bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Jedna hra, různé příběhy? Zamyšlení nad kulturním překladem hry Stavíme Stalinův pomník
Authors: Kurowska Katarzyna Agnieszka
Published: September 2021

The article is a comparative analysis of Stavíme Stalinův Pomník and the Polish translation of it. This games refers to the world’s largest monument to Stalin in Prague, whose short history seems to summarize the specific character of the epoch. Drawing attention to the period when these games were created, which dates back to the early 1990s, the author tries to answer the question of whether the creators wanted to show something with this game, or whether it was only a matter of the satirical presentation of Stalin’s communism and the worship of him. A comparison of the components of versions of the game, such as the board, the rules of the game, the characters and the event cards highlights the icons of the communist era that are common for both countries, suggesting what belongs to the common experience of all Eastern Bloc countries.
A importância da análise de falhas para o ensino técnico em automação industrial
Authors: Fogaça Frederson , Dias Andre , Silva Frederico
Published: September 2021

O artigo averígua algumas falhas técnicas e métodos de investigação de problemas no contexto do estudante e tenta reforçar a importância desse conhecimento não sistematicamente abordado para os cursos técnicos de automação industrial. O trabalho analisa sobre métodos de resolução de problemas, problemas com controladores tipo PID, atuadores, configurações de equipamentos, além de abordar sobre cibersegurança em plantas de automação. O trabalho conclui sobre a importância da sistematização desse conhecimento para a formação profissional e tecnológica, tanto na modalidade integrada, como subsequente, e reforça os variados âmbitos de aplicação dessas habilidades. O artigo considera que tais estudos devem contribuir para a pesquisa e desenvolvimento de recursos didáticos com a finalidade de ajudar a atender essa dificuldade nos currículos desses cursos.
Magnetic and Restivity Investigation of Geologic Structures in the Basement Complex of Aran-Orin, Kwara-State, Nigeria.
Authors: Fatoye Oluwaseun Victoria , Adeyanju 'Muyiwa Adekunle , Oyanameh O.E
Published: September 2021

The study aims to integrate magnetic and vertical electrical sounding (VES) resistivity methods to determine groundwater prospective in part of Aran-orin Sheet 224. A total of three traverses were established in the study area for the vertical electrical sounding using the Schlumberger electrode configuration. A total of 17 VES points was established using the ABEM Terrameter SAS 1000C model with maximum half-current electrode spacing (AB/2) of 120m. A total of eight traverses were established for the magnetics survey with station intervals of 10 m and inter-profile spacing of 100 m. The magnetic and VES data were qualitatively and quantitatively interpreted using IPI2WIN and OASIS MONTAJ package respectively. The geo-electric sections reveal a maximum of 3-4 layers beneath the sub-surface an overburden thickness ranges from 8.2 m to 64.9 m and the corresponding lithology inferred are topsoil, weathered Rock, fractured basement and fresh basement. The depth to basement using half-width method showed that the depth ranges from 8.4-56.04 m, which corresponds with the electrical survey.
Amelioration of depressive symptoms on Fawn-Hooded rats through the ‘healthy’ fecal microbiota transplantation
Authors: Hu Bing , Das Promi , Lv Xianglin , Shi Meng , Aa Jiye , Wang Kun , Duan Liping , Gilbert Jack , Nie Yong , Wu Xiao-Lei
Published: September 2021

Gut microbiome dysbiosis is associated with the development of depression. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been proposed as a potential therapeutic solution for depression. However, the efficacy of FMT to reduce depression is still unknown. We performed FMT from Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (‘healthy’ controls) to Fawn-hooded (FH) rats (depression model). Pre-FMT, the FH rats exhibited significantly elevated depressive behaviors and distinct neurotransmitter and cytokine levels compared with SD rats. Post-FMT, FH recipients receiving SD microbiota showed reduced depressive behaviors, a significant increase in hippocampal neurotransmitters and a significant decrease of some hippocampal cytokines compared to the ones receiving FH microbiota. SD-FMT resulted in the FH recipients’ gut microbiome resembling the SD donor; additionally, FH recipients showed a significant shift in the serum metabolome, but not the hippocampal metabolome. Co-occurrence analysis suggests that SD-FMT ameliorated recipients’ physiochemical features of depression by the metabolic modulation through the enteric nervous system, the intestinal barrier and the blood-brain barrier. Our results provided new data pointing to multiple mechanisms of interaction for the impact of gut microbiome modulation on depression.
Association of Sequence types, Antimicrobial Resistance and Virulence Genes in India isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae: A Comparative Genomics Study
Authors: Sundaresan Abhirami Krishnamoorthy , Vincent Keerthana , Mohan Ganesh Babu Malli , Ramakrishnan Jayapradha
Published: September 2021

Klebsiella pneumoniae is an important ESKAPE pathogen that causes sepsis, urinary tract infections, peritonitis, intraabdominal abscesses and upper respiratory infections. The strains exhibiting multidrug resistance and hypervirulence are priority pathogens for which immediate treatment and dissemination prevention strategies are required. The hypervirulent drug resistant K. pneumoniae is associated with high mortality rates. Numbers of environmental strains also have acquired virulence genes. Hence to gain a better understanding of the spread of antimicrobial resistant genes across the country over 10 years and to delineate environmental and clinical K. pneumoniae, a comparative genomics investigation was made. This is the first comparative genomic study using India isolates of K. pneumoniae, which includes publicly available WGS of 144 clinical and 9 environmental strains collected during 2010–2020. The blaCTX-M-15 was widely distributed in clinical isolates since 2013 and increased over time from 5 % to 30 %. The co-existence of blaNDM and blaOXA was observed in 22 % of clinical strains. Diverse serotypes were found among the 153 K. pneumoniae isolates, of which, K51 (28%) and K64 (21.56%) were majorly found. Most of the K51 isolates belong to ST231 (93.02 %). And more than 50% of KL51 strains were found to have both rmpA and magA. The number of associated virulence genes (rmpA, magA, entB, ybtS, iutA, alls,) appeared to be higher in ST231-KL51 and ST23-KL1 isolates. Of greatest concern, these virulence genes are observed in environmental strains aswell. More than 97% of clinical strains have ybtS, iutA genes. Importantly, 98% of ESBL and 62% of carbapenamase isolates harbored ybtS, iutA and rmpA, magA respectively. The IncF conjugative plasmids are predominant in K. pneumoniae, which contribute to the spread of antimicrobial resistant and virulence genes. The increasing trend in hypervirulent strains was observed from 2017. The phylogenetic analysis separates the environmental from clinical strains and is characterized by uncommon STs and serotypes. Thus, the study illustrates the K. pneumoniae genomic surveillance in India representing the phylogenetic evolution, STs, AMR, virulence, serotype to provide more attention for immediate treatment and preventing the dissemination of K. pneumoniae.
Plant Microrna Potential in Targeting COVID-19 Genome Offering Efficient Antiviral Mirna-based Therapies
Authors: Hajieghrari Behzad , Rahmanian-Koshkaki Sara
Published: September 2021

In 2019, the seventh member of the Coronaviridae named severe acute respiratory coronavirus II (or COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, China. It could rapidly turn into a global pandemic. Therefore, searching for a natural/ novel therapy is urgently essential to prevent disease distribution. Based on the principle of cross-kingdom interaction, plants are a candidate as a potential source of exogenous miRNAs that can efficiently affect the host cell gene expression by promote target mRNA degradation or repress protein translation, and, or virus RNA translation/replication. The possibility of taking up the diet-derived plant-originated/artificially miRNA(s) in addition to their biological role in the host provides a pivotal clue for the study of synthesized/artificially expressed active therapeutic plant-originated miRNA(s) to promote antiviral activity. In this study, plant miRNAs, which can potentially interact with the COVID-19 genome within the 3’-UTR region and prompt antiviral function, were searched using bioinformatics approaches. RNAHybrid, RNA22, and STarMir miRNA/target detection tools were served for the possible plant miRNA/target recognition on the 3’-UTR flanking region of the COVID-19 genome by different algorithms. The RNAHybrid algorithm resulted in 63 plant miRNAs having hybridization energy with less or equal to -25 kcal/mol. They interact with diverse classes of miRNA/target binding patterns. However, each RNA22 and STarMir tools identified eight probable miRNA/target interaction candidates, in which pvu-miR159a.2 and sbi-miR5387b detected by both the RNA22 and STarMir tools at the same position. For us, they are suitable plant-derived miRNA candidates, which have the great chance of targeting the COVID-19 genome in the 3’-UTR region in vitro to induce the virus degradation and translational repression and for antiviral miRNA-based therapies without any side effects in vivo.
Association of Polymorphisms of the Tissue Inhibitors of Metalloproteinases- 1 and -2 with Alzheimer’s Disease in Taiwan
Authors: Ho Wei-Min , Lee Yun-Shien , Chen Chiung-Mei , Wu Yah-Yuan , Hsu Wen-Chuin , Huang Yu-Hua , Chen Yi-Chun
Published: September 2021

Background:

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) leads to progressive neuronal loss and cognitive and behavioral decline in the aging population. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and associated tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are involved in remodeling the extracellular matrix. Amyloid beta-42 interrupts the integrity of the neurovascular unit and induces a toxic reaction affecting neurons.

Objective:

This study investigated the relationships among genetic variants of the MMP-2, MMP-9,
TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 genes and AD.

Methods:

Two hundred and thirteen probable AD patients and 315 control participants of the Taiwan
population were recruited for primary investigations, and we used the data of 763 participants
from the Taiwan Biobank (TWB), as controls, for validation. Multivariable logistic regression was
performed with adjustments for age, sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), and alcohol consumption.
The associations between the genotypes and allele frequencies and the SNP-associated
AD hereditary models were analyzed using the SNPassoc package for R. We performed a permutation
test with 1,000 replicates for the empirical estimates.

Results:

A total of 213 probable AD patients and 315 control participants were recruited. The frequency
of the A alleles in rs7503726 (G > A) in TIMP-2 was lower in the AD patients (p < 0.01).
The frequencies of the TIMP-2 rs7503726 G/A and A/A genotypes were also significantly lower in
the AD patients (p = 0.02) than in the controls and TWB. The TIMP-2 rs7503726 AA genotype
was associated with a protective effect of AD in additive and recessive hereditary models (OR =
0.54, 95% CI: 0.32 - 0.92, p = 0.02; OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.50 - 0.92, p = 0.01, respectively).

Conclusion:

The TIMP-2 rs7503726 AA genotype was inversely correlated with AD susceptibility,
and the presence of minor alleles of rs7503726 (A allele) have protective effects against AD.
Update on Modulators of Quorum Sensing Pathways in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Hossain Mohammad Anwar , German Nadezhda A.
Published: September 2021

:

Modulators of quorum sensing pathways in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) gain attention due to the potential therapeutic applications. These chemical agents are viewed as anti-virulence agents capable of increasing the existing therapeutic agents; efficacy against resistant clinical strains. Additionally, they can be utilized in developing anticancer therapeutics, whole-cell biosensors, and artificial biological systems. In this mini-review, we summarize recent (2020-2021)publications on PA's QS modulation.
The Epigenetic Mechanisms Involved in Chronic Pain in Rodents: A Mini-
Review
Authors: Xu Ting , Liu Cui-Cui , Xin Wen-Jun
Published: September 2021

:

Chronic pain is a common distressing neurological disorder and about 30% of the global
population suffers from it. In addition to being highly prevalent, chronic pain causes a heavy economic
and social burden. Although substantial progress has been achieved to dissect the underlying
mechanism of chronic pain in the past few decades, the incidence and treatment of this neurological
illness is yet not properly managed in clinical practice. While nerve injury-, chemotherapy- or
inflammation-induced functional regulation of gene expression in the dorsal root ganglion and spinal
cord are extensively reported to be involved in the pathogenic process of chronic pain, the specific
mechanism of these altered transcriptional profile still remains unclear. Recent studies have
shown that epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA/RNA methylation, histone modification and circular
RNAs regulation, are involved in the occurrence and development of chronic pain. In this review,
we provide a description of research on the role of epigenetic mechanism in chronic pain,
summarize the latest clinical and preclinical advance in this field, and propose the potential directions
for further research to elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of
chronic pain.
cGAS-STING-mediated IFN-I Response in Host Defense and Neuroinflammatory
Diseases
Authors: Chen Kai , Lai Chuan , Su Ying , Bao Wen Dai , Yang Liu Nan , Xu Ping-Ping , Zhu Ling-Qiang
Published: September 2021

:

The presence of foreign or misplaced nucleic acids is a dangerous signal that triggers innate
immune responses by activating cytosolic DNA sensor cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) and
binding to its downstream signaling effector stimulator of interferon genes (STING). Then the
cGAS-STING pathway activation links nucleic acid-sensing to immune responses and pathogenic
entities clearance. However, the overactivation of this signaling pathway leads to fatal immune disorders
and contributes to the progression of many human inflammatory diseases. Therefore, optimal
activation of this pathway is crucial for the elimination of invading pathogens and the maintenance
of immune homeostasis. In this review, we will summarize its fundamental roles in initiating host
defense against invading pathogens and discuss its pathogenic roles in multiple neuro-inflammatory
diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD),
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Exercise as Treatment for Neuropathy in the Setting of Diabetes and Prediabetic Metabolic Syndrome: A Review of Animal Models and Human Trials
Authors: Singleton J. Robinson , Foster-Palmer Stormy , Marcus Robin L.
Published: September 2021

Background:

Peripheral neuropathy is among the most common complications of diabetes, but a phenotypically identical distal sensory predominant, painful axonopathy afflicts patients with prediabetic metabolic syndrome, exemplifying a spectrum of risk and continuity of pathogenesis. No pharmacological treatment convincingly improves neuropathy in the setting of metabolic syndrome, but evolving data suggest that exercise may be a promising alternative.

Objective:

The aim of the study was to review in depth the current literature regarding exercise treatment of metabolic syndrome neuropathy in humans and animal models, highlight the diverse mechanisms by which exercise exerts beneficial effects, and examine adherence limitations, safety aspects, modes and dose of exercise.

Results:

Rodent models that recapitulate the organismal milieu of prediabetic metabolic syndrome and the phenotype of its neuropathy provide a strong platform to dissect exercise effects on neuropathy pathogenesis. In these models, exercise reverses hyperglycemia and consequent oxidative and nitrosative stress, improves microvascular vasoreactivity, enhances axonal transport, ameliorates the lipotoxicity and inflammatory effects of hyperlipidemia and obesity, supports neuronal survival and regeneration following injury, and enhances mitochondrial bioenergetics at the distal axon. Prospective human studies are limited in scale but suggest exercise to improve cutaneous nerve regenerative capacity, neuropathic pain, and task-specific functional performance measures of gait and balance. Like other heath behavioral interventions, the benefits of exercise are limited by patient adherence.

Conclusion:

Exercise is an integrative therapy that potently reduces cellular inflammatory state and improves distal axonal oxidative metabolism to ameliorate features of neuropathy in metabolic syndrome. The intensity of exercise need not improve cardinal features of metabolic syndrome, including weight, glucose control, to exert beneficial effects.
Newly Synthesized Benzimidazoles Inhibit Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and
Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 and -9 Levels in Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Ilhan Suleyman , Dilekci Gamze , Guner Adem , Bektas Hakan
Published: September 2021

Background:

Investigating the effects of newly synthesized agents on various molecular mechanisms to understand their mechanism of action is an important step of pre-clinical screening. Benzimidazoles are composed of a unique fused benzene and imidazole ring and have attracted great attention due to their broad bioactivities, including antitumor.

Objective:

In the current study, we reported the synthesis of novel benzimidazole derivatives and investigated the possible cytotoxic and anti-angiogenic effects on human prostate cancer and umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Methods:

MTT assay was used to assess cell viability. A scratch assay was conducted to monitor the migration of cells. mRNA expression levels of VEGF, MMP-2, and MMP-9 were evaluated using qPCR. Changes in protein levels were evaluated by western blotting.

Results:

Compound G1, having a chlorine moiety, showed a potent cytotoxic activity on both prostate cancer cells and HUVECs, and inhibited cell migration via decreasing the mRNA and protein levels of key angiogenesis-related molecules such as VEGF, MMP-2, and MMP-9.

Conclusion:

These results suggest that newly synthesized G1 may be a novel anti-angiogenic agent for prostate cancer treatment.
In Silico Based Approach to Investigate Plant Lignans as Inhibitor Candidates for Estrogen Receptor in Breast Cancer
Authors: Mohamadyar-Toupkanlou Farzaneh , Esfandiari Mina , Kashef-Saberi Mahshid Sadat , Kabiri Mahboubeh , Bazi Zahra
Published: September 2021

Background:

In the last decades, growing evidence demonstrates interest in phytoestrogen
intake to modulate targets in different types of cancer. Plant lignans have proven efficacious in
blocking estrogen receptors of breast cancer cells. Among them, four phytoestrogen lignans: pinoresinol,
matairesinol, lariciresinol, and secoisolariciresinol have been most studied. However,
available studies have mostly dealt with the anti-cancer effects of groups of lignans in certain foods
or plants and the effects of specific lignans, especially from a molecular interaction viewpoint,
have been rarely addressed in the literature.

Objective:

We aimed to in silico predict pharmacological properties, binding ability and binding
strength of pinoresinol, matairesinol, lariciresinol and secoisolariciresinol as possible inhibitors of
estrogen receptor alpha which is the most important biomarker in breast cancer.

Methods:

Firstly, we evaluated the pharmacological properties of four lignans using SwissADME.
Then we investigated the ligand-receptor interactions of these molecules as positively appraised ligands
for ER-positive breast cancer targeted therapy using docking method. We finally compared
the inhibitory effect possibility of the lignans against endoxifen which is the active metabolite of tamoxifen.

Results:

The best binding affinity of endoxifen, matairesinol, pinoresinol, lariciresinol and secoisolariciresinol
were respectively -9.2, -7.5, -6.7, -6.7, -5.8 kcal/mol. In the meantime, matairesinol
showed a minimum binding energy than other studied lignans in addition to the most similar interactions
to endoxifen with conserved domain residues of the active site pocket in Leu:391, Ala:350,
Met:421, and Phe:404.

Conclusion:

Among the studied lignans, matairesinol showed favorable pharmacokinetics and
drug-likeliness properties, the least binding energy as well as the most common interactions in
conserved residues of the active site pocket with estrogens. This makes it a molecule with low number
of nonspecific interactions, better target selectivity, and hence fewer side effects. Thus, our results
introduce matairesinol as a possibly effective anti-estrogen receptor inhibitor candidate.
Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. ex Royle: An Endemic, Highly Medicinal
and Critically Endangered Plant Species of Northwestern Himalaya in
Peril
Authors: Wani Zishan Ahmad , Pant Shreekar
Published: September 2021

:

Aconitum heterophyllum is a precious endemic medicinal plant of Northwestern Himalaya. It possesses a number of curative effects and is accounted for having diuretic, hepatoprotective, antipyretic, analgesic, antioxidant, alexipharmic, anodyne, anti-atrabilious, expectorant, immunostimulant, febrifuge, anthelminthic, anti- cancerous, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-emetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-flatulent, anti-periodic, anti-phlegmatic, anti-diabetic, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiviral and carminative properties. Further, it is an important ingredient of many Ayurvedic formulations. Its pharmacological potential may be attributed to of the presence of many biologically active phytochemicals like aconitine, mesaconitine, acetylaconitine, heterophylline A, and heterophylline B. Owing to its high therapeutic uses and market value, the plant is being exploited for its tubers from the wild. Further, there are some reproductive constraints due to which the population of the plant in the wild is waning at a rapid rate. Due to these factors, Aconitum heterophyllum has been categorized as critically endangered; demanding focused conservation strategies and cultivation efforts.
Medicinal Importance, Pharmacological Activities and Analytical Aspects
of Canadine in Medicine: An Important Phytochemical of Hydrastis
canadensis
Authors: Patel Dinesh Kumar
Published: September 2021

Background:

Natural products and their derived phytochemicals are used in medicine.
Natural products have gained importance in modern medicine due to their therapeutic potential and
beneficial effects on human health and disorders. Plenty of herbal drug-based products are
available in the market and are playing an important role in the human health care system due to
their beneficial properties in human beings. In the modern age, we can find many herbal-based
products in the market mainly prepared from natural products and used for the prevention and
treatment of various human disorders. Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids are an important class of
alkaloidal compounds. They include morphine, codeine, sanguinarine, berberine, and canadine,
which are mainly known for their medicinal value.

Methods:

Hydrastis canadensis is an important medicinal plant found to contain a
significant amount of canadine, hydrastine, and berberine. In the present investigation,
numerous scientific databases such as Google, PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar,
and Scopus have been searched to collect important scientific information of canadine and
analyzed to determine the beneficial aspects of canadine on health and medicine. All the
collected scientific data were analyzed and categorized according to pharmacological and
analytical aspects.

Results:

From the analysis of the collected scientific information, it was found that
Hydrastis canadensis contains a significant amount of canadine with many more
phytochemicals, including canadaline, hydrastidine, isohydrastidine, etc. Pharmacological
activity data analysis revealed the biological importance of Hydrastis canadensis in
medicine for their traditional uses against gastritis, colitis, duodenal ulcers, loss of appetite,
liver disease, bile secretion disorder, snake bites, and vaginitis in medicine. However,
scientific data analysis of canadine revealed its effectiveness in acetylcholinesterase
inhibitory activity, anti-cancer, anti-microbial, anti-allergic activity, and anti-oxidant
activity. Different modern analytical tools have been used in modern medicine for the
isolation and quantification of canadine in the Hydrastis canadensis.

Conclusion:

Present investigation revealed the medicinal importance and pharmacological
activities of canadine in medicine for the treatment of numerous human health complications.
These scientific data will be helpful for scientists in knowing the biological importance of canadine
in medicine against various forms of human complications.
Rates of Anxiety, Depression, and Stress Among High School Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Jenabi Ensiyeh , Bashirian Saeid , Khazaei Salman , Poorsdavood Mohammad , Heidarimoghadam Rashid , Barati Majid , Shirahmadi Samane , Zareian Sepideh , Shamsaei Farshid , Farzian Shahnaz , Asgari Aliakbar , Nankali Yaser , Haghighi Mohammad
Published: September 2021

Background:

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was first reported in Wuhan,
China, and has since then spread worldwide, resulting in a large number of hospitalizations
and deaths. To the best of our knowledge, the study about the mental health status (depression,
anxiety, and stress) among high school students during COVID-19 has not been performed
in Iran.

Objective:

This study was performed to investigate rates of anxiety, depression, and stress
among high school students during the pandemic of COVID-19.

Method:

This cross-sectional study was performed among high school students (12-18
years) from 30 April until 1 June 2020, in Hamadan City, west of Iran. In total, 2852 students
contributed to the present study. Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21)
was used in this study. Statistical analyses were conducted in STATA 14 with a significant
level of 0.05.

Results:

The present study showed that although stress status was normal among most high
school students (70.3%), the status of anxiety and depression was high. The boys had reported
a higher proportion of normal status of depression (51.62% vs. 44.97%), anxiety
(31.71% vs. 26.91%), and stress (77.66% vs. 66.10%) compared to the girls. Also, students
in grades 7-9 had reported a higher percentage of normal status in all three dimensions of
stress, anxiety, and depression.

Conclusion:

These findings suggest that as rates of depression and anxiety are high, schoolage
children may benefit from policymakers and other authorities’ active role.
Notification of Ukrainian Diploma as a Doctor-Pharmacist in Poland
Authors: Mandzii Taras
Published: September 2021

The article represents the peculiarities of recognizing higher medical education obtained in Ukraine in Poland. Nostrification (from German Nostrifikation derived from Latin Noster – “our”, and Latin Facere – “to do”) is a procedure for the recognition of diplomas issued by educational establishments of other countries. All the certificates and diplomas obtained in Ukraine can be legalized in Poland. The paper describes the procedure for preparing the documents needed and the basic legal components of a successful nostrification of diploma in medicine, pharmacy. The recognition of foreign diploma grants you the right to continue your education and professional activity in Poland and is carried out on an individual basis. If you want your diploma to be recognized in Poland, you should contact the Ministerstwо Nauki i Szkolnictwa Wyższego or Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange – NAWA. An Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of Republic of Poland on Mutual Recognition of Education Documents and Scientific Degrees was signed on May 31, 2006 (Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 769). Thus, the Polish documents of secondary education, higher education levels, as well as academic degrees provide the opportunity to continue education in Ukraine and, accordingly, such documents received in Ukraine guarantee this opportunity in Poland. However, the agreement does not apply to certain professional rights including extra payments for academic degrees or ranks. The confirming university shall confirm or refuse to confirm the completion of studies at a specified level within 90 days from the date of submission of the request. In case of differences in study curriculum, learning outcomes or duration of studies, the confirming university may oblige the person to take specific examinations or undergo a professional traineeship. Obtaining a certificate of nostrification allows you to continue the process of recognizing higher medical education in order to ultimately be able to work as a doctor in the European Union.
Age features of morphological changes of vessels of testicular hemomicrocirculatory flow in streptozotocin diabetes mellitus
Authors: Kondrat Ivan-Andriy
Published: September 2021

Medico-social problem of diabetes is caused by early disability and mortality of patients due to specific complications of micro- and macroangiopathies. Therefore, the aim of our study was to establish morphological changes in vessels of the hemomicrocirculatory flow of the testes of immature rats with experimental streptozotocin diabetes mellitus (SDM). The material for the study were the testicles of 20 two-month-old immature (weighing 65-95 g) white outbred male rats, which were divided equally into 2 groups: experimental and control ones. SDM in animals of the experimental group was simulated by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (dissolved in 0.1 M citrate buffer solution with a pH of 4.5) at a dose of 7 mg per 100 g of mass. The control group of animals received intraperitoneally an equivalent dose of 0.1 M citrate buffer. Histological, electron microscopic, biochemical, morphometric and statistical research methods were used.

It was found that in the early stages of SDM (14th day) on the background of hyperglycemia in the hemomicrocirculatory flow of the testes there is a spasm of the vessels of the afferent link, which is confirmed by a decrease in the area of arterioles lumen and an increase in their VI.

On the 56th day of SDM, on the background of elevated levels of glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin in the links of the hemorrhagic circulatory flow of the testes there are initial signs of diabetic microangiopathy, manifested by: hemorheological disorders in micro-hemo-vessels (erythrocyte sludges, adhesion of erythrocytes and platelets, microclasmatosis), decreased capacity of arterioles and capillaries (increase in VI, respectively by 1.2 and 1.9 times), microclasmatosis, thickening and proliferation of the basement membrane of capillaries.

Thus, on the 56th day of SDM in the hemomicrocirculatory flow of the testes, the development of diabetic microangiopathy is observed, which leads to the disruption of the blood-testis barrier, and as a consequence, to a violation of spermatogenesis.
Preventive role of self-education in the formation of personality
Authors: Skrobach Nadiia , Shapoval Oksana , Vyshyvanyuk Vira , Petryna Vitalii
Published: September 2021

Спроба об’єднати фактори, що зумовлюють процес розвитку особистості, у провідні блоки на основі їх спорідненості дозволяє, з одного боку, значно розширити поле для дослідження, а з іншого – дає можливість на основі загальних теоретичних положень більш глибоко і ґрунтовно дослідити окремі підсистеми загальної системи факторів. Між групою об’єктивних факторів(природні, соціальні) та таким суб’єктивним фактором, як власне природа особистості, чільне місце посідає такий об’єктивно-суб`єктивний фактор, як духовність. З одного боку, її стан та зміст зумовлені об’єктивними факторами, а з іншого – форми її прояву мають суб’єктивний характер. Аналіз рівня розвитку особистості на цьому етапі дозволяє визначити позитивний та негативний результати процесу виховання, обрати та апробувати шляхи корекції поведінки вихованців.

Виявлення та наукове обґрунтування основних тенденцій взаємодії провідних блоків системи факторів формування особистості дозволяє визначити та науково обґрунтувати найбільш ефективні шляхи превентизації прояву особистості в негативних формах її поведінки.Ще один шлях полягає в зміні, за допомогою уяви, інформації що надходить. У даному випадку невротична реакція полягає в зміні ситуації таким чином, щоб поразки та неуспіхи не могли поставити під сумнів переконання даної особи у своїй величі. З цією метою досить, наприклад, уявити себе талановитою людиною, якій заступають шлях і яку не визнають або якій шкодять заздрісні посередності і зрадлива доля. Раціональне мислення змінюється ірраціональним, яке визнає бажане і приємне за дійсне. Ідеальне «я» ототожнюється з реальним «я». Самовиховання в такому разі стає зайвим, індивід послуговується лише уявою.
Clinical practice in Obstetrics and Gynecology in the context of the implementation of a competency-based approach to the organization of education of modern students
Authors: Drohomyretska Nataliia
Published: September 2021

The article shows the role of clinical practice in Obstetrics and Gynecology in the context of the implementation of a competency-based approach to the organization of education of modern students. The indisputable advantages of the orientation of the educational process onto the achievement of professional competencies for the training of competitive specialists with flexible practical-meaningful thinking are determined.

Priority in the system of medical education is the development of new approaches, methods and forms of training in order to form readiness for the professional activity of a medical specialist. The efficiency of algorithmization and pedagogical potential of the case-method in the structure of clinical practice teaching is proved.
Remote Monitoring of the Performance Status and Burden of Symptoms of Patients With Gastrointestinal Cancer Via a Consumer-Based Activity Tracker: Quantitative Cohort Study
Authors: Ghods Alireza , Shahrokni Armin , Ghasemzadeh Hassan , Cook Diane
Published: September 2021

Background

The number of older patients with gastrointestinal cancer is increasing due to an aging global population. Minimizing reliance on an in-clinic patient performance status test to determine a patient’s prognosis and course of treatment can improve resource utilization. Further, current performance status measurements cannot capture patients' constant changes. These measurements also rely on self-reports, which are subjective and subject to bias. Real-time monitoring of patients' activities may allow for a more accurate assessment of patients’ performance status while minimizing resource utilization.

Objective

This study investigates the validity of consumer-based activity trackers for monitoring the performance status of patients with gastrointestinal cancer.

Methods

A total of 27 consenting patients (63% male, median age 58 years) wore a consumer-based activity tracker 7 days before chemotherapy and 14 days after receiving their first treatment. The provider assessed patients using the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG-PS) scale and Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale-Short Form (MSAS-SF) before and after chemotherapy visits. The statistical correlations between ECOG-PS and MSAS-SF scores and patients’ daily step counts were assessed.

Results

The daily step counts yielded the highest correlation with the patients' ECOG-PS scores after chemotherapy (P<.001). The patients with higher ECOG-PS scores experienced a higher fluctuation in their step counts. The patients who walked more prechemotherapy (mean 6071 steps per day) and postchemotherapy (mean 5930 steps per day) had a lower MSAS-SF score (lower burden of symptoms) compared to patients who walked less prechemotherapy (mean 5205 steps per day) and postchemotherapy (mean 4437 steps per day).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the feasibility of using inexpensive, consumer-based activity trackers for the remote monitoring of performance status in the gastrointestinal cancer population. The findings need to be validated in a larger population for generalizability.
Walking and Daily Affect Among Sedentary Older Adults Measured Using the StepMATE App: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Bisson Alycia N , Sorrentino Victoria , Lachman Margie E
Published: September 2021

Background

Although fitness technology can track and encourage increases in physical activity, few smartphone apps are based on behavior change theories. Apps that do include behavioral components tend to be costly and often do not include strategies to help those who are unsure of how to increase their physical activity.

Objective

The aim of this pilot study is to test the efficacy of a new app, StepMATE, for increasing daily walking in a sample of inactive adults and to examine daily relationships between walking and self-reported mood and energy.

Methods

The participants were middle-aged and older adults aged ≥50 years (mean 61.64, SD 7.67 years). They were randomly assigned to receive either a basic, pedometer-like version of the app or a version with supports to help them determine where, when, and with whom to walk. Of the 96 participants randomized to 1 of 2 conditions, 87 (91%) completed pretest assessments and 81 (84%) successfully downloaded the app. Upon downloading the app, step data from the week prior were automatically recorded. The participants in both groups were asked to set a daily walking goal, which they could change at any point during the intervention. They were asked to use the app as much as possible over the next 4 weeks. Twice per day, pop-up notifications assessed mood and energy levels.

Results

Although one group had access to additional app features, both groups used the app in a similar way, mainly using just the walk-tracking feature. Multilevel models revealed that both groups took significantly more steps during the 4-week study than during the week before downloading the app (γ=0.24; P<.001). During the study, the participants in both groups averaged 5248 steps per day compared with an average of 3753 steps per day during the baseline week. Contrary to predictions, there were no differences in step increases between the two conditions. Cognition significantly improved from pre- to posttest (γ=0.17; P=.02). Across conditions, on days in which the participants took more steps than average, they reported better mood and higher energy levels on the same day and better mood on the subsequent day. Daily associations among walking, mood, and energy were significant for women but not for men and were stronger for older participants (those aged ≥62 years) than for the younger participants.

Conclusions

Both groups increased their steps to a similar extent, suggesting that setting and monitoring daily walking goals was sufficient for an initial increase and maintenance of steps. Across conditions, walking had benefits for positive mood and energy levels, particularly for women and older participants. Further investigations should identify other motivating factors that could lead to greater and more sustained increases in physical activity.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03124537; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03124537
Information Patients With Melanoma Spontaneously Report About Health-Related Quality of Life on Web-Based Forums: Case Study
Authors: Kalf Rachel R J , Delnoij Diana M J , Ryll Bettina , Bouvy Marcel L , Goettsch Wim G
Published: September 2021

Background

There is a general agreement on the importance of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This type of information is becoming increasingly important for the value assessment of health technology assessment agencies in evaluating the benefits of new health technologies, including medicines. However, HRQoL data are often limited, and additional sources that provide this type of information may be helpful.

Objective

We aim to identify the HRQoL topics important to patients with melanoma based on web-based discussions on public social media forums.

Methods

We identified 3 public web-based forums from the United States and the United Kingdom, namely the Melanoma Patient Information Page, the Melanoma International Forum, and MacMillan. Their posts were randomly selected and coded using qualitative methods until saturation was reached.

Results

Of the posts assessed, 36.7% (150/409) of posts on Melanoma International Forum, 45.1% (198/439) on MacMillan, and 35.4% (128/362) on Melanoma Patient Information Page focused on HRQoL. The 2 themes most frequently mentioned were mental health and (un)certainty. The themes were constructed based on underlying and more detailed codes. Codes related to fear, worry and anxiety, uncertainty, and unfavorable effects were the most-often discussed ones.

Conclusions

Web-based forums are a valuable source for identifying relevant HRQoL aspects in patients with a given disease. These aspects could be cross-referenced with existing tools and they might improve the content validity of patient-reported outcome measures, including HRQoL questionnaires. In addition, web-based forums may provide health technology assessment agencies with a more holistic understanding of the external aspects affecting patient HRQoL. These aspects might support the value assessment of new health technologies and could therefore help inform topic prioritization as well as the scoping phase before any value assessment.
Utility of a Telephone Triage Hotline in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Longitudinal Observational Study
Authors: Cher Benjamin A Y , Wilson Eric A , Pinsky Alexa M , Townshend Ryan F , Wolski Ann V , Broderick Michael , Milen Allison M , Lau Audrey , Singh Amrit , Cinti Sandro K , Engelke Carl G , Saha Anjan K
Published: September 2021

Background

During the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic, rapidly rising disease prevalence in the United States created a demand for patient-facing information exchanges that addressed questions and concerns about the disease. One approach to managing increased patient volumes during a pandemic involves the implementation of telephone-based triage systems. During a pandemic, telephone triage hotlines can be employed in innovative ways to conserve medical resources and offer useful population-level data about disease symptomatology and risk factor profiles.

Objective

The aim of this study is to describe and evaluate the COVID-19 telephone triage hotline used by a large academic medical center in the midwestern United States.

Methods

Michigan Medicine established a telephone hotline to triage inbound patient calls related to COVID-19. For calls received between March 24, 2020, and May 5, 2020, we described total call volume, data reported by callers including COVID-19 risk factors and symptomatology, and distribution of callers to triage algorithm endpoints. We also described symptomatology reported by callers who were directed to the institutional patient portal (online medical visit questionnaire).

Results

A total of 3929 calls (average 91 calls per day) were received by the call center during the study period. The maximum total number of daily calls peaked at 211 on March 24, 2020. Call volumes were the highest from 6 AM to 11 AM and during evening hours. Callers were most often directed to the online patient portal (1654/3929, 42%), nursing hotlines (1338/3929, 34%), or employee health services (709/3929, 18%). Cough (126/370 of callers, 34%), shortness of breath (101/370, 27%), upper respiratory infection (28/111, 25%), and fever (89/370, 24%) were the most commonly reported symptoms. Immunocompromised state (23/370, 6%) and age >65 years (18/370, 5%) were the most commonly reported risk factors.

Conclusions

The triage algorithm successfully diverted low-risk patients to suitable algorithm endpoints, while directing high-risk patients onward for immediate assessment. Data collected from hotline calls also enhanced knowledge of symptoms and risk factors that typified community members, demonstrating that pandemic hotlines can aid in the clinical characterization of novel diseases.
The Association Between Patients' eHealth Literacy and Satisfaction With Shared Decision-making and Well-being: Multicenter Cross-sectional Study (Preprint)
Authors: Xu Richard Huan , Zhou Ling-Ming , Wong Eliza Lai-Yi , Wang Dong
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND

Although previous studies have shown that a high level of health literacy can improve patients’ ability to engage in health-related shared decision-making (SDM) and improve their quality of life, few studies have investigated the role of eHealth literacy in improving patient satisfaction with SDM (SSDM) and well-being.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to assess the relationship between patients’ eHealth literacy and their socioeconomic determinants and to investigate the association between patients’ eHealth literacy and their SSDM and well-being.

METHODS

The data used in this study were obtained from a multicenter cross-sectional survey in China. The eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) and Investigating Choice Experiments Capability Measure for Adults were used to measure patients’ eHealth literacy and capability well-being, respectively. The SSDM was assessed by using a self-administered questionnaire. The Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to compare the differences in the eHEALS, SSDM, and Investigating Choice Experiments Capability Measure for Adults scores of patients with varying background characteristics. Ordinary least square regression models were used to assess the relationship among eHealth literacy, SSDM, and well-being adjusted by patients’ background characteristics.

RESULTS

A total of 569 patients completed the questionnaire. Patients who were male, were highly educated, were childless, were fully employed, were without chronic conditions, and indicated no depressive disorder reported a higher mean score on the eHEALS. Younger patients (SSDM≥61 years=88.6 vs SSDM16-30 years=84.2) tended to show higher SSDM. Patients who were rural residents and were well paid were more likely to report good capability well-being. Patients who had a higher SSDM and better capability well-being reported a significantly higher level of eHealth literacy than those who had lower SSDM and poorer capability well-being. The regression models showed a positive relationship between eHealth literacy and both SSDM (β=.22; P<.001) and well-being (β=.26; P<.001) after adjusting for patients’ demographic, socioeconomic status, lifestyle, and health status variables.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that patients with a high level of eHealth literacy are more likely to experience optimal SDM and improved capability well-being. However, patients’ depressive status may alter the relationship between eHealth literacy and SSDM.

CLINICALTRIAL