Forced randomization: the what, why, and how.

Background: When running a randomized controlled trial (RCT), a clinical site may face a situation when an eligible trial participant is to be randomized to the treatment that is not available at the site. In this case, there are two options: not to enroll the participant, or, without disclosing to the site, allocate the participant to a treatment arm with drug available at the site using a built-in feature of the interactive response technology (IRT). In the latter case, one has employed a "forced randomization" (FR).

What Can Physiology Tell Us about State of Interest?

The state of interest as a positive emotion is associated with the ability to comprehend new information and/or to better consolidate already perceived information, to increase the attention level to the object, to increase informational processing, and also to influence such processes as learning and motivation. The aim of this study was to reveal oculomotor correlates that can predict the locus of interest in cases of people perceiving educational information from different areas of knowledge presented as text or multimedia content. Sixty (60) volunteers participated in the study (50% males, mean age 22.

Antigenotoxic Activity of Polyphenolic Composition BP-C2 in Mouse Germ Cells In Vivo.

In vivo antigenotoxic activity of BP-C2 composition (at doses of 60, 80, and 120 mg/kg) based on polyphenolic compounds derived from hydrolyzed lignin was evaluated in mouse germ cells. The BP-C2 composition dose-dependently reduced the aneugenic activity of topoisomerase II inhibitor etoposide in mouse oocytes without affecting the clastogenic activity of the genotoxicant. In mouse testicular cells, the BP-C2 composition reduced the DNA-damaging activity of the pro-oxidant genotoxicant dioxidine, but not etoposide.

Electronic correlations and intrinsic magnetism of interstitial quasi-atomic states in LiAu electride.

We investigate the electronic sub-system of a recently designed LiAu superconducting electride to reveal its many-body correlated nature and magnetic properties. Using maximally localized Wannier functions (MLWFs) to describe the interstitial anion electron (IAE) states, it was found that these states are partially occupied with a population of 1.5e and have negligible hybridization with the almost completely filled p-Au states.

First-principles definition of ionicity and covalency in molecules and solids.

The notions of ionicity and covalency of chemical bonds, effective atomic charges, and decomposition of the cohesive energy into ionic and covalent terms are fundamental yet elusive. For example, different approaches give different values of atomic charges. Pursuing the goal of formulating a universal approach based on firm physical grounds (first-principles or non-empirical), we develop a formalism based on Wannier functions with atomic orbital symmetry and capable of defining these notions and giving numerically robust results that are in excellent agreement with traditional chemical thinking.

Selecting a randomization method for a multi-center clinical trial with stochastic recruitment considerations.

Background: The design of a multi-center randomized controlled trial (RCT) involves multiple considerations, such as the choice of the sample size, the number of centers and their geographic location, the strategy for recruitment of study participants, amongst others. There are plenty of methods to sequentially randomize patients in a multi-center RCT, with or without considering stratification factors. The goal of this paper is to perform a systematic assessment of such randomization methods for a multi-center 1:1 RCT assuming a competitive policy for the patient recruitment process.

Effect of Polyphenolic Composition BP-C2 on Lung Carcinogenesis Induced by Urethane in Progeny of Irradiated Male BALB/c Mice.

We studied the effects of polyphenolic composition BP-C2, comprising molybdenum with lignin derivatives, on lung carcinogenesis induced by urethane in the progeny of F male BALB/c mice preconceptionally exposed to radiation in a dose of 1 Gy. The multiplicity of lung tumors in the progeny of irradiated mice was higher than in the progeny of non-irradiated male parents by 50% in females and 43% in males (p<0.05).

Melatonin and carcinogenesis in mice: the 50th anniversary of relationships.

The history of studies of melatonin effects on cancer in mice is outlined, the main lesson being that the systemic effects of melatonin on animals may overwhelm the effects found using tissue explants or cell cultures. In particular, the timing of melatonin administration is of crucial importance for using the drug, which is freely available over counter and thus needs no licensing for its applications in oncology.

An Application of Eye Movement Parameters Collected from Mass Market Devices for the Estimation of a Text Comprehension.

The growing interest in evaluating the reader's comprehension leads to the search for new methods that allow such estimation in real-time (or pseudo-real-time). This can be used for more effective educational processes and to adopt textual content for various purposes. The present study used the Oken Reader eye-tracking application (60 Hz) for mass-market devices to assess reading comprehension processes.

[Polyphenols of natural origin against age-related disorders of tissue homeostasis.].

Aging-related disorders of tissue homeostasis may lead to excessive cell proliferation in the form of cancer and to extracellular matrix expansion in the form of fibroses. Death rates attributed to both of the conditions are decreased, according to epidemiological evidence, upon increased dietary intakes of polyphenols, including flavonoids, stilbenes, lignans, and curcuminoids. That is, polyphenols, although they have very different structures, unidirectionally influence the two opposite sides of balance in tissue homeostasis: the cells, which are able, and the extracellular matrix, which is unable to proliferate.

Exploring correlation effects and volume collapse during electride dimensionality change in CaN.

We investigate the role of interstitial electronic states in the metal-to-semiconductor transition and the origin of the volume collapse in CaN during the pressure-induced phase transitions accompanied by changes of electride subspace dimensionality. Our findings highlight the importance of correlation effects in the electride subsystem as an essential component of the complex phase transformation mechanism. By employing a simplified model that incorporates the distortion of the local environment surrounding the interstitial quasi-atom (ISQ) which emerges under pressure and solving this model by Dynamical Mean Field Theory (DMFT), we successfully reproduced the evolution between the metallic and semiconducting phases and captured the remarkable volume collapse.

Correlation between oculometric measures and clinical assessment in ALS patients participating in a phase IIb clinical drug trial.

Oculometric measures (OM) can be extracted from eye movements during presentation of visual stimuli. Studies have indicated the benefit of OM in assessment of neurological disorders, including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). We used a new software-based platform for the extraction of OM during patients' assessment.

A Study on the Behavior of Cadmium in the Soil Solution-Plant System by the Lysimeter Method Using the Cd Radioactive Tracer.

In soils, cadmium (Cd) and its compounds, originating from industrial activities, differ both in mobility as well as in their ability to permeate the soil solution from naturally occurring cadmium compounds (native Cd). Therefore, the determination of the parameters of cadmium mobility in soils and its accumulation by plants in the soil-soil solution-plant system is very important from both scientific and practical viewpoints. Cd was used as a radioactive tracer to study the processes of the transition of Cd into the aqueous phase and its uptake by plants over the course of a vegetative lysimeter experiment.

Effects of Isoflavone-Rich NADES Extract of Roots and Astaxanthin-Rich Extract on Prostate Carcinogenesis in Rats.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common male malignancies worldwide. In the current study, we evaluated the effects of a natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) extract of roots rich in isoflavones (ISF) and extract rich in astaxanthin (ASX) on an -methyl--nitrosourea plus testosterone PCa model in rats. ISF consisted of puerarin, daidzein, genistein, formononetin and other polyphenols, while ASX contained lipids and unsaturated species in addition to astaxanthin.

Antigenotoxic and antimutagenic effects of lignin derivative BP-C2 against dioxidine and cyclophosphamide in vivo in murine cells.

The study investigated antigenotoxic and antimutagenic activity of novel lignin-derived polyphenolic composition (BP-C2) with ammonium molybdate towards cyclophosphamide and dioxidine in the bone marrow, blood and liver cells of BALB/c mice. BP-C2 was given to mice via gavage at 60, 80 and 120 mg/kg once 1 h before single intraperitoneal injection of a genotoxic agent. 1.

Computational prediction of new magnetic materials.

The discovery of new magnetic materials is a big challenge in the field of modern materials science. We report the development of a new extension of the evolutionary algorithm USPEX, enabling the search for half-metals (materials that are metallic only in one spin channel) and hard magnetic materials. First, we enabled the simultaneous optimization of stoichiometries, crystal structures, and magnetic structures of stable phases.

[Innovative concept of aging prevention for modern Russia.].

The article presents an innovative concept for aging prevention of older citizens based on using elements of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health which taking into account the influence of aging processes on changes in health and social adaptation of older citizens. The functional features of the departmental systems of health care and social protection of the population operating in Russia that impede their integration within the framework of providing comprehensive medical and social assistance to citizens of older age groups are analyzed. The biopsychosocial model of functioning and disability has advantages in comparison to another models given possibility of developing a social adaptation and implementation of an integrated systematic approach to the prevention of aging.

Localization Mechanism of Interstitial Electronic States in Electride Mayenite.

Electrides contain interstitial electrons with the states that are spatially separated from the crystal framework states and form a detached electronic subsystem. In mayenite [CaAlO](e) interstitial electrons form a unique charge network where localization and delocalization coexist, pointing to the importance of investigating the many-body nature of electride states. Using density functional theory and dynamical mean-field theory, we show a tendency toward electron localization and antiferromagnetic pairing, which leads to the formation of an experimentally observed peak under the Fermi level.

[The lifespans of scholars referred to different disciplines according to data from diverse sources: Inferences and challenges.].

Human lifespan is known to correlate positively with education level. In the present paper, it is explored whether there are significant differences in lifespan among those whose education may be reasonably rated as the highest possible, i.e.

Assessment of antitumor activity of BP-C1, a platinum-based anticancer agent with a lignin-derived polymeric ligand, in autochthonous induced and spontaneous carcinogenesis rodent models.

Background: A standard approach to study the anticancer activity of novel drugs is their testing in animals with inoculated tumors, which has some limitations. An alternative is the use of spontaneous or carcinogen-induced tumor models as they have better translation potential. The carcinogen-induced and transgenic tumor models were used to assess the antitumor activity of BP-C1, a platinum-containing drug with lignin-derived polymeric ligand.

[Structure and main stages of the process of long-term state support by the state of elderly generation.].

The article deals with the problem of modeling the process of providing the state support aimed senior citizens. Its structuring is substantiated with the allocation of individual modules - functional stages and the relevant typed statuses of patients. The influence of the main groups of factors on the formation of personal packages of services, including medical, social, psychological and educational components, is considered.

Eye Movements and Cognitive Functioning in Patients With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: Network Analysis.

Eye movement parameters are often used during cognitive functioning assessments of patients with psychotic spectrum disorders. It is interesting to compare these oculomotor parameters with cognitive functions, as assessed using psychometric cognitive tests. A network analysis is preferable for understanding complex systems; therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the multidimensional relationships that exist between oculomotor reactions and neurocognition in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.