scholarly journals Prevention of encrustation and biofilm formation on the ureteral stent surface. Part 2.

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 132-138
Author(s):  
A.Yu. Tsukanov ◽  
◽  
D.S. Akhmetov ◽  
A.A. Novikov ◽  
D.A. Negrov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Degradation Products ◽  
Ureteral Stent ◽  
Medical Problems ◽  
Physical Methods ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Biodegradable Stents ◽  
Scientific Papers ◽  
Stent Complications

Introduction. Stent encrustation and formation of biofilms on its surfaces are serious medical problems, that cannot be solved without removing or replacing of the drain. Various researches are being conducted worldwide, trying to solve this problem, while a universal way of such stent complications prevention is still unreached. Aim. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of biodegradable stents and physical methods as alternative ways to prevent drainage complications. Materials and methods. A literature search was performed of the Pubmed, Web of Sience, Science Direct, Scopus, Cyberleninka, E-library, CNMB and other databases for the period of time from 1984 to 2020 for the following keywords: ureteral stent, encrustation, biofilm, urolithiasis, bacteriuria, ultrasound. Of more than 100 studies found, 48 scientific papers, most fully correspond to the article topic, were analyzed. Results. The use of biodegradable stents eliminates a need for interventions to remove them, improving the patient's quality of life, as well as reducing the economic burden on the healthcare system. However, the problem of degradation rate control and stent degradation products elimination still exists. Conclusions. The majority of proposed physical methods of impact on a stent need a contact way of implementation, that largely hinders their clinical use. Thus, non-invasive methods seem promising and require further researches.

Methods of parallel computing for multilevel fuzzy Takagi – Sugeno systems

2016 ◽  
pp. 141-149
Author(s):  
S.V. Yershov ◽  
◽  
R.М. Ponomarenko ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Models ◽  
Fuzzy Inference ◽  
Knowledge Bases ◽  
Comparative Characteristic ◽  
Software Systems ◽  
Scientific Papers ◽  
Speed Up ◽  
Diagnostic Software ◽  
Takagi Sugeno

Parallel tiered and dynamic models of the fuzzy inference in expert-diagnostic software systems are considered, which knowledge bases are based on fuzzy rules. Tiered parallel and dynamic fuzzy inference procedures are developed that allow speed up of computations in the software system for evaluating the quality of scientific papers. Evaluations of the effectiveness of parallel tiered and dynamic schemes of computations are constructed with complex dependency graph between blocks of fuzzy Takagi – Sugeno rules. Comparative characteristic of the efficacy of parallel-stacked and dynamic models is carried out.

Selection by Publication in Economics

2005 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 255-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
András Simonovits
Keyword(s):  
Selection Process ◽  
Professional Standards ◽  
Publication Process ◽  
Entry Costs ◽  
Scientific Papers ◽  
Financial Interests ◽  
Source Of Information

According to the dominant view, the quality of individual scientific papers can be evaluated by the standard of the journal in which they are published. This paper attempts to demonstrate the limits of this view in the field of economics. According to our main findings, a publication frequently serves as a signal of high professional standards rather than as a source of information; referees and editors frequently reject good papers and accept bad ones; citation indices only partially balance the distortions deriving from the selection process; there are essential “entry costs” to the publication process. Moreover, financial interests of publishers may contradict scientific interests. As long as leading economists do not give voice to their dissatisfaction, there is no hope for any reform of the selection process.

scholarly journals Carbon Dioxide Laser Vulvovaginal Rejuvenation: A Systematic Review

Cosmetics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 56
Author(s):  
Tassahil Messas ◽  
Achraf Messas ◽  
George Kroumpouzos
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Laser Therapy ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Laser ◽  
Invasive Treatment ◽  
Erbium:Yag Laser ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Level I ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Co2

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) causes significant symptomatic aggravation that affects the quality of life (QoL). Vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA), the hallmark of GSM, is managed with topical non-hormonal therapy, including moisturizers and lubricants, and topical estrogen application. Patients not responding/being unsatisfied with previous local estrogen therapies are candidates for a noninvasive modality. Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser therapy, especially the fractionated type (FrCO2), has drawn considerable attention over the past two decades as a non-invasive treatment for GSM. This systematic review describes the accumulated evidence from 40 FrCO2 laser studies (3466 participants) in GSM/VVA. MEDLINE, Scopus and Cochrane databases were searched through April 2021. We analyze the effects of FrCO2 laser therapy on symptoms, sexual function, and QoL of patients with GSM/VVA. As shown in this review, FrCO2 laser therapy for GSM shows good efficacy and safety. This modality has the potential to advance female sexual wellness. Patient satisfaction was high in the studies included in this systematic review. However, there is a lack of level I evidence, and more randomized sham-controlled trials are required. Furthermore, several clinical questions, such as the number of sessions required that determine cost-effectiveness, should be addressed. Also, whether FrCO2 laser therapy may exert a synergistic effect with systemic and/or local hormonal/non-hormonal treatments, energy-based devices, and other modalities to treat GMS requires further investigation. Lastly, studies are required to compare FrCO2 laser therapy with other energy-based devices such as erbium:YAG laser and radiofrequency.

scholarly journals A Milk Foodomics Investigation into the Effect of Pseudomonas fluorescens Growth under Cold Chain Conditions

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1173
Author(s):  
Paolo Bellassi ◽  
Gabriele Rocchetti ◽  
Lorenzo Morelli ◽  
Biancamaria Senizza ◽  
Luigi Lucini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Fluorescens ◽  
Degradation Products ◽  
Storage Conditions ◽  
Cold Chain ◽  
Lower Sensitivity ◽  
Multivariate Statistical ◽  
Proteolytic Activities ◽  
Quality Of Milk ◽  
Potential Tool

Pseudomonas fluorescens is a psychrotrophic species associated with milk spoilage because of its lipolytic and proteolytic activities. Consequently, monitoring P. fluorescens or its antecedent activity in milk is critical to preventing quality defects of the product and minimizing food waste. Therefore, in this study, untargeted metabolomics and peptidomics were used to identify the changes in milk related to P. fluorescens activity by simulating the low-temperature conditions usually found in milk during the cold chain. Both unsupervised and supervised multivariate statistical approaches showed a clear effect caused by the P. fluorescens inoculation on milk samples. Our results showed that the levels of phosphatidylglycerophosphates and glycerophospholipids were directly related to the level of contamination. In addition, our metabolomic approach allowed us to detect lipid and protein degradation products that were directly correlated with the degradative metabolism of P. fluorescens. Peptidomics corroborated the proteolytic propensity of P. fluorescens-contaminated milk, but with lower sensitivity. The results obtained from this study provide insights into the alterations related to P. fluorescens 39 contamination, both pre and post heat treatment. This approach could represent a potential tool to retrospectively understand the actual quality of milk under cold chain storage conditions, either before or after heat treatments.

Non-Invasive Blood Glucose Monitoring by Means of near Infrared Spectroscopy: Methods for Improving the Reliability of the Calibration Models

1997 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 285-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
U.A. Müller ◽  
B. Mertes ◽  
C. Fischbacher ◽  
K.U. Jageman ◽  
K. Danzer
Keyword(s):  
Blood Glucose ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Glucose Monitoring ◽  
Blood Glucose Monitoring ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Infrared Reflection ◽  
Calibration Models ◽  
Infrared Reflection Spectroscopy

The feasibility of using near infrared reflection spectroscopy for non-invasive blood glucose monitoring is discussed. Spectra were obtained using a diode-array spectrometer with a fiberoptic measuring head with a wavelength ranging from 800 nm to 1350 nm. Calibration was performed using partial least-squares regression and radial basis function networks. The results of different methods used to evaluate the quality of the recorded spectra in order to improve the reliability of the calibration models, are presented.

scholarly journals Low-Intensity Electromagnetic Millimeter Waves for Pain Therapy

2006 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taras I. Usichenko ◽  
Hardy Edinger ◽  
Vasyl V. Gizhko ◽  
Christian Lehmann ◽  
Michael Wendt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pain Relief ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Treatment Method ◽  
Rapid Onset ◽  
Acupuncture Points ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Review Criteria

Millimeter wave therapy (MWT), a non-invasive complementary therapeutic technique is claimed to possess analgesic properties. We reviewed the clinical studies describing the pain-relief effect of MWT. Medline-based search according to review criteria and evaluation of methodological quality of the retrieved studies was performed. Of 13 studies, 9 of them were randomized controlled trials (RCTs), only three studies yielded more than 3 points on the Oxford scale of methodological quality of RCTs. MWT was reported to be effective in the treatment of headache, arthritic, neuropathic and acute postoperative pain. The rapid onset of pain relief during MWT lasting hours to days after, remote to the site of exposure (acupuncture points), was the most characteristic feature in MWT application for pain relief. The most commonly used parameters of MWT were the MW frequencies between 30 and 70 GHz and power density up to 10 mW cm−2. The promising results from pilot case series studies and small-size RCTs for analgesic/hypoalgesic effects of MWT should be verified in large-scale RCTs on the effectiveness of this treatment method.

scholarly journals Challenges and opportunities for monitoring wild Nile crocodiles with scute mark-recapture photography

Koedoe ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernard W.T. Coetzee ◽  
Sam M. Ferreira ◽  
Kristine Maciejewski
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Status ◽  
Field Conditions ◽  
High Turnover ◽  
Mark Recapture ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Open Population ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
In The Wild

The global conservation status of Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) was last assessed in 1996. The species presents particular difficulty in monitoring because it can be cryptic, require expertise to handle, and caudal tail tags and transmitters are often lost. Some studies advocate mark-recapture techniques based on photograph identification of the unique scute markings of crocodile tails as a non-invasive means of monitoring their populations. Researchers developed this method with crocodiles in captivity. In this study, we test the technique under field conditions by monitoring crocodiles from 2015 to 2017 in the Sunset Dam in the Kruger National Park. Using a Cormack-Jolly-Seber open population model, we found that the dam may host 15–30 individuals, but that there is a high turnover of individuals and much uncertainty in model outputs. The dam’s population thus has high rates of immigration and emigration. The method proved challenging under field conditions, as there was bias in identifying scute markings consistently. The efficient use of the method requires an exceptional quality of photographic equipment. Animal crypsis, however, remains an issue. In this study, we discuss how to improve the mark-recapture photography methodology, especially to adapt the technique for citizen science initiatives.Conservation implications: Using scute mark-recapture photography presents challenges under field conditions. These challenges require innovative, practical and analytical solutions to successfully use the technique before monitoring programmes, aimed at ensuring the persistence of crocodiles in the wild, can be implemented.

scholarly journals FEATURES OF BRONCHIAL ASTHMA CONTROL AND COURSE IN CHILDREN WITH AN ALTERNATIVE ONSET OF THE DISEASE

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 383-392
Author(s):  
О.К. Koloskova ◽  
Т.М. Bilous ◽  
N.O. Shevchenko ◽  
V.V. Bilous
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Asthma Control ◽  
Bronchial Asthma ◽  
Diagnostic Procedures ◽  
Individualized Treatment ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Non Invasive

Despite the large number of studies on the diagnosis and treatment of asthma and the constant updating of recommendations for the provision of medical care to patients with asthma, this disease still has a significant impact on the quality of life of patients and their families and significant economic losses. However, the peculiarities of bronchial asthma and the diagnosis of certain phenotypes of the disease in children, depending on biomarkers of inflammatory activity in the airways, require greater use of non-invasive diagnostic procedures and optimization of individualized treatment depending on the nature and intensity of inflammation in the respiratory tract.

scholarly journals Assessment of Myocardial Viability: A Review of Current Non Invasive Imaging Techniques

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Talib
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Coronary Artery Disease ◽  
Ventricular Dysfunction ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Common Cause ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Artery Disease ◽  
Impaired Quality

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most prevalent and<br />single most common cause of morbidity and mortality1 with<br />the resulting left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) an important<br />complication2. Worldwide, CAD accounts for 5.7 million new<br />cases per year, of these 1.3 million in Europe alone3. In addition,<br />it imposes a substantial share of health service resources and<br />expenses, an impaired quality of life, disability and high social<br />cost3,4. Furthermore, LVD itself has been shown to be a powerful<br />determinant of survival2, 5.

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