Severe Deficiency Research Articles

Vitamin D Status in Roma Mothers and Newborns: Socioeconomic Factors and Impact on Neonatal Outcome

Background: The Roma are a socioeconomically disadvantaged, marginalized community with reduced access to education, social services, and healthcare. Despite the known health risks they are exposed to, we have limited data about a wide range of health outcomes in this population, including vitamin D deficiency. The aim of this study was to investigate prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its impact on the anthropometric outcomes of newborns in a group of Roma mothers and their infants in Romania. Methods: In total, 131 Roma women and 131 newborns were included in the study. Vitamin D levels in both mothers and newborns, as well as the birth weight, length, and head circumference of newborns, were recorded at birth. We also assessed socioeconomic factors, including education, employment status, income, and living conditions, as well as factors that influence vitamin D status, including sun exposure, use of sunscreen, fish consumption, and skin type. Results: All mothers and almost all newborns had vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency, with 25-hydroxivitamin D levels below 30 ng/mL. Maternal vitamin D status was significantly correlated with neonatal vitamin D levels (p < 0.01) but not with anthropometric outcomes such as birth weight (p = 0.57), birth length (p = 0.53), or head circumference (p = 0.96). Most study participants had a low socioeconomic status, reporting severe deficiencies in education, employment status, household income, and living conditions. Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency is a significant public health issue among Roma women and their newborns, which may be compounded by the socioeconomic challenges of this vulnerable population.

Chemogenetic Inhibition of Prefrontal Cortex Ameliorates Autism-Like Social Deficits and Absence-Like Seizures in a Gene-Trap Ash1l Haploinsufficiency Mouse Model

Background: ASH1L (absent, small, or homeotic-like 1), a histone methyltransferase, has been identified as a high-risk gene for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We previously showed that postnatal Ash1l severe deficiency in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of male and female mice caused seizures. However, the synaptic mechanisms underlying autism-like social deficits and seizures need to be elucidated. Objective: The goal of this study is to characterize the behavioral deficits and reveal the synaptic mechanisms in an Ash1l haploinsufficiency mouse model using a targeted gene-trap knockout (gtKO) strategy. Method: A series of behavioral tests were used to examine behavioral deficits. Electrophysiological and chemogenetic approaches were used to examine and manipulate the excitability of pyramidal neurons in the PFC of Ash1l+/GT mice. Results: Ash1l+/GT mice displayed social deficits, increased self-grooming, and cognitive impairments. Epileptiform discharges were found on electroencephalograms (EEGs) of Ash1l+/GT mice, indicating absence-like seizures. Ash1l haploinsufficiency increased the susceptibility for convulsive seizures when Ash1l+/GT mice were challenged by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ, a competitive GABAA receptor antagonist). Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings showed that Ash1l haploinsufficiency increased the excitability of pyramidal neurons in the PFC by altering intrinsic neuronal properties, enhancing glutamatergic synaptic transmission, and diminishing GABAergic synaptic inhibition. Chemogenetic inhibition of pyramidal neurons in the PFC of Ash1l+/GT mice ameliorated autism-like social deficits and abolished absence-like seizures. Conclusions: We demonstrated that increased neural activity in the PFC contributed to the autism-like social deficits and absence-like seizures in Ash1l+/GT mice, which provides novel insights into the therapeutic strategies for patients with ASH1L-associated ASD and epilepsy.

Clinical features in patients with severe Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency due to rare genotypes.

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD) is a co-dominant condition associated with an increased risk of lung and liver disease. Since it is commonly thought that 95% of severe cases of AATD have PI*ZZ genotype, most studies about AATD have been focused on the Z variant. Nevertheless, over 500 single nucleotide variations in the SERPINA1 gene have been identified. We investigated the clinical presentation of subjects with severe AAT deficiency due to rare genotypes of the SERPINA1 gene. We enrolled patients from the Italian Registry for AATD (RIDA1) with the following inclusion criteria: diagnosis of severe AATD; age >18 years; full clinical data available at diagnosis; three years of follow-up respiratory function data. A total of 281 patients were enrolled from the RIDA1 Registry and subdivided into 3 cohorts: PI*ZZ genotype (n = 160), PI*SZ genotype (n = 54), and rare genotypes PI*R (n = 67). We did not observe any statistical differences among the cohorts regarding sex, smoking habits, occupational exposure and age at diagnosis. Patients with severe AATD due to rare genotypes have clinical characteristics and respiratory profiles similar to PI*ZZ subjects, and differed from the PI*SZ patient group. Early and accurate diagnosis of PI*R subjects is therefore important for their appropriate clinical management.

To Study the Iodine Concentration of Mothers’ Consumed Salt, Water, and Staple Food in the Neonatal Screening Program of Rural and Urban Vidarbha Region

ABSTRACT Background: This study aimed to examine the iodine concentration in the food items consumed by mothers participating in neonatal screening programs in both areas of the Vidarbha region. A developing fetus relies on a consistent supply of iodine for proper brain and body development. During pregnancy, only the mother can provide the necessary iodine levels. If the mother is iodine-deficient, the child will also lack this essential nutrient. Severe deficiency in the mother can lead to significant stunting of the child’s brain and body, potentially preventing normal walking, talking, or cognitive function. Even if the mother’s deficiency is mild, the child can still be adversely affected, even if they appear healthy at first glance. The detrimental effects on brain development may manifest later in life as poor academic performance and difficulties in managing daily tasks. Material and Method: The present cross-sectional research will be performed in collaboration with the Departments of Biochemistry, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Community Medicine, and Pediatrics at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Sawangi (Meghe) Wardha, along with Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Science (Deemed University) in Maharashtra, India. Mothers who gave birth agreed to participate by providing written consent for the study. Results: The average iodine concentrations are quite similar across all sources, though hand pumps show slightly more variability. Different staple foods contain varying levels of iodine, with some foods (like pulses) exhibiting a lot of variation, while others (like rice and potatoes) are more consistent in their iodine content. Conclusion: The current study is a hospital-based investigation aimed at screening neonates for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) and does not reflect the broader population. To identify CH, screening of neonates will be conducted within the study area, providing a representative view of the condition. The clinical and pathological effects of CH are subtle and often remain unnoticed. Our findings suggest that the prevalence of iodine reflects dietary quality, educational background, and socioeconomic status, all of which can influence growth and development. There are various factors contributing to CH and inadequate fetal growth beyond low iodine levels, which can disrupt thyroid function. The study indicates that iodine levels are indicative of dietary quality as well as educational and social statuses, potentially impacting growth and development through both dietary deficiencies and other factors.

Comparison of two doses of vitamin D3 in critically ill patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy (NephroD): study protocol for a single-blinded, multicenter, parallel group randomized controlled trial

BackgroundICU patients are particularly susceptible to vitamin D3 deficiencies. This can be due to the severity of their underlying disease, the type of treatment they are on, and malnutrition before and inadequate nutrition during the hospitalization preceding ICU admission as well as advanced age. Literature provides no guidance on how to supplement vitamin D3 in severely deficient patients who are undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Most serum 25(OH)D3 is bound with vitamin D binding protein in a complex whose molecular weight is 10 kDa. This means it can be removed during CRRT via convection mechanism. Critically ill patients undergoing CRRT can therefore be particularly prone to develop severe vitamin D3 deficiency.MethodsAs the trial design, a randomized controlled, single blinded, multicenter, parallel group approach was chosen to compare a single administration of 750,000 IU of vitamin D3 via the enteral or oral route in ICU patients with severe vitamin D3 deficiency (measured serum 25(OH)D3 levels ≤ 12.5 ng/ml) undergoing CRRT with a single administration of 500,000 IU of vitamin D3. The trial will be performed in up to five university hospitals in Poland. The primary outcome is the percentage of patients that achieved serum 25(OH)D3 levels ≥ 30 ng/ml on days 3 and 7 following vitamin D3 administration. Assuming a drop-out rate of approximately 10%, the number of recruited patients should be 138.DiscussionConsidering the potential pathophysiological mechanisms underlying hypovitaminosis D in critically ill patients under CRRT, it seems conceivable that these patients will require greater supplementation doses to correct severe deficiency. The study is meant to help answer the question whether increasing the supplementation dose by 50% will ensure a more effective replenishment of vitamin D3 in critically ill patients undergoing CRRT.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05657678, registered: December 12 2022, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05657678?cond=NCT05657678&rank=1.

Comparison of vitamin D status in healthy Bangladeshi urban and rural individuals and their association with serum calcium and alkaline phosphatase: A pilot study.

Vitamin D insufficiency is a worldwide problem that is likely underestimated since physical symptoms may only be apparent in individuals with severe deficiencies. Previously, people in South Asian countries were thought to be vitamin D sufficient because of plentiful sunshine, but vitamin D insufficiency has also been reported in these countries. In a South Asian country like Bangladesh, people living in the rural and urban parts of the country can have considerable differences in their sun exposure, types of clothing worn, and levels of air pollution. This pilot study aimed to explore the vitamin D status (measured by serum 25[OH]D) of healthy urban and rural Bangladeshi people and to examine the association of serum 25(OH)D concentration with calcium and alkaline phosphatase concentrations. A total of 101 apparently healthy adult individuals, aged 20-58 years, were enrolled from both urban and rural areas. The participants were selected from students, staff and patient attendants from the outpatient department (OPD) of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University and Mirsarai Upazila Health Complex, Chittagong. The overall rate of vitamin D insufficiency was 39.6% and of vitamin D deficiency was 51.5%. However, it was observed that the proportion of vitamin D-deficient participants in urban areas (70.6%) was more than double that of participants living in rural areas (32%) and that serum 25(OH)D concentrations were higher in rural compared to urban participants with similar sunlight exposure times. However, participants aged 50 years or more showed similar concentrations of serum vitamin D levels irrespective of their habitat. This pilot study highlights the need for further larger-scale studies in Bangladesh to determine the reasons for the high rates of vitamin D inadequacy overall and the differences between rural and urban populations.

The association of the rs4588 and rs7041 polymorphisms of the VDBP gene and vitamin D status in obese individuals

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D (VD) plays an important role in bone metabolism, regulating phosphorus and calcium in the body. The VD binding protein (VDBP) binds to VD metabolites and transports them to the target tissues; it is assumed that polymorphisms of this gene influence the absorption of VD in the body. However, the relationship between polymorphisms of the VDBP gene and blood VD levels in obesity has not yet been sufficiently investigated. AIM: To identify the relationship of blood VD content (form 25(OH)D3) of obese and non-obese persons and the VDBP gene polymorphisms rs4588 and rs7041. METHODS: 80 residents of the Kaliningrad region participated in the study. The participants were divided according to VD status (norm, insuffient, deficiency and severe deficiency) and body mass index (BMI). Blood VD levels were determined using an ELISA. Genomic DNA was isolated from whole blood. Restriction analysis was performed with the endonucleases HaeIII and ErhI to determine the VDBP gene polymorphisms. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in blood VD levels of obese and non-obese individuals. Within the genotypes of the rs4588 polymorphism (CA), VD levels did not differ in individuals with different BMI (CС p=0.186; CA p=0.350, AA data is insufficient). However, when analyzing the allele frequencies in groups with different VD status, a significant difference was found in all groups compared to the control (insufficient p=0.009; deficiency p=0.010; severe deficiency p0.001). When analyzing the rs7041 polymorphism of the VDBP gene (TG), splitting groups by BMI within specific genotypes did not reveal differences in VD levels (TG p=0.150; GG p=0.087; TT data is insufficient), but we found a significant difference between control and severe deficiency (p0.001) based on allele frequencies of the rs7041 polymorphism. CONCLUSION: The VD content in blood of the obese individuals was comparable to that of the control group. The presence of the VDBP gene rs7041 and rs4588 polymorphisms has no influence on blood VD level, regardless of BMI. However, allele A of the rs4588 polymorphism is associated with an unfavorable VD status, while allele G of the rs7041 polymorphism is associated with normal blood VD levels.

ABORDAGEM NUTRICIONAL EM ADULTOS COM INSULINOTERAPIA: UMA REVISÃO INTEGRATIVA

Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease characterized by hyperglycemia due to severe deficiency in insulin secretion or resistance of the body to it. In 2021, it was estimated that 537 million people between the ages of 20 and 79 were living with diabetes, and that number could rise to 628.6 million by 2045. The ideal treatment is insulin therapy associated with a healthy and balanced diet, crucial for glycemic control and the prevention of complications. Objective: To describe current nutritional approaches for better management of care in adult patients on insulin therapy. Method: An integrative literature review was carried out, including publications from 2019 to 2024, in Portuguese and English, addressing MD I and/or MD II, covering review articles, scientific and technical notes, as well as guidelines from relevant institutions. Studies in other languages, articles that did not respond to the survey after reading the abstract, case reports, duplicates, not available in full, and those involving pregnant women and children were discarded. Results: The search in the databases resulted in 54 articles, reduced to 5 after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. All addressed individualized diets (100%), two highlighted the importance of physical activity (40%), and one article emphasized reducing carbohydrates and increasing fiber (20%). In addition, two articles (40%) mentioned the importance of decreasing sugars and refined foods, and increasing whole grains. Conclusion: The importance of a personalized nutritional approach in diabetes management, optimizing insulin use and improving glycemic control is highlighted. Continuing nutritional education by health professionals is essential for patients' autonomy and adherence to nutritional care.

Vitamin D status of patients visiting a private endocrinology clinic: a retrospective analysis from Karachi, Pakistan.

To estimate the burden of vitamin D deficiency and its association with chronic diseases in patients visiting a private endocrinology clinic in an urban setting. The retrospective study was conducted at the Medicell Institute of Diabetes Endocrinology & Metabolism, Karachi, and comprised medical records of adult patients of either gender between January 2000 and December 2019.Vitamin D status of the patients and its association with various chronic disorders were investigated. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. Of the 2,854 patients with mean age 40.87±15.1 years, 2,302(80.7%) were females, and 552(19.3%) were males. There were 1055(37%) patients with vitamin D deficiency, 1,040(36.7%) with severe deficiency, 462(16.2%) with insufficiency, 295(10.3%) with normal status, and 2(0.1%) with vitamin D toxicity. Vitamin D deficiency was observed more frequently in those aged<40 years, and the deficiency was significantly related to type 2 diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, dyslipidaemia and autoimmune disorders (p<0.05). The burden of vitamin Deficiency was found to be alarmingly high at a private endocrine and medicine clinic serving a middle and upper socioeconomic class population in an urban setting.

Surface-functionalized metal–organic framework with high specific surface area optimizing composite solid electrolyte for high-performance solid-state lithium metal batteries

Solid-state lithium metal batteries (SSLMBs) are the potential candidates of next-generation batteries for safety and remarkable energy density against lithium ion batteries with liquid electrolyte widely applied these days. Even if composite solid electrolytes (CSEs), as the core of SSLMBs, have drawn much attention and devotion for the promising application potential, they are subject to low ionic conductivity, insufficient mechanical strength, and severe interfacial stability deficiency. Herein, we prepare a composite solid electrolyte containing poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) as a polymer matrix and polydopamine-modified ZIF-8 (ZIF-8@PDA) as a filler to tackle the challenges, and named as PHZP. The existing PDA on ZIF-8 particle’s surface is helpful to the uniform dispersal of filler in the whole composite solid electrolyte. Consequently, the PHZP membrane exhibits the good properties in ionic conductivity of 0.31 mS cm−1 at 25 ℃, enhanced lithium-ion transference number of 0.41, and extended electrochemical window of 4.8 V. More importantly, the PHZP membrane demonstrates the plating/stripping performance of Li in Li||PHZP||Li symmetric cell for over 2700 h with a small overpotential. LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2||PHZP||Li (NCM523||PHZP||Li) cell possesses the first discharge capacity of 150 mAh/g and a capacity retention rate up to 95.8 % after 400 cycles at 0.5 C, and a capacity retention rate of 89 % after 800 cycles at 1 C. In the meantime, LiFePO4||PHZP||Li (LFP||PHZP||Li) cell also provides a capacity retention rate of 94.2 % after 100 cycles at 0.1 C. This work provides a simple and promising strategy to enhance the electrochemical performance of CSEs in SSLMBs, which would also be applied to the other energy storage/conversion fields.

Association of Oral Manifestations with Iron Deficiency Anemia: A Case-Control Study

Insufficient iron levels cause oral signs of iron insufficiency. Iron is necessary for several biological activities, including oral tissue health. Low iron levels might alter oral tissues, causing particular symptoms. The aim of this study to detect the oral manifestations of iron deficiency anemia as well as to investigate the link between the severity of these manifestations and the degree of the iron deficiency. The study includes 100 patients with iron deficiency anemia at an Azadi Teaching Hospital, in Duhok City, North of Iraq, and 98 healthy persons. A full history was obtained, and complete blood count and serum ferritin were recorded. In terms of gender distribution, a clear dominance of females was observed, as they represented 94% of the total cases compared to only 6% for males. Regarding the severity of anemia, most patients had moderate to mild degrees, while severe anemia cases represented a smaller percentage (12%). The comparison between patients and healthy people showed highly significant statistical differences in all pathological changes of the oral mucosa. Complete absence of pathological changes was more common in healthy controls (85%) than in patients (34%). Some pathological changes were closely associated with iron deficiency anemia, such as atrophic glossitis and angular cheilitis. This study concludes by highlighting the strong correlation between iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and oral mucosal lesions, and the most common oral manifestations are present in patients with severe iron deficiency anemia.

Transplantation of human neural stem cells repairs neural circuits and restores neurological function in the stroke-injured brain

Exogenous neural stem cell (NSC) transplantation has become one of the most promising treatment methods for chronic stroke. Recent studies have shown that most ischemia-reperfusion model rats recover spontaneously after injury, which limits the ability to observe long-term behavioral recovery. Here, we used a severe stroke rat model with 150 minutes of ischemia, which produced severe behavioral deficiencies that persisted at 12 weeks, to study the therapeutic effect of neural stem cells on neural restoration in chronic stroke. Our study showed that stroke model rats treated with human neural stem cells had long-term sustained recovery of motor function, reduced infarction volume, long-term human neural stem cell survival, and improved local inflammatory environment and angiogenesis. We also demonstrated that transplanted human neural stem cells differentiated into mature neurons in vivo, formed stable functional synaptic connections with host neurons, and exhibited the electrophysiological properties of functional mature neurons, indicating that they replaced the damaged host neurons. The findings showed that human fetal-derived neural stem cells had long-term effects for neurological recovery in a model of severe stroke, which suggests that human neural stem cells-based therapy may be effective for repairing damaged neural circuits in stroke patients.

Correlation Between Vitamin D Deficiency and Calcium, Phosphorus, Alkaline Phosphatase in Preterm Libyan Infants: Case-Control study

Vitamin D plays a vital role in regulating calcium and phosphorus levels and in bone mineralization. Vitamin D deficiency is a widespread issue contributing to metabolic bone disease in preterm infants. This study aimed to evaluate the biochemical parameters associated with varying levels of vitamin D deficiency. Serum samples were collected from preterm infants at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Althawra Hospital Center, Al Beyda, Libya, from Feb-July 2019. The study included two groups: 62 preterm infants and a control group of 34 full-term infants. Serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and 25OH-Vitamin D were measured using enzyme immunoassays and standard method. The study involved 62 preterm neonates, with a median gestational age of 32 weeks (range 28-36) and median birth weight of 1960 gm (range 900-2800 gm). The median levels recorded were calcium at 8.7 mg/dl (p=0.000), phosphorus at 4.1 mg/dl (p=0.584), ALP at 458 U/L (p=0.008), and vitamin D at 13.6 ng/ml. The prevalence of varying degrees of vitamin D deficiency was noted: very severe (9.7% &lt; 5 ng/ml), severe (19.4% 5-10 ng/ml), and overall deficiency (45% 10-20 ng/ml), and suboptimal (25.8% 20-30 ng/ml). Comparing preterm infants to the control group revealed statistically significant differences across all parameters (Vitamin D p=0.000, Ca p=0.007, PO4 p=0.036, and ALP p=0.000). All preterm infants exhibited inadequate vitamin D levels, and there was an inverse relationship between the biochemical parameters and vitamin D deficiency. Notably, the elevated ALP level could serve as a crucial marker for diagnosing vitamin D deficiency in clinical settings.

Root System Architecture Reorganization Under Decreasing Soil Phosphorus Lowers Root System Conductance of Zea mays.

The global supply of phosphorus is decreasing. At the same time, climate change reduces the availability of water in most regions of the world. Insights on how decreasing phosphorus availability influences plant architecture are crucial to understanding its influence on plant functional properties, such as the root system's water uptake capacity. In this study, we investigated the structural and functional responses of Zea mays to varying phosphorus fertilization levels focusing especially on the root system's conductance. A rhizotron experiment with soils ranging from severe phosphorus deficiency to sufficiency was conducted. We measured the architectural parameters of the whole plant and combined them with root hydraulic properties to simulate time-dependent root system conductance of growing plants under different phosphorus levels. We observed changes in the root system architecture, characterised by decreasing crown root elongation and reduced axial root radii with declining phosphorus availability. Modeling revealed that only plants with optimal phosphorus availability sustained a high root system conductance, while all other phosphorus levels led to a significantly lower root system conductance, both under light and severe phosphorus deficiency. We postulate that phosphorus deficiency decreases root system conductance, which could mitigate drought conditions through a more conservative water use strategy, but ultimately reduces biomass and impairs root development and overall water uptake capacity. Our results also highlight that the organisation of the root system, rather than its overall size, is critical for estimating important root functions.

Long-Term Effects of Early Low-Phosphorous Nutritional Conditioning on Broiler Chicken Performance, Bone Mineralization, and Gut Health Under Adequate or Phosphorous-Deficient Diets.

Phosphorous is essential for many metabolic functions and the constitution of bones. Poultry have limited ability to use phosphorous from diets, which is mainly excreted and causes environmental concern. For this reason, diets are commonly supplemented with inorganic phosphorus and phytases. It has been suggested that chickens can adapt to an early nutrient restriction by increasing its efficiency of utilization, an adaptation that has been defined as nutritional conditioning. The aim of this study was to investigate a strategy of phosphorous nutritional conditioning by feeding low phosphorous diets during the first week of life as a strategy to improve the efficiency of phosphorous utilization later in life. To test this, 600 male broiler chickens were fed either a standard (control group) or a phosphorous-deficient diet (conditioned group) during the first week of life. Later in life, the effect of conditioning was tested using standard or P-deficient diets during the finishing phase (21-43 d). Conditioning did not affect overall performance, despite finding evidence for reduced relative phosphorous excretion between days 19 to 21, increased duodenal gene expression for the phosphorous transporter SLC34A2 at day 30 (-6% and +17%, respectively), and tendencies for improved phosphorous digestibility (+7%) and tibia mineralization (+6%) at the end of the trial. It is concluded that phosphorous nutritional conditioning early in life can increase subsequent dietary phosphorous utilization and bone mineralization in poultry, although it may not be able to counteract severe phosphorous deficiencies. Further research is required to assess the extent to which phosphorous supplementation in post-conditioning diets may be reduced with this strategy without compromising performance.

Deletion of ACC Deaminase in Symbionts Converts the Host Plant From Water Waster to Water Saver.

Increasing drought events coupled with dwindling water reserves threaten global food production and security. This issue is exacerbated by the use of crops that overconsume water, undermining yield. We show here that microorganisms naturally associated with plant roots can undermine efficient water use, whereas modified bacteria can enhance it. We demonstrate that microbe-encoded genes shape drought tolerance, likely by modulating plant hormonal balance. Specifically, we built a minimal holobiont out of Arabidopsis thaliana and either the bacterium Pseudomonas putida UW4 or its isogenic AcdS- mutant, lacking the enzyme ACC deaminase. This enzyme breaks down the precursor of ethylene, a key regulator in plant response to drought. This single mutation profoundly affected plant physiology and shifted the plant from a 'water-spender' (with more growth under well-watered conditions) to a 'water-spender' phenotype. Under drought, plants associated with wild-type bacteria consumed soil water faster, leading to a shorter period of growth followed by death. In contrast, plants associated with the AcdS- mutant managed to maintain growth by reducing water consumption via stomatal closure, thus conserving soil water. This allowed plants to survive severe water deficiency. We conclude that plant-associated bacteria can modulate plant water use strategies, opening possibilities to engineer water-savvy crop-production systems.

Cure of Congenital Purpura Fulminans via Expression of Engineered Protein C Through Neonatal Genome Editing in Mice.

PC (protein C) is a plasma anticoagulant encoded by PROC; mutation in both PROC alleles results in neonatal purpura fulminans-a fatal systemic thrombotic disorder. In the present study, we aimed to develop a genome editing treatment to cure congenital PC deficiency. We generated an engineered APC (activated PC) to insert a furin-cleaving peptide sequence between light and heavy chains. The engineered PC was expressed in the liver of mice using an adeno-associated virus vector or CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat-associated 9)-mediated genome editing using an adeno-associated virus vector in vivo. The engineered PC could be released in its activated form and significantly prolonged the plasma coagulation time independent of the cofactor activity of PS (protein S) in vitro. The adeno-associated virus vector-mediated expression of the engineered PC, but not wild-type PC, prolonged coagulation time owing to the inhibition of activated coagulation FV (factor V) in a dose-dependent manner and abolished pathological thrombus formation in vivo in C57BL/6J mice. The insertion of EGFP sequence conjugated with self-cleaving peptide sequence at Alb locus via neonatal in vivo genome editing using adeno-associated virus vector resulted in the expression of EGFP in 7% of liver cells, mainly via homology-directed repair, in mice. Finally, we succeeded in improving the survival of PC-deficient mice by expressing the engineered PC via neonatal genome editing in vivo. These results suggest that the expression of engineered PC via neonatal genome editing is a potential cure for severe congenital PC deficiency.

Iron deficiency conditions in gynaecology: Effective management of perioperative anaemia

Iron deficiency anaemia is one of the most common diseases among women, and is most often caused by posthemorrhagic conditions. Gynaecological diseases requiring surgical treatment play a determinant role in the genesis of heavy iron loss in women. Anaemia can prevent from the timely surgery, and failure to eliminate local causes of blood loss can deteriorate the patients’ condition and quality of life. Anaemia is currently regarded as a serious risk factor for the outcomes of surgical treatment, which can and should be eliminated. At the same time, substitution transfusion that was previously often used to manage anaemia in less time is not only ineffective and has a temporary effect, but can itself cause such serious complications as haemolysis, infection, anaphylaxis. Therefore, it is recommended to apply an approach that combines diagnosis and treatment of anaemia, reduces blood loss and improves the general condition of patients. This approach can lead to about 40% reduction in the incidence of complications. The review summarizes the main features of iron deficiency anaemia in gynaecology and the most effective approaches to therapy. Early onset of modern oral ferrotherapy allows to assign treatment courses of required duration without side effects and prevents severe iron deficiency. Parenteral administration of iron carboxymaltose has significantly reduced the duration of treatment and improved its effectiveness in severe recurrent and perioperative anaemia. Timely management of anaemia allows not only to perform surgical intervention in time, when indicated, but also to reduce the likelihood of complications and improve the women’s quality of life.

Analysis of Topsoil Quality Changes Across Soil Groups in Vietnam

This study systematically investigates the changes in topsoil quality across various soil groups in Vietnam over a 13-year period, spanning from 2004 to 2017. The primary objective is to evaluate key soil quality indicators, including pH, organic matter (OM), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P2O5), potassium (K2O), and cation exchange capacity (CEC), to assess the health, fertility, and sustainability of these soils in response to agricultural practices and environmental factors. The findings reveal significant alterations in soil parameters across the diverse soil groups studied, which include alluvial, red-yellow, acid sulfate, grey and degraded, and yellow-red humus soils. Notably, the average pH levels exhibited a decline in most soil groups, indicating a trend toward increased acidity. This decline in soil pH was accompanied by a marked reduction in nitrogen and potassium concentrations, which are critical for crop growth and productivity. For instance, alluvial and degraded soils demonstrated particularly pronounced nutrient depletion, with nitrogen levels decreasing from 0.23% to 0.19% and potassium levels from 1.23% to 1.03%. In contrast, while phosphorus levels exhibited a slight increase in some soil groups, the overall variability in nutrient content suggests that certain areas may be experiencing more severe deficiencies. Interestingly, the Yellow-Red Humus soils displayed enhanced organic matter retention, with mean OM levels increasing from 4.95% to 5.10%, highlighting their potential for improved nutrient availability and soil health. Cation exchange capacity also showed variability, with a notable decline in the grey and degraded soil group.

Rituximab in lupus anticoagulant hypoprothrombinemia syndrome: A case report.

Lupus anticoagulant hypoprothrombinemia syndrome (LAHPS) is a rare autoimmune condition characterized by acquired prothrombin (FII) deficiency associated with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and life-threatening bleeding. We present the case of a 34-year-old woman with heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), positive Lupus anticoagulant (LA) test, and high titer anticardiolipin antibodies Immunoglobulin G (ACA IgG) and anti-β2 glycoprotein I antibodies IgG (antiB2GPI IgG). Severe iron deficiency anemia necessitated recurrent blood transfusions and intravenous iron infusions from 2018 to 2021. In January 2022, she was admitted to our clinic. Von Willebrand disease screening and platelet function analysis (PFA100) were normal. FII and FIX deficiencies were detected, without factor IX inhibitors. Anti-phosphatidylserine/prothrombin antibodies were confirmed by Padua University lab. To reduce antibody titers and menstrual bleeding, immunosuppressive therapy (Rituximab 375 mg/m2 weekly ×4 weeks) and hormonal therapy (desogestrel 75 mcg/day) were initiated. After 1-year, complete remission of clinical symptoms was achieved, with normalization of FII and FIX values and moderate reduction of aPS/PT titers, especially IgM isotype.