Significant Decrease Research Articles

Impact of CAD/CAM Material Thickness and Translucency on the Polymerization of Dual-Cure Resin Cement in Endocrowns.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of the thickness and translucency of various computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) materials on the polymerization of dual-cure resin cement in endocrown restorations. Three commercially available CAD/CAM materials-lithium disilicate glass (e.max CAD), resin composite (CERASMART), and a polymer-infiltrated ceramic network (ENAMIC)-were cut into plates with five different thicknesses (1.5, 3.5, 5.5, 7.5, and 9.5 mm) in both high-translucency (HT) and low-translucency (LT) grades. Panavia V5, a commercial dual-cure resin cement, was polymerized through each plate by light irradiation. Post-polymerization treatment was performed by aging at 37 °C for 24 h under light-shielding conditions. The degree of conversion and Vickers hardness measurements were used to characterize the polymerization of the cement. The findings revealed a significant decrease in both the degree of conversion and Vickers hardness with increasing thickness across all CAD/CAM materials. Notably, while the differences in the degree of conversion and Vickers hardness between the HT and LT grades of each material were significant immediately after photoirradiation, these differences became smaller after post-polymerization treatment. Significant differences were observed between samples with a 1.5 mm thickness (conventional crowns) and those with a 5.5 mm or greater thickness (endocrowns), even after post-polymerization treatment. These results suggest that dual-cure resin cement in endocrown restorations undergoes insufficient polymerization.

The benefits of PCSK9 inhibitors in patients with acute coronary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PSCK9) inhibitors have been beneficial for many patients with hyperlipidemia. The objective of this study was to investigate the benefit of PSCK9 inhibitors in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Clinical Trials (published before January 2023; no language restriction) to compare the treatment of patients with ACS using PCSK9 inhibitors and placebo. The primary end points were major adverse cardiovascular events, nonfatal myocardial infarction, cardiogenic death, stroke, hospitalization for recurrent ACS, and coronary revascularization. Fixed- or random-effects models were used to assess the aggregated data. Results Of the 1686 identified studies, 5 were eligible and included in our analysis (of a total of 38,005 participants, 18,609 cases were placed in the PCSK9 inhibitor treatment group and 19,396 cases in the placebo group). Compared with the placebo group, PCSK9 inhibitors significantly reduced the major adverse cardiovascular events (odds ratio [OR]: 0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.77–0.88; P < 0.00001) for patients following ACS. The incidence of nonfatal myocardial infarction (relative risk: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.74–0.87; P < 0.00001), cardiovascular death (OR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.83–1.10; P = 0.56), stroke (OR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.63–0.88; P = 0.0007), hospitalization for recurrent ACS (OR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.40–0.83; P = 0.003), or coronary revascularization (OR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.76–0.88; P < 0.00001) all demonstrated a significant decrease in the comparison between the 2 groups. Conclusion This meta-analysis demonstrated that treatment with PCSK9 inhibitors in patients with ACS reduced the probability of multiple cardiovascular events and improved patient prognosis.

A decentralized framework for enhancing security in power systems through blockchain technology and trading system

ABSTRACT The primary objective of implementing secure smart power networks is to reduce the risk of data privacy breaches, including adversarial data poisoning and inference attacks. This study presents a novel approach, namely the Blockchain-based Power System Security Model (BC-PSSM), to augment security measures within power systems. The proposed method utilizes blockchain technology to enhance the security of data storage and verification and the mechanisms for data signing and authentication. It employs decentralized detection to improve the effectiveness and precision of intrusion detection with a Support Vector Machine (SVM). The BC-PSSM method exhibits promising outcomes in multiple facets of power system security detection, as evidenced by thorough simulations and evaluations. The simulation results demonstrate a significant decrease in computational burden and energy consumption by maintaining a high energy output level. The BC-PSSM algorithm performs remarkably in detection and false positive rates, resulting in heightened security and enhanced efficiency. The results also illustrate the positive impact of BC-PSSM in enhancing the security of power systems, offering robust protection against cybersecurity threats. BC-PSSM aims to enhance the security of power systems, thereby promoting a more robust and dependable energy infrastructure. This initiative plays a crucial role in protecting essential assets and mitigating the potential threats posed by cyber-attacks. The BC-PSSM algorithm enhanced efficiency to 92.15% and boosted overall security to 96.34%. It achieved this by achieving an amazing identification rate of 96.75% and an extraordinarily low false positive rate of 1.82%.

The Risk of Cryptocurrency Payment Adoption and the Role of Social Media: Evidence From Online Travel Agencies

The swift advancement of social technologies has created unprecedented opportunities for companies to embrace new business models or bolster their existing ones. However, the adoption of controversial technologies with social characteristics can also expose firms to risks, as these technologies may not be entirely under their operational control. In this study, our objective is to analyze the impact of the adoption of a controversial technology (i.e., cryptocurrency payment) on users’ perception of a firm and firm performance and examine how social media influences this impact. We leverage a unique research context where an online travel agency cooperates with Travala.com for cryptocurrency payment. Using conventional and synthetic difference-in-differences and randomized experiments, we compare the general perceptions of customers towards the online travel agency before and after the cooperation and gain three main findings. First, the adoption of cryptocurrency payment generally leads to a significant decrease in revenue because of the negative associations concerning cryptocurrency. Second, the popularity of cryptocurrency payment on social media mitigates this negative effect. Third, when cryptocurrency prices rise and public opinions on cryptocurrency turn positive, the mitigation effect is more salient. Further analysis reveals that our results are robust after controlling for the seasonality effect and the nature of the collaboration and using different lags for the outcome variable. This study is among the first to empirically examine how cryptocurrency payment adoption affects firm performance, and provide important theoretical and practical implications regarding the adoption of controversial technologies and the externalities of social media.

Liposuction Sonrası D Vitamini Durumundaki Dinamik Değişimler: Hasta İzleme ve Sağlık Açısından Etkileri

Aim: Liposuction, a prevalent plastic surgery procedure, has gained a significant popularity in recent years. Vitamin D, a crucial fat-soluble vitamin, plays a vital role in numerous metabolic pathways, with emerging importance beyond skeletal health. This study aims to assess vitamin D status before and after liposuction surgery and examine the impact of removed adipose tissue on serum 25(OH)D levels. Material and Method: This cross-sectional study included patients undergoing liposuction between January 2022 and February 2023. Criteria for inclusion and evaluation of vitamin D status followed established guidelines. Vitamin D status and serum 25(OH)D levels were assessed and measured on the follow-up points. Results: Participants (n=21) exhibited a significant decrease in BMI postoperatively. Serum 25(OH)D levels showed a decline, reaching the lowest in the 1st month post-surgery. The distribution of vitamin D status shifted postoperatively, with an increased incidence of deficiency. Conclusion: The study underscores the dynamic relationship between BMI, adipose tissue, and vitamin D levels following liposuction. Research has associated vitamin D deficiency with adverse surgical outcomes and emphasizes the need for monitoring this parameter in elective surgeries. Findings suggest a dynamic shift in vitamin D status post-liposuction, advocating for continuous monitoring and potential supplementation.

Younger age is associated with better outcomes in autism severity, language, and adaptive skills after one school year in autism special education classes

A well-accepted hypothesis in the field of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is that early intervention is crucial for better outcomes. However, research has noted significant variability in early intervention outcomes. This study examined the role of age in relation to outcomes in comprehensive developmental domains following one year of school in community special education classes for ASD. We compared two groups: a younger group (n = 35) aged 34–59 months and an older group (n = 38) aged 60–91 months. The groups did not differ in cognitive ability, autism severity or adaptive behavioral skills at the start of the school year. After one year, the entire study population showed significant progress in all developmental domains. However, changes in effect size were much more robust in the younger ASD group. Only younger children showed a significant decrease in the severity of communication, awareness and restricted interests and repetitive behavior subdomains and a significant increase in motor adaptive skills. Younger children also showed more remarkable improvement in the naming and expressive subdomains. Respectively, older age predicted more severe ASD symptoms at the end of the educational year.Corresponding to brain plasticity theories, our findings point to an association between age and outcomes. The findings should serve as a benchmark for policymakers regarding early intervention in young children with autism.

CLINICAL OBSERVATION OF TREATMENT EFFICACY IN SEPSIS: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

Objective: To examine the safety and efficacy associated with various treatment approaches and to identify trends and variations in the management of severe sepsis, including the usage of antibiotics, and supportive care. To examine factors associated with improved or worsened outcomes in severe sepsis cases, such as patient demographics, comorbidities, or timing of treatment. Design: A hospital-based prospective study was done on all inpatients and outpatients in Princess DurruShehvar Childrens & General Hospital, Hyderabad, Telangana for 6 months. Methods: The data collection form and patient consent form were designed for this study. It comprises information regarding the study subjects data such as demographics, medical and medication history, laboratory investigations, diagnosis, present prescribed medication, and progress chart. Investigators collected the relevant data and recorded it in data collection form. The prescription will be selected based on inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria. The data obtained was compiled and analysed using appropriate statistical tests. Quantitative variables were summarized using descriptive studies (percentages, mean, standard deviation, number of observations). The data was statistically analyzed using spss and pair t test, graphs, pie diagrams, and bar graphs. Results A total of 115 patients were included in this prospective study and 60% of them show culture sensitivity. Meropenem was found to be the most potent antibiotic. The analysis of the treatments impact reveals noteworthy outcomes across multiple parameters. The intervention demonstrates a significant effect in reducing systolic blood pressure, although no major influence on diastolic blood pressure is observed. Regarding erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), a substantial and statistically significant decrease is indicated post-treatment. Notably, arterial blood gas (ABG) levels exhibit a considerable difference pre- and post-treatment, with a p-value below 0.05, suggesting a rejection of the null hypothesis. Additionally, the treatment is associated with a significant increase in total leukocyte counts, as evidenced by the positive mean difference and a 95% confidence interval entirely above zero. These findings underscore the diverse impacts of the treatment on various physiological markers. Conclusion Prospective sepsis treatment studies offer a nuanced grasp of real-world effectiveness, linking controlled experiments to clinical reality. Despite biases, they contribute to evidence-based strategies, acknowledging clinical complexities. This practical approach guides healthcare professionals with adaptable, patient-centered methods. Emphasis on rigorous statistical methodologies enhances comprehension. Integrating observational and experimental data enriches our understanding of sepsis management. Overall, these studies shape holistic approaches for effective treatment.

Optimizing Nitrogen Application for Enhanced Barley Resilience: A Comprehensive Study on Drought Stress and Nitrogen Supply for Sustainable Agriculture

Soil water scarcity hinders crop productivity globally, emphasizing the imperative for sustainable agriculture. This study investigated the role of nitrogen in alleviating drought stress in barley. Parameters such as relative water content, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, mesophyll concentration of CO2, total leaf nitrogen, grain yield, total organic nitrogen content, starch content, and macronutrient concentrations (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) were examined. The optimal grain yield (3.73 t·ha−1) was achieved with 1 g of nitrogen per container (near 200 kg N hectare−1) under ideal moisture conditions. However, under drought stress, nitrogen supply variants (1 g and 2 g per container) exhibited a significant decrease in photosynthetic rate (Pn), NRA activities, and a notable increase in Ci values. Stomatal conductance exhibited a substantial decrease by 84% in the early growth phase, especially with a 2 g dose of nitrogen supply. Nitrogen enhanced crude protein levels, yet both drought stress and nitrogen application reduced grain weight and starch content. Nitrogen effectively improved metabolic processes under drought, particularly in earlier growth stages (e.g., tillering). This research highlights the importance of sustainable agricultural practices related to the growth stage of barley, emphasizing nitrogen optimization to enhance crop resilience in water-scarce environments. The results underscore the intricate interplay between nitrogen fertilization, drought stress, and crop yield, indicating benefits during initial stress exposure but detrimental effects in subsequent growth stages.

Effectiveness of ademetionine in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis syndrome in the drug induced liver damage

Objective — to investigate the effectiveness and safety of the generic ademetionine drug, Hepamethion lyophilizate for solution for injection (by the «Arterium» corporation) in comparison with the original drug ademetionine in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis syndrome against the background of drug induced liver damage (DILI) at the treatment of COVID­­ 19. Materials and methods. The examination involved 60 patients with DILI. Patients of the main group (13 men and 17 women, the mean age 54.6±18.2 and 48.7±19.2 for men and women, respectively) were administered the generic ademetionine drug Hepamethion 1000 mg a day intravenously for ten days. Patients of the comparison group (14 men and 16 women, the mean age 55.4±18.6 and 50.3±18.6 for men and women, respectively) received the original preparation of ademetionine 1000 mg intravenously also for 10 days. The groups were matching in terms of gender, age, and biochemical parameters (p >0.05). Visits and assessment of complaints and biochemical indicators were carried out according to the approved study design. Results. The dynamic examination of patients in both groups in 10 days after the therapy start demonstrated a significant decrease in the laboratory indicators and skin manifestations of jaundice (p <0.05). The significant positive dynamics of intrahepatic cholestasis was determined in both groups. Conclusions. The results of the use of ademetionine give reason to positively evaluate its effectiveness in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis syndrome against the background of drug induced liver damage in the treatment of COVID 19. The studied preparation of ademetionine is comparable to the reference one.

Early Postoperative Complications after Pelvic Exenteration

Background. Radiation therapy is an integral part of the treatment of most malignant neoplasms of the pelvic organs, which in 25–30% of cases can cause the development of late radiation complications; in addition, 2–8% of patients have severe complications with an outcome in fistulas of various localization. Also, tumors of this localization are prone to local-regional recurrence, which can be combined with late radiation injuries. One of the most radical, and, often, the only method of treating this extremely severe and prognostically unfavorable pathology is to perform evisceration of the pelvic organs; however, its implementation against the background of radiation damage to normal tissues, leading to a significant decrease in the reparative potential, inevitably leads to a high risk of postoperative complications.
 Methods. A retrospective analysis of early postoperative complications on the Clavien–Dindo scale was carried out in 136 patients after pelvic evisceration performed at the A.F. Tsyba MRSC in 2019–2021. All patients in the perioperative period underwent complex conservative therapy, including nutritional support.
 Results. Pelvic evisceration was performed due to the progression of the underlying disease in 57% of cases, in 29% — due to the development of severe late radiation injuries with an outcome in the fistula, in 14% — due to a combination of local recurrence of the underlying disease with radiation complications). Complications of grade I on the Clavien–Dindo scale were noted in 50%; II — in 20.5%; III — in 3.6%; grade IV — in 3%. There were no cases of postoperative mortality.
 Conclusions. Conducting active preoperative preparation of patients aimed at correcting anemia, dysproteinemia, pain syndrome, etc.; as well as modifying surgical techniques and improving the management tactics of postoperative patients can minimize the risk of postoperative complications in patients after pelvic evisceration.

Stepping Towards Better Health: The Effects of Walking Football for 12 Weeks on Cardiovascular Health in Hypertensive Male Senior Citizens

Background. Cardiovascular concerns in hypertensive elderly men, evaluating the effectiveness of a walking football program for targeted health improvement in this population.
 Study purpose. This study aims to clarify and characterize changes in cardiovascular health due to a 12-week walking football training program in male seniors (60-70 years) with hypertension.
 Materials and methods. This study engaged 60 male participants aged 60 to 70 years from diverse regions of Kashmir, India with hypertension. Purposive sampling was used to select individuals who hadn't participated in physical activities for six months. In addition, participants were split into two groups: experimental and control. The study's design and objectives were explained to participants one week before testing. Baseline data was collected a week prior to the 12-week program. The experimental group attended thrice-weekly, 1-hour walking football sessions with 10-minute warm-up, a 45-minute game, and 5 minute cool-down. Assessments were conducted at the end of the 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks. To analyze the data, a 2 (group: experimental, and control) X 4 (time: baseline, 4th week, 8th week, and 12th week) mixed ANOVA was conducted.
 Results. During the study, the control group displayed a slight decrease in systolic blood pressure (SBP) by week 8, which returned to baseline levels by week 12. Conversely, the experimental group demonstrated a consistent decline in systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), as well as resting heart rate (RHR), with a significant decrease observed by week 12. Additionally, basal metabolic rate (BMR) steadily increased in the experimental group over the 12 weeks. On the other hand, the control group exhibited no significant changes in DBP, RHR, or BMR throughout the duration of the training program.
 Conclusions. Walking football proves beneficial for hypertension, highlighting its public health potential. Research advocates its integration into interventions for community well-being.

Construction of a versatile in vitro cultivation screening platform using human oral microbiota.

We developed a simulation model of human oral microbiota using Bio Palette oral medium (BPOM) containing 0.02% glucose and lower bacterial nitrogen sources, derived from saliva and dental plaque. By decreasing the concentration of Gifu anaerobic medium (GAM) from 30 to 10 g L-1 , we observed increased ratios of target pathogenic genera, Porphyromonas and Fusobacterium from 0.5% and 1.7% to 1.2% and 3.5%, respectively, in the biofilm on hydroxyapatite (HA) discs. BPOM exhibited the higher ratios of Porphyromonas and Fusobacterium, and amplicon sequence variant number on HA, compared with GAM, modified GAM and basal medium mucin. Mixing glycerol stocks of BPOM culture solutions from four human subjects resulted in comparable ratios of these bacteria to the original saliva. In this simulation model, sitafloxacin showed higher inhibitory effects on P. gingivalis than minocycline hydrochloride at a low dosage of 0.1 μg mL-1 . Probiotics such as Streptococcus salivarius and Limosilactobacillus fermentum also showed significant decreases in Porphyromonas and Fusobacterium ratios on HA, respectively. Overall, the study suggests that BPOM with low carbon and nutrients could be a versatile platform for assessing the efficacy of antibiotics and live biotherapeutics in treating oral diseases caused by Porphyromonas and Fusobacterium.

The early-stage impacts of shock events on adult sleep: Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The present study aims to estimate the early-stage association of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic with sleep duration, 4months after the initial outbreak, at a national level. Using the China Family Panel Studies in 2018 and its follow-up in 2020, 16,563 adult participants were analyzed in our study. The first wave transmissibility of the COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China was used as a quasi-natural experiment. The difference in difference method was employed to compare variations across participants interviewed before or after the pandemic and between groups from provinces with different COVID-19 severity. The study observed a decline in workday sleep duration among adults, regardless of their employment status. Specifically, working adults experienced a significant decrease in sleep duration on work days (-1.54, 95% confidence interval -2.16 to -0.92), alongside an increase on work-free days (2.41, 1.56-3.24), leading to a wider sleep discrepancy in sleep patterns (3.95, 3.31-4.59). Noteworthy, working-age adults (-2.00, -2.79 to -1.22) and males (-3.31, -4.31 to -2.30) exhibited greater sleep decreases on work days, whereas females exhibited a more pronounced disparity in sleep patterns (6.18, 4.73-7.63) between work and work-free days. The pandemic is significantly associated with prolonged changes in adults' sleep duration, including sleep decreases on work days and catch-up sleep on work-free days for working adults. To prepare for future global emergencies, the government may need to promote resilience to mitigate the pandemic's adverse impacts on the working population. Guaranteeing adequate sleep among working adults and reducing sleep debt should be prioritized in such efforts.

The mean reticulocyte volume is a valuable index in early diagnosis of cancer-related anemia.

Cancer-related anemia (CRA) is a functional iron deficient anemia, and the early diagnosis will improve the prognosis of the patients. This prospective study aimed to investigate the utility of mean reticulocyte volume (MRV) in the early diagnosis of CRA. A total of 284 first-diagnosed cancer patients were enrolled, and the subjects were assigned anemia and non-anemia groups by hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations. The mature RBC and reticulocyte indices were detected with BC-7500 blood analyzer, and the MRV, reticulocyte hemoglobin (RHE) content, and reticulocyte production index (RPI) were obtained. ROC curves were constructed in identifying anemia diagnosed by the combination of RHE and RPI. An adjusted multivariate analyse and quartiles were used to assess the associations of MRV with early CRA diagnosed by combining RBC indices (MCV, MCH and MCHC), respectively. No statistical differences were observed in MCV, RHE and MRV levels between anemia and non-anemia subjects (p>0.05). MRV exhibited a complete or high correlation with the RHE levels (r=1.000, p<0.001), or MCV, MCH, and MCHC in anemia patients (R: 0.575-0.820, p<0.001). ROC curves analyse indicated a highest area under curve of 0.829 (95% CI [0.762-0.895]) and 0.884 (95% CI [0.831-0.936]) for MRV in identifying anemia in male and female patients, respectively (p<0.001). When the optimal cutoff values of MRV were set at 100.95 fl in males and 98.35 fl in females, the sensitivity and specificity were 1.00 and 0.68, and 1.00 and 0.73, respectively. The regression analyse showed that, when being as a categorical variable, MRV showed an odds ratio of 19.111 (95% CI [6.985-52.288]; p<0.001) for the incidence of CRA. The incidence of overall anemia demonstrated a more significant decrease trend along with the increase of MRV quartiles (p-trend < 0.001). This study revealed that the MRV can be used as a convenient and sensitive index in early diagnosis of cancer-related anemia, and decreased MRV level may be the powerful predictor of overt anemia in cancer patients.

Assessing the Effectiveness of STAPP@Work, a Self-Management Mobile App, in Reducing Work Stress and Preventing Burnout: Single-Case Experimental Design Study.

Work-related stress and burnout remain common problems among employees, leading to impaired health and higher absenteeism. The use of mobile health apps to promote well-being has grown substantially; however, the impact of such apps on reducing stress and preventing burnout is limited. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of STAPP@Work, a mobile-based stress management intervention, on perceived stress, coping self-efficacy, and the level of burnout among mental health employees. The study used a single-case experimental design to examine the use of STAPP@Work among mental health employees without a known diagnosis of burnout (N=63). Participants used the app for 1 week per month repeatedly for a period of 6 months. Using a reversal design, the participants used the app 6 times to assess replicated immediate (1 week after use) and lasting (3 weeks after use) effects. The Perceived Stress Scale, the Coping Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Burnout Assessment Tool were used to measure the outcomes. Linear mixed models were used to analyze the data. After 6 months of app use for 1 week per month, the participants showed a statistically significant decrease in perceived stress (b=-0.38, 95% CI -0.67 to -0.09; P=.01; Cohen d=0.50) and burnout symptoms (b=-0.31, 95% CI -0.51 to -0.12; P=.002; Cohen d=0.63) as well as a statistically significant improvement in problem-focused coping self-efficacy (b=0.42, 95% CI 0-0.85; P=.049; Cohen d=0.42). Long-term use of the app provided consistent reductions in burnout symptoms over time, including in the level of exhaustion and emotional impairment. The use of an app-based stress management intervention has been shown to reduce burnout symptoms and enhance coping self-efficacy among mental health workers. Prevention of burnout and minimization of work-related stress are of utmost importance to protect employee health and reduce absenteeism.

Exploring the efficacy of tryptone-stabilized silver nanoparticles against respiratory tract infection-causing bacteria: a study on planktonic and biofilm forms

Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are a common cause of mortality and morbidity in the human population. The overuse of antibiotics to overcome such infections has led to antibiotic resistance. The emergence of multidrug resistant bacteria is necessitating the development of novel therapeutic techniques in order to avoid a major global clinical threat. Our study aims to investigate the potential of tryptone stabilised silver nanoparticles (Ts-AgNPs) on planktonic and biofilms produced by Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). The MIC50 of Ts-AgNPs was found to be as low as 1.7 μg ml−1 and 2.7 μg ml−1 for K. pneumoniae and P.aeruginosa respectively. Ts-AgNPs ability to alter redox environment by producing intracellular ROS, time-kill curves showing substantial decrease in the bacterial growth and significantly reduced colony forming units further validate its antimicrobial effect. The biofilm inhibition and eradication ability of Ts-AgNPs was found to be as high as 93% and 97% in both the tested organisms. A significant decrease in the eDNA and EPS quantity in Ts-AgNPs treated cells proved its ability to successfully distort the matrix and matured biofilms. Interestingly Ts-AgNPs also attenuated QS-induced virulence factors production. This study paves way to develop Ts-AgNPs as novel antibiotics against RTIs causing bacterial biofilms.

Gluten-Free Diet Alters the Gut Microbiome in Women with Autoimmune Thyroiditis.

The gut microbiome may contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases, such as autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT). Diet has a critical impact on the gut microbiome, and it has been shown that a gluten-free diet can negatively affect its composition. A gluten-free diet is popular among patients, and therefore the aim of this study was to check whether it affects thyroid function and gut microbiome composition in AIT. Thirty-one women with AIT complied with a gluten-free diet for 8 weeks. After the first 4 weeks, participants were divided into two groups: the first group received gluten in capsules and the other one-rice starch (placebo). Blood and stool samples were examined before diet (T0), after 4 weeks (T1) and after 8 weeks of diet (T2). The only significant difference in blood parameters was observed between T1 and T2 in the placebo group for the thyroid peroxidase antibody level. After the first 4 weeks, a significant increase in Desulfobacterota, Proteobacteria, Prevotella and Parasutterella and a significant decrease in Actinobacteriota, Coriobacteriaceae and Bifidobacterium were observed. The detected microbiome alterations may indicate increasing inflammation; however, further research is required, and for now, a gluten-free diet should be used cautiously in AIT.

Suppression of mercury methylation in soil and methylmercury accumulation in rice by dissolved organic matter derived from sulfur-rich rape straw

Straw amendment significantly enhances mercury (Hg) methylation and subsequent methylmercury (MeHg) bioaccumulation in Hg-contaminated paddy fields by releasing dissolved organic matter (DOM). This study comprehensively investigates the regulatory mechanisms of DOM and its different molecular weights derived from sulfur-rich rape straw (RaDOM) and composted rape straw (CRaDOM) applied in the rice-filling stage on soil MeHg production and subsequent bioaccumulation in rice grains. The results indicated that the amendment of RaDOM and CRaDOM significantly reduced soil MeHg content by 42.40–62.42%. This reduction can be attributed to several factors, including the suppression of Hg-methylating bacteria in soil, the supply of sulfate from RaDOM and CRaDOM, and the increase in the humification, molecular weight, and humic-like fractions of soil DOM. Additionally, adding RaDOM increased the MeHg bioaccumulation factor in roots by 27.55% while inhibiting MeHg transportation by 12.24% and ultimately reducing MeHg content in grains by 21.24% compared to the control group. Similarly, CRaDOM enhanced MeHg accumulation by 25.19%, suppressed MeHg transportation by 39.65%, and reduced MeHg levels in the grains by 27.94%. The assimilation of sulfate derived from RaDOM and CRaDOM into glutathione may be responsible for the increased retention of MeHg in the roots. Over the three days, there was a significant decrease in soil MeHg content as the molecular weight of RaDOM increased; conversely, altering the molecular weight of CRaDOM demonstrated an inverse trend. However, this pattern was not observed after 12 days. Applying sulfur-rich rape DOM can help mitigate MeHg accumulation in paddy fields by regulating the quality of soil DOM, sulfur cycling, and Hg-methylating bacteria.

Weed infestation of narrow-leaved lupine crops in grain-grass-rowed crop rotation in the North-West of Russia

The results of the long term (2012–2018) study of weed infestation of green fallow fields with narrow-leaved lupin in the crop rotation including cereals, grasses and row crops in the North-West region of Russia (Leningrad region) are presented. The assessment of weediness in the narrow-leaved lupine variety Oligarch crops was carried out annually at 24 permanent survey sites (0.1 square meter). Based on the results of the surveys, the formation of a diverse and constant species composition of weeds (from 15 to 25 species), mainly of medium and severe degree of weediness (141–593 specimens per square meter), with the proportion of young plants ranging from 90.4 to 99.7 %. The mass species of weeds were lamb’s quarters, field pansy, corn spurry, hemp-nettles, fumitory, shepherd’s purse, prevalent perennial weeds were field sowthistle, coltsfoot, red sorrel, couch grass, marsh woundwort. The prevailing influence of weather conditions and individual characteristics on the weed infestation of narrow-leaved lupine crop has been determined. The combined effect of two factors was expressed by 47.7, 57.8 and 47.1 % in terms of species abundance, initial abundance and final phytomass of weeds, respectively. Long term application of mineral fertilizers led to an increase in the number of annuals (by 1.5–1.6 times) and a decrease in the density of growth of perennial weed species (by 1.6–1.9 times). The influence of the integrated plant protection system used in the crop rotation was manifested in a significant decrease in the density of perennial weed species (by 4.6 times) in narrow-leaved lupine crop.

FOOD AVAILABILITY AND STATE SUPPORT FOR FOOD SECURITY DURING WAR

FOOD AVAILABILITY AND STATE SUPPORT FOR FOOD SECURITY DURING WAR