bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cancer survivors post-chemotherapy exhibit unique proprioceptive deficits in proximal limbs
Authors: Wang Allison B. , Housley Stephen N. , Flores Ann Marie , Cope Timothy C. , Perreault Eric J.
Published: March 2022

Background

Oxaliplatin (OX) chemotherapy for colorectal cancer is associated with adverse neurotoxic effects that can contribute to long-term sensorimotor impairments in cancer survivors. It is often thought that the sensorimotor impairments are dominated by OX-induced dying-back sensory neuropathy that primarily affects the distal regions of the limb. Recent preclinical studies have identified encoding dysfunction of muscle proprioceptors as an alternative mechanism. Unlike the dying-back sensory neuropathy affecting distal limbs, dysfunction of muscle proprioceptors could have more widespread effects. Most investigations of chemotherapy-induced sensorimotor impairments have considered only the effects of distal changes in sensory processing; none have evaluated proximal changes or their influence on function. Our study fills this gap by evaluating the functional use of proprioception in the shoulder and elbow joints of cancer survivors post OX chemotherapy. We implemented three multidirectional sensorimotor tasks: force matching, target reaching, and postural stability tasks to evaluate various aspects of proprioception and their use. Force and kinematic data of the sensorimotor tasks were collected in 13 cancer survivors treated with OX and 13 age-matched healthy controls.

Results

Cancer survivors exhibited less accuracy and precision than an age-matched control group when they had to rely only on proprioceptive information to match force, even for forces that required only torques about the shoulder. There were also small differences in the ability to maintain arm posture but no significant differences in reaching. The force deficits in cancer survivors were significantly correlated with self-reported motor dysfunction.

Conclusions

These results suggest that cancer survivors post OX chemotherapy exhibit proximal proprioceptive deficits, and that the deficits in producing accurate and precise forces are larger than those for producing unloaded movements. Current clinical assessments of chemotherapy-related sensorimotor dysfunction are largely limited to distal symptoms. Our study suggests that we also need to consider changes in proximal function. Force matching tasks similar to those used here could provide a clinically meaningful approach to quantifying OX-related movement dysfunction during and after chemotherapy.
Gut microbiome and plasma metabolome changes in rats after oral gavage of nanoparticles: sensitive indicators of possible adverse health effects
Authors: Landsiedel Robert , Hahn Daniela , Ossig Rainer , Ritz Sabrina , Sauer Lydia , Buesen Roland , Rehm Sascha , Wohlleben Wendel , Groeters Sibylle , Strauss Volker , Sperber Saskia , Wami Haleluya , Dobrindt Ulrich , Prior Karola , Harmsen Dag , van Ravenzwaay Bennard , Schnekenburger Juergen
Published: March 2022

Background

The oral uptake of nanoparticles is an important route of human exposure and requires solid models for hazard assessment. While the systemic availability is generally low, ingestion may not only affect gastrointestinal tissues but also intestinal microbes. The gut microbiota contributes essentially to human health, whereas gut microbial dysbiosis is known to promote several intestinal and extra-intestinal diseases. Gut microbiota-derived metabolites, which are found in the blood stream, serve as key molecular mediators of host metabolism and immunity.

Results

Gut microbiota and the plasma metabolome were analyzed in male Wistar rats receiving either SiO2 (1000 mg/kg body weight/day) or Ag nanoparticles (100 mg/kg body weight/day) during a 28-day oral gavage study. Comprehensive clinical, histopathological and hematological examinations showed no signs of nanoparticle-induced toxicity. In contrast, the gut microbiota was affected by both nanoparticles, with significant alterations at all analyzed taxonomical levels. Treatments with each of the nanoparticles led to an increased abundance of Prevotellaceae, a family with gut species known to be correlated with intestinal inflammation. Only in Ag nanoparticle-exposed animals, Akkermansia, a genus known for its protective impact on the intestinal barrier was depleted to hardly detectable levels. In SiO2 nanoparticles-treated animals, several genera were significantly reduced, including probiotics such as Enterococcus. From the analysis of 231 plasma metabolites, we found 18 metabolites to be significantly altered in Ag-or SiO2 nanoparticles-treated rats. For most of these metabolites, an association with gut microbiota has been reported previously. Strikingly, both nanoparticle-treatments led to a significant reduction of gut microbiota-derived indole-3-acetic acid in plasma. This ligand of the arylhydrocarbon receptor is critical for regulating immunity, stem cell maintenance, cellular differentiation and xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes.

Conclusions

The combined profiling of intestinal microbiome and plasma metabolome may serve as an early and sensitive indicator of gut microbiome changes induced by orally administered nanoparticles; this will help to recognize potential adverse effects of these changes to the host.
The prevalence of thoracic aorta aneurysm as an important cardiovascular disease in the general population
Authors: Mehrabi Nasab Entezar , Athari Seyyed Shamsadin
Published: March 2022

Background

The aorta is the largest and main artery in the body. The enlargement of the aortic diameter known as ectasia results in aneurysm. Thoracic aorta aneurysm can involve one or more segments of the aorta. Non-invasive imaging techniques play an important role in identifying patients, estimating maximal aneurysm diameter, following up patients, and detecting complications. So, this study was performed to estimate the prevalence of ascending thoracic aorta aneurysm in the general population of Iran.

Methods

People with an abnormal aortic size (˃ 36 mm) were enrolled and subjected to diagnostic tests, and related risk factors were assessed.

Result

Of the 3400 people examined, 410 (12%) had abnormal aorta sizes, and 42 (1.2%) had ascending aorta aneurysm. Out of the 410 patients with elevated aorta size, 235 (57%) were males, and 175 (43%) were females. Overall, 229 patients (56%) had hypertension, and 255 (62%) were over 60 years old.

Conclusion

In this study, we showed that the prevalence of ascending aorta aneurysm in the general population of Iran was about 1.2%. Ascending aorta aneurysm is a threatening pathology of the aorta. The high prevalence of hypertension may explain the high incidence of aneurysm in our studied population. Therefore, it is necessary to implement an accurate screening plan to identify patients with hypertension and provide appropriate treatment and adequate follow up to patients. Patients with ascending aorta aneurysm are also recommended to modify their lifestyles.
Lung transplantation with concomitant cardiac repair for congenital hypoplasia of bilateral pulmonary arteries and patent ductus arteriosus
Authors: Cheng Che-Chih , Lin Ming-Tai , Huang Shu-Chien , Hsu Hsao-Hsun
Published: March 2022

Background

Profound pulmonary arterial hypertension with end-stage right heart failure is considered to be the main cause of death in children with un-repaired congenital heart disease, and the traditional surgical treatment is heart–lung transplantation. We performed bilateral lung transplantation (LTx) with concomitant cardiac repair, and the patient has uplifting outcome.

Case presentation

We have reported the case of a patient with congenital hypoplasia of the bilateral pulmonary arteries and patent ductus arteriosus. The patient’s clinical condition was gradually worsening and severely limited his ability to perform the activities of daily life. Bilateral LTx with concomitant patent ductus arteriosus repair was performed at the age of 11 years. The postoperative course was smooth and cardiopulmonary function nearly returned to normal according to radiological and laboratory examinations.

Conclusions

Bilateral LTx with concomitant cardiac repair may be superior to heart–lung transplantation in the case of the specific congenital heart disease.
Identifying Outcomes of Patients With Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma and RECIST Stable Disease Using Radiomics Analysis
Authors: Yang Qiuxia , Mao Yize , Xie Hui , Qin Tao , Mai Zhijun , Cai Qian , Wen Hailin , Li Yong , Zhang Rong , Liu Lizhi
Published: March 2022

PURPOSE

Few studies have explored the biomarkers for predicting the heterogeneous outcomes of patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma showing stable disease (SD) on the initial postchemotherapy computed tomography. We aimed to devise a radiomics signature (RS) to predict these outcomes for further risk stratification.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma and SD after chemotherapy were included. Pancreatic lesions on initial postchemotherapy computed tomography images were evaluated by radiomics analysis for predicting early death (≤ 1 year). RS was then internally and externally tested. The progression-free survival and objective response rate were compared between the low-risk and high-risk group of patients classified following RS.

RESULTS

Approximately 62.7% of patients receiving chemotherapy showed SD at first response evaluation in the primary cohort, which were 59.6% and 57.9% in internal and external testing cohorts, respectively. The RS predicted 1-year overall survival well, with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.91 in the training cohort, 0.90 in the validation cohort, 0.84 in the internal testing cohort, and 0.87 in the external testing cohort. The high-risk group had a shorter median progression-free survival (7.3 months v 9.0 months, P = .016, in the training cohort; 5.9 months v 9.2 months, P = .026, in the internal testing cohort) and a lower objective response rate (2.2% v 24.0% in the training cohort) than the low-risk group. In addition, RS was not related to the clinical characteristics and chemotherapy regimens.

CONCLUSION

RS independently predicts the outcomes of patients with SD after chemotherapy well and can help to improve treatment decisions by identifying patients for whom current treatment may not be suitable.
Hydrothermal synthesis of CeO2 nanoparticles and its application in electrochemical detection of nitrofurantoin antibiotics
Authors: Rudayni Hassan Ahmad , Chaudhary Anis Ahmad , Abu-Taweel Gasem Mohammad , Shariq Mohammad , Imran Mohd
Published: March 2022

In recent years, antibiotics have been considered emerging pollutants due to their continuous input and their persistence in the aquatic ecosystem, even at low concentrations. The present work focuses on the successful hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of CeO2 nanoparticles for the electrochemical detection of nitrofurantoin (NFT) antibiotic. Their physicochemical properties were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The average particle size and the energy bandgap of CeO2 nanoparticles were found to be 9.59 nm and 3.3 eV, respectively. Furthermore, electrochemical analysis showed that the developed CeO2 -based electrode showed improved electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of nitrofurantoin (NFT) compared to the bare electrode. The limit of detection (LOD) was obtained as 7.81 μM from the calibration curve. Hence, these results corroborate that the CeO2 nanoparticles modified electrode can serve as a novel NFT electrocatalyst.
FMRP protects the lung from xenobiotic stress by facilitating the integrated stress response
Authors: Sain Basu Deblina , Bhavsar Rital , Gulami Imtiyaz , Chavda Saraswati , Lingamallu Sai Manoz , Muddashetty Ravi , Veeranna Chandrakanth , Chattarji Sumantra , Thimmulappa Rajesh , Bhattacharya Aditi , Guha Arjun
Published: March 2022

Stress response pathways protect the lung from the damaging effects of environmental toxicants. Here we investigate the role of the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), a multifunctional protein implicated in stress responses, in the lung. We report that FMRP is expressed in murine and human lungs, in the airways and more broadly. Analysis of airway stress responses in mice and in a murine cell line ex vivo, using the well-established naphthalene injury model, reveals that FMRP-deficient cells exhibit increased expression of markers of oxidative and genotoxic stress and increased cell death. Further inquiry shows that FMRP-deficient cells fail to actuate the integrated stress response pathway (ISR) and upregulate the transcription factor ATF4. Knockdown of ATF4 expression phenocopies the loss of FMRP. We extend our analysis of the role of FMRP to human bronchial BEAS-2B cells, using a 9,10-phenanthrenequinone air pollutant model, to find that FMRP-deficient BEAS-2B cells also fail to actuate the ISR and exhibit greater susceptibility. Taken together, our data suggest that FMRP has a conserved role in protecting the airways by facilitating the ISR.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Genome-wide Association Study of Liking for Several Types of Physical Activity in the UK Biobank and Two Replication Cohorts
Authors: KLIMENTIDIS YANN C. , NEWELL MICHELLE , VAN DER ZEE MATTHIJS D. , BLAND VICTORIA L. , MAY-WILSON SEBASTIAN , ARANI GAYATRI , MENNI CRISTINA , MANGINO MASSIMO , ARORA AMIT , RAICHLEN DAVID A. , ALEXANDER GENE E. , WILSON JAMES F. , BOOMSMA DORRET I. , HOTTENGA JOUKE-JAN , DE GEUS ECO J. C. , PIRASTU NICOLA
Published: March 2022

Introduction

A lack of physical activity (PA) is one of the most pressing health issues today. Our individual propensity for PA is influenced by genetic factors. Stated liking of different PA types may help capture additional and informative dimensions of PA behavior genetics.

Methods

In over 157,000 individuals from the UK Biobank, we performed genome-wide association studies of five items assessing the liking of different PA types, plus an additional derived trait of overall PA-liking. We attempted to replicate significant associations in the Netherlands Twin Register (NTR) and TwinsUK. Additionally, polygenic scores (PGS) were trained in the UK Biobank for each PA-liking item and for self-reported PA behavior, and tested for association with PA in the NTR.

Results

We identified a total of 19 unique significant loci across all five PA-liking items and the overall PA-liking trait, and these showed strong directional consistency in the replication cohorts. Four of these loci were previously identified for PA behavior, including CADM2, which was associated with three PA-liking items. The PA-liking items were genetically correlated with self-reported (r
g = 0.38–0.80) and accelerometer (r
g = 0.26–0.49) PA measures, and with a wide range of health-related traits. Each PA-liking PGS significantly predicted the same PA-liking item in NTR. The PGS of liking for going to the gym predicted PA behavior in the NTR (r
2 = 0.40%) nearly as well as a PGS based on self-reported PA behavior (r
2 = 0.42%). Combining the two PGS into a single model increased the r
2 to 0.59%, suggesting that PA-liking captures distinct and relevant dimensions of PA behavior.

Conclusions

We have identified the first loci associated with PA-liking and extended our understanding of the genetic basis of PA behavior.
Συσχέτιση της σωματικής δραστηριότητας με την αγγειακή υγεία κατά την πέρι και μετεμμηνοπαυσιακή ηλικία
Authors: Τσόλτος Νικόλαος
Published: March 2022

Εισαγωγή: Η επίδραση της άσκησης, ως μέσο πρόληψης, στον έλεγχο της εξέλιξης της καρδιαγγειακής νόσου στην μέση ηλικία παραμένει υπό εξέταση.Σκοπός: Στην παρούσα μελέτη αξιολογήθηκε η επίδραση διαφόρων επιπέδων έντασης της φυσικής δραστηριότητας στο μεταβολικό και αγγειακό προφίλ σε υγιείς μετ εμμηνοπαυσιακές γυναίκες.Υλικό και Μέθοδος: Στη μελέτη αυτή συμπεριλήφθηκαν συνολικά 625 υγιής μετ εμμηνοπαυσιακές γυναίκες (μέση ηλικία 57.7±7.6 έτη) οι οποίες εξετάστηκαν στο τμήμα Κλιμακτηρίου και Εμμηνόπαυσης του Αρεταιείου Νοσοκομείου, . Εκτός από τον καθιερωμένο έλεγχο, δόθηκε ένα ερωτηματολόγιο, the short IPAQ questionnaire, για την εκτίμηση της φυσικής δραστηριότητας. Η ενεργειακή δαπάνη υπολογίστηκε από τα μεταβολικά ισοδύναμα (MET) ώρες ανά εβδομάδα. Η ταχύτητα σφυγμικού κύματος (PWV) θεωρήθηκε δείκτης αρτηριακής σκληρίας. Το πάχος του έσω μέσου χιτώνα του αγγειακού τοιχώματος (Intima-media thickness -ΙΜΤ) σε δεξιά και αριστερή καρωτιδική αρτηρία, καρωτιδικό βολβού και έσω καρωτίδα καθώς και η συνδυαστική καρωτιδική IMT εκτιμήθηκαν με μη παρεμβατικές υπερηχογραφικές μεθόδους.Αποτελέσματα: Οι μέσες τιμές της PWV μειωθήκαν γραμμικά με την αύξηση της έντασης της φυσικής δραστηριότητας(κατηγορίες της φυσικής δραστηριότητας: καθιστική, περπάτημα, μέτρια, έντονη δραστηριότητα: 9.07±1.22m/s, 9.12±1.72m/s, 8.47±1.31m/s, 7.94±0.40m/s, ANOVA p για γραμμική τάση 0.003). Στις φυσιολογικές σε βάρος μετεμμηνοπαυσιακές γυναίκες οι τιμές PWV σχετίζονται με : i) τον συνολικό αριθμό των METs (β-συντελεστής = -0.261, p=0.002) και ii) με τον αριθμό των METs σε μέτρια ένταση (β-συντελεστής = -0.192, p=0.025) καθώς και με την ηλικία και τη συστολική αρτηριακή πίεση. Δεν παρατηρήθηκαν σημαντικές συσχετίσεις μεταξύ της έντασης της φυσικής δραστηριότητας και της αρτηριακής σκληρίας στην ομάδα των παχύσαρκων-υπέρβαρων γυναικών.Συμπεράσματα: Η φυσική δραστηριότητα σχετίζεται αρνητικά με την αρτηριακή σκληρία στις μετ εμμηνοπαυσιακές γυναίκες με φυσιολογικό βάρος. Η συσχέτιση αυτή δεν έφτασε τα επίπεδα στατιστικής σημαντικότητας σε γυναίκες υπέρβαρες ή παχύσαρκες.
Targeting DNA double-strand break repair sensitises HNSCC cells to x-rays and proton radiation
Authors: Βίττη Ειρήνη-Τέρψη
Published: March 2022

Η ιοντίζουσα ακτινοβολία (ΙR) προκαλεί διάφορες βλάβες στο DNA, εκ των οποίων οι ρήξεις διπλής έλικας (DSB) είναι από τις πιο απειλητικές για την επιβίωση των κυττάρων. Οι δύο βασικοί μηχανισμοί που εντοπίζουν και επιδιορθώνουν τις DSBs είναι ο μηχανισμός ένωσης μη-ομόλογων άκρων (NHEJ) και ο μηχανισμός ομόλογου ανασυνδυασμού (HR), που οδηγούνται από τις πρωτεϊνικές κινάσες επιδιόρθωσης του DNA Ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM), ATM and Rad3 related (ATR), και catalytic subunit of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PKcs). Εξειδικευμένοι αναστολείς που καταστέλλουν την δράση αυτών των πρωτεϊνών, εμποδίζοντας την διαδικασία επιδιόρθωσης του DNA, χρησιμοποιούνται σε μελέτες για αρκετούς τύπους καρκίνου. Ο στόχος της παρούσης διατριβή ήταν να διερευνηθεί και να κατανοηθεί η επίδραση της αναστολής των πρωτεϊνικών κινασών ATM, ATR και DNA-PKcs σε καρκινικά πλακώδη κύτταρα κεφαλής και λαιμού (HNSCC) σε συνδυασμό είτε με ακτίνες Χ είτε με δέσμες πρωτονίων (PB). Ένα μεγάλο ποσοστό του HNSCC προκαλείται από τον ιό των ανθρωπίνων θηλωμάτων (HPV). Πάρα ταύτα, κλινικά δεδομένα υποδηλώνουν ότι οι HPV-θετικοί ασθενείς έχουν καλύτερη πρόγνωση σε σύγκριση με HPV-αρνητικούς ασθενείς. Αυτό αντικατοπτρίζεται και σε μελέτες in vitro, όπου HPV-θετικά κύτταρα HNSCC ήταν πιο ευαίσθητα στην ΙR σε σύγκριση με τα HPV-αρνητικά κύτταρα. Χρησιμοποιήθηκαν τρεις αναστολείς, οι KU-55933, VE-821 και NU7441, που αναστέλλουν τις ATM, ATR και DNA-PKcs αντίστοιχα, για τη διερεύνηση της επίδρασης είτε της αναστολής αυτής καθαυτής είτε σε συνδυασμό με έκθεση σε IR, σε HPV-θετικές και HPV-αρνητικές κυτταρικές σειρές HNSCC ( UMSCC74A, UMSCC6, UMSCC47, UPCISCC090, FaDu και A253). Η επιβίωση και η ανάπτυξη των κυττάρων αναλύθηκαν χρησιμοποιώντας 2D δοκιμασία σχηματισμού αποικιών (colony formation assay) και 3D δοκιμασία ανάπτυξης σφαιριδίων (spheroid growth assay). Επίσης, με ανοσοστύπωση αναλύθηκε η επίδραση των αναστολέων στις πρωτεϊνικές κινάσες-στόχους, και με χρώση ανοσοφθορισμού (IF) αναλύθηκε η επίδραση τους στη σηματοδότηση και επισκευή DSB μέσω των εστιών ιστόνης γH2AX, 53BP1 και Rad51. Τα αποτελέσματά μου έδειξαν μειωμένα επίπεδα φωσφορυλίωσης στις ανεσταλμένες πρωτεΐνες έως και 24 ώρες μετά την έκθεση σε IR, αποδεικνύοντας έτσι την αποτελεσματικότητα των αναστολέων σε πρωτεϊνικό επίπεδο. Επιπλέον, η συνδυαστική θεραπεία με αναστολέα και έκθεση σε IR άλλαξε τον σχηματισμό και των τριών εστιών επιδιόρθωσης DSB, όπου παρατηρήθηκαν μειωμένα επίπεδα αλλά και επίμονες εστίες. Τέλος, ο συνδυασμός IR και αναστολής των ATM, ATR, και ιδιαίτερα του DNA-PKcs, προκάλεσε σημαντική μείωση στον πολλαπλασιασμό των κυττάρων HNSCC σε 2D καθώς και σε 3D, με μικρότερη επίδραση στις πιο ραδιοευαίσθητες HPV-θετικές κυτταρικές σειρές. Συνολικά, τα αποτελέσματά μου έδειξαν ότι η στόχευση επιδιόρθωσης DNA DSB μέσω NHEJ ή HR μπορεί να επιδεινώσει τον αντίκτυπο των ακτίνων Χ και του PB, ακτινο-ευαισθητοποιώντας μοντέλα κυττάρων HNSCC, αποτελώντας μια πολλά υποσχόμενη συνδυαστική θεραπεία για HNSCC.
COVID-19-related anxiety: the role of intolerance to uncertainty and resilience
Authors: Vousoura Eleni , Makrygiorgos Nikos , Tsarpalis-Fragkoulidis Achilleas , Nega Chrisanthi
Published: March 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020, spreading stress and fear around the world. The present study aims to elucidate on the psychological factors associated with perceived stress and anxiety in the context of COVID-19 pandemic, by examining the role of intolerance of uncertainty and psychological resilience. The study used baseline data collected in April-May of 2020 via an online survey distributed via social media to adults who resided in Greece. The outcome variable was the Covid-19 Anxiety Scale (CAS). Predictor variables were Intolerance to Uncertainty (IU) and psychological resilience measured by the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). A total of 425 participants (67.2% females) with a mean age of 38.9 years participated in the survey. Women scored significantly higher than men in CAS. The results of hierarchical linear regression analysis showed that IU and resilience, independently of one another, were significantly associated with COVID-19 anxiety, explaining 16.5% of the variance. IU appears to be a risk factor above and beyond the protective mechanism of psychological resilience. Results underscore the importance of developing preventive strategies and interventions specifically targeting IU to mitigate the potential adverse psychological effects of the pandemic.
Authoritarianism, prejudice and COVID-19: the moderating role of cultural liberalism
Authors: Valavani Alexandra , Prodromitis Gerasimos
Published: March 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed an enormous challenge in medical, economic, and political terms during the past months. The threat of disease, the more or less authoritarian biopolitics of the states, the concept of social distancing, dictate the need to examine the consequences of the pandemic on an ideological level. Making use of data collected before the pandemic (N = 82) as a point of reference, the aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that right-wing authoritarianism (Authoritarianism – Conservatism – Traditionalism; ACT; Duckitt et al., 2010) increases under conditions of threat salience (Adorno et al., 1950; Sales, 1973), while appraising the possible moderating role of cultural liberalism. Furthermore, the hypothesis that threat predicts prejudice (e.g., Florack et al., 2003) was examined. Data were collected during three phases of the pandemic in Greece: the first weeks (N = 85), the lockdown (N = 131) and the lifting of the lockdown measures (N = 126). Results confirmed our hypotheses. An increase was found in Conservatism and Traditionalism, especially among less liberal participants, whereas more liberals appeared to express reduced levels of right-wing authoritarianism during the lifting of lockdown measures compared to the pre-COVID-19 period. A progressive expression of prejudice was also found, with cultural liberalism playing a limited but still moderating role in all three phases. Implications of the pandemic for the ideological level are discussed.
Στρατηγικές αντιμετώπισης αντίξοων καταστάσεων, αντιλαμβανόμενο αίσθημα απειλής και πηγές κοινωνικής υποστήριξης σε ενηλίκους κατά την περίοδο της πανδημίας COVID-19
Authors: Αντωνίου Αλέξανδρος Σταμάτιος , Greenglass Esther , Δημόπουλος Μελέτιος Αθανάσιος , Χρούσος Γεώργιος , Παπαγεωργίου Χαράλαμπος , Τούντας Γιάννης
Published: March 2022

Σκοπός της παρούσας έρευνας είναι η διερεύνηση των στρατηγικών αντιμετώπισης αντίξοων καταστάσεων, της αντιλαμβανόμενης απειλής και των παραγόντων κοινωνικής υποστήριξης σε ενηλίκους κατά την περίοδο της πανδημίας COVID-19 και συνιστά την ελληνική συμμετοχή στο πλαίσιο ευρύτερης διεθνούς μελέτης που διεξάγεται σε πολλές Ευρωπαϊκές χώρες, ΗΠΑ, Καναδά, Κίνα, Ισραήλ και άλλες. Το δείγμα της ελληνικής έρευνας περιελάμβανε 2.137 ενηλίκους (1.617 άνδρες και 518 γυναίκες). Οι συμμετέχοντες συμπλήρωσαν ερωτηματολόγια μέσω διαδικτύου σχετικά με θέματα ψυχοσωματικής υγείας και συμπεριφοράς. Στο παρόν άρθρο παρουσιάζονται τα αποτελέσματα που αφορούν στις στρατηγικές αντιμετώπισης στρεσογόνων καταστάσεων όπως αυτές έχουν αποτυπωθεί μέσω της ομώνυμης κλίμακας του Carver (1997) και των κλιμάκων: κοινωνικής υποστήριξης (Caplan et al., 1980), συμπεριφορών αποφυγής/δράσης (Greenglass, 2019), και αίσθησης απειλής από τον κορωνοϊό (Marjanovic et al., 2013). Τα ευρήματα έδειξαν ότι ένα σημαντικό ποσοστό του δείγματος ανέφερε ότι κατά την ψυχοπιεστική αυτή περίοδο κατέφευγε σε τεχνικές που αποσκοπούν στη ρύθμιση του συναισθήματος και στην επίλυση του προβλήματος. Επιπλέον, στις στρατηγικές αντιμετώπισης, βρέθηκαν στατιστικώς σημαντικές διαφορές μεταξύ των δύο φύλων, με τους άνδρες να αναφέρουν συστηματικότερη χρήση τους. Τα άτομα ηλικίας 18-27 ετών παρουσίασαν χαμηλότερες τιμές στην ενεργητική αντιμετώπιση, συγκριτικά με όλες τις υπόλοιπες ηλικιακές ομάδες. Επίσης, βρέθηκε ότι όσοι δεν είχαν ολοκληρώσει την τριτοβάθμια εκπαίδευση ανέφεραν ότι έκαναν πιο συχνή χρήση των  τεχνικών άρνησης της υφιστάμενης κατάστασης. Στατιστικά σημαντικοί προβλεπτικοί παράγοντες του αισθήματος απειλής ήταν η ρύθμιση του συναισθήματος και οι συμπεριφορές αποφυγής. Τα ευρήματα συζητούνται με βάση τα σύγχρονα μοντέλα στρατηγικών αντιμετώπισης αντίξοων καταστάσεων.
Mathematical Profile Test: προσαρμογή και στάθμιση στην Ελληνική Γλώσσα
Authors: Καραγιαννάκης Ιωάννης , Ρούσσος Πέτρος , Πολυχρόνη Φωτεινή
Published: March 2022

Η παρούσα εργασία παρουσιάζει την προσαρμογή και στάθμιση στην Ελληνική Γλώσσα του Mathematical Profile Test (MathPro Test – Karagiannakis & Nöel, 2020), ενός θεωρητικά τεκμηριωμένου εργαλείου αξιολόγησης ενός διευρυμένου φάσματος σημαντικών μαθηματικών δεξιοτήτων. Πρόκειται για ένα αυτόνομο διαδικτυακό εργαλείο, το οποίο μπορεί να χορηγηθεί ατομικά ή ομαδικά. Το MathPro Test περιλαμβάνει 18 υποκλίμακες οι οποίες κατηγοριοποιούνται σε μαθηματικές δεξιότητες που εδράζονται είτε σε ειδικά αριθμητικά γνωστικά συστήματα (επίγνωση αριθμού) είτε σε γνωστικές δεξιότητες γενικού τομέα (μνήμη, οπτικο-χωρικό, συλλογιστική). Στη μελέτη έλαβαν μέρος 2371 μαθητές Α΄ έως Στ΄ δημοτικού που επιλέχθηκαν με την μέθοδο των προκαθορισμένων ποσοστών από επτά νομούς της Ελλάδας. Το MathPro Test  διαθέτει ικανοποιητικό βαθμό εσωτερικής συνοχής με βάση το δείκτη omega. Ο συντελεστής γραμμικής συσχέτιση Pearson’ s μεταξύ χορήγησης - επαναχορήγησης σε μέρος του δείγματος επιβεβαίωσε την αξιοπιστία επαναληπτικών μετρήσεων του εργαλείου. Τέλος, βρέθηκαν στατιστικώς σημαντικές συσχετίσεις με τις εκτιμήσεις των εκπαιδευτικών αναφορικά με την επίδοση των μαθητών στα μαθηματικά ενώ τα παιδιά με δυσκολίες στα μαθηματικά σημείωσαν σημαντικά χαμηλότερη επίδοση με βάση τα αποτελέσματα πολλαπλών ελέγχων t ενός δείγματος. Όλα τα παραπάνω δείχνουν πως το MathPro Test θεωρείται ένα αξιόπιστο εργαλείο ευαίσθητο στο βαθμό δυσκολίας στα μαθηματικά, το οποίο μπορεί να χρησιμοποιηθεί τόσο για τη διεξαγωγή μελετών μεγάλης κλίμακας όσο και για τη λεπτομερή αξιολόγηση του μαθηματικού προφίλ παιδιών με (ή χωρίς) μαθησιακές δυσκολίες στα μαθηματικά – Δυσαριθμησία προκειμένου να χρησιμοποιηθούν για διαγνωστικούς λόγους καθώς και στοχευμένη παρέμβαση με βάση τα δυνατά και αδύναμα σημεία κάθε μαθητή στα μαθηματικά.
Psycho-discursive practices of bystanding and democratic citizenship in ‘bullying’ and ‘violence’ discourse: combining the micro- and the macro-level of analysis in lay talk
Authors: Σαπουντζής Αντώνης , Καραγιάννη Κυριακή
Published: March 2022

The goal of the present article was twofold: to analyze the contributions of qualitative methodologies and discursive psychology in the field of bullying studies, as well as to develop an argument to analyze rhetorical practices on bullying/cyberbullying, following the approach of Critical Discursive Social Psychology. In the Greek context there is a body of institutional interventions, as well as non-official institutional interventions endorsed by the civil society. The latter are guided by the framework of inclusion, democratic citizenship and Community Psychology, shedding particular emphasis on integrating social groups. By analyzing these interventions, dilemmas related to humanism or recognizing the engaged members as political subjects could be evident. In the present article, it is analyzed how educators talk about bullying and school violence, by invoking repertoires that may disempower the ‘victim’/child, through humanistic discourse, but on the other hand, may criticize the use of disempowering practices of bystanding. In the main analysis of the present article, it seems that the constructions reflecting the non-potentiality of critical agency of the victim intersect with repertoires reflecting democracy and autonomy, reflecting dilemmas of liberalism. As it is discussed, the contribution of Critical Discursive Social Psychology concerns the potential to trace flexible ways in which social agents create or disempower the spaces of critical agency in the school community, without ignoring the ideological limitations in lay talk.
Σχέσεις ανάμεσα στο νόημα στη ζωή, τη θρησκευτικότητα και την ικανοποίηση από τη ζωή σε οικογένειες ατόμων με αναπηρία
Authors: Πλατσίδου Μαρία , Καρτασίδου Λευκοθέα , Πετρίδου Αγγελική
Published: March 2022

Το νόημα στη ζωή και η θρησκευτικότητα έχει βρεθεί ότι σχετίζονται θετικά με την ικανοποίηση από τη ζωή σε άτομα με αναπηρία (ΑμεΑ) ή σε μέλη των οικογενειών τους. Στην παρούσα έρευνα εξετάζεται αν η παρουσία ή/και η αναζήτηση νοήματος διαμεσολαβούν στη σχέση της θρησκευτικότητας (που εξετάζεται ως "πίστη στον Θεό/σε μια ανώτερη δύναμη" και "συμμετοχή σε θρησκευτικές πρακτικές") με την ικανοποίηση από τη ζωή που βιώνουν μέλη οικογενειών με ΑμεΑ (που περιλαμβάνει την "ικανοποίηση από την προσωπική/συναισθηματική ζωή", το "αίσθημα του ανήκειν" και την "ικανοποίηση από τους στόχους"). Τα ευρήματα έδειξαν ότι οι συμμετέχοντες (Ν = 101) βιώνουν την παρουσία νοήματος σε μεγαλύτερο βαθμό από ό,τι αναζητούν νόημα στη ζωή τους, έχουν μέτρια επίπεδα θρησκευτικότητας και είναι αρκετά ικανοποιημένοι από τη ζωή τους. Η παρουσία νοήματος είχε υψηλότερες συσχετίσεις με όλες σχεδόν τις εξεταζόμενες υποκλίμακες από ό,τι η αναζήτηση νοήματος. Τα αποτελέσματα επιβεβαίωσαν γενικά την υπόθεση ότι το νόημα στη ζωή διαμεσολαβεί σε υψηλό βαθμό στη σχέση της θρησκευτικότητας με την ικανοποίηση από τη ζωή που βιώνουν τα μέλη οικογενειών με ΑμεΑ. Συγκεκριμένα, βρέθηκε ότι η παρουσία νοήματος (αλλά όχι και η αναζήτηση) αποτελεί μια ισχυρή διαμεσολαβητική μεταβλητή στη σχέση ανάμεσα στην πίστη στον Θεό/σε μια ανώτερη δύναμη και τη συνολική ικανοποίηση από τη ζωή, καθώς και τις διαστάσεις της "ικανοποίηση από την προσωπική/συναισθηματική ζωή", "αίσθημα του ανήκειν" και "ικανοποίηση από τους στόχους". Αντίθετα, η παρουσία νοήματος δεν διαμεσολαβεί στη σχέση ανάμεσα στην ενασχόληση με θρησκευτικές πρακτικές και στην ικανοποίηση από τη ζωή. Τα ευρήματα αυτά αναμένεται να είναι χρήσιμα για την υποστήριξη των οικογενειών με ΑμεΑ από τους ειδικούς της ψυχικής υγείας.
Community-structures that facilitate engagement in health research: Ifakara Health Research Institute-Bagamoyo case study
Authors: Bategereza Leah , Olotu Ally , Kamuya Dorcas
Published: March 2022

Background: Involvement of communities in health research has been at the forefront of ethical conduct of research Worldwide. Many scholars put forward different ways of engaging communities in health research, debates on the levels of engagement, who should be engaged in the community and how, still persist. At the Ifakara Health Research Institute (IHI) in Bagamoyo, Tanzania. Different approaches to engaging with the community in health research have been used over the last decade. The present research was aimed to describe the nature of community structures, that could be engaged in health research at the Ifakara Health Institute.

Methods: Data collection was undertaken in between February 2019 and December 2019.A total of 25 interviews in which 19 were In-Depth Interviews, and 6 were Focus Group Discussions were carried out.  Respondents were those previously participated in IHI research. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using framework analysis.  

Results: Different community structures including; village executive officers, community health workers, hamlet leaders, and community advisory board were involved in engagement activities. Approaches used as per the findings; community-level public meetings, information giving at household level/health facilities, the outpatient attendance at hospital/dispensary, Health District Coordinators,  village leaders/representatives  and  routine health care campaigns; such as Tuberculosis day (TB day), Malaria day and HIV day. Reported   weaknesses were   inconsistence research feedback, insufficient engagement with participants about specific research projects are recruited into and false promises by researchers to community stakeholders.

Conclusion: The results emerged the need to strengthen community engagement system at IHI, which require coordination of engagement at the institute and across different research activities. The current approach, seems inadequate but also is very challenging due to minimal opportunities for interactions and for deeper levels of engagement. Recommendations to use other methods such as mass media to reach larger populations is more appropriate than ever.
Clinical impact of spine magnetic resonance imaging as a valuable prognostic tool for patients with multiple myeloma: a retrospective study
Authors: Lee Jung Min , Cho Hee Jeong , Moon Joon-Ho , Sohn Sang Kyun , Park Byunggeon , Baek Dong Won
Published: March 2022

Background: This study investigated the prognostic impact of spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma (MM).Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 214 patients who were newly diagnosed with MM between March 2015 and December 2019. The patients were classified into five different infiltration patterns based on spine MRI as follows: (1) normal appearance, (2) focal, (3) diffuse, (4) combined focal and diffuse infiltration, and (5) “salt-and-pepper.”Results: Forty patients (18.7%) showed a normal appearance, whereas focal, diffuse, combined focal and diffuse infiltration, and “salt-and-pepper” patterns were identified in 68 (31.8%), 40 (18.7%), 52 (24.3%), and 14 patients (6.5%), respectively. The patients with normal and “salt-and-pepper” patterns were younger than patients with other patterns (median age, 61.6 vs. 66.8 years; p=0.001). Moreover, 63% and 59.3% of patients with normal and “salt-and-pepper” patterns were scored International Staging System (ISS) stage I and revised ISS (R-ISS) stage I, respectively, whereas only 12.5% of patients with other patterns were scored ISS stage I and R-ISS stage I. Patients with normal and “salt-and-pepper” patterns had a better prognosis than those with other patterns, whereas relapse and death rates were significantly higher in patients with focal, diffuse, and combined MRI patterns. Conclusion: Characteristic MRI findings have a significant prognostic value for long-term survival in patients newly diagnosed with MM. In particular, focal, diffuse, and combined focal and diffuse infiltration patterns are unfavorable prognostic factors.
The concept of building criminal proceedings that provide access to justice in the context of the development of digital technologies
Authors: Maslennikova Larisa , Vilkova Tat'yana , Sobenin Andrey , Sushina Tat'yana , Tabolina Kseniya
Published: March 2022

The monograph describes the current state of criminal proceedings in terms of ensuring access to justice and suggests conceptual approaches to the construction of criminal proceedings that provide access to justice in the context of the development of digital technologies; presents the project of the online service "Filing an electronic statement about a crime" and the main characteristics of the GAS "Access to Justice".
For practicing lawyers, teachers, postgraduates and undergraduates of law schools.
Law enforcement agencies of the Russian Federation
Authors: Chupilkin Yuriy , Lyahov Yuriy , Voroncov Sergey , Nazarov Sergey
Published: March 2022

The textbook meets the requirements of the state educational standard for the discipline "Law Enforcement agencies", contains information about state bodies engaged in law enforcement activities, as well as non-governmental organizations designed to promote it, reflects changes in legislation on the judicial system, the bar, the notary, the prosecutor's office, bodies of inquiry and preliminary investigation, justice, internal affairs and the federal security Service.
For students and teachers of educational institutions of secondary professional education of a legal profile, as well as a wide range of readers interested in the protection of life, health, human and civil rights and freedoms, property, security and law and order from criminal encroachments.
Analysis of the features of the formation of the professional image of the teacher
Authors: Andryukova D. , Rabadanova Raziyat
Published: March 2022

Abstract: The article discusses the author's course of the discipline "Imageology in the practical activity of a teacher" on the topic "Creating a professional image" for teaching students of the humanities at a university. "Imageology in the practical activity of a teacher" on the topic "Creating a professional image". The author's course is aimed at forming a professional image of a teacher, developing a sense of inner self-confidence, his appearance, creating a favorable atmosphere in the team, forming a positive attitude towards himself on the part of students, parents (legal representatives), students and the pedagogical community. It is based on: the theory of image, the theory of motivation, the theory of leadership, the theory of "I-concept", the competence approach in teaching, as well as the ideas of the founders of educational schools in Russia about the personality and the importance of professional development of a teacher. The results of the implementation of the author's course in the educational process of the university are presented. The study involved 73 students of the K.G. Razumovsky Moscow State Technical University, second, third and fourth year, training areas 38.03.03 "Personnel Management", 44.03.02 "Psychological and pedagogical education". To analyze the level of knowledge of the subjects, we have developed a test that includes 23 questions on the topic "Creating a professional image". The experimental group and control groups took part in the testing. To assess the level of formation of the professional image of a teacher, Pearson's Chi-square was chosen to assess the differences between two independent samples by the level of any attribute.
Optimization problems of psychological measures of response for discrediting of internal organs of Russian Federation in media space
Authors: Ivanova Regina
Published: March 2022

The article presents research conducted using the traditional method of document analysis - court decisions rendered by courts of general jurisdiction of various subjects of the Russian Federation in 2021 in cases of protection of honor, dignity and business reputation of employees of the internal affairs bodies of the Russian Federation, federal civil servants and employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia.

The main conclusions indicated by the courts in the reasoning part of court decisions on the defamatory nature of the dissemination of information regarding employees are presented; grounds for making positive court decisions in defense of honor, dignity and business reputation; grounds for refusing to satisfy claims.

According to the results of the study, it can be assumed that today the most relevant is countering the legitimate actions of the internal affairs bodies of the Russian Federation in a contactless way, most of them in the modern media space by distributing information of a discrediting nature.

Due to the imperfection of the legal system, the authorized units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia (their own security units, legal services) do not always manage to fully protect the honor, dignity and business reputation of both the internal affairs bodies of the Russian Federation as a whole and individual employees during court proceedings. In this connection, new requirements are being put forward for the information and public relations units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, since their activities in this direction in the form of a proper, timely and effective response to discrediting information disseminated in the media space will help to increase the level of protection of the honor, dignity and business reputation of the internal affairs bodies of the Russian Federation, restore a positive image.
Professional self-presentation of university teachers with different levels of strong-willed personality qualities
Authors: Dukhnovsky Sergey , Mishchenko Vladimir , Larionova Marina
Published: March 2022

The article deals the problem of strong-willed regulation and strong-willed qualities of scientific and pedagogical workers (university teachers) in the context of studying their attitude to themselves as a professional with the involvement of empirical material. Questions are revealed about whether the parameters of professional self-relation of scientific and pedagogical workers with their strong-willed qualities are interconnected, as well as what types of attitude to themselves as a professional are expressed among teachers with different levels of strong-willed qualities. 150 scientific and pedagogical workers of Ugra State University (Khanty-Mansiysk) and Kurgan State University (Kurgan) were examined, aged 34 to 49 years with a degree not lower than a candidate of sciences and scientific and pedagogical experience from 10 to 20 years. he study used the technique "Treating yourself as a professional" and the questionnaire "Strong-willed personality qualities." As a result of the study, it was found that the indicator of the value of self-relation activity, including the level of claims and the installation on professional self-development, most significantly correlates with such strong-willed qualities as initiative, determination, independence. Whereas the measure of the magnitude of the positivity of self-attitude, the components of which are the acceptance and perception of oneself as a professional, is interconnected with perseverance and energy. It has been shown that teachers with a high level of expression of strong-willed qualities are dominated by a constructive attitude towards themselves as a professional (his active, positive and active-positive types). Whereas teachers with moderately expressed strong-willed qualities have an unstable (critical) attitude towards themselves as a professional. t is legitimate to use the obtained data to form a constructive attitude towards oneself as a professional, by developing relevant will qualities in the context of an individual career development track. This will minimize personnel risks, as well as become a condition for preventing personal and professional destruction and deformities of university teachers.
General non-specific effects of balneofactors of Truskavets’ spa on parameters of neuroendocrine regulation, metabolism, immunity and microbiota in patients with chronic pyelonephritis and cholecystitis
Authors: Popovych Igor , Gozhenko Anatoliy , Hrytsak Myroslava , Popovych Dariya , Korolyshyn Tetyana , Kovbasnyuk Marta , Zukow Walery
Published: March 2022

Background. Earlier in experiments on rats, it was shown that drinking mineral water, regardless of their mineralization and chemical composition, have similar (nonspecific) course effects on a number of parameters of metabolism and neuroendocrine-immune complex. The aim of this study is to identify such parameters in patients of Truskavets’ spa who received complex drinking balneotherapy. Materials and Methods. The object of clinical-physiological observation were 34 men aged 23-70 years, who underwent rehabilitation treatment of chronic cholecystitis and pyelonephritis in remission. The examination was performed twice, before and after a 7-10-day course of balneotherapy. All patients received bioactive water Naftussya, therewith, 11 men additionally drank sulfate-chloride sodium-magnesium water "Khrystyna" (5 g/L), and the other 11 men - water "Myroslava" with a similar chemical composition, but twice the mineralization. The object of the study were the parameters of the electroencephalogram, heart rate variability (HRV), hormones, metabolism, immunity, microbiota and cholekinetics. Results. The complex balneotherapy by interval use of Naftussya water with sulfate-chloride sodium-magnesium mineral waters causes similar significant changes in the constellation of 10 EEGs, 10 metabolic, 10 microbiota and 4 immune parameters as well as total power and entropy of HRV, calcitonin and testosterone plasma levels and cholecystokinetics activity index. Conclusion. Balneofactors of Truskavets’ spa causes non-specific modulating effects on parameters of neuroendocrine regulation, metabolism, immunity, microbiota and cholekinetics in patients with chronic pyelonephritis and cholecystitis.
Los nocturnos de Juan Fernández Lacomba, 1983-2012. Sobre La consagración plástica del negro
Authors: Luque Teruel Andrés
Published: March 2022

El artículo analiza un tipo de pintura de Juan Fernández Lacomba en la que se dan dos condiciones, la configuración plástica autónoma de lo que pudiéramos denominar paisaje abstracto y la interpretación nocturna del mismo, todo ello en un amplio espacio de tiempo, que comprende desde el primero en París, en 1983, hasta los más recientes en el Coto de Doñana, en 2012. La mayoría son pinturas abstractas, concebidas en un orden intelectivo y según relaciones internas debidas al pintor, las mismas que presentan aquellas otras pinturas en las que introdujo algún elemento figurativo reconocible, que por ello no pierden la primera condición. La evolución en un margen de tiempo tan amplio en la carrera de un pintor ha permitido dilucidar las pautas concretas de cada grupo y variantes y obtener las conclusiones oportunas.