bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Legalization of medical cannabis in Ukraine: issues of criminal law protection
Authors: Abakina-Pilyavska Liudmyla Mykolaivna , Myroshnychenko Nataliia Anatoliivna 
Published: December 2023

The article discusses the legalization of medical cannabis in Ukraine. The main draft laws on the regulation of the circulation of hemp plants (Cannabis) for medical, industrial purposes, scientific and scientific and technical activities, the state of their consideration and the main conclusions of the specialized committees of the Verkhovna Rada were analyzed.
It has been established that the process of legalizing medical cannabis involves a special mechanism of organizational and legal regulation of activities related to the cultivation of cannabis for medical purposes, transportation, processing of plants and extracts of cannabis, the manufacture of appropriate medical devices using them as raw materials, as well as the conduct of scientific research. Such a mechanism establishes the procedure for obtaining permits, restrictions and rules for cultivation, transportation, processing, production and sale in terms of organizational, administrative and legal aspects.
The article notes that the current regulations do not cover social relations in the field of the production of medicinal products based on cultivated medical cannabis, and such activity itself may be associated with a corruption component in terms of permit procedures, the activities of control and inspection bodies and institutions, dishonesty of private laboratories, etc. It is proposed to conclude that the process of regulating sowing, cultivation, production of medical cannabis, etc. is in the realm of civil, economic, and administrative procedures, but ensuring legality and compliance with the rules and mechanisms established by these industries requires the participation of criminal-legal means. Such measures include the establishment of new and revisions of existing criminal prohibitions in order to ensure the criminal protection of social relations that may occur in connection with the legalization of medical cannabis.
Key words: medical cannabis, cannabis, license, criminal law protection, criminal liability, narcotic substances, medicinal products.
Separate Issues of the Criminal Legal Characteristics of Human Sterilization
Authors: Mykhailichenko Tetiana Oleksandrivna 
Published: December 2023

The article examines the provisions of the current regulatory legislation. It is noted that currently the issue of sexual sterilization of a person is regulated by Part 5 of Art. 281 of the Civil Code of Ukraine, Art. 49 of the Fundamentals of the Legislation of Ukraine on Health Care and the Unified Clinical Protocol of Primary, Secondary (Specialized), Tertiary (Highly Specialized) Medical Care "Family Planning", approved by the Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine No. 59 of 21.01.2014.
The criminal legislation was analyzed from the point of view of compliance with the international legal obligations that Ukraine undertook by ratifying the Council of Europe Convention on the prevention of violence against women and domestic violence and the fight against these phenomena, in terms of the protection of human reproductive rights, and the quality of the implemented it implementation was analyzed. The author concludes that the current edition of Part 4 of Art. 134 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine cannot be recognized as a successful manifestation of the implementation of Ukraine's international legal obligations.
It was determined that signs of illegal sterilization should be recognized as such surgical intervention, which is the absence of informed consent of the patient (s), the absence of voluntary consent of the patient (s), the use of illegal methods, surgical intervention in the presence of contraindications or the improper place or improper subject.
It was established that the Criminal Code of Ukraine, even before the adoption of the Law of Ukraine "On Amendments to the Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes of Ukraine for Implementation of the Provisions Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence" (December 6, 2017 No. 2227-VIII) established criminal liability for illegal sterilization, and the introduction of the amendments created several problematic questions for the qualification of the actions of guilty persons who act in complicity, because it did not properly take into account either the provisions of the Istanbul Convention itself, or the norms of Ukrainian regulatory and criminal legislation.
Key words: reproductive rights, Istanbul Convention, human sterilization, illegal sterilization, forced sterilization, criminal liability.
Appointment of an additional punishment in the form of deprivation of the right to hold a certain position or engage in certain activities to a person who does not hold the relevant position or engage in the relevant activities (analysis of legal...
Authors: Dudorov Oleksandr Oleksiiovych , Pysmenskyy Yevhen Oleksandrovych 
Published: December 2023

The article is devoted to the problem of appointing punishment in the form of deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities to persons who did not hold certain positions or engage in certain activities at the time of committing a criminal offense.
The article analyzes the legal positions formed by the joint boards of the Criminal Court of Cassation of the Supreme Court in the resolutions of September 4, 2023, on this issue. It is concluded that the approach advocated by the Supreme Court is erroneous. According to it, punishment in the form of deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities may be imposed regardless of whether the accused held a certain position or engaged in certain activities at the time of the criminal offense. Based on the achievements of criminal law theory and taking into account the rule of law principle, the authors propose to interpret the Criminal Code of Ukraine in a different way; namely, it is emphasized that de lege lata, the appointment of the relevant additional punishment to persons who did not hold certain positions or engage in certain activities at the time of committing a criminal offense, should be excluded.
It is also stated that the problem under consideration deserves to be resolved at the legislative level as soon as possible. Given the need to strengthen the preventive impact of deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities de lege ferenda, it is necessary to clearly regulate the possibility of applying this measure both to those who held certain positions or engaged in certain activities at the time of the criminal offense and to those who did not hold the relevant positions or engage in the relevant activities.
«Trading in influence» or «abuse of influence» is a problem of qualification
Authors: Toma Marianna Heorhiivna 
Published: December 2023

The article analyzes the legislative tools designed to combat corruption, Art. 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine «Abuse of influence» occupies a special place. On the one hand, this prohibition is actively demanded in practice, on the other hand, its inclusion in the Criminal Code increased the casuistic nature of the latter, partially created an excess of legislative description of criminal behavior related to corruption, and due to non-compliance in this case with the principle of legal certainty, seriously complicated the application of Criminal Law of Ukraine in practice.
The criminal offense provided for in Art. 369-2 «Abuse of influence» of the Criminal Code of Ukraine is quite difficult to understand and apply. In addition, there are certain problems with the proper criminal-legal qualification of criminal behavior at the junction of such corruption components of criminal offenses as Art. 369-2 and Art. 368 «Acceptance of an offer, promise or receipt of an illegal benefit by an official», Art. 368-3 «Bribery of an official of a legal entity of private law, regardless of the organizational and legal form», Art. 368-4 «Bribery of a person providing public services» of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
The norm of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine is the result of the implementation of Article 12 of the Criminal Convention of the Council of Europe on the fight against corruption and Art. 18 of the UN Convention against Corruption. However, this implementation is far from perfect, which always creates problems for law enforcement.
The origin of the concept of «abuse of influence» is interesting. Most likely, it is the fruit of creativity of the Ukrainian legislator. After all, the concept of «trading in influence» is used in international acts, which in translation means trading in influence, but not abuse.
Thus, the specified composition of the criminal offense was permanently problematic in qualification and, accordingly, in understanding. For a long time, difficulties arose with the application of the note, which has lost its validity, and, accordingly, with the definition of the person authorized to perform the functions of the state. And although this problem was later settled by the legislator, the question of the nature of the influence still remains debatable: whether it must necessarily be connected with the official position or whether it is possible to use friendly, family and other ties - the appropriateness of fixing as a separate qualifying sign of extortion, as well as the type of subjects of the specified crime.
A comprehensive review of human health risks of arsenic and fluoride contamination of groundwater in the South Asia region
Authors: Aryan Yash , Pon Thambidurai , Panneerselvam Balamurugan , Dikshit Anil Kumar 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

The present study found that ∼80 million people in India, ∼60 million people in Pakistan, ∼70 million people in Bangladesh, and ∼3 million people in Nepal are exposed to arsenic groundwater contamination above 10 μg/L, while Sri Lanka remains moderately affected. In the case of fluoride contamination, ∼120 million in India, &gt;2 million in Pakistan, and ∼0.5 million in Sri Lanka are exposed to the risk of fluoride above 1.5 mg/L, while Bangladesh and Nepal are mildly affected. The hazard quotient (HQ) for arsenic varied from 0 to 822 in India, 0 to 33 in Pakistan, 0 to 1,051 in Bangladesh, 0 to 582 in Nepal, and 0 to 89 in Sri Lanka. The cancer risk of arsenic varied from 0 to 1.64 × 1−1 in India, 0 to 1.07 × 10−1 in Pakistan, 0 to 2.10 × 10−1 in Bangladesh, 0 to 1.16 × 10−1 in Nepal, and 0 to 1.78 × 10−2 in Sri Lanka. In the case of fluoride, the HQ ranged from 0 to 21 in India, 0 to 33 in Pakistan, 0 to 18 in Bangladesh, 0 to 10 in Nepal, and 0 to 10 in Sri Lanka. Arsenic and fluoride have adverse effects on animals, resulting in chemical poisoning and skeletal fluorosis. Adsorption and membrane filtration have demonstrated outstanding treatment outcomes.
What Is Applied Behavior Analysis? I know I understand nothing: Invitation to Discussion
Authors: Wloch Danuta 
Published: December 2023

The aim of this study in the qualitative approach is to thoroughly analyse the phenomenon of ABA and to present the perception of ABA by people working with children with ASC[1] and by me to obtain a more accurate and reliable picture of the entirety of the examined problem. I will try to explain the various meanings given to ABA and the resulting misunderstandings. This will also be an attempt to consider what professionals working with autistic children criticise or support when talking about ABA.Another goal is to organise knowledge on the subject by showing the historical background.

[1] Autistic Spectrum Conditions. On the 18 June 2018, World Health Organisation released its new International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). The ICD catalogues different pathologies and conditions to provide a common language to inform and control their development, as well as comparing and sharing data following standard criteria between hospitals, regions and countries in different time periods. ICD-11 was presented at the World Health Assembly in May 2019 for adoption by Member States, and came into effect on 1 January 2022.
Management of Colorectal Cancer Using Nanocarriers-based Drug
Delivery for Herbal Bioactives: Current and Emerging Approaches
Authors: Deshmukh Rohitas , Prajapati Mahendra , Harwansh Ranjit K. 
Published: December 2023

Abstract:
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a complex and multifactorial disorder in middle-aged
people. Several modern medicines are available for treating and preventing it. However, their
therapeutic uses are limited due to drawbacks, such as gastric perforation, diarrhea, intestinal
bleeding, abdominal cramps, hair loss, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and adverse reactions.
Hence, there is a continuous quest for safe and effective medicines to manage human health
problems, like CRC. In this context, herbal medicines are considered an alternative disease control
system. It has become popular in countries, like American, European, and Asian, due to its
safety and effectiveness, which has been practiced for 1000 years. During the last few decades,
herbal medicines have been widely explored through multidisciplinary fields for getting active
compounds against human diseases. Several herbal bioactives, like curcumin, glycyrrhizin,
paclitaxel, chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, catechin, berberine, ursolic acid, betulinic acid, chrysin,
resveratrol, quercetin, etc., have been found to be effective against CRC. However, their pharmacological
applications are limited due to low bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy apart
from their several health benefits. An effective delivery system is required to increase their bioavailability
and efficacy. Therefore, targeted novel drug delivery approaches are promising for
improving these substances’ solubility, bioavailability, and therapeutic effects. Novel carrier
systems, such as liposomes, nanoparticles, micelles, microspheres, dendrimers, microbeads, and
hydrogels, are promising for delivering poorly soluble drugs to the target site, i.e., the colon.
Thus, the present review is focused on the pathophysiology, molecular pathways, and diagnostic
and treatment approaches for CRC. Moreover, an emphasis has been laid especially on herbal
bioactive-based novel delivery systems and their clinical updates.
Comparison of Different Extraction and Purification Methods of Lime
Peel Pectin and Evaluation of Physiochemical, Rheological, and Textural
Properties
Authors: Baghdadi Fatemeh , Nayebzadeh Kooshan , Aminifar Mehrnaz , Mortazavian Amir Mohammad 
Published: December 2023

Background::
Pectin production has recently attracted considerable research interest
due to its various applications arising from its unique characteristics. Lime peel, as a by-product
of juice factories, has a promising potential for pectin extraction.

Methods::
Lime peel pectin samples were extracted by three extraction processes: a) 90°C of heating
for 120 min, b) 90°C of heating for 90 min and then 32 min of sonication, and c) 80°C of heating
for 60 min and then 22 min of sonication. Then, they were purified either by ethanol or sodium
caseinate (SC) and characterized.

Results::
SC purification did not enhance the pectin yield; rather, it diminished the level of nonpectin
components and resulted in purer pectin (i.e., lower sugar content). The samples purified
with SC showed much lower viscosity in solution and storage modulus than the samples purified
with ethanol, which could be attributed to their lower sugar content and higher pH (~ 4.6 vs. 2).
However, pectin samples purified with SC had a relatively high sugar gel consistency, maybe due
to protein retention in their structure as well as the preferential hydration effect of added sucrose.

Conclusion::
The compact and extended conformations of the pectin sample, which was extracted
by “(c) extraction method” and purified with ethanol, resulted in its high viscosity and storage modulus
in solution and the highest gel consistency (16.91 Kg.s) compared to the other samples. Regardless
of the conditions of extraction procedures, the purification method had a considerable impact
on the pectin samples’ characteristics and potential applications.
Development of NLC-based Sunscreen Gel of Green Tea Extract and its
In vitro Characterization
Authors: Sharma Bhawna , Chauhan Iti , Tiwari Raj Kumar 
Published: December 2023

Background:
Green tea extract is a hydrophilic antioxidant. The challenge associated
with its cutaneous administration is its poor penetration. A system of solid-liquid lipids formulated
in the form of a nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC), can improve the penetration. In addition,
Vitamin E oil used as a liquid lipid will aid in skin hydration, reduce particle size, and enhance
penetration.

Objective:
The objective of this study was to formulate the NLC-based sunscreen gel of green tea
extract.

Methods:
Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) were prepared by melt emulsion ultrafiltration
technique and were evaluated for particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index (PDI), drug
loading (DL), encapsulation efficacy (EE), and in vitro drug release. The optimised formula was
incorporated into a suitable gel base and an in-vitro sun protection factor (SPF) was determined.
Beeswax and Vitamin E oil were chosen as solid and liquid lipids for NLC formulation.

Results:
The particle size, PDI, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, and in vitro drug release of
optimised formulation (NLC4) were found to be 139.4 nm, 0.236, -11.0 mV, 84.20%, and 85%
respectively. The SPF value of green tea extract-NLC-loaded gel was found to be 20.035.

Conclusion:
The result of the current investigation depicted that lipid nanoparticles are suitable
carriers for green tea extract to be delivered as sunscreen gel.
Evaluating the Protective Effect of Melatonin on Atorvastatin-induced
Mitochondrial Toxicity in Pancreatic Beta Cells
Authors: Mehrzadi Saeed , Hosseini Asieh , Hosseinzadeh Azam 
Published: December 2023

Background:
Atorvastatin and other statins belong to a category of cholesterollowering
drugs, which may cause some damage to pancreatic cells despite their effectiveness.

Aims:
The present study investigated the effects of melatonin against atorvastatin-induced toxicity
on islets of Langerhans and CRI-D2 cells.

Methods:
The MTT assay was used to determine cell viability. The effect of various concentrations
of melatonin (0,10, 50, 100, 250, 500 and 1000 μM) on CRI-D2 cell viability was evaluated
for 24 hours to determine the non-cytotoxic concentrations of melatonin. Additionally, cells
were treated with different concentrations of atorvastatin (10, 100, and 150 ng/mL) for 24 hours
to determine a concentration that could induce the maximum cell death. After selecting the appropriate
concentrations for melatonin, cells were treated with atorvastatin (10, 100, and 150
ng/ml) and melatonin (10 and 100 μM) simultaneously for a period of 24 hours. Malondialdehyde
(MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione
peroxidase activity were assessed as indicators of oxidative stress. To assess mitochondrial function,
the ratio of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) to adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and mitochondrial
membrane potential (MMP) were measured.

Results:
Atorvastatin markedly raised ROS and MDA levels. This result was associated with a
decrease in MMP, an increase in the ADP/ATP ratio, and a change in the activity of antioxidant
enzymes. Atorvastatin (150 ng/mL)-induced mitochondrial damage was alleviated by concurrent
melatonin and atorvastatin therapy.

Conclusion:
These results suggest that melatonin has a protective effect against atorvastatininduced
toxicity in the mitochondria of pancreatic cells.
Identification of a Novel TSC2 c.170G>A Missense Variant: A Case Report
and Elaboration on the Yield of Targeted Options against Tuberous
Sclerosis Complex Manifestations
Authors: Papageorgiou Georgios , Skouteris Nikolaos , Valavanis Christos , Stanc Gabriela-Monica , Souka Efthymia , Charalampakis Nikolaos 
Published: December 2023

Background:
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare genetic disease that affects
multiple organs and affects the quality of life. Mutations in TSC1 and TSC2 genes are causing
dysregulations in the mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, inducing mostly
benign but also malignant tumors, including renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The diagnosis of TSC,
based on established clinical and genetic criteria, is essential for the optimal surveillance and
management of patients.

Case Presentation:
With the current report, we present the case of two sisters who were
consequently diagnosed with early-stage chromophobe-like RCC, possibly familial given their
young age. The younger sister also had a previous diagnosis of differentiated thyroid carcinoma,
for which she had been treated properly. Genetic testing of both revealed the same heterozygous
TSC2 variant that is currently regarded as a variant of unknown significance, while both patients
did not fulfill the clinical criteria for the diagnosis of TSC. Owing to these data, we opted to
manage and surveil both sisters as TSC patients, while we also considered the specific TSC2
variant to be pathogenic - but of low penetrance - based on clinical judgment and functional
analyses. Furthermore, we discussed the implementation of mTOR inhibitors for the treatment of
TSC complications.

Conclusion:
As novel pathogenic variants of TSC genes are constantly being explored, the
identification of TSC variants of unknown significance in combination with absent clinical
diagnostic criteria cannot exclude a TSC diagnosis. We support the implementation of clinical
judgment in assisting the diagnosis of TSC, as well as the enrollment of patients in clinical trials
due to the rarity of the disease.
Suspicious of Acute Kidney Graft Rejection: Tacrolimus Pharmacokinetics
Under Methylprednisolone Therapy
Authors: Bidu Nadielle Silva , Mattoso Ricardo José Costa , de Oliveira Santos Otávio Augusto Carvalho , Alves Izabel Almeida , Fernandes Bruno José Dumêt , Couto Ricardo David 
Published: December 2023

Background:
Acute rejection remains one of the main complications in the first
months after transplantation and may influence long-term outcomes. Tacrolimus has proven its
usefulness in solid organ transplants and its monitoring through the application of pharmacokinetic
concepts to optimize individual drug therapy.

Objective:
This research proposes to evaluate the tacrolimus pharmacokinetic parameters in
patients suspected of acute kidney graft rejection under methylprednisolone pulse therapy.

Methods:
Eleven adult tacrolimus-treated renal recipients were selected from a prospective,
single-arm, single-center cohort study, with suspicion of acute rejection although in use of
methylprednisolone pulses therapy. They were followed up for three months posttransplantation,
being tacrolimus trough serum concentrations determined using a chemiluminescent
magnetic immunoassay, and pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated by using a
nonlinear mixed-effects model implemented by Monolix 2020R1. A tacrolimus trough serum
concentration range of 8 to 12 ng.mL-1 was considered therapeutic.

Results:
Six patients showed acute cellular rejection, and two of them in addition had an antibody-
mediated rejection. Tacrolimus trough serum concentration was below the reference range
in eight patients. Most patients showed a high tacrolimus concentration intrapatient and pharmacokinetic
parameters variability.

Conclusion:
The obtained pharmacokinetics parameters helped in understanding the kidney
recipient patients’ tacrolimus behavior, assisting in the improvement of individual drug therapy
and reducing the risk of acute rejection episodes.