Predictive value of apoptotic microparticles to mononuclear progenitor cells ratio in advanced chronic heart failure patients

AbstractBackgroundAcutely decompensated chronic heart failure (ADHF) is considered a life-threatening event. Despite contemporary treatment strategies of ADHF, frequent recurrent hospitalizations due to other cardiovascular reasons after discharge of patients from hospital occur. The objective of the study was to examine the prognostic value of circulating endothelial-derived apoptotic microparticles (EMPs) to mononuclear progenitor cells (MPCs) ratio for post-discharge patients with clinical stabilization after ischemic ADHF.MethodsWe consecutively enrolled 136 patients (62 male) with coronary artery disease (CAD) admitted with a primary diagnosis of ADHF. All patients gave written informed consent for participation in the study. At baseline, all enrolled patients were hemodynamically stable and they had New York Heart Association (NYHA) III/IV classes of ischemic chronic heart failure (CHF). Observation period started at discharge from the hospital and was up to 3 years. Flow cytometry analysis for quantifying the number of EMPs and angiogenic MPCs was used.ResultsCalculated EMP to MPC ratios in survivor and dead patient cohort were 8.4 (95% CI=7.6–9.2) and 78.9 (95% CI=53.0–116.6), respectively (p=0.001). MPCs, EMPs, NYHA class, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and increased NT-proBNP>30% within 24–84h of admission period remained statistically significant for all-cause mortality, CHF-related death, and CHF-related rehospitalization, whereas left ventricular ejection fraction and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein for all variables did not. We found that the addition of EPMs to MPCs ratio to the ABC model (NT-pro-BNP, increased NT-pro-BNP>30%) improved the relative integrated discrimination indices by 19.6% for all-cause mortality, by 21.7% for CHF-related death, and by 19.5% for CHF-related rehospitalization.ConclusionWe demonstrated that EMP to MPC ratio is considered an important indicator of an imbalance between angiogenic and apoptotic responses with possible relation to cardiovascular outcomes in post-discharge patients with clinical stabilization after ischemic ADHF

Features of the building of three-dimensional models of agricultural parcels of land to assess the influence of the relief on the signal stability of cellular networks

The article examines main aspects of building threedimensional (3d) models of agricultural parcels of land on the example of generation of digital models of the experimental farm fields. Features and characteristics of the 3d field models building are given according to the results of the application of photogrammetry methods using a UAV (quadcopter) to obtain a heightmap of the investigated areas to compare it with the change in the density of the GSM signal coverage. The examples of digital terrain models (DTMs) obtained at different stages of the processing are given, the issues of using ready-made models for further analytical research on the example of a heightmap transformation for tracking and predicting negative processes, are considered

Language as a consolidating factor of ethnic identity of the russian germans

The article aims at identifying the attributes of ethnic identity and ethnic concepts of minority groups living in the territory of the Russian Federation, in particular, the Russian Germans living in the city of Glazov and the Vyatka-Kama region. The relevance of the study is determined by the need to understand and to study the shared characteristics of the ethnic identity of the German ethnic group: national self-awareness, preservation and revival of the ethnic culture and traditions, language preservation. The materials of the research are the tape recordings of unprepared German and Russian speech which were made during dialectological and ethnographic expeditions to Glazov. The speech of three informants is analyzed in the study. Nine main parameters of the ethnic identity are examined in relation to the Russian Germans of Glazov: common history, common territory, religion, living environment, family background, folklore, behavior standards, mentality of the ethnic group, and the common language. The language is described in more detail in the study. The results of the study suggest that the ethnic identity of the Russian Germans in question is a changing dynamic category. In our opinion, the language is the most important consolidating factor of the cultural integrity of an ethnic group, an instrument for sharing culturally important information and experience; so it is one of the core parameters of ethnic identity of the Russian Germans living in Glazov. This article will be of interest to researchers in the field of German dialectology and German speech islands.O artigo tem como objetivo identificar os atributos de identidade étnica e conceitos étnicos de grupos minoritários residentes no território da Federação Russa, em particular, os russos alemães residentes na cidade de Glazov e na região de Vyatka-Kama. A relevância do estudo é determinada pela necessidade de compreender e estudar as características comuns da identidade étnica do grupo étnico alemão: autoconsciência nacional, preservação e revivificação da cultura e tradições étnicas, preservação da língua. Os materiais da pesquisa são as gravações em fita do discurso alemão e russo despreparado, feitas durante expedições dialetológicas e etnográficas a Glazov. A fala de três informantes é analisada no estudo. Nove parâmetros principais da identidade étnica são examinados em relação aos russos-alemães de Glazov: história comum, território comum, religião, ambiente de vida, antecedentes familiares, folclore, padrões de comportamento, mentalidade do grupo étnico e a língua comum. A linguagem é descrita com mais detalhes no estudo. Os resultados do estudo sugerem que a identidade étnica dos russos-alemães em questão é uma categoria dinâmica em mudança. Em nossa opinião, a língua é o mais importante fator de consolidação da integridade cultural de uma etnia, um instrumento de compartilhamento de informações e experiências culturalmente importantes; portanto, é um dos parâmetros centrais da identidade étnica dos russos-alemães que vivem em Glazov. Este artigo será de interesse para pesquisadores no campo da dialetologia alemã e das ilhas de fala alemãs.El artículo tiene como objetivo identificar los atributos de la identidad étnica y los conceptos étnicos de los grupos minoritarios que viven en el territorio de la Federación de Rusia, en particular, los alemanes rusos que viven en la ciudad de Glazov y la región de Vyatka-Kama. La relevancia del estudio está determinada por la necesidad de comprender y estudiar las características compartidas de la identidad étnica del grupo étnico alemán: autoconciencia nacional, preservación y renacimiento de la cultura y tradiciones étnicas, preservación del idioma. Los materiales de la investigación son las grabaciones en cinta de habla alemana y rusa sin preparación que se hicieron durante las expediciones dialectológicas y etnográficas a Glazov. En el estudio se analiza el discurso de tres informantes. Se examinan nueve parámetros principales de la identidad étnica en relación con los alemanes rusos de Glazov: historia común, territorio común, religión, entorno de vida, antecedentes familiares, folclore, normas de comportamiento, mentalidad del grupo étnico y el idioma común. El idioma se describe con más detalle en el estudio. Los resultados del estudio sugieren que la identidad étnica de los alemanes rusos en cuestión es una categoría dinámica cambiante. En nuestra opinión, el idioma es el factor de consolidación más importante de la integridad cultural de un grupo étnico, un instrumento para compartir información y experiencias de importancia cultural; por lo que es uno de los parámetros centrales de la identidad étnica de los alemanes rusos que viven en Glazov. Este artículo será de interés para los investigadores en el campo de la dialectología alemana y las islas de habla alemana

Environmental Assessment with Cage Exposure in the Neva Estuary, Baltic Sea: Metal Bioaccumulation and Physiologic Activity of Bivalve Molluscs

The rise in anthropogenic impacts on the marine environment requires new water management. The use of a triadic approach (bioaccumulation, bioassay, and physiological biomarkers) has been shown to have good applicability for the comparative assessment of the environmental state of the Neva Estuary (Gulf of Finland, Baltic Sea). The novelty of the methodological approach of the study was that it involved both active and passive bio-monitoring methods for assessing the quality of estuarine environment. The classical analyses of metal concentration in bottom sediments, in field biota (fish and molluscs), and in caged molluscs were accompanied by a bioassay of sediment toxicity using amphipods. The physiological state of molluscs kept in cages was assessed according to two functional characteristics, such as cardio-tolerance and metabolic activity (oxygen consumption rate), after exposition in cages. The method of active monitoring (caging exposure with molluscs) as a measurement of parameters in clean molluscs has proven itself well in controlling the accumulation of both metals and oil products. Macroalgae that are abundant in estuarine ecosystems are also good indicators of metals, at least showing the transition from bottom sediments to the next level of food webs. Unionid molluscs were found to be a more sensitive and effective indicator of contaminant accumulation than dreissenid molluscs, characterized by a low tolerance to changeable environmental conditions in the estuarine ecosystem and rather high mortality in cages. Our results have shown that caging exposure with unionids can be a widely used methodological approach for the assessment of estuarine environmental quality through the determination of metal concentrations in molluscs and their physiological state

Heavy Metal Content in Macroalgae as a Tool for Environmental Quality Assessment: The Eastern Gulf of Finland Case Study

Macroalgae are widely used for bioindication and assessment; however, in the case of pollutants of different origin, it is still unclear which contaminants in thalli can be regarded as indicative because too many factors influence the ability of algae to uptake them. The present study is a part of an international HAZLESS project and was conducted in the eastern Gulf of Finland (GoF). The main goal of our study was the application of metal concentrations in macroalgae as a tool for environmental quality assessment. To achieve this goal, we calculated the threshold metal concentrations in macroalgae (Cladophora glomerata) and compared our obtained values with actual concentrations. We found significant Spearman correlations in May between metals in sediments and pore water (−0.73 for Zn, −0.62 for Cd, 0.85 for Pb) and also between metals in algae and metals in pore water (1 for Cu and Cd, 0.98 for Zn and Pb). In July, Pb in algae were significantly correlated with Pb in pore water (0.88). The application of the calculated environmental quality standard (EQSMPC) for macroalgae has shown moderate pollution by Cu and Pb in the coastal zone of the eastern GoF. This was confirmed by an assessment based on the comparisons of metal concentrations in water with Environmental Quality Standards for water (EQSw). However, differences in the bioaccumulation factor and EQSMPC between May and July have shown that it is necessary to compare samples taken during the same period every year for adequate results in long-term monitoring. Considering the sensitivity of accumulating processes to the surrounding environment, we believe that in the case of habitats with diverse conditions, even for the same species of algae, threshold values should be calculated and used individually for every habitat. Our results have shown that this approach can be widely used for an assessment of environmental quality via metal concentrations in opportunistic macroalgae and can be recommended for further use

Links between concentrations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and the numbers of circulating progenitor mononuclear cells in patients with metabolic syndrome

Background: Evidence points to the pivotal role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome (MetS), including deterioration of the endogenous endothelial repair system. Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate links between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)3D) concentrations and the numbers of circulating progenitor mononuclear cells in MetS individuals. Methods: The cross-sectional study involved 47 patients with MetS. The circulating level of 25(OH)D3 and other biomarkers were measured at the start of the study. The number of mononuclear progenitor cells was determined using the flow cytometric technique (FCT). Results: MetS patients from the entire group of 47 patients were divided into four cohorts depending on 25(OH)D3 levels. The groups comprised patients with 25(OH)D3 levels above 100 nmol/L (n = 10), patients with levels from 50 to 100 nmol/L (n = 12), patients with levels from 30 to 50 nmol/L (n = 14), and patients with levels below 30 nmol/L (n = 11). There were significant differences between the MetS cohorts in terms of haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (P = 0.038), the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (P = 0.042), triglycerides (P = 0.044), osteoprotegerin (P=0.028), adiponectin (P = 0.018), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (P=0.036), and CD14+D309+Tie-2+ cells. Vitamin D deficiency in a multivariate log-linear regression model appeared to be an independent predictor of the numbers of CD14+D309+ Tie-2+ cells (OR 1.12; 95% CI 1.06 to 1.19; P = 0.002). Osteoprotegerin, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and adiponectin have been shown to make an independent impact on the numbers of CD14+D309+ Tie-2+ cells. Using C-statistics, we found that the use of three biomarkers (osteoprotegerin, hs-CRP, and adiponectin) can significantly improve a predictive model based on vitamin D deficiency for decreased numbers of CD14+ D309+Tie-2+ cells. Conclusions: We found that low levels of 25(OH)D3 were associated with depleted numbers of proangiogenic progenitor mononuclear cells in MetS patients

Pattern of circulating microparticles in chronic heart failure patients with metabolic syndrome: Relevance to neurohumoral and inflammatory activation

Background: The role of pattern of circulating endothelial cell-, platelet-, and monocyte-derived microparticles in metabolic syndrome (MetS) patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) is not still understood. The aim of the study was to investigate a pattern of circulating MPs in MetS patients with CHF in relation to neurohumoral and inflammatory activation. Methods: The study retrospectively involved 101 patients with MetS (54 subjects with CHF and 47 patients without CHF) without documented coronary artery stenosis >50% at least of one artery and 35 healthy volunteers. Biomarkers were measured at baseline of the study. Circulating MPs were phenotyped by flow cytometry technique. Results: The results of the study have shown that numerous of the circulating platelet-derived and monocyte-derived MPs in subjects with MetS (with or without CHF) were insufficiently distinguished from the level obtained in healthy volunteers. We found an elevated level of CD31+/annexin V+ MPs in association with a lower level of CD62E+ MPs. All these led to decreased CD62E+ to CD31+/annexin V+ ratio among patients with MetS in comparison with healthy volunteers, as well as in MetS patients with CHF compared with those who did not demonstrated CHF. Therefore, we found that biomarkers of biomechanical stress (NT-proBNP) and inflammation (hs-CRP, osteoprotegerin) remain statistically significant predictors for decreased CD62E+ to CD31+/annexin V+ ratio in MetS patients with CHF. In conclusion, decreased CD62E+ to CD31+/annexin V+ ratio reflected impaired immune phenotype of MPs may be discuss surrogate marker of CHF development in MetS population

Benthic Invertebrates Abundance and Trophic Links in the Coastal Zone during <i>Cladophora</i> Blooms

The green macroalga Cladophora glomerata, a species typical of brackish water, predominates in most coastal areas of estuarine ecosystems. The present study aimed to determine the current ecological conditions in the Neva estuary (Baltic Sea) when subjected to eutrophication and the summer Cladophora bloom. Macroalgae bloom can result in temporary unfavorable conditions (oxygen depletion and pollution) for invertebrates during macroalgae decomposition, and its contribution to the autochthonous benthic food web remains unclear. We evaluated the Cladophora biomass and the abundance and composition of macro- and meiobenthic invertebrates and traced trophic links in the coastal area of the Neva estuary during the Cladophora bloom. Some species of grazing or omnivorous consumers (nematodes, gastropods, amphipods, insect larvae) reached high abundance in the Cladophora-dominated coastal community. The tracing of food sources in a food chain of the Cladophora-dominated coastal community (macrophytes-grazers-omnivores) were elucidated using dual δ13C and δ15N stable isotope analysis. The results showed that autochthonous organic sources derived from Cladophora at various stages might contribute notably (up to 89%) to the coastal food web, supporting the production of benthic consumers

Serum Uric Acid Predicts Declining of Circulating Proangiogenic Mononuclear Progenitor Cells in Chronic Heart Failure Patients

Introduction: Serum uric acid (SUA) is considered a marker for natural progression of chronic heart failure (CHF) mediated cardiovascular remodelling. CHF associates with declining of circulating mononuclear progenitor cells (MPCs). The objective of this study was to evaluate the interrelationship between SUA concentrations and proangiogenic MPCs in ischemic CHF patients. Methods: The study population was structured retrospectively after determining the coronary artery disease (CAD) by contrast-enhanced spiral computed tomography angiography in 126 subjects with symptomatic ischemic mild-to-severe CHF and 128 CAD subjects without CHF. Baseline biomarkers were measured in all patients. Cox proportional multivariate hazard ratio was calculated for predictors of MPCs declining in both CHF and non-CHF patient population predictors of MPCs declining in CHF subjects were examined in stepwise logistic regression. C-statistics, integrated discrimination indices (IDI) and net-reclassification improvement were utilized for prediction performance analyses. Results: Cox proportional adjusted hazard ratio analyses for CD14+CD309+ and CD14+CD309+Tie2+ MPCs by SUA has shown that the higher quartiles (Q3 and Q4) of SUA compared to the lower quartiles (Q1 and Q2) are associated with increased risks of depletion of both CD14+CD309+ and CD14+CD309+Tie2+ MPCs. The addition of Q4 SUA to the ABC model improved the relative IDI by 13.8% for depletion of CD14+CD309+ MPCs and by 14.5% for depletion of CD14+CD309+Tie2+ MPCs. Conclusion: Circulating levels of proangiogenic MPCs are declined progressively depending on the levels of SUA in the HF subjects with CHF. We suggest that even mild elevations of SUA might be used to predict of relative depletion of proangiogenic MPCs among chronic HF patients

Pattern of endothelial progenitor cells and apoptotic endothelial cell-derived microparticles in chronic heart failure patients with preserved and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction

Background: Chronic heart failure (HF) remains a leading cause of cardiovascular (CV) mortality and morbidity worldwide. The aim of the study was to investigate whether the pattern of angiogenic endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and apoptotic endothelial cell-derived microparticles (EMPs) would be able to differentiate HF with reduced (HFrEF) and preserved (HFpEF) ejection fraction. Methods: One hundred sixty four chronic HF subjects met inclusion criteria. Patients with global left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50% were categorized as the HFpEF group (n = 79) and those with ≤45% as the HFrEF group (n = 85). Therefore, to compare the circulating levels of biological markers 35 control subjects without HF were included in the study. All control individuals were age- and sex-matched chronic HF patients. The serum level of biomarkers was measured at baseline. The flow cytometric technique was used for predictably distinguishing circulating cell subsets depending on expression of CD45, CD34, CD14, Tie-2, and CD309 antigens and determining endothelial cell-derived microparticles. CD31+/annexin V+ was defined as apoptotic endothelial cell-derived MPs, MPs labeled for CD105+ or CD62E+ were determined as MPs produced due to activation of endothelial cells. Results: In multivariate logistic regression model T2DM (R2 = 0.26; P = 0.001), obesity (R2 = 0.22; P = 0.001), previous MI (R2 = 0.17; P = 0.012), galectin-3 (R2 = 0.67; P = 0.012), CD31+/annexin V+ EMPs (R2 = 0.11; P = 0.001), NT-proBNP (R2 = 0.11; P = 0.046), CD14+CD309+ cells (R2 = 0.058; P = 0.001), and CD14+СD309+ Tie-2+ cells (R2 = 0.044; P = 0.028) were found as independent predictors of HFpEF. Using multivariate Cox-regression analysis adjusted etiology (previous myocardial infarction), cardiovascular risk factors (obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus) we found that NT-proBNP (OR 1.08; 95% CI = 1.03–1.12; P = 0.001) and CD31+/annexin V+ EMPs to CD14+CD309+ cell ratio (OR 1.06; 95% CI = 1.02–1.11; P = 0.02) were independent predictors for HFpEF. Conclusion: We found that CD31+/annexin V+ EMPs to CD14+CD309+ cell ratio added to NT-proBNP, clinical data, and cardiovascular risk factors has exhibited the best discriminate value and higher reliability to predict HFpEF compared with NT-proBNP and clinical data/cardiovascular risk factors alone