Metabolomics application in maternal-fetal medicine

Metabolomics in maternal-fetal medicine is still an "embryonic" science. However, there is already an increasing interest in metabolome of normal and complicated pregnancies, and neonatal outcomes. Tissues used for metabolomics interrogations of pregnant women, fetuses and newborns are amniotic fluid, blood, plasma, cord blood, placenta, urine, and vaginal secretions. All published papers highlight the strong correlation between biomarkers found in these tissues and fetal malformations, preterm delivery, premature rupture of membranes, gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, neonatal asphyxia, and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. The aim of this review is to summarize and comment on original data available in relevant published works in order to emphasize the clinical potential of metabolomics in obstetrics in the immediate future

Peceneaga-Camena Fault: Geomagnetic insights into active tectonic contact

Highly detailed, very accurate ground magnetic investigations were jointly conducted by Romanian and Ukrainian researchers on a segment of the Peceneaga-Camenas Fault (PCF) in order to reveal the potential of geomagnetic method for active faults investigating. The survey succeeded to outline the PCF track in the area covered by recent sediments, and provide insights on the fault structure and in-depth development. 2D numerical modeling has been employed for interpreting the obtained geomagnetic anomaly. Lateral variations in magnetization, as suggested by the model, reveal the complex geological architecture in the area, hidden by recent deposits. The zero magnetization outlined in the central part of the survey lines has been interpreted in geodynamic terms, as a breccias zone created along PCF track by its active dynamics

The tourist and recreational cluster of Rostov Region : socio-economic substantiation and development prospects

Purpose: The aims to study the issues of the formation and prospects in Rostov Region of a potential "catalyst" for the development of the socio-economic system of the region – tourist and recreational cluster. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study applied a cluster approach to the development of territories. Such an approach is the study of the tourist region as an interconnected system of tourist resources, tourist infrastructure, tourist services with an effective system of regional tourism management, the optimal phase of which is a tourist cluster. Findings: This article includes the study of areas of Rostov Region from the standpoint of the cluster approach, tourist and recreational zoning of Rostov Region, the identification of areas that are promising for the formation of tourist and recreational clusters and socio-economic substantiation for the functioning of clusters. Practical Implications: The results of the study can be used in the formation and implementation of regional programs for the development of tourism, economy and social sphere. Originality/Value: The main contribution of this article is the application of the cluster approach to the investigation of socio-economic development of Rostov Region, as well as zoning the tourist and recreational clusters.peer-reviewe

Maternal and newborn infants amino acid concentrations in obese women born themselves with normal and small for gestational age birth weight

This study was undertaken to compare amino acid concentrations in maternal and newborn infants’ serum in normal pregnancy and two groups of obese women who were born themselves with normal and small for gestational age (SGA) birth weight. Maternal cholesterol, lipoproteins concentrations and maternal and infants amino acid concentrations were evaluated at the time of delivery in 28 normal pregnancies, 46 obese pregnant women with normal birth weight (Ob-AGA group) and 44 obese pregnant women born themselves SGA (Ob-SGA group). Mean birth weight of newborn infants in Ob-SGA group was significantly less than in normal and Ob-AGA groups. Cholesterol and lipoproteins were significantly elevated in obese women (more prominent in Ob-SGA group). Most amino acid concentrations and fetal–maternal amino acid gradients were significantly lower in Ob-SGA group. These data suggest significant changes in placental amino acid transport/synthetic function in obese women who were born themselves SGA

The level of expression of miR-196a in patients with chronic viral hepatitis C with the first genotype of HCV according to previous experience of antiviral therapy.

The authors present the study of the level of expression of miR-196a in 74 patients with chronic viral hepatitis C with the 1st genotype of HCV, based on previous experience in patients with antiviral therapy regimens containing interferon. The patients were divided into two groups, depending on the previous experience of antiviral therapy with circuits containing interferon – 21 patients who failed after antiviral therapy regimens containing interferon (group 1) and the comparison group (group 2) – 53 naive patients. To study the level of expression of miR-196a (miR-196a), a two-stage study according to the manufacturer's protocol was used. First, total RNA was isolated from the plasma by the method of phenol-chloroform extraction. Futher reverse transcription was performed using a kit for reverse transcription of miR TaqMan® (Applied Biosystems, USA), specific loop primers to achieve mature miRNA, snRNA U6 (as an endogenous control gene), and 10 ng of total RNA. Real-time quantitative PCR was performed using TaqMan® miRNA analysis. In order to optimize the prediction of response to antiviral therapy and the use of optimal treatment regimens for problem patients with treatment failure regimens containing interferon, analysis using ROC curves was used. The average level of expression of miR-196a in patients with chronic hepatitis C was evaluated. In the 1st group of patients it was 0.011 (IQR: 0.002; 0.310) and in the comparison group – 0.346 (IQR: 0.054; 1.239) at p=0.012 by U criterion. The conducted ROC analysis showed that the studied miR-196a could differentiate patients with chronic viral hepatitis C with HCV genotype 1, depending on previous experience of antiviral therapy, namely, patients with treatment failure regimens containing interferons and naive. AUC=0.688 (95% CI 0.570-0.791; p=0.017), J=0.40, Se=57.14%, Sp=83.02%. It gives additional opportunities for correction of therapeutic tactics. Therefore, the level of expression of miR-196a (<-1,75) may be an additional biomarker in the pathogenesis of HCV-infection, which can then be used in the monitoring and treatment of patients. Low expression of miR-196a may be the basis for prescribing more effective direct-acting antiviral therapy to patients and will allow personalizing therapeutic tactics in patients with chronic viral hepatitis C

Contemporary information social risks in the post-modern era

The article analyses the global social risks related to the expansion of information technologies, mass digitalisation, and the accessibility of sources of all information. The possibility of risky situations arising in different areas of society under postmodern conditions has been demonstrated. This is due to the massive spread of information and Internet technology, global changes in the structure of values of modern society, and the reassessment of a number of historical events and characters by some social groups. The focus is on the destruction of traditional mechanisms for transmitting social experience and memory and the transformation of perceptions of history through the use of virtual forms of communication. A different, own interpretation of historical events, the liberation of historical knowledge from politicisation and mythologisation can lead to risks of distortion of historical memory and even to conflicting situations of interpretation of the past. Case studies show that this, in turn, can lead to a set of risks in the economic sphere, for example: the risk of a situation of global redistribution of economic resources, the risk of losing the source of legitimacy of an economic resource, the risk of loss the reputation of a memory entity. These processes negatively affect social stability in society and distort the integrity of historical memory.Particular attention is paid to the topic of cognitive transformation risk related to the mass use of virtual media in the educational process. On the one hand, they are an effective teaching tool based on rapid search, transformation and storage of learning information. But, on the other hand, practice shows that knowledge loses its consistency and becomes “mosaic”, “clichéd”. The consequences of these processes are of a lasting nature and require further in-depth study by the scientific community, including psychologists, educators, and sociologists