bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improvement of legislation in the field of countering organized forms of crime: illusions and reality
Authors: Kvasha Oksana
Published: August 2021

Introduction. The state of crime in modern Ukraine is characterized by a significant spread of organized crime. Given the absence for many years of a state strategy to combat organized crime and the failure of state policy to minimize corruption, organized crime has reached such proportions that have become a threat to national security. Significant changes took place in Section IX "Criminal Offenses against Public Safety" with the entry into force of the Law "On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine on Liability for Crimes Committed by the Criminal Community" № 671-IX of 04.06.2020.
The aim of the article. Has the legislator's goal been achieved to strengthen the criminal law framework for combating organized crime? The purpose of this scientific article is to find an answer to this question. Finding out the answer to the question: "How will the introduced short stories affect the fight against organized crime?" is also important in terms of ensuring the unity of case law.
Conclusions. Legislative novelties do not agree with other norms and current criminal law terminology, contradict the systemic structure of criminal law, do not comply with the rules of the Ukrainian language. It is not logical to make changes to the "body" of the Law of Ukraine "On Organizational and Legal Basis of Combating Organized Crime" of June 30, 1993, which requires changes in each of its articles. It is necessary and important to adopt a new Law (conditional title - "On the principles of combating organized crime in Ukraine"), which should be based on current legislation of Ukraine and take into account the current state and trends of organized crime in the world, especially its transnational nature and symbiosis with corruption, as well as the specifics of domestic organized forms of terrorism, separatism and collaborationism. Therefore, a promising area of further research on the analyzed problem is the development of scientifically sound proposals for a new law on combating organized crime in Ukraine.
Criminal responsibility for public appeals to committing crimes against national safety in foreign legislation
Authors: Kubalskyi Vladyslav
Published: August 2021

The article is devoted to research of positions of foreign legislation, that envisage criminal responsibility for public appeals to committing crimes against national safety. Attention is accented on the problems of improving of legislation of Ukraine in this sphere. The suggestions of the Ukrainian scientists, related to improving of norms of Division І Special part of the Criminal code of Ukraine, that regulate responsibility for public appeals to committing crime against bases of national safety, are analyzed. The purpose of the article is to identify the main ways to improve the criminal legislation of Ukraine, which provides for liability for public appeals to commit crimes against national security, based on doctrinal approaches of domestic scholars and foreign experience of criminal liability for such crimes.
In modern conditions, the problem of improving criminal law for public appeals to commit crimes against the foundations of national security of Ukraine, criminal liability for which is provided for in Part 2 of Art. 109 and Part 1 of Art. 110 of the Criminal code of Ukraine. Research on these issues without an analysis of foreign experience in this sphere seems to be extremely limited. It is proposed to supplement the Criminal сode of Ukraine with the article «Public appeals to actions aimed at harming the foundations of national security of Ukraine». The expediency of combining crimes, the responsibility for which is provided by Part 2 of Art. 109, part 1 of Art. 110, part 1 of Art. 2582, art. 295, art. 436, part 2 of Art. 442 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, in one criminological group under the general name «public calls to commit crimes against national security».
Features of criminal liability of persons with mental anomalies: foreign experience
Authors: Landina Anna
Published: August 2021

Annotation: Despite the rather large number of works devoted to the study of the characteristic features of mental anomalies, which do not exclude criminal prosecution, the peculiarities of criminal prosecution of such persons, a number of insufficiently solved problems remain. In the criminal law of a number of countries, the liability of persons with mental anomalies has long been regulated within the institution of limited sanity. And in this aspect, the study of foreign experience in the legislative regulation of this institution is necessary.
The purpose of the study is to study the rules of foreign criminal law, which determine the features of criminal liability of persons with mental anomalies, and compare them with the relevant rules of criminal law of Ukraine.
Among the countries whose criminal law provides for limited sanity for persons with mental anomalies, there are two conditional approaches to the criminal liability of persons with mental anomalies (mental disorders) in accordance with the legal family: England-American and Romano-Germanic. In the vast majority of countries of the Romano-Germanic legal family, whose criminal law defines the specifics of the responsibility of persons with mental anomalies (limited sanity), criteria such as medical (mental anomaly or disorder) and psychological (lack of awareness and / or control of their actions). The criminal law of the England-American legal family does not have a clear definition of the concept, criteria and consequences of the state of limited sanity in the subject of the crime. The criminal legislation of Ukraine on determining the features of criminal liability of persons with mental anomalies in the form of their legislative definition corresponds to the legislation of the Romano-Germanic legal family.
The legal criterion of limited sanity, which is defined in the theory of criminal law, should be called psychological, because it is an intellectual-volitional manifestation of behaviour, not legal. It may be legal to establish a medical and psychological criterion of limited sanity in the relevant norm with an emphasis on the criminal consequences that will have a mental anomaly on the criminal liability of such an entity.
Features of transformation of legal entities in the conditions of Brexit
Authors: Ovechkina Olha
Published: August 2021

In connection with the decision to withdraw the UK from the EU a number of companies will need to take into account that from 1 January 2021 EU law will no longer apply to the United Kingdom and will become a "third country" for EU Member States, unless the provisions of bilateral agreements or multilateral trade agreements. This means that the four European freedoms (movement of goods, services, labor and capital) will no longer apply to UK companies to the same extent as they did during the UK's EU membership.
The purpose of the article is to study, first of all, the peculiarities of the influence of Great Britain's withdrawal from the European Union on the legal regulation of the status of European legal entities.
Brexit results in the inability to register European companies and European economic interest groups in the UK. Such companies already registered before 01.01.2021 have the opportunity to move their place of registration to an EU Member State. These provisions are defined in Regulations 2018 (2018/1298) and Regulations 2018 (2018/1299).British companies with branches in EU Member States will now be subject to the rules applicable to third-country companies, which provide additional information on their activities.
In the EU, many countries apply the criterion of actual location, which causes, among other things, the problem of non-recognition of legal entities established in the country where the criterion of incorporation is used (including the United Kingdom), at the same time as the governing bodies of such legal entities the state where the settlement criterion is applied.
Therefore, to reduce the likelihood of possible non-recognition of British companies, given the location of the board of such a legal entity in the state where the residency criterion applies, it seems appropriate to consider reincarnation at the actual location of such a company. Reducing the risks of these negative consequences in connection with Brexit on cross-border activities of legal entities is possible by concluding interstate bilateral and multilateral agreements that would contain unified rules on conflict of law regulation of the status of legal entities.
Limitation of human rights: concept and content
Authors: Lvova Olena
Published: August 2021

Introduction. Human rights and freedoms are inalienable and not violated, however, they should not be opposed to the rights and freedoms of others. There may be some conflict of rights and conflicts of interest that need to be addressed at the level of scientific theory and law-making practice, and this may lead to restrictions on the exercise of certain rights or, conversely, their abuse.

The purpose of the article. The article aims to analyze the basic concepts of restrictions on human rights and the content of this category in view of international human rights law.

The results obtained. Examining the limits of human and state freedom, attention is paid to the relationship between order in society and personal rights of the individual, emphasizes the need for balance so that public authorities that guarantee order in society, their regulatory influence does not suppress human rights and freedoms.

Issues of legal and illegal restrictions are studied. In particular, in determining the legitimacy of state interference in a particular law, the European Court of Human Rights always checks compliance with a three-part test, which includes the following conditions: whether the law provides for the possibility of restricting the exercise of the right; whether the purpose of such a restriction is legitimate; whether such a restriction is necessary in a democratic society.

At the international level, the so-called prohibition of state interference in the private life of citizens has been established, in connection with which the article analyzes international legal acts, in particular, the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

It is emphasized that the restriction of human and civil rights and freedoms is also an institution that is present in the constitutions of most of the most developed countries in the world. As a rule, in accordance with international standards, absolute or fundamental rights are not subject to restrictions. However, taking into account the individual characteristics of social and political life of society, each state establishes criteria for restricting human rights and freedoms.

Conclusions. Restrictions on human and civil rights and freedoms should be understood as legally (legally) established limits (or exceptional conditions) that individuals must comply with in the process of exercising their fundamental rights in order to prevent violations of the rights and legitimate interests of others and compliance with established legal conditions necessary to ensure national security, public order, public morality, etc.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Health Literacy in Fibromyalgia
Authors: AYKURT KARLIBEL İlknur , KASAPOĞLU AKSOY Meliha , DEMİRCİ Hakan , AZKAN TÜRE Deniz
Published: August 2021

OBJECTIVE: Many patients with fibromyalgia benefit from complementary and alternative therapies (CAM) in addition totraditional therapy. Health literacy (HL) refers to the ability to seek, understand and apply health information. The aim of thisstudy is to investigate the relationship between CAM use and HL in female patients with fibromyalgia.MATERIALS AND METHODS: An open-ended questionnaire, which also evaluates CAM preferences, was applied to 160 patientswith FMS, and their data were evaluated in a cross-sectional analytical design. Visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, fibromyalgiaimpact questionnaire (FIQ) and HL Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q47) were applied. The patients were divided into two groups (usingCAM (Group 1); not using CAM (Group 2)).RESULTS: According to the results of the questionnaire, the HL score was 30.94 ± 8.40 (problematic-limited level). There was nosignificant difference between the two groups in terms of demographic, clinical parameters, HL and sub-indices (p> 0.05). Theresults of the evaluations made according to the most commonly used CAM methods showed that there is no difference betweenthose who use the relevant CAM method and those who do not, according to the HL general score and subscale scores. The mostpreferred CAM methods were prayer (37.9%), wet cupping (21.8%), herbal therapy (16.30%), dry cupping (12.9%) and thermal bath(11.40%), respectively.CONCLUSION: The results of our study showed that the use of CAM is common among women with FMS, and spiritual methodsare the leading methods. In addition, disease severity and health literacy levels were similar in CAM users and non-users.
COVID-19 SALGINI SÜRECİNDE HEMŞİRELİK ÖĞRENCİLERİNİN UYKU DÜZENLERİ, PSİKOLOJİK DURUMLARI VE EGZERSİZ YAPMA DURUMLARININ İNCELENMESİ
Authors: YÜKSEL KAÇAN Cevriye , ÖZDEMİR Aysel , ÜNAL Eda
Published: August 2021

Çalışmanın amacı, COVID-19 salgını sürecinde hemşirelik öğrencilerinin uyku düzeni, psikolojik durum ve egzersiz yapma durumlarının incelenmesidir. Retrospektif ve Tanımlayıcı türde planlanan araştırmanın evrenini bir üniversitenin sağlık bilimleri fakültesinde Halk Sağlığı Hemşireliği dersi alan 3. sınıf hemşirelik öğrencilerinin bakım planı veri toplama formları oluşturmuştur (N=155). Eksiksiz doldurulmuş 126 formun incelenmesiyle çalışma tamamlanmıştır. Verilerin analizinde tanımlayıcı istatistikler, frekans analizi ve Ki-kare testi kullanılmıştır. Öğrencilerin yaş ortalaması 21.52±1.47 yıl ve %84.1’i kadındır. Öğrenciler COVID-19 sürecinde en fazla rutin uyuma-uyanma saatlerinin değiştiğini (%91.3) ve aile üyeleri/arkadaşların hastalanmasından ve kaybından korktuklarını (%96.0) ifade etmiştir. Öğrencilerin sadece %31’inin haftada en az 3 gün yarım saat spor veya düzenli fiziksel egzersiz yaptığı belirlenmiştir. Uyku düzeninin olumsuz etkilenmesi, rutin uyuma ve uyanma saatinin değişmesi, kaliteli uyku uyuyamama, stresli hissetme ve karşılaşılan olaylara abartılı tepkiler verme sorunlarının kadın öğrencilerde daha fazla bulunması istatistiksel olarak anlamlıdır (p<0.05). COVID-19 sürecinde öğrencilerin stresli hissettiği, uyku düzenlerinin kötü etkilendiği ve evde karantina sürecinde düzenli egzersiz yapmadıkları belirlenmiştir.
Practical commentary on preparing management report and disclosure of COVID-19 pandemic impact
Authors:   SESE “The Academy of Financial Management”, IEFYMENKO Tetiana , LOVINSKA Ljudmyla ,   SESE “The Academy of Financial Management”, OLIYNYK Yana ,   SESE “The Academy of Financial Management”, KUCHERIAVA Maria ,   SESE “The Academy of Financial Management”
Published: August 2021

In Ukraine the provisions of Directive 2013/34/EU on the disclosure of financial and non-financial information by certain types of enterprises in the management report have been implemented in national legislation. At the same time, the application of the management report has raised a number of issues that need to be addressed at the regulatory level, the main ones being the problem of information asymmetry and the disclosure by companies of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Practical commentary on preparing management report and disclosure of COVID-19 pandemic impact (Practical commentary) are designed in accordance with the requirements of national legislation taking into account recommendations of recognized international initiatives on the issue of non-financial reporting. Today, the disclosure of material information on the impact of uncertainty, in particular the pandemic caused by coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is of great relevance. The Practical commentary provides a list of indicators. Disclosure of these indicators will allow companies to provide stakeholders with the opportunity to make conclusions about the activities of enterprises under uncertainty. The objective of the initiative is to help undertakings disclose relevant, useful, consistent and comparable information on environmental, social and managerial aspects of business activities, in particular on impact of pandemic of COVID-19. This will be in line with best practices and appropriate international initiatives in the area of entity’s non-financial reporting. The developed Practical Commentary is aimed at solving the organizational issues of preparation of the management report in Ukraine. The Recommendations are general and complementary but do not replace the provisions of international documents. In order to enhance the quality of preparation of the management report by domestic enterprises for stakeholders through the disclosure of high-quality, relevant, useful, comparable financial and non-financial information the Practical Commentary includes the recommendations on principles, content and order of preparation of the management report, the list of indicators cover the environmental, economic and governmental aspects of business activities based on existing provisions of international documents. Also, the Practical commentary provides a list of indicators. Disclosure of these indicators will allow companies to provide stakeholders with the opportunity to make conclusions about the activities of enterprises under uncertainty.
ЛЕТОПИСЕЦ ВСЕРОССИЙСКОГО ЦЕРКОВНОГО СОБОРА 1917–1918 гг.
Authors: Лабынцев Юрий Андреевич , Щавинская Лариса Леонидовна
Published: August 2021

Аннотация. Статья посвящена истории жизни и деятельности Вячеслава Васильевича Богдановича (1878–1939/1940) – выдающегося православного публициста, политика, педагога, организатора в межвоенной Польше особого «патриаршего прихода» – верного патриарху Тихону. Избранный от мирян Литовской епархии в состав членов Священного Собора Православной Российской Церкви 1917–1918 гг., он стал подлинным его летописцем, составителем весьма значимых воспоминаний о нем, а также создателем графической галереи портретов членов Собора, включая самого себя. Как один из признанных лидеров белорусского национального движения во II Речи Посполитой В. В. Богданович, дважды избиравшийся в польский Сенат, многое сделал для защиты религиозных начал своего народа, а также всех православных в межвоенной Польше.
Abstract. The article is devoted to the history of the life and work of Vyacheslav Vasilyevich Bogdanovich (1878-1939/1940) – an outstanding Orthodox publicist, politician, teacher, organizer in interwar Poland of a special «patriarchal parish» – loyal to Patriarch Tikhon. Elected from the laity of the Lithuanian diocese as a member of the Holy Council of the Orthodox Russian Church in 1917–1918, he became its original chronicler, the compiler of very significant memories of it, as well as the creator of a graphic gallery of portraits of members of the Council, including himself. As one of the recognized leaders of the Belarusian national movement in the second Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, V. V. Bogdanovich, who was twice elected to the Polish Senate, did much to protect the religious principles of his people, as well as all Orthodox Christians in interwar Poland.
РЕЧЬ ПОСПОЛИТАЯ В НАРОДНЫХ ИСТОРИЧЕСКИХ ПРЕДСТАВЛЕНИЯХ РУССКИХ И БЕЛОРУСОВ: ОБЩЕЕ И ОСОБЕННОЕ
Authors: Матвеев Олег Владимирович
Published: August 2021

Аннотация. Статья посвящена характеристике общего и особенного в исторических представлениях русских и белорусов о Речи Посполитой. Автор рассматривает народные тексты, противопоставляя их произведениям, вышедшим из-под пера представителей нобилитета, анализирует формирование предубеждений и стереотипов жителей Польши. Сведение мозаичной картины истории к четким образам «своего» и «чужого» в народных представлениях в статье увязано с влиянием определенных конфессиональных, идеологических, политических и этнокультурных ситуаций.
Abstract. The article is devoted to the characterization of the general and special in the historical ideas of Russian and Belarusians about the Commonwealth. The author considers the folk texts, opposing their works that came out from under the pen of representatives of the nobility, analyzes the formation of prejudice and stereotypes of the residents of Poland. The reduction of the mosaic picture of history to clear images of «familiar» and «foreign» in the people’s ideas is linked to the influence of certain confessional, ideological, political and ethnocultural situations.
НАУЧНЫЙ ПУТЬ МАРИНЫ МИХАЙЛОВНЫ ГРОМЫКО
Authors: Кириченко Олег Викторович
Published: August 2021

Аннотация. Историографический анализ трудов доктора исторических наук, профессора М. М. Громыко позволяет понять, как складывалось «православное направление» в русской этнографии постсоветского периода. Одна из крупных фигур в современной этнографии русского народа, М. М. Громыко прошла долгий путь в науке, одно время ее отличал славянофильский подход (насколько это было возможно в то или иное время) в изучении русского народа. В 1990-е годы произошла замена светского подхода религиозным. Главным ее достижением стали исследования в области нравственной культуры. Сегодня православное направление продолжает развивать свою методологию, которая должна соответствовать изучаемой русской традиционной культуре.
Abstract. Historiographic analysis of the works of Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor M.M. Gromyko makes it possible to understand how the “Orthodox trend” took shape in Russian ethnography in the post-Soviet period. One of the major figures in the modern ethnography of the Russian people, M.M. Gromyko has come a long way in science, at one time she was distinguished by the Slavophil approach (as far as it was possible at one time or another) in the study of the Russian people. Then, in the 1990s, the secular approach was replaced by a religious one. Her main achievement was research in the field of moral culture. Today the Orthodox direction is on the way to developing its own methodology, which should correspond to the studied Russian traditional culture.
О МАРИНЕ МИХАЙЛОВНЕ ГРОМЫКО
Authors: Петров Станислав Геннадьевич
Published: August 2021

Аннотация. В воспоминаниях о М. М. Громыко автор отталкивается от «канонического образа», который сложился в Новосибирске в академической среде в связи с научной деятельностью Громыко и ее личностью (в поступках, поведении, взаимоотношениях с коллегами). Автору удалось познакомиться с Мариной Михайловной, и общение с ней подтвердило, что образ соответствует реальности. В воспоминаниях присутствует важная информация о деталях складывания научной школы Н. Н. Покровского в Новосибирске и роли М. М. Громыко в этом процессе.
Abstract. In the memoirs of M. M. Gromyko, the author starts from the «canonical image» that has developed in Novosibirsk in the academic environment in connection with the scientific activities of Gromyko and her personality (in actions, behavior, relationships with colleagues). The author managed to get to know Marina Mikhailovna and communication with her confirmed that the image corresponds to reality. The memoirs contain important information about the details of the formation of the scientific school of N. N. Pokrovsky in Novosibirsk and the role of M. M. Gromyko is in this process.
МОЯ ВСТРЕЧА С МАРИНОЙ МИХАЙЛОВНОЙ ГРОМЫКО
Authors: Верховская Зосима
Published: August 2021

Аннотация. Воспоминания монахини Зосимы (Верховской) о М. М. Громыко касаются обстоятельств обращения автора к семейно-родовым преданиям, связанным с подвижником XIX в. монахом Зосимой (Верховским). К этому ее подвигла книга М. М. Громыко «Сибирские знакомые и друзья Ф. М. Достоевского». Знакомство с автором книги перешло в плодотворное, многолетнее научное сотрудничество с Громыко, в написание трудов по истории монастырей, основанных святым. Автор отмечает выдающиеся личные качества М. М. Громыко, позволяющие ей работать по религиозной тематике.
Abstract. Memories of nun Zosima (Verkhovskaya) about M.M. Gromyko refer to the circumstances of the author’s appeal to family and clan legends associated with the ascetic of the 19th century monk Zosima (Verkhovsky). To this she was prompted by Gromyko’s book «Siberian acquaintances of F. M. Dostoevsky». Acquaintance with the author of the book turned into fruitful, long-term communication with Gromyko, into writing works on the history of monasteries founded by the saints. The author notes the outstanding personal qualities of M. M. Gromyko, allowing her to work on religious topics.
COX2 Enhances Neovascularization of Inflammatory Tenocytes Through the HIF-1α/VEGFA/PDGFB Pathway
Authors: Deng Bin , Xu Pu , Zhang Bingyu , Luo Qing , Song Guanbin
Published: August 2021

Tendon injuries are among the most challenging in orthopedics. During the early tendon repair, new blood vessel formation is necessary. However, excessive angiogenesis also exacerbates scar formation, leading to pain and dysfunction. A significantly worse outcome was associated with higher expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), and its transcriptional targets vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and platelet-derived growth factor B (PDGFB), but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to induce an inflammatory response in tenocytes. LPS increased the tenocytes’ inflammatory factor COX2 expression and activated the HIF-1α/VEGFA/PDGFB pathway. Moreover, the conditioned medium from the tenocytes boosted rat aortic vascular endothelial cell (RAOEC) angiogenesis. Furthermore, Trichostatin A (TSA), an inhibitor of histone deacetylase, was used to treat inflammatory tenocytes. The expression levels of HIF-1α and its transcriptional targets VEGFA and PDGFB decreased, resulting in RAOEC angiogenesis inhibition. Finally, the dual-luciferase reporter gene assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay proved that the HIF-1α/PDGFB pathway played a more critical role in tenocyte angiogenesis than the HIF-1α/VEGFA pathway. TSA could alleviate angiogenesis mainly through epigenetic regulation of the HIF-1α/PDGFB pathway. Taken together, TSA might be a promising anti-angiogenesis drug for abnormal angiogenesis, which is induced by tendon injuries.
Akkermansia muciniphila Exerts Strain-Specific Effects on DSS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice
Authors: Liu Qing , Lu Wenwei , Tian Fengwei , Zhao Jianxin , Zhang Hao , Hong Kan , Yu Leilei
Published: August 2021

Akkermansia muciniphila is a commensal bacterium of the gut mucus layer. Although both in vitro and in vivo data have shown that A. muciniphila strains exhibit strain-specific modulation of gut functions, its ability to moderate immunity to ulcerative colitis have not been verified. We selected three isolated human A. muciniphila strains (FSDLZ39M14, FSDLZ36M5 and FSDLZ20M4) and the A. muciniphila type strain ATCC BAA-835 to examine the effects of different A. muciniphila strains on dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis. All of the A. muciniphila strains were cultured anaerobically in brain heart infusion medium supplemented with 0.25% type II mucin from porcine stomach. To create animal models, colitis was established in C57BL/6 mice which randomly divided into six groups with 10 mice in each group by adding 3% dextran sulfate sodium to drinking water for 7 days. A. muciniphila strains were orally administered to the mice at a dose of 1 × 109 CFU. Only A. muciniphila FSDLZ36M5 exerted significant protection against ulcerative colitis (UC) by increasing the colon length, restoring body weight, decreasing gut permeability and promoting anti-inflammatory cytokine expression. However, the other strains (FSDLZ39M14, ATCC BAA-835 and FSDLZ20M4) failed to provide these effects. Notably, A. muciniphila FSDLZ20M4 showed a tendency to exacerbate inflammation according to several indicators. Gut microbiota sequencing showed that A. muciniphila FSDLZ36M5 supplementation recovered the gut microbiota of mice to a similar state to that of the control group. A comparative genomic analysis demonstrated that the positive effects of A. muciniphila FSDLZ36M5 compared with the FSDLZ20M4 strain may be associated with specific functional genes that are involved in immune defense mechanisms and protein synthesis. Our results verify the efficacy of A. muciniphila in improving UC and provide gene targets for the efficient and rapid screening of A. muciniphila strains with UC-alleviating effects.
[Gly²]-GLP-2, But Not Glucagon or [D-Ala²]-GLP-1, Controls Collagen Crosslinking in Murine Osteoblast Cultures
Authors: Mieczkowska Aleksandra , Bouvard Beatrice , Legrand Erick , Mabilleau Guillaume
Published: August 2021

Bone tissue is organized at the molecular level to resist fracture with the minimum of bone material. This implies that several modifications of the extracellular matrix, including enzymatic collagen crosslinking, take place. We previously highlighted the role of several gut hormones in enhancing collagen maturity and bone strength. The present study investigated the effect of proglucagon-derived peptides on osteoblast-mediated collagen post-processing. Briefly, MC3T3-E1 murine osteoblasts were cultured in the presence of glucagon (GCG), [D-Ala²]-glucagon-like peptide-1 ([D-Ala²]-GLP-1), and [Gly²]-glucagon-like peptide-2 ([Gly²]-GLP-2). Gut hormone receptor expression at the mRNA and protein levels were investigated by qPCR and Western blot. Extent of collagen postprocessing was examined by Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy. GCG and GLP-1 receptors were not evidenced in osteoblast cells at the mRNA and protein levels. However, it is not clear whether the known GLP-2 receptor is expressed. Nevertheless, administration of [Gly²]-GLP-2, but not GCG or [D-Ala²]-GLP-1, led to a dose-dependent increase in collagen maturity and an acceleration of collagen post-processing. This mechanism was dependent on adenylyl cyclase activation. In conclusion, the present study highlighted a direct effect of [Gly²]-GLP-2 to enhance collagen post-processing and crosslinking maturation in murine osteoblast cultures. Whether this effect is translatable to human osteoblasts remains to be elucidated.
Phylogenetic Analysis of Core Melanin Synthesis Genes Provides Novel Insights Into the Molecular Basis of Albinism in Fish
Authors: Bian Chao , Li Ruihan , Wen Zhengyong , Ge Wei , Shi Qiong
Published: August 2021

Melanin is the most prevalent pigment in animals. Its synthesis involves a series of functional genes. Particularly, teleosts have more copies of these genes related to the melanin synthesis than tetrapods. Despite the increasing number of available vertebrate genomes, a few systematically genomic studies were reported to identify and compare these core genes for the melanin synthesis. Here, we performed a comparative genomic analysis on several core genes, including tyrosinase genes (tyr, tyrp1, and tyrp2), premelanosome protein (pmel), microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (mitf), and solute carrier family 24 member 5 (slc24a5), based on 90 representative vertebrate genomes. Gene number and mutation identification suggest that loss-of-function mutations in these core genes may interact to generate an albinism phenotype. We found nonsense mutations in tyrp1a and pmelb of an albino golden-line barbel fish, in pmelb of an albino deep-sea snailfish (Pseudoliparis swirei), in slc24a5 of cave-restricted Mexican tetra (Astyanax mexicanus, cavefish population), and in mitf of a transparent icefish (Protosalanx hyalocranius). Convergent evolution may explain this phenomenon since nonsense mutations in these core genes for melanin synthesis have been identified across diverse albino fishes. These newly identified nonsense mutations and gene loss will provide molecular guidance for ornamental fish breeding, further enhancing our in-depth understanding of human skin coloration.
Host Genetics of Response to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome in Sows: Antibody Response as an Indicator Trait for Improved Reproductive Performance
Authors: Hickmann Felipe M. W. , Braccini Neto José , Kramer Luke M. , Huang Yijian , Gray Kent A. , Dekkers Jack C. M. , Sanglard Leticia P. , Serão Nick V. L.
Published: August 2021

Antibody response to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus (PRRSV) infection, measured as sample-to-positive (S/P) ratio, has been proposed as an indicator trait for improved reproductive performance during a PRRS outbreak in Landrace sows. However, this result has not yet been validated in Landrace sows or evaluated in terminal sire lines. The main objectives of this work were to validate the use of S/P ratio as an indicator trait to select pigs during a PRRS outbreak and to explore the genetic basis of antibody response to PRRSV. Farrowing data included 2,546 and 2,522 litters from 894 Duroc and 813 Landrace sows, respectively, split into pre-PRRS, PRRS, and post-PRRS phases. Blood samples were taken from 1,231 purebred sows (541 Landrace and 690 Duroc) following a PRRS outbreak for subsequent PRRSV ELISA analysis for S/P ratio measurement. All animals had high-density genotype data available (29,799 single nucleotide polymorphisms; SNPs). Genetic parameters and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for S/P ratio were performed for each breed separately. Heritability estimates (± standard error) of S/P ratio during the PRRS outbreak were moderate, with 0.35 ± 0.08 for Duroc and 0.34 ± 0.09 for Landrace. During the PRRS outbreak, favorable genetic correlations of S/P ratio with the number of piglets born alive (0.61 ± 0.34), number of piglets born dead (−0.33 ± 0.32), and number of stillborn piglets (−0.27 ± 0.31) were observed for Landrace sows. For Duroc, the GWAS identified a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome (Chr) 7 (24-15 megabases; Mb) explaining 15% of the total genetic variance accounted for by markers (TGVM), and another one on Chr 8 (25 Mb) explaining 2.4% of TGVM. For Landrace, QTL on Chr 7 (24–25 Mb) and Chr 7 (108–109 Mb), explaining 31% and 2.2% of TGVM, respectively, were identified. Some of the SNPs identified in these regions for S/P ratio were associated with reproductive performance but not during the PRRS outbreak. Genomic prediction accuracies for S/P ratio were moderate to high for the within-breed analysis. For the between-breed analysis, these were overall low. These results further support the use of S/P ratio as an indicator trait for improved reproductive performance during a PRRS outbreak in Landrace sows.
Differential CD147 Functional Epitopes on Distinct Leukocyte Subsets
Authors: Pata Supansa , Surinkaew Sirirat , Takheaw Nuchjira , Laopajon Witida , Chuensirikulchai Kantinan , Kasinrerk Watchara
Published: August 2021

CD147, a member of the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily, is widely expressed in several cell types. CD147 molecules have multiple cellular functions, such as migration, adhesion, invasion, energy metabolism and T cell activation. In particular, recent studies have demonstrated the potential application of CD147 as an effective therapeutic target for cancer, as well as autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. In this study, we elucidated the functional epitopes on CD147 extracellular domains in T cell regulation using specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Upon T cell activation, the anti-CD147 domain 1 mAbs M6-1E9 and M6-1D4 and the anti-CD147 domain 2 mAb MEM-M6/6 significantly reduced surface expression of CD69 and CD25 and T cell proliferation. To investigate whether functional epitopes of CD147 are differentially expressed on distinct leukocyte subsets, PBMCs, monocyte-depleted PBMCs and purified T cells were activated in the presence of anti-CD147 mAbs. The mAb M6-1E9 inhibited T cell functionsviaactivation of CD147 on monocytes with obligatory cell-cell contact. Engagement of the CD147 epitope by the M6-1E9 mAb downregulated CD80 and CD86 expression on monocytes and IL-2, TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-17 production in T cells. In contrast, the mAb M6-1D4 inhibited T cell functionviaactivation of CD147 on T cells by downregulating IL-2, TNF-α and IFN-γ. Herein, we demonstrated that certain epitopes of CD147, expressed on both monocytes and T cells, are involved in the regulation of T cell activation.
Cathepsins and Their Endogenous Inhibitors in Host Defense During Mycobacterium tuberculosis and HIV Infection
Authors: Anes Elsa , Azevedo-Pereira José Miguel , Pires David
Published: August 2021

The moment a very old bacterial pathogen met a young virus from the 80’s defined the beginning of a tragic syndemic for humanity. Such is the case for the causative agent of tuberculosis and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Syndemic is by definition a convergence of more than one disease resulting in magnification of their burden. Both pathogens work synergistically contributing to speed up the replication of each other. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and HIV infections are in the 21st century among the leaders of morbidity and mortality of humankind. There is an urgent need for development of new approaches for prevention, better diagnosis, and new therapies for both infections. Moreover, these approaches should consider Mtb and HIV as a co-infection, rather than just as separate problems, to prevent further aggravation of the HIV-TB syndemic. Both pathogens manipulate the host immune responses to establish chronic infections in intracellular niches of their host cells. This includes manipulation of host relevant antimicrobial proteases such as cathepsins or their endogenous inhibitors. Here we discuss recent understanding on how Mtb and HIV interact with cathepsins and their inhibitors in their multifactorial functions during the pathogenesis of both infections. Particularly we will address the role on pathogen transmission, during establishment of intracellular chronic niches and in granuloma clinical outcome and tuberculosis diagnosis. This area of research will open new avenues for the design of innovative therapies and diagnostic interventions so urgently needed to fight this threat to humanity.
Cnidome and Morphological Features of Pelagia noctiluca (Cnidaria: Scyphozoa) Throughout the Different Life Cycle Stages
Authors: Ballesteros Ainara , Östman Carina , Santín Andreu , Marambio Macarena , Narda Mridvika , Gili Josep-Maria
Published: August 2021

Pelagia noctiluca is considered the most important jellyfish in the Mediterranean Sea, due to its abundance and the severity of its stings. Despite its importance in marine ecosystems and the health problems caused by its massive arrival in coastal areas, little is known about its early life stages and its cnidome has never been described. This study of the morphological and anatomical features throughout the life cycle identifies four early stages: two ephyra and two metaephyra stages. Ephyra stage 1, newly developed from a planula, has no velar canals, gastric filaments or nematocyst batteries. Ephyra stage 2, has velar canals, a cruciform-shaped manubrium and gastric filaments. Metaephyra stage 3 has eight tentacle buds and nematocyst clusters for the first time. Lastly, in metaephyra stage 4, the eight primary tentacles grow nearly simultaneously, with no secondary tentacles. Complete nematocyst battery patterns gradually develop throughout the later life stages. Four nematocyst types are identified: a-isorhiza, A-isorhiza, O-isorhiza and eurytele. Of these, a-isorhiza and eurytele are the most important throughout the entire life cycle, while A-isorhiza and O-isorhiza have a more important role in advanced stages. All nematocysts show a positive correlation between increasing capsule volumes and increasing body diameter of the ephyrae, metaephyrae, young medusae and adult medusae. In the early stages, the volumes of euryteles in the gastric filaments are larger than those in the exumbrella, indicating that the capsule volume is critical in the absence of marginal tentacles, specialized for feeding. This study provides updated information, the most extensive description to date, including high-resolution photographs and schematic drawings of all the developmental stages in the life cycle of P. noctiluca. Additionally, the first cnidome characterization is provided for each stage to facilitate accurate identification of this species when collected in the water column, and to raise awareness of the potential for human envenomation.
Effect of Anticoagulant Administration on the Mortality of Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Jiang Luojia , Li Yupei , Du Heyue , Qin Zheng , Su Baihai
Published: August 2021

Background: Anticoagulation is generally used in hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as thromboprophylaxis. However, results from different studies comparing the effect of anticoagulation on the mortality of COVID-19 patients with non-anticoagulation are inconclusive.

Methods: Our systematic review included observational trials if they studied anticoagulant therapy in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 for mortality or bleeding events. Dichotomous variables from individual studies were pooled by risk ratio (RR) and their 95% confidence interval (95% CI) using the random-effects model. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation was used to assess the quality of evidence.

Results: A total of 11 observational studies enrolling 20,748 hospitalized COVID-19 patients overall were included. A pooled meta-analysis of these studies showed that anticoagulation therapy, compared with non-anticoagulation therapy, was associated with lower mortality risk (RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.52–0.93, p = 0.01). The evidence of benefit was stronger among critically ill COVID-19 patients in the intensive care units (RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.43–0.83, p = 0.002). Additionally, severe bleeding events were not associated with the administration of anticoagulants (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.71–1.23, p = 0.63).

Conclusion: Among patients with COVID-19 admitted to hospital, the administration of anticoagulants was associated with a decreased mortality without increasing the incidence of bleeding events.
Cuminum cyminum L. Essential Oil: A Promising Antibacterial and Antivirulence Agent Against Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Sharifi Aram , Mohammadzadeh Abdolmajid , Salehi Taghi Zahraei , Mahmoodi Pezhman , Nourian Alireza
Published: August 2021

Cuminum cyminum L. (cumin) is valued for its aromatic and medicinal properties. There are several reports of antibacterial activity of C. cyminum essential oil (CcEO). Accordingly, the present study was conducted to investigate the mechanism(s) of action of the CcEO against multidrug-resistant (MDR) Staphylococcus aureus. Therefore, 10 S. aureus MDR isolates, obtained from different sources, were selected based on the antibiotic susceptibility patterns and the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute definition and subjected to the examinations. Our results exhibited promising bacteriostatic and bactericidal properties of the CcEO. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration values ranged from 5 to 10 and 10 to 20 μL ⋅ mL–1, respectively. Scanning electron microscope was used to assess the bacterial cell structure and morphology after the induction with 1/2 MIC concentration of the CcEO. The observed morphological changes appeared to be deformation of the cell membrane and destruction of the cells. In the case of quorum sensing inhibitory potential, treatment of S. aureus isolates with the sub-MIC concentrations (1/2 MIC) of the CcEO significantly reduced the hld expression (3.13-fold downregulation), which considerably controls S. aureus quorum-sensing accessory regulator system. Another virulence factor influenced by the CcEO was the polysaccharide intercellular adhesion production system, as an important component of cell–cell adhesion and biofilm formation. Consequently, the expression level of the intercellular adhesion (ica) locus in the S. aureus cells was examined following treatment with CcEO. The results showed significant decrease (−3.3-fold) in ica expression, indicating that the CcEO could potentially interfere with the process of biofilm formation. Using the ethidium bromide efflux inhibition assay, the S. aureus NorA efflux pump was phenotypically but not genotypically (in quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay) affected by the CcEO treatment. Using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis, cuminic aldehyde (38.26%), α,β-dihydroxyethylbenzene (29.16%), 2-caren-10-al (11.20%), and γ-terpinene (6.49%) were the most detected compounds. The antibacterial and antivirulence action of the CcEO at sub-MIC concentrations means that no microbial resistance will be promoted and developed after the treatment with this agent. These findings revealed that the CcEO is a promising antibacterial agent to control infections caused by the MDR S. aureus strains.
Complete Replacement of Nitrite With a Lactobacillus fermentum on the Quality and Safety of Chinese Fermented Sausages
Authors: Xu Yuning , Zhu Yinglian
Published: August 2021

This study investigated the positive effects of complete replacement of nitrite with a Lactobacillus fermentum on the quality and safety of Chinese fermented sausages, and evaluated the risk of this strain. The effects of the strain on pH, color, nitrite, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), total volatile basenitrogen (TVB-N), metmyoglobin (Met-Mb), biological amines, free amino acid content, and sensory index have been studied. The results revealed that the strain reduced the pH of the sausages, which reduced the risk of food-borne pathogens, and accelerated the acidification and gelation process. The inoculation of the strain produced pink color similar to 50 mg/kg nitrite, significantly reducing the residual risk of nitrite in the sausages. In addition, the strain effectively improved quality and nutrition of the sausages through preventing fat oxidation, protein decomposition, and myoglobin oxidation and increasing free amino acid content. The harmful biogenic amines species of the treated sample were reduced, although the tyramine contents were higher than the control, and the contents of the two groups were all far below the specified limit (800 mg/kg). The sensory analysis showed that the strain enhanced the taste, flavor, sourness, and overall acceptability of the sample sausages. Therefore, replacing nitrite completely with the strain L. fermentum could be a potential strategy to produce healthier and safer acceptable sausages through decreasing the risk of nitrite and improving nutrition and quality of the sausages.