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Salmonella bacteria are a major cause of sporadic and clustered acute intestinal infections, with S. Enteritidis being the predominant serovar both in Russia and worldwide. This underscores the need to study and improve surveillance of S. Enteritidis using modern methods. The aim of this study was to investigate the antibiotic resistance phenotype and molecular genetic characteristics of S. Enteritidis circulating in the Nizhny Novgorod region, to perform molecular subtyping of strains using WGS data, and to conduct a comparative analysis with MALDI-TOF MS results. Antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed using the disk diffusion method. MALDI-TOF MS was applied for analysis of mass spectral similarities and differences, while WGS and whole-genome MLST approaches were used for strain characterization and subtyping. It was found that 11.6% of isolates exhibited reduced susceptibility to fluoroquinolones, and 4.65% were resistant, which was associated with the presence of plasmid-mediated genes (qnrB5, qnrB10, qnrB19) and point mutations in the gyrA gene (Ser83Tyr and Asp87Asn). The strains were shown to differ in the number of pathogenicity islands, and the presence of eight types of plasmid replicons was identified, indicating the presence of plasmids potentially capable of transferring antibiotic resistance genes. The studied strains were found to belong to the Global and Atlantic phylogenetic lineages. The cgMLST method was identified as the most effective approach for epidemiological investigation of local outbreaks. A comparison of the two methodological approaches demonstrated that MALDI-TOF MS results are comparable to cgMLST-based subtyping. The use of MALDI-TOF MS in epidemiological surveillance of clustered and outbreak-associated salmonellosis cases is therefore justified, cost-effective, and enables rapid epidemiological investigation.

This paper analyzes eye-gaze dynamics in individuals with autistic traits during an emotion recognition task using partial facial stimuli. A distinct emotion recognition strategy was identified in individuals with elevated autistic traits. Specifically, the target group demonstrated superior efficiency in recognizing neutral and negative emotions compared to the control group, characterized by a smaller scanning area, shorter recognition latency, and higher accuracy. The findings demonstrate that eye-tracking methodology is effective not only for clinical autism diagnostics but also for identifying the broader autism phenotype (BAP). These results suggest that the broader autism phenotype is not characterized by deficits in emotion recognition; rather, it reflects a qualitatively alternative strategy of social cognition.

Over the past fifteen years, nanozymes—artificial nanomaterials with enzyme-like catalytic activity—have evolved from a laboratory phenomenon into one of the most rapidly advancing platforms in nanomedicine. The unique ability of nanozymes to selectively modulate the levels of reactive oxygen species within the tumor microenvironment opens fundamentally new avenues for highly selective therapy of malignant neoplasms. This review systematically presents current advances in the development of "smart" nanozymes for cancer treatment. Catalytic mechanisms are discussed in detail, including peroxidase-like, oxidase-like, catalase-like, superoxide dismutase-like, and hydrolase-like activities, as well as the factors influencing these processes. The main classes of nanozymes are analyzed: metals and metal oxides, carbon-based materials, metal-organic frameworks, single-atom catalysts, bimetallic and biomimetic systems. Strategies for enhancing catalytic efficiency are examined: heterometallic doping, defect engineering, surface modification, control of porosity and dimensionality, and the use of hybrid constructs with natural enzymes. Special attention is given to the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning methods for predicting nanozyme structure and activity, thereby accelerating the search for optimal candidates. Therapeutic modalities are described—chemodynamic, photothermal, photodynamic, and sonodynamic therapy, depletion therapy, immunotherapy, as well as the induction of novel forms of cell death. It is shown that combined approaches, in which nanozymes perform multiple catalytic functions simultaneously, are the most effective. Finally, barriers to clinical translation are critically assessed: long-term biosafety, incomplete in vivo specificity, the challenge of scalable synthesis, and the lack of standardized evaluation protocols. Potential strategies to overcome these limitations are proposed.

Photopolymer materials based on methacrylic acid esters are extensively utilized in additive manufacturing; nevertheless, their application in medicine is constrained by the absence of antimicrobial activity, which elevates the risk of infectious complications. The present paper puts forth a methodology for producing composites for stereolithographic 3D printing by introducing metal oxide nanoparticles (TiO₂, CuO, ZnO, and Ag₂O) into a methacrylate resin. The synthesis of the nanoparticles was accomplished via a laser ablation process in water, followed by their transfer to acetone and subsequent dispersion in the resin at concentrations ranging from 0.001 to 0.1 vol%. The utilization of dynamic and electrophoretic light scattering methodologies has elucidated that the nature of particle agglomeration in acetone is contingent upon the nature of the oxide and exhibits a correlation with the surface charge density, otherwise known as the zeta potential. It has been demonstrated that all composites retain their photopolymerizability, thereby enabling the fabrication of three-dimensional objects (i.e., test models and an orthodontic mouthguard). The antibacterial activity of the modified materials was assessed by measuring the inhibition of Escherichia coli growth over a 24-hour period. The results demonstrated a pronounced bacteriostatic effect for all modified materials. The composite with 0.1% Ag₂O exhibited the strongest effect, with a maximum of 58% inhibition. ZnO and CuO, at the same concentration, showed similar results, with 48% and 45% inhibition, respectively. In contrast, TiO₂ demonstrated saturation of activity at a lower concentration, with 0.01% resulting in complete inhibition. The study of the cytotoxic effect on human fibroblasts (HSF line) was conducted using fluorescence microscopy. The results indicated that cell viability on all composites exceeded 95% relative to the unmodified polymer. Consequently, the developed composites exhibit a synergistic combination of high antibacterial efficacy and low toxicity, along with technological suitability for 3D printing. This technological aptitude renders the composites promising candidates for utilization in the fabrication of implants, surgical templates, and dental structures that possess enhanced antiseptic properties.

Laser light‑scattering analyzers, based on recording the radiation intensity in forward, side, and back scattering, have physical and technical limitations that prevent the implementation of universal technical solutions based on them for integration into industrial systems. Within the scope of the study, an improved scatterometric method is proposed. It is based on recording the radiation intensity in back scattering and enables component‑level diagnostics of highly scattering media (in particular, milk) regardless of their geometric features. This will allow the development of universal technical tools based on this method for integration into industrial quality control systems. A mathematical model of such light‑scattering systems has been developed, and an experimental prototype of the device based on the described method has been proposed.

In recent years, Danio rerio fish (D. rerio) have become increasingly used in the field of biological narcology to study the effects of narcogens on behavior and neurochemistry in the brain. In order to study the effect of ethanol, D. rerio was used most often. We analyzed all available studies and summarized information on behavior and neurochemistry obtained using different protocols for modeling chronic ethanol exposure and withdrawal status on D. rerio. The analysis of the publications allowed us to identify three approaches used to model chronic alcoholism on D. rerio. Such a generalization of the available data will be beneficial for researchers who use D. rerio as a model object to solve their problems in this area of research.

Genetic predisposition plays a significant role in the development of ovarian cancer (OC). Genetic variants in DNA repair genes, including XRCC1, may be significant markers for this disease. We aimed to assess the association of XRCC1 rs1799782 and rs25487 with ovarian cancer risk via a case-control study in Bashkortostan and a subsequent meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: This study included DNA samples isolated from venous blood of patients with ovarian cancer (n = 227) and women without cancer (n = 286). Genotyping of XRCC1 polymorphisms (rs1799782, rs25487) was performed using PCR-RFLP analysis. We assessed Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and calculated odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs. Additionally, we conducted a meta-analysis incorporating our data with previously published studies. Pooled ORs were calculated using fixed- and random-effects models. Results: The rs1799782 polymorphism showed no significant association with ovarian cancer risk in the case-control study (p > 0.05), consistent with the low heterogeneity observed in the meta-analysis (I² = 35.2%). For rs25487, the A allele was associated with decreased ovarian cancer risk in the Bashkortostan population (p = 0,035). However, the meta-analysis revealed the opposite trend, with the same allele conferring increased risk of gynecologic malignancies (OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.00–1.39, p = 0.046), alongside substantial heterogeneity (I² = 69%). This pooled estimate aligns with previous meta-analyses reporting increased risk in Asian populations. Conclusion: XRCC1 rs25487 exhibits population-specific effects on ovarian cancer risk: protective in the Bashkortostan population but risk-associated globally. rs1799782 shows no association with ovarian cancer, despite its reported role in other gynecologic malignancies. These findings underscore the need for population-stratified genetic studies.

Background: Chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) is a dysregulation in renal function concurrently present with systemic inflammatory processes and neuroimmune interactions. Among the Iraqi cohort of patients with CRI, the present study aimed to clarify the relationship between serum acetylcholinesterase (AChE) levels and the inflammatory cytokines (IL-1α, IL-10, TNF-α). Methods: Thirty CRI patients and thirty age- and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited. All participants had blood samples collected for measurement of serum AChE and inflammatory cytokines (IL-1α, IL-10, TNF-α) using validated commercial ELISA kits. The hematological and biochemical parameters were also assessed. Results: TNF‑α was markedly elevated in Iraqi CRI patients and moderately correlated with AChE (r = 0.472, p < 0.01), while IL-1α and IL-10 were elevated but weakly correlated with AChE (r = 0.196 and 0.239, p > 0.05). Conclusion: TNF‑α may be a central mediator linking systemic inflammation with cholinergic perturbation in Iraqi CRI patients, whereas IL-1α and IL-10 have less influence on AChE. This study is the first to measure these markers simultaneously, supporting further exploration of TNF‑α and the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) as potential therapeutic targets.

Transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) is a common respiratory condition in neonates with many complications. Early identification of neonates at risk of complications is essential for timely management. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of serum biomarkers—lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β)—for complications in neonates with TTN. This is a cross-section study including 88 neonates diagnosed with TTN. Serum levels of LDH, TNF-α, and IL-1β were measured at admission. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the predictive accuracy of each biomarker. Complications occurred in 13 neonates (14.8%). Median serum levels of LDH, TNF-α, and IL-1β were significantly higher in neonates who developed complications compared to those who did not. ROC curve analysis revealed that LDH had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.926, with 90% sensitivity and 92% specificity at a cut-off value of 1000 U/L. TNF-α demonstrated an AUC of 0.938 (cut-off: 82.75 pg/mL), with 90% sensitivity and 85% specificity. IL-1β had an AUC of 0.878, with 80% sensitivity and 79% specificity at a cut-off of 19.4 pg/mL. Conclusion: Elevated serum levels of LDH, TNF-α, and IL-1β at admission are significantly associated with the risk of complications in neonates with TTN. These biomarkers may serve as valuable early predictors for identifying high-risk patients and guiding clinical decision-making.