bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correction of poultry microbiocenosis by a complex of sour milk and propionic microorganisms
Authors:   Krasnodar Scientific Center for Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Miroshnichenko Petr V. , Lisovitskaya Ekaterina , Lazarev Sergey , Menshenin Viktor V. , Zabashta Nikolay N.
Published: January 2022

In the necessary correction and prevention of dysbacteriosis in animals and humans, the main role is played by the use of probiotics. Probiotics are live microbial supplements that have a beneficial effect on the body by forming a full-fledged barrier of the intestinal mucosa, preventing the attachment of pathogens to it, modulating the body’s defense mechanisms and improving the balance of intestinal microflora. This is achieved by directly antagonizing bacteria and increasing the effectiveness of the immune response. The normal microflora of the intestine of poultry is 99% composed of anaerobic bacteria. It was found that probiotics activate the tissue and humoral immunity of animals (T- and Blymphocyte systems), affect the production of immunoglobulins. To study the effect of a probiotic complex based on fermented milk and propionic microorganisms Streptococcus lactis and Lactobacillus acidophilus, an experiment was carried out on broiler chickens of the KOBB-500 cross. The feed additive “Prolaxim-V” was introduced with water in the watering system in the amount of 0.2 ml per 1 bird/ day. Its use increased the gain in live weight of chickens by 10.4%, improved the indices of intestinal microbiocenosis. The number of lactobacilli, lactococci and bifidobacteria in the intestine increased 5 times compared to the control. Based on the data obtained, it can be concluded that the use of lactic acid starter cultures with live lactobacilli in poultry diets during growing periods should be recommended to obtain higher growth rates, improve the physiological state of animals and the quality of meat products
Dynamics of protein and purine metabolism parameters of ducks by age and sex
Authors:   Agrotechnological Academy of the Crimean Federal University named after V.I. Vernadsky, Kuevda Ekaterina , Plakhotnyuk Ekaterina
Published: January 2022

The blood composition of poultry is a labile system that reflects the activity of metabolic processes in the organism. The study of morphological and functional changes occurring in the body of ducks in postnatal ontogenesis is an urgent area and is important for breeding birds of this species, as it serves as a scientific basis for the diagnosis and prediction of various forms of pathologies. The article presents data on the age-related dynamics of metabolic parameters of blood serum in ducks of the Cherry-Veli cross. The authors determined the content of total protein, protein fractions, uric acid, creatinine in the blood serum of ducks of both sexes at the age of 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48 weeks. In each age group, 45-50 animals were examined. There is a pronounced pattern of fluctuations in protein metabolism, depending on age and gender. It has been proven that ducks have a clear age-related dynamics of protein metabolism indicators: with age, there is an increase in the content of total protein, protein fractions (albumin, α-, β- and γ-globulins), an increase in protein metabolism in the serum of females in the pre-lay period, and also at the beginning of the productive period, which is due to the mobilization of the body for the formation of egg components. The authors found that sexual dimorphism is expressed in the content of total protein albumin, α-, β- and γ-globulins, starting from puberty (from 105-126 days of age), and fluctuations in the main indicators of purine metabolism (uric acid and creatinine) in terms of age and sex expressed slightly.
Features of cobuvirus infection of farm animals
Authors:   Federal Centre of Animal Health, Mishchenko Vladimir A. , Mishchenko Alexey , Yashin Roman ,   Federal Centre of Animal Health, Chernykh Oleg Yu. , Lysenko Aleksandr A. ,   Kuban State Agrarian University named after I.T.Trubilin, Krivonos Roman A.
Published: January 2022

Data on the cobuvirus causing outbreaks of diseases in humans and animals, on the clinical signs of the disease and the distribution area are presented in the article. Literature data indicate that since the end of the 20th and the beginning of the 21st centuries, cases of cobuvirus infection have been registered, manifested by massive gastrointestinal diseases in humans, as well as young animals: large horned cattle, sheep, goats, roe deer, pigs (domestic and wild), rabbits, dogs, foxes, bats, ferrets and birds (European roller (Coracias garrulus)). Cobuvirus was found in feces and blood serum samples taken from diseased animals. Cobuvirus infection causes the greatest damage to pig and cattle breeding worldwide. The results of phylogenetic analysis of the genome of kobuvirus strains indicate the genetic diversity of the virus strains. The data of phylogenetic analysis of the genome of cobuviruses (Aichivirus) served as the basis for the classification of strains of cobuvirus into six species. Interspecies transmission of cobuviruses poses a threat of widespread spread of the pathogen. The main route of transmission of cobuvirus is the fecal-oral route, through infected feed and water. Zoonotic infection is evidenced by interspecific transmission of bovine cobuvirus to pigs and vice versa. It is believed that mutations and recombinations have contributed to the high level of genetic diversity of the cobuvirus and serve as a driving force in its evolution. Presented data indicate the need for comprehensive studies of cobuvirus infection, which will be useful for further understanding the pathogenicity, genetic heterogeneity, interspecies transmission and global spread of cobuviruses.
On the issue of isolating a pure culture of the causative agent of pasteurellosis Pasteurella Multocida
Authors:   Federal Rostov Agrarian Scientific Center, Kashirin Vladimir
Published: January 2022

The article presents an analytical review on the isolation of a pure culture of the pasteurellosis pathogen Pasteurella multocida according to literature data and the results of our own research. On the basis of new knowledge in the etiology of pasteurellosis, the disadvantages of the traditional method have been identified and the fundamental distinctive features of a new technical solution for the method of isolating a pure culture of P. multocida of the first generation after in vivo have been established. For its application, a standard of conditions has been formulated. To ensure the uniformity of the conditions of the methodology for the isolation, assessment and application of a pure culture (strain) of the P. multocida pasteurellosis pathogen, a method (standard) has been developed and proposed for laboratory practice. The method, including obtaining the first generation of a microorganism on an artificial environment, differs in that an individual infected naturally or intranasally or orally on the mucous membrane of the nasal, oral, pharyngeal cavities and an individual selected from a bird or rabbit, which has died from pasteurellosis, weighing 350 g after 3 h (at 20 ± 1 ° C of cooling the corpse), open, take a blood sample from the heart and add it to sterile water at a temperature of 20 ± 1 ° C in a ratio of 1: 9 by volume, shake the precipitate and transfer to a suspension, then centrifuge at 1500 rpm/ min 5 min; the supernatant liquid as a pasteurella isolate from blood in a dilution of 10-1 is diluted to 10-2, 10- 3 and inoculated at a temperature of 20±1°C on nutrient broth and nutrient agar, the crops are cultivated for 9-19 h at 37°C and 1 h at 20°C. The resulting culture is assessed pure according to strictly typical morphology of continuous growth and uniform colonies of the S-form, identical cocco- and diplococcal-like encapsulated cells in the microscope fields of view, as well as high virulence for susceptible laboratory animals and birds and with a characteristic pronounced property of microbial antagonism.
MYCOSES OF MUSTELIDS OF CELL CONTENT
Authors:   Fur-Bearing Animal Breeding and Rabbit Breeding named after V.A. Afanasyev, Semikrasova Alla N. , Petrova Irina V. , Zhilina Kseniya V.
Published: January 2022

The focus of attention of authoritative international organizations, such as the World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture United Nations, is the problem of contamination by fungal microflora of feed and the formation of secondary metabolites (mycotoxins) and a number of micromycetes. Contaminant fungi are mainly represented by saprophytic species with disease-causing potential. Entering the body of an animal, fungi can cause invasive lesions of the gastrointestinal tract (mucoromycosis), infection by inhalation of fungal spores, followed by the development of respiratory mycoses (aspergillosis). Almost all types of molds are capable of synthesizing mycotoxins. Some types of fungi (Penicillium) form antibiotics as secondary metabolites, which, when ingested, can disrupt the composition of the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract. The article presents the results of studies on the identification of mycoses in mustelids of cell content. To determine the species composition of pathogenic fungi, most often found in mustelids in fur farms of the Russian Federation, microbiological studies were carried out using selective culture media and a MicroTax microbiological analyzer. As a result of laboratory research, it was found that among the isolated material from the internal organs, pathogenic fungi of the genera Fusarium, Aspergillus, Mucor, Candida are most often found. Microbiological examination of animal feed (porridge, grain grinding, fish feed) revealed identical pathogens. As a result of setting a bioassay on rabbits and white mice, the pathogenicity of the isolated fungi was determined. A laboratory study was carried out to study the effect of the isolated mushrooms and their metabolic products on the weasel organism.
RESULTS OF FECAL LOAD LEVEL ON RECTUM OF BEES WHEN USING KANDY TOP DRESSING
Authors:   Kuban State Agrarian University named after I.T. Trubilin, Komlatskiy Vasiliy I. , Strelbitskaya Olesya V. ,   Kuban State Agrarian University named after I.T.Trubilin, Kravchenko Vladimir I.
Published: January 2022

To optimize the development of bee colonies in the spring, new types of stimulating dressings have been developed based on biologically active additives, which include a complex of organic acids, mineral and protein components. In Japan, the USA, and France, bee feed obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis with the addition of acid from potato and corn starch is widely used. Before wintering bees, in order to accumulate nutrients in their bodies and in order to increase the fat body in the autumn period, it is important to provide bee colonies with abundant feeding – such feeding is thick sugar syrup. To replenish forage reserves in winter, kandy remains a common top dressing for bees, during the preparation of which medicinal, vitamin and mineral components are added. The authors studied the degree of congestion of the rectum of bees with excrement when using kandy supplements, which include organic acids. Experimental studies have established that the use of pasty dressings has a positive effect on the indicators of the colon of insects, and the presence of organic acids in the top dressing of kandy contributes to less congestion of the rectum with excrement during the period of winter dormancy of bees. Fecal load data are presented by morphometric measurement and weighing of the colon of bees. The level of fecal load determines the survival rate of bee colonies during winter dormancy. In 2019-2021, the safety of the experimental groups was 90-100%, in the control groups 70-80%. The study of the dynamics of filling the rectum of bees with excrement makes it possible to predict the safety of bee colonies in winter and their life expectancy in the spring.
МОНАХИНИ И ЧЕРНИЧКИ КАК ОРГАНИЗАТОРЫ НАРОДНОГО ПРОТИВОДЕЙСТВИЯ ЦЕРКОВНОМУ ОБНОВЛЕНЧЕСТВУ В 1930-е ГОДЫ
Authors: Кириченко Олег Викторович
Published: January 2022

Статья посвящена неизученной теме народного противодействия обновленчеству. Автор вводит в научный оборот редкие, никогда не публиковавшиеся источники по обновленчеству в сельской местности.
ФАКТЫ ЦЕРКОВНОГО ПРЕДАНИЯ И СОВРЕМЕННЫЕ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЯ (РЕЦЕНЗИЯ НА КНИГУ: О. В. БУКОВА. ЖЕНСКИЕ ОБИТЕЛИ ПРЕПОДОБНОГО СЕРАФИМА САРОВСКОГО. ИСТОРИЯ ДЕСЯТИ НИЖЕГОРОДСКИХ ЖЕНСКИХ МОНАСТЫРЕЙ. НИЖНИЙ НОВГОРОД, 2003. – 592 с.)
Authors: Кириченко Олег Викторович
Published: January 2022

Рецензент обращает внимание на тот факт, что автор книги действует формально, предвзято, когда предпринимает попытку ревизии дивеевского предания, не принимая его объективного характера, опирающегося на авторитет многих святых отцов.
ОПЫТ ФОРМИРОВАНИЯ НАЦИОНАЛЬНОЙ ИДЕИ В СОВРЕМЕННОЙ РУССКОЙ ОБЩЕСТВЕННО-ПАТРИОТИЧЕСКОЙ МЫСЛИ: КРИТИЧЕСКИЕ ЗАМЕЧАНИЯ И ПРЕДЛОЖЕНИЯ
Authors: Кириченко Олег Викторович
Published: January 2022

Статья посвящена анализу точек зрения на общий процесс развития современной России. Автор исходит из понимания важности государственного первообраза, способного служить ориентиром для модели политического развития. Таким первообразом для страны ему видится святой князь Александр Невский, в то время как полемика в патриотической среде идет по поводу выдвижения на первый план образов советских вождей Сталина или Ленина.
КОНВЕРТАЦИЯ БОГАТСТВА В СОВЕТСКУЮ ЭПОХУ (1950-е - 1990-е ГОДЫ)
Authors: Кириченко Олег Викторович
Published: January 2022

В статье продолжено исследование советской модели государственной конвертации богатства, сводящейся к выделению вместо объекта — субъекта конвертации. Проблема конвертации богатства в более ранние периоды рассмотрена автором в 13, 15, 17 номерах журнала, вторая часть статьи опубликована в 19 номере.
ГОСУДАРСТВЕННАЯ ПОЛИТИКА И ЖИЗНЕННАЯ ПРАКТИКА В ОТНОШЕНИИ СИРОТСТВА В СССР
Authors: Шляхтина Наталья Валерьевна
Published: January 2022

Статья раскрывает особенности государственной модели сиротской опеки, пришедшей на смену традиционной, и показывает, какая огромная цена была заплачена на установление этой монополии.
Stability Analysis of a Modified Leslie–Gower Predation Model With Weak Allee Effect in the Prey
Authors: Arancibia-Ibarra Claudio , Flores José D. , van Heijster Peter
Published: January 2022

In this manuscript, we study a Leslie–Gower predator-prey model with a hyperbolic functional response and weak Allee effect. The results reveal that the model supports coexistence and oscillation of both predator and prey populations. We also identify regions in the parameter space in which different kinds of bifurcations, such as saddle-node bifurcations, Hopf bifurcations and Bogdanov–Takens bifurcations.
Interpretable Transformed ANOVA Approximation on the Example of the Prevention of Forest Fires
Authors: Potts Daniel , Schmischke Michael
Published: January 2022

The distribution of data points is a key component in machine learning. In most cases, one uses min-max-normalization to obtain nodes in [0, 1] or Z-score normalization for standard normal distributed data. In this paper, we apply transformation ideas in order to design a complete orthonormal system in the L2 space of functions with the standard normal distribution as integration weight. Subsequently, we are able to apply the explainable ANOVA approximation for this basis and use Z-score transformed data in the method. We demonstrate the applicability of this procedure on the well-known forest fires dataset from the UCI machine learning repository. The attribute ranking obtained from the ANOVA approximation provides us with crucial information about which variables in the dataset are the most important for the detection of fires.
Identification of Biomarker in Brain-specific Gene Regulatory Network Using Structural Controllability Analysis
Authors: Chen Zhihua , Chen Siyuan , Qiang Xiaoli
Published: January 2022

Brain tumor research has been stapled for human health while brain network research is crucial for us to understand brain activity. Here the structural controllability theory is applied to study three human brain-specific gene regulatory networks, including forebrain gene regulatory network, hindbrain gene regulatory network and neuron associated cells cancer related gene regulatory network, whose nodes are neural genes and the edges represent the gene expression regulation among the genes. The nodes are classified into two classes: critical nodes and ordinary nodes, based on the change of the number of driver nodes upon its removal. Eight topological properties (out-degree DO, in-degree DI, degree D, betweenness B, closeness CA, in-closeness CI, out-closeness CO and clustering coefficient CC) are calculated in this paper and the results prove that the critical genes have higher score of topological properties than the ordinary genes. Then two bioinformatic analysis are used to explore the biologic significance of the critical genes. On the one hand, the enrichment scores in several kinds of gene databases are calculated and reveal that the critical nodes are richer in essential genes, cancer genes and the neuron related disease genes than the ordinary nodes, which indicates that the critical nodes may be the biomarker in brain-specific gene regulatory network. On the other hand, GO analysis and KEGG pathway analysis are applied on them and the results show that the critical genes mainly take part in 14 KEGG pathways that are transcriptional misregulation in cancer, pathways in cancer and so on, which indicates that the critical genes are related to the brain tumor. Finally, by deleting the edges or routines in the network, the robustness analysis of node classification is realized, and the robustness of node classification is proved. The comparison of neuron associated cells cancer related GRN (Gene Regulatory Network) and normal brain-specific GRNs (including forebrain and hindbrain GRN) shows that the neuron-related cell cancer-related gene regulatory network is more robust than other types.
Exosomes as Drug Carriers in Anti-Cancer Therapy
Authors: Chen Lan , Wang Li , Zhu Lingling , Xu Zihan , Liu Yanyang , Li Zhixi , Zhou Jin , Luo Feng
Published: January 2022

Over the years, there has been a high demand for developing new safe and effective drug carriers for cancer therapy. Emerging studies have indicated that exosomes can serve as potent therapeutic carriers since they offer low immunogenicity, high stability, innate and acquired targetability, and the stimulation of anti-cancer immune responses. Yet, the development of exosome-based drug delivery systems remains challenging due to their heterogeneity, low yield, and limited drug loading efficiency. Herein, we summarized the current application of exosomes derived from different cells as drug carriers in anti-cancer therapy in vitro and in vivo. We also discussed the challenges and prospects of exosome-based drug delivery systems in cancer therapy.
Association of Angiogenesis Gene Expression With Cancer Prognosis and Immunotherapy Efficacy
Authors: Li Xin-yu , Ma Wei-Ning , Su Li-xin , Shen Yuchen , Zhang Liming , Shao Yuhao , Wang Deming , Wang Zhenfeng , Wen Ming-Zhe , Yang Xi-tao
Published: January 2022

Background: Several new blood vessels are formed during the process of tumor development. These new blood vessels provide nutrients and water for tumour growth, while spreading tumour cells to distant areas and forming new metastases in different parts of the body. The available evidence suggests that tumour angiogenesis is closely associated with the tumour microenvironment and is regulated by a variety of pro-angiogenic factors and/or angiogenic inhibitors.

Methods: In the present study, a comprehensive characterization of angiogenesis genes expression was performed in a pan-cancer analysis across the 33 human cancer types. Further, genetic data from several public databases were also used in the current study. An angiogenesis score was assigned to The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) pan-cancer data, with one angiogenesis score as per sample for each tumour.

Results: It was found that angiogenesis genes vary across cancer types, and are associated with a number of genomic and immunological features. Further, it was noted that macrophages and iTreg infiltration were generally higher in tumours with high angiogenesis scores, whereas lymphocytes and B cells showed the opposite trend. Notably, NK cells showed significantly different correlations among cancer types. Furthermore, results of the present study showed that a high angiogenesis score was associated with poor survival and aggressive types of cancer in most of the cancer types.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the current study evidently showed that the expression of angiogenesis genes is a key feature of tumour biology that has a major impact on prognosis of patient with cancers.
Review of LINC00707: A Novel LncRNA and Promising Biomarker for Human Diseases
Authors: Yao Qinfan , Li Zheng , Chen Dajin
Published: January 2022

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a major type of noncoding RNA greater than 200 nucleotides in length involved in important regulatory processes. Abnormal expression of certain lncRNAs contributes to the pathogenesis of multiple diseases, including cancers. The lncRNA LINC00707 is located on chromosome 10p14 and is abnormally expressed in numerous disease types, and particularly in several types of cancer. High LINC00707 levels mediate a series of biological functions, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, invasion, cell cycle arrest, inflammation, and even osteogenic differentiation. In this review, we discuss the main functions and underlying mechanisms of LINC00707 in different diseases and describe promising applications of LINC00707 in clinical settings.
It’s Getting Complicated—A Fresh Look at p53-MDM2-ARF Triangle in Tumorigenesis and Cancer Therapy
Authors: Kung Che-Pei , Weber Jason D.
Published: January 2022

Anti-tumorigenic mechanisms mediated by the tumor suppressor p53, upon oncogenic stresses, are our bodies’ greatest weapons to battle against cancer onset and development. Consequently, factors that possess significant p53-regulating activities have been subjects of serious interest from the cancer research community. Among them, MDM2 and ARF are considered the most influential p53 regulators due to their abilities to inhibit and activate p53 functions, respectively. MDM2 inhibits p53 by promoting ubiquitination and proteasome-mediated degradation of p53, while ARF activates p53 by physically interacting with MDM2 to block its access to p53. This conventional understanding of p53-MDM2-ARF functional triangle have guided the direction of p53 research, as well as the development of p53-based therapeutic strategies for the last 30 years. Our increasing knowledge of this triangle during this time, especially through identification of p53-independent functions of MDM2 and ARF, have uncovered many under-appreciated molecular mechanisms connecting these three proteins. Through recognizing both antagonizing and synergizing relationships among them, our consideration for harnessing these relationships to develop effective cancer therapies needs an update accordingly. In this review, we will re-visit the conventional wisdom regarding p53-MDM2-ARF tumor-regulating mechanisms, highlight impactful studies contributing to the modern look of their relationships, and summarize ongoing efforts to target this pathway for effective cancer treatments. A refreshed appreciation of p53-MDM2-ARF network can bring innovative approaches to develop new generations of genetically-informed and clinically-effective cancer therapies.
Diagnosis of Lung Cancer by FTIR Spectroscopy Combined With Raman Spectroscopy Based on Data Fusion and Wavelet Transform
Authors: Yang Xien , Wu Zhongyu , Ou Quanhong , Qian Kai , Jiang Liqin , Yang Weiye , Shi Youming , Liu Gang
Published: January 2022

Lung cancer is a fatal tumor threatening human health. It is of great significance to explore a diagnostic method with wide application range, high specificity, and high sensitivity for the detection of lung cancer. In this study, data fusion and wavelet transform were used in combination with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy to study the serum samples of patients with lung cancer and healthy people. The Raman spectra of serum samples can provide more biological information than the FTIR spectra of serum samples. After selecting the optimal wavelet parameters for wavelet threshold denoising (WTD) of spectral data, the partial least squares–discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) model showed 93.41% accuracy, 96.08% specificity, and 90% sensitivity for the fusion data processed by WTD in the prediction set. The results showed that the combination of FTIR spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy based on data fusion and wavelet transform can effectively diagnose patients with lung cancer, and it is expected to be applied to clinical screening and diagnosis in the future.
Microneedle Array Patch Made of Kangfuxin/Chitosan/Fucoidan Complex Enables Full-Thickness Wound Healing
Authors: Yu Xixi , Wang Caixia , Wang Yuanfei , Li Longhao , Gao Xiang , Zhu Tingting , An Pugen , Meng Zhaojian , Wang Wanchun , Wu Tong , Hao Yuanping
Published: January 2022

Skin wound caused by external injury is usually difficult to be cured by conventional topical administration because of its poor drug diffusion across the stratum corneum. It has been recognized that stratum corneum is the major obstacle for transdermal drug delivery. To address this issue, microneedles (MNs) have been developed to penetrate the stratum corneum of the skin and then form micron-sized pores between the epidermis and the dermis layers. As such, biomacromolecule drugs and/or insoluble drug molecules can be allowed for effective transdermal penetration. A multifunctional microneedle array patch that can avoid wound infection and promote tissue remolding has important value for wound healing. Among others, marine polysaccharides have attracted much attention in multifarious biomedical applications due to their excellent (bio)physical and chemical properties. Herein, we developed a microneedle array patch using a blend of kangfuxin (KFX), chitosan (CS), and fucoidan (FD), named KCFMN, for accelerating full-thickness wound healing. The traditional Chinese medicine KFX extracted from Periplaneta americana (PA) has effective bio-functions in promoting wound healing. The macro-/micro-morphology and (bio)physicochemical properties of such composite microneedles were also studied. We showed that the KCFMN patch displayed noticeable antibacterial properties and good cytocompatibility. In particular, the KCFMN patch significantly accelerated the wound healing development in a full-thickness wound in rats by improving the epithelial thickness and collagen deposition. Thus, this versatile KCFMN patch has great prospects as a dressing for full-thickness wound healing.
Monitoring Distribution Dynamics of EV RNA Cargo Within Recipient Monocytes and Macrophages
Authors: Alfandari Daniel , Ben Ami Pilo Hila , Abou Karam Paula , Dagan Osnat , Joubran Carine , Rotkopf Ron , Regev-Rudzki Neta , Porat Ziv
Published: January 2022

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are produced by across almost all the living kingdoms and play a crucial role in cell-cell communication processes. EVs are especially important for pathogens, as Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) parasite, the leading causing species in human malaria. Malaria parasites are able to modulate the host immune response from a distance via delivering diverse cargo components inside the EVs, such as proteins and nucleic acids. We have previously shown that imaging flow cytometry (IFC) can be effectively used to monitor the uptake of different cargo components of malaria derived EVs by host human monocytes. Here, we take this approach one step further and demonstrate that we can directly investigate the dynamics of the cargo distribution pattern over time by monitoring its distribution within two different recipient cells of the immune system, monocytes vs macrophages. By staining the RNA cargo of the vesicles and monitor the signal we were able to evaluate the kinetics of its delivery and measure different parameters of the cargo’s distribution post internalization. Interestingly, we found that while the level of the EV uptake is similar, the pattern of the signal for RNA cargo distribution is significantly different between these two recipient immune cells. Our results demonstrate that this method can be applied to study the distribution dynamics of the vesicle cargo post uptake to different types of cells. This can benefit significantly to our understanding of the fate of cargo components post vesicle internalization in the complex interface between pathogen-derived vesicles and their host recipient cells.
Athlete's Heart Assessed by Sit-Up Strength Exercises in Military Men and Women: The CHIEF Heart Study
Authors: Lin Yu-Kai , Tsai Kun-Zhe , Han Chih-Lu , Lee Jiunn-Tay , Lin Gen-Min
Published: January 2022

Background

Greater changes in cardiac structure and function in response to physical training have been observed more often in male athletes than in female athletes compared with their sedentary controls. However, studies for the sex-specific cardiac remodeling related to strength exercises in Asian athletes are rare.

Methods

This study included 580 men and 79 women, with an average age of 25 years, for a 6-month military training program in Taiwan. Both men and women attended a 2-min sit-up test to assess muscular strength after the training. The test performance falling one standard deviation above the mean (16%) was to define the superior eliteness of athletes. Cardiac structure and function were investigated by electrocardiography and echocardiography for men and women. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of elite athlete status.

Results

In men, greater QTc interval, left ventricular mass adjusted to body surface area (LVMI), lateral mitral E'/A' ratio and right ventricular systolic pressure, and lower diastolic blood pressure were independent predictors of elite strength athletes in the sit-up test [odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals: 1.01 (1.00, 1.02), 1.02 (1.00, 1.04), 1.45 (1.06, 1.98), 1.13 (1.06, 1.23), and 0.96 (0.93, 0.99), respectively. In contrast, in women, the greater right ventricular outflow tract dimension was the only independent predictor of elite strength athletes in the sit-up test [OR: 1.26 (1.04, 1.53)].

Conclusions

In the 2-min sit-up test, cardiac characteristics differ between elite male and female athletes. While greater QTc interval, LVMI, and diastolic function of left ventricle predict the eliteness of male strength athletes, greater right ventricular chamber size characterizes elite female strength athletes.
Association of Body Weight Variability With Progression of Coronary Artery Calcification in Patients With Predialysis Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Suh Sang Heon , Oh Tae Ryom , Choi Hong Sang , Kim Chang Seong , Bae Eun Hui , Oh Kook-Hwan , Lee Kyu-Beck , Han Seung Hyeok , Sung Suah , Ma Seong Kwon , Kim Soo Wan
Published: January 2022

Background

We investigated whether high body weight variability (BWV) is associated with a higher prevalence of coronary artery calcification (CAC) or more rapid progression of CAC in patients with predialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods

A total of 1,162 subjects from a nationwide prospective cohort of predialysis CKD were analyzed. The subjects were divided into the tertile (T1, T2, and T3) by BWV. CAC was assessed at the baseline and a 4-year follow-up by CT scan. Rapid progression of coronary artery calcification was defined as an increase in coronary artery calcium score (CACS) more than 200 Agatston units during a 4-year follow-up.

Results

One-way ANOVA revealed that CACS change during the follow-up period is significantly higher in the subjects with high BWV, although CACS at the baseline and 4-year follow-up was not different among the tertile groups by BWV. Logistic regression analysis revealed that compared to low BWV (T1), both moderate (T2, adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.118, 95% CI 1.075–4.175) and high (T3, adjusted OR 2.602, 95% CI 1.304–5.191) BWV was associated with significantly increased risk of rapid progression of CAC. Importantly, the association between BWV and progression of CAC remained robust even among the subjects without significant BW gain or loss during follow-up periods (T2, adjusted OR 2.007, 95% CI 1.011–3.984; T3, adjusted OR 2.054, 95% CI 1.003–4.207).

Conclusion

High BWV is independently associated with rapid progression of CAC in patients with predialysis CKD.
Large-to Local-Scale Control of Pre-Existing Structures on Continental Rifting: Examples From the Main Ethiopian Rift, East Africa
Authors: Corti Giacomo , Maestrelli Daniele , Sani Federico
Published: January 2022

In the Main Ethiopian Rift (East Africa) a complex tectonic history preceded Tertiary rifting creating pre-existing discontinuities that influenced extension-related deformation. Therefore, this area offers the opportunity to analyze the control exerted by pre-existing structures on continental rifting at different scales. In this paper we present an overview of such an influence. We show that at a large scale (up to ∼800–1,000 km) rift localization has been controlled by a lithospheric-scale inherited heterogeneity corresponding to a Precambrian suture zone, separating two different lithospheric domains beneath the plateaus surrounding the rift. The inherited rheological differences between these two lithospheric domains, as well as the presence of pre-existing lithospheric-scale transversal structures, largely controlled the along-axis segmentation and symmetry/asymmetry of different, ∼80–100 km-long rift segments. Inherited transversal structures also controlled the development of off-axis volcano tectonic activity in the plateaus surrounding the rift. At a more local scale (<80 km), inherited fabrics controlled the geometry of normal faults and the distribution and characteristics of rift-related volcanism. These observations document a strong control exerted by pre-existing structures on continental rifting at all different scales.
Medications Activating Tubular Fatty Acid Oxidation Enhance the Protective Effects of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery in a Rat Model of Early Diabetic Kidney Disease
Authors: Martin William P. , Chuah Yeong H. D. , Abdelaal Mahmoud , Pedersen Anders , Malmodin Daniel , Abrahamsson Sanna , Hutter Michaela , Godson Catherine , Brennan Eoin P. , Fändriks Lars , le Roux Carel W. , Docherty Neil G.
Published: January 2022

Background

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB) improves biochemical and histological parameters of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Targeted adjunct medical therapy may enhance renoprotection following RYGB.

Methods

The effects of RYGB and RYGB plus fenofibrate, metformin, ramipril, and rosuvastatin (RYGB-FMRR) on metabolic control and histological and ultrastructural indices of glomerular and proximal tubular injury were compared in the Zucker Diabetic Sprague Dawley (ZDSD) rat model of DKD. Renal cortical transcriptomic (RNA-sequencing) and urinary metabolomic (1H-NMR spectroscopy) responses were profiled and integrated. Transcripts were assigned to kidney cell types through in silico deconvolution in kidney single-nucleus RNA-sequencing and microdissected tubular epithelial cell proteomics datasets. Medication-specific transcriptomic responses following RYGB-FMRR were explored using a network pharmacology approach. Omic correlates of improvements in structural and ultrastructural indices of renal injury were defined using a molecular morphometric approach.

Results

RYGB-FMRR was superior to RYGB alone with respect to metabolic control, albuminuria, and histological and ultrastructural indices of glomerular injury. RYGB-FMRR reversed DKD-associated changes in mitochondrial morphology in the proximal tubule to a greater extent than RYGB. Attenuation of transcriptomic pathway level activation of pro-fibrotic responses was greater after RYGB-FMRR than RYGB. Fenofibrate was found to be the principal medication effector of gene expression changes following RYGB-FMRR, which led to the transcriptional induction of PPARα-regulated genes that are predominantly expressed in the proximal tubule and which regulate peroxisomal and mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation (FAO). After omics integration, expression of these FAO transcripts positively correlated with urinary levels of PPARα-regulated nicotinamide metabolites and negatively correlated with urinary tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates. Changes in FAO transcripts and nicotinamide and TCA cycle metabolites following RYGB-FMRR correlated strongly with improvements in glomerular and proximal tubular injury.

Conclusions

Integrative multi-omic analyses point to PPARα-stimulated FAO in the proximal tubule as a dominant effector of treatment response to combined surgical and medical therapy in experimental DKD. Synergism between RYGB and pharmacological stimulation of FAO represents a promising combinatorial approach to the treatment of DKD in the setting of obesity.
A Comprehensive Overview of the Parathyroid Tumor From the Past Two Decades: Machine Learning-Based Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Zhang Zeyu , Xia Fada , Li Xinying
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Parathyroid tumor, in particular carcinoma, is fairly rare among neoplasms of the endocrine system, unlike its benign counterpart. However, there is no bibliometric analysis in the field of parathyroid tumors comprehensively summarizing and discussing a large number of publications by a machine learning-based method.

Materials and Methods

Parathyroid tumor-related publications in PubMed from January 2001 to December 2020 were searched using the MeSH term “parathyroid neoplasms”. Latent Dirichlet allocation was adopted to identify the research topics from the abstract of each publication using Python.

Results

A total of 3,301 parathyroid tumor-associated publications were identified from the past 20 years, and included in further analyses. Research articles and case reports occupied the most proportion of publications, while the number of clinical studies and clinical trials decreased, especially in recent years. Technetium Tc 99m sestamibi was most studied among the diagnosis-related MeSH terms, while parathyroidectomy was among the treatment-related MeSH terms. The Latent Dirichlet allocation analyses showed that the top topics were 99mTc-MIBI imaging, parathyroidectomy, gene expression in the cluster of diagnosis research, treatment research, and basic research. Notably, scarce connections were shown between the basic research cluster and the other two clusters, indicating the requirements of translational study turning basic biological knowledge into clinical practice.

Conclusion

The annual scientific publications on parathyroid tumors have scarcely changed during the last two decades. 99mTc-MIBI imaging, parathyroidectomy, and gene expression are the most concerned topics in parathyroid tumor research.
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Various Medicines in the Prevention of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Wu Di , Shi Hao , Yu Yiping , Yu Ting , Zhai Jun
Published: January 2022

Background

Previous studies have described the effects of different drugs in preventing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). However, the efficacies of those drugs in preventing OHSS remain inconclusive.

Methods

We searched the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases. A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed up to August 2021. We investigated the following drugs in our study: aspirin, albumin, metformin, calcium, cabergoline, quinagolide, letrozole, hydroxyethyl starch (HES), and glucocorticoids. The primary outcome was the incidence rate of moderate-to-severe OHSS, with the results presented as risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

The incidence of moderate-to-severe OHSS was significantly reduced by calcium administration (risk ratios [RR] 0.14, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.04, 0.46) (grade: high), HES (RR 0.25, 95% CI 0.07, 0.73) (grade: high), and cabergoline (RR 0.43, 95% CI 0.24, 0.71) (grade: moderate). The surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) indicated that calcium (SUCRA, 92.4%) was the most effective intervention for preventing moderate-to-severe OHSS. These drugs were safe and did not affect clinical pregnancy, miscarriage, or live birth rates.

Conclusion

Calcium, HES, and cabergoline could effectively and safely prevent moderate-to-severe OHSS, with calcium as the most effective intervention.
In Vivo and In Vitro Matured Oocytes From Mice of Advanced Reproductive Age Exhibit Alternative Splicing Processes for Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation
Authors: Qin Hao , Qu Yi , Li Rong , Qiao Jie
Published: January 2022

The mean age of women seeking infertility treatment has gradually increased over recent years. This has coincided with the emergence of in vitro maturation (IVM), a method used in assisted reproductive technology for patients with special requirements. However, when compared with conventional in vitro fertilization, IVM is associated with poor embryonic development potential and low live birth rates, thus limiting the widespread application of this technique. In this study, we performed RNA-sequencing transcriptomic assays and identified a total of 2,627 significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between IVM oocytes and in vivo matured oocytes from mice of advanced reproductive age. Next, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis was used to identify the potential functions of the DEGs. The most significantly enriched pathway was oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). In addition, we constructed a protein-protein interaction network to identify key genes and determined that most of the hub genes were mtDNA-encoded subunits of respiratory chain complex I. Antioxidant supplementation lead to an increase in ATP production and reduced the gene expression profile of the OXPHOS pathway in the IVM group. Moreover, alternative splicing (AS) events were identified during in vivo or in vitro oocyte maturation; data showed that skipped exons were the most frequent type of AS event. A number of genes associated with the OXPHOS pathway exhibited alterations in AS events, including Ndufa7, Ndufs7, Cox6a2, Ndufs5, Ndufb1, and Uqcrh. Furthermore, the process of IVO promoted the skipping of exon 2 in Ndufa7 and exon 3 in Ndufs7 compared with the IVM oocytes, as determined by semi−quantitative RT−PCR. Collectively, these findings provide potential new therapeutic targets for improving IVM of aged women who undergo infertility treatment.
Indigenous and Traditional Management Creates and Maintains the Diversity of Ecosystems of South American Tropical Savannas
Authors: Ferreira Maria Julia , Levis Carolina , Chaves Leonardo , Clement Charles Roland , Soldati Gustavo Taboada
Published: January 2022

The tropical South American savannas have been occupied and manipulated by humans since the late Pleistocene. Ecologists consider that soils, hydrology, and seasonal precipitation influence the structure and composition of plants and the fire-proneness of savannas. However, the human influence on these dynamics remains uncertain. This is because little is known about human activities and what influence they have on the diversity of ecosystems. Considering this, our study sought to synthesize the management practices used by small-scale societies of the South American savannas, compile the species that are the focus of direct management, and demonstrate the role of this management in maintaining the diverse ecosystems that make up the savannas. We also set out to test the hypotheses that forms of management differ depending on the ecosystem and cultural matrices. To do so, we conducted a systematic review, in which we collected 51 articles with information about the management carried out by small-scale societies. From this, we categorized 10 management practices directed to ecosystems: protection of the ecosystem, enrichment of species, topographic changes, increased soil fertility, cleaning, prevention of fire, resource promotion, driving of game, swidden-fallow, and maintenance of ecosystem structure. We identified 19 native plant species whose populations are managedin-situ. These management practices have proven capable of keeping savanna and grassland ecosystems open and increasing the occurrence of forest ecosystems in the mosaic, as well as favoring plants of human interest in general. We note that there is a relationship between management practices with ecosystems and cultures, which suggests that both factors influence the management of landscapes. We conclude that management practices of small-scale societies are responsible for domesticating South American tropical savannas and that these savannas are composed of a mosaic of culturally constructed niches. The small-scale societies that inhabit these environments have important traditional ecological knowledge and strategies that enable the use, conservation, and restoration of savannas, extremely threatened by agribusiness today.

Systematic Review Registration: [website], identifier [registration number].
Archaeal Communities: The Microbial Phylogenomic Frontier
Authors: Medina-Chávez Nahui Olin , Travisano Michael
Published: January 2022

Archaea are a unique system for investigating the diversity of life. There are the most diverse group of organisms with the longest evolutionary history of life on Earth. Phylogenomic investigations reveal the complex evolutionary history of Archaea, overturning longstanding views of the history of life. They exist in the harshest environments and benign conditions, providing a system to investigate the basis for living in extreme environments. They are frequently members of microbial communities, albeit generally rare. Archaea were central in the evolution of Eukaryotes and can be used as a proxy for studying life on other planets. Future advances will depend not only upon phylogenomic studies but also on a better understanding of isolation and cultivation techniques.
Genetic Testing for Rare Diseases: A Systematic Review of Ethical Aspects
Authors: Kruse Judith , Mueller Regina , Aghdassi Ali A. , Lerch Markus M. , Salloch Sabine
Published: January 2022

Genetic testing is associated with many ethical challenges on the individual, organizational and macro level of health care systems. The provision of genetic testing for rare diseases in particular requires a full understanding of the complexity and multiplicity of related ethical aspects. This systematic review presents a detailed overview of ethical aspects relevant to genetic testing for rare diseases as discussed in the literature. The electronic databases Pubmed, Science Direct and Web of Science were searched, resulting in 55 relevant publications. From the latter, a total of 93 different ethical aspects were identified. These ethical aspects were structured into three main categories (process of testing, consequences of the test outcome and contextual challenges) and 20 subcategories highlighting the diversity and complexity of ethical aspects relevant to genetic testing for rare diseases. This review can serve as a starting point for the further in-depth investigation of particular ethical issues, the education of healthcare professionals regarding this matter and for informing international policy development on genetic testing for rare diseases.