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Comparative Assessments of PET and ASL MR Perfusion in the Evaluation of Early Dementia
No full textBackground: Overtly morbid dementing diseases have a prodromal MCI (mild cognitive impairment) phase which is crucial to recognize. Clinical scores provide an easy bedside assessment tool for holistic cognitive evaluation but fail to provide lead time. While routine biomarkers of brain atrophy are late to appear, non-contrast MRI perfusion studies like ASL may serve as a valuable alternative to 18F-FDG-PET for the recognition and classification of the degree of neurodegeneration in individuals with MCI, especially when FDG-PET is not available. Our study adds confidence as we noted brain regions where PET-ASL concordance was most robust and devised concordance with ACE-3 scores.Material and methods: We conducted a prospective study from Jan 2021 to Jan 2024. Cases were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, which have objective cognitive impairment. Healthy controls were selected. MRI and PET scans were performed in all cases. Perfusion values of arterial spine labeling, PET, and clinical examination were recorded.Results: We included 33 patients and 15 healthy controls in the study. We compared ASL and PET for all selected individuals. Our study showed that ASL can detect a hypo-perfusion region with a 91% sensitivity, 85.98% specificity, 89.8% PPV, and 87.62% NPV, with a diagnostic accuracy of 88.9%.Conclusion: ASL was a dependable replacement for the gold-standard FDG-PET. ASL may serve as a valuable alternative to 18F-FDG-PET for classifying the degree of neurodegeneration in individuals with prodromal AD, especially when FDG-PET is unavailable
Antidepressant Prescription to Children/Adolescents and Its Effects on the Cardiovascular System, Comprising the Actual Questions of Periodicity of the Checkups, Cooperation among Pediatricians, Family Doctors, Cardiologists and Children-Adolescent Psychiatrists
No full textBackground: Pharmacological treatment is one of the most effective ways to help psychiatric patients with depressive disorders. However, prescription of antidepressants to children and adolescents creates controversial thoughts due to possible negative effects on the cardiovascular system. Despite being beneficial in controlling serious illnesses, there is less research done on the side effects of antidepressants which would require periodical checkups and cooperation among medical specialists. This literature review was completed to evaluate effects of antidepressants on the cardiovascular system and the necessity of regular assessment while treating children and adolescents.Aim: To review the cardiovascular effects of antidepressants prescribed to children and adolescents; to discuss the need for regular patient checkups with a multidisciplinary team: pediatricians, family doctors, cardiologists and children-adolescent psychiatrists.Methodology: Literature sources were selected from the Pubmed, Google Scholar, Clinical Key, and Research Gate databases by following dates from 2013 to 2024 while using the following keywords and their combinations: antidepressant, cardiovascular, side effects, cardiovascular risk, children and adolescents, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), psychotropic medication, antidepressants in pediatrics, atypical antidepressants, benzodiazepines, lipid metabolism.Results: Antidepressants, including SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, atypical antidepressants and benzodiazepines, are associated with significant cardiovascular risks in children and adolescents. SSRIs, like citalopram and escitalopram, can disturb the heart rhythm by prolonging the QT interval, or increasing the risk of serious arrhythmias. SNRIs have been linked to an elevated blood pressure and heart rate. TCAs are known for their proarrhythmic effects, particularly in overdose situations, posing a high risk of sudden cardiac events. Atypical antidepressants like bupropion can cause cardiovascular disturbances, especially when overdosed. Additionally, less commonly prescribed benzodiazepines contribute to cardiovascular risks when combined with SSRIs during pregnancy, due to increasing the likelihood of congenital heart defects. These risks underscore the importance of careful monitoring, dosage management and thorough cardiovascular assessment when prescribing these medications to children, adolescents, and pregnant women. A team consisting of professional specialists – children-adolescent psychiatrists, cardiologists, pediatricians and family doctors – should detect long-term effects of pharmacotherapy by checking up the young patients regularly.Conclusions: The use of antidepressants in children and adolescents, though crucial for managing severe psychiatric disorders, raises significant cardiovascular safety concerns. SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, atypical antidepressants, and benzodiazepines have varying cardiovascular risks, especially in vulnerable youth populations and during the prenatal period. Given these risks, careful prescribing, close monitoring, creating guidelines and collaboration among healthcare providers are essential to ensure safe and effective treatment. Additionally, more research is needed to fully understand the long-term cardiovascular impacts of these medications in the pediatric population
First international Vilnius neuroscience conference for young researchers, 2025. Abstract book
No full textNeginkluoto pasipriešinimo sovietmečio Vilniuje ypatybės
No full textThis article analyses the features of the unarmed resistance in Vilnius, explains what made it stand out in the context of Lithuania as a whole, and looks for the causes and consequences of these differences. The focus is on the 1950s and 1970s, when resistance activities were the most visible. The assumption is made that the “capital climate” – the specific state policy in the capital city – encouraged residents to be more adaptable and look for more moderate ways to achieve their goals. The heightened influence of the ideas of Russian dissident on the resistance in Vilnius is evident; this also affected the methods of resistance, with open dissent standing out in Lithuanian underground activities in Vilnius. Also important in the Vilnius resistance were groups with little connection to religious resistance networks.Šiame straipsnyje analizuojamos neginkluoto pasipriešinimo Vilniuje ypatybės, aiškinamasi, kuo jis išsiskiria visos Lietuvos kontekste, ieškoma tokio skirtumo priežasčių bei pasekmių. Didžiausias dėmesys skiriamas 6-ajam ir 8-ajam dešimtmečiams, kai pasipriešinimo veikla matoma ryškiausiai. Daroma prielaida, kad „sostinės oras“ – specifinė valstybės politika sostinėje – skatino gyventojus labiau prisitaikyti, ieškoti nuosaikesnių kelių savo tikslams pasiekti. Ryški didesnė Rusijos disidentų idėjų įtaka pasipriešinimui Vilniuje, paveikusi ir priešinimosi veiklos būdus: Lietuvos pogrindinėje veikloje – Vilniuje išsiskiria atviro disidentinio pasipriešinimo tendencijos. Taip pat Vilniaus pasipriešinime buvo svarbios su religiniais pasipriešinimo tinklais menkai susijusios grupės
Klaipėdos krašto atplėšimas nuo Lietuvos 1939 metais – Antrojo pasaulinio karo katalizatorius? (II dalis)
No full textContinuing the investigation begun in the first part of the article published in issue No 57 of Genocidas ir rezistencija, this second part focuses on the beginning of Great Britain’s ‘Stop Hitler’ policy in the latter half of March 1939, emphasising efforts to expand the international anti-Hitler coalition. This part of the article reveals that the acceleration of the formation of Hitler’s pre-war stopping coalition in Europe synchronously coincided with the situation regarding the Klaipėda (Memel) region that captured the world’s attention for several days in the last decade of March 1939 (especially the week of March 20–26). The English‑language press of the time portrayed these events as interconnected.
The article underscores Poland’s particular stance on joining the ‘Stop Hitler’ coalition, linking it to Warsaw’s nervous reaction to the detachment of the Klaipėda Region from Lithuania. Analysis of Western English‑language press shows that German propaganda had failed to persuade foreign audiences that the Lithuanian government had voluntarily ceded the Klaipėda Region, supposedly choosing to rid itself of unnecessary territorial ballast, as though this had occurred without Germany threatening to use force against its small neighbour. The article also presents factual material reflecting the U.S. Department of State’s position, which did not recognise the legality of the Klaipėda Region’s absorption into the German Reich. It is noted that by the end of March 1939, insightful analytical assessments had begun to appear in the American media predicting that the destruction of Czechoslovakia and Germany’s annexation of the Klaipėda Region were only a prelude to further eastward expansion by Hitler and an eventual clash with the Western democracies. This is precisely what happened, ultimately leading to the outbreak of World War II. Certain issues relevant for further research are singled out – particularly those concerning the genesis of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact and other origins of World War II.Tęsiant žurnalo „Genocidas ir rezistencija“ Nr. 57 publikuotoje pirmoje straipsnio dalyje pradėtą tyrimą, šioje antroje dalyje dėmesys sutelkiamas į Didžiosios Britanijos „Stop Hitler“ politikos pradžią 1939 m. kovo mėnesio antroje pusėje, akcentuojant pastangas plėsti tarptautinę antihitlerinę koaliciją. Atskleidžiama, kad Hitlerio ikikarinio sustabdymo Europoje koalicijos formavimo pagreitėjimas sinchroniškai sutapo su kelias dienas 1939 m. kovo mėnesio paskutinę dekadą (ypač kovo 20–26 d. savaitę) pasaulio dėmesį prikausčiusia situacija dėl Klaipėdos krašto, ir tai, pasak tuometinės spaudos publikacijų anglų kalba, buvo tarpusavyje susiję. Išryškinama ypatinga Lenkijos pozicija dėl dalyvavimo „Stop Hitler“ koalicijoje, susiejant tai su nervinga Varšuvos reakcija į Klaipėdos krašto atplėšimą nuo Lietuvos. Tuometinei vokiečių propagandai, kaip rodo Vakarų angliškai kalbančių šalių spaudos analizė, nepavyko įtikinti užsienio šalių opinijos apie neva savanorišką Lietuvos vyriausybės sprendimą atiduoti Klaipėdos kraštą, esą pati Lietuva nutarė atsikratyti jai bereikalingo teritorinio balasto ir pan., tarsi tai būtų įvykę be Vokietijos grasinimų panaudoti jėgą prieš mažą kaimyninę šalį. Straipsnyje taip pat pateikiama faktinė medžiaga, atspindinti JAV Baltųjų rūmų poziciją nepripažinti Klaipėdos krašto absorbavimo į Vokietijos Reichą teisėtumo. Pažymima, kad jau 1939 m. kovo mėnesio pabaigoje Amerikos žiniasklaidoje atsirado įžvalgių analitinių vertinimų ir prognozuota, jog Čekoslovakijos destrukcija ir Klaipėdos krašto prijungimas prie Vokietijos yra tik preliudija į tolesnę Hitlerio ekspansiją Rytų kryptimi ir būsimą susidūrimą su Vakarų demokratijomis. Būtent taip ir atsitiko, ir tai lėmė Antrojo pasaulinio karo pradžią. Išskiriamos kai kurios tolesniam tyrimui aktualios problemos, susijusios su Molotovo–Ribentropo pakto geneze bei kitomis Antrojo pasaulinio karo ištakomis
Lithuanian Deaf and Hard of Hearing Viewers’ Preferences for Sound and Music Indications in Subtitles
No full textIn a world where audiovisual media plays a central role in communication, information, and entertainment, ensuring accessibility for all viewers, including deaf or hard-of-hearing, is essential. For these audiences, subtitles are not only a means of following dialogue but also a crucial tool for experiencing sound and music, which are often key to the narrative of media content. The aim of the study is to explore and identify effective strategies for subtitling sounds and music in audiovisual media that meet the preferences and needs of the Lithuanian deaf and hard-of-hearing audience. The empirical research approach adopted for this investigation is based on semi-structured interviews with the deaf and hard-of-hearing participants and qualitative data analysis. The results reveal that the target audience prefers strategies that incorporate minimal use of colour and mixed positioning for both sound and music indication, specifically, a sound source indicated in the brackets at the centre bottom of the screen, the genre and/or the instrument represented by a note symbol at the bottom of the screen, and song lyrics transcribed verbatim and marked with the note symbol
The Highlights of the Annual Students and Young Scholars Conference on Translation “TELL ME MORE 2025”
No full textThe international conference for young scholars on translation TELL ME MORE was held for the third consecutive year at Vilnius University, Kaunas Faculty on May 7th, 2025. This annual event brought together students and emerging scholars from various Lithuanian and European universities for an intensive day of scholarly exchange and insightful discussions. Providing a platform for exploring various facets of translation and fostering interdisciplinary research, the conference received diverse submissions. The topics included: audiovisual translation and accessibility; literary translation; localisation and technical translation; multimodal and AI-related translation research; intersemiotic translation and adaptation. A particular emphasis was placed on accessibility, highlighted by a guest speaker from Lithuanian Audiosensory Library. The paper critically reviews four parallel conference sessions, providing key insights into the presented studies
Analyzing the Linkages between Diaspora Remittances, Institutions, and Self-Employed Business Activities: Insights from an Emerging Economy
No full textDiaspora remittance either smooths consumption, boosts welfare among recipients, or enhances the balance of payment in economies such as developing nations. Nonetheless, institutions that support its usefulness for financing business are always a concern, as they may not encourage interest in self-employment. The study investigates the linkages between diaspora remittances, institutions, and self-employed business activities. The integration is essential for promoting entrepreneurship while solving the unemployment problem. Annual time series data sets covering the period from 1991 to 2020. were used in Nigeria. The autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) is used as the baseline. Three long-run estimate techniques are used for sensitivity analysis. The short-run coefficient of diaspora remittance on self-employment is positive and significant. In the long run, the effect of diaspora remittance on self-employment is significantly negative. It shows that diaspora remittances are used for immediate consumption, rather than translating into long-term employment generation in Nigeria. However, the impact of institutions on self-employment, in the short and long run, is significantly negative revealing poor institutions that are inadequate for employment creation. Due to poor institutional quality, diaspora remittances do not translate to long-run self-employment creation. Policymakers must strengthen the institutional environment to incentivize diasporans to remit.
Kultūrinis kitoniškumas vertime: lietuvių mitologinių namų ir vandens būtybių pavadinimų perteikimas anglų kalba
No full textThis article examines the translation of the names of Lithuanian mythological household and water beings into English. It explores how these beings function within mythological tales, what cultural meanings they embody, and the specific challenges their names pose for translators. The study addresses issues related to the choice between domestication and foreignization strategies, with a focus on maintaining the cultural specificity of the source text while ensuring its comprehensibility for English-speaking readers. Employing a comparative cultural approach, the article analyses selected mythological names and proposes possible translation solutions. The discussion is supported by illustrative examples drawn from the English translation of Norbertas Vėlius’ collection of Lithuanian mythological tales.Straipsnyje aptariami lietuvių mitologinių namų ir vandens būtybių pavadinimų vertimo į anglų kalbą ypatumai, apžvelgiama, kaip šios būtybės veikia mitologinėse sakmėse, kokias kultūrines reikšmes jos įkūnija ir kokių iššūkių gali kelti jų pavadinimų vertimas. Nagrinėjama savinimo ir svetiminimo vertimo strategijų pasirinkimo problematika, atsižvelgiant į siekį verčiamame tekste išlaikyti kultūrinį savitumą ir užtikrinti jo suprantamumą anglakalbiams skaitytojams. Pasitelkiant lyginamąją kultūrinę analizę, nagrinėjamos konkrečios pasirinktos mitologinės būtybės ir siūlomi galimi jų pavadinimų vertimo variantai. Analizė paremta realiais pavyzdžiais iš Norberto Vėliaus parengto lietuvių mitologinių sakmių rinkinio vertimo