Этнокультурные процессы на белорусско-украинском пограничье

The article is based on materials of a scientific project, realized by Byelorussian and Ukrainian ethnologists. During the elaboration of this project the main attention was paid to revelation of basic tendencies and factors of the ethnocultural processes at the frontier of Byelorussia and Ukraine

Tomo-seq identifies SOX9 as a key regulator of cardiac fibrosis during ischemic injury

Background: Cardiac ischemic injury induces a pathological remodeling response, which can ultimately lead to heart failure. Detailed mechanistic insights into molecular signaling pathways relevant for different aspects of cardiac remodeling will support the identification of novel therapeutic targets. Methods: While genome-wide transcriptome analysis on diseased tissues has greatly advanced our understanding of the regulatory networks that drive pathological changes in the heart, this approach has been disadvantaged by the fact that the signals are derived from tissue homogenates. Here we used tomo-seq to obtain a genome-wide gene expression signature with high spatial resolution spanning from the infarcted area to the remote to identify new regulators of cardiac remodeling. Cardiac tissue samples from patients suffering from ischemic heart disease were used to validate our findings. Results: Tracing transcriptional differences with a high spatial resolution across the infarcted heart enabled us to identify gene clusters that share a comparable expression profile. The spatial distribution patterns indicated a separation of expressional changes for genes involved in specific aspects of cardiac remodeling, like fibrosis, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and calcium-handling (Col1a2, Nppa, and Serca2). Subsequent correlation analysis allowed for the identification of novel factors that share a comparable transcriptional regulation pattern across the infarcted tissue. The strong correlation between the expression levels of these known marker genes and the expression of the co-regulated genes could be confirmed in human ischemic cardiac tissue samples. Follow-up analysis identified SOX9 as common transcriptional regulator of a large portion of the fibrosis-related genes that become activated under conditions of ischemic injury. Lineage-tracing experiments indicated the majority of COL1-positive fibroblasts to stem from a pool of SOX9-expressing cells and in vivo loss of Sox9 blunted the cardiac fibrotic response upon ischemic injury. The co-localization between SOX9 and COL1 could also be confirmed in patients suffering from ischemic heart disease. Conclusions: Based on the exact local expression cues, tomo-seq can serve to reveal novel genes and key transcription factors involved in specific aspects of cardiac remodeling. Using tomo-seq we were able to unveil the unknown relevance of SOX9 as key regulator of cardiac fibrosis, pointing to SOX9 as potential therapeutic target for cardiac fibrosis

Advancing intraoperative magnetic tracing using 3D freehand magnetic particle imaging

Purpose Sentinel lymph node biopsy is a routine procedure for nodal staging in penile cancer. Most commonly, this procedure is guided by radioactive tracers, providing various forms of preoperative and intraoperative guidance. This is further extended with fluorescence imaging using hybrid radioactive-fluorescence tracers. Alternatively, a magnetic-based approach has become available using superparamagnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs). This study investigates a novel freehand magnetic particle imaging and navigation modality (fhMPI) for intraoperative localization, along with a hybrid approach, combining magnetic and fluorescence guidance. Materials and methods The fhMPI set-up was built with a surgical navigation device, optical tracking system and magnetometer probe. A dedicated reconstruction software based on a look-up-table method was used to reconstruct a superficial 3D volume of the SPION distribution in tissue. For fluorescence guidance, indocyanine green (ICG) was added to the SPIONs. The fhMPI modality was characterized in phantoms, ex vivo human skin and in vivo porcine surgery. Results Phantom and human skin explants illustrated that the current fhMPI modality had a sensitivity of 2.2 x 10(-2) mg/mL SPIONs, a resolving power of at least 7 mm and a depth penetration up to 1.5 cm. Evaluation during porcine surgery showed that fhMPI allowed for an augmented reality image overlay of the tracer distribution in tissue, as well as 3D virtual navigation. Besides, using the hybrid approach, fluorescence imaging provided a visual confirmation of localized nodes. Conclusion fhMPI is feasible in vivo, providing 3D imaging and navigation for magnetic nanoparticles in the operating room, expanding the guidance possibilities during magnetic sentinel lymph node procedures. Furthermore, the integration of ICG provides the ability to visually refine and confirm correct localization. Further clinical evaluation should verify these findings in human patients as well.Imaging- and therapeutic targets in neoplastic and musculoskeletal inflammatory diseas

Neuroblastoma stage 4S: Tumor regression rate and risk factors of progressive disease

Background: The clinical course of neuroblastoma stage 4S or MS is characterized by a high rate of spontaneous tumor regression and favorable outcome. However, the clinical course and rate of the regression are poorly understood. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed, including all patients with stage 4S neuroblastoma without MYCN amplification, from two Dutch centers between 1972 and 2012. We investigated the clinical characteristics, the biochemical activity reflected in urinary catecholamine excretion, and radiological imaging to describe the kinetics of tumor regression, therapy response and outcome. Results: The cohort of 31 patients reached a 10-year overall survival of 84% ± 7% (median follow-up 16 years; range, 3.3-39). During the regressive phase, liver size normalized in 91% of the patients and catecholamine excretion in 83%, both after a median of two months (liver size: range, 0-131; catecholamines: range, 0-158). The primary tumors completely regressed in 69% after 13 months (range, 6-73), and the liver architecture normaliz

SARS-CoV-2 infection in farmed minks, the Netherlands, April and May 2020

Respiratory disease and increased mortality occurred in minks on two farms in the Netherlands, with interstitial pneumonia and SARS-CoV-2 RNA in organ and swab samples. On both farms, at least one worker had coronavirus disease-associated symptoms before the outbreak. Variations in mink-derived viral genomes showed between-mink transmission and no infection link between the farms. Inhalable dust contained viral RNA, indicating possible exposure of workers. One worker is assumed to have attracted the virus from mink

Effects of dietary organic minerals, fish oil, and hydrolyzed collagen on growth performance and tibia characteristics of broiler chickens

Nutrition is a crucial factor for growth and bone development in broiler chickens. Adjustments in dietary ingredients might affect bone development and consequently locomotion related problems. This study was designed to evaluate effects of dietary organic minerals (ORM), fish oil (FISH), and hydrolyzed collagen (COL) on growth performance and tibia characteristics of broiler chickens. A total of three hundred eighty four 1-day-old Ross 308 male broiler chickens were used in a complete randomized block design with 4 diet groups and 8 replicates per diet group. In the ORM diet, the inorganic macro and trace minerals were replaced by their organic varieties. In the FISH diet, palm oil and soybean oil were partly replaced by FISH. In the COL diet, soybean meal was partly replaced by COL. Results showed that the ORM and COL diet groups reached a higher body weight (BW) at 42 D of age than the FISH diet group, whereas the control group was in between. The feed conversion ratio between day 1 and 42 was lower in the ORM and COL diet groups than in both other diet groups. On day 28, 35, and 42, gait score (GS), Varus Valgus deformity, tibia length (TL), thickness, femoral and metatarsal head thickness (THT), mineral content (TMC), mineral density (TMD), breaking strength (TBS), stiffness (TSF), and energy to fracture (TEF) were measured (n = 3/replicate). The ORM diet group had higher TL at day 42, higher THT at day 28, higher TMC at day 42, higher TMD at day 28, 35, and 42, higher TBS at day 42, higher TSF at day 35 and 42, and higher TEF at day 42 compared to the FISH diet group, with the COL and control diet groups in between. It can be concluded that replacing dietary inorganic macro and trace minerals by their organic varieties seems to stimulate tibia dimensions, strength, and mineral content of broiler chickens. On the contrary, FISH appears to negatively affect tibia characteristics.<br/