Acupuncture Therapy on Patients with Flaccid Hemiplegia after Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background. Acupuncture is a commonly used complementary treatment for flaccid hemiplegia caused by stroke, but evidences from previous randomized trials were inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in a comprehensive synthesis. Methods. We searched literature from eight databases from their inception to December 2020. We included randomized controlled trials of acupuncture for the treatment of flaccid hemiplegia following stroke. The meta-analysis was carried out using Review Manager 5.3 and Stata 16.0. The main indicator was the Fugl-Meyer Assessment scale. The modified Barthel Index scale, Quality Of Life Assessment scale, Mini-Mental State Examination scale, Berg Balance Scale, Neurological Deficit Assessment scale, and the treatment effective rate were used to measure the secondary indicators. Adverse events from individual studies were used to determine safety. Results. Our search returned 7624 records, of which 27 studies involving a total of 1,293 patients fulfilled our inclusion criteria. To be noted, our results indicated that significant improvements in the scores of the primary indicator showed better clinical scores among the three groups with acupuncture than without acupuncture: acupuncture compared with rehabilitation, 13.53 (95% CI 11.65–14.41, P < 0.01 ); acupuncture plus rehabilitation compared with rehabilitation, 9.84 (95% CI 6.45–13.24, P < 0.01 , I2 = 98%); and acupuncture plus Western medicine therapy compared with Western medicine, 16.86 (95% CI 15.89–17.84, P < 0.01 , I2 = 38%), and the secondary indicators showed the same tendency. Conclusion. Acupuncture was effective and safe in the patients with flaccid hemiplegia after stroke, although there was high heterogeneity between studies.

Dose-dependent effect of plants of the Lamiaceae family on the concentration of methane, fatty acids and nitrogen in the ecosystem in vitro

Fermentation processes in the rumen of ruminants determine how much final metabolites and their derivatives will be formed, which are necessary for the full development of the organism, the level of productivity, and also affect the level of formation of endogenous substances, namely, greenhouse gas emissions. These criteria lead us to the search for new feed products that improve the metabolic processes of the rumen and the digestive system as a whole, so phyto-substances can serve as an alternative. The article presents the results of in vitro study of the influence of Salviae folia, Scutellaria baicalensis, Oríganum vulgáre on formation of methane, synthesis of volatile fatty acids and nitrogen, as the main indicator parameters of the enzymatic activity of the rumen of ruminants. It was found that when using phyto- substances: Salviae folia and Scutellaria baicalensis, more acetic and propionic acid was formed, Oríganum vulgare in various dosages shifted towards propionic and valeric acid. Formation of a larger amount of microbial protein (P≤0.05) with use of Salviae folia, Scutellaria baicalensis, Oríganum vulgáre in various dosages was established. Methane production decreased with use of Oríganum vulgáre.

Features of the methodology for assessing budget efficiency investment pro-jects

The analysis of current regulations shows that only a few indicators (budgetary effect) are used to assess the budget efficiency of investment projects in Ukraine, and the decision on financing is not made from it. As a result, it is necessary to raise the issue of introducing an additional system of indicators for assessing the effectiveness of investment projects, which characterize the return on investment of budget funds. Thus, the purpose of this study is to develop proposals for improving the methodology for assessing the budget effectiveness of investment projects. The main indicator for assessing the effectiveness of projects that provide state or regional financial support is the budgetary effect. Budget effect is the main indicator of budget efficiency used to justify the decision to finance the project, which is often defined as the difference between inflows and outflows of budget funds, taking into account discounting. The paper proposes to introduce additional indicators to assess the budget efficiency of the investment project, in addition to the payback period of state support. Absolute budget effect. which will be calculated in the form of two indicators: taking into account and without taking into account loans to banks under government guarantees. This calculation is justified, as the budget effect may be understated by including bank loans in the definition of this indicator, while the state budget may not incur costs under its guarantee obligations. Absolute budgetary effect, which characterizes the total amount of funds that the country's budget will receive as a result of the project. Relative budget effect, which characterizes the ratio of budget investments to the investment project and additional revenues to the budget. Budget profitability – shows how many monetary units the project implementation brings per unit of budget funds spent. Due to the fact that this indicator is based on the indicator of the absolute budgetary effect, the calculation of this indicator will be calculated taking into account and without taking into account bank loans issued under government guarantees. The authors have developed some modifications to the calculations for assessing the budget efficiency of investment projects, as well as the calculation of indicators of budget efficiency of projects that characterize the return on investment: absolute budget effect, relative budget effect (indirect and direct), budget profitability.

Estimation of the potential of energy efficiency increase in SMARTGRID systems with prosum-ers based on electric vehicles

The modes of operation of power transformer substations 6 (20)/0.4 kV are analyzed. Scientific and technical solutions for the use of electric vehicles as prosumers of electric energy are substantiated. The potential influence of electric cars on electricity losses in "smart" electric networks is determined. Feasibility study of expediency of using electric mobiles as prosumers from the standpoint of loss reduction and efficiency of network equipment use is given. Quantitative indicators of the potential of equalization of the daily schedule of electric loads of the typical area of consumers of city electric networks are determined. The main indicator is the reduction of electricity losses in transformers by 7-10% compared with the existing ones when regulating the mode from the side of 0.4 kV with help of electric vehicles. Additionally, the possibility of increasing the capacity of electrical networks up to 45% identified.

Influence of water concentration on the content of protein and nucleic acids in organs of chick embryos of different ages

The study was carried out in 10-, 14-15-, 18-20-day-old embryos and 1-2-day-old chickens of the Hy-Line breed. In chickens during embryogenesis, the peculiarities of the relationship between the main indicator of the ontogenetic growth of organs and tissues - the content of intracellular water by previously measured values: with the concentration of protein and nucleic acids in the organs of chicken embryos of different ages - were assessed. It was found that in the period of 10-19 days of embryogenesis, the growth of organs is accompanied by a significant decrease in water content to varying degrees: noticeably higher in the liver and in the cerebral hemispheres - up to 14 days; from the 19th day, these changes are less pronounced. The results of the studied indicator in the muscles indicate advanced embryonic development with a more pronounced decrease in the water content in the red oxidative muscles in comparison with white muscles, where the decrease in the indicator is less pronounced. Key words: chicken embryos, protein, nucleic acid, water content, pectoralis alba and gastrocnemius muscle.

Influence of Structural, Electronic and Spin Properties of ND[NV] - Surface Group Conjugates on Formation of Their Biological Activity: Quantum Chemical Simulations

To estimate possible biological activity of conjugates based on nanodiamond with an NV center inside (ND[NV]), with various functional groups located on its surface, their structural, electronic, and spin properties were calculated using the PM6 method. The energy gap between HOMO and LUMO of the complex was used as a main indicator of biological activity. It has been shown that complexes with OH or H groups attached to the (111) surface are most stable in an aqueous medium. Analysis of spin density and HOMO and LUMO localization shows that complexes ND[NV] may be not just an inert carrier of a biologically active drug or means of visualizing drug delivery, but are also directly involved in the formation of the biological activity of the conjugate.

Efficiency of choosing promising walnut forms in the case of Uzbekistan

Walnut (Juglans regia L) is one of the most important tree species in Uzbekistan. Natural walnuts have a valuable gene pool, among which there are many forms with different bioecological properties. In particular, biodiversity in terms of kernel quality is highly variable within the species. This article provides information on the analysis of quality indicators of walnut kernels in natural and local nuts. Among the indicators of kernel quality in the selected forms, the yield of walnut kernels was of high importance as the main indicator, and in the selected forms this indicator was 38.2-63.3. According to international indicators, Parkent-2, Boysun-1 and Humson-5 forms are recommended for wide use, given that the form with a yield rate of more than 50% is promising.

THE THREAT OF DISEASE ON FEMALE IDENTITY IN EMILE ZOLA’S NOVELS

Disease and its effect on the body and personal autonomy, as well as its influence on the social position of the diseased person, are among the key themes in the novels of the 19th century French writer Émile Zola. When it comes to female characters, illness has a multifold impact, having both physical and psychological effects, erasing in extreme cases female identity itself. The aim of this article is to offer insights into how sickness is depicted as a menace that leaves female characters deprived of any power they might have by affecting their appearance, which is the main indicator of their social identity and the key instrument they can use to establish and maintain relationships, and by taking away their ability to control themselves and how they are seen by others.

Comparative Analysis of Motorcyclists’ Gaze Behavior in Different Road Environments

While car drivers consist the vast majority of road users, motorcycle drivers are considered among the most vulnerable ones with significant participation in accidents. The present study investigates the role of elements that permanently exist in the road environment and affect motorcyclist’s behavior since their usefulness requires visual contact between them and the rider during a certain period of time. Therefore, on such an occasion the riders do not monitor the road ahead which is considered as a fundamental driving task and hence the visual search and scan is not directed to the frontal view. The main objective of this paper is to identify and evaluate certain aspects of motorcyclists’ behavior influenced by exterior factors, such as observation of vertical signage or advertisement signs, by using naturalistic data. Motorcyclist’s visual behavior is evaluated via a continuous recording of his gaze, which acts as the main indicator regarding the rider’s performance, with the use of special equipment under naturalistic riding conditions. The selection of a naturalistic method permits continuous data recording, producing real-time data. Thus, the results are reliable and valid to the maximum possible extent. This research is based on a medium-scale experimental procedure that took place in three different road sections in Western Greece. A number of 11 motorcyclists participated in the study. The present research may be used as a tool to improve road infrastructure and to identify attitudes that pose a risk to rider’s safety aiming to the creation of a safer road environment, which will lead to less fatal and serious accidents.

Environmental Factor in the Recent History of Interregional Relations between Russia and China

This article examines the problem of regional environmental policy and resource consumption as the key reason for the current state of the Russian regional economies, which are financially dependent on the Chinese domestic market. At the same time, the scale of the influence of Chinese business on the environment of Russian regions was studied from a scientific point of view as a direct consequence of this dependence. In this regard, a historical reflection of the bilateral regional relations of post-Soviet Russia and the PRC in the field of ecology was carried out, the main stages of Russian resource dependence on the PRC were highlighted, the assessments of Russian and foreign scientists regarding the problem were studied, the role of ecology as a factor determining the current development vectors of both interregional and interstate relations between the Russian Federation and the PRC was evaluated. In particular, the negative aspects of the widespread approach, so-called “complementarity of economies”, are considered as the main indicator of the erroneous regional eco-resource policy in Russian relations with the PRC, the consequences of which concern both the national ecology and the national economy.