bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ceRNA network development and tumor-infiltrating immune cell analysis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Chen Li , Zou Weijie , Zhang Lei , Shi Huijuan , Li Zhi , Ni Caifang
Published: April 2021

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma is among the primary causes of cancer deaths globally. Despite efforts to understand liver cancer, its high morbidity and mortality remain high. Herein, we constructed two nomograms based on ceRNA networks and invading immune cells to describe the molecular mechanisms along with the clinical prognosis of HCC patients.Methods: RNA maps of tumors and normal samples were downloaded from TCGA. HTseq counts and fragments per megapons per thousand bases were read from 421 samples, including 371 tumor samples and 50 normal samples. We established a ceRNA network based on differential gene expression in normal versus tumor subjects. CIBERSORT was employed to differentiate 22 immune cell types according to tumor transcriptomes. Kaplan-Meier along with Cox proportional hazard analyses were employed to determine the prognosis-linked factors. Nomograms were constructed based on prognostic immune cells and ceRNAs. We employed ROC (Receiver operating characteristic) and calibration curve analyses to estimate these nomogram. Results: The difference analysis found 2028 mRNAs, 128 miRNAs, and 136 lncRNAs to be significantly differentially expressed in tumor samples relative to normal samples. We set up a ceRNA network containing 21 protein-coding mRNAs, 12 miRNAs, and 3 lncRNAs. In kaplan-Meier analysis, 21 of the 36 ceRNAs were considered significant. Of the 22 cell types, resting dendritic cell levels were markedly different in tumor samples versus normal controls. Calibration and ROC curve analysis of the ceRNA network, as well as immune-infiltration of tumor showed resultful accuracy (three-year survival AUC: 0.691, five-year survival AUC: 0.700; three-years survival AUC: 0.674, five-year survival AUC: 0.694). Our data suggest that Tregs, CD4 T-cells, mast cells, SNHG1, HMMR and hsa-miR-421 are associated with HCC based on ceRNA-immune cells co-expression patterns. Conclusion: On the basis of ceRNA network modeling and immune cell infiltration analysis, our study offers an effective bioinformatics strategy for studying HCC molecular mechanisms and prognosis.
Identification and Verification of Cdk5 Phosphorylated Deubiquitinating Enzyme BRCC3
Authors: Zhang Conghui , Qin Kun , Han Yu , Xu Shaoye , Shao Xiaoyun
Published: April 2021

Background: It is known that the expression of the deubiquitinating enzyme BRCA1-BRCA2-containing complex subunit 3(BRCC3) is increased, as well as Cyclin-dependent protein kinase 5(Cdk5) in Parkinson’s Disease(PD), and both of them to be involved in neuroinflammatory response. But the regulatory mechanism of Cdk5 on the post-translational modification of BRCC3 remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the phosphorylation of Cdk5 on the BRCC3. Methods and Results: Cdk5 phosphorylation of BRCC3 was predicted by GPS5.0 software. His-BRCC3 plasmid was constructed by cloning the BRCC3 gene into pGEX-6P-1 vector, and then His-BRCC3 fusion protein was induced by IPTG and purified by His-tag purification agarose. The BRCC3 fusion protein was reacted with Cdk5 in vitro, and the phosphorylation was detected by mass spectrometry and Western blot. The results showed that multiple phosphorylation sites were predicted by GPS5.0, and the His-BRCC3 fusion protein was successfully induced and purified. In vitro kinase assay, Western blot and mass spectrometry identified that Cdk5 can phosphorylate BRCC3. Conclusions: It has been demonstrated that the protein kinase Cdk5 can phosphorylate the deubiquitinating enzyme BRCC3 in vitro, which provide evidences for further study on the mechanism of neurodegeneration.
Increased Mitochondrial Mass Related To Heightened Pyroptosis of CD4+T Cells In HIV-1 Infection
Authors: Yu Fengting , Ma Chengjie , Jin Xia , Zhao Hongxin , Xiao Jiang , Li Li , Song Shujing , Zhang Xia , Xie Xiaohui , Yang Siyuan , Tang Yunxia , Wang Linghang , Zhang Fujie
Published: April 2021

Background: In HIV-1 infection, over 90% CD4+T cells die of caspase-1 mediated pyroptosis. What governs the increased susceptibility of CD4+T cells to pyroptosis is poorly understood. Method: Blood samples were obtained from 31 ART-naive HIV-infected patients, 29 ART-exposed HIV-infected patients, and 21 healthy control donors. Plasma levels of IL-18 and IL-1β, activated caspase-1, mitochondrial mass (MM) and mitochondrial fusion/fisson genes of CD4+T subsets were measured. Results: Significantly higher IL-18 level of plasma and MM level of CD4+T cells were found in HIV-infected patients than that in healthy controls, and the MMhigh phenotype manifested more sensitivity to caspase-1 mediated pyroptosis. Moreover, the increased MM was more pronounced in the early differentiated and inactivated CD4+T cells. However, higher MM was not intrinsically linked to T cell differentiation disorder or excessive activation of the CD4+T cells. Mechanistically, the increased mitochondrial mass was significantly correlated with an elevated expression level of the mitochondrial fusion gene-mitofusin1.Conclusion: MM increase associates with heightened sensitivity of CD4+T cells to pyroptosis even in early differentiated and unactivated CD4+T cells in patients with HIV-1 infection, regardless of whether the patients are on HAART or not. These new revelations uncovered a previously unappreciated challenge to immune reconstitution with antiretroviral therapy.
Does Only Egg Sac Protect Spider Embryos From Pathogens? Detection Of Antibacterial Proteins In Embryos of Theridiidae And Lycosidae Representatives
Authors: Czerwonka Agnieszka E. , Sawadro Marta K. , Babczyńska Agnieszka I.
Published: April 2021

Cocoons covering spider embryos may constitute a physical barrier, protecting eggs from microbial infections. The aim of the study was to find out if the embryos have their own immune potential. We test the effect of cocoon deprivation on the level of antimicrobial proteins (AMPs) produced by spider embryos of Parasteatoda tepidariorum and Pardosa sp. Eggs in the age from 24 to 168 hours were divided in two experimental groups: C (closed, in untouched cocoon) and O (open, embryos isolated from the egg sac). Results indicate that the tested spiders embryos produce lysozyme, defensins and potentially other low-molecular-weight proteins with antimicrobial activity. Level of AMPs increased with the age of spider embryos. Lysozyme in both species was produced at a higher level than defensins. Deprivation of cocoon results in increased production of lysozyme only in Pardosa sp., which may be related to the specific type of parental care of lycosids.
Optimization of Osteosynthesis Positioning in Mandibular Body Fracture Management using Numerical Finite Element Method Simulation and Polymeric Model Testing
Authors: Daqiq Omid , Wubs Fred W. , Bos Ruud R. M. , Minnen Baucke van
Published: April 2021

The study aims to optimise surgical management for mandibular body fractures by application of finite element method (FEM) with verification from polymeric model tests. The study investigates two issues regarding the application of osteosynthesis plates for mandibular body fractures: the effect of miniplate positioning and mandibular body height decrease. Computed tomography (CT) images of cadaveric mandibles with heights of resp. 21, 15, and 10 mm were used to create a FEM-model with a unilateral straight-line fracture, fixated with a standard commercially available 6-hole 2 mm titanium miniplate. Outcomes were compared with a series of mechanical tests with polymeric models fixed in a customized device and loaded with a mechanical test bench. Firstly, the study illustrates that the optimal plate position appears to be the upper border. Secondly, lower mandibular height increases instability and requires a stronger fixation. Thirdly, optimal fracture reduction is essential for gaining stability. In conclusion, FEM and polymeric testing outcomes of unilateral non-comminuted fractures were highly comparable to the current opinions in mandibular fracture treatment. In future, the FEM may be used to predict the treatment of more complex fractures. However, more analysis needs to be conducted to say whether FEM alone is sufficient for fracture analysis.
Administrative data analysis of student attrition in Hungarian Medical Training
Authors: Pusztai Gabriella , Demeter-Karászi Zsuzsanna , Alter Emese
Published: April 2021

Background

Even though dropout is a well-researched topic in tertiary education, it is still not clear which variables have an impact on it beyond individual attributes. There is numerous empirical evidence supporting that college students studying in STEM fields are characterized by a higher risk of attrition than their peers. Even though medicine is not traditionally considered to be part of STEM disciplines, some suggest to include it, as the field of medicine is an important area in research focusing on student attrition. Since Hungarian medical training attracts more and more international students every year, the issue of attrition in this field of study can have a global impact too.
Methods

In our study we examined the dropout behavior of all medical students who started their studies in 2010 in Hungary (N = 977) by analyzing longitudinal administrative data of the students between 2010 and 2017, which unlike self-reported questionnaires made it possible for us to analyse data that without any kind of distortion. Since we analyzed the data of all students studying medicine in this period in Hungary, we conducted descriptive statistics and revealed the risk and protective factors of drouput using bonary logistic regression.
Results

Our results indicate that the risk of dropout can be increased by a low number of credits and passive semesters and the tuition-based forms of finance, although dormitory placement can serve as a protective factor.
Conclusions

Relieving the rigidity of the training network, more educational attention, targeted mentoring in the case of learning difficulties and dormitory placement in support of learning communities can be formulated as a policy proposal.
Protective factors for cognitive decline: Trajectories and changes in a longitudinal study with Italian elderly
Authors: Mondini Sara , Pucci Veronica , Montemurro Sonia , Rumiati Raffaella
Published: April 2021

This retrospective study quantifies the relative contribution of age and sex as demographic factors, comorbidity, education and occupation as cognitive reserve (CR) proxies in accounting for cognitive aging. Participants underwent three neuropsychological evaluations, with their cognitive profiles being classified as unimpaired, mildly or severely impaired. For all 3,081 participants, in addition to age, education was the best predictor of performance followed by occupation. From the original sample, 543 participants were reassessed a second time, and 125 a third time. Depending on whether they maintained or worsened their profile based on their initial performance, participants were classified as resistant or declining. Results showed that, across assessments, the resistant had higher levels of education and occupation than the declining. Education and occupation modulated cognitive performance also in the more severely impaired group. This study confirms that the trajectories of changes of performance in ageing are consistently predicted by high levels of CR.
Effectiveness and drug retention of biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in Korean patients with late-onset ankylosing spondylitis: Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Kim Se Hee , Kim Hae-Rim , Lee Sang-Heon , Shin Kichul , Kim Hyoun-Ah , Min Hong Ki
Published: April 2021

Background: The clinical data on the biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (bDMARD) use in late-onset ankylosing spondylitis (LOAS) is limited. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the drug efficacy and retention rate of bDMARDs in LOAS and compare it to young-onset ankylosing spondylitis (YOAS).Methods: Data of patients with AS receiving bDMARDs were extracted from the Korean College of Rheumatology Biologics and Targeted Therapy registry. Patients whose age of onset was > 50 years and < 50 years were classified as having LOAS and YOAS, respectively. Their baseline characteristics and disease-associated parameters were evaluated. Drug efficacy (Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score [ASDAS]-clinically important improvement [CII], ASDAS-major improvement [MI], Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society [ASAS] 20, and ASAS 40) at 1-year follow-up and drug retention rates were assessed. Results: A total of 1708 patients (comprising 1472 patients with YOAS and 236 patients with LOAS) were included in this analysis. The LOAS group had a lower prevalence among males, lower HLA-B27 positivity and a higher prevalence of peripheral arthritis. Patients with LOAS were more likely to have higher disease-associated parameters (inflammatory reactants, patient global assessment, ASDAS-erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and ASDAS-C-reactive protein). LOAS was negatively associated with achieving ASDAS-CII, ASAS 20, and ASAS 40. The drug retention rate was lower in LOAS; however, the propensity score-matched and covariate-adjusted hazard ratios for bDMARD discontinuation were comparable to YOAS. There were no differences in the drug retention rates based on the type of bDMARD used in LOAS. Conclusion: Inferior clinical efficacy and drug retention rates were found in patients with LOAS receiving bDMARDs using real-world nationwide data. There were no differences among each bDMARD type.
The Mechanism Of Functional Electrical Stimulation Ameliorating Muscle Function Of Patients With Sarcopenia After Spinal Cord Injury: A Bioinformatics Analysis Of Key Genes
Authors: Lao Kecheng , Wang Lixia , Wang Lihua , Fan Xiao , Yin Hailei
Published: April 2021

Background: Sarcopenia caused by spinal cord injury seriously affects the muscle function, which impairs the locomotion function of patients. As an effective physiotherapeutic, functional electrical stimulation is benefit to the recovery of muscle function without exact mechanisms. So the objection of the study is to explore the biological regulatory factors related to functional electrical stimulation for muscle function recovery of patients with sarcopenia after spinal cord injury using bioinformatics methods.Methods: The related microarray datasets GSE142426 and GSE33886 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. We used the R software to merge the two datasets, correct the inter-batch differences and screen the differentially expressed genes. Gene ontology enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway were analyzed by using the DAVID online tool. The STRING database was used to analyze the interaction of differentially encoded proteins. The key genes were selected to draw the ROC curves, and CYCS was used to perform gene set enrichment analysis.Results: A total of 114 differentially expressed genes were selected, including 44 up-regulated genes and 70 down-regulated genes, and four hub genes were identified including CYCS, SUCLG1, ATP5B and ATP5C1. ROC curve showed that CYCS was considered as the best indicator and GSEA analysis showed that up-regulation of CYCS was related to mitochondria and energy metabolism.Conclusion: The mechanism of function electrical stimulation on muscle function recovery of spinal cord injury patients with sarcopenia is mainly related to regulate mitochondrial energy metabolism and scavenge reactive oxygen species to mitigate the oxidative damage.
Persistency of Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells in Lungs
Authors: Ferrini Erica , Stellari Fabio Franco , Franceschi Valentina , Macchi Francesca , Russo Luca , Murgia Alba , Grisendi Giulia , Villetti Gino , Dominici Massimo , Donofrio Gaetano
Published: April 2021

Background. Mesenchymal stromal/stem Cells (MSCs) are a fibroblast-like cell population with high regenerative potential that can be isolated from many different tissues. Several data suggest MSCs as a therapeutic tool capable of migrating to a site of injury and guide tissue regeneration mainly through their secretome. Pulmonary first-pass effect occurs during intravenous administration of MSCs, where 50 to 80% of the cells tend to localize in the lungs. This phenomenon has been exploited to study MSCs potential therapeutic effects in several pre-clinical models of lung diseases. Data demonstrated that, regardless the lung disease severity and the delivery route, MSCs were not able to survive longer than 24h in the respiratory tract, but still surprisingly determining a therapeutic effect. Methods. In this work, two different mouse bone marrow derived MSCs (mBM-MSCs) lines, stably transduced with a third-generation lentiviral vector expressing Luciferase and GFP reporter genes tracking MSCs in vivo biodistribution and persistency, have been generated. Results. Cells within the engrafted lung were in vivo traced using the high throughput Bioluminescence Imaging (BLI) technique, with no invasiveness on animal, minimizing biological variations and costs. In vivo BLI analysis allowed the detection and monitoring of the mBM-MSC clones up to 28 days after implantation, independently from the delivery route. Conclusions. This longer persistency, than previously observed (24 hours), could have a strong impact in terms of pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of MSCs as a therapeutic tool.
Paraneoplastic Cerebellar Degeneration (PCD) Associated with PCA-1 Antibodies in Established Cancer Patients
Authors: Lehner Michael , Gheeya Jinesh S. , Siddiqui Bilal A. , Tummala Sudhakar
Published: April 2021

Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) is a rare set of neurological disorders arising from tumor-associated autoimmunity against antigens within the cerebellum. Anti-Purkinje cell cytoplasmic antibody 1 (PCA-1), or anti-Yo, is the most commonly linked antibody and is classically associated with breast and ovarian cancers. Here we report case series of PCA-1 associated PCD in patients with known breast or ovarian cancer diagnosis not receiving immunotherapy. These cases highlight recognizing PCA-1 paraneoplastic syndrome triggered by cytotoxic chemotherapy, surgery, tumor recurrence and associated with development of second cancer. Diagnosis of the syndrome requires neurological workup with lumbar puncture (LP) with cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) studies, serum and CSF paraneoplastic antibody panel, and neuroimaging. Inpatient admission for prompt workup and initiation of treatment is recommended. Treatment most commonly includes immunosuppression with corticosteroids, plasmapheresis, and/or intravenous immune globulin (IVIG); however, we postulate that other immune modulating treatments may warrant consideration. In established cancer patients developing this syndrome, workup and treatment of tumor recurrence or development of second malignancy is recommended. These cases highlight the need for early recognition of the syndrome in patients receiving non immune based chemotherapy, for prompt workup and treatment.
Association Between Red Blood Cell Distribution Width and Intraoperative Transfusion in Patients Undergoing Living Donor Liver Transplantation: a Retrospective Single-center Cohort Study
Authors: Sim Ji Hoon , Kwon Hye-Mee , Jun In-Gu , Kim Sung-Hoon , Kim Bomi , Kim Sehee , Song Jun-Gol , Hwang Gyu-Sam
Published: April 2021

Background: Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has been associated with massive bleeding and increased blood transfusion requirements. However, information on indicators predicting bleeding and transfusion in LDLT is limited. Recent studies have reported a correlation between red cell distribution width (RDW) and bleeding risk. This study investigates the association between RDW and intraoperative blood transfusion in patients receiving LDLT.Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 2548 patients who underwent LDLT between January 2010 and October 2019. The patients were divided into four groups based on preoperative RDW quartiles: Q1 (<13.9), Q2 (13.9–15.2), Q3 (15.2–17.4), and Q4 (≥17.4), and transfusion requirement and surgical outcomes were assessed. The risk factors for intraoperative transfusion were evaluated by multivariate regression analysis. The predictive power of RDW was assessed through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) analysis.Results: There were significant differences in incidence of intraoperative transfusion according to preoperative RDW quartile (Q1 vs Q2 vs Q3 vs Q4: 47.3% vs. 78.1% vs. 91.8% vs. 96.2%, P<0.001). Q4 had poor surgical outcomes, such as acute kidney injury (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.44–2.54, P<0.001). In the multivariate logistic analysis, RDW, age, sex, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, model for end-stage liver disease scores, and total ischemic time were risk factors for transfusion. In ROC and IDI analysis, RDW had predictive power for intraoperative transfusion (P=0.023 in IDI).Conclusions: Preoperative RDW is a potential predictor of intraoperative transfusion and postoperative acute kidney injury in patients receiving LDLT.
Dying Hungry: Nazi Ideology and the Pragmatism behind Starvation in Implementing the Final Solution
Authors: Feferman Kiril
Published: April 2021

German theories and policies regarding the relationship between food and Jewish citizens of eastern Europe served as an important foundation of the Nazis’ Judenpolitik during the Holocaust (1933-45). The mass starvation of Jews in German-dominated Europe was the result of a carefully calculated policy to make the Jews pay for a long list of misfortunes they had allegedly inflicted on the Germans. This policy evolved from a highly restrictive and discriminatory approach toward German Jews, which unfolded against a backdrop of harsh food policies applied to the local non-Jewish population.
Internal Colonialism, Alien Rule, and Famine in Ireland and Ukraine
Authors: Hechter Michael
Published: April 2021

The Irish famine of the mid nineteenth century and the Ukrainian famine of the twentieth century have been the subject of large and quite contentious literatures. Whereas many popular explanations of the Irish famine attribute it to the English government’s infatuation with laissez-faire economic doctrines, by contrast the Ukrainian famine has often been ascribed to Stalin’s resentment of Ukraine’s resistance to the Soviet revolution. This essay suggests that despite their many differences, during these years both Ireland and Ukraine can be considered to have been internal colonies of their respective empires. The key implication of this conception is that these appalling famines arose from a common underlying cause: namely, the inferior political status of these regions relative to that of the core regions of these states. One of the defining characteristics of internal colonies is that they often suffer from alien rule. Alien rulers are typically indifferent to the welfare of the residents of the culturally distinctive regions within their borders. Due to this indifference, both the British and Soviet central rulers cast a blind eye to the fate of the Irish and Ukrainian peasants.
ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE RESULTS OF FINANCIAL AND INVESTMENT AND INNOVATION POLICY AT THE LOCAL LEVEL
Authors: Polchanov A. , Zakharkina L.
Published: April 2021

The role and place of financial policy in the modern state`s development in the conditions of globalization processes are determined. The urgency of improving the theoretical and methodological instruments concerning the implementation of modern financial policy and conducting additional research on the relationship of its effectiveness with the activity of investment and innovation processes in the country is substantiated. The analysis of publishing activity on the implementation of financial policy at the state and regional levels has shown an increase in recent scientific interest in this issue, which indicates its relevance. The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between the results of regional financial policy with indicators of investment and innovation activity of economic entities in the region. Methods of economic, system and comparative analysis and synthesis were used in the research process. Сalculation, analytical and graphical methods, regression analysis were used in the processing of statistical data. This article considers the indicators of socio-economic development that determine the effectiveness of financial policy at the regional level. The dynamics of the gross regional product for the Slobozhansky region of Ukraine (Poltava, Sumy and Kharkiv regions) was analyzed, the key factors influencing its volumes were also identified The dynamics of changes in the size of wages per employee was studied. Trends in changes in capital investment in the region were analyzed and regression analysis was performed, which showed a high level of relationship between the volume of capital investment and gross regional product. It was determined that a significant factor influencing the effectiveness of regional financial policy is the innovative activity of economic entities in the region. A regression analysis was performed between the volumes of innovation expenditures and gross regional product and the corresponding models characterizing it were obtained. As a conclusion was identified that the effectiveness of regional financial policy is directly related to the level of investment and innovation activity of enterprises in the region.
PECULIARITIES OF HEMODYNAMIC AND METABOLIC INDICATORS IN PATIENTS WITH ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION AND CONCOMITANT OBESITY DEPENDING ON PLASMA RENIN ACTIVITY
Authors: Psarova V.H. , Kochuieva M.M. , Kochuiev G.I.
Published: April 2021

The aim of the research: to evaluate the effect of plasma renin activity on the state of hemodynamic and neurohumoral parameters in obese hypertensive patients.
Anthropometric, biochemical, automated methods of immune analysis, spectrophotometric, instrumental, statistical methods were used to examine 200 hypertensive patients with class I–II obesity aged 45–55 years. Patients were divided into two groups depending on plasma renin activity: the first group included 21 patients with low-renin hypertension, the second – 179 patients with high-renin hypertension.
Patients with HRAH had higher blood pressure BP (DBP, p = 0.004, SBP and mean blood pressure, p<0.001 for both indicators), higher CIMT bifurcation (p = 0.003) and cPWV (p = 0.023), larger size of the left ventricle and its MM (p = 0.039) compared with patients with LRAH. The HRAH was associated with a more pronounced imbalance of the oxidative stress system – antioxidant protection, higher levels of leptin, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. In the absence of differences in glycemic levels, patients with HRAH had significantly higher insulin levels and more pronounced IR, as assessed by the HOMA index. Patients with low plasma renin activity had significantly lower serum aldosterone levels with significantly higher ARR levels than patients with high plasma renin activity.
Features of cardiovascular remodeling and neurohumoral status depending on the phenotype of hypertension in patients with concomitant obesity have been established.
Clinical and epidemiological features of lyme borreliosis
Authors: Lutai I.V. , Ivanova A.S. , Husieva T.A.
Published: April 2021

Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most common transmissible disease of tick-borne origin. This disease is a significant medical challenge due to the damage to many organs and systems and the tendency to chronicity and long-term disability in the future. Currently, there is an upward trend in the incidence of Lyme disease in Sumy Oblast. Thus, in Ukraine in 2015 the incidence was 7.96 per 100,000 population, and in 2019 it increased to 10.62. The average level of indicators was exceeded in Kyiv Oblast (29.0), Cherkasy Oblast (25.4), Vinnytsia Oblast (23.09), Sumy (25.89) Oblast, and Kyiv (2.54). The peak of tick activity in Ukraine is registered in May and has increased by 4.23 times. The maximum number of patients falls within the working population and causes significant state financial damage.
The increase in the number of cases indicates a spread of Lyme disease in Sumy Oblast. In order to prevent the spread, it is necessary to study all possible causes of this disease and find ways to eliminate them. This was the ground for the creation of a unified anonymous questionnaire, which covers the main issues regarding this disease from the standpoint of different population groups.
A unified anonymous "Questionnaire for Lyme disease patients" contains 16 multiple choice questions and an option for comments. The first group of questions concerned gender, age, and social data of respondents (the largest part of patients fell within the working population – 42.86%). The next group of questions clarified the epidemiological features of this pathology (circumstances, date, time, location, body part bitten). Most often tick bites occurred during walks in the urban forests (42.86% of cases). Most respondents reported that tick bites had happened in June and July (39.29%).
Other questions were designed to determine patients' awareness about Lyme borreliosis prevention. The next group of questions was aimed at clarifying the clinical features of the disease (lower extremities were the most frequent site of a tick bite) (46.43%), with erythema dominating among the clinical manifestations of Lyme borreliosis (91.07%).
According to the anonymous questionnaire, we analyzed and evaluated awareness of diagnosis, clinical signs, and measures of Lyme disease prevention in the patients who were receiving treatment at Municipal Non-Commercial Enterprise of Sumy Regional Council "Medical Clinical Center of Infectious Diseases and Dermatology Named After Z. Krasovytskyi" and SSU University Clinic.
PLASMA CONCENTRATION OF ENDOTHELIN-1 IN PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSION ASSOCIATED WITH OBESITY, DEPENDING ON THE LYS198ASN POLYMORPHISM OF THE ENDOTHELIN-1 GENE
Authors: Smiianova Yu.O.
Published: April 2021

Endothelial dysfunction is considered one of the main mechanisms for the further development of arterial hypertension (AH) and its complications, and endothelin-1 (ЕТ-1) plays one of the key roles in this process. Endothelium is drawn into the pathological process at the earliest stages of AH development. ЕТ-1 is currently considered as a marker and predictor of the stage and consequences of AH, chronic heart failure (CHF), coronary heart disease (CHD), in particularly, acute myocardial infarction (MI), heart rhythm disorders, pulmonary hypertension, atherosclerotic vascular injury, target vascular disorders.
One factor that may influence the level of ЕТ-1 is the endothelin-1 gene Lys198Asn polymorphism, which is considered by many researchers as a possible genetic marker of AH. However, the effect of this polymorphism on the level of plasma ЕТ-1 level in patients with AH of varying severity in Ukraine is understudied.
The basis of this work were the materials of a complete examination of 160 patients with a verified diagnosis of AH I, stage II of 1, 2, 3 degrees (main group) and 110 apparently healthy persons (control group). Patients of the main group were divided into three subgroups: 1st group ­– 75 patients with normal body weight; 2nd group – 48 overweight patients; 3rd group – 37 patients with alimentary obesity. In obese patients, the waist circumference in women was around 103 (96–115) cm, and in men – 108 (105–116) cm, which indicates an abdominal type of obesity in these patients.
As a result of the study, it was found that the level of ЕТ-1 is higher in patients with AH who suffer with overweight and obesity as compared with patients with AH and normal body weight. Also, the peptide level depends on the genotype of patients and is higher in AH patients with the genotype Asn198Asn and Lys198Asn as compared to carriers of the genotype Lys198Lys.
Comparative study of Kalman filter-based target motion analysis by incorporating Doppler frequency measurements
Authors: Ul Haq Ehsan , Nasir Hassan Arshad , Iqbal Asif , Qadir Muhammad Ali
Published: April 2021

Target motion analysis is a key requirement of autonomous and self-driving machines like drones and robots. However, with strict weight limits, the aerospace industry is always on the hunt for simpler and lighter sensing solutions. Continuous-wave Doppler radars are the simplest radars that can easily obtain a target’s relative velocity using the Doppler shift in the received wave. However, these radars cannot provide the target’s range. In this work, we address the problem of obtaining target’s range and velocity by incorporating Doppler frequency measurements from a simple continuous wave Doppler radar. To this end, we find out the movement patterns and maneuvers that an observer can make to converge to the target’s location. After presenting the observability requirements, we design and compare various non-linear Kalman filter-based target trackers. We experimented with different simulation scenarios to compare the tracking results with bearings-only, frequency-only, and bearings-frequency measurement sets. In our analysis, Unscented Kalman Filter with bearings-frequency measurements performed best. Experiments show that an observer can locate the target accurately within 10 cm by incorporating Doppler frequency measurements. Moreover, it also reduced the convergence time to a fraction of a second.
Application of the thin-layer chromatography method for analysis of plant antioxidant activity
Authors: Kupaeva N. V. , Vasilevskaya E. R. , Fedulova L. V. , Kotenkova E. A.
Published: April 2021

Plants are a rich source of effective non-toxic biologically active substances. Various physicochemical methods of analysis are used for evaluation of plant antioxidant activity. Composition of ethanol extracts of red, yellow and white onion husks, dried rosemary, basil, and chaga were studied by high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) method. The antioxidant activity of the obtained fractions on a chromatographic plate was assessed by subsequent DPPH screening. The extracts red and yellow onion husk and rosemary demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity, variability of the qualitative composition and similarity of antioxidant profiles, while extract of white onion husks did not contain any antioxidant classes. Intensive spots with Rf of 0.13-0.97 were observed along the whole chromatogram track corresponding to red onion husks. It was also found that all tested extract, excepting white onion husk and chaga, contained spots with varying degrees of intensity in the Rf range of 0.96-0.98, which corresponded quercetin Rf value.
Brand placement in Web Series: Assessing consumer attitudes in India
Authors: Venkatasubramany Iyer Kavitha , Siddhartha Anupam
Published: April 2021

Reports indicate that 49% of adults in India spend at least 2-3 hours consuming OTT media, rather than watching conventional television. With such changes in the way the general population is exposed to content, brands have also been adapting to the new patterns that this study investigates. This study was conducted to assess consumers’ attitudes and acceptance towards brand placement in the novel media format of web series based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). This study, based on a survey of 278 individuals from Urban India settings, was conducted using a self-report questionnaire adapted from F Davis’s Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use and User Acceptance of TAM questionnaire (1989). The study supports TAM and recognizes that the frequency of viewing Web Series directly relates to brand recall (R = 0.57, p < .001). Product/brand placement yields brand awareness for unknown or unpopular brands and provide evidence for higher engagement with the placement when the audiences have pre-existing positive attitudes towards the brand (t (277) = 27.11, p = .01). This study also confirms that TAM as a relevant model can be applied to understand how regularity and duration of viewing affect attitudes towards brands and their placement in Web Series. Brand placement in Web Series is perceived as useful and largely determines brand name recall. Thus, marketers should strategically consider using brand placement in Web Series as a part of their marketing communication plan, especially as this media with other related forms of advertisement are important for brands to keep up with the industry’s communication challenges.
Corpos dissidentes no espaço universitário
Authors: Araújo Natália Yolanda de Carvalho
Published: April 2021

O artigo discute as maternagens sob a luz das intersecções de raça, classe e geração para problematizar a (r)existência de mulheres mães universitárias e os seus direitos enquanto corpos ocupantes na universidade pública. A ordem social é problematizada numa análise geracional através de entrevistas com cinco mulheres mães que apresentam diferentes recortes interseccionais e experimentam/ram maternagens distintas na Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, campus Natal. Apesar de específicas e repletas de interseccionalidades que apontam para experiências únicas e diversas, as respectivas histórias de vida encontram similitudes no que se refere a vivências transpassadas pelo amor, vergonha, culpa e medo, trazendo à tona a necessidade da construção de uma universidade cuidadora.
Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Oxidant, and Anti-Lipaemic Effects of Daily Dietary
Coenzyme-Q10 Supplement in a Mouse Model of Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Onaolapo Olakunle J. , Omotoso Sarafa A. , Olofinnade Anthony T. , Onaolapo Adejoke Y.
Published: April 2021

Background:

The dietary model of metabolic syndrome has continued to aid our understanding
of its pathogenesis and possible management interventions. However, despite progress in
research, therapy continues to be challenging for humans; hence, the search for newer treatment
and prevention options continues.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of dietary CQ10 supplementation
on metabolic, oxidative, and inflammatory markers in a diet-induced mouse model of metabolic
syndrome.

Methods:

Mouse groups were fed a Standard Diet (SD), High-Fat High-Sugar (HFHS) diet, and
SD or HFHS diet (with incorporated CQ10) at 60 and 120 mg/kg of feed. At the completion of the
study (8 weeks), blood glucose levels, Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activity, plasma insulin,
leptin, adiponectin, TNF-α, IL-10, serum lipid profile, and Lipid Peroxidation (LPO) levels were assessed.
The liver was either homogenised for the assessment of antioxidant status or processed for
general histology.

Results:

Dietary CQ10 mitigated HFHS diet-induced weight gain, decreased glucose, insulin, and
leptin levels, and increased adiponectin levels in mice. Coenzyme-Q10 improved the antioxidant status
of the liver and blood in HFHS diet-fed mice while also decreasing lipid peroxidation. Lipid
profile improved, level of TNF-α decreased, and IL-10 increased following CQ10 diet. A mitigation
of HFHS diet-induced alteration in liver morphology was also observed with CQ10.

Conclusion:

Dietary CQ10 supplementation mitigates HFHS diet-induced changes in mice, possibly
through its anti-oxidant, anti-lipaemic, and anti-inflammatory potential.
Monosubstituted Coumarins Inhibit Epinephrine-induced Platelet Aggregation
Authors: Jiménez-Orozco Fausto Alejandro , Galicia-Zapatero Sergio , López-López Edgar , Medina-Franco José L. , Cedeño Fernando León , Flores-García Mirthala , Mejia-Domínguez Ana María , de la Peña-Díaz Aurora
Published: April 2021

Aim:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effect of coumarin and 15 monosubstituted
derivatives on the inhibition of human platelet aggregation induced by various proaggregatory
agonists, particularly by epinephrine.

Background:

The emergence of residual platelet reactivity during the use of conventional antiplatelet
agents (acetylsalicylic acid and clopidogrel) is one of the main causes of double therapy´s
therapeutic failure. Platelet adrenoceptors participate in residual platelet reactivity. Therefore, it is
necessary to develop new antiplatelet agents that inhibit epinephrine-induced platelet aggregation
as a new therapeutic strategy. Information on the antiplatelet activity of coumarins in inhibiting
epinephrine-induced aggregation is limited.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to establish the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of
coumarin derivatives with hydroxy, methoxy, and acetoxy groups in different positions of the coumarin
nucleus to identify the most active molecules. Moreover, this study aimed to use in silico
studies to suggest potential drug targets to which the molecules bind to produce antiplatelet effects.

Methods:

The platelet aggregation was performed using a Lumi-aggregometer; the inhibitory activity
of 16 compounds were evaluated by inducing the aggregation of human platelets (250 × 103/μl)
with epinephrine (10 μM), collagen (2 μg/ml) or ADP (10 μM). The aggregation of control
platelets was considered 100% of the response for each pro-aggregatory agonist.

Results:

Eleven molecules inhibited epinephrine-induced aggregation, with 3-acetoxycoumarin
and 7-methoxycoumarin being the most active. Only coumarin inhibited collagen-induced platelet
aggregation, but no molecule showed activity when using ADP as an inducer.

Conclusions :

In silico studies suggest that most active molecules might have antagonistic interactions
in the α2 and β2 adrenoceptors. The antiplatelet actions of these coumarins have the potential
to reduce residual platelet reactivity and thus contribute to the development of future treatments for
patients who do not respond adequately to conventional agents.
An Investigation on the Impacts of Fuel Carrier Price on the Consumer
Price Inflation in Iran
Authors: Norouzi Nima
Published: April 2021

Introduction:

Oil is one of the primary commodities of all countries globally and is, in
essence, the energy base of all that we know as transportation. Therefore, price fluctuations of derivatives,
especially fuel and oil derivatives, are the policymakers’ main concerns because they can
cause serious problems, such as inflation in commodity prices.

Objective:

The impact of fuel carriers’ prices on the consumer price index remains a subject of debate
and research. This paper aims to develop a model to define the inflation regime in Iran and
then investigate the impact of gasoline and diesel price on the total inflation rate.

Method:

In this study, using the central bank time series and available data on energy balance and
World Bank data banks, a non-linear distributed online delay regression model is developed to analyze
the relationship between fuel price and essential commodity inflation.

Results:

The results show that there is an impact of gasoline prices on inflation. It does not have
much effect in the long term, but diesel can somewhat influence raising prices, which can exacerbate
poverty in the community that needs special attention.

Conclusion:

It was also found that increase in diesel’s price is harmful to the economy because it
can stimulate inflation in the long term. However, in the short term, diesel does not cause any significant
inflation in the prices. While gasoline prices can have many short-term social effects, this
paper suggests that the Iranian government's control of diesel fuel prices prevents long-term inflation
and inflation in consumer price rate.
Comparing Intravenous Single Low Doses of Magnesium Sulphate versus Dexamethasone as Adjuvants to Ultrasound Guided Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block for Prolongation of Postcesarean Analgesia
Authors: Abdelrahman Tamer N. , Abu-Sinna Rasha G.
Published: April 2021

Introduction:

The TAP block is a regional anesthetic technique, which blocks neural afferents between T6 and L1, which provide anterior abdominal walls and therefore help to alleviate postoperative pain.

Aim:

The aim is to compare the efficacy of preoperative single low dose of intravenous MgSO4 versus intravenous dexamethasone as adjuvants to ultrasound guided TAP block for prolongation of postcesaren analgesia.

Materials and Methods:

A total 60 pregnant females were selected undergoing elective caesarean sections under general anesthesia with ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block done at the end of surgery. Patients were randomly and equally allocated into three groups of 20 patients each. The first group of patients were classified as magnesium sulphate group (M)who received 50 mg/Kg IV, the second group of patients were classified as dexamethasone group (D) who received 2 mg IV and the third group was classified as the placebo group (C) who received IV saline.

Results:

Comparison of the VAS at 6 and 12 hours postoperatively showed statistically significantly lower values in group (M) and group (D) compared to group (C) and also group (M) was significantly lower than group (D) as well. The time interval until first rescue analgesia (Nalbuphine) needed by the patients (VAS ≥ 50) was significantly longer in group (M) compared to group (D) and group (C) consecutively. Additionally, it was significantly longer in group (D) than in the control group(C). The total dose of rescue analgesia consumed during the first 24 hours postoperatively was significantly lower in groups (M) than in group (D) and both groups showed lesser doses compared to group (C)

Conclusion:

We concluded that both MgSO4 and dexamethasone could prolong the postoperative duration and analgesic efficiency provided by the TAP block in cesarean sections. This further reduced the demands for postoperative rescue analgesia, with MgSO4 found to be more efficient than IV dexamethasone.

Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT04223128
Indonesia’s 1st livestock vessel: deep insight of it is facility
Authors: Wibawanti Shabrina Dyah , Afnan Rudi , Priyanto Rudy
Published: April 2021

Indonesia is an island country consisting of thousands of islands. The population of Indo-nesian people is increasing annually, making the need for food also increases, especially food originated from the livestock sector, namely beef. The difference in consumer centers' location with cattle production centers causes the need for transportation that can transport cattle from one island to another. Camara Nusantara is the first livestock vessel in Indonesia that started in 2015. Camara Nusantara took the ship's design from Australi-an livestock vessels, but there have not been any studies on the facilities and design of the Camara Nusantara ship. This research took place in Camara Nusantara ship for 5 days from Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara to Tanjung Priuk, Jakarta. The observation was done by noting and observing all facilities used from the livestock loading process in the port of Tenau to Tanjung Priok port. The results showed that there were still many shortcomings in the facilities used, so the need for improvement is done to avoid any stress generated during the transportation process that can cause further loss.