International consensus statement on microbiome testing in clinical practice.

There is growing interest in the potential exploitation of the gut microbiome as a diagnostic tool in medicine, but evidence supporting its clinical usefulness is scarce. An increasing number of commercial providers offer direct-to-consumer microbiome diagnostic tests without any consensus on their regulation or any proven value in clinical practice, which could result in considerable waste of individual and health-care resources and potential drawbacks in the clinical management of patients. We convened an international multidisciplinary expert panel to standardise best practices of microbiome testing for clinical implementation, including recommendations on general principles and minimum requirements for their provision, indications, pre-testing protocols, method of analyses, reporting of results, and potential clinical value.

Earthworms (Clitellata, Megadrili) of the world: an updated checklist of valid species and families, with notes on their distribution.

In the current paper we present an updated checklist of all the megadrile earthworms (Crassiclitellata: Annelida) in the world, and notes on the distribution of families worldwide. Biogeographic responses to geological phenomena including plate tectonics, as well as to past and present climate and habitat distributions, are the main factors determining the present distribution of earthworm families. A total of ca.

A platinum(IV) prodrug strategy to overcome glutathione-based oxaliplatin resistance.

Clinical efficacy of oxaliplatin is frequently limited by severe adverse effects and therapy resistance. Acquired insensitivity to oxaliplatin is, at least in part, associated with elevated levels of glutathione (GSH). In this study we report on an oxaliplatin-based platinum(IV) prodrug, which releases L-buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine (BSO), an inhibitor of glutamate-cysteine ligase, the rate-limiting enzyme in GSH biosynthesis.

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 promotes glioblastoma progression: a central role of integrin-mediated cell invasiveness.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is characterized by a particularly invasive phenotype, supported by oncogenic signals from the fibroblast growth factor (FGF)/ FGF receptor (FGFR) network. However, a possible role of FGFR4 remained elusive so far. Several transcriptomic glioma datasets were analyzed.

p53 Loss Mediates Hypersensitivity to ETS Transcription Factor Inhibition Based on PARylation-Mediated Cell Death Induction.

The small-molecule E26 transformation-specific (ETS) factor inhibitor YK-4-279 was developed for therapy of ETS/EWS fusion-driven Ewing's sarcoma. Here we aimed to identify molecular factors underlying YK-4-279 responsiveness in ETS fusion-negative cancers. Cell viability screenings that deletion of induced hypersensitization against YK-4-279 especially in the BRAF-mutated colon cancer model RKO.

Localized modes in a two-dimensional lattice with a pluslike geometry.

We investigate analytically and numerically the existence and dynamical stability of different localized modes in a two-dimensional photonic lattice comprising a square plaquette inscribed in the dodecagon lattices. The eigenvalue spectrum of the underlying linear lattice is characterized by a net formed of one flat band and four dispersive bands. By tailoring the intersite coupling coefficient ratio, opening of gaps between two pairs of neighboring dispersive bands can be induced, while the fully degenerate flat band characterized by compact eigenmodes stays nested between two inner dispersive bands.

Toxicity of high uranium doses in broilers and protection with mineral adsorbents.

The aim of this study was to determine the uranium distribution and histopathological changes in broiler organs (kidney, liver, and brain) and muscle after 7 days of contamination with high doses of uranyl nitrate hexahydrate (UN), and the protective efficiency of three different mineral adsorbents (organobentonite, organozeolite, and sepiolite). During the 7 days, the UN administration was 50 mg per day, and administration of adsorbents was 2 g per day immediately after UN. In control group where broilers received only UN, histopathological changes such as necrosis of intestinal villi, oedema, vacuolisation and abruption of epithelial cells in renal tubules, oedema and vacuolisation of the cytoplasm of hepatocytes, and dystrophic changes in the neurons of the medulla oblongata were observed.

Performance of aquatic weed - Waste Myriophyllum spicatum immobilized in alginate beads for the removal of Pb(II).

A new biosorbent - alginate encapsulated with Myriophyllum spicatum - MsA was investigated for lead ions removal. This biosorbent was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), zeta potential, X ray Diffraction (XRD) and size distribution analysis. FT-IR analysis demonstrated that the lead ions sequestration mechanism included ion exchange and lead complexation with the carboxyl, carbonyl and hydroxyl groups in MsA.

Distribution of non-lumbricid earthworms (Clitellata: Acanthodrilidae, Criodrilidae, Megascolecidae and Ocnerodrilidae) on the Balkans and Anatolia with first record of Amynthas morrisi (Beddard, 1892) from Turkey.

Based on previous and on new species records, the non-lumbricid earthworm fauna of the Balkans and Anatolia consists of ten species, belonging to four families: Acanthodrilidae, with Microscolex dubius (Fletcher, 1886) and Microscolex phosphoreus (Dugès, 1837), Criodrilidae, with Criodrilus lacuum Hoffmeister, 1845 and Criodrilus ochridensis Georgevitch, 1950, Megascolecidae, with Amynthas corticis (Kinberg, 1867), Amynthas gracilis (Kinberg, 1867), Amynthas morrisi (Beddard, 1892), Metaphire californica (Kinberg, 1867), and Pontodrilus litoralis (Grube, 1855), and Ocnerodrilidae, with Ocnerodrilus occidentalis Eisen, 1878. Four species are recorded on the both territories (C. lacuum, M.

New earthworm records (Clitellata: Lumbricidae) from Bulgaria since 2012.

The early scientists who studied the earthworm fauna of Bulgaria were Rosa (1897), Černosvitov (1934), and Mihailova (1966). Their work was continued by Šapkarev (1986) and Zicsi and Csuzdi (1986). In the last decade, researchers from Hungary, Serbia and Bulgaria organized explorations of many localities and enhanced the knowledge of the earthworm fauna of the country (Valchovski 2012, Stojanović et al.

Checklist of earthworms (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae) from Serbia: a review.

A checklist of the lumbricid earthworms in Serbia is presented. For the first time, comprehensive informations of all lumbricids in the country are given in order to establish the definitive list of known taxa from Serbia. The list underlines earthworm diversity and provides a general overview of their ecology, distribution in Serbia, and zoogeographical position.

Applying multi-criteria analysis for preliminary assessment of the properties of alginate immobilized Myriophyllum spicatum in lake water samples.

The preliminary assessment of the properties of alginate immobilized aquatic weed Myriophyllum spicatum beads-MsAlg in a multi-element system of nine Serbian lakes water samples was done. Herein, the results obtained in the biosorption experiment with MsAlg contents of twenty-two elements analysed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry, biosorption capacity, element removal efficiency, total hardness (TH) and quality index of water (WQI) are presented. Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was used for the characterization of M.

Endemic earthworms (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae) of the Balkan Peninsula: a review.

A list of the endemic earthworms of the Balkan Peninsula is presented. Comprehensive information on the ecology, distribution on the Balkan Peninsula and zoogeographical type of all endemics is given. The list comprises 90 species and subspecies, belonging to 11 genera of the family Lumbricidae.

Loss of phosphodiesterase 4D mediates acquired triapine resistance via Epac-Rap1-Integrin signaling.

Triapine, an anticancer thiosemicarbazone, is currently under clinical investigation. Whereas promising results were obtained in hematological diseases, trials in solid tumors widely failed. To understand mechanisms causing triapine insensitivity, we have analysed genomic alterations in a triapine-resistant SW480 subline (SW480/tria).

Alkali modified hydrochar of grape pomace as a perspective adsorbent of Pb(2+) from aqueous solution.

Hydrochar produced via hydrothermal carbonization of grape pomace was considered as novel sorbent of Pb(2+) from aqueous solution. In order to enhance the adsorption capacity, hydrochar was chemically modified using 2 M KOH solution. Both materials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction technique.

Biometric approach in selecting plants for phytoaccumulation of uranium.

This paper promotes the biometric classification system of plant cultivars, unique characteristics, in terms of the uranium (U) uptake, primarily in the function of the application for phytoremediation. It is known that the degree of adoption of U depends on the plant species and its morphological and physiological properties, but it is less known what impact have plants cultivars, sorts, and hybrids. Therefore, we investigated the U adoption in four cultivars of three plant species (corn, sunflower and soy bean).

Efficiency of sepiolite in broilers diet as uranium adsorbent.

The use of phosphate mineral products in animal nutrition, as a major source of phosphor and calcium, can lead to uranium entering the food chain. The aim of the present study was to determine the protective effect of natural sepiolite and sepiolite treated with acid for broilers after oral intake of uranium. The broilers were contaminated for 7 days with 25 mg/uranyl nitrate per day.

Underground evolution: new roots for the old tree of lumbricid earthworms.

Earthworms belonging to the family Lumbricidae are extremely abundant in terrestrial temperate regions. They affect soil properties and nutrient cycling, thus shaping plant community composition and aboveground food webs. Some lumbricids are also model organisms in ecology and toxicology.

Utilization of phosphate rock from Lisina for direct application: release of plant nutrients in the exchange-fertilizer mixtures.

This study examined the possibility of direct application of phosphate rock (PR) from Lisina deposit, in a mixture with natural clinoptilolite (Cp) and clinoptilolite partially saturated with ammonium ions (NH4-Cp). Solution P concentrations of the NH4-Cp/PR mixtures were sufficient for plant growth and ranged from 0.36 to 0.

Uranium distribution in broiler organs and possibilities for protection.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the distribution of uranium (uranyl nitrate hexahydrate, UN) in muscle and organs (kidney, liver, and brain) of broilers, after a 7-day contamination with UN and administration of two different adsorbents (organobentonite and organozeolite). The birds were contaminated during 7 days with 25 mg/UN per day. Adsorbents were given via gastric tube, immediately after contamination with UN.

Checklist of earthworms (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae) from Montenegro: Diversity and biogeographical review.

A checklist of the lumbricid earthworms in Montenegro is presented. Comprehensive information on the distribution and habitats of all earthworms is given in order to establish the definitive list of known taxa from Montenegro. The complete list of earthworm taxa of Montenegro comprises 40 species and subspecies, belonging to 12 genera of the family Lumbricidae.

Bipolar disorder susceptibility region on chromosome 3q29 not confirmed in a case-control association study.

Objectives: We identified a bipolar disorder (BPD) susceptibility region on chromosome 3q29 in a genome-wide linkage scan (Bailer et al. 2002 (Biol Psychiatry 52: 40), NPL-score 4.09) and follow-up linkage analysis (Schosser et al.

No association of the neuropeptide Y (Leu7Pro) and ghrelin gene (Arg51Gln, Leu72Met, Gln90Leu) single nucleotide polymorphisms with eating disorders.

Background: Genetic factors likely contribute to the biological vulnerability of eating disorders.

Aims: Case-control association study on one neuropeptide Y gene (Leu7Pro) polymorphism and three ghrelin gene (Arg51Gln, Leu72Met and Gln90Leu) polymorphisms.

Methods: 114 eating disorder patients (46 with anorexia nervosa, 30 with bulimia nervosa, 38 with binge eating disorder) and 164 healthy controls were genotyped.

Synchronous and multiple transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder and urachal cyst.

Incomplete involution of the allantoic duct can result in different pathological forms of urachus which can give rise to inflammation or late malignant changes. Among urachal tumors, adenocarcinoma is most frequent, although other histological types can also be found. The synchronous presentation of a urachal transitional cell tumor, along with recurrent superficial bladder tumors has not been reported previously.

Identification of Metals (Heavy and Radioactive) in Drinking Water by an Indirect Analysis Method Based on Scale Tests.

The analysis of water quality, regarding the content of metals, especially heavy and radioactive ones, has been carried out in an indirect way, by testing scale formed in a hot-water heater, using water from the water-supply network of the city of Belgrade - the district of New Belgrade. The determination of the composition and the structure of the scale has resulted in its complete identification, and its crystallochemical formula has been defined. It has unequivocally been established that the obtained results are within the tolerance boundary with the results acquired by a conventional analysis of water, when it is a matter of very low concentrations.