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ArUco markers have gained significant attention for their utility in indoor navigation assistance, enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of navigation systems. However, traditional detection methods often need help with computational intensity and effectiveness under varying lighting conditions, necessitating the development of advanced detection techniques. This study investigates deep learning-powered ArUco marker detection using the MobileViTv2 model. MobileViTv2, a lightweight hybrid network combining Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and Vision Transformer (ViT) elements, is designed to balance accuracy and computational efficiency. The model was trained and fine-tuned using a transfer learning approach, with comparisons to prominent CNN architectures such as ResNet50, MobileNetV2, DenseNet121, VGG16, InceptionV3, and NASNetMobile. The MobileViTv2 model demonstrated superior performance in detecting and classifying ArUco markers for indoor navigation. The model attained a peak accuracy of 100% using the optimizer developed by Adam with a learning rate of 0.001, surpassing the performance of all models examined in the study. The results showed excellent precision, recall, and F1 scores, confirming the model's robustness and reliability. The total number of trainable parameters was slim, making the model more efficient and faster in processing, which is ideal for real-time applications. The modified MobileViTv2 model significantly enhances the accuracy and efficiency of ArUco marker detection in indoor navigation systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Cirrhosis represents a significant global health challenge, characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates that severely impact human health. Timely and precise prognostic assessments of liver cirrhosis are crucial for improving patient outcomes and reducing mortality rates as they enable physicians to identify high-risk patients and implement early interventions. This paper features a thorough literature review on the prognostic assessment of liver cirrhosis, aiming to summarize and delineate the present status and constraints associated with the application of traditional prognostic tools in clinical settings. Among these tools, the Child–Pugh and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scoring systems are predominantly utilized. However, their accuracy varies significantly. These systems are generally suitable for broad assessments but lack condition-specific applicability and fail to capture the risks associated with dynamic changes in patient conditions. Future research in this field is poised for deep exploration into the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with routine clinical and multi-omics data in patients with cirrhosis. The goal is to transition from static, unimodal assessment models to dynamic, multimodal frameworks. Such advancements will not only improve the precision of prognostic tools but also facilitate personalized medicine approaches, potentially revolutionizing clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frailty is common among cardiac patients; however, frailty assessment data from patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are limited. The purpose of this observational study was to identify the prevalence and factors related to frailty in addition to unique frailty marker groupings in a cohort of sedentary adults with PAD. We grouped three PAD-relevant frailty characteristics using Fried's frailty phenotype −1) exhaustion, (2) weakness, and (3) slowness—and observed the prevalence of pre-frailty (1–2 characteristics) and frailty (3 characteristics) in the PAD cohort. Of the 106 participants, 34.9% were robust/non-frail, 53.8% were pre-frail, and 2.8% were frail. Exhaustion (33.3%) was the most occurring characteristic followed by weakness (20.0%) and slowness (5.0%). The grouping of weakness + slowness (10.0%) was the most prevalent followed by exhaustion + weakness (8.3%) and exhaustion + slowness (5.0%). Among pre-frail participants, ankle brachial index was correlated with a reduction in gait speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed a number of key challenges that need to be urgently addressed. Mass spectrometric studies of blood plasma proteomics provide a deep understanding of the relationship between the severe course of infection and activation of specific pathophysiological pathways. Analysis of plasma proteins in whole blood may also be relevant for the pandemic as it requires minimal sample preparation.The frozen whole blood samples were used to analyze 203 plasma proteins using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mass spectrometry and stable isotope-labeled peptide standards (SIS). A total of 131 samples (FRCC, Russia) from patients with mild (n=41), moderate (n=39) and severe (n=19) COVID-19 infection and healthy controls (n=32) were analyzed.Levels of 94 proteins were quantified and compared. Significant differences between all of the groups were revealed for 44 proteins. Changes in the levels of 61 reproducible COVID-19 markers (SERPINA3, SERPING1, ORM1, HRG, LBP, APOA1, AHSG, AFM, ITIH2, etc.) were consistent with studies performed with serum/plasma samples. The best-performing classifier built with 10 proteins achieved the best combination of ROC-AUC (0.97–0.98) and accuracy (0.90–0.93) metrics and distinguished patients from controls, as well as patients by severity.Here, for the first time, frozen whole blood samples were used for proteomic analysis and assessment of the status of patients with COVID-19. The results obtained with frozen whole blood samples are consistent with those from plasma and serum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As a facial feature, the auricle plays an important role in the integrity and aesthetics of the whole face. Auricular subunits are associated with patient satisfaction in auricular reconstruction, but there are few studies on auricular subunits. We want to evaluate the reproducibility of auricular subunits by measuring the coordinates of the marker points of auricular subunits, accordingly provide a reference for the improvement of auricular reconstruction and the aesthetics of auricular injection. Methods: Mimics 19.0 was used to carry out three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the computed tomography (CT) scan data of patients' brains; measure the three-dimensional coordinates of the 13 auricular subunit markers, the morphological auricle length and width, and the physiological auricle length and width; and analyze the reproducibility as well as the differences between group. Results: Reproducibility of auricle subunit markers: There are 1124 (58.82%) high reproducibility, 580 (30.35%) moderate reproducibility, and 207 (10.83%) low reproducibility. The superior tragus notch, tragus, and antitragus had the highest reproducibility. There was no significant difference between the groups in the marking points on the helix, and there were no statistically significant differences in the measurement values of the auricles on the two sides. The physiological ear length and width and the morphological ear length of males were larger than those of females. These showed significant differences between the age groups. Conclusion: Most auricular subunit markers have high reproducibility. The subunits with higher reproducibility are the structures that need to be optimized during auricle reconstruction surgery or auricle injection in the future. No Level Assigned: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each submission to which Evidence-Based Medicine rankings are applicable. This excludes Review Articles, Book Reviews, and manuscripts that concern Basic Science, Animal Studies, Cadaver Studies, and Experimental Studies. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Verticillium stripe, caused by Verticillium longisporum, presents an emerging threat to Canadian canola (Brassica napus). Initially detected in Manitoba in 2014, the presence of this pathogen has since been confirmed across western Canada. Infections by V. longisporum can result in yield losses of up to 50%, which is a cause for concern given the susceptibility of most commercial Canadian canola cultivars. The objective of this study was to screen a collection of 211 Brassica genotypes for their reactions to V. longisporum, and to use genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for resistance. The plant material consisted of 110 rutabaga (B. napus ssp. napobrassica), 35 canola, 40 Brassica rapa, and 15 Brassica oleracea accessions or cultivars, alongside 11 hosts of the European Clubroot Differential (ECD) set. These materials were screened for resistance under greenhouse conditions and were genotyped using a 19K Brassica SNP array. Three general linear models (GLM), four mixed linear models (MLM), and three GWAS methods were employed to evaluate the markers. Eleven noncommercial Brassica accessions and 9 out of 35 commercial canola cultivars displayed a low normalized area under the disease progress curve (AUDPCnorm.). The non-commercial accessions could prove valuable as potential sources of resistance against V. longisporum. Forty-five SNP markers were identified to be significantly associated with V. longisporum resistance using single-SNP based GWAS analysis. In comparison, haplotype-based GWAS analyses identified 10 to 25 haplotype blocks to be significantly associated with V. longisporum resistance. Between 20% and 56% of QTLs identified by the more conventional single-SNP based GWAS analysis were also detected by the haplotype-based GWAS analysis. The overlapping genomic regions identified by the two GWAS methods present promising hotspots for marker-assisted selection in the future development of Verticillium stripe-resistant canola. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Approximately 90% of the world's chickpea is grown under rainfed conditions where terminal drought is one of the major constraints limiting productivity. The need of short-duration, Fusarium wilt tolerant cultivars/elite lines and able to escape drought due to early maturity were required. Methods: The present investigation was carried out using 54 genotypes, generated from six diverse crosses, along with ten checks (resistant/tolerance, susceptible) were screened against drought and Fusarium wilt at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Kalaburagi, Karnataka (Latitude: 17.36 and Longitude: 76.82) during crop season 2018-19. Result: The results revealed that higher PCV, GCV, heritability, per cent genetic advance were exhibited by number of pods per plant and seed yield per plot, whereas lower PCV, GCV recorded for days to 50% flowering and days to maturity in both normal and late sown conditions. The advanced breeding lines viz., KCD-8, KCD-24, KCD-28, KCD-32, KCD-37 and KCD-53 were identified as drought tolerant lines based on drought tolerant indices (viz., MP, YSI, DTE and DSI). The lines KCD-48 and KCD-32 were identified as Fusarium wilt resistance with lowest PDI of 1.47 and 2.46 respectively, as they were screened in wilt sick plot and further these were validated and confirmed the resistant alleles using two unpublished SNP markers (FW2_30366110 and FW2_30365816). The advanced breeding lines KCD-32 and KCD-37 were identified as drought tolerant and Fusarium wilt resistant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Binturong (Arctictis binturong) is a threatened carnivore that inhabits the forests of South and Southeast Asia. Despite its wide range, binturong is relatively scarce across its habitat distribution and is currently under the threat of poaching and illegal trade. Captive breeding has unfortunately been conducted rather haphazardly with a lack of origin record maintained, implicating potential risks to the management such as inbreeding or genetic swamping. This study thus aims to characterise the phylogenetic relationship of Indonesian binturong within the context of Southeast Asian binturong and further probe the distinctness of lineages originating from Java, Sumatra, Indonesian Borneo, and Bangka using Cytochrome B (CytB) and Cytochrome C Oxidase Subunit 1 (CO1). Genetic distance, phylogram topology, and haplotype analysis of both encoding genes further corroborate the distinctness of Java, Borneo, and Bangka binturong from other binturong from Indochinese regions such as India, Laos, and Myanmar. Search for prospective single nucleotide polymorphism markers to discriminate island lineages consistently found that each Java, Bangka, and Bornean binturong be distinct from each other and other lineages, especially when assessed using haplotype-based clustering. Assigning binturong originated from Sumatra is nonetheless more complicated, suggesting the possibility. Our findings substantiated the much-needed systematic research of Southeast Asian binturong as ex-situ insurance population management grows in Indonesia and other parts of the world to protect the diversity of binturong lineages and their corresponding unique evolutionary history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Nodal explants can be used to micropropagate P. longum for ex-situ conservation. • Thidiazuron was the most efficient hormone for regenerating shoots. • Indole-3-butyric acid was the most efficient hormone for regenerating roots. • First report on genetic fidelity of mother and in vitro -raised P. longum plants. • No polymorphisms found between mother and in vitro plants for all tested markers. Piper longum L. has been widely used to treat digestive disorders, insomnia, diabetes, bronchitis, and cough since ancient times, which has caused a decline in its population in natural habitat. This study aims to develop a protocol for micropropagation in P. longum using direct organogenesis using nodal explant as well as to compare genetic uniformity between the mother plant and in vitro -grown plants using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD), Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR), and Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) markers. Nodal explants were cultured on Murashige & Skoog (MS) medium added with α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), Kinetin (KN), Thidiazuron (TDZ), 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP), and 10 % coconut water. The highest number of shoots (5.33±1.15) and longest shoot length (6.16±0.65 cm) were found in MS media added with 1.0 mg/L TDZ, while the highest number of roots (7.0 ± 1.0) and the longest root length (5.53±0.35 cm) were found in MS media added with 1.0 mg/L Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) in nodal explants. The evaluation of genetic homogeneity using 12 specific RAPD, ISSR, and SCoT markers revealed that the in vitro -raised plants are genetically very similar, or even identical, to the wild mother plants, and there is no polymorphism between the mother plant and in vitro -raised plants for the specific markers tested. Twelve of twenty-four RAPD, ISSR, and SCoT primers amplified a total of 39 loci varying in size from 150 to 1400 base pairs. This study showed that an effective protocol developed for the in vitro propagation of P. longum by direct organogenesis can be used to produce true-to-type plants, which may aid in homozygous breeding programs and ex-situ conservation and could be used for commercial propagation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honey differentiation based on the botanical origin is crucial to guarantee product authenticity, especially considering the increasing number of fraud cases. This study assessed the metabolomic differences arising from various botanical origins in honey products sold in Spanish markets, focusing on two goals: (1) discrimination within monofloral samples (eucalyptus, rosemary, and orange blossom honey) and (2) differentiation between multifloral vs. monofloral honey samples. An omics strategy based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-Orbitrap-high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-HRMS) was applied for the reliable identification of specific honey markers selected by orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) (R2Y = 0.929–0.981 and Q2 = 0.868–0.952), followed by the variable importance in projection (VIP) approach. Key amino acid, alkaloid, and trisaccharide markers were identified to distinguish between honey samples. Some Amadori compounds were highlighted as eucalyptus honey markers, suggesting their potential use for honey aging and botanical origin differentiation. L-phenylalanine and raffinose were markers of rosemary honey. Four markers (e.g., trigonelline, L-isoleucine, and N-(1-deoxy-1-fructosyl)isoleucine) were found in higher levels in multifloral samples, indicating a greater availability of amino acids, potentially increasing the Maillard reaction. This research is the first to address the botanical origin's impact on honey by identifying novel markers not previously described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Cirrhosis represents a significant global health challenge, characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates that severely impact human health. Timely and precise prognostic assessments of liver cirrhosis are crucial for improving patient outcomes and reducing mortality rates as they enable physicians to identify high-risk patients and implement early interventions. This paper features a thorough literature review on the prognostic assessment of liver cirrhosis, aiming to summarize and delineate the present status and constraints associated with the application of traditional prognostic tools in clinical settings. Among these tools, the Child–Pugh and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scoring systems are predominantly utilized. However, their accuracy varies significantly. These systems are generally suitable for broad assessments but lack condition-specific applicability and fail to capture the risks associated with dynamic changes in patient conditions. Future research in this field is poised for deep exploration into the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with routine clinical and multi-omics data in patients with cirrhosis. The goal is to transition from static, unimodal assessment models to dynamic, multimodal frameworks. Such advancements will not only improve the precision of prognostic tools but also facilitate personalized medicine approaches, potentially revolutionizing clinical outcomes.

In ths paper I outline my development over fifty years as a therapist, researcher and theorist. I started with empathy as a core helping process seeing it as a moment-bymoment information processing aid as well as a provision of the curative effects of human understanding. Over the years I added a focus on emotion as central to change, and proposed a number of necessary distinctions that needed to be made when working with emotion and concluded that one of the best ways to change emotion was with another emotion. In addition to my focus on moment by moment process I saw that identification of in-session experiential states and case formulation went beyond just being in the moment and helped provide more focus to an essentially phenomenologically based experiential approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have shown a correlation between chocolate sensory profile and certain (bio)chemical components. The aim of this study was to examine the sensorial profile and organic acid content of three lab scale chocolate brands produced from different cocoa genotypes. The sensorial evaluation was examined by a team of 12 panelists and evaluation of aroma volatiles was done by means of HS-SPME-GC-MS. On the other hand, organic acids were assessed using a high-performance ion chromatography coupled with an electrochemical detector (HPIC-ED). Results showed a variability in sensorial profile: SCA12×ICS40 chocolate (vanilla/sweet, spicy, and floral), ICS40 × SCA12 chocolate (fruity, bitter, and dry) and SNK16 × T60/887 chocolate (chocolate, honey-like, woody, sweet). Moreover, some aroma volatiles like (2-methyl, 3-methyl, iso) butanal (ICS), terpenes (SCA), and ketones (acetophenone and 2-nonanone) (SNK) allowed to discriminate dark chocolate sample according to their raw cocoa genetic group. Besides, the organic acid content differed from one chocolate brand to another, and it was obtained a high content of oxalic acid and a low lactic acid content which are good indicators of chocolate quality. Results of the current study highly recommend knowing the variety of cocoa beans with high content of some volatiles and high oxalic and low acetic acid and lactic contents to produce high aromatic (special flavor) chocolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photogrammetry, reconstructing three-dimensional (3D) models from overlapping two-dimensional (2D) photos, finds application in rock mechanics and rock engineering to extract geometrical details of reconstructed objects, for example rock fractures. Fracture properties are important for determining the mechanical stability, permeability, strength, and shear behavior of the rock mass. Photogrammetry can be used to reconstruct detailed 3D models of two separated rock fracture surfaces to characterize fracture roughness and physical aperture, which controls the fluid flow, hydromechanical and shear behavior of the rock mass. This research aimed to determine the optimal number of scale bars required to produce high-precision 3D models of a fracture surface. A workflow has been developed to define the physical aperture of a fracture using photogrammetry. Three blocks of Kuru granite (25 cm × 25 cm × 10 cm) with an artificially induced fracture, were investigated. For scaling 3D models, 321 markers were used as ground control points (GCPs) with predefined distances on each block. When the samples were well-matched in their original positions, the entire block was photographed. Coordinate data of the GCPs were extracted from the 3D model of the blocks. Each half was surveyed separately and georeferenced by GCPs and merged into the same coordinate system. Two fracture surfaces were extracted from the 3D models and the vertical distance between the two surfaces was digitally calculated as physical aperture. Accuracy assessment of the photogrammetric reconstruction showed a 20–30 μm digital control distance accuracy when compared to known distances defined between markers. To attain this accuracy, the study found that at least 200 scale bars were required. Furthermore, photogrammetry was employed to measure changes in aperture under normal stresses. The results obtained from this approach were found to be in good agreement with those obtained using linear variable displacement transducers (LVDTs), with differences ranging from 1 μm to 8 μm.

Lily bulbs are valued for their health benefits, and drying is a common method for their preservation. This study employed untargeted metabolomics using UHPLC-QTOF-MS to analyze the phytochemical profiles of lily bulbs dried by hot air (HD), microwave (MD), and vacuum freeze (FD) methods. In terms of appearance, FD samples exhibited minimal browning and wrinkling, while HD bulbs showed the most severe changes. Nineteen potential markers were identified, with HD samples showing higher levels of bitter amino acids, peptides, and N-fructosyl phenylalanine. The markers of FD samples were glutamine, coumarin, and p-coumaric acid. Notably, eleutheroside E was detected in lily bulbs for the first time and confirmed as an MD marker, with levels 1.51-fold and 6.19-fold higher than in FD and HD samples, respectively. MD method shows promise for enriching bioactive compounds in dried lily bulbs.

A validated marker system is crucial to running an effective genomics-assisted breeding program. We used 36 Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR (KASP) markers to genotype 376 clones from the biofortified cassava pipeline, and fingerprinted 93 of these clones with DArTseq markers to characterize breeding materials and evaluate their relationships. The discriminating ability of the 36-quality control (QC) KASP and 6602 DArTseq markers was assessed using 92 clones genotyped in both assays. In addition, trait-specific markers were used to determine the presence or absence of target genomic regions. Hierarchical clustering identified two major groups, and the clusters were consistent with the breeding program origins. There was moderate genetic differentiation and a low degree of variation between the identified groups. The general structure of the population was similar using both assays. Nevertheless, KASP markers had poor resolution when it came to differentiating the genotypes by seed sources and overestimated the prevalence of duplicates. The trait-linked markers did not achieve optimal performance as all markers displayed variable levels of false positive and/or false negative. These findings represent the initial step in the application of genomics-assisted breeding for the biofortified cassava pipeline, and will guide the use of genomic selection in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes. Following a comparison of nutrient total-tract digestibility estimates in lactating buffaloes using single-point undigestible NDF (uNDF) or acid-insoluble ash (AIA) as internal markers, the potential of fecal near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to provide calibration equations for the assessment of the chemical composition of feces and nutrient total-tract digestibility estimated with internal markers was explored. Chemical analyses were performed on 147 fecal samples from lactating buffaloes reared on 5 farms in central Italy (Naples). Each farm fed a silage-based TMR to the buffaloes, and the TMR was sampled in the 2 d before the fecal collection. The TMR and individual fecal samples were collected and analyzed for DM, OM, ash, AIA, ether extract (EE), starch, fiber fractions (amylase-treated NDF without residual ash [aNDFom], amylase-treated NDF inclusive of residual ash [aNDF], ADF without residual ash [ADFom], ADF, hemicellulose, cellulose, ADL, uNDF), N, CP and CP bound to aNDF (NDICP) and to ADF (ADICP). The uNDF content was determined through a 240-h in vitro fermentation and employed, together with AIA as markers, to estimate the total-tract apparent digestibility and total-tract digestibility of DM, OM, ash, N, CP, EE, aNDFom, aNDF, NDIP, ADFom, and ADF, ADIN, ADL, hemicellulose, cellulose, starch, NFC, and the B3 fraction of N (NB3). No correlation was found between DM and OM digestibility estimated with AIA and uNDF as internal markers. Weak correlations were detected for all the other nutients digestibilities, and strong correlations were observed for EE, ADFom, hemicellulose, NDIN, ADIN, NB3, NFC, and starch. The sample set (n = 147) was divided in a calibration set (n = 111) and a validation set (n = 36) to "train" and "validate" the fecal NIRS curve through an external validation process. An estimation usable for preliminary or initial evaluation was obtained for N, CP, and aNDF fecal content. An excellent prediction was obtained for total tract digestibility of ADIN (R2 = 0.90) when estimated with uNDF as the internal marker. The NIRS technology was not able to accurately predict all the other traits and the estimated nutrient digestibility of lactating buffalo diets from fecal spectra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human retinal organoids (ROs) have emerged as valuable tools for studying retinal development, modeling human retinal diseases, and screening drugs. However, their application is limited primarily due to time-intensive generation, high costs, and low reproducibility. Quality assessment of RO differentiation is crucial for their application in research. However, traditional methods such as morphological evaluation and immunohistochemical analysis have limitations due to their lack of precision and invasiveness, respectively. This study aims to identify non-invasive biomarkers for RO differentiation quality using exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs), which are known to reflect cell-specific functions and development in the retina. We differentiated ROs from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and classified them into 'superior' and 'inferior' groups based on morphological and immunohistochemical criteria. Exosomes from the conditioned media were isolated and analyzed for miRNA content. Our findings revealed distinct miRNA profiles between superior and inferior ROs, with superior ROs exhibiting higher miRNA diversity and specifically up- or down-regulated miRNAs. Gene ontology and pathway enrichment analyses indicated that the target genes of these miRNAs are involved in neuron proliferation and differentiation. The study suggests the potential of exosomal hsa-miR-654-3p and hsa-miR-451a as non-invasive biomarkers for real-time monitoring of RO quality, facilitating the development of standardized, efficient, and cost-effective culture methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative stress reflects an imbalance between the systemic manifestation of reactive oxygen species and cells' ability to neutralize them by antioxidant systems. The role of oxidative stress in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is not fully understood. The aim of the study was to examine selected parameters of oxidative stress in patients with HCM compared to the control group. We enrolled 85 consecutive HCM patients and 97 controls without HCM. The groups were matched for sex, the body mass index, and age. Oxidative stress markers included superoxide dismutase (SOD), ceruloplasmin (CER), and lipofuscin (LPS). The median age of the HCM patients was 53 (40–63) years, and 41.2% of them were male. HCM patients, compared to the control ones, had significantly increased levels of CER and LPS. The areas under the receiver operating characteristics curves (AUC) indicated a good discriminatory power of CER (AUC 0.924, sensitivity 84%, and specificity 88%), an acceptable discriminatory power of LPS (AUC 0.740, sensitivity 66%, and specificity 72%), and poor discriminatory power of SOD (AUC 0.556, sensitivity 34%, and specificity 94%) for HCM detection. CER with good predictive strength, as well as LPS with acceptable predictive power, allows for HCM detection. The utility of SOD for HCM detection is limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The silkworm is an ideal lepidopteran model for the study of genetics and genetic diversity. In this study, inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) and Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) were used to investigate genetic relationships among 32 mulberry silkworm genotypes which included bivoltine and multivoltine silkworm breeds. Genomic DNA was isolated from the silkmoth samples and six polymorphic ISSRs were utilized to screen the genotypes. A total of 641 scorable alleles were identified among 32 silkworm genotypes utilizing six polymorphic ISSR markers and size ranged from ~ 100 to ~ 1400 bp. The percent polymorphism for six ISSR primers ranged from 46.15 to 63.63%. A total of six monomorphic alleles were observed, accounting for 8.57%. Similarly, three thermotolerant SSR markers were screened which revealed a total of 108 alleles with a polymorphism of 69.44%. The molecular mass of the alleles ranged from ~ 190 bp to ~ 250 bp. The chi square based similarity index represents a clear genetic similarity of the silkworm breeds BMV2 and BM22 (0.23) and the maximum genetic distance for breeds TMS knob and CSR27SL (1.32). Cluster dendrogram utilizing distance matrix classified the genotypes into two clusters with five sub clusters representing highest polymorphism with 21 genotypes. Thus, ISSRs and SSRs polymorphic markers are informative for estimating the extent of genetic diversity as well as to determine the pattern of genetic relationships between different silkworm genotypes and provide unique molecular identity based on the identified monomorphic bands. ISSR and SSR marker-based barcodes could be an effective tool for the selection of parentage in silkworm breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The review aims to summarize the markers used in diagnosing relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs) and compare them with the REDs CAT2 score. Methods: A systematic search was performed in the PubMed, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus databases during April 2023. The descriptors used were “athlete” AND “REDs,” along with respective entry terms. The selection process followed the PRISMA 2020 recommendations, identifying 593 records, from which 13 studies were ultimately selected. Seventy-nine markers were identified and categorized into six groups: bone mineral density (BMD), metabolic resting rate, blood biomarkers, anthropometrics, nutritional intake, and performance parameters. The most frequently utilized biomarkers included BMD, anthropometric parameters (e.g., body mass index, body mass, and fat mass), and the triiodothyronine (T3) concentration. Results: According to the REDs CAT2 pointed indicators, the biomarkers varied among the studies, while 7 out of the 13 included studies achieved a ≥60% agreement rate with this tool. The prevalence of low energy availability, an etiological factor in the development of REDs, was detected in 4 out of 13 studies, with an average of 39.5%. Conclusion: In conclusion, this review highlights the most commonly used markers in diagnosing REDs, such as BMD, anthropometric parameters, and T3 hormone concentration. Due to the current inconsistencies, standardizing diagnostic methodologies is crucial for future research. By focusing on widely used markers, this review aids future research planning and result interpretation and points out the ongoing need for methodological consistency in evolving diagnostic tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diagnosis of early acute myocardial infarction is of particular importance in forensic practice considering the frequency of sudden cardiac death and the difficulty of positively identifying it through classical histological methods if survival is less than 6 h. This article aims to analyze potential immunohistochemical markers that could be useful in diagnosing acute myocardial infarction within the first 6 h of its onset. We conducted an extensive evaluation of the literature according to the PRISMA guidelines for reporting systematic literature reviews. We searched the Web of Science and PubMed databases from their inception to 2023 using the following keywords: "myocardial infarction" and "immunohistochemistry". Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Immunohistochemical markers as complement factors and CD59, myoglobin, fibrinogen, desmin, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), P-38, JNK (Jun N Terminal Kinase), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), cardiac troponins, fibronectin, H-FABP (heart fatty acid binding protein), dityrosine, fibronectin, CD15, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-15, IL-8, MCP-1, ICAM-1, CD18, and tryptase can be used to identify the first six hours of acute myocardial infarction. These markers are mostly studied in experimental animal models. It is necessary to conduct extensive studies on human myocardial tissue fragments, which will involve the analysis of several immunohistochemical markers and careful analysis of the available data on perimortem events, resuscitation, and postmortem intervals in the context of a uniform laboratory methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biosensors are analytical devices that play a significant role in medicine as diagnostics, agricultural, food, and environment sectors for detecting and monitoring various analytes. According to their uniqueness in the effective and rapid target recognition, a wide range of biosensors have been utilized in different applications for the detection of diverse targets. In this regard, various principles and configurations were employed to develop these sensors. Incorporating nanotechnology and green chemistry principles in the fabrication of biosensors brings novel and effective sensors termed as nanobiosensors. Due to the nanoscale range and distinct physical, chemical, electrical, thermal, optical, and magnetic properties, the nano-dimensional sensors act better than conventional biosensors. This review focuses on the applications of nanotechnology principles in biosensor development. The utilization of nanomaterials in sensor development and significance of these sensors in various fields have been discussed. It reveals the possible utilization of nanobiosensors as effective tools for the recognition of wide range of analytes, including markers associated with medicine, agriculture, food sector, and environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The study aimed to analyse the relationship of the rs4986790 locus of the TLR4 gene with the overall risk of preeclampsia, including both its early and late forms. Methods: The study used standard genetic analysis methods such as DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and genotyping of the rs4986790 locus of the TLR4 gene to assess the association with the development of preeclampsia and peripartal stroke in 207 pregnant women from the southern regions of Kazakhstan from 2016 to 2022, of whom 103 had peripartal stroke on the background of preeclampsia (the main group) and 104 preeclampsia (comparative group). Results: The results of the study demonstrate that the AG and AG + GG genotypes at the rs4986790 locus of the TLR4 gene are significantly associated with an increased risk of developing an early form of preeclampsia. This opens up a new perspective in the identification of genetic markers that can serve as indicators of a tendency to develop preeclampsia in earlier periods of pregnancy. Conclusion: It was noted that the rs4986790 locus did not show a statistically significant association with the risk of late preeclampsia. An important aspect of the study revealed the relationship of genotypes with the development of peripartal stroke on the background of preeclampsia. This study offers practical insights for creating targeted genetic screening and personalised treatments for preeclampsia, aiming to improve patient outcomes. To fully understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the identified association, additional research is required to identify deeper molecular pathways and relationships, and to develop new strategies for the prevention and treatment of preeclampsia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modality is a linguistic marker that reflects the speaker’s approach and attitude towards a proposition and is generally divided into two: propositional and event modality. Modality of possibility is also mostly situated within the epistemic modality which is a subheading of propositional modality. Different degrees of possibility arise related to the speaker’s modal areas such as prediction, probability, assumption, hesitation, doubt, indecision, certainty and uncertainty regarding the proposition in the modality of possibility. In this study, markers indicating possibility in Tuvan Turkish are analyzed based on Rubin’s (2010) certainty categorization model. In this scope, as a result of the sample scanned from grammar books, textbooks, dictionaries and literary works written on Tuvan Turkish, it was determined that the modality of possibility consists of morphology, morpho-syntactic, lexical and syntactic markers. Following the example given for each marker, the categorization of possibility in which the proposition was evaluated (absolute certaintyhigh certainty-moderate certainty-low certainty-uncertainty) is given. This study is carried out in order to identify markers of modality of possibility in Tuvan Turkish and to address this gap in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Gonadal teratomas are tumours that can be benign or malignant and affect the gonads, specifically the ovaries in women and the testicles in men. They are predominantly young tumours that affect children and adolescents; therefore, early diagnosis is essential to apply the most suitable therapy to preserve fertility. In this article, based on articles found in the literature, we analysed the past, present and future of gonadal teratomas, starting from the description of the possible causes, the distinction between benign and malignant, and consequent diversification of the diagnostic and, therefore, therapeutic procedure. Furthermore, we concluded on the importance of a team that involves various specialists, including the pathologist, for the correct diagnosis and therapy to guarantee the best possible quality of life for the patient. Teratomas are neoplasms arising from germ cells and encompass tissues derived from two or more embryonic germ layers, including ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. These tumours typically localize along the midline or in paramedian positions and can manifest as gonadal (20%) or extragonadal (80%) entities. Although gonadal teratomas are uncommon, they represent the predominant type of gonadal tumour in the paediatric population. They comprise approximately 20–25% of all ovarian tumours in females and about 3–5% of all testicular tumours in males. Ovarian teratomas exhibit a higher incidence in early childhood and adolescence, whereas testicular teratomas are more prevalent during the first three months of life and between the ages of 15 and 19. While the majority of paediatric gonadal teratomas are benign, malignant or mixed variants may also arise, necessitating more aggressive therapeutic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pediatric ovarian tumors exhibit unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. This study evaluates the expression of SALL4 and OCT3/4 biomarkers in pediatric ovarian tumors and their associations with tumor subtype, stage, and clinical outcome. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 64 patients under 18 years old, examining demographic data, tumor characteristics, immunohistochemical staining, and clinical outcomes. Our results show that SALL4 was significantly expressed in adenocarcinoma, dysgerminoma (DSG), mixed germ cell tumors (GCTs), and immature teratoma, while OCT3/4 was highly expressed in DSG and mixed GCTs. Both markers are associated with a higher tumor grade and stage, indicating a more aggressive disease. The SALL4 positivity expression was correlated with high alpha fetoprotein (AFP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, while OCT3/4 positivity significantly predicted the risk of subsequent metastasis. The mean progression-free survival (PFS) was notably shorter in patients with positive markers. These findings underscore the diagnostic and prognostic value of SALL4 and OCT3/4 in pediatric ovarian tumors, aligning with previous research and supporting their use in clinical practice for better disease management and patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinson's disease (PD) challenges us to assess the disease due to the lack of definitive biomarkers. Currently, PD patients have been found to contract several gastrointestinal comorbidities such as constipation and intestinal inflammation that precede its symptomatic manifestations. These conditions are intricately linked to proliferative metabolisms of the gut microbiota, which are manifested to be some primary changes in the gut microbiota or other changes involved in medication during treatment. In this paper we review the recent research on gut microbiota biomarkers in PD, arguing for the clinical relevance of gut microbiota as a marker in the progression of PD and prospecting the potential efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation as an intervention in managing PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focused on cucumbers' multi-pistillate flower (MPF) trait, which is essential for high yields. A genetic linkage map was constructed using a population of 219 F2 plants to analyze quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with MPF traits. Crossbreeding of EWSCU-809 (MPF) with EWSCU-989 (single pistillate flower: SPF) generated an F1 hybrid that self-pollinated to form an F2 population. Based on 244 single nucleotide polymorphic markers across seven cucumber chromosomes, a linkage map facilitated QTL analysis considering average pistillate flowers (PFs) per node and nodes with MPF traits. The results indicated a 9:6:1 epistatic ratio in the F2 populations, revealing recessive allele control of the MPF trait in gynoecious plants. Three QTLs (qMP2.1, qMP3, qMP7) on chromosomes 2, 3, and 7 were associated with average PFs per node, explaining 5.6 to 10.3% of phenotypic variation. Four QTLs (qMP2.2, qMP3, qMP4, qMP7) on chromosomes 2, 3, 4, and 7 were linked to the presence of nodes with MPF traits, explaining 5.8 to 10.6% of phenotypic variance. Notably, QTL regions overlapped between the two datasets, suggesting pleiotropic effects, particularly on chromosomes 3 and 7. These reliable QTLs have the potential to improve breeding programs, enhance PF development, and increase cucumber yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant breeding‘s rewarding polyploidy analysis can happen by observing molecular characteristics. Previously obtained 21 sugarcane mutants had used colchicine induction on the GMP3 cultivar at the PT Gunung Madu Plantations, Lampung, Indonesia. However, little information emerged related to the informative molecular markers and analysis of molecular characteristics in sugarcane mutants. The presented research complements previous studies regarding the characterization of superior sugarcane mutants based on agronomic and anatomical attributes. The said research ran through PCR-RAPD amplification using five primers. The DNA band pattern diversity analysis ensued using MVSP program version 3.2. The cluster analysis through UPGMA also estimated the genetic distance. Polymorphic band assessment employing the polymorphism information content (PIC) also helps determine the informative level of the used primers. The PCR-RAPD markers’ screening results showed that four informative primers (OPN-07, OPB-19, OPA-04, and OPA-07) have PIC values ranging from 0.30 to 0.39. The molecular characterization showed that 21 GMP3 mutants had 35-60 DNA bands with 28 polymorphic bands and a similarity index of 0.47-1.00. The promising results would help increase sugar production and improve quality by inducing mutation in the sugarcane cultivar GMP3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change biotic and abiotic stressors lead to unpredictable crop yield losses, threatening global food and nutritional security. In the past, traditional breeding has been instrumental in fulfilling food demand; however, owing to its low efficiency, dependence on environmental conditions, labor intensity, and time consumption, it fails to maintain global food demand in the face of a rapidly changing environment and an expanding population. In this regard, plant breeders need to integrate multiple disciplines and technologies, such as genotyping, phenotyping, and envirotyping, in order to produce stress-resilient and high-yielding crops in a shorter time. With the technological revolution, plant breeding has undergone various reformations, for example, artificial selection breeding, hybrid breeding, molecular breeding, and precise breeding, which have been instrumental in developing high-yielding and stress-resilient crops in modern agriculture. Marker-assisted selection, also known as marker-assisted breeding, emerged as a game changer in modern breeding and has evolved over time into genomics-assisted breeding (GAB). It involves genomic information of crops to speed up plant breeding in order to develop stress-resilient and high-yielding crops. The combination of speed breeding with genomic and phenomic resources enabled the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs)/genes quickly, thereby accelerating crop improvement efforts. In this review, we provided an update on rapid advancement in molecular plant breeding, mainly GAB, for efficient crop improvements. We also highlighted the importance of GAB for improving biotic and abiotic stress tolerance as well as crop productivity in different crop systems. Finally, we discussed how the expansion of GAB to omics-assisted breeding (OAB) will contribute to the development of future resilient crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ataxia Global Initiative (AGI) aims to serve as a platform to facilitate clinical trial readiness for the hereditary ataxias. Clinical trials for these diseases have been hampered by the lack of objective measures to study disease onset, progression, and treatment efficacy. While these issues are not unique to the genetic ataxias, the relative rarity of these diseases makes the need for such measures even more pressing to achieve statistical power in clinical trials. In this report, we have described the efforts of the AGI fluid biomarker working group (WG) in developing uniform protocols for biomarker sampling and storage, both for human and preclinical studies in mice. By reducing collection variability, we anticipate reduced noise in downstream biomarker analysis that will improve statistical power and minimize the necessary sample size. The emphasis has been on defining and standardizing the sampling and pre-analytical work-up of minimal set of biological samples, specifically blood plasma and serum, keeping in mind the need for harmonization of collection and storage that can be achieved with relatively limited cost and resources. An optional package is detailed for those centers that have the resources and commitment for additional biofluids/sample processing and storage. Finally, we have delineated similar standardized protocols for mice that will be important for preclinical studies in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease of unelucidated etiology. LP immunopathogenesis is mainly governed by cytotoxic T lymphocytes that mediate an immune response in basal keratinocytes, which may transform into a reservoir of antigens able to initiate an autoimmune reaction. However, other pathogenic pathways complement these mechanisms. Recent studies highlight the involvement of nitrosative stress in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory skin diseases. Current data on its role in the pathogenesis of LP are scarce. Methods: In this article, we investigated nitrosative stress in 40 cutaneous LP (CLP) patients compared to 40 healthy subjects using serum markers including nitrosative stress markers—direct nitrite, total nitrite, nitrate and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), total antioxidant status (TAS), and hsCRP, a marker of inflammation, and analyzed the relationship between nitrosative stress, antioxidant defense, and inflammation to offer new insights into the role of the NO pathway in LP pathogenesis. Results: We identified significantly higher serum levels of direct nitrite, total nitrite, nitrate, SDMA and hsCRP, and significantly lower levels of TAS in CLP patients versus controls. There were significant negative correlations between the serum levels of TAS and significantl positive correlations between the serum levels of hsCRP and the analyzed nitrosative stress markers in patients with CLP. Conclusion: Our results indicate an increased level of nitrosative stress in LP patients that correlates with a pro-inflammatory status and altered antioxidant defense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Цель данной статьи – анализ особенностей коммуникации в дискурсе киберспорта, обусловленных новыми реалиями киберпространства. Материалом исследования для данной статьи послужили записи стримов турнирных и публичных матчей англоговорящих и русских контент-мейкеров. Актуальность данной статьи обусловлена высокой популярностью киберспорта как социального явления, позволяющего смотреть, болеть, участвовать и соревноваться не в реальном, а в виртуальном пространстве. Практическая значимость данного исследования позволяет изучать классифицировать и разбирать особенности игрового и киберспортивного сленга, изучать способы передачи и перевода терминов в данной сфере, а также подробно изучать стратегии выстраивания коммуникации в данной интернациональной среде. Данное исследование позволило показать, как пользователи и игроки находят способы передачи и/или обозначения различных терминов и к каким переводческим трансформациям и решениям они прибегают. В ходе исследования было выявлено, что игроки нередко прибегают к различным переводческим приёмам, среди которых можно выделить транслитерацию, транскрипцию, использование заимствований и сокращений для обозначений игровых явлений, механик, ролей, мест.Методами изучения послужили: наблюдение, анализ, классификация и описание.

The high productivity of cows on modern dairy farms means that their bodies are used almost at full capacity. Even minor violations in the conditions of keeping or feeding can lead to a significant increase in the morbidity of animals. In such conditions, preventive veterinary medicine is the main task of a veterinarian. In practice, preventing the development of the disease means the veterinarian's ability to predict the occurrence of a problem, identify its cause in time and offer preventive measures. The purpose of this work was to get acquainted with behavioral and metabolic markers for predicting morbidity in cows during early lactation. According to the methodology for systematic reviews of the literature, a search and analysis of scientific articles according to the topic of the study, which were published during 2000–2023, was carried out. To search for scientific articles, the scientometric databases of the Web of Science Core Collection and PubMed were used. Analysis of the study of behavioral and metabolic markers of morbidity in cows during early lactation showed the significant relevance of the problem for dairy farming. A significant number of scientific articles are devoted to the study of this issue. A significant amount of the results of scientific research has practical significance and is used in production. The other part serves as a basis for the formation of new substantiated scientific hypotheses. This gives reason to believe that solving the problem of timely diagnosis and prevention of cow diseases during the transition period is a matter of the near future. Certain physiological and behavioral parameters (duration of chewing and feeding, time of rest and motor activity, social interaction) during the dry period can be important indicators of metabolic changes or diseases in cows at the beginning of lactation. The accuracy of forecasting with the help of such parameters increases with the increase in the duration of the study and the number of indicators used. Physiological and behavioral parameters recorded by automated milking systems can be successfully used to diagnose and predict health problems of dairy cows. Further research in this field is an important challenge for veterinary science. An increase in the time spent in a lying position, the number of periods of rest and agonistic contractions per day, a decrease in the duration of chewing, feeding and motor activity, especially in the last trimester of pregnancy, are associated with an increased likelihood of transition period diseases (ketosis, abomasum displacement, reproductive disorders, etc.). The study of behavioral and metabolic markers of morbidity in cows during early lactation proved the significant relevance of the problem for dairy farming. A significant number of scientific articles are devoted to the study of this issue. We believe that solving the problem of timely diagnosis and prevention of cow diseases during the transition period is an important task of veterinary medical science today.

Colon cancer is relatively asymptomatic in the early stages, the manifestations appearing and intensifying with the evolution of the disease, especially when associated with local and/or systemic complications. In such cases, surgical interventions are often emergency and involve more extensive operations (on metabolically and immune-stressed organisms), so that an early diagnosis (endoscopy, tumor markers, etc.) remains not only desirable but even a priority, especially in predisposed patients (genetic factors, lifestyle, etc.). As a consequence, the involvement of tumor markers in colon neoplasms has become more and more investigated in recent times. This review investigates the roles of serological and genetic markers in the management of patients with colon cancer, focusing on carcinoembryonic antigen, mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR), as well as KRAS and BRAF mutations. As a preliminary conclusion, tumor biomarkers seem to have a significant contribution to the diagnosis, decisions related to operative management, prognosis and postoperative follow-up of colon cancer, both in the categories of patients from high-risk groups and those without a clear predisposition to this condition.

Introduction. Bariatric surgery is one of the most effective methods of treating morbid obesity, which allows for a long-lasting result. Along with the increase in the number of operative methods of obesity treatment, the relevance of issues related to postoperative complications is increasing. In recent years, the issue of using special checklists after surgery has been actively investigated. This will help optimize the process of monitoring patients' condition in the postoperative period. The aim of the study: to develop a check-list model to prevent the detection of complications after laparoscopic gastric bypass in obese patients. Materials and methods. On the basis of the developed checklist, a study of the condition of obese patients, who underwent laparoscopic gastric bypass during 2019-2023, was conducted on the basis of the Department of General Surgery No. 2 of the Bogomolets National Medical University. The checklist included the following criteria: the level of pain on the VAS scale, the level of nausea, eating, mobility, whether there is a desire to be discharged home, abdominal muscle tension, pain in the calf muscles, heart rate, oxygen saturation in the blood, the number drainage discharge within 24 hours, temperature, systolic blood pressure, central venous pressure, laboratory diagnosis, decrease in hemoglobin concentration, leukocyte level after surgery, C-reactive protein level after surgery, blood procalcitonin level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate level, the presence of a shift in the leukocyte formula to the left. The presence of complications was assessed, the parameters of the checklist were analyzed using univariate logistic regression and ROC analysis for early detection of complications and determination of the chance of complications in the future. Results. Complications occurred in 18/218 (8.2%). The most frequent complication was bleeding in 6/18 (33.3%). Reoperation was performed in 12 cases of 12/18 (66.6%), endoscopic treatment was performed in 1 case, and conservative methods were used in 5 cases. According to the checklist, 31.81% had a positive predictive value (PPV) and 99.56% had a negative predictive value (NPV). The optimal cut-off point of the total score of the checklist was 6. Patients with a positive prognosis of the checklist have a higher chance of developing complications of VSH – 4.5 (95% CI 1.8-9.72), p

Abstract Background Cervical cancer remains a leading cause of death, particularly in developing countries. WHO screening guidelines recommend human papilloma virus (HPV) detection as a means to identify women at risk of developing cervical cancer. While HPV testing identifies those at risk, it does not specifically distinguish individuals with neoplasia. We investigated whether a quantitative molecular test that measures methylated DNA markers could identify high-risk lesions in the cervix with accuracy. Results Marker discovery was performed in TCGA-CESC Infinium Methylation 450 K Array database and verified in three other public datasets. The panel was technically validated using Quantitative Multiplex-Methylation-Specific PCR in tissue sections (N = 252) and cervical smears (N = 244) from the USA, South Africa, and Vietnam. The gene panel consisted of FMN2, EDNRB, ZNF671, TBXT, and MOS. Cervical tissue samples from all three countries showed highly significant differential methylation in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with a sensitivity of 100% [95% CI 74.12–100.00], and specificity of 91% [95% CI 62.26–99.53] to 96% [95% CI 79.01–99.78], and receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (ROC AUC) = 1.000 [95% CI 1.00–1.00] compared to benign cervical tissue, and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2/3 with sensitivity of 55% [95% CI 37.77–70.84] to 89% [95% CI 67.20–98.03], specificity of 93% [95% CI 84.07–97.38] to 96% [95% CI 79.01–99.78], and a ROC AUC ranging from 0.793 [95% CI 0.68–0.89] to 0.99 [95% CI 0.97–1.00] compared to CIN1. In cervical smears, the marker panel detected SCC with a sensitivity of 87% [95% CI 77.45–92.69], specificity 95% [95% CI 88.64–98.18], and ROC AUC = 0.925 [95% CI 0.878–0.974] compared to normal, and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) at a sensitivity of 70% (95% CI 58.11–80.44), specificity of 94% (95% CI 88.30–97.40), and ROC AUC = 0.884 (95% CI 0.822–0.945) compared to low-grade intraepithelial lesion (LSIL)/normal in an analysis of pooled data from the three countries. Similar to HPV-positive, HPV-negative cervical carcinomas were frequently hypermethylated for these markers. Conclusions This 5-marker panel detected SCC and HSIL in cervical smears with a high level of sensitivity and specificity. Molecular tests with the ability to rapidly detect high-risk HSIL will lead to timely treatment for those in need and prevent unnecessary procedures in women with low-risk lesions throughout the world. Validation of these markers in prospectively collected cervical smear cells followed by the development of a hypermethylated marker-based cervical cancer detection test is warranted.

This paper presents the results of geological and production analysis of development and reserves of the pilot area using the results of dynamic marker monitoring of horizontal wellbores of production wells using high-precision indicators. As part of the research, the geological structure of the reservoir section was updated, which includes a lithological and facial analysis and geological and hydrodynamic simulation of the reservoir. The energy state of the reservoir was analyzed and the efficiency of the waterflood system was evaluated using dynamic data analysis and correlation analysis. The reasons for changes in the dynamics of inflow profiles over time have been analyzed. By the example of the pilot area the decision-making algorithm for adjusting the process of hydrocarbon reserves extraction, based on the analysis of the relevant geological and technical information, obtained during the long-term dynamic marker monitoring of the horizontal wells operation, has been implemented. A set of recommendations has been developed, which makes it possible to achieve stable dynamics of development indicators, to increase the coefficients of coverage by displacement in the area and the reservoir section, to involve previously undrained areas of oil reserves in the development. The results of the analysis of the efficiency of the implemented geological and technological measures are presented.

Abstract Background Multidrug resistance in Staphylococcus aureus continues to influence treatment complications in clinical settings globally. Multidrug-resistant-S. aureus (MDR-SA) is often genetically driven by resistance markers transferable in pathogenic strains. This study aimed to determine the distribution of resistance markers in clinical isolates of S. aureus in Nsukka, Nigeria. Methods A total of 154 clinical samples were cultured on mannitol salt agar. Isolates were characterized using conventional cultural techniques and confirmed by PCR detection of S. aureus-specific nuc gene. Antibiotic resistance profiles of the isolates were determined against selected antibiotics using the disk-diffusion method, while screening for antibiotic resistance genes (Mec A, Erm A, Erm B, Erm C, Van A, and Van B) was by PCR. Results A total of 98 isolates were identified as S. aureus by conventional methods. Of these, 70 (71.43%) were confirmed by PCR. Phenotypically, the isolates exhibited high degrees of resistance to oxacillin (95.72%), erythromycin (81.63%), and ertapenem (78.57%) and 75.51% and 47.30% against methicillin and vancomycin, respectively. Multiple antibiotic resistance indexes of the isolates ranged from 0.3 to 1, and the most prevalent pattern of resistance was oxacillin-ertapenem-vancomycin-erythromycin-azithromycin-clarithromycin-ciprofloxacin- cefoxitin-amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. PCR screening confirmed the existence of various antibiotic resistance makers among the strains, with the most common resistance genes found in the isolates being Mec A (32.14%), Van A (21.43%), Van B (10.71%), Erm B (10.71%), and Erm C (17.86%). None possessed the Erm A gene. Conclusion The study supports the need for necessary action, including rational drug use, continuous surveillance, and deployment of adequate preventive and curative policies and actions.

Abstract Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic gastrointestinal condition characterized by severe gut inflammation, commonly presenting as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or categorized as IBD- unclassified. While various treatments have demonstrated efficacy in adult IBD patients, the advent of anti-TNF therapies has significantly revolutionized treatment outcomes and clinical management. These therapies have played a pivotal role in achieving clinical and endoscopic remission, promoting mucosal healing, averting disease progression, and diminishing the necessity for surgery. Nevertheless, not all patients exhibit positive responses to these therapies, and some may experience a loss of responsiveness over time. This review aims to present a comprehensive examination of predictive biomarkers for monitoring the therapeutic response to anti-TNF therapy in IBD patients. It will explore their limitations and clinical utilities, paving the way for a more personalized and effective therapeutic approach.