Rationale, aims and objectives: Recent studies have identified significant gaps in dementia´s epidemiology, especially regarding low- and middle-income countries. The aim of our study was to estimate the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia by applying different tests among older Albanian patients and to find correlates with socio-demographic and medical factors. Method: Study population consisted of older people (60 years or more) who visited primary healthcare centers in two Albanian cities (Shkoder and Tirana). The MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment), MoCA B (Basic) and the mini-cog were translated and applied by two trained pharmacists. A predictive multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted. Degree of agreement between the MoCA and mini-cog tools was assessed using Kappa statistic. Results: A total of 206 participants with a mean age of 68,8 years old (SD 5.65), almost equally distributed among the two cities, were included in our study. A high prevalence of dementia and MCI was detected with MoCA, respectively 19,42 % and 93,20 %. The latter was 20,39 % with mini-cog. Multivariate regression analysis showed that men had an elevated risk for MCI (OR 5,31; 95% CI 1,40 – 20,15), as well as patients from Shkoder (OR 14,48; 95% CI 1,11 – 4,53), when MoCA detected MCI. According to mini-cog, more than 7 years of education acted as a protective factor for MCI (OR 0,12; 95% CI, 0,05 – 0,33), whereas having 1 to 6 years of education was a risk factor. For each year increase of age the risk of MCI was 1,16 times higher. The degree of agreement between the two tools was poor with Kappa 2.38 (SD 1,87). Conclusion: The results of these tests may help in selecting individuals for more specialised examination, in order to facilitate early diagnosis of dementia and MCI among Albanian older patients.

The Hypericum perforatum, also known as St John's, is mainly used as antidepressive. The objective of this study was to understand the educational level of pharmacists about H. perforatum, including their knowledge about the indication, contraindication, treatment time, adverse effects, pertinent care, and the existence of educational training for pharmacists. A survey was applied on pharmacists to access their knowledge about H. perforatum. The data analysis included the distribution of the relative frequencies and the crossing of the variables for the analysis of the aspects of interest, using the chi-square test and IRAMUTEQ software for discursive questions. Differences were presented regarding the knowledge about the herbal medicine, H. perforatum, among public and private pharmacists, as to the plant's indication, dosage, interactions, adverse effects, and care with the administration. These differences likely stem from variations in age, time of educational formation, and continued education of the professionals interviewed in this study.

Nonlinear Schrödinger equations play essential roles in different physics and engineering fields. In this paper, a hyper-block finite-difference self-consistent method (HFDSCF) is employed to solve this stationary nonlinear eigenvalue equation and demonstrated its accuracy. By comparing the results with the Sinc self-consistent (SSCF) method and exact available results, we show that the HFDSCF method gives quantum states with high accuracy and can even solve the strongly nonlinear Schrodinger equations. Then, by applying our method to Hofstadter butterfly problem, we describe the breeding, metamorphosis and killing of these butterflies by using nonlinear interactions as well as two constant length multi-well and sinusoidal potentials.

Vacuum freeze-drying is a scientifically advanced method to prepare solid inoculants from oil degrading bacterium. The introduction of oil‒degrading microbes or bioaugmentation can be an efficient way to bioremediate oil spills in marine areas, where oil-degrading bacteria are deficient. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the potential use of solid inoculants of LZ-2 bacteria to enhance the degradation rate of crude oil. In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) was incorporated into the experimental design to optimize a response, which is influenced by different protectants. Our results showed that five factors have interactive and synergistic protective effects on the growth of LZ-2. Optimal growth of freeze-dried LZ-2 (63.8%) was observed with a 10.5% solution of skim milk supplemented with 14.3% sucrose, 14.4% of trehalose, 4.9% of glycerin and 14.7% of β-cyclodextrin. The culture grew in medium containing crude oil (3 g/L) at 37 °C at 150 rpm for 30 days, GC and GC-MS analysis showed biodegradation of 44.2 and 21.6% for total saturate and aromatic hydrocarbons respectively. These results indicated that the solid inoculants of LZ-2 bacteria had the potential to be used for ex-situ bioremediation of hydrocarbon pollutants associated with crude oil.

Green infrastructures within sprawling cities provide essential ecosystem services, increasingly undermined by environmental stress. The main objective in this study was to relate the allocation patterns of NaCl contaminants to injury within foliage of lime trees mechanistically and distinguish between the effects of salt and other environmental stressors. Using field material representative of salt contamination levels in the street greenery of Riga, Latvia, the contribution of salt contaminants to structural and ultrastructural injury was analyzed, combining different microscopy techniques. On severely salt-polluted and dystrophic soils, the foliage of street lime trees showed foliar concentrations of Na/Cl up to 13600/16750 mg kg-1 but a still balanced nutrient content. The salt contaminants were allocated to all leaf blade tissues and accumulated in priority within mesophyll vacuoles, changing the vacuolar ionic composition at the expense of especially K and Ca. The size of mesophyll cells and vacuoles was increased as a function of NaCl concentration, suggesting impeded transpiration stream. In parallel, the cytoplasm showed degenerative changes, suggesting indirect stress effects. Hence, the lime trees in Riga showed tolerance to the dystrophic environmental conditions enhanced by salt pollution but their leaf physiology appeared directly impacted by the accumulation of contaminants within foliage.

We report on the development of a new model of alveolar air-tissue interface consisting of an array of suspended hexagonal monolayers of gelatin nanofibers supported by microframes and a microfluidic device for the patch integration. The suspended monolayers are deformed to a central displacement of 40-80 μm at the air-liquid interface by application of air pressure in the range of 200-1000 Pa. With respect to the diameter of the monolayers that is 500 μm, this displacement corresponds to a linear strain of 2-10% in agreement with the physiological strain range in the lung alveoli. The culture of A549 cells on the monolayers for an incubation time 1-3 days showed viability in the model. We exerted a periodic strain of 5% at a frequency of 0.2 Hz during 1 hour to the cells. We found that the cells were strongly coupled to the nanofibers, but the strain reduced the coupling and induced remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton, which led to a better tissue formation. Our model can serve as a versatile tool in lung investigations such as in inhalation toxicology and therapy.

Populations experiencing varying levels of ionising radiation provide an excellent opportunity to study the fundamental drivers of evolution. Radiation can cause mutations, and thus supply genetic variation; it can also select against individuals that are unable to cope with the physiological stresses associated with radiation exposure. Since the nuclear power plant explosion in 1986, the Chernobyl area has experienced a spatially heterogeneous exposure to varying levels of ionising radiation. We sampled Daphnia pulex (a freshwater crustacean) from lakes across the Chernobyl area, genotyped them at eleven microsatellite loci, and also calculated the current radiation dose rates. We then investigated whether the pattern of genetic diversity was shaped primarily by radiation-mediated supply of variation consistent with increased supply of de novo mutations, or by greater radiation-mediated selection at higher dose rates. We found that measures of genetic diversity, including expected heterozygosity (an unbiased indicator of diversity) were significantly higher in lakes that experienced higher radiation dose rates; this is consistent with mutation outweighing selection as the key evolutionary force in populations experiencing high radiation dose rates. We also found significant but weak population structure, and clear evidence for isolation by distance between populations. This evidence suggests that gene flow between nearby populations is eroding population structure, and that mutational input in high radiation lakes could, ultimately, supply genetic variation to lower radiation sites.

Abstract: Searching for energetic materials with balanced detonation performance and sensitivity is the enduring ambition in the evolution of high energy density materials (HEDMs). The coplanar molecular structure of energetic compound has a powerful impact on performance. Herein, the novel compounds of bis(nitrotriazoles) tetrazine (BNTT) was designed and investigated by density functional theory(DFT) method. However, the coplanar BNTT’s oxides would a highlight of molecular design with good balance between superior performance with acceptable sensitivities. Results show that all these designed compounds possess high densities, positive heats of formation, remarkable detonation performance, and acceptable impact sensitivity. In particular, B1-3 possess higher density (ρ=1.97g·cm-3) and exhibits the better balance between detonation performance (Q=1779.83 cal·g-1, D=9.48km·s-1, P=42.01GPa) and sensitivity (h50%=28cm) than RDX. The theoretical study offer that all novel compounds possess acceptable sensitivity. It may be seen as the potential candidates of HEDMs.

Mini- commentary on BJOG-19-1190.R1: Cardio-metabolic risk factors among young infertile women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

When computing the stress intensity factor (SIF) for high frequency loading it is important to consider dynamic effects such as inertia forces and damping. In the present study, different dynamic simulation procedures were carried out and the achieved SIF values were compared. Fast computation procedures such as modal analysis and direct steady-state analysis were compared to the computationally expensive transient dynamic analysis. Two different methods for calculating the SIF, the J-integral and the CTOD methods, were applied and compared and the results showed a near perfect agreement in calculation of the mode I SIF. The Rayleigh damping model was introduced into the dynamic computation to investigate its effect and the results revealed a clear effect on the SIF at 20 kHz frequency. The fast direct steady-state analysis showed good agreement to both modal and transient analysis with the different damping values used and is recommended as the most effective procedure.

This paper presents the thermal effects on the damage initiation and growth in the CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer) composite plate of the hybrid metal-composite multi-bolted joints. A fully 3D finite element model, incorporating all possible nonlinearities as geometric, in-plane lamina shear strains, lamina elastic properties reduction and friction-based contact is developed to anticipate the temperature gradient effects on the strength and failure modes of metal-composite multi-bolted joints. A PDA (Progressive Damage Analysis) material model which accounts for lamina nonlinear shear strains, Hashin-type failure criteria and strain-based continuum degradation rules was developed using the UMAT user subroutine in Nastran (MSC. Software Inc.) commercial software. In order to validate the temperature effects on the failure modes of the joint with protruding and countersunk bolts, experiments were conducted using the SHM (Structural Health Monitoring) technique in the temperature controlled chamber. The results showed that the temperature effects on damage initiation and failure modes has to be taken into account in the design process in order to fructify the high specific strength of the composites. Experimental results were quite accurately predicted by the PDA material model, which proved to be computational efficient and can predict failure propagation and damage mechanism in hybrid metal-composite multi-bolted joints.

Precise gene edition is required for modeling human diseases in model organisms. In this study, by using in vitro transcribed CRISPR RNA reagents and double cuttings by CRISPR/Cas9 at two sites flanking pig GJB2 (pGJB2) CDS with long single-stranded DNAs (lssDNA) as homology-directed repair (HDR) templates, we generated two gene-edited pigs of which GJB2 CDSs were replaced with a human GJB2 (hGJB2) CDS containing c.235delC mutation and a pGJB2 CDS containing p.V37I mutation both commonly observed in hearing loss patients, respectively. Genotyping showed that the HDR-derived mutation efficiencies in founders were as high as 80% (4/5) and 50% (2/4), respectively, while no mutation was observed in the group of single cutting with one sgRNA covering the 235th nucleotide C in pGJB2 CDS using a short single-stranded oligo DNA (ssODN) containing c.235delC mutation as HDR template. Besides, the HDR-derived mutations were extensively integrated into various tissues in founder and capable of germline transmission. This study indicated that the “two cuttings with lssDNA templates” method, which expands sgRNA selection scope and avoids direct cutting of gene CDS, can precisely introduce human mutations into mammalian genomic sites, especial those resistant to gene editing, with CRISPR RNAs instead of rebonucleoproteins used in previous reports.

European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) represent one of the most widespread and problematic avian invasive species in the world. Therefore, understanding their unique population history and current population dynamics can contribute to conservation efforts and clarify evolutionary processes over short timescales. European starlings were introduced to Central Park, New York in 1890, and from a founding group of about 100 birds, they have expanded across North America with a current population of approximately 200 million. There were also multiple introductions in Australia in the mid-19th century, and at least one introduction in South Africa in the late 19th century. These three independent introductions provide a robust evolutionary system to further understand invasion genetics. In this study, we compare mitochondrial diversity in European starlings from North America, Australia and South Africa, and a portion of the native-range in the United Kingdom. Of the three invasive ranges, the North American population shows the highest haplotype diversity and evidence of both sudden demographic expansion and current expansion. Comparatively, the Australian population shows the highest nucleotide diversity, and only evidence for sudden demographic expansion. We find no evidence of population structure in North America or South Africa, and three distinct haplogroups in the Australian population. Interestingly, none of the invasive ranges share any haplotypes with each other. The only shared haplotypes occur between the native-range and either North America or Australia. This suggests these three invasive populations represent independent subsamples of the vast diversity of the native range, and that novel haplotypes unique to each population may have emerged since introduction.

Photosynthate translocation from leaves to fruits is an important determinant of crop yield and quality. In protected cultivation, environmental control based on photosynthate translocation is indicative for realising high-yield and high-quality production. However, there are few studies on the environmental response of photosynthate translocation. In this study, we focused on light intensity as a key environmental factor to steer translocation. We fed 11CO2 to a leaf of strawberry plant (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) and analysed real-time dynamics in 11C-labeled photosynthate translocation from a 11CO2-fed leaf to individual fruits on an inflorescence of intact plants by using positron emission tomography (PET) under different light intensities (50, 100, 200 and 400 μmol m-2 s-1). A poor relationship was obtained between 11C-photosynthate translocation and light intensity according to the results that 11C-photosynthate translocation rates into the fruits was highest under the light intensity of 100 μmol m-2 s-1 followed by those of 200, 400 and 50 μmol m-2 s-1. On the other hand, there was a strong negative correlation between transpiration rate of the 11C-fed leaf and 11C-photosynthate translocation rate. These novel findings indicate that transpiration, which controls the leaf moisture status, is one of the main drivers for photosynthate translocation towards fruits.

We have recently described a non-chromatographic, ligand-free approach for antibody (Ab) purification based on specially designed: [Tween-20:bathophenanthroline:Fe2+] aggregates. To assess the potential generality of this approach, a variety of detergents belonging to four nonionic detergent families (Tween, Brij, Triton and Pluronic) have now been studied. All surfactant aggregates lead to high purity of the recovered Abs (>95%, by gel densitometry). Good overall Ab recovery yields were observed with: Tween-20 (80-83%), Brij-O20 (85-87%) and Triton X-100 (87-90%), while Pluronic F-127 was less efficient (42-53%). Of additional importance is the finding that the process can depend on filtration (rather than centrifugation), thereby allowing a continuous purification mode that leads to the recovery of monomeric IgG’s (by DLS) and preservation of Ab specificity (by ELISA). The amphiphilic chelator, bathophenanthroline (batho) is recycled almost quantitatively (95%) by crystallization. Good IgG recovery yields (~80%) are also observed when Ab concentrations are increased from 1 mg/ml to 3-5 mg/mL. Potential advantages of the purification platform for industrial downstream processing of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), are discussed.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) trigger ovulation on pregnancy outcomes in natural IUI cycles with donor sperm. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Not applicable. Patients: A total 5610 first-natural IUI cycles with donor sperm in infertile couples during the period from January 2012 to December 2017. To control for other confounding factors, our analysis was restricted to normo-ovulatory women without tubal infertility. Intervention(s): hCG-triggered ovulation Main Outcome Measures: The main outcome measure was live birth rate; the secondary outcomes included rates of clinical pregnancy and miscarriage. Results: In the crude analysis, both the clinical pregnancy (27.40% versus 22.73%; P =0.001) and live birth rates (24.52% versus 20.13%; P =0.007) were significantly higher for the hCG group than for the spontaneous LH group. After adjustment for a number of confounding factors, the reproductive outcomes were still significantly worse for the spontaneous ovulatory group. Conclusions: Among women undergoing natural cycle IUI with donor sperm, hCG triggered ovulation for timing insemination offers beneficial impacts on both clinical pregnancy rates and live birth rates.

Objectives: To compare endothelial function by flow mediated dilatation (FMD) and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and controls, and the determinants of endothelial function and its relationship with metabolic and endocrine parameters in PCOS. Design: Prospective study Setting: Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology of a tertiary care hospital in Delhi. Population: Ninety women visiting the gynaecological OPD. Methods: A prospective study was conducted in a tertiary care setting in India from November 2010 to March 2012 on 90 women [PCOS: 30 obese – Group I, 30 non-obese – Group II and 30 non-obese non-PCOS controls – Group III]. Endothelial function by FMD of brachial artery and IMT of common carotid artery was evaluated by ultrasound. Metabolic, endocrine and anthropometric variables were compared and relationship with FMD and CIMT was calculated. Main Outcome Measures: Evaluation of endothelial function in obese and non-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Results: A significant decreasing trend of FMD was found from controls to non-obese to obese PCOS women with a mean of 18.01%, 13.06% and 11.31% respectively. A non significant increasing trend of mean CIMT was found from normal control to non-obese and obese PCOS women with mean of 0.446 mm, 0.473 mm and 0.493 mm respectively. Conclusions: Women with PCOS have significant endothelial dysfunction at an early age suggesting that they may be at an increased risk for early onset cardiovascular disease and may gain particular benefit from preventive lifestyle interventions.

УДК 502.3 (575.1)Н.К.Мамутов, П.Р.Реймов, С.Ж.Абдиреймов, Я.Г.Худайбергенов, В.А.СтатовКаракалпакский государственный университет, Нукус, УзбекистанАннотация.В статье обсуждается интеграция локальных геоботанических баз данных и глобальных информационных систем для поддержки сравнительных исследований ландшафта с использованием Южного Аральского моря и Северного Каспия. В статье также исследуются изменения ландшафта в условиях антропогенных факторов с использованием  ГИС технологий и дистанционного зондирования.Салыстырмалы ландшафттық зерттеулерді қолдау үшін жергілікті геоботаникалық мәліметтер базасы мен ғаламдық ақпараттық жүйелерді біріктіруН.К.Мамутов, П.Р.Реймов, С.Ж.Абдиреймов, Я.Г.Худайбергенов, В.А.СтатовҚарақалпақ мемлекеттік университеті, Нукус, ӨзбекстанАннотация.Мақалада Оңтүстік Арал теңізі мен Солтүстік Каспийді пайдаланумен салыстырмалы ландшафтық зерттеулерді қолдау үшін жергілікті геоботаникалық мәліметтер базасы мен ғаламдық ақпараттық жүйелерді біріктіру туралы айтылады. Мақалада сонымен қатар антропогендік факторлар жағдайында ландшафттың өзгеруі, ГАЖ технологиялары мен қашықтықтан зондтау технологиялары қолданылады.Integration of local geobotanical databases with global information systems to support comparative landscape scienceN.K.Mamutov, P.R.Reymov, S. J. Abdireymov, Ya.G. Khudaybergenov, V.A.StatovKarakalpak State University, Nukus, UzbekistanAnnotation.The article discusses the integration of local geobotanical databases and global information systems to support comparative landscape studies using the South Aral Sea and the North Caspian. The article also explores landscape changes under anthropogenic factors using GIS technology and remote sensing.Современный этап аномально быстрых глобальных антропогенных изменений природных экосистем  вызывают обоснованную обеспокоенность сохранением естественных местообитаний и ландшафтов, самой принципиальной возможностью сохранения биоразнообразия и устойчивости экосистем. Сложившиеся методы геоботанических, биогеографических и ландшафтоведческих исследований обычно рассматривают на конкретные локальные природно-территориальные комплексы, исследуя их современное состояние, динамику, генезис геоэкологической системы, устойчивость и разнообразие. Переход к последующим уровням пространственной генерализации, к провинциям, климатическим поясам и другим крупным физико-географическим общностям происходит за счет усреднения и потери важных сущностных факторов, уменьшения размерности исследуемой системы.Однако достигнутый в настоящее время масштаб сбора и обработки данных, преимущественно с использованием средств космического мониторинга, успехи в обработки данных большой размерности  позволяют надеяться на преодоление этого методологического барьера в биогеографических исследованиях. Высокое разрешение и регулярных охват мультиспектральных космоснимков, доступность инфракрасной, радиометрической и радиолокационной съемки, возможность контроля физико-географических процессов с помощью гравиметрического мониторинга, радиолокационный контроль процессов в почве и растительном покрове дают принципиальную возможность количественного сравнительного анализа различных регионов с почвенными и климатическими условиями. Такой подход, сохраняя физико-географическую детализацию всех составляющих природно-территориального комплекса,, их внутренних взаимосвязей, сингенетических связей в ландшафтной системе, доступную  для наземных экспедиционных исследований вместе с тем открывает принципиально новые возможности для географии трансформирующихся ландшафтов [1].В качестве инструмента исследования используются средства геоинформатики и геостатистики, позволяющие создавать многомерные массивы пространственно привязанных  параметров для поиска корреляций и сопоставления деталей ландшафтной структуры.Важным инструментальным средством создания сравнительной ландшафтной модели являются семейства спектральных индексов (вегетационных, водных, пустошных, яркостно-солончаковых, сульфатных и других), которые будучи объединены с геомофологическими индексами позволяют непосредственно выявлять морфологическое подобие топографической структуры, функциональное подобие местообитаний, эколого-эдафическое подобие и климагенное различие экотопов, структурно-морфогенетическое подобие экосистем, пространственные индексы ландшафтного разнообразия, а также геохимические аспекты состояния почвогрунтов и процессов почвообразования [2].Однако для такой важной части сравнительно-геоэкологического исследования как определение многомерного фитоценотическое подобия растительных сообществ,  необходимо средства сопоставления функциональных роли растений-эдификаторов и основных растительных сообществ, формирующих катены в сравниваемых местообитаниях, нужен дополнительный инструментарий для работы с геоботанической информацией, сопоставления функционально подобных, но различающихся по входящим в них видам растительных сообществ. Поэтому в настоящем исследовании мы предлагаем проводить объединение геоботанических баз данных [3] и операцию функционального сопоставления фитоценозов с помощью экологических шкал, в частности шкалы Л.Г.Раменского [4, 5, 6], как наиболее адаптированной к аридным экосистемам. При этом реляционный механизм связи с фитофизиологическими и фитоморфологическими базами (TRY [7]) позволяет поддерживать необходимый уровень достоверности при недостаточности информации об одном из сравниваемых местоообитаний.В качестве примера сравнительного геоэкологического и геоботанического анализа нами рассмотрены генетически подобные ландшафты аридных дельт Северного Прикаспия (дельта реки Урал) и Южного Приаралья. Нами, как по литературным данным, так и с помощью интерпретации данных дистанционного зондирования, а также с помощью анализа цифровых моделей рельефа оценивалось подобие экосистем и анализировался текущий этап их трансформации. Было обнаружено значительное структурно-функциональное подобие опустыненной части дельты реки Урал и целому ряда экотопов современной дельты, частично сохраняющих гидрогенный режим.Нами показано, что в  случаях катастрофически трансформирующихся природно-территориальных комплексов, к которым относятся многие внутриконтинентальные дельты аридной зоны, в том числе и низовья Амударьи, ограничения традиционных методов ландшафтоведческих могут быть преодолены не только мультимасштабным картографированием, имитационным моделированием ландшафтообразующих и геохимических процессов, режимом постоянного мониторинга ключевых участков природно-территориального комплекса, расширенными методами классификации и интерпретации данных дистанционного зондирования, но также и сравнительно-ландшафтоведческими подходами с привлечением перекрестной геоботанической индикации [8, 9].  Авторы выражают искреннюю признательность проекты Европейского Союза  DSinGIS № 585718-EPP-1-2017-1-HU-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP (2017-3069/001-001) и EPCA №585382-EPP-1-2017-1-SE-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP способствовавшему данным исследованиям.ЛитератураХудайбергенов Я.Г.  Геоэкологические предпосылки сравнительных ландшафтоведческих исследований на примере Южного Приаралья и Северного Прикаспия //в сб. Материалы Международной научно-практической конференции «Проблемы и перспективы комплексных географических исследований в Аральском регионе и сопредельных территориях.» Нукус, 15-16 мая 2018 года.Monica G. Turner, Robert H. Gardner Quantitative Methods in Landscape Ecology: The Analysis and Interpretation of Landscape Heterogeneity. Springer New York, 1994. 536 pages.Новикова Н.М., Кузьмина Ж.В., Трофимова Г.Ю., Дикарева Т.В. Обработка и анализ ботанико-географической базы данных для оценки изменения растительности и почв//в cб.  Биогеография, 1997, т.6, Изд. МЦГО Москва, с. 12-15.Бузук Г.Н. Экологические шкалы Л. Г. Раменского: новые возможности// Разнообразие растительного мира, 1 (13), 2018, с. 37-43.Жуков А. В. Фитоиндикационное оценивание измерений, полученных при многомерном шкалировании структуры растительного сообщества// Ukrainian Journal of Ecology, vol. 5, no. 1, 2015, pp. 69-93.Breckle S-W. , Wucherer W. Halophytes and salt desertification in the Aralkum Area// in :Aralkum - a Man-Made Desert: The Desiccated Floor of the Aral Sea (Central Asia) eds.S-W. Breckle, W. Wucherer, L.A. Dimeyeva, N.P. Ogar Springer Science & Business Media, 2011 - 488 p. pp.271-300.Kattge, J. et al. TRY - a global database of plant traits.//Global Change Biology, 2011, V. 17, pp.2905-2935.Реймов П.Р., Мамутов Н.К., Статов В.А., Реймов М.П., Худайбергенов Я.Г., Абдиреймов С.Ж. Мониторинг степени опустынивания дельт аридных регионов с помощью спектральных индексов//в сб."Материалы Международной научно-практической конференции "Геоэкологические проблемы аральского бассейна: научные идеи, исследования,инновации" (14-15 июнь, 2019, Ташкент). -Ташкент, 2019. - 382 с.  c.156-157.Бахиев А., Новикова Н.М., Куст Г.С., Мамутов Н., Трешкин С.Е., Гладышев А.И., Пак В., Кузьмина Ж.В., Аветян С.А., Дикарева Т.В., Капустин Г.А., Розов Ю.С. 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Salt-tolerant variety Chuanqiao No.1 and salt-sensitive one Chuanqiao No.2 of Tartary buckwheat were used as experimental materials to study the effect of saline-alkali soil and exogenous amino acids on quality and yield of Tartary buckwheat. The results showed that Tartary buckwheat in saline-alkali soil is more enrichment in calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se), and the Tartary buckwheat in saline-alkali soil is more nutritious. Under appropriate amino acids treatment, the seed protein and rutin content of Tartary buckwheat was significantly increased, and the Tartary buckwheat quality could be obviously increased. In particularly, the amino acids treatment could significantly increase the Tartary buckwheat yield in saline-alkali soil, and the effect of exogenous Asp and Glu on yield increase was the best in salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive variety, respectively, and that in salt-tolerant variety was increased more. The effect of exogenous amino acids on quality and yield varies obviously in two Tartary buckwheat varieties. For less amount of amino acid used per hectare and lower price, it is very suitable for popularization and application in saline-alkali soil.

Background and Purpose: Agonists to subtype C of the Mas-related G-protein-coupled receptors (MrgC) induce neuropathic pain inhibition after intrathecal (i.t.) administration in rodent models of nerve injury. Here, we investigated whether tolerance develops after repeated drug treatments and examined the underlying mechanisms. Experimental Approach: In male rats at 4-5 weeks after an L5 spinal nerve ligation (SNL), we conducted behavior tests to examine whether pain inhibition by JHU58, a dipeptide MrgC agonist, diminishes after repeated administration. We then examined agonist-induced endocytosis of MrgC in HEK293T cells, and the role of receptor ubiquitination in tolerance to JHU58-induced pain inhibition. Key Results: The inhibition of mechanical and heat hypersensitivity by JHU58 (0.1 mM, 10 μL, i.t.) decreased in SNL rats after repeated treatments with 0.5 mM JHU58 (10 μL, i.t., twice/day for 3 days). In HEK293T cells, acute treatment with JHU58 or BAM8-22 (a large peptide MrgC agonist) led to MrgC endocytosis from the cell membrane, and later sorting to the membrane for reinsertion. However, chronic exposure to JHU58 increased the coupling of MrgC to β-arrestin-2 and led to the ubiquitination and degradation of MrgC. Importantly, co-treatment with TAK-243 (0.2 mM, 5 μL, i.t.), a small-molecule inhibitor of the ubiquitin activating enzyme, during tolerance induction attenuated the development of JHU58 tolerance in SNL rats. Conclusion and Implications: These findings suggest that tolerance can develop to MrgC agonist-induced pain inhibition after repeated intrathecal administrations. This tolerance development may involve increased coupling of MrgC to β-arrestin-2 and ubiquitin-mediated receptor degradation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) represents a promising therapeutic target for chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to discover novel DHODH inhibitor and evaluate the potential of DHODH inhibition in treating multiple sclerosis (MS), a popular chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Biochemical and Biophysical methods, including enzymatic kinetic analysis, thermofluor assay, isothermal titration calorimetry and X-ray crystallography were used to assess DHODH inhibition. The immunomodulatory activity was assessed by using concanavalin a-triggered T-cell assay and mixed lymphocyte reaction assay. MOG-induced experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) was used to assess the in vivo therapeutic effects. Myelin destruction and blood–brain barrier (BBB) was evaluated via in vivo imaging KEY RESULTS Piperine was identified as a natural inhibitor of human DHODH with an IC50 value of 0.88 ± 0.04 μM. In addition, we resolved the co-complex crystal structure of DHODH and piperine at 1.98 Å resolution and found that Tyr356 residue of DHODH is critical for piperine binding. Moreover, piperine can markedly suppress T cell overactivation via a DHODH dependent-manner. Finally, we found that piperine exhibits strong preventive and therapeutic effect in the MOG-induced EAE by restricting inflammatory cells infiltration into the CNS and by preventing myelin destruction and blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Taken together, these findings highlight DHODH as a therapeutic target for autoimmune disease of the nervous system, and demonstrate a novel pharmacological role for piperine in the treatment of MS.

Though the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is still unknown, accumulating evidence has revealed that immune response plays a vital part in the pathogenesis. Here, we investigated the involvement of 24 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of immuno-related genes, including cytokines (IL2, IL4, IL9, IL-12A, IL-22, IFNG, and TGFB1), transcriptional regulatory genes (TBX21, STAT1, STAT3, STAT5B, STAT6, GATA3, FOXP3, and IRF4), and others (IL2RA IL6R NFKBIA), in 269 AML inpatients and 200 healthy controls. Furthermore, we analyzed the relationship between the SNPs and clinical characteristics. Immuno-related SNP genotyping was performed on the Sequenom MassARRAY iPLEX platform. All the SNPs in healthy controls were consistent with Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. All final p values were adjusted by Bonferroni multiple testing. Our results showed that IL-22 (rs2227491) was significantly associated with the white blood cell (WBC) counts. STAT5B (rs6503691) showed a close relationship with the recurrent genetic abnormalities in patients with AML. We verified the negatively independent effect of age and risk of cytogenetics on overall survival (OS). More importantly, the GG genotype of IL-12A (rs6887695) showed a negative impact on AML prognosis independently. Furthermore, the relative expression of IL-12 was decreased in GG genotype, no matter under codominant or recessive model. However, no correlation was observed between the SNPs mentioned above and disease susceptibility, risk stratification, and survival. Our findings suggest that immuno-related gene polymorphisms are associated with prognosis in AML, which may perform as novel inspection targets for AML patients.

Gully erosion is a significant source of fine suspended sediment (<63µm) and associated nutrient pollution to freshwater and marine waterways. Researchers, government agencies, and monitoring groups are currently using monitoring methods designed for streams and rivers (e.g., autosamplers, rising stage samplers, and turbidity loggers) to evaluate suspended sediment in gullies. This is potentially problematic because gullies have unique hydrological and operational challenges that differ to those of streams and rivers. Here we present a laboratory and field-based assessment of the performance of common suspended sediment monitoring techniques applied to gullies. We also evaluate a recently-described method; the pumped active suspended sediment (PASS) sampler, which has been modified for monitoring suspended sediment in gully systems. Discrete autosampling provided data at high temporal resolution, but had considerable uncertainty associated with the poor collection efficiency (25 ± 10%) of heavier sediment particles (i.e., sand). Rising stage sampling, while robust and cost-effective, suffered from large amounts of condensation under field conditions (25-35% of sampler volume), thereby diluting sample concentrations and introducing additional measurement uncertainty. The turbidity logger exhibited low uncertainty (< 10%) when calibrated with suspended sediment concentration data from physically collected samples, however, this calibration approach needs to be performed on a site-specific basis to overcome the error associated with the impact of different particle size distributions on the turbidity measurement. The modified PASS sampler proved to be a reliable and representative measurement method for gully sediment water quality, however, the time-integrated nature of the method limits its temporal resolution compared to the other monitoring methods. We recommend monitoring suspended sediment in alluvial gully systems using a combination of complementary techniques (e.g., PASS and RS samplers) to account for the limitations associated with individual methods.

Abstract: Sensitivity to bitter tastes provides animals with an important means of interacting with their environment and thus, influences their dietary preferences. Genetic variants encoding functionally distinct receptor types contribute to variation in bitter taste sensitivity. Our previous study showed that two nonsynonymous sites, A52V and Q296H, in the TAS2R20 gene are directionally selected in giant pandas from the Qinling Mountains, which are speculated to be the causative base-pair changes of Qinling pandas for the higher preference for bamboo leaves in comparison with other pandas. Here, we used functional expression in engineered cells to identify agonists of pTAS2R20 (i.e. giant panda’s TAS2R20) and interrogated the differences in perception in the in vitro responses of pTAS2R20 variants to the agonists. Our results show that pTAS2R20 is specifically activated by quercitrin and that pTAS2R20 variants exhibit differences in the sensitivity of their response to the agonist. Compared to pTAS2R20 in pandas from other areas, the receptor variant with A52V and Q296H, which is most commonly found in Qinling pandas, confers a significantly decreased sensitivity to quercitrin. We subsequently quantified the quercitrin content of the leaves of bamboo distributed in the Qinling Mountains, which was found to be significantly higher than that of the leaves of bamboo from panda habitats in other areas. Our results suggest that the decreased sensitivity to quercitrin in Qinling pandas results in higher-quercitrin-containing bamboo leaves to be tasting less bitter to them and thus, influences their dietary preference. This study illustrates the genetic adaptation of Qinling pandas to their environments and provides a fine example of the functional effects of directional selection in the giant panda.