Control Values Research Articles

The effects of morning vs. evening high-intensity interval exercise on the magnitude of the morning blood pressure surge.

Blood pressure (BP) follows a circadian rhythm, dipping during sleep and surging in the morning. A larger morning BP surge is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events. Acute exercise can produce sustained periods of post-exercise hypotension that lasts up to 24 hrs, however the timing of exercise (morning vs. evening) may influence this response. Whether the timing of exercise influences the morning BP surge remains unknown. The current study investigated the effects of a bout of high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) performed in the morning vs. evening on the magnitude of the morning BP surge in young healthy adults. Twenty-six young, otherwise healthy adults (23±4 years; 15 females) completed a randomized crossover trial where, on different days, they completed a no exercise control visit or performed either morning (0800-1000 hrs) or evening (1700-1900 hrs) HIIE. Following each visit, ambulatory BP was assessed in 30-min intervals for 24 hrs. HIIE at either time did not alter the magnitude of the morning BP surge compared to control values (control: 22±5 mmHg; morning exercise: 20±8 mmHg; evening exercise: 22±10 mmHg, P=0.40) or when grouped separately by sex (visit x sex P=0.42). A positive correlation existed between Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire score and the change in nighttime BP following both exercise times (both r=0.42 and P=0.04). These findings suggest that HIIE does not attenuate the morning BP surge in young healthy adults and that chronotype can predict nighttime BP responses following HIIE irrespective of exercise time of day. This study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06702930).

Biocontrol potential of natamycin-producing Streptomyces lydicus JCK-6019 against soil-borne fungal diseases of cucumber and characterization of its biocontrol mechanism.

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum and Rhizoctonia solani AG-4 are the two most important fungal pathogens causing soil-borne fungal diseases of cucumber; they are difficult to control and cause serious economic losses. Given the detrimental effects of the indiscriminate use of chemical fungicides, biocontrol emerges as an efficient and ecofriendly alternative for managing soil-borne fungal diseases. Streptomyces lydicus JCK-6019 (hereafter, JCK-6019) was isolated from rhizosphere soil. Its fermentation filtrate and volatile organic compounds exhibited broad-spectrum antifungal activity against various phytopathogenic fungi and oomycetes. JCK-6019 produced natamycin as an agar-diffusible antifungal metabolite. It also produced indole-3-acetic acid and various hydrolytic enzymes. In vivo experiments revealed that a ten-fold-diluted optimized JCK-6019 fermentation broth exhibited 100% control efficiency against cucumber damping-off disease and 62.5% control efficiency against cucumber Fusarium wilt disease. Pretreatment of cucumber seedlings with 1000-fold-diluted optimized JCK-6019 fermentation broth resulted in 68.18% and 23.91% disease control values against cucumber damping-off and Fusarium wilt disease, respectively. Moreover, peroxidase activity in cucumbers after 1 day of treatment was 1.5-fold higher than that in the control. Similarly, polyphenol oxidase activity in cucumbers after 3 days of treatment was 2.34-fold higher than that in the control, indicating that JCK-6019 can induce plant resistance. The natamycin-producing strain JCK-6019 could effectively suppress the development of cucumber Fusarium wilt and damping-off disease by inducing plant resistance and producing antifungal metabolites, including natamycin and volatile organic compounds. Thus, JCK-6019 possesses high potential for application in the development of biocontrol agents against soil-borne fungal diseases of cucumber. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Assessment of dimethoate and malathion mediated toxicity on Solanum lycopersicum L.

Nowadays organophosphate-based chemicals are most commonly used insecticides worldwide which are applicable to a wide range of crop plants. In this study, the effect of organophosphate insecticides, dimethoate (DM) and malathion (MT), was investigated on Solanum lycopersicum L. The seeds were germinated under in vivo conditions and after 1month of germination, they were transferred to separate pots. Insecticides were applied in three different concentrations (X, 2X, and 4X) using a nozzle spray at 7-day intervals for 21days where X was the recommended dose. After 21days of treatment, the toxicological responses of plants were confirmed by evaluating the growth patterns, anatomical, photosynthetic pigments, expression of proteins, and antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). The study findings demonstrated that both DM and MT treatment resulted in adverse growth effects even at the initial recommended dose (X) of application. However, compared to MT, at 4X concentrations of DM, maximum decrease in plant height (43.43%), leaf length (43.16%), leaf width (41.09%), and total numbers of leaves per plant (50.57%) was observed. Plants subjected to higher doses of DM and MT showed a gradual reduction in chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids (67.25, 50.00, 62.03, and 41.04%, respectively, for DM and 61.75, 55.72, 59.87, and 41.04%, respectively, for MT). In addition, higher doses of these insecticides greatly disturbed micromorphology and protein contents. At high dose (4X) of treatment, the activities of CAT, GPX, and APX were found to increase by 14.01, 3.62, and 2.21 times the control value, respectively, for DM and 5.17, 2.53, and 1.46 times, respectively, for MT. Additionally, increased isoenzymes of CAT, GPX, and APX were demonstrated by nondenaturing PAGE and were also dependent on the concentrations of DM and MT. These results suggest that the isoforms of the antioxidant enzymes newly developed due to DM and MT excess may be used as biochemical markers for other crop plants grown under insecticide stress. This study provides insights into the biochemical mechanism associated with the toxicity caused to plants by the test insecticides.

Mitigating Chemotherapy Side Effects: The Role of Prunus laurocerasus in Protecting Spermatogenesis

Objective: Chemotherapy treatments for cancer often lead to reproductive toxicity. This study aims to investigate the potential antioxidant effects of Prunus laurocerasus in reducing oxidative stress caused by the anticancer drug Doxorubicin (DOX) during chemotherapy, with a specific focus on preserving sperm production. Material-Method: Rats received varying doses of PLFE daily for two weeks, with a single administration of DOX given on the 13th day. Control groups included rats with no treatment, while damage groups were given only DOX. We assessed the protective effects of high (HD) and low (LD) doses of PLFE against DOX-induced damage by analyzing sperm parameters and antioxidant levels in testicular tissue. Results: Results showed that the DOX-only group had significantly higher Malondialdehyde (MDA), and dead sperm ratio also lower sperm count, and motility. Glutathione (GSH) level, Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and Catalase (CAT) activity, showed a decrease compared to all other groups. PLFE adjusted these parameters closer to the control values, but not the same as the control group. MDA levels and CAT activities decreased inversely, while SOD activities and GSH levels increased with higher doses. Conclusion: P. laurocerasus and its active compounds could be targets for developing treatments to preserve fertility and improve reproductive success post-chemotherapy. Further investigations are crucial for determining the optimal application duration and dosage, and to thoroughly understand the mechanism of action.

Application of Six Sigma metrics for assessing the quality management of biochemical analytes in the clinical laboratory

Background: Quality control (QC) is an important part of clinical laboratory management which evaluates and maintains the performance of the clinical laboratory. Six Sigma is a continuous quality improvement process which is widely applied in the health care industry mainly in clinical laboratories. Aims and Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the performance of biochemical analytes in a clinical laboratory using Six Sigma metrics and to implement quality improvement interventions. Sigma value was analyzed using bias, coefficient of variation (CV), and total allowable error (TEa) for each analyte. The quality goal index ratio was calculated to identify specific types of errors to introduce targeted quality interventions. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was carried out at the Government Institute of Medical Sciences, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Internal QC (IQC) and external QC data were collected during the study period and analyzed. The CV, Bias, and TEa were used to calculate the sigma (σ) values for 20 biochemical analytes. Results: On retrospective data analysis, triglycerides-Level 1 (L1) and Level 2 (L2), and direct bilirubin-L2 showed a world-class performance (above 6σ) while 14 parameters were placed below average (<3σ) on sigma metrics. Prospective data analysis was performed following quality improvement intervention. Amylase, direct bilirubin, triglycerides and alanine transferase performed at world-class sigma metric for both the control levels (L1 and L2) whereas, Albumin and aspartate transferase showed above six sigma values for L2 control only. Five analytes out of 20 performed below average (<3σ) on sigma metrics, for which further continuous intervention will be carried out. Conclusion: Six Sigma metrics is a continuous improvement and monitoring program that should be implemented to achieve world-class quality performance.

Impact of climate change on the distribution of insectivorous bats: Implications for small-scale farming in southern Mexico

Bats provide important ecosystem services for agriculture, such as pest control, a function that is particularly relevant for small-scale farmers. However, climate change is causing a decrease in bat populations. To assess the potential impacts of climate change on insectivorous bats and the implications on small-scale farming of indigenous communities in the Chiapas Highlands in southern Mexico we developed a three-step protocol: (1) projecting distribution shifts of insectivorous bats under climate change scenarios using non-dispersal and limited-full dispersal assumptions, (2) using official information to estimate the average economic value of conducting chemical pest control in crops at a state level, (3) surveying small-scale farmers to estimate the local economic value of pest control and determine how bats are perceived by small-scale farmers. Our models project shifts in bat species due to climate change. Given that new suitable climatic areas are also projected, if we assume a limited-full dispersal scenario, bats might not be as at risk by climate change, but shifting their distribution to more suitable habitats will probably affect the dynamic of the ecosystem service they provide. The official estimated value of chemical pest control is $15.15 USD/ha, while the estimated cost resulting from a hybrid survey with small-scale farmers was $47.53 USD/ha. The difference in cost could be related to an overuse of insecticides for pest control or an increase in price due to reduced accessibility. Sixty percent of surveyed farmers perceived a decline in bat populations, 68% were unaware of the benefits that bats provide to their crops, 51% believe that bats are mainly hematophagous, and 10% recognize that people harm or kill bats. A new approach including communicating small-scale farmers in their native languages the benefits that insectivorous bats provide along with a pest management strategy for the efficient use of insecticides needs to be implemented.

Integrating Wetlands as Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainable Built Environments

Wetlands are ecosystems that can provide numerous services critical for sustainable development, especially in urban areas, by ensuring environmental stability. The wetlands receive increasing recognition as Nature-Based Solutions (NBSs) to environmental challenges. This review synthesizes the numerous roles of wetlands as NBSs for promoting sustainability in both rural and urban environments and highlights the potential contributions of multiple wetland services and benefits towards sustainable built environments. The review methodology involved an article search from various databases with the utilization of specific keywords in an organized framework to understand the contribution of wetlands as NBSs. The articles were reviewed to provide a comprehensive analysis of the existing research on the associated topics, focusing on specific sub titles and pre-selected themes. The findings of this review identify various parameters through which wetlands contribute to sustainable built environments, including ecological resilience, storm water management, climate adaptation, biodiversity enhancement, recreational opportunities, pollution control, and cultural values. The review also encompasses case studies of different types of wetland features such as riparian buffer zones, retention ponds, reed beds, bio swales, rain gardens, constructed wetlands, etc. in the urban environment and their contribution as NBSs. These contributions are discussed in terms of integration in urban development planning in different segments. Future work recommendations consist of a holistic integration of wetlands into urban planning and design considerations to promote more resilient, healthy, and sustainable built environments for present and future generations.

Behenic acid protects the testosterone cycle and prevents the sperm apoptosis and protein loss in phthalate exposure by inhibiting oxidative stress and stimulating ATPase activity

BackgroundPlastic products use phthalate to enhance their flexibility, transparency, and stability, while behenic acid is a carboxylic acid with antioxidant activity. ObjectivesThis study evaluates whether behenic acid can protect the testosterone cycle and prevent the sperm apoptosis and protein loss in phthalate-treated male rats. MethodsThere were 36 male albino rats in all, divided into six equal sets of six rats each: control, behenic acid (13g/kg), behenic acid (26g/kg), diethyl phthalate (10mg/kg), behenic acid (13g/kg) + diethyl phthalate (10mg/kg), and behenic acid (26g/kg) + diethyl phthalate (10mg/kg)-treated groups. Measurements were made of serum male hormones, sex hormone-binding globulin, sodium/potassium ATPase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, protein, and cholesterol in the testis, as well as malondialdehyde in the sperm, testis, and hypothalamus. Sperm monoclonal proliferating antibody Ki-67, sperm counts, motility, and abnormalities were measured. ResultsOral administration of diethyl phthalate increased malondialdehyde, serum follicle stimulating hormone, sex hormone binding globulin, luteinizing hormone, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, cholesterol, total protein, sperm abnormality, and the percentage of spermatogonia, first spermatocyte, second spermatocyte, and spermatid in the testis. Superoxide dismutase, glutathione, serum testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, sperm count and motility, and sodium/potassium-ATPase activity were all reduced. Additionally, all of the previously described parameters reverted to near control values after receiving two doses of behenic acid in phthalate-treated rats; a higher dose of behenic acid had a more effective effect than a lower dose. Conclusionbehenic acid can protect the testosterone cycle and prevent the sperm apoptosis and protein loss in phthalate-treated male rats by inhibiting oxidative stress and stimulating ATPase activity.

Features of indicators of macrohemodynamics and systemic inflammation in patients with community-acquired pneumonia combined with gastroesophageal reflux disease

Relevance. The clinical course, treatment approaches, and outcomes of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) often depend on microcirculatory disorders. The significant prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in the population determines the frequency of CAP. Study of the pathogenetic basis of the combined course of CAP in individuals with GERD, incl. microcirculation systems, can target correction paths and increase the effectiveness of therapy.Objective. To identify indicators of systemic inflammation and macrohemodynamics in patients with CAP combined with GERD.Material and methods. A total of 123 patients were under observation, incl. with mild CAP without signs of GERD (group I) — 38, with CAP and GERD — 49 (group 2), and 36 patients with GERD without CAP — group 3. In all patients with CAP, along with traditional studies, the concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were determined in the blood, and echocardioscopy (EchoCS) was performed to determine the end systolic (ES) and diastolic (ED) volumes of the left ventricle (LV) and right ventricles (RV), blood flow velocity at the level of the pulmonary artery (Vmax PA), pressure gradients ΔPmax at the level of the tricuspid valve (TV), PA, and LV isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT). Control values for indicators were obtained from 34 practically healthy donors.Results. In all patients with CAP, at the beginning of therapy, intoxication and respiratory syndromes were observed, and pneumonia was diagnosed on an X-ray. Patients in groups II and III had characteristic symptoms of GERD. Blood tests revealed leukocytosis in all patients with CAP. The initial CRP concentration in group 1 was 5.2, group 2 — 7.7, group 3 — 1.2 times higher than normal. The initial concentration of BNP in all groups did not differ from the control. By discharge, CRP levels in all patients had decreased: however, in group II, they remained higher than in healthy people (2.6 times (p < 0.05) and higher than in group I, 1.3 times (p < 0.05). Before discharge, the BNP level in group II increased by 1.2 times compared with baseline in group I, in healthy individuals, and in group III. When analyzing the EchoCS indicators in group II patients, a significant increase in the initial indicators of LV EDV and LV ESV and decrease in EF and IVRT were observed. After treatment, no significant dynamics of volume and velocity parameters were observed in patients in group II; in patients in group I, pressure gradients at the TC and PA levels remained slightly reduced.Conclusions. An increase in CRP levels in patients with GERD characterizes low-intensity inflammation, which potentiates systemic inflammation in patients with CAP combined with GERD and is accompanied by an increase in BNP.

Клональное микроразмножение сортов земляники садовой (Fragaria х ananassa Duch.) нейтральнодневного типа плодоношения

Abstract. The article presents the results of the evaluation of the efficiency of clonal propagation of commercially promising day-neutral varieties of garden strawberry. Day-neutral strawberry varieties usually form fewer rosettes on a plant during the growing season than regular varieties, and therefore vegetative propagation is ineffective for these varieties. The aim of the study is to increase the efficiency of propagation of day-neutral varieties of garden strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.), characterized by weak runnerforming ability, by optimizing the process of microclonal propagation in vitro and subsequent adaptation of regenerated plants to ex vitro conditions. The article indicates the features of microclonal propagation technology of neutral-day strawberry varieties Vivara, Sweet Eve and Evis Delight. The studies were conducted in the laboratory of the Federal State Budget Scientific Institution NCFSСHVW in 2022-2023. MurashigeSkoog (MS) agar medium with the addition of plant growth regulator 6-BAP was used as the main medium (at the introduction stage – 6-BAP – 0.2 mg/l, at the micropropagation stage – 0.75 mg/l, hormone-free MS medium – control). As a result of the studies, it was found that the variety of garden strawberry Sweet Eve is characterized by a higher shoot-forming ability. At a 6-BAP concentration of 0.75 mg/l in the medium, an average of 10.5 new shoots are formed from one shoot in the third passage. Evis Delight variety showed a low shoot-forming capacity of up to 3.8 shoots/exp. After the fourth passage, even on a hormone-free medium, Sweet Eve variety showed an aftereffect of 6-BAP, with the formation of an average of 8.8 shoots from one explant. Such a strong aftereffect of 6-BAP was not noted in Vivara and Eve’s Delight varieties. Rooting began after the fifth passage on a hormone-free medium. The root formation efficiency was 95- 100%. At this stage, longer shoots up to 5.9 cm and roots up to 4.8 cm are formed in Vivara variety. Evis Delight variety stood out in terms of the number of leaves (an average of 9.1 pcs.) and roots (7.5 pcs.). The use of the biopreparation Agrinos 1 at the adaptation stage had a positive effect on the formation of the vegetative mass and root system of strawberry plants. The application of the preparation at a concentration of 5 ml/l promotes the growth of the root system, the length of which is 1.6-2.2 times greater than the length of the roots in the control variant. The number of leaves increases by 1.1-1.3 times, and the average height of the bushes is 1.5-1.7 times greater than the control values. Key words: clonal micropropagation, day-neutral strawberry, 6-benzylaminopurine, multiplication factor, microshoots

A Network Analysis of Depression and Cognitive Impairments in Fibromyalgia: A Secondary Analysis Study.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition often accompanied by cognitive impairments, such as difficulties with sustained attention, and emotional disturbances, particularly depression and anxiety. Understanding how these emotional and cognitive factors interact is crucial to improving treatment for fibromyalgia patients. This study aimed to investigate the network structure of these interactions, focusing on the relationship between depression, anxiety, and cognitive performance. A total of one hundred ten participants diagnosed with fibromyalgia completed self-reported assessments of depression and anxiety, alongside cognitive performance tests. Key measures included Continuous Performance Tasks (CPT) for impulsivity and sustained attention, the Stroop Interference Index (StI), Stroop Color Naming (StC), and Stroop Word Reading (StW). Network analysis was conducted to estimate the relationships between emotional and cognitive variables and assess their centrality within the network. Errors in CPT emerged as the most significant indicators of the relationship between depression and cognitive performance, with high centrality values observed for the Stroop tasks (StI, StC, and StW). Additionally, Trait Anxiety (A_T) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) measures showed high centrality, underscoring the critical role of emotional states in the network of cognitive and emotional variables. The centrality values for cognitive flexibility, processing speed, and inhibitory control were found to be 0.85, 0.78, and 0.72, respectively. This study highlights the strong association between depression symptoms and deficits in cognitive domains, emphasizing the need for integrated care approaches that address both cognitive and emotional health. Multidisciplinary treatment programs, including cognitive rehabilitation and psychological support, could improve patient outcomes by targeting the most influential variables in the cognitive-emotional network.

Online in situ detection of deposited height deviation during additive manufacturing

Deposited height deviation (DHD) of printed layers is a common surface defect that restricts vertical printing accuracy during the additive manufacturing process. The accumulation of DHD layer by layer inevitably leads to the failure of subsequent additive manufacturing tasks. Therefore, accurate online measurement of DHD is crucial. This study proposed a novel amplification computer-vision measurement (ACVM) method that effectively utilizes both melt pool images and temperature information, achieving a DHD detection sensitivity of approximately 9.96 μm. Theoretical connections between image features and DHD, as well as the theoretical associations between instantaneous temperature characteristic and DHD, have been systematically deduced. Based on these two theoretical relationships, DHD can be accurately and synchronously detected directly through the positions of image features and temperature. A single-camera dual-channel multi-signal detection (SDMD) system was developed and implemented within a laser-engineered net shaping (LENS) additive manufacturing system. Subsequently, an online measuring and verification experiment was designed to assess the height deviation of thin-walled structural parts. The experimental results demonstrated that the ACVM method provided an early response to DHD. The method exhibits significant technical application value in quality control in future.

Metabolic syndrome associated with hyperandrogenism in the reproductive age. Hormonal profile in different ethnicities women

Background. Metabolic syndrome (MS) with hyperandrogenism comorbidity in women is considered a common concept; however, the contribution of the neuroendocrine regulation system indicators to this in reproductive age remains unclear.The aim. To analyze the activity of neuroendocrine regulation system in women of reproductive age of different ethnic groups with metabolic syndrome associated with hyperandrogenism.Materials and methods. The groups of women with MS of Russian (n = 209) and Buryat (n = 84) ethnic groups and a group of women with MS and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) of Russian (n = 23) and Buryat (n = 10) ethnic groups were formed.Results. In women of reproductive age of the Russian ethnic group with MS and PCOS the study noted higher levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) (p = 0.030), testosterone (Ts) (p = 0.026), free androgen index (FAI) (p < 0.0001), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) (p < 0.0001), and reduced levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) (p < 0.0001) in relation to the control; in relation to the group with MS, we discovered increased values of AMH (p < 0.001), Ts (p = 0.030), FAI (p < 0.001), DHEA-S (p < 0.0001), and decreased values of SHBG (p = 0.001). In women of the Buryat ethnic group with MS and PCOS the study recorded increased values of AMH (p = 0.045), Ts (p = 0.002), FAI (p < 0.0001), DHEA-S (p = 0.033), decreased SHBG (p = 0.016) and 17-OH-progesterone (p = 0.027) levels in comparison with the control; in comparison with the group with MS we noted a higher level of DHEA-S (p = 0.006) and a decreased level of SHBG (p = 0.028).Conclusion. Women with metabolic syndrome associated with hyperandrogenism showed more intense changes in the neuroendocrine regulation system relative to control values regardless of ethnicity. In Russian women, the combined syndrome (MS with PCOS) was accompanied by a greater number of hormonal changes compared to the monosyndrome (MS) than in Buryat women. The data obtained indicate the need to assess and control the content of these metabolites in women with MS and PCOS, taking into account ethnicity.

Cloud point prediction model for polyvinyl alcohol production plants considering process dynamics

In polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) production plants, the cloud point is controlled as one of the product properties. The cloud point is the temperature at which the water solubility rapidly decreases because hydrogen bonds between PVA and water are broken. If the cloud point falls below a controlled value, the performance of the PVA as a product deteriorates, and thus it is necessary to monitor the cloud point in real time and ensure that it does not deviate from the controlled value. However, the cloud point cannot be analysed frequently in practical operations. In this study, a soft sensor that continuously predicts the cloud point from process variables that can be measured in real time was constructed using machine learning. Furthermore, the prediction accuracy of the model was improved by (1) increasing the number of samples using a data set of similar quality to the cloud point, considering that the number of samples near the control value of the cloud point is small, and (2) selecting the optimum process variable and time-delay range, considering the time delay of the process variable to accommodate the dynamic behaviour of the plant. Analysis was conducted using data measured from an actual PVA manufacturing plant. When comparing the conventional method with the proposed method, the coefficient of determination, used as an indicator to evaluate model performance, improved from 0.288 to 0.729. Furthermore, the root mean squared error decreased from 1.52 to 0.937. These results demonstrate that the proposed method contributes to improved prediction accuracy.

Effectiveness of Ankle-Foot Orthoses for Patients with Weakness of the Plantarflexors and Dorsiflexors: Biomechanical Comparison of Different Orthotic Concepts

Abstract Introduction Weakness of plantarflexor and dorsiflexor muscles is a complex individual condition and can result in pathological gait, such as crouch gait or knee hyperextension. Affected patients can be supported with ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) to improve gait and safety. Objective This study aims to compare three orthotic ankle joint designs in AFOs for patients with muscle weakness in the plantarflexors and/or dorsiflexors: a conventional hinged ankle joint with rigid stops (CAJ), a jointless orthosis (JLO), and a reactive-dynamic ankle joint with adjustable spring modules (RDA). Study Design Seven patients with plantarflexor and/or dorsiflexor muscle weakness tested three orthosis configurations in randomized order during a single session. Methods Biomechanical gait analysis was performed during standing and walking on level ground and up and down 10° slopes. The main outcomes were ground reaction forces, joint angles, moments, and power at the ankle, knee, and hip joints. Mean values of outcome measures for patients and values of an able-bodied control group were compared with nonparametric analyses of variance and pairwise post hoc tests. Results Throughout all motion tasks, statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) were predominantly found in ankle and knee joint kinematics between RDA and CAJ, as well as between JLO and CAJ, whereas only few differences were found between RDA and JLO. Conclusions For this patient group, RDA enabled the most physiological gait, with outcomes measure values closest to those of the able-bodied control group, and the best perception of support for an active lifestyle and physically demanding activities. In less physically demanding situations, such as short walking distances and even surfaces, JLO also showed sufficient support for physiological gait and may be an adequate orthosis for patients living with supportive infrastructure or a more sedentary lifestyle. CAJ restricted physiological movements, showed the highest deviations from the values of the able-bodied controls in most activities, and provides the least comfort for patients in the tested situations. Clinical Relevance Statement Determining the best possible orthotic care and support for different patient groups is essential to enable independence, safety, and comfort during activities of daily living based on individual requirements.

Language Mindsets and Strategic Approaches to Studying: The Mediating Roles of Control‐Value Appraisals and Emotions

ABSTRACTLanguage mindsets influence learners' behavior, motivation, and strategic approaches to studying a language. These mindsets impact how learners perceive control and value in achievement activities, which, in turn, affect their achievement emotions and ultimately their learning strategies and academic performance. This study investigates the effects of growth and fixed language mindsets on strategic approaches to studying English, with perceived academic control, task value, and positive/negative achievement emotions serving as mediators. Questionnaire surveys were administered to 517 university students in Taiwan. The structural models revealed that students with growth language mindsets exhibited stronger academic control and task value, experienced more positive emotions, and employed more study strategies. These factors partially mediated the relationship between growth language mindsets and study strategies. In contrast, fixed language mindsets did not predict task value or study strategies, but they negatively predicted academic control. No mediating effects were found between fixed language mindsets and study strategies.

BIOMARKERS OF ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY OF BLOOD SERUM IN PATIENTS WITH THERMAL SKIN BURNS

The aim: to evaluate the dynamics of changes in the level of biomarkers of acute kidney injury – lipocalin and cystatin C in blood serum in patients with thermal skin burns.Materials and methods. The study included 74 patients with thermal skin burns of I-III degree with a skin lesion area of more than 25%, of which at least 15% are deep burns. Serum creatinine levels were determined using the kinetic Jaffe method. Lidocaine and cystatin C concentrations were studied by multiplex analysis on a flow cytofluorimeter.Results. It was found that the concentration of cystatin C in the blood serum during burn shock increases by 1,9 times, with burn toxemia and septicotoxemia - by 1,5 times in relation to the control group. The level of lipocalin in the blood serum of patients with thermal skin burns during the shock period increases by 5,5 times compared to the control group. During the period of burn toxemia and septicotoxemia, lidocaine concentration remained at a high level and exceeded the control values by 4,4 and 3,6 times, respectively.Conclusion. Lipocaine and cystatin C can be considered as early biomarkers of acute kidney injury in patients with thermal skin burns.

Central responses to peripheral inflammation may include decreased expression of key apoptotic protease caspase-3 in brainstem

Microglia activation by proinflammatory stimuli, including lipopolysaccharide (LPS), is considered among the risk factors for neurodegeneration, but the LPS treatment may also have a neuroprotective effect, which leads to further analysis of the relationship between microglial activation and regulators of cell death. In the present work, a comparative study was carried out on proteins expression of marker for activated microglia Iba-1 and the apoptotic executor protease caspase-3 in the brainstem and prefrontal cortex of rats injected intraperitoneally with endotoxin at different doses and schedules. One day after LPS at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg, single, the Iba-1 and caspase-3 expression in both structures did not differ from control values. Endotoxin administration fourfold at the same dose over 7 days (once every 2 days) led one day after the last injection to a significant increase in the Iba-1 level in the brainstem, which was accompanied by a significant decrease in the expression of caspase-3. The same effects in this structure were observed 7 days after a single injection of LPS at a higher dose of 5 mg/kg. In a 7-day experiment, in contrast to the brainstem, no changes in caspase-3 expression were found in the frontal cortex, and an increase in Iba-1 expression was observed only after a single injection of LPS at a high dose. The detected decrease of caspase-3 level in the brain stem under neuroinflammatory conditions may reflect the development of neuroprotective processes, especially important for the structure responsible for such key body functions as respiration, blood pressure and heartbeat.

Vertical instability prediction and its direction control using a support vector machine in integrated commissioning of JT-60SA solely based on magnetics

Abstract We developed a redundant logic for predicting Vertical Displacement Events (VDEs) using only magnetic diagnostics with a Support Vector Machine (Inoue et al 2022 Nucl. Fusion 62 086007). This logic was experimentally validated in the integrated commissioning of JT-60SA. Triggering of VDEs results in significant asymmetric heat loads on first walls and electromagnetic loads on conducting materials. These concerns are mitigated by a newly proposed direction control for VDEs. We successfully detected VDEs in experiments and controlled their direction by setting the control voltage to zero upon detection, thus guiding VDEs in an intended direction and reducing the risk to the device from unmitigated VDEs in either direction, although completely avoiding VDEs remains the ideal. In the developed predictor, VDEs are predicted using proxies to monitor the controller’s performance with an adaptive voltage allocation scheme (Inoue et al 2021 Nucl. Fusion 61 096009). For future experiments, we plan to extend our approach to monitor more detailed information from the equilibrium controller, including control values of each PID component, which has been shown to enhance the prediction accuracy of VDEs.

The Study of the State of Monoaminergic Systems in the Brain Structures of the Offsprings of Female BALB/C Mice at Different Stages of Formation of Autism Spectrum Disorders

The study of the status of norepinephrine-, dopamine- and serotonergic neurotransmitter systems of BALB/C mice brain structures on 15 and 64 days of postnatal development (PD) in the model of autistic disturbances induced by injection of of sodium valproate (SV, 400 mg/kg, s/c) to pregnant females was carried out using the HPLC/ED method. The level of both catechol- and indolamines in the brain structures of control group mice at the age of 15 days was significantly lower than in adult animals at the age of 64 days. Prenatal administration of SV caused a decrease in all parameters of monoaminergic neurotransmission in the striatum of offspring at the age of 15 days, but had no effect in other brain structures studied. Subsequently, the level of dopamine increased and by the 64th day of PD did not differ from the parameters of the control group. The parameters of the serotonergic system changed in a similar pattern, with the content of serotonin and the serotonin metabolite 5-OIAA in the striatum increasing gradually and reaching maximum values by the 64th day of PR. Our data allows to assume that the administration of SV to pregnant females affects the activity of the dopamine and serotonergic systems of the brain of the offspring, causing a decrease in their activity in the striatum by the 15th day of pregnancy, followed by restoration to control values by the 64th day, which we previously observed in male pups. Thus, the patterns of dynamic changes in the neurochemical profile do not differ between males and females.