Specific Method Research Articles

The development of RT-RPA and CRISPR-Cas12a based assay for sensitive detection of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV)

Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) is an economically important virus causing significant mortalities among wild and cultured salmonid fish worldwide. Rapid and sensitive diagnostic methods of IHNV are crucial for timely controlling infections. For better detection of IHNV, we have established a detection technology based on the reverse transcription and recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) and CRISPR/Cas12a to detect the N gene of IHNV in two steps. Following the screening of primer pairs, the reaction temperature and time for RPA were optimized to be 41 °C and 35 min, respectively, and the CRISPR/Cas12a reaction was performed at 37 °C for 15 min. The whole detection procedure including can be accomplished within one hour, with a detection sensitivity of about 9.5 copies/µL. The detection method exhibited high specificity with no cross-reaction to the other Novirhabdoviruses HIRRV and VHSV, allowing naked-eye interpretation of the results through lateral flow or fluorescence under ultraviolet light. Overall, our results demonstrated that the developed RT-RPA-Cas12a-mediated assay is a rapid, specific and sensitive detection method for routine and on-site detection of IHNV, which shows a great application promise for the prevention of IHNV infections.

Political Protest through the Prism of the British Press: Strategies for Managing the Perception of Journalistic Texts

Introduction. The purpose of this paper is to identify similarities and differences in discursive strategies aimed at managing the perception of journalistic texts describing similar protest events in different countries.Materials and methods. The material for the pa­per includes articles from “The Economist” describ­ing protest events. Protests in August 2019 in Mos­cow and “yellow vest” protests in autumn – spring 2018 – 2019 in France were chosen as reference events. The methodological tools include the following general scientific methods: analysis, synthesis, sys­temic and functional approaches. Critical discourse analysis is used as a specific method. Discursive strat­egies form the subject of the research. The referential strategy includes an event-factual plan of the events being described. The connotative strategy works with emotionally expressive and evaluative vocabulary. The meta-discursive strategy chooses text frames and fills them with referential and evaluative components which together form the pragmatic functionality of the discourse..Research results. The research involves the fol­lowing stages. At the first stage the central frames of the articles on the basis of the titles and subtitles of the articles are identified. At the second stage the referential and evaluative components in the vocabu­lary of the frames are examined. At the third stage a comparative analysis of the meta-discursive strategies of the articles under research is carried out, which in­cludes comparing the pragmatic functionality of the headings, titles and subtitles of the articles; contrast­ing the articles in terms of the composition of frames and identifying what is common and specific in the content of the main frames of the articles. The results of the work show that such linguistic tools as selecting facts and events for the text, framing the content of the text, choosing language that produce an emotional-evaluative, suggestive and persuasive effect on read­ership, frequent occurrence of words that are fit for the goals of the text are used to manage text perceptionDiscussion and conclusion. Professionals in the fi of international relations, international law, political science, public administration must know the linguistic methods used to analyze journalistic and political texts and be able to identify language tools aimed to drive text perception in the target direction.

Evaluation of Immunodiagnostic Performances of Neospora caninum Peroxiredoxin 2 (NcPrx2), Microneme 4 (NcMIC4), and Surface Antigen 1 (NcSAG1) Recombinant Proteins for Bovine Neosporosis.

Bovine neosporosis is among the main causes of abortion in cattle worldwide, causing serious economic losses in the beef and dairy industries. A highly sensitive and specific diagnostic method for the assessment of the epidemiology of the disease, as well as it surveillance and management, is imperative, due to the absence of an effective treatment or vaccine against neosporosis. In the present study, the immunodiagnostic performance of Neospora caninum peroxiredoxin 2 (NcPrx2), microneme 4 (NcMIC4), and surface antigen 1 (NcSAG1) to detect IgG antibodies against N. caninum in cattle were evaluated and compared with that of the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). The results revealed that NcSAG1 had the highest sensitivity and specificity, with values of 88.4% and 80.7%, respectively, followed by NcPrx2, with a high sensitivity of 87.0% but a low specificity of 67.0%, whereas NcMIC4 showed sensitivity and specificity of 84.1% and 78.9%, respectively, when compared with IFAT. A high degree of agreement was observed for NcSAG1 (k = 0.713) recombinant protein, showing the highest diagnostic capability, followed by NcMIC4 (k = 0.64) and NcPrx2 (k = 0.558). The present study demonstrates that NcSAG1 is helpful as an antigen marker and also demonstrates the potential immunodiagnostic capabilities of NcPrx2 and NcMIC4, which could serve as alternative diagnostic markers for detecting N. caninum infection in cattle. These markers may find utility in future treatment management, surveillance, and risk assessment of neosporosis in livestock or other animal host species. Further research should be directed toward understanding the in vivo immune response differences resulting from immunization with both recombinant proteins.

Microfluidic Device-Based In Vivo Detection of PD-L1-Positive Small Extracellular Vesicles and Its Application for Tumor Monitoring.

Liquid biopsy is of great significance in tumor early diagnosis and treatment stratification. PD-L1-positive small extracellular vesicles (PD-L1+ sEVs) are closely related to tumor growth and immunotherapy response, which are considered valuable liquid biopsy biomarkers. In contrast to conventional in vitro detection, in vivo detection has the ability to improve the detection efficiency and enable continuous or real-time dynamic monitoring. However, in vivo detection of PD-L1+ sEVs has multiple difficulties, such as high cell background, complex blood environments, and lack of a specific and stable detection method. Herein, the in vivo detection of PD-L1+ sEVs method was constructed, which efficiently separated sEVs based on the microfluidic device and quantitatively analyzed PD-L1+ sEVs by aptamer recognition and hybridization chain reaction. The concentration of PD-L1+ sEVs was continuously monitored, and significant differences at different stages of tumor as well as a correlation with tumor volume were found. Diseased and healthy individuals could also be effectively distinguished based on the concentration of PD-L1+ sEVs. The method with good stability, biocompatibility, and detection performance provided a powerful means for in vivo detection of PD-L1+ sEVs, contributing to the clinical diagnosis and treatment of tumor.

MALDI-MS in first-line screening of newborns for sickle cell disease: results from a prospective study in comparison to HPLC.

Newborn screening (NBS) for sickle cell disease (SCD) requires a robust, high-throughput method to detect hemoglobin S (HbS). Screening for SCD is performed by qualitative methods, such as isoelectric focusing (IEF), and both qualitative and quantitative methods such as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), capillary electrophoresis (CE), and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). All these methods detect HbS, as well as low-level or absent HbA, and also other variants of hemoglobin. HPLC is considered as a reference method for NBS, because of its high sensitivity and specificity in detecting HbS. NeoSickle®, a fully automated matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) platform, combined with automated sample processing, a laboratory information management system and NeoSickle® software for automatic data interpretation, has increased the throughput of SCD testing. The purpose of this study was to compare the performances of NeoSickle® and HPLC. A prospective study was conducted including 9,571 samples from the NBS program to compare MALDI-MS using NeoSickle® with an HPLC method. Correlation between the two methods was studied. For the MALDI-MS method, sensitivity, specificity, NPV, and PPV were calculated. We found over 99.4 % correlation between the HPLC and MALDI-MS results. NeoSickle® showed 100 % of sensitivity and specificity in detecting SCD syndrome, leading to positive and negative predictive values of 100 %. NeoSickle® is adapted to NBS for SCD, and can be used in first-line high-throughput screening to detect HbS, and beta-thalassemia major warning. When HbS is detected, second-line use of another specific method as HPLC is necessary.

The role of innovative educational technologies in the training of specialists in the field of culture and arts: European experience

The purpose of the article is to determine the role of innovative educational technologies in the training of specialists in the field of culture and arts based on the study of the European experience. To achieve this goal, the methods of analysis, synthesis, deduction, induction, specification, and comparison were used. The results consider the theoretical foundations of the use of innovative technologies in modern education. In the realm of culture and arts, it holds a pivotal role in training specialists. By drawing insights from the European experience, it becomes evident that cutting-edge learning approaches are founded on embracing novel ideas and a continual reevaluation of values. Also, it is crucial to consider its broad accessibility and ongoing nature. It is shown that education in European art universities and academies actively employs collective, modular, integrative, and developmental methods. In the modern practice of art education, the application of new and effective methods is of utmost importance to foster the creative and personal growth of aspiring professionals in the cultural and artistic fields. Among these methods, particular attention is given to students' project activities, which synergize successfully with digital technologies and distance learning. The novelty of the work is the author's own structure of innovative education. The conclusions determine that the main function of modern education is human development, so students in modern circumstances should focus on the possibilities of self-learning and the use of digital technologies (current trends in the field of culture and arts).

Verification of a Rapid Analytical Method for the Qualitative Detection of Listeria spp. and Listeria monocytogenes by a Real-Time PCR Assay according to EN UNI ISO 16140-3:2021.

Microbial contamination and foodborne infections are a significant global public health concern. For this reason, the detection, monitoring, and characterization of pathogens represent a significant challenge in quality control settings. Standard approaches, such as culture methods and biochemical tests, are known to be very time-consuming and intensive. Conversely, molecular technologies based on the genomic identification of bacteria are quick and low-cost. Listeria monocytogenes is an opportunistic pathogen and a major concern especially in food industries. It is important to understand and implement multiple quality control measures to control Listeria infection risk and prevent the contamination of products. Standardized detection and confirmation tests such as the API Listeria test, MALDI-TOF MS, and PCR analysis are available. The aim of our work is to provide a specific molecular method, designed according to the EN UNI ISO 16140-3:2021, for the specific detection, monitoring, and characterization of Listeria spp. and Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The verification of this new rapid approach by real-time PCR (qPCR) overcomes the limitations of culture-based techniques, meeting all the verification criteria required by ISO guidelines, including implementation and item confirmation. This system offers a powerful approach to the real-time assessment of food safety, useful for industry self-monitoring and regulatory inspection.

Non-Destructive Characterization of Italian Local Brassicaceae Cultivars Using ATR-FT-IR and Chemometrics

Brassicaceae is a family of vegetables found all over the world that has been attracting the attention of researchers due to its rich chemical composition and potential health benefits (antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, as well as antimutagenic activity and potential anticarcinogenic effects). In Italy, various Brassicaceae varieties are commercially available, including traditional local cultivars, which have unique features and genetic diversity. As a result, there is a growing need to protect and recognize these landraces to preserve biodiversity. In this study, non-destructive tools such as Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FT-IR) and chemometrics were employed to investigate eight distinct Brassicaceae landraces. The collected data were analyzed using a class modeling approach (Soft Independent Modeling of Class Analogy) and a discriminant classification method (Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis) to assess similarities and dissimilarities among the samples, all cultivated in an experimental field under the same pedoclimatic conditions. Remarkably, the combination of IR spectra and chemometric tools allowed accurate classification of the samples according only to their genetic background and despite their inclination to hybridization. The study highlights and demonstrates the importance and applicability of this specific non-destructive method for assisting the management and preservation of the genetic resources related to the local varieties of Brassicaceae.

Multi-Parametric Evaluation of Prostate Cancer on MRI

Background: Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy among men globally and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The increasing prevalence, particularly in aging populations, underscores the urgent need for accurate diagnostic tools to facilitate early detection, precise staging, and effective management. Traditional diagnostic methods, including Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) and Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) testing, have limitations in sensitivity and specificity, leading to unnecessary procedures and missed diagnoses. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging (mpMRI) in the diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer, comparing its accuracy with conventional diagnostic methods and examining its role in improving patient outcomes. Methods: A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Diagnostic Center of Combined Military Hospital, Lahore, from January 2021 to June 2023. Sixty male patients suspected of having prostate cancer, based on elevated PSA levels (>10 ng/mL) or clinical symptoms, were included. mpMRI scans were performed using a Siemens Avanto MRI Machine 1.5T, incorporating T2-weighted imaging, Diffusion-Weighted Imaging (DWI), and Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced (DCE) MRI. The Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) was employed for interpretation. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 26.0, with chi-square tests applied to assess the association between mpMRI findings and prostate cancer diagnosis. Results: mpMRI identified prostate cancer with a sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 88.3%, as evidenced by abnormal MRI findings in 53 out of 60 patients. Elevated PSA levels were confirmed in 90% of the cases. T2-weighted imaging demonstrated hypointensity in the peripheral zone in 70% of patients, while DWI and ADC mapping showed restricted diffusion in 85% of the cases. DCE-MRI revealed post-contrast enhancement in 40% of the participants. The PI-RADS scoring system effectively graded the severity of prostate lesions, with 38.3% of cases categorized as PI-RADS IV. Conclusion: Multiparametric MRI significantly enhances the accuracy of prostate cancer diagnosis and staging, surpassing traditional diagnostic methods in sensitivity and specificity. By providing detailed anatomical and functional information, mpMRI facilitates early detection, accurate localization, and appropriate management of prostate cancer, potentially improving patient outcomes.

A highly sensitive and specific Homo1-based real-time qPCR method for quantification of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in rats.

Owing to the characteristics of easier access in vitro, low immunogenicity, and high plasticity, human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) are considered as a promising cell-based drugs for clinical application. No internationally recognized technology exists to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and distribution of cell-based drugs in vivo. We determined the human-specific gene sequence, Homo1, from differential fragments Homo sapiens mitochondrion and Rattus norvegicus mitochondrion. The expression of Homo1 was utilized to determine the distribution of UC-MSCs in the normal and diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats. We observed a significant correlation between the number of UC-MSCs and the expression level of Homo1. Following intravenous transplantation, the blood levels of UC-MSCs peaked at 30 min. A large amount of intravenously injected MSCs were trapped in the lungs, but the number of them decreased rapidly after 24 h. Additionally, the distribution of UC-MSCs in the kidneys of DN rats was significantly higher than that of normal rats. In this study, we establish a highly sensitive and specific Homo1-based real-time quantitative PCR method to quantify the distribution of human UC-MSCs in rats. The method provides guidelines for the safety research of cells in preclinical stages.

Analyzing omics data based on sample network.

Identifying valuable features from complex omics data is of great significance for disease diagnosis study. This paper proposes a new feature selection algorithm based on sample network (FS-SN) to mine important information from omics data. The sample network is constructed according to the sample neighbor relationship at the molecular (feature) expression level, and the distinguishing ability of the feature is evaluated based on the topology of the sample network. The sample network established on a feature with a strong discriminating ability tends to have many edges between the same group samples and few edges between the different group samples. At the same time, FS-SN removes redundant features according to the gravitational interaction between features. To show the validation of FS-SN, it was compared on ten public datasets with ERGS, mRMR, ReliefF, ATSD-DN, and INDEED which are efficient in omics data analysis. Experimental results show that FS-SN performed better than the compared methods in accuracy, sensitivity and specificity in most cases. Hence, FS-SN making use of the topology of the sample network is effective for analyzing omics data, it can identify key features that reflect the occurrence and development of diseases, and reveal the underlying biological mechanism.

Effect of emerging digital technologies and methodologies combined with incentives on HbA1c in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: study protocol for a parallel, open randomized controlled trial

BackgroundType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a common metabolic disease that requires long-term management and treatment. Digital intervention, as an emerging medical model, has been widely used in the treatment of T2DM patients. Behavioral economics theory provides a favorable perspective for studying the effect of digital intervention because it can reveal the decision-making mechanisms behind human behavior and provide more effective interventions for digital intervention. The purpose of this trial is to evaluate the impact of behaviorally based digital intervention on T2DM patients’ HbA1c, self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) testing rate, diabetes self-efficacy, and other indicators compared to conventional treatment.MethodsThis trial is a prospective randomized controlled trial conducted at the First People’s Hospital of Kunshan City from April 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024, with a follow-up period of 3 months. The specific randomization method was established and implemented through the EDC clinical trial center’s randomization system. We will measure and collect baseline data from three groups, including Group A: digital intervention + virtual incentives + conventional treatment, Group B: digital intervention + physical incentives + conventional treatment, and Group C: conventional treatment. HbA1c, weight, SMBG testing rate, diabetes self-efficacy, and diabetes-related medical expenses will be recorded at baseline, 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months for all three groups. The Shapiro-Wilk test will be used to test for normality, and Pearson correlation analysis will be used for correlation analysis. Dropouts will be analyzed separately. Analysis of variance or exact probability calculation will be used to compare demographic data and other baseline indicators.DiscussionThis study is a novel clinical trial that integrates multiple disciplines (economics and medicine) and uses digital technology to deliver the intervention. Most published studies were offline interventions based on behavioral economics theory, but very few were on online interventions for T2DM patients. This study has both novelty and social value.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2300070753. Registered on 2023/04/22.

Biomechanical effects of Evans versus Hintermann osteotomy for treating adult acquired flatfoot deformity: a patient-specific finite element investigation.

Evans and Hintermann lateral column lengthening (LCL) procedures are both widely used to correct adult acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD), and have both shown good clinical results. The aim of this study was to compare these two procedures in terms of corrective ability and biomechanics influence on the Chopart and subtalar joints through finite element (FE) analysis. Twelve patient-specific FE models were established and validated. The Hintermann osteotomy was performed between the medial and posterior facets of the subtalar joint; while, the Evans osteotomy was performed on the anterior neck of the calcaneus around 10mm from the calcaneocuboid joint surface. In each procedure, a triangular wedge of varying size was inserted at the lateral edge. The two procedures were then compared based on the measured strains of superomedial calcaneonavicular ligaments and planter facia, the talus-first metatarsal angle, and the contact characteristics of talonavicular, calcaneocuboid and subtalar joints. The Hintermann procedure achieved a greater correction of the talus-first metatarsal angle than Evans when using grafts of the same size, indicating that Hintermann had stronger corrective ability. However, its distributions of von-Mises stress in the subtalar, talonavicular and calcaneocuboid joints were lesshomogeneous than those of Evans. In addition, the strains of superomedial calcaneonavicular ligaments and planter facia of Hintermann were also greater than those of Evans, but both generally within the safe range (less than 6%). This FE analysis study indicates that both Evans and Hintermann procedures have good corrective ability for AAFD. Compared to Evans, Hintermann procedure can provide a stronger corrective effect while causing greater disturbance to the biomechanics of Chopart joints, which may be an important mechanismof arthritis. Nevertheless, it yields a better protection to the subtalar joint than Evans osteotomy. Both Evans and Hintermann LCL surgeries have a considerable impact on adjacent joints and ligament tissues. Such effects alongside the overcorrection problem should be cautiously considered when choosing the specific surgical method. Level III, case-control study.

Development of a Sensitive and Specific Quantitative RT-qPCR Method for the Detection of Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 3 in Porcine Liver and Foodstuff

As an international and zoonotic cause of hepatitis, hepatitis E virus (HEV) poses a significant risk to public health. However, the frequency of occurrence and the degree of contamination of food of animal origin require further research. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a highly sensitive quantitative RT-qPCR assay for the detection and quantification of HEV contamination in porcine liver and food. The focus was on genotype 3, which is most common as a food contaminant in developed countries and Europe. The selected assay has its target sequence in the open reading frame 1 (ORF1) of the HEV genome and showed good results in inclusivity testing, especially for HEV genotype 3. The developed assay seems to show high efficiency and a low intercept when compared to other assays, while having a comparable limit of detection (LOD). In addition, a standard curve was generated using artificially spiked liver to provide more accurate quantitative results for contamination assessment and tracking in this matrix. Application of the assay to test 67 pig livers from different origins resulted in a positivity rate of 7.5%, which is consistent with the results of numerous other prevalence studies. Quantitative detection of the viral genome in the food chain, particularly in pig livers, is essential for understanding the presence and evolution of HEV contamination and thus ensures consumer safety.

An open-sorce IP-Core for Multi-Voltage Thresholding signal acquisition with FPGAs

High-speed multichannel ADCs are costly and require complex FPGA or MCU firmware to communicate with them. The Multi-Voltage Thresholding (MVT) approach can replace to some extent an external ADC by harnessing the internal FPGA resources, thus reducing costs and complexity. The MVT approach needs only a few low-cost external components. The focus of the contribution is presenting an open-source IP-Core that implements the MVT approach and simplifies its implementation on a standard FPGA. The contribution also provides an overview of characterization measurements and specific calibration method. Our example application demonstrates the viability of the developed IP-Core for signal acquisition from multiple SiPMs.

Identification of lethal species in amanita section Phalloideae based on nucleotide signature and specific TaqMan-MGB probe and primer.

Amanita section Phalloideae consists of lethal toxic mushroom species, causing many fatal poisoning incidents worldwide. Molecular techniques of nucleotide signatures and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) detection could be used to develop a specific method for identifying lethal section (sect.) Phalloideae species. A comparison of 38 sequenced and 228 validated sequences from sect. Phalloideae species showed a 17-base pair nucleotide signature and an SNP site between the lethal and non-lethal species. A specific minor groove binder probe was designed based on them. The results indicated that this method exhibited excellent specificity for the lethal subgroup, good detection in samples subjected to simulated gastric digestion (60 min boiling and 120 min digestion), and a 10 pg./μL detection limit. This method enables accurate detection of target species in samples under complex conditions and can provide evidence for poisoning incidents caused by lethal sect. Phalloideae species to assist in targeted treatment strategies.

Impact of digital transformation on accounting: trends and challenges

The rapid development of the information potential of the digital economic space in Ukraine, the issue of digitalization of the accounting system is becoming of paramount importance are given. The situation is stimulated by the rapid innovation and technological progress and digital transformation of all spheres of social life, as well as the trend of Ukraine's integration into the European economic area. The purpose of the paper is to analyze the current role of digital transformation tools on accounting and to predict the development of its impact in the future. The paper analyzes and assesses the risks caused by the active implementation of digitalization technologies in accounting. The author identifies a number of dangers that will accompany the further rooting of artificial intelligence in information systems, and proposes a number of preventive measures that should be applied within the framework of the general trend of digitalization of accounting. The study was conducted using scientific methods of cognition: abstract and logical and comparative analysis, abstraction, induction and deduction, as well as methods of specification and formalization. It is established that the digital transformation of accounting is positioned as a mandatory optimization stage in the development of the modern business environment. It is substantiated that modern information technologies make it possible to significantly simplify the collection, storage and transfer of accounting information through the introduction of special industry-specific software products. The main digital trends in the process of digitalization of accounting are analyzed, reflecting the vector of the overall development of a sustainable financial environment and the sharing economy. It is proved that the growing use of digital tools makes it possible to make accurate and effective decisions in complex analytical processes. The results of the study may be of practical value for the process of improving the modern accounting system in the context of globalization of digitalization and artificial intelligence technologies. The paper analyzes the feasibility and prospects of applying innovative AI capabilities in the accounting, as well as means and technologies to ensure an appropriate level of security and protection of personal information.

Improving the perception of low-light enhanced images.

Improving images captured under low-light conditions has become an important topic in computational color imaging, as it has a wide range of applications. Most current methods are either based on handcrafted features or on end-to-end training of deep neural networks that mostly focus on minimizing some distortion metric -such as PSNR or SSIM- on a set of training images. However, the minimization of distortion metrics does not mean that the results are optimal in terms of perception (i.e. perceptual quality). As an example, the perception-distortion trade-off states that, close to the optimal results, improving distortion results in worsening perception. This means that current low-light image enhancement methods -that focus on distortion minimization- cannot be optimal in the sense of obtaining a good image in terms of perception errors. In this paper, we propose a post-processing approach in which, given the original low-light image and the result of a specific method, we are able to obtain a result that resembles as much as possible that of the original method, but, at the same time, giving an improvement in the perception of the final image. More in detail, our method follows the hypothesis that in order to minimally modify the perception of an input image, any modification should be a combination of a local change in the shading across a scene and a global change in illumination color. We demonstrate the ability of our method quantitatively using perceptual blind image metrics such as BRISQUE, NIQE, or UNIQUE, and through user preference tests.

Selecting and justifying prognostic criteria to assessing the severity of condition during traumatic illness in combined chest and abdominal trauma after acute traffic accidents

Relevance. Improving prognostic criteria to assess the severity of combined chest and abdominal trauma is urgently needed to justify the scope of intensive care in victims of road accidents during acute traumatic illness.Objective. The objective of the study is to improve the results of treatment during acute traumatic illness in combined chest and abdominal trauma after road accidents, as well as to enhance efficiency of prognostic criteria for severity assessment.Methods. A single-center retrospective and prospective controlled clinical study was conducted in 1400 victims who were treated at the N.S. Karpovich Krasnoyarsk Interdistrict Clinical Hospital of Emergency Care Medicine from 2012 to 2022 and were diagnosed with isolated or combined chest and abdominal trauma. To assess the severity of injury and perform triage, the specific method of severity assessment in combined trauma after road traffic accidents was used, which was developed by the research team of the Prof. V.F. Voino-Yasenetsky Krasnoyarsk State Medical University.Results and discussion. A detailed analysis of the indicators applied to patients of different severity showed that mild and moderate chest and abdomen injuries led to changes in hemodynamic parameters within the physiological norm. The injury in question did not cause consciousness or respiratory disorders in victims of road traffic accidents. Severe injuries led to the development of shock and respiratory failure, in combination with depression of consciousness. In order to compare across different condition severity degrees evaluated by physiological indicators, respective medians and dispersion measures were analyzed for each group. The analysis allowed to assess exacerbated severity of condition in our patients. This procedure requires further adjustment to pre-hospital emergency medical care.Conclusion. The performed statistical analysis allowed to assess the efficiency of severity assessment in victims of road accidents in prehospital setting.

Establishment of an indirect competitive immunoassay for the detection of dicamba based on a highly specific nanobody

Dicamba, a traditional highly effective and low toxicity herbicide, has gained new life with the development of dicamba-tolerant transgenic crops in recent years. However, dicamba is highly volatile and therefore easy to cause drift damage to sensitive crops. The development of efficient and sensitive detection methods is essential for monitoring of trace dicamba in the environment. Nanobody-based immunoassay plays an important role in on-site detection of pesticides. However, now rapid and sensitive immunoassay methods based on nanobody for dicamba detection were lacking. In this study, the nanobodies specifically recognizing dicamba were successfully obtained by immunising camels and phage display library construction, and then an indirect competitive immunoassay based on Nb-242 was constructed with IC50 of 0.93 μg/mL and a linear range of 0.11–8.01 μg/mL. Nb-242 had good specificity with no cross-reactivities against the dicamba analogs other than 2,3,6-trichlorobenzoic acid and the developed immnoassay had a good correlation with the standard HPLC in the spike-recovery studies. Finally, the key amino acid Ala 123, Tyr 55, Tyr 59 and Arg 72 of Nb-242 that specifically recognizing and binding with dicamba were identified by homologous modeling and molecular docking, laying an important foundation for further structural modification of Nb-242. This study has important guiding significance for constructing immunoassay method of dicamba based on nanobody and provides a sensitive, specific, and reliable detection method that is suitable for the detection of dicamba in the environment.