Conservation of the Bird Cherry (Padus Mill.) Germplasm by Cold Storage and Cryopreservation of Winter Cuttings

Conservation at cryogenic temperatures, usually in liquid nitrogen (LN) or in its vapor, is the only reliable method for the long-term ex situ conservation of fruit and berry crops with vegetative reproduction. In this study, five bird cherry (Padus Mill.) varieties of different genetic origin from the bird cherry genebank at the N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR, Russia) were tested for their response to cryopreservation in LN vapor (-183--185 °C). The response included viability under laboratory and field conditions, morphological assessment of the developed plants and biochemical analysis of fruits produced during three consecutive years by plants developed from cryopreserved cuttings. All parameters were compared to those recorded after cold storage of cuttings (-5 °C), a routine mid-term conservation method currently used at the VIR genebank. The initial viability of winter cuttings varied from 86.7% to 93.3%. Six-month cold storage and cryopreservation reduced viability to 53.3-86.7% and 43.3-60.0%, respectively, which was above the 40% viability threshold in all varieties tested. Cuttings after cold storage showed better viability when recovered in the laboratory (80% mean viability) than in the field (58% mean viability); viability of cryopreserved cuttings was not affected by recovery conditions. The results of a two-way analysis of covariance suggested that storage and recovery conditions had the most significant effect on viability (p < 0.0001), while the effects of genotype (p = 0.062) and factor interactions (p = 0.921) were minor. Cryopreservation had little or no influence on morphological parameters of the plants recovered in the field, including plant height, number of shoots, internodes and roots, and root length. Similarly, no effect of cryopreservation was recorded on dry matter content, total sugar content and ascorbic acid concentration in fruits produced by plants developed from the cryopreserved cuttings. These results suggest that cryopreservation in LN vapor is a reliable method for conservation of the bird cherry genetic collection and is worth testing with a broader variety of genotypes.

Regression of Liver Steatosis Following Phosphatidylcholine Administration: A Review of Molecular and Metabolic Pathways Involved

Liver steatosis is a key pathology in non-alcoholic or metabolic associated fatty liver disease. Though largely ignored for decades it is currently becoming the focus of research in hepatology. It is important to consider its origin and current opportunities in terms of pharmacotherapy. Essential phospholipids (EPLs) rich in phosphatidylcholine (PCH) is a widely used treatment option for fatty liver disease, and there is a solid amount of consistent clinical evidence for the regression of steatosis after treatment with EPLs. As knowledge of PCH (a key component of EPLs) pharmacodynamics and mode of action driving this widely observed clinical effect is currently insufficient, we aimed to explore the potential molecular and metabolic pathways involved in the positive effects of PCH on steatosis regression.

The effectiveness and safety of eribulin therapy in HR-positive HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer post-CDK4/6 inhibitor therapy in Russian clinical practice

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Background: EMPOWER trial demonstrated the benefit of eribulin administrated post CD4/6i in patients (pts) with HR+ HER2-negative (HR+HER2-) metastatic breast cancer (MBC). There are several important limitations to this trial: > 60% of pts were stage IV at the time of treatment initiation, eribulin used in late lines (2L only in 30% pts) and follow-up data were immature. Current study aimed to provide additional data on the real-world effectiveness and safety of eribulin monotherapy in this setting. Methods: Observation study of eribulin monotherapy in standard regimen enrolled 54 pts (median age 56; range 29-79 years) with HR+ HER2- MBC received at least one dose of eribulin post CDK 4/6i in metastatic settings; 24% pts had de novo metastatic BC, 76% - recurrent BC; 77% received palbociclib, 21% ribociclib, 2% both drugs; 49% pts received CDK4/6i with fulvestrant and 51% with AI. CDK4/6i was used: 49% pts in 1L, 36% in 2L, 16% in 3L. Median DOR of CDK4/6i treatment was 9.07 months (range 2-38). 94% pts received anthracyclines and taxanes, eribulin was used in 2L in 60%, 30% in 3L, 8% in 4L, 2% in 5L. The most common sites of metastases (Mts) were bones (78%), liver (73%), lung (56%) and brain (8%); visceral Mts were seen in 90% pts. Median follow-up – 11,5 months (range 3-36). Results: Median cycles of eribulin therapy was 10,5 (range 1-44); objective response rate was seen in 24%, stabilization - 67%, progression - in 9%. Median PFS was 10.0 months, there were no significant differences in the different subgroups (visceral/no visceral; recurrent/de novo BC; age; CDK4/6i as 1L vs 2L, fulvestrant vs AI), p > 0,05. Median PFS was higher in pts with lung Mts vs non-lung (24 vs 9,1 months, p = 0.056). Most common AEs all grades were neutropenia (26%), anemia (9%), asthenia (9%), polyneuropathy (11.1%). AE did not affect the effectiveness of eribulin (p = 0.648). Dose reduction was in 19% pts and did not affect the effectiveness of eribulin (p = 0.612). At median follow-up of 11.5 months, 92.5% of patients still alive. Conclusions: As post-CDK4/6i therapy, eribulin in HR+HER2- MBC pts was effective and well tolerated, regardless of age, line of CDK4/6, CDK 4/6i combination partner. Patients with metastasis to the lung have better mPFS. Results in this real-world population of pts with HR+HER2- MBC were consistent with the EMPOWER study, and support administration of eribulin in 2-3 lines as an effective option for post-CD4/6i pts.

Risk factors and comorbidities associated with magnesium deficiency in pregnant women and women with hormone-related conditions: analysis of a large real-world dataset

BACKGROUND

An accumulating body of literature indicates that magnesium deficiency is associated with a number of hormone-related conditions (HRC) in women, and epidemiological studies are needed to assess its prevalence and risk factors. Here, we present a secondary analysis of data pooled from four large observational studies that assessed magnesium deficiency among pregnant women and women with HRC across the Russian Federation.

METHODS

The main objective of this analysis was to estimate the prevalence of magnesium deficiency in this population and to describe risk factors and comorbidities associated with low serum magnesium. Univariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors and comorbid conditions associated with an increased risk of low serum magnesium level.

RESULTS

A total of 983 pregnant women and 9444 women with HRC were eligible for analysis. Prevalence of hypomagnesemia (magnesium serum level cut-off < 0.66 mmol/L/< 0.8 mmol/L) was 34.0%/78.9% in pregnant women and 21.4%/54.8% in women with HRC. The highest prevalence of magnesium deficiency was observed for osteoporosis and climacteric syndrome. Risk factors included diastolic blood pressure, previous pregnancy complications, infections and edema for pregnant women, and age, body mass index, and various comorbidities for women with HRC.

CONCLUSIONS

These results confirm the high prevalence of hypomagnesemia in pregnant women and women with HRC and underline the importance of routine screening, since risk factors are mostly non-specific.

NEW ASPECTS OF USING MILLET GRAIN IN BREAD MANUFACTURING

The article proves how practical it is to use whole-milled millet grain to improve the quality of bakery products. Samples of bread with the addition of different amounts of milled millet grain before and after microwave treatment have been evaluated by sensory (surface, shape, and colour of bread, porosity, structure and colour of the crumb) and physico-chemical parameters. To determine the organoleptic evaluation of bread samples with the addition of 5%, 10%, and 15% whole-milled millet grain before and after microwave treatment, a scoring scale and the profiling method were used. According to the results of the research, the advantages of introducing milled millet grain into wheat flour has been substantiated, and it has been shown that adding it to the formulation of 5–15% improves the organoleptic characteristics of the bread, namely, giving it a harmonious taste and aroma, an attractive colour, a pronounced smell, and a porous structure, comparatively with standard bread made from wheat flour. The best characteristics were observed after whole-milled millet grain that had undergone microwave treatment was added to the flour. When 15% of whole-milled millet grain is added to wheat flour after microwave treatment, there is a slight decrease in the porosity of the bread. So, the introduction of more than 15% of whole-milled millet into the formulation is considered inappropriate. It has been found that the physical-chemical parameters of bread (humidity, acidity, porosity, mass fraction of sugar and fat), when adding whole-milled millet in the amount of 5–15% before and after microwave treatment, practically do not change. The introduction of 5–15% of whole-milled millet grain into the composition of bread recipes allows you to obtain high quality bread, of high nutritional and biological value, which can be recommended for consumption by all social groups, including children, adolescents, and elderly people. These studies can be used in the future in developing a technology of obtaining bakery products of functional purpose with high consumer properties.