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Generally, discussion about diagonalization of matrices in linear algebra is a matrix over the field. This research presents the diagonalization of matrices over commutative rings. Previous studies have explained the diagonalization of the matrix over a commutative ring, but there are some shortcomings in it. Therefore, this paper will present a matrix diagonalization process that could overcome these shortcomings. This research proposes a method for diagonalization matrices where the characteristic polynomial splits completely over the image of a ring homomorphism. Furthermore, the diagonalization is done over ring localization, so that there are more commutative ring matrices which can be diagonalized in this way. Meanwhile, the sufficient condition for a matrix which can be diagonalized in this thesis is when the determinant of the matrix whose columns are the eigenvectors is regular. Furthermore, to show this diagonalization method applies in general, given a special matrix n × n which satisfies the sufficient condition. Keywords: Matrices, diagonalization, eigenvector, determinant, localization MSC2020: 15A09, 15A18, 15A20,13B05,13B20

Massive rotator cuff tears constitute approximately 20% of all rotator cuff tears. Poor tissue quality or significant retraction can lead to failure of the repair. The anterior rotator cuff cable is essential in transmitting force to the proximal humerus and serves as the main load-bearing structure within the supraspinatus. Utilizing the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) for anterior cable reconstruction in the setting of rotator cuff tears, known as biceps augmentation, has the potential for improved biomechanical and healing properties. Importantly, the proximal LHBT remains attached to the superior glenoid labrum, serving as a viable collagen scaffold, a structural scaffold for the cable, and potentially as a conduit for living tenocytes to migrate into the hypovascular region of the rotator cuff, promoting repair healing. Similar methods utilize the transfer of the intact LHBT into the rotator cuff without a biceps tenodesis. While this accomplishes the aforementioned goals, it may create a source of biceps pain in these patients, and it changes the length–tension relationship of the LHBT distal to the transfer site. In this technical note, we detail an anterior cable reconstruction employing an autologous LHBT to reinforce a repaired massive rotator cuff tear with concurrent subpectoral tenodesis of the LHBT to achieve goals of 1) rotator cuff augmentation and grafting and, importantly and 2) securing the LHBT in a subpectoral position to mitigate pain and maintain supination strength while maintaining the anatomic length–tension relationship of the biceps. We feel this approach is superior in ensuring sufficient tendon is retained for an effective transfer and allows for a subpectoral tenodesis to prevent biceps symptoms.

The results of investigation of the gain properties of 1300 nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers active regions based on In0.60Ga0.40As/In0.53Al0.20Ga0.27As superlattices and threshold characteristics comparison of superlattices and highly lattice mismatched In0.74Al0.16Ga0.10As quantum wells are presented. The heterostructure of injection lasers with an In0.60Ga0.40As/In0.53Al0.20Ga0.27As superlattice was grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Mesa structure of injection lasers was obtained by selective liquid etching followed by the application of ohmic contacts. The formation of injection lasers with various cavity lengths is performed using the method of manually cleaving mirrors. The output characteristics were measured in a pulsed mode using a large area calibrated germanium photodiode. Spectral characteristics were measured using a spectrophotometer based on monochromator. The achieved threshold characteristics (modal gain about 40 cm–1, transparency current density about 650 A/cm2, internal optical losses about 8 cm–1) of injection lasers based on In0.60Ga0.40As/In0.53Al0.20Ga0.27As superlattices with low lattice mismatch InGaAs layers are comparable to previously presented lasers based on active regions with strongly strained In0.74Al0.16Ga0.10As quantum wells. The characteristic temperatures T0 and T1 were 60 K and 87 K for injection lasers with a cavity length of 1 mm. An increase in the frequency of small-signal modulation of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers and their temperature stability is associated with the use of highly strained In0.74Ga0.26As/In0.53Al0.25Ga0.21As superlattices. The proposed active regions based on InGaAs-InP superlattices have the potential to be used in the development of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers in the 1300 nm spectral range. The findings of this work can be applied in the realization of experimental species and optimization of modulation parameters for vertical-cavity lasers operating in the 1300 nm wavelength range.

Introduction The "gold" standard for the treatment of late stages of coxarthrosis is total hip arthroplasty. Direct anterior approach (DAA) refers to minimally invasive surgical interventions in orthopaedics. Extended anesthetic measures in combination with low-traumatic surgical techniques may reduce postoperative pain and accelerate patient's recovery. The purpose of the study was to compare the recovery times of patients after hip arthroplasty using DAA in combination with PENG block, lateral cutaneous femoral nerve (LCFN) block and without extended anesthetic measures. Materials and methods A prospective randomized comparative clinical study was performed, which involved 62 patients divided into two groups: the study one (n = 29) and the control one (n = 33). In both groups, arthroplasty was performed using DAA. Patients of the study group underwent PENG block and LCFN block. The patients in the control group did not receive extended anesthesia. The evaluation criteria were pain assessment using the visual analogue scale (VAS), administration of painkillers, patient’s mobility and the length of hospital stay. Results The VAS score for pain in the study group were lower than in the control group after 6 hours — 3.7 (3.4; 4.1) and 4.3 (4.2; 4.8); 24 hours after surgery — 3.5 (3.3; 3.6) and 4.1 (3.9; 4.5) (p < 0.001). After 48 hours, the indices were comparable: 3.5 (3.1; 4.1) and 3.7 (3.6; 3.9) (p = 0.19). The rate of requests for pain relief in the first 24 hours was lower in the study group than in the control group: 2 (1; 2) and 3 (2; 3) cases (p = 0.003). The results of the manual muscle test after 6 hours and 24 hours were comparable (p > 0.05). The time interval between the end of the operation and the first walking on crutches was shorter in the study group — 3.1 hours (2.9; 3.4) and 3.98 hours (3.8; 4.2) (p < 0.001). The length of hospital stay was shorter in the study group: 1.5 (1.2; 2) and 2.5 (2; 3) days (p < 0.001). Discussion Lower postoperative pain allows faster activation of patients, thus improving the results of the early rehabilitation period. Conclusion The use of PENG block and LCFN block in arthroplasty with the use of DAA has clinical effectiveness in the first 24 hours, and helps to accelerate the postoperative recovery of patients.

Introduction Due to the constant increase in the number of primary and revision hip arthroplasties, the incidence of complications has been also increasing. Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is the most common and dangerous complication in joint arthroplasty, including PJI with cavitary defects of the acetabulum (Paprosky type 2C). The purpose of the work was to demonstrate successful results of managing acetabular defects in patients with periprosthetic infection at the stage of installing an articulating spacer. Materials and methods The patients underwent surgical management of cavitary defects of the acetabulum with allobone plastic material at the stage of installation of an articulating spacer impregnated with antibacterial drugs. A clinical and functional assessment of the effectiveness of treatment of patients with PJI of the hip joint, who underwent bone grafting of acetabular defects at the first stage of two-stage revision arthroplasty, was carried out. Remission of the infectious process was assessed according to the ICM 2013 (International Consensus Meeting), and the function of the affected limb was assessed according to the HHS (Harris Hip Score). Results At a 6-month follow-up after implantation, there were no clinical and laboratory manifestations of PJI and radiological signs of instability of the implant components. Bone grafting was evaluated to be satisfactory; the function of the affected joint restored to 80–90 to HHS points. Remission of the infectious process according to ICM was achieved. Discussion Clinical cases studied demonstrate a positive result of treatin PJI with plastic surgery of cavitary defects of the acetabular bottom at the stage of articulating spacer installation. Filling acetabular defects at the sanitizing stage (implantation of a spacer) subsequently provides improvement of primary fixation and osseointegration of the acetabular component when converting the spacer to a permanent implant. This is due to an increase in the contact area of the acetabular component with bone tissue (native bone and remodeled allobone material). Conclusion The treatment of the first clinical case improved joint function from 24 to 85 HHS points, and in the second from 27 to 76 HHS points. The use of defect filling techniques enabled to stop the infection and improve functional results.

Abstract Background Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent mental health concerns affecting children and adolescents. Despite their high prevalence, statistics indicate that fewer than 25% of individuals in this demographic seek professional assistance for their condition. Consequently, there is a pressing need to develop innovative interventions aimed at improving treatment accessibility. Objectives This study aims to assess the effectiveness of Internet-delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (iCBT) for adolescents with anxiety, with a specific emphasis on involving parents in the treatment process. Methods The study is structured as a parallel three-armed randomized controlled trial, comparing Internet-delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (iCBT) with planned feedback, iCBT with on-demand feedback, and a waitlist control group, each group including 56 participants. Participants in the two iCBT conditions will undergo a 14-week treatment regimen, while those in the waitlist control group will wait for 14 weeks before starting iCBT with planned feedback. Additionally, participants in the iCBT groups will be randomly assigned to receive a booster session or not. The study design is factorial including two factors: type of therapist feedback (factor 1) and booster or no booster (factor 2). The study population comprises adolescents aged between 12 and 17 years, residing in Denmark, diagnosed with an anxiety disorder according to DSM-5 criteria. The primary outcome measures are the Youth Online Diagnostic Assessment and the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale. Assessments will occur at baseline, post-treatment, and at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups post-treatment. Discussion The findings of this study are anticipated to contribute to improving the accessibility of evidence-based treatments for adolescents with anxiety. Trial registration The study is registered at clinicalTrials.gov, under protocol ID 22/59602. The Initial release was the 16.10.2023, first posted due to technical problems 16.04.2024. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06368557?locStr=Odense,%20Denmark&country=Denmark&city=Odense&page=2&rank=13 .

Abstract Alzheimer disease (AD) is characterized by progressive loss of memory. Synaptic loss is now the best correlate of cognitive dysfunction in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Thus, restoration or limitation of synapse loss is a promising strategy for pharmacotherapy of AD. N–N substituted piperazines are widely used chemical compounds for drug interventions to treat different illnesses including CNS diseases such as drug abuse, mental and anxiety disorders. Piperazine derivatives are small molecules that are usually well tolerated and cross blood brain barrier (BBB). Thus, disubstituted piperazines are good tools for searching and developing novel disease-modifying drugs. Previously, we have determined the piperazine derivative, 51164, as an activator of TRPC6 in dendritic spines. We have demonstrated synaptoprotective properties of 51164 in AD mouse models. However, 51164 was not able to cross BBB. Within the current study, we identified a novel piperazine derivative, cmp2, that is structurally similar to 51164 but is able to cross BBB. Cmp2 binds central part of monomeric TRPC6 in similar way as hypeforin does. Cmp2 selectively activates TRPC6 but not structurally related TRPC3 and TRPC7. Novel piperazine derivative exhibits synaptoprotective properties in culture and slices and penetrates the BBB. In vivo study indicated cmp2 (10 mg/kg I.P.) reversed deficits in synaptic plasticity in the 5xFAD mice. Thus, we suggest that cmp2 is a novel lead compound for drug development. The mechanism of cmp2 action is based on selective TRPC6 stimulation and it is expected to treat synaptic deficiency in hippocampal neurons.

Abstract In high-energy particle collisions, the reconstruction of secondary vertices from heavy-flavour hadron decays is crucial for identifying and studying jets initiated by b- or c-quarks. Traditional methods, while effective, require extensive manual optimisation and struggle to perform consistently across wide regions of phase space. Meanwhile, recent advancements in machine learning have improved performance but are unable to fully reconstruct multiple vertices. In this work we propose a novel approach to secondary vertex reconstruction based on recent advancements in object detection and computer vision. Our method directly predicts the presence and properties of an arbitrary number of vertices in a single model. This approach overcomes the limitations of existing techniques. Applied to simulated proton-proton collision events, our approach demonstrates significant improvements in vertex finding efficiency, achieving a 10% improvement over an existing state-of-the-art method. Moreover, it enables vertex fitting, providing accurate estimates of key vertex properties such as transverse momentum, radial flight distance, and angular displacement from the jet axis. When integrated into a flavour tagging pipeline, our method yields a 50% improvement in light-jet rejection and a 15% improvement in c-jet rejection at a b-jet selection efficiency of 70%. These results demonstrate the potential of adapting advanced object detection techniques for particle physics, and pave the way for more powerful and flexible reconstruction tools in high-energy physics experiments.

Abstract Evidence from preclinical animal models suggests that the stress-buffering function of the endocannabinoid (eCB) system may help protect against stress-related reductions in hippocampal volume, as is documented in major depressive disorder (MDD). However, stress exposure may also lead to dysregulation of this system. Thus, pathways from marked stress histories, such as childhood maltreatment (CM), to smaller hippocampal volumes and MDD in humans may depend on dysregulated versus intact eCB functioning. We examined whether the relation between MDD and peripheral eCB concentrations would vary as a function of CM history. Further, we examined whether eCBs moderate the relation of CM/MDD and hippocampal volume. Ninety-one adults with MDD and 62 healthy comparison participants (HCs) were recruited for a study from the Canadian Biomarker Integration Network in Depression program (CAN-BIND-04). The eCBs, anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG), were assessed from blood plasma. Severe CM history was assessed retrospectively via contextual interview. MDD was associated with eCBs, though not all associations were moderated by CM or in the direction expected. Specifically, MDD was associated with higher AEA compared to HCs regardless of CM history, a difference that could be attributed to psychotropic medications. MDD was also associated with higher 2-AG, but only for participants with CM. Consistent with hypotheses, we found lower left hippocampal volume in participants with versus without CM, but only for those with lower AEA, and not moderate or high AEA. Our study presents the first evidence in humans implicating eCBs in stress-related mechanisms involving reduced hippocampal volume in MDD.

Background: To enlist publishers and journals in promoting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the United Nations and the International Publishers Association (IPA) launched the SDG Publishers Compact in 2020, and the European Association of Science Editors (EASE) published its Environmental Manifesto, a set of recommendations for journal editors on how to contribute to reducing a journal’s carbon footprint. It is important to monitor the impact of these initiatives on journal policies for developing future recommendations.Objectives: The EASE and the Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) SDG Publishers Compact Fellows developed a survey to assess the progress made by signatories to the SDG Publishers Compact, detect obstacles that prevent other publishers or journals from signing the compact, assess awareness and implementation of the EASE Environmental Manifesto, and identify other initiatives that promote SDGs.Methods: A multi-stakeholder group was formed, which included editors and both commercial and non-profit publishers, to design questions suited to journals and organizations at different stages of sustainability action. The survey was designed using SurveyMonkey, introduced in an online workshop, distributed through mail-ing lists to more than 2000 addresses, and promoted on social networks, and a total of 79 responses were collected and discussed.Results: Most respondents were representatives of smaller journals based in Europe. The majority were aware of the SDGs, but only half were aware of the SDG Publishers Compact, and only 17 (22%) were signatories to the Compact. Lack of awareness was the major reason for not joining the initiative, followed by lack of time or resources. Respondents focused mostly on quality education, and the majority were acting to achieve at least one SDG. Signatories to the compact mostly have a written environmental policy, have appointed an environmental officer, and are acquiring content related to the SDGs and promoting related activities. Non-signatories are also acting to minimize their environmental impact but have not considered the SDGs in their workflows. Both groups mainly do not have a dedicated budget to achieve the SDGs and have not completed a baseline of their activities. Activities undertaken to reach the SDGs had the most effect on community awareness. Half the respondents were members of EASE and were taking actions aligned with the Environmental Manifesto, mostly towards reducing their journal’s carbon footprint, and 25% are fol-lowing other initiatives aimed at achieving the SDGs as well.Conclusions: The survey showed that editors of small academic journals were not aware of the SDG Publishers Compact, although most of them are acting to achieve at least one SDG. Signatories to the Compact are implementing SDGs into their work-flows and practices, which shows the importance of the initiative. Greater efforts should be undertaken to make the editors of smaller journals aware of the Compact, encourage them to become its signatories, and provide them with more resources and metrics for monitoring their activities.

Abstract Background Preventing Loss of Independence through Exercise (PLIÉ) is a group program for people living with dementia that combines movements to support daily function with present moment body awareness and social engagement that has been found to have physical, emotional, social, and cognitive benefits. The goal of this study was to develop and refine a PLIÉ remote training program for interdisciplinary Veterans Affairs (VA) nursing home staff members also known as community living center (CLC) staff. Methods This pre-implementation study used iterative Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles. The 10-week PDSA cycles occurred from June to September 2021 at 2 VA nursing home sites. Remote training was delivered via Microsoft Teams and included 1-hour live-streamed weekly didactic sessions (nursing staff with PLIÉ instructor) focused on PLIÉ principles and 1-hour weekly live-streamed experiential sessions for staff to apply PLIÉ principles with residents. We administered weekly feedback surveys to iteratively refine the training process. Results 14 staff members participated (5 recreation therapists, 3 social workers, 2 registered nurses, 2 chaplains, 1 psychologist, and 1 speech pathologist). The experiential sessions were rated as most helpful overall. Key PDSA refinements included: (1) creating 10-minute video recording summaries to support learning, particularly for those unable to attend live training sessions due to clinical schedules; and (2) incorporating self-reflection and goal setting to support staff incorporation of PLIÉ principles into routine care and personal life. These refinements resulted in increased use of PLIÉ principles with the residents from 67 to 89% of the staff participants. 100% of regular attendees (11/11) rated their overall satisfaction with remote training as “very good” or “excellent.” Conclusions It was feasible to train interdisciplinary CLC staff participants to deliver an integrative group movement program for residents with dementia remotely. PDSA cycles supported refinement of the training process and improved uptake. A larger study of PLIÉ remote CLC staff training is needed to assess outcomes on residents and quality of care.

Abstract Immune surveillance by cytotoxic T cells eliminates tumor cells and cells infected by intracellular pathogens. This process relies on the presentation of antigenic peptides by Major Histocompatibility Complex class I (MHC-I) at the cell surface. The loading of these peptides onto MHC-I depends on the peptide loading complex (PLC) at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Here, we uncovered that MHC-I antigen presentation is regulated by ER-associated degradation (ERAD), a protein quality control process essential to clear misfolded and unassembled proteins. An unbiased proteomics screen identified the PLC component Tapasin, essential for peptide loading onto MHC-I, as a substrate of the RNF185/Membralin ERAD complex. Loss of RNF185/Membralin resulted in elevated Tapasin steady state levels and increased MHC-I at the surface of professional antigen presenting cells. We further show that RNF185/Membralin ERAD complex recognizes unassembled Tapasin and limits its incorporation into PLC. These findings establish a novel mechanism controlling antigen presentation and suggest RNF185/Membralin as a potential therapeutic target to modulate immune surveillance.

Abstract Background Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is one of the most common pathologies of the pelvic floor, and it can be found among 40–60% of women who have given birth. Correction of the defect of the DeLancey level II without reconstruction of the apical defect is doomed to failure. Also, in the structure of pelvic floor defects, there is often an incompetency of the perineal body, as a consequence of traumatic delivery. Perineoplasty is considered to be the main method of correction for perineal body incompetency. However, it is worth mentioning that there are no randomized trials, which estimate the influence of simultaneous correction of the perineal body on the effectiveness of transvaginal apical fixation. Methods It is planned to include 310 patients in this trial. Patients who met the inclusion/exclusion criteria will be randomized into 2 groups: 1st group—patients who will undergo mesh-augmented sacrospinal fixation with anterior and posterior colporrhaphy without perineoplasty, 2nd group—patients who will undergo mesh-augmented sacrospinal fixation with anterior and posterior colporrhaphy and perineoplasty. Patients will be called to an appointment 6, 12, and 24 months after discharge. Discussion The aim of this trial is to evaluate the efficiency and safety of simultaneous perineoplasty on the clinical and anatomical efficacy of mesh-augmented sacrospinal fixation in advanced pelvic organ prolapse repair. Based on previous studies, it was difficult to estimate and comprehend whether colpoperinoplasty actually reduces the risk of prolapse recurrence. Trial registration NCT05422209. Registered on 18 May 2022.

Abstract This research investigates the effect of carbon sequestration via accelerated carbon curing (ACC) in alkali-activated earth-based alkali-activated mortar (25S-AAM) on the long-term engineering performance, chemical bonding and microstructure. The addition of clay accelerates hydration kinetics and promotes the formation of more cross-linked calcium–(sodium) alumino silicate hydrates (N-A-S-H and C-(N)-A-S-H). This contributes to early strength and a 25% reduction in total shrinkage after 60 days. Although ACC promotes higher carbon sequestration and increases 1-d compressive strength by 13%, it leads to severe decalcification of 25S-AAM after 365 days of natural exposure, resulting in coarsening of the pore structure in the mesoporous size range of 10–100 nm. Due to a relatively low Ca/Si ratio, 25S-AAM is more adversely affected by natural carbonation during the 365-d exposure period than the control (without clay). In summary, ACC is not recommended for earth-based AAM products especially if they are applied for outdoor constructions.

A numerical study of 𝐹𝑒3𝑂4−TiO2−𝑁𝑖/C2H6O2 modified nanofluid's flow through a stretched surface is presented in the current work with an applied angled magnetic field. In the subsequent form of hybrid nanofluid, known as modified nanofluid, three distinct suspended nanoparticles in a base fluid are taken into consideration. Iron Oxide, Nical, and Titanium Dioxide nanoparticles are suspended in ethanol glycol, which is used as a base liquid. One way to improve heat transfer rates in MHD flow over a stretched surface with variable viscosity is to utilize modified nanofluids. This is useful in a number of sectors, including energy systems, thermal management in aircraft, and cooling electronic systems. By applying the proper similarity transformations, the Runga-Kutta fourth order technique encounters the mathematical framework of the flow. One important finding is that, in contrast to nanofluids and hybrid nanofluids, the modified nanofluid has a larger capacity for heat transmission. The modified nanofluid's heat transfer capabilities exhibit intriguing behavior that calls for more research on it. There are numerical solutions that are displayed graphically. Increases in the volume fraction parameter and the inclination angle parameter of the magnetic field have been found to cause a drop in the velocity field of the modified nanofluid.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children is a complicated and heterogeneous disease impacted by various genetic susceptibility factors. The significance of genetic testing in pediatric ALL diagnosis and management, the role of minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring, and ethical issues and problems in pediatric genetic testing are discussed in this narrative review. It also looks ahead to the future of genetic susceptibility research, focusing on data integration, artificial intelligence-driven insights, and the possible finding of novel treatment targets. We hope to provide a complete view of the current status and hopeful future of precision medicine in pediatric oncology as we traverse these numerous facets of pediatric ALL. Pediatric ALL is a significant problem in the world of pediatric cancer, requiring a detailed understanding of its genetic foundations and the importance of genetic testing. This narrative review investigates the complex world of pediatric ALL, shedding light on the intricate web of genetic susceptibility factors that influence the progression and treatment results. While we investigate the importance of genetic testing, the critical function of MRD monitoring, and the ethical concerns inherent in pediatric genetic testing, we also look forward to the potential horizons of genetic susceptibility research.

Background: Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that causes major functional impairments, raises the risk of disability, and reduces life expectancy. It affects around 7 in 1000 people b/w the age of 15 and 35 years. Schizophrenia poses a great challenge not only for the patient but also for the people and the society around the patient. Family members who serve as informal primary carers may suffer personal expenses as a result of providing care for those who have major mental illnesses. One outcome that is regularly studied is the caregiver burden or the challenges encountered in providing care. AIMS: Burden of care in caregivers of patients with schizophrenia in Greater Noida, U.P, India. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out at the School of medical sciences and Research, Sharda University. We enrolled 100 caregivers and it is assessed through the burden assessment scale. Results: Caregivers ranged in age from 20 to 85, with a mean age of 47 (SD=14.1). The male-to-female ratio was 1.7, with 63 men and 37 women present. The majority of the caregivers were parents (n=54), siblings (n=9), spouses (n=10), or their children (n=5). On the burden assessment scale, the severity of the burden was found on the basis of mild, moderate, severe, and very severe. Conclusion: It is important to understand the mental health of caregivers in order to develop an appropriate intervention to deal with their mental health problems. Therefore, this study highlighted the need for psychological interventions not only for the patients but also for caregivers.

Aim: This study aims to evaluate and compare the efficiency of grapeseed and pineapple extract in removing smear layer from the apical third of root canal, with and without ultrasonic activation. Methods: Eighty single-rooted permanent teeth were divided into two main groups: Group I: conventional syringe irrigation and Group II: ultrasonic activation. Each group was subdivided into two experimental groups, i.e. grapeseed and pineapple extract and one control group, i.e., 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). For each subgroup, instrumentation was done using ProTaper Gold up to size F3 and irrigated with 5 mL of the respective irrigant, followed by a final rinse of 2.5 mL of 5.25% NaOCl. For Group II, the respective irrigant was ultrasonically activated for 1 min, followed by a final rinse of 2.5 mL of 5.25% NaOCl. Smear layer evaluation was done with scanning electron microscope, and data were statistically analyzed. Results: In Group I, both pineapple and grapeseed extracts were more effective than 17% EDTA in removing smear layer from the apical root canal. However, in Group II, 17% EDTA showed highest efficacy in smear layer removal, followed by pineapple and grapeseed extracts (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Natural extracts such as pineapple and grapeseed seeds extracts exhibit potential for smear layer removal in the apical third, without the disadvantage of dentinal erosion from synthetic smear layer removing agents.

Reactive chemical gastropathy is also termed drug-induced gastropathy. The terms gastropathy and gastritis vary in their etiology ultimately causing mucosal injury. The gastric mucosa is different in different regions. The oxyntic mucosa is seen in the body and fundus while antral mucosa is seen in the antrum and pyloric region. Antral mucosa bares G-cell which gives fried egg appearance on hematoxylin and eosin stain. The normal gastric mucosa is devoid of neutrophils outside vascular spaces. Most of the drugs used in modern medicine are often associated with adverse effects, especially in the gastrointestinal tract, and are mild but can be life-threatening. Here, we discuss a case of a 67-year-old male who had undergone a lung transplant in 2023, followed by reactive chemical gastropathy in 2024 with deposition of Kayexalate crystals in gastric mucosa while being treated for hyperkalemia which is a rare entity noticed in posttransplant patients.

Abstract Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that affects articular cartilage, leading to changes on the macro and micro levels of this multi-component tissue. Understanding the processes underlying this pathology plays an important role in planning the following management tactics. Timely detection of the knee joint degradation at the level of tissue changes can prevent its progressive damage due to the early beginning of appropriate treatment. This study aimed to provide an overview of the current level of knowledge about the composition of cartilage and menisci using a wide range of different diagnostic methods. A systematic review of the literature published from 1978 to 2023 was conducted. Original studies of the knee joint cartilage (articular and meniscus) research, reporting content composition and mechanical properties, were included. Studies of the non-knee joint cartilage, tissue research other than cartilage and meniscus, or reporting treatment outcomes were excluded (n = 111). Thirty-one papers were included in this review, which reported on the composition of animal and human cartilage (articular and meniscus). The most frequently investigated parameters were quantitative proteoglycan determination and hydration level of the cartilage. Cartilage and meniscus degeneration, i.e., reduced collagen and proteoglycan content, reduced mechanical properties, and increased hydration level, was shown in every article about osteoarthritis. Among all diagnostic methods, laboratory methods (biochemical and histological analysis) are the most frequently used, compared to the instrumental ones (spectroscopy, MRI, and CT). At the same time, spectroscopy takes the lead and becomes the most common approach for determining cartilage composition (collagen and proteoglycans content). Graphical Abstract

Menkes kinky hair disease (MKHD) is a rare inherent error of copper metabolism presenting during early infancy with multi-system involvement. It is associated with high morbidity and mortality in early childhood. Characteristic hair changes mirror internal metabolic alterations. Here, we report a case of 13-month-old male child who presented with peculiar changes of skin and hair along with convulsion and high-grade fever. Dermatoscopy and hair mount examination showing pili torti with pigmentary dilution pointed toward the diagnosis of MKHD, which was further enforced with blood investigations showing low copper and ceruloplasmin levels. Cutaneous findings play a crucial role in early diagnosis, thereby reducing morbidity with timely treatment.

Abstract Control over the catalytic activity of artificial catalytic systems in aqueous media is of high interest for biomimetic artificial catalysts. The activity of catalytic systems can be controlled via introducing stimuli-responsive feature in the structure of the catalytic systems. However, temperature, pH or light have been predominantly used as stimulus. Aqueous catalytic system whose activity can be turned ‘ON/OFF’ employing mechanical force has not been demonstrated. Here we show how catalytic activity of an aqueous catalytic system can be switched ‘ON/OFF’ via the application/ceasing ultrasound stimulus. We demonstrate that the accessibility of imidazole, a catalyst moiety, can be modulated via the presence/absence of the ultrasound stimulus, resulting temporal control over the rate of ester hydrolysis reactions in aqueous buffer solution. This generic approach enables using a large range of organocatalysts for the preparation of molecules and/or materials in aqueous media for their application to material science, and in biomedical field.

Relevance. The gasotransmitter hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is awell-known signalling molecule that is involved in the regulation of awide range of cellular functions in both health and disease. Its biological effects in obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) have been investigated. It is apromising pharmacological target for the correction of MetS and associated diseases.The aimof this study is to investigate the role of endogenously produced H2S in the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders in experimental Met S.Materials and Methods. Ahigh-fat and high-carbohydrate diet was used to induce MS in male Wistar rats. The body and adipose tissue weights of the animals were determined. The animals body and adipose tissue weights were measured. Indicators of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in the blood serum were determined with the use of reagent kits. Additionally, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were analyzed in adipose tissue through photometric analysis. The concentration of H2S in blood serum and adipose tissue, as well as H2S production by adipocytes, was measured spectrophotometrically.Results and Discussion. H2S concentrations in blood serum, adipose tissue and adipocyte H2S production were found to decrease in animals with hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance. Additionally, anegative correlation was observed between the H2S content and production in the adipose tissue of rats with the mass of visceral adipose tissue. Furthermore, anegative relationship was found between the concentrations of glucose, insulin, leptin, ROS and the level of H2S in blood serum and adipose tissue. In contrast, the increase in glutathione (GSH) in adipocytes was directly correlated with the increase in hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in serum and adipose tissue cells.Conclusions. The regulatory effect of H2S on target cell function has been extensively studied. However, its role in the development and progression of MetS remains unclear. Our work demonstrates that under conditions of metabolic pathology, there is adecrease in the serum concentration of H2S and its production in adipose tissue. This decrease correlates with the development of obesity, hyperglycemia, insulinemia, leptinemia, and redox imbalance.

Aim. To evaluate comprehensively the quality of life (QoL) of patients with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) who have indications for reconstructive surgery (RS) and determine the optimal tools for QoL assessment as part of preoperative screening. Materials and methods. The study included 860 patients hospitalized for RS at the Saint-Petersburg State University Hospital. The following validated questionnaires were used to assess QoL: the RAND SF-36 (general QoL questionnaire and specialized questionnaires), in particular the P-QoL (QoL Pelvic Organ Dysfunction Questionnaire in POP), the PFDI-20 (Pelvic Organ Dysfunction Questionnaire), the ICIQ-SF (Stress Incontinence Questionnaire), the PISQ-12 (PTD Sexual Dysfunction Questionnaire), the HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Lower abdominal and lower back pain was assessed using a Visual Analog Scale. Results. Significant QoL reduction was found in most patients, including in physical and psycho-emotional aspects. Among the patients, there were no women with a high level of physical and mental health components. The indicators of vitality, general health, role-physical, and emotional functioning were more significantly reduced. More than 1/3 of women had borderline or increased levels of anxiety, and 1/4 had high levels of depression. Notably, the P-QoL questionnaire was used for the first time in the russian population of patients with POP. It identifies general health perceptions, the impact of prolapse on life, role, physical, social and personal limitations, emotions, sleep/energy, and symptom severity. Based on the study, optimal tools for preoperative screening and monitoring the state of patients after surgery are proposed. Conclusion. The population of women with POP with indications for RS is heterogeneous in terms of the severity of physical and psychosocial functioning impairment and the degree of impact of pelvic organ prolapse symptoms. The following questionnaires can be considered as optimal tools for assessing QoL and symptom burden in patients with POP as part of preoperative screening: P-QoL to assess the decrease of various QoL aspects, PFDI-20 to determine the severity of specific pelvic organ dysfunction symptoms, HADS to identify the level of anxiety and depression.

Abstract The Artificial Intelligence has evolved and is now associated with Deep Learning, driven by availability of vast amount of data and computing power. Traditionally, researchers have adopted a Model-Centric Approach, focusing on developing new algorithms and models to enhance performance without altering the underlying data. However, Andrew Ng, a prominent figure in the AI community, has recently emphasized on better (quality) data rather than better models, which has given birth to Data Centric Approach, also known as Data Oriented technique. The transition from model oriented to data oriented approach has rapidly gained momentum within the realm of deep learning. Despite its promise, the Data-Centric Approach faces several challenges, including (a) generating high-quality data, (b) ensuring data privacy, and (c) addressing biases to achieve fairness in datasets. Currently, there has been limited effort in preparing quality data. Our work aims to address this gap by focusing on the generation of high-quality data through methods such as data augmentation, multi-stage hashing to eliminate duplicate instances, to detect and correct noisy labels, using confident learning. The experiments on popular datasets, namely MNIST, Fashion MNIST, and CIFAR-10 were performed by utilizing ResNet-18 as the common framework followed by both Model Centric and Data Centric Approach. Comparative performance analysis revealed that the Data Centric Approach consistently outperformed the Model Centric Approach by a relative margin of at least 3%. This finding highlights the potential for further exploration and adoption of the Data-Centric Approach in various domains such as healthcare, finance, education, and entertainment, where the quality of data could significantly enhance the performance.

Abstract Microelectromechanical system-based microphones demand high ingress protection levels with regard to their use in harsh environment. Here, we develop environmental protective components comprising polyimide nanofibers combined onto polyether ether ketone fabric meshes and subsequently appraise their impact on the electroacoustic properties of high signal-to-noise-ratio microelectromechanical system-based microphones via industry-standard characterizations and theoretical simulations. Being placed directly on top of the microphone sound port, the nanofiber mesh die-cut parts with an inner diameter of 1.4 mm result in signal-to-noise-ratio and insertion losses of (2.05 ± 0.16) dB(A) and (0.30 ± 0.11) dBFS, respectively, in electroacoustic measurements. Hence, a high signal-to-noise-ratio value of (70.05 ± 0.17) dB(A) can be maintained by the mesh-protected microphone system. Due to their high temperature stability, acoustic performance, environmental robustness, and industry-scale batch production, these nanofibrous meshes reveal high potential to be practically implemented in high-market-volume applications of packaged microelectromechanical system-based microphones.

Additive manufacturing is a promising and actively developing method for the synthesis of metal products. The development of techniques for the production of spherical powder particles with specified properties from metals and alloys represents a significant challenge in the field of additive manufacturing. A new method for the production of titanium powders with spherical particles has been proposed, including the method of hydrogenation and dehydrogenation with subsequent spheroidization in thermal plasma. Titanium sponge, used as a feedstock, was saturated with hydrogen using the energy-efficient self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) method. The resulting hydride was then mechanically ground and then dehydrogenated by thermal decomposition in a vacuum furnace. The resulting precursor was subjected to plasma treatment, which resulted in a product (titanium powder) with a high degree of spheroidization. The physical, chemical, and technological parameters of the titanium powders were investigated. It was found that the final product, spherical titanium powder, has the necessary properties for use in additive manufacturing technologies.

Alkylating modifications induced by either exogenous chemical agents or endogenous metabolites are some of the main types of damage to DNA, RNA, and proteins in the cell. Although research in recent decades has been almost entirely devoted to the repair of alkyl and in particular methyl DNA damage, more and more data lately suggest that the methylation of RNA bases plays an equally important role in normal functioning and in the development of diseases. Among the most prominent participants in the repair of methylation-induced DNA and RNA damage are human homologs of Escherichia coli AlkB, nonheme Fe(II)/α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases ABH1–8, and FTO. Moreover, some of these enzymes have been found to act on several protein targets. In this review, we present up-to-date data on specific features of protein structure, substrate specificity, known roles in the organism, and consequences of disfunction of each of the nine human homologs of AlkB. Special attention is given to reports about the effects of natural single-nucleotide polymorphisms on the activity of these enzymes and to potential consequences for carriers of such natural variants.

Abstract Background Cell cycle arrest biomarkers (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase‐2 [uTIMP‐2] and insulin‐like growth factor binding protein 7 [uIGFBP7]), and neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL) variables are valuable biomarkers for early diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) in people. Objectives To evaluate uTIMP‐2, uIGFBP7, fractional excretion of NGAL (FeNGAL), and urinary to serum NGAL ratio (u/sNGAL) in healthy dogs, dogs with AKI, dogs with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and critically ill (CI) dogs. Animals Forty‐two client‐owned dogs (healthy, n = 10; AKI, n = 11; CKD, n = 11; CI, n = 10). Methods Prospective, observational study. After assessment of routine renal biomarkers, stress (uTIMP‐2, uIGFBP7) and damage (NGAL) biomarkers were measured, using ELISA kits, and normalized to urinary creatinine (uCr). Results Normalized uTIMP‐2 and [uTIMP‐2] × [uIGFBP7]/uCr were significantly higher in the AKI group (median 151.9 [range, 2.2‐534.2] and 62.9 [1.1‐266.8] pg/mL respectively), compared to healthy dogs (0.3 [0.2‐74.7]; P

The presented work aims to study the gas transport characteristics of polymeric hollow-fiber gas separation membranes. The study focused on examining the gas transport characteristics of polymeric hollow-fiber gas separation membranes using materials such as polysulfone (PSF), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polyetherimide (PEI), and polyetherimide with polyimide (PEI+PI) for the separation of air mixtures. The permeance values of pure gases O2 and N2and the mixed permeances of oxygen and nitrogen during air separation were obtained. Membrane permeance was measured using an analytical setup combined with a mass spectrometer on membrane modules with different effective membrane areas. Mathematical models of the gas separation process built because of these values show significant discrepancies. To obtain a gas mixture with 95 mol.% nitrogen from the air, considering the mixture permeance, 15.8% more PSF membrane area is required than considering the permeance of pure gases. For a PPO membrane, this value is 13.9%; for PEI, 19.8% less area is required, and for PEI+PI, 15.9% less. In the design of industrial or semi-industrial membrane installations, such discrepancies can lead to significant technical and economic errors.

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a very common human pathogenic microorganism that can cause a variety of infectious diseases, including skin and soft tissue infections, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, bacteremia, and lethal pneumonia. About one-third of the common population is colonized with S. aureus. MRSA is a formidable pathogen known to cause high mortality & morbidity, that poses a significant threat to public health worldwide. Presence of MRSA strains, resistant to multiple antibiotics especially in hospital stay, has complicated the management of infections caused by this bacterium. The aim of this study was to shed light on the prevalence and antimicrobial sensitivity pattern of MRSA among patients in a tertiary care center located in Faridabad, Haryana. This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, ESIC Medical College & Hospital, a 510 bedded tertiary care teaching hospital in Faridabad, Haryana, India. All wound samples including pus, exudates, wound swab and tissue samples received for aerobic culture and antimicrobial sensitivity from various clinical departments from January 2019 to July 2019 were included in this study. A total of 747 samples were received from January 2019-July 2019. Mean age of this study population was found to be 50.7 ± 14.8 years. Out of 747 samples, 226 (30.25%) were culture positive. Among the S. aureus isolates, methicillin resistance was seen amongst 39 (58.2%). Antibiotic Susceptibility results of S. aureus showed 100% resistance to Penicillin along with 100% resistance to Fluoroquinolones in both MRSA and MSSA. High prevalence of MRSA amongst patients highlights the importance of continued surveillance and implementation of antimicrobial stewardship program to control the menace of antimicrobial resistance. Strict adherence to Infection Control practices its regular follow up to assess the effectiveness of any hospital infection control measures taken is the key.

Abstract Background HPV status in a subset of HNSCC is linked with distinct treatment outcomes. Present investigation aims to elucidate the distinct clinicopathological features of HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCC and investigate their association with the HNSCC patient survival. Materials and methods The total RNA of exosomes from HPV-positive (93VU147T) and HPV-negative (OCT-1) HNSCC cells was isolated, and the transcripts were estimated using Illumina HiSeq X. The expression of altered transcripts and their clinical relevance were further analyzed using publicly available cancer transcriptome data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Results Transcriptomic analyses identified 3785 differentially exported transcripts (DETs) in HPV-positive exosomes compared to HPV-negative exosomes. DETs that regulate the protein machinery, cellular redox potential, and various neurological disorder-related pathways were over-represented in HPV-positive exosomes. TCGA database revealed the clinical relevance of altered transcripts. Among commonly exported abundant transcripts, SGK1 and MAD1L1 showed high expression, which has been correlated with poor survival in HNSCC patients. In the top 20 DETs of HPV-negative exosomes, high expression of FADS3, SGK3, and TESK2 correlated with poor survival of the HNSCC patients in the TCGA database. Conclusion Overall, our study demonstrates that HPV-positive and HPV-negative cells’ exosomes carried differential transcripts cargo that may be related to pathways associated with neurological disorders. Additionally, the altered transcripts identified have clinical relevance, correlating with patient survival in HNSCC, thereby highlighting their potential as biomarkers and as therapeutic targets.

Aim of the study. Genetic analysis of Streptococcus pneumoniae serogroups 15 and 11 circulating in Russia according to the following parameters: serotype affiliation; clonal complex (CC); presence of resistance and virulence determinants; relatedness to genetic lineages circulating in the world, and justification of inclusion of the actual serotypes of serogroups 15 and 11 in the future conjugate vaccine composition. Materials and methods. The study included whole genome data of S. pneumoniae serogroups 11 and 15. Results. Genomes of serogroup 15 strains from Russia are represented mainly by serotypes 15B and 15C, the majority of which belong to CC-1025 and CC-1262. CC-1025 is characterized by a more frequent association with invasive diseases. Representatives of CC-1025 and CC-1262 contain virulence determinants unique to these genetic lineages within the studied population of serogroup 15: oligopeptide transporters, fructose-specific PTS system, unique hydrolase variants, additional iron ion transporters, the gene of zinc metalloprotease ZmpC (activating human MMP9). The genomes of serogroup 11 are represented mainly by serotype 11A, the majority belong to CC-62 and CC-1012. The virulence determinants unique to CC-62 (within the studied serogroup 11) include bacteriocins, components of oligopeptide transport, flavin reductase-like protein (adhesin, also protects bacteria from oxidative stress), fucose processing operon, PsaA (adhesin, also a component of the ATP-binding cassette transporter that imports manganese ions). Conclusion. In the Russian Federation, serogroups 15 and 11 are the most common non-vaccine serogroups. No antimicrobial resistance determinants have been identified in the genomes of representatives of these serogroups. For each of the genetic lineages prevalent in Russia and associated with serogroups 15 and 11, unique virulence determinants within the studied serogroup have been identified, which may contribute to the success of these lineages. It is advisable to include serotypes 15B and 11A in vaccines promising for the Russian Federation.

Introduction. The expression of the ctxAB and tcpA-F genes encoding the main pathogenicity factors of the Vibrio cholerae is controlled by regulatory genes. The structure of these genes has not been fully studied in the pathogen strains isolated during different periods of the current pandemic. The aim of the study was a comparative analysis of the structure of regulatory genes of V. cholerae O1 biovar El Tor strains isolated on the territory of the Russian Federation and neighboring countries during the seventh cholera pandemic. Materials and methods. The nucleotide sequences of the complete genomes of 29 toxigenic strains isolated from 1970 to 2023 were analyzed. The analysis was carried out using BioEdit v7.2.6.1 software and Blast tool. Results. The analysis of ten regulatory genes (toxT, aphA, aphB, hns, hapR, vieA, luxO, luxT, carS, carR) was carried out. Almost all strains were found to have a thymine insertion in the hapR gene at position 219. The exception was V. cholerae strain M3208 (Tambov, 2023), which had an insertion of five nucleotides in this gene. Mutations of the luxO gene with an unknown effect were detected in 44.8% of the studied strains. In 46.7% and 33.3% of the studied genetic variants carrying the ctxB1 allele, non-synonymous substitutions were detected in the hns (G319A) and vieA (C235T) genes, respectively. All genetic variants with the ctxB7 allele have mutations in both the hns and vieA genes. Three genetic variants with the ctxB7 allele, imported to the Russian Federation in recent years, contain an altered structure of the carR gene (G265A). Conclusion. The structure of genes (toxT, aphA, aphB, carS, luxT, hapR) of V. cholerae O1 El Tor strains remains unchanged for the majority of the studied isolates. At the same time, variability in the hns (G319A), vieA (C235T) and carR (G256A) genes was detected. Mutations in these genes can be used as genetic markers of modern V. cholerae O1 El Tor genetic variants.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To answer the question of whether it is possible to achieve complete corporal covering of the urethral closure using incomplete penile disassembly in classic bladder exstrophy. We hypothesize that mobilization of the corpora under Buck's fascia, their dorsal translocation through the incisions in Buck's fascia and suturing corporal convex sides above the urethra would allow extend corporal covering of the urethra, reducing the risk of urethra-cutaneous fistula formation. Materials and Methods: A prospective follow-up on all boys who underwent the modified Cantwell-Ransley primary penile reconstruction was conducted. Inclusion criteria comprised bladder exstrophy closure in our institution, ensuring a postoperative follow-up period of no less than 24 months. The key innovation of the technique lies in a deep dissection of the dependent corpora under Buck's fascia, followed by their dorsal relocation through extended dorsal incisions in Buck's fascia, and limited external corporal rotation 90 degrees only at the base of the penis. Results: Between November 2019 and March 2022, 18 boys aged 11 to 35 months met the inclusion criteria and underwent the modified penile reconstruction. Surgical procedures and postoperative period did not include any major complications. Total corporal covering of the urethral sutures was achieved in 15 of 18 patients. No urethra-cutaneous fistulas were observed within 2 years of follow-up. All individuals demonstrated spontaneous erections, and the absence of dorsal curvature was documented. Conclusion: The modified technique of incomplete penile disassembly applied in a homogenous group of patients with classic bladder exstrophy allows penile shaft elongation, improved aesthetic outcomes, preserved erections, and eliminates dorsal curvature. The technique demonstrated feasibility and reliability while maintaining positive effects on tissue circulation. The absence of urethra-cutaneous fistulae is attributed to the complete corporal covering of the urethral sutures and supports the initial hypothesis.

Abstract FeRh-based alloys have attracted significant attention due to their magnetic phase transition and significant magnetocaloric effects. These properties position them as promising candidates for fundamental research and practical applications, including magnetic cooling and targeted drug delivery. The study of FeRh alloys, particularly those where Rhodium or Iron atoms are substituted with other transition metals, is crucial as certain substitutions preserve the alloy’s magnetocaloric properties. However, even within a specific structural type and without considering competing phases, determining which atom (Fe or Rh) is replaced upon introducing a third element remains unclear. This paper addresses this ambiguity through ab initio calculations. We propose an approach to predict whether a dopant will replace Fe or Rh, offering insights into the electronic and structural factors influencing the substitution. Additionally, we present a dataset of ab initio calculations on doped FeRh alloys, which will support future data-driven modeling efforts. Our findings not only advance the understanding of FeRh-based alloys but also contribute to the design of novel materials for experimental and industrial applications.

Background: The important challenge to the biotechnology is to find new effective fusion partners that enable to improve solubility, expression, and optimize the subsequent fine purification of the target protein. Results: The most invariant part of the most immunogenic region of the surface virulence factor A of Streptococcus pneumoniae was selected as a model target protein, while the thermostable chemotaxis polypeptide of W-type from Thermotoga petrophila was used as a fusion partner. The genes encoding fusion variants of these proteins were constructed and cloned into a plasmid vector under the control of the strong bacteriophage T7 transcription regulatory system. Effective Escherichia coli producer strains were obtained, and optimal conditions were chosen for the production of resulting constructs. The optimal pH and temperature ranges of recombinant proteins were determined, and three-dimensional shapes of their molecules were also predicted. Methods of low-stage protein purification were improved. Some of the isolated proteins demonstrated a high level of expression, solubility and purity. Conclusions: Novel chimeric proteins were obtained which had not previously been observed in nature in such domain combinations. It was shown that the biotechnologically valuable characteristics of the hybrid proteins were more marked when the thermal-resistant partner was combined with the N-terminus of pneumococcal protein. The principles of their low-stage purification were performed which does not require any special equipment. That is a basis for significant reduction of prices for diagnostic test-systems components and subunit vaccine production.How to cite: Grishin DV, Sidorov NG, Parfenova OK, et al. Construction, heterological expression and a simple purification of the BP region of the pneumococcal surface protein a fused in different orientations to the chemotaxis adaptor protein CheW from Thermotoga petrophila. Electron J Biotechnol 2024;71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejbt.2024.05.001.

We set a research hypothesis on the influence of the formation of international economic relations of countries on the effectiveness of knowledge and information systems management in the digital economy. We substantiate the features of the connection between these two components, which confirm the hypothesis. We consider the results of the manifestation of two forms of cooperation, which emerged due to the effect of the digital economy and due to the improvement of international economic relations between partner countries. Growth of investments in the implementation of these forms of interaction allows achieving significant results in case of favourable conditions for financial activities and R&D in countries in which businesses of partner countries are located (taxation, terms of rent, infrastructure, etc.). It is shown that activities of partner countries at the political level towards the creation of advantages for the integration of international business ensure mutual implementation of bilateral obligations in support and interaction. The goal of this paper is to identify the connection between international economic relations and the level of implementing digital technologies in the sphere of knowledge and information systems management. To reach this goal, we use the following research methods: the complex method, the comparative method, the statistical method, and the trends method. The scientific novelty of this research consists in determining the features of new forms of cooperation in the business environment in the conditions of transformation of international economic relations.

Background: The National Mental Health Survey estimated that about 10.6% of the population currently suffered from a mental disorder. The treatment gap was found to be 76%–85% in developing countries. To get the large Indian population involved in their own mental health, the only way forward is through enhancing awareness on mental health. Aims: The aim of this study was to know about awareness of five concerned mental disorders, i.e., depression, anxiety, mania, schizophrenia, and substance use disorder among the rural population of India. Materials and Methods: A total of 1000 samples were collected randomly from seven villages of Ahmedabad district. Participants were aged 18 years or above. The questionnaire consisted of description and pictorial representation of five mental illnesses, namely, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, mania, and substance use disorder, in Gujarati language. The participants were asked if they could identify the characteristics as disorders and whether it was treatable by a doctor. The awareness of participants was determined based on that. Results: In our study, out of 1000 participants, we found that 577 (57.7%) participants could identify mental disorders and 518 (51.8%) acknowledged that the latter were medically treatable. Only 493 (49.3%) were aware of both. Out of 577 participants who could identify the disorders, 146 (14.6%) participants were not aware about the treatment availability by a doctor. There was no significant difference in awareness across different sociodemographic variables. Conclusion: There is poor awareness regarding mental health disorders and treatment availability for the same among the rural population of Ahmedabad.

It is necessary to treat textile effluents before discharging them into natural water bodies as they harm the environment. Compared to conventional treatment methods, catalytic ozonation has gained attention due to its effectiveness in removing refractory organic pollutants. In this study, the coprecipitation method was used to synthesize a composite metal oxide of silver and cerium oxide, and the synthesized catalyst was used to eliminate the Reactive Black 5 (RB5) dye. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopic, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analyses were performed to characterize the synthesized catalyst. Afterwards, relevant experimental parameters, such as pH, ozone and catalyst dosages, and initial dye concentration, were investigated. The experiments revealed that the optimal experimental conditions were a pH value of 10, a catalyst dosage of 0.7 g/L, and an ozone dosage of 60 L/h. In these optimized conditions, the RB5 dye was entirely removed, and a chemical oxygen demand removal efficiency of 88% was achieved within a reaction time of 80 min. Furthermore, the recycling potential of the catalyst was tested for three cycles, and no deterioration in its activity was observed. Additionally, studies were conducted using a hydroxyl radical scavenger in order to understand the reaction pathway of the system. As a result, the indirect pathway was more dominant than the direct pathway in the system.

Oral non-tobacco nicotine products have gained enormous popularity in recent years. The countries of the Eurasian Economic Union also produce and sell this type of innovative but poorly studied goods. As a result, the safety profile and quality of such products as nicotine poaches require urgent comprehensive research. This study featured the changes in quality of nicotine poaches during storage, i.e. nicotine content, water activity, and microbiological index. The research featured nicotine poaches of several popular brands. The authors used standard research methods; the experiments were performed in the laboratory for chemistry and quality control, Institute of Tobacco, Makhorka, and Tobacco Products, Krasnodar, and at the Department of Bioorganic Chemistry and Technical Microbiology, Kuban State Technological University, Krasnodar. The water activity was 0.8911–0.9502 Aw at the initial stage and remained stable in most samples even after six months of storage. Velo Freeze was the only brand to show significant variations in water activity. The nicotine content was 10.115–12.950 mg/g at the initial stage. Only four samples maintained the initial values after six months of storage. The fluctuations of nicotine content were also mentioned by the manufacturer. The microbiological profile remained stable during the six months of storage and met the requirements for similar products, i.e., chewing gum and unglazed caramel. The project needs further research because the qualitative characteristics of nicotine poaches provided rather unambiguous results. Our study will help develop state standards for oral nicotine products. The results obtained will be used to formulate proposals to the organizations responsible for the future Technical Regulations of the Eurasian Economic Union for nicotine products.

Primary hyperoxaluria (PH) type 1 is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of glyoxylate metabolism. Its prevalence is 1–3 cases/million people. Glyoxylate is the precursor of oxalate which is believed to be produced by oxidation in liver peroxisomes. Serine-pyruvate aminotransferase/alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase is an enzyme involved in the metabolism of glyoxylate. In the absence of this enzyme, oxalate and glycolate are overproduced leading to hyperoxaluria. This causes urolithiasis or nephrocalcinosis, which are conditions caused by the deposition of calcium oxalate. Due to its rarity and heterogeneous phenotype, it remains unrecognized due to which diagnosis is delayed, ending up in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and ultimately death. Hence, early diagnosis and simultaneous hepatorenal transplant remain the mainstay to avoid systemic oxalosis. Here, we discuss a case of a 43-year-old female who underwent combined liver–kidney transplant with a history of multiple episodes of renal calculi since childhood ultimately landing into ESRD in view of PH type 1.

ABSTRACTIntroduction The escalating prevalence of infectious diseases is an important cause of concern in society. Particularly in several developing countries, infectious diarrhea poses a major problem, with a high fatality rate, especially among young children. The condition is divided into four classes, namely, acute diarrhea, invasive diarrhea, acute bloody diarrhea, and chronic diarrhea. Various pathogenic agents, such as bacteria, viruses, protozoans, and helminths, contribute to the onset of this condition.Areas covered The review discusses the scenario of infectious diarrhea, the prevalent types, as well as approaches to management including preventive, therapeutic, and vaccination strategies. The vaccination techniques are extensively discussed including the available vaccines, their advantages as well as limitations.Expert opinion There are several approaches available to develop new-improved vaccines. In addition, route of immunization is important and aerosols/nasal sprays, oral route, skin patches, powders, and liquid jets to minimize needles can be used. Plant-based vaccines, such as rice, might save packing and refrigeration costs by being long-lasting, non-refrigerable, and immunogenic. Future research should utilize predetermined PCR testing intervals and symptom monitoring to identify persistent pathogens after therapy and symptom remission.

Transformer-based language models have revolutionized Natural Language Processing tasks, with advancements in language modeling techniques. Current transformer architectures utilize attention mechanisms to model text dependencies effectively. Studies have shown that these models embed syntactic structures and knowledge, explaining their performance in tasks involving syntactic and semantic elements. However, transformer-based models are prone to hallucination where incorporated knowledge is not utilized effectively. To address this, methods are emerging to mitigate hallucination and integrate external knowledge sources like knowledge graphs (e.g., Freebase, WordNet, ConceptNet, ATOMIC). Knowledge graphs represent real-world knowledge through entities and relationships offering a potential injection point to enhance model performance in inference tasks. Various injection approaches, including input, architectural, and output injections, aim to incorporate knowledge from graphs into transformer models. Input injections modify data preprocessing, architectural injections add layers for knowledge integration, and output injections adjust error functions to correct knowledge incorporation during training. Despite ongoing research, a universal solution to hallucination remains elusive, and a standardized benchmark for comparing injection methods is lacking. This study investigates knowledge graphs as one of the methods to mitigate hallucination and their possible integration into Large Language Models. Comparative experiments across General Language Understanding Evaluation benchmark tasks demonstrated that ERNIE 3.0 and XLNet outperform other injection methods with the average scores of 91.1 % and 90.1 %.

Qubit systems based on trapped ultracold ions win one of the leading positions in the quantum computing field, demonstrating quantum algorithms with the highest complexity to date. Surface Paul traps for ion confinement open the opportunity to scale quantum processors to hundreds of qubits and enable high-connectivity manipulations on ions. To fabricate such a system with certain characteristics, the special design of a surface electrode structure is required. The depth of the trapping potential, the stability parameter, the secular frequency and the distance between an ion and the trap surface should be optimized for better performance. Here, we present the optimized design of a relatively simple surface trap that allows several important high-fidelity primitives: tight ion confinement, laser cooling, and wide optical access. The suggested trap design also allows us to perform an important basic operation, namely, splitting an ion chain into two parts.

Abstract In this note, we aim to review algorithms for constructing crystal representations of quiver Yangians in detail. Quiver Yangians are believed to describe an action of the BPS algebra on BPS states in systems of D-branes wrapping toric Calabi-Yau three-folds. Crystal modules of these algebras originate from molten crystal models for Donaldson-Thomas invariants of respective three-folds. Despite the fact that this subject was originally at the crossroads of algebraic geometry with effective supersymmetric field theories, equivariant toric action simplifies applied calculations drastically. So the sole pre-requisite for this algorithm’s implementation is linear algebra. It can be easily taught to a machine with the help of any symbolic calculation system. Moreover, these algorithms may be generalized to toroidal and elliptic algebras and exploited in various numerical experiments with those algebras. We illustrate the work of the algorithms in applications to simple cases of Y sl 2 $$ \textrm{Y}\left({\mathfrak{sl}}_2\right) $$ , Y gl ̂ 1 $$ \textrm{Y}\left({\hat{\mathfrak{gl}}}_1\right) $$ and Y gl ̂ 1 1 $$ \textrm{Y}\left({\hat{\mathfrak{gl}}}_{\left.1\right|1}\right) $$ .

Abstract Background and objectives :The hypothesis of the study was the assumption that the serum levels of soluble ST2 (sST2) and growth differentiation factor (GDF-15) can be predictors of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence in long-term period after primary radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA). Methods Of the 165 patients included in the prospective follow-up, the final analysis included 131 patients whose follow-up duration reached 18 months after the end of the blanking period (3 months after RFA). The median age of patients was 59.0 (50.0; 64.0) years, and 80 (61%) were men. Paroxysmal AF was present in 103 (79%) and persistent AF in 28 (21%) patients. All patients underwent transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, and electroanatomic mapping was used to assess the area of low-voltage zones (LVZ). sST2 and GDF-15 levels were determined by ELISA using GDF-15/MIC-1 analytical kits (BioVender, Czech Republic) and Presage ST2 (Critical Diagnostics, USA) before RFA. After RFA, patients had regular follow-up visits at 3-6-9-12-18 months with 12-lead ECG or Holter ECG monitoring and with clinical evaluation. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of the first symptomatic AF recurrence (AFr) lasting > 30 s, recorded on an ECG or during daily ECG monitoring, after a blanking period. Results At the 18-month follow-up, 47 patients (35.9%) had AFr. The groups with and without AFr didn`t differ in the LVZ area. The medians of NT-proBNP, GDF-15 and sST2 also didn`t differ significantly between the groups, but in patients with AFr, the proportion of those with sST2 ≥ 36 ng/ml (the border of the lower and middle terziles) was higher (p = 0.03). According to the one-factor Cox regression analysis, AFr were associated with four factors: AF history ≥ 1 year, early AFr (during the blanking period), left atrial appendage flow velocity (LAAFV)

Abstract Clarithromycin (CLR) is currently a key antibiotic for Helicobacter pylori infection treatment, however, the data on CLR resistance patterns in Russia are missing. Here, we applied WGS-based approach to H. pylori clinical isolates from Russia to comprehensively investigate sequence variation, identify putative markers of CLR resistance and correlate them with phenotypic susceptibility testing. The phenotypic susceptibility of 44 H. pylori isolates (2014–2022) to CLR was determined by disc diffusion method: 23 isolates were CLR-resistant and 21-CLR-susceptible. All isolates were subjected to WGS and submitted to GenBank. Based on complete sequence analysis, we showed that among all sequence variants, the combination of mutations A2146G/A2147G in the 23S rRNA gene is the most reliable for prediction of phenotypic susceptibility. For the first time, the average number of mutations in 106 virulence-associated genes between resistant and susceptible groups were compared. Moreover, this study presents the first WGS insight into genetic diversity of H. pylori in Russia with a particular focus on the molecular basis of drug resistance: the novel mutations were described as potential markers for the resistance development. Of these, the most prominent was a frameshift deletion (252:CGGGT) in HP0820 coding region, which is a good candidate for further investigation.

Development of new plasma facing components (PFC) draw attention of numerous scientific groups in fusion energy field. Tungsten as a main PFC material main have poor machinability, thus various designs were proposed to overcome this problem. However, such technologies as functional graded layers, sintering and additive technologies are limited in production size and have low cost-efficiency. This research considers the alternative approach of steel melt injection or melt infiltration of tungsten mesh. The results obtained establish the mechanism of phase evolution during interaction of solid W with liquid steel and iron. Energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and Thermocalc calculations used to analyze the phase composition of tungsten wetted with various steels and pure iron. Results show that interaction rate significantly depends on melt temperature and overheating above its liquidus. Then the overheating exceeds 150 °C erosion of tungsten occur.