Group G2 Research Articles

Evaluation Serum Levels of Resistin and Interleukins-6 as Predictors of Left Ventricular Remodelling in Patients with Acute ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Objectives: To identify some biochemical parameters that help predict LV remodelling after STEMI. By determining serum levels of Resisten and IL-6 in patients with ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI) and apparently healthy controls. Patients & Methods: This prospective case-controlled study was conducted from beginning May 2023 to end of October 2023. This study was conducted on 110 individuals, including sixty-two patients (50 males and 12 females) who had undergone a STEMI and forty-eight healthy control subjects. The information about patients in this study was retrieved from patients' hospital records. The samples were collected from Azadi Teaching Hospital/ Kirkuk on patients with STEMI. Forty-eight of apparently healthy sex and age-matched controls were included in this study. The data were collected from the cases group as (G2) means: From the moment the patient arrives to internal resuscitation and up to 48 hours and at the baseline of the STEMI (ST elevation of the myocardial fraction), and (G3) means: After 4-6 months follow up, These states were also compared to the control group composed of (48) individuals who were apparently healthy. About five ml of blood was collected from the antecubital vein for both patients and healthy individuals in an anticoagulant tube to estimate the Resisten and IL-6 levels. Results: The results of the study showed that the serum level of resisten were significantly higher in group G2 (patients group) in comparison to those of the A1 (control group) P <0.01. The current research demonstrated non-significant differences in IL-6 levels between (G1 and G2), while showing highly significant differences between A1 and A3; this was also applicable for G2 and G3. Conclusion: The current study concluded that there are significantly increasing of Resistin levels in patients in matching to control groups. Also, it was noticed that IL-6 mean concentration levels were lower in A2 in comparison to A1 but higher than in A3.

Exploring botulinum toxin’s impact on masseter hypertrophy: a randomized, triple-blinded clinical trial

The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness and functional adverse effects of a single and multiple injections of botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) for masseter hypertrophy (MH). Twenty-six women complaining about lower third facial enlargement due to MH, received 75 U of BoNT-A (abobotulinum toxin) in each masseter muscles. After 3 months, patients were randomly assigned to receive a second treatment session of Saline Solution: (G1; n = 11) or BoNT-A: (G2; n = 12). Muscle thickness (ultrasound), electrical activity (electromyography; EMG), masticatory performance, and subjective perception of MH were evaluated. Follow-up was performed at 1, 3 and 6 months. Muscle thickness, EMG activity, and masticatory performance were analyzed using ANOVA two-way and Sidak test as post-hoc. Masticatory performance was analyzed by the Friedman’s test and Mann–Whitney test. Regarding inter-groups comparisons, there was a significant decrease in the left masseter muscle thickness in the G2 group at the 6 month follow-up (p < 0.02). For EMG, significant differences were evident at the 6 month assessment, with higher masseter activity for G1 (p < 0.05). For masticatory performance, no significant differences were observed throughout the study (p > 0.05) and a higher improvement in subjective perception of MH was observed in the 1 month follow-up for G2 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, BoNT-A is effective for MH, however multiple injections cause functional adverse effects in masseter muscle.

Genetic diversity of H5N1 and H5N2 high pathogenicity avian influenza viruses isolated from poultry in Japan during the winter of 2022–2023

High pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) of the H5N1 and H5N2 subtypes were responsible for 84 HPAI outbreaks on poultry premises in Japan during October 2022–April 2023. The number of outbreaks during the winter of 2022–2023 is the largest ever reported in Japan. In this study, we performed phylogenetic analyses using the full genetic sequences of HPAIVs isolated in Japan during 2022–2023 and those obtained from a public database to identify their genetic origin. Based on the hemagglutinin genes, these HPAIVs were classified into the G2 group of clade 2.3.4.4b, whose ancestors were H5 HPAIVs that circulated in Europe in late 2020, and were then further divided into three subgroups (G2b, G2d, and G2c). Approximately one-third of these viruses were classified into the G2b and G2d groups, which also included H5N1 HPAIVs detected in Japan during 2021–2022. In contrast, the remaining two-thirds were classified into the G2c group, which originated from H5N1 HPAIVs isolated in Asian countries and Russia during the winter of 2021–2022. Unlike the G2b and G2d viruses, the G2c viruses were first detected in Japan in the fall of 2022. Importantly, G2c viruses caused the largest number of outbreaks throughout Japan over the longest period during the season. Phylogenetic analyses using eight segment genes revealed that G2b, G2d, and G2c viruses were divided into 2, 4, and 11 genotypes, respectively, because they have various internal genes closely related to those of avian influenza viruses detected in wild birds in recent years in Asia, Russia, and North America, respectively. These results suggest that HPAIVs were disseminated among migratory birds, which may have generated numerous reassortant viruses with various gene constellations, resulting in a considerable number of outbreaks during the winter of 2022–2023.

Optimizing Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Growth through a Comparative Evaluation of EM4 and Homemade Probiotics in Pellets

One alternative approach to facilitate the utilization of feed by tilapia is the addition of probiotic in feed. In this study, we compare the effects of commercial probiotic EM4 and homemade probiotics on tilapia growth. This research was conducted in PT. Sahaja Berkah Abadi at wonosalam, jawatimur, indonesia. The study was designed as a completely randomized design with 3 treatments and 4 replications, encompassing control group (C), commercial probiotics (G1), and homemade probiotic (G2). The commercial probiotics (G1) contained Rhodopseudomonas sp., Lactobacillus sp., Streptomyces sp., and Actinomycetes sp. while the homemade probiotic (G2) contained starter bacteria Lactobacillus casei and herbal plant such as ginger, curcuma, and tumeric. Parameters observed during the study included weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), and survival rate (SR). The results revealed that both G1 and G2 performed better than the control group. The weight gain for the control, G1, and G2 groups were 2.38±0.03 g, 3.09± 0.01 g, and 3.13 ± 0.03 g, respectively. Similarly, the specific growth rates for the control, G1, and G2 groups were 4.25±0.03%, 5.52± 0.02%, and 5.59 ± 0.03%, respectively, while the survival rate remained at 100% across all groups. The water quality in all treatments during maintenance met the standard requirements for tilapia, with temperatures ranging from 25.5 to 26.7 °C and pH levels between 6.7 and 6.9. These findings suggest that the probiotics incorporated in G2 present a cost-effective alternative to those in G1, offering a promising option for tilapia cultivation.

Reversing the detrimental effects of high stocking density in Oreochromis niloticus juveniles using coenzyme Q10 and l-carnitine dietary supplementation

A 14-week trial was undertaken to examine the effects of coenzyme Q10 (CQ10) and l-carnitine (LC) dietary supplementation, either individually or in combination, on the feed intake, growth, blood biochemistry, immunity, economic viability, and body composition of Nile tilapia fingerlings reared at a high stocking density. The study involved eight groups of 450 tilapia juveniles, with an average weight of 6.083 ± 0.09 g, assigned to different treatments. Two groups were fed a basal diet and stocked at densities of 30 and 60 fish per m3, respectively. The remaining groups were reared at a high stocking density of 60 fish/ m3 and fed diets fortified with LC at 150 mg (G3), LC at 300 mg (G4), CQ10 at 20 mg (G5), CQ10 at 40 mg (G6), LC at 150 mg + CQ10 at 20 mg (G7), or LC at 300 mg + CQ10 at 40 mg (G8) per kg of diet. The findings revealed that high stocking density had an adverse impact on tilapia growth performance. Nevertheless, the inclusion of LC and CQ10 in the diet, whether separately or in combination, significantly improved growth parameters and enhanced survival rates. The G6, G7, and G8 groups showed the most significant improvements in growth and survival. High stocking density resulted in decreased moisture and crude protein content, while LC and CQ10 supplementation increased these components and reduced crude fat and ash content. High stocking density negatively impacted blood metabolites, leading to elevated levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine, and urea-N, as well as decreased total protein and albumin. However, supplementation with LC and CQ10 effectively alleviated these effects, improving the levels of these parameters. All supplemented groups showed enhanced lysozyme activity and IgM concentration, with the greatest improvements observed in the G6, G7, and G8 groups. Economic analysis indicated that LC and CQ10 supplementation improved final and relative margin, except in the G4 group. In conclusion, the combined supplementation of LC and CQ10 shows promise in enhancing productivity and profitability in tilapia farming under high stocking density conditions, particularly in concrete tanks.

Evaluation of Myostatin and Some Biochemical Variables in Both Type 2 Diabetic and Diabetic Nephropathy Patients

Background: The kidneys are essential organs that keep blood pH stable and eliminate excess water, salts, and aid in the body's waste removal. Aim of the study: The study aims to investigate the importance of myostatin in the development of diabetic nephropathy patients. In addition, the level of urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus. Materials and methods: A Case-Control study lasted from- November 2023 to January 2024, at Al-Amal Kidney Dialysis Center and Azadi Teaching Hospital in Kirkuk Governorate. The 135 blood samples, their ages (25-70), were divided into three groups. The first group G1 (n:50) patients with T2DM. The second group G2 (n:55) with diabetic nephropathy. The third group G3 for control. Serum samples were utilized to measure MSTN by ELISA, blood urea, serum creatinine, S.PO4, S. Na+, S. K+, and S. Ca++ by spectrophotometer. Results: Significant variations (P&lt;0.05) in MSTN were seen between study groups (8.43±4.69, 10.99±7.05, 5.63±3.38) ng/ml. Additionally, significant differences exist between (G1 vs G2), (G1 vs G3), and (G2 vs G3) with p-value &lt;0.05 Diabetic nephropathy G2 had the highest mean urea and creatinine levels (136.69±38.21, 5.99±1.87), followed by G1 (34.92±9.06, 0.89±0.26) and control group G3 (31.00±4.72), with significant differences (p ≤ 0.001) among three groups. Additionally, G1 with G2, G2 with G3, and G1 with G3 had significant differences (p-value&gt;0.01). Conclusion: This study found higher myostatin, urea, and creatinine in diabetic nephropathy and diabetic patients. The data also showed hyponatremia, hypocalcemia, hyperkalemia, and hyperphosphatemia in diabetic nephropathy and diabetic patients.

A comparative evaluation of fracture resistance of three recent composite systems in Class II mesio occluso distal cavities - An in vitro study

Though composite resins have received popularity as restorative materials because of their physical properties, there was a dearth in the research about fracture resistance among recently emerged composite systems including Tokuyama Estelite Sigma Quick, Admira Fusion, and Beautifil II LS nanohybrid composite systems. To compare and evaluate the fracture resistance of maxillary premolars with class II mesio occluso distal cavities restored with Tokuyama Estelite Sigma Quick, Admira Fusion, and Beautifil II LS nanohybrid composite systems. Current invitro research was conducted on 44 intact human premolar teeth- Eleven specimens were kept completely intact for control group (Group G1). Class II MOD cavities were done with high-speed handpiece and under constant irrigation in remaining 33 teeth, Group G2, Group G3, Group G4 were restored with Tokuyama Estelite Sigma Quick (Tokuyama Dental, Tokyo, Japan.), Beautifil II LS (Shofu, Germany.), Admira Fusion (Shofu, Germany.) respectively. SPSS version 20 software to analyse the data; and ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post-hoc analysis to compare the fracture resistance were used. With a fracture resistance of 1297.27±10.27 N, Group 1 (Control) had highest fracture resistance. Group 4 has the least fracture resistance (Admira Fusion). Every pairwise comparison was significant too. Among the three materials studied, Beautifil II LS had higher fracture resistance and Admira Fusion had the least fracture resistance.

Histopathological Changes in a Rat Model of Diabetic Neuropathy

This study was done to investigate the histopathological Changes in a Rat Model of Diabetic Neuropathy. The 24 male rats used in this investigation were split into two groups of 12 animals. The first group (G1), which consisted of healthy individuals, was given standard saline. Normal saline was administered after G2 (STZ group) received STZ at a dosage of 60 mg/kg. After rats were starved overnight, a single intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg of freshly produced STZ was given to induce diabetes. (0.1 M, pH 4.5) Sodium Citrate Buffer was used to dissolve STZ. On the third day after the injection of STZ, a digital glucometer was used to measure the blood glucose levels of 12-hour fasting rats; hyperglycemia was defined as values greater than 250 mg/dl. In order to assess neuropathic pain, cold allodynia was calculated by counting the number of times the foot withdrew in response to cold stimuli applied to the back of the hand. The sciatic nerve was carefully removed after the sacrifice (after 2 months) and preserved in 10% formalin for histopathological study. Normal blood glucose levels were maintained in the control rats throughout the study. However, G2 exhibited much greater FBG levels than healthy animals. In the 2-month study, the G2 maintained FBG levels above 250 mg/dl. The score for severity of STZ on sciatic nerves showed a significant difference between treated group as compared with G1. No paw reactions were seen when intact animals were subjected to plantar surface acetone. The experimental groups did not show any notable reactions to acetone on the tenth day after the diagnosis of diabetes. On days 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 after diabetes confirmation, there were significant differences in paw withdrawal frequency between the G1 and G2 (p&lt;0.001). Within the control group, nerve fibres were found to be regularly arranged and there was no evidence of axonal swelling. However, in the G2 group, nerve fibres were found to be significantly disorganised, and there was a notable increase in the number of Schwann cells in the sciatic nerves, suggesting damage, in comparison to the control group. In conclusion, potentially via antinociceptive, antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, and neuro-regeneration boosting pathways in STZ-induced diabetic peripheral disease.

Reduction of surface treatment time by combination of citric acid and ascorbic acid while restoring shear bond strength of metal brackets bonded to bleached enamel: a pilot study

BackgroundTo investigate the effect of a 50% ascorbic acid with 50% citric acid solution on the immediate shear bond strength (SBS) of metallic brackets after tooth bleaching. The enamel etching pattern and the required quantity of these combined acids as antioxidants following 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP) bleaching were also determined.MethodsThe stability of the solution at room temperature was assessed at various time intervals. Fifty teeth were randomly divided into five groups: non-bleached (G1), bleached then acid etched (G2), bleached followed by a 10-minute treatment with 10% sodium ascorbate and acid etched (G3), 5-minute treatment with 50% ascorbic acid (G4), and 5-minute treatment with a combination of 50% ascorbic acid and 50% citric acid (G5). Groups G2, G3, G4 and G5 were bleached by 35% HP gel for a total of 32 min. Acid etching in groups G1, G2, and G3 was performed using 37% phosphoric acid (Ormco®, Orange, CA, USA) for 15 s. In all groups, metal brackets were immediately bonded using Transbond™ XT primer and Transbond™ PLUS adhesive, with light curing for 40 s. The SBS was tested with a universal testing machine, and statistical analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s HSD test. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05 for all statistical tests.ResultsStability tests demonstrated that the combined acids remained effective for up to 21 days. Group G5 significantly increased the SBS of bleached teeth to the level of G1 (p < 0.05), while G3 did not achieve the same increase in SBS (p > 0.05). SEM analysis revealed enamel etching patterns similar to those of both control groups (G1 and G2). Kinetic studies at 6 min indicated that the antioxidation in G5 reacted 0.2 mmole lower than in G3 and G4.Conclusion5-minute application of the combined acids enhanced the SBS of bleached teeth comparable to unbleached teeth. The combined acids remain stable over two weeks, presenting a time-efficient, single-step solution for antioxidant application and enamel etching in orthodontic bracket bonding.

Correlation analysis between the changes in plasma ghrelin level and weight loss after sleeve gastrectomy combined with fundoplication

BackgroundLaparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy combined with fundoplication (LSGFD) can significantly control body weight and achieve effective anti-reflux effects. The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between the alteration in Ghrelin levels and weight loss following SGFD, and to compare Ghrelin levels, weight loss and metabolic improvements between SG and SGFD, with the objective of contributing to the existing body of knowledge on SGFD technique in the management of patients with obesity and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 115 obese patients who underwent bariatric surgery between March 2023 and June 2023 at the Department of Minimally Invasivew Surgery, Hernia and Abdominal Wall Surgery, People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The subjects were divided into two groups based on surgical methods: sleeve gastrectomy group (SG group, 93 cases) and sleeve gastrectomy combined with fundoplication group (SGFD group, 22 cases). Clinical data, such as ghrelin levels before and after the operation, were compared between the two groups, and the correlation between changes in ghrelin levels and weight loss effectiveness after the operation was analyzed. Results: Three months after the operation, there was no significant difference in body mass, BMI, EWL%, fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, and uric acid levels between the SG and SGFD groups (P > 0.05). However, the SGFD group exhibited a significant decrease in body weight, BMI, and uric acid levels compared to preoperative levels (P < 0.05), while the decrease in ghrelin levels was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Logistic regression analysis indicated that ghrelin levels three months after the operation were influential in postoperative weight loss.ConclusionThe reduction of plasma Ghrelin level in patients after SGFD is not as obvious as that in patients after SG, but it can make obese patients get the same good weight loss and metabolic improvement as patients after SG. Ghrelin level at the third month after operation is the influencing factor of postoperative weight loss.

The digital era of pediatric urological clinical care: telemedicine for management of lower urinary tract symptoms and nocturnal enuresis - a comprehensive tertiary center insight.

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and nocturnal enuresis (NE) are complex conditions requiring a long-term follow-up. Telemedicine is an emerging technological tool in the surgical field, and its availability exponentially grew during the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding its application fields, optimizing technical aspects, reducing costs, and ensuring high-quality standards. This work describes our experience with telemedicine in a Division of Pediatric Urology for the follow-up of enuresis and LUTS. A retrospective analysis of our telemedicine preliminary experience was conducted at Regina Margherita Children's Hospital in Turin, Italy. This study included all the patients aged <18 years who were monitored for enuresis and LUTS through telemedicine between September 1, 2021 and July 31, 2023. Clinical data and outcomes were analyzed, and patients and families were asked to voluntary fill an evaluation questionnaire on their satisfaction. Additionally, we focused on the post COVID-19 period, between September 2022 and July 2023, analyzing the data of two different patients' populations: the first one (G1) of patients choosing telemedicine outpatients visits (TOVs) and the second one (G2) of those choosing a face-to-face visit. One hundred five patients were enrolled. One hundred sixty-two TOVs were performed. The median age at first visit was 9.7±0.66 years (range 7-16 years). Diagnosis were: 77/105 (67%) NE and 28/105 (33%) LUTS. The average referred distance between the patients' residence and the hospital was 46.35±129.37 km (range 2-1300 kilometers) and the time taken to overcome it was 44.21±77.29 minutes (range 10-780 minutes). In 64/105 cases (61%) the follow-up was interrupted for total healing or symptoms resumption. Only two cases (2%) required the conversion to an in-person ambulatory consult, due to a social-linguistic barrier. 146/162 families (90%) filled the survey questionnaire at the end of each TOV, reporting in 94% of cases a high satisfaction level. In the comparative statistical analysis of the two patient groups, G1 (52 telemedicine office visits, [TOVs]) vs. G2 (25 face-to-face visits), the average referred distance was 17.78±7.98 km (range: 5-35 km) for G1, contrasting with 7.04±3.35 km (range: 2.5-14 km) for G2 (P=0.00001). Additionally, the waiting time before the visit was 3.96±2.90 minutes (range: 0-10 minutes) for G1, in contrast to 26.52±11.22 minutes (range: 5-44 minutes) for G2 (P=0.00001). Furthermore, a higher compliance with behavioral or pharmacological indications was observed in the G1 group, exhibiting lower adherence in only 12 out of 52 cases compared to 14 out of 25 cases in G2 (P=0.0091). Telemedicine is a proper solution and an effective tool to manage the therapeutic follow-up of NE and LUTS, ensuring suitable quality standards and reducing social costs, such as the loss of working days and transport costs. The implementation and complete integration of its use into the healthcare system should be the goals to pursue in order to take full advantage of all its potentials.

A novel lactylation-related gene signature for effectively distinguishing and predicting the prognosis of ovarian cancer.

Lactylation has been found to regulate several types of biological processes in cancer. However, there is limited research on lactylation-related genes in predicting the prognosis of ovarian cancer (OC). This study aimed to explore the functional roles of lactylation-related genes in OC. Based on TCGA database, we obtained RNA sequencing data and clinical characteristics of patients with OC. Fourteen lactylation-related genes were screened for bioinformatic analysis in OC. Tumor classification of OC was constructed via a consistency cluster analysis. We examined the prognosis, immune-cell infiltration, and immunotherapy in relation to a lactylation-related model for OC. A total of 707 prognostic genes and 14 key lactylation-related genes (SNRPA1, MPHOSPH6, POLDIP3, RB1, AHNAK, MAGOHB, CALM1, EP300, HDAC1, HDAC2, HDAC3, SIRT1, SIRT2, and SIRT3) were identified in TCGA-OC patients. Based on 14 genes involved in lactylation, TCGA-OC patients were split into low-risk (G1) and high-risk (G2) groups. Downregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the low-risk G1 group were associated with thermogenesis, oxidative phosphorylation, neutrophil extracellular trap formation, and interleukin 17 (IL-17) signaling pathway, whereas upregulated DEGs were associated with proteoglycans in cancer, focal adhesion, Wnt signaling pathway, extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction, and the adherens junction. The immune activity of the low-risk G1 group was lower than that of the high-risk G2 group. Gemcitabine, bleomycin, and doxorubicin had lower half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values in the high-risk G2 patients with OC, while cisplatin and paclitaxel had higher IC50 values compared to the low-risk G1 patients. The prognosis of patients with OC was also predicted with the help of an eight-lactylation-related gene prognostic model, comprising SNRPA1, MPHOSPH6, POLDIP3, RB1, HDAC1, CALM1, HDAC2, and SIRT2. The lactylation-related genes are closely related to tumor classification and immunity in patients with OC. There was good prognostic predictive performance for OC based on a lactylation-related signature. Our findings may offer new insights into the diagnosis and treatment of OC.

Effects of Rice-Frog Co-Cropping on the Soil Microbial Community Structure in Reclaimed Paddy Fields.

Utilizing and improving the productivity of reclaimed land are highly significant for alleviating the problem of food production shortage in China, and the integrated rice-frog farming model can improve soil fertility. However, there are few studies on the use of integrated rice-frog farming technology to improve the fertility of reclaimed land and increase its efficiency in food production. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the rice-frog co-cropping mode on the soil fertility and microbial diversity of reclaimed land. A rice monoculture group (SF), low-density rice-frog co-cropping group (SD, 5000 frogs/mu, corresponds to 8 frogs/m2), and high-density rice-frog co-cropping group (SG, 10,000 frogs/mu, corresponds to 15 frogs/m2) were established and tested. The contents of total nitrogen, soil organic matter, available potassium, and available phosphorus of the soil in the SG group were significantly higher than those in the SF group (p < 0.05) in the mature stage of rice. Compared with the SF group, the SD and SG groups improved the soil microbial diversity and changed the structure of the microbial community. This study indicates that compared with the rice monoculture mode, the rice-frog co-cropping pattern can improve the soil fertility, as well as microbial diversity, of reclaimed land.

Petrogenesis, geochronology, and tectonic setting of the Calymmian 1.45–1.50 Ga basic magmatism in the Southern Ribeira Belt, Brazil: evidence of intracontinental rifting and Columbia break-up

ABSTRACT We present new petrographic, whole-rock geochemistry, and SHRIMP U – Pb zircon geochronological data of metabasic rocks interlayered as sills in the metasedimentary units of the Perau and Betara formations, Votuverava Group, Southern Ribeira Belt, Brazil. These formations overlie ~ 1.8 Ga Paleoproterozoic metagranitoids that represent basement inliers from the Paranapanema Craton. Petrography and whole-rock geochemistry allow the recognition of four groups, ranging from primitive to evolved compositions: i) cumulatic metadolerites (G1), ii) isotropic metadolerites (G2), iii) ortho-amphibolites (G3); and iv) ferroan ortho-amphibolites (G4). They exhibit tholeiitic subalkali basaltic composition, near-flat REE patterns, and signatures between N- and E-MORB. Fractional crystallization under low fO2 conditions is the main petrogenetic process controlling the magmatic evolution, as observed by Ti/V and Cr/Y ratio and tholeiitic trends. Crustal contamination signatures are observed through negative Nb anomaly, Th/Nb-Ti/V proxies trends, LILE enrichment, and, also, assimilated xenocryst zircons aged ~ 2.2 Ga. REE and trace element systematics indicate that the basic magmas were generated by ~ 20–10% partial melting of a model asthenospheric mantle source within spinel facies. TiO2/Yb-Nb/Yb and Nb/Yb-Zr/Yb ratio proxies and P-MORB metabasic rocks, previously described in the literature within the Votuverava Group, suggest a plume-influenced melt. A new SHRIMP U – Pb zircon age of 1448 ± 11 Ma was determined for an ortho-amphibolite sample (G3 group). We propose an intracontinental tectonic setting for the genesis of the metadolerites whitin the Perau and Betara formations, suggesting that this extensional event is associated with the Paranapanema Craton rifting. Furthermore, the genesis of the studied metabasic rocks could be associated with a regional extensional event during Calymmian times (~1.5–1.45 Ga), which generated basic magmatism in several other cratons, such as the Congo, São Francisco, Siberian, Laurentian, and China cratons, linked to the break-up of the Columbia Supercontinent.

Analysis of weight loss, metabolism, and anti-reflux effect of sleeve gastrectomy combined with fundoplication as treatment of obesity complicated by gastroesophageal reflux disease

Objective: To explore the weight-loss, metabolism, and anti-reflux effect of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy combined with fundoplication (SGFD) as treatment of obesity complicated by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with the aim of identifying the best treatment for such patients. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. Relevant clinical data of 140 patients with obesity (body mass index≥30 kg/m2) complicated by GERD (confirmed by preoperative GerdQ score, gastroscope, upper gastrointestinal radiography, 24-hour pH monitoring of esophagus, and high-resolution esophageal manometry) who had undergone bariatric surgery in the Minimally Invasive Surgery, Hernia and Abdominal Surgery Department of the People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from January 2019 to February 2023 were collected. The participants were allocated to the following groups according to surgical procedure performed: sleeve gastrectomy group (SG group, 92 cases) versus SGFD (SGFD group, 48 cases). SGFD, a new type of anti-reflux weight loss surgery that achieves both anti-reflux and weight loss effects by a procedure involving "cutting first and then folding", was developed by our team. In this study, our main aim was to compare and analyze differences in outcomes between the SG and SGFD groups in terms of weight loss and improvements in metabolism and reflux 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Results: The 140 patients comprised 50 men and 90 women of average age 36.0±9.6 years and preoperative body mass index (BMI) (38.5±6.5) kg/m2. The average preoperative GERD score was 10.2±1.6. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the SGFD and SG groups (all P>0.05). There were also no significant differences in postoperative hospital stay, intraoperative blood loss, or postoperative complications between the two groups (all P>0.05). However, the operation time was longer in the SGFD than SG group (137.5±10.5 minutes vs. 105.3±12.6 minutes, t=-15.131, P<0.001). Compared with preoperative values, fasting blood glucose, cholesterol, body mass, BMI, and GERD score were all lower 3 months postoperatively (all P<0.05). Six months postoperatively, triglyceride, uric acid, and DeMeester score were lower in the SGFD than SG group; however, the lower esophageal sphincter resting pressure was higher in the SGFD group (all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in weight loss indexes (body mass, BMI, percentage of excess body mass loss) or metabolic indexes (fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, and uric acid concentrations) between the SG and SGFD groups 3 and 6 months postoperatively (all P>0.05). However, anti-reflux indexes (GerdQ score, DeMeester score, and lower esophageal sphincter resting pressure) were all significantly better in the SGFD than SG group 6 months postoperatively (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Obese patients with GERD get good weight loss, metabolism improvement and anti-reflux effect after SGFD. SGFD is a safe and feasible surgical method, and its anti-reflux effect is better than SG at the 6th month after operation, so it is feasible.

The use of anti-transglutaminase and anti-gliadin antibodies to compare the effect of gluten active and gluten-free diet patients suffering from celiac disease in child and adult

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by the ingestion of gluten in genetically susceptible individuals. The current study aimed to compare the levels of these antibodies in celiac disease patients on active gluten-containing diets and those on gluten-free diets to demonstrate the ability to get rid of Celiac Disease by Gluten-Free Diet. The study involved 100 participants, divided into 60 CD patients and 40 controls, where all participant match in age and gender. The patient group was further divided into two subgroups 40 active celiac and 20 GFD. Blood samples were obtained from all participants, and levels of anti-tTG and anti-gliadin antibodies were using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technology. The results showed The F test indicated a significant difference in the levels of anti-tTG and anti-gliadin antibodies between the active group (G1) and the diet group (G2) in comparison to the control group (G3), with a p-value less than 0.001. Upon conducting a deeper analysis using the least significant difference (LSD) on on anti-tTG IgA and IgG indicate that there are no significant differences between the patient groups G1 and G2, as evidenced by p-values of 0.120 for IgA. However, a significant difference was observed between G1 and G2 for IgG, with a p-value of 0.018. When comparing G1 with G3, and G2 with G3, significant differences were observed, with p-values less than 0.001. In the case of anti-gliadin IgA and IgG, the LSD test revealed a highly significant difference between G1 and G2, as indicated by a p-value less than 0.001. However, no significant differences were found between G1 and G3, with p-values of 0.499 for IgA and 0.110 for IgG. A highly significant difference was none the less observed between G2 and G3, with a p-value less than 0.001.In conclusion, This study highlights the importance of dietary adherence in celiac disease management. Patients on gluten-free diets had significantly lower levels of anti-TG and anti-gliadin antibodies, indicating better control of the autoimmune response. Monitoring these antibody levels can be a valuable tool in assessing the effectiveness of dietary interventions in celiac disease patients.

The Concealing Effect of COVID-19: Unveiling the Surge in Community-Acquired Infections and Its Association With Diabetic Ketosis During the Pandemic.

Background Some studies suggest that the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has contributed to diverting attention from other community-acquired infections (CAIs), leading to an increase in their incidence and severity. Our study aimed to describe and compare clinical features of CAI before and during the pandemic as a factor precipitating diabetes ketoacidosis (DKA). Methodology We included 250 patients who presented with DKA due to CAIs, other than SARS-CoV-2, divided into two distinct groups: 100 patients (G1) who consulted two years before the pandemic, and 150 patients (G2) who consulted during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Cases in both groups were matched for age and type and duration of diabetes.Primary outcomes were a longer diagnosis delay and more severe DKA in G2 during the pandemic. Secondary outcomes included blood test results, duration of ketosis, duration of antibiotic therapy, and diabetes treatment. Results The diagnosis and treatment delays were longer for patients seeking medical care during the pandemic (p < 0.001). The duration of DKA was also significantly longer in the G2 group (p = 0.007). During the pandemic, patients' blood tests showed more anomalies with higher glycated hemoglobin (p = 0.02), C-reactive protein (p = 0.001), and lymphocytosis (p = 0.016). The duration of antibiotic therapy was also significantly longer in G2 (p = 0.01). Conclusions This study showed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the management of diseases other than SARS-CoV-2. Indeed, several factors played a part in the increased incidence of CAIs, which were more severe than in the pre-pandemic period. These included fear of contagion, confinement, and physicians' preoccupation with the pandemic.

Exploring Predictive Factors for Heart Failure Progression in Hypertensive Patients Based on Medical Diagnosis Data from the MIMIC-IV Database.

Heart failure is associated with a significant mortality rate, and an elevated prevalence of this condition has been noted among hypertensive patients. The identification of predictive factors for heart failure progression in hypertensive individuals is crucial for early intervention and improved patient outcomes. In this study, we aimed to identify these predictive factors by utilizing medical diagnosis records for hypertension patients from the MIMIC-IV database. In particular, we employed only diagnostic history prior to hypertension to enable patients to anticipate the onset of heart failure at the moment of hypertension diagnosis. In the methodology, chi-square tests and XGBoost modeling were applied to examine age-specific predictive factors across four groups: AL (all ages), G1 (0 to 65 years), G2 (65 to 80 years), and G3 (over 80 years). As a result, the chi-square tests identified 34, 28, 20, and 10 predictive factors for the AL, G1, G2, and G3 groups, respectively. Meanwhile, the XGBoost modeling uncovered 19, 21, 27, and 33 predictive factors for these respective groups. Ultimately, our findings reveal 21 overall predictive factors, encompassing conditions such as atrial fibrillation, the use of anticoagulants, kidney failure, obstructive pulmonary disease, and anemia. These factors were assessed through a comprehensive review of the existing literature. We anticipate that the results will offer valuable insights for the risk assessment of heart failure in hypertensive patients.

#2194 Targeted metabolomics analysis identifies a specific metabolomic profile in patients with early chronic kidney disease

Abstract Background and Aims The complex interconnections between various metabolites and the kidney play a major role in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Hence, by the assessment of the relationship between metabolites and the kidney, more accurate biomarkers could be discovered to prevent and detect CKD at an early stage. The primary goal of this study was to find new serum and urine biomarkers for the diagnosis of early CKD by conducting a metabolomic profiling through targeted metabolomics of both blood and urine in patients with CKD. Method This cross-sectional study comprised 80 patients with CKD who were categorized into six subgroups (G1-G6) based on their eGFR according to the KDIGO Guidelines. Additionally, 20 healthy individuals were included as healthy control participants (group C). Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization-quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometry was used to perform serum and urine metabolomic profiling. The 6 metabolites evaluated by this study were selected based on the results of a previous untargeted analysis research. Both blood and urine samples underwent multivariate analysis, which was subsequently followed by univariate analysis and quantitative analysis. Initially, the PLSDA score plot and VIP score were utilized. The application of the cross-validation procedure to the initial set of 6 molecules provided outstanding results, including high accuracy, high R² values, and a significant Q2 value. Hence, the model might be deemed as predictive. Random Forest analysis was utilized to conduct biomarker analysis and prediction. The specificity and sensitivity of the compounds identified as possible biomarkers were assessed using the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the curve (AUC). Results There were strong positive correlations between eGFR and serum levels of Arginine (p &amp;lt; 0.05) and L-Acetylcarnitine (p &amp;lt; 0.05). Of note, the amounts of L-Methionine, L-Phenylalanine, Kynurenic acid, and Indoxyl sulfate in serum showed a progressive increase from group C to subgroups G1-G5. Furthermore, L-Methionine, L-Phenylalanine, Kynurenic acid, and Indoxyl sulfate exhibited a negative correlation with eGFR (p &amp;lt; 0.05). In addition, there was a positive correlation between the levels of urine Arginine, L-Methionine, and L-Phenylalanine and eGFR (p &amp;lt; 0.05). Urine levels of Kynurenic acid, Indoxyl sulfate, and L-Acetylcarnitine were higher in groups G4 and G5, as compared to groups G1-G3b and C, respectively. The urinary concentrations of Indoxyl sulfate, Kynurenic acid, Indoxyl sulfate, and L-Acetylcarnitine exhibited a negative correlation with eGFR (p &amp;lt; 0.05). Conclusion The current study shows that serum and urinary metabolites levels in patients with CKD display an alteration in production, secretion, and excretion in all CKD stages. There was demonstrated a distinct metabolomic profile in the course of CKD which points to novel biomarkers useful for the diagnosis and progression evaluation of CKD from its early stages.

Expanding BRICS Authority in Latin America: Geopolitical Significance for Russia

The paper analyzes the geopolitical situation in Latin America and the Caribbean (LACB), examines the prospects for expanding the BRICS interstate association in the region and the advantages of this organization that attracts LACB countries. Based on the criteria the authors carried out put forward, the analysis of scenarios to expand the BRICS in the strategic interests of the Russian Federation in the international arena, the directions for the most favorable cooperation and ensuring the interests of Russia in the conditions of a tense political situation and a hybrid war launched by the collective West against our country are determined. The role of BRICS is increasing in a change in the balance of power in the UN, G20 and G7 groups after the start of a special military operation by the Russian Federation. The work is based on neorealism, which considers both the global situation in international relations and Russia’s possibilities for promoting its interests in interaction with various actors. The major methods used: situational analysis and document analysis. The paper’s aim is to determine the strategic advantages of implementing Russian foreign policy interests associate the potential expansion of BRICS in Latin America.