that scores on the two scales could predict the performance on the experimental tasks and further demonstrated empirical validity of the CMWS-F and CMWS-C scales. Taken together, the results of the current studies provided preliminary evidence for the validity and reliability of CMWS-F and CMWS-C in children, which can be used as a reference to balance its downsides and productive aspects of mind wandering.
Medical education and population health—A framework in the design of a new undergraduate program
Authors: Armstrong Robert W. , Mantel Michaela , Walraven Gijs , Atwoli Lukoye , Ngugi Anthony K.
Published: December 2022

Health sciences curricular planners are challenged to add new content to established education programs. There is increasing pressure for content in public health, health systems, global health, and planetary health. These important areas often compete for curricular time. What is needed is a convergence model that builds a common framework within which students can integrate areas and better align this knowledge to the individual client or patient who they have responsibility to support. A population health framework is proposed for health sciences education programs that supports a common conceptual understanding of population health. The framework links five thematic areas that have influence on health and wellbeing and a sixth element that defines the range of methodologies essential to understanding health and wellbeing, from the individual to the population. The five areas providing convergence are: (1) the biopsychosocial development of the individual, (2) the socioeconomic factors that influence health and wellbeing, (3) the physical natural and built environment including climate, (4) the continuum of public health and health care systems, and (5) the nation state and global relationships. Using this framework, students are encouraged to think and understand individual health and wellbeing in context to the population and to utilize the appropriate methodological tools to explore these relationships. Planning for a new undergraduate medicine program illustrates the curricular elements that will be used to support student learning with foundation knowledge applied and tracked throughout the program. The proposed framework has application across health sciences disciplines and serves to build a common understanding that supports cross professional communication and collaboration.
Genetic analysis of neurodevelopmental disorders in children
Authors: Wu Dandan , Li Rong
Published: December 2022

Purpose

To explore the genetic cause of children with unidentified etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders, thus providing references for the diagnosis, treatment and genetic counseling.

Design and methods

Children with neurodevelopmental disorders but unidentified etiology in the Child Healthcare Department, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from November 2018 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 2 ml of peripheral venous blood was collected from the child and their parents for the whole exome sequencing (WES) and copy number variation (CNV) detection. Male children were subjected to fragile X syndrome testing to determine the genetic mutations. For those with positive results, Sanger sequencing was performed to explore the mutations in the gene sites and pedigrees.

Results

A total of 488 (33.5%) pathogenic variations were detected among 1,457 global developmental/intellectual disabilities (GDD/ID) children, including 362 (24.9%) cases of monogenic mutations, and 111 (7.6%) cases of chromosomal microdeletions or microduplications. There were 15/780 (1.92%) male children with fragile X syndrome. Single point mutations were detected in 277/362 (76.5%) and 85/362 (23.5%) male and female GDD/ID children, respectively, including 295 (81.5%) cases of missense mutations, 32 (8.8%) cases of frameshift mutations, 5 (2.2%) cases of non-sense mutations and 30 (8.3%) cases of splice site mutations. In addition, there were 166 (45.8%) cases of autosomal inheritance and 196 (54.2%) cases of X-linked inheritance. The X chromosome abnormalities were mostly observed in 362 GDD/ID children with monogenic mutations, including 15 cases of the AFF2 gene mutation, 13 cases of the MECP2 gene mutation and 12 cases of the HUWEI gene mutation. The CREBBP gene mutation was the most common autosome abnormality in GDD/ID children with monogenic mutations, which was detected in five cases. There were 74 cases of chromosomal microdeletions, 31 cases of chromosomal microduplications and six cases of both. A total of 114 novel pathogenic mutations responsible for GDD/ID were found, including four novel mutations in MECP2 and TRAPPC9 genes.

Conclusion

The incidence of genetic abnormalities remains high in NDD children. Abundant novel mutations are responsible for GDD/ID in children, and can be used as references in the diagnosis of neurogenetic diseases.
Case report: Cholesterol granuloma of femur
Authors: Hao Shenshen , Dong Shengli , Li Hongke , Liu Shuai , Chen Honglei , Zhang Zhifang
Published: December 2022

Background

Cholesterol granuloma (CG) is a particular type of granulation tissue reaction. It is a very rare benign lesion characterized by swelling growth due to a large number of cholesterol crystals and foreign body giant cells. There has been no report of a CG of the femur.

Case presentation

A 74-year-old woman suffered from pain and discomfort in the upper right knee for 10 years, which became aggravated for 10 days. She was diagnosed with CG of the right femur at our hospital and was treated with surgery. During the operation, a large amount of yellow-brown, oily, crystal structures was found. Postoperative pathology investigations confirmed the lesion as a CG. Postoperative follow-up was carried out for 15 months that confirmed the effect of treatment was satisfactory.

Conclusions

CG of the femur is an extremely rare benign lesion. Surgical treatment can provide effective treatment results.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A retrospective Cohort study
Authors: Demetriou George , Wanigasooriya Kasun , Elmaradny Ahmed , Al-Najjar Ammar , Rauf Mohammad , Martin-Jones Alicia , Aboul-Enein Mohamed Saad , Robinson Steven J , Perry Anthony , Wadley Martin S , Mourad Moustafa
Published: December 2022

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a significant impact on elective surgery for benign disease. We examined the effects of COVID-19 related delays on the outcomes of patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in an upper gastrointestinal surgery unit in the UK. We have analysed data retrospectively of patients undergoing elective LC between 01/03/2019 to 01/05/2019 and 01/04/2021 to 11/06/2021. Demographics, waiting time to surgery, intra-operative details and outcome data were compared between the two cohorts. Indications for surgery were grouped as inflammatory (acute cholecystitis, gallstone pancreatitis, CBD stone with cholangitis) or non-inflammatory (biliary colic, gallbladder polyps, CBD stone without cholangitis). A p value of <0.05 was used for statistical significance. Out of the 159 patients included, 106 were operated pre-pandemic and 53 during the pandemic recovery phase. Both groups had similar age, gender, ASA-grades and BMI. In the pre-pandemic group, 68 (64.2%) were operated for a non-inflammatory pathology compared to 19 (35.8%) from the recovery phase cohort (p < 0.001). The waiting time to surgery was significantly higher amongst patients operated during the recovery phase (p = 0000.1). Less patients had complete cholecystectomy during the pandemic recovery phase (p = 0.04). There were no differences in intraoperative times and patient outcomes. These results demonstrate the impact of COVID-19 related delays to our cohort, however due to the retrospective nature of this study, the current results need to be backed up by higher evidence in order for strong recommendations to be made.
Cannabidiol and Beta-Caryophyllene in Combination: A Therapeutic Functional Interaction
Authors: Blanton Henry , Yin Linda , Duong Joshua , Benamar Khalid
Published: December 2022

Cannabis contains over 500 distinct compounds, which include cannabinoids, terpenoids, and flavonoids. However, very few of these compounds have been studied for their beneficial effects. There is an emerging concept that the constituents of the cannabis plant may work in concert to achieve better therapeutic benefits. This study is aimed at determining if the combination of a minor cannabinoid (cannabidiol, CBD) and a terpene (beta-caryophyllene, BCP) works in concert and if this has any therapeutic value. We used an inflammatory pain model (formalin) in mice to test for any functionality of CBD and BCP in combination. First, we determined the analgesic effect of CBD and BCP individually by establishing dose-response studies. Second, we tested the analgesic effect of fixed-ratio combinations and monitored any adverse effects. Finally, we determined the effect of this combination on inflammation. The combination of CBD and BCP produces a synergistic analgesic effect. This effect was without the cannabinoid receptor-1 side effects. The analgesic effect of CBD and BCP in combination involves an inflammatory mechanism. The combination of these two constituents of the cannabis plant, CBD and BCP, works in concert to produce a therapeutic effect with safety profiles through an inflammatory mechanism.
Model of Optimizing Correspondence Risk-Return Marketing for Short-Term Lending
Authors: Kaminskyi Andrii , Nehrey Maryna , Babenko Vitalina , Zimon Grzegorz
Published: December 2022

The modern credit market is actively changing under the influence of digitalization processes. Some of the drivers of these changes are financial companies that carry out, among other things, online lending. Online lending is objectively focused on short-term small loans, both payday loans (PDL) and short-term loans for SMEs. In our research, we applied a special segmentation of borrowers based on the whale-curve approach. Such segmentation leads to four segments of borrowers (A, B, C, and D) which are characterized by the specific features of profitability, risk, recurrent loan granting, and others. The model of optimal correspondence between “risk–return-marketing efforts” is elaborated in the mentioned segments. Marketing efforts are considered in the context of the optimization of the marketing-budget allocation. Our approach was essentially grounded in special scoring-tools that allow multi-layer assessment. A scheme of assessment of profitability, risk, and marketing-resources allocation for borrower’s inflow is constructed. The results can be applied to the customer relationship management (CRM) of online non-banking lenders.
The Impact of Owner-Managers’ Personality Traits on Their Small Hospitality Enterprise Performance in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Sobaih Abu Elnasr E. , Al-qutaish Amer A. , Gharbi Hassane , Abu Elnasr Ahmed E.
Published: December 2022

Governments in many countries have paid close attention to small enterprises because of their social and economic impacts. The role of the owner-manager in advancing the performance of their small business cannot be underestimated. The current study tests the influence of an owner-manager’s big five personality traits on the performance of their small enterprises. For this purpose, a pre-tested questionnaire was directed to owner-managers of small hospitality enterprises in Saudi Arabia. The results of SEM analysis, with AMOS, showed that high levels of both openness to experience and agreeableness of owner-managers have a significant positive impact on the performance of their small enterprises. However, a high level of neuroticism has a significant negative impact on the performance of their small enterprises. The results interestingly showed that high levels of both conscientiousness and extraversion among owner-managers have positive, but insignificant, impacts on the performance of their small enterprises. These two traits had a minor impact on the performance of small hospitality enterprises. Hence, managers of small hospitality enterprises in Saudi Arabia are required to have high levels of openness to experiences and agreeableness and low level of neuroticism to achieve significant organizational performance.
Call Me When You Grow Up: Firms’ Age, Size, and IPO Performance across Sectors
Authors: Siev Smadar , Qadan Mahmoud
Published: December 2022

We provide a fresh look at the performance of the stock prices of firms that launched an IPO between 2009 and 2019 and assess the role of their size, age and sector in affecting future performance. We utilize data about 1611 IPOs spanning 11 economic sectors using the event study method. We provide evidence that a firm’s size and age do act as predictors for its price evolution in the future. In addition, there is a significant variation in the long-term performance between sectors and between small and large firms within each sector. Furthermore, there is a clear tendency of firms from sectors such as healthcare and technology to go public at a relatively younger age than other sectors. The results have implications for asset pricing and are useful for investors involved in IPOs.
Issues of correcting insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors:   INVITRO Independent Laboratory, Malyasova S. A.
Published: December 2022

The article deals with issues of correcting insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome. It has been shown that on the one hand, an increased level of insulin leads to an intensification in the processes of fat synthesis and to blocking of fat decay. On the other hand, an increase in the volume of fat cells is accompanied by a decrease in the density of insulin receptors on their surface and an increase in insulin resistance. Against the background of hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, activation of the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines and cytokine-like substances is observed.
The role of cobalt, copper, molybdenum, selenium, zinc, and manganese in providing homeostatic regulation responses
Authors:   North-Western State Medical University named after I. I. Mechnikov, St. Petersburg, Russia, Dadali V. A.
Published: December 2022

The physiological role of such elements as cobalt, copper, molybdenum, selenium, zinc, and manganese in providing homeostatic regulation responses and the participation of these elements as cofactors of key enzymes are considered. The importance of trace elements in the formation and functioning of the endocrine and immune systems is analyzed. The significance of the excess and de ficiency of the elements is discussed in the article.
Occupational morbidity and its features in the Samara Region in the context of the pandemic of the novel coronavirus infection COVID-19 in 2020–2021
Authors:   FSBEI HE Samara State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of Russia, Babanov S.A. ,   Regional Center of Occupational Pathology SBHI SR Samara Medical and Sanitary Unit No. 5 of the Kirovsky District, Azovskova T.A. ,   FSBEI HE Samara State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of Russia; Regional Center of Occupational Pathology SBHI SR Samara Medical and Sanitary Unit No. 5 of the Kirovsky District, Lavrentieva N.E. ,   FSBEI HE Samara State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of Russia; Regional Center of Occupational Pathology SBHI SR Samara Medical and Sanitary Unit No. 5 of the Kirovsky District, Baraeva R.A. ,   Regional Center of Occupational Pathology SBHI SR Samara Medical and Sanitary Unit No. 5 of the Kirovsky District
Published: December 2022

In the context of the spread of the novel coronavirus infection, occupational health is facing problems that require the solution of the issues of maintaining and strengthening the health of workers and their ability to work. Severe complications and high mortality associated with the novel coronavirus infection among medical workers make relevant its analysis and improvement of diagnosis, prevention,treatment, and rehabilitation. Occupational morbidity rates in the Samara Region remain t a high level and exceed the national average, including among healthcare workers. Until 2020, pathology associated with the impact of vibroacoustic factors steadily ranked first in the structure of occupational diseases. Since 2020, diseases associated with the impact of biological factors have taken the leading position in the structure of nosological forms of occupational diseases, among which the diseases caused by the novel coronavirus infection rank first. In 2021, there were 6 diagnoses of chronic occupational diseases associated with a previous coronavirus infection, which caused the permanent disability.
Cultural experiences with narratives
Authors:   independent researcher (Armenia), Virapyan Ed.G.
Published: December 2022

Psell. Offering to the emperor. Stone. Joke. Georgy Ivanov. Russia. Message to the ethnographer Levon Abrahamyan with a narrative metaphor by Eduard Virapyan. Thomas Mann. A letter from a stranger. Andrey Platonov.
SUBSTANTIATION OF THE APPLICABILITY OF AN ESSAY WRITING METHOD ON SOCIAL AND PEDAGOGICAL ISSUES
Authors: Opaliuk T.
Published: December 2022

This scientific work is devoted to the attempt to substantiate comprehensively the expediency of using the method of writing essays on socio-pedagogical topics in the process of teacher’s professional training. Proceeding from the interpretation of the essence of the method, its functional purpose in philosophical, linguistic, and literary literature, we determined adaptive foundations of the method regarding the features of the effective use of the method of essay writing in the educational process and pedagogy as a discipline. Specific examples demonstrate the priorities of the essay writing method in the development of social competence in particular and the social reflection of the future teacher in general. We stressed the great importance of the functions of self-education, self-worth student's activity, the development of creative reflexive thinking, and the ability to make effective decisions on an actual problem that has both professional and social significance.Within the framework of the research that had been made, the methodical applicability of the essay was determined. Thus, the methodical applicability of essay provides the transformation of the goal into the plan: the development of a training method based on a specific plan (personally oriented goal), which gives the opportunity to focus on the aspects of the problem that is of special significance for the student. in the process of professional development. The methodical applicability of essay writing gives an opportunity to work out the technique of writing creative work, directing it to a concrete expected result of a current student’s problem. It optimizes the method of work with the theoretical material with a further formation of theoretical constructs, on the basis of which the work on its implementation into a practical plane on a personally oriented basis is developed. The methodical applicability of essay increases the level of efficiency of the methodology of algorithmic thinking activity in the situation of a theoretical and practical study of the problem, and self-determination in its context. Besides, the functions of self-educational, self-assessing student activity are enhanced, which manifests itself in the ability to make effective decisions on an actual problem that has both professional and social significance.
SCIENTIFIC SCHOOL OF PROFESSOR S.T. ZOLOTUKHINA: STEPS OF FORMATION AND VECTORS OF DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Hnizdilova O.
Published: December 2022

The article covers the theoretical achievements and experience of the Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Full Professor, Head of the Department of General Pedagogy and Higher School Pedagogy of H.S. Skovoroda Kharkiv National Pedagogical University S. T. Zolotukhina; she is a founder and leader of a scientific school, whose students study various aspects of development of education and upbringing in Ukraine of the 19th–20th centuries.It has been stated that the formation of the scientific school of Professor S.T. Zolotukhina began in the 90s of the 20th century. Doctoral dissertation on the theme “Development of the theory and practice of formative education in the history of the national pedagogical thought of the 9th -19th centuries”, defended by S.T. Zolotukhina in 1995 under the supervision of Professor V.I. Lozova initiated a systematic study of historical and pedagogical problems of education and training of students and pupils at educational institutions of Ukraine and significantly influenced the formation of her own scientific school.It has been revealed that the research of creative heritage of Ukrainian socio-cultural figures and teachers of the past such as S.I Myropolskii, M.F Sumtsova, M.M. Lange et. al and their contribution to the educational practice occupies a significant place in the activity of the scientific school of Professor S.T. Zolotukhina. It has been proved that today the breadth of the problem-thematic range of researches covers the following aspects: the formation and development of higher education in Ukraine of the 19th -20th centuries; coverage of issues of upbringing and education in pedagogical periodicals; organization of pedagogical process at educational institutions of different type; the specifics of teacher training in a historical retrospective. In recent years, there has been a deeper insight into subjects of scientific research, strengthening of efforts of scientific development in solving didactic problems of training future specialists of different specialties.The main attention is focused on revealing the main aspects of its scientific and pedagogical activities as the supervisor of the dissertations, the author of numerous scientific papers, the editor of professional journals, a member of specialized scientific councils. The quantitative and qualitative indicators of long-term scientific productivity of Professor S.T. Zolotukhina and members of her scientific school have been characterized. It has been stated that 12 Doctor’s and 52 Candidate’s Degrees theses were written and successfully defended under her supervision. The analysis of the scientific achievements of Professor S. T. Zolotukhina has been done; there are about 200 scientific and methodological works, among which there are textbooks and manuals, which form the educational and methodological basis of training of future teachers to professional activity at higher educational institutions, collective monographs, and articles.