Yandex (Russia)

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is often asymptomatic early on but can progress to irreversible conditions like cirrhosis. Due to limited access to human liver biopsies, systematic and integrative molecular resources remain scarce. In this study, we performed transcriptomic analyses on liver and metabolomic analyses on liver and plasma samples from morbidly obese individuals without liver pathology or at early-stage MASLD. While the plasma metabolomic profile did not fully mirror liver histological features, dual-omics integration of liver samples revealed significantly remodeled lipid and amino acid metabolism pathways. Integrative network analysis uncoupled metabolic remodeling and gene expression as independent features of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis progression, respectively. Notably, GTPases and their regulators emerged as a novel class of genes linked to early liver fibrosis. This study offers a detailed molecular landscape of early MASLD in obesity and highlights potential targets of obesity-linked liver fibrosis.

The pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) remained to be fully understood. Meanwhile, exosome have shown its potential to further advance diabetes research as a rich source of biomarkers. This study aims to explore the proteomic profiles of circulating plasma exosomes in individuals with varying glucose statuses and offer potentially new perspective on the pathogenesis of T2DM. Participants with different glucose status were recruited according to the diagnostic criteria of the American diabetes association. Plasma exosomes were collected and went through data independent acquisition mass spectrometry quantitative proteomics analysis. Differential proteins identified through pairwise group comparisons underwent further analysis like protein-protein interaction (PPI) and gene ontology (GO) to reveal their functions and interactions. A total of 75 participants (25 euglycemia; 25 prediabetes; 25 diabetes) were included in this study. Principal coordinates analysis showed that the proteomic patterns of exosomes in groups with prediabetes and diabetes exhibited certain similarities, contrasting with those in euglycemic individuals. From pairwise differential protein comparison, 32 proteins were selected for PPI and functional analysis, of which 7 were deemed significant within the network. GO annotations highlighted a close link between immunity and T2DM. Local STRING clustering, Reactome and KEGG pathway analysis all indicated great significance of complement and coagulation cascades. The proteomic patterns of exosomes in groups with different glucose levels exhibited that even before overt diabetes manifests, the circulating exosome cargo signals immune and coagulatory activation distinct from normal physiology.

BACKGROUNDSystemic immune-mediated diseases can be quite severe in both course and complications, causing multiple organ failure and death. These patients are often required to be hospitalized in an intensive care unit (ICU).AIMTo find early predictors of death in patients with immune-inflammatory diseases hospitalized in the ICU.METHODSThe study included 51 patients (23 boys, 28 girls) with immune-inflammatory diseases, including multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (n = 18), systemic rheumatic diseases (n = 24), and generalized infections (n = 9) aged from 7 months up to 17 years old, admitted to the ICU of the clinic of Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University in the period from 2007 to 2023. All patients were divided into those with a fatal outcome (n = 13) and those who recovered (n = 38). Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) was diagnosed by the 2016 European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology/Paediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organisation criteria.RESULTSFirst-day predictors were white blood cell ≤ 3.1 × 109/L, platelets ≤ 168 × 109/L, diuresis ≤ 1.5 mL/kg/hour, low saturation, K+ > 4.7 mmol/L, albumin ≤ 30 g/L, creatinine > 74 μmol/L, pH ≤ 7.36, HCO3- ≤ 22.2, Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤ 13, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score > 2, oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation (MV), fresh frozen plasma transfusions and biological treatment. The third-day predictors were: White blood cell ≤ 4.0 × 109/L, platelets ≤ 63 × 109/L, hemoglobin ≤ 87 g/L, C-reactive protein (CRP) > 129 mg/L, triglycerides > 2.45 mmol/L, albumin ≤ 28 g/L, creatinine > 83.5 μmol/L, pH ≤ 7.38, Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤ 10, SOFA score > 2 and need in MV, intravenous immunoglobulin, and blood transfusion requirements. On the fifth day, the main predictors were CRP > 28 mg/L, triglycerides > 2.3 mmol/L, creatinine > 58 μmol/L, fibrinogen > 3.3 g/L, compliance with the MAS criteria, Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤ 14, SOFA score > 2, and need for MV, vasopressors, and anticoagulant therapy, as well as blood and fresh frozen plasma transfusions. The seventh-day predictors were CRP > 19.1 mg/L, albumin ≤ 35 g/L, total protein ≤ 55 g/L, compliance with the MAS criteria, Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤ 12, SOFA score > 3, and need for MV and biological and anticoagulant therapy.CONCLUSIONHemaphagocytosis (leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, hyperferritinemia, increased histochemistry score), progressive decline in Glasgow Coma Scale, increasing SOFA scores, and persistent high CRP levels were markers of an unfavorable outcome in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.

Nigeria's environmental crisis demands quick policy reforms since it is caused by gas flaring, oil spills, and loose application of the polluter pays principle (PPP). This article explores how Cinema, Nigeria’s influential film sector, may magnify public awareness and motivate government to execute the PPP efficiently. Cinema underutilises environmental campaigning despite its global reach, frequently oversimplifying systemic issues or avoiding criticisms of institutional and corporate accountability. This study identifies limitations in PPP enforcement and opportunities for storytelling to reframe pollution as a solvable injustice. Corporate influence, weak institutions, and cultural narratives normalising environmental degradation further inhibit development. These problems are made worse by international streaming services, which prioritise entertainment over action, weakening crucial messages. The article concludes that Nigerians and people around the world can be motivated to seek a cleaner, more equitable future by using cinema's storytelling power.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is often asymptomatic early on but can progress to irreversible conditions like cirrhosis. Due to limited access to human liver biopsies, systematic and integrative molecular resources remain scarce. In this study, we performed transcriptomic analyses on liver and metabolomic analyses on liver and plasma samples from morbidly obese individuals without liver pathology or at early-stage MASLD. While, the plasma metabolomic profile did not fully mirror liver histological features, dual-omics integration of liver samples revealed significantly remodeled lipid and amino acid metabolism pathways. Integrative network analysis uncoupled metabolic remodeling and gene expression as independent features of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis progression, respectively. Notably, GTPases and their regulators emerged as a novel class of genes linked to early liver fibrosis. This study offers a detailed molecular landscape of early MASLD in obesity and highlights potential targets of obesity-linked liver fibrosis.

ZnSnO3 is a promising ternary oxide semiconductor owing to its favorable structural, electrical, and optoelectronic properties. In this work, ZnSnO3 samples were synthesized using a simple and cost-effective technique and characterized through thermoelectric power (TEP), electrical, and photosensing studies. Thermoelectric power measurements revealed a positive Seebeck coefficient, indicating p-type conductivity and dominant hole transport. Electrical studies showed temperature-dependent conductivity, confirming the semiconducting behavior of ZnSnO3. Photosensing measurements under ultraviolet (UV) illumination demonstrated a significant enhancement in photocurrent compared to dark current, along with stable and repeatable photoresponse. The observed photosensingbehavior is attributed to efficient generation of charge carriers and surface-related trapping mechanisms under light illumination. The combined results highlight the potential of ZnSnO₃ for applications in photodetectors and optoelectronic devices.

Financial literacy is an important factor in improving the performance of entrepreneurs and economic empowerment, especially among women entrepreneurs. Despite the various policies and financial inclusion initiatives in India, women entrepreneurs are still struggling due to a lack of financial literacy and access to financial services. The purpose of the current study is to evaluate the level of financial literacy among women entrepreneurs in Nashik district, Maharashtra State, and to test the relationship between financial literacy and some selected socio-economic variables and business performance. The study adopts a descriptive and analytical research approach. The primary data were collected from women entrepreneurs running micro and small businesses in Nashik district using a structured questionnaire. Financial literacy was measured by a composite scale including budgeting, savings, credit, insurance, investment, and digital financial services. The data analysis was done by using statistical methods such as percentage analysis, mean scores, and correlation analysis. The results show that the average financial literacy score of the respondents was 3.12 on a five-point scale, which is a moderate level of financial literacy. While 78% of the respondents showed familiarity with basic savings concepts, only 32% were familiar with insurance products, and 21% had used government financial services. A positive correlation (r = 0.62) was found between financial literacy and business performance, which indicates that higher financial literacy is associated with better income levels and financial decision-making. Education and business experience were identified as significant factors in determining the levels of financial literacy.

Abstract to be supplied.