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Background Non-mass enhancement (NME) is a diagnostic dilemma and highly reliant on the experience of the radiologists. Texture analysis (TA) could serve as an objective method to quantify lesion characteristics. However, it remains unclear what role TA plays in a predictive model based on routine MRI characteristics. The purpose of this study was to explore the value of TA in distinguishing between benign and malignant NME in premenopausal women. Methods Women in whom NME was histologically proven (n = 147) were enrolled (benign: 58; malignant: 89) was retrospective. Then, 102 and 45 patients were classified as the training and validation groups, respectively. Scanning sequences included Fat-suppressed T2-weighted and fat-suppressed contrast-enhanced T1-weighted which were acquired on a 1.5T MRI system. Clinical and routine MR characteristics (CRMC) were evaluated by two radiologists according to the Breast Imaging and Reporting and Data system (2013). Texture features were extracted from all post-contrast sequences in the training group. The combination model was built and then assessed in the validation group. Pearson’s chi-square test and Mann–Whitney U test were used to compare categorical variables and continuous variables, respectively. Logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve were employed to assess the diagnostic performance of CRMC, TA, and their combination model in NME diagnosis. Results The combination model showed superior diagnostic performance in differentiating between benign and malignant NME compared to that of CRMC or TA alone (AUC, 0.887 vs 0.832 vs 0.74). Moreover, compared to CRMC, the model showed high specificity (72.5% vs 80%). The results obtained in the validation group confirmed the model was promising. Conclusions With the combined use of TA and CRMC could afford an improved diagnostic performance in differentiating between benign and malignant NME.

Surface electromyography (EMG) has long since entered the routine of both clinicians and researchers, providing simple and objective quantitative assessment of the function of the muscles and peripheral nervous system. The vast majority of modern high-tech rehabilitation and assistive technologies use surface EMG as a feedback source or exoskeleton drive controller. For all years of its use, surface EMG has not become a versatile method, having encountered a number of obstacles, both in science and in clinical practice. However, the development of technologies, combined use together with other methods, and large number of studies aimed at improving the method has allowed surface EMG to become an indispensable tool in biomechanical analysis of movements and practical rehabilitation. This review describes the main advantages and disadvantages, research results, and clinical use of surface EMG.

The larynx is a fairly complex organ comprised of different muscles, cartilages, mucosal membrane, and nerves. Larynx cancer is generally the most common type of head and neck cancer. Treatment options are limited in patients with total or partial laryngectomy. Tissue-engineered organs have shown to be a promising alternative treatment for patients with laryngectomy. In this report we present an alternative and simple procedure to construct a whole pig larynx scaffold consisting of complete acellular structures of integrated muscle and cartilage. Larynges were decellularized (DC) using perfusion-agitation with detergents coupled with ultrasonication. DC larynges were then characterized to investigate the extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, residual DNA, angiogenic growth factors, and morphological and ultrastructural changes to ECM fibers. After 17 decellularization cycles, no cells were observed in all areas of the larynx as confirmed by hematoxylin and eosin and DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) staining. However, DC structures of dense thyroid and cricoid cartilage showed remnants of cells. All structures of DC larynges (epiglottis [

Modern external therapy of dermatoses is aimed at controlling the subjective symptoms, the dynamics of inflammatory manifestations, the achievement and duration of remission. The step-by-step approach to the treatment of dermatoses in children and adults is based on the adequate use of various external forms and means according to the inflammatory manifestations and localization of the inflammatory process. The article describes clinical cases of treatment of atopic dermatitis in patients aged 8 and 11, and contact allergic dermatitis in a 15-year-old adolescent using methylprednisolone aceponate cream with ceramides in its base, tacrolimus ointment and emollients. High efficacy and safety of anti-inflammatory drugs for external use have been shown. Clinical examples have proven that the combined use of topical corticosteroids and emollients contributes to a rapid reduction of skin dryness and itching, as well as the intensity of inflammation. The possibility of combining methylprednisolone aceponate cream with ceramides in the base once a day and emollients with physiological lipids increases the effectiveness of therapy and reduces the risks of side effects when using topical corticosteroids in children.

This paper reviews the structural and group compositions of three winter base diesel fuels and their influence on the low-temperature and lubricating properties of the fuels. It is shown that a high content of saturated hydrocarbons, primarily medium-molecular-mass n-alkanes, and arenes with a higher proportion of substitution worsens the low-temperature properties. A decrease in the proportion of medium-molecular-mass alkanes and even a slight increase in the content of bi- and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons degrades the lubricating properties of the fuel. The influence of the component composition of the diesel fuels on the effectiveness of anti-wear and depressor-dispersing additives was noted. A study of the compatibility of additives of different functionalities revealed that an anti-wear additive based on tallow-oil fatty acids did not affect the activity of a depressant-dispersing additive while the combined use of these additives slightly worsened the lubricating properties but did not shift this indicator beyond the established standards.

There are several approaches to modeling percutaneous diffusion of drugs and predicting its efficiency in the development of new transdermal therapeutic systems (TTS): mathematical models and synthetic and biological test systems. This work substantiates the combined use of synthetic and biological test systems at the initial stages of the transdermal therapeutic systems development using the Galavit® immunomodulator TTS as an example. Six batches of laboratory samples of TTS with different compositions of excipients in emulsions were prepared. TTS formulations were screened using the synthetic test system represented by the Strat-M membrane (Merck Millipore). On the basis of the screening results, we selected two formulations with the highest amount of the drug (30%) that passed into the receiving chamber of the Franz diffusion cell. The use of non-preserved rabbit skin revealed significant differences in this indicator for TTS of these two compositions. The mass of the drug that passed through the skin from the Galavit® TTS over 24 h of application was 58–71% for the first emulsion and 39–50% for the second. The biological test system proved to be more sensitive to the emulsion compositions. Thus, the combined use of synthetic and biological test systems makes it possible to significantly reduce the complexity and costs of preclinical studies of new TTS.

The article presents an algorithm for the combined use of energy efficiency of hydropower plant (HPP) cascades in the energy system with an independent water regime of reservoirs, and assesses the energy effect of the combined use of energy efficiency on the Volga – Kama and Angara – Yenisei HPP cascades.

Background Safety and efficacy in surgical treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are dictated by thorough understanding of angioarchitectural features, intraoperative identification of feeding vessels, and appreciation of surrounding eloquent areas. Our aim was to describe the preliminary results of combined application of color Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in a consecutive surgical series of AVM. We pointed out the tool's efficacy in distinguishing feeding from bystander vessels and in identifying pattern of venous drainage. We examined its role as an adjunct for semiquantitative evaluation of the nidus inflow. Methods We used combined CDUS and CEUS in patients surgically treated for cerebral AVMs. We adopted these techniques following a designed protocol to guide safer AVM resection as an adjunct to indocyanine green videoangiography. Intraoperative assessment by ultrasound was performed before, during, and following nidus resection. Results Four surgically treated cerebral AVMs availed of the ultrasound protocol. Postoperative conventional angiography showed complete resection of the AVMs. CDUS and CEUS proved to be valuable adjunctive tools to indocyanine green videoangiography and micro-Doppler in properly navigating and discerning vascular structures, especially vessel feeders from bystanders. The protocol allows us to identify flow direction, estimate blood velocity within the nidus, and appreciate flow modifications following temporary clipping. Ultimately, it allows us to evaluate the degree of nidus deafferentation, residual flow, restoration of venous drainage and absence of arteriovenous shunts. Conclusions The CDUS and CEUS protocol is safe and repeatable and works as real-time imaging, further supporting complete surgical resection of AVMs.

Alzheimer's dementia (AD) is the most common incurable neurodegenerative disease worldwide. Apart from memory loss, AD leads to speech disorders. Timely diagnosis is crucial to halt the progression of the disease. However, current diagnostic procedures are costly, invasive, and distressing. Early-stage AD manifests itself in speech disorders, which implies examining those. Machine Learning (ML) represents a promising instrument in this context. Nevertheless, no genuine consensus on the language characteristics to be analyzed exists. To counteract this deficit and provide topic-related researchers with a better basis for decision-making, we present, based on a literature review, favourable speech characteristics for the appliance toward AD detection via ML. Research trends to apply spontaneous speech, gained from image descriptions, as analysis basis, and points out that the combined use of acoustic, linguistic, and demographic features positively influences recognition accuracy. In total, we have identified 97 overarching acoustic, linguistic and demographic features.

Purpose To develop a method combining CT scout images with axial images to improve the localization accuracy of catheter tips in high‐dose‐rate (HDR) brachytherapy treatments. Materials and Methods CT scout images were utilized along with conventionally reconstructed axial images to aid the localization of catheter tips used during HDR treatment planning. A method was developed to take advantage of the finer image resolution of the scout images to more precisely identify the tip coordinates. The accuracies of this method were compared with the conventional method based on the axial CT images alone, for various slice thicknesses, in a computed tomography dose index (CTDI) head phantom. A clinical case which involved multiple interstitial catheters was also selected for the evaluation of this method. Locations of the catheter tips were reconstructed with the conventional CT‐based method and this newly developed method, respectively. Location coordinates obtained via both methods were quantitatively compared. Results Combination of the scout and axial CT images improved the accuracy of identification and reconstruction of catheter tips along the longitudinal direction (i.e., head‐to‐foot direction, more or less parallel to the catheter tracks), compared to relying on the axial CT images alone. The degree of improvement was dependent on CT slice thickness. For the clinical patient case, the coordinate differences of the reconstructed catheter tips were 2.6 mm ± 0.9 mm in the head‐to‐foot direction, 0.4 mm ± 0.2 mm in the left‐to‐right direction, and 0.6 mm ± 0.2 mm in the anterior‐to‐posterior direction, respectively. Conclusion Combining CT scout and axial images demonstrates the ability to provide a more accurate identification and reconstruction of the interstitial catheter tips for HDR brachytherapy treatment, especially in the longitudinal direction. The method developed in this work has the potential to be implemented clinically together with automatic segmentation in modern brachytherapy treatment planning systems, in order to improve the reconstruction accuracy of HDR catheters.

Background: The main goal of the Multi-Institutional Neo-Adjuvant Therapy MammaPrint (MINT) project was to determine the predictive power of the combination of the molecular assays MammaPrint and BluePrint (Agendia Inc., Irvine, CA) for chemosensitivity as measured by complete pathological response (pCR) in patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). MammaPrint is a 70-gene microarray-based assay that classifies each breast cancer patient as low or high risk to develop metastases within 10 years after diagnosis. The BluePrint test is an 80-gene molecular subtyping profile that discriminates between luminal, basal and HER-2 subtypes. Methods: After appropriate IRB approval, 270 female patients with histologically-proven invasive breast cancer and no distant metastases were enrolled in this study. Patients had a clinical tumor classification of T2-T4 with 0-3 positive lymph nodes. DCIS or LCIS was allowed in addition to invasive cancer at the T2 or T3 levels. At least one lesion had to be accurately measured in two dimensions utilizing mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI images to define specific size and validate pCR. Patients were required to have adequate bone marrow reserves, renal function and hepatic function, as determined by standard blood and serum measurements. Patients under 18 years of age or those with confirmed metastatic disease, inflammatory breast cancer, any serious uncontrolled intercurrent infections, or other serious uncontrolled concomitant disease were excluded. Patients with any prior chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or endocrine therapy for the treatment of breast cancer were also excluded. Tumor samples were collected via incisional or core needle biopsy and shipped to Agendia for processing of the MammaPrint and BluePrint gene panels, as well as whole human genome expression microarrays. Comparison of response rates between MammaPrint and BluePrint molecular subtypes was conducted using Pearson Chi-square test with chemo-responsiveness measured as a binary response: pCR or residual disease. Results: Of 270 patients enrolled, 56 did not have TNM or RCB staging information reported in the case report form and/or were not submitted for central pathology review. Of 214 patients evaluated by central pathology review, 68 (32%) exhibited a pCR. Patients with a high risk MammaPrint result had a higher pCR rate (37%) compared to patients with a low risk MammaPrint (0%). And patients with a HER-2 or basal molecular subtype by BluePrint had significantly higher rates of pCR (62%, 37%, respectively). Conclusion: Upfront evaluation of LABC tumors using the combination of MammaPrint and BluePrint can help in the clinico-pathologic evaluation to determine which patients are more likely to benefit from neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, ranging from expected minimal response in Luminal A to substantial responses for HER2-type and Basal-type tumors. Additional studies to evaluate the prognostic and/or predictive values of additional gene panels from the whole human genome microarrays are underway. Rate of pCR in MammaPrint and MammaPrint/BluePrint groupsGroupsResidual DiseasepCRP valueMP Risk GroupLow Risk27 (100%)0 (0%)0.0004High Risk114 (63%)67 (37%)BP subtypeBasal42 (63%)25 (37%)2 x 10-9HER220 (38%)33 (62%)Luminal A26 (100%)0 (0%)Luminal B53 (85%)9 (15%) Citation Format: Brian Longbottom, Steven C Shivers, Geza Acs, Charles E Cox. Combined use of MammaPrint and BluePrint assays to evaluate patients for response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Virtual Symposium; 2020 Dec 8-11; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS6-30.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is an enlarged prostate disease benign or a condition when the cells are present the prostate gland has an increased proliferation rate. There are several treatment options, including conservative (watchful waiting), medical, and surgery. Antibiotics in BPH cases can be prophylactic antibiotics or empiric antibiotics. This study was an observational study. The samples were BPH patients who received antibiotics for period January - November 2019. The pattern of prophylactic antibiotic use shows that most of the patients received ceftriaxone therapy. Operation on BPH patients is TURP which is an operation classified into surgery with a clean-contaminated category so that prophylactic antibiotics are required. There are two patterns of use for empiric antibiotics in BPH patients: single (88%) and combination (12%). The pattern of single or combined use is given to patients depending on the complications of the disease and the patient's clinical condition. BPH cases occur in men mostly occurs at the age of 60-74 years. Prophylactic antibiotic therapy in BPH patients, namely ceftriaxone 1 gr IV once daily was 48 patients (90.6%), a broad spectrum. Meanwhile, the most use of empirical antibiotics with a single pattern is Ceftriaxone 1 gr IV twice daily (35.6%).

Objectives Proper management of the inflammatory process in Crohn's disease (CD) results in lower rates of complications. The objective of this study was to investigate the performance of isolated and combined use of fecal calprotectin (FC) and serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) as markers of inflammatory activity in CD and the possibility of their use as a therapeutic target. Patients and methods Patients with CD and indication for colonoscopy were prospectively enrolled in the study and allocated according to the presence or absence of endoscopic inflammatory activity. The correlation between FC and CRP levels and the Simplified Endoscopic Score of Crohn's Disease (SES-CD) was performed, and the accuracy of these markers was evaluated for the diagnosis of inflammatory activity, when used alone or in series. Results Eighty colonoscopies were performed in patients with CD. The FC cut-off value of 155 μg/g showed high sensitivity (96%) and accuracy (78%) for the diagnosis of endoscopic activity. For CRP, the value of 6.7 mg/L demonstrated sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 67%. The sequential usage of these markers (FC + CRP) showed greater specificity (82%) when compared to the use of these markers alone. Depending on the probability of inflammatory activity, different scenarios were used to evaluate the performance of these markers and an algorithm is proposed. Discussion Combined analysis of FC and CRP, when performed consecutively, allows decisions to be made with a high degree of certainty and even eliminates the need for colonoscopy in many situations.

Low temperature plasma (LTP) technology has shown an outstanding application value in the pharmaceutical filed in recent ten years. This paper reviews the research advances in LTP, including its effects on enhancing or inhibiting drug activity, its combined use with drugs to treat cancers, its effects on the improvement of drug delivery system, its use in preparation of new inactivated virus vaccines, its use with mass spectrometry for rapid detection of drug quality, and the anti-tumor and sterilization effects of plasma-activated liquids. The paper also analyzes the challenges of LTP in the pharmaceutical filed, hoping to promote related research., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • Low temperature plasma is a young subject. It shows infinite possibilities in many fields. • Paper introduces the research advances on low temperature plasma in pharmaceutical field for the first time. • Paper summarizes the difficulties in the application of low temperature plasma in pharmacy.

A 4-year trial was established in Oct. 2016 in western Oregon to evaluate the effects of various in-row mulch treatments on yield, fruit quality, and costs of installation and maintenance during establishment of northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L. ‘Duke’). The treatments included douglas fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco] sawdust, black weed mat (woven polypropylene groundcover), green weed mat, and sawdust covered with black or green weed mat. Fruit were harvested during 2018–20 (second through fourth growing seasons). Weed mat color had no effect on yield or fruit quality. In 2018, yield was higher with black weed mat over sawdust mulch than with black weed mat alone, whereas mulch had no effects during 2019 and 2020, or on cumulative yield. Percent total soluble solids in the berries was highest with sawdust and weed mat alone compared with weed mat over sawdust mulches, whereas berry weight, diameter, and firmness were unaffected by mulch. Sawdust was the most expensive mulch over the lifespan of the planting because it required replenishment after 2 years. Black weed mat over sawdust resulted in the highest net profit when fruit sales and cost of materials and labor were considered.

The article presents the results of the clinical use of Roncoleukin® (recombinant interleukin-2) and Viferon® (interferon alfa-2b) in the complex treatment of more than 300 patients with COVID-19 in outpatient and inpatient conditions from May to December 2020 in various regions of Russia and abroad. The obtained results indicate a dramatic improvement in the condition of patients with the inclusion of Roncoleukin® and Viferon® in the COVID-19 treatment regimen, which made it possible to achieve patient recovery in all cases and avoid death among patients with severe COVID-19. The article justifies the necessity of compulsory use of interleukin-2 and interferon alpha-2b in the treatment regimen of COVID-19 patients as the factors determining the timely activation of specific immune responses that block the growth of nonspecific immune reactions leading to the generalization of infectious and inflammatory processes (“cytokine storm”), decompensation of chronic diseases and death. The need to normalize the psychoemotional state as an important pathogenetically significant factor that has a considerable impact on both the course of coronavirus disease and its outcome is demonstrated.

Aim. To develop lozenges with probiotic components for the treatment and prevention of ENT diseases and analyze their effectiveness.Materials and methods. The study objects were lozenges based on xylitol and sorbitol of two compositions – based on live probiotic cultures and their metabolites. The following methods of control of the sample efficiency werechosen: determination of the number of viable lactobacilli in the study of their combined use with the drug components and the number of viable bacteria in finished oral probiotics by the Koch method (direct seeding on cups), as well as the method of diffusion into agar with the growth inhibition zone determination.Results and discussion. The studies of the properties of probiotic strains of L. fermentum 90-TC and L plantarum 8P-A3 have shown the prospects for their use in oral probiotics. It has been also proposed to use metabolitesof these strains as active components, which have a rather high antimicrobial potential to opportunistic pathogens that cause infectious ENT diseases. The oral probiotics in the form of lozenges of two compositions – based on live lactobacilli and their metabolites – have shown high efficiency, bacterial survival and antimicrobial properties, respectively.Conclusions. During the complex of the theoretical, technological and biotechnological studies, lozenges with a probiotic of two compositions (based on viable probiotic cultures and their metabolites) have been developed. After further research they can be recommended as a biologically active additive to support the oral microflora, stimulate the own immunity and as a therapeutic and prophylactic agent in infectious diseases of the oral cavity for use in both adults and children.

Taking into account the literature data on the significance of the mucous membranes in providing an immune filter, and cervical mucus in providing an immune response due to the high content of the main mediators of the development of a local inflammatory response, i.e. anti-inflammatory cytokines, which play a major role in the regulation of the immune response and the formation of local antiviral and antitumor immunity, we studied the cytokine profile in patients with HPV-associated cervicitis and the effect of the combined use of polarized light and an immunomodulator on their content, depending on the viral load. The purpose of the work is to study the effect of the combined exposure to blue monochromatic polarized incoherent light and polychromatic visible and infrared polarized light in combination with Imiquimod 5% cream for external use on the state of the cytokine profile in the cervical mucus in patients with HPV-associated cervicitis. Material and methods. The study included 60 patients with an HPV-associated cervicitis with the history of at least 1 year, aged 20 to 35 years, who were randomly divided into three groups: the main group of 20 patients who underwent course exposure to blue monochromatic polarized incoherent light on the projection of the carotid arteries and polychromatic visible and infrared polarized light on the cervix in combination with Imiquimod 5% cream for external use (complex 1); a comparison group of 20 patients who underwent the exposure to polychromatic visible and infrared polarized light on the cervix in combination with the topical cream, Imiquimod 5% (complex 2); a control group of 20 patients who underwent a course of local effects on the cervix with the cream Imiquimod 5% and 20 healthy women of similar age, whose the survey data were taken as a norm. To assess the cytokine state in patients with HPV-associated cervicitis, the levels of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-10, IFNa, IFNy, and TNFa in the cervical mucus were studied before and after the course of treatment by the enzyme immunoassay method. The results of the research and the discussion. Prior to the treatment, certain differences were found depending on the viral load. In patients with a low viral load, interferon levels of IFNα and IFNγ were increased by 55% (p < 0.05) and 93%, respectively (p < 0.01), compared with those of healthy women, with a significant decrease in the content of IL-10 — by 85% (p < 0.01), IL-2 — by 53% (p < 0.05) and TNFα — by 56% (p < 0.05), the content of IL-1β was increased only by 8% (p > 0.05). When analyzing cytokine levels in patients with an increased viral load, IFNα was increased by 48% (p < 0.05) and IFNγ — by 62% (p < 0.05), as well as IL-1β — by 59% (p < 0.05), and TNFα — by 37% (p < 0.05), compared to healthy women, with a significant decrease in IL-10 and IL-2 — by 53% and 56%, respectively (p < 0.05). The increase in the concentration of TNFα and IFNγ with an increased viral load was slightly lower. In patients with a significant viral load, interferons IFNα and IFNγ were increased by 35% and 40%, accordingly (p < 0.05), IL-1β — by 17.9% (p < 0.05) and IL-10 — by 14.1% against the background of a slight decrease in the content of TNFα — by 14.5% (p >0.05) and a highly significant 2.26-fold decrease in IL-2 — (p < 0.05), which play an important role in the regulation of the Th1 immune response. After the treatment, in patients of the main group (complex 1) and a comparison group (complex 2) with no significant differences, the positive dynamics was observed, manifested in lowering the initially increased concentrations of TNFα and IFNγ, IL-1β and IL-10 approaching the level of healthy individuals; in the control group, the decrease of the initially increased IL-2 and TNFα was noted, and, although there was a positive dynamics of all the studied indicators, it was less pronounced. Conclusion. The obtained data indicate a pronounced immunocorrective effect of the combined use of blue monochromatic polarized incoherent light on the projection of the carotid arteries and polychromatic visible and infrared polarized light on the cervix in combination with Imiquimod 5% cream for external use in patients with chronic cervicitis associated with papillomavirus infection, which is confirmed by an improvement in the cytokine profile.

Hurdles that have a positive effect by inhibiting microorganisms may have a negative one on other parameters such as nutritional properties or sensory quality, depending on their intensity. In order to lower the preservative level, the hurdle technology concept has been developed, consisting in using combined hurdles to establish an additive antimicrobial effect, and even sometimes a synergetic one, thus improving the safety and the sensory quality of food. The antibacterial and anti-oxidant potential of copper oxide nano particles coupled with vitamin-E (CuONPs+VE) was investigated by applying the novel hurdle factors against seafood pathogens and by studying the cell viability using MTT assays. The hurdle method is proposed to explain the significance of combined use of different preservation factors as synergistic effects instead of using a large-intensity preservation factor. Effect of CuONPs+VE and chilling temperatures (-18°C and +4°C); and Effect of CuONPs+VE and brine salts at various concentrations (5%, 10%,) were evaluated. CuONPs+VE with different chilling temperatures and brine salt concentration showed significant results on compared to control temperatures. Thus CuONPs+VE due to their bacteriostatic activity can be efficiently used in hurdle technology which reduces the food spoiling organisms. Thus CuONPs+VE in combined with hurdle technology can be used as alternatives for chemical preservatives in preservation techniques.

The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of autogenous dentin graft and mixture of autogenous dentin graft and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) applied to the tooth extraction sockets on bone healing process. A total of 57 extraction sockets in 9 patients who were planned to be treated with dental implant after tooth extraction were evaluated in this study. Extraction sockets were divided randomly into 3 groups for each patient. In the first group, sockets were filled with autogenous dentin graft (Group D). In the second group, sockets were filled with the mixture of PRF and autogenous dentin graft (Group DP). In the third group, sockets were left empty as the control group (Group C). After 3 months, histological and immunohistochemical evaluations were performed on the samples taken during the implant surgery. Additionally, samples obtained from each group were examined by scanning electron microscopy. According to the histopathological findings, when the groups were compared in terms of new bone formation there was a significant difference between Group DP, both Group C, and Group D (P = 0.00), (P = 0.001). These findings supported by immunohistochemical results that showing increased bone morphogenetic protein-2 and Runt-related transcription factor-2 expression in Group DP. It has been concluded that undemineralized autogenous dentin graft has bone formation capacity on early period of bone healing. It can be used as bone graft material in augmentation procedures and its combined use with PRF accelerates new bone formation.

The crooked nose is still a challenging deformity for rhinoplasty surgeons although a significant number of correction methods have previously been described. The aim of this study is to present a new technique that the authors have used to correct the crooked nose in selected patients. This retrospective study was carried out on 53 patients who underwent open technique rhinoplasty due to crooked nose. Pictures were taken from five different angles using digital cameras and recorded pre- and postoperatively. Patients who have a minimum follow-up period of 12 months are included in the study. Fifty-three patients who have I-shaped and C-shaped crooked nose were enrolled in this study. The mean ages were 27.4 years. The mean follow-up period of the patients was 19.1 months. Patients who have I-shaped and C-shaped crooked nose deviation angle values were calculated preoperatively as 7.1 ± 2.1 and 163.4 ± 3.6, respectively. Postoperatively, deviation angle values were 0.75 ± 0.83 and 177.9 ± 3.1. Postoperative deviation angles were significantly lower than preoperative angles on patients who have I-shaped crooked noses (p

Introduction: The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) lacks reliable blood tests for evaluating the nutrition status. We retrospectively compared the GLIM criteria, Controlling Nutrition Status (CONUT) score, and Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) to establish effective malnutrition screening and provide appropriate nutritional interventions according to severity. Methods: We classified 177 patients into 3 malnutrition categories (normal/mild, moderate, and severe) according to the GLIM criteria, CONUT score, and SGA. We investigated the malnutrition prevalence, concordance of malnutrition severity, predictability of clinical outcome, concordance by etiology, and clinical outcome by inflammation. Results: The highest prevalence of malnutrition was found using the GLIM criteria (87.6%). Concordance of malnutrition severity was low between the GLIM criteria and CONUT score. Concordance by etiology was low in all groups but was the highest in the “acute disease” group. The area under the curve of clinical outcome and that of the “with inflammation group” were significantly higher when using the CONUT score versus using the other tools (0.679 and 0.683, respectively). Conclusion: The GLIM criteria have high sensitivity, while the CONUT score can effectively predict the clinical outcome of malnutrition. Their combined use can efficiently screen for malnutrition and patient severity in acute care hospitals.

This article highlights some recent advances in the electronic and geometric structures of single-atom and nanocluster catalysts, which play an inevitably important role in modern catalysis. The combined use of modern characterisation techniques enables surface, solid-state and coordination chemists to develop more extensive, more cohesive and more appropriate frameworks to rationalise the structure–reactivity functions of these atomically dispersed entities, which further provides the necessary details for the identification of chemical trends and benchmark quantum sciences. We also offer an outlook on the challenges and opportunities of this research area.

This article presents the methodology involving the combined use of machine learning elements and a physically meaningful filtration model. The authors propose using a network of radial basis functions for solving the problem of restoring hydraulic conductivity in the interwell space for an oil field. The advantage of the proposed approach in comparison with classical interpolation methods as applied to the problems of reconstructing the filtration-capacitive properties of the interwell space is shown. The paper considers an algorithm for the interaction of machine learning methods, a filtration model, a mechanism for separating input data, a form of a general objective function, which includes physical and expert constraints. The research was carried out on the example of a symmetrical element of an oil field. The proposed procedure for finding a solution includes solving a direct and an adjoint problem.

Studies were conducted on two groups of calves during the growing period from 1 to 6 months in conditions of unfavorable respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases. Calves of the experimental group with a diet were given dihydroquercetin and arabinogalactan at a dose of 1 and 75 mg/ kg of live weight / day, respectively. DHQ and AG, in accordance with their biological properties, provided a high level of antioxidant protection, the formation of microbiocenosis and intestinal immunity, correction and control of mineral homeostasis in the body of calves. As a result, there was a normalization and increase in the intensity of protein, nitrogen, lipid, carbohydrate, energy and mineral metabolism, improved the functional state of the liver and increased pathogenetic resistance, which generally had a positive effect on the formation of productive health, viability and resistance of the body to the action of biotic and abiotic environmental factors, safety and average daily growth of calves.

The paper presents an experiment on uniaxial cyclic stretching with increasing amplitude of a filled elastomeric material. Such materials have complex mechanisms of mechanical behavior, in addition to elasticity, there are viscoelasticity and the Mullins softening effect. According to the experimental data, a mathematical model of a viscoelastic material with a softening effect is constructed in the ANSYS software package. It is shown that the combined use of the Ogden hyperelastic model, the Ogden–Roxburgh softening model, and the Prony viscoelastic model in the ANSYS software package accurately describes the mechanical behavior of the material for a multiplicity of elongation 2.

We report a case of successful tracheal intubation with the combined use of a videolaryngoscope and flexible bronchoscope in a patient with difficult airway when both techniques had individually failed. A 35‐year‐old man presented with airway obstruction due to massive neck swelling causing hypoxia, stridor and respiratory distress. He had a history of oral cancer which had been resected with bilateral neck dissection and free flap reconstruction 2 months previously. Due to extensive anterior neck swelling, we judged that front‐of‐neck airway would not be a suitable approach. After unsuccessful attempts at awake tracheal intubation with videolaryngoscopy and flexible bronchoscopy separately, we combined both techniques with a successful outcome. By using a combined technique to address the specific problems presented by this case, a life‐threatening emergency was resolved. This case highlights why it is useful for anaesthetists to be familiar with multiple techniques to awake tracheal intubation, both individually and in combination.

The processes of current flow and reaction initiation in a mixture of Ti–Cu spherical particles were studied in model experiments and in real conditions of SPS processing. Our results allow us to conclude that the local overheating during SPS-consolidation of powder materials is caused by the formation of some preferable current pathways within which current density is markedly greater than within the adjacent areas. This leads to the breakdown of thin dielectric layers (oxide films, vacuum nanogaps) at particle-to-particle contacts, the conductivity of this route sharply grows, and the constituent particles become overheated selectively. In turn, local overheating gives start to SHS reaction and formation of reacted areas in the sample bulk. Our results may turn useful to those engaged in the optimization of process charts and process conditions for SPS-consolidation of materials.

The article developed a method for identifying users on the network based on browser fingerprints using machine learning methods. The resulting method is a modification of the user identification method based on a digital footprint, which can be more efficient due to two components. First, the selection of attributes for a digital footprint is made from a limited set of attributes to form a user browser fingerprint. Secondly, the identification accuracy can be increased through the combined use of classification methods and the probabilistic-statistical approach. To check the successful operation of the method, a computational experiment is carried out on real data, which consists in solving the problem of classifying a user based on his browser fingerprint using the K nearest neighbors method.

Introduction: In recent years, health care expenditures have significantly risen across the world and in Turkey. Because of the limited resources allocated to health, it is very important for countries to conduct studies especially on cost of diseases such as colorectal cancer (CRC) with a high burden of disease and labor loss. The aim of this study was to calculate the cost of treatment for colon and rectal cancers based on two different cost approaches from the perspective of SSI (top-down and bottom-up) and to compare the results obtained. Materials and Methods: Data were obtained from the SSI MEDULA System a total of 62,970 colon and rectal cancer patient for the top-down cost approach. In the bottom-up cost approach, treatment costs were determined based on the expert opinions. Results: The average cost of treatment per patient for colon cancer was determined as 3055.5 TL, for rectal cancer was determined as 4146.2 TL with the top-down cost approach. The average cost of treatment per patient for colon cancer was determined as 14,920.4 TL, for rectal cancer was determined as 17,904.6 TL according to the bottom-up cost approach. Conclusion: Since the bottom-up cost approach provides more detailed information on the cost of illness, and thereby on the use of resources allocated to health, it is thought that the combined use of these two cost approaches completes each other’s weaknesses.

A series of (E)-α-silyl-β-alkoxyvinyl-λ3-iodanes was synthesized from iodosylbenzene, BF3–ether complexes, and terminal ethynylsilanes. The combined use of BF3–OiPr2 and benzyl ethers of primary alcohols (ROBn) allows the chemoselective transfer of primary alkoxy groups (RO) onto the β-position of the terminal ethynylsilanes.

Nature's material systems during evolution have developed the ability to respond and adapt to environmental stimuli through the generation of complex structures capable of varying their functions across direction, distances and time. 3D printing technologies can recapitulate structural motifs present in natural materials, and efforts are currently being made on the technological side to improve printing resolution, shape fidelity, and printing speed. However, an intrinsic limitation of this technology is that printed objects are static and thus inadequate to dynamically reshape when subjected to external stimuli. In recent years, this issue has been addressed with the design and precise deployment of smart materials that can undergo a programmed morphing in response to a stimulus. The term 4D printing was coined to indicate the combined use of additive manufacturing, smart materials, and careful design of appropriate geometries. In this review, we report the recent progress in the design and development of smart materials that are actuated by different stimuli and their exploitation within additive manufacturing to produce biomimetic structures with important repercussions in different but interrelated biomedical areas.

We examined an inpatient patient who was admitted to the Otorhinolaryngology Department of the ASMI clinics with complaints of involuntary movements in the form of grunting, during the day, ceasing at night during sleep. With the appointment of topiromat preparations (topepsil 100 mg / day), in addition to the taken tiapride (tiaprosan at a dosage of 200 mg / day), a decrease and disappearance of vocal tics was noted in several days. The described features inherent in vocal tics allow us to conclude that the combined use of anticonvulsants and tiapriides is effective in treating patients with extensive use of the frontostriatal systems.

Bacterial biofilms can enhance bacteria’s viability by providing resistance against antibiotics and conventional disinfectants. The existence of biofilm is a serious threat to human health, causing incalculable loss. Therefore, new strategies to deal with bacterial biofilms are needed. Bacteriophages are unique due to their activity on bacteria and do not pose a threat to humans. Consequently, they are considered safe alternatives to drugs for the treatment of bacterial diseases. They can effectively obliterate bacterial biofilms and have great potential in medical treatment, the food industry, and pollution control. There are intricate mechanisms of interaction between phages and biofilms. Biofilms may prevent the invasion of phages, and phages can kill bacteria for biofilm control purposes or influence the formation of biofilms. At present, there are various measures for the prevention and control of biofilms through phages, including the combined use of drugs and the application of phage cocktails. This article mainly reviews the function and formation process of bacterial biofilms, summarizes the different mechanisms between phages and biofilms, briefly explains the phage usage for the control of bacterial biofilms, and promotes phage application maintenance human health and the protection of the natural environment.

Modification of the composition and structure of heavy concrete with the use of a complex chemical-mineral additive consisting of fly ash from thermal power plants, a superplasticizer, a high-valence hardening accelerator AC and a fine-dispersed clinker component is considered. Modified concrete is characterized by an increase in compressive strength at a brand age by 67%, a decrease in the water content of a concrete mixture by 13.6% and an improvement in its workability by 11-12 cm. With the combined use of a superplasticizer and a high-valence hardening accelerator AC a significant synergistic effect is observed in the format of enhancing their plasticizing effect. The high efficiency of the application of the mixed-dispersed clinker component has been established.

The effect of the combined use of homobiotics and probiotics with fluorinated quinolones on the change in the parameters of protein metabolism in geese is considered. Under the influence of schemes of use, including Vetom 13.1, Baytril and Vetom 1, there is no visible increase in the concentration of protein in the blood serum. When using a higher dosage of homobiotic at the beginning of the experiment, a decrease in this indicator is observed. When Baytril is withdrawn from this scheme and the homobiotic is replaced with a probiotic, the protein concentration in the blood serum does not decrease. During the research it was found that Baytril suppresses the protein-synthesizing potential of probionts Vetom 13.1 and Vetom 1. In geese of all experimental groups an increase in the concentration of albumin in the blood serum occurs. The most visible change was recorded when Vetom 13.1 was used together at a dosage of 50 mg / kg with Baytril and Vetom 1 at a similar dose. Regardless of the use of Baytril, the combination of Vetom 15.1 and Vetom 1.2 leads to an increase in the concentration of urea in the blood serum of geese, and Vetom 15.1 without other preparations increases this indicator only with cyclic use. The study of the schemes of using Vetom 13.1 shows that the concentration of urea is highly variable in its various combinations with other drugs. We found individual differences in the effect of Vetom 13.1 on the geese organism.

AIM to determine the efficiency of different doses of erythropoietin and carbamylated darbepoetin, to prove experimentally the possibility of increasing the efficiency of carbamylated darbepoetin when using the levorotatory stereoisomer of ethoxidol. MATERIALS AND METHODS On the model of ischemia-reperfusion injury in male CD-1 mice that were undergone to contralateral nephrectomy, the nephroprotective effect of different doses of erythropoietin alfa, carbamylated darbepoetin, L-ethoxidol (the levorotatory enantiomer of ethylmethylhydroxypyridine malate), and the combined use of L-ethapylated carboxypyridine malate and L-etapoietin alfa was studied. The parameters of microcirculation and glomerular filtration rate were studied one day after 30-minute ischemia. RESULTS It has been established that the prophylactic use of erythropoietin alfa and carbamylated darbepoetin in the model of ischemia-reperfusion injury of a single kidney reduces the severity of microcirculatory impairment and ensures the preservation of the glomerular filtration rate in dose-dependent manner. The synergistic effect of L-ethoxidol and carbamylated darbepoetin was found when these substances were used together. CONCLUSION Prevention of ischemia-reperfusion kidney injury by analogs of human erythropoietin and their combination with ethylmethylhydroxypyridine derivatives is experimentally-proved.

Material and methods. 73 patients with different subtypes of rosacea were under observation on an outpatient basis. To study the effectiveness of the combined method of treatment, all patients, depending on the therapy used by the method of simple randomization, were divided into 2 groups, within the groups into 3 subgroups, depending on the subtype of rosacea. Patients of the 1st group received monotherapy with isotretinoin at a dose of 8 mg per day in a daily regimen for three months, then in a regimen every other day for another 3 months. Patients in group 2 received combined therapy with isotretinoin in combination with phototherapy with broadband incoherent light (wavelength 440–950 nm) once every two weeks, a course of 4–6 procedures. Patients of all groups used specialized dermatological cosmetics throughout the study period.Research results. The developed combined method, regardless of the subtype of rosacea, is more effective than monotherapy with isotretinoin: with ETPR, the total DISHS index decreased by 91.2%; with PPPR by 89.6%; with a combination of subtypes by 93.8% versus 41.6%, 53.4% and 54.0% in group 1, respectively.Conclusion. The developed combined method contributes to a more pronounced improvement in the quality of life compared to monotherapy: the DIKI index in group 2 with ETPR decreased by 70.5%, with PPPD by 88.5%, with a combination of subtypes by 95.0%, while in 1 group by 36.3%, 72.4% and 73.8%, respectively.

Scars can adversely affect the physical, mental and social well-being of the patient. Scar treatment is one of the most difficult and urgent tasks of aesthetic medicine. Due to the individual characteristics of the organism of each patient, it is rather difficult to choose a suitable adequate treatment method and predict the duration of therapy. Common methods for eliminating cicatricial deformities of the skin include external agents, chemical peels, mechanical resurfacing, laser resurfacing, injection techniques, physiotherapy methods, and surgical excision. Unfortunately, the frequency of relapses after monotherapy by any of the listed methods can reach 100%, therefore, the search for combined treatment methods is an urgent and priority direction. Cicatricial deformities lead to a change in the structures of the dermis and hypodermis, which significantly reduces the penetration of topical drugs, therefore, phoresis methods can be used to achieve a greater therapeutic effect. The mechanism of action of phoresis methods is based not only on the local effect of the physical factor and the drug itself, but also on the body’s response to the physiological effect through the mechanisms of neuroreflex and humoral regulation. This method of drug delivery avoids the side effects arising from the systemic use of the same drug. The disadvantages of this method in mono-application are insufficiently high efficiency and duration of the course. Phoresis methods can reduce the frequency of relapses in the treatment of cicatricial deformities of the skin in combination with existing methods. The review presents the main types of phoresis used in the treatment of various scars, as well as examples of the combined use of phoresis methods with other treatment options.

The review considers the possibility of using modern nanotechnological developments aimed to achieve alternative cryobiological goals. On the one hand, the use of nanomaterials will increase the functional value of thawed cells due to such unique characteristics of nanoparticles as size, shape, surface charge, chemical composition, etc. Nanomaterials can be used as nanocontainers for impermeable cryoprotective agents (CPAs) and cause significant changes in crystal formation, thermal conductivity and other properties of cells, tissues and organs, that increases the efficiency of their cryopreservation. On the other hand, the combined use of nanomaterials and low-temperature freezing factors is considered a promising method of destruction of pathologically altered cells and tissues, as it minimizes the risk of recurrence of oncopathology after insufficient freezing-out of the tumor site. Probl Cryobiol Cryomed 2020; 30(4): 313–330

An experiment was conducted in the rainfed Inceptisols of Rakhdhiansar in Kandi areas of Western Himalayas of South Kashmir and Kumaon, India for four years to assess the influence of combined use of tillage and nutrient management treatments on soil quality under maize based cropping system. The experiment was initiated in a split plot design with three main and three sub-treatments using maize (Kanchan-510) as the test crop. The main experimental treatments were: T1: Conventional Tillage (CT) +Two Intercultures (Two IC), T2: Low Tillage (LT) +Two Intercultures (Two IC) and T3: Low Tillage (LT) + Weedicide + One Interculture (One IC). The three sub treatments were, T1: 100% N through organic sources (compost), T2: 50% N through organic sources + 50% N through inorganic sources and T3: 100% N through inorganic sources. The results of the present study clearly revealed that the tillage treatments did not significantly influence most of the soil quality parameters except available S, microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and Mean weight Diameter of Soil Aggregates (MWD). When averaged over nutrient levels, among the tillage practices, conventional tillage + Two IC recorded the highest available S of 20.87 kg ha-1. However, sub-sub treatments viz nutrient management significantly influenced the organic carbon (OC), available N, P S and boron, dehyrogenase assay (DHA), labile carbon (LC), bulk density (BD) and MWD. When averaged over tillage levels, the application of nutrients through inorganic sources recorded significantly highest available N (160.50 kg ha-1), P (30.67 kg ha-1) and K (207.87 kg ha-1 in soil. Finally, in terms of Relative Soil Quality Indices (RSQI), Low tillage + Two IC (0.87) and Low tillage + Weedicide + One IC (0.89) proved superior compared to Conventional Tillage + 2 IC (0.82). Similarly, when averaged over tillage levels, the order of performance of nutrient management treatments was:100% N through organic sources (0.93) > 50% N through organic sources + 50 % N through inorganic sources (0.84) > 100% N through inorganic sources (0.82). Though the interactions between tillage levels and nutrient management were not significant, but the combination of Low tillage practices with 100 % organic Source of nutrients was quite superior in maintaining relatively higher RSQI. Thus, the results of the present study and methodology used will be highly useful to different stake holders associated withland and soil quality management

Background. Due to the fact that it is not always possible to reproduce all known manifestations of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism disorders, for example, in rodents, it is necessary to verify individual pathogenetic links in animals when modeling the metabolic syndrome in order to select the most optimal natural biotropic factors for studying the effect on them. Aims: To analyze metabolic disorders in the modeling of metabolic syndrome of alimentary genesis in comparison with the combined effect of alimentary factor and chemical agents to select the most appropriate model in the study of natural and weak preformed physical factors. Materials and methods. Metabolic syndrome was modeled in 47 sexually mature outbred white male rats using a hypercaloric diet (HD) of various duration and medications. The first series was the 1st control group (CG1) and the 1st experimental group (EG1). They received HD during 180 days, they were withdrawn from the experiment 30 days after the cancellation of HD. The second series was the 2nd control group (CG2) and three experimental groups. They received HD for 60 days, where the 2nd group (EG2) in association with HD received Mercazolil (10 mg/kg of animal weight) intragastrically for 14 days starting from the 21st day; the 3rd group (EG3) had the same scheme of treatment as in EG2, besides, after taking Mercazolil, they were intramuscularly injected with Nitox 200 at 25 mg/kg once per day during 5 days. Animals of EG2 and EG3 were withdrawn from the experiment 60 days after ending of HD. Animals of the 4th experimental group (EG4) got HD and the same medicine as in EG3. They left the experiment 30 days after ending HD. The content of hormones and biochemical parameters of protein, fat, and carbohydrate in peripheral blood was evaluated using multiple inter-group comparisons and intra-group relationships by Spearmans rank correlation method. Results. There have been detected a large number of biochemical signs of dependence of metabolism regulation on leptin level after long-term HD (180 days), while there were fewer biochemical signs of protein exchange disorder less than with the combined use of HD (60 days) and drugs. Conclusion. It is more appropriate and promising to use a long-term HD as a model of MS close to the natural conditions of its formation, to study the influence of natural and weak preformed physical factors.

Repair of post auricular stula are challenging owing to scarred tissue and poor blood supply in this area. Various techniques including locoregional ap cover and cavity obliteration have been utilized to repair this complicated problem. In our report, we introduce a novel technique using a double layer closure utilising local skin ap successful lasting results. Two young adults of age 18 Male and 21 year female. Size of stulas were ranging from 1x2 and 2x2 cm respectively in size. Once the stulous tract was excised two aps were planned for double layer closure of stula. First ap for inner lining was turnover ap. Then another local pivot ap is planned to cover the secondary defect or the raw area. It can be either simple rotation ap as in rst case or Limberg type local transposition nd defect (2 case) ap. Both stulas were healed well. KEYWORDS : Fistula , Post auricular, Flap Closure

Background. Acne scar formation is a common consequence of acne vulgaris, in most cases atrophic scars resulting from tissue loss caused by inflammation of the pilosebial units. Aims: To study the effectiveness of combined laser therapy with Nd:YAG laser and Er: YAG laser with autologous plasma with cells in patients with different phenotypes of post-acne atrophic scars. Materials and methods. Depending on the method of treatment of post-acne scars, the patients were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 (n=28) with ice pick scars 10 patients; boxcar 9 patients; rolling 9 patients and group 1 (n=30) among them with ice pick scars 10; boxcar 9; rolling 11 patients. In group 1A, phototherapy was performed using a combination of Nd:YAG laser and Er:YAG laser. Immediately after laser exposure, autologous plasma was applied to the skin of the face of group 1B patients. To assess the effectiveness, the Manchester scale of assessment of scar deformities was used. The effectiveness was also evaluated using the Global Aesthetic Scale (GAIS) on a 3-point system. In this study, cutometry and ultrasound were performed to assess the elasticity of the skin in the foci of atrophy. Results. The indicator "color" on the MSS scale improved in the 1st group by 54.8%, in the 2nd by 83.7%, the indicator "texture" by 57.1 and 78.1%, the indicator "relief" by 43.8 and 66.7%, the indicator "displacement" by 54.9 and 82.1%, respectively. There were no patients with a deterioration or lack of effect on the GAIS scale in any of the study groups. According to the ultrasound scan data, the greatest effectiveness was observed in the group of complex treatment . Conclusion. Complex treatment, including the use of combined laser therapy (erbium and neodymium lasers) and autologous plasma with cells, is a highly effective technique for the treatment of atrophic post-acne scars.

Orientation behavior with the combined use of a clock and a biological compass is widely practiced in a huge array of animals, both by naive juveniles and experienced adults. For animals, both orientation and navigation require dependence on multiple sensory systems to detect sources of directional information to use as a reference in their environments. In general, star compass use in animals has not received a considerable amount of attention compared to other compass systems, maybe due to experimental and logistical constraints. Based on birds, two potential mechanisms have been put forward: a chemical reaction in the bird's eyes known as the radical‐pair compass, and a mechanical receptor based on magnetic particles. The radical‐pair mechanism has been suggested to possess the chemical properties needed to function as a magnetosensor.

The presents modern information about a non-invasive instrumental technique for assessing fibrotic changes in the liver – elastography. The data on the history of the origin of the term «elastography» are presented, several of its definitions are given, and attention is also paid to the main principle of the technique – percussion, which is traditionally used in an objective study of a patient. The facts about the dual terminology of the technique in the literature are presented, in which some authors use the term «elastography», and the other part – «elastometry». When analyzing the literature, it turned out that in foreign sources the term «elastography» is much more often used, and both names of the method are used in Russian. Given the greater prevalence of the «elastography» option, it is more logical to use it, but each of these names has its own right to exist. Definitions are given for the basic physical concepts associated with the elastography method – «elasticity», «rigidity» and Young’s modulus of elasticity. From the point of view of application in clinical practice, elastography techniques can be divided into four groups: compression elastography, which is more often used in oncodiagnostics, transient, point and two-dimensional shear wave elastography, used in the diagnosis of liver fibrosis. Physical classification involves dividing elastography into two types: static, which includes compression elastography, and dynamic, which includes transient, point and two-dimensional shear wave elastography. Transient elastography is implemented in devices of the FibroScan family, point elastography – in ultrasound scanners from «Hitachi Aloka», «Siemens» and «Philips», two-dimensional shear wave elastography – in devices from «Supersonic Imagine», «Toshiba», «Siemens», «Mindray», «General Electric». The widest range of possibilities for assessing liver fibrosis is provided by two-dimensional shear wave elastography. The combined use of several techniques is expected to increase the diagnostic accuracy in determining fibrosis. Magnetic resonance elastography has the greatest accuracy among elastographic techniques, but its application is limited due to the complexity and high cost of equipment, therefore, this technique has not yet found wide application in clinical practice.

The advantages of first movers are well‐known; it is also known that second movers can accumulate resources and gain competitive advantage via catching‐up strategies. We investigate the relationship between business performance and market‐entry time among Taiwanese semiconductor companies during the period 2008 to 2012 in order to provide the industry with useful guidelines for business strategies. We also investigate productivity change among Taiwanese semiconductor companies through the combined use of Malmquist productivity index and bootstrap. Our results show that the second movers presented a superior performance in productivity change, with an average improvement of 27.5%, indicating good continuation effects.