bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New hepatitis C virus infection, re-infection and associated risk behaviour in male Irish prisoners: a cohort study, 2019
Authors: Crowley Des , Avramovic Gordana , Cullen Walter , Farrell Collette , Halpin Anne , Keevans Mary , Laird Eamon , McHugh Tina , McKiernan Susan , Miggin Sarah Jayne , Murtagh Ross , Connor Eileen O. , O’Meara Marie , Reilly Deirdre O. , Lambert John S.
Published: June 2021

Background

Prisoners are recognised as a high-risk population and prisons as high-risk locations for the transmission of hepatitis c virus (HCV) infection. Injecting drug use (IDU) is the main driver of HCV infection in prisoners and harm reduction services are often suboptimal in prison settings. HCV prevalence and incident data in prisoners is incomplete which impacts the public health opportunity that incarceration provides in identifying, treating and preventing HCV infection. The aim of this study is to identify new HCV infection and associated risk factors in an Irish male prison.

Methods

We conducted a follow up (18-month) cohort study on prisoners who had previously tested negative, self-cleared or had been successfully treated for HCV infection. We conducted the study in a male medium security prison located in Dublin Ireland (Mountjoy Prison) using HCV serology, a review of medical records and a researcher-administered questionnaire.

Results

99 prisoners with a mean age of 33.2 yrs. participated in the study and 82(82.8%) completed a research-administered questionnaire. Over half (51%) had a history of drug use from a young age (14.8 yrs.), 49.9% a history of heroin use and 39% a history of IDU. The prevalence of HIV and hepatitis B virus core antibody was 3% and HCV antibody was 22.2%. No new HCV infections were identified in those who had never been infected (n = 77), had self-cleared (n = 9) or achieved sustained virological response (n = 12). Small numbers of prisoners continued to engage in risk-behaviour including, IDU both in the prison (n = 2) and the community (n = 3), sharing syringes (n = 1) and drug taking paraphernalia (n = 6) and receiving non-sterile tattoos (n = 3).

Conclusion

Despite the high numbers of Irish prisoners with a history of IDU and HCV infection, new HCV infection is low or non-existent in this population. Small numbers of prisoners continue to engage in risk behaviour and larger studies are required to further understand HCV transmission in this cohort in an Irish and international context.
Different responses of soil respiration and its components to nitrogen and phosphorus addition in a subtropical secondary forest
Authors: Zhang Junjun , Li Yong , Wang Jinsong , Chen Weinan , Tian Dashuan , Niu Shuli
Published: June 2021

Background

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) deposition have largely affected soil respiration (Rs) in forest ecosystems. However, few studies have explored how N and P individually or in combination to influenceRsand its components (autotrophic respiration,Ra; heterotrophic respiration,Rh), especially in highly P-limited subtropical forests. To address this question, we conducted a field manipulation experiment with N and/or P addition in a 50-year-old subtropical secondary forest.

Results

We found that N addition on average reducedRs,Ra, andRhby 15.2%, 15%, and 11.7%, respectively during 2-year field study. P addition had an inconsistent effect onRa, withRaincreasing by 50.5% in the first year but reducing by 26.6% in the second year. Moreover, P addition on average decreasedRhby 8.9%–30.9% andRsby 6.7%–15.6% across 2 years. In contrast, N and P co-addition on average increasedRs,Ra, andRhby 1.9%, 7.9%, and 2.1% during the experimental period. ThoughRsandRhwere significantly correlated with soil temperature, their temperature sensitivities were not significantly changed by fertilization.Rawas predominantly regulated by soil nitrogen availability (NH4+and NO3−), soil dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and enzyme activities, while the variation inRhwas mainly attributable to changes in soil microbial community composition and soil β-D-Cellubiosidase (CB) and β-Xylosidase (XYL) activities.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight the contrasting responses ofRsand its components to N or P addition against N and P co-addition, which should be differentially considered in biogeochemical models in order to improve prediction of forest carbon dynamics in the context of N and P enrichment in terrestrial ecosystems.
Smartphone fundus photography: a narrative review
Authors: Iqbal Usama
Published: June 2021

Background

The idea to use smartphone for fundus photography was put forward in 2010. Over the last decade, there has been a dramatic development in this field. This narrative review focuses on the principle of smartphone fundus photography, how to master this technique, problems encountered by the beginners, camera applications/devices designed for this purpose and the safety profile of smartphone flashlights for retinal photoreceptors.

Discussion

Smartphone fundus photography using a condensing lens is based on the same principle as indirect ophthalmoscopy. Smartphone flashlight serves the purpose of light source or illuminating system. Real and inverted image of the retina is focused by the smartphone camera after adjustment of the filming distance. Beginners can face difficulties like adjustment of the filming distance, glare from condensing lens and reflection from the ceiling lights. Mobile camera applications and holding devices designed for this purpose can help the beginners to address these difficulties. There have been safety concerns about photo-biological risk for retinal photoreceptors by flashlight. Although the spectral irradiance on the retina, while using smartphone for fundus imaging is within the safety limits set by ISO 15004-2.2. The safety profile of latest model flashlights which deliver more power compared to older flashlights, need to be assessed.

Conclusion

Smartphone fundus photography is a cheap, cost effective, portable and a convenient method for retinal imaging. With practice and use of smartphone camera applications designed for this purpose, the beginners can master this technique. By training young ophthalmology residents and ophthalmic primary caretakers, this retinal imaging technique can be utilized for artificial intelligence, patient diagnostic and educational purposes.
1-kHz high-frequency spinal cord stimulation alleviates chronic refractory pain after spinal cord injury: a case report
Authors: Yamada Chiaki , Maeda Aiko , Matsushita Katsuyuki , Nakayama Shoko , Shirozu Kazuhiro , Yamaura Ken
Published: June 2021

Background

Patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) frequently complain of intractable pain that is resistant to conservative treatments. Here, we report the successful application of 1-kHz high-frequency spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in a patient with refractory neuropathic pain secondary to SCI.

Case presentation

A 69-year-old male diagnosed with SCI (C4 American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale A) presented with severe at-level bilateral upper extremity neuropathic pain. Temporary improvement in his symptoms with a nerve block implied peripheral component involvement. The patient received SCS, and though the tip of the leads could not reach the cervical vertebrae, a 1-kHz frequency stimulus relieved the intractable pain.

Conclusions

SCI-related symptoms may include peripheral components; SCS may have a considerable effect on intractable pain. Even when the SCS electrode lead cannot be positioned in the target area, 1-kHz high-frequency SCS may still produce positive effects.
Association of lipoproteins and thyroid hormones with cognitive dysfunction in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Lu Li , Kong Wei , Zhou Kangxing , Chen Jinglei , Hou Yayi , Dou Huan , Liang Jun
Published: June 2021

Background

Neuropsychiatric manifestations occur in up to 75% of adult systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and are one of the major causes of death in SLE patients. Cognitive dysfunction is a typical clinical feature of neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE), which seriously affects the quality of life of patients. Dyslipidaemia and thyroid symptoms, which are prevalent in SLE patients, have both been related to neuropsychiatric disturbances, including significant psychiatric and cognitive disturbances. This study aimed to investigate whether cognitive dysfunction in patients with SLE was related to the expression of serum thyroid hormone and lipoprotein levels.

Methods

A total of 121 patients with SLE and 65 healthy controls (HCs) at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital completed a cognitive function test, and 81 SLE patients were divided into a high-cognition (n = 33) group and a low-cognition group (n = 48). The clinical and laboratory characteristics of the patients were compared; moreover, correlations between serum HDL-C, LDL-C, F-T3 and F-T4 levels and cognitive function were analysed. Serum levels of APOE, APOA1, IGF-1, and IGFBP7 in 81 patients were detected by ELISA, and the correlation between these four proteins and cognition was analysed separately.

Results

The patients with SLE with abnormal cognitive function were less educated than the HCs. For low-cognition patients, the levels of albumin, F-T3 (P <  0.05) and F-T4 decreased, while D-dimer, anti-dsDNA antibody, and IgM levels increased. Serum F-T3 and F-T4 levels positively correlated with cognition. Furthermore, serum protein levels of APOE and APOA1 showed no difference between the high- and low-cognition groups. However, the serum APOE levels were negatively correlated with line orientation scores, and APOA1 levels were positively correlated with coding scores.

Conclusions

Serum F-T3 and F-T4 levels were both positively correlated with four indexes of cognition (language was the exception), while serum APOE levels were negatively correlated with line orientation scores, APOA1 levels were positively correlated with coding scores, and IGFBP7 levels were negatively correlated with figure copy scores. These results demonstrated that F-T3 and F-T4 might be clinical biomarkers of cognitive dysfunction in SLE.
The consequence of magnetic field on the parameters of brackish water in batch and continuous flow system
Authors: El-Shamy Ashraf M. , Abdo Ahmed , Gad Elshafie A. M. , Gado Amr A. , El-Kashef Emad
Published: June 2021

Background

The concept of magnetized water and the historically abbreviated glimpse were discussed. Therefore, the magnetic water treatment method has been summed up and considered a better and cleaner physical technique for water handling. This experimental work is focused on the effect of magnetic treatment on certain water parameters such as temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved salts (TDS), and pH by exposing water to a permanent magnetic field (PMF) with a magnetic flux density (B = 1.45 T ± 0.05).

Results

This technique is realized by using a fixed system that depends on the application of both pump and valve control to induce the required circulation of employed water. Both open loop and closed loop are applied as a function of exposure time. Considering that the type of used water is brackish groundwater. The results showed that at open and closed flow conditions, the PMF causes variations in the values of the measured parameters for the outflow water. The theoretical approach is subjected to measure the molecular interaction of water system H-bonded systems based on DFT level with function B3LYP on Gaussian 09 software with a specific concentration of NaCl. This research focuses on the relation between the molecular structure of water and the dissolved NaCl with respect to applying a magnetic field with a varying force from 1 to 85 T.

Conclusion

The water's magnetization technique is simple without using extra energy by using a PWT tool to create a permanent magnetic field (B = 1.45 T ± 0.05) when installing it on a water tube system that was previously mounted. This environmentally friendly, renewable technology, therefore, does not need any additional energy requirements.
Patterns of central nervous system complications of post-hematopoietic stem cell transplant in pediatric oncology patients: a single institute experience
Authors: Hussein Samar Ahmed , Hammad Mahmoud , Abdalla Amr , Alsheshtawi Khaled , Zaky Iman Mohamed , Youssef Ayda
Published: June 2021

Background

Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) has been increasingly used in the last few decades, with improved success in offering a cure. CNS complications are an important contributor to morbidity and mortality in HSCT patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of imaging in the detection and assessment of CNSC (central nervous system complications) after HSCT in pediatric oncology patients.

The study included consecutive pediatric patients who underwent HSCT for hematologic or solid malignancies at CCHE-57357 (Children Cancer Hospital–Egypt 57357) from January 2011 to March 2019. The age of the patients in the study ranged from 0.9 to 25 years (median age 6.5 years). CT (computed tomography) and/or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) studies were evaluated for the detection and characterization of CNSC.

Results

The incidence of post-HSCT CNSC was 13% with a day 100 and 5-year cumulative incidence of 9.3 and 12.5%, respectively. The most commonly observed CNSC detected was disease recurrence, followed by PRES (Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome). CNS recurrence of the initial diagnosis, atrophy, and infection were more common at the > 100-day post-HSCT transplant period, while PRES was much more common at < 100-day post-HSCT.

Conclusion

CNS complications are an important contributor to morbidity and mortality in HSCT patients that require MRI protocols distinctively tailored for each patient, clinical suspicion, and proper imaging assessment for early detection and follow-up.
Managing returns to prison from medium-secure services: qualitative study
Authors: Leonard Sarah-Jayne , Sanders Caroline , Shaw Jennifer J.
Published: June 2021

Background

Little is known about factors that influence discharge decision-making for people admitted to medium-secure services from prison, particularly for those who are returned to prison following treatment.

Aims

To explore the organisational influences on care pathways through medium-secure services for those admitted from prison.

Method

We recruited 24 clinicians via purposive and snowball sampling; 13 shared their experiences via a focus group, and 11 shared their experiences via individual semi-structured interviews. A thematic analysis was conducted, producing three overarching themes: maintenance of throughput and service provision, class of two systems, and desirable and undesirable patients.

Results

Data indicated external factors that direct and, at times, limit clinicians’ pathway decisions, including commissioning criteria and legal status under the Mental Health Act 1983 and within the criminal courts system (i.e. whether on remand or sentenced). These factors also influence how clinicians view the role and function of medium-secure services within the wider forensic mental health system, and therefore the types of patients that are deemed ‘appropriate’ for continued treatment when making discretionary pathway decisions.

Conclusions

There remains a deficit in adequate resources to meet the mental health needs of prisoners who are admitted to medium-secure services. To meet the clinical need of all admissions, criteria for prolonged treatment in medium-secure services needs to be reconsidered, and it is likely that provision for the medium-secure hospital estate will need to increase substantially if effective rehabilitation of those who transfer from prison is to take place.
Comparison of Serum and Urinary 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid as Biomarker for Neuroendocrine Neoplasms
Authors: Becker Anna , Schalin-Jäntti Camilla , Itkonen Outi
Published: June 2021

Context

Patients with serotonin-secreting neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) have increased serum 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA) concentrations. Serum 5HIAA thus serves as a biomarker in NEN.

Objective

To evaluate an improved tandem mass spectrometric serum 5HIAA assay for diagnosis and follow-up of NEN in a clinical cohort.

Design

A retrospective study during 2016-2018 at the Diagnostic Center and Department of Endocrinology at Helsinki University Hospital, Finland.

Methods

Detailed patient data was obtained from 116 patients. Serum 5HIAA was analyzed by 2 different liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assays with samples prepared either by protein precipitation or solid phase extraction. Twenty-four–hour urine 5HIAA samples (n = 33) were analyzed by amperometric LC, and the results were compared. Specificity and sensitivity were calculated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results

We achieved 5 to10 000 nmol/L linearity and ≤2.5% variation with our new serum 5HIAA assay. In ROC analysis, the area under curve was 85% by serum assays [upper reference limit (URL) value 123 nmol/L] and 88% by the 24-h urine 5HIAA assay (URL value of 47.1 µmol), respectively. A difference (P < 0.001) between patients with active NEN and patients in remission was found by all 5HIAA assays.

Conclusion

Serum 5HIAA by LC-MS/MS after protein precipitation performs equally well for the diagnosis of NEN as urinary 5HIAA LC assay. The outcome and sensitivity for serum and 24-h urine assays are convergent. Due to much more reliable and convenient sampling, we recommend serum instead of 24-h urine 5HIAA for diagnosis and follow-up of NEN patients.
Feasibility of Combining Nerve Stimulation and Local Anesthetic Infusion to Treat Acute Postamputation Pain: A Case Report of a Hybrid Technique
Authors: Sondekoppam Rakesh V. , Ip Vivian , Tsui Ban C. H.
Published: June 2021

Pain following amputation is often poorly controlled despite the use of nerve blocks. We describe a novel pain management approach in a 56-year-old woman with episodes of poorly controlled pain following below-knee amputation despite a multimodal analgesic regimen with continuous sciatic nerve block. Effective analgesia was observed during those episodes when the nerve block catheter was briefly stimulated at low frequency using a nerve stimulator designed for regional anesthesia procedural guidance. This case report explains the utilization and rationale of this hybrid technique of combined peripheral nerve stimulation and locoregional analgesia via perineural nerve block catheters to augment analgesia.
MICAL-L1 is required for cargo protein delivery to the cell surface
Authors: Sikora R. , Bun P. , Danglot L. , Alqabandi M. , Bassereau P. , Niedergang F. , Galli T. , Zahraoui A.
Published: June 2021

Secreted proteins are transported along intracellular route from the endoplasmic reticulum through the Golgi before reaching the plasma membrane. Small GTPase Rab and their effectors play a key role in membrane trafficking. Using confocal microscopy, we showed that MICAL-L1 was associated with tubulo-vesicular structures and exhibited a significant colocalization with markers of the Golgi apparatus and recycling endosomes. Super resolution STORM microscopy suggested at the molecular level, a very close association of MICAL-L1 and microdomains in the Golgi cisternae. Using a synchronized secretion assay, we report that the shRNA-mediated depletion of MICAL-L1 impaired the delivery of a subset of cargo proteins to the cell surface. The process of membrane tubulation was monitored in vitro, and we observe that recombinant MICAL-L1-RBD domain may contribute to promote PACSINs-mediated membrane tubulation. Interestingly, two hydrophobic residues at the C-terminus of MICAL-L1 appeared to be important for phosphatidic acid binding, and for association with membrane tubules. Our results reveal a new role for MICAL-L1 in cargo delivery to the plasma membrane.
Universal principles of lineage architecture and stem cell identity in renewing tissues
Authors: Greulich Philip , MacArthur Ben D. , Parigini Cristina , Sánchez-García Rubén J.
Published: June 2021

Adult tissues in multicellular organisms typically contain a variety of stem, progenitor and differentiated cell types arranged in a lineage hierarchy that regulates healthy tissue turnover. Lineage hierarchies in disparate tissues often exhibit common features, yet the general principles regulating their architecture are not known. Here, we provide a formal framework for understanding the relationship between cell molecular ‘states’ and cell ‘types’, based on the topology of admissible cell state trajectories. We show that a self-renewing cell type – if defined as suggested by this framework – must reside at the top of any homeostatic renewing lineage hierarchy, and only there. This architecture arises as a natural consequence of homeostasis, and indeed is the only possible way that lineage architectures can be constructed to support homeostasis in renewing tissues. Furthermore, under suitable feedback regulation, for example from the stem cell niche, we show that the property of ‘stemness’ is entirely determined by the cell environment, in accordance with the notion that stem cell identities are contextual and not determined by hard-wired, cell-intrinsic characteristics.

This article has an associated ‘The people behind the papers’ interview.
The evolutionary biomechanics of locomotor function in giant land animals
Authors: Hutchinson John R.
Published: June 2021

Giant land vertebrates have evolved more than 30 times, notably in dinosaurs and mammals. The evolutionary and biomechanical perspectives considered here unify data from extant and extinct species, assessing current theory regarding how the locomotor biomechanics of giants has evolved. In terrestrial tetrapods, isometric and allometric scaling patterns of bones are evident throughout evolutionary history, reflecting general trends and lineage-specific divergences as animals evolve giant size. Added to data on the scaling of other supportive tissues and neuromuscular control, these patterns illuminate how lineages of giant tetrapods each evolved into robust forms adapted to the constraints of gigantism, but with some morphological variation. Insights from scaling of the leverage of limbs and trends in maximal speed reinforce the idea that, beyond 100–300 kg of body mass, tetrapods reduce their locomotor abilities, and eventually may lose entire behaviours such as galloping or even running. Compared with prehistory, extant megafaunas are depauperate in diversity and morphological disparity; therefore, turning to the fossil record can tell us more about the evolutionary biomechanics of giant tetrapods. Interspecific variation and uncertainty about unknown aspects of form and function in living and extinct taxa still render it impossible to use first principles of theoretical biomechanics to tightly bound the limits of gigantism. Yet sauropod dinosaurs demonstrate that >50 tonne masses repeatedly evolved, with body plans quite different from those of mammalian giants. Considering the largest bipedal dinosaurs, and the disparity in locomotor function of modern megafauna, this shows that even in terrestrial giants there is flexibility allowing divergent locomotor specialisations.
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy in the Management of Sports Medicine Injuries
Authors: Schroeder Allison N. , Tenforde Adam S. , Jelsing Elena J.
Published: June 2021

Treatment of musculoskeletal conditions in athletes with extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is gaining popularity as greater evidence supports its use. ESWT protocols (describing energy flux density, number of impulses, type of shockwave (focused or radial), number/frequency/duration of treatment session, area of application, and postprocedural therapy protocols) can be adjusted in the clinical setting. Protocols vary across studies, and optimal protocols for most indications are yet to be determined. ESWT can safely be used to treat various musculoskeletal conditions in athletes, including rotator cuff tendinopathy, lateral elbow epicondlyopathy, greater trochanteric pain syndrome, hamstring tendinopathy, patellar tendinopathy, Achilles tendinopathy, other tendinopathies, plantar fasciopathy, bone stress injuries, and medial tibial stress syndrome. ESWT can be used to treat in-season athletes, as it often requires no/minimal time away from sport and may result in rapid benefits. ESWT should be used in conjunction with physical therapy to facilitate longer-term gains in function and to optimize healing.
The Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Nonsurgical Treatment of Injuries Related to Endurance Running
Authors: Raghunandan Aditya , Charnoff Jesse N. , Matsuwaka Sean T.
Published: June 2021

Running is a popular form of exercise that is easily accessible to various populations; endurance running, defined as distances beyond 5 km, continues to grow within the sport. Endurance running-related injuries are common in the lower extremities and are primarily overuse related. A multitude of risk factors for injury exist, including extrinsic factors, such as running distance and frequency, and intrinsic factors, such as biomechanics and nutrition status. Training and rehabilitation techniques vary with a general focus on strengthening and gradual increase in activity, but evidence is mixed, and it is difficult to generalize programs across different running populations. Management of specific running groups, including youth runners, is an area in which additional research is needed. New treatments, such as orthobiologics and wearable technology, have promising potential to optimize performance and recovery and minimize injury. However, they need to be further evaluated with high-quality studies.
Moving forward with forward genetics: A summary of the INFRAFRONTIER Forward Genetics Panel Discussion
Authors: Ali Khan Asrar , Raess Michael , de Angelis Martin Hrabe
Published: June 2021

In the last few decades, forward genetics approaches have been extensively used to identify gene function. Essentially, forward genetics is the elucidation of the genetic basis of a specific phenotype by screening a population containing random genomic modifications that alter gene function. These approaches have shed light on some essential gene functions in development and disease and have expanded the realm of understanding for genetic disorders. Due to the availability of efficient mutagenesis methods, phenotyping techniques, reliable validation, comprehensive sequence information and translational potential, mouse models are favored for forward genetics approaches. However, in this post-genomic CRISPR-Cas9 era, the relevance and future of forward genetics was brought into question. With more than 7300 mouse strains archived and close interactions with several leading mouse researchers around the world, INFRAFRONTIER - the European Research Infrastructure for mouse models organised a panel discussion on forward genetics at the International Mammalian Genome Conference 2018 to discuss the future of forward genetics as well as challenges faced by researchers using this approach in the current research environment. The commentary presents an overview of this discussion.
Development of a checklist to detect errors in meta-analyses in systematic reviews of interventions: study protocol
Authors: Kanukula Raju , Page Matthew , Dwan Kerry , Turner Simon , Loder Elizabeth , Mayo-Wilson Evan , Li Tianjing , Misra Adya , McDonald Steve , Forbes Andrew , McKenzie Joanne
Published: June 2021

Background: Systematic reviews underpin clinical practice and policies that guide healthcare decisions. A core component of many systematic reviews is meta-analysis, which is a statistical synthesis of results across studies. Errors in the conduct and interpretation of meta-analysis can lead to incorrect conclusions regarding the benefits and harms of interventions; and studies have shown that these errors are common. Enabling peer reviewers to better detect errors in meta-analysis through the use of a checklist provides an opportunity for these errors to be rectified before publication. To our knowledge, no such checklist exists.

Objective: To develop and evaluate a checklist to detect errors in pairwise meta-analyses in systematic reviews of interventions.

Methods: We will undertake a four-step process to develop the checklist. First, we will undertake a systematic review of studies that have evaluated errors in the conduct and interpretation of meta-analysis to generate a bank of items to consider for the checklist. Second, we will undertake a survey of systematic review methodologists and statisticians to seek their views on which items, of the bank of items generated in step 1, are most important to include in the checklist. Third, we will hold a virtual meeting to agree upon which items to include in the checklist. Fourth, before finalising the checklist, we will pilot with editors and peer reviewers of journals.

Conclusion: The developed checklist is intended to help journal editors and peer reviewers identify errors in the application and interpretation of meta-analyses in systematic reviews. Fewer errors in the conduct and improved interpretation will lead to more accurate review findings and conclusions to inform clinical practice.
Case Report: The first familial hCG syndrome in a Chinese family
Authors: Hung Ling-Yin , Leung Mei-Tik , Chan Toby Chun-Hei , Cheung Hoi-Ning , Li Wai-Hon , Cheung Yui-Shing , Wong Assumpta Sze-Man , Shek Chi-Chung , Chen Sammy Pak-Lam
Published: June 2021

Familial hCG syndrome is a rare and benign cause of elevated serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). We present here a case of familial hCG syndrome diagnosed in a Hong Kong Chinese family, which we believe to be the first reported in Chinese. A 38-year-old woman presented with incidental finding of persistently elevated hCG, analytically confirmed both in urine and blood. Extensive radiological and biochemical work-up were performed but were negative for pregnancy and malignancy. Testing of another asymptomatic family member revealed unexplained elevation of serum hCG, confirming the diagnosis of familial hCG syndrome. Knowledge and awareness of this entity among clinicians are important to avoid unnecessary investigations and treatment in affected families.
Components of professional and pedagogical competence of primary school teachers
Authors: Delikatna Nataliia Mykolaivna
Published: June 2021

The article analyzes the latest research on this issue; the essence of the concept of "skill" is specified, the leading components of the structure of constructive-projective skills of the future primary school teacher are defined, namely: four interconnected and interdependent components, namely: motivational-attractive, cognitive-semantic, project-activity and reflection-productive, which constitute the main content of constructive-projective skills of the future teacher, their semantic characteristics are characterized.
Factors that influenced the intensification of physical culture and sports in the press of Bukovina in the second half of the nineteenth - early ywentieth century
Authors: Dariychuk Sergey Vasilyevich
Published: June 2021

The article identifies and substantiates the factors that influenced the intensification of physical culture and sports in the press ofBukovinain the second half of the nineteenth – early twentieth century. It is recognized that the view of physical education in one of the territorial units of modernUkraine, and in the past – a separate crown land of the Austro-Hungarian Empire –Northern Bukovina(1849-1918) is timely. Physical education of children and youth, as well as the whole branch of physical culture and sports, in this period had a wide resonance, which is confirmed by numerous materials of Bukovinian periodicals. It is proved that the democratic principles of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, in particular to establish and publish the press in the state and native languages, to organize parties, public associations and other associations) contributed to the development of the press in Bukovina, expressed in increasing the number of publications and expanding the circle of subscribers and readers, the appearance of newspapers and magazines in different languages, including Ukrainian. The author emphasizes the experience of publishing periodicals inWestern Ukraineand the impact of this experience on health issues in the pages of Bukovinian newspapers and magazines. Factors of influence inherent inBukovinain the second half of the XIX – early XX centuries. administrative changes, development of physical culture and sports societies, editorial policy of the Ukrainian press of the region, which satisfied the social demands of readers. Factors of influence inherent inBukovinadentified administrative changes, the development of physical culture and sports societies, the editorial policy of the Ukrainian press of the region, which satisfied the social needs of readers. Factors of influence inherent inBukovinain the second half of the nineteenth – early twentieth century. identified administrative changes, the development of physical culture and sports societies, the editorial policy of the Ukrainian press of the region, which satisfied the social needs of readers.
Model for predicting the vaginal dysbiosis’ severity according to the index of conditionally pathogenic microflora
Authors: Hruzevskyi O. A. , Venger A. M. , Minukhin V. V.
Published: June 2021

A model for predicting the severity of dysbiosis according to the index of opportunistic pathogenic microflora has been developed. The aim of the study is to identify the most informative indicators that objectively reflect the condition of the pathological process and develop a system for predicting the risk of occurrence and severity of dysbiosis behind these indicators. Statistical processing of data was carried out using variational and correlation analysis methods using the Application software package Statistica v.10 (StatSoft, Inc.). At the first stage of the analysis, the index of conditionally pathogenic microflora was considered as a resultant trait. To identify factors that are more associated with the risk of developing dysbiosis with IOPM, a selection of significant traits was performed using a genetic selection algorithm. The prediction of the severity of dysbiosis with IOPM was considered. The nine factor attributes obtained with the help of mathematical analysis allowed to predict the severity of vaginal dysbiosis with high accuracy and to calculate the IOPM indices. Phasal nature of development of the immune system reaction during the development of vaginal dysbiosis is revealed. Possibility of practical use of the developed model is shown.
Length of hospital stay analysis. Simultaneous laparoscopic surgery in treatment of combined surgical pathology of organs of abdominal cavity
Authors: Halei M. , Dzubanovskyi I. , Marchuk I.
Published: June 2021

Length of stay is one of the most evident indexes in evaluation of efficiency and expediency of treatment methods. It is useful to exploit it to compare different approach of treatment of the same pathology. Aim of our work was to analyze effectiveness of simultaneous operations for treatment surgical pathology of organs of abdominal cavity and gallstone disease. To compare the results of simultaneous treatment with results of classical treatment. We used statistics formed of 1157 patients that underwent operations in minimal invasive surgery unit of Volynian regional clinical hospital (Lutsk,Ukraine) in period of 2013-2019 years. Patients were divided into two groups. The research group (Group 1) was formed by 411 patient that underwent simultaneous laparoscopic surgery for treatment of gallstone disease and combined surgical pathology of organs of abdominal cavity. The control group (Group 2) was formed by 746 patients that underwent mono laparoscopic operation for treatment only one pathology of abdominal cavity. Groups were compared using such indexes as length of stay, number of conversions, number of complications, time of the operation. In the result terms of hospital stay were 3.52 days in group 1 and 3.55 days in group 2. Conversion was performed in 0.48% of patients in group 1 vs. 0.4% in group 2. Number of intraoperative complications was 1.93% in research group vs 2.14% in control. Time of operation was longer in group 1 vs group 2 up to 20% due to bigger volume of operation. The difference was smaller than operation itself. There were no operations that continued longer than 2 hours. Simultaneous operations are more effective because of its` suitability for combined pathology with no need for repeat hospitalization and operation. Simultaneous operations are as safe as standard mono operation.
Principles of administrative rule-making are in Ukraine as areas of legal science
Authors: Grechana Svetlana
Published: June 2021

The article is sanctified to research of the administrative rule-making, as areas of legal science that comes forward as the objective phenomenon. It is reflected, administrative rule-making in two values, as an area of legal science and as industry of legislation and their signs are described. Thus, it is marked that the administrative rule-making, as an area of legal science examines a legislation and judicial practice of his application that gives possibility is more deep to get to know principles of this sphere of public relations.
Value of conditionally-pathogenic microflora index as predicting factor of bacterial dysbiosis’ development
Authors: Hruzevskyi O. A.
Published: June 2021

An article shows the most informative indicators that objectively reflect the condition of the pathological process of dysbiosis, and a system for predicting of the risk of occurrence and severity of dysbiosis according to these indicators is developed. Results of the study substantiated the assumptions about the pathogenetic role of disregulation of hormonal and immune systems in the occurrence of dysbiosis and bacterial vaginosis. Synshronously, the stage of the development of the immune system reaction is discovered in the during the flow of vaginal dysbiosis - from the control stay while normocoenosis to the immunoresistance in grade 1 dysbiosis and expressed combined immunodeficiency in the presence of specific humoral response to bacterial antigens in 2nd grade dysbiosis.
Quality of life of patients with chronic trophic ulcers of venous etiology
Authors: Olinik Yu. V.
Published: June 2021

The quality of life of patients with trophic ulcers of venous etiology using the the Chronic Venous Insufficiency Questionnaire (CIVIQ) was studied. To assess the quality of life of the patient, the questionnaire was conducted before the transplantation of cord blood stem cells, 1 and 6 months after surgery. Patients in group I had a higher assessment of quality of life, because the healing process of the ulcer was faster, the feeling of pain decreased and as a result the patient's psycho-emotional state improved. In addition, the surveyed 12 (85.7%) surveyed patients of group I noted that even with the preservation of some symptoms, their subjective manifestations were reduced and the feeling has improved. All this helped to improve the assessment of the quality of life of patients with trophic ulcers of the lower extremities, which were treated according to our proposed method.
Immunotropic effects of nitrogenous metabolites (creatinine, urea, uric acid and bilirubin) in humans exposed to the factors of the accident at the Chоrnobyl nuclear power plant
Authors: Kuchma Igor , Gozhenko Anatoliy , Bilas Volodymyra , Ruzhylo Sofiya , Kovalchuk Galyna , Nahurna Yaryna , Zukow Walery , Popovych Igor
Published: June 2021

Background. In previous studies, we found that nitrogenous metabolites exhibit significant immunotropic activity, both suppressor and enhancing, at healthy rats. The purpose of this and our subsequent research is to elucidate the links between nitrogenous metabolites and immune parameters in different categories of people, both healthy and sick. Material and methods. The object of observation in 1997 were 19 men and 3 women who were exposed to pathogenic factors of the accident at the Chоrnobyl nuclear power plant during the liquidation of its consequences in 1986-87. The survey was conducted twice - on admission and after two weeks of rehabilitation at the Truskavets’ Spa. The plasma and urinary concentration of the nitrogenous metabolites were determined. Immune status was assessed on tests of I and II levels according to the WHO memorandum. Results. Both negative and positive metabolic-immune correlations were revealed. Calculation of multiple correlation coefficients between individual metabolite parameters and constellations of immune parameters revealed the maximum immunotropic effect of Urea urine (R=0,756). This is followed by Uric acid plasma (R=0,727) and urine (R=0,691), Urea plasma (R=0,622), Creatinine plasma (R=0,588), Bilirubinemia (R=0,546) and Creatinine urine (R=0,510). The canonical correlation between the constellation of nitrogenous metabolites, on the one hand, and the parameters of immunity, on the other hand, was very strong: R=0,971; χ2(15)=239; p<10-5. Conclusion. Nitrogenous metabolites have immunomodulatory effects, both suppressor and enhancing, both in healthy rats and in humans exposed to pathogenic influences.
Formation mechanisms of non-psychotic mental disorders in injured combatants as a basis of psychotherapy
Authors: Platyniuk O. B.
Published: June 2021

Today 16.2% of the world’s population suffers from the consequences of military conflicts. In 80% of people affected by hostilities, the consequences of combat trauma are non-psychotic mental disorders. According to the data obtained during the study, the following non-psychotic disorders were found in examined combatants: acute stress reaction (F43.0) in 36.2% of subjects, PTSD (F43.1) in 32.1%, prolonged depressive adjustment reaction (F43.21) in 11.3%, adjustment disorder with anxiety (F43.22) in 12.2%, depressive episode (F32.1, F32.2) in 8.2% of subjects. 145 male injured combatants aged 20 – 55 y. o. were examined at the MilitaryMedicalClinicalCenterof the Northern Region. Methods: clinical psychopathological, clinical anamnestic, psychodiagnostic, catamnestic, statistical. According to the results of Clinically administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), clinically pronounced manifestations of PTSD were noted in examined combatants (frequency of PTSD symptoms: 33.9 ± 3.6 points, intensity: 32.2 ± 5.5 points, and total severity of symptoms: 67.1 ± 6.9 points). According to the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) in the surveyed combatants, a high level of impact of the traumatic event was observed by scales of invasion (77.8% of surveyed), avoidance (62.9%) and physiological excitability (72.2%). Against the background of using the developed program there were a positive dynamics of mental state (86.9% of respondents), a decrease in anxiety (85.6%) and depression (82.2%), and a decrease level of PTSD symptoms by Impact of Event Scale (IES-R) (79.8%).
Amount of generators of reactive oxygen species as a marker of organism damage on the background of experimental limb ischemia-reperfusion
Authors: Volotovska Nataliya
Published: June 2021

Massive blood loss resulting in hemorrhagic shock requires the use of a hemostatic tourniquet. According to the literary sourced using of tourniquet for 2 hours is safe, but the newest investigations have shown ambiguous consequences for the body, coused by both local changes in the tissues under the tourniquet’s pressure, and the outflow of metabolic products into the general bloodstream from primarly ischemic limb.The aim was to identify the interralation between the level of production of reactive oxygen species by neutrophils of peripheral blood due to ischemia-reperfusion of the limb, as well as its combination with volumetric blood loss or mechanictal trauma.Materials and methods. The experiment was perfomed on 260 white male rats (200-250 g), which were divided into 5 groups: control, EG-1 – simulation of isolated limb ischemia-reperfusion (IR), EG-2 – simulation of isolated volumetric blood loss, EG -3 – combination of limb IR with blood loss, EG-4 – modeling of isolated thigh mechanical injury, EG-5 – combination of limb IR and mechanical injury. The percentage of neutrophils-producers of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was determined in the blood by flow cytofluometry.Results. It was found that ischemia-reperfusion of the limb, acute massive blood loss and their combination led to an increase in the number of ROS producers in the peripheral blood in all study periods. In the EG-2 on 1st and 3rd days it was higher than in the KG in 2,41 times and in 2,39 times accordingly, and also on 7th day exceeded level of the KG in 2,39 times and remained raised in 2 times on 14th day . In the EG-3 on the 1st day after injury exceeded the CG data in 2,5 times, then slightly decreased and exceeded the CG level in 2,3 times on the 3rd day. However, on the 7th  and 14th day the index exceeded the CG level in 2,6 times and 3,3 times. The peculiarities which indicate the effect of mutual burden was that on the 14th day the level of ROS producers in the EG-3 was statistically significantly higher compared to the EG-1 in 3 times, and compared to  the EG-2 – by 63,7%. Also, on the 14th day, the level of ROS in the EG-5 was in 2,4 times higher than the data of the EG-1, and by 58,3% higher than the data of the EG-4. In this case, after modeling only the ischemia-reperfusion of the limb, the figure was increased till the 14th day, on which it beame close to the initial rate.
Historical overview of cranial bone implants: own material or artificial prostheses - short review
Authors: Siedlecki Zygmunt , Shaik Fasi Ahamad , Nowak Karol , Grzyb Sebastian , Śniegocki Maciej
Published: June 2021

We present a brief report on the different types of skull bone prostheses used in cranioplasty. Skull defects, most often resulting from severe head injuries, have been known since the times of Ancient Egypt. Ethnographic reports indicate that at that time the skull defects were restored with golden plates. In the following centuries of medical development, especially in modern centuries, cranioplasty has been performed more widely. Cranioplasty began to be performed also in defects after craniectomy. Such craniectomies have been performed for treatment brain hemorrhages, strokes, tumors with severe edema. A common dilemma is whether artificial prostheses are better or own bone material. We present a brief historical overview and the actual state based on the procedures performed in our neurosurgical department in Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz.
Evaluation of the accuracy of surgical reconstruction of mandibular defects when using navigation templates and patient-specific titanium implants
Authors: Chernohorskyi D. M. , Chepurnyi Y. V. , Vasiliev O. S. , Voller M. V. , Kopchak A. V.
Published: June 2021

The management of patients with post-traumatic and post-operative mandibular defects is a major challenge even for experienced surgeons. Performing traditional reconstructive interventions with the use of bone autografts is always confronted with the problem of inconsistency between the shape, architecture, a biological. An alternative to conventional bone grafting is the use of digital protocol and CAD /CAMtechnology, which allows fabricating different types of customised medical devices. All patients underwent reconstructive and restoring interventions with the use of patient-specific titanium implants guided by a full digital protocol.Patients were examined in compliance with the standard scheme. To repair the defects, PSIs were fabricated with the use of selective laser sintering of titanium.The introduction of digital technologies and computer technique of diagnosing, planning and implementation of surgical interventions has been the main direction aimed at the improving the accuracy and predictability of reconstructive restorative surgery. Among the main achievements in this direction are the improvement of software and methods of computer modeling, as well as the introduction of CAD /CAMtechnology.The use of CAD /CAMtechnologies, in particular, navigational surgical templates and patient-specific implants for the repair of mandibular defects ensures a high level of accuracy and predictability.