Quantitative Changes Research Articles

Evaluating the toxicity of estetrol, 17α-ethinylestradiol, and their combination with drospirenone on zebrafish larvae: A behavioural and proteomic study

ObjectiveTo characterise and compare the toxicity of estetrol (E4) and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), and their respective mixture with the progestin drospirenone (DRSP) in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos. MethodsZebrafish embryos were exposed to E4, EE2, DRSP, E4+DRSP, and EE2+DRSP in a fish embryo acute toxicity (FET) test. A second test examined behavioural responses and, using label-free proteomics, identified changes in protein expression in response to hormonal treatments, across a range of concentrations, including those that are considered to be environmentally relevant. ResultsIn the FET test, no effects were found from E4 at concentrations ≤100 mg/L, while EE2 induced mortality and morphological abnormalities at concentrations of 1-2 mg/L. In the behavioural test, exposure to 30 ng/L EE2 (∼200 × predicted environmental concentration – PEC) resulted in hypoactivity in fish larvae and exposure to 0.3 ng/L EE2 (∼2 × PEC) led to quantitative changes in protein abundance, revealing potential impacts on RNA processing and protein synthesis machinery. Exposure to E4 did not alter behaviour, but several groups of proteins were modulated, mainly at 710 ng/L (∼200 × PEC), including proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation. When combined with DRSP, EE2 induced reduced effects on behaviour and proteomic responses, suggesting an antagonistic effect of DRSP. E4+DRSP induced no significant effects on behaviour or proteomic profiles at tested concentrations. ConclusionsThese findings suggest that E4-based combined oral contraceptives present a more favourable environmental profile than EE2-based contraceptives, particularly during the early developmental stages of fish.

Qualitative and quantitative changes in phenology of chlorophyll a concentrations during the transition from eutrophy to oligotrophy

AbstractThe PEG (Plankton Ecology Group) model predicts differences in phenology between eutrophic and oligotrophic lakes regarding the occurrence, timing and magnitude of annual chlorophyll maxima and minima. While these predictions have been tested between lakes, hardly any tests exist using long‐term data. We test these predictions using chlorophyll time‐series (1980–2019) from Lake Constance in which trophic status shifted from eutrophic to oligotrophic conditions. We show that oligotrophication subsequently resulted in reduction of the summer and spring blooms, and finally the loss of the clear‐water phase. In contrast to the PEG model the spring bloom was not delayed, but advanced with oligotrophication. Warming modified the seasonal patterns via advancing clear‐water timing. Oligotrophication did not only influence phenologies, but also the importance of independent variables driving phenologies. Thus, the decline of nutrients was the dominant factor in shaping the seasonal patterns of chlorophyll in Lake Constance during the last four decades.

Simple and sensitive galactose monitoring based on capillary SERS sensor.

Galactosemia, a severe genetic metabolic disorder, results from the absence of galactose-degrading enzymes, leading to harmful galactose accumulation. In this study, we introduce a novel capillary-based surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensor for convenient and sensitive galactose detection. The developed sensor enhances SERS signals by introducing gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) onto the surface of silver nanoshells (Ag NSs) within a capillary, creating Ag NSs with Au NPs as satellites. Utilizing 4-mercaptophenylboronic acid (4-MPBA) as a Raman reporter molecule, the detection method relies on the conversion of 4-MPBA to 4-mercaptophenol (4-MPhOH) driven by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generated during galactose oxidation by galactose oxidase (GOx). A new SERS signal was observed, which was generated by H2O2 produced when galactose and GOx reacted. Our strategy yielded a quantitative change in the SERS signal, specifically in the band intensity ratio of 998 to 1076 cm-1 (I998/I1076) as the galactose concentration increased. Our capillary-based SERS biosensor provides a promising platform for early galactosemia diagnosis.

Abstract PO3-07-01: Multiscale Computational Analysis of Patient-Matched Multi-Modal Imaging of Breast Tissue Microenvironment

Abstract Introduction: Mammographic breast density is a strong quantitative cancer risk factor, but its link to underlying tissue and cellular level changes are weakly understood. Understanding the complex restructuring changes in the breast tumor microenvironment and its impact on breast density is integral to improving risk assessment and treatment strategies. A novel approach was developed to stratify mammographic dense breast tissue into areas of active dense tissue and passive dense tissue. Active dense tissue is structurally reorganizing and links to cancer dynamics, whereas passive dense mammographic tissue remains organized.1,2 A complementary wavelet-based analysis technique to measure the multiscale anisotropy of collagen fibers from Second-Harmonic Generation (SHG) imaging demonstrated clinical cancer diagnostic potential in mouse carcinoma and human pancreatic cancer.3,4 This tool is now leveraged for a multi-modal study in which patient-matched H&E tissue biopsies are imaged using both bright-field microscopy and SHG imaging to compare with the patient’s corresponding mammograms. Stratifying the mammographic density into active and passive dense areas, a correlation between biopsy tissue anisotropy and mammographic density subtypes can be calculated to help understand how tumor microenvironment changes affect a patient’s mammographic breast tissue composition. Methods: SHG and brightfield-imaged biopsy slides from 10 patients (five malignant, five benign) collected from Maine Medical Center (Maine, US) were analyzed using the 2D Wavelet Transform Modulus Maxima (WTMM) Anisotropy Method generating a large-scale and a small-scale anisotropy factor as well as a scale-combined anisotropy calculated from their large- and small-scale anisotropy separation. A multi-modal anisotropy score was calculated by adding the imaged area’s H&E combined anisotropy score with its respective SHG combined anisotropy score. This analysis was done on eight randomly selected ductal areas for each imaging modality on a slide and correlated with the measured areas of density subtypes from the whole mammographic view. Linear regression was used for determining correlation between H&E and SHG anisotropy factors as well as with active and passive mammographic density subtype measurements. Results: The malignant patients’ small-scale H&E anisotropy factor positively correlated with their small scale SHG anisotropy factor (R2=0.571). No correlation was found for the benign patients (R2=0.011). The strongest correlations were found between benign patients’ mammographic passive (positive correlation) and active (negative correlation) dense tissues vs the H&E anisotropy scale-combined factor (R2=0.858 and R2=0.961, respectively). The largest malignant patient correlation was a negative relationship between SHG anisotropy scale-combined factor and overall mammographic density (inclusive of both active and passive dense tissue) (R2=0.891). The multi-modal anisotropy score correlated with overall mammographic density for both benign (positive correlation, R2=0.698) and malignant patients (negative correlation, R2=0.773). Combining the multi-modal anisotropy factor from SHG and H&E with the active dense tissue measurement using K-Means clustering, 5/5 malignant and 4/5 benign patients were correctly classified. Conclusion: Density in mammograms correlates with underlying quantitative changes in a patient’s tissue and collagen anisotropy. Combining both H&E and SHG analysis on tissue biopsy with active and passive density metrics from computational mammography leads to the best predictive potential than any one method on their own.

Imaging the elemental distribution within human malignant melanomas using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

The diagnosis of malignant melanoma, often an inconspicuous but highly aggressive tumor, is most commonly done by histological examination, while additional diagnostic methods on the level of elements and molecules are constantly being developed. Several studies confirmed differences in the chemical composition of healthy and tumor tissue. Our study presents the potential of the LIBS (Laser-Induced-Breakdown Spectroscopy) technique as a diagnostic tool in malignant melanoma (MM) based on the quantitative changes in elemental composition in cancerous tissue. Our patient group included 17 samples of various types of malignant melanoma and one sample of healthy skin tissue as a control. To achieve a clear perception of results, we have selected two biogenic elements (calcium and magnesium), which showed a dissimilar distribution in cancerous tissue from its healthy surroundings. Moreover, we observed indications of different concentrations of these elements in different subtypes of malignant melanoma, a hypothesis that requires confirmation in a more extensive sample set. The information provided by the LIBS Imaging method could potentially be helpful not only in the diagnostics of tumor tissue but also be beneficial in broadening the knowledge about the tumor itself.

Quantitative EEG analysis of brivaracetam in drug-resistant epilepsy: A pharmaco-EEG study

ObjectiveBrivaracetam (BRV) is a recent antiseizure medication (ASM) approved as an add-on therapy for people with focal epilepsy. BRV has a good efficacy and safety profile compared to other ASMs. However, its specific effects on resting-state EEG activity and connectivity are unknown. The aim of this study is to evaluate quantitative EEG changes induced by BRV therapy in a population of adult people with drug-resistant epilepsy (PwE) compared to healthy controls (HC). MethodsWe performed a longitudinal, retrospective, pharmaco-EEG study on a population of 23 PwE and a group of 25 HC. Clinical outcome was dichotomized into drug-responders (i.e., >50% reduction in seizures’ frequency; RES) and non-responders (N-RES) after two years of BRV. EEG parameters were compared between PwE and HC at baseline (pre-BRV) and after three months of BRV therapy (post-BRV). We investigated BRV-related variations in EEG connectivity using the phase locking value (PLV). ResultsBRV therapy did not induce modifications in power spectrum density across different frequency bands. PwE presented lower PLV connectivity values compared to HC in all frequency bands. RES exhibited lower theta PLV connectivity compared to HC before initiating BRV and experienced an increase after BRV, eliminating the significant difference from HC. ConclusionsThis study shows that BRV does not alter the EEG power spectrum in PwE, supporting its favourable neuropsychiatric side-effect profile, and induces the disappearance of EEG connectivity differences between PwE and HC. SignificanceThe integration of EEG quantitative analysis in epilepsy can provide insights into the efficacy, mechanism of action, and side effects of ASMs.

D157. Intraoperative Indocyanine Green Angiography for Detecting Quantitative Flap Perfusion Changes in Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap Breast Reconstruction with Second Venous Drainage

D157. Intraoperative Indocyanine Green Angiography for Detecting Quantitative Flap Perfusion Changes in Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap Breast Reconstruction with Second Venous Drainage

Housing-industry transformation development and rural revitalization path based on complex adaptive system in Three Gorges Reservoir Area of China

The core of dual circulation in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area (TGRA) and the greening Yangtze River is sustainable development. Reservoir housing-industry coordinate sustainable is extremely important to ensuring a more sustainable TGRA. Here, we investigate the overall characteristics of housing-industry transformation development and rural revitalization path in the TGRA at microscopic perspective. Taking Wutu village (WTV), a historical and cultural rural in the TGRA, as case study area, we also analyze the evolution, stage characteristics, and trends of housing-industry system (HIS) using theoretical analysis and empirical research from the perspective of spatio-temporal-development and complex adaptability system model. The findings reveal that: (1) In the traditional housing-industry separation stage(1978–1998), the development of villagers' self-organization and the positive and correct leadership of the village party branch are the dominant forces for the evolution of HIS in WTV. The adaptive behavior of the main body and the strength of the housing-industry effect are limited, and the evolution of the HIS is in the accumulation stage of quantitative change. (2) In the stage of cooperative transformation of housing-industry (1999–2018), the positive and correct leadership of the village party branch is the dominant force of the evolution of HIS in WTV, and the government's policy support is the main force of the evolution of HIS in WTV. (3) In the stage of modern housing-industry integration (2019 to present), the interaction of multiple subjects is the dominant force in the evolution of HIS in WTV. Multiple entities further adapt to various changes in the external environment, and the system structure and level have taken a qualitative leap. Overall, the evolution of HIS in WTV is a dynamic and continuous process. Based on the evolution stage and driving mechanism of HIS, it is necessary to improve the self-organization and adaptive response and ability of the complex adaptive system in WTV, adapt to the general law of system evolution, and effectively regulate the transformation and upgrading of HIS in WTV. Our research outcomes offer valuable insights for fostering rural transformation, enhancing the housing-industry environment, and ultimately propelling the TGRA towards a more sustainable and prosperous future.

Providing ceramics high-temperature self-lubrication by inducing vacancies concentration variation via thermal and frictional synergies

Based on the new conception of lattice low-shear stress induced by zero-dimensional point defects, the Al2O3 composite ceramics doped by TiO2 with good high-temperature tribological properties are prepared. According to the results, temperature could control the continuity of the resintering friction layer and the activation of the plastic deformation ability of ceramics. The lattice oxygen in TiO2 leaves the original lattice occupation due to thermal and frictional coupling action, and breaks away from the worn surface, which significantly increases the vacancy concentration level. Aforesaid structural defects are considered to be a crucial reason for the reduction of shear force. Compared with friction coefficient (0.53) for Al2O3 at 1100 °C, COF of TiO2-doped Al2O3-based ceramics is 0.26 about half of that. This vacancy quantitative change strategy of temperature-sensibility is expected to become a controllable method for providing lubrication during high-temperature.

Investigation of Some Ion Channel Expressions in Cochlear Nucleus of Tinnitus Induced Rats

Aim: The aim of this study is to gain a better understanding of how certain ion channels play a role in the molecular mechanisms of salicylate- and noise-induced tinnitus. Method: The present study was conducted on thirty-two, 4-month-old, male Wistar Albino rats. Rats were equally divided into four groups; two experimental groups and two control groups. The assessment of tinnitus was based on a behavioral test which was modified from the conditional suppression method. Tinnitus was induced by sodium salicylate administration and noise exposure in rats in which the suppression ratios were zero (0). All animals in both experimental and control groups were decapitated in deep anaesthesia for 2 h after salicylate or saline administration and noise exposure, consecutively. Tissues from the left and right cochlear nucleus were dissected immediately in ice-cold RNA later (Invitrogen). Before reverse transcription, the RNA pools were arranged. Quantitative changes in HCN1, HCN2, HCN4, SCN1A, SCN2A1, SCN3A, TRPM2, TRPM7 and GAPDH mRNA expressions in the cochlear nucleus in both experimental and control groups were examined by quantitative real-time PCR method. Statistical data were analysed using the SPSS 21 program (Version 21.0, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) with the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: Fold changes in the expression levels of SCNA1, SCN2A1, SCN3A, TRPM2, TRPM7, CACNA1B, HCN1, HCN2 and HCN4 genes in both salicylate-induces tinnitus (SAT) and noise-induced tinnitus (NT) groups compared with the control group. According to these data, it is seen that the mRNA levels of all genes are lower in the cochlear nucleus area of the rats in both SAT and NT groups than in the control group. Considering each of these genes in NT group: SCNA1, SCN3A, TRPM7 genes slightly decreased; SCN2A1, TRPM2, HCN1 and HCN4 genes slightly increased compared with the SAT group. For HCN2 gene fold changes were nearly the same in the NT and SAT groups. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that tinnitus generation may be closely related to alterations in several key ion channel families activity including voltage-gated calcium channels, hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide–gated (HCN) channels, transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, voltage-gated sodium channels within the CN, specifically in response to salicylate-induced and noise-induced tinnitus models.

A nomogram to predict severe COVID-19 patients with increased pulmonary lesions in early days.

This study aimed to predict severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) progression in patients with increased pneumonia lesions in the early days. A simplified nomogram was developed utilizing artificial intelligence (AI)-based quantified computed tomography (CT). From 17 December 2019 to 20 February 2020, a total of 246 patients were confirmed COVID-19 infected in Jingzhou Central Hospital, Hubei Province, China. Of these patients, 93 were mildly ill and had follow-up examinations in 7 days, and 61 of them had enlarged lesions on CT scans. We collected the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and three quantitative CT features from two examinations within 7 days. The three quantitative CT features of pneumonia lesions, including ground-glass opacity volume (GV), semi-consolidation volume (SV), and consolidation volume (CV), were automatically calculated using AI. Additionally, the variation volumes of the lesions were also computed. Finally, a nomogram was developed using a multivariable logistic regression model. To simplify the model, we classified all the lesion volumes based on quartiles and curve fitting results. Among the 93 patients, 61 patients showed enlarged lesions on CT within 7 days, of whom 19 (31.1%) developed any severe illness. The multivariable logistic regression model included age, NLR on the second time, an increase in lesion volume, and changes in SV and CV in 7 days. The personalized prediction nomogram demonstrated strong discrimination in the sample, with an area under curve (AUC) and the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) of 0.961 and a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.917-1.000. Decision curve analysis illustrated that a nomogram based on quantitative AI was clinically useful. The integration of CT quantitative changes, NLR, and age in this model exhibits promising performance in predicting the progression to severe illness in COVID-19 patients with early-stage pneumonia lesions. This comprehensive approach holds the potential to assist clinical decision-making.

Key odorants of 'Keemun Aroma' and their changes during the preliminary processing of Keemun BLack Tea (Camellia sinensis)

Chinese Keemun black tea (KBT) is one of the most renowned black teas worldwide due to its alluring floral/fruity/honey-like odor. However, the key odorants of the so-called Keemun aroma have not been systematically characterized. A comparative sensory-guided flavor analysis was conducted on the aroma compounds in two orthonasally distinguishable KBTs with high and low grades (HG-KBT and LG-KBT). This well-established methodology included the following steps: volatile collection through solvent-assisted flavor evaporation and headspace solid-phase microextraction, aroma identification based on gas chromatography–olfactometry/mass spectrometry, odor contribution calculation according to stable isotope dilution assay, odor activity values (OAVs), and aroma recombination. A total of 42 odorants were characterized, 16 and 10 of which were regarded as key odorants in HG- and LG-KBT, respectively. Among them, dimethyl sulfide, geraniol, β-ionone, 2-/3-methylbutanal, linalool, and 2-methylpropanal showed the highest OAVs and played a pivotal role in ‘Keemun aroma’. In general, floral odorants had higher OAVs in HG-KBT. In addition, the quantitative changes during the entire preliminary manufacturing step of the tea leaves indicated the great importance of fresh leaves’ quality and withering for the formation of the final aroma quality of the beverage.

Changes in Outcomes of Macular Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Following Surgery for Optic Disc Pit Maculopathy.

we aimed to report on the optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) outcomes of eight patients with optic disc pit maculopathy (ODP-M) who were treated with 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). We examined sixteen eyes of eight patients-eight eyes with ODP-M and eight healthy fellow eyes. Fundus color photography, fundus autofluorescence, fundus fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and OCTA were performed. The vascular density, choriocapillaris blood flow (CCBF), and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) were analyzed using OCTA. Moreover, the correlation between the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and macular OCTA parameters was assessed. Compared with the healthy fellow eyes, the eyes with ODP-M preoperatively were found to have decreased BCVA, superficial capillary plexus (SCP) vascular density (i.e., total, foveal, parafoveal, and perifoveal), deep capillary plexus (DCP) vascular density (i.e., total, parafoveal, and perifoveal), and CCBF but a significantly increased FAZ (p < 0.05). When the eyes with ODP-M were analyzed pre- and postoperatively at month 12 after surgery, the BCVA, SCP vascular density (i.e., perifoveal), and CCBF had significantly increased, and the FAZ had significantly decreased (p < 0.05). When the eyes with ODP-M were compared with the healthy fellow eyes postoperatively at month 12, the BCVA, SCP, and DCP vascular density parameters had increased, along with CCBF, and the FAZ had decreased in eyes with ODP-M, though not to the levels of the healthy fellow eyes (p < 0.05). Moreover, a positive correlation was found between the postoperative BCVA and SCP total vascular density (p < 0.05). The BCVA and macular OCTA parameters improved in eyes with ODP-M at month 12 following surgery. However, the BCVA and OCTA of the eyes operated on did not reach the levels of the healthy fellow eyes, possibly due to impaired choroidal blood flow (CBF) recovery and the presence of a larger FAZ. In summary, OCTA seems to be useful for assessing qualitative and quantitative perioperative microvascular changes.

Double-negative T cells have a reparative role after experimental severe ischemic acute kidney injury.

T cells mediate organ injury and repair. A proportion of unconventional kidney T cells called double-negative (DN) T cells (TCR+ CD4- CD8-), with anti-inflammatory properties, were previously demonstrated to protect from early injury in moderate experimental AKI. However, their role in repair after AKI has not been studied. We hypothesized that DN T cells mediate repair after severe AKI. C57B6 mice underwent severe (40min) unilateral ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Kidney DN T cells were studied by flow cytometry and compared to gold-standard anti-inflammatory CD4+ Tregs. In vitro effects of DN T cells and Tregs on renal tubular epithelial cell (RTEC) repair after injury were quantified with live-cell analysis. DN T cells, Tregs, CD4 or vehicle were adoptively transferred after severe AKI. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was measured using FITC-sinistrin. Fibrosis was assessed with Masson's trichrome staining. Profibrotic genes were measured with qRT-PCR. Percentages and the numbers of DN T cells substantially decreased during repair phase after severe AKI, as well as their activation and proliferation. Both DN T cells and Tregs accelerated RTEC cell repair in vitro. Post-AKI transfer of DN T cells reduced kidney fibrosis and improved GFR, as did Treg transfer. DN T cell transfer lowered TGFβ1 and αSMA expression. DN T cells reduced effector-memory CD4+ T cells and IL-17 expression. DN T cells undergo quantitative and phenotypical changes after severe AKI, accelerate RTEC repair in vitro as well as improve GFR and renal fibrosis in vivo. DN T cells have potential as immunotherapy to accelerate repair after AKI.

Epigenetics of hematopoietic stem cell aging.

The development of new antiaging medicines is of great interest to the current elderly and aging population. Aging of the hematopoietic system is attributed to the aging of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), and epigenetic alterations are the key effectors driving HSC aging. Understanding the epigenetics of HSC aging holds promise of providing new insights for combating HSC aging and age-related hematological malignancies. Aging is characterized by the progressive loss of physiological integrity, leading to impaired function and increased vulnerability to death. During aging, the HSCs undergo both quantitative and qualitative changes. These functional changes in HSCs cause dysregulated hematopoiesis, resulting in anemia, immune dysfunction, and an increased risk of hematological malignancies. Various cell-intrinsic and cell-extrinsic effectors influencing HSC aging have also been identified. Epigenetic alterations are one such mechanism. Cumulative epigenetic alterations in aged HSCs affect their fate, leading to aberrant self-renewal, differentiation, and function of aged HSCs. In turn, these factors provide an opportunity for aged HSCs to expand by modulating their self-renewal and differentiation balance, thereby contributing to the development of hematological malignancies.

The dynamics of fibres dispersed in viscoelastic turbulent flows

This study explores the dynamics of finite-size fibres suspended freely in a viscoelastic turbulent flow. For a fibre suspended in Newtonian flows, two different flapping regimes were identified by Rosti et al. (Phys. Rev. Lett., vol. 121, issue 4, 2018, 044501): one dominated by time scales from the flow, and another dominated by time scales associated with its natural frequency. We explore in this work how the fibre dynamics is modified by the elasticity of the carrier fluid. For this, we perform direct numerical simulations of a two-way coupled fibre–fluid system in a parametric space spanning different Deborah numbers, fibre bending stiffness (flexible to rigid) and linear density difference between the fibre and the flow (neutrally buoyant to denser-than-fluid fibres). We examine how these parameters influence various fibre characteristics such as the frequency of flapping, curvature, and alignment with the fluid strain and polymer stretching directions. Results reveal that the neutrally buoyant fibres, depending on their flexibility, oscillate with large and small time scales transpiring from the flow, but the smaller time scales are suppressed as the polymer elasticity increases. Polymer stretching is uncommunicative to denser-than-fluid fibres, which flap with large time scales from the flow when flexible, and with their natural frequency when rigid. Thus the characteristic elastic time scale has a subdominant effect when the fibres are neutrally buoyant, while its effect is absent when the fibres become more inertial. In addition, we also explore the fibre's bending curvature and its preferential alignment with the flow to identify the other roles of viscoelasticity in modifying the coupled fluid–structure dynamics. Inertial fibres have larger curvatures and are less responsive to the polymer presence, whereas the neutrally buoyant fibres show quantitative changes. The perceptible passivity of the denser fibres is again reflected in the way they align preferentially with the polymeric stretching directions: the neutrally buoyant fibres show a higher alignment with the polymer stretching directions compared to the denser ones. In a nutshell, the polymers exert a larger influence on neutrally buoyant fibres, which are more reflective of the polymeric influence in the flow. The study addresses comprehensively the interplay between polymer elasticity and the fibre structural properties in determining its response behaviour in an elasto-inertial turbulent flow.

The relationship between sarcopenic obesity and changes in quadriceps muscle thickness and echo intensity in patients with stroke

ABSTRACT Background Research findings on skeletal muscle degeneration in post-stroke sarcopenic obesity are limited. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the association between post-stroke sarcopenic obesity and quantitative and qualitative changes in skeletal muscles. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted on patients with stroke admitted to the convalescent rehabilitation ward. For skeletal muscle assessment, an ultrasound system was used to measure quadriceps muscle thickness and echo intensity (QMT and QEI) on the paretic and non-paretic sides. Sarcopenic obesity was defined as the presence of both sarcopenia and obesity. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the relationships between sarcopenic obesity and QMT and QEI. Results A total of 130 patients with stroke were included in this study (mean age: 69.4 ± 12.7 years). The prevalence of sarcopenic obesity was 23.1%. The multiple regression analysis showed that sarcopenic obesity was significantly negatively associated with QMT on both the paretic and non-paretic sides (paretic side: β =  −0.28, p < 0.001; non-paretic side: β =  −0.37, p < 0.001) and significantly positively associated with QEI (paretic side β = 0.21, p = 0.034; non-paretic side: β = 0.20, p = 0.029). Conclusions Post-stroke sarcopenic obesity was independently associated with quantitative and qualitative changes in skeletal muscles on both the paretic and non-paretic sides.

A novel vector field analysis for quantitative structure changes after macular epiretinal membrane surgery.

The aim of this study was to introduce novel vector field analysis for the quantitative measurement of retinal displacement after epiretinal membrane (ERM) removal. We developed a novel framework to measure retinal displacement from retinal fundus images as follows: (1) rigid registration of preoperative retinal fundus images in reference to postoperative retinal fundus images, (2) extraction of retinal vessel segmentation masks from these retinal fundus images, (3) non-rigid registration of preoperative vessel masks in reference to postoperative vessel masks, and (4) calculation of the transformation matrix required for non-rigid registration for each pixel. These pixel-wise vector field results were summarized according to predefined 24 sectors after standardization. We applied this framework to 20 patients who underwent ERM removal to obtain their retinal displacement vector fields between retinal fundus images taken preoperatively and at postoperative 1, 4, 10, and 22months. The mean direction of displacement vectors was in the nasal direction. The mean standardized magnitudes of retinal displacement between preoperative and postoperative 1month, postoperative 1 and 4, 4 and 10, and 10 and 22months were 38.6, 14.9, 7.6, and 5.4, respectively. In conclusion, the proposed method provides a computerized, reproducible, and scalable way to analyze structural changes in the retina with a powerful visualization tool. Retinal structural changes were mostly concentrated in the early postoperative period and tended to move nasally.

Addition of Biochar and Fertiliser Drives Changes in Soil Organic Matter and Humic Substance Content in Haplic Luvisol

Humic substances (HSs) constitute a primary component of soil organic matter (SOM) and play a crucial role in soil formation and fertility. However, comprehensive information regarding quantitative and qualitative changes in HS following biochar’s application to soil still needs to be improved. This study reports on the impact of biochar application at rates of 0, 10, and 20 t ha⁻1 (B0, B10, B20), both with and without nitrogen fertilisation at varying levels (N0, N1, N2), on SOM and HS contents throughout the cropping seasons between 2014 and 2019. The findings reveal changes in SOM and HS contents due to biochar addition and fertilisation. Notably, the most substantial increase in soil organic carbon content was observed in the B20N1 and B10N1 treatments, in stark contrast with the reference B0N0 treatment. A decrease in humification of SOM was noted across all treatments involving biochar, whether alone or combined with different N fertilisation levels. An interesting positive change in HS contents was observed in B10N2, where an increase in humic acids and a decrease in fulvic acids enhanced HS stability and improved HS quality. These findings shed light on the intricate dynamics of SOM and HSs in response to biochar application and nitrogen fertilisation over multiple vegetation seasons of crops on loamy Haplic Luvisols in Central Europe.

FEASIBILITY OF USING A PROBIOTIC BACTERIAL COMPLEX IN THE FORM OF A THROAT SPRAY IN THE LOCAL TREATMENT OF ACUTE VIRAL TONSILLITIS

The aim of the study was to determine the feasibility of using a probiotic bacterial complex in the form of a throat spray in the local treatment of acute viral tonsillitis based on the analysis of its clinical and microbiological efficacy.&#x0D; Materials and methods. The randomized controlled trial involved 46 people with acute tonsillitis diagnosed on the basis of clinical and pharyngoscopic signs. According to the treatment received, patients were divided into 2 groups. Patients in the control group (23 people) were treated according to the unified clinical protocol "Tonsillitis". The main group included 23 patients who, in addition to the protocol treatment, received a probiotic agent in the form of a throat spray containing a complex of bacteria of the genus Bacillus. To exclude the bacterial etiology of acute tonsillitis, a modified Centor scale (McIsaac scale) was used. Evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment was based on the study of the dynamics of clinical and pharyngoscopic signs of the disease, as well as the establishment of quantitative and qualitative changes in the microbiota of the palatine tonsils during treatment.&#x0D; Results. The analysis of the dynamics of the main clinical and pharyngoscopic parameters indicates a more significant and rapid normalization in patients of the main group. The results of microbiological studies show that the use of a probiotic bacterial complex in the treatment of acute tonsillitis in patients of the main group contributed to the elimination of dysbiotic changes, restoration of the population level of the main representatives of the palatine tonsils microbiome and colonization resistance of the oropharynx.&#x0D; Conclusions. It has been established that acute viral inflammation of the palatine tonsils occurs under conditions of quantitative and qualitative changes in the species composition of the microbiota of this biotope and is accompanied by an increase in dysbiotic disorders during the course of the disease. It has been confirmed that the use of a probiotic bacterial complex in the form of a spray in the local treatment of acute viral tonsillitis is appropriate due to its proven clinical and microbiological efficacy, and also makes it possible to refrain from premature administration of antibacterial chemotherapy.