Estimation of internal displacement in Ukraine from satellite-based car detections.

Estimating the numbers and whereabouts of internally displaced people (IDP) is paramount to providing targeted humanitarian assistance. In conflict settings like the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, on-the-ground data collection is nevertheless often inadequate to provide accurate and timely information. Satellite imagery may sidestep some of these challenges and enhance our understanding of the IDP dynamics.

Accurate calculation of the content volume, density and original weight of museum curated eggs.

Worldwide museums hold collections of eggshells representing material for descriptive studies. However, an obstacle to this is the lack of information about the original contents and weight of the entire egg (W). This study aimed to fill this gap though development of a methodological mechanism for calculating the volume of the egg interior (V), its density (D) and W.

Environmental Conditions Modulate Warming Effects on Plant Litter Decomposition Globally.

Empirical studies worldwide show that warming has variable effects on plant litter decomposition, leaving the overall impact of climate change on decomposition uncertain. We conducted a meta-analysis of 109 experimental warming studies across seven continents, using natural and standardised plant material, to assess the overarching effect of warming on litter decomposition and identify potential moderating factors. We determined that at least 5.

Electromyography findings in L5 radiculopathy are not associated with fatty infiltration of paraspinal muscles: a retrospective observational study.

Introduction: Increased fatty infiltration of the paraspinal muscles (PM) has been recognized as a sign of decreased muscle quality in patients with degenerative disc disease. However, whether fatty infiltration is a consequence of a neurogenic process due to spinal nerve root compression has not yet been determined.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between fatty infiltration of the paraspinal muscles (PM) and neurogenic remodeling of motor unit action potentials (MUAPs) in patients with lumbar radiculopathy.

Flow-cytometry reveals mitochondrial DNA accumulation in cells during cell cycle arrest.

Mitochondria are semi-autonomous organelles containing their own DNA (mtDNA), which is replicated independently of nuclear DNA (nDNA). While cell cycle arrest halts nDNA replication, mtDNA replication continues. In , flow cytometry enables semi-quantitative estimation of mtDNA levels by measuring the difference in signals between cells lacking mtDNA and those containing mtDNA.

Novel coronaviruses and mammarenaviruses of hedgehogs from Russia including the comparison of viral communities of hibernating and active specimens.

Introduction: Small mammals, especially rodents and bats, are known reservoirs of zoonotic viruses, but little is known about the viromes of insectivorous species including hedgehogs (order Eulipotyphla), which often live near human settlements and come into contact with humans.

Methods: We used high-throughput sequencing and metaviromic analysis to describe the viromes of 21 hedgehogs (Erinaceus sp.) sampled from summer 2022 to spring 2023.

The eusocial non-code: Unveiling the impact of noncoding RNAs on Hymenoptera eusocial evolution.

Eusociality, characterized by reproductive division of labor, cooperative brood care, and multi-generational cohabitation, represents a pinnacle of complex social evolution, most notably manifested within the Hymenoptera order including bees, ants, and wasps. The molecular underpinnings underlying these sophisticated social structures remain an enigma, with noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) emerging as crucial regulatory players. This article delves into the roles of ncRNAs in exerting epigenetic control during the development and maintenance of Hymenopteran eusociality.

The functions of immune system-derived miRNAs in cardiovascular diseases.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the foremost cause of mortality worldwide, with recent advances in immunology underscoring the critical roles of immune cells in their onset and progression. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), particularly those derived from the immune system, have emerged as vital regulators of cellular functions within the cardiovascular landscape. This review focuses on "immuno-miRs," a class of miRNAs that are highly expressed in immune cells, including T cells, B cells, NK cells, neutrophils, and monocytes/macrophages, and their significant role in controlling immune signaling pathways.

Revealing O-acetylhomoserine sulfhydrylase involved in direct sulfhydrylation pathway in Clostridium tetani.

Bacterial methionine biosynthesis is an attractive target for research due to its central role in cellular metabolism, as most steps of this pathway are missing in mammals. Up to now little is known about sulfur metabolism in pathogenic Clostridia species, making the study of the enzymes of Cys/Met metabolism in Clostridium tetani particularly relevant. Analysis of the C.

HSP90 Family Members, Their Regulators and Ischemic Stroke Risk: A Comprehensive Molecular-Genetics and Bioinformatics Analysis.

Background: Disruptions in proteostasis are recognized as key drivers in cerebro- and cardiovascular disease progression. Heat shock proteins (HSPs), essential for maintaining protein stability and cellular homeostasis, are pivotal in neuroperotection. Consequently, deepening the understanding the role of HSPs in ischemic stroke (IS) risk is crucial for identifying novel therapeutic targets and advancing neuroprotective strategies.

GWAS-Significant Loci and Uterine Fibroids Risk: Analysis of Associations, Gene-Gene and Gene-Environmental Interactions.

Background: Uterine fibroids (UF) is the most common benign tumour of the female reproductive system. We investigated the joint contribution of genome-wide association studies (GWAS)-significant loci and environment-associated risk factors to the UF risk, along with epistatic interactions between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).

Methods: DNA samples from 737 hospitalised patients with UF and 451 controls were genotyped using probe-based PCR for seven common GWAS SNPs: rs117245733 , rs547025 rs2456181 , rs7907606 , , rs58415480 , rs7986407 , and rs72709458 .

Evaluation of Reference Gene Stability for Investigations of Intracellular Signalling in Human Cancer and Non-Malignant Mesenchymal Stromal Cells.

Background: Real-time reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is a powerful tool for analysing target gene expression in biological samples. To achieve reliable results by RT-qPCR, the most stable reference genes must be selected for proper data normalisation, particularly when comparing cells of different types. We aimed to choose the least variable candidate reference genes among eight housekeeping genes tested within a set of human cancer cell lines (HeLa, MCF-7, SK-UT-1B, A549, A431, SK-BR-3), as well as four lines of normal, non-malignant mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) of different origins.

Conservation Genetics and Breeding using Molecular Genetic Markers in Japanese Quail ().

Background: The Japanese quail () is a small migratory bird whose main habitats are located in East Asia, Russia, China, Japan, Korea, and India. The Japanese quail was first introduced into the Iraqi research sector in the early 1980s. This investigation aimed to identify the genetic divergence between the available genetic lines of the Japanese quail in Iraq as a first step to conducting further conservation and breeding, benefiting from studying the genetic diversity related to productivity, adaptation, and immune susceptibility.

Amalgamation of Metal Tolerant PGPR sp. EA20 with Birch Wood Biochar Enhanced Growth and Biofortification of Rapeseed under Copper Action.

Background: Amalgamation of metal-tolerant plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) with biochar is a promising direction for the development of chemical-free biofertilizers that can mitigate environmental risks, enhance crop productivity and their biological value. The main objective of the work includes the evaluation of the influence of prepared bacterial biofertilizer (BF) on biometric growth parameters as well as physiological and biochemical characteristics of rapeseed ( L.) at copper action.

Bacterial Communities and Their Role in Bacterial Infections.

Since infections associated with microbial communities threaten human health, research is increasingly focusing on the development of biofilms and strategies to combat them. Bacterial communities may include bacteria of one or several species. Therefore, examining all the microbes and identifying individual community bacteria responsible for the infectious process is important.

Effect of 2-Aminoethoxydiphenyl Borate on the State of Skeletal Muscles in Dystrophin-Deficient Mice.

Objective: Ca overload of muscle fibers is one of the factors that secondarily aggravate the development of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of the Ca channel modulator 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (APB) on skeletal muscle pathology in dystrophin-deficient mice.

Methods: Mice were randomly divided into six groups: wild type (WT), WT+3 mg/kg APB, WT+10 mg/kg APB, , +3 mg/kg APB, +10 mg/kg APB.

The Putative Antilipogenic Role of NRG4 and ERBB4: First Expression Study on Human Liver Samples.

Background: Epidermal growth factor receptor 4 (ERBB4) and neuregulin 4 (NRG4) have been shown to reduce steatosis and prevent the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in mouse models, but little to nothing is known about their role in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in humans. This study is the first to investigate the expression of and mRNAs and their role in lipid metabolism in the livers of individuals with obesity, type 2 diabetes and biopsy-proven NAFLD.

Methods: Liver biospecimens were obtained intraoperatively from 80 individuals.

Circadian Disruption in Glaucoma: Causes, Consequences, and Countermeasures.

This review explores the intricate relationship between glaucoma and circadian rhythm disturbances. As a principal organ for photic signal reception and transduction, the eye plays a pivotal role in coordinating the body's circadian rhythms through specialized retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), particularly intrinsically photosensitive RGCs (ipRGCs). These cells are critical in transmitting light signals to the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the central circadian clock that synchronizes physiological processes to the 24-hour light-dark cycle.

Cytoprotective Effects and Intranuclear Localization of Sulfur-Containing Derivative of Buckminsterfullerene.

Background: There is a growing interest in exploring the biological characteristics of nanoparticles and exploring their potential applications. However, there is still a lack of research into the potential genotoxicity of fullerene derivatives and their impact on gene expression in human cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of a water-soluble fullerene derivative, C60[C6H4SCH2COOK]5H (F1), on human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HELF).

Coherent Changes in Neural Motor Network Activity during Levodopa-Induced Dyskinesia in a Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease.

Background: Long-term use of levodopa, a metabolic precursor of dopamine (DA) for alleviation of motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD), can cause a serious side effect known as levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID). With the development of LID, high-frequency gamma oscillations (~100 Hz) are registered in the motor cortex (MCx) in patients with PD and rats with experimental PD. Studying alterations in the activity within major components of motor networks during transition from levodopa-off state to dyskinesia can provide useful information about their contribution to the development of abnormal gamma oscillations and LID.

Polymorphism in Genes Encoding HSP40 Family Proteins is Associated with Ischemic Stroke Risk and Brain Infarct Size: A Pilot Study.

Background: Heat shock proteins (HSPs) play a critical role in the molecular mechanisms of ischemic stroke (IS). A possible role for HSP40 family proteins in atherosclerosis progression has already been revealed; however, to date, molecular genetic studies on the involvement of genes encoding proteins of the HSP40 family in IS have not yet been carried out.

Aim: We sought to determine whether nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding HSP40 family proteins (, , , , and ) are associated with the risk and clinical features of IS.

Transient destabilization of interhemispheric functional connectivity induced by spreading depolarization.

Cortical spreading depolarization (CSD), a slowly propagating wave of transient cellular depolarization, is a reliable cortical response to various brain insults (stroke, trauma, seizures) and underlying mechanism of migraine aura. Little is known about CSD effects on brain network activity. Using undirected (mutual information, MI) and directed (transfer entropy, TE) measures, we studied the dynamics of cross-hemispheric connectivity associated with the development of unilateral CSD in freely behaving rats and the involvement of inhibitory transmission in mechanisms of the coupling changes.

Sulfur-modified tea-waste biochar improves rice growth in arsenic contaminated soil and reduces arsenic accumulation.

Arsenic (As) is a non-essential carcinogenic metalloid and an issue of concern for rice crops. This study investigated the effects of sulfur-loaded tea waste biochar (TWB) due to modification with sodium sulfide (SSTWB) or thiourea (TUTWB) on As stress and accumulation in rice plants. The results showed that sulfur-modified TWB improved plant morphology compared to plants grown in As-contaminated soil alone.

A novel ensemble ARIMA-LSTM approach for evaluating COVID-19 cases and future outbreak preparedness.

Background: The global impact of the highly contagious COVID-19 virus has created unprecedented challenges, significantly impacting public health and economies worldwide. This research article conducts a time series analysis of COVID-19 data across various countries, including India, Brazil, Russia, and the United States, with a particular emphasis on total confirmed cases.

Methods: The proposed approach combines auto-regressive integrated moving average (ARIMA)'s ability to capture linear trends and seasonality with long short-term memory (LSTM) networks, which are designed to learn complex nonlinear dependencies in the data.

Association between atherosclerosis and the development of multi-organ pathologies.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the vascular system, characterised by the accumulation of modified lipoproteins, immune cell aggregation and the development of fibrous tissue within blood vessel walls. As atherosclerosis impacts blood vessels, its adverse effects may manifest across various tissues and organs. In this review, we examine the association of atherosclerosis with Alzheimer's disease, stroke, pancreatic and thyroid dysfunction, kidney stones and chronic kidney diseases.