bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perinatal oral exposure to low doses of bisphenol A, S or F impairs gut barrier and immune functions in female offspring mice
Authors: Malaisé Yann , Lencina Corinne , Cartier Christel , Olier Maïwenn , Ménard Sandrine , GUZYLACK-PIRIOU Laurence
Published: November 2019

Background
Bisphenol A (BPA), one of the highest-volume chemicals produced worldwide, has been identified as an endocrine disruptor. Many peer-reviewing studies have reported adverse effects of low dose BPA exposure, particularly during perinatal period (gestation and/or lactation). We previously demonstrated that perinatal oral exposure to BPA (via gavage of mothers during gestation and lactation) has long-term consequences on immune response and intestinal barrier functions. Due to its adverse effects on several developmental and physiological processes, BPA was removed from consumer products and replaced by chemical substitutes such as BPS or BPF, that are structurally similar and not well studied compare to BPA. Here, we aimed to compare perinatal oral exposure to these bisphenols (BPs) at two doses (5 and 50 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day (d)) on gut barrier and immune system in female offspring mice at adulthood (Post Natal Day PND70).
Methods
Pregnant female mice were orally exposed to BPA, BPS or BPF at 5 or 50 μg/kg BW/d from 15th day of gravidity to weaning of pups at PostNatal Day (PND) 21. Gut barrier function and the humoral and cellular immune responses of adult offspring (PND70) were analysed at intestinal and systemic levels.
Results
In female offspring, perinatal oral BP exposure led to adverse effects on intestinal barrier and immune response that were dependant of the BP nature (A, S or F) and dose of exposure. Stronger impacts were observed with BPS at the dose of 5µg/kg BW/d on inflammatory markers in feces associated with an increase of anti-E. coli IgG, revealing a defect of gut barrier. BPA and BPF exposure induced prominent changes at low dose in offspring mice, in term of gut barrier functions and cellular immune responses, provoking an intestinal and systemic Th1/Th17 inflammation.
Conclusion
These findings provide, for the first time, a comparative study of long-time consequences of BPA, S and F perinatal exposure by oral route in offspring mice. This work warms that it is mandatory to consider immune markers and dose in risk assessment associated to new BPA’s alternatives.
Keywords: Bisphenol A, Bisphenol S, Bisphenol F, Immune responses, Perinatal exposure, Intestine, Th1/Th17, immunoglobulin, cytokines
Reduced methane oxidizing activity by sediment methanotrophs in shallow coastal zones with high methane emissions
Authors: Broman Elias , Sun Xiaole , Stranne Christian , Bonaglia Stefano , Geibel Marc , Norkko Alf , Humborg Christoph , Nascimento Francisco J.A.
Published: November 2019

Background Coastal zones are transitional areas between land and sea where large amounts of organic and inorganic carbon compounds are recycled by microbes. Especially shallow zones near land have been shown to be the main source for oceanic methane (CH4) emissions. Water depth has been predicted as the best explanatory variable, which is related to CH4 ebullition, but exactly how sediment methanotrophic bacteria mediates these emissions along water depth is unknown. Here, we investigated the activity of methanotrophs in the sediment of shallow coastal zones with high CH4 emissions within a depth gradient from 10–45 m. Field sampling consisted of collecting sediment slices from eight stations along a coastal gradient (0–4 km from land) in the coastal Baltic Sea. We combined real-time measurements of surface water CH4 concentrations, acoustic detection of CH4 seeps in the bottom water, and sediment DNA plus RNA sequencing. Results The relative abundance and CH4 oxidizing activity (pMMO; particulate methane monooxygenase) of the dominant methanotroph Methylococcales was significantly higher in deeper costal offshore areas (36–45 m water depth) compared to adjacent shallow zones (10–28 m). This was in accordance with the shallow zones having CH4 concentrations in the surface water, as well as more CH4 seeps from the sediment. Furthermore, our findings indicate that the low prevalence of Methylococcales and their activity was restrained to the euphotic zone (indicated by PAR data, photosynthesis proteins, and 18S rRNA data of benthic diatoms). This was also indicated by a positive relationship between water depth and the relative abundance of Methylococcales and pMMO. Conclusions We detected a low relative abundance of methanotrophs and CH4 oxidizing activity in shallow coastal areas, this can partly explain the difference in CH4 emissions between shallow and deep coastal areas (and the relationship between CH4 emission and water depth). Potentially a reduced activity of methanotrophs also facilities the build-up of CH4 bubbles in the sediment. CH4 emissions from the study area has previously been calculated to be comparable to that of subarctic lakes, and it is suggested that shallow coastal waters, similarly to inland waters, are hotspots for CH4 emissions.
Gender differences in subliminal affective face priming: A high-density ERP study
Authors: Tanaka Mutsuhide , Yamada Emi , Maekawa Toshihiko , Ogata Katsuya , Takamiya Naomi , Nakazono Hisato , Tobimatsu Shozo
Published: November 2019

Background Subliminal affective priming effects (SAPEs) refer to the phenomenon by which the presentation of an affective prime stimulus influences the subsequent affective evaluation of a target stimulus. Previous studies have shown that behavioural performance is affected more by unconsciously processed stimuli than by consciously processed stimuli. However, the impact of SAPEs on the face-specific N170 component is unclear. In the current study, we investigated how subliminal processing of fearful faces affected the N170 for subsequent supraliminal target faces using event-related potentials (ERPs).Methods We used event-related potentials (ERPs) to study how SAEPs for fearful faces affect the N170 for subsequent supraliminal target faces. Japanese adults (n=51, 24 females) participated in this study. Subliminal prime faces (neutral or fearful) were presented for 17 ms, followed by a backward mask for 283 ms and target faces for 800 ms (neutral, emotionally ambiguous-fearful, or fearful). ERPs (128-ch) were recorded while participants judged the expression of target faces as neutral or fearful.Results Behavioral data revealed that participants judged target faces as more fearful in the fearful face prime condition compared with the neutral prime condition, regardless of emotional expression. Interestingly, we found gender-related differences in N170 amplitude; only female participants exhibited enhanced N170 amplitude for neutral faces primed by fearful faces. Therefore, a noticeable gender difference exists in the neural processing of subliminally perceived facial emotions.Conclusions Our ERP results suggest the existence of a gender difference in target-face processing preceded by subliminally presented face stimuli in the right occipito-temporal regions.
Novel-m2866-5p and miR8181-x are involved in the regulation of aureochrome and photosynthesis in Saccharina japonica
Authors: Yang Xiaoqi , Duan Delin
Published: November 2019

Background: Aureochrome, a blue-light receptor only in photosynthetic stramenopiles, plays an important role in algal growth and development. Previous researches have reported that aureochrome is involved in the photoacclimation, cell division and sex organ development. It holds reversed effector-sensor topology for the reception of blue light, acting as the candidate of optogenetic tools in transcription regulation. However, the inner regulatory mechanism of aureochrome is still unclear. In this study, we explored the expression profiles of microRNAs (miRNAs) and mRNAs, aiming to construct the regulatory network between miRNAs and aureochrome. Results: Our results showed that 18 identified miRNAs have potential aureochrome regulatory function. Among the screened microRNAs, both novel-m2866-5p and miR8181-x exhibited a negative correlation with Aureochrome5. The transcription of novel-m2866-5p and miR8181-x exhibited tissue specificity, indicating that these two microRNAs might function in different tissues. Moreover, miR8181-x could regulate kelp growth, while novel-m2866-5p was possibly involved in the arginine metabolic pathway. Aureochrome5 and photosynthetic genes exhibited similar expression trends, suggesting coordination between photosynthesis and blue light receptors. Moreover, the proton gradient regulation 5 (PGR5), which functions in the induction of energy-dependent quenching, exhibited a co-expression pattern with Aureochrome5. These patterns were further observed upon incubation with N,N’-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD), which exhibited up-regulation of both PGR5 and Aureochrome5 and confirmed their endogenous competition.Conclusion: Our study revealed that both novel-m2866-5p and miR8181-x were involved in the regulation of aureochrome, and that miR8181-x could act as a bridge between blue light receptors and photosynthesis in kelp.
Effects of rooting powder and soil salt stress on the growth and physiological characteristics of Tamarix chinensis cuttings
Authors: Sun Jia , Xia Jiangbao , Zhao Ximei , Su Li , Li Chuanrong , Gao Fanglei , Liu Ping
Published: November 2019

Background: Vegetation restoration is a main ecological remediation technology for greening saline and alkaline soils. The objectives of this study were to determine whether aminobenzotriazole (ABT), a rooting powder, can be used to improve the physiological regulatory abilities of Tamarix chinensis under salt stress; to reveal the physiological regulatory pattern by which T. chinensis pre-treated with ABT adapts to salt stress. Results: (1) As the salt stress level increased, the cutting survival rate, height, and root length of T. chinensis gradually decreased, whereas their biomass first decreased and then increased. At salt content（ S c）>0.9%, cutting propagation of T. chinensis was difficult, and there was a considerable decrease in its biomass. The effectiveness of ABT in improving the survival rate and growth of T. chinensis cuttings became increasingly pronounced as the salt stress level increased. (2) T. chinensis was found to adapt to salt stress through increased Chl content. However, excess salt stress inhibited Chl synthesis. ABT can be used to widen the range of tolerance of T. chinensis seedlings to salt stress during Chl synthesis. (3) T. chinensis can eliminate excess reactive oxide species (ROS) by enhancing SOD and POD activities. An excess accumulation of ROS will impede the increase in enzyme activities. ABT can help improve T. chinensis seedling enzyme system regulation and was found to be most effective at a concentration of 100 mg·L -1 . (4) ABT can reduce MDA accumulation and damage caused by membrane lipid peroxidation (MLP). ABT at a concentration of 100 mg·L -1 was found to be highly effective in reducing MDA content. Conclusions: ABT was effective in improving the survival rate and the growth and physiological regulatory abilities of T. chinensis cuttings under salt stress. ABT enhanced the resistance of T. chinensis to salt stress. However, under high S c (>0.9%) and ABT concentration (>100 mg·L -1 ) conditions, the physiological regulatory ability of T. chinensis seedlings exposed to salt stress weakened. At S c of 0.9%, T. chinensis seedlings pre-treated with ABT at 100 mg·L -1 exhibited the most vigorous growth, highest biomass, and highest physiological and biochemical regulatory abilities.
Gait Training with Wearable Hip-assist Robot Reduce Trunk and Leg Muscle Efforts and Metabolic Energy Consumption in Community Dwelling Elderly Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Lee Hwang-Jae , Lee Su Hyun , Chang Won Hyuk , Seo Keehong , Lee Jusuk , Choi Byung-Ok , Ryu Gyu-Ha , Kim Yun-Hee
Published: November 2019

Background: Wearable types of gait-assist robots have been developed to provide additional advantages such as being easily transportable, producing a more natural gait pattern, and being simple to control. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of intensive gait training with a newly developed wearable hip-assist robot on gait function and cardiopulmonary metabolic energy efficiency in community-dwelling elderly adults.

Methods: Total of 27 community-dwelling elderly adults with age-related problems completed in this intervention study (15 experimental group and 12 control group) . The experimental participants received an intensive gait training program with a total of 10 sessions involving five sessions of treadmill and five sessions of over-ground gait training with the wearable hip-assist robot. The control group received gait training without a wearable-hip assist robot. The primary outcomes were gait functions (spatio-temporal parameters and muscle effort). The secondary outcome was cardiopulmonary metabolic energy consumption.

Results: Compared to the control group, the experimental group had significantly greater improvements after intervention in spatio-temporal parameters (gait speed, cadence, and stride length) and reduced muscle efforts (trunk and lower extremity) with gait (p < 0.05). In addition, the reduction in oxygen consumption (ml/min/kg) was about 16.31% in the experimental group after intervention. Furthermore, the reduction in the aerobic energy expenditure measurement (Kcal/min) was about 17.36% in the experimental group after intensive gait training with wearable hip-assist robot. All cardiopulmonary metabolic energy consumption parameters in the experimental group were reduced significantly more than in the control group (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: The intensive gait training with a wearable hip-assist robot was effective in improving gait function and cardiopulmonary metabolic energy efficiency in community-dwelling elderly adults with age-related problems.

Trial registration: NCT02843828, registration date: 07/14/2016 - retrospectively registered
Phylogeny of teleost connexins reveals highly inconsistent intra- and interspecies use of nomenclature and misassemblies in recent teleost chromosome assemblies
Authors: Mikalsen Svein Ole , Tausen Marni , Kongsstovu Sunnvør í
Published: November 2019

Background: Based on an initial collecting of database sequences from the gap junction protein gene family (also called connexin genes) in a few teleosts, the naming of these sequences appeared variable. The reasons could be (i) that the structure in this family is variable across teleosts, or (ii) unfortunate naming. Rather clear rules for the naming of genes in fish and mammals have been outlined by nomenclature committees, including the naming of orthologous and ohnologous genes. We therefore analyzed the connexin gene family in teleosts in more detail. We covered the range of divergence times in teleosts (eel, Atlantic herring, zebrafish, Atlantic cod, three-spined stickleback, Japanese pufferfish and spotted pufferfish; listed from early divergence to late divergence). Results: The gene family pattern of connexin genes is similar across the analyzed teleosts. However, (i) several nomenclature systems are used, (ii) specific orthologous groups contain genes that are named differently in different species, (iii) several distinct genes have the same name in a species, and (iv) some genes have incorrect names. The latter includes a human connexin pseudogene, claimed as GJA4P, but which in reality is Cx39.2P (a delta subfamily gene often called GJD2like). We point out the ohnologous pairs of genes in teleosts, and we suggest a more consistent nomenclature following the outlined rules from the nomenclature committees. We further show that connexin sequences can indicate some errors in two high-quality chromosome assemblies that became available very recently. Conclusions: Minimal consistency exists in the present practice of naming teleost connexin genes. A consistent and unified nomenclature would be an advantage for future automatic annotations and would make various types of subsequent genetic analyses easier. Additionally, roughly 5% of the connexin sequences point out misassemblies in the new high-quality chromosome assemblies from herring and cod.
Long-term Outcomes of Conservative Treatment and Endovascular Treatment in Patients with Symptomatic Spontaneous Isolated Superior Mesenteric Artery Dissection: A Single-center Experience
Authors: Xu Leyin , Zhang Daming , Qiu Chenyang , Wang Jingjing , Li Kang , Fang Lijing , Zhang Xin , Lei Jinsong , Lai Zhichao , Ma Jiangyu , Yu Yanying , Yu Xiaoxi , Du Fenghe , Qi Wanting , Chen Junye , Liu Bao
Published: November 2019

Background: Spontaneous isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection (SISMAD) is a rare vascular disorder and the treatment strategies remain controversial. This study aimed to compare outcomes of conservative and endovascular treatments in symptomatic patients with SISMAD. Methods: Forty-two consecutive SISMAD patients between October 2009 and May 2018 in a single center were enrolled in the study. Based on their symptoms, 15 had conservative treatment and 27 had endovascular treatment. The baseline characteristics, treatments, and follow-up results of the conservative group and endovascular group were analyzed. Results: The rate of symptom relief was 93.3% in the conservative group and 96.3% in the endovascular group, respectively. The procedure-related complications in the endovascular group included one case of pseudoaneurysm formation in the left brachial artery. During the follow-up period (median 28.5 months), a higher proportion of patients in the conservative group had symptom recurrence (42.9% in the conservative group versus 4.8% in the endovascular group, p < 0.001). Four patients in the conservative group and one patient in the endovascular group had additional endovascular intervention during follow-up. Compared with the conservative group, patients in the endovascular group had statistically significantly longer symptom-free survival ( p = 0.014) and a higher rate of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) remodeling ( p < 0.001). Conclusions: For symptomatic SISMAD, endovascularly treated patients had a lower rate of symptom recurrence and a higher rate of SMA remodeling in the long term. Endovascular treatment should be considered as the first-line treatment of SISMAD.
Bile pigment in small-bowel water content reflects bowel habits: a retrospective analysis of a capsule-endoscopy imaging series
Authors: Aoyama Taiki , Fukumoto Akira , Shigita Kenjiro , Asayama Naoki , Mukai Shinichi , Nagata Shinji
Published: November 2019

Background Pigmented bile salts darken the small-bowel lumen and are present with bile acid, which is involved in the development of bowel habits. The small-bowel water content (SBWC) in the ileum could represent the colonic environment, although no studies have focused on this feature. However, measurement of the crude SBWC can be challenging because of the technical difficulty of the endoscopic approach without preparation. Our aim was to evaluate optically active bile pigments in the SBWC of patients with abnormal bowel habits using capsule endoscopy (CE), to investigate the impact of bile acid on bowel habits. In addition to conventional imaging, we used flexible spectral imaging color enhancement (FICE) setting 1 imaging, in which the effects of bile pigments on color are suppressed.Methods The study population included 37 constipated patients, 20 patients with diarrhea, and 77 patients with normal bowel habits who underwent CE between January 2015 and May 2018. Patients with secondary abnormal bowel habits were excluded. Intergroup color differences of SBWC in the ileum (ΔE) were evaluated from conventional and FICE setting 1 images. Color values were assessed using the CIE L*a*b* color space. Differences in lightness (black to white, range 0 to 100) of SBWC were also evaluated.Results Values of ΔE calculated from comparisons of conventional images of constipated and normal-bowel-habit patients, and patients with diarrhea and normal-bowel-habit patients were 11.3 and 10.7, respectively. These values decreased to 3.9 and 3.2, respectively, when FICE setting 1 images were evaluated. The SBWC lightness of patients with constipation and diarrhea was significantly brighter (34.0 versus 27.2, P < .0001) and darker (18.8 versus 27.2, P < .0001), respectively, compared with the normal-bowel-habit patients. Examination of the FICE setting 1 images did not reveal significant differences in SBWC lightness between the constipated and normal-bowel-habit groups (44.7 versus 46.7, P = .33) or between the diarrhea and normal-bowel-habit groups (44.7 versus 42.3, P = .39).Conclusions Differences in color and darkness of the SBWC in the ileum appear to be attributable to bile pigments. Therefore, bile pigments in SBWC could reflect bowel habits.
In vitro synergistic potentials of novel antibacterial combination therapies against Salmonella Typhimurium and Escherichia coli
Authors: Hossain Md. Akil , Park Hae-Chul , Lee Kwang-jick , Park Sung-Won , Park Seung-Chun , Kang JeongWoo
Published: November 2019

Background: The antibiotics generally used in farm animals are rapidly losing their effectiveness all over the world as bacteria develop antibiotic resistance. New strategies are needed to block the development of resistance and to prolong the life of traditional antibiotics. This study aimed to increase the efficacy of existing antibiotics by combining them with the opportunistic phenolic compounds gallic acid (GA), epicatechin, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin and hamamelitannin. Fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) of phenolic compound-antibiotic combinations against Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) were determined. Based on the FICI and clinical importance, 3 combinations were selected to evaluate their effects on the virulence factors of these bacteria. The in vitro cytotoxicity of GA and hamamelitannin in Rattus norvegicus (IEC-6) cell lines were evaluated.
Results: Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of epigallocatechin, GA and hamamelitannin found against different strains were (512–1024), (256–1024) and (512–2048) μg/mL, respectively. Synergistic effects were obtained from combinations of thiamphenicol-GA (FICI: 0.28), erythromycin-hamamelitannin (FICI: 0.38) and thiamphenicol-hamamelitannin (FICI: 0.50) against E. coli, and erythromycin-epicatechin gallate (FICI: 0.50) against S. Typhimurium. Moreover, additive effects were obtained from 33 combinations against S. Typhimurium (FICI: 0.502~0.750) and E. coli (FICI: 0.502~0.625). The time-kill assays and ultrastructural morphology showed that GA-ceftiofur, and hamamelitannin-erythromycin and GA-ampicillin combinations more efficiently inhibited the growth of S. Typhimurium and E. coli, respectively, compared to individual antibiotics. Biofilm viability and swimming and swarming motilities of S. Typhimurium in presence of GA-ceftiofur, and E. coli in presence of hamamelitannin-erythromycin and GA-ampicillin combinations were more competently inhibited than individual antimicrobials. The inhibitory concentrations 50% (IC50) of GA and hamamelitannin in IEC-6 cells were 564.55 μM and 988.54 μM, respectively.
Conclusions: This study suggest that GA-ceftiofur combination can be potential medication to treat S. Typhimurium-associated diarrhea and prevent S. Typhimurium-associated blood-stream infections (e.g.: fever) in farm animals. Hamamelitannin-erythromycin and GA-ampicillin combinations can be effective in restricting E. coli contamination in farm animals, and ultimately its transmission from animal to human. Further study to confirm these effects and safety profiles in in vivo system should be undertaken for establishing these combinations as medications.
Transcriptomic and microstructural analyses in Liriodendron tulipifera Linn. reveal candidate genes involved in nectary development and nectar secretion
Authors: Liu Huanhuan , Ma Jikai , Li Huogen
Published: November 2019

Background: Nectar is a major floral attractant and reward for insects that ensures pollination. Liriodendron, a genus of the Magnoliaceae family, includes only two relict species, L. chinense and L. tulipifera, which are considered “basal angiosperms” according to plant evolutionary history. The flowers of Liriodendron plants are insect pollinated and secrete nectar to attract pollinators. To date, the morphology and anatomy of nectaries, the mechanism of nectar secretion and the molecular mechanism of nectary development in Liriodendron remain poorly understood.
Methods: In this study, we examined the nectary surface cells and change in starch in L. tulipifera by using scanning electron microscopy and periodic acid-Schiff techniques to select appropriate samples for subsequent research. Transcriptome sequencing was of the top and middle parts of immature nectaries and the middle part of mature and postsecretory nectaries in L. tulipifera was performed. We evaluated the expression profiles of 21 DEGs that are closely related to nectary development and nectar secretion for real-time quantitative PCR analysis.
Results: L. tulipifera nectaries are starch-storing nectaries and are located in the top and middle parts of L. tulipifera petals. After analyzing the RNA-seq data, we obtained 115.26 Gb of clean data in 12 libraries and mapped the results to the L. chinense reference genome with 71.02%-79.77% efficiency. In total, 26,955 DEGs were identified by performing six pairwise comparisons. The flavonoid biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, anthocyanin biosynthesis and starch and sucrose metabolism pathways were enriched and related to nectar secretion and pigment change. We identified 56 transcription factor
families, and members of the TCP, Trihelix, C2H2, ERF, and MADS families changed dynamically during nectary development. Moreover, to further verify the accuracy of the RNA-seq results, we validated the expression profiles of 21 candidate genes.
Conclusions: We evaluated the nectary development and secretion processes comprehensively and identified many related candidate genes in L. tulipifera. These findings suggest that nectaries play important roles in flavonoid synthesis and petal color presentation.
UNIVERSITY BRAND AS A KEY FACTOR OF GRADUATES EMPLOYMENT
Authors: Blanco Miguel , Bares Lydia , Hrynevych Oksana
Published: November 2019

The aim of this article is to establish a comparison in the degree of efficiency of European universities in the management of the labour insertion of their graduates. The methodology used is the data envelopment analysis (DEA). This type of analysis enables the measurement of the relative efficiency of different organizational units in situations where there is information about multiple inputs and outputs of resources. We define one hundred and twenty-six Decision Making Units (DMU) corresponding to each of the European universities analysed in our study. Developed analysis has allowed to determine the position that each of them occupies in relation to an efficiency frontier. Obtained results have allowed identifying 13 universities that show a score 100. In the interval 99-90 are 5. Between 89-80, we have 7. Between 79-70, 7. For the interval 69-60, 13. Between 59-50 are 19. Between 49-40, 20. Between 39-30, 13. And finally between 29-20 there are 19. The universities with a score of 100 belongs to France (Ecole polytechnique and Ecole des Ponts ParisTech), Italy (Politecnico di Torino), Portugal (Universidade Nova de Lisboa), Spain (University of Navarra and University Carlos III of Madrid), Sweden (Chalmers University of Technology), Switzerland (University of St. Gallen) and United Kingdom (University of Cambridge and University of Oxford). These universities represent the optimum of efficiency if they are compared with the others analysed. The universities that have to improve the employability of its graduates by more than 74% to reach the optimum of efficiency are mostly in the United Kingdom and Sweden, but there are in other regions as Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany and Netherlands. Among the main conclusions of this study, we would like to highlight how European university students present employment levels above those workers with lower levels of education. This data points to the high level of general efficiency achieved by university education in improving the degree of employability of its students.
Clinical cases of meningococcal infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W
Authors: Skripchenko N. V. , Karev V. E. , Markova K. V. , Vilnits A. A. , Pulman N. F.
Published: November 2019

Meningococcal infection remains a socially significant disease due to a wide range of clinical manifestations, severe course with high mortality, reaching 40-80% for certain forms. In recent years we observe a change in the serogroup picture of meningococcal infection, in particular, an increase in the proportion of meningococcal serogroup W, characterized by polymorphism of clinical manifestations. The authors present two their own clinical observations of a generalized form of meningococcal infection with a severe course in adolescents caused by Neisseria meningitidis of W serogroup with fatal outcome. They describe the peculiarities of the cases, namely, inconsistency of the clinical picture at the beginning of the disease and post-mortem changes. The article describes heart damage in the form of focal purulent septic myocarditis and purulent foci of destruction in the brain stem, hemorrhagic infarction of the choroid plexus with hemotamponade of the lateral ventricles of the brain, the predominance of septicopia over septicemia. The revealed changes are likely to reflect clinical and morphological features of meningococcal infection caused by N. meningitidis of serogroup W.
Feeding of children with chronic nutritional disorders
Authors: Panasenko L. M. , Kartseva T. V. , Nefedova J. V. , Timofeeva E. P. , Cherepanova M. I.
Published: November 2019

The article presents current data on the features of the nutritional status of children with chronic nutritional disorders such as hypotrophy, paratrophy, etc. The authors describe the principles and timing of the complementary foods, as well as the advantages of a certain complementary feeding, depending on the type of nutritional disorder. Often, pediatricians pay close attention to the organization of nutrition of children in the first 12 months of life, as a more vulnerable period, while the age period of 12–36 months is also characterized by a significant growth rate and high demands in a number of micronutrients. The article provides recommendations on the nutritional prevention of alimentary-dependent conditions, as well as for a child with a “problematic” appetite (poor eater). It provides the approaches to the treatment of chronic nutritional disorders in children through the correction of eating behavior and diet therapy, including motivational training with the involvement of parents and family members.
Children with rare diseases: ethical, social, psychological and medical issues
Authors: Volgina S. Ya. , Nikolaeva E. A. , Sokolov A. A. , Kopishinskaia S. V. , Gamirova R. G. , Khalmatova B. T.
Published: November 2019

The article describes ethical, social, psychological and medical problems in the families raising children with rare diseases. It is quite difficult to diagnose a rare disease. It leads to financial deprivation of the family, social isolation and marginalization. Patient organizations play a large role in public awareness of rare diseases. It is of crucial importance to make treatment accessible, to provide qualified medical care, social support of families, to improve cooperation between research centers, medical institutions and patients.
Carnitine metabolism and maximum oxygen consumption in young athletes
Authors: Rylova N. V. , Zholinsky A. V. , Biktimirova A. A.
Published: November 2019

Purpose. To assess physical performance of children doing sports on the basis of carnitine exchange indicators.

Characteristics of children and research methods. The study involved 94 young athletes and 37 schoolchildren (Control Group). The researchers studied such indicators as free and bound carnitine, maximum oxygen consumption and body composition.

Results. The study noted positive reliable correlations between the level of absolute maximum oxygen consumption and the content of total and free carnitine in the blood. The data obtained may indicate greater aerobic performance in athletes with a high level of free carnitine in the blood, since its sufficient amount provides adequate cellular energy exchange.

Conclusion. Thus, studying the state of carnitine indicators and body composition, it is possible to predict physical performance of children and to prevent deterioration of health in children during intense physical exertion.
The structure of hereditary diseases in children hospitalized in a specialized clinic
Authors: Nikolaeva E. A. , Bochenkov S. V. , Dantsev I. S. , Kuramagomedova R. G. , Blokhina M. A. , Zabrodina A. R. , Kharabadze M. N.
Published: November 2019

Purpose: to analyze the structure of hereditary pathology and the results of genetic studies in children in a specialized clinic.

Results.1045 children from 79 regions of the Russian Federation were examined and treated in the pediatric department of congenital and hereditary diseases in 2018. There were 25% of patients from Moscow and Moscow region and 75% from other territories. After examination all patients were divided into 2 large cohorts: patients with hereditary diseases diagnosed by clinical and laboratory data (737 children; 70%) and patients with undifferentiated pathological conditions with unclear genesis at the time of discharge from the hospital (308 children; 30%). In the cohort of hereditary diseases there were the most numerous (about 100 children in each) groups of patients with Ehlers–Danlos syndrome, imperfect osteogenesis and rare heterogeneous genetic syndromes. The groups of rickets- like diseases, chromosomal syndromes and Rett syndrome included 50-70 patients. Other groups were smaller. Half of the hospitalized patients required genetic analysis. The highest percentage of molecular genetically / cytogenetically confirmed diagnoses was found in the groups of chromosomal diseases, rare genetic syndromes of lysosomal and mitochondrial diseases, Rett syndrome, and aminoacidopathy. It is worth mentioning that a primary diagnosis was not established during a genetic study in 57 children (18%) children from the general cohort of patients with hereditary diseases, so the researchers used other methods of analysis or bioinformatic revision of the results.

Conclusion: The authors found a large variety of genetic diseases in children requiring examination and treatment in a specialized hospital. 1/5 of the examined children require additional genetic testing or repeated bioinformatic interpretation of the data.
The clinical case of familial restrictive cardiomyopathy
Authors: Sadykova D. I. , Sabirova D. R. , Khabibrakhmanova Z. R. , Firsova N. N. , Kucheryavaya A. A. , Pecheritsa O. G. , Malov A. A.
Published: November 2019

Restrictive cardiomyopathy often results in chronic heart failure. Knowledge of family history and genetic examination are extremely important for the early diagnostics of a family restrictive cardiomyopathy and prescription of non-specific therapy. The article describes clinical case of familial restrictive cardiomyopathy with a burdened family history.
Meningococcal meningitis complicated by subdural empyema and epiduritis in an infant
Authors: Nicolaeva I. V. , Anokhin V. A. , Shaykhieva G. S. , Gataullin M. R. , Urmancheeva Yu. R.
Published: November 2019

Subdural empyema is a rare but terrible complication of meningococcal meningitis in children, which can be fatal. The article describes a clinical case of meningococcal meningitis, complicated by subdural empyema and epiduritis, in a three-year-old child. The development of complications was manifested by a new wave of fever, bulging of a bregmatic fontanelle and an increase in the inflammatory markers in the blood, as well as the development of neutrophilic pleocytosis after normalization of the cellular composition of the cerebrospinal fluid. The child was diagnosed on the basis of magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and spinal cord. A longterm antibiotic therapy was effective, and the surgery was not required. The development of such complications should be assumed in all cases of a prolonged course of meningitis, accompanied by an increase in the level of inflammatory markers in the blood, even in the absence of the classic symptoms of subdural empyema.
Laterothoracic exanthema and herpes infections in children
Authors: Fatkullina G. R. , Anokhin V. A.
Published: November 2019

The article describes two clinical cases of a rare children’s exanthemous disease – a unilateral laterothoracic exanthema associated with herpetic infections in a 4.5-year-old and 1.9-year-old children. These clinical cases are characterized by the spread of lesions on the body and the contralateral side, as well as the recurrent course of the disease.
Diagnostics of myocardial damage in premature newborns with transient heart disease in the early neonatal period
Authors: Vazemiller O. A. , Vaganov A. A. , Golubenko N. K. , Aksanova R. Kh. , Salmina A. B. , Emelyanchik E. Yu.
Published: November 2019

Purpose. To assess frequency and severity of myocardial damage in premature infants with transient myocardial ischemia in the early neonatal period.

Materials and methods. The study includes 73 newborns of a gestational age of 31–36 weeks with respiratory failure and oxygen dependence in the first 2 hours of life. Newborns are divided into groups: Group 1: classic electrocardiographic criteria of transient myocardial ischemia and an increase in the level of troponin I in the blood; Group 2: electrocardiographic criteria for transient myocardial ischemia and a normal level of troponin I; Group 3: no ECG changes and normal troponin I level. We assessed blood gases, conducted electrocardiography, determined troponin I in the blood on the 1st and 7th day of life, assesses duration of oxygen therapy in all the children.

Results. Group I: troponin I concentration on the 7th day of life – 0.415 [0.222; 0.639] ng/ml, Group II – 0.073 [0.051; 0.104] ng/ml and Group III – 0.017 [0.006; 0.051] ng/ml. Transient myocardial ischemia was detected in 41% of examined patients, and destructive myocardial changes – in 21.9%. An analysis of the gas composition of blood in the first 2 hours demonstrated that there was a significant predominance of the level of bases in the children of Group I. The duration of artificial ventilation in children of Group I was 56 [3; 96] hours, exceeding the indicators of children of Group II (9 [8; 11]) by 5 times, and Group III (20.5 [13; 72]) – by 2.5 times. Also newborns in Group I experienced a maximum need for oxygen therapy through a mask.

Conclusion. 21.9% of premature infants experience destructive myocardial changes against the background of transient myocardial ischemia; newborns with transient myocardial ischemia and destructive changes have a significantly more pronounced metabolic acidosis in the first hours of life and a longer need for oxygen therapy.
Manifestations of mitochondrial dysfunction in children with connective tissue dysplasia and chronic gastroduodenitis
Authors: Ivanova I. I. , Gnusaev S. F. , Sukhorukov V. S. , Goncharova O. V. , Kameldеnova D. B.
Published: November 2019

According to the literature, signs of mitochondrial dysfunction are found in 15–20% of children in the population. It often accompanies physical illness. The digestive tract is an energy-intensive system of organs, so violations of energy metabolism affect its functioning. The aim of this study was to determine the basal level of carnitine and its fractions in children with connective tissue dysplasia and chronic gastroduodenitis and to evaluate their dynamics after L-carnitine therapy. 77 children with this somatic pathology were examined. Depending on the presence of connective tissue dysplasia, they were divided into 2 groups – the main and the comparison group. Blood levels of total and bound carnitine were determined in all patients using liquid tandem chromatomass-spectrometry. Free carnitine was calculated as the difference between total and bound. It was found that in children with connective tissue dysplasia basal levels of total carnitine and its fractions are significantly lower than in patients of the comparison group. Carnitine and fractions increased in all children after a 30-day course of therapy with L-carnitine, reaching normal values with a reduced basal level. The degree of increase in indicators was greater in patients with initially lower levels, which was observed primarily in a group with connective tissue dysplasia. This study showed that connective tissue dysplasia in most cases is accompanied by mitochondrial dysfunction. Most patients with connective tissue dysplasia and chronic gastroduodenitis require correction of energy metabolism disorders using energy-stimulating therapy.
The effectiveness of pneumococcal vaccination and dynamics of acute otitis media incidence in children
Authors: Letifov G. M. , Boiko N. V. , Stagnieva I. V. , Lukashevich Yu. N.
Published: November 2019

Acute otitis media is one of the urgent problems of pediatric otolaryngology. Its relevance is predetermined by the wide spread of the disease, especially among young children, the frequency of prescribing antibiotic therapy and the potential threat of severe complications. Pneumococcus is the most frequent causative agent of acute otitis media. Having introduced pneumococcal vaccination the incidence of acute otitis media has significantly decreased in many countries. The aim of the study was a retrospective analysis of the incidence of acute otitis media according to the Rostov ENT clinic for the period from 2012 to 2018. There is a significant annual increase in the number of children with moderate and severe forms of the disease. In 2018 the proportion of children under 3 years hospitalized with acute otitis media tended to reduce, that fact cannot be regarded as a result of vaccination, since the incidence of acute otitis media is subject to significant spontaneous fluctuations and depends on the epidemiological characteristics of viral respiratory infections.
Diagnostic value of computer stabilometry in children with movement disorders in their first twelve months of life
Authors: Samsonova T. V. , Nazarov S. B.
Published: November 2019

Computer stabilometry is a modern highly informative method for the functional diagnostics of the motor pathology, which had age restrictions (for children over 2 years). Purpose: to develop new methods for diagnosing motor development disorders and the formation of cerebral palsy in children in the first six months of life based on a quantitative assessment of the ability to maintain the first antigravity postures. The authors presented their own technique of computer stabilometry in children of six months old in a supine position with support on the forearm or palm on a stable platform with high sensitivity for low weight. They demonstrate the results of the analysis of stabilometric indicators in children of 3–6 months of age with motor disorders compared with healthy children. The article describes new methods for diagnosing motor development disorders and the formation of cerebral palsy in children of six month old using the indicators of computer stabilometry. The developed methods are characterized by high diagnostic significance.
Antibiotic resistance genes removal and membrane fouling in secondary effluents by combined processes of PAC/BPAC–UF
Authors: Sun Lihua , Shi Pengfei , He Ning , Zhang Qiwei , Duan Xi
Published: November 2019

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), as emerging environmental contaminants, are becoming a threat to human health. In this study, the combined processes of powdered activated carbon (PAC)/biological PAC (BPAC)–ultrafiltration (UF) were adopted to reduce the levels of ARGs in secondary effluents from a wastewater treatment plant. The removal of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and the change of normalized flux in the UF process were investigated. In addition, the structural characteristics of the microorganisms of the BPAC were analyzed. The results showed that the appropriate dosage of PAC and BPAC was 40 mg/L. At this dosage, PAC/BPAC–UF combined processes could effectively remove the ARGs in secondary effluents by 1.26–2.69-log and 1.55–2.97-log, respectively; and the removal rates of DOC would be 60.7% and 54.1%, respectively. Relative to the direct UF, the membrane fluxes of the two combined processes were increased by 15.6% and 25.1%, respectively. Significant removal correlations were found between ARGs, intI1, DOC and 16SrDNA. These results revealed that the PAC/BPAC–UF combined process might play a promising role in ARG reduction in secondary effluents from wastewater treatment plants.
Quantitative assessment of urban flood disaster vulnerability based on text data: case study in Zhengzhou
Authors: Wu Zening , Shen Yanxia , Wang Huiliang , Wu Meimei
Published: November 2019

Planning to evaluate flood disaster vulnerability is a crucial step towards risk mitigation and adaptation. In this study, the vulnerability curve model was established with one highly popular area of research in mind: big data. Web crawler technology was used to extract text information related to floods from Internet and social media platforms. Based on the three indicators of rainfall intensity, duration and coverage area, the heavy rainfall index was calculated, while the comprehensive disaster index was calculated based on the affected population, area and direct economic loss. Taking the heavy rainfall index as an independent variable and comprehensive disaster index as a dependent variable, the vulnerability curve of flood disasters was established, and the performance of this model was validated by comparing it with real-life situations. The results show that the relationship between rainfall and disaster is significant, and there is exponential correlation between the heavy rainfall index and comprehensive disaster index. This model is more than 65% accurate, which demonstrates the discriminative power of the established curve model. The results provide some basis for flood control and management in cities.