Concentration of Circulating Cell-Free DNA in the Peripheral Blood Plasma of Patients with Acute Endogenous and Exogenous Etiology Psychoses

Introduction: cell-free plasma DNA (cfDNA) is used as a marker refl ecting the level of apoptosis in the human body under stress. Acute psychosis caused by endogenous (schizophrenia) and exogenous (alcohol intoxication) factors in the patient’s body is associated with oxidative stress. Presumably, cfDNA concentration in the blood plasma of patients with acute psychoses of endogenous and exogenous etiology is increased. The purpose of the study: comparative analysis of the cfDNA concentration in the blood plasma of treated and untreated patients with paranoid schizophrenia during the disease exacerbation, patients with alcoholic psychosis and healthy volunteers. Patients and methods: the concentration of cfDNA was determined in the blood plasma samples of 476 people: control group (n = 95); patients with schizophrenia in the acute stage of the disease (n = 334); patients with alcoholic psychosis (n = 47). Results: the concentrations of cfDNA in the plasma of patients with schizophrenia (median 931 ng/ml) is 2.2 times higher than in the control group (median 428 ng/ml) and 1.8 times higher than in the patients with alcoholic psychosis (504 ng/ml). For the patients with schizophrenia with high PANSS, we found the highest values of the cfDNA concentration in the blood plasma during psychosis, which indicates a more pronounced systemic process, which is accompanied by the cell death level increase. Conclusions: the concentration of cfDNA in the blood plasma could be used as a biochemical marker that refl ects the severity of the schizophrenia patient’ state upon admission to the hospital.

How Shall We Start? The Importance of General Indices for Circular Cities in Indonesia

The role of the circular economy has attracted increased attention amongst practitioners and policymakers in recent years. It has been broadly developed and applied at different levels (micro, meso and macro) in developed countries. However, to date, the possibility of a circular economy in Indonesia has not been widely explored or discussed by city actors. This gap in research represents an opportunity to investigate options that may foster the adoption of circular economy principles and practices. Which aspects of the circular economy should be of primary concern, considering Indonesia’s current situation? In response to this question, this paper offers a systemic process of lessons learnt as developed from the literature, identifying certain key aspects that could benefit Indonesia. This study mapped important factors and key indicators that have been claimed to have beneficial effects in the application of circular economy principles in cities. The authors developed a protocol to systematize the literature review process to illustrate gaps and to provide and recommend indicators for circular cities. These are equally applicable to the local situation in North Kalimantan, which we selected as a showcase medium-sized city. Empirical data was collected by interviewing different stakeholders to enrich the theoretical set of circular economy indicators. This case study offered the opportunity to gain a more realistic understanding of what circular cities might look like in the Indonesian situation. The findings allowed us to explore and describe the current circular economy city-level discussion. They also provide insight and information for decision-makers and city actors on how to collaborate to develop a framework to advance circular city initiatives.

Problems of Modern Transformation of Statistics

The article is devoted to the problems of statistics transformation due to the appearance of new types of statistical observation which allows accumulating, processing and transfering big volumes of information at high speed. The modern stage of improvement in statistics is connected with the development of information technologies, the effectiveness of which determines the way many technological and methodological problems are solved. Their solution is based on the understanding that statistics is only able to perform its function by reflecting manageable economic phenomena and processes combining systemic, process, structural and functional approaches. The article describes the solution of the problem on the example of labor productivity in the production structure along with working out a system of indicators and using it in the analysis of the management system under consideration. Statistics currently is developing under the influence of digital and Bid Data technologies improvement. Being Internet technologies they are connected with the applications targeting at the formation of market of standardized services which can be used jointly by multiple consumers. This limits the possibility of using them in the basic information statistical processes, the function of which is to support making managerial decisions about particular unique management subjects that are developing under particular unique conditions. But at the same time disruptive digital technologies turn in the factor of the development of statistics as an activity primarily being implemented on the information platforms belonging to the management institutions. The research uses the methods of system and comparative analysis to consolidate modern concepts of economic system management, directions of development in statistics, development of digital technologies and their introduction in statistical processes.

Coronary endothelial dysfunction appears to be a manifestation of a systemic process: A report from the Women’s Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation – Coronary Vascular Dysfunction (WISE-CVD) study

Background Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is prevalent in symptomatic women with ischemia but no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA). Urine albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) is a measure of renal microvascular endothelial dysfunction. Both are predictors of adverse cardiovascular events. It is unknown if CMD could be a manifestation of a systemic process. We evaluated the relationship between renal microvascular dysfunction and CMD as measured by invasive coronary function testing (CFT). Methods and results We measured urine albumin and creatinine to provide UACR in 152 women enrolled in the Women’s Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation–Coronary Vascular Dysfunction (WISE-CVD) study (2008–2015) with suspected INOCA who underwent CFT. Invasive CFT measures of endothelial and non-endothelial dependent coronary microvascular function were obtained. Subjects were divided into those with detectable (≥20 mg/g) and undetectable urine albumin (<20 mg/g). The group mean age was 54 ± 11 years, with a moderate cardiac risk factor burden including low diabetes prevalence, and a mean UACR of 12 ± 55 mg/g (range 9.5–322.7 mg/g). Overall, coronary endothelial-dependent variables (change in coronary blood flow and coronary diameter in response to cold pressor testing) had significant inverse correlations with log UACR (r = -0.17, p = 0.05; r = -0.18, p = 0.03, respectively). Conclusions Among women with INOCA and relatively low risk factor including diabetes burden, renal microvascular dysfunction, measured by UACR, is related to coronary endothelial-dependent CMD. These results suggest that coronary endothelial-dependent function may be a manifestation of a systemic process. Enhancing efferent arteriolar vasodilatation in both coronary endothelial-dependent function and renal microvascular dysfunction pose potential targets for investigation and treatment. Clinical trial registration https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00832702.

Risk management in occupational safety: A systematic mapping

BACKGROUND: Occupational safety risk management is a systemic process capable of promoting technical engineering solutions, considering a wide range of predictable, unexpected and subjective factors related to accident occurrences. In Brazil, the behavior of managers in relation to risk management tends to be reactive, and facilitates access to information for crucial practical and academic purposes when it comes to changing the attitude of managers, so that their actions become increasingly more proactive. OBJECTIVE: To identify, classify, analyze, and discuss the existing literature related to the topic, produced from 2008 to 2020, besides contributing to a broader understanding of risk management in occupational safety. METHODS: We did a systematic literature mapping. The research process was documented starting by the planning stage. Afterwards, the focus was on research conduction and information synthesis. RESULTS: Knowledge systematization and stratification about OHS risk management through various perspectives to identify, analyze and manage risks in the workplace. Were identified 37 tools for identifying and analyzing risks, management-related practices and future research trends. CONCLUSIONS: The set of tools and management practices identified can be used as a support for decision making in the selection process of tools and practices to reduce risks and improve occupational safety. Also, the results can help target future research.

Sales transformation: conceptual domain and dimensions

Purpose This study aims to offer a conceptualization of sales transformation, a phenomenon that is redefining the role of salespeople and the nature of Business-to-Business (B2B) relationships while disrupting the selling logics across a variety of industries. Design/methodology/approach Through a two-stage approach, the authors propose and test a conceptual model of sales transformation. The authors conducted 20 interviews and two focus groups with sales directors and managers. The authors then surveyed directors, executives and managers in the sales area (n = 190) and tested a reflective–formative hierarchical model using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings Sales transformation is a multidimensional construct that includes four higher-order dimensions, namely, people, digitalization, integration and acceleration, and 16 sub-dimensions. These dimensions simultaneously contribute to the sales transformation phenomenon that is conceptualized as a systemic process. This study also offers a measurement tool to assess the degree of sales transformation and enhance the value generated through sales. Originality/value Although many companies are facing challenges stemming from the process of sales transformation, most studies have only focused on micro-aspects of this transformation. This study provides a holistic view of sales transformation aimed at understanding the complexity of this phenomenon by adopting a macro-level perspective on the different dimensions that contribute to its occurrence and development.

DEVELOPMENT OF ANALYTICAL SKILLS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: SCIENTIFIC AND ANALYTICAL REVIEW

Представлен аналитический обзор проблемы развития аналитических умений студентов в вузе. Дана сравнительная характеристика понятий «аналитические умения» и «аналитические способности». Сделан вывод, что аналитические способности являются свойством личности, а аналитические умения – освоенный опыт деятельности. Рассмотрены основные мыслительные действия, лежащие в основе аналитических умений. Дается сравнение двух групп аналитических умений: аналитико-прогностические и аналитико-рефлексивные. Обосновывается тезис о том, что развитие аналитических умений невозможно без получения новых знаний. Значительное внимание уделено структуре понятия «аналитические умения». Определена необходимость развития аналитических умений у студентов для профессионального становления будущих специалистов. Сделан вывод о том, что для развития аналитических умений требуется время, это длительный, системный процесс в профессиональном образовании. Выявлены факторы (позитивные и негативные), влияющие на развитие аналитических умений студентов. Уделено внимание заданиям и упражнениям (кейс-заданиям), направленным на изучение развития аналитических умения студентов. Для диагностики уровня развития аналитических умений студентов разработаны показатели, а также представлена характеристика уровней развития аналитических умений студентов вуза – низкий, средний, высокий. Представлены результаты пилотажного исследования по выявлению уровня развития аналитических умений студентов гуманитарных направлений подготовки. Исследование проводилось в вузах городов Ставрополя и Краснодара. Результаты исследования показали, что у студентов преобладает средний и низкий уровень развития аналитических умений. На основе полученных результатов выявлены причины низкого уровня развития аналитических умений у современных студентов. An analytical review of the problem of the development of analytical skills of students at the university is presented. A comparative characteristic of the concepts «analytical skills» and «analytical abilities» is given. It is concluded that analytical ability is a personality trait, and an analytical skill is the acquired experience of activity. The main mental actions underlying analytical skills are considered. Comparison of two groups of analytical skills is given: analytical-prognostic and analytical-reflexive. The thesis is substantiated that the development of analytical skills is impossible without obtaining new knowledge. Considerable attention is paid to the structure of the concept of «analytical skills». The need for the development of analytical skills among students for the professional development of future specialists is determined. It is concluded that the development of analytical skills takes time, this is a long, systemic process in professional education. The factors (positive and negative) influencing the development of students’ analytical skills are revealed. In the article, the authors focus on assignments and exercises (case assignments) aimed at developing students’ analytical skills. To diagnose the level of development of analytical skills of students, indicators have been developed, as well as the characteristics of the levels of development of analytical skills of university students - low, medium, high. The authors present the results of a pilot study to identify the level of development of analytical skills of students in humanitarian areas of training. The study was conducted in universities in the cities of Stavropol and Krasnodar. The results of the study showed that students have a predominantly medium and low level of development of analytical skills. Based on the results obtained, the authors identified the reasons for the low level of development of analytical skills among modern students.

New Field, Old Practices: Promises and Challenges of Public History

Although public history is becoming increasingly international, the field remains difficult to define and subject to some criticism. Based on sometimes long-established public practices, public history displays new approaches to audiences, collaboration and authority in history production. This article provides an overview of public history, its various definitions and historiography, and discusses some of the main criticisms of the field. Public history is compared to a tree of knowledge whose parts (roots, trunk, branches and leaves) represent the many collaborative and interconnected stages in the field. Defining public history as a systemic process (tree) demonstrates the need for collaboration between the different actors – may they be trained historians or not – and aim to focus on the role they play in the overall process. The future of international public history will involve balancing practice-based approaches with more theoretical discussions on the role of trained historians, audiences and different uses of the past.

Biomarkers in COVID-19: An Up-To-Date Review

The ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses several challenges to clinicians. Timely diagnosis and hospitalization, risk stratification, effective utilization of intensive care services, selection of appropriate therapies, monitoring and timely discharge are essential to save the maximum number of lives. Clinical assessment is indispensable, but laboratory markers, or biomarkers, can provide additional, objective information which can significantly impact these components of patient care. COVID-19 is not a localized respiratory infection but a multisystem disease caused by a diffuse systemic process involving a complex interplay of the immunological, inflammatory and coagulative cascades. The understanding of what the virus does to the body and how the body reacts to it has uncovered a gamut of potential biomarkers. This review discusses the different classes of biomarkers – immunological, inflammatory, coagulation, hematological, cardiac, biochemical and miscellaneous – in terms of their pathophysiological basis followed by the current evidence. Differences between children and adults are highlighted. The role of biomarkers in the diagnosis and management of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) is reviewed. The correlation of biomarkers with clinical and radiological features and the viral load, temporal evolution and the effect of treatment remain to be studied in detail. Which biomarker needs to be evaluated when and in whom, and how best this information can contribute to patient care are questions which currently lack convincing answers. With the evidence currently available broad guidelines on the rational use of available biomarkers are presented. Integrating clinical and laboratory data, monitoring trends rather than a single value, correlating with the natural course of the disease and tailoring guidelines to the individual patient and healthcare setting are essential.