Modern View Research Articles

Evaluating the fairness of a high-stakes college entrance exam in Kuwait

The use of college entrance exams for facilitating admission decisions become controversial, and the central argument is around the fairness of test scores. The Kuwait University English Aptitude Test (KUEAT) is a high-stakes test, but very few studies have examined the psychometric quality of the scores for this national-level assessment. This study illustrates how measurement approaches can be used to examine the fairness issues in educational testing. Through a modern view of fairness, we assess the internal and external bias of KUEAT scores using differential item functioning analysis and differential prediction analysis, respectively, and provide a comprehensive fairness argument for KUEAT scores. The analysis for examining the internal evidence of bias was based on 1790 examinees’ KUEAT scores in November 2018. KUEAT scores and first-year college GPAs of 4033 students enrolled in KU were used for assessing the external evidence of bias. Results revealed many items showing differential item functioning across student subpopulation groups (i.e., nationality, gender, high school majors, and high school types). Meanwhile, KUEAT scores also predicted college performance differentially by different student subgroups (i.e., nationality, high school majors, and high school types). Discussion and implications on the fairness issues of college entrance tests in Kuwait are provided.

A modern view of pregnancy management tactics with a tendency to post-term pregnancy

This analytical review article compares elective induction of labor with expectant management for a tendency to post-term pregnancy and examines its impact on maternal and neonatal outcomes and caesarean section rates. Currently, the issue of management tactics during pregnancy beyond 41 weeks remains hotly debated and requires further research.

A modern view on the prevention of parastomal complications in ostomy patients

A modern view on the prevention of parastomal complications in ostomy patients

Modern views on the microflora of burn wounds and its antibiotic resistance

Modern views on the microflora of burn wounds and its antibiotic resistance

FORMATION OF STUDENTS’ READINESS FOR PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY IN THE PROCESS OF PRACTICE ACCORDING TO THE PROFILE OF THE FUTURE

Team Actuality. Practice according to the profile of the future profession plays an exceptional role not only in instilling theoretical information, but also practical abilities and skills in the training of future sports coaches. The purpose of the research – to substantiate the theoretical foundations of the formation of the components of professional readiness of students in the process of practice according to the profile of the future profession. Research methods: general scientific – analysis, comparison, systematization, generalization of scientific and methodical literature, pedagogical testing; methods of mathematical statistics. 50 students of the specialty 017 "Physical culture and sports" of the National University of Physical Education and Sports of Ukraine took part in the testing. Research results and key conclusions. The modern view on formation of readiness of students' for professional activity in the course of practice according to the profile of the future profession. The structure of the coach’s readiness for future professional activity as a set of motivational, creative and reflective components is substantiated. Emphasis is placed on the fact that from today’s standpoint it is important to develop new approaches to the content and organization of industrial practice, which stimulate student activity to master professionally oriented knowledge, skills and abilities. It is shown that there is a need for theoretical justification of the form, content (diagnostic, organizational, communicative and motivational functions) and structure of production practice, as a necessary condition for the formation of readiness of future coaches for professional activity.

Predictors of unfavorable neurological outcomes in premature children: a modern view on the problem

Objective: to assess the prognostic significance of antibodies to the NR2 subunit of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor and brain natriuretic propeptide (NTproBNP) as predictors of unfavorable neurological outcomes in premature children.Materials and methods: A prospective cohort continuous study included 151 premature children, with a gestational age (GA) of 26–32 weeks and a body weight of 590–1990 gr. The children were measured the quantitation of NTproBNP level in the cord blood and level of antibodies to the NR2 subunit of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor in the blood serum on the 21st day of life. The division of children into groups was carried out in accordance with the assessment of neurological outcomes at control points of the research: 1 control point — at the time of discharge from the hospital, 2 control point — at the age of 1 year of corrected age (CA), 3 control point — 4 years of life.Results: in the course of the study, it was found a “cascade” increase in the cohort of children with unfavorable neurological outcomes from 36.4% at the time of discharge from the hospital to 70% by the age of 4 years. High values of NT-proBNP level in cord blood and antibodies to the NR2 subunit of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor were established on 21st day of postnatal life in children with both macrostructural brain damages in the neonatal period and having an unfavorable neurological outcome at the age of 1 year of corrected age (CA) and at 4 years of life.Conclusion: modern neurochemical markers of CNS damages N-proBNP and antibodies to the NR2 subunit of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor open up the possibilities of early diagnosis of brain damages at the cellular level and the start of neuroprotective therapy to reduce neurological disability.

Modern View on Very Early Onset and Early Onset Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in Children

Nowadays, an urgent problem of pediatric gastroenterology is the study of inflammatory bowel diseases with very early onset (VEO-IBD), which have unique genetic, clinical, immunological, morphological, and laboratory sings. Early VEO-IBD is usually considered as monogenic disease, especially in combination with congenital immune defects, which leads to difficulties in diagnosis and management this pathology. Despite this, systematization of information about this group of nosological forms of IBD is practically not carried out. This article presents a review of the available information on etiological factors, course variants, and therapeutic options for VEO-IBD.

O-131 A novel approach to predicting the potential of a blastocyst using untargeted spectral analysis of spent culture medium and machine learning

Abstract Study question Is it possible to effectively predict negative outcomes of intrauterine embryo transfer using modified untargeted Raman spectroscopy of the spent culture medium? Summary answer The proposed spectroscopic approach, combined with machine learning methods, allows identifying a group of embryos that are almost unable to implant and develop ongoing pregnancy. What is known already Embryo deselection is usually based on the karyotype analysis of the embryo and originates from the assumption that an abnormal PGT result is associated with negative transfer outcomes. Embryo selection methods aimed at identifying the most capable for implantation embryo are based on morphological, morphometric, and metabolic approaches. However, due to the dependence of the phenomenon (pregnancy) on several factors, predicting the outcome of the transfer solely through variables derived from the embryo does not correspond to modern views on implantation. At the same time, predicting negative transfer outcomes through the information originating from the embryo appears quite rational. Study design, size, duration 424 samples of spent culture medium used, collected from microdrops with individually cultured blastocyst from the internal institutional biosamples repository. Medium samples were collected from July 1, 2021, to June 1, 2023. The class attribute for each sample was the absence or presence of ongoing pregnancy at the 12-14 week of gestational age. The positive class (ongoing pregnancy) proportion in the presented dataset is 33%, and the negative (no ongoing pregnancy) class proportion is 67%. Participants/materials, setting, methods The study material was spent culture medium from blastocysts with known transfer outcomes by the end of first trimester. All media samples were stored at -86 °С until the moment of spectroscopy. Before the study, samples were thawed at room temperature for 15 minutes. Untargeted Raman spectroscopy was done on a signal amplification substrate using a green laser (532 nm). The architecture selection and machine learning model training were performed using the Python library mcfly. Main results and the role of chance After building the model the following results for validation and test sets were obtained: So it is possible to identify a group of embryos that are almost incapable of producing ongoing pregnancy. This group constitutes about 40% of the total number of negative outcomes. The error of determining an embryo as being incapable for implantation and normal pregnancy development is about 6%, what is relatively low number. Limitations, reasons for caution The presented data are not multicenter; they were obtained from samples from one laboratory and using a limited set (only one manufacturer) of culture media. This may lead to reduced or nonexistent relevance of the model for data from other sources and conditions. Wider implications of the findings It is necessary to check the proposed method on an additional set of culture media from other manufactures and laboratories. This may lead to refining the parameters of the built neural network. The assumption of significant clinical value of the developed model needs to be checked through prospective testing. Trial registration number fpc-2023-ivf-01

A Classical Modernization of the V‐Model

AbstractThis paper provides new iconography for the Systems Engineering “V‐Model” or “Vee‐Model.” The “Arch Model” resets and refreshes the original iterative intent of the “V‐Model” in a modern context integrated with digital engineering (DE). We will highlight common misperceptions that reduced the efficacy of the “V‐Model” and explore how a “classical Roman engineering” metaphor can inspire a modern view of systems development based on historically successful, foundational engineering.

포스트휴머니즘과 포스트휴머스 정신

[Objective] The purpose of this study is to limit the use of posthumanism to the meaning of pursuing a new view of humanity while criticizing the modernist view of humanity, to examine William Desmond's metaxological ontology and the posthumus mind, which pursue post-anthropocentrism and post-selfcentrism, and to evaluate them. [Contents] To accomplish this purpose: First, we look at the various aspects of the term posthumanism and limit the research object to posthumanism, which is used to criticize the modernist view of humanity and seek a new view of humanity. (I) To this end, natural law that emphasizes the goodness of existence and the non-identity of being are examined. from the standpoint of the critical philosophy of Adorno and Habermas, which offer the possibility of the superiority of being and the superiority of intersubjectivity instead of the superiority of the subject. (II) Then, we will consider some principles of being, like the self-becoming and transcendence of being, and conatus essendi(the desire for being) & passio essendi(patience of being) according to William Desmond's metaxogical ontology, and examine how beings interact with others in the process of becoming themselves, and what status humans, as mindful beings, have in the community of beings and how they complete their selves. (III .&IV.) [Conclusions] As a conclusion of this study, the ‘intrinsic value’ of being can be described as follows. First, all beings are members of a community of beings and are perfected by serving the good of being in their own way. Second, all beings, including humans, are part of an interdependent creation and serve the community of beings with the same ontological meaning and conditions, and therefore humans are not ontologically superior to other beings. Third, as mindful being of the community of beings, humans must build an ecological civilization that helps all beings carry out their inherent values and promises in cosmic evolution and mindful progress. Fourth, Desmond's vision of the community of being is a metaphysical foundation that will contribute to establishing an ecology encompassing a complex of organisms and physical elements and establishing the foundation of an ecological civilization.

The Paradox of Ribosomal Insufficiency Coupled with Increased Cancer: Shifting the Perspective from the Cancer Cell to the Microenvironment.

Ribosomopathies are defined as inherited diseases in which ribosomal factors are mutated. In general, they present multiorgan symptoms. In spite of the fact that in cellular models, ribosomal insufficiency leads to a reduced rate of oncogenic transformation, patients affected by ribosomopathies present a paradoxical increase in cancer incidence. Several hypotheses that explain this paradox have been formulated, mostly on the assumption that altered ribosomes in a stem cell induce compensatory changes that lead to a cancer cell. For instance, the lack of a specific ribosomal protein can lead to the generation of an abnormal ribosome, an oncoribosome, that itself leads to altered translation and increased tumorigenesis. Alternatively, the presence of ribosomal stress may induce compensatory proliferation that in turns selects the loss of tumor suppressors such as p53. However, modern views on cancer have shifted the focus from the cancer cell to the tumor microenvironment. In particular, it is evident that human lymphocytes are able to eliminate mutant cells and contribute to the maintenance of cancer-free tissues. Indeed, many tumors develop in conditions of reduced immune surveillance. In this review, we summarize the current evidence and attempt to explain cancer and ribosomopathies from the perspective of the microenvironment.

Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Children with Hereditary Diseases (Review of Literature, Clinical Case Report)

Introduction. The majority of studies on disturbed neurodevelopment in children focus on psychiatric or psychological-pedagogical issues, but the genetic component of pathology also occupies an important place, in which is important to conduct genetic investigation to verify hereditary pathology, and to identify target organs inherent in particular hereditary disease. The aim of the study. To conduct a review of current literature dedicated to the problem of impaired neurodevelopment in children with hereditary diseases, to describe a clinical case of A. Rett genetic syndrome, accompanied by impaired neurodevelopment in a child. Materials and methods. The method of systematic and comparative analysis, as well as the biblio-semantic method of studying modern views on the influence of hereditary diseases in the disruption of neurodevelopment in children were used. As much as 25 recent publications were analyzed. A clinical case of A. Rett syndrome in a child is described, where the analysis of clinical symptoms and laboratory-instrumental examinations were used, the main of which is the molecular genetic method of next generation sequencing (NGS). Results. Based on the literature analysis it was estimated that clinical cases of rare A. Rett syndrome in children occur with a frequency of 1:10.000-1:15.000. This syndrome is caused by a mutation in the MECP2 gene associated with X-linked A. Rett syndrome/atypical A. Rett syndrome (UID MedGen: 48441) or X-linked MECP2 duplication syndrome (MedGen: 337496). Conclusions. For a long time, the connection of impaired neurodevelopment with other clinical symptoms was not payed much attention, but the enhanced frequency of cases when a child with impaired neurodevelopment was diagnosed with other symptoms or a multisystem lesion stimulated research in this area. This is the story how the term ″syndromal autism″ was born. This term means developmental delay or autism spectrum disorder in children with symptoms of another hereditary disease.

A modern view of the role of genetic factors in the etiopathogenesis of breast cancer

The aim of this review is to summarize current understandings of the genetic risk factors for the development of breast cancer (BC), evaluate the role of germline mutations and single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with the disease, based on genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and other associative studies. The search for relevant sources was conducted in PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library, eLIBRARY, and the NHGRI-EBI Catalog of GWAS. The analysis includes works published from January 2007 to December 2022. A total of 197 sources focused on the role of genetic factors in the development of BC were found. Search queries included data on associations of various molecular-genetic markers – germline mutations, and single nucleotide polymorphisms – with the formation of BC. From this body of work, 45 studies were included in the current review. The inclusion criterion for the analysis wasthe presence of GWAS data and associative studies conducted among patients with representative samples with the necessary power. Additionally, results characterizing the clinical-pathological significance (association with molecular subtypes of BC, therapy features, disease prognosis) of BC genetic factors were evaluated. Excluded from the analysis were data from associative studies of candidate genes for malignant breast neoplasms that are morphologically not carcinomas, performed on small (non-representative) patient samples and control groups. Mutations in genes with high and moderate penetrance (BRCA1/2, CHEK2, PALB2, etc.) are associated with the onset of BC in 5 % of cases. Among families with two or more members affected by BC, their share reaches only 30–40 %. GWAS data revealed the role of more than 180 polymorphic loci associated with BC, which determine a heritability rate of about 18 %. According to twin studies, this rate is 1.7 times higher, reaching 31 %. Meanwhile, the contribution of environmental factors is no more than 16 %. The proportion of unidentified hereditary factors in BC formation is about 8 %. However, contemporary studies of associations of various candidate genes (ESR1/2, IGF1, EGFR, VEGF, TNFα, MMPs, etc.), whose signaling pathways regulate BC tumor progression, show their involvement in carcinogenesis. Thus, the unknown heritability in BC formation may reach 40 %. The proportion of germline mutations in major BC predisposition genes in the population is low. Genetic variations within the same gene (e.g., BRCA1) show ethnic or territorial diversity. Nevertheless, a significant portion of BC heritability is determined by various candidate genes, whose role in forming individual BC risk is demonstrated by GWAS. Substantial evidence on the involvement of key carcinogenesis-regulating genes in BC development is being accumulated. Each of the three considered groups of genetic factors has important clinical-pathological significance and can influence the course and prognosis of the disease.

Hyperhomocysteinemia: a modern view of the problem (literature review)

Hyperhomocysteinemia: a modern view of the problem (literature review)

Modern view on the etiology and pathogenesis of hyperandrogenic conditions in women of reproductive age against the background of normal levels of male steroid hormones

Modern view on the etiology and pathogenesis of hyperandrogenic conditions in women of reproductive age against the background of normal levels of male steroid hormones

The Brain-Heart Network of Syncope.

Observed and recorded in various forms since ancient times, 'syncope' is often popularly called 'fainting', such that the two terms are used synonymously. Syncope/fainting can be caused by a variety of conditions, including but not limited to head injuries, vertigo, and oxygen deficiency. Here, we draw on a large body of literature on syncope, including the role of a recently discovered set of specialized mammalian neurons. Although the etiology of syncope still remains a mystery, we have attempted to provide a comprehensive account of what is known and what still needs to be performed. Much of our understanding of syncope is owing to studies in the laboratory mouse, whereas evidence from human patients remains scarce. Interestingly, the cardioinhibitory Bezold-Jarisch reflex, recognized in the early 1900s, has an intriguing similarity to-and forms the basis of-syncope. In this review, we have integrated this minimal model into the modern view of the brain-neuron-heart signaling loop of syncope, to which several signaling events contribute. Molecular signaling is our major focus here, presented in terms of a normal heart, and thus, syncope due to abnormal or weak heart activity is not discussed in detail. In addition, we have offered possible directions for clinical intervention based on this model. Overall, this article is expected to generate interest in chronic vertigo and syncope/fainting, an enigmatic condition that affects most humans at some point in life; it is also hoped that this may lead to a mechanism-based clinical intervention in the future.

Modern view on the role of pericytes in the microcirculation

Pericytes were discovered about 150 years ago and their name can be translated as enveloping cells. The location of pericytes on the outer wall of capillaries, the presence of appendages and close contact with neighboring endothelial cells of the capillaries resulted in the hypothesis of their participation in the capillary blood flow control. Over the last years, a large number of publications confirming this hypothesis have appeared. Moreover, the data accumulated to date indicate that pericytes are multifunctional cells and play a significant and sometimes key role in such processes as regulation of tissue blood flow, functioning of the blood-brain barrier, angiogenesis, vascular remodeling, and immune responses. The participation of pericytes in the pathogenesis of certain diseases has been shown and the potential for their use as targets for therapeutic effects has been demonstrated.

Development and deployment of an adaptive national elementary reading screening test

Increasingly over the past decade, there has been a demand of more thorough documentation of the quality of reading assessments. Yet, available documentation of high-quality measures are often restricted to general framework descriptions providing psychometric information as a token of test quality. In a modern view of validity, understanding what is being measured and how scores are calculated is a prerequisite for good interpretation and use of test scores. The present article aims to document the research and development process of a national adaptive screening test for reading difficulties, in which the envisioned interpretation and use of test scores is guiding the work. Given the mandatory nature of this test the sample consist of 49,828 third grade students aged 8. Significant outcomes from this design process involve detailed information on: (a) choice of sub-tests and item formats, (b) selection of high quality items, (c) choice and design of adaptive model, and finally, a statement on the challenges that are still to be met for such a test to function optimally. The present paper is among the first to, in an open and detailed manner, describe the development process as well as qualities and challenges of an adaptive reading screening test for students of this young age.

Modern views on the pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration

Introduction. Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is defined as a multifactorial degenerative disease of the spine, starting from the structures of the nucleus pulposus of the IVD, spreading to the fibrous ring and other elements of the spinal motion segment. Unlike natural aging, a pathological degenerative process that occurs in IVDs as a result of the additive effect of genetic predisposition and external environmental factors leads to the formation of chronic back pain and reduces the patient’s quality of life. Despite many years of studying the problem of the pathogenesis of IVD degeneration, it is far from being resolved, which encourages us to further study the pathogenetic mechanisms of the development of this pathology.Aim. To update the knowledge of practicing neurologists about the results of modern studies of the leading mechanisms of development of IVD degeneration in humans and their role in the development of promising biomarkers of this pathology and new strategies for pathogenetic therapy.Materials and methods. A search and analysis of publications was carried out in Russian-language (e-Library) and Englishlanguage databases (PubMed, Oxford Press, Clinical Keys, Springer, Elsevier, Google Scholar). Search depth – 5 years (2018–2023).Results. The analyzed and generalized results of studies of the molecular mechanisms influencing the development and progression of this pathology are presented. The leading pathogenetic mechanisms for the development of IVD degeneration, such as oxidative stress and the NO system, cytokine imbalance, increased activity of matrix metalloproteinases, dysfunction of fibrillar collagens and proteoglycan, as well as their relationship with each other, were considered.Conclusion. The review provides a broader look at the pathogenetic mechanisms of IVD degeneration, which makes it possible to set new goals for future development of promising therapeutic strategies.

Examples of surgical treatment of pulmonary echinococosis in adults and children

ABSTRACT. The article presents a modern view of the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary echinococcosis. The etiology, pathogenesis, clinical picture, ways of diagnosis and available methods of treatment of this pathology are highlighted. The purpose of the work was to acquaint doctors of various specialties with clinical cases of pulmonary echinococcosis. Two clinical cases of pulmonary echinococcosis became the object of the work. The first clinical example concerned a 17-year-old boy who had a typical course of echinococcosis and who underwent left lower lobectomy. The second clinical example concerned a young woman in whom pulmonary echinococcosis had an atypical course and was diagnosed only intraoperatively. It was concluded that the most effective method of treatment of echinococcal lung cysts is surgical operation. The volume of surgical intervention depends on many factors and is decided individually in each specific case. In the postoperative period, preventive anthelmintic therapy is mandatory.