Prospects of using cilostazol in combined treatment of patients with obliterating atherosclerosis of lower limb arteries

Despite intensive study of pathophysiology, of molecular and cell mechanisms of progression of atherosclerosis, development and introduction of a wide range of new conservative and surgical treatment methods, until now the diseases of lower limb arteries (DLLA) are one of the most urgent problems of the modern vascular surgery and medicine in general. Intensive development of roentgen-endovascular methods of treatment for the diseases of lower limb arteries has led to a considerable revision of the tactics of management of this category of patients in the recent years. Despite the achievements of roentgen-endovascular surgery, frequency of obstructions after surgical revascularization of limbs remains high, both in early and late postoperative periods. It should also be noted that despite the intensive development of methods of therapy of patients with DLLA, frequency of limbs amputation in this category of patients remains high. One of the urgent problems of management of patients with DLLA after endovascular treatment is the problem of restenosis. In the recent years, new efficient methods of pharmacotherapy of DLLA have been developed and introduced into clinical practice, which allows significant improvement of medical prognosis in this category of patients and improvement of the outcomes. It should be noted that standard approaches to antithrombotic therapy in patients after endovascular surgeries based on use of antiaggregant drugs, can only decrease the rate of thrombotic complications, but not of restenosis, which, from the point of view of pathophysiology, is mainly hyperproliferative condition. Among promising approaches to treatment of restenosis, there is use of cilostazol, efficiency of which after endovascular surgeries on coronary and peripheral arteries has been proven in a number of studies.

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Colorimetric research of self-luminous objects in software and hardware environments by the method of multidimensional scales implementation

Izmeritel`naya Tekhnika ◽

10.32446/0368-1025it.2020-8-43-50 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 43-50

Author(s):

Yauheniya N. Saukova

Keyword(s):

Metrological Traceability ◽

Point Of View ◽

Intermediate Precision ◽

Technical Vision ◽

Wide Range ◽

Chromaticity Coordinates ◽

Unity Of Measurements ◽

Software And Hardware ◽

Luminous Objects ◽

Reference Samples

It is shown that the issues of metrological traceability for extended self-luminous objects with a wide range of brightness have not yet been resolved, since the rank scales of embedded systems are used for processing digital images. For such scales, there is no “fixed” unit, which does not allow you to get reliable results and ensure the unity of measurements. An experiment is described to evaluate the accuracy of determining the intensity (coordinates) of the color of self-luminous objects. In terms of repeatability and intermediate precision compared to the reference measurement method, the color and chromaticity coordinates of self-luminous objects (reference samples) were determined by their multiple digital registration using technical vision systems. The possibilities of the developed methodology for colorimetric studies in hardware and software environments from the point of view of constructing a multidimensional conditional scale are determined.

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COMBINATORIAL POLYNOMIALLY COMPUTABLE CHARACTERISTICS OF SUBSTITUTIONS AND THEIR PROPERTIES

Computational nanotechnology ◽

10.33693/2313-223x-2020-7-2-34-41 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 34-41

Author(s):

VLADIMIR NIKONOV ◽

◽

ANTON ZOBOV ◽

Keyword(s):

Mathematical Expectation ◽

Point Of View ◽

Small Range ◽

Computational Point ◽

Wide Range ◽

Bijective Function ◽

The Difference ◽

Element Base ◽

Selection Of

The construction and selection of a suitable bijective function, that is, substitution, is now becoming an important applied task, particularly for building block encryption systems. Many articles have suggested using different approaches to determining the quality of substitution, but most of them are highly computationally complex. The solution of this problem will significantly expand the range of methods for constructing and analyzing scheme in information protection systems. The purpose of research is to find easily measurable characteristics of substitutions, allowing to evaluate their quality, and also measures of the proximity of a particular substitutions to a random one, or its distance from it. For this purpose, several characteristics were proposed in this work: difference and polynomial, and their mathematical expectation was found, as well as variance for the difference characteristic. This allows us to make a conclusion about its quality by comparing the result of calculating the characteristic for a particular substitution with the calculated mathematical expectation. From a computational point of view, the thesises of the article are of exceptional interest due to the simplicity of the algorithm for quantifying the quality of bijective function substitutions. By its nature, the operation of calculating the difference characteristic carries out a simple summation of integer terms in a fixed and small range. Such an operation, both in the modern and in the prospective element base, is embedded in the logic of a wide range of functional elements, especially when implementing computational actions in the optical range, or on other carriers related to the field of nanotechnology.

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Academy Journal No.3(15), 2019/ Chief Editors Susan Belih & Jaak Järv /OEAPS Inc.(Open European Academy of Public Sciences) & Estonian Academy of Sciences. Tallinn, Estonia. 09.03.2019: OEAPS Inc., 2019. - 88 P. ISBN: 9781797440507 ISSN 1736-7530 (electronic)

10.31219/osf.io/u5yxe ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Inc. OEAPS

Keyword(s):

Service Sector ◽

Point Of View ◽

Scientific Quality ◽

Final Decision ◽

Research Subjects ◽

Wide Range ◽

Peer Reviewers ◽

Verification Process ◽

Scientific Research Articles ◽

Monthly Journal

"Academy Journal" is an international, peer-reviewed monthly journal. It is devoted to the publication of original scientific research articles dealing with various academic disciplines.Articles that may be of interest to a wide range of researchers are welcome, and not limited to those who work on specific research subjects."Academy Journal" has an open archive, according to which published articles are available immediately after publication, excluding embargoes.Expert reviewThere is one blind verification process in the journal. All articles will be initially evaluated by the editor for compliance with the journal. Manuscripts that are considered appropriate are then usually sent to at least two independent peer reviewers to assess the scientific quality of the article. The editor is responsible for the final decision on whether to accept or reject the article. The editor's decision is final.The main criterion used in assessing the manuscript submitted to the journal is: uniqueness or innovation in the work from the point of view of the methodology being developed and / or its application to a problem of particular importance in the public sector or service sector and / or the setting in which the efforts, for example, in the developing region of the world. That is, the very model / methodology, application and context of problems, at least one of them must be unique and important.Additional criteria considered in the consideration of the submitted document are its accuracy, organization / presentation (ie logical flow) and recording quality.

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LOCAL HYPERTHERMIA IN TREATMENT FOR MALIGNANT BRAIN TUMORS

Problems in oncology ◽

10.37469/0507-3758-2018-64-1-54-61 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 64 (1) ◽

pp. 54-61

Author(s):

A. Ryabova ◽

O. Gribova ◽

V. Novikov ◽

E. Choinzonov ◽

Zh. Starceva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Experimental Data ◽

Radiation Therapy ◽

Brain Tumors ◽

Tumor Cells ◽

Combined Treatment ◽

Complex Treatment ◽

Local Hyperthermia ◽

Malignant Brain Tumors ◽

Sensitizing Effect ◽

Methods Of Treatment

Unsatisfactory results of complex treatment for malignant brain tumors stimulate search of new effective methods of treatment. Radiation therapy is an integral part of the combined treatment but often does not influence lethally on resistant tumor cells. Thereby in recent decades there has been an active search for different modifiers, which can increase the sensitivity of tumors to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. One of the universal sensitizers is the local hyperthermia. Experimental data showed that the effect of high temperatures had both a direct damaging effect on tumor cells and a sensitizing effect. The literature review given in the article provides an overview of the existing methods of the local hyperthermia for brain tumors treatment.

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Theory and Practice of Quality Management in Lifelong Learning at a Public University

Lifelong Learning ◽

10.11118/lifele2018080249 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 49-73

Author(s):

Petr Adamec

Keyword(s):

Lifelong Learning ◽

Public University ◽

Further Education ◽

Point Of View ◽

Theory And Practice ◽

University Policy ◽

Higher Education Act ◽

Wide Range ◽

Learning Programs ◽

Education Act

The core issue of this paper is a quality in the lifelong learning. The aim of the contribution is to describe the area, level and dimensions of quality in a wide range of lifelong learning programs, respectively of further education, which are realized in the sense of § 60 and 60a of the Higher Education Act. The content of the paper also focuses on the theoretical and practical starting points of the quality phenomenon, both from the historical point of view and especially from the perspective of the current focus and concept of university policy in the European and Czech region. The paper also presents the results of a survey focusing on approaches to the quality assurance systems in the concept of components at selected public university.

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Kinematic Analysis of Lower Limb Joint Asymmetry during Gait in People with Multiple Sclerosis

Symmetry ◽

10.3390/sym13040598 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 598

Author(s):

Massimiliano Pau ◽

Bruno Leban ◽

Michela Deidda ◽

Federica Putzolu ◽

Micaela Porta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Sagittal Plane ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Camera Motion ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Temporal Parameters ◽

Wide Range ◽

Edss Score ◽

Spatio Temporal

The majority of people with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS), report lower limb motor dysfunctions, which may relevantly affect postural control, gait and a wide range of activities of daily living. While it is quite common to observe a different impact of the disease on the two limbs (i.e., one of them is more affected), less clear are the effects of such asymmetry on gait performance. The present retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to characterize the magnitude of interlimb asymmetry in pwMS, particularly as regards the joint kinematics, using parameters derived from angle-angle diagrams. To this end, we analyzed gait patterns of 101 pwMS (55 women, 46 men, mean age 46.3, average Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score 3.5, range 1–6.5) and 81 unaffected individuals age- and sex-matched who underwent 3D computerized gait analysis carried out using an eight-camera motion capture system. Spatio-temporal parameters and kinematics in the sagittal plane at hip, knee and ankle joints were considered for the analysis. The angular trends of left and right sides were processed to build synchronized angle–angle diagrams (cyclograms) for each joint, and symmetry was assessed by computing several geometrical features such as area, orientation and Trend Symmetry. Based on cyclogram orientation and Trend Symmetry, the results show that pwMS exhibit significantly greater asymmetry in all three joints with respect to unaffected individuals. In particular, orientation values were as follows: 5.1 of pwMS vs. 1.6 of unaffected individuals at hip joint, 7.0 vs. 1.5 at knee and 6.4 vs. 3.0 at ankle (p < 0.001 in all cases), while for Trend Symmetry we obtained at hip 1.7 of pwMS vs. 0.3 of unaffected individuals, 4.2 vs. 0.5 at knee and 8.5 vs. 1.5 at ankle (p < 0.001 in all cases). Moreover, the same parameters were sensitive enough to discriminate individuals of different disability levels. With few exceptions, all the calculated symmetry parameters were found significantly correlated with the main spatio-temporal parameters of gait and the EDSS score. In particular, large correlations were detected between Trend Symmetry and gait speed (with rho values in the range of –0.58 to –0.63 depending on the considered joint, p < 0.001) and between Trend Symmetry and EDSS score (rho = 0.62 to 0.69, p < 0.001). Such results suggest not only that MS is associated with significantly marked interlimb asymmetry during gait but also that such asymmetry worsens as the disease progresses and that it has a relevant impact on gait performances.

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Relative Efficacy of Weight Management, Exercise, and Combined Treatment for Muscle Mass and Physical Sarcopenia Indices in Adults with Overweight or Obesity and Osteoarthritis: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13061992 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 1992

Author(s):

Shu-Fen Chu ◽

Tsan-Hon Liou ◽

Hung-Chou Chen ◽

Shih-Wei Huang ◽

Chun-De Liao

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trials ◽

Weight Management ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Combined Treatment ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Standard Mean Difference ◽

Evidence Database

Aging and osteoarthritis are associated with high risk of muscle mass loss, which leads to physical disability; this loss can be effectively alleviated by diet (DI) and exercise (ET) interventions. This study investigated the relative effects of different types of diet, exercise, and combined treatment (DI+ET) on muscle mass and functional outcomes in individuals with obesity and lower-limb osteoarthritis. A comprehensive search of online databases was performed to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the efficacy of DI, ET, and DI+ET in patients with obesity and lower-extremity osteoarthritis. The included RCTs were analyzed through network meta-analysis and risk-of-bias assessment. We finally included 34 RCTs with a median (range/total) Physiotherapy Evidence Database score of 6.5 (4–8/10). DI plus resistance ET, resistance ET alone, and aerobic ET alone were ranked as the most effective treatments for increasing muscle mass (standard mean difference (SMD) = 1.40), muscle strength (SMD = 1.93), and walking speed (SMD = 0.46). Our findings suggest that DI+ET is beneficial overall for muscle mass in overweight or obese adults with lower-limb osteoarthritis, especially those who are undergoing weight management.

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Insights into the Antioxidant Mechanism of Newly Synthesized Benzoxazinic Nitrones: In Vitro and In Silico Studies with DPPH Model Radical

Antioxidants ◽

10.3390/antiox10081224 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 1224

Author(s):

Stefania Marano ◽

Cristina Minnelli ◽

Lorenzo Ripani ◽

Massimo Marcaccio ◽

Emiliano Laudadio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antioxidant Activity ◽

Epr Spectroscopy ◽

Point Of View ◽

Uv Spectrophotometry ◽

Design And Synthesis ◽

Antioxidant Mechanism ◽

Primary Mechanism ◽

In Silico Studies ◽

Wide Range

Synthetic nitrone spin-traps are being explored as therapeutic agents for the treatment of a wide range of oxidative stress-related pathologies, including but not limited to stroke, cancer, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases. In this context, increasing efforts are currently being made to the design and synthesis of new nitrone-based compounds with enhanced efficacy. The most researched nitrones are surely the ones related to α-phenyl-tert-butylnitrone (PBN) and 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) derivatives, which have shown to possess potent biological activity in many experimental animal models. However, more recently, nitrones with a benzoxazinic structure (3-aryl-2H-benzo[1,4]oxazin-N-oxides) have been demonstrated to have superior antioxidant activity compared to PBN. In this study, two new benzoxazinic nitrones bearing an electron-withdrawing methoxycarbonyl group on the benzo moiety (in para and meta positions respect to the nitronyl function) were synthesized. Their in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated by two cellular-based assays (inhibition of AAPH-induced human erythrocyte hemolysis and cell death in human retinal pigmented epithelium (ARPE-19) cells) and a chemical approach by means of the α,α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assay, using both electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and UV spectrophotometry. A computational approach was also used to investigate their potential primary mechanism of antioxidant action, as well as to rationalize the effect of functionalization on the nitrones reactivity toward DPPH, chosen as model radical in this study. Further insights were also gathered by exploring the nitrone electrochemical properties via cyclic voltammetry and by studying their kinetic behavior by means of EPR spectroscopy. Results showed that the introduction of an electron-withdrawing group in the phenyl moiety in the para position significantly increased the antioxidant capacity of benzoxazinic nitrones both in cell and cell-free systems. From the mechanistic point of view, the calculated results closely matched the experimental findings, strongly suggesting that the H-atom transfer (HAT) is likely to be the primary mechanism in the DPPH quenching.

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Syllabification of the Divine Comedy

Journal on Computing and Cultural Heritage ◽

10.1145/3459011 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 1-26

Author(s):

Andrea Asperti ◽

Stefano Dal Bianco

Keyword(s):

Text Processing ◽

Solution Space ◽

Generative Models ◽

Divine Comedy ◽

Point Of View ◽

Computer Assisted ◽

Wide Range ◽

The Divine Comedy ◽

Left And Right ◽

Assisted Analysis

We provide a syllabification algorithm for the Divine Comedy using techniques from probabilistic and constraint programming. We particularly focus on the synalephe , addressed in terms of the "propensity" of a word to take part in a synalephe with adjacent words. We jointly provide an online vocabulary containing, for each word, information about its syllabification, the location of the tonic accent, and the aforementioned synalephe propensity, on the left and right sides. The algorithm is intrinsically nondeterministic, producing different possible syllabifications for each verse, with different likelihoods; metric constraints relative to accents on the 10th, 4th, and 6th syllables are used to further reduce the solution space. The most likely syllabification is hence returned as output. We believe that this work could be a major milestone for a lot of different investigations. From the point of view of digital humanities it opens new perspectives on computer-assisted analysis of digital sources, comprising automated detection of anomalous and problematic cases, metric clustering of verses and their categorization, or more foundational investigations addressing, e.g., the phonetic roles of consonants and vowels. From the point of view of text processing and deep learning, information about syllabification and the location of accents opens a wide range of exciting perspectives, from the possibility of automatic learning syllabification of words and verses to the improvement of generative models, aware of metric issues, and more respectful of the expected musicality.

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Lower Limb Kinematics in Individuals with Hip Osteoarthritis during Gait: A Focus on Adaptative Strategies and Interlimb Symmetry

Bioengineering ◽

10.3390/bioengineering8040047 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 47

Author(s):

Micaela Porta ◽

Massimiliano Pau ◽

Bruno Leban ◽

Michela Deidda ◽

Marco Sorrentino ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lower Limb ◽

Functional Limitations ◽

Hip Osteoarthritis ◽

Movement Analysis ◽

Human Movement ◽

Point Of View ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Gait Patterns ◽

Limb Kinematics

Among the functional limitations associated with hip osteoarthritis (OA), the alteration of gait capabilities represents one of the most invalidating as it may seriously compromise the quality of life of the affected individual. The use of quantitative techniques for human movement analysis has been found valuable in providing accurate and objective measures of kinematics and kinetics of gait in individuals with hip OA, but few studies have reported in-depth analyses of lower limb joint kinematics during gait and, in particular, there is a scarcity of data on interlimb symmetry. Such aspects were investigated in the present study which tested 11 individuals with hip OA (mean age 68.3 years) and 11 healthy controls age- and sex-matched, using 3D computerized gait analysis to perform point-by-point comparisons of the joint angle trends of hip, knee, and ankle. Angle-angle diagrams (cyclograms) were also built to compute several parameters (i.e., cyclogram area and orientation and Trend Symmetry) from which to assess the degree of interlimb symmetry. The results show that individuals with hip OA exhibit peculiar gait patterns characterized by severe modifications of the physiologic trend at hip level even in the unaffected limb (especially during the stance phase), as well as minor (although significant) alterations at knee and ankle level. The symmetry analysis also revealed that the effect of the disease in terms of interlimb coordination is present at knee joint as well as hip, while the ankle joint appears relatively preserved from specific negative effects from this point of view. The availability of data on such kinematic adaptations may be useful in supporting the design of specific rehabilitative strategies during both preoperative and postoperative periods.

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