Forecast of Latvian Age Structure

Using the developed mathematical model for forecasting population and age structure in Latvia, the structure of different generations in Latvia has been calculated. This model is based on generally available statistics on the population and birth rates in 1990-2018. Using these data, we have calculated coefficients that characterize the annual decline in population due to mortality and migration. Using fertility indicators in each fertile group, forecasts of births for the coming years are made, and the estimated population in Latvia is calculated. Forecasts are extrapolated to 2050. The forecast shows that in 2050 the population in Latvia will decrease to one million. Using generic population breakdown by generation, the number of people in each generation in Latvia has been calculated from 2018 onwards. On the basis of this calculation, an overview of the proportions of generations in the Latvian labor market over the years has been developed. Based on forecasts of demographic structure, it is calculated what proportion of workers in Latvia will be formed by popular age group – Millenials. It is shown that this generation’s proportion will exceed 40% of the number of employees already in 2030

COMMUNICATION MODELS AND COMMON BASIS FOR MULTICULTURAL COMMUNICATION IN LATVIA

Different models serve not only as a frame for communication, they can help to rise problems as well as discuss them. This article introduces with the four communication models starting from Aristotle’s triangle model and ending with a more contemporary one. The authors try to find out, which is the most appropriate model for intercultural communication in Latvia? The empirical data collected from two focus-groups representing different cultures in Latvia serves as a base for interpretation of current situation where communication challenges can occur as a result of interaction between people with different cultural backgrounds. The article approves the idea to elaborate the new specific model for multicultural communication, and after analysis highlights the base and components of this new model.

Long-term evaluation of the functional and esthetical outcomes for the new method of the toe-to-hand transfer for full-length thumb reconstruction in congenital thumb's hypoplasia in children

Publisher Copyright: © 2019 Dzintars Ozols et al., published by Sciendo 2019.Congenital thumb hypoplasia is a rare deformity of the upper extremity. Incidence of thumb hypoplasia type I-V was 2-3 and type IIIb-V was 0.5-1 per 20 000 newborns per year in Latvia. The classification of thumb hypoplasia was created by Blauth in 1967 (type I to V). The base of the metacarpal bone is absent for hypoplasia type IIIb-V; therefore, toe-to hand transplantation is not recommended. A stable first carpometacarpal joint has been considered a mandatory factor for successful toe-to-hand transplantation. A technique for toe-to-hand transplantation for thumb hypoplasia type IIIb-V patients has been described in literature but overall results were not better than pollicisation. The aim of this study is to describe a new technique for thumb reconstruction with a second toe transfer with metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis, which can provide a 5-digit hand and restore the functionality of the thumb for thumb hypoplasia IIIb-V. Long-term follow up was done to evaluate the functions and aesthetics of the hands. A survey to evaluate aesthetical outcome for the transplantation method and pollicisation method was completed by 290 respondents. The overall population rated the aesthetic outcomes of the new transplantation method significantly higher than for pollicisation (p < 0.0001).publishersversionPeer reviewe

Measurement of abdominal circumference in preterm infants

Publisher Copyright: © 2015 Meldere et al.Background: Body weight, length and head and thoracic circumference are routinely measured in obstetric and neonatal departments. Reference values for these measurements have been established for the neonatal population. Neonatal abdominal circumference is not routinely measured, and no reference values for this measurement have been determined. To evaluate the increase in abdominal circumference in newborns with abdominal pathology such as necrotizing enterocolitis, information about normal abdominal circumference in healthy neonates shortly after birth is needed. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between abdominal circumference and birth weight by measuring the abdominal circumference of premature neonates soon after birth. Methods: Abdominal circumference was measured within 30 min of birth in 220 neonates born between 23 and 35 weeks' gestation. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in abdominal circumference between boys and girls in the study population. A specific formula for estimating normal abdominal circumference was developed: y = 0.0053x + 14.83 (y = abdominal circumference in cm; x = body weight in g; 0.0053 = regression coefficient; 14.83 = regression constant). Conclusion: A positive linear correlation between abdominal circumference and birth weight was found in infants at birth. The correlation can be summarized as a linear regression equation. Further studies are needed to investigate possible factors associated with abdominal circumference in fed versus unfed preterm infants.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Looking for My Voice in the Rutabaga Patch: Confessions of an Organic Writer

Looking for My Voice in the Rutabaga Patch: Confessions of an Organic Writer is the Honors Project of Anna Petersons

Corneal sensitivity is required for orientation in free-flying migratory bats

The exact anatomical location for an iron particle-based magnetic sense remains enigmatic in vertebrates. For mammals, findings from a cornea anaesthesia experiment in mole rats suggest that it carries the primary sensors for magnetoreception. Yet, this has never been tested in a free-ranging mammal. Here, we investigated whether intact corneal sensation is crucial for navigation in migrating Nathusius’ bats, Pipistrellus nathusii, translocated from their migratory corridor. We found that bats treated with corneal anaesthesia in both eyes flew in random directions after translocation and release, contrasting bats with a single eye treated, and the control group, which both oriented in the seasonally appropriate direction. Using a Y-maze test, we confirmed that light detection remained unaffected by topical anaesthesia. Therefore our results suggest the cornea as a possible site of magnetoreception in bats, although other conceivable effects of the anaesthetic are also explored. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the corneal based sense is of bilateral nature but can function in a single eye if necessary

Migratory flight imposes oxidative stress in bats

Many animal species migrate over long distances, but the physiological challenges of migration are poorly understood. It has recently been suggested that increased molecular oxidative damage might be one important challenge for migratory animals. We tested the hypothesis that autumn migration imposes an oxidative challenge to bats by comparing values of 4 blood-based markers of oxidative status (oxidative damage and both enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants) between Nathusius’ bats Pipistrellus nathusii that were caught during migration flights with those measured in conspecifics after resting for 18 or 24 h. Experiments were carried out at Pape Ornithological Station in Pape (Latvia) in 2016 and 2017. Our results show that flying bats have a blood oxidative status different from that of resting bats due to higher oxidative damage and different expression of both nonenzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants (glutathione peroxidase). The differences in oxidative status markers varied between sampling years and were independent from individual body condition or sex. Our work provides evidence that migratory flight might impose acute oxidative stress to bats and that resting helps animals to recover from oxidative damage accrued en route. Our data suggest that migrating bats and birds might share similar strategies of mitigating and recovering from oxidative stress

Renal anaemia : The role of haemoglobin control in patients with chronic kidney disease

Copyright: Copyright 2011 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant and prevalent health problem in the world. Anaemia is one of the most common manifestations in patients with CKD. The correction of anaemia with erythropoietin normalises haemoglobin level and improves quality of life. Many aspects of the impact of anaemia treatment with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents on the progression of CKD remain unresolved and disputable. The present study is a retrospective chart review of 1654 outpatients with CKD. The data were collected from the Centre of Nephrology between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2006. The aims of the study were to assess the causes of CKD; the prevalence of anaemia based on the current guidelines for anaemia management in CKD (Kidney Disease Dialysis Outcomes Quality Initiative; K/DOQI); to evaluate haemoglobin (Hb), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at the first referral to a nephrologist and at the start of renal replacement therapy (RRT). The most common causes of CKD were arterial hypertension (17.2%), chronic glomerulonephritis (17.2%), chronic intersticial nephritis (13.3%), and diabetes (12.8%). Twenty-three percent of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients had diabetes mellitus. At the first visit in the renal department, 16% of the patients had an advanced degree of CKD (GFR <30 ml/min). The proportion of patients under an observation in the kidney centre for a period of six months and more was only 34% (554 of 1654). Hypertension was recorded in 72% of study subjects. The blood pressure (BP) values in patients at the first visit (n = 1633) vs. at the start of RRT (n = 154) were: mean SBP 147.4 ± 24.8 mm Hg vs. 152.2 ± 23.0 mm Hg (P < 0.05); mean DBP 88.8 ± 13.6 mm Hg vs. 88.4 ± 12.0 mm Hg (P 0.05). Anaemia was recorded in 41% of study subjects, estimated using K/DOQI recommendations. The prevalence of anaemia was increased from 30.2% to 44.8% of study patients with a rise of BP (from normal BP to hypertension; P < 0.05). The mean Hb level at the start of RRT was 9.8 ± 2.1 g/dl. Only 18% of patients with renal anaemia had used erythropoiesis-stimulating agents before RRT (28 of 155). Anaemia is the prevalent condition at moderate degrees of CKD. The severity of anaemia in the CKD population is determined by evidence of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and renal function. Anaemia may often be unrecognised or untreated.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Communication privacy management of students in Latvia

The lack of communication privacy boundaries among students and the fault of self-disclosure are two main reasons for unforeseen distress, broken relationships and trust, vulnerability and conflicts in universities. Based on S. Petronio’s theory of communication privacy management this research investigates the interaction of domestic students and foreign students in Latvia with their peers in order to set up privacy and disclosure boundaries that do not violate peer privacy, especially in a sensitive multicultural context. In fact, the presence of private information and the willingness to disclose it is often confronted with numerous privacy dilemmas and issues regarding their secureness, especially in universities where peers are young with different cultural backgrounds. This article analyzes the privacy management skills of locals and foreigners and reveals how security of information is managed between them stemming from social penetration and communication privacy management theory. Privacy management is significant in facing the dilemma of communication privacy and facilitates solving already existing problems of privacy among student

Anti-Biofilm Effect of Bacteriophages and Antibiotics against Uropathogenic Escherichia coli

Publisher Copyright: © 2022 by the authors.Escherichia coli is a common cause of biofilm-associated urinary tract infections. Bacteria inside the biofilm are more resistant to antibiotics. Six E. coli strains isolated from patients with urinary tract infections were screened for biofilm-forming capability and antimicrobial susceptibility. Two of the most significant biofilm-producing strains were selected for minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal biofilm eradication concentration in vitro testing using amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, ciprofloxacin, and three commercial bacteriophage cocktails (Pyobacteriophag, Ses, and Intesti). In case of a low phage effect, an adaptation procedure was performed. Although the biofilms formed by strain 021UR were resistant to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and ciprofloxacin, the three phage cocktails were able to reduce biofilm formation. In contrast, phages did not affect the 01206UR strain against planktonic and biofilm-forming cells. After Pyobacteriophag adaptation, the effect improved, and, regardless of the concentration, the adapted phage cocktail could destroy both planktonic cells and the biofilm of strain 01206UR. Bacteriophages capable of killing bacteria in biofilms can be used as an alternative to antibiotics. However, each case should be considered individually due to the lack of clinical trials for phage therapy. Antimicrobial and phage susceptibility should be determined in biofilm models before treatment to achieve the desired anti-biofilm effect.publishersversionPeer reviewe