bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent Advances in Gelatin-Based Nanomedicine for Targeted Delivery of Anti-Cancer Drugs
Authors: Raza Faisal , Siyu Liu , Zafar Hajra , Kamal Zul , Zheng Bo , Su Jing , Qiu Mingfeng
Published: November 2021

:

Nanoparticles based on natural polymers are utilized for the development of a wide range of drug delivery
systems (DDS) in the current era. Gelatin-based nanoparticles, for example, are a remarkable cancer therapy
with high efficacy and specificity. This paper reviews the recent advancements in gelatin-based
nanomedicine for use in cancer therapeutics. Due to the characteristics features of gelatin, such as biocompatibility,
biodegradability, stability, and good surface properties, these nanoparticles provide high therapeutic potency
in cancer nanomedicine. The surface of gelatin can be modified in a number of ways using various ligands
to explore the platform for the development of a more novel DDS. Various methods are available for the
preparation of gelatin nanomedicine discussed in this review. In addition, various cross-linkers to stabilized
nanocarriers and stimuli base gelatin nanoparticles are reviewed. Furthermore, recent advances and research in
gelatin-based nanomedicine are discussed. Also, some drawbacks and challenges are evaluated. In general, this
paper paves the pathway to identify the details about the gelatin-based DDS for cancer therapy.
Lipids as Early and Minimally Invasive Biomarkers for Alzheimer’s
Disease
Authors: Cháfer-Pericás Consuelo , Casas-Fernández Esther , Peña-Bautista Carmen , Baquero Miguel
Published: November 2021

:

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide.
Specifically, typical late-onset AD is a sporadic form with a complex etiology that affects over 90%
of patients. The current gold standard for AD diagnosis is based on the determination of amyloid
status by analyzing cerebrospinal fluid samples or brain positron emission tomography. These procedures
can be used widely as they have several disadvantages (expensive, invasive). As an alternative,
blood metabolites have recently emerged as promising AD biomarkers. Small molecules that
cross the compromised AD blood-brain barrier could be determined in plasma to improve clinical
AD diagnosis at early stages through minimally invasive techniques. Specifically, lipids could play
an important role in AD since the brain has a high lipid content, and they are present ubiquitously
inside amyloid plaques. Therefore, a systematic review was performed with the aim of identifying
blood lipid metabolites as potential early AD biomarkers. In conclusion, some lipid families (fatty
acids, glycerolipids, glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, lipid peroxidation compounds) have
shown impaired levels at early AD stages. Ceramide levels were significantly higher in AD subjects,
and polyunsaturated fatty acids levels were significantly lower in AD. Also, high arachidonic acid
levels were found in AD patients in contrast to low sphingomyelin levels. Consequently, these lipid
biomarkers could be used for minimally invasive and early AD clinical diagnosis.
Congenital Malaria in Newborns Delivered to Malaria-infected Mothers in the Hilly Region of Northern India: Is it Deadly?
Authors: Singh Avinish , Mohan Kriti , Omar Balram Ji , Chacham Swathi , Chaturvedi Jaya , Basu Sriparna , Bhakat Rahul
Published: November 2021

Background:

Malaria is endemic in many states of India. Though there are reports of
maternal and congenital malaria from endemic areas, however, there remains a paucity of data
from hilly terrains. The present study evaluated the prevalence, clinical and microbiological spectrum
of maternal and congenital malaria at a tertiary health care facility in Northern India over a period
of 18 months.

Methods:

In this observational study, mothers along with their newborns were evaluated for
malaria by maternal, placental, and cord blood smear examination and rapid point-of-care diagnostic
serological tests. Positive cases were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. Mother-newborn
duos were followed up till discharge from the hospital.

Results:

A total of 843 mothers delivered during the study period and were screened along with
their newborns and placentae. A total of Ten (1.18%) mothers had evidence of malarial parasitemia
(Plasmodium vivax, n=7 and Pl. falciparum, n=3), however, none of the placental and cord blood
samples were positive for malaria. Overall, 127 (15.1%) neonates required admission in neonatal intensive
care unit for various morbidities. Incidence of small for gestational age (SGA) was high
(n=210; 24.9%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated maternal malaria to be an
independent contributor for SGA [Odds Ratio (95% Confidence Interval), 10.7 (2.06 - 49.72)].
However, only 2% variance of SGA could be explained by maternal malaria alone.

Conclusions:

We report an encouragingly lower incidence of maternal malaria in mothers attending
for delivery and a ‘Zero’ incidence for placental and congenital malaria during the study period as
compared to national data (upto 7.4% in non-immune mothers), although maternal malaria could
be a causative factor for SGA.
Synthesis, Characterization and Biochemical Analysis of Azo-metal complex
of Embelin with Second Group Transition Metals
Authors: Mir Mohd Amin , Ashraf Muhammad Waqar
Published: November 2021

Aim:

The objective of the work is to synthesize, characterize and biochemically analyze
Azo-metal complex of Embelin with Second Group Transition Metals.

Background:

The genus Embelia is a well-known herb and has considerable importance in the
field of pharmaceutical chemistry. The plant species has been used considerably as a traditional
medicine in Ayurveda, old Chinese medicine, and Siddha for a long time. The dried berries of this
plant, called “vidanga” have boundless biochemical properties, like anthelmintic, carminative,
antibacterial, antibiotic, and hypoglycemic.

Objective:

Embelin, metal-embelin (EM) and azo-metal-embelin (EAM) complexes were synthesized,
analysed for antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

Method:

The metal-embelin (EM) complexes and metal-azo-embelin (EAM) complexes were synthesized
by pure mixing of embelin, azo-embelin and metals viz, Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag and Cd. The
embelin and EAN complexes were analysed by various spectroscopic techniques, viz, UV-visible,
FTIR, NMR, TGA, MS and CHNS analysis.

Results:

The results authenticate the reaction between metals, and bidentate embelin occurs via quinonic
and enolic oxygen atoms as [M (Emb) 2 (H2O)] 2H2O and [M (Emb-Azo)2 (H2O)2]. The antioxidant
results show that the complexation between metals and compounds decreases the antioxidant
potential significantly. In contrast, the antimicrobial activity shows that cobalt and nickel embelin
complexes showed more than 74% growth inhibition against the concerned microbes in comparison
to embelin alone.

Conclusion:

As the results are taken into consideration, the scavenging property of embelin shows
the reduction in power upon complexation with metals and azo-metals. Also, embelin and its associates
as metal-embelin and metal-azo-embelin can be used as antioxidant and antimicrobial agents
significantly.
Management of Diagnosis and Treatment in a Case of Fibrolamellar Carcinoma
Authors: BACINSCHI XENIA , ZGURA ANCA FLORINA , MERCAN-STANCIU ADRIANA , GRASU MUGUR , HERLEA VLAD , TOMA LETITIA , DODOT MIHAI , MARTINIUC ALEXANDRU , ANGHEL RODICA , HAINEALA BOGDAN
Published: November 2021

Background/Aim: Fibrolamellar carcinoma is a rare primary hepatic malignancy that has recently been recognized as a distinct clinical entity, highly different from the well-known hepatocellular carcinoma. This report describes the clinical and paraclinical aspects of the fibrolamellar carcinoma, emphasizing its particularities. Case Report: A 30-year-old patient presented to the hospital with nonspecific symptoms and weight loss, with imaging findings showing abdominal and mediastinal masses. Multiple biopsies were performed, leading to a diagnosis of metastatic fibrolamellar carcinoma. Given the extent of the disease, systemic drug treatment was administered, although prognosis was poor with tumor growth, resulting in biliary duct invasion. Conclusion: Fibrolamellar carcinoma is a rare type of malignancy, with a difficult differential diagnosis in which imaging techniques are important but for which biopsy remains the gold standard. The prognosis depends on tumor extent and may include surgical methods or chemotherapy.
Maintenance Therapy With Bortezomib and Dexamethasone for Transplant-ineligible Patients With Multiple Myeloma
Authors: NOGUCHI YURIKA , IRIYAMA NORIYOSHI , TAKAHASHI HIROMICHI , UCHINO YOSHIHITO , NAKAGAWA MASARU , HAMADA TAKASHI , IIZUKA KAZUHIDE , KOIKE TAKASHI , KURIHARA KAZUYA , ENDO TOSHIHIDE , YOSHIDA TSUTOMU , MIURA KATSUHIRO , NAKAYAMA TOMOHIRO , HATTA YOSHIHIRO , TAKEI MASAMI
Published: November 2021

Background/Aim: Here, we investigated whether bortezomib as a maintenance therapy affected outcomes in transplant-ineligible patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Patients and Methods: Following induction therapy with bortezomib, maintenance therapy with bortezomib (1.3 mg/m2) and dexamethasone (20 mg) was administered once or twice every 4 weeks until disease progression. The endpoints of this study were time to next treatment and overall survival. Results: Seventy-six newly diagnosed, transplant-ineligible patients were treated with a bortezomib-based regimen; 28 discontinued induction therapy, 27 did not receive maintenance therapy after induction therapy (the non-maintenance group), and 21 did (the maintenance group). In the three groups, the median times to the next required treatment were 3, 14, and 37 months, respectively. The 3-year overall survival rates were 55%, 69%, and 85%, respectively. There were no significant differences in patient characteristics between the non-maintenance and maintenance groups, except for poorer estimated glomerular filtration rates in the maintenance group. Conclusion: Bortezomib maintenance therapy may be a useful option for transplant-ineligible patients with MM.
Clinical Features of Primary Vitreoretinal Lymphoma: A Single-center Study
Authors: KASE SATORU , NAMBA KENICHI , IWATA DAIJU , MIZUUCHI KAZUOMI , ITO TAKAKO , HASE KEITARO , SUZUKI KAYO , ONOZAWA MASAHIRO , KITAICHI NOBUYOSHI , ISHIDA SUSUMU
Published: November 2021

Background/Aim: This study aimed to demonstrate the clinical outcomes of primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL). Patients and Methods: Seventeen patients with PVRL who had been treated at Hokkaido University Hospital were enrolled in this study. They were diagnosed based on their cytology, interleukin-10/-6 ratio, and immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene rearrangement. Results: Diagnostic tests detected cytological malignancy among 14 cases (82.3%), high interleukin-10/-6 ratios among 16 cases (94.1%), and IgH monoclonality in 13 cases (76.5%). Systemic corticosteroids were given to seven (41.2%) patients before their diagnosis of PVRL. Treatments after diagnosis comprised intravitreal methotrexate injection, local radiation, and intravenous chemotherapy for 11, seven, and five cases, respectively. Central nervous system and systemic involvements were observed in nine and one case, respectively, and these complications occurred at 3 to 43 months (mean=16 months) after initial ocular presentation. Conclusion: Many of our patients did not receive any systemic intervention, and almost half of patients with PVRL developed central nervous system involvement during their follow-up period.
Initial Experience of Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Clinical Practice
Authors: KUZUYA TEIJI , KAWABE NAOTO , HASHIMOTO SENJU , MIYAHARA RYOJI , NAKANO TAKUJI , NAKAOKA KAZUNORI , TANAKA HIROYUKI , MIYACHI YOHEI , MII ARISA , TANAHASHI YOSHINAO , KATO YUTARO , SUGIOKA ATSUSHI , HIROOKA YOSHIKI
Published: November 2021

Background/Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the outcomes of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), including those with disease refractory to lenvatinib, in clinical practice. Patients and Methods: Of 34 patients treated with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab, a total of 23, including 16 with lenvatinib failure, were enrolled in this retrospective study. The adverse events, changes in liver function and antitumor responses at 6 weeks after starting therapy were evaluated. Results: The incidence of grade 3 adverse events was low, at 13.0%. Albumin–bilirubin scores did not worsen at 3 and 6 weeks compared to baseline. The objective response rate and disease control rate at 6 weeks were 17.4% and 78.3% according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST), and 30.4% and 78.3% according to modified RECIST, respectively. Conclusion: Our results suggest that atezolizumab plus bevacizumab might have potential therapeutic safety and efficacy in patients with advanced HCC, including those with disease refractory to lenvatinib. Further studies are needed to confirm the outcomes of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab after lenvatinib failure.
Impact of Smoking History on Pulmonary Metastasis-free Survival in Patients With Soft-tissue Sarcoma
Authors: MATSUOKA MASATAKE , OKAMOTO MASANORI , SOMA TAMOTSU , YOKOTA ISAO , ARAI RYUTA , ONODERA TOMOHIRO , KONDO EIJI , IWASAKI NORIMASA , HIRAGA HIROAKI
Published: November 2021

Background/Aim: Although smoking history is predictive of poor pulmonary metastasis-free survival (PMFS) in patients with epithelial tumors, the impact of smoking history on PMFS in those with soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) is not known. Patients and Methods: Patients undergoing treatment for STS at our institutes between 2008 and 2017 were enrolled. Patients were excluded if they had metastatic lesion, or had a histopathological classification demonstrating small round-cell sarcoma. The impact of smoking history on PMFS and overall survival was examined with multivariate analysis using a Cox proportional hazards model. Results: A total of 250 patients were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with smoking history had worse PMFS on multivariate analysis (hazard ratio=2.00, 95% confidence interval=1.12-3.60). On the other hand, smoking history did not significantly affect overall survival (hazard ratio=1.26, 95% confidence interval=0.61-2.58). Conclusion: Patients with STS need to be followed-up by frequent clinical assessments if they have a smoking history.
Discordant PET Findings and a High Relapse Rate Characterize Hispanics With Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Treated With ABVD
Authors: GAUR SUMIT , PHILIPOVSKIY ALEXANDER , ONYEDIKA UMEANAETO , EIRING ANNA M. , DWIVEDI ALOK K. , ORAZI ATTILIO
Published: November 2021

Background: Population-based studies on Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) have shown reduced survival in Hispanics and non-Hispanic Blacks compared with non-Hispanic Whites. To better understand the factors contributing to this outcome discrepancy, we retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients with HL diagnosed and treated at a single institution located along the Texas–Mexico border. Patients and Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients with HL treated at our institution over an 8-year period (2011-2018). The International Prognostic Score was calculated for all patients and results of positron-emission tomography (PET) scans (interim and end of treatment) were also recorded. Variables analyzed included tumor-related findings (stage, subtype of HL), treatment history (chemotherapy regimen including number of cycles, dose intensity and radiation treatments) and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio. Quantitative variables were described using median, interquartile range, minimum and maximum observations. Categorical variables were described using frequency and proportions. Kaplan–Meier curves were used to show relapse-free survival. Results: A total of 24 patients were treated in the time frame, of whom 23 were Hispanic. All were treated with doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine (ABVD) or an ABVD-like regimen. Dose intensity for chemotherapy exceeded 90%. After a median follow-up of 43 months, the relapse rate was 45.8%. Positive and negative predictive values for interim PET (0% and 50%) and end of therapy PET (80% and 58%) were suboptimal to allow for a PET-adapted therapeutic approach. Conclusion: Hispanics have a high relapse rate following ABVD which is not fully explained by universally accepted prognostic factors. Performance of PET scan in predicting outcomes of HL needs to be further studied and optimized before adopting a PET-adapted treatment paradigm for underserved Hispanic populations.
Clinical Impact of Operative Order in Laparoscopic Simultaneous Resection for Synchronous Colorectal Liver Metastases
Authors: TAJIRI TAKUYA , HAYASHI HIROMITSU , MIYAMOTO YUJI , IMAI KATSUNORI , KITANO YUKI , KAIDA TAKAYOSHI , SAWAYAMA HIROSHI , BEPPU TORU , YAMASHITA YO-ICHI , BABA HIDEO
Published: November 2021

Background: Curative resection for colorectal cancer and their synchronous liver metastases are increasingly performed. However, it is still unclear whether the operative order affects the surgical outcome in laparoscopic simultaneous resection of primary and liver metastatic lesions. Patients and Methods: A total of 27 patients underwent laparoscopic simultaneous resection of primary colorectal cancer and liver metastases at Kumamoto University Hospital. They were divided into two groups based on the order of resection: Colon-first (n=11) and liver-first (n=16) groups. The surgical outcomes between the two groups were retrospectively compared. Results: There was no significant difference in the perioperative surgical outcomes between the two groups except for operative blood loss, which was significantly less in the liver-first group [164 (range=5-820) versus 560 (range=95-2,016) ml, respectively] (p=0.0299). Conclusion: In the simultaneous resection of primary and liver metastatic lesions, the operative order does not affect the short-term surgical outcomes except for operative blood loss.
Identification of a New Variant of PUF60 Gene: Case Presentation and Literature Review
Authors: TOADER DANIELA OANA , URSU RADU , BACALBASA NICOLAE , CRETOIU DRAGOS , POP LUCIAN G. , BALESCU IRINA , GHERGHICEANU FLORENTINA , FURTUNESCU FLORENTINA , RADAVOI DANIEL , RADOI VIORICA
Published: November 2021

Background/Aim: The aim of the study was to report the case of a 5-month-old boy with a complex prenatal and neonatal symptomatology diagnosed with a “de novo" pathogenic variant of PUF60 gene. Case Report: Our hospital, undertook the antenatal and postnatal care of a 27-year-old pregnant lady. This was her second baby with a previously healthy boy. During her routine first-trimester anomaly scan, increased nuchal translucency was noticed. Multiple anomalies were seen throughout her subsequent antenatal visits. This triggered a sequence of tests, examinations and differential diagnosis. The final diagnosis was made at 5 months postpartum following the result of the whole exome sequence, which described a variant of unknown clinical significance (VUS, class 3 variant) in the PUF60 gene. We are mindful that changing the classification of a variant of unknown significance is challenging and requires supporting and robust criteria. Considering clinical symptomatology produced by the pathogenic mutation in the PUF gene, the identified c.1640A>G variant may be categorized as likely pathogenic. Conclusion: Our case adds new insights on the pathology and the underlying process involved in the PUF60 variant spectrum disorders. It also highlights the limits of current prenatal tests.
A Mobile App to Enhance Behavioral Activation Treatment for Substance Use Disorder: App Design, Use, and Integration Into Treatment in the Context of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Paquette Catherine E , Rubalcava Dillon T , Chen Yun , Anand Deepika , Daughters Stacey B
Published: November 2021

Background

Group-based formats typically used in low-resource substance use disorder (SUD) treatment settings result in little individual attention to help reinforce and guide skill use, which may contribute to poor posttreatment outcomes. Smartphone apps offer a convenient, user-friendly, and cost-effective tool that can extend the reach of effective SUD treatments. A smartphone app was developed and integrated into a group-based, brief behavioral activation (BA) treatment for SUD to increase engagement in treatment skills outside clinician-administered sessions.

Objective

This study aims to describe the features of the app and its use and integration into treatment, report the participants’ self-reported feasibility and acceptability of the app, and discuss challenges and provide recommendations for future smartphone app integration into behavioral treatments for SUD.

Methods

A total of 56 individuals recruited from intensive outpatient SUD treatment received a smartphone-enhanced BA treatment, the Life Enhancement Treatment for Substance Use. Self-reported weekly app use and reasons for nonuse were assessed at posttreatment and at 1- and 3-month follow-ups. In addition, 2-tailed t tests and chi-square tests compared the self-reported use of each app component and overall app use over time.

Results

Participant feedback suggested that the integration of the smartphone app into the Life Enhancement Treatment for Substance Use was feasible and well accepted, and participants found the app useful for planning value-based activities outside of sessions. Self-reported app engagement decreased over the follow-up period: 72% (39/54) of participants reported using the app at posttreatment, decreasing to 69% (37/54) at the 1-month follow-up and 37% (20/54) at the 3-month follow-up. Participants reported forgetting to use the app as a primary reason for nonuse.

Conclusions

This study provides support for the feasibility and acceptability of smartphone-enhanced BA treatment, offering promise for future research testing the integration of technology into SUD treatment. Design decisions may help streamline smartphone integration into treatment, for example, allowing participants to download the treatment app on their own phones or use a low-cost study smartphone (or offering both options). Long-term app engagement may be increased via built-in reminders, alerts, and in-app messages.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02707887; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT02707887
Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning Methods to Characterize Unstructured Patient-Reported Outcomes: Validation Study (Preprint)
Authors: Lu Zhaohua , Sim Jin-ah , Wang Jade X , Forrest Christopher B , Krull Kevin R , Srivastava Deokumar , Hudson Melissa M , Robison Leslie L , Baker Justin N , Huang I-Chan
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND

Assessing patient-reported outcomes (PROs) through interviews or conversations during clinical encounters provides insightful information about survivorship.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to test the validity of natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML) algorithms in identifying different attributes of pain interference and fatigue symptoms experienced by child and adolescent survivors of cancer versus the judgment by PRO content experts as the gold standard to validate NLP/ML algorithms.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study focused on child and adolescent survivors of cancer, aged 8 to 17 years, and caregivers, from whom 391 meaning units in the pain interference domain and 423 in the fatigue domain were generated for analyses. Data were collected from the After Completion of Therapy Clinic at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Experienced pain interference and fatigue symptoms were reported through in-depth interviews. After verbatim transcription, analyzable sentences (ie, meaning units) were semantically labeled by 2 content experts for each attribute (physical, cognitive, social, or unclassified). Two NLP/ML methods were used to extract and validate the semantic features: bidirectional encoder representations from transformers (BERT) and Word2vec plus one of the ML methods, the support vector machine or extreme gradient boosting. Receiver operating characteristic and precision-recall curves were used to evaluate the accuracy and validity of the NLP/ML methods.

RESULTS

Compared with Word2vec/support vector machine and Word2vec/extreme gradient boosting, BERT demonstrated higher accuracy in both symptom domains, with 0.931 (95% CI 0.905-0.957) and 0.916 (95% CI 0.887-0.941) for problems with cognitive and social attributes on pain interference, respectively, and 0.929 (95% CI 0.903-0.953) and 0.917 (95% CI 0.891-0.943) for problems with cognitive and social attributes on fatigue, respectively. In addition, BERT yielded superior areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for cognitive attributes on pain interference and fatigue domains (0.923, 95% CI 0.879-0.997; 0.948, 95% CI 0.922-0.979) and superior areas under the precision-recall curve for cognitive attributes on pain interference and fatigue domains (0.818, 95% CI 0.735-0.917; 0.855, 95% CI 0.791-0.930).

CONCLUSIONS

The BERT method performed better than the other methods. As an alternative to using standard PRO surveys, collecting unstructured PROs via interviews or conversations during clinical encounters and applying NLP/ML methods can facilitate PRO assessment in child and adolescent cancer survivors.
A Blockchain-Based Dynamic Consent Architecture to Support Clinical Genomic Data Sharing (ConsentChain): Proof-of-Concept Study (Preprint)
Authors: Albalwy Faisal , Brass Andrew , Davies Angela
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND

In clinical genomics, sharing of rare genetic disease information between genetic databases and laboratories is essential to determine the pathogenic significance of variants to enable the diagnosis of rare genetic diseases. Significant concerns regarding data governance and security have reduced this sharing in practice. Blockchain could provide a secure method for sharing genomic data between involved parties and thus help overcome some of these issues.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to contribute to the growing knowledge of the potential role of blockchain technology in supporting the sharing of clinical genomic data by describing blockchain-based dynamic consent architecture to support clinical genomic data sharing and provide a proof-of-concept implementation, called ConsentChain, for the architecture to explore its performance.

METHODS

The ConsentChain requirements were captured from a patient forum to identify security and consent concerns. The ConsentChain was developed on the Ethereum platform, in which smart contracts were used to model the actions of patients, who may provide or withdraw consent to share their data; the data creator, who collects and stores patient data; and the data requester, who needs to query and access the patient data. A detailed analysis was undertaken of the ConsentChain performance as a function of the number of transactions processed by the system.

RESULTS

We describe ConsentChain, a blockchain-based system that provides a web portal interface to support clinical genomic sharing. ConsentChain allows patients to grant or withdraw data requester access and allows data requesters to query and submit access to data stored in a secure off-chain database. We also developed an ontology model to represent patient consent elements into machine-readable codes to automate the consent and data access processes.

CONCLUSIONS

Blockchains and smart contracts can provide an efficient and scalable mechanism to support dynamic consent functionality and address some of the barriers that inhibit genomic data sharing. However, they are not a complete answer, and a number of issues still need to be addressed before such systems can be deployed in practice, particularly in relation to verifying user credentials.
Resonancia del infierno en los videojuegos: relaciones intertextuales entre la Comedia y los videojuegos Dante's Inferno y Devil May Cry
Authors: Rodríguez Alejandro
Published: November 2021

Dante Alighieri’s Comedy has resonated through various artistic expressions, being the video games the most recent format that has found a dialogue with the medieval poem. In this essay, we will review the intertextual relations between the Divine Comedy and the video games Dante’s inferno and Devil May Cry.
El culo a modo de trompeta: Dante Alighieri en James Joyce
Authors: Lumbreras Ernesto
Published: November 2021

The essay shows us, with great success, the vicissitudes of the verse Ed elli avea del cul fatto trombetta Canto XXI of Dante’s Inferno in its translation from its appearance in James Joyce’s Ulysses, which, in many versions, has been burdened with expressive restraint, to say the least.
Todo lo que no se vio
Authors: Huerta David
Published: November 2021

Poem allusive to the Divine Comedy
Dante ieri e oggi
Authors: Grimaldi Marco
Published: November 2021

Reconstructs in broad outline his rise (from the 14th to the 17th century), his decay (between the 17th and 18th centuries) and finally reflect on yesterday's and today's interpretations of Dante’s nowadays and his “unnaturalness”.
Understanding migration in a globalized era: How postcolonialism views diaspora
Authors: Saraswati Asri
Published: November 2021

Artikel ini adalah sebuah pembacaan kritis terhadap pendekatan poskolonial, mulai dari pemikir utama dalam teori kritis hingga pemikiran yang lebih baru, yang selama ini membantu kajian sastra dan budaya dalam memahami konsep diaspora. Diaspora merujuk pada mobilitas manusia yang terjadi akibat penjajahan dan globalisasi serta karya sastra yang dihasilkan melalui pergerakan manusia tersebut. Tujuan artikel ini adalah untuk memahami perkembangan pendekatan poskolonial dalam memahami pengalaman hidup migran dan konsep diaspora. Metode yang diterapkan adalah analisis teks dengan menyajikan kajian literatur ekstensif mengenai studi pascakolonial. Artikel ini mengidentifikasi perspektif intelektual kajian pascakolonial dalam menggunakan istilah diaspora untuk mencermati bagaimana bidang studi ini meredefinisi istilah tersebut untuk mengkaji migrasi di era modern, yang dapat bersifat sukarela maupun tidak sukarela, serta permanen ataupun sementara. Artikel ini berargumen bahwa istilah diaspora terus-menerus mengalami kontestasi dan dijadikan relevan dengan konteks masa kini sehingga memberikan peluang bagi masyarakat Global South, termasuk Indonesia, untuk mencermati agensi mereka dalam pengalaman hidupnya sebagai migran dan warganegara dunia yang berpindah-pindah.
 
This article is a critical reading on postcolonial scholarship, ranging from tenets in the field to more current theories, that has allowed literary and cultural studies scholars to understand the term diaspora. Diaspora refers to the various mobilities caused by colonization and globalization, and the literature produced through people’s movement across borders. This article aims to reflect on the development of postcolonial studies on how this field of study has come to address the migrant’s lived experience and conceptualize the term diaspora. The method applied by this article is literary analysis, as the paper provides an extensive literature review of scholarships in postcolonial studies. By doing so, the article identifies the ways in which postcolonialism has engaged with the term diaspora and is working to reconfigure the term to address modern era migration, that can be both voluntary and involuntary, as well as permanent and temporary. The article ruminates on how diaspora continues to be a contested term and is made relevant to current context, providing ways for communities of the Global South, including Indonesia, to seek agency in their experience as migrants and global mobile citizens.
Budaya komunikasi virtual di Twitter dan Tiktok: Perluasan makna kata estetik
Authors: Oktaviana Marisa , Achmad Zainal Abidin , Arviani Heidy , Kusnarto Kusnarto
Published: November 2021

Kata estetik mengalami perluasan makna dari makna asalnya akibat penggunaannya di Twitter dan TikTok. Perluasan makna itu menimbulkan perdebatan pada pengguna kedua media sosial tersebut. Studi ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui penyebab dan proses terjadinya perluasan makna, termasuk motivasi pengguna Twitter dan TikTok menggunakan kata estetik yang maknanya berbeda dengan Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia (KBBI). Studi berjenis kualitatif ini menggunakan pendekatan etnografi virtual dengan mewawancarai tujuh informan pengguna Twitter dan TikTok. Empat orang informan pengguna Twitter, yaitu @iyayaudahgpp, @semanismimpimu, @s8joh, dan @CharmingDevilll. Tiga orang informan pengguna TikTok, yaitu @Wiyantika, @aqua.ush, dan @pcynjm131. Hasil penelusuran virtual menunjukkan bahwa kata estetik telah mengalami perluasan makna. Kata estetik tidak sekadar bermakna indah tetapi juga berarti ungkapan kelucuan, ekspresi sindiran, dan pujian penampilan fisik. Penyebab perluasan makna adalah penggunaan kata estetik pada caption, cuitan, komentar, dan tagar oleh pengguna Twitter dan TikTok. Motivasi penggunaan kata estetik, disebabkan mengikuti tren, keisengan, dan candaan. Budaya berkomunikasi di media sosial berperan penting dalam perluasan makna kata dan penciptaan kata-kata baru.
 
The word aesthetic has expanded from its original meaning due to its use on Twitter and TikTok. The expansion of meaning has caused debate among users of the two social media. This study aims to determine the causes and processes of the expansion of meaning, including Twitter and TikTok users' motivation to use aesthetic words that have different meanings from the Indonesian Dictionary (KBBI). The type of research is qualitative with a virtual ethnographic approach by interviewing seven informants using Twitter and TikTok. Four Twitter user informants, namely @iyayaudahgpp, @semanismimpimu, @s8joh, and @CharmingDevilll. Three informants using TikTok, namely @Wiyantika, @aqua.ush, and @pcynjm131. The virtual search results show that the word aesthetic has expanded its meaning. The word aesthetic does not only mean beautiful but also means an expression of cuteness, an expression of satire, and a compliment of physical appearance. The cause of the expansion of meaning is the use of aesthetic words in captions, tweets, comments, and hashtags by Twitter and TikTok users. The motivation for using the word aesthetic is due to following trends, fads, and jokes. The culture of communicating on social media has an essential role in expanding the meaning of words and creating new words.
The ecosystem of a residential district: problems, development prospects
Authors:   Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering (SPbGASU), D’yachkova Olga N.
Published: November 2021

Introduction. The problem of antagonistic contradiction between human life and the environment has been turning global along with the development of urbanization, breakthrough growth of the energy and technological potency of cities, leading to an increase in the consumption of natural resources and an impact on the biosphere. All over the world and in Russia, scientists are searching for environmentally friendly technologies for urban planning, housing and utilities sectors. However, the problem of analyzing and forecasting the state of ecosystems in residential areas and their influence on man and the environment remains unresolved and needs to be solved in many settlements. Materials and methods. The article analyzes the legal and regulatory documentation on design and construction, urban planning solutions for residential areas, architectural and structural solutions for apartment buildings, statistical and analytical reports on housing construction in Russia, presented on the Internet. Results. The proposed subjects for discussion include two concepts of the term “ecosystem”, results of the analysis of indicators of housing construction in Russia, indices of the quality of the urban environment in settlements, and a factor model used to assess the ecosystem of a residential area. A lifecycle model of a residential area, that represents a complex system, composed of capital construction facilities, linear facilities, landscaping and gardening, and waste management, is used as the basis for the generalization of well-known approaches, developed from the standpoint of the system analysis. Properties of interaction between facilities, on the one hand, facilities and the environment, on the other hand, are taken into account. Conclusions. Now residential housing is constructed faster, and urban areas, occupied by residential buildings, grow accordingly in the settlements of the Russian Federation willing to provide their population with high-quality housing. Mass construction of apartment buildings continues to be the main focus of the country’s urban development. Urban planning activities, aimed at the development and maintenance of residential areas, need all the more attention. It is important to use the biosphere approach, supported by the regulatory and technical framework of construction and operation of facilities and the urban planning environment, to solve the problem of nature conservation and human health maintenance.
Justification of technical solutions for facades of reconstructed industrial buildings in terms of energy saving and safety
Authors:   Main Department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia in Moscow Region, Medvedev Alexander A.
Published: November 2021

Introduction. Reconstruction measures can restore production assets of an enterprise, ensure its economic efficiency, solve transportation and environmental problems. A relevant objective is to identify a set of the most important tasks of reconstruction of an industrial facility. Development of draft design proposals for the reconstruction of industrial buildings is complicated by the fact that a designer has to make a compositional link between “old” and “new” architecture, different in style and functionality, while focusing on the use of the most advanced effective materials and modern industrial structures. The article describes features of technical solutions for facades in the course of the reconstruction of industrial buildings aimed at the improvement of their energy efficiency and safety. Materials and methods. Reconstruction of industrial enterprises performs the function of transformation of industrial areas. Modern industrial architecture is focused on industrial tasks, such as the workplace protection from negative environmental effects (wind, rain, cold); arrangement of effective lighting in the workplaces; rational arrangement of workplaces, office equipment and production lines, auxiliary and service facilities, etc. Results. If there are social, historical, and architectural reasons to preserve a building, it is necessary to reconstruct and improve old industrial buildings and change their technical and economic characteristics. The reconstruction of a building means its modification aimed at changing its functionality in part or in full, taking into account the future prospects of the building. Conclusions. When restoring wornout elements of buildings that have historical significance, new elements are made in such a way that the appearance of a building remains unchanged or looks identical to its original historical appearance. Most industrial buildings, built before the law on energy performance of buildings was enacted, do not meet current regulatory requirements in terms of the thermal protection of the building enclosur.
The influence of a mobile soil testing laboratory on construction process organization in the conditions of the Far North
Authors:   Moscow State University of Civil Engineering (National Research University) (MGSU), Okhapkin Denis V. , Subbotin Artem S.
Published: November 2021

Introduction. This article addresses the role of engineering surveys in construction, engineering surveys in the Far North, the feasibility of using mobile soil testing laboratories for soil research, the influence and the technology of work performance in the conditions of permafrost soils. Besides, the co-authors address factors influencing the complexity of engineering surveys in the Far North. Materials and methods. The co-authors used the following research methods: the study of relevant regulatory documents related to the field of research, analysis and theoretical generalization of the obtained data, systematization, the analysis of existing Russian and English-language sources. Results. The design of a mobile soil laboratory in a 1SS container was studied. The use of mobile soil testing laboratories, organized in 1SS containers, contributes to the reduction of deadlines for the implementation of the required tests and production control. A mobile modular laboratory in 1SS type containers can be installed anywhere, including remote destinations, while the cost of financial and labour resources, needed to install the laboratory, is low, which positively affects the construction process organization. Conclusions. The article summarizes the efficiency and profitability of a mobile soil laboratory in the Far North in terms of construction process organization. Particular aspects of use of a mobile soil testing laboratory, its expediency in individual cases are addressed, since labour remuneration in the Far North is increased in accordance with the labour legislation of the Russian Federation.
EATING DISORDERS IN MORBID OBESITY PATIENTS
Authors:   The 4th City Clinical Hospital named after N.E. Savchenko, Varikash D.V. , Dorokh N.N. ,   The 4th City Clinical Hospital named after N.E. Savchenko, Bogdan V.G. ,   Military Medical Institute at Belarusian State Medical University
Published: November 2021

Objectives. To determine the prevalence and typology, as well as to establish the factors influencing the change of eating behavior in patients with morbid obesity. Material and methods. The method of continuous sampling was used to analyze the incidence of eating disorders types in 154 patients with morbid obesity who underwent planned surgical treatment for obesity at the Center for Herniology and Bariatric Surgery of the 4th City Clinical Hospital named after N.E. Savchenko during the period from 2016 to 2017. Additionally, a survey on the type of eating disorders was carried out in 81 patients with morbid obesity in the pre- and postoperative period after providing bariatric treatment. Results. The prevalence, typology of eating disorders associated with morbid obesity were studied, the assessment of the presence of correlation between body mass index (BMI) and the threshold value of eating disorders, as well as the assessment of changes of eating behavior in patients with morbid obesity in the postoperative period were made. Conclusions. Deviant forms of eating behavior are a specific criterion for morbid obesity with a dominant emocyogenic type of eating disorder with a body mass index of more than 60 kg / m2. Performing restrictive or combined bariatric surgery in patients with a restrictive type of eating disorder completely eliminates the existing eating disorder in 12 months after the operation, while maintaining a positive result in the long-term period.
SOME ASPECTS OF PATHOGENESIS AND TREATMENT OF AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION
Authors:   Vitebsk State Order of Peoples' Friendship Medical University, Medvedeva L.M.
Published: November 2021

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) leads to a marked decrease in central vision and disrupts social and work activities of a person. This pathology is associated with age, and its clinically significant manifestations are determined in the age group from 66 to 74 years in 15% of the population, from 75 to 84 years - in 25%, from 85 years and older - in 30%. The pathogenesis of this disease is not fully understood. But the role of certain genes in the development of age-related macular degeneration has already been proved: PLEKHA1, HTRA1, CFH, CFB / C2, CRP, complement C3, ARMS2, HMCN1 / FBLN6, FBLN5, TLR3, ApoE, VEGF A and others. New genes, presumably related to AMD, continue to be investigated, for example, PLCG 2, which codes the enzyme phospholipase C. The only effective pathogenetic treatment of neovascular AMD nowadays is anti-VEGF therapy in the form of intravitreal injections. New promising areas of treatment appear: prolonged drugs (brolucizumab), combination therapy (inhibitors of the components of the complement system and anti-VEGF therapy), many of them being at various stages of clinical trials. Further study of the pathogenesis of AMD is aimed at the development of a new, more effective treatment.
FEATURES OF ESSENTIAL OILS REALIZATION IN A PHARMACY
Authors:   Vitebsk State Order of Peoples' Friendship Medical University, Adamenko G.V. , Tsiomkina D.A. ,   Pharmacy №91 of RUE «Belfarmatsiya»
Published: November 2021

The objective of the work was to develop an algorithm for pharmaceutical consulting on the sale of essential oils. To achieve the set goal of the study, a content analysis of information array of data on aromatherapy products was carried out. The data obtained made it possible to systematize aromatic agents according to groups depending on their type and application (essential oils, base oils, cosmetic oils, massage oils, agents for baths, saunas and bathtubs). Having systematized the data of literature sources, we can draw a conclusion about such properties of essential oils as tonic, relaxing, soothing, anti-stress and others. Besides various therapeutic effects, it has been found that when using essential oils, not only individual intolerance of the constituent components can occur, but also various adverse reactions. In addition to recommendations for use, particular adverse reactions and causes of general adverse reactions, a number of general recommendations have been identified when using essential oils. Such as, essential oils should be used with caution by the elderly, children under one year of age, and pregnant women. Essential oils should not be used orally without qualified specialist advice. Essential oils shouldn’t be diluted with water. Essential oils in high concentration are irritating in case of contact with mucous membranes. People who are prone to allergic reactions should use essential oils with caution. When using essential oils, a cutaneous or olfactory test should be performed. In the immediate vicinity of the eyes, essential oils should be applied carefully, avoiding direct contact. Essential oil bottles should be tightly closed after each use, as they are volatile, and kept out of the reach of children and pets. Essential oils are not only volatile but also flammable. On the basis of the identified features, an algorithm for pharmaceutical consulting when selling essential oils has been developed.