Instrumental Methods Research Articles

#2169 Transplant renal artery stenosis in recipients with resistant arterial hypertension

Abstract Background and Aims Transplant Renal Artery Stenosis (TRAS) is a vascular complication after kidney transplantation. It worsens the prognosis of the graft and the patient's life. The aim was to study the incidence of TRAS as a cause of resistant arterial hypertension in kidney transplant recipients in the Republic of Belarus and the efficiency of its endovascular treatment. Method The study included 187 kidney transplant recipients. Blood pressure of 72 (38.5%) patients was less than 130/80 mmHg without taking antihypertensive drugs. Arterial hypertension was diagnosed in 115 (61.5%) recipients. The study included clinical, laboratory and instrumental methods (24-hour blood pressure monitoring, Doppler ultrasound, graft scintigraphy with captopril). Results 31 (16.6%) recipients needed to take one antihypertensive drug, 43 (23.0%)—2 drugs, 41 (21.9%)—3 or more. 17 (9.1%) recipients did not have target blood pressure correction while taking more than 4 antihypertensive drugs. There was decreased blood flow in the graft artery with a peak systolic velocity > 200 cm/s in 14 (7.5%) cases. These patients were submitted to the graft nephroscintigraphy with caplopril where 8 grafts (4.3%) were diagnosed signs of TRAS. These recipients were submitted to the renal angiography with the injection of 150 (100; 200) ml of contrast agent. 5 (2.7%) recipients were diagnosed with hemodynamically significant TRAS of more than 70 (65; 75) % and received percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting. All these patients had a decrease of glomerular filtration rate and resistant arterial hypertension before operation. The average age of the patients with TRAS was 57.4 ± 11.0 years, the period after transplantation was 11 ± 3 months. Their blood tests did not show dyslipidemia, but 4 out of 5 cases had diabetes mellitus. Their postoperative period had no complications. The patient was placed on dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel. There was an increase in glomerular filtration rate by 27 ± 7 ml/min/1.73 m2 and a decrease in systolic blood pressure by 40 (40; 45) mm Hg in the early postoperative period. Graft artery stenting allowed reducing the number of antihypertensive drugs to one tablet in 4 out of 5 patients. Conclusion Transplant Renal Artery Stenosis is a rare but significant complication of the late postoperative period that may cause resistant hypertension in kidney transplant recipients. Timely identification and stenting of the graft artery improves the graft functioning and reduces blood pressure.

#1530 Studying parenteral nutrition in patients with dialysis stage chronic kidney disease

Abstract Background and Aims Hemodialysis is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality, as well as poor quality of life. Changes in nutritional status and loss of protein and energy are important indicators of these risks. Maintaining optimal nutritional status in hemodialysis patients is an important but sometimes overlooked aspect of treatment. In some cases, intradialytic parenteral nutrition is possible, but lack of knowledge about the practical aspects of administration is rarely discussed. The purpose of our study was to study the age-related characteristics of the nutritional status in patients with CKD of the dialysis stages who are on parenteral nutrition. Method The study included 40 patients with stage C5 CKD. Glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was estimated using the CKD-EPI formula (2011) [11]. Anthropometric data were studied: height, weight, body mass index (BMI), mid-thigh circumference and mid-upper arm circumference, as well as laboratory data: urea, creatinine, electrolytes, albumin, total protein, hemoglobin. All patients underwent instrumental research methods: ECG, EchoCG. The patients were divided into 2 groups – with and without PEM. Statistical data processing was carried out according to standard methods using a computer program package. Results Total body water (TBW) (P = 0.026) and triceps skinfold thickness (P < 0.05) were higher in the hemodialysis group. BMI and other anthropometric parameters showed no significant differences between the two groups. Total caloric intake (P < 0.05) and total cholesterol (P < 0.05) were higher in patients with PEM. Intake of other nutrients, including proteins, lipids, microelements and vitamins, did not show significant differences between the two groups. Only 24% of patients were malnourished. Triglyceride levels were higher in non-malnourished patients, but HDL levels were higher in malnourished patients. Some anthropometric indicators were significantly higher in patients not suffering from PEM. It is worth noting that malnourished patients consumed more calories and nutrients, including proteins, plant lipids, animal lipids and carbohydrates. Conclusion Compared with malnutrition patients and non-malnutrition patients, several anthropometric parameters, including subiliac skinfold thickness and MAC, were significantly lower in the malnutrition group. These values can be measured using simple methods and are used as a useful method for assessing malnutrition. Interestingly, patients with malnutrition and lower BMI albumin actually consumed more calories and nutrients from food. This means that malnutrition in dialysis patients is not simply caused by low food intake.

Climate change, corporate risk-taking, and financialization: evidence from Chinese A-share non-financial listed companies

AbstractClimate change-induced risks, such as global warming, can affect the economic development of entities and, consequently, the stability of financial markets. Businesses are progressively making the transition to green in order to lessen the negative consequences of climate threats. This study examines the relationship between corporate risk-taking (CRISK) and financialization (FIN) in light of climate change. The impact of business risk-taking on financialization is experimentally investigated through the transmission chain of “CRISK - enterprise value – FIN” using a fixed-effects model. The study also analyzes the moderating effect of climate change on the direct and indirect channels of climate change by using “temperature” and “investors’ concern about climate,” respectively. In addition, the empirical results are tested for robustness using propensity score matching and an instrumental variable method. This study’s findings reveal the following key insights. First, CRISK significantly enhances FIN by improving firm value. Second, enterprises with high financing constraints and manufacturing enterprises are more likely to have a positive correlation between CRISK and FIN. Third, the relationship between CRISK and FIN is enhanced by the direct transmission channel of increasing climate risk, but the indirect transmission channel is not significant. This study proposes policy recommendations to address the effect of climate risk on CRISK and FIN. Among these suggestions are the prudent distribution of financial resources among enterprises according to their level of risk-taking and the reinforcement of regulatory authorities’ financial oversight of businesses with high financing constraints and the manufacturing sector. By implementing these policies, companies can better manage climate-related risks and contribute to financial stability.

#860 The role of immunocorrection in the treatment of patients chronic pyelonephritis

Abstract Background and Aims Chronic pyelonephritis in the structure of extragenital pathology in pregnant women occupies a leading place due to the high prevalence, complicated course of pregnancy and childbirth. Chronic pyelonephritis (CP) triggers a cascade of reactions, primarily immune, at the systemic and local levels. With HP the role of the immune system in pregnant women is not only a pathological process occurring in the kidneys, but also takes into account a number of changes in the restructuring of the immune system of a pregnant woman. In relation with the above, the study of the role of the immune system of pregnant women with chronic pyelonephritis is of great interest. To study the effectiveness of immunocorrective therapy in the complex treatment of patients with chronic pyelonephritis. Method 43 pregnant women with CP were examined, the average age was 28.3 ± 0.2 years. The study included clinical research methods (survey, questionnaire, objective examination). Of the laboratory methods a general analysis of blood, urine, urine analysis according to Nechiporenko, tank. urine culture, biochemical blood tests and instrumental (ultrasound) research methods. Cellular immunity was studied by monoclonal antibodies, humoral immunity was studied by Mancini immunodiffusion. Among the surveyed women, the first group of upp was pregnant women (n = 14) receiving traditional therapy. The second group of 13 pregnant women with CP on the background of traditional therapy received ozone therapy (basic treatment + 400 ml of saline solution ozonated to a concentration of ozone in a liquid of 4 mg/l, intravenously, drip). The third group of 15 pregnant women with CP - with traditional therapy received ozone therapy and immune-regulating therapy with polyoxidonium. Results The characterization of clinical and laboratory data on the background of therapy showed significant shifts, as lower back pain decreased by 85.71%, 92.31% and 93.33%, respectively, in both the first and second and third groups. Indicators such as dysuria decreased by 92.85%, 92% and 93% (respectively in the first, second and third groups). Leukocyturia decreased significantly on the fifth day by 71.43%, 84.62%, 86.67% (in the first, second and third groups, respectively). Results indicators of eradication of pathogens after treatment in combination with traditional therapy with ozone and immune-correcting therapy, they were significantly better than in the ozone therapy group against the background of traditional therapy and in the traditional treatment group (86.6%, 84.6% and 64.28%, respectively). As a result of the study, significant decreases in cellular immunity indicators, in particular CD3, CD4, were revealed before the treatment of patients and CD8 and revealed a significant increase in IgA, IgM. After the treatment in the treatment group in combination significant increases in the number of CD3, CD4 and CD8 were revealed by traditional therapy with ozone- and immune-regulating therapy (by 76.1%, 64.68% and 58.3%, respectively), compared with the group of women who received only ozone therapy against the background of traditional therapy and in the group of traditional treatment (66.23%, 59.54%, 54.2% and 61.12%, 54.68%, 51.4%, respectively), and normalization of immunoglobulins A was noted and M. Conclusion Along with the improvement of clinical and laboratory data in CP normalization of cellular and humoral immunity indicators was noted in pregnant women. Additional assignment to traditional therapy for chronic pyelonephritis of pregnant women, ozone therapy and therapy for correction of the immune system is a more effective treatment method.

Simple and Fast Prediction of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Based on Machine Learning and Near-Infrared Spectra of Serum: A Proof of Concept Study at Different Stages of Pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a hyperglycemic state that is typically diagnosed by an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), which is unpleasant, time-consuming, has low reproducibility, and results are tardy. The machine learning (ML) predictive models that have been proposed to improve GDM diagnosis are usually based on instrumental methods that take hours to produce a result. Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is a simple, fast, and low-cost analytical technique that has never been assessed for the prediction of GDM. This study aims to develop ML predictive models for GDM based on NIR spectroscopy, and to evaluate their potential as early detection or alternative screening tools according to their predictive power and duration of analysis. Serum samples from the first trimester (before GDM diagnosis) and the second trimester (at the time of GDM diagnosis) of pregnancy were analyzed by NIR spectroscopy. Four spectral ranges were considered, and 80 mathematical pretreatments were tested for each. NIR data-based models were built with single- and multi-block ML techniques. Every model was subjected to double cross-validation. The best models for first and second trimester achieved areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.5768 ± 0.0635 and 0.8836 ± 0.0259, respectively. This is the first study reporting NIR-spectroscopy-based methods for the prediction of GDM. The developed methods allow for prediction of GDM from 10 µL of serum in only 32 min. They are simple, fast, and have a great potential for application in clinical practice, especially as alternative screening tools to the OGTT for GDM diagnosis.

Adsorbent Biomaterials Based on Natural Clays and Orange Peel Waste for the Removal of Anionic Dyes from Water

This study demonstrates the efficient removal of Alizarin Yellow R anionic dye (AY) from aqueous solutions using green adsorbents. Natural kaolin clay (A1), acid-modified natural clay (A2), chemically treated orange peel (C1) and biochar produced by the thermal treatment of orange peel (C2) were tested for the adsorption of AY. The characteristics of the sorbents were determined by instrumental methods: SEM, EDS, FTIR, BET and TGA. The adsorption experiments were performed under different conditions, including the initial AY dye concentration, adsorbent weight, pH, temperature and contact time. The maximum adsorption capacities had values between 15.72 and 74.62 mg/g at 298 K and the optimal pH of 6.5 at initial concentrations ranging from 30 to 70 mg/L for all adsorbents. The equilibrium data were used for the adsorption isotherm models: Freundlich, Langmuir and Temkin. The Freundlich model fit best for the adsorbents A2, C1 and C2, and the Langmuir isotherm had the highest regression value for the adsorbent A1 (R2 = 0.9935). Thermodynamic parameters indicated the spontaneous and favorable adsorption process of AY. A study of the adsorption kinetics proved that they best fit the pseudo-second-order model, with the highest coefficients of determination (R2), outperforming the pseudo-first-order model. The results of this study indicate the potential for the valorization of locally available clays and orange peel waste in the purification processes of water.

Comparative analysis of key fiber characteristics in white Pima cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.): Native accessions from the Peruvian Amazon

AbstractThe fiber quality of cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.) native to the Peruvian Amazon region is one of the most versatile and essential natural fibers in the Peruvian textile industry. There is little information about the fiber quality traits of cotton genotypes native to the Peruvian Amazon region. This study investigated the fiber quality traits of Peruvian Pima cotton accessions native to the Amazon region of the La Convención Province, Cusco, Peru, to determine the lines with the greatest potential for improving fiber quality in cotton genetic breeding programs. A total of 14 cotton accessions with white fiber color, being 12 accessions of G. barbadense L. (Pima cotton) and two accessions of Gossypium sp. (unknown cotton), were analyzed. The fiber properties determined using the high volume instrument method included seven characteristics. All fiber properties were classified into five quality classes. The data on fiber quality properties were subjected to distribution, correlation, and canonical variable analysis. The results of fiber quality properties showed that the two accessions of Gossypium sp. (unknown cotton) can be promising options to be used as high‐quality fiber progenies in crop genetic breeding programs or can be cultivated by regional farmers for the purpose of producing cotton with high fiber quality. Future investigations could utilize other methods of fiber quality analysis and compare the fiber quality of these cotton accessions native to the Peruvian Amazon region with other cotton species grown worldwide to improve the understanding of Pima cotton fiber quality and its applicability in different contexts of the textile industries.

Endoscopic evaluation of gastric mucosal alterations in patients with chronic heart failure II-III nyha functional class utilizing advanced endoscopic techniques

Objective: To assess the alterations of gastric mucosa, its pathomorphological and functional characteristics in patients with complete erosions suffering from chronic heart failure II-III NYHA functional class. Materials and Methods: 185 patients with complete erosions comprised the main group, while the control group consisted of 183 patients with incomplete erosions of the stomach. Patients in both groups had chronic heart failure II-III NYHA functional class. All patients underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy with white light imaging (WLI), narrow-band imaging (NBI), and ZOOM modes, as well as biopsy sampling followed by pathomorphological examination, determination of Helicobacter pylori presence, and endoscopic pH-metry. The diagnosis of chronic heart failure was established based on anamnestic data and the results of instrumental and functional diagnostic methods, including electrocardiography (ECG), echocardiography, Holter monitoring of ECG, stress echocardiography, and coronary angiography. Results: The study utilized the classification of gastric erosive lesions by K. Toljamo (2012), according to which in the main group, mature erosions subtype Ia were detected in 83.8% of cases, while immature extensive erosions subtype Ib were found in 16.2%. In combination with haemorrhagic erosions (type III), complete erosions were detected in 12.6% of cases, while with incomplete erosions of type II, they were found in 11.4%. The combination of complete erosions with erosive prepyloric changes (type IV) was identified in 8.7%. In the control group, gastric erosive lesions were mainly represented by type III (41%) and type IV (38.8%). Based on the analysis of endoscopic changes in the gastric mucosa using WLI, NBI, and ZOOM modes, the most characteristic visual changes were identified for each type and subtype of erosive gastric mucosa alterations. In patients with chronic heart failure II-III NYHA functional class, gastritis was noted in 75.1% of cases in the main group and in 58.5% in the control group. Helicobacter pylori infection of weak degree was determined in 40.5% in the main group and 37.7% in the control group. Evaluation of endoscopic pH-metry showed predominantly hypochlorhydria in both groups - 70.8% in the main group and 48.6% in the control group. Conclusion: By comparing the macroscopic features of various gastric erosive lesions in WLI, NBI, and ZOOM modes according to the classification by K. Toljamo (2012), the most characteristic signs for each type and subtype were identified. High prevalence of gastritis was established among patients with chronic heart failure II-III NYHA functional class.

Difficulties in diagnosis of non-conventional dysplasia in inflammatory bowel disease

Purpose: To provide a morphological characterization of dysplasia occurring against the background of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), considering the new classification of dysplasia. Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis was conducted, and biopsies were reviewed from 257 patients with IBD treated at Sechenov University clinics from 2018 to 2023. Patients' ages ranged from 19 to 63 years. Diagnosis was based on a combination of clinical, laboratory, and instrumental methods. Multiple biopsies were taken during colonoscopy, processed using standard metods. Results. Non-traditional dysplasia was diagnosed in 5 patients, accounting for 1.95% of cases over a 6-year period. Two cases involved hypermucinous dysplasia in patients aged 35 and 43 with ulcerative colitis, with disease durations of 12 and 9 years, respectively. crypt cell atypia/dysplasia was diagnosed in two patients aged 40 and 30, with ulcerative colitis durations of 5 and 10 years, respectively. In a 51- year-old patient with Crohn's disease for over 15 years, dysplasia resembling a dentate lesion was found in the ascending intestine. Dysplasia diagnosis was confirmed using immunohistochemical (IHC) staining with TP53 antibodies (clone DO-7 Leica RTU, Germany), showing positive staining of tumor cell nuclei, indicating TP53 gene mutation. Two out of five cases exhibited total colon involvement in inflammatory process, and one ulcerative colitis case was combined with primary sclerosing cholangitis. Conclusion. Before the appearance of the latest classifications of dysplasia in IBD, we rarely diagnosed dysplasia in biopsies from IBD patients. We now understand that the spectrum of potential neoplastic precursor lesions of colorectal cancer in IBD patients is much wider and this understanding can ensure that clinically important but rare lesions will not be undiagnosed. Future studies of their natural course may eventually determine that some lesions are more clinically important than others.

Sclerosing mesenteritis as a surgical problem: a review of the literature and own clinical observation

The problem of studying the pathology of mesenteric fat of the small intestine in surgical practice has not yet received enough attention. A number of questions remain unresolved regarding the etiology and pathogenesis of mesenteric diseases, their possible connection with benign and malignant diseases, methods of their laboratory and instrumental diagnosis, possible options for conservative and surgical treatment, as well as systematization and structuring of the classification. One of the poorly studied representatives of diseases of the mesentery of the small intestine continues to be Sclerosing mesenteritis, characterized by various histological variants of damage to mesenteric fat and a varied nonspecific clinical picture. Taken together, this leads to certain difficulties in diagnosis, patients seeking access to doctors of various profiles, which ultimately negatively affects the results of treatment and can lead to social maladjustment and possible disability. Reports on the occurrence of this pathology in the medical literature are few and, as a rule, describe extremely rare clinical cases. However, in recent years, the frequency of detection of this pathology continues to grow steadily, which is associated with the progressive aging of the population, a high degree of surgical activity in relation to urgent diseases of the abdominal organs, and the improvement of instrumental diagnostic methods. Issues of etiology, pathogenesis, differential diagnosis of this disease and its possible connection with the paraneoplastic process currently continue to cause debate. Further accumulation of clinical experience, a better understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease, and improvement of imaging techniques will allow us to develop clearer diagnostic and clinical criteria, narrow the diagnostic search and, ultimately, improve and standardize treatment. The article provides a review of the literature on this rare surgical pathology, presents our own clinical observation, and discusses diagnostic issues and treatment options for this disease.

The greenhouse gas reduction effect of critical peak pricing for industrial electricity: Evidence from 285 Chinese cities, 2003–2019

This paper assesses the impact of the Pilot of Critical Peak Pricing for Industrial Electricity (PCPPIE) on industrial Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by employing the Difference-in-Differences (DID) methodology. It is found that the cities participating in PCPPIE underwent a significant 11.3% reduction in the GHGs emitted per industrial enterprise. These findings remain robust across various methodologies, including staggered DID estimators, propensity score matching, instrumental variable methods, and spatial econometric regression. The generalized DID analysis shows that a higher critical peak price corresponds to a more substantial decrease in GHG emissions. PCPPIE achieves weaker GHG reduction in higher-administrative level cities but stronger in those with higher industrial share, and the effectiveness of PCPPIE is compromised by cross-regional electricity imports. PCPPIE reduces GHG emission intensity of the power industry and contributes to additional reductions in GHG emissions from other sources by fostering green technological innovation and facilitating energy substitution. The practical significance of this paper is to reveal a richer dynamic mechanism for China's green and sustainable development, indicating that critical peak pricing is a power pricing strategy worthy of strengthening and optimization in the process of China's carbon peak and carbon neutrality.

Insights into copper sensing and tolerance in Pneumocystis species.

Pneumocystis species are pathogenic fungi known to cause pneumonia in immunocompromised mammals. They are obligate to their host, replicate extracellularly in lung alveoli and thrive in the copper-enriched environment of mammalian lungs. In this study, we investigated the proteome of Pneumocystis murina, a model organism that infects mice, in the context of its copper sensing and tolerance. The query for copper-associated annotations in FungiDB followed by a manual curation identified only 21 genes in P. murina, significantly fewer compared to other clinically relevant fungal pathogens or phylogenetically similar free-living fungi. We then employed instrumental analyses, including Size-Exclusion Chromatography Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (SEC-ICP-MS), Immobilized Metal Affinity Chromatography (IMAC), and Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), to isolate and identify copper-binding proteins from freshly extracted organisms, revealing 29 distinct cuproproteins. The RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis of P. murina exposed to various CuSO4 concentrations at three temporal intervals (0.5, 2, and 5 h) indicated that significant gene expression changes occurred only under the highest CuSO4 concentration probed (100 μM) and the longest exposure duration (5 h). This stimulus led to the upregulation of 43 genes and downregulation of 27 genes compared to untreated controls. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) confirmed the expression of four out of eight selected upregulated genes, including three assumed transcription factors (PNEG_01236, PNEG_01675, and PNEG_01730) and a putative copper transporter (PNEG_02609). Notably, the three applied methodologies - homology-based annotation, SEC-ICP-MS/IMAC/LC-MS/MS, and RNA-seq - yielded largely distinct findings, with only four genes (PNEG_02587, PNEG_03319, PNEG_02584, and PNEG_02989) identified by both instrumental methods. The insights contribute to the broader knowledge of Pneumocystis copper homeostasis and provide novel facets of host-pathogen interactions for extracellular pathogens. We suggest that future studies of Pneumocystis pathogenicity and copper stress survival should consider the entire spectrum of identified genes.

Does internal control improve enterprise environmental, social, and governance information disclosure? Evidence from China

AbstractEnvironmental, social, and governance (ESG) is a relatively new concept that emphasizes how to contribute to creating sustainable businesses. However, research on factors that influence ESG development is insufficient. This study explores how internal control influence enterprise ESG information disclosure, using 2009–2021 data from China's A‐share listed companies. The findings show a substantial positive correlation between internal control quality and corporate ESG information disclosure. Particularly, the internal control quality significantly affects corporate governance information disclosure. Moreover, the connection between internal control quality and enterprise ESG information disclosure is significantly and positively moderated by media attention. Specifically, negative media evaluations have significant impacts on enterprises. The main findings remain valid even after conducting multiple robustness tests, such as the lag test, propensity score matching, instrumental variable method, and alternative measurements for the key variables. This study widens the theoretical research frontier of internal and external supervision mechanisms.

A retrospective study of the relationship between the presence of complaints and the identified pathological changes in the temporomandibular joint

Introduction. In the practice of an orthodontist, diseases of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are an urgent problem due to their widespread, diverse clinical manifestations.Goal. To study the relationship between the identified anatomical and functional disorders of the TMJ, as risk factors for complications during orthodontic treatment, and the presence of characteristic complaints in the structure of pathological changes in the TMJ.Materials and methods. According to the type of organization and the ratio of data collection time, the scientific study belonged to a longitudinal retrospective study, according to the type of observation: case-control. A retrospective analysis of 102 outpatient medical records of patients who sought medical help from an orthodontist at a dental clinic was carried out. The criterion for inclusion in the study was the presence of a newly diagnosed disease of the temporomandibular joint, mandatory radiological diagnostic methods. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the TMJ in the patient who sought medical help was used as a radiation diagnosis. As part of the scientific study, the structure of pathological changes in the TMJ was analyzed, the relationship between the presence of complaints and the revealed pathology was studied.Results. The analysis of the data showed that the MR examination of the TMJ reveals pathological changes in patients who sought orthodontic care, both with complaints and with an asymptomatic course of diseases. Data analysis did not show a statistically significant relationship between the presence of complaints and the revealed pathology in the case of degenerative (χ2 = 0.123; p > 0.05), inflammatory changes in the TMJ (χ2 = 0.123; p > 0.05) and pathological disorders of the masticatory muscles (F = 0.704; p > 0.05). The relationship is statistically significant, but weak for ventral dislocation without reposition (p < 0.05; φ = 0.107) and the dorsal arrangement of the disc (p < 0.05; φ = 0.101). In the case of ventral dislocation of the articular disc with the reposition, the relationship is statistically significant, of medium strength (p < 0.05; φ = 0.284).Conclusions. The results of a retrospective analysis of medical documentation confirm the need for instrumental research methods for all patients, regardless of whether they have any complaints at the stage of determining the optimal tactics of orthodontic intervention to obtain diagnostic information on the state of the TMJ in order to prevent the risks of complications during orthodontic treatment.

Therapeutic effects of rehabilitation technologies in patients with functional asthenia

Abstract. Post-traumatic stress disorder is widespread in the young patient population and tends to increase. Studying the therapeutic effects of a complex of rehabilitation technologies in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder is an urgent scientific and practical task. Purpose of the study: to determine the therapeutic effects of a complex of rehabilitation technologies in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder. Material and methods. 71 patients aged 33 (20–49) years with post-traumatic stress disorder (ICD–X code F43.1) were studied. The patients were prescribed a set of physical exercises, a course of audiovisual polysensory relaxation, transcranial magnetic stimulation, chromotherapy, hydrobalneotherapy, climatotherapy, therapeutic nutrition and psychotherapy. The total duration of the course is 20 days. Clinical, instrumental, psychophysical, and integral methods of assessing the condition of patients were used. Results. A significant improvement in clinical and psychological status, an increase in adaptive potential, the level of physical health, a significant increase in physical performance, and an improvement in autonomic regulation were revealed. Conclusion. The complex of restorative technologies of medical and psychological rehabilitation produces pronounced actoprotective and psychocorrective therapeutic effects in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder.

MOF-derived nanozyme CuOx@C and its application for cascade colorimetric detection of phytosterols.

Phytosterols (PSs), a class of naturally occurring bioactive lipid compounds, have been found to possess a significant cholesterol-lowering effect. In developing countries, the consumption of rapeseed oil is the primary pathway of PS intake for the general population. However, developing low-cost, real-time, and high-throughput screening techniques for PSs remains a challenge. Here, a Cu-based nanocomposite CuOx@C was synthesized via a simple method of the calcination of HKUST-1 and systematically characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The CuOx@C demonstrated excellent peroxidase-like (POD-like) activity, functioning as a peroxidase mimic to facilitate the catalysis of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) into its oxidized form (oxTMB), thereby initiating a discernible color response. On the basis of this discovery, a CuOx@C-based colorimetric method for detecting total sterols in rapeseed was successfully constructed via cascade reactions. After optimizing the conditions, the high-throughput screening of total sterols in rapeseed could be completed in only 21min, which significantly facilitated the sensing of PSs. A linear range of 0.6-6mg/g was achieved for the detection of total sterols in rapeseed samples, thereby satisfying the requirements for detection. In addition, due to the high stability of CuOx@C and the specificity of cholesterol oxidase, the developed method had excellent stability and selectivity toward PSs, indicating that this work has huge prospects for commercial application. This innovative work overcomes the limitation of the instrumental method and provides a portable and reliable tool for total sterols detection. It can also facilitate the development of oilseeds with a high content of PSs.

Rotational disturbance in laser-interferometric gravity gradiometry

Laser interferometers have been used for precise measurements of gravity and related effects. These include experiments to search for a fifth force and absolute ballistic gravimeters, which use a Michelson-type laser interferometer to measure the acceleration of a free-falling test mass. In these methods of instrumentation, the motion of free-falling test masses is measured using corner-cube laser interferometers, in which at least one retroreflector is embedded in each test mass. However carefully each of such test masses is released into free fall, a small amount of rotation is unavoidable which changes the optical path length and causes acceleration disturbance. This rotational disturbance could ultimately limit the measurement sensitivity of the laser interferometers. Various experimental and theoretical studies have been conducted to minimise the rotational disturbance in absolute ballistic gravimeters. This paper focuses on the rotational disturbance in laser-interferometric gravity gradiometers (LIGGs) that measure differential acceleration between two test masses freely falling at different heights in a vacuum. LIGGs can be configured to measure not only vertical gravity gradients, but also horizontal gradients, or gradients in both horizontal and vertical directions. However, only those to measure vertical gravity gradients have been constructed so far. Hence, in this paper, the term LIGGs specifically indicates the gravity gradiometers that measure vertical gravity gradients. Unlike absolute ballistic gravimeters, the LIGGs are, in principle, insensitive to ground vibrations; they can potentially detect some effects that are buried in seismic noise in absolute gravity data. To fully leverage this advantage of the LIGGs, it is crucial to keep the rotational disturbance to a minimum. Expressions for the rotational disturbance are derived and its magnitude is estimated based on available experimental data. The results show that the magnitude would not be more than 0.1 μGal /m in the measurement of vertical gravity gradients in a compact LIGG. Alternative designs and requirements for increasing the sensitivity of the LIGGs are also discussed.

Impact of cross-border mergers and acquisitions on firm innovation performance: from the perspective of dynamic capability theory

ABSTRACT This study constructs an empirical framework from the perspective of dynamic capability theory, and uses a combined dataset of Chinese listed companies from 2008 to 2020 to test the causal impact of cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&As) on firm innovation performance by using propensity score matching, time-varying difference-in-differences model and instrumental variable method. The findings are as follows: (1) Cross-border M&A has a significant promoting effect on the innovation performance of acquiring firms. (2) Heterogeneity analysis shows that traditionally less innovative state-owned, non-manufacturing, and non-high-tech enterprises experience notable enhancements in their performance through cross-border M&As. The post-M&A innovation performance of enterprises in central China is strong, followed by enterprises in eastern China, while enterprises in western China show limited improvement. (3) Among the internal factors of firm dynamic capability, knowledge breadth and managerial capability positively moderate the impact of cross-border M&As on innovation performance, while knowledge depth and financing constraints play a negative moderating role. (4) Among the external factors of firm dynamic capability, local knowledge externalities and regional trade resilience play a positive moderating role. This study highlights the importance of firm dynamic capabilities in the cross-border M&As process and provides new insights into innovation strategies in emerging economies.

Analysis of the contribution of obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome and glycemic level variability to the development and progression of cardiac arrhythmias in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

In this review, information is presented within the triad: obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSA), glycemic variability, and cardiac arrhythmias in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). Epidemiological aspects, pathogenetic relationships, possible instrumental and laboratory diagnostic methods, as well as approaches to personalized therapy are analyzed. Research is being actively conducted in certain areas of the designated triad, however, no studies have been found that include simultaneous monitoring of indicators reflecting these disorders in patients with DM2. Many issues are still controversial. Sleep disturbances in patients with DM2 are actively studied, but more often questionnaires are used for diagnosis, rather than instrumental methods. There is insufficient data examining the effect of hypoxia on the progression of complications in patients with DM2. Rhythm disturbances are being actively studied in patients with DM2 in combination with various cardiological problems. Of greatest interest is the study of rhythm disturbances in patients with DM2 without concomitant comorbid conditions of the cardiovascular system, in order to identify early signs of diabetic cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy and cardiomyopathy, as well as additional early risk factors for the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases. Most of the studies are devoted to the study of the association of OSA and various arrhythmias in cardiac patients. However, there is no data on the combined effect of glycemic variability and OSA on the development of cardiac arrhythmias in patients with DM2. Additional studies are needed to identify the features of the effect of OSA on cardiac arrhythmias in patients with DM2.

How does digital finance influence corporate greenwashing behavior?

This paper examines the effects of digital finance and corporate greenwashing as well as the underlying mechanisms using panel data from China's A-share, listed companies between 2012 and 2021. By employing panel regression and mediation effect models, we demonstrate that digital finance considerably inhibits corporate greenwashing. This conclusion remains robust after a series of tests, including replacing the core explanatory variables, lagging digital finance by one period, using alternative dependent variables, and applying the instrumental variables method. More importantly, we find that digital finance curbs corporate greenwashing by alleviating financing constraints and improving informational transparency. In addition, we reveal that digital finance has heterogeneous effects on corporate greenwashing. The inhibitory effect of digital finance on corporate greenwashing is more pronounced for high-polluting industries, under the conditions of strict environmental regulations, and in China's central and western regions.