Changes In Composition Research Articles

Obesity Induces Temporally Regulated Alterations in the Extracellular Matrix That Drive Breast Tumor Invasion and Metastasis.

Obesity is associated with increased incidence and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive breast cancer subtype. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a major component of the tumor microenvironment that drives metastasis. To characterize the temporal effects of age and high-fat diet (HFD)-driven weight gain on the ECM, we injected allograft tumor cells at 4-week intervals into mammary fat pads of mice fed a control or HFD, assessing tumor growth and metastasis and evaluating the ECM composition of the mammary fat pads, lungs, and livers. Tumor growth was increased in obese mice after 12 weeks on HFD. Liver metastasis increased in obese mice only at 4 weeks, and elevated body weight correlated with increased metastasis to the lungs but not the liver. Whole decellularized ECM coupled with proteomics indicated that early stages of obesity were sufficient to induce changes in the ECM composition. Obesity led to an increased abundance of the proinvasive ECM proteins collagen IV and collagen VI in the mammary glands and enhanced the invasive capacity of cancer cells. Cells of stromal vascular fraction and adipose stem and progenitor cells were primarily responsible for secreting collagen IV and collagen VI, not adipocytes. Longer exposure to HFD increased the invasive potential of ECM isolated from the lungs and liver, with significant changes in ECM composition found in the liver with short-term HFD exposure. Together, these data suggest that changes in the breast, lungs, and liver ECM underlie some of the effects of obesity on triple-negative breast cancer incidence and metastasis. Significance: Organ-specific extracellular matrix changes in the primary tumor and metastatic microenvironment are mechanisms by which obesity contributes to breast cancer progression.

Thyroid Hormone Replacement Dosing after Bariatric Surgery in Patients with Primary Hypothyroidism And Severe Obesity: Tehran Obesity Treatment Study.

Background: Obesity and hypothyroidism are common medical conditions that are associated with each other. Bariatric surgery (BS) is a common approach used to achieve substantial weight loss in obese patients. However, there is limited evidence regarding the need for postsurgery levothyroxine (LT4) dose adjustment in patients with hypothyroidism undergoing BS. Methods: This was a three-year prospective cohort study assessing postsurgery LT4 requirements with attention to body composition changes. The current study included 1030 patients with hypothyroidism, who underwent sleeve gastrectomy (SG) (n = 707, 88.3% women) or one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) (n = 323, 92% women). Patients were followed for 36 months after surgery. A bioelectrical impedance analyzer was used for body composition assessment. LT4 requirements were assessed by generalized estimating equation (GEE) methods adjusted for weight as a time-varying covariate. Results: During the follow-up, TSH (mIU/L) and T4 (ng/dL) measurements did not significantly change in the OAGB group over time. However, in the SG group, TSH measurement decreased over time (ptrend = <0.001). In the third year of the follow-up, 56.1% and 33.3% of patients in the SG and OAGB groups experienced LT4 (μg/day) dose reduction, while 24.4% and 9.1% of the participants experienced LT4 dose increments, respectively. GEE analysis showed a significant increase in the LT4/fat mass (FM) (μg/kg) ratio after 36 months of follow-up compared with the baseline in both the SG [1.8 (1.5-2.2) to 2.7 (2.0-3.5), ptrend = 0.039)] and OAGB [1.7 (1.4-2.2) to 3.2 (2.7-4.8), ptrend = <0.001)] groups. Moreover, patients who underwent OAGB experienced greater LT4/FM (μg/kg) dose adjustments compared to those undergoing SG (pbetween = 0.060). In both groups, after the first year, the increase in LT4/FM (μg/kg) plateaued (pinteraction = 0.009). Conclusion: Most hypothyroid patients experienced either a reduction or no change in LT4 (μg/day) dosage after 36 months in both surgical groups. The LT4/FM (μg/kg) was significantly increased in patients undergoing either SG or OAGB with greater alterations in the latter. Further studies on larger populations and with longer duration of follow-up are needed to confirm our results.

An 18-month multimodal intervention trial for preventing dementia: J-MINT PRIME Tamba.

The number of people with dementia is increasing in Japan, and establishing evidence for preventing dementia is necessary. This study was a randomized controlled trial in cognitively normal community-dwelling older adults aged 65 to 85 with diabetes and/or hypertension. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio. The intervention group underwent 90min of group-based weekly physical exercise, cognitive training, nutritional counseling, and vascular risk management for 18 months. The primary endpoint was the change in a cognitive composite score calculated by averaging the z-scores of seven neuropsychological tests from baseline to 18 months. We randomly assigned 203 participants to two groups, and 178 (87.7%) completed the 18-month follow-up. There was a significant group difference in the cognitive composite score change at 18 months (mean difference 0.16, 95% confidence interval: 0.04 to 0.27; p=0.009). An 18-month multimodal intervention for older adults at risk of dementia could improve their cognitive function. The trial was registered in the Clinical Trial Registration System (UMIN000041938). Japan-Multimodal Intervention Trial for Prevention of Dementia (J-MINT) PRIME Tamba was a randomized controlled trial to prevent dementia. We provided a multifactorial intervention based on the Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER) trial methodology. The primary outcome, the cognitive composite score, improved with our intervention. Executive function/processing speed and memory improved in the intervention group. Intervention adherence was high, and no serious adverse events occurred.

The evolving world of the urinary microbiome.

The existence of urinary microbiome in healthy individuals is now widely accepted as the longstanding belief in urinary tract sterility was disproved over a decade ago. The urinary microbiome has since been implicated in multiple urologic conditions including urinary tract infection (UTI), urinary incontinence, and bladder cancer. This review relays new findings of urinary microbiome compositional changes associated with aging and UTI susceptibility. Recent advancements have established how the urinary microbiome changes over the lifespan. Studies finding distinct urinary microbiomes in prepubescent, reproductive age, and postmenopausal females have identified sex hormones as potential modulators of urinary microbiome composition and have identified prevalent species that may be markers of dysbiosis. Research in male children finds a cultivable urinary microbiota that varies with age or urologic history but not delivery mode. Emerging research also addresses the function of the urinary microbiota, including genetic factors associated with urinary tract colonization and interactions with uropathogens. The urinary microbiome is a promising therapeutic target for urologic disease. However, a more functional understanding is necessary for the development of microbiome-based therapies. Future research should develop accurate animal models and explore functional relationships between the urinary microbiome and the host environment.

Influence of thinning on carbon storage mediated by soil physicochemical properties and microbial community composition in large Chinese fir timber plantation.

Thinning practices are useful measures in forest management and play an essential role in maintaining ecological stability. However, the effects of thinning on the soil properties and microbial community in large Chinese fir timber plantations remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in soil physicochemical properties and microbial community composition in topsoil (0-20cm) under six different intensities (i.e., 300 (R300), 450 (R450), 600 (R600), 750 (R750) and 900 (R900) trees per hectare and 1650 (R1650) as a control) in a large Chinese fir timber plantation. Compared with the CK treatment, thinning significantly altered the contents of soil organic carbon (SOC) and its fractions but not in a linear fashion; these indicators were highest in R900. In addition, thinning did not significantly affect the soil microbial community diversity indices but significantly affected the relative abundance of the core microbial community. Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Actinobacteria were the dominant bacterial phyla; the relative abundances of Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria were highest in R900, and that of Actinobacteria was lowest in R900. The dominant fungal phyla were Ascomycota, Basidiomycota and Mucoromycota; the relative abundance of Ascomycota was lowest in R900, and that of Mucoromycota was highest in R900. The fungal microbial community composition was more sensitive than the bacterial community composition. The activity of the carbon-cycling genes was not linearly correlated with thinning, and the abundance of C-cycle genes was highest in R900. These findings are important because they show that SOC and its fractions and the abundance of the soil microorganism community in large Chinese fir timber plantations can be significantly altered by thinning, thus affecting the capacity for carbon storage. These results may advance our understanding of how the density of large timber plantations could be modified to promote soil carbon storage.

TECHNOLOGICAL COMPLICATIONS (FORMATION DAMAGE) DURING CO2 INJECTION FOR ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY. Part 2. INTERACTION OF CO2 WITH FORMATION OIL: WETTABILITY CHANGE, ASPHALTENE PRECIPITATION AND DEPOSITION IN THE FORMATION

In the second part of the review (the first part was published in [1]) the processes of formation damage at CO2 injection due to the oil phase stability disturbance are considered. Changes in reservoir temperature, pressure or fluid composition due to CO2 dissolution can provoke asphaltene precipitation and deposition. Their adsorption on the reservoir pore surface leads to a change in decrease in rock permeability. The currently ac wettability and a cepted numerical models describe well the experimental results on colmatation of pore media by asphaltenes in the presence of CO2, with different equations for asphaltene adsorption and kinetics of their occurrence being used in the models. Asphaltenes precipitated in pore volumes migrate with formation fluids to production wells and can form deposits that complicate oil production.

Identifying changes in foliar fatty acids composition caused by exposure to diesel fuel-contaminated soil

Identifying changes in foliar fatty acids composition caused by exposure to diesel fuel-contaminated soil

Tailored exercise with telehealth monitoring improves adherence and global health in kidney transplant recipients

IntroductionTailored exercise prescription is a crucial intervention for kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). This longitudinal study investigates the impact on long-term effectiveness of exercise prescriptions over one year follow-up, implementing telehealth tools for exercise administration and adherence monitoring.Materials and methodsKTRs were evaluated with clinical assessments including body composition, blood and urinary parameters, physical performance and quality of life at baseline (T0), after six (T6) and twelve (T12) months. The adherence to prescribed exercise training was monitored via video call interviews until T6 when the sample was divided into a group monitored via wearables (WG) and a group continuing video calls (VG) until T12.ResultsTwenty-six KTRs completed the study. No changes in body composition and kidney function were reported. KTRs showed an improvement in lipid profile, systolic blood pressure, cardiorespiratory fitness and quality of life. WG showed no clinical differences compared to VG except for reported higher quality of life.DiscussionA good adherence to the exercise prescription was obtained with both monitoring methods (232 vs 253 min/week). This study reinforces the inclusion exercise training for KTRs to enhance physical fitness and reduce cardiovascular risk factors. These results emphasize the role of telehealth monitoring methods as motivators for adherence to long-term exercise prescriptions.

Metabolic adaptation following gastric bypass surgery: results from a 2-year observational study.

Metabolic adaptation is the lowering of basal metabolic rate (BMR) beyond what is predicted from changes in fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) and may hamper weight-loss progression. It is unclear whether metabolic adaptation occurs following gastric bypass surgery (GBP) and if it persists. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reduction in BMR that is not explained by changes in body composition in patients following GBP compared to a weight-stable comparator group. Thirty-one patients [77.4% female; mean BMI 45.5(SD 7.0) kg/m2; age 47.4(11.6)y] who underwent GBP, and 32 time-matched comparators [50% female; BMI 27.2(4.6) kg/m2; age 41.8(13.6)y) were evaluated at 1-month pre-surgery, 3-, 12- and 24-months post-surgery. BMR was measured under standardised residential conditions using indirect calorimetry and body composition using DXA. Linear regression analyses assessed metabolic adaptation post-surgery. After surgery, patients lost a quarter of their body weight [-25.6%(1.8%); p < 0.0001] consisting mainly of FM (4:1 FM to FFM loss ratio) at 24-months post-surgery. Absolute BMR (MJ/d) reduced by 25.7% at 24-months post-surgery with values becoming similar to the comparator group from 3-months post-surgery. Positive associations were observed between changes in BMR and changes in FFM and FM (P < 0.03). Metabolic adaptation was present in patients during the 1) rapid weight loss phase (6.9 kg/month at 3-months post-surgery) (p = 0.011), 2) slower weight loss phase (1.6 kg/month from 3 to 12-months post-surgery) (p < 0.0001), and, 3) weight maintenance phase (24-months post-surgery) (p = 0.00073). However, the degree of metabolic adaptation observed in GBP patients was similar to the weight-stable comparator group (no metabolic adaptation) from 12-months post-surgery onwards (3-months; p = 0.01, 12-months; p = 0.26, 24-months post-surgery; p = 0.70). These results suggest that there is a potential biological mechanism of surgery that attenuates the expected postoperative downregulation in BMR thus helping GBP patients maintain weight loss.

MICROWAVE THERMOLYSIS OF HEAVY OIL IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IRON-BASED CATALYST

Global demand for energy is growing every year, and there is also a decrease in reserves of traditional hydrocarbons. Today, the share of highly viscous and bitumen oil reserves is 25 % of the world. Production of extra-viscous oils will grow around the world.In order to solve the problem of developing highly viscous and bitumen deposits and increase oil recovery, we offer a technology for using aquatermolysis catalyst. Experience in the use of in-situ chemical conversion of organic matter has shown sufficient effectiveness in solving this problem.In this work, laboratory studies were carried out to improve the rheological characteristics of highly viscous and bituminous oils using microwave exposure using an iron-based catalyst precursor.The addition of a catalyst precursor containing iron nanoparticles provides more uniform and higher-speed heating when the formation is exposed to high-frequency electromagnetic radiation. This heating technology has been used in various fields to achieve environmental safety and high energy savings, in comparison with traditional methods that cannot achieve these indicators. The proposed technology simplifies the development process by eliminating the injection of coolants, thereby providing prospects for the processes of intensification of production and its subsequent transportation.In order to assess the possibility of effective application of high-frequency electromagnetic radiation to the formation in a particular field, first of all, data on the rheological characteristics of oil after exposure should be presented.These laboratory studies showed a decrease in viscosity under microwave exposure in the presence of a catalyst up to 1.8 times compared to the original oil sample. A decrease in viscosity characteristics was recorded already from a five-minute microwave exposure, as well as a change in the component composition of the oil, the tar content decreases by 27 % relative to the initial oil sample. This combination of the two methods of action provides new opportunities for the development of new technologies, as well as more efficient production of heavy oil.

On the Solute-Induced Structure-Making/Breaking Phenomena: Myths, Verities, and Misuses in Solvation Thermodynamics

We review the statistical mechanic foundations of the fundamental structure-making/breaking functions, leading to the rigorous description of the solute-induced perturbation of the solvent environment for the understanding of the solvation process of any species regardless of the type and nature of the solute–solvent interactions. Then, we highlight how these functions are linked to unambiguous thermodynamic responses resulting from changes in state conditions, composition, and solute–solvent intermolecular interaction asymmetries. Finally, we identify and illustrate the pitfalls behind the use of surrogate approaches to structure-making/breaking markers, including those based on Jones–Dole’s B-coefficient and Hepler’s isobaric-thermal expansivity, while highlighting their ambiguities and lack of consistency and the sources of misinterpretations.

Low dose TamOxifen and LifestylE changes for bReast cANcer prevention (TOLERANT study): Study protocol of a randomized phase II biomarker trial in women at increased risk for breast cancer.

Breast Cancer (BC) prevention strategies range from lifestyle changes such as increasing physical activity and reducing body weight to preventive drugs like tamoxifen, known to reduce BC incidence in high-risk women. Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) is related to BC risk due to its ability to bind circulating estradiol at high affinity and to regulate estradiol action. A study protocol is presented based on the assessment of the effect of different interventions such as tamoxifen at 10 mg every other day (LDT), intermittent caloric restriction (ICR) two days per week, lifestyle intervention (LI, step counter use) and their combination on the modulation of SHBG and several other biomarkers associated to BC. A randomized phase II biomarker study will be conducted in 4 Italian centers. Unaffected women aged between 18 and 70 years, carriers of a germline pathogenetic variant (BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, or other moderate penetrance genes), or with a >5% BC risk at 10 years (according to the Tyrer-Cuzick or the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium Risk models) or with a previous diagnosis of intraepithelial neoplasia will be eligible. A total of 200 participants will be randomized to one of the four arms: LDT; LDT + ICR; LI; LI + ICR. Interventions will span six months, with baseline and follow-up clinic visits and interim phone calls. The aim of the study is to verify whether LDT increases circulating SHBG more than LI with or without ICR after 6 months. Secondary objectives include assessing HOMA-index, inflammatory markers, adiponectin/leptin ratio, quality of life (QoL), safety, toxicity, mammographic density, and changes in microbiome composition across groups. The study's innovation lies in its inclusion of diverse BC risk categories and combination of pharmaceutical and behavioral interventions, potentially enhancing intervention efficacy while balancing tamoxifen's side effects on QoL, especially menopausal symptoms. EuCT number:2023-503994-39-00; Clinical trials.gov NCT06033092.

Finite Element Method Simulation Study on the Temperature Field of Mass Concrete with Phase Change Material

Phase change materials can be converted between solid, liquid, and gaseous states, absorbing or releasing a large amount of heat. PCM is incorporated into concrete to adjust the temperature difference between inside and outside of concrete, which can reduce cracking. In this paper, the finite element analysis method is used to establish the model of an ordinary concrete structure, doped with phase change materials, on the basis of mechanical properties and a temperature regulation test performed by calculating the adiabatic temperature rise of concrete with different contents of composite phase change material, comparing the experimental and simulation results of the ordinary concrete structures with phase change materials, and analyzing the change in temperature field of the concrete structure with the content of self-prepared composite phase change materials. It is found that the addition of self-prepared composite phase change materials reduces the temperature peak of the concrete structure in the stage of hydration heat and delays the time taken to reach the temperature peak. Then, the temperature field of the phase change mass concrete structure is established, and the influence law of composite phase change material admixture on the temperature field of mass concrete is summarized through the time–temperature curves of different admixture amounts and positions so as to predict the possibility of cracks in mass concrete.

Alterations in Thyroid Hormones in Obese Patients are Associated with Body Composition Changes after Bariatric Surgery.

This study investigates how metabolic/bariatric surgery (MBS) affects thyroid hormone (TH) levels and TH resistance in obese euthyroid individuals, focusing on their correlation with changes in body composition. We included 470 obese individuals and 118 controls for baseline assessment, and 125 obese patients receiving MBS for longitudinal study. Data on body composition and thyroid function were collected. Correlations between baseline and changes in thyroid function and body composition were assessed. In the obese group, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (fT3) levels, and thyroid feedback quantile-based index (TFQI) were elevated and significantly decreased post-MBS, along with visceral fat area (VFA) and body fat percentages, while skeletal muscle mass (SMM) percentage increased. Preoperative partial correlation analysis adjusted for age and sex revealed that TSH positively correlated with VFA (r=0.109, P=0.019), body fat percentage (r=0.114, P=0.013), and negatively correlated with SMM percentage (r=-0.104, P=0.024). Similar correlations were observed between central TH resistance indices and body composition, but no significant correlations were found in the control group. Post-MBS, decreased TSH positively correlated with decreased VFA (r=0.251, P=0.006) and increased SMM percentage (r=0.233, P=0.011). While reductions in VFA and body fat percentage were linked to improved central thyroid hormone resistance, a decrease in peripheral TH conversion was noted. MBS significantly impacts thyroid function and TH resistance, with notable correlations to changes in body composition.

Comparative Analysis of the Chemical Constituents of Chrysanthemum morifolium with Different Drying Processes Integrating LC/GC–MS−Based, Non-Targeted Metabolomics

Chrysanthemum morifolium is a perennial herbaceous plant in the Asteraceae family that is used as a medicine and food owing to its superior pharmacological properties. Irrespective of its application, C. morifolium must be dried before use. Shade drying (YG) and heat drying (HG) are the two drying methods used in most origins. Given the abundance of flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenoids, the primary medicinal active constituents of C. morifolium, it is important to determine whether the composition and content of these compounds are altered during the drying processes. To test this, the changes in the chemical composition of C. morifolium flowers after YG and HG using full-spectrum, non-targeted LC/GC–MS−based metabolomics and, subsequently, the three indicator components of C. morifolium—chlorogenic acid, 3,5−dicaffeoylquinic acid, and luteolin−7−O−glucoside—were accurately quantified by HPLC. The results of the non-targeted metabolomics analysis revealed that YG- and HG-processed C. morifolium differed significantly with respect to chemical contents, especially flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenoids. The levels of the indicator components and their precursors also differed significantly between the YG and HG treatments. The contents of most of the flavonoids and key phenolic acids, terpenoids, and carbohydrates were higher with YG than with HG pre-treatment. These results revealed the changes in the chemical composition of C. morifolium during the YG and HG processes, thus providing a reference for the further optimization of the production and processing of chrysanthemums.

An Analysis of Age-Related Body Composition Changes and Metabolic Patterns in Korean Adults Using FDG-PET/CT Health Screening Data.

F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET)/computed tomography (CT) can be used to measure bone mineral density (BMD), cross-sectional muscle area (CSMA), Hounsfield units (HU) of liver and muscle, subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), abdominal visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and glucose metabolism. The present study aimed to identify age-related changes in body composition and glucose metabolism in Korean using opportunistic FDG-PET/CT imaging. We analyzed FDG-PET/CT, clinical history, and laboratory data abstracted from the medical records of patients who underwent health screening at a single institute between 2017 and 2022. In total, 278 patients were included in the analysis (male:female=140:138). Age and body mass index were positively correlated in female, but negatively correlated in male. BMD decreased with age more in female, and CSMA decreased with age more in male. Muscle HU decreased with age for both sexes. In female, SAT and VAT increased with age; and in male, SAT decreased slightly while VAT remained stable. Muscle glucose metabolism showed no association with age in male but increased with age in female. CSMA correlated positively with BMD overall; and positively correlated with VAT and SAT in male only. In female only, both SAT and VAT showed negative correlations with glucose metabolism and correlated positively with muscle glucose metabolism. Liver HU values were inversely correlated with VAT, especially in female; and positively correlated with muscle glucose metabolism in female only. FDG-PET/CT demonstrated distinct patterns of age-related changes in body composition and glucose metabolism, with significant differences between sexes.

Micro-Nano Dual-Scale Coatings Prepared by Suspension Precursor Plasma Spraying for Resisting Molten Silicate Deposit

Yb-doped Y2O3 stabilized ZrO2 (YbYSZ) coatings, developed through solution precursor plasma spraying (SPPS), are engineered to resist calcium–magnesium–alumino–silicate (CMAS) infiltration by leveraging their unique micro-nano structures. This provides superior anti-wetting properties, crucial for preventing CMAS penetration at high temperatures. The investigation focused on the structural and compositional changes in YbYSZ-SPPS coatings subjected to prolonged thermal exposure at 1300 °C. Results indicate that while the coatings undergo significant sintering, leading to densification and microstructural evolution, the elemental composition and phase stability remain largely intact after up to 8 h of heat treatment. Despite some reduction in CMAS resistance, the coatings maintained their overall protective performance, demonstrating the potential of SPPS coatings for long-term use in high-temperature environments where CMAS infiltration is a concern. These findings contribute to the development of more durable TBCs for advanced thermal protection applications.

Bayesian frameworks for integrating petrologic and geochronologic data

Constraining the absolute time and duration of geologic processes is one of the great challenges and goals in Earth sciences. Increasingly, the integration of geochronologic constraints with petrologic information is being qualitatively applied to understanding the timescales of metamorphic, igneous, tectonic, and fluid-related processes. Many rocks and geochronometers preserve relative age constraints such as compositional zoning or cross cutting relationships. This prior information can be formalized in a Bayesian statistical framework to generate a probabilistic posterior chronology. As we show here, these “age-sequence” models can enhance precision on geochronologic dates and rates and insight into tectonic models. Bayesian modeling of complex, concentrically, zoned monazite from the northern Appalachian orogen was used to develop a detailed temperature-time history through the Acadian (∼405–395 Ma) and Neoacadian (∼380–350 Ma) orogenies with significantly reduced uncertainties (40–70 %). Modeling of zoned monazite from a southern Trans-Hudson orogen granulite yielded durations of 0.5+9/-0.4 Ma and 20+5/-8 Ma for biotite-dehydration melting and suprasolidus conditions, respectively. The relatively short intervals of heating and peak conditions are consistent with a back-arc tectonic setting. A complementary approach, Bayesian change point detection, provides a framework to constrain the timing of compositional changes that can be linked with metamorphic reactions. Applying this approach in the northern Appalachian orogen demonstrates contrasting durations of low-Y monazite crystallization (∼10 vs ∼30 myr) in regions with different pressure-temperature histories. Compositionally distinct monazite domains can be linked with garnet stability, which provides a key constraint on tectonic models. Bayesian statistical analysis represent a powerful tool that can be widely applied to refine the absolute time and duration of geologic processes. A more objective and reproducible set of interpretations are produced by this more formal, although not necessarily complex, statistical analysis.

Colonies under dysbiosis benefit from oxalic acid application: the role of landscape and beekeeping practices in microbiota response to treatment

AbstractThe Varroa destructor mite causes severe losses of Apis mellifera colonies, requiring recurring treatments. One such treatment is oxalic acid (OA), considered ecological. However, it is unclear whether OA affects the honey bee gut microbiota or other hive-associated microbiotas. Herein, we studied the effect of three OA treatments (trickling at 2.1% or 4.2%, and sublimation through Varrox®) upon microbial communities associated with workers’ gut, hive bee bread and pupae, sampled from conventionally or ecologically managed colonies under different anthropization levels (located in urban, rural or mountainous landscapes). We hypothesized that treatment with OA would impact the diversity and composition of bacteria and/or eukaryotic communities, and that the effect would be dose-dependent and specific to the beehive niche. Results showed that the microbiomes of apiaries under different anthropization levels and management strategies differed prior to OA application. Neither the bacterial nor the fungal communities of bee bread and pupae shifted due to OA treatment. Independent of the dosage and the application method (trickling or sublimation), OA induced slight compositional changes in the bacterial profiles of honeybee guts. Those changes were stronger the higher the anthropization (in colonies from urban areas under conventional management). OA treatment reduced the relative abundance of several pathogens, such as Nosema ceranae, and decreased the overall bacterial diversity down to values found in less anthropized colonies. Thus, our results suggest that, aside from managing Varroa infestations, OA could have beneficial effects for stressed colonies while not impairing honey bee resilience from a microbial point of view.

Ethnodemographic Processes in the Border Regions of Asian Russia in the New Conditions of the Turn to the East

The analysis of ethnodemographic processes is relevant not only because of the negative demographic trends growing in the regions of Asian Russia, but also in connection with Russia’s turn to the East. The authors of the article give a detailed description of the modern ethnic composition of the population in the regions of the Ural, Siberian, and Far Eastern Federal Districts of the Russian Federation and the regions bordering them, those of Kazakhstan, China, and Mongolia. The object of the study were Russians, Kazakhs, Tuvinians, Mongols, and Chinese. Special attention is paid to the analysis of their number and location, and the identification of factors and consequences of changes in the ethnic composition of the population. A definitive feature of the border regions is the high proportion and absolute number of those peoples who make up the majority of the population of neighboring States. At the same time, the demographic behavior of the peoples living on different sides of the border differs. In studying the ethnodemographic processes, the increasing demographic asymmetry between the regions of Russia and neighboring states causes the greatest attention and certain concern. In the regions of the Asian part of Russia, the total population is decreasing, largely due to Russians who have a predominant model of reproduction of the population with a low birth rate and relatively high mortality. Kazakhs, Buryats, and Tuvinians in Russia are characterized by stable numbers and reproduction, although there is a tendency to decrease the birth rate. In the border areas of Kazakhstan, the tendency towards a decrease in the number of the Russian population and its replacement by a titular nationality does not weaken.