Awareness and Attitudes of Patients with Osteoporosis and Bone Density Disorders Regarding Treatment and Prevention of the Disease

Introduction Osteoporosis is a socially significant disease with a serious burden on society that, despite advances in medicine, remains late-diagnosed and difficult to treat. Its treatment is a long and challenging process and long-term commitment to therapy is hard to achieve.Aim: The purpose of this article is to study and analyse the awareness and attitudes of osteoporosis patients and those at risk about disease diagnosis, prevention and treatment.Methods and methodology: During the months of April and May 2022, an anonymous online survey was conducted among patients with osteoporosis and people with risk factors. The questionnaire for patients and persons at risk included questions about the patient’s demographic characteristics and the attitudes of the patient and a questionnaire for determining the level of adherence to therapy.Results: Patients are well aware of the risk factors for the disease and try to lead a healthy lifestyle. Adherence to therapy was found to be suboptimal in individuals diagnosed with osteoporosis and undertaking treatment. The following are the primary reasons: prominent ADRs; inconvenience when taking medication; forgetting a dose; discontinuing medications; fear of ADRs; lack of motivation. Financial problems are also highlighted, both throughout the treatment process and for prevention and diagnostics, mainly due to the lack of free tests.Conclusion: Supporting early disease detection, patient education, and compliance and adherence to therapy are critical to treatment effectiveness. It is necessary to build a system to improve the health culture of the population through the implementation of complex health prevention programs as well as screening for early diagnosis of patients with osteoporosis and people at risk

Мотив творчості як інстинкту в художньому світі Ліни Костенко

У статті розглядається лірика Ліни Костенко крізь призму мотиву творчості як інстинкту. Одним з головних образів, що втілює цей мотив, є образ саду

An Innovative Approach to Tissue Processing and Cell Sorting of Fixed Cells for Subsequent Single-Cell RNA Sequencing.

Although single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is currently the gold standard for the analysis of cell-specific expression profiles, the options for processing, staining, and preserving fresh cells remain very limited. Immediate and correct tissue processing is a critical determinant of scRNA-seq success. One major limitation is the restricted compatibility of fixation approaches, which must not destabilize or alter antibody labeling or RNA content or interfere with cell integrity. An additional limitation is the availability of expensive, high-demand cell-sorting equipment to exclude debris and dead or unwanted cells before proceeding with sample sequencing. The goal of this study was to develop a method that allows cells to be fixed and stored prior to FACS sorting for scRNA-seq without compromising the quality of the results. Finally, the challenge of preserving as many living cells as possible during tissue processing is another crucial issue addressed in this study. Our study focused on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma samples, where the number of live cells is rather limited, as in many other tumor tissues. Harsh tissue dissociation methods and sample preparation for analysis can negatively affect cell viability. Using the murine pancreatic cancer model Pan02, we evaluated the semi-automated mechanical/enzymatic digestion of solid tumors by gentleMACS Dissociator and compared it with mechanical dissociation of the same tissue. Moreover, we investigated a type of cell fixation that is successful in preserving cell RNA integrity yet compatible with FACS and subsequent scRNA-sequencing. Our protocol allows tissue to be dissociated and stained in one day and proceeds to cell sorting and scRNA-seq later, which is a great advantage for processing clinical patient material

Implementação do abc (activity-based costing) numa empresa prestação de serviços de saúde

O presente trabalho cujo título é Implementação do ABC numa empresa prestadora de serviços de Saúde, tem como finalidade a obtenção do grau de licenciatura em Contabilidade e Administração e tem como principal objectivo a implementação do método ABC numa pequena e média empresa de prestação de serviços de saúde, como um instrumento de apoio á gestão. Para a introdução da Contabilidade de Gestão na empresa, há que se escolher um método/sistema de apuramento de gastos que espelha a realidade da empresa, e de uma certa forma o ABC é o método ideal para apuramento de resultados sem distorções. O ABC (Activity-Based Cost) apura os resultados através da relação de causa-efeito, considerando que as actividades é que geram gastos e os objectos de custeio é que consomem as actividades. É aplicável tanto nas empresas industriais como nas empresas prestadoras de serviços, apesar de inicialmente ter sido concebido para as empresas industrias, isto é, para as grandes empresas devido aos avultados recursos financeiros e humanos como também pelo tempo necessário para a sua implementação. Mas o modelo matricial apresentado por Roztcki et al (1999) permite a aplicação deste método nas PME com poucos recursos financeiros e de tempo, utilizando uma folha de cálculo no Excel. Será este modelo a ser proposto e poderá ser implementado na clínica. O modelo apresentado foi testado num estudo de caso realizado numa clínica. Com a realização dos testes foi detectado algumas dificuldades e limitações, as maiores dificuldades encontradas foram a identificação das actividades e dos cost drivers, devido à complexidade do sector. A implementação foi concluída com sucesso, proporcionando informações detalhadas dos gastos dos produtos/serviços prestados em toda a clínica. This work was done as a requisite for obtaining a degree in Accounting and Administration, and is titled “The Implementation of ABC – Activity Based Cost in a company that provides health services”. Its main purpose is to analyze the implementation of ABC method in a small and medium-sized enterprise which provides health services to support decision making by the Managers. To adopt management accounting in a company, it’s necessary to choose a cost qualifying system that reflects the reality of the company and in a certain way ABC is the method which can determine the results without any distortion. ABC (Activity-Based Cost) determines the results through cause-and-effect relationship, whereas the activities generate spending while costing objects consume the activities. It’s applicable both in industrial companies as in services providers, although it was initially designed for industrial companies, that is, to large companies, due to the huge financial and human resources existent as well as by the time required for its implementation. But the matrix model presented by Roztckiet al (1999) allows application of this method in small and medium-sized enterprises with limited financial resources and time, using a spreadsheet in Excel. This model will be proposed and could be implemented in any clinic. The model was tested in a case study, undertaken in a private clinic. With the realization of the tests, some problems and limitations were detected, and the major difficulties encountered were the identification of activities and cost drivers, due to the complexity of the sector. The implementation was completed successfully, providing detailed information of the products services spending throughout the clinic

Gαi Controls the Gating of the G Protein-Activated K+ Channel, GIRK

AbstractGIRK (Kir3) channels are activated by neurotransmitters coupled to G proteins, via a direct binding of Gβγ. The role of Gα subunits in GIRK gating is elusive. Here we demonstrate that Gαi is not only a donor of Gβγ but also regulates GIRK gating. When overexpressed in Xenopus oocytes, GIRK channels show excessive basal activity and poor activation by agonist or Gβγ. Coexpression of Gαi3 or Gαi1 restores the correct gating parameters. Gαi acts neither as a pure Gβγ scavenger nor as an allosteric cofactor for Gβγ. It inhibits only the basal activity without interfering with Gβγ-induced response. Thus, GIRK is regulated, in distinct ways, by both arms of the G protein. Gαi probably acts in its GDP bound form, alone or as a part of Gαβγ heterotrimer

Mapping of multiple muscles with transcranial magnetic stimulation: Absolute and relative test-retest reliability

The spatial accuracy of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may be as small as a few millimeters. Despite such great potential, navigated TMS (nTMS) mapping is still underused for the assessment of motor plasticity, particularly in clinical settings. Here, we investigate the within‐limb somatotopy gradient as well as absolute and relative reliability of three hand muscle cortical representations (MCRs) using a comprehensive grid‐based sulcus‐informed nTMS motor mapping. We enrolled 22 young healthy male volunteers. Two nTMS mapping sessions were separated by 5–10 days. Motor evoked potentials were obtained from abductor pollicis brevis (APB), abductor digiti minimi, and extensor digitorum communis. In addition to individual MRI‐based analysis, we studied normalized MNI MCRs. For the reliability assessment, we calculated intraclass correlation and the smallest detectable change. Our results revealed a somatotopy gradient reflected by APB MCR having the most lateral location. Reliability analysis showed that the commonly used metrics of MCRs, such as areas, volumes, centers of gravity (COGs), and hotspots had a high relative and low absolute reliability for all three muscles. For within‐limb TMS somatotopy, the most common metrics such as the shifts between MCR COGs and hotspots had poor relative reliability. However, overlaps between different muscle MCRs were highly reliable. We, thus, provide novel evidence that inter‐muscle MCR interaction can be reliably traced using MCR overlaps while shifts between the COGs and hotspots of different MCRs are not suitable for this purpose. Our results have implications for the interpretation of nTMS motor mapping results in healthy subjects and patients with neurological conditions

Ocean acidification and temperature increase impact mussel shell shape and thickness: Problematic for protection?

Ocean acidification threatens organisms that produce calcium carbonate shells by potentially generating an under-saturated carbonate environment. Resultant reduced calcification and growth, and subsequent dissolution of exoskeletons, would raise concerns over the ability of the shell to provide protection for the marine organism under ocean acidification and increased temperatures. We examined the impact of combined ocean acidification and temperature increase on shell formation of the economically important edible mussel Mytilus edulis. Shell growth and thickness along with a shell thickness index and shape analysis were determined. The ability of M. edulis to produce a functional protective shell after 9 months of experimental culture under ocean acidification and increasing temperatures (380, 550, 750, 1000 μatm pCO2, and 750, 1000 μatm pCO2 + 2°C) was assessed. Mussel shells grown under ocean acidification conditions displayed significant reductions in shell aragonite thickness, shell thickness index, and changes to shell shape (750, 1000 μatm pCO2) compared to those shells grown under ambient conditions (380 μatm pCO2). Ocean acidification resulted in rounder, flatter mussel shells with thinner aragonite layers likely to be more vulnerable to fracture under changing environments and predation. The changes in shape presented here could present a compensatory mechanism to enhance protection against predators and changing environments under ocean acidification when mussels are unable to grow thicker shells. Here, we present the first assessment of mussel shell shape to determine implications for functional protection under ocean acidification. © 2015 Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Role of CT Angiography in Detection of Extracranial Carotid and Vertebral Artery Disease in Patients With Acutely Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysms

Introduction: Computed tomography (CT) and CT angiography are standard imaging modalities for suspected acute intracerebral hemorrhage due to ruptured intracranial aneurysms. In this clinical setting, several protocols of computed tomography and CT angiography may be implemented. The standard CT angiography protocol is limited to intracranial vessels. The extended protocol may also include carotid and vertebral arteries and the aortic arch.Objective: To define the CT angiography role in detection of extracranial carotid and vertebral artery disease and clinical significance of this method for patients with suspected acute intracerebral hemorrhages due to ruptured intracranial aneurysms.Materials and methods: The study included 275 neurosurgical patients with acute nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhages due to ruptured intracranial aneurysms who were treated in Scientific Research Institute – Ochapovsky Regional Clinical Hospital No. 1 (Krasnodar, Russian Federation) from September 2017 to August 2020. Computed tomography and CT angiography were performed in all patients. The scanned area included both intracranial and extracranial arteries (an arch-to-vertex angiogram) to detect extracranial carotid and vertebral artery diseases such as stenoses, occlusions, tortuosity, and hypoplasia.Results: Atherosclerosis of internal carotid and vertebral arteries was diagnosed in 95 patients (34.5% of the total number of patients included in the study). In 13 (4.7%) patients these stenoses were hemodynamically significant. We identified a high frequency of tortuous carotid and vertebral arteries (122 cases, 44.3%) and vertebral artery hypoplasia (59 cases, 21.5%). The carotid and vertebral artery stenoses and congenital anomalies of vertebral arteries (however, not of carotid arteries) were associated with a higher incidence of unfavorable outcomes after endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms.Conclusions: The optimal CT angiography protocol for acute nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhage should focus on the arteries of the head and neck (up to the aortic arch). This protocol shows higher detection rate of concomitant anomalies of carotid and vertebral arteries. These findings are important for planning and successful performance of endovascular treatment for intracranial aneurysms

Contribution of the kinetics of G protein dissociation to the characteristic modifications of N-type calcium channel activity

Direct G protein inhibition of N-type calcium channels is recognized by characteristic biophysical modifications. In this study, we quantify and simulate the importance of G protein dissociation on the phenotype of G protein-regulated whole-cell currents. Based on the observation that the voltage-dependence of the time constant of recovery from G protein inhibition is correlated with the voltage-dependence of channel opening, we depict all G protein effects by a simple kinetic scheme. All landmark modifications in calcium currents, except inhibition, can be successfully described using three simple biophysical parameters (extent of block, extent of recovery, and time constant of recovery). Modifications of these parameters by auxiliary beta subunits are at the origin of differences in N-type channel regulation by G proteins. The simulation data illustrate that channel reluctance can occur as the result of an experimental bias linked to the variable extent of G protein dissociation when peak currents are measured at various membrane potentials. To produce alterations in channel kinetics, the two most important parameters are the extents of initial block and recovery. These data emphasize the contribution of the degree and kinetics of G protein dissociation in the modification of N-type currents