Natural Afforestation on Abandoned Agricultural Lands during Post-Soviet Period: A Comparative Landsat Data Analysis of Bordering Regions in Russia and Belarus

Remote monitoring of natural afforestation processes on abandoned agricultural lands is crucial for assessments and predictions of forest cover dynamics, biodiversity, ecosystem functions and services. In this work, we built on the general approach of combining satellite and field data for forest mapping and developed a simple and robust method for afforestation dynamics assessment. This method is based on Landsat imagery and index-based thresholding and specifically targets suitability for limited field data. We demonstrated method’s details and performance by conducting a case study for two bordering districts of Rudnya (Smolensk region, Russia) and Liozno (Vitebsk region, Belarus). This study area was selected because of the striking differences in the development of the agrarian sectors of these countries during the post-Soviet period (1991-present day). We used Landsat data to generate a consistent time series of five-year cloud-free multispectral composite images for the 1985–2020 period via the Google Earth Engine. Three spectral indices, each specifically designed for either forest, water or bare soil identification, were used for forest cover and arable land mapping. Threshold values for indices classification were both determined and verified based on field data and additional samples obtained by visual interpretation of very high-resolution satellite imagery. The developed approach was applied over the full Landsat time series to quantify 35-year afforestation dynamics over the study area. About 32% of initial arable lands and grasslands in the Russian district were afforested by the end of considered period, while the agricultural lands in Belarus’ district decreased only by around 5%. Obtained results are in the good agreement with the previous studies dedicated to the agricultural lands abandonment in the Eastern Europe region. The proposed method could be further developed into a general universally applicable technique for forest cover mapping in different growing conditions at local and regional spatial levels

Natural Afforestation on Abandoned Agricultural Lands during Post-Soviet Period: A Comparative Landsat Data Analysis of Bordering Regions in Russia and Belarus

Remote monitoring of natural afforestation processes on abandoned agricultural lands is crucial for assessments and predictions of forest cover dynamics, biodiversity, ecosystem functions and services. In this work, we built on the general approach of combining satellite and field data for forest mapping and developed a simple and robust method for afforestation dynamics assessment. This method is based on Landsat imagery and index-based thresholding and specifically targets suitability for limited field data. We demonstrated method’s details and performance by conducting a case study for two bordering districts of Rudnya (Smolensk region, Russia) and Liozno (Vitebsk region, Belarus). This study area was selected because of the striking differences in the development of the agrarian sectors of these countries during the post-Soviet period (1991-present day). We used Landsat data to generate a consistent time series of five-year cloud-free multispectral composite images for the 1985–2020 period via the Google Earth Engine. Three spectral indices, each specifically designed for either forest, water or bare soil identification, were used for forest cover and arable land mapping. Threshold values for indices classification were both determined and verified based on field data and additional samples obtained by visual interpretation of very high-resolution satellite imagery. The developed approach was applied over the full Landsat time series to quantify 35-year afforestation dynamics over the study area. About 32% of initial arable lands and grasslands in the Russian district were afforested by the end of considered period, while the agricultural lands in Belarus’ district decreased only by around 5%. Obtained results are in the good agreement with the previous studies dedicated to the agricultural lands abandonment in the Eastern Europe region. The proposed method could be further developed into a general universally applicable technique for forest cover mapping in different growing conditions at local and regional spatial levels

Diabetes mellitus associated with the mutation of the ABCC8 gene (MODY 12): features of clinical course and therapy

Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) is a heterogeneous group of diseases associated with genes mutations leading to dysfunction of pancreatic β-cells. Among the 14 identified MODY variants, MODY 1–5 are the most studied. The article reports a MODY 12 clinical case, with mutation in ABCC8, encoding the sulphonylurea receptor. Diabetes mellitus manifested in a 27-year-old man with hyperglycaemia up to 24 mmol/L, without ketosis. Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, microalbuminuria, dyslipidaemia and carotid atherosclerosis were revealed upon initial examination. The levels of pancreatic islet cell antibodies and glutamate decarboxylase antibodies were negative, while the level of C-peptide was within the normal range. Insulin therapy in the basal-bolus regimen was provided with a gradual dose reduction due to frequent hypoglycaemia. The preproliferative retinopathy with macular oedema was revealed after 4 months of therapy, and panretinal photocoagulation of both eyes was performed. A molecular genetics study revealed a mutation in the gene ABCC8, the same mutation was found in patient’s mother and uncle. Insulin therapy was cancelled, and the treatment of gliclazide MR 60 mg/day was initiated, which resulted in extreme glycaemic excursions. Thereby, sodium–glucose cotranporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor dapagliflozin 10 mg/day was added. A reduction in glucose variability parameters were observed on combination therapy. After 6 months till 1.5 years of treatment, glycaemic control was optimal, no hypoglycaemic episodes were observed. This case study demonstrates clinical features of MODY 12, and the potential of combination of sulfonylurea and SGLT2 inhibitor in the treatment of this disease

The High–Low Arctic boundary: How is it determined and where is it located?

Geobotanical subdivision of landcover is a baseline for many studies. The High–Low Arctic boundary is considered to be of fundamental natural importance. The wide application of different delimitation schemes in various ecological studies and climatic scenarios raises the following questions: (i) What are the common criteria to define the High and Low Arctic? (ii) Could human impact significantly change the distribution of the delimitation criteria? (iii) Is the widely accepted temperature criterion still relevant given ongoing climate change? and (iv) Could we locate the High–Low Arctic boundary by mapping these criteria derived from modern open remote sensing and climatic data? Researchers rely on common criteria for geobotanical delimitation of the Arctic. Unified circumpolar criteria are based on the structure of vegetation cover and climate, while regional specifics are reflected in the floral composition. However, the published delimitation schemes vary greatly. The disagreement in the location of geobotanical boundaries across the studies manifests in poorly comparable results. While maintaining the common principles of geobotanical subdivision, we derived the boundary between the High and Low Arctic using the most up‐to‐date field data and modern techniques: species distribution modeling, radar, thermal and optical satellite imagery processing, and climatic data analysis. The position of the High–Low Arctic boundary in Western Siberia was clarified and mapped. The new boundary is located 50–100 km further north compared to all the previously presented ones. Long‐term anthropogenic press contributes to a change in the vegetation structure but does not noticeably affect key species ranges. A previously specified climatic criterion for the High–Low Arctic boundary accepted in scientific literature has not coincided with the boundary in Western Siberia for over 70 years. The High–Low Arctic boundary is distinctly reflected in biodiversity distribution. The presented approach is appropriate for accurate mapping of the High–Low Arctic boundary in the circumpolar extent

Insulin-induced lipohypertrophy: clinical and ultrasound characteristics

Background: Lipohypertrophy is primary dermal complication of insulin therapy. The data on the prevalence of lipohypertrophy in diabetic subjects are inconsistent, that may be due to the lack of sensitivity and subjectivity of palpation as diagnostic technique. Meanwhile, the reliability of lipohypertrophy detection can be increased by ultrasound. Aims: to compare clinical and ultrasound characteristics and to determine the risk factors of insulin-induced lipohypertrophy in diabetic subjects. Materials and methods: We observed 82 patients, including 26 individuals with type 1 diabetes and 56 subjects with type 2 diabetes. Duration of insulin therapy varied from 3 months to 37 years (median 14 years). The sites of insulin injections were assessed by palpation and ultrasound. Visualization protocol included gray-scale densitometry, strain elastography, and 3D Doppler power ultrasound. Scaled evaluation of ultrasound sings was applied. Insulin injection technique was assessed by questionnaire. Serum levels of insulin antibodies were determined by ELISA. Results: Lipohypertrophy was revealed by palpation and ultrasound in 57 and 80 patients (70% and 98%) respectively. Total lipohypertrophy area, acoustic density and total ultrasound score showed weak positive correlations with daily insulin dose (r=0.3, r=0.3 and r=0.35, respectively, all p0.006). Patients receiving insulin analogues had smaller area of abdominal lipohypertrophy than those on human insulin (p=0.03). A positive correlation was found between abdominal lipohypertrophy area and mean postprandial glucose (r=0.35, p=0.001). A rare needle change and injections in lipohypertrophy sites were the most common deviations in insulin injection technique (70 and 47 subjects, 85% and 53% respectively). The levels of insulin antibodies showed no association with lipohypertrophy parameters. Conclusions: Patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes demonstrate high prevalence of lipohypertrophy in insulin injection sites. Ultrasonography is more sensitive method of diagnostics of lipohypertrophy compared with palpation. Insulin-induced lipohypertrophy is associated with errors in injection technique and higher insulin doses

Динамика маркеров стресс-реакции при эмболизации маточных артерий

Aim. To estimate immunobiochemical markers of the stress response during uterine artery embolization (UAE), and to assess the connection of the endocrine and immune response with pain severity Materials and мethods: 62 patients (ages 31 to 56) with a diagnosis of multiple symptomatic uterine body fibroids were made EMA, and analgesia was achieved by intravenous injection of narcotic and non-narcotic analgesics. Immunobiochemical profile of the stress reaction was investigated (IL-1, IL-6, TNFα, IL-4, IL-10, C-reactive protein (CRP), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, blood glucose) at four (I ONLY SEE 3-SMT) time points (baseline at 2 hours after occlusion of the uterine arteries, and 24 and 48 hours after surgery). Pain syndrome was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) by means of hemodynamic profile.Results. The occlusion of the uterine arteries and ischemia myoma nodes lead to the development of the stress response, as anincrease in the serum concentration of pro-inflammatory (IL-1, IL-6, TNFα) and anti-inflammatory (IL-4, IL-10) cytokines, CRP, stress hormones (ACTH, cortisol) levels of glucose was observed. Pain of various intensity was recorded in all cases, and 18% of patients experienced marked pain (7 to 10 points on the VAS).Conclusion. The maximum increase in immunobiochemical stress markers coincides with the highest manifestations of pain. The necessity of optimization methods of analgesia when performing EMA with the use of immunobiochemical stress markers as a control reaction taking into account hemodynamic profile and VAS data was observed.Цель исследования. Оценка иммунобиохимических маркеров стресс-реакции при эмболизации маточных артерий (ЭМА), оценка связи выраженности эндокринного и иммунного ответа с выраженностью болевого синдрома.Материал и методы. Пациенткам (n = 62) в возрасте 31–56 лет с диагнозом «симптомная множественная миома тела матки» выполнена ЭМА, анальгезия достигалась внутривенным введением наркотических и ненаркотических анальгетиков. Исследован иммунобиохимический профиль стресс-реакции (IL-1, IL-6, TNFα, IL-4, IL-10, С-реактивный протеин (CRP), адренокортикотропный гормон (АКТГ), кортизол, глюкоза крови) в динамике, на четырех точках контроля (исходный уровень, через 2 ч после окклюзии маточных артерий, через 24 и 48 ч после операции). Болевой синдром оценивался по визуально-аналоговой шкале (ВАШ), с помощью гемодинамического профиля.Результаты. Окклюзия маточных артерий и ишемия в миоматозных узлах ведет к развитию стресс-реакции: увеличение концентрации в сыворотке крови провоспалительных (IL-1, IL-6, TNFα) и противовоспалительных (IL-4, IL-10) цитокинов, CRP, гормонов стресса (АКТГ, кортизола), уровня гликемии. Болевой синдром разной степени интенсивности регистрируется в 100% случаев, 18% пациенток испытывали выраженные болевые ощущения (7–10 баллов по ВАШ).Заключение. Максимальный прирост иммунобиохимических маркеров стресса совпадает по времени с максимальными проявлениями болевого синдрома. Выявлена необходимость оптимизации методов анальгезии при выполнении ЭМА с использованием в качестве контроля иммунобиохимических маркеров стресс-реакции, учитывая гемодинамический профиль и данные ВАШ

Вакцинопрофилактика пневмококковой инфекции у детей

Pneumococcal infection remains one of the leading reasons for infant mortality from vaccine-preventable infections. Today vaccination is the most effective way to prevent diseases caused by antibiotic-resistant pneumococci. In the article, authors present current approaches to vaccinal prevention of pneumococcal diseases. The plan of action for carrying out active immunoprophylaxis of pneumococcal infection is explained in detail for both healthy children and patients from risk groups for severe pneumococcal diseases development. The published work is based on key points of the guidelines of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation on vaccinal prevention of pneumococcal infection (developed and approved by the professional association of pediatricians «The Union of Pediatricians of Russia»).Пневмококковая инфекция остается одной из ведущих причин детской смертности от вакциноуправляемых инфекций. Вакцинация на сегодняшний день является наиболее эффективным направлением профилактики заболеваний, вызываемых устойчивыми к антибактериальным препаратам пневмококкам. В статье коллективом авторов представлены актуальные подходы к вакцинопрофилактике болезней пневмококковой этиологии. Подробно разъяснен алгоритм действий при проведении активной иммунопрофилактики пневмококковой инфекции как здоровых детей, так и пациентов из групп риска по развитию тяжелых форм пневмококковых заболеваний. Публикация основана на ключевых позициях методических рекомендаций Министерства здравоохранения РФ по вакцинопрофилактике пневмококковой инфекции (разработанных и утвержденных профессиональной ассоциацией детских врачей «Союз педиатров России»).КОНФЛИКТ ИНТЕРЕСОВАвторы статьи подтвердили отсутствие конфликта интересов, о котором необходимо сообщить