bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and Validation of Nasal Polyposis Quality of Life Questionnaire (NPQ)
Authors: Baiardini Ilaria , Paoletti Giovanni , Mariani Alessia , Malvezzi Luca , Pirola Francesca , Mercante Giuseppe , Spriano Giuseppe , Puggioni Francesca , Racca Francesca , Melone Giulio , Malipiero Giacomo , Ferri Sebastian , Canonica Giorgio Walter , Heffler Enrico
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND: To date, no disease-specific tool is available to assess the impact of Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP) on Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop and validate a questionnaire specifically designed to this aim: the Nasal Polyposis Quality of Life questionnaire –NPQ.METHODS: According to the current guidelines, the development and validation of the NPQ occurred in two separate steps involving different groups of patients.RESULTS: In the development process of NPQ an initial list of items of 40 items was given to 60 patients with CRSwNP; the 27 most significant items were selected and converted into questions. The validation procedure involved 107 patients (mean age 52.9±12.4). NPQ revealed a five-dimensional structure and high levels of internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.95). Convergent validity (Spearman’ coefficient r=0.75; p< 0.01), discriminant validity (sensitivity to VAS score), reliability in a sample of patients with a stable health status (Interclass Coefficient 0.882) were satisfactory. Responsiveness to clinical changes was accomplished. The minimal important difference was 7. CONCLUSIONS: NPQ is the first questionnaire for the assessment of HRQoL in CRSwNP. Our results provide that the new tool is valid, reliable, and sensitive to individual changes.
Evaluation of Peripheral Blood Neutrophil Functions after an Oral Carbohydrate Overload in Obese and Insulin Resistant Horses
Authors: Salinas Constanza , Espinosa Gabriel , Morales Natalia , Henriquez Claudio , Moran Gabriel , Gajardo Gonzalo , Burgos Rafael A , Uberti Benjamin
Published: October 2020

Background: Obesity and insulin resistance (IR) are conditions of increasing prevalence in populations of equids worldwide. The immune impairment described in metabolic dysfunction status in humans has been extensively reported with minimal data regarding horses. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of obesity as an isolated factor and in association with insulin resistance on apoptosis, phagocytosis and oxidative burst activity of neutrophils isolated from peripheral blood of lean and obese adult horses with or without insulin resistance, basally and after induction of hyperglycemia through an oral glucose test. Results: No differences in apoptosis were observed between experimental groups at any time point. Phagocytic capacity was significantly diminished at baseline in the obese-IR group (P<0.05) but increased after stimulation of hyperglycemia (P=0.007). Basal reactive oxygen species production differed significantly (P=0.0001) between the obese-insulin sensitive (IS) and lean-IS or obese-IR groups, and decreased significantly after stimulation of hyperglycemia in the lean-IS and obese-IS groups (P<0.05).Conclusions: Results from this study showed that both metabolic status itself, and acute hyperglycemia, are factors that influence PMNs functionality in horses, specifically phagocytosis and oxidative burst. This indicates the need for close monitoring of immune function in horses with inflammatory disease and concurrent obesity and insulin resistance.
WITHDRAWN: Utilization of traditional Chinese medicine and the impact on medical burden of geriatric inpatients with chronic diseases
Authors: Zhan Huan , Zang Shuang , Liu Jia , Wang Xin , Liang Rongzhou
Published: October 2020

BackgroundThe burden of chronic diseases seriously affects the health and quality of life of the geriatric. Many studies have pointed out that traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) can alleviate the problem of expensive medical treatment. It is unknown that how situation of the utilization of TCM in geriatric patients with chronic diseases and the impact of the use of TCM on their medical burden.MethodsThrough stratified multi-stage sampling method, 1336 institutions in Hunan Province of China were surveyed to obtain expenditure inpatient’s of geriatric with chronic diseases in 2018. Possion regression model was used to analysis the utilization of TCM. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was performed to observe the medical burden in TCM user’ group and TCM nousers’ group. The relationship between proportion of expenses of TCM to expenses of drugs(Ptcm) and medical burden were analyzed using Spearman’s correlation analyses.ResultsIn geriatric inpatients with chronic diseases, female (RR=1.009, RR95%CI: 1.006-1.013), patients who have not undergone surgery(RR=1.246, RR95%CI:1.237-1.255), the elderly and the insured patients were more likely to use TCM for treatment. The distribution of Totalexp in the TCM users group and the TCM nousers group was different in various types of chronic diseases (all p<0.001). For some types of chronic diseases, the Ptcm has a negative correlation with Totalexp, cost of medicine，OOPs(rs<0 and p<0.005).ConclusionThere were differences in the utilization of TCM treatment of geriatric patients with chronic diseases in terms of gender, age, institution and insurance status. Treatment mainly used TCM for geriatric chronic diseases of respiratory system, digestive system, circulatory system, ear and neurological has obvious cost-benefit advantages, and conducive to reducing the burden of patients.
How self-control affects our training and nutrition goals: A comparison between overweight women and bodybuilders.
Authors: Chan Henry , Muzy Roberta Carbonari , Kanas Paula H. D. , Lancha Luciana O. P. , Rabelo Ivan S. , Rubio Katia , Muzy Paulo C. , Lancha Antonio H.
Published: October 2020

The psychological and dedication in bodybuilding has a significant impact in these athlete’s lives, supporting self-control and individual’s social realization. Moreover, their motivation is an important key during the pre competition period, when high levels of self-control contribute to achieving goals and performing under pressure. Purpose : the aim of this research is to study the differences between the locus of control of overweight women and bodybuilding athletes.Methods : The current study was designed to compare two groups (n=18); female bodybuilders (n=10) and overweight women (n=8). Data were collected by survey monkey URL link, composed of 12 questions involving nutrition and training lifestyle, each with 3 possible columns with answers: relying on reward / relying on others/ relying on me. Participants were requested to answer by classifying how the sources of control affect each item with ratings from 1 to 5. The average result of each question and column was calculated with comparison purposes.Results : The column “relying on me” had the same average rating 4.9/5 rating for bodybuilders and overweight women. For “relying on others” the athletes’ average rating was 1.2/5 and for non-athletes 1.4/5. The major difference was regarding “relying on a reward” with an average rating of 2.7/5 for the group of bodybuilders and 1.9/5 for non-athletes.Conclusions : We concluded that a source of reward is much more significant to athletes, which can refer to either intrinsic or extrinsic motivation. keywords: bodybuilding, motivation, locus of control
Role of Eg5 in Prognosis Prediction and Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Shao Yu-Yun , Sun Nai-Yun , Jeng Yung-Ming , Wu Yao-Ming , Hsu Chiun , Hsu Chih-Hung , Hsu Hey-Chi , Cheng Ann-Lii , Lin Zhong-Zhe
Published: October 2020

Background: The kinesin Eg5, a mitosis-associated protein, is overexpressed in many cancers. Here we explored the clinical significance of Eg5 in HCC.Methods: HCC tissues from surgical resection were collected. Total RNA was prepared from tumorous and nontumorous parts. Eg5 expression levels were correlated with overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). In vitro efficacy of LGI-147, a specific Eg5 inhibitor, was tested in HCC cell lines. In vivo efficacy of Eg5 inhibition was investigated in a xenograft model.Results: A total of 108 HCC samples were included. The patients were divided into three tertile groups with high, medium, and low Eg5 expression levels. OS of patients with low Eg5 expression was better than that of patients with medium and high Eg5 expression (median, 155.6 vs. 75.3 vs. 57.7 months, p = 0.002). DFS of patients with low Eg5 expression was also better than that of patients with medium and high Eg5 expression (median, 126.3 vs. 46.2 vs. 39.4 months, p = 0.001). In multivariate analyses, the associations between Eg5 expression and OS (p < 0.001) or DFS remained (p < 0.001). LGI-147 reduced cell growth via cell cycle arrest and apoptosis and induced accumulation of abnormal mitotic cells. In the xenograft model, the tumor growth rate under LGI-147 treatment was significantly slower than the control.Conclusion: High Eg5 expression was associated with poor HCC prognosis. In vitro and in vivo evidence suggests that Eg5 may be a reasonable therapeutic target for HCC.
Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma (FAST) Training for First-Year Resident Physicians at a University Hospital in Japan: A Longitudinal, Observational Study
Authors: Ota Koshi , Oba Koji , Ito Yuri , Ota Kanna , Takasu Akira
Published: October 2020

Background: Ultrasound training is an essential part of residency programs during emergency medicine (EM) rotations for first-year trainees (postgraduate year 1; PGY1). The Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) examination to assess for internal bleeding in trauma patients is one of the essential scans, which PGY1 residents must learn during the EM rotation.Method: A prospective, longitudinal, observational study of PGY1 residents during an EM rotation (two months) conducted from April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020 was performed. The primary outcome was the mean difference between the hands-on FAST examination scores of the first week of the EM rotation and the same hands-on FAST examination scores of the last week of the EM rotation. All PGY1 residents could access the ultrasound machine freely for examining other PGY1 residents and could use it for real patients under supervision of EM physicians.Result: A total of 34 PGY1 residents (male 29, female 5) were recruited and completed the hands-on FAST test in both the first week and the last week of the rotation. The mean test score for the PGY1 residents in the first week was 7.53 (standard deviation [SD] 2.12). The mean test score in the last week was 15.88 (SD 2.46). The primary outcome of this study was the score difference between the first and last weeks (mean 8.35, 95% confidence interval 7.36 - 9.35, P < 0.0001, paired t-test).Conclusion: Hands-on practical FAST training for PGY1 residents during EM rotations significantly improved their FAST test scores.
Validation of Age-specific Survival Prediction in Pediatric Patients With Blunt Trauma Using Trauma and Injury Severity Score Methodology: A Ten-year Nationwide Observational Study
Authors: Toida Chiaki , Muguruma Takashi , Gakumazawa Masayasu , Shinohara Mafumi , Abe Takeru , Takeuchi Ichiro , Morimura Naoto
Published: October 2020

Background: In-hospital mortality in trauma patients decreased recently owing to improved trauma injury prevention systems. However, no study which evaluated the validity of Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) in pediatrics by detailed classification of patients’ age and injury severity in Japan. This retrospective nationwide study evaluated the validity of TRISS in predicting survival in Japanese pediatric patients with blunt trauma by age and injury severity.Methods: Data were obtained from the Japan Trauma Data Bank during 2009−2018.Results: In all age categories, the area under the curve (AUC) for TRISS demonstrated high performance (0.935, 0.981, 0.979, and 0.977). The Accuracy of TRISS was 99.9%, 98.2%, 92.1%, 76.7%, 55.3%, and 72.1% in survival probability (Ps) interval groups (0.96−1.00), (0.91−0.95), (0.76.−0.90), (0.51−0.75), (0.26−0.50), and (0.00−0.25), respectively. The AUC for TRISS demonstrated moderate performance in the Ps interval group (0.96−1.00) and low performance in other Ps interval groups.Conclusions: The TRISS methodology appears to predict survival accurately in Japanese pediatric patients with blunt trauma; however, there were several problems in adopting the TRISS methodology for younger blunt trauma patients with higher injury severity. In the future, we should consider to conducting a simple, high-quality prediction model that is more suitable for pediatric trauma patients than the current TRISS model.
In vivo optogenetics reveals homeostatic control of cochlear sensitivity by supporting cells
Authors: Lukashkina Victoria , Levic Snezana , Simões Patricio , Xu Zhenhang , DiGuiseppi Joseph , Zuo Jian , Lukashkin Andrei , Russell Ian
Published: October 2020

We used optogenetics to investigate the control of auditory sensitivity by cochlear supporting cells that scaffold outer hair cells, which transduce and amplify cochlear responses to sound. In vivo and in vitro measurements of sound-induced cochlear mechanical and electrical responses were made from mice that conditionally expressed nonselective cationic channelrhodopsins in Deiters’ and outer pillar supporting cells in the organ of Corti. We demonstrated that cochlear light-stimulation and subsequent activation of channelrhodopsins depolarized the supporting cells, changed their extracellular electrical environment, and sensitized insensitive and desensitized sensitive cochlear responses to sound. We concluded that outer hair cells, Deiters’ cells and outer pillar cells interact through feedback which regulates their immediate ionic and electrical environment and controls energy flow in the mammalian cochlea to optimize its performance over its entire dynamic range. Activation of the supporting cell channelrhodopsins shunts this feedback system and restores cochlear sensitivity to a set level.
Requirement of splicing factor hnRNP A2B1 of hnRNPs for tumorigenesis of melanoma stem cells
Authors: Chu Mengqi , Wan Haitao , Zhang Xiaobo
Published: October 2020

Background: Cancer stem cells play essential roles in tumorigenesis, thus being the important targets for tumor therapy. The hnRNP family proteins, the important splicing factors, are found to be associated with tumor progression. However, the influence of hnRNPs on cancer stem cells has not been extensively explored.Methods: Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were used to examine the gene expression level. RNA immunoprecipitation assay and RNA sequencing were conducted to identify the RNAs interacted with hnRNP A2B1 on a genome-wide scale. The in vivo assays were performed in nude mice.Results: In this study, the results showed that hnRNP A2B1 of 19 hnRNPs was significantly upregulated in melanoma stem cells compared with non-stem cells, suggesting the important role of hnRNP A2B1 in cancer stem cells. The hnRNP A2B1 silencing triggered the cell cycle arrest in G2 phase, leading to apoptosis of melanoma stem cells. The results revealed that hnRNP A2B1 could bind to the precursor mRNAs of pro-apoptosis genes (DAPK1, SYT7 and RNF128) and anti-apoptosis genes (EIF3H, TPPP3 and DOCK2) to regulate the splicing of these 6 genes, thus promoting the expressions of anti-apoptosis genes and suppressing the expressions of pro-apoptosis genes. The in vivo data indicated that hnRNP A2B1 was required for tumorigenesis of melanoma stem cells in vivo by affecting the splicing of TPPP3, DOCK2, EIF3H, RNF128, DAPK1 and SYT7, thus suppressing apoptosis of melanoma stem cells.Conclusions: HnRNP A2B1 was required for tumorigenesis of melanoma stem cells. Therefore our findings presented novel molecular insights into the roles of hnRNPs in cancer stem cells.
Targeted senolytic prodrug is well tolerated and results in amelioration of frailty, muscle regeneration and cognitive functions in geriatric mice
Authors: Doan Linda , Paine Patrick , Tran Christopher , Parsons Benjamin , Hiller Amanda , Joshua Isaac , Collaco Nicholas , Vitari Alberto , Morree Antoine De , Ishak Heather , Jasper Jeffrey , Gallop Mark , Luo Jian , Wyss-Coray Tony , Rando Thomas , Quarta Marco
Published: October 2020

Mammalian aging coincides with an accumulation of senescent cells. Depletion of senescent cells shows promise to treat age-related diseases. However, many of the senolytic drugs used to deplete senescent cells cause profound toxic side effects. Here we tested a prodrug form of a pan-cytotoxic drug and demonstrated dramatically reduced side effects in geriatric mice while gaining senolytic selectivity. Specifically, we employ a strategy that takes advantage of the greatly enriched expression of the lysosomal hydrolase β-Galactosidase in senescent cells as a tool to selectively convert the prodrug into the active parent drug. In young, old and geriatric mice this prodrug was well tolerated and proved capable of reducing the burden of senescence in multiple tissues without evident toxicity. Importantly, chronic systemic treatment of geriatric mice resulted in reduced frailty index, improved muscle tissue and stem cell functions, improved cognitive functions and overall improved survival. This work supports future senolytic prodrug designs, based on other metabolic functions characteristic of senescent cells, on different parent drugs and aimed at clinical development. This new class of senolytic prodrugs promises capabilities of targeting selectively and safely specific senescent cell types in multiple tissues to treat age-related diseases in geriatric people.
Conservation of forest based on a fuelwood substitute as well as considering the cultural and spiritual values: an optimal fuelwood harvest model
Authors: Banerjee Polash
Published: October 2020

Excessive fuelwood harvest is a major cause of deforestation in the developing countries. To mitigate this, various preventive measures have been introduced in different countries. Availability of affordable substitute to the community dependent on the forest for domestic energy consumption may prevent further forest degradation. A stock dependent optimal control model of fuelwood harvest from a natural forest is presented here and comparative statics has been used to show that the presence of a fuelwood substitute will reduce its harvest and increase the forest stock. The model indicates that availability of cheaper and high energy content alternative for fuelwood can substantially reduce fuelwood extraction from a forest. Also, a lower discount rate and higher cultural and spiritual values (CSV) will keep the optimal forest stock close to its carrying capacity and reduce fuelwood harvest. The model reveals that the maximum sustainable yield of forest stock and the ratio of energy content per unit mass of fuel play a central role in the fate of forest stock and level of fuelwood harvest. Empirical example of the Southeast Asian forest growth model along with Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) as substitute has been used to illustrate the results. The outcomes of this study can incorporated into forest conservation polices.
Built Environment and Semen Quality in Korean Men with a History of Infertility: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Choe Seung-Ah , Kim Seulgi , Im Changmin , Kim Sun-Young , Wellenius Gregory , Kim You Shin , Yoon Tae Ki , Kim Dae Keun
Published: October 2020

Background: There is growing interest in the potential impact of the physical environment on human fertility. This study aimed to explore the association between built environment and semen parameters among men who sought fertility evaluation . Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving 5,886 men living in the Seoul Capital Area whose semen was tested at a single fertility center during 2016–2018. Environmental exposures evaluated were distance to fresh water (river and lake), the coast, major roadways, and neighborhood greenness measured by Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Outcome indicators were semen volume, sperm concentration, percentage of progressive motility, vitality, normal morphology, and total motile sperm count. We used linear regression to model standardized values of six semen quality indicators.Results: Majority of the study population (mean age 39 years) were white-collar workers, clerks, and service workers. None of the mean values of semen quality indicators showed linear trends across quartiles of built environment components. Linear associations between built environment features and semen quality indicators were not evident except for NDVI within 500 m and sperm vitality (β = 0.05 per 0.1-increase; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.01, 0.09). The 2nd quartile of distance to fresh water was associated with lower progressive motility compared to the 1st quartile (β = −0.10; 95% CI: −0.17, −0.03). Proportion of vitality was higher among men in the 2nd quartile of distance to roadways than those in the 1st quartile (0.08; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.15). Men in the 2nd quartile of NDVI showed higher total motile sperm count than those in the 1st quartile (0.09; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.17). In multi-exposure model, the positive association between NDVI and vitality remained (0.03, 95% CI: 0.00, 0.06). Conclusions: This study contributes potential evidence regarding the impact of built environment on male fertility ; specifically, a positive association between residential greenness and percentage of sperm vitality among Korean men with a history of infertility .
Nodular Fasciitis Presenting with Life-Threatening tracheal obstruction in a child
Authors: Shieba Yusuf , Khairy Mahmoud , Dosoky Mahmoud I. El , Elzouk Mohamed
Published: October 2020

Nodular fasciitis (NF) is a rare non-neoplastic inflammatory tumor and usually presents as a painless, rapidly growing subcutaneous soft tissue mass. The head and neck are relatively common locations for nodular fasciitis, particularly in children. NF in the trachea is a rare and may be a fatal condition, especially with it’s rapidly growing nature that could cause life-threatening tracheal obstruction. We report the case of a child with NF in the trachea with nearly total tracheal obstruction. Bronchoscopy and biopsy were proved the diagnosis, and the bronchoscopic excision of the whole tumor was performed.
COVID-19 Pandemic in Thailand: Implementing Containment Measures and Their Ethical Challenges
Authors: Sornklin Hongsuda , Kerdsomboon Thitiwan , Yuthavong Yongyuth , Palittapongarnpim Prasit , Hongladarom Soraj , Poovorawan Yong , Nakornthab Don , Wattanasirichaigoon Somkiat , Auewarakul Prasert , Plipat Tanarak , Phoomirat Rattanapan
Published: October 2020

Containment measures have been implemented in Thailand after the country was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. The top priority is to save people’s lives. Unavoidably, serious consequences that affected the people’s income, privacy, needs, equality, and equity emerged, presenting new challenges. In order to begin to investigate these complex ethical questions, the Office of Research Integrity of National Science and Technology Development Agency organized a meeting in order to bring together key experts in various fields related to the Covid-19 pandemic to discuss what was going on in Thailand and how to manage it properly. Three key ethical settings, each of which caused significant effects, were discussed in the meeting, namely public health, medical services, and research and clinical trial settings. Many key ethical issues were revealed during the meeting, as well as how best to address and manage them properly.
Effect of Carbohydrate Substrate from Starch-Containing Raw Materials on the Composition of Glucans in the Micromycete Aspergillus niger VKPM F-171 Biomass
Authors: Manzhieva B.S. , Printseva A.A. , Vybornova T.V. , Miroshnik A.S. , Kruchina-Bogdanov I.V. , Orekhova I.A.
Published: October 2020

The conditions for biocatalytic cleavage of corn starch and rye whole grain flour for the subsequent cultivation of the Asperillus niger strain VKPM F-171 are described. As a result of this procedure, the amount of water-soluble carbohydrates in the substrates increased by 5-6 times in comparison with the initial raw material, and the content of glucan p-form in the hydrolysate of rye whole grain flour grew by 2-3 times. The content of glucans in the biomass by the end of the cultivation of A. niger VKPM F-171 on corn starch hydrolysate was 28±2% of dry matter, while the proportion of glucans after fermentation on the rye whole grain flour hydrolysate was 21±1%, 96-97% of which were β-glucans. The hydrolysis with Trichoderma longibrachiatum β-glucanase and Trichoderma reesei xylanase resulted in a 1.1-1.2-fold increase in the proportion of soluble carbohydrates in microbial biomass. It was found via gas-liquid chromatography that the structural units of carbohydrates in microbial biomass are represented by glucose and its 2- and 6-deoxy derivatives, fructose, fucose, galactose, mannose, xylose, and, to the greatest extent, by the reserve saccharide sedoheptulose. It was established that β-glucans are products of hydrolysis of the chitin-glucan complex and glycopeptides. The molecular weight of the obtained microbial glucan-containing biopolymers ranges from 0.5 to 50 kDa. It was shown that the content of β-glucans in microbial biomass allows the latter to be considered as an alternative to plant sources.

biosynthesis, Asperillus niger, biocatalysis, starch-containing raw materials, glucans
Obtainment and Phytochemical Screening of Callus and Suspension Cell Cultures of Phlojodicarpus sibiricus (Steph. ex Spreng.) К.-Pol.
Authors: Kochkin D. V. , Tomilova S.V. , Galishev В A. , Klyushin A.G. , Nosov A.M.
Published: October 2020

Callus and suspension cell cultures have been obtained from aseptic seedlings of Siberian bloat fruit (Phlojodicarpus sibiricus), a producer of coumarins. P. sibiricus callus cultures were characterized by white-yellow coloration, a combination of loose and dense cell aggregates, and satisfactory growth. The dry biomass growth index for cultures of leaf, hypocotyle or root origin was 7-9, 10-12 and 11-13, respectively. Suspension cell cultures were initiated from calluses of leaf and hypocotyle origin; these cultures were also white-yellow and consisted mainly of cell aggregates of the meristem-like and parenchyma-like types with different aggregation degrees depending on the origin. Cell viability during the growth cycle was at the level of 70-80%. In contrast to the original callus cultures, the suspension culture of leaf callus origin had the highest growth characteristics (growth index of about 10). Preliminary phytochemical screening by UPLC ESI MS showed the presence of khellactone-group coumarins in the biomass of P. sibiricus primary calluses (1st-3rd growth cycle) and suspension cultures derived from them.

Sibirian bloat fruit, Phlojodicarpus sibiricus, callusogenesis, suspension cell culture, coumarins

The works on obtaining and growing P. sibiricus cells, as well as studying their growth characteristics were financed by the Russian Scientific Foundation grant no. 74-00097.

The study of phytochemical characteristics of P. sibiricus cell cultures was supported by the state assignment of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia (FSRG-2020-0019).
Horse Milk Exosomes: Isolation, Microscopic and Biochemical Analysis, and Prospects of Use
Authors: Kuleshova A.E. , Purvinsh L.V. , Burkova E.E. , Grigorieva A.E. , Evtushenko E.G. , Stepanov G.A. , Ryabchikova E.I. , Nevinskii G.A.
Published: October 2020

Horse milk exosomes have been isolated and purified via the developed technology, and their microscopic and biochemical analyzes have been carried out. It was shown that the gel-filtration on the Ultrogel A4 resin can significantly reduce the amount of milk proteins co-isolated with exosomes. Methods for the isolation of nucleic acids from the preparations at various purification stages were proposed, and the content of nucleic acids in horse milk exosomes was analyzed. It was demonstrated that horse milk exosome preparations are not toxic to human cell cultures. The prospects of using horse milk exosomes for drug delivery into cell cultures are discussed. exosomes, horse milk, exosome isolation, nucleic acids The research carried out by S.E. Sedykh, A.E. Kuleshova and E.E. Burkova was financially supported by the Russian Scientific Foundation (project no. 18-74-10055 to S.E. Sedykh); the research by G.A. Nevinskii (MALDI TOF MS/MS analysis) was supported by the basic budget financing project no. ICBFM SB RAS # АААА-А17-117020210023-1 (to G.A. Nevinsky).
Optimization of a Method for Ficin Immobilization Using Glutaraldehyde
Authors: Holyavka M.G. , Artyukhov V.G.
Published: October 2020

Ficin was covalently immobilized on an acid-soluble matrix of medium (200 kDa) and high molecular weight (350 kDa) chitosans. The enzyme molecules were immobilized in a protein film and copolymerized with glutaraldehyde. The optimal ratio of protein content, total activity and specific activity was observed as a result of ficin covalent immobilization on a matrix of medium-molecular chitosan with 15% glutaraldehyde and high-molecular chitosan with 10% glutaraldehyde. The obtained biocatalysts are promising for industrial applications.

ficin, chitosan, glutaraldehyde, covalent immobilization.

This work was financially supported by a grant from the President of the Russian Federation for state support to young Russian scientists-doctors of sciences MD-1982.2020.4. Agreement 075-15-2020-325).
Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS)-based Formative Assessment: A Proposed Model for Language Learning Assessment
Authors: Wiyaka Wiyaka , Prastikawati Entika Fani , Kusumo Adi AB Prabowo
Published: October 2020

The integration of higher-order thinking skills (HOTS) in language learning assessments has become a crucial issue in 21st-century learning. However, not many teachers are aware of the need to incorporate HOTS in assessments due to their insufficient knowledge and the absence of good examples. Further, there is not much research and literature on HOTS-based formative assessment that can be used as references. This research aims to fill the existing gap by providing a model of higher-order thinking skills (HOTS)-based formative assessments for English learning, especially in junior high schools. By employing research and development design, this research describes the validation of the assessment model. The proposed model of assessment may be used as a prototype for assessing language learning.
Volhynian Revolution or Emergence of Conspiracy Theories in the Borderlands of the Russian Empire
Authors:   St. Petersburg Department of Russian Geographic Society, Egorova Kseniia B.
Published: October 2020

This article is devoted to the issue of the emergence of conspiracy theories and their existence in the borderlands; the research is focused on the western boundaries of the Russian Empire, belonging to the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth before its partition. The material relating to these territories enables to have a fresh look on genesis of “the conspiracy theories’” in society, on the one hand, to reflect on the peculiarity of the borderland as a special cultural space, and, on the other hand, to add specific characteristics of “conspiracy theories” of the borderlands to the list of contributory factors to emergence of conspiracy theories in society. Reference to the west borders of the Russian Empire enables to use the material related to the beginning of 19th century, which is important for further development of the conspiracy study in Russia. This article centers around the analysis of “The letters written by court counsillor Opytov to countess Starozhilova with historical overview of the political mood of the nobility in Volhynian governorate”. Life of Volhynian Governorate at the beginning of the 19th century is reflected in the letters which contain the exposure of the Polish gentry’s plot against the Russian stateness. The extent of the “historicity” of this document and the possibility of assessing the situation in this region based on so-called Opytov’s evidence raise doubts. The performed analysis shows that Opytov’s letter was a fiction aimed at a narrow circle of readers familiar with the situation in Volhynia and western regions in general. The text of this letter contains the encrypted conspiracy narratives, known to Opytov’s contemporaries, which can become the key to understanding what type of text it is.
The Transformation of Imperial Politics in Poland from Constitutionalism to Bureaucratic Centralization
Authors:   Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg Institute of History, Andreeva Tatiana V.
Published: October 2020

The article explores the process of the formation the new Polish policy through the prism of biographies of representatives of the Kingdom of Poland who became members of the Council of State during the reign of Nicholas I. The article demonstrates that the problem of management of a huge country at the beginning of the researched period was one of the main issues. The extraordinary circumstances of the accession to the throne, that is, the dynastic and political crises, and then the revolutionary upheavals in Europe, had a decisive influence on the choice by Nicholas I of strategic priorities and tactical attitudes of state policy. A tactical means of achieving it was a new type of absolutism combining the monarch’s strong authoritarian power with an improved management system, one of the most important components of which was determined by the “national” administration of Poland. At the same time, the “information war” unfolding in connection with European revolutionary events forced the supreme power to pay special attention to its ideological and institutional convergence with the political system of Russia. Given the conditions of the destruction of the system of relations with Poland that existed until 1830, the government’s priority was to develop a new domestic policy that would ensure that the imperial center maintain social peace in the region by means of not only establishing a single legislative space,but also by incorporating the Polish administrative and military elite into the highest state institutions of the country.
The System of Public Education on the Territory of the Black Sea Province in 1896–1917. Part 1
Authors:   Joint Laboratory of the International Network Center for Fundamental and Applied Research and Volgograd State University, Cherkasov Aleksandr A. , Koroleva Larisa A. ,   Penza State University of Architecture and Construction, Bratanovskii Sergei N. ,   Plekhanov Russian University of Economics,   Insititute of State and Law of RAS
Published: October 2020

The article discusses the system of public education on the territory of the Black Sea province in 1896–1917. In this part the authors consider the period of 1896–1908, that is, from the moment the province was formed to the start of preparatory measures for the introduction of universal primary education in Russia. The main sources for the preparation of the work were the annual “Reports on the state of educational institutions in the Caucasian educational district” which presented data on schools under the Ministry of Public Education and the All-Subordinate reports of the Ober-Prosecutor of the Holy Synod, which reflected the information on parish schools. In conclusion, the authors state that public education on the territory of the Black Sea province in the period from 1896 to 1908 had its own extensive system and included secondary, lower and primary educational institutions. For the specified time, the number of students increased by more than 6,5 times, and the number of educational institutions — by 4 times. Despite a more than twofold increase in the population of the province from 1896 to 1908, the number of schools per 1 thousand inhabitants increased (0,5 schools per 1 thousand inhabitants in 1896, and 1 school per 1 thousand inhabitants in 1908). Along with the rise in the number of schools, the library funds of educational institutions increased, as well as other areas of school activity, for example, in the field of adult education.
A Russian Bank in the Khanate of Khiva of NovoUrgench Branch of the Russo-Asiatic Commercial Bank
Authors:   Al-Beruni Institute of Oriental Studies of Uzbekistan, Alimdjanov Bakhtiyor A. ,   St. Petersburg State University, Yanchenko Denis G. ,   St. Petersburg State University
Published: October 2020

Cotton farming, being one of the leading branches of economic activity of Turkestan of the beginning of the 20th century, attracted the attention of big investors of the Russian Empire. This article examines functioning of the Novo-Urgench branch of the Russo-Asian commercial bank (RACB) on the basis of the material from Russian State Historical Archive (RGIA): successful and unsuccessful operations, organizational structure, interaction with clients, and its influence on the regional market. The unique character of this branch of one of the largest Russian banks lay in that fact that it was the only lending and financial institution that expanded its operations throughout the entire oasis of Khiva, including territories that were under control of the Khan of Khiva. Both local political and economic elites and entrepreneurs from Central Russia were clients and partners of the Novo-Urgench branch of the bank. Wide-spread liaisons allowed the institution to promptly conquer and maintain, even under conditions of a crisis, its niche on the market of financial services in Central Asia. On the threshold of the World War I, the bank attempted to monopolize cotton farming, working with big clients and even stimulating development of the processing industry. Novo-Urgench branch of the Russo-Asian bank provided help to the local merchantry trying to increase export of raw cotton and to enter both Russia-wide and international markets. For the objective reasons of shortage of liquid assets, underdeveloped infrastructure of the region, swings in stock-exchange and problems with human resources, the Novo-Urgench branch of the Russo-Asiatic bank could not capture and control the Khivan market. During the war years, the Central Asian periphery was under the influence of the problems characteristic of not only the banking sector, but Russian economy as a whole.
Ethnic Disintegration and the Dissolution of the USSR
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Puchenkov Alexander S.
Published: October 2020

An immense role in the collapse of the USSR was played by a whole array of factors: the public being tired of the Communist project; the massive shortages of consumer goods, which made people hate the government; the growing opposition within the Communist party to Gorbachev’s reforms; the hesitation of the General Secretary who tried to rely in turn either on the right or on the left wing; the drastic fall in the living standards. The crucial role, however, was played by “the parade of sovereignties” and the Centre being too late in its attempts to address the national question. By the autumn of 1990, the President’s close associates started to sense that power was slipping from Gorbachev’s hands; with the fellow countrymen staying remarkably indifferent, the Soviet Union was heading towards dissolution as the ambitions of local party leaders in the constituent republics generated and cannily magnified nationalist and separatist trends. Gorbachev kept up his maneuver strategy, which put him on the verge of resignation in the spring of 1991 when his support was minimal. He seemed, though, to have managed to pull out of this dive thanks to the Soviet Union referendum held on March 17, in which the voters were asked if they considered the preservation of the USSR necessary. Eventually, however, the issue of preserving or not preserving a unified state depended directly on the position of Russia as the backbone of the Soviet Union. The study draws on the author’s personal archive of original testimonies and interviews of the political figures directly involved in the events in question.
Civil Rights and Political Participation in Ancien Régime Europe
Authors:   University of Leiden, Blockmans Wim
Published: October 2020

After the Second World War, a wave of euphoria fostered an international consensus that led to the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the European Treaty for Human Rights, and institutions safeguarding their application. In the early 21st century, however, these great ideals and even parliamentary democracy appear to be open to various forms of manipulation tending to the restriction of its own constitutional rights and functions. This paper retraces the long-term genesis of these concepts which emerged in the course of a centuries-long development that is uniquely European. A constant tension can be observed between the difficult formulation of fundamental rights of subjects, originally on a local and regional basis, and the effectiveness of the institutions created to control governments. The growth of cities, which acquired various levels of autonomy and autarchy, was fundamental to make it possible that immunities and particular privileges similar to those of clerics and aristocrats were extended to the new communities. The periods of urban growth, and the density of cities within particular territories, determined which balance of powers was stabilised. The earliest and most intense wave of urbanisation, in North and Central Italy from the 10th to the 13th century, brought civil rights and privileges for local communes, but also domination of the largest cities as they absorbed or eliminated all potentially countervailing powers. In other regions, various balances were attained between the prevailing seigneurial interests and those of urban communities.
Marxism and the Development of Theoretical and Methodological Views of Law Historian Boris Ivanovich Syromiatnikov
Authors:   Institute of History and Archaeology, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Kiselev Mikhail A.
Published: October 2020

The article is devoted to the rethinking of theoretical and methodological foundations of the scholarly activities of B.I. Syromiatnikov, who was one of the leading Russian pre-revolutionary law historians. In historiography he has been described as a representative of critical positivism and a supporter of a factor approach to history. On the basis of information about his social activities and academic interests at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the article demonstrates that he took a considerable interest in social problems and illegal socialist literature as well as in modern sociological thought, including Marxism. His European study trip from 1903 to 1905 only strengthened the interest in the works of Karl Marx. The examination of the journalistic articles by Syromiatnikov, published in the years of the First Russian Revolution, shows that by 1906 he had used ideas and analytical categories (socio-economic formation, class struggle) of K.Marx and his followers (A.Bebebel, K.Kautsky). In addition, he sympathized with right-wing socialists such as E.Bernstein and E.Vandervelde. Following the approaches of such thinkers, Syromiatnikov defined the contemporary political events in Russia as a liberal revolution, and considered that the socialist agenda was premature for Russia. Based on Marxist ideas and on the comparative historical method, the historian created in 1905 an original concept of the changes in forms of political organization of society in Russia from veche democracy to an absolutist state. Due to the fact that this scheme was developed with the use of Marxist ideas, Syromiatnikov was able to reproduce it in the framework of Soviet historical science.
Problems and Prospects of Study into the Scholarly Heritage of Professor Liubomirov
Authors:   Volgograd institute of Management — branch of Russian Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Kleitman Alexander L. ,   Volgograd Regional Research and Production Center on the Protection of Monuments of History and Culture
Published: October 2020

The article presents an overview of the biography and scholarly heritage of a graduate of St. Petersburg University, a student of S.F.Platonov, and an outstanding Russian historian of the first half of the 20th century, P.G.Liubomirov. Based on the analysis of the works and materials of the personal archive of the scholar, the paper shows that the sphere of academic interests of P.G.Liubomirov comprised several directions. He made a great contribution to the study of the socio-economic history of the Low Volga region in the 17th–19th centuries, and to the history of social thought in Russia in the 18th century. A series of articles by P.G.Liubomirov on these topics appeared in the 1920–1930s in the regional academic periodicals. Many works of the scholar have never been published and are kept in his archive as manuscripts. In the 1930–1940s a group of his students and colleagues did a large amount of work with concerning publication of his works. However, due to the outbreak of the Great Patriotic War and ideological campaigns of the turn of the 1940–1950s this work has not been completed. Today, much of the scholarly heritage of P.G.Liubomirov remains unpublished and unknown to historians. The works of the historian has not lost their relevance. In this regard, it is necessary to resume work on the study and publication of the works of P.G.Liubomirov, which was interrupted in the 1950s.
Ukrainian Historography of Perestroika
Authors:   Taras Shevchenko National University of Kiev, Latysh Yurii V.
Published: October 2020

The article deals with the main trends and debatable issues in the Ukrainian historiography of Perestroika. The author establishes a connection between the prevailing ideas about the place of Soviet statehood in the history of Ukraine and the role of Perestroika in it. The totalitarian paradigm dominant in Ukrainian historiography is analyzed, according to which: 1) the reforms were unable to correct the Soviet communism whose collapse was imminent; 2) as a result of the collapse of the Soviet empire the peoples were given the opportunity to create national states and return to the “road of civilization” — to a market economy based on private property. The concepts of the system crisis of the Soviet model of socialism and the transformation of perestroika as a “revolution from above” into the national revolution during the Ukrainian national revival are considered. The article pays a particular attention to the coverage of the role of Ukraine in the disintegration of the USSR in the historiography since the position of the situational union of sovereign communists and nationalists at the time of the conclusion of the Belovezhsky agreements rested on the will of the people — the AllUkrainian referendum. Russia and Belarus did not conduct referendums on independence. It has been established that Ukrainian historians have concentrated on studying certain aspects of Perestroika, mainly related to Ukraine. They concern the Ukrainian national, linguistic, cultural and ecclesiastical revival, the activities of the national-democratic opposition. Many aspects of Perestroika (economic reforms, foreign policy, social history, the history of everyday life) in Ukraine are almost not researched at all.