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The article focuses on analyzing public administration and public services in Latvia, along with development trends and reforms in Eastern European countries. Topics include the implementation of government policies, the quality of public services, and the challenges faced by public administration in adapting to modern demands.

Background: An estimated 2.2 million people from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) live in the United Kingdom. It has been documented that CEE migrants underutilise health services in the United Kingdom and, as an alternative, seek healthcare in their home country. However, reasons for seeking healthcare abroad are not always clear. This review aims to identify the reasons for the uptake of transnational healthcare among CEE migrants resident in the United Kingdom. Methods: Informed by discussions with community members, medical stakeholders and academics, a systematic scoping review was undertaken following the nine‐stage Joanna Briggs Institute framework for scoping reviews. A search strategy with MeSH terms, where relevant, was used and adapted in five academic databases, two grey literature databases and Google Scholar. Included records encompassed four concepts: migration, CEE nationalities, UK nations and healthcare utilisation, which were written in English and published between May 2004 and 2022. Data from the literature were coded, grouped and organised into themes. Results: A total of 16 publications fulfilled the inclusion criteria. There is evidence that some CEE migrants exclusively use healthcare services in the United Kingdom. However, many CEE migrants utilise healthcare both in the United Kingdom and their country of origin. Four themes were identified from the literature as to why migrants travelled to their country of origin for healthcare: cultural expectations of medical services, distrust in the UK NHS, barriers and transnational ties. Conclusion: Push factors led CEE migrants to seek healthcare in their country of origin, facilitated by ongoing transnational ties. CEE migrants frequently combine visits to their country of origin with medical appointments. Utilising healthcare in their country of origin as opposed to the United Kingdom can result in fragmented and incomplete records of medications, medical tests and surgeries and risk of unnecessary treatments and complications. This review highlights the need for more targeted health outreach with CEE groups within the United Kingdom, as well as the need for further research on the impact of national events, for example, COVID‐19 and Brexit, on transnational healthcare‐seeking behaviours. Patient or Public Contribution: The concept for this scoping review was informed by discussions with community members, medical professionals and academics, who identified it as a current issue. The results of this scoping review were discussed with healthcare stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Ethnic minority populations experience significant health and social care disparities; despite experiencing a greater burden of diseases, these groups are underrepresented in health and social care research. Consequently, related research can be less applicable to these population groups. The REPRESENT study aims to explore the health and social care experiences of ethnic minorities and other minoritised populations, their research interests and appropriate research practices. Methods: Focus groups and semistructured interviews were conducted between May and September 2022 with members of a number of ethnic minority communities in England. Data were audio recorded, transcribed and thematically coded using NVivo 12. Rigour was determined through extensive sampling, iterative data collection and analysis. Findings: Fifty‐two ethnic minority members were engaged in group interviews and one‐to‐one interviews. Participants included representatives of the following groups: African Caribbean, Eastern European, Gypsy Travellers, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual+, Refugee/Asylum Seekers, Somali and South Asian communities. Interviews were also conducted with ethnic minority healthcare providers and researchers. Three overarching categories were identified: health information, medical service experiences, health and social care concerns and health research. Health and social care services challenges were mostly attributed to discrimination, delayed services, poor cultural relevance and language and cultural barriers. The most influential information sources were local community organisations and word‐of‐mouth. The main health and social care concerns were chronic long‐term health conditions, mental health, maternal health and child development. Recommendations for research involved understanding the motivations for participation, improving communication and empowering communities. Top research priorities were long‐term health conditions, health promotion and education, early care interventions and understanding community needs. Interpretation: Discrimination and bias in health and social care provision have severe implications for worsening ethnic health inequalities. Healthcare commissioning authorities and policymakers can leverage the preference of ethnic minority groups for pharmacy services and community organisations to improve access to care. Improving research interest and engagement requires understanding individual community needs, community sensitivity, research relevance and cultural appropriateness. Patient or Public Contribution: Members of ethnic minority Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement group and Community Advisory Board supported the REPRESENT study design, conceptualisation and report development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused increased mortality worldwide. We noticed a tendency for higher number of deaths in Eastern European countries. Therefore, we decided to investigate whether any common factor that might be responsible for the increased COVID-19 mortality exists.Methods: In our cross-sectional study, we conducted the correlation and multiple regression analysis using R basing on the data gathered in publicly available databases. In the analysis, we included variables such as: number of deaths, number of new cases, number of hospitalizations, number of ICU (intensive care units) patients, number of vaccinations, number of boosters, number of fully vaccinated individuals, stringency index, number of reported COVID-19 variant cases, and number of flights. Additionally, we analyzed the influence of population density and median age in particular European countries on total number of COVID-19 deaths. Analyzed data represents periods from start of the COVID-19 pandemic in particular Eastern European Countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia, while as the end of the study the day of January 31, 2022 is considered. Results were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05.Results: Our study showed that mortality rate reflects the number of COVID-19 cases (e.g. for Poland was 0.0058, p < 0.001), number of hospitalized patients (e.g. for Poland 0.0116, p < 0.001), and patients in intensive care (e.g. for Slovakia 0.2326, p < 0.001). Stringency index corresponding to level of introduced restrictions and vaccination can affect the mortality rate of COVID-19 in a country-dependent manner: e.g. for Romania 0.0006, p < 0.001; whereas in Lithuania - 0.0002, p < 0.001. Moreover, occurrence of B.1.1.7 and B.1.617.2 variants increased COVID-19 mortality rates.Conclusion: Our analysis showed that crucial factor for decreasing mortality is proper healthcare joined by accurate restriction policy. Additionally, our study shows that COVID-19 vaccination proven successful in COVID-19 mortality prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Around 2 million people have migrated from Central and Eastern Europe to the UK since 2004. The UK Central and Eastern European Community (UK‐CEE) are disproportionately exposed to the social determinants of poor physical and mental health. Their health and healthcare beliefs remain under‐researched, particularly regarding primary care. Objective: This review explores UK‐CEE community members' use and perceptions of UK general practice. Methods: A systematic search of nine bibliographic databases identified 2094 publications that fulfilled the search criteria. Grey literature searches identified 16 additional relevant publications. Screening by title and abstract identified 201 publications of relevance, decreasing to 65 after full‐text screening. Publications were critically appraised, with data extracted and coded. Thematic analysis using constant comparison allowed generation of higher‐order thematic constructs. Results: Full UK‐CEE national representation was achieved. Comparatively low levels of GP registration were described, with ability, desire and need to engage with GP services shaped by the interconnected nature of individual community members' cultural and sociodemographic factors. Difficulties overcoming access and in‐consultation barriers are common, with health expectations frequently unmet. Distrust and dissatisfaction with general practice often persist, promoting alternative health‐seeking approaches including transnational healthcare. Marginalized UK‐CEE community subgroups including Roma, trafficked and homeless individuals have particularly poor GP engagement and outcomes. Limited data on the impact of Brexit and COVID‐19 could be identified. Conclusions: Review findings demonstrate the need for codesigned approaches to remove barriers to engagement, culturally adapt and develop trust in GP care for UK‐CEE individuals. Community Involvement: Community members and stakeholders shaped the conceptualisation of the review question and validation of emergent themes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Simple Summary: This study aimed to verify the prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in GC patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and gastrectomy. Elevated NLR and PLR prior to NAC were associated with significantly higher risk of death (mOS: 36 vs. 87 months; HR = 2.21; p = 0.0255 and mOS: 30 vs. 87 months; HR = 2.89; p = 0.0034, respectively). Additionally, a significantly higher risk of death was observed in patients with elevated NLR after NAC (mOS: 35 vs. 87 months; HR = 1.94; p = 0.0368). Selected systemic inflammatory response markers (NLR, PLR) are significant prognostic factors in patients with advanced GC treated with NAC and gastrectomy, as shown in the Eastern European population. The prognostic value of the systemic inflammatory response markers, namely neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) has not yet been clarified in patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer (GC) in the Eastern European population. This study aimed to verify the prognostic value of NLR, PLR, and LMR in GC patients undergoing multimodal treatment. One hundred six GC patients undergoing NAC and gastrectomy between 2012 and 2020 were included. Analysed blood samples were obtained prior to NAC (pre-NAC group) and before surgical treatment (post-NAC group). To evaluate the prognostic value of the NLR, LMR, and PLR, univariable and multivariable overall survival (OS) analyses were performed. In the pre-NAC group, elevated NLR and PLR were associated with significantly higher risk of death (mOS: 36 vs. 87 months; HR = 2.21; p = 0.0255 and mOS: 30 vs. 87 months; HR = 2.89; p = 0.0034, respectively). Additionally, a significantly higher risk of death was observed in patients with elevated NLR in the post-NAC group (mOS: 35 vs. 87 months; HR = 1.94; p = 0.0368). Selected systemic inflammatory response markers (NLR, PLR) are significant prognostic factors in patients with advanced GC treated with NAC and gastrectomy, as shown in the Eastern European population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study is to give a broad overview of the international best practices regarding the implementation of point-of-care testing (POCT) in primary care (PC) setting and to highlight the facilitators and barriers for widespread national uptake. The study focuses on the managerial and organizational side of POCT, offering a roadmap for implementation as well as highlighting the most important requirements needed to unlock the clinical and economical potential of POCT in the Hungarian healthcare system. Methods: We conducted an English language scoping literature review between January 2012 and June 2021 to assess the recent trends of POCT implementation in developed countries. Our research focuses on the recent publications of several European and Anglo-Saxon countries where POCT utilization is common. In parallel, we reviewed the Hungarian regulatory framework, ongoing governmental legislation, and strategies influencing the POCT dissemination in the Hungarian PC sector. Results: Among the possible POCT usage in PC, we identified several clinically relevant devices and tests (C-reactive protein, urine, blood glucose, D-dimer, prothrombin time) important in screening and early detection of morbidities representing high disease burden. Based on international literature, general practitioners (GPs) are interested in the shortened diagnostic times, portable devices, and better doctor–patient relations made possible by POCT. There are several concerns, however, regarding initial and operational costs and reimbursement, limited scientific evidence about quality and safety, unclear regulations on quality validation of tests, as well as managerial aspects like PC staff training and IT integration at the GP level. Conclusion: As our review highlights, there is considerable interest among GPs to implement POCT as it has the potential to improve quality of care; however, there are many obstacles to overcome before widespread uptake. Further investigation is recommended to elaborate management and quality insurance background and to develop appropriate regulatory framework and financial scheme for GP practices. Preferably this work should involve the local practicing GPs to better tailor the implementation roadmap to country-specific details. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) recently became the standard treatment for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, we present the first results of a real-world observational study on the effectiveness of ICI monotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC treated at a single academic center in a Central and Eastern European (CEE) country. Materials and Methods. Overall, 66 consecutive patients with advanced NSCLC treated with ICIs in everyday clinical practice, either with first-line pembrolizumab (26 patients) or second-line atezolizumab, nivolumab, or pembrolizumab (40 patients), from August 2015 to November 2018, were included. All data were retrieved from a hospital lung cancer registry, in which the data is collected prospectively. Results. Included patients had a median age of 64 years, most were male (55%), 6% were in performance status ≥2, and 18% had controlled central nervous system metastases at baseline. In first-line, the median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 9.3 months, while the median overall survival (mOS) was not reached. The 1-year overall survival (OS) was 62%. In second-line, the mPFS and mOS were 3.5 months and 9.9 months, respectively, with a 1-year OS of 35%. In the overall population, adverse events of any grade were recorded in 79% of patients and of severe grade (3-4) in 12% of patients. Conclusion. The first real-world outcomes of NSCLC immunotherapy from a CEE country suggest comparable effectiveness to those observed in clinical trials and other real-world series, mainly coming from North America and Western European countries. Further data to inform on the real-world effectiveness of immunotherapy worldwide are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The relationship of health literacy (HL) with objective measures including anthropometric measurements remains an under-researched topic to date. Objective To assess the association between body mass index (BMI) and HL among Albanian adults. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Tirana, Albania, in 2012–2014 including a population-based sample of 1154 individuals aged ≥18 years. HL was assessed by the use of HLS-EU-Q instrument. Anthropometrics included measurement of weight and height based on which BMI was calculated. Information on socio-demographic characteristics was also collected. Logistic regression was employed to assess the independent association of BMI and HL controlling all socio-demographic factors. Results One-fifth of the participants reported an inadequate HL level, whereas almost one-third (31%) reported an excellent HL level. About 41% of study participants were overweight and further 22% were obese. In multivariate analysis, there was evidence of a strong and significant association between BMI and HL: the odds of overweight/obesity were two times higher (OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.3–3.1) among inadequate HL individuals compared with excellent HL participants. Conclusion Our findings, pertinent to a transitional country in the South East Europe, point to a strong, consistent and highly significant association between BMI and HL, irrespective of a wide array of socio-demographic characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the reasons for student dissatisfaction with the quality of primary healthcare (PHC) in countries under healthcare system transformation (Belarus, Poland, and Ukraine) to identify reserves and make improvements. Methods: A comparative multipopulation survey was translated, verified, and completed during face-to-face interviews during March 2019 to May 2019. There were 700 Humanities students included in this study to determine satisfaction with the quality of PHC provided by the family doctor. Satisfaction was assessed according to the availability of the doctor, the level of organization of the institution, the service process, the quality of the interaction with the doctor, adherence to the rights of patients, and any additional financial expense incurred by the patient. Results: Politeness and attentiveness of doctors were rated highly. Dissatisfaction was associated with the negative attitude of medical personnel towards the patient. One in 10 respondents replied that medical confidentiality was not observed. More than 65% of students had paid for diagnostic tests/or treatments, and some respondents from Poland and Ukraine were asked by the doctor to pay for services without a receipt. Conclusion: Dissatisfaction with the quality of PHC in countries under transformation of the health system was largely due to ethical aspects of the doctor-patient relationship. Therefore, ethical standards need to be upheld and patients need to be aware of these standards using medical education materials covering the moral aspects of the relationship between medical personnel and patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on a proposed workshop at the 16th World Congress on Public Health 2020 on people-centered approach in tuberculosis (TB) treatment.

Background: The UK has experienced significant immigration from Eastern Europe following European Union (EU) expansion in 2004, which raises the importance of equity and equality for the recent immigrants. Previous research on ethnic health inequalities focused on established minority ethnic groups, whereas Eastern European migrants are a growing, but relatively under-researched group. We aimed to conduct a systematic scoping review of published literature on Eastern European migrants' use and experiences of UK health services.Methods: An initial search of nine databases produced 5997 relevant publications. Removing duplicates reduced the figure to 2198. Title and abstract screening left 73 publications. Full-text screening narrowed this down further to 10 articles, with three more from these publications to leave 13 included publications. We assessed publications for quality, extracted data and undertook a narrative synthesis.Results: The included publications most commonly studied sexual health and family planning services. For Eastern European migrants in the UK, the most commonly cited barriers to accessing and using healthcare were limited understanding of how the system worked and language difficulties. It was also common for migrants to return to their home country to a healthcare system they were familiar with, free from language barriers. Familial and social networks were valuable for patients with a limited command of English in the absence of suitable and available interpreting and translating services.Conclusions: To address limited understanding of the healthcare system and the English language, the NHS could produce information in all the Eastern European languages about how it operates. Adding nationality to the Electronic Patient Report Form (EPRF) may reveal the demand for interpretation and translation services. Eastern European migrants need to be encouraged to register with GPs to reduce A&E attendance for primary care conditions. Many of the issues raised will be relevant to other European countries since the long-term outcomes from Brexit are likely to influence the level of Eastern European and non-Eastern European migration across the continent, not just the UK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: It has been hypothesized that, in England, the rise in incidence of cervical cancer and the fall in screening coverage might be attributable in part to the effect of migration of Eastern European born women. We explored the attitudes and behaviours of these women towards cervical cancer prevention strategies. Methods: A mixed methods study using quantitative surveys and in-depth semi-structured qualitative interviews was conducted between April 2015 and December 2016. Results: In total, 331 surveys and 46 interviews were completed. Native English women had greater knowledge that a smear test is a screening test for pre-cancerous cervical cells (90% vs. 71% p ≤0.01), whereas migrant Eastern European women believed that it was conducted as part of a full gynaecological examination (46% vs. 21% p ≤0.01) and that the screen interval was annual (18% vs. 4% p ≤0.01). Distrust of the English healthcare system resulted in some Eastern European women returning to their country of birth for screening. Poor awareness of cervical cancer prior to migration and lack of information at registration with a general practitioner in England were associated with failure to participate in screening. Conclusions: The views and attitudes expressed by the migrant Eastern European women in this study suggest that they are not fully participating in cervical screening in England. Targeted education at the point of contact with healthcare services in England is needed to increase cervical screening participation among these women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the Jewish agricultural colonies established by Eastern European Jewish immigrants in Kansas in the 1880s, particularly the Leeser and Touro colonies. The immigrants were sponsored by the Montefiore Agricultural Aid Society (MAAS), the Hebrew Union Agricultural Society (HUAS), and a Missouri Reform congregation. Also cited are the economic factors like crop failures that resulted in the colonies' demise.

Copyright of Cuadernos de Historia Contemporanea is the property of Universidad Complutense de Madrid and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this paper, we analysed regional R&D productivities of Central and Eastern European (CEE) Countries. The regional knowledge production framework is utilized for a total of 52 NUTS-2 regions for the 2001-2012 period. Patent applications to the European Patent Office (EPO) are taken as the main output of R&D activities while input variables are total expenditure on R&D and total R&D personal and researchers. Applied productivity analysis based on Malmquist Index shows that total factor productivity (TFP) of knowledge production increased from 2001 to 2012 in all regions. Considering the whole period, although TFP has partially decreased partially after the 2008 crisis, the regions experienced capacity expansion. The main sources of the increase in TFP are found to be technological change and capacity expansion. Efficiency change, in contrast, is found to be negative in the majority of regions. Detailed performances are also illustrated with geographical information maps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agriculture of Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries as well as of the Soviet Union was an often studied area in the 1970's and 1980's among agricultural economists. After the system collapse, the transition of the agricultural sectors of these regions has gained importance. However, around the millennium, this topic was less studied. This paper aims at analysing the agricultural performance of CEE and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries between 1997 and 2016 and identifying whether the system change and transition have brought changes and convergence in agricultural productivity to EU-15 levels. In doing so, the paper uses convergence theory and associated methods (Kernel density and Markov transition probability) to underpin its arguments. Results suggest that CEE and CIS countries have experienced a limited convergence to Western-European standards. However, there still exists a significant performance gap between the two regions with CEE countries standing closer to EU-15 averages. Reasons behind diverging performances are numerous as discussed at the end of the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article extends the discussion of the welfare state in the literature by presenting a quantitative assessment of the age distribution of public resources. It investigates the differences in the distribution of public transfers between age groups in different European welfare state regimes using the National Transfer Accounts approach. There are two groups of countries that stand out in terms of the age patterns of their public transfers: three Scandinavian countries and Luxembourg have relatively high transfer levels, particularly for the older age group; while some of the Central and Eastern European countries have relatively low transfer levels. In the other European countries, the age profiles of public transfers are close to the EU average. Total public expenditures and revenues in the two distinct groups are changing in response to population ageing: i.e. they are expanding in the Scandinavian countries, and they are contracting in the CEE countries. These developments may lead to the further divergence of these welfare regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides baseline information about how U.S. companies entered the markets of the countries of the former Soviet bloc, and how these entry strategies have changed since 1989. It shows that while these firms used different strategies to enter the markets of this region, they most commonly used the low risk strategies of joint venture and export. Also, the number of entries to this region increased significantly between 1989 and 1993, and the Russian market enjoyed the largest share of all entries. Finally, recent strategy changes indicate more risk taking by U.S. firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate commonality and heterogeneity of inflationary processes in ten Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries over the period 2001-2013. The research is important for the analysis of monetary policy as it helps understand the origin of price formation from both sectoral and country perspective. With a multi-level factor model we decompose product-level inflation rates into the CEE region-wide, sector, country, country-sector, and idiosyncratic components. The outcomes indicate that CEE region-wide and country specific components are more persistent than sector and product-level components, which is in line with similar studies for core EU countries. Regional factors explain about 17% of variance in monthly price changes, which is more than any other factors (below 10% each). This result is at odds with the assumptions of many sectoral DSGE models and empirical evidence on the importance of sectoral price shocks in developed economies. The difference may be related to the conclusion that the first regional factor is associated with common disinflationary process that occurred in CEE economies in the 2000s, whereas the second one reveals significant correlations with global factors, especially commodity prices and euro area price developments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study focuses on the potential of extension of social innovation in social services in long-term care. The aim of the paper is to analyse barriers and drivers according to different care regimes: 1. standard care-mix regimes; 2. universal-Nordic; 3. family-based; 4. Central and Eastern European. Applying different qualitative methods (mapping of initiatives, 62 good examples of which 18 were in-depth, expert interviews, focus groups), the paper is going to explore similarities and differences between care regimes with a special focus on Central and Eastern Europe to see whether the Central and Eastern European care regime can be considered as a special one or not. It becomes clear from the analysis that there are similarities and differences between the individual care regimes and it is of fundamental importance that these as well as the good practices should be widely known and transferred or adapted to the given care structure. This requires continuous mapping and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detailed study of a peat plateau near the southern boundary of the East European permafrost zone has been performed. The botanical and palynological compositions of the peat to the depth of 10 m, its radiocarbon dates (the AMS method), and its physical and chemical characteristics have been determined. The accumulation of peat in this area began about 8300 years ago at the end of the Boreal period. In the middle of the Atlantic period, the rate of peat accumulation reached 1.44 mm/yr. During the warming phase in the Middle Subboreal period, the peat plateau was subjected to active thermal erosion; part of the peat was eroded. The processes of thermal erosion are also active at present and destroy the edges of peat mounds. At the same time, the gradual accumulation of peat on the plateau continues. An increase in the degree of peat mineralization is expected upon the establishment of aerobic conditions against the background degradation of the permafrost. Peat plateaus and large peat mounds have been the sinks of atmospheric carbon for a larger part of their history. In this context, we do not expect their significant negative influence on the climate in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background & Aims: Genome-wide association studies have revealed an association between the risk of developing liver fibrosis or cirrhosis and the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the PNPLA3, RNF7, MERTK and PCSK7 genes. We aimed to validate these results in an Eastern European population. Methods: We evaluated the associations between the PNPLA3 (rs738409), RNF7 (rs16851720), MERTK (rs4374383) and PCSK7 (rs236918) variants and liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in a series of consecutive patients recruited at the Department of Gastroenterology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Hospital, during the period 2012-2015. The study included 317 individuals with liver cirrhosis, 154 individuals with liver fibrosis, and 498 controls. The studied SNPs were determined using RT-PCR TaqMan assays. Results: MERTK and PCSK7 SNPs were not associated with liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. The PNPLA3 SNP rs738409 was associated with a higher risk of developing liver fibrosis (aOR: 1.65, P=0.001) and cirrhosis (aOR: 1.92, P=5.57*10-7). PNPLA3 genotypes were also associated with higher risk of developing liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in dominant (aOR: 1.98, P=2.20*10-5; aOR: 1.67, P=0.008, respectively) and recessive (aOR: 3.94, P=5.16*10-5; aOR: 3.02, P=0.003, respectively) models. RNF7 rs16851720 was associated with liver cirrhosis comparing CC vs. AA + CA genotypes (aOR: 0.26, P=0.020). Conclusion: Our study showed that PNPLA3 rs738409 and RNF7 rs16851720 confer an increased risk of developing liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in this Eastern European population, while the MERTK and PCSK7 SNPs are not associated with these conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Paedagogica Vilnensia is the property of Vilnius University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Analysing the geopolitical architecture of Eastern European space, we mention that this part of the globe was formed as a result of geopolitical actors' relationships - as centres of power. The geopolitical architecture depends on sharing the influence in a certain space from the perspective of geopolitical actors' interests. Carefully watching the ongoing transformations in Eastern European space, we see that the content of geopolitics, which is focused on the ability of states to divide geographical space, has changed rapidly. In literature there are multiple views on delimitation of Eastern European space. Appealing to the category of Eastern European space, till today there is no international definition on its conceptualization. This article is a first attempt to keep under review the evolution of forming new geopolitical architecture of Eastern European space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wallachia represents an interesting environment, not just for the Eastern European history itself, but also defines various expressions in mural art. The leaders are represented most of the times on the walls of churches that they have built. These paintings have many particularities, and, besides the clothing, the „votive” paintings, as we call them, are revealing good knowledge of the art of composition. It is like a single genre: „the votive painting”, but no work of this type looks like any other. Matei Basarab (1635-1654), Şerban Cantacuzino (1678-1688), Constantin Brâncoveanu (1688-1714), Constantin Mavrocordat (six times prince of Wallachia), are only a few who have their portraits integrated into the fresco surfaces. The paintings are hiding problems to resolve in dealing with the space, the light and the chromatic element. There are various representations of the same character, some contemporary, some made years after. It is there a sense of mystery in structure or in the semiotic of forms and even, the semiotic of some decoration. The portraits in murals represent a mirroring of a noble personality on a humble and yet, monumental surface: the wall of a church located in a forest or in an old town. Not just the personalities have their place in history, but also their portraits should have the proper place in the history of art. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, which ended up Prague spring in August 1968, thousands of Czech (and Slovak) citizens went into exile. Out of estimated 162,000 people, who came to Austria within the next few weeks, some 12,000 refugees decided to stay there. The majority of them chose Vienna to be their new home. My paper deals with this group of Czech refugees and analyses a process of their integration into Austrian majority and how the process, which they had to undergo, changed their national identity. In the paper, which is based on various archive materials and my two field researches among Czechs in Vienna, I also deal with different concepts of national identity and integration. I applied Cooper and Brubaker's concepts of 'identification' and 'self-understanding' to analyse deeper the various contexts of Czech refugees' behaviour and to answer a research question, why it was more difficult for Czech refugees to integrate into existing Czech minority associations in Austria than into Austrian majority itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with the problem of ethnic relations in Northern Transylvania after the Second Vienna Arbitration, when Hungarians became a majority and Romanians became a minority in the region, offering an overview of the problem from the political perspective. The paper concentrates on the analysis of the minority politics of the Erdélyi Párt, the most important party of the Transylvanians at that time, with special focus on its basic conception regarding ethnic problems in Transylvania. It presents the foundation of the Transylvanian Party, its representation in the Hungarian Parliament and its relations with the government concerning the minority issue. The paper tries to give an overview on of the politics of the Transylvanian Party regarding the national minorities in Northern Transylvania: Romanians, Germans and Jews. It presents the successes and the failures obtained by the party in this matter in some very important aspects. Finally, the decline of the Transylvanian Party and its political heritage are presented. The source material of the paper consists of archival data, publications of the Transylvanian Party, special books, studies and publications in the contemporary press. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the multinational companies investments distribution in Central and Eastern European Union. The study covers the Central and Estern EU-11 regions (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia) and show the main top ten sectors of projects in the world and the number of projects recorded in EU-11, the number of companies/investors and the number of job creation by country of destination. The company become multinational and undertake foreign activities as a result of three sources of advantages: Ownership advantages (O) are basic to explaining the existence of MNCs, Location advantages (L) are specific to certain locations which may also be in the home country and in the host country, Internalization advantages (I) seen as the most important, MNCS combining international dimension of their work with common and unified coordination of these activities. The MNCs investments in these countries are supporting by a number of advantages: a skilled and inexpensive work force, most of them has a tax system favourable to investment and a strategic position in Europe and government measures motivate foreign investments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article I approach the mobilization of women outside the realm of politics and inside NGOs in Romania and Poland, by analyzing some of the most important contextual elements that shaped their activities, interests or causes. In this manner, I present both similarities and differences between the communist legacies in the two countries, the effects of democratization and economic change, the civil society development and Western funding, elements of national culture, as well as transnational and EU actors. Issues such as interactions with the political sphere, network building and alliances, as well as differences between Western and Eastern countries are described throughout this endeavor. Conclusions are then drawn to stress out how different contextual elements have impacted women's movements in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To identify characteristic risk factors of preterm birth in Central and Eastern Europe and explore the differences from other developed countries. Method: Data on 33 794 term and 3867 preterm births (<37 wks.) were extracted in a retrospective study between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2009. The study took place in 6 centers in 5 countries: Czech Republic, Hungary (two centers), Romania, Slovakia, and Ukraine. Data on historical risk factors, pregnancy complications, and special testing were gathered. Preterm birth frequencies and relevant risk factors were analyzed using Statistical Analysis System (SAS) software. Results: All the factors selected for study (history of smoking, diabetes, chronic hypertension, current diabetes, preeclampsia, progesterone use, current smoking, body mass index, iron use and anemia during pregnancy), except the history of diabetes were predictive of preterm birth across all participating European centers. Preterm birth was at least 2.4 times more likely with smoking (history or current), three times more likely with preeclampsia, 2.9 times more likely with hypertension after adjusting for other covariates. It had inverse relationship with the significant predictor body mass index, with adjusted risk ratio of 0.8 to 1.0 in three sites. Iron use and anemia, though significant predictors of preterm birth, indicated mixed patterns for relative risk ratio. Conclusion: Smoking, preeclampsia, hypertension and body mass index seem to be the foremost risk factors of preterm birth. Implications of these factors could be beneficial for design and implementation of interventions and improve the birth outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Scientific research publishing carries significant role in the development of the society. Apart from the dissemination of knowledge, there are also motives for publication of scientific research results at the level of individual researchers. Objectives: The goal of the paper is to propose simple, yet highly applicable advice when pursuing the publication of a paper in a scientific journal providing a closer look to economics, business and management journals that focus on Eastern European countries. Methods/Approach: The 4 Cs model of scientific writing and publication is presented, based on four questions: (1) How to pick a topic relevant for publication?; (2) How to select a journal for possible publication?; (3) How to structure the paper in accordance with the IMRAD format?, and (4) How to efficiently write the paper? Results: Step-by-step application of the 4C's model is presented in the paper with an outlook to economics, business and management journals that focus on Eastern European countries. Conclusions: Publication in a scientific journal is an important venue for scientific researchers. In preparing the presentation of the scientific research results for the publication, number of issues relating content, style, composition and presentation should be taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. To determine safe distances within the orbit outlining reliable operative area on the basis of multislice computed tomography (MSCT) scans. Patients and Methods. MSCT of orbits of 50 Caucasian patients (26males and 24 females, mean age 56) were analysed. Native scans resolutions were in all cases 0.625 mm. Measurements were done in postprocessing workstation with 2D and 3Dreconstructions. The safe distances values were calculated by subtracting three standard deviations fromthe arithmetical average (?? = AVG - 3 STD).This method was chosen because this range covers 99.86% of every population. Results. The results of the measurements in men and women, respectively, are as follows (1) distance from optic canal to supraorbital foramen, mean 46,49mm and 43,29 mm, (2) distance from the optic canal to maxillozygomatic suture at the inferior margin of the orbit mean 45,24mm and 42,8 mm, (3) distance from the optic canal to frontozygomatic suture 46,15mm and 43,58 mm, (4) distance from the optic canal to anterior lacrimal crest 40,40mm and 38,39 mm, (5) distance from superior orbital fissure to the frontozygomatic suture 34,06mmand 32,62mm, and (6) distance from supraorbital foramen to the superior orbital fissure 42,32mmand 39,39mm. Conclusion. The most probable safe distances calculated by adopted formula were for the superior orbital fissure 23,39-30,58mm and for the orbital opening of the optic canal 31,9-38,0mm from the bony structures of the orbital entrance depending on the orbital quadrant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main goal of this study was to find a possible link between Neolithic populations of Eastern European and Western Siberian forest-steppe zones using dental non-metric traits. The second one was to verify the reasons for the similarity, using tooth crown morphology data. The frequencies of thirty traits were observed using ASUDAS in seventeen Neolithic and two Mesolithic burial grounds, belonging to nine archaeological cultures from West Siberian Plain and East European Plain. The frequency of eight key traits was used for comparative statistical analysis. These include the shoveling of upper medial incisors, the distal trigonid crest, and the deflecting wrinkle on the lower first molars, the six-cusped and four-cusped lower first molars, the four-cusped lower second molars, the Carabelli cusp on the upper first molars, and the hypocone on the upper second molars. Trigonometrically transformed trait frequencies were subjected to the principal component analysis and cluster analysis based on Euclidean distances. The Statistica software for Windows, Version 6.0, was used. The closest affinity between the populations of West Siberian and East European plains was in the Upper Paleolithic period. Eastern dental traits were almost absent there except for the six-cusped lower first molars. During the later time period, both Siberian Neolithic cultures demonstrate evidence of the influence of Eastern populations, which was absent in European groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diplomatic communiques between the Philippines and the Eastern European Socialist bloc (EESB) found in the Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines reveals a compendium of original data significant in tracing the inception of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the EESB i.e. Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, German Democratic Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Yugoslavia. This is a pioneering work about the beginning of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Eastern European Socialist Bloc under the administration of President Ferdinand E. Marcos (1965 to 1986) including the establishment of formal diplomatic ties, signing of trade, cultural, scientific and visa agreement, economic implications of trade and tourism and the strengthening of cultural relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Volga, the largest river in Europe, has experienced multiple stressors from human activities. Recently we showed that its upper course (about 500 km, from its source to Tver) still has large sections with low impact and a natural type-specific potamal flora and fauna. Our present research in the East European lowlands aim to define reference conditions for mid-sized to large lowland rivers in order to build a basis for future management and conservation. Three monitoring sites were selected based on the results from intensive sampling in 2005. In subsequent field campaigns between 2006 and 2010 regular surveys were carried out each year in summer and additional ones in spring. A taxon-rich macroinvertebrate fauna, including several rare potamal relict species, was recorded and the data was used to provide an overview of annual and interannual variation in community indices and metrics. The conditions described for the headwaters of the Volga River system can be used as a reference state for medium-sized and large lowland rivers in regions where reference sites of these types are lacking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers a report from a February 17-19, 2014 conference held in Berlin, Germany on the history and political boundaries of central Eastern Europe. Topics of presentations delivered included the emigration of poor Eastern Europeans, a Summer 2013 festival in Sokyrynci, Ukraine, and the history of Upper Silesia in the late 19th century.

Copyright of Comparative Economic Research is the property of Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Lodzkiego and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Implications of market frictions in the context of serial correlations in indexes on the Central and Eastern European (CEE) stock markets have been analysed. Market frictions, such as non-trading effects, bid/ask spreads, other transaction costs, etc., may be detected by direct measurement, or by indirect identification. Direct measurement of frictions is difficult as intraday trading data are unavailable in the case of most of the emerging CEE stock markets. Indirect identification may be conducted by detecting some empirical phenomena. One of them is evidence of serial correlations in indexes, the so-called the Fisher effect. We explore the problem of serial correlations in indexes on the eight CEE stock markets using data samples from each CEE market separately, as well as a "common trading window" approach, which is widely applied in the case of databases with multivariate time series. The evidence is that nonsynchronous trading effect II between markets may substantially disrupt the analysis of index returns on a domestic market. Using a synchronized database, one may erroneously conclude that the Fisher effect does not exist, although it is present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article investigates public perceptions of the concept of corruption; different types of corruption, institutions responsible for anti-corruption reform, and anti-corruption efforts in Kosovo, EYROM (Republic of Macedonia) and Serbia — linking such perceptions to some observations on legal culture in the Balkans. Drawing on large-scale qualitative and quantitative data collected in the Western Balkans in 2011, it is argued that local perceptions of what constitutes corruption as well as negative perceptions of law and state institutions are conducive to corruption and negatively influence anti-corruption reform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ljetopis Socijalnog Rada / Annual of Social Work is the property of Pravni Fakultet Sveucilista u Zagrebu, Studijski Centar Socijalnog Rada and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The paper presents a comparative analysis of the recent developments in the civil societies in six Central and East European (CEE) countries: the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. Focusing on the level of civil society organizations (CSO), it first discusses the changes in their role as social actors and co-operation within the civic sector itself. Second, it examines the process of civic-public sector partnership consolidation, and third, some of the more recent challenges that the civic initiatives in these countries are facing. It aims to highlight the diversity of patterns of civil society development in the region and argues for a reassessment of its 'weakness' thesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scientific research performance measurement and its analysis creates the context where universities are forced to develop strategies to increase the values obtained from indicators such as number of scientific articles, the number of citations of these articles, h-index, g-index, etc. The purpose of this article is to analyze the performance differences arising in the socio-economic science between major universities in South-Eastern Europe, many of them EU Members. In addition, to see where they stand compared to Western Europe, will include a brief review of the results of a major university as London School of Economics and Political Science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]