Determination of Hepatitis C Virus Genotypes in Gaza Strip

Hepatitis C virus is a heterogeneous virus with 6 major genotypes and more than 50 subtypes. The present work aims to determine the commonest HCV genotypes in chronic patients ofGazastrip,Palestine. This study highlights the prognostic potential of determining the HCV genotype for patients as an integral part of their diagnostic and therapeutic regimen, and thus may be helpful in tailoring the therapy for HCV patients based on their virus genotype. If taken in conjunction with other factors important in therapy HCV genotyping will reduce the expenses of treatment when the duration of therapy is accordingly optimized, and thus allowing a larger number of patients to be considered for the therapy. Genotyping of HCV may also be useful for identifying some important origins of transmission and risk factors of the virus inGazastrip. The chronic HCV patients participating in the study were interviewed, and a questionnaire was completed and serum samples were obtained from each of them. The samples were analyzed to justify the presence of HCV RNA by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT/PCR), and the PCR products of 92 positive samples were purified and submitted for sequencing and genotype determination. ALT level was determined for each sample. The results of this study showed that genotype 1 and 4 and their subtypes 1a, 1b, 4a and 4c/d are the major common HCV genotypes in Gaza strip. Genotype 4 and its subtypes are the predominant ones. Genotype 1 and its subtypes collectively contributed to 28.3% of the cases, while genotype 4 and its subtypes collectively contributed to 64.1% of the cases. Mixed infection with the two genotypes was also seen among 7.6% of the cases. Travelling, surgery and blood transfusion in an endemic HCV area are the major roots of HCV transmission inGazastrip although other routs exist. The results also show that genotype 1 infections are more serious than genotype 4 infections and associated with significantly higher ALT levels in patients' blood. The education level, infection date and hemodialysis don’t show any significant relation to the HCV genotype and subtypes. The results of this study contribute to the identification of sources of outbreaks, risk factors and control strategy of HCV. The results will also help tailor treatment schedules as well as to monitor response to antiviral treatment

Public relations in organizations in sportsman students view: Development of management tools or healthy and friendly relations formation

The relevance of this article is the need to study the students' understanding of public relations as a means of management. The experience of countries with a developed social sphere shows that the use of public relations in the management of social work institutions can improve the social status of social services, form a positive public opinion and, as a result, ensure the social effectiveness of services provided. The purpose of the research is to analyse students' perceptions of public relations’ essence as a means of managing social services in the external environment. Research methods: as a research method, we used a questionnaire survey, which allows us to qualitatively investigate public relations in the organization through the eyes of students. Results of the research: the article considers the students' views on the means of managing social services in the external environment, reveals the role of public relations in the management of social services in the external environment in the representation of students. The novelty and originality of the research consists in the analysis of public relations as a means of management in the external environment in relation to the activities of social protection institutions in the representation of students. It is revealed that, in the view of students, public relations accumulate management tools and include: the use of various forms of communication aimed at identifying common views or interests of different groups; they contribute to the formation of partnership and friendly relations between the social service, clients and the General public; ensure the achievement of mutual understanding based on truth and full public awareness and, ultimately, form a positive public opinion and a favourable image for the social service. The essential aspects, specific features, structural and functional features and opportunities of public relations as a means of managing social services in the external environment are highlighted in the students' view. It is determined that in the views of students, the management of the social service does not have a well-thought-out concept of organizing public relations, which leads to ineffective management of the social service in the external environment and is used in social work spontaneously. Practical significance: the data obtained in this work can be used in social psychology, Economics, advertising psychology, management psychology, as well as for further theoretical development of this issue

NOXOLOGICAL APPROACH TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND HUMAN LIFE ACTIVITY SAFETY: RISKS OF MODERN DANGERS

The purpose of the article: The purpose of the article is to theoretically substantiate the noxological approach to the definition of mechanisms to counter the risks of modern hazards. Materials and methods: The key ideas of the noxological approach in the framework of this study are environmental preservation and human life-activity safety. The research is based on the methodological principles and leading ideas of environmental protection and human life-activity safety, presented in the context of social ecology, the concept of sustainable development of environmental safety, in the environmental paradigm, in the co-evolutionary paradigm of environmental ethics. Results of the research: The authors attempt to create a theoretical model of noxological approach to countering the risks of modern hazards in environmental preservation and human life-activity safety. The systematization of the basic concepts of the noxological approach as an independent scientific direction is carried out; the regularities and sources of the hazards’ emergency are established; the taxonomy of hazards is determined; the prototype of the hazard passport is justified. Applications: This research can be used for universities, teachers, and students. Novelty/Originality: In this research, the model of noxological approach to environmental protection and human life activity safety: risks of modern dangers is presented in a comprehensive and complete manner

Student Attitude to Internet Search Engines: Navigation and Optimization Problems

The article relevance. Currently, the world is rapidly undergoing the process of Informatization of all aspects of society, the development and introduction of new information technologies. This highlights the need for further reflection and research on the development of the Internet and its opening opportunities for people. The aim of the research is to study the peculiarities of the attitude of students to search and recommendation services on the Internet. Research methods: as a research method, we used a questionnaire survey as a method of collecting primary information, which allows us to identify various aspects related to the attitude of students to search and recommendation systems on the Internet. Research results: the article examines the specifics of Russian search and recommendation systems, students' attitude to these services, and their place in their lives. The novelty and originality of the research lies in the fact that for the first time the search and recommendation services of the Internet space were studied. It is shown that these services were initially developed in the sphere of culture and gradually began to spread to other spheres of people's life, which attracted e-Commerce figures. It is revealed that those students who discovered search and recommendation services a few years ago still use them to choose leisure activities. It is shown that students still identify some disadvantages of these systems: inaccurate recommendations, a large number of questions to determine preferences. There is some distrust to new Internet technologies among those who are used to relying on their intuition when choosing. It is determined that students often use search and recommendation services, since in most cases gadgets help them spend their free time, have fun: read a book, watch a movie, listen to music. It is revealed that the majority of students trust Internet services, although they are not always satisfied with the recommendations. It is shown that the level of student-user confidence in traditional advertising and marketing decreases simultaneously. It is determined that from the point of view of students, today not only printed versions of Newspapers, traditional radio, but even mass broadcast television are losing ground before the Internet as the most promising communication channel. Practical significance: the data Obtained in this work can be used in marketing research, economic Sciences, advertising psychology, as well as for further theoretical development of this issue

Adrenalectomy for solitary adrenal metastasis from colorectal cancer: A case report

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licens

The parallel development of ODD and CD symptoms from early childhood to adolescence

This study examined the developmental relations between symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD) from early childhood to adolescence. Specifically we tested, according to parent-reported problems, whether symptoms of ODD precede the development of CD symptoms, whether ODD and CD symptoms are reciprocally associated across time, or whether ODD and CD symptoms develop parallel to each other across time. Participants were a community-based sample (at time 1: N = 485, 48% boys) assessed biannually five times from age 4 to 6 until age 12-14. The findings suggested that, with control for stability effects, baseline SES, and symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ODD and CD symptoms develop parallel to each other. No gender differences were obtained. We conclude that without the initial presence of CD symptoms, ODD symptoms are not developmental precursors to CD symptoms

Reduced Bone Mass and Muscle Strength in Male 5α-Reductase Type 1 Inactivated Mice

Androgens are important regulators of bone mass but the relative importance of testosterone (T) versus dihydrotestosterone (DHT) for the activation of the androgen receptor (AR) in bone is unknown. 5α-reductase is responsible for the irreversible conversion of T to the more potent AR activator DHT. There are two well established isoenzymes of 5α-reductase (type 1 and type 2), encoded by separate genes (Srd5a1 and Srd5a2). 5α-reductase type 2 is predominantly expressed in male reproductive tissues whereas 5α-reductase type 1 is highly expressed in liver and moderately expressed in several other tissues including bone. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of 5α-reductase type 1 for bone mass using Srd5a1−/− mice. Four-month-old male Srd5a1−/− mice had reduced trabecular bone mineral density (−36%, p<0.05) and cortical bone mineral content (−15%, p<0.05) but unchanged serum androgen levels compared with wild type (WT) mice. The cortical bone dimensions were reduced in the male Srd5a1−/− mice as a result of a reduced cortical periosteal circumference compared with WT mice. T treatment increased the cortical periosteal circumference (p<0.05) in orchidectomized WT mice but not in orchidectomized Srd5a1−/− mice. Male Srd5a1−/− mice demonstrated a reduced forelimb muscle grip strength compared with WT mice (p<0.05). Female Srd5a1−/− mice had slightly increased cortical bone mass associated with elevated circulating levels of androgens. In conclusion, 5α-reductase type 1 inactivated male mice have reduced bone mass and forelimb muscle grip strength and we propose that these effects are due to lack of 5α-reductase type 1 expression in bone and muscle. In contrast, the increased cortical bone mass in female Srd5a1−/− mice, is an indirect effect mediated by elevated circulating androgen levels

Global, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 79 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks, 1990-2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015

SummaryBackground The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2015 provides an up-to-date synthesis of the evidence for risk factor exposure and the attributable burden of disease. By providing national and subnational assessments spanning the past 25 years, this study can inform debates on the importance of addressing risks in context. Methods We used the comparative risk assessment framework developed for previous iterations of the Global Burden of Disease Study to estimate attributable deaths, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and trends in exposure by age group, sex, year, and geography for 79 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks from 1990 to 2015. This study included 388 risk-outcome pairs that met World Cancer Research Fund-defined criteria for convincing or probable evidence. We extracted relative risk and exposure estimates from randomised controlled trials, cohorts, pooled cohorts, household surveys, census data, satellite data, and other sources. We used statistical models to pool data, adjust for bias, and incorporate covariates. We developed a metric that allows comparisons of exposure across risk factors—the summary exposure value. Using the counterfactual scenario of theoretical minimum risk level, we estimated the portion of deaths and DALYs that could be attributed to a given risk. We decomposed trends in attributable burden into contributions from population growth, population age structure, risk exposure, and risk-deleted cause-specific DALY rates. We characterised risk exposure in relation to a Socio-demographic Index (SDI). Findings Between 1990 and 2015, global exposure to unsafe sanitation, household air pollution, childhood underweight, childhood stunting, and smoking each decreased by more than 25%. Global exposure for several occupational risks, high body-mass index (BMI), and drug use increased by more than 25% over the same period. All risks jointly evaluated in 2015 accounted for 57·8% (95% CI 56·6–58·8) of global deaths and 41·2% (39·8–42·8) of DALYs. In 2015, the ten largest contributors to global DALYs among Level 3 risks were high systolic blood pressure (211·8 million [192·7 million to 231·1 million] global DALYs), smoking (148·6 million [134·2 million to 163·1 million]), high fasting plasma glucose (143·1 million [125·1 million to 163·5 million]), high BMI (120·1 million [83·8 million to 158·4 million]), childhood undernutrition (113·3 million [103·9 million to 123·4 million]), ambient particulate matter (103·1 million [90·8 million to 115·1 million]), high total cholesterol (88·7 million [74·6 million to 105·7 million]), household air pollution (85·6 million [66·7 million to 106·1 million]), alcohol use (85·0 million [77·2 million to 93·0 million]), and diets high in sodium (83·0 million [49·3 million to 127·5 million]). From 1990 to 2015, attributable DALYs declined for micronutrient deficiencies, childhood undernutrition, unsafe sanitation and water, and household air pollution; reductions in risk-deleted DALY rates rather than reductions in exposure drove these declines. Rising exposure contributed to notable increases in attributable DALYs from high BMI, high fasting plasma glucose, occupational carcinogens, and drug use. Environmental risks and childhood undernutrition declined steadily with SDI; low physical activity, high BMI, and high fasting plasma glucose increased with SDI. In 119 countries, metabolic risks, such as high BMI and fasting plasma glucose, contributed the most attributable DALYs in 2015. Regionally, smoking still ranked among the leading five risk factors for attributable DALYs in 109 countries; childhood underweight and unsafe sex remained primary drivers of early death and disability in much of sub-Saharan Africa. Interpretation Declines in some key environmental risks have contributed to declines in critical infectious diseases. Some risks appear to be invariant to SDI. Increasing risks, including high BMI, high fasting plasma glucose, drug use, and some occupational exposures, contribute to rising burden from some conditions, but also provide opportunities for intervention. Some highly preventable risks, such as smoking, remain major causes of attributable DALYs, even as exposure is declining. Public policy makers need to pay attention to the risks that are increasingly major contributors to global burden. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Variations on Fibrinogen-Erythrocyte Interactions during Cell Aging

Erythrocyte hyperaggregation, a cardiovascular risk factor, is considered to be caused by an increase in plasma adhesion proteins, particularly fibrinogen. We have recently reported a specific binding between fibrinogen and an erythrocyte integrin receptor with a β3 or β3-like subunit. In this study we evaluate the influence of erythrocyte aging on the fibrinogen binding. By atomic force microscopy-based force spectroscopy measurements we found that increasing erythrocyte age, there is a decrease of the binding to fibrinogen by decreasing the frequency of its occurrence but not its force. This observation is reinforced by zeta-potential and fluorescence spectroscopy measurements. We conclude that upon erythrocyte aging the number of fibrinogen molecules bound to each cell decreases significantly, due to the progressive impairment of the specific fibrinogen-erythrocyte receptor interaction. Knowing that younger erythrocytes bind more to fibrinogen, we could presume that this population is the main contributor to the cardiovascular diseases associated with increased fibrinogen content in blood, which could disturb the blood flow. Our data also show that the sialic acids exposed on the erythrocyte membrane contribute for the interaction with fibrinogen, possibly by facilitating its binding to the erythrocyte membrane receptor