bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study protocol for a multi-center RCT testing a group-based parenting intervention tailored to mothers with borderline personality disorder against a waiting control group (ProChild*-SP1)
Authors: Rosenbach Charlotte , Heinrichs Nina , Kumsta Robert , Schneider Silvia , Renneberg Babette
Published: July 2022

Background/aims

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severe mental disorder characterized by an unstable sense of self, intense and rapidly changing affect, as well as impulsive and self-destructive behaviors. Interpersonal relationships of individuals with BPD are characterized by marked instability, a lack of dependability, and quick changes between love and hate. For children of individuals with BPD, this can lead to permanent stress and attachment insecurity and an increased risk of adverse physical and mental health development. To reduce dysfunctional parenting and improve positive parenting, and in turn, to promote healthy child development, a group intervention for mothers with BPD was developed. This study aims to evaluate this first disorder-specific parenting intervention for BPD in a randomized controlled trial.

Method

In a parallel-group, two-arm, randomized controlled trial, an initial N = 178 mothers diagnosed with BPD and their children aged 6 months to 6 years are assigned to either the parenting intervention or a waiting control group. If taking place, participants of both groups continue their regular treatment for BPD diagnosis (e.g., individual therapy, medication). The primary outcomes are changes in parenting from baseline (day 0) to post intervention (week 12) and follow-up (6 months after group intervention; month 9). The waiting control group can attend the group intervention at the end of all assessments. Participants allocated to the intervention group are expected to show improvement in their parenting and a reduction in child abuse potential. Maternal emotion regulation and mental distress are analyzed as secondary outcomes.

Discussion

Mothers with BPD may need tailored help when reporting difficulties raising their children. The first disorder-specific parenting intervention has been developed to close this gap. ProChild is part of a large government-supported consortium, which aims to investigate different aspects of abuse and maltreatment in childhood and adolescence.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04169048. Registered on Nov 19, 2019.
Characteristic MRI findings of the shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints in elite wheelchair basketball players
Authors: Sakai Masafumi , Mutsuzaki Hirotaka , Shimizu Yukiyo , Okamoto Yoshikazu , Nakajima Takahito
Published: July 2022

Background

The health of wheelchair users’ upper limbs is directly related to their quality of life. Moreover, para-sport athletes are subjected to a dual load on their upper extremities from competition and daily life, making it even more critical to maintain upper extremity health. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of joint disorders in elite wheelchair basketball players using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods

We scanned MRI images of the bilateral shoulders, elbows, and wrist joints of ten elite wheelchair basketball players and ten general wheelchair users. The elite wheelchair players were athletes who underwent at our institution medical checkup of the candidates for the national team for the international women's tournament and who agreed to this research purpose. The general wheelchair players were recruited from wheelchair users in their 20s and 30s who had no daily exercise habits and who agreed to the study objectives. Two radiologists interpreted the MRI images and diagnosed the diseases of each joint. We compared the number of lesions between the two groups. We used Fisher's exact test to determine whether the lesions diagnosed by MRI were specific to wheelchair basketball players. The significance threshold was set at P < 0.05.

Results

Elite wheelchair basketball players had significantly more right-sided, left-sided and bilateral latero-posterior lesions, which are cysts found on the lateral-posterior corner of the capitulum of the humerus than did general wheelchair users (P < 0.05). Severe damage to the right triangular fibrocartilage complex was also observed more frequently (P < 0.05) in wheelchair basketball players.

Conclusions

We believe that the patients’ tendency to fall forward in the wheelchair hitting both hands on the ground, thereby injuring the triangular fibrocartilage complex and locking the lateral elbow, may be the cause of the characteristic findings on MRI. High-speed wheelchair operation was also considered a cause of severe triangular fibrocartilage complex injuries. This study's insights can be useful for future solutions to extend players' careers.
Are active video games useful in the development of gross motor skills among non-typically developing children? A meta-analysis
Authors: Li Sen , Song Yang , Cai Zhidong , Zhang Qingwen
Published: July 2022

Background

Proficiency in gross motor skills (GMS) lays the foundation for developing more complex motor skills. Improving these motor skills may provide enhanced opportunities for the development of a variety of perceptual, social, and cognitive skills. However, GMS development and intervention effects are not ideal for many non-typically developing children.

Objective

To systematically evaluate the effect of active video games on the development of gross motor skills in non-typically developing children and adolescents.

Methods

Seven Chinese and English databases were searched for randomized controlled trials, and the risk of bias in included studies were qualitative evaluation according to the revised Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomised trials (RoB 2). Then a meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the overall effect of active video games on the development of gross motor skills in non-typically developing children.

Results

Twenty papers were included. In the three subordinate concepts of gross motor skills, active video games significantly improved locomotor skills [ SMD = 0.59, 95% CI (0.40, 0.77)] and non-locomotor skills [SMD = 0.51, 95% CI (0.20, 0.81)] in non-typically developing children. However, there was no significant difference compared with the control group [ SMD = 0.32, 95% CI (− 0.17, 0.82)] in object control skills.

Conclusions

The study shows that active video games can improve locomotor skill and stability skill in non-typically developing children, but the effect on object control skill is uncertain, and more high-quality literature needs to be included in the future.

Trial registration The meta-analysis was registered on INPLASY (202,250,124) and is available in full on inplasy.com (https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2022-5-0124/).
An elliptic curve cryptosystem-based secure RFID mutual authentication for Internet of things in healthcare environment
Authors: Noori Davood , Shakeri Hassan , Niazi Torshiz Masood
Published: July 2022

Given the ever-increasing advances in science and technology in recent years, the security and authentication issues using elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) have gained a lot of attentions especially for smart cards in a variety of networks, such as smart homes and medical-based care systems being based on the Internet of things (IoT). In systems such as health care, patient information is always crucial and no one should have access to this information. Recently, much research has been conducted in the area of security and authentication for medical care systems being based on the IoT using RFID technology. One of these schemes is the Alamr et al.’s protocol, which bears high computational cost for authentication between card and reader. In this paper, we have proposed a scheme based on ECC in order to establish a mutual authentication within RFID technology in the IoT. In the proposed scheme, computational cost, communication cost and elliptic curve point multiplication running time and data storage cost are investigated. Moreover, security requirements and various attacks have also been considered in the proposed protocols. AVISPA software has also been used for security analysis. The analyses represent that the proposed scheme has lower computational costs, lower communication costs and less elliptic curve point multiplication time compared with those of similar protocols. It has also resolved the security shortcomings of the RFID authentication protocol.
Effectiveness of aromatherapy for prevention or treatment of disease, medical or preclinical conditions, and injury: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Brennan Sue E. , McDonald Steve , Murano Melissa , McKenzie Joanne E.
Published: July 2022

Background

Aromatherapy — the therapeutic use of essential oils from plants (flowers, herbs or trees) to treat ill health and promote physical, emotional and spiritual well-being — is one of the most widely used natural therapies reported by consumers in Western countries. The Australian Government Department of Health (via the National Health and Medical Research Council) has commissioned a suite of independent evidence evaluations to inform the 2019-20 Review of the Australian Government Rebate on Private Health Insurance for Natural Therapies. This protocol is for one of the evaluations: a systematic review that aims to examine the effectiveness of aromatherapy in preventing and/or treating injury, disease, medical conditions or preclinical conditions.

Methods

Eligibility criteria: randomised trials comparing (1) aromatherapy (delivered by any mode) to no aromatherapy (inactive controls), (2) aromatherapy (delivered by massage) to massage alone or (3) aromatherapy to ‘gold standard’ treatments. Populations: any condition, pre-condition, injury or risk factor (excluding healthy participants without clearly identified risk factors). Outcomes: any for which aromatherapy is indicated.

Searches: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), with a supplementary search of PubMed (covering a 6-month lag period for processing records in CENTRAL and records not indexed in MEDLINE), AMED and Emcare. No date, language or geographic limitations will be applied.

Data and analysis: screening by two authors, independently (records indexed by Aromatherapy or Oils volatile or aromatherapy in title; all full text) or one author (remaining records) with second author until 80% agreement. Data extraction and risk of bias assessment (ROB 2.0) will be piloted by three authors, then completed by a single author and checked by a second. Comparisons will be based on broad outcome categories (e.g. pain, emotional functioning, sleep disruption) stratified by population subgroups (e.g. chronic pain conditions, cancer, dementia) as defined in the analytic framework for the review. Meta-analysis or other synthesis methods will be used to combine results across studies. GRADE methods will be used to assess certainty of evidence and summarise findings.

Discussion

Results of the systematic review will provide a comprehensive and up-to-date synthesis of evidence about the effectiveness of aromatherapy.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42021268244
AMSTAR 2 appraisal of systematic reviews and meta-analyses in the field of heart failure from high-impact journals
Authors: Li Lin , Asemota Iriagbonse , Liu Bolun , Gomez-Valencia Javier , Lin Lifeng , Arif Abdul Wahab , Siddiqi Tariq Jamal , Usman Muhammad Shariq
Published: July 2022

Background

The Measurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) 2 is a critical appraisal tool for systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs) of interventions. We aimed to perform the first AMSTAR 2-based quality assessment of heart failure-related studies.

Methods

Eleven high-impact journals were searched from 2009 to 2019. The included studies were assessed on the basis of 16 domains. Seven domains were deemed critical for high-quality studies. On the basis of the performance in these 16 domains with different weights, overall ratings were generated, and the quality was determined to be “high,” “moderate,” “low,” or “critically low.”

Results

Eighty-one heart failure-related SRs with MAs were included. Overall, 79 studies were of “critically low quality” and two were of “low quality.” These findings were attributed to insufficiency in the following critical domains: a priori protocols (compliance rate, 5%), complete list of exclusions with justification (5%), risk of bias assessment (69%), meta-analysis methodology (78%), and investigation of publication bias (60%).

Conclusions

The low ratings for these potential high-quality heart failure-related SRs and MAs challenge the discrimination capacity of AMSTAR 2. In addition to identifying certain areas of insufficiency, these findings indicate the need to justify or modify AMSTAR 2’s rating rules.
Toxicity and inhibition mechanism of gallic acid on physiology and fermentation performance of Escherichia coli
Authors: Liu Lina , Ma Xiaolong , Bilal Muhammad , Wei Linlin , Tang Shijie , Luo Hongzhen , Zhao Yuping , Wang Zhaoyu , Duan Xuguo
Published: July 2022

Gallic acid is a natural phenolic acid that has a stress inhibition effect on Escherichia coli. This study by integrates fermentation characteristics and transcriptional analyses to elucidate the physiological mechanism of E. coli 3110 response to gallic acid. Compared with the control (without stress), the cell growth was severely retarded, and irregular cell morphology appeared in the case of high levels of gallic acid stress. The glucose consumption of E. coli was reduced successively with the increase of gallic acid content in the fermentation medium. After 20 h of gallic acid stress, cofactor levels (ATP, NAD+ and NADH) of E. coli 3110 were similarly decreased, indicating a more potent inhibitory effect of gallic acid on E. coli. The transcriptional analysis revealed that gallic acid altered the gene expression profiles related to five notable differentially regulated pathways. The genes related to the two-component system were up-regulated, while the genes associated with ABC-transporter, energy metabolism, carbon metabolism, and fatty acid biosynthesis were down-regulated. This is the first report to comprehensively assess the toxicity of gallic acid on E. coli. This study has implications for the efficient production of phenolic compounds by E. coli and provides new ideas for the study of microbial tolerance to environmental stress and the identification of associated tolerance targets.

Graphical abstract
In vitro propagation and improving accumulation of coumarin in Lycium barbarum, a rare plant in the flora of Egypt
Authors: Ahmed Manal El-salato Ala El-naby
Published: July 2022

Background

The conservation of natural populations of plants is very important for maintaining biological diversity. Lycium barbarum (goji berries) is classified as a very rare plant in the Egyptian flora. Goji berry is a fruit commonly known as ‘super-fruit,’ due to its beneficial constituents and medicinal properties. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of media formula added with various cytokinins on axillary bud induction of L. barbarum from shoot tip. An additional objective of this study was to investigate the effect of 2,4-D, TDZ, zeatin, IBA and NAA on growth and development of the plant through different stages. The present study also aims to improve coumarin accumulation as one of the most active constituents in the plant.

Results

Sterilized shoot tips of L. barbarum were cultured without growth regulators on different media formulas: Murashige and Skoog basal medium (MS medium), Gamborg’s medium (B5 medium) and Woody plant medium (WP medium). MS medium gave the best shoot induction. The maximum multiplication rate of shoots was recorded on MS medium supplemented with 225.24 µM 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP). The best callus induction rate from in vitro derived young leaves was obtained on MS medium with 552.60 µM thidiazuron (TDZ). At 176.20 µM TDZ, the maximum shoot proliferation ability was obtained through organogenesis from the callus. MS medium with 220.25 µM TDZ produced the highest number (15 buds) and forming rate (96%) of adventitious buds through direct organogenesis. On MS medium with 304.86 µM naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), 100% rooting was obtained. Almost 95% of the in vitro-generated plantlets were successfully acclimatized. Furthermore, suspension culture containing MS medium with 552.60 µM TDZ and cinnamic acid at a concentration of 763 μM increased coumarin synthesis (1.95-fold), compared to control.

Conclusion

The in vitro regeneration of plants via leaf-mediated shoot organogenesis protocol presented in this study is well suited for L. barbarum propagation and produced large quantities of identical planting materials for desert revegetation and pharmaceutical industries. A very effective indirect regeneration method via callus culture provides a potential for this ethnomedicinal plant to be improved by genetic transformation procedures, in addition to mass propagation of elite plants. The cell suspension culture medium with 763 µM cinnamic acid had the highest coumarin accumulation.
Effect of the Buteyko breathing technique on asthma severity control among school age children
Authors: Hassan Esraa Elwan Mohammed , Abusaad Fawzia Elsayed , Mohammed Boshra Attia
Published: July 2022

Background

Asthma is a complex condition that can impair not only the child’s physical growth but also his optimal functional capacity and performance. Buteyko breathing technique is an exercise designed to regulate the breathing process. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the Buteyko breathing technique on asthma severity control among school-age children. In Egypt, this technique was applied through five studies, four among adult patients and only one among children. In Mansoura University, only one study conducted among adult patients and no studies conducted among children. Therefore, to fulfill this gap of knowledge, it was necessary to study the effect of this technique on asthma severity control among school age children.

Results

The mean childhood asthma control pretest was significantly improved in the posttest with high mean percent change of posttest than pretest (p = 0.0001), which was clinically and statically high significant. There was a statistical significant increase in the mean of peak expiratory flow rate and control pause test at the fourth week than the first one (p = 0.0001), with a high significant mean percent of change. There was a significant decrease in the heart rate over the 4 weeks of follow-up with high mean percent changes at fourth week than the first one (p = 0.003).

Conclusions

This study supports the effectiveness of the Buteyko breathing technique in improving respiratory outcome and promoting asthma control among school-age children with bronchial asthma.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05390554, registered on May 24 2022, retrospectively registered.
Dynamics of swarmalators: A pedagogical review
Authors: Sar Gourab Kumar , Ghosh Dibakar
Published: July 2022

Swarmalators have emerged as a new paradigm for dynamical collective behavior of multi-agent systems due to the interplay of synchronization and swarming that they inherently incorporate. Their dynamics have been explored with different coupling topologies, interaction functions, external forcing, noise, competitive interactions, and from other important viewpoints. Here we take a systematic approach and review the collective dynamics of swarmalators analytically and/or numerically. Long-term states of position aggregation and phase synchronization are revealed in this perspective with some future problems.
Clinical, Endocrine and Neuroimaging Findings in Girls With Central Precocious Puberty
Authors: Fava Daniela , Calandrino Andrea , Calevo Maria Grazia , Allegri Anna Elsa Maria , Napoli Flavia , Gastaldi Roberto , Patti Giuseppa , Casalini Emilio , Bassi Marta , Accogli Andrea , Alyasin Abdel Razaq Ahmad A , Ramaglia Antonia , Rossi Andrea , Maghnie Mohamad , Morana Giovanni , Di Iorgi Natascia
Published: July 2022

Context

The etiology of central precocious puberty (CPP) includes a spectrum of conditions. Girls younger than age 6 years with CPP should undergo cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but it remains controversial whether all girls who develop CPP between the ages of 6 and 8 years require neuroimaging examination.

Objective

To investigate the frequency of brain MRI abnormalities in girls diagnosed with CPP and the relationship between maternal factors, their age at presentation, clinical signs and symptoms, hormonal profiles, and neuroimaging findings.

Methods

Data were collected between January 2005 and September 2019 from 112 girls who showed clinical pubertal progression before 8 years of age who underwent brain MRI.

Results

MRI was normal in 47 (42%) idiopathic (I) scans, 54 (48%) patients had hypothalamic-pituitary anomalies (HPA) and/or extra-HP anomalies (EHPA), and 11 (10%) had brain tumors or tumor-like conditions (BT/TL), including 3 with neurological signs. Associated preexisting disorders were documented in 16. Girls with BT/TL had a higher LH peak after GnRH test (P = 0.01) than I, and those older than age 6 years had a higher craniocaudal diameter of the pituitary gland (P = 0.01); their baseline FSH and LH (P = 0.004) and peak FSH (P = 0.01) and LH (P = 0.05) values were higher than I. Logistic regression showed maternal age at menarche (P = 0.02) and peak FSH (P = 0.02) as BT/TL risk factors.

Conclusions

MRI provides valuable information in girls with CPP by demonstrating that fewer than half have a normal brain MRI and that few can have significant intracranial lesions after the age of 6, despite the absence of suggestive neurological signs.
ERK1/2-RSK2 Signaling in Regulation of ERα-Mediated Responses
Authors: Lannigan Deborah A
Published: July 2022

Signaling via extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK), a downstream effector, mediates numerous processes. For example, ERK1/2-RSK signaling is essential for estrogen homeostasis in the mammary gland and uterus to maintain physiological responsiveness. This review will focus on the coordination of ERK1/2-RSK2 and estrogen signaling through estrogen receptor alpha (ERα). The interrelationship and the feedback mechanisms between these pathways occurs at the level of transcription, translation, and posttranslational modification. Identifying how ERK1/2-RSK2 and estrogen signaling cooperate in homeostasis and disease may lead to novel therapeutic approaches in estrogen-dependent disorders.
CUX2/KDM5B/SOX17 Axis Affects the Occurrence and Development of Breast Cancer
Authors: Li Lili , Zhu Genbao , Tan Kemeng , Jiang La , Li Yafen , Zhu Xiaohong , Lin Zongwu , Zhang Xinghai , Chen Jie , Ma Chengquan
Published: July 2022

Objective

Abnormal expression of CUT-like homeobox 2 gene (CUX2) has been highlighted as potential clinical biomarkers in human cancers. Notably, the function of CUX2 has been less elucidated in breast cancer (BC). We focused on the role of the CUX2 in tumorigenesis and progression of BC with the involvement of the lysine demethylase 5B (KDM5B)/sex determining region Y-box 17 (SOX17) axis.

Methods

CUX2, KDM5B, and SOX17 expression levels in BC tissues and cells were tested by reverse transcription quantitative PCR and Western blotting. Later, the effects of CUX2, KDM5B, and SOX17 on the malignant behaviors of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells were analyzed by CCK-8, colony formation, and Transwell assays in vitro. The interactions of CUX2, KDM5B, and SOX17 were validated by online website prediction, ChIP assay, and dual luciferase reporter gene assay. The subcutaneous tumorigenesis in nude mice was conducted to observe the roles of CUX2, KDM5B, and SOX17 in BC tumor growth in vivo.

Results

CUX2 and KDM5B were highly expressed while SOX17 had low expression in BC. Inhibition of CUX2 suppressed BC cell malignant phenotypes. CUX2 promoted KDM5B expression through transcriptional activation, enabling its high expression in BC. KDM5B inhibited SOX17 expression through histone demethylation. Overexpression of KDM5B or downregulation of SOX17 reversed the inhibitory effect of CUX2 downregulation on the malignant behaviors of BC cells. Inhibition of CUX2 impeded BC cell growth in vivo through the KDM5B/SOX17 axis.

Conclusion

This study highlights that suppression of CUX2 inhibits KDM5B to repress tumorigenesis and progression of BC through overexpressing SOX17.
Supervised Physical Activity Quickly Improves Social Dimension of Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: BRIANT ANAÏS , FRANDEMICHE CHARLINE , SEVIN EMMANUEL , KALUZINSKI LAURE , LEVY CHRISTELLE , ANDRÉ MICHEL , RAT FLORIAN , LUCAS VINCENT , DADOUN NATHALIE , SEGURA CARINE , JOLY FLORENCE , DELCAMBRE CORINNE , BEAUPLET BÉRENGÈRE , LEROSIER BERTRAND , BESNIER ANNE , DESVERGÉE ANTOINE , LECONTE PASCALE , MORELLO RÉMY , BLAIZOT XAVIER
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The objectives of the present study was to evaluate the implementation of the program in real life and the evolution of the quality of life (QoL) in breast cancer patients after 3 months of supervised PA in real life and to determine the factors associated with changes in various QoL dimensions.

Methods

This prospective cohort study was carried out in female patients with breast cancer diagnosed within a maximum of 3 yr. QoL and physical exertion intensity during the supervised physical activity (PA) sessions were assessed by the Quality of Life Questionnaire for Cancer and Borg scale, respectively. Statistical analyses comparing QoL scores between the start and the end of supervised PA program were assessed using paired Student’s t-tests. Multivariate analysis was performed by linear regression with only variables with a P value <0.15 in univariate model.

Results

A total of 93 patients were included in the analyses. There was a significant improvement of social functioning at T3 (∆ = 11.5; P < 0.001). The improvement of social functioning was significantly and independently associated with the Borg improvement (β = 2.66 ± 1.31, P = 0.046), chemotherapy (β = 11.03 ± 5.45, P = 0.046), hormone therapy (β = −13.91 ± 5.51, P = 0.013), social isolation (β = −14.81 ± 6.55, P = 0.026), and comorbidities (β = −15.32 ± 5.59, P = 0.007).

Conclusions

We observed a real enthusiasm and need among patients for practicing PA supervised by a sport trainer near their home. The increase in the intensity of exercise over time contributes to the improvement of the QoL, especially on the social functioning. These results, consistent with previous literature, reinforce the importance of exercise intensity on many dimensions of QoL. In addition, patients expressed great satisfaction with the supervised program, resulting in a strong desire to maintain long-term PA.
Belief Elicitation When More Than Money Matters: Controlling for “Control”
Authors: Benoît Jean-Pierre , Dubra Juan , Romagnoli Giorgia
Published: July 2022

Elicitation mechanisms typically presume only money enters utility functions. However, nonmonetary objectives are confounders. In particular, psychologists argue people favor bets where ability is involved over equivalent random bets—a preference for control. Our new elicitation method mitigates control objectives and determines that under the widely used matching probabilities method, subjects report beliefs 18 percent higher than their true beliefs to increase control. Nonmonetary objectives account for 68 percent of what would normally be measured as overconfidence. We also find that control is only a desire to bet on doing well; betting on doing badly is perceived as a negative. (JEL C91, D11, D82, D83, D91)
Competitive Information Disclosure to an Auctioneer
Authors: Terstiege Stefan , Wasser Cédric
Published: July 2022

We analyze how voluntary disclosure of information by bidders affects the outcome of optimally designed auctions. In a single-object auction environment, we assume that before the revenue-maximizing auctioneer designs the auction, bidders noncooperatively choose signal structures that disclose information about their valuations. We show that an equilibrium exists in this two-stage game and that in every equilibrium the object is sold with probability one. Our main result concerns the consequences of information disclosure for the auctioneer’s revenue. If in the benchmark without disclosure the object remains unsold with positive probability, then disclosure yields strictly higher revenue in every equilibrium. (JEL D44, D82, D83)
Class Actions and Private Antitrust Litigation
Authors: Choi Albert H. , Spier Kathryn E.
Published: July 2022

When firms collude and charge supracompetitive prices, consumers can bring antitrust lawsuits against the firms. When the litigation cost is low, firms accept the cost as just another cost of doing business, whereas when the cost is high, the firms lower the price to deter litigation. Class action is modeled as a mechanism that allows plaintiffs and attorneys to obtain economies of scale. We show that class actions, and the firms’ incentive to block them, may or may not be socially desirable. Agency problems, settlement, fee-shifting, treble damages, public enforcement, and sustaining collusion through repeat play are also considered. (JEL D21, D24, D82, K15, K21, K41, L40)
Breast cancer
Authors: Ομέρ-Μουσταφά Αίντα
Published: July 2022

Εισαγωγή: Ο καρκίνος του μαστού είναι ο πιο συχνός καρκίνος στις γυναίκες στο Σουδάν και την Ελλάδα. Μόλις διαγνωστεί, η γυναίκα υποβάλλεται σε ποικίλες ιατρικές παρεμβάσεις για θεραπεία, όπως χειρουργική επέμβαση, ακτινοθεραπεία, χημειοθεραπεία ή ορμονική θεραπεία και αυτή η περίοδος είναι πολύ αγχωτική για την ασθενή και την οικογένειά της και σύζυγό της. Στόχος της μελέτης: Στόχος μας ήταν να διερευνήσουμε τον αντίκτυπο της διάγνωσης και της θεραπείας του καρκίνου του μαστού στην οικογενειακή κατάσταση της ασθενούς, καθώς και στην κοινωνική ζωή και την καριέρα της. Συμπεριλάβαμε ασθενείς από την Ελλάδα και το Σουδάν, λαμβάνοντας υπόψη τις διαφορές στην κοινωνική και εκπαιδευτική τους θέση. Επιπλέον, διερευνήσαμε την πιθανότητα ύπαρξης διαφορετικών απαντήσεων μεταξύ των δύο χωρών. Πιο συγκεκριμένα, συγκρίναμε τα ποσοστά διαζυγίων μεταξύ μιας ομάδας γυναικών που διαγνώστηκε με καρκίνο του μαστού και εκείνων μιας ομάδας ελέγχου και στις δύο χώρες. Επιπλέον, καταγράψαμε την επίδραση του καρκίνου του μαστού στην καριέρα της ασθενούς, καθώς και στην καριέρα του συζύγου της. Αξιολογήθηκαν, επίσης,  η εκτίμηση του τύπου της νόσου, του σταδίου, των τρόπων θεραπείας και της έκβασής της, των ποσοστών υποτροπής και των σημείων υποτροπής. Μέθοδοι: Η μελέτη είναι μια συγκριτική συγχρονική μελέτη περίπτωσης ελέγχου.  Διεξήχθη στο Bashair University Teaching & Elsharif Hospitals στο Σουδάν και στα Ιπποκράτειο Πανεπιστημιακό Γενικό Νοσοκομείο και Πανεπιστημιακό Γενικό Νοσοκομείο Αλεξάνδρα στην Αθήνα, Ελλάδα. Κριτήρια ένταξης ήταν οι παντρεμένες γυναίκες ασθενείς που είχαν διαγνωστεί με καρκίνο του μαστού σε οποιοδήποτε στάδιο. 100 ασθενείς από το Σουδάν και 94 ασθενείς από την Ελλάδα συμπεριλήφθηκαν στη μελέτη και συγκρίθηκαν με μια ομάδα ασθενών που διαγνώστηκαν με καλοήθεις βλάβες, αποτελούμενη από 100 ασθενείς από το Σουδάν και 66 ασθενείς από την Ελλάδα. Αποτελέσματα – Συμπεράσματα: Τα αποτελέσματά μας έδειξαν ότι τα ποσοστά διαζυγίων ήταν χαμηλά και παρόμοια και στις δύο χώρες μεταξύ των επιζώντων από καρκίνο του μαστού, παρά τις διαφορές στον πολιτισμό και τον τρόπο ζωής. Οι ασθενείς που υποβλήθηκαν σε θεραπεία επέστρεψαν στην εργασία τους και πέτυχαν περισσότερα επιτεύγματα από εκείνες της ομάδας ελέγχου. Είναι ενδιαφέρον ότι ο καρκίνος του μαστού εντοπίστηκε νωρίτερα σε Ελληνίδες ασθενείς σε σύγκριση με τις γυναίκες από το Σουδάν, πιθανώς λόγω των υψηλότερων ποσοστών ευαισθητοποίησης και των καλύτερων μέσων παροχής υγείας. Στις περισσότερες περιπτώσεις, οι ασθενείς από την Ελλάδα υποβλήθηκαν σε ογκεκτομή και τους χορηγήθηκε ορμονική θεραπεία. Από την άλλη πλευρά, οι ασθενείς από Σουδάν που παρουσιάστηκαν σε προχωρημένο στάδιο και μικρότερη ηλικία, διαγνώστηκαν συχνότερα με όγκο αρνητικό σε υποδοχείς οιστρογόνων, η πλειοψηφία υποβλήθηκε σε τροποποιημένη ριζική μαστεκτομή και χημειοθεραπεία και τα ποσοστά υποτροπής ήταν υψηλότερα. Ayda Hussein Omer Mustafa. Σύμβουλος χειρουργός. Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής Πανεπιστημίου Alneelain. Συντονισμός του Προγράμματος κατά του Καρκίνου του Μαστού, Υπουργείο Υγείας του Σουδάν.
Καρδιοαναπνευστική κόπωση σε παιδιά με ήπιο έως μέτριο άσθμα
Authors: Λάγιου Όλγα
Published: July 2022

Εισαγωγή: Τα παιδιά με μη-ελεγχόμενο άσθμα εμφανίζουν μικρότερη ανοχή στην άσκηση λόγω περιορισμού του αερισμού, εμφάνισης βρογχόσπασμου κατά την άσκηση, και λόγω κακής φυσικής κατάστασης. Ωστόσο, η συμβολή αυτών των παραγόντων στα παιδιά με ελεγχόμενο ήπιο έως μέτριο άσθμα δεν είναι γνωστή. Ο σκοπός της μελέτης μας ήταν να διερευνήσουμε τους υποκείμενους μηχανισμούς της μειωμένης ικανότητας για άσκηση των παιδιών με ελεγχόμενο ήπιο έως μέτριο άσθμα. Υλικό και μέθοδος: Αυτή ήταν μια συγχρονική μελέτη που περιλάμβανε 45 παιδιά και εφήβους (ηλικίας 8-18 ετών) με ελεγχόμενοήπιο έως μέτριο άσθμα (σκορ στο ερωτηματολόγιο Asthma Control Test 21-25) στην ομάδα ασθενών, και 61 υγιή παιδιά αντίστοιχης ηλικίας στην ομάδα ελέγχου. Όλοι οι συμμετέχοντες συμπλήρωσαν ένα ερωτηματολόγιο αξιολόγησης της φυσικής δραστηριότητας και υπεβλήθησαν σε σπιρομέτρηση και καρδιοαναπνευστική δοκιμασία κόπωσης (πρωτόκολλο μέγιστης κόπωσης με σταδιακά αυξανόμενο έργο). Οι σπιρομετρικοί δείκτες και οι παράμετροι της καρδιοαναπνευστικής δοκιμασίας κόπωσης συγκρίθηκαν μεταξύ των δύο ομάδων. Η επίδραση του βρογχόσπασμου κατά την άσκηση (πτώση >10% στην FEV1 μετά τη δοκιμασία κόπωσης), του περιορισμού του αερισμού και της κακής φυσικής κατάστασης στη μέγιστη πρόσληψη οξυγόνου (V'O2peak) εκτιμήθηκε με πολυπαραγοντική γραμμική παλινδρόμηση. Αποτελέσματα: Το 62,2% των παιδιών με άσθμα και το 29,5% των υγιών παιδιών της ομάδας ελέγχου (p = 0,002) κατηγοριοποιήθηκαν ως μη-δραστήρια. Μειωμένη ικανότητα για άσκηση (V'O2peak < 80%) παρατηρήθηκε στο 53,5% των παιδιών με άσθμα και στο 16,4% των παιδιών της ομάδας ελέγχου (p < 0,001). Βρογχόσπασμος κατά την άσκηση παρατηρήθηκε στο 11,1% των συμμετεχόντων με άσθμα. Κακή φυσική κατάσταση σημειώθηκε στο 37,8% των παιδιών με άσθμα και στο 14,8% της ομάδας ελέγχου (p = 0,013). Η κακή φυσική κατάσταση αναδείχθηκε ως ο μόνος καθοριστικός παράγοντας που επηρεάζει τη V'O2peak, ανεξαρτήτως του ιστορικού άσθματος, του δείκτη μάζας σώματος, του περιορισμού του αερισμού και της εμφάνισης βρογχόσπασμου κατά την άσκηση. Συμπεράσματα: Τα παιδιά με ελεγχόμενο ήπιο έως μέτριο άσθμα εμφανίζουν μικρότερη ανοχή στην άσκηση σε σχέση με τους υγιείς συνομηλίκους τους. Η μειωμένη ικανότητα για άσκηση σε αυτό τον πληθυσμό θα πρέπει κυρίως να αποδοθεί στην κακή φυσική κατάσταση, ενώ η συμμετοχή του περιορισμού του αερισμού και του βρογχόσπασμου κατά την άσκηση είναι μάλλον μικρή.
Plant tissue culture challenges in Ethiopia and alternative options for low-cost media
Authors: Amare Kasahun , Dugassa Geleta
Published: July 2022

Plant tissue culture (PTC) is the cultivation of any part of a plant in nutritionally defined media under an aseptic and controlled environment, regardless of season and weather. The application of PTC leads to the mass propagation of varietal, high-quality seedlings of ornamental plants, medicinal plants, plantation crops, fruit trees, and forest trees. PTC technology, on the other hand, is more expensive in developing nations, such as Ethiopia, than traditional propagation methods such as seeds, cuttings, grafting, and so on. As a result, it is critical to take steps to cut production costs and explore alternate choices for present PTC obstacles (budget restrictions, procedural and operational matters, and unfortunate interactions and partnerships). In order to lower the unit cost of crop production, cost-effective procedures and the optimal utilization of equipment are required. This can be accomplished by increasing the efficiency of processes and optimizing resource allocation. Gelling agents, macro and micronutrients, equipment, carbon sources, and the utilization of bioreactors, which can minimize space, energy, and labor needs, can all be replaced to lower production costs. Therefore, these alternative options are recommended as a workaround to the problems and are briefly described in this document.
The influence of combined oral contraceptive pills on carbohydrate metabolism in healthy women and in women with PCOS - a systemic review
Authors: Wicha Katarzyna , Wierciszewki Rafał , Pokarowska Aleksandra , Hawryluk Anna , Pająk Beata
Published: July 2022

Introduction: Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) are a commonly used contraceptive method. They are used as one of the method therapy in women with PCOS. Outcomes from previous studies about the influence of the COCs on carbohydrate metabolism are diverse. Purpose: To assess the influence of combined oral contraceptives on parameters of carbohydrate metabolism in healthy women and in women with PCOS.

Review methods: We conducted a systemic review according to PRISMA protocol. Databases as Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science were screened systematically.The inclusion criteria were:a study published in 2016-2021, which contains information about the change of carbohydrate parameters as: fasting insulin, fasting glucose levels;HOMA-IR;insulin, glucose levels etc.The participants were healthy/PCOS women. Studies conducted on animals were excluded. The final number of studies enrolled in this study is 15.

Abbreviated description of the state of knowledge: There are studies in which negative influences of the COCs on carbohydrate metabolism are proved. Nevertheless, many of these studies were conducted years ago.COCs, when they were introduced in 1960s, contained different compounds and amounts of hormones. Over the years a successive decrease in estrogen dose has occurred . Also progestogens have been developed in order to minimize the androgenic effects.Results of studies conducted nowadays are ambiguous.

Summary: A significant impairment of carbohydrate metabolism in short period of time was not detected in healthy women. In women with PCOS the results depended on the type of COCs used.
The Aftermath of ‘Arab Spring’ revolutions: Political consensus or power transition in Algeria? A Critical assessment
Authors: Iratni Belkacem
Published: July 2022

Since the coming of the so-called Arab Spring, there has been a mounting controversy on whether the dismissal of authoritarian regimes in the Arab world has effectively paved the way to democratization. In this vein, the reflection on political consensus or the transition to a new political order becomes pertinent and requires academic investigation on political change which can avoid uncertainties and “the fears of the unknown”. The main contention of this study, devoted to the Algerian case, pertains to the fact that in the light of domestic demands and external pressures, a move towards a consensus based on gradual political and economic reforms which were incepted in 2011, may avoid this country to be drawn into political turmoil, terrorism and social chaos as it happened in other Arab countries.
Algeria in the face of regional changes and challenges
Authors: Debeche Smail
Published: July 2022

The rapid changes at the top of the political leadership in some Arab countries since 2011 because of the ‘Arab Spring’ affected the society in Algeria. Serious protests took place in different places in the country, especially in Algiers, the capital (29 December 2010 – 4 January 2011). But unlike in other Arab countries Algerians went to streets for social demands rather than for political changes .The paper examines the factors behind ‘Arab Spring’ failing expand to Algeria the same as it happened in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Yemen… and how the Algerian political leadership could avoid the negative effects or consequences of regional changes.
Printemps arabe à l’algérienne. Réforme politique et consolidation autoritaire
Authors: Tlemçani Rachid
Published: July 2022

Face à un mouvement de protestations, massif mais sans leadership le gouvernement algérien a préféré tout simplement mettre en place « des réformes politiques profondes » tout en maintenant le système de prédation. Ces mesures de types oukases sont présentées comme la réponse au Printemps arabe. Ces réformes se sont finalement limitées à la promulgation d’une dizaine de lois organiques, notamment la loi relative au régime électoral, les lois régissant les partis politiques, l’information, les associations caritatives et la loi relative aux quotas des femmes au sein des assemblées élues. Cette analyse examine rigoureusement les enjeux de ces nouveaux textes dans le contexte de crise de l’État sécuritaire.
Narrowing the Gap: Convergence of German and Polish Public Attitudes towards the Russian-Ukrainian Conflict
Authors: Fomina Joanna
Published: July 2022

The annexation of the Crimean peninsula by Russia and the Russian-Ukrainian military conflict have triggered varied reactions in Europe. Although in response to the Russian aggression against Ukraine the Western governments have imposed limited individual and economic sanctions and the EU has managed to speak in one voice there, agreeing common position was not easy. The survey results demonstrate that despite a popular perception of Poles as Russophobes and of Germans – as Russophiles, and thus an expected difference of attitudes towards the ongoing events in the two societies, we observe considerable convergence of opinions in both countries. This is not to say that Polish and German public opinions are unanimous regarding the conflict. On the contrary, both German and Polish societies are internally divided with regard to the assessment of current events, their roots and consequences as well as the required response on the part of the EU. Yet, we observe a toning down of considerable differences along national lines. Moreover, both Poles and Germans agree that the relations between their countries with Russia are bad; are generally critical towards Russia’s policy vis-à-vis Ukraine and support sanctions against Russia and economic aid for Ukraine. At the same time, both Germans and Poles oppose providing military aid to Ukraine as well as are afraid of refugee flows from Ukraine in case of lifting the visa requirement for Ukrainians. All in all, the belief that Poles and Germans have completely opposite views on the Russian- -Ukrainian conflict is not reflected in the public opinion survey results.
Changes in the European System of International Relations due to the “Ukrainian Crises” of 2014-15
Authors: Kryvonos Roman
Published: July 2022

The article analyzes the changes in the European system of international relations that resulted from the undeclared Russian intervention to Ukraine. The analysis of the Russian Federation’s policy intended to change for its benefit the post-bipolar international system and of the leading Euro-Atlantic states responses is made. The possible measures of Ukraine to counter the undeclared Russian aggression are recommended.
Chinese perspectives and discussions on Ukraine Crisis
Authors: Lilei Song , Sang Ren
Published: July 2022

As one of the most serious geopolitical crisis since the end of the Cold War, the Ukraine Crisis has an impact not only upon the reshaping of the Eurasian political architecture, but also upon the reconstruction of the world order. This paper deploys content analysis of 45 academic papers on “Ukraine Crisis” in Chinese core journals (CSSCI) from December 2013 to April 2015, which are further compared with 56 papers whose research subject is “Ukraine politics” in the same journal database from the January 2004 to November 2013. It explores how the Chinese academia discusses Ukraine from a wider range of perspectives including international political economy, politics security and international relations in the past 10 years. It finds that Chinese scholars give different interpretations to the development of Ukraine Crisis. From a perspective of institutional transformation, Ukraine is an important case of a political failure leading to social disorders. From a geopolitical perspective, Russia, the United States and the European Union each have their respective objectives in Ukraine. From a perspective of imperial studies, although the “new Cold War” thesis has been overplayed, Russia will double its efforts to look for alignment with anti-west forces, resulting in more complication in alignment among major countries. The impact of the crisis is yet to be felt globally and its warning lessons are to be learned by China.
Post Vilnius Armenia – Still Sitting on the Fence?
Authors: Esken Moritz
Published: July 2022

The following article deals with Armenia’s situation and its prospects within the context of the Eastern Partnership of the European Union. It analyses the reasons for President Sargsyan’s decision to join the Russian led Eurasian Economic Union and the consequences of this choice. For this purpose it takes a look on Armenia’s economic and security, as well as its geopolitical situation. Furthermore, the special relationship between Armenia and Russia and also the role of the Eurasian Economic Union is shown. The article concludes with points of criticism concerning the EaP and its possible adjustments as well as the options for an alternative framework of Euro-Armenian cooperation.
How to Deal with Armenia’s Geopolitical Trilemma? Examining Public Opinion
Authors: Galstyan Narek S.
Published: July 2022

This article focuses on the analysis of foreign policy attitudes and perceptions within Armenia’s society. The analysis is based on the comparison and interpretation of results of various quantitative surveys conducted in Armenia from 2009 to 2015. The results of this comparative chronological analysis are compared with the basic principles of official foreign policy, enshrined in the National Security Strategy of Armenia (2007). In this framework, the core emphasis is placed perceptions of European and Eurasian dimensions of Armenia’s foreign policy. The objective of this analysis is to identify the existing and changing features of the foreign policy orientation within Armenia’s society. It is concluded that for Armenia’s society there was and is not any “Eurasian”, but only a “Russian” choice: the vast majority of Armenia’s population considers relations with Russia as strategic and as based not on economic or socio-cultural, but mainly on political (security) reasons. However, absolute majority also welcomes Armenia’s broad cooperation with West, especially with the EU. Moreover, the majority even stands for Armenia’s membership in the European Union alongside with the membership in the Eurasian Union.
Hayrapetyan Viktoriya, Economic Relations between Armenia and the EU within the framework of Eastern Partnership
Authors: Grigor Hayrapetyan , Viktoriya Hayrapetyan
Published: July 2022

In the nearest future a new agreement will be concluded between the EU and Armenia that aims at further developing and strengthening their comprehensive cooperation in all areas of mutual interest, taking into account the other international commitments of Armenia, in particular its decision to join the EEU. In our paper we analyze the present conditions of the bilateral trade flows between the RA and the EU, and the flows of investments from the EU to the RA, aiming to reveal the base for further development of economic relations between the RA and the EU. The EU has always been one of the leading economic partners of Armenia since its independence. We found that the main characteristics of the RA-EU economic relations are 1) geographical (by-country) concentration – 5 European countries covered in 2014 above 95% of the total Armenia’s export to the EU; and 7 EU countries covered in 2013 about 94% of gross inflow of foreign investments from the EU into the RA; 2) raw-material orientation of both export flows from Armenia to the EU and investments from the EU into the Armenian economy. Thus, Armenian government should make efforts in the line of reimaging of Armenia for European business from raw-materials base to provider of manufactured products.