Quantitative Changes Research Articles

NTRC and thioredoxins m1/m2 underpin the light acclimation of plants on proteome and metabolome levels.

During photosynthesis, plants must manage strong fluctuations in light availability on different time scales, leading to long-term acclimation and short-term responses. However, little is known about the regulation and coordination of these processes and the modulators involved. In this study, we used proteomics, metabolomics, and reverse genetics to investigate how different light environmental factors, such as intensity or variability, affect long-term and short-term acclimation responses of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and the importance of the chloroplast redox network in their regulation. In the wild type, high light, but not fluctuating light, led to large quantitative changes in the proteome and metabolome, accompanied by increased photosynthetic dynamics and plant growth. This finding supports light intensity as a stronger driver for acclimation than variability. Deficiencies in NADPH-thioredoxin reductase C (NTRC) or thioredoxins m1/m2, but not thioredoxin f1, almost completely suppressed the re-engineering of the proteome and metabolome, with both the induction of proteins involved in stress and redox responses and the repression of those involved in cytosolic and plastid protein synthesis and translation being strongly attenuated. Moreover, the correlations of protein or metabolite levels with light intensity were severely disturbed, suggesting a general defect in the light-dependent acclimation response, resulting in impaired photosynthetic dynamics. These results indicate a previously unknown role of NTRC and thioredoxins m1/m2 in modulating light acclimation at proteome and metabolome levels to control dynamic light responses. NTRC, but not thioredoxins m1/m2 or f1, also improves short-term photosynthetic responses by balancing the Calvin-Benson cycle in fluctuating light.

OCT-Angiography of deep and superficial retinal vascular density changes in diabetes without diabetic retinopathy

To analyze the vascular density values (VD) in the superficial and the deep retinal network and in all perimacular sectors of diabetic eyes without clinical retinopathy, comparing them to that of healthy, nondiabetic control eyes. We investigated the factors that may influence these values. This was a cross-sectional study including diabetics without diabetic retinopathy and healthy control subjects. All subjects underwent OCTA examination (RTVue-XR Avanti; Optovue, Fremont, CA, USA). The scanned area was 3×3mm and centered on the fovea. In the superficial and deep capillary plexus, we evaluated the total VD, parafoveal, temporal, nasal, superior and inferior sectors, as well as the superior and inferior hemi-sector VD. The sectors with the greatest area under the curve (AUC) were determined. We evaluated the correlation between certain risk factors and VD values. VD values in all sectors of the superficial capillary plexus layer and deep capillary plexus layer in the diabetic group were significantly lower than in the control group. Among all the parameters, the superficial total VD and superficial parafoveal VD had the greatest AUC (0.992 and 0.991 respectively). The sector with the greatest AUC was the temporal sector in both the SCP (0.990) and DCP (0.976). Age, creatinine clearance and hyperlipemia correlated with vascular density. Superficial and deep retinal VD are both decreased in diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy. Our results suggest that OCTA might be a promising tool for diabetic retinopathy screening. Quantitative microvascular changes might precede clinical damage.

Electrification of the Orenburg village in 1959-1965

Relevance. The enormous scientific significance of this topic is caused by the correlation of the processes of electrification and modernization of the Soviet village: the widespread use of electricity allowed not only to improve the living conditions of peasants, but also to increase labor productivity. All this together had an impact on the overall level of economic development and contributed to scientific and technological progress. The 1950s and 1960s. They became crucial in relation to the topic under consideration, because it was then that quantitative and qualitative changes took place in comparison with the previous period: the continuous electrification of the village began by connecting collective farms and state farms to high-voltage centralized power plants. This process was most active during the implementation of the seven-year plan for the development of the national economy, which determines the choice of chronological framework.The purpose of the study: to study the process of electrification of the Orenburg village in 1959-1965. Rural electrification in this work is understood as the process of distribution and use of electricity in rural areas: in industrial needs, in households, household premises, cultural, educational and medical institutions.Objectives: to make a periodization of the electrification process of the Orenburg village in the era of the "thaw"; to identify the dynamics of the provision of collective farms and state farms of the Orenburg region with electricity; to trace the development of centralized power supply of the Orenburg village in 1959-1965 and the increase in the length of power transmission lines; to determine changes in the total electricity generation in the Orenburg region during the period under review.Methodology. The work used a set of general scientific and special methods and principles: the principle of objectivity, historicism, historical-comparative, chronological, statistical and other methods.Results. In the course of the study, the process of electrification of the Orenburg village in 1959-1965 was comprehensively studied, its features, results and difficulties were revealed.Conclusion. The continuous electrification of the Orenburg village, despite a number of difficulties, allowed the Orenburg Region not only to overcome the lag behind other administrative-territorial subjects of the Southern Urals, but also to fully provide collective farms and state farms with electricity.

Fuzzy-logic indicators for riverbed de-clogging suggest ecological benefits of large wood

Rivers provide dynamic habitats with ecological niches, particularly in their mobile sand, gravel, and cobble riverbed patches that create an active hyporheic zone. Natural or artificial deposition of fine sediment may clog the porous matrix of the hyporheic zone, impairing exchange processes between the subsurface and surface water. Clogging reduces the permeability of the sediment matrix, thus degrading the ecological functionality of the hyporheic zone. Once clogged, the ecological functions may be recovered through active stream restoration, which requires considerate site assessment. To this end, clogging is typically assessed by expert opinion of substrate characteristics including grain size characteristics, porosity, hydraulic conductivity, and interstitial oxygen content. To overcome limitations of expert assessment, such as subjectivity expressed in noisy decision-making, this study introduces a novel fuzzy-logic method based on physically sound rules. The method provides quantitative indicators for clogging and declogging to evaluate the effectiveness of stream restoration. We applied the fuzzy-logic method to test whether the placement of large wood, a common restoration practice, can locally prevent or reduce clogging. Two measurement series from before and after a morphologically effective flood suggested that large wood placements perpendicular to the flow generate elevated amounts of declogging. The tested logs caused a greater amount of declogging within their region of influence than observed at a reference point. The effect was stronger for a log emergent at baseflow. The declogging assessment showed that the novel fuzzy-logic indicators can reasonably overcome subjective judgment by accounting for multi-variate quantitative changes rather than individual parameter trends.

Investigation of quantitative changes in bioactive compounds, colour properties, phenolic constituents and mineral contents of fresh, boiled and dried‐pea (Pisum sativum L.) seeds

SummaryIn this study, the changes in bioactive properties, phenolic compound profile and mineral results of fresh, boiled and dried pea seeds were investigated. It was observed that the total phenol, flavonoid and antioxidant capacity results of heat‐treated peas were decreased when compared to the control. Total carotenoid result of peas dried in oven and microwave were significantly increased compared to control and boiled peas (P < 0.05). Oven or microwave heating treatments increased the L* values of samples, while boiling caused a decrease in L* results. As with the bioactive properties of peas, the phenolic component amounts of peas were also low in the dried samples, and a linear correlation was obtained between the phenolic components and bioactive properties of the treated pea seeds. The highest protein content was detected in the peas dried in the conventional heater. Both fresh and dried peas are rich in K, P, Ca, Mg, S, Fe and Zn. K results of fresh and dried pea samples ranged from 19 258.50 (boiling) to 23 820.31 ppm (dw; oven).

BRD2 protects the rat H9C2 cardiomyocytes from hypoxia‑reoxygenation injury by targeting Nrf2/HO‑1 signaling pathway.

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a common complication of acute myocardial infarction following percutaneous coronary intervention, but there are currently no effective pharmacological targets for adjuvant therapy due to a lack of knowledge of I/R injury mechanisms in cardiomyocytes. To evaluate the effects of hypoxia-reoxygenation on the plasma proteome of cardiomyocytes and prospective therapeutic targets, five sets of H9C2 cardiomyocytes from rats were cultured under various hypoxic circumstances. Using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) and lactose dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays, the cell viability and LDH release of H9C2 cells were analyzed. Proteome sequencing was then performed on cardiomyocytes to show the quantitative protein changes during the I/R injury process. After hypoxia/reoxygenation, bromodomain-containing protein 2 (BRD2) expression was evaluated. After administering the BRD2 inhibitor dBET1, the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/haem oxygenase-1 (Nrf2/HO-1) was identified. The results showed that in the group exposed to 4 h of hypoxia followed by 4 h of reoxygenation (H/R4), the cell survival rate was dramatically reduced, although the apoptotic rate and LDH were much higher than in the normal oxygen group. In addition, the expressions of 2,325 proteins differed considerably between these two groups, with 128 upregulated and 122 downregulated proteins being discovered in the H/R4 group. After 4 h of reoxygenation, the BRD2 expression was increased. Following the addition of dBET1 to suppress BRD2, the expression of Nrf2/HO-1 was reduced, but the rate of apoptosis increased. In conclusion, through the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, BRD2 protects cardiomyocytes from damage caused by hypoxia/reoxygenation. This may have implications for novel treatment targets to minimize I/R damage to the myocardium.

Age-related flexibility of energetic metabolism in the honey bee Apis mellifera.

The mechanisms that underpin aging are still elusive. In this study, we suggest that the ability of mitochondria to oxidize different substrates, which is known as metabolic flexibility, is involved in this process. To verify our hypothesis, we used honey bees (Apis mellifera carnica) at different ages, to assess mitochondrial oxygen consumption and enzymatic activities of key enzymes of the energetic metabolism as well as ATP5A1 content (subunit of ATP synthase) and adenylic energy charge (AEC). We also measured mRNA abundance of genes involved in mitochondrial functions and the antioxidant system. Our results demonstrated that mitochondrial respiration increased with age and favored respiration through complexes I and II of the electron transport system (ETS) while glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) oxidation was relatively decreased. In addition, glycolytic, tricarboxylic acid cycle and ETS enzymatic activities increased, which was associated with higher ATP5A1 content and AEC. Furthermore, we detected an early decrease in the mRNA abundance of subunits of NADH ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit B2 (NDUFB2, complex I), mitochondrial cytochrome b (CYTB, complex III) of the ETS as well as superoxide dismutase 1 and a later decrease for vitellogenin, catalase and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX1, complex IV). Thus, our study suggests that the energetic metabolism is optimized with aging in honey bees, mainly through quantitative and qualitative mitochondrial changes, rather than showing signs of senescence. Moreover, aging modulated metabolic flexibility, which might reflect an underpinning mechanism that explains lifespan disparities between the different castes of worker bees.

ТРАНСФОРМАЦІЯ СВІТОВОЇ ФІНАНСОВОЇ АРХІТЕКТУРИ ПІД ВПЛИВОМ ФІНАНСОВОЇ ГЛОБАЛІЗАЦІЇ

At the current stage of the evolution of the global economy, there is an intensive increase in the pace of financial globalization (FG), which leads to qualitative and quantitative changes in its institutional environment. In parallel, the interaction and interdependence of all components of theglobal financial system is being restructured. Thus, the purpose of the article is to analyze the transformational dynamics of the world financial architecture (WFA) under the influence of financial globalization and to develop a scientific and practical mechanism for regulating WFA transformations in the context of financial integration. To achieve this goal, the author generalizes and expands the scope of study of financial globalization (its positive and negative effects) as a key factor influencing the transformation of the WFA. In this context, the average daily cash flow on the Forex market, general flows (inflows and outflows) of direct foreign investments, export-import operations on international markets, and the pace of development of financial technological innovations (FinTech) were investigated. To make the study more thorough, the author analyzed the transformational processes of WFA after the global economic and financial crisis of 2007-2009, which led to a number of structural shifts and led to the emergence of alternative stabilization mechanisms and sources of international liquidity. In addition, modern trends in the development of the world financial architecture in the conditions of the FG were revealed. Thus, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the interconnectedness of financial markets and the vulnerability of economies to external shocks and caused a sharp decline in stock market indices, significant fluctuations in exchange rates and general economic instability. Even more devastating consequences are threatened by a full-scale invasion of russia into Ukraine, which caused a significant slowdown in the economic growth of many countries due to a large-scale break in international production and trade ties, changes in the direction of FDI flows, aggravation of crises on international markets, in particular food and energy, and an increase in labor migration, world inflation. The result of the conducted research was the development of a mechanism for the transformation of the world financial architecture in the conditions of financial globalization. Thus, it was proposed to single out seven main vectors of the transformation of the world financial architecture, including: strengthening of global economic governance; improving the financial safety net; improvement of the political and regulatory framework of the financial system; easing the debt burden and reducing the cost of government borrowing; strengthening regulation and supervision of banking and non-banking financial institutions; restructuring of the global tax system, increasing international public development.

Mobilizing the seed storage oil in milk thistle (Silybum marianum) can supply energy for seed germination and early seedling growth and apply as TAGs breakdown marker

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a crucial medicinal plant containing a large amount of oil. In the study, the changes in storage oil during seed germination and seedling transition from heterotrophic phases were investigated. The results showed that seed oil decreased from 19.53% to 0.88% on the 7th day of seedling development. Oil hydrolysis continued until the 4th day of germination with a low slope, but then increased the use of oils in seed germination end seedling growth metabolism. The results indicated that the quantitative changes in fatty acids, presented at lower amount, were relatively higher than dominant fatty acids. There were decreasing phenolic content in the developing seedlings, but overall, lowest level of total phenolic content can be attributed to the control (30.52 ​mg· 100 ​g· Oil−1). In contrast, the maximum peroxide value (2.58 meq· kg Oil−1) in the developing seedling was observed on the last day of the experiment. The results showed that there was a significant correlation between saturated fatty acid, unsaturated fatty acid, and lipase activity. However, the correlation between lipase activity and polyunsaturated fatty acids was significantly higher than between lipase activity and monounsaturated fatty acids (R2 ​= ​90% and R2 ​= ​77%, respectively). Therefore, the lipolysis process acts selectively in milk thistle oils. According to the results, C12:0 exhibits a greater impact on the early seedling growth rather than on the germination process and is one of the determining factors in the transition from heterotroph to autotroph. Also, it can be a marker for TAGs breakdown.

Enhancement of Essential Oil Production and Expression of Some Menthol Biosynthesis-Related Genes in Mentha piperita Using Cyanobacteria.

Mentha piperita L. is one of the most important aromatic crops and is cultivated worldwide for essential oils (EOs). The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential of two cyanobacteria, Anabaena vaginicola ISB42 and Nostoc spongiaeforme var. tenue ISB65, as biological-elicitors to improve the growth and essential oil production of M. piperita. In this experiment, inoculation of M. piperita with cyanobacteria was performed by adding 1% cyanobacterial suspension to the soil of treated pots on the first time of planting and every 20 days thereafter. The experiment was performed in a randomized complete block design in an experimental greenhouse condition. After 90 days planting, the vegetative growth factors, the content of photosynthetic pigments, as well as the quantity and quality of EOs of treated and control plants were evaluated. Also, quantitative changes in the expression of some menthol biosynthesis-related genes were investigated. Cyanobacterial application led to significant increases in M. piperita growth indices including root and shoot biomass, leaf number, leaf area, node number and ramification, as well as photosynthetic pigments content. The statistical analysis showed a 41-75 % increase in some of these growth indices, especially in Nostoc-treated plants. A. vaginicola and N. spongiaeforme var. tenue inoculation led to a 13% and 25% increase in the EOs content of M. piperita, respectively. The EOs components were also affected by cyanobacterial treatments. According to the statistical analysis, Nostoc-treated plants showed the highest amount of (-)-menthone and (-)-limonene, with a 2.36 and 1.87-fold increase compared to the control. A. vaginicola and N. spongiaeforme var. tenue inoculation also led to 40% and 98% increase in transcript level of (-)-limonene synthase gene, respectively. The expression of the (-)-menthone reductase gene, was also increased by 65% and 55% in response to A. vaginicola and N. spongiaeforme var. tenue application, respectively. Our data demonstrated that in addition to growth enhancement, these two heterocystous cyanobacteria improved the quantity and quality of EOs by up-regulating the key genes involved in the menthol biosynthetic pathway. Based on our results, these cyanobacteria can be considered valuable candidates in the formulation of low-cost and environmentally friendly biofertilizers in sustainable peppermint production.

EP01.17: Monochorionic‐diamniotic twins with selective fetal growth restriction exhibit quantitative cardiac changes in early second trimester

EP01.17: Monochorionic‐diamniotic twins with selective fetal growth restriction exhibit quantitative cardiac changes in early second trimester

ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА ЦИТОЛОГИЧЕСКОГО СОСТОЯНИЯ ПОЛОСТИ РТА У БОЛЬНЫХ ЭРОЗИВНО-ЯЗВЕННОЙ ФОРМОЙ ПЛОСКОГО ЛИШАЯ

One of the important diagnostic methods for erosive and ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa is the cytological method. Cytological examination is a method of laboratory diagnostics, which allows to identify qualitative and quantitative changes in cells, the presence of intra- and extracellular inclusions and microorganisms. The choice of the cytological method is explained by the information content, objectivity and sufficient simplicity, and the obtained cytological data clearly correlate with the state of the oral mucosa. A cytological study was carried out in individuals with healthy oral mucosa and in patients with erosive- ulcerative form of lichen planus before and after treatment. Cytological studies have proven a violation of the cellular composition of the epithelium of the buccal mucosa in patients with erosive-ulcerative form of lichen planus, the choice of treatment plays a significant role in the timing of erosion epithelialization, recurrence and prevention of complications.

Demographic Development of Russian Cities According to Population Censuses of 1897–2020

The purpose of the study was to analyze the population dynamics and gender structure of Russian cities from 1897 to 2020. The presented time period made it possible to study both short-term and long-term trends in the development of cities of various categories, based on data from official population censuses. A key aspect of the study was to assess the dynamics of population growth and changes in the gender balance in the largest cities of the country. The main attention was paid to the dynamics of population changes in cities of various categories according to the classification of the Ministry of Construction of the Russian Federation. The study made it possible to draw a conclusion about a significant transformation of the settlement system of the Russian Federation during the analyzed period. The most noticeable trend is towards an increase in the number of largest cities, which indicates the processes of urbanization and concentration of the population in the large administrative and economic centers of the country. At the same time, there is a recovery in the number of small towns, especially with a population of up to 10 thousand people, which may be due to the development of infrastructure and improvement of living conditions in small settlements. This study examines quantitative and percentage changes in the population in the context of cities of various categories, analyzes the gender composition of the population in the largest cities of Russia for various periods, and assesses the rate of population growth or decline over different time periods. The study seeks to contribute to the understanding of urbanization processes and demographic changes in Russia, and can serve as a basis for developing strategies for sustainable urban development and planning socio-economic policies at local and regional levels.

Структура доходов консолидированного бюджета Российской Федерации за 1991–2021 годы

Analysis of the economic security of the state includes consideration of its budget revenues used in the implementation of social and economic programs of the state and protection. Budget revenues are the most important part of the state life support system at all levels of government.
 The article provides a list of activities, including the analysis of sources of information on the income of the consolidated budget of the Russian Federation, which made it possible to ensure the comparability of data for the historical period under consideration, as well as to detect a discrepancy between the data of Rosstat and the Treasury of Russia.
 The article presents reliable comparable actual data on tax revenues, non-tax revenues and gratuitous receipts to the consolidated budget of the Russian Federation for 1991–2021. In the work, along with the usual calculated indicators of the analysis of the time series, the average annual indicators for assessing the receipt of income in the consolidated budget are recommended for use, which provides additional opportunities for assessing quantitative and qualitative changes in the revenue part of the budget of the Russian Federation.

Differential response of MDA‑MB‑231 breast cancer and MCF10A normal breast cells to cytoskeletal disruption.

Metastasis remains a major clinical problem in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Metastasis is the leading cause of cancer‑related mortality but is still poorly understood. Cytoskeletal proteins are considered potential therapeutic targets for metastatic cancer cells because the cytoskeleton serves a key role in the migration and invasion of these cells. Vimentin and F‑actin exhibit several functional similarities and undergo quantitative and structural changes during carcinogenesis. The present study investigated the effects of vimentin and F‑actin deficiency on the survival and motility of breast cancer cells. In metastatic breast cancer cells (MDA‑MB‑231) and breast epithelial cells (MCF10A), vimentin was knocked down by small interfering RNA and F‑actin was depolymerized by latrunculin A, respectively. The effect of reduced vimentin and F‑actin content on cell viability was analyzed using the MTT assay and the proliferative capacity was compared by analyzing the recovery rate. The effect on motility was analyzed based on two processes: The distance traveled by tracking the cell nucleus and the movement of the protrusions. The effects on cell elasticity were measured using atomic force microscopy. Separately reducing vimentin or F‑actin did not effectively inhibit the growth and motility of MDA‑MB‑231 cells; however, when both vimentin and F‑actin were simultaneously deficient, MDA‑MB‑231 cells growth and migration were severely impaired. Vimentin deficiency in MDA‑MB‑231 cells was compensated by an increase in F‑actin polymerization, but no complementary action of vimentin on the decrease in F‑actin was observed. In MCF10A cells, no complementary interaction was observed for both vimentin and F‑actin.

Evaluation of Changes in Circulating Cell-Free DNA as an Early Predictor of Response to Chemoradiation in Rectal Cancer-A Pilot Study.

Background and Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate quantitative changes in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) found in the bloodstream of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who received neoadjuvant long-course chemoradiation, assuming a change in DNA fragments release during therapeutic stress. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective observational study that involved 49 patients who had three distinct pathologies requiring neoadjuvant chemoradiation: 18 patients with breast cancer, 18 patients with cervical cancer, and 13 patients with rectal cancer. Both breast cancer and cervical cancer patients were used as a control groups. Breast cancer patients were used as a control group as irradiation targeted healthy tissue after the tumor resection (R0), while cervical cancer patients were used as a control group to evaluate the effect of chemoradiation regarding cfDNA in a different setting (squamous cell carcinomas) and a different tumor burden. Rectal cancer patients were the study group, and were prospectively evaluated for a correlation between fragmentation of cfDNA and late response to chemoradiation. Blood samples were collected before the initiation of treatment and after the fifth radiation dose delivery. cfDNA was quantified in peripheral blood and compared with the patients' clinicopathological characteristics and tumor volume. Conclusion: Thirteen patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (T3/T4/N+/M0) were included in the study, and all of them had their samples analyzed. Eight were male (61.54%) and five were female (38.46%), with an average age of 70.85 years. Most of the patients had cT3 (53.85%) or cT4 (46.15%) tumors, and 92.31% had positive lymph nodes (N2-3). Of the thirteen patients, only six underwent surgery, and one of them achieved a pathological complete response (pCR). The mean size of the tumor was 122.60 mm3 [35.33-662.60 mm3]. No significant correlation was found between cfDNA, tumor volume, and tumor regression grade. cfDNA does not seem to predict response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and it is not correlated to tumor volume or tumor regression grade.

Modern Sedimentation Patterns in Lake Issyk Kul (Kyrgyzstan), Derived From Surface Sediment and Inlet Stream Samples

AbstractThis study provides a descriptive characterization of the modern sedimentary processes in Lake Issyk Kul, Kyrgyzstan, important for the selection of a suitable coring or deep‐drilling site, interpretation of future core data and applicability of proxies. The quasi‐equidistant sampling grid of 66 sediment surface samples covers the entirety of the lake basin and is complemented by 10 samples from the major inflows. The methodological approach includes geochemical, granulometric, lipid biomarker, diatom, and statistical analyses. The quantitative and qualitative changes in sediment composition yield information on its generic origin and prevailing transport and depositional environments. The composition of the surface sediments in Issyk Kul is highly heterogenous. Nearshore deposition is mainly controlled by wave action and by fluvial sediment supply with highest quantities of detrital input coming from the high‐energetic, eastern tributaries. Sediments in the deep central basin are mainly produced in situ and dominated by authigenic calcite. Biogenic accumulation is overall low, except for the western extremity of the lake, where the nearshore, shallow‐water, and low‐energetic environment favors aquatic productivity and subsequent preservation of organic material and diatoms. Redeposition of sediments is a dominant process along the slopes across the southern and western basin floor, where run‐out distances of mass movement deposits are up to 5 km. Directional sediment transport by lake currents appears to be less important, except for the transport of very fine‐grained organic matter. Biomarker‐inferred temperature reconstructions suggest lake surface temperatures of ∼15°C in the western littoral zone and in Tyup Bay and a decrease to ∼13°C basinward.

A-234 Self-collected Vaginal Swabs for High-risk HPV Testing in the us: Validation of Pre-analytical Variables

Abstract Introduction Several clinical trials have illustrated that primary HPV screening with unsupervised self-collected vaginal swabs is clinically appropriate; however, there is little data regarding quantitative changes imposed by pre-analytical components when samples are self-collected. Here we took a detailed analysis of the variables related to self-collected vaginal swabs to calculate analytical acceptability metrics and to identify limitations that can be improved to aid in modern cervical cancer screening pathways. Methods HPV was evaluated in self-collected dry vaginal swabs or paired self-collected vaginal/provider-collected endocervical swabs using an assay that is FDA-approved for provider-collected HPV primary screening. The assay includes amplification of endogenous hemoglobin subunit beta gene (HBB;beta-globin) as an internal control. Paired provider/self-collected samples (n = 144) were compared for HPV and beta-globin detection. Self-collected dry vaginal swabs (n = 15 participants;5 swabs/participant) were used to calculate intra-individual variability in cycle threshold (Ct) between swabs. A second set of self-collected swabs (n = 20 participants;3 swabs/participant) were challenged using winter or summer simulation with temperature cycling designed to mimic extreme seasonal fluctuations. Ct values for seasonal challenges were compared to unchallenged swabs. Various approaches were used to optimize collections: (1) a time course to see if the number of hours a self-collected vaginal swab remained dry before suspending in buffer influenced detection; (2) an alternate internal control (protein only RNase P catalytic subunit gene, PRORP) was amplified to exclude sample-specific inhibitor(s); (3)participants were provided an instructional video to aid collection. Results Most samples were concordant between provider and self-collect (n = 60 HPV positive; n = 60 HPV negative). There were 20 discrepant samples: 12 negative for HPV with provider-collected, but positive for HPV using self-collected swabs and 4 positive for HPV with provider-collected, but negative for HPV using self-collected swabs. All discrepancies were due to low viral load; for provider and self-collected swabs the average Ct (SD) in discrepant samples was 31.4 (3.5) and 33.1 (2.7), respectively, for HPV and 25.8 (2.1) and 27.1 (2.6), respectively, for beta-globin. The average self-collected intra-individual % CV for HPV and beta-globin was 3.5% and 2.7%, respectively. The average HPV Ct for swabs that cycled through the summer, winter or unchallenged conditions was 28.3 (SD = 5.9), 27.2 (SD = 7.1), and 25.7 (SD = 3.1), respectively. The average beta-globin Ct for swabs that cycled through the summer, winter or unchallenged conditions was 26.8 (SD = 2.7), 26.7 (SD = 3.0), and 26.0 (SD = 2.2), respectively. The time a sample remained dry did not influence detection. RNAse P amplification indicated results with invalid beta-globin were a function of cellularity not inhibition. The instructional video improved collection by ∼8.5%; 61/64 (95.3%) 125/144 (86.8%) were valid with and without the video, respectively. Conclusions Self-collected vaginal samples are a convenient and discreet way to screen for cervical cancer. Understanding the pre-analytical/analytical limitations can improve HPV detection.

Serum apolipoproteins (apoA-1, apoB, and apoB/apoA-1 ratio) for early identification of dyslipidemia in children with CKD.

Dyslipidemia in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is identified based on lipid profile parameters; however, changes in lipoprotein quality precede quantitative changes. A cross-sectional study was done from January to October 2021; overweight, obese children, known cases of diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism or on steroid therapy, or lipid lowering drugs were excluded. Clinical details were elicited and examinations done. Besides hemogram, kidney function tests, liver function tests, total cholesterol, low density lipoproteins (LDL), triglycerides, high density lipoproteins (HDL), and apolipoproteins A-1 and B were estimated to identify dyslipidemia. Relevant tests of significance were applied, and ROC curves were drawn for apoA-1, apoB, and apoB/apoA-1 ratios. A total of 76 (61M:15 F) children with median (IQR) age 7 (3.25-11) years were enrolled; cause of CKD was CAKUT in 82.3% patients. Dyslipidemia (alteration of 1 or more lipid parameters) was seen in 78.9% with a prevalence of 71.7% in early and 95.7% in later stages of CKD (P = 0.02); most had elevated serum triglyceride levels. The median (IQR) values of apoB, apoA-1, and apoB/apoA-1 ratio were 78 (58-110) mg/dl, 80 (63-96.75) mg/dl, and 0.88 (0.68-1.41), respectively; apoB, apoA-1, and apoB/apoA-1 ratio had a sensitivity of 26.67%, 86.67%, and 70%, respectively, and specificity of 87.5%, 62.5%, and 62.5%, respectively, for diagnosis of dyslipidemia. The ROC for apoB, apoA-1, and apoB/apoA-1 ratio showed AUC of 0.66, 0.68, and 0.74 (P = 0.4, 0.02, < 0.01), respectively. The prevalence (78.9%) of dyslipidemia was high in patients with CKD especially in those with later stages. The ratio of apoB/apoA-1 was altered early and appears to be promising for early detection.

Воздействие бовгиалуронидазы азоксимера на бактериальные биопленки в эякуляте пациентов с хроническим простатитом.

Introduction. The use of molecular biological methods in the analysis of bacterial diversity (metataxonomics) of prostate secretion and ejaculate to assess the male microbiota made it possible to identify the bacterial diversity of the microbiota in chronic prostatitis. At the same time, many strains of uropathogens identified in chronic prostatitis show the ability to form biofilms, while there are no generally accepted methods for treating infections caused by bacterial biofilms. Purpose of the study. To study the effect of bovhyaluronidase azoximer in chronic prostatitis, which may be due to the enzymatic action of hyaluronidase on the matrix of bacterial biofilms, which increases the bioavailability of antibiotics, leading to the transition of bacteria into a planktonic state. Material and methods. An electron microscopic study of the ejaculate of 42 patients with chronic prostatitis was performed, of which 32 randomly selected patients received combined antibiotic treatment (4-6 weeks) together with bovhyaluronidase azoxymer (12 weeks) (group I), 10 patients received only antibiotic therapy according to clinical guidelines (group II). On ultrathin sections, the number of bacterial microcolonies and neutrophilic leukocytes per 100 spermatozoa was counted. Results. In the semen of 30 patients, bacterial biofilms with a characteristic morphology were detected: the presence of heterogeneous microorganisms in one microcolony and the presence of a fibrous matrix in which bacteria are immersed. After therapy, in group I, a decrease in the number of bacterial microcolonies, the disappearance of the extracellular matrix, and isolated single bacteria (planktonic state) were detected, in some cases, damage to the bacterial cell wall was detected. In group II quantitative changes in the content of microcolonies and neutrophilic leukocytes were also revealed, however, the morphology of microcolonies in group II did not change. Conclusions. electron microscopy in the study of the ejaculate of patients with chronic prostatitis allows us to reveal the features of the structure of bacterial biofilms. In combined antibiotic therapy together with bovhyaluronidase azoxymer, the biofilm matrix changes and the bacteria transform into a planktonic form.