bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spinal Muscular Atrophy autophagy profile is tissue-dependent: differential regulation between muscle and motoneurons
Authors: Sansa Alba , Hidalgo Ivan , Miralles Maria P. , de la Fuente Sandra , Perez-Garcia M. Jose , Munell Francina , Soler Rosa M. , Garcera Ana
Published: July 2021

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular genetic disease caused by reduced survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. SMN is ubiquitous and deficient levels cause spinal cord motoneurons (MNs) degeneration and muscle atrophy. Nevertheless, the mechanism by which SMN reduction in muscle contributes to SMA disease is not fully understood. Therefore, studies evaluating atrophy mechanisms in SMA muscles will contribute to strengthening current knowledge of the pathology. Here we propose to evaluate autophagy in SMA muscle, a pathway altered in myotube atrophy. We analized autophagy proteins and mTOR in muscle biopsies, fibroblasts, and lymphoblast cell lines from SMA patients and in gastrocnemius muscles from a severe SMA mouse model. Human MNs differentiated from SMA and unaffected control iPSCs were also included in the analysis of the autophagy. Muscle biopsies, fibroblasts, and lymphoblast cell lines from SMA patients showed reduction of the autophagy marker LC3-II. In SMA mouse gastrocnemius, we observed lower levels of LC3-II, Beclin 1, and p62/SQSTM1 proteins at pre-symptomatic stage. mTOR phosphorylation at Ser2448 was decreased in SMA muscle cells. However, in mouse and human cultured SMA MNs mTOR phosphorylation and LC3-II levels were increased. These results suggest a differential regulation in SMA of the autophagy process in muscle cells and MNs. Opposite changes in autophagy proteins and mTOR phosphorylation between muscle cells and neurons were observed. These differences may reflect a specific response to SMN reduction, which could imply diverse tissue-dependent reactions to therapies that should be taken into account when treating SMA patients.
Comparative transcriptome analysis of Trichoderma reesei reveals different gene regulatory networks induced by synthetic mixtures of glucose and β-disaccharide
Authors: Li Yonghao , Yu Jingze , Zhang Peng , Long Tingting , Mo Yi , Li Jianghong , Li Qian
Published: July 2021

The mixture of glucose and β-disaccharide (MGD) synthesized by transglycosylation of glucose as a low-cost soluble carbon source can efficiently induce cellulase production in Trichoderma reesei, which holds potential for the biorefining of lignocellulosic biomass. However, it is not yet fully understood how MGD induces T. reesei cellulase. In this study, transcriptomic analyses were conducted to investigate the molecular basis of MGD for lignocellulose-degrading enzyme production of T. reesei Rut C30 compared with that on lactose. Particular attention was paid to CAZymes, transcription factors, transporters and other protein processing pathways related to lignocellulose degradation. As a result, MGD can elicit transcription of GH5-, GH6- and GH7-encoding cellulases that is up to 1.4-fold higher than that induced by lactose, but GH11- and GH74-encoding xylanases are downregulated by 1.7- and 4.4-fold, respectively. Gene expression profiles suggest that the transcription activators xyr1 and vib1 are significantly upregulated and that the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway is strengthened compared to the case of lactose induction. In addition, hac1-encoding UPR-specific transcription factors are significantly upregulated by MGD, which may be enhanced due to proper folding and processing of nascent proteins. These findings provide a theoretical basis for further understanding the characterization of efficient cellulase production using MGD as an inducer in T. reesei and offer potential strategies for strain improvement.
Sensitivity of quantitative symmetry measurement algorithms for convergent beam electron diffraction technique
Authors: So Hyeongsub , Lee Ro Woon , Hong Sung Taek , Kim Kyou-Hyun
Published: July 2021

We investigate the sensitivity of symmetry quantification algorithms based on the profile R-factor (Rp) and the normalized cross-correlation (NCC) coefficient (γ). A DM (Digital Micrograph©) script embedded in the Gatan digital microscopy software is used to develop the symmetry quantification program. Using the Bloch method, a variety of CBED patterns are simulated and used to investigate the sensitivity of symmetry quantification algorithms. The quantification results show that two symmetry quantification coefficients are significantly sensitive to structural changes even for small strain values of < 1%.
Serum Immunoglobulin E and Serotonin levels in Chronic Supporative Otitis Media Patients with and without treatment
Authors: Khan Shafaque Mehboob , Rafi SM Tariq , Mehjabeen MS Mehjabeen , Khan Hurtimania
Published: July 2021

Objective: To determine the serum immunoglobulin E and serotonin levels of patients with chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) with and without treatment.

Methods: This is a case-control study carried out in ENT ward of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre Karachi Pakistan from May to September 2018.. Sample (n=160) was divided into four groups (40 individuals per group) as G1: control negative (group-1 without any disease), G2: positive control (patients didn’t received medicines), G3: group (patients treated with co-amoxicillin 1000mg per day) and G4: group (patients treated with ciprofloxacin1000mg per day). After treatment period of One week serum immunoglobulin E and serotonin concentrations were evaluated by Elisa method at 450nm. Statistical evaluation was carried out using one-way ANOVA (p<0.05) followed by post hoc (tukey test) for further group comparison. In order to find out correlation between IgE and serotonin with CSOM Pearson’s correlation was applied.

Results: There was no significant (p>0.05) association found between genders with serotonin as well as with IgE levels in CSOM patients. One way ANOVA showed significant difference (p<0.05) for IgE and serotonin levels and post hoc (tukey test) showed significant higher of IgE levels in CSOM patients of G2 positive control (diseased patients) was observed when compared to the control negative group (healthy individuals) and also from treated groups of G3 and G4. This also showed that serotonin levels were significantly low in G2 (positive control) as well as in treated groups of G3 and G4 in contrast with healthy individuals of group G1.

Conclusion: Antibiotics may revert the higher levels of IgE but cannot attenuate the decreased levels of neurotransmitter (serotonin) like healthy individuals, therefore, depression levels of CSOM patients should be monitored, scored and attenuated with proper intervention of antidepressants or counseling.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.2414

How to cite this:Mehboob S, Rafi SMT, Mehjabeen, Khan H. Serum Immunoglobulin E and Serotonin levels in Chronic Supporative Otitis Media Patients with and without treatment. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(5):1414-1418. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.2414

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Levels of anti-oxidative molecules and inflammatory factors in patients with vascular dementia and their clinical significance
Authors: Qi Fan-xing , Hu Ying , Li Ya-wei , Gao Juan
Published: July 2021

Objective: To explore levels of anti-oxidative molecules and inflammatory factors in patients with vascular dementia (VD) and their clinical significance.

Methods: Sixty VD patients admitted in our hospital from January 2016 to January 2019 were classified into an experimental group, while another 60 healthy patients seeking physical examinations in the corresponding period were selected as a control group. Various indexes related to serum inflammatory factors and anti-oxidative molecules were compared among patients in such two groups. For the purpose of comparing anti-oxidative molecular expression levels and inflammatory factor levels in patients with VD of different severities, 60 cases in the experimental group were divided, based on a Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) scale, into patients with mild symptoms (n=20, score: 21~26), patients with moderate symptoms (n=22, score: 10~20) and patients with severe symptoms (n=18, score: 0~9).

Results: By contrast to the control group, levels of inflammatory factors (e.g., TNF-a, CRP and IL-б) in VD patients are all significantly increased and their differences show statistical significance (p<0.05); and, expression levels of anti-oxidative factors, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathion peroxidase (GSH-Px), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR), in the experimental group are apparently below those of the control group (P<0.05). As dementia degree increases, expression levels of serum anti-oxidative molecules in such patients are inclined to drop in a significant way (P<0.05), while inflammatory factor levels tend to go up gradually (P<0.05).

Conclusions: If compared with the normal population, inflammatory factor levels in serum of VD patients are higher; however, expression levels of anti-oxidative molecules become below those of the normal population. Additionally, levels of inflammatory factors and anti-oxidative molecules may change obviously as severity of illness increases. This suggests that inflammation and oxidation play a certain role of auxoaction in VD patients.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.3854

How to cite this:Qi FX, Hu Y, Li YW, Gao J. Levels of anti-oxidative molecules and inflammatory factors in patients with vascular dementia and their clinical significance. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(5):1509-1513. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.3854

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Effect of Oxycodone hydrochloride combined with Dexmedetomidine on quality of recovery and stress response after general anesthesia in patients who had Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Authors: Wang Guo-rui , Wu Qian , Liu Wen-ping , Jing Yu-mo
Published: July 2021

Objective: To explore the effect of oxycodone hydrochloride combined with dexmedetomidine on the recovery quality and stress response during anesthesia in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).

Methods: Ninety patients who had LC in Cangzhou Hospital of Integrated TCM-WM of Hebei from December 2016 to December 2019 were selected and divided into dexmedetomidine group (DEX group), oxycodone hydrochloride group (Q group), dexmedetomidine + oxycodone hydrochloride group (DQ group) by a random number table method, with 30 cases in each group. At the time before anesthesia induction (T0), and immediately (T1), 1 min (T2), 10 min (T3) and 30 minutes (T4) after extubation, the general vital signs of three groups were observed, and plasma cortisol (COR), epinephrine (E), norepinephrine (NE) and blood glucose (GLU) were measured. The spontaneous respiration recovery time, wake-up time, VAS score of each time period after extubation, extubation quality score, and adverse event rate were recorded.

Results: The vital signs at each time point of extubation, recovery time of spontaneous respiration, wake-up time, and extubation quality of DQ group were better than those of DEX group and Q group (P<0.05). The incidence of agitation, VAS score at T2 and T3, plasma concentrations of Cor, E, NE and Glu at T1, T3 and T4 in DQ group were significantly lower than those in Q group and DEX group (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Oxycodone hydrochloride combined with dexmedetomidine can improve the recovery quality and reduce stress response in patients with LC after anesthesia, and can be safely used in patients with LC.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.3959

How to cite this:Wang G, Wu Q, Liu W, Jing Y. Effect of Oxycodone hydrochloride combined with Dexmedetomidine on quality of recovery and stress response after general anesthesia in patients who had Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(5):1408-1413. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.3959

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Is Telemedicine our cup of tea? A nationwide cross-sectional survey regarding doctors’ experience and perceptions
Authors: Alam Laima , Alam Mafaza , Malik Amina Mannan , Faraid Varqa
Published: July 2021

Objectives: To evaluate the experience and perceptions regarding Telemedicine and the perceived barriers among medical doctors.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey was carried out by enrolling practicing doctors of Pakistan with experience of ≥6 months by sending a validated and piloted questionnaire through email. Data collection was done from 10th October to 9th November 2020 after taking ethical approval from the concerned authorities. Data was analysed using SPSS v. 19.0.

Results: Two-hundred-forty responses were received with a response rate of 63%. Female participants (62.8%) were in majority and most of the participants were working in urban (88.5%) or semi-urban (9%) locality in either teaching (35.9%) or tertiary care hospitals (34.6%). Seventy-three percent of the doctors didn’t receive formal training with more than half of the doctors reporting non-availability of infrastructure and specific hardware. A large number of the participants were concerned regarding the non-availability of regulatory bodies, evaluations and accreditations of the service providers, the risks of malpractice, missed-diagnosis, prescription errors and medico-legal issues. The availability of specific infrastructure was statistically related to the hospital setup, locality and the specialty of the participants. Lack of technological literacy and infrastructure were considered the main constraints for the public in using telemedicine.

Conclusion: Evidence of effectiveness of telemedicine across different fields is inconsistent and lacks technical, legal, cultural and ethical considerations. Inadequate training, low level of technological literacy and lack of infrastructure are the main barriers in implementing tele-health. High-quality evidence based studies are required for practical and long-term policies.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.3970

How to cite this:Alam L, Alam M, Malik AM, Faraid V. Is Telemedicine our cup of tea? A nationwide cross-sectional survey regarding doctors’ experience and perceptions. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(5):1319-1325. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.3970

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Is pseudomyopia associated with anxiety and related disorders?
Authors: Kara Halil , Yasar Erdogan , Gurlevik Ugur
Published: July 2021

Objective: To investigate in detail the exact relationship between Pseudomyopia, also termed accommodative spasm, and psychiatric disorders.

Methods: Twenty-one young people between the ages of 12-18 who were diagnosed with pseudomyopia between March 2019 and July 2020 in the ophthalmology eye clinic of a university hospital, Turkey were included in the study. A difference of at least 2.20 D between refractive error measurements before and after cycloplegic drop was accepted as pseudomyopia. Scl-90-r symptom screening scale was applied to each case. Afterwards, each case was evaluated by k-sads-pl-dsm-5-t semi-structured technique according to age. The relationship between psychiatric disorders in cases of pseudomyopia was examined.

Results: The average age of patients in the study was 15,4 ± 1,9 (12-18), 13 (61,9%) girl and 8 (38,1%) boy. The mean initial refraction was -4,19D ± 2,48D (-1,75D /-8,50D), and the result refraction was +0,38D ± 0,22D (0,25D / -1,00D). The average amount of accommodation was 4,56D ± 2,59D (2,25D / 9,50D). Following the SCL-90-R screening scale and psychiatric evaluation, five generalized anxiety disorders, three obsessive compulsive disorders, three panic disorders, one social anxiety disorder, one posttraumatic stress disorder, one conversion disorder, one major depressive disorder were diagnosed. As a result, 15 (71,4%) of 21 patients were treated with a psychiatric diagnosis. In addition, a positive correlation (p: 0,010-r: 0,621, p: 0,029-r: 0,546) was detected between anxiety- somatization scores and accommodation amount.

Conclusions: It is necessary to request psychiatric consultation in each case of pseudomyopia. Comorbidity of anxiety and depressive disorders is more common in pseudomyopia cases. In addition, as the severity of psychiatric symptoms increases, the amount of accommodation also appears to increase.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.3991

How to cite this:Kara H, Yasar E, Gurlevik U. Is pseudomyopia associated with anxiety and related disorders? Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(5):1514-1518. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.3991

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Internal Hernia in Pregnant Woman due to Congenital Transmesenteric Defect
Authors: Xu Yuansheng , Wang Yi , Fang Jinyan
Published: July 2021

Congenital transmesenteric hernias are uncommon and are a rare cause of bowel obstruction, which is even rarer in pregnant woman. Because of the lack of specific symptoms or reliable sensitive markers, it is difficult to diagnose internal hernia at early stage, therefore resulting in the delay of surgical intervention and a high mortality rate, especially in pregnant woman. We report a case in which a woman presenting at 16 weeks gestation was admitted with symptoms of nausea, vomiting and left upper abdominal pain similar to her first-trimester morning sickness. Nephrolithiasis of the left kidney detected by ultrasound may lead to early incorrect diagnosis. Due to the patient`s concern about known adverse effects of ionizing radiation on the fetus, computed tomography was postponed until abdominal pain worsened, coffee color gastric contents vomited and anus stopped exhaust and defecation 12 hours later. Low dose CT plain scan showed features of small bowel obstruction by an internal hernia. Emergency exploratory laparotomy revealed a mesenteric defect of the left colon with a 30 cm long jejunal herniating distal to 10 cm of the ligament of Treitz. The involved small bowel was strangulated and gangrened, necrotic segmental resection and end to end anastomosis were performed subsequently, and the mesenteric defect was then successfully repaired with sutures.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.4116

How to cite this:Yuansheng X, Yi W, Jinyan F. Internal Hernia in Pregnant Woman due to Congenital Transmesenteric Defect. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(5):1540-1544. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.4116

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic: Perspectives of medical students
Authors: Saeed Nadia , Javed Nismat
Published: July 2021

Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and lifestyle of our medical students.

Methods: This observational study was conducted on medical students of Shifa College of Medicine, Islamabad from June to August 2020. The GAD-7 and PHQ-9 questionnaires were used for anxiety and depression assessment. Different aspects of changes in lifestyle were evaluated and students were inquired about their views regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. The chi-square test was applied to assess the associations between levels of anxiety and depression with student’s responses to the concerns and lifestyle changes. The binomial logistic analysis was used to highlight important predictors of anxiety and depression. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the time spent on various activities before and during the pandemic.

Results: There were 234 participants in the study. The depression and anxiety were detected in 151 (64.5%) and 146 (66.7%) students. The college closure led to a significant increase in sleeping time, sedentary time, and time on gadgets (Z=-4.67, Z=-7.23, Z= -6.72, respectively) on the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The binomial regression analysis identified study years be the significant predictors for the development of depression and anxiety (p<0.05).

Conclusions: Our study emphasizes prioritizing both the physical and mental health of medical students is vital to avoid complications related to the pandemic.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.4177

How to cite this:Saeed N, Javed N. Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic: perspectives of medical students. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(5):1402-1407. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.4177

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in COVID-19: A cheap prognostic marker in a resource constraint setting
Authors: Toori Kaleem Ullah , Qureshi Muhammad Arsalan , Chaudhry Asma , Safdar Muhammad Farhan
Published: July 2021

Objectives: To identify association of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio with disease severity and mortality.

Methods: Total 720 Corona Virus RT-PCR positive patients were included in this cross-sectional study. Patients were admitted to KRL Hospital Islamabad from April 2020 to August 2020. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was recorded on admission and then serially. NLR cut-off was 3.0. WHO categories for disease severity (asymptomatic, mild, moderate and severe) were used. Demographic profile, symptoms and co-morbidities were recorded.

Results: The mean age of patients was 40 ± 12.4 years with 96% being males. Majority patients (76.5%) were asymptomatic. Amongst symptoms, fever was the most common symptom. Diabetes mellitus was most common recorded co-morbidity. The mean NLR 2.5 ± 2.78. Significant association was found between NLR and disease severity as well as mortality. Difference in mean NLR amongst disease severity categories was also significant

Conclusion: Results are compatible with worldwide studies and NLR is a cheap and easily available marker of disease severity and mortality.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.4194

How to cite this:Toori KU, Qureshi MA, Chaudhry A, Safdar MF. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in COVID-19: A cheap prognostic marker in a resource constraint setting. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(5):1435-1439. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.5.4194

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
ОСОБЕННОСТИ ПРИМЕНЕНИЯ ПРОСТОГО ГЕОМЕТРИЧЕСКОГО ОРНАМЕНТА В КОМПОЗИЦИИ СОВРЕМЕННЫХ ЖЕНСКИХ ИЗДЕЛИЙ
Authors: Vlasova Y. S. , Gerasimova M. P.
Published: July 2021

В статье рассматриваются варианты применения простого геометрического орнамента в композиции костюма, влияние формы и масштаба рисунка на силуэт и форму модели.
SI-traceable frequency dissemination at 1572.06 nm in a stabilized fiber network with ring topology
Authors: Husmann Dominik , Bernier Laurent-Guy , Bertrand Mathieu , Calonico Davide , Chaloulos Konstantinos , Clausen Gloria , Clivati Cecilia , Faist Jérôme , Heiri Ernst , Hollenstein Urs , Johnson Anatoly , Mauchle Fabian , Meir Ziv , Merkt Frédéric , Mura Alberto , Scalari Giacomo , Scheidegger Simon , Schmutz Hansjürg , Sinhal Mudit , Willitsch Stefan , Morel Jacques
Published: July 2021

Frequency dissemination in phase-stabilized optical fiber networks for metrological frequency comparisons and precision measurements are promising candidates to overcome the limitations imposed by satellite techniques. However, in an architecture shared with telecommunication data traffic, network constraints restrict the availability of dedicated channels in the commonly-used C-band. Here, we demonstrate the dissemination of an SI-traceable ultrastable optical frequency in the L-band over a 456 km fiber network with ring topology, in which data traffic occupies the full C-band. We characterize the optical phase noise and evaluate a link instability of 4.7 × 10-16 at 1 s and 3.8 × 10-19 at 2000 s integration time, and a link accuracy of 2 × 10-18. We demonstrate the application of the disseminated frequency by establishing the SI-traceability of a laser in a remote laboratory. Finally, we show that our metrological frequency does not interfere with data traffic in the telecommunication channels. Our approach combines an unconventional spectral choice in the telecommunication L-band with established frequency-stabilization techniques, providing a novel, cost-effective solution for ultrastable frequency-comparison and dissemination, and may contribute to a foundation of a world-wide metrological network.
Invisible or inaudible? The representation of working-class immigrants in the short fiction of Junot Díaz
Authors: Fernández Jiménez Mónica
Published: July 2021

In Junot Díaz’s short story collections, Drown (1996) and This Is How You Lose Her (2012), sound plays a crucial role in the representation of the experiences of the Dominican migrants in the United States who populate their pages. The collections show the liminal situations which the stories’ characters face, emphasizing their shifting acoustic environments and the pressure to shape one’s own sonic identity to meet the demands of the new language and culture. The experiences of these Dominican migrants – particularly how they are targeted by the Americans they encounter because of their accents – reflect the politics of a cultural neo-racism which differs from the discourse of colonial Otherness but which bears the same monocultural logic. As such, the stories’ migrants become silenced rather than invisible. At the same time, a belief in the power of the Other’s personal and culturally specific voice as a transformative element is emphasized in these collections with Díaz’s use of Spanish and the narrator’s persistent presence throughout all of the stories.
‘J’ai mon silence’: The interrelations of sound, voice and silence in three short stories by Sylvia Townsend Warner1
Authors: Malcolm David
Published: July 2021

The interrelations of sound, voice and silence in three realist short stories by Sylvia Townsend Warner from the 1940s are discussed. The stories are ‘The Proper Circumstances’, ‘The Mother Tongue’ and ‘A Breaking Wave’, all published in the posthumous collection One Thing Leading to Another (1984). Warner is shown to be deeply attuned to sound and its absence in her short fiction; these motifs are integrated with other aspects of setting and with character and narration. Both sound in the text and sound of the text are of semantic importance in her work. Warner’s presentation of silence as a source of power is remarkable, silence being usually configured as lack of agency. Warner’s deployment of silence is related to her status as a lesbian writer.
Aural disturbance in the stories of M. R. James
Authors: Hayes Tracy
Published: July 2021

The physical process of receiving and interpreting sound creates not just an auditory experience through vibrations registering within our bodies; sounds can also evoke feeling and conjure up mental images. This is especially true of acousmatic sounds, which Michel Chion describes as sounds that are heard while their source remains invisible, and such sounds are thus perfect vehicles for conveying one feeling in particular: terror. If one is not able to see what one can hear, the ensuing sense of terror is heightened. Through the use of sound, and indeed the deliberate absence of sound, M. R. James, I would like to argue, is able to concoct in his stories an atmosphere of malevolence, in which his ‘executors of unappeasable malice’ (as Michael Cox describes them) are often heard rather than seen. This emphasis on sound over image, and the manipulation of it, can be traced back to the fact that James was an oral storyteller before he was a writer of fiction, and that his tales were originally intended for a listening audience. A linguist with an ‘ear’ for language and an aptitude for mimetic brilliance, James deploys alien soundscapes and aural disturbance to create sound as a tangible element within rich sonic tapestries that feature unique aural signatures and instances of acoustic chaos. Drawing on the work of David Hendy on ‘the primalness of the auditory’, Leigh Schmidt on ‘sound corporeality’, and Jonathan Sterne on ‘acoustic culture’, this article demonstrates how James utilized auscultation (or the act of listening) to promulgate terror through auditory images as elusive shape-shifters.
Gothic soundscapes and rhythm in Edgar Allan Poe’s short stories
Authors: Ratail Lucie
Published: July 2021

Poe’s tales, though set in decaying, gloomy and silent places, are particularly sonorous. While several sound patterns are prototypical of the gothic (gusts of wind, shutting doors, absolute silence…), others denote Poe’s interest in uncanny sound perception and illusion. Acuteness of the senses is taken to an extreme, and the sounds of death take on a new dimension. Hearing the dead as well as the living, narrators are perpetually on the brink of insanity and draw their readers into a world rhythmed by sounding clocks, hissing pendulums and unstoppable heartbeats. Binary and ternary rhythms alternate, and it is ultimately in their composition that the tales show Poe’s mastery of rhythmic patterns and of their impact on the reading experience. Self-interruptions, refrains and other rhythmic strategies give the tales a dizzying quality, keeping the reader in a perpetual state of suspense.
Epidemiology of Newcastle disease in Africa with emphasis on Côte d'Ivoire: A review
Authors: Amoia Charlie Franck Arthur N'Guessan , Nnadi Pius Ajanwachukwu , Ezema Chuka , Couacy-Hymann Emmanuel
Published: July 2021

For decades, Newcastle disease (ND) has long been recognized as a frontline viral disease that constrains poultry production throughout Africa. The need to update on the epidemiology of the disease is rife, due to the increasing importance of poultry farming. In addition, poultry farming serves as the top animal food source globally. However, in Africa, the greater population of poultry is reared under traditional and conventional husbandry methods. This hugely impedes the ability of management practices to be correctly embraced in limiting or excluding viral pathogens in the poultry production chain. We conducted this review to consolidate recently published studies in the field and provide an overview of the disease. We reviewed original studies conducted on ND, the current taxonomic classification of the virus, clinical signs of the disease, and laboratory diagnostic methods available for virus detection and typing. This review additionally examined the control methods currently used, including available or circulating vaccines, vaccinations, recent vaccine findings, and the main variants of the virus present in West Africa. More specifically, we present a review of the current status and available information on the disease in Côte d'Ivoire. The lack of up-to-date and relevant information on the current prevalence, socio-economic impact, and ethnoveterinary medicine used against ND is probably the main limitation for appropriate and effective decision-making for better control of this disease in Côte d'Ivoire.
What’d I miss? A qualitative exploration of student and staff experiences with lecture recording over an academic year
Authors: Chinnery Sarah Mary , MacKay Jill R D , Hughes Kirsty
Published: July 2021

Lecture recording is the process of capturing the visual and/or audio aspects of a lecture for students to access at their own convenience. Recorded lectures have the potential to benefit student learning through making lecture content more accessible, however effects on student attendance, attainment and engagement are debated. This is of particular interest to professional degrees, which teach to standards set by professional bodies and have limited control over curriculum content. The aim of this study was to explore student and staff use and opinion of lecture recording over an academic year in a professional degree to see how patterns of use may change after lecture recording becomes common place. Four students provided longitudinal blogs over the academic year (four blogs per students) which were thematically coded. Student use of lecture recording changed over the academic year, and was sensitive to the structure of the veterinary programme. Concurrently, semi-structured interviews with staff members highlighted frustrations with lecture recording technology and a perceived lack of flexibility due to recording. Guidance and support is needed to help staff and students to overcome these problems.
Advantages and Risks of Accession to Eurozone for the Czech Republic
Authors:   MGIMO University, Habarta Andrzej , Novikov Alexandr ,   MGIMO University
Published: July 2021

The article examines the benefits and risks of the euro adoption for the Czech Republic. In the last decade, in the light of structural problems of the economic and monetary union of the European Union and the Czech euroscepticism that has intensified against this background, the problem has become more of political nature and one of burning issues in relations between the Czech Republic and the EU. The paper analyzes the benefits and risks of such a decision. Special attention is paid to political factors – starting from the possible membership in the EMU institutions and ending with the potential overall improvement of relations with the leading countries of the EU. The authors conclude that from an economic point of view, the eurozone membership is beneficial for the Czech Republic if the level of labour productivity increases before the adoption. However, this issue presents the problem of the overall geopolitical orientation of the Czech Republic, which has to choose between striving to get into the «core» of the integration or the relentless defense of its national sovereignty within the European Union.
Investment Priorities of France in Russia
Authors:   Omsk State Technical University, Yumaev Egor
Published: July 2021

One of the main conditions for the Russian economy transition to growth rates above the global average is large-scale investment. The so-called «smart investments» are important for the accelerated economic development of Russia. Only a restricted range of states is a source of «smart investment». France is among them and it is a long-standing economic partner of Russia. French business implements long-term projects in Russia. After the economic sanctions being introduced, not a single company has left Russia; however, new investors do not come from France, and the operating investors evaluate the prospects for continuing work very carefully. As there is the economic sanctions mode, lending agencies in France, being afraid of losing their business in the United States, refuse to finance projects in Russia, even if they are not included into the sanctions list. Local manufacturing content of French companies still does not cover a wide range of areas in Russia, being limited mainly to agriculture. Compared to French, Russia’s investment contribution to France is disproportionately small. The article examines the factors determining the direct investment of France in Russia; the current investment agenda of French business in Russia; identifies the prospects for France’s investment participation in the Russian economy
Ukraine, Quo Vadis? Autonomous Navigation
Authors:   Institute of Europe of Russian Academy Sciences, Mironenko Viktor
Published: July 2021

The second article of the cycle, prepared by the Center of Ukrainian Studies IE RAS for the 30th anniversary of the state sovereignty of Ukraine, is devoted to foreign policy. What is its paradigm, is it there, has it changed, and if so, how and why? The article contests the view that Ukraine’s foreign policy has no strategy and is entirely subject to external influences. The author believes that Ukraine has it, and the experience of its formation is unique and therefore interesting. It is difficult to find in Europe another great nation-State, born for so long and so difficult, which would have to seek its place in the world at a time when the world itself and the institution of the nation-state have begun to change so profoundly. The article substantiates the view that Ukraine’s foreign policy paradigm was formed in these circumstances on objective internal grounds with strong external influences and, Despite the frequent changes in political leaders and the adjustment of external political discourse, this continued and is likely to continue in the future
NATO Summit: a Global Future after Brain Death
Authors:   Institute of Europe of Russian Academy Sciences, Danilov Dmitriy
Published: July 2021

The article analyzes the main political outcomes of the NATO summit in Brussels on June 14, 2021. The summit, which was attended by US President Joe Biden, was initially seen as a «return» of the United States to Europe – after a turbulent «Trumpism» period in transatlantic relations. The final communiqué constitutes the main lines of the planned Alliance’s transformation in response to the growing challenges to Euro-Atlantic security, in particular raised by Russia and China, and by of international terrorism threats as well. The in-depth register of NATO’s potential and actions in response to the growing challenges and threats, presented in the meeting’s communiqué, proves a trend towards the alliance globalization, both in functional and geopolitical terms. The Summit decisions, its adoption of the «NATO 2030» platform, are seen as a basis of a new strategic concept, planned to be adopted at the next 2022 summit in Spain. However, the author arguing, the postponed problems of transatlantic relations and allies disagreements will inevitably constitute a significant internal challenge for the alliance in the search for its future «globalization» strategy.
STEM Learning Environment: Perceptions and Implementation Skills in Prospective Science Teachers
Authors: Rusydiyah E. F. , Indarwati D. , Jazil S. , Susilawati S. , Gusniwati G.
Published: July 2021

The STEM learning environment is the practice of studentsâ€™ class solving problems. They use two or more STEM disciplines to solve the problem. The study aims to analyze the perceptions and implementation skills of the STEM learning environment in science education students before and after teaching internships. Perceptions and implementation skills of STEM in prospective teachers or initiatives about STEM are essential in shaping prospective teachersâ€™ characters in facilitating their students as the 21st-century generation. This research used a qualitative approach with descriptive statistical analysis. The data had been retrieved since 2019, then in 2020 after teaching internship. The total of students in this study was 86 from the 2018 class. The students came from three Islamic State Universities in Indonesia. Data collection was carried out through interviews, surveys, and pictures of perceptions and the implementation skill of STEM. The STEM learning environment instruments used were based on integration, personal experience, realistic problems, multiple representation, collaboration, student-centered instruction, and the engineering design process. The results of this study indicated that there is a significant increase in the perception and implementation skill of the STEM learning environment in science education students after teaching internship, indicated by the result of the paired sample t-test were the Asymp Sig.Î±<5 for each indicator. Perceptions and skills of implementing STEM learning environments in studentsâ€™ science education increased from before and after the teaching internship. It shows that the curriculum of the science education study program must be designed with a STEM learning environment approach to have good teaching skills. Curriculum design that leads to increased understanding has pedagogic and professional courses, especially pedagogical courses which include strategic subjects, learning models, learning media, and learning tools.
The Study of Inquiry Ability in the Photosynthesis Concept
Authors: Fatmawati B. , Rustaman N. Y.
Published: July 2021

The learning process has characteristics that reflect scientific, thematic, collaborative, and student-centered. This type of learning usually uses constructivist learning, and one of them is Inquiry. The inquiry is a process to get information by conducting observations or experiments to find answers or solve problems for questions or formulation a problem by using logical and critical thinking skills. This preliminary study focused on investigating new prospective teachersâ€™ inquiry ability. The respondents were new prospective teachers of Hamzanwadi University. The research instrument was a student worksheet with the topic â€œphotosynthesis.â€ Data analysis used descriptive statistical methods by calculating the score of each indicator of Inquiry after three assessments. Using of amount score to shows that for each indicator: (1) problem formulation (66), (2) Hypothesis (50), (3) Design (40), (4) Findings (12), and (5) Conclusions (10). It can be concluded that the new prospective teachersâ€™ in their involvement still needed to be trained, guidance, and continues to be developed. Therefore, Inquiry-based learning needs an extension for their next learning.
Hemodynamic Parameters After Prone Positioning of COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Shilin D. S. , Shapovalov K. G.
Published: July 2021

Aim of the study. To examine the effect of prone positioning on hemodynamics in patients with COVID-19.

Materials and methods. The study enrolled 84 patients of both sexes with community-acquired multisegmental viral and bacterial pneumonia associated with COVID-19, who were divided into groups according to the type of respiratory support. The tests were performed using the integrated hardware and software system for noninvasive central hemodynamic assessment by volumetric compression oscillometry.

Results. We found that the pulse blood pressure velocity decreased from 281 [242.0; 314.0] to 252 [209; 304] mm Hg/s in patients with severe COVID-19 on oxygen support (p=0.005); volume ejection rate decreased from 251 [200; 294] to 226 [186; 260] ml/s (P=0.03); actual/estimated normalized vascular resistance ratio dropped from 0.549 [0.400; 0.700] to 0.450 [0.300; 0.600] (P=0.002), while the arterial wall compliance increased from 1.37 [1.28; 1.67] to 1.45[1.10; 1.60] ml/mm Hg (P=0.009). Prone positioning of patients on noninvasive lung ventilation associated with a reduction of linear blood flow rate from 40.0 [34.0; 42.0] to 42.5 [42.5; 47.25] cm/s (7=0.04) and arterial wall compliance from 1.4 [1.24; 1.50] to 1.32 [1.14; 1.49] ml/mm Hg (7=0.03). Prone positioning of patients on invasive lung ventilation did not result in significant hemodynamic changes.

Conclusion. The greatest hemodynamic changes during prone positioning were found in patients on oxygen respiratory support, whereas the least significant alterations were seen in patients on invasive ventilatory support.
Meglumine Sodium Succinate to Correct COVID-19-Associated Coagulopathy: the Feasibility Study
Authors: Simutis I. S. , Boyarinov G. A. , Yuriev M. Yu. , Petrovsky D. S. , Kovalenko A. L. , Sapozhnikov K. V.
Published: July 2021

Aim of the study: to evaluate the effect of meglumine sodium succinate (MSS) on the efficacy of anticoagulant therapy in patients with severe COVID-19 infection complicated by bilateral community-acquired pneumonia.

Materials and methods. Overall efficacy of treatment was analyzed in 12 patients hospitalized to ICU with the diagnosis of severe confirmed COVID-19 coronavirus infection (U07.1) complicated by bilateral multisegmental pneumonia. All patients received prophylactic anticoagulation with unfractionated heparin. The patients were divided into two groups: 7 of them received a multi-electrolyte solution containing MSS 5 ml/kg daily for the entire ICU stay (3-10 days) as a part of therapy; 5 patients received a similar volume of a conventional multi-electrolyte solution containing no metabolically active substrates and comprised a control group. Coagulation parameters were measured in arterial and venous blood of all patients at the following stages: 1) upon admission to the ICU; 2) 2-4 hours after the first dose of heparin; 3) 8-12 hours after the second dose of heparin; 4) 24 hours after the beginning of intensive therapy. On the 28th day of follow-up, mortality, duration of ICU stay, and incidence of thrombotic complications in the groups were evaluated. Nonparametric methods of statistical analysis were used to assess intragroup changes and intergroup differences.

Results. The group of patients administered with MSS had significantly fewer thromboembolic events during 28 days of treatment and shorter ICU stay. These patients responded faster to anticoagulant therapy, which was suggested by more distinct changes in coagulation parameters, i.e. increased APTT, persisting viable thrombocyte population, reduced D-dimer and fibrinogen levels.

Conclusion. The metabolic action of succinate possibly increases endothelial resistance to damaging factors and reduces its procoagulant activity. The hypothesis requires testing in a larger clinical study with a design including laboratory evaluation of the efficacy of varying doses of the studied drug as well as aiming at elucidation of the mechanisms of its effect on specific pro- and anticoagulation system components.