Responsiveness of food security to macroeconomic variables : the cases of Maldives, Mauritius and Seychelles

This paper investigates into the major macroeconomic variables influencing food security at national level in three Indian Ocean Small Island Developing States (SIDS): Maldives, Mauritius and Seychelles. Food stability – a measure of food security responsiveness – is estimated within the framework of cointegration and error correction model (ECM) to differentiate the short run and long run elasticities. There is evidence that food security comoves with the explanatory variables in our model in the long run. The results unveil the importance of trade openness, investment in the agriculture sector, domestic food production (measured in terms of quantity, quality and variety) and structural transformation in enhancing food stability. In contrast, economic growth measured by GDP per capita worsens food security in Maldives and Mauritius in the long run. The ECM results suggest that changes in food security brought about by its determinants are cancelled out fastest in the Maldives; suggesting serious difficulties in securing a more sustainable food security strategy. The results of this study generate policy recommendations, which can also be adapted to the context of other SIDS.peer-reviewe

Melioidosis in Mauritius

We report the first case of human melioidosis from Mauritius, where Burkholderia pseudomallei has never been isolated. The patient was immunocompromised, had never traveled abroad, and had a history of regular exposure to mud. She became ill at a time when rainfall was higher than the monthly average

Insulin down-regulates cardioprotective SUR2A in the heart-derived H9c2 cells:A possible explanation for some adverse effects of insulin therapy

Some recent studies associated insulin therapy with negative cardiovascular events and shorter lifespan. SUR2A, a KATP channel subunit, regulate cardioprotection and cardiac ageing. Here, we have tested whether glucose and insulin regulate expression of SUR2A/KATP channel subunits and resistance to metabolic stress in heart H9c2 cells. Absence of glucose in culture media decreased SUR2A mRNA, while mRNAs of Kir6.2, Kir6.1, SUR1 and IES SUR2B were increased. 2-deoxyglucose (50 mM) decreased mRNAs of SUR2A, SUR2B and SUR1, did not affect IES SUR2A and IES SUR2B mRNAs and increased Kir6.2 mRNA. No glucose and 2-deoxyglucose (50 mM) decreased resistance to an inhibitor of oxidative phosphorylation, DNP (10 mM). 50 mM glucose did not alter KATP channel subunits nor cellular resistance to DNP (10 mM). Insulin (20 ng/ml) in both physiological and high glucose (50 mM) down-regulated SUR2A while upregulating Kir6.1 and Kir6.2 (in high glucose only). Insulin (20 ng/ml) in physiological and high glucose decreased cell survival in DNP (10 mM). As opposed to Kir6.2, infection with SUR2A resulted in titre-dependent cytoprotection. We conclude that insulin decreases resistance to metabolic stress in H9c2 cells by decreasing SUR2A expression. Lower cardiac SUR2A levels underlie increased myocardial susceptibility to metabolic stress and shorter lifespan. Keywords: Insulin, Glucose, SUR2A, Hear

Валидация опросника для оценки качества жизни пациентов с хронической приобретенной полинейропатией (Chronic Acquired Polyneuropathy – Patient Reported Index, CAP-PRI) в России

Background. Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is the most common immune‑mediated polyneuropathy. CIDP is characterized by a long‑term progressive or recurrent course of the disease and the development of neurological deficits and disability, it is important to assess the quality of life of patients. The paper presents the results of the first and second steps of validation of the Chronic acquired polyneuropathy – Patient Reported Index (CAP‑PRI) questionnaire designed to assess quality of life in patients with immune‑mediated polyneuropathy.Aim. To develop the Russian version of the CAP‑PRI questionnaire.Materials and methods. 85 patients with CIDP (according to EAN / PNS 2021 criteria) were enrolled. At the first step we conducted linguocultural validation according to the standard protocol. Two Russian‑speaking professional translators in the field of medicine performed direct translation of the original English‑language questionnaire, and the back translation was performed by native speakers with a medical background. At the second step the psychometric parameters were evaluated.Results. The developed Russian version of the CAP‑PRI questionnaire demonstrated a high level of reliability, validity and sensitivity.Conclusion. The Russian version of the CAP‑PRI questionnaire is recommended for clinical practice and research. In addition, the relationship between improved quality of life and the reduction of neurological deficits, disability and fatigue (as assessed by the IRODS, NIS and FSS scales) has been shown.Введение. Хроническая воспалительная демиелинизирующая полинейропатия (ХВДП) – самая частая из иммуноопосредованных полинейропатий. Для ХВДП характерны многолетнее прогрессирующее или рецидивирующее течение, развитие неврологического дефицита и инвалидизации, в связи с чем важен мониторинг качества жизни пациентов. Представлены результаты 1‑го и 2‑го этапов валидации русскоязычной версии опросника Chronic Acquired Polyneuropathy – Patient Reported Index (CAP‑PRI) для оценки качества жизни у пациентов с иммуноопосредованными полинейропатиями.Цель исследования – проведение валидации опросника CAP‑PRI у пациентов с ХВДП с разработкой его русскоязычной версии.Материалы и методы. В исследование было включено 85 пациентов с ХВДП, диагностированной на основании критериев EAN / PNS 2021. На 1‑м этапе проведена лингвистическая валидация оригинальной англоязычной версии опросника согласно общепринятым рекомендациям: 2 русскоязычными профессиональными переводчиками в сфере медицины выполнен прямой перевод оригинальной англоязычной шкалы, обратный перевод осуществлен носителями языка с медицинским образованием. На 2‑м этапе валидации проводилось исследование психометрических показателей разработанного русскоязычного варианта.Результаты. Разработана русскоязычная версия опросника CAP‑PRI с высоким уровнем надежности, содержательной валидности и чувствительности.Заключение. Представленная официальная русскоязычная версия опросника для пациентов с хронической приобретенной полинейропатией (CAP‑PRI) рекомендована для отечественной клинической практики и научно‑исследовательской работы с целью оценки качества жизни пациентов. Дополнительно показана связь между улучшением качества жизни и уменьшением выраженности неврологического дефицита, степени инвалидизации и утомляемости (по результатам оценок по шкалам IRODS, NIS и FSS)

Шкала оценки сопутствующих заболеваний у ареактивных пациентов (CoCoS): лингвокультурная адаптация русскоязычной версии (сообщение)

   Identification of complications and control of comorbidities are essential in monitoring the patients with chronic disorders of consciousness and predicting their outcomes. The researchers of the Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences of the University of L'Aquila (Italy) developed the Comorbidities Coma Scale (CoCoS) for a comprehensive assessment of such patients. Lack of an officially validated version of the scale hampers its use in Russia, while using versions which have not been completely validated prevents clinicians from obtaining reliable results when examining patients with chronic disorders of consciousness.   Aim. To develop the official Russian language version of the Comorbidities Coma Scale, considering various linguistic and cultural parameters, as a part of the 1st stage of the validation study.   Material and methods. The first stage of validation was completed: direct and reverse translation of the scale was performed by two independent medical translators. The translated version was assessed by an expert board including an expert translator, neurologists, and critical care specialists. Pilot test and two meetings of the expert board, before and after testing, were arranged to assess the results and approve the final Russian version of the scale.   Results. During the first meeting of the expert board, corrections were made in the Russian language version of the scale in terms of language and cultural adaptation. Pilot testing was carried out based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The researchers had no difficulties in understanding and interpreting the instructions for the scale. The second meeting of the expert board was held thereupon, and the final version of the Russian language version of the scale was adopted, which is available on the website of the Center for Validation of Health Status Questionnaires and Scales of the Research Center of Neurology.   Conclusion. The first stage of validation, i. e., linguistic and cultural adaptation, was carried out at the Research Center of Neurology (Moscow, Russia). For the first time, the Russian version of the scale for assessing comorbidities in patients with chronic disorders of consciousness was presented and approved for the practical use. The future publications will address the psychometric results of the scale such as sensitivity, validity, reliability.   Выявление осложнений и контроль над течением сопутствующих заболеваний является важнейшим этапом в отслеживании динамики и прогнозе исходов у пациентов с хроническими нарушениями сознания. Для проведения оценки состояния у данной категории пациентов сотрудниками департамента биотехнологических и прикладных клинических наук университета L'Aquila (Италия) была разработана шкала — Comorbidities Coma Scale (CoCoS). Отсутствие официально валидированной версии данной шкалы затрудняет ее применение в России, а использование версий, не прошедших все необходимые этапы валидации, препятствует получению достоверных результатов при обследовании пациентов с хроническими нарушениями сознания.   Цель. Разработка официальной русскоязычной версии Шкалы оценки сопутствующих заболеваний у ареактивных пациентов с учетом языковых и культурных особенностей ее пользователей в рамках проведения 1-го этапа валидационного исследования.   Материал и методы. Письменное разрешение на адаптацию шкалы CoCoS было получено сотрудниками группы валидации международных шкал и опросников Научного центра неврологии (ФГБНУ НЦН, г. Москва, Россия) у разработчика оригинальной версии Francesca Pistoia. Провели первый этап валидации: выполнен прямой и обратный перевод шкалы двумя независимыми медицинскими переводчиками. Произведена оценка разработанной версии экспертной комиссией с участием переводчика-эксперта, неврологов и анестезиологов-реаниматологов. Провели пилотное тестирование на 15 пациентах с диагнозом хронического нарушения сознания и два заседания экспертной комиссии до и после тестирования для оценки результатов и утверждения окончательной русскоязычной версии шкалы.   Результаты. В ходе первого заседания экспертной комиссии внесли поправки в русскоязычную версию шкалы в рамках языковой и культурной адаптации: были изменены единицы измерения лабораторных показателей с мг/дл на ммоль/л в 7-м и 14-м пунктах (оценка гликемии и концентрации креатинина, соответственно). Изменен термин «надаортальные сосуды» на «брахиоцефальные артерии» в 10-м пункте, сопоставлены предложенные варианты повреждения мягких тканей со стадиями развития пролежней согласно NPUAP — EPUAP [18] в 21-м пункте, добавлен параметр индекс массы тела (ИМТ) для оценки выраженности недостаточности питания. В ходе пилотного тестирования с учетом критериев включения и исключения сложностей при понимании и интерпретации инструкций шкалы у исследователей не возникло. По итогам состоялось второе заседание экспертной комиссии, на котором приняли окончательный вариант русскоязычной версии шкалы. Он доступен для ознакомления на сайте группы валидациимеждународных шкал и опросников ФГБНУ НЦН https://www.neurology.ru/reabilitaciya/centr-validacii-mezhdunarodnyh-shkal-i-oprosnikov, а также по QR-коду.   Заключение. На базе ФГБНУ НЦН выполнили первый этап валидации — лингвокультурную адаптацию. Впервые представили и рекомендовали к использованию русскоязычную версию Шкалы оценки сопутствующих заболеваний у ареактивных пациентов. В последующих публикациях будут представлены результаты оценки психометрических свойств (чувствительность, валидность, надежность) русскоязычной версии данной шкалы

Comorbidities Coma Scale (CoCoS): Linguistic and Cultural Adaptation of the Russian-Language Version

Identification of complications and control of comorbidities are essential in monitoring the patients with chronic disorders of consciousness and predicting their outcomes. The researchers of the Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences of the University of L'Aquila (Italy) developed the Comorbidities Coma Scale (CoCoS) for a comprehensive assessment of such patients. Lack of an officially validated version of the scale hampers its use in Russia, while using versions which have not been completely validated prevents clinicians from obtaining reliable results when examining patients with chronic disorders of consciousness.   Aim. To develop the official Russian language version of the Comorbidities Coma Scale, considering various linguistic and cultural parameters, as a part of the 1st stage of the validation study.   Material and methods. The first stage of validation was completed: direct and reverse translation of the scale was performed by two independent medical translators. The translated version was assessed by an expert board including an expert translator, neurologists, and critical care specialists. Pilot test and two meetings of the expert board, before and after testing, were arranged to assess the results and approve the final Russian version of the scale.   Results. During the first meeting of the expert board, corrections were made in the Russian language version of the scale in terms of language and cultural adaptation. Pilot testing was carried out based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The researchers had no difficulties in understanding and interpreting the instructions for the scale. The second meeting of the expert board was held thereupon, and the final version of the Russian language version of the scale was adopted, which is available on the website of the Center for Validation of Health Status Questionnaires and Scales of the Research Center of Neurology.   Conclusion. The first stage of validation, i. e., linguistic and cultural adaptation, was carried out at the Research Center of Neurology (Moscow, Russia). For the first time, the Russian version of the scale for assessing comorbidities in patients with chronic disorders of consciousness was presented and approved for the practical use. The future publications will address the psychometric results of the scale such as sensitivity, validity, reliability

Fungal diversity notes 1512-1610: taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions on genera and species of fungal taxa

This article is the 14th in the Fungal Diversity Notes series, wherein we report 98 taxa distributed in two phyla, seven classes, 26 orders and 50 families which are described and illustrated. Taxa in this study were collected from Australia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Chile, China, Cyprus, Egypt, France, French Guiana, India, Indonesia, Italy, Laos, Mexico, Russia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. There are 59 new taxa, 39 new hosts and new geographical distributions with one new combination. The 59 new species comprise Angustimassarina kunmingense, Asterina lopi, Asterina brigadeirensis, Bartalinia bidenticola, Bartalinia caryotae, Buellia pruinocalcarea, Coltricia insularis, Colletotrichum flexuosum, Colletotrichum thasutense, Coniochaeta caraganae, Coniothyrium yuccicola, Dematipyriforma aquatic, Dematipyriforma globispora, Dematipyriforma nilotica, Distoseptispora bambusicola, Fulvifomes jawadhuvensis, Fulvifomes malaiyanurensis, Fulvifomes thiruvannamalaiensis, Fusarium purpurea, Gerronema atrovirens, Gerronema flavum, Gerronema keralense, Gerronema kuruvense, Grammothele taiwanensis, Hongkongmyces changchunensis, Hypoxylon inaequale, Kirschsteiniothelia acutisporum, Kirschsteiniothelia crustaceum, Kirschsteiniothelia extensum, Kirschsteiniothelia septemseptatum, Kirschsteiniothelia spatiosum, Lecanora immersocalcarea, Lepiota subthailandica, Lindgomyces guizhouensis, Marthe asmius pallidoaurantiacus, Marasmius tangerinus, Neovaginatispora mangiferae, Pararamichloridium aquisubtropicum, Pestalotiopsis piraubensis, Phacidium chinaum, Phaeoisaria goiasensis, Phaeoseptum thailandicum, Pleurothecium aquisubtropicum, Pseudocercospora vernoniae, Pyrenophora verruculosa, Rhachomyces cruralis, Rhachomyces hyperommae, Rhachomyces magrinii, Rhachomyces platyprosophi, Rhizomarasmius cunninghamietorum, Skeletocutis cangshanensis, Skeletocutis subchrysella, Sporisorium anadelphiae-leptocomae, Tetraploa dashaoensis, Tomentella exiguelata, Tomentella fuscoaraneosa, Tricholomopsis lechatii, Vaginatispora flavispora and Wetmoreana blastidiocalcarea. The new combination is Torula sundara. The 39 new records on hosts and geographical distribution comprise Apiospora guiyangensis, Aplosporella artocarpi, Ascochyta medicaginicola, Astrocystis bambusicola, Athelia rolfsii, Bambusicola bambusae, Bipolaris luttrellii, Botryosphaeria dothidea, Chlorophyllum squamulosum, Colletotrichum aeschynomenes, Colletotrichum pandanicola, Coprinopsis cinerea, Corylicola italica, Curvularia alcornii, Curvularia senegalensis, Diaporthe foeniculina, Diaporthe longicolla, Diaporthe phaseolorum, Diatrypella quercina, Fusarium brachygibbosum, Helicoma aquaticum, Lepiota metulispora, Lepiota pongduadensis, Lepiota subvenenata, Melanconiella meridionalis, Monotosporella erecta, Nodulosphaeria digitalis, Palmiascoma gregariascomum, Periconia byssoides, Periconia cortaderiae, Pleopunctum ellipsoideum, Psilocybe keralensis, Scedosporium apiospermum, Scedosporium dehoogii, Scedosporium marina, Spegazzinia deightonii, Torula fici, Wiesneriomyces laurinus and Xylaria venosula. All these taxa are supported by morphological and multigene phylogenetic analyses. This article allows the researchers to publish fungal collections which are important for future studies. An updated, accurate and timely report of fungus-host and fungus-geography is important. We also provide an updated list of fungal taxa published in the previous fungal diversity notes. In this list, erroneous taxa and synonyms are marked and corrected accordingly

Валидация Бостонского опросника по оценке карпального туннельного синдрома (Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire) в России

International scales and questionnaires have become widespread in Russian neurology. Validation is a procedure of top priority necessary before applying this kind of diagnostic instrument in Russian-speaking population. In this article, validation of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) intended for patients with this disease is described. Use of validated Russian version would allow to objectively evaluate severity of clinical manifestations of carpal tunnel syndrome and follow patient dynamics. We present the official BCTQ version recommended for use in Russia, as well as data that showed high sensitivity and reliability of this instrument for clinical evaluation of carpal tunnel syndrome.В отечественной неврологии широкое распространение получили международные шкалы и опросники. Валидация – приоритетная процедура, необходимая перед применением такого рода диагностических инструментов в русскоязычной популяции. В настоящей статье описана работа по валидации Бостонского опросника по оценке карпального туннельного синдрома (Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire, BCTQ), предназначенного для использования у пациентов с вышеуказанным заболеванием. Применение валидированной русскоязычной версии позволит объективно оценить выраженность клинических проявлений карпального туннельного синдрома (синдрома запястного канала) и отследить динамику состояния пациента. Представлены не только официальная версия BCTQ, рекомендованная для применения в России, но и данные, показавшие высокую чувствительность и надежность этого инструмента клинической оценки карпального туннельного синдрома