Level Of Fragmentation Research Articles

Human barriers fragment three-quarters of all rivers in the Mekong basin

Rapid expansion of human barriers threatens many of the remaining free-flowing rivers of the world. The Mekong Basin is an exemplar in this regard with previous studies indicating high levels of river fragmentation caused by barriers, despite such estimates being limited dues to incomplete data. The present study offers the first comprehensive evaluation of river fragmentation in the Mekong Basin by leveraging a comprehensive basin-scale barrier database containing 13,054 unique barriers, and by employing five dendritic connectivity index-derived indices, one barrier density-derived index, and two newly-developed basin-scale connectivity assessment methods. The results revealed striking fragmentation across the Mekong Basin, with the Thailand and Vietnam regions exhibited the most pronounced levels, characterized by lowest dendritic connectivity values, due to high numbers of irrigation facilities. Only a limited number of sub-basins in the Upper Mekong (3.4 % of all sub-basins) and Lower Mekong (10.7 %) regions remain free-flowing. Environmental correlation analysis of river barrier construction suggested densely populated low-elevation rural areas that are more likely to suffer from diminished river connectivity. This assessment enhances our current understanding of river fragmentation in the Mekong Basin and help in the formulation of strategies for future connectivity restoration efforts across the entire basin.

Genotoxicity and oxidative stress assessment among farmers occupationally exposed to pesticides in El-Behira Governorate, Egypt

ABSTRACT Background Recently, pesticide usage has rapidly increased worldwide and consequently, there is a great worry about their adverse health effects. In literature, there is paucity of research regarding the relationship between occupational pesticide exposure and genotoxicity. The current study aimed to detect sociodemographic and occupational characteristics of the participants and to assess biomarkers of genotoxicity and oxidative stress and reveal their association with exposure to pesticides. Methods A comparative cross-sectional approach was carried out at a randomly selected village where 58 farmers exposed to pesticides were compared with another 58 individuals not exposed to pesticides. Participants were interviewed; blood samples were withdrawn for measuring the following: deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation percentage, serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) level, serum activity levels of glutathione reductase (GR), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes. Results Farmers had significantly higher levels of DNA fragmentation, TBARS, and SOD [8.07 ± 2.38, 1.42 (0.79), and 350.09 (30.03), respectively] than the comparison group [4.41 ± 1.35, 0.37 (0.72), and 281.25 (130.37), respectively]; While they had a lower GR, CAT, and BChE levels [14.53 ± 8.53, 21.7 (41.04), and 2707.77 ± 651.24, respectively] than the comparison group [24.92 ± 9.44, 37.8 (41.72), and 5694.3 ± 1175.76, respectively]. Exposure to pesticides was found to be independently associated with an increase in the percentage of DNA fragmentation by 3.146%; an increase in TBARS level by 0.717 nmol/dL; an increase in the SOD enzyme activity level by 72.614 IU/mL and a decrease in the GR enzyme activity level by 10.094 IU/mL. Conclusion Pesticide exposure is associated with genotoxicity and oxidative stress.

Comparison of Cholesterol Carriers and Substitution of Fructose and Glycerol With Trehalose on Frozen/Thawed ATP Content, DNA Integrity and Kinematics Variables of Ram Spermatozoa.

Current study was aimed to assess the β-cyclodextrin (βCD) and methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD) on delivery of cholesterol, and substitution of fructose and glycerol with trehalose on the ram semen cryosurvival. Samples were collected, diluted with Tris-citric acid-LDL extender, pooled, and used. In experiment I, βCD and MβCD carriers were used and compared to deliver the cholesterol (at 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 4 mg/mL). In the experiment II, trehalose (0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 mM) was substituted with fructose (28, 21, 14, 7, 0 mM, respectively). In the experiment III, the best cholesterol/carrier dose groups from the first experiment, were selected to be evaluated with the fructose/trehalose (14/14 mM) combination compared to fructose (28 mM) alone. The concentration of glycerol in the above-mentioned experiments was set at 4.5%. In the experiment IV, the effect of lowering glycerol (4% vs. 4.5%) was assessed using selected cholesterol/carrier groups. Kinematics, chromatin integrity, ATP contents, malondialdehyde amounts and viability were evaluated. Cholesterol (especially at 1.5 and 2 mg/mL) improved the kinematics and ATP levels using both carriers. The optimised amounts of trehalose (14 mM)/fructose(14 mM) reduced peroxidation and DNA fragmentation levels. Co-administration of optimised levels of cholesterol with trehalose/fructose did not show extra beneficial effects compared to each of them. Trehalose could not protect the spermatozoa at lower amounts of glycerol (4% vs. 4.5%). In conclusion, either the optimised levels of cholesterol (using βCD or MβCD carriers) or substitution of half of the fructose with the trehalose alone could lead to improvement in quality of frozen/thawed ram semen.

Relationship of Iron Deficiency, Anemia and Combination of Iron Deficiency With Anemia With Severity of Manifestations of Chronic Heart Failure. Additional Analysis of the Study "Prevalence of Iron Deficiency in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure in the Russian Federation (J-CHF-RF)".

Aim To evaluate the role of iron deficiency (ID) identified by various criteria, anemia, and the combination of ID and anemia in determining the severity of the clinical course of chronic heart failure (CHF) in a retrospective analysis of data from 498 patients who participated in the ID-CHF-RF Russian multicenter program.Material and methods ID was diagnosed by the following three criteria established by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the Russian Society of Cardiology (RSC): 1) ferritin concentration <100 μg/l or ferritin concentration 100-299 μg/l in combination with a decreased transferrin saturation (TS) <20%; 2) ID criteria that showed a high sensitivity and specificity when compared with bone marrow morphology (BMM): TS ≤19.8% or serum iron (SI) ≤13 μmol/l; and 3) a composite index including a ferritin concentration <100 μg/l in combination with TS <20% and SI ≤13 μmol/l. The presence of anemia was defined as a hemoglobin concentration of less than 12.0 g/dl in women and less than 13.0 g/dl in men according to the criteria of the World Health Organization.Results Concomitant anemia was detected in 40.3% of patients with CHF; in 85.1% of cases, anemia was combined with the SI concentration below normal. CHF patients with concomitant anemia were significantly older and had low levels of not only red blood cells and hemoglobin but also all parameters of iron metabolism, i.e., SI, ferritin concentration, and TS. The mean deviation of the red blood cell size, that characterizes the degree of anisocytosis, was significantly increased in patients with anemia, especially with a low SI. These patients had a higher CHF functional class, elevated levels of N-terminal fragment of pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and walked a shorter distance in the 6-minute walk test, which reflects significantly more severe manifestations of CHF with concomitant anemia, particularly in combination with a low SI. The incidence of ID was 83.1% (including 23.3% in combination with anemia) according to the ESC/RSC criteria; 74.5% (including 43.3% with anemia) according to the BMM criteria; and 51.6% (including 51.7% with anemia) according to the composite index, which seems to be stricter compared to the first two criteria. Regardless of the assessment method (by total weighted average data), in ID combined with anemia, not only the hemoglobin concentration was significantly reduced but all three analyzed parameters of iron metabolism were also significantly reduced (SI 9.0 μmol/l vs. 10.4 μmol/l; ferritin 41 μg/l vs. 59 μg/l; TS 8.5% vs. 12.9%) compared to ID without anemia, respectively. The CHF severity and the NT-proBNP concentration were also maximum for the combination of ID and anemia, in contrast to ID without anemia, regardless of the ID criterion used. A more accurate comparison of the methods for determining ID in CHF in the context of their prognostic value will be obtained by analyzing the data of a two-year follow-up of patients in this study, which will be the subject of the next article.Conclusion This analysis suggests that the presence of concomitant ID without anemia or anemia without ID moderately affects the severity of clinical manifestations of CHF and may be rather markers than factors determining the course of the disease, and in this case, does not require special correction with iron medications. And only ID anemia (a combination of ID with anemia) in patients with CHF can be considered a condition requiring special correction (for example, with intravenous medication) in addition to optimal therapy for CHF. This conclusion does not change depending on the used criteria for ID and requires verification in new RCTs.

Enriching ultra-high risk for psychosis cohorts based on accumulated exposure to environmental risk factors for psychotic disorders.

Transition to psychosis rates within ultra-high risk (UHR) services have been declining. It may be possible to 'enrich' UHR cohorts based on the environmental characteristics seen more commonly in first-episode psychosis cohorts. This study aimed to determine whether transition rates varied according to the accumulated exposure to environmental risk factors at the individual (migrant status, asylum seeker/refugee status, indigenous population, cannabis/methamphetamine use), family (family history or parental separation), and neighborhood (population density, social deprivation, and fragmentation) level. The study included UHR people aged 15-24 who attended the PACE clinic from 2012 to 2016. Cox proportional hazards models (frequentist and Bayesian) were used to assess the association between individual and accumulated factors and transition to psychosis. UHR status and transition was determined using the CAARMS. Benjamini-Hochberg was used to correct for multiple comparisons in frequentist analyses. Of the 461 young people included, 55.5% were female and median follow-up was 307 days (IQR: 188-557) and 17.6% (n = 81) transitioned to a psychotic disorder. The proportion who transitioned increased incrementally according to the number of individual-level risk factors present (HR = 1.51, 95% CIs 1.19-1.93, p < 0.001, pcorr = 0.01). The number of family- and neighborhood-level exposures did not increase transition risk (p > 0.05). Cannabis use was the only specific risk factor significantly associated with transition (HR = 1.89, 95% CIs 1.22-2.93, pcorr = 0.03, BF = 6.74). There is a dose-response relationship between exposure to individual-level psychosis-related environmental risk factors and transition risk in UHR patients. If replicated, this could be incorporated into a novel approach to identifying the highest-risk individuals within clinical services.

Ameliorative impacts of carvacrol on DNA integrity, oxidative stress, and sperm quality in asthenozoospermic infertile individuals during cryopreservation.

Nowadays, the cryopreservation process can produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), which cause damage to the motility, cell membrane, and DNA integrity of sperm. This study is aimed at evaluating the impact of carvacrol, as a powerful antioxidant, on sperm features and improving oxidative stress throughout the cryopreservation procedure. In this prospective study, semen samples from 25 patients with asthenozoospermia were separated into three groups: fresh, freezing, and freezing + carvacrol (a dose of 100µM). The subsequent parameters were evaluated using standard methods in all three groups: sperm motility according to WHO criteria, sperm morphology using Papanicolaou staining, sperm viability with eosin-nigrosin staining, DNA integrity with acridine orange staining, levels of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione, and superoxide dismutase), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and malondialdehyde (MDA) using ELISA. Also, DNA fragmentation was analyzed by the SDFA kit, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was assessed by rhodamine staining. Average sperm viability, motility, mitochondrial membrane potentiality, integrity of sperm membrane, and antioxidant enzyme levels are meaningfully reduced in the freezing group in contrast to the control group. The freezing group showed a meaningful rise in the mean MDA levels and DNA fragmentation compared to the control group. In the freezing group supplemented with carvacrol, a meaningful rise could be visible in mean percentages of viability, motility, and antioxidant enzyme levels, whereas mean levels of MDA and DNA fragmentation meaningfully declined in contrast to the freezing group. The results demonstrate that carvacrol, a potent antioxidant, offers significant protection against the loss generated by the freeze-thaw procedure, thereby improving sperm quality.

Africanized honeybee venom (Apis mellifera) promotes human complement activation split products storm.

Complement activation split products are signatures of many immunopathological disorders. Among the laboratory findings observed in these diseases, a reduction in the level of circulating intact complement components can be mentioned, and this change has also been detected in envenomation by multiple Africanized honeybee (Apis mellifera) stings. Although envenomation by these animals elicits diverse life-threatening reactions, the capacity of bee venom (AmV) to activate the human complement system remains elusive. By coupling immunochemical and functional approaches, it was observed that AmV strongly consumes components of the alternative pathway (AP) of the complement system in normal human serum (NHS). Additionally, AmV interfered with classical (CP) and lectin pathways (LP) activities. In parallel, a high increase in Ba fragment levels was detected, suggesting that the changes in AP activity were due to its activation. Furthermore, an increase in the level of the C1s-C1INH complex and a decrease in the physiological level of MASP1-C1INH suggested that CP and LP were also activated in the presence of AmV. Strikingly, NHS exposed to increasing AmV concentrations varying from 5 to 1000 µg/mL presented a high generation of C3a, C4a and C5a anaphylatoxins, and sC5b-9 complexes assembly, thus reinforcing that AmV triggers complement activation. These results show that AmV is a strong complement activator. This activation presents a mixed profile, with a predominance of AP activation. This suggests that complement split products can play important roles in the envenomation by Africanized honeybee, as they could induce diverse immunopathological events observed in patients and may also dictate patient clinical prognosis.

Abstract B063: DiMMER: A robust computational pipeline for differential methylation marker evaluation in R of cell-free DNA fragments

Abstract Background: Decoding the origins of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) released from dying cells in a liquid biopsy sample offers the potential to provide insight into the dynamic, organism-wide changes reflective of health and disease, making cfDNA an ideal target for serial, minimally invasive monitoring of disease-related changes. To this end, cell-type specific DNA methylation patterns offer a promising target to facilitate tissue of origin analysis, yet limited methods exist to identify differentially methylated regions that distinguish cell-types. Methods: We develop a robust differentially methylated marker region identification pipeline, DiMMER, that leverages cfDNA fragment level information of neighboring, co-regulated CpG sites on methylome-wide sequencing reads. Compared to prior methods that utilize simple heuristics in one-vs-all average methylation rate comparisons, we implement an individual pairwise statistical test procedure across all cell-types or groups under consideration. We assess the cell-specific nature of identified differentially methylated marker regions by generating in-silico mixtures from known cell-type of origin at each region, and calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). We utilize our differentially methylated marker finding pipeline to identify melanocyte specific methylation marker regions and assess their functional role through annotations. We show these cell-specific regions are conserved in melanoma cell-lines and are distinct from the aberrant changes in a cancer context. Results: We identified the most cell-type specific differentially methylated marker regions across 24 distinct cell-type groups using our pipeline. Compared to a simpler one-vs-all heuristic, we demonstrate improved cell-type specificity evidenced by a higher AUROC on average. Using our pipeline we identified melanocyte-specific marker regions, which were commonly found in intronic and promoter regions of genes related to melanocyte development and differentiation. When comparing methylation patterns between melanocytes and melanoma cell-lines, we demonstrate melanocyte specific methylation marks are conserved through the transformation to malignant melanoma. Conclusion: As methylome-wide sequencing methods continue to rapidly develop and more cell-specific methylation data is generated, there is unmet need for more statistically robust differentially methylated marker finding tools. Here we present one such tool, DiMMER, and demonstrate the potential utility of identifying such regions to be used to assess organ-specific load as a measure of residual disease, as opposed to traditional circulating tumor DNA quanitification. Citation Format: Arthur P McDeed, Sidharth S Jain, Megan E McNamara, Amber Alley, Anton Wellstein, Jaeil Ahn. DiMMER: A robust computational pipeline for differential methylation marker evaluation in R of cell-free DNA fragments [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Liquid Biopsy: From Discovery to Clinical Implementation; 2024 Nov 13-16; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2024;30(21_Suppl):Abstract nr B063.

A multivariate model for the prediction of pregnancy following laparoscopic artificial insemination of sheep

The causes of variation in the success of laparoscopic artificial insemination (AI) in sheep are not well understood. As such, this study incorporated the contributions of multiple male and female factors relevant to the success of AI into a comprehensive prediction model for pregnancy success. Data from Merino ewes (N = 30 254) including age, uterine tone (1; pale/flaccid-5; turgid/pink), intra-abdominal fat (1; little to no fat present-5; high fat), time of insemination and sire used, were recorded during AI. A subset of semen per sire (N = 388) was thawed and assessed for volume, subjective motility, sperm concentration, and morphology. Sperm motility (CASA), viability and acrosome integrity (FITC-PNA/PI), membrane fluidity (M540/Yo-Pro), mitochondrial superoxide production (Mitosox Red/Sytox Green), lipid peroxidation (Bodipy C11), level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (H2DCFDA) and DNA fragmentation (Acridine Orange) were also assessed 0, 3 and 6 h post-thaw. Logistic binomial regression revealed sperm concentration (P < 0.001), CASA parameters at 0 h (PCA3; P = 0.03), viable acrosome intact sperm at 6 h (P = 0.02), abnormal morphology (P < 0.001), uterine tone (P < 0.001) and intra-abdominal fat (P = 0.03) of ewes influenced likelihood of pregnancy. Results generated will help standardise the pre-screening and selection of semen and ewes prior to artificial breeding programs, reducing variation in the success of sheep AI.

Institutions, power-sharing, and the cohesiveness of rebel coalitions in the Syrian civil war

ABSTRACT Which factors contribute to the cohesion of alliances among rebel groups during civil wars? Through the case of the Syrian civil war, which experienced a high level of fragmentation and cohesion among rebel groups, we emphasise how the establishment and implementation of power-sharing mechanisms in horizontal wartime institutions ensure lasting cohesion in alliances. Moreover, we posit how the mere establishment of these mechanisms is insufficient, and they must be effectively implemented. The implementation of power-sharing mechanisms in horizontal wartime institutions increases the costs of defection, and it reduces the incentives for unilateral defection from an alliance by coalition members.

Mitochondrial DNA in plasma and long-term physical recovery of critically ill patients: an observational study

BackgroundPost-intensive care syndrome (PICS) poses a notable public health concern, with survivors of critical illness experiencing long-term physical, psychological, and cognitive challenges. Mitochondrial dysfunction has gained attention for its potential involvement in PICS. However, the long-term impact of mitochondrial status on patient recovery remains uncertain. A single-centre retrospective analysis was conducted in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands, between May and November 2019, within a mixed ICU survivor cohort. Patients were assessed for mitochondrial markers (mtDNA damage represented by the presence of mtDNA fragmentation and mitochondrial DNA levels evaluated by the ratio of mtDNA and nuclear DNA), clinical factors, and long-term outcomes measured by the physical functioning (PF) domain of health-related quality of life.ResultsA total of 43 patients were included in this study divided into recovery and non-recovery groups based on age-adjusted PF scores at 12 months post-ICU. Nineteen patients scored below these thresholds. No significant differences in mitochondrial markers between groups were identified. Furthermore, no significant correlations were found between mtDNA levels and mtDNA damage at baseline and 12 months with PF scores. However, mtDNA levels decreased over time in the recovery (p-value < < 0.01) and non-recovery groups (p-value < 0.01).ConclusionNo significant correlation was found between mitochondrial markers and physical functioning scores. This study underscores the multifactorial nature of PICS and the need for a comprehensive understanding of its metabolic and cellular components. While mitochondrial markers may play a role in PICS, they operate within a framework influenced by various factors. This exploratory study serves as a foundation for future investigations aimed at developing targeted interventions to enhance the quality of life for ICU survivors grappling with PICS.

Radiocarbon dating and isotopic paleoecology of Notiomastodon platensis (Mammalia: Proboscidea) from the late Pleistocene of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Proboscidea is a group of large mammals abundant in the fossil record and in Brazil it is represented by Notiomastodon platensis (Ameghino, 1888). To improve the understanding on its taxonomy, chronology, annual diet, and habitats paleoenvironmental aspects, we conducted a morphological description, absolute dating, and analysis of stable isotopes of carbon and oxygen (δ13C and δ18O) in Notiomastodon' remains from the northern (Norte de Minas) and western (Triângulo Mineiro) mesoregions of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The material includes isolated teeth, mandibular portions, and postcranial bones at different levels of fragmentation, associated with at least eight adults and one juvenile. The only individual from Triângulo, found in Campina Verde municipality, was dated at 27,715–27,903 Cal yr BP. It presented a mixed diet based on C4 plants (piC4 = 90 %; δ13C = 0.5 ‰), which implies the occupation of an open environment, mostly pasture. The region was relatively humid (δ18O = 24.7 ‰), which is supported by the existence of humidity corridors in the Amazon region. A similar phytophysiognomy was inferred for the Norte de Minas region between at least 21,966–22,279 Cal yr BP and 18,944–19,157 Cal yr BP. However, one specimen showed a different δ13C value (piC3 = 0.87 %; δ13C = −10.2 ‰). This indicates it lived in a transitional environment between low-density forest and arboreal savannah. This likely occurred during a period that favored the expansion of trees and shrubs. The region underwent climate change, from relatively humid conditions (δ18O = 25.6 ± 0.2 ‰) to expressively dry (δ18O = 34.6 ‰) between the dated periods, a change corroborated by some palynological data. The multiannual paleoecological analysis, based on sequential sampling of three dentin layers of an incisor, indicated the relative stability of vegetation and climate despite fluctuations in hydrology. The perceived disassociation between vegetation dynamics and local hydrology corroborates the idea that factors other than precipitation may play a significant role in the environmental dynamics of the Cerrado biome.

Cryopreservation of yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) sperm: Effects on metabolic enzymes and sperm quality

This study aimed to determine the effects of cryopreservation on sperm functionality and assess post-thaw sperm quality in yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi). Milt designated for cryopreservation was frozen in a solution containing Cortland® medium +1.3 M Me2SO + 0.2 M glucose +2 % BSA in a 1:3 ratio (milt:cryoprotectant). Fresh milt was used as the control. The samples were frozen in 0.5 mL straws using a programmable freezing system. After thawing, the samples were evaluated for motility using Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA) with a phase-contrast optical microscope. Additionally, flow cytometry and a multimodal reader were employed to assess various sperm parameters, including plasma membrane integrity (SYBR-14/PI), mitochondrial membrane potential (∆ΨMMit: JC-1), DNA fragmentation (TUNEL), ATP content (CellTiter-Glo®), intracellular calcium levels (Fluo-4 AM), lipid peroxidation (LPO), intracellular superoxide (DHE/SYTOX) and glutathione (GSH/GSSG) production, activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and 8-oxoguanine glycosylase (OGG1), and detection of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). In cryopreserved milt, significant differences in motility (64.14 ± 2.2 %), plasma membrane integrity (61.5 ± 2.7 %), mitochondrial membrane potential (55.4 ± 2.4 %), DNA fragmentation (6.7 ± 1.1 %), ATP content (7.5 ± 1.5 nmol/109 spermatozoa), and intracellular calcium levels (59.8 ± 2.5 nM/109 spermatozoa) were observed compared to fresh milt. Differences were also noted in LPO, O2−i, GPx, GSH/GSSG, CAT, 8-OHdG and OGG1 between the cryopreserved and control groups. Additionally, correlations between sperm quality parameters, oxidative stress markers, and enzyme activity in cryopreserved spermatozoa were determined. These results suggest that cryopreservation induces significant alterations derived from oxidative damage in the functionality of yellowtail kingfish spermatozoa, and thus further research is necessary to explore the need for using antioxidants in the cryopreservation process of sperm from this species.

Microplastics in Pearl River Estuary and Yangtze River Estuary, China: Occurrence, fragmentation and pollution risk

Estuaries have received widespread attention as important zones for transporting pollutants from rivers to the ocean. The distribution characteristics and risks of microplastics (MPs) pollution in estuaries require further investigation. This study analyzed the occurrence and risks of MPs in the surface waters of the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) and the Yangtze River Estuary (YRE) using identical analytical methods. MPs were more abundant in the YRE (2.80 × 104 ± 2.30 × 104 particles/m3) than in the PRE (3.10 × 103 ± 9.97 × 102 particles/m3). In the PRE, polypropylene (PP, 31.61%), polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 13.55%), and polyethylene (PE, 12.26%) were the main components, unlike the YRE, which primarily contained PP (57.43%) and PE (39.31%). The most common shapes and sizes of MPs in both regions were fragments and small-sized MPs (SMPs, 10–300 μm), respectively. In addition, MP characteristics in each estuary influenced their diversity index differently: MP shapes in the YRE and polymer types in the PRE. Furthermore, MPs in the YRE showed higher fragmentation levels compared to those in the PRE, indicating that the downsizing of SMPs in the YRE might have reached a stable size distribution, as indicated by the conditional fragmentation model (CDF) and carbonyl index of PP and PE. Moreover, similar sources (soil, rainfall, and atmospheric deposition) in the estuary were identified using CDF fingerprinting. Although the risk of MP pollution in the surface water of both estuaries was classified as low, the pollution risk index for PRE (PRIPRE=14.8325) was higher than that for YRE (PRIYRE=6.0450). This difference is due to the varying abundance of highly toxic polymers in the two estuaries. Simultaneous comparative observations of MPs are beneficial for understanding the fate and environmental risks associated with MPs in different estuaries.

Relationship between anthropometric indicators and respiratory muscle strength in chronic heart failure

Objective. To determine, according to anthropometry, caliperometry, and dynamometry, the parameters determining individual physical development and somatotypes, as well as to identify their relationship with the strength of the respiratory muscles (RM) in the initial and clinically pronounced stages of chronic heart failure (CHF) with a preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. Materials and methods. 58 patients of both sexes aged 45 to 72 years were examined. The patients were divided into two groups: the main group (patients with CHF) and the comparison group (patients without CHF). All patients underwent anthropometric measurements, caliperometry, and dynamometry. The strength of RM was determined. Statistical processing was carried out using nonparametric methods. The indicators were considered reliable at p &lt; 0.05. Results. When determining somatotypes, a high incidence of endomorphic type was revealed in patients with CHF with a preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. The indices of RM strength did not significantly differ in both groups. The analysis of anthropometry parameters revealed high values in patients with weakness of inspiratory and expiratory muscles in CHF with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. Conclusion. (1) Endomorphic somatotype was more common in patients with clinically pronounced CHF with preserved ejection fraction. (2) In the patients with CHF and RM weakness, the level of the N-terminal fragment of natriuretic cerebral propeptide was higher compared to the patients with CHF with a preserved fraction of the left ventricle with preserved RM strength (p = 0.05). (3) With an increase in the functional class of CHF, the tendency to decrease the strength of inspiratory muscles increases (F = 3,3; p = 0,027). (4) In all examined patients, a positive correlation was found between the strength of RM and the results of carpal dynamometry. In the CHF patients with preserved left ventricular fraction, anthropometry parameters correlated only with the maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), while those in patients without CHF correlated both with maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and MEP.

The Relationship between The Expression of Sperm MicroRNA-149b and 34c and Sperm Quality in Men with Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia in Endometriosis.

The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between the expression levels of sperm microRNA-149b and 34c and sperm quality in men diagnosed with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. In the experimental study, we recruited 30 infertile men with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia and 30 control samples. In this study, miR-149b and miR 34c expression using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were evaluated. Semen samples were collected and subjected to initial analysis, including semen parameters, following the protocol provided by the World Health Organization (WHO). The levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured using an ELISA kit. The expression levels of miR-149b and miR-34c were significantly downregulated in men with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia compared to age-matched normozoospermic men, as determined by RT-qPCR (P=0.001, and P=0.003 respectively). Correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between the expression levels of mmiR-149b and miR-34c and various sperm parameters, including sperm count, motility, morphology, viability, sperm mitochondrial membrane potential, sperm capacity, and TAC. Additionally, an inverse correlation was observed between the expression levels of miR-149b, miR-34c, DNA fragmentation, and MDA levels. The findings of this study indicate that the decreased expression of miR-149b and miR-34c is associated with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, potentially affecting fundamental semen parameters. These results provide a basis for future research aimed at exploring potential therapeutic interventions for male infertility.

Health economics and services research in symbiosis: STREAMLINEing mental health services in Austria

Abstract Objectives The cost of mental diseases exceeds 4% of GDP in Europe. In Austria, every 5th person lives with mental ill-health (MIH). Ongoing epidemiological, demographic and societal changes increase the need for easily accessible, better integrated and good value services. In STREAMLINE, we combine, harmonize and implement the latest methods in human service mapping and economic costing to optimize future service provision and financing for MIH in Austria. Methods We comprehensively assess the availability, activity and affordability of human services targeting MIH in Vienna within the health and social care, education, labour and justice sectors based on a conceptual mind map. We identify services through extensive literature, document and web searches plus expert consultations. Services are mapped and costed according to the European PECUNIA methods: classification of the main service types using the international DESDE taxonomy of human services; development of Reference Unit Costs using the PECUNIA RUC templates with primary data; validation of the results with secondary data; compilation of a comprehensive multi-sectoral service catalogue; and synthesis for spatial and policy analyses. Results We identified 756 sources, 75% individual organisations, 5% multi-organisations and 20% existing provider lists. 84% relate to health and social care, 10% labour, and 3% education and justice sectors each. 58% deliver care to adults, 37% to children &amp; adolescents, and 5% support carers. Further service mapping and RUCs will be presented. Discussion STREAMLINE pioneers in coordinated public mental health services and economics research at scale. Assessed levels of fragmentation call for better integration, improved transition, reduced spatial inequity and increased support for carers. Results increase the feasibility of service evaluations from a societal perspective. Planned public service atlas facilitates information and access for service users and carers. Funding: WWTF Key messages • New methods for harmonized health services and economics research allow comprehensive information for optimized future mental health service planning and financing. • Assessed levels of fragmentation highlight the need for better integration, improved transition, reduced spatial inequity and increased support for carers.

Analysis and Comprehensive Evaluation of Urban Green Space Information Based on Gaofen 7: Considering Beijing’s Fifth Ring Area as an Example

Urban green spaces constitute a vital component of the ecosystem. This study focused on urban green spaces located within the Fifth Ring Road of Beijing, using Gaofen 7 (GF-7) as the primary data source for analysis. The main objective was to develop a system for extracting and classifying urban green spaces in Beijing by applying deep learning and machine learning algorithms, and further, the results were validated with ground survey samples. This study provides detailed extraction and classification of urban green space coverage by creating a comprehensive evaluation system. The primary findings indicate that the deep learning algorithm enhances the precision of green space information extraction by 10.68% compared to conventional machine learning techniques, effectively suppresses “pretzel noise”, and eventually aids in extracting green space information with complete edges. The thorough assessment of green spaces within the study area indicated favorable outcomes showing the high service capacity of park green spaces. The overall classification accuracy of the final extraction results was 94.31%. Nonetheless, challenges, such as unequal distribution of green zones and a significant fragmentation level throughout the study area, were still encountered. Consequently, the use of GF-7 high-resolution imagery, in conjunction with the collaborative application of deep learning and machine learning techniques, enabled the acquisition of highly accurate information regarding urban green zone coverage. According to the established grading standards of evaluation indices, the landscape pattern of urban green spaces within the study area was comprehensively assessed. This evaluation offers essential data support for monitoring urban green spaces and planning landscape patterns, thereby contributing to the achievement of sustainable development objectives related to urban greening and ecological conservation.

Genetic diversity loss in the Anthropocene will continue long after habitat destruction ends.

Genetic diversity within species is the basis for evolutionary adaptive capacity and has recently been included as a target for protection in the United Nations' Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). However, there is a lack of reliable large-scale predictive frameworks to quantify how much genetic diversity has already been lost, let alone to quantitatively predict future losses under different conservation scenarios in the 21st century. Combining spatio-temporal population genetic theory with population genomic data of 18 plant and animal species, we studied the dynamics of genetic diversity after habitat area losses. We show genetic diversity reacts slowly to habitat area and population declines, but lagged losses will continue for many decades even after habitats are fully protected. To understand the magnitude of this problem, we combined our predictive method with species' habitat area and population monitoring reported in the Living Planet Index, the Red List, and new GBF indicators. We then project genetic diversity loss in 13,808 species with a short-term genetic diversity loss of 13-22% and long-term loss of 42-48% with substantial deviations depending on the level of habitat fragmentation. These results highlight that protection of only current habitats is insufficient to ensure the genetic health of species and that continuous genetic monitoring alone likely underestimates long term impacts. We provide an area-based spatio-temporal predictive framework to develop quantitative scenarios of global genetic biodiversity.

SỬ DỤNG GOOGLE DOCS VÀ MERCI APP TRONG LỚP HỌC VIẾT TIẾNG PHÁP

This study compares the effectiveness of two automated feedback tools, Google Documents, which will be further addressed as Google Docs, and Merci App, in improving writing ability in French as a foreign language. Forty second-year students used these two reviewer tools to correct their B2-level texts. The data includes 80 student drafts edited on two tools and a survey questionnaire after using these two applications. The results show that both tools help students correct many errors at the sentence, word, and fragment levels but cannot correct errors at the inter-sentence, idea, and coherence levels. Google Docs detects more grammatical errors than Merci App, but Merci App is superior when it comes to finding errors in spelling, vocabulary, expression, and punctuation. Students use the application's error correction suggestions to correct their papers at a very high rate, 92.6% with Google Docs and 81.7% with Merci App. The number of students who prefer Google Docs is also higher than the number of students who prefer Merci App. The study proposes to use both tools to correct students' writing errors and to help students become familiar with error explanations in Merci App to help them systematize language knowledge and develop auto-learning capacity.