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When cultivating calli generated from mature germs of spring bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), variety Fisht, spontaneous regeneration of chlorophyll-containing green roots sometimes occurred. When isolated from callus, these roots were capable of unlimited growth on hormone-free nutrient media, similar to cultures of hairy roots of dicotyledonous plants. Ordinary wheat roots did not grow under these conditions, while green roots continued to grow even when exposed to 100 mM NaCl. Typical chloroplasts were found in the parenchyma cells of green wheat roots. Approximately equal amounts of chlorophyll a and b were found in green wheat roots; however, their total content was tens of times less than in the leaves. Green roots were characterized by a higher proline content and higher activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase than ordinary wheat roots, both under normal and under salinity conditions. Green roots may provide an alternative to hairy roots, which are very difficult to generate from grasses and other monocots, for use in both basic research and applied applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of studies of the lithological-facies composition and paleogeographic environments of the formation of the main oil and gas complexes in the northeastern part of the Sakhalin shelf. Based on the results of core studies, an assessment of the reservoir and screening properties of the rocks, which make up the Lower Miocene stratigraphic complex, was carried out. The data on the lithological composition of reservoirs, the nature of cement and the composition of seals for 12 deep exploration wells drilled on the Sakhalin shelf are presented. The studies we carried out made it possible to predict changes in the lithological-facies composition and reservoir properties of the rocks that make up the main oil and gas complexes. There are three categories of zones with different indicators of filtration–capacitive properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many members of the Asparagaceae family are used in traditional medicine in different countries and characterized by a high content of biologically active metabolites. In this work, the qualitative composition and quantitative content of the components of methanol extracts from leaves and underground organs of Sansevieria cylindrica Bojer ex Hook, Sansevieria trifasciata Prain, Polianthes tuberosa L., leaves of Yucca filamentosa L., and Furcraea gigantea var. watsoniana (Hort. Sander) Drumm. were determined. Extraction of plant leaves and underground organs using 80% methanol resulted in 5.2–16.7 and 16–25.1% of the total extractive substances, respectively. The presence of steroidal saponins in the extracts was shown by thin layer chromatography. Spirostanol saponins were predominate in the extracts from leaves of Y. filamentosa and F. gigantea and underground organs of S. cylindrica, S. trifasciata, and P. tuberosa and furastanol saponins, in the extracts from leaves of S. cylindrica and S. trifasciata. The content of terpenoid and phenolic compounds in the extracts established using spectrophotometry significantly differs depending on the plant species and their anatomical part. All the extracts tested exhibited inhibition of the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical in a dose-dependent manner. The highest antiradical activity was demonstrated by the extract from the leaves of Y. filamentosa (IC50 25.95 μg/mL) containing the largest amount of phenolic compounds, including flavonoids–51.3 and 15.5% of the total extractive substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the basis of modern ideas about the structural organization of the geological shell of the Earth, the authors substantiate the geofluid dynamics patterns of the localization of hydrocarbon systems (and their elements) at great depths. According to the authors, under conditions of high compressive loads exerted by overlying deposits, reliable all-round lithological shielding of reservoirs, hydrodynamic stagnation in deep-seated complexes of evaporite basins, a special type of hydrocarbon system, that is, autoclaved, can be developed. The authors predict that in the Pricaspian oil-and-gas province in the subsalt oil and gas bearing stage (in the Lower Devonian–Lower Permian deposits), an autoclave hydrocarbon system could have formed due to the sealing of a salt-bearing complex of significant thickness (i), the unrealized generation potential of oil and gas source strata represented by deep-water deposits 4–6 km and deeper (ii), and hydrodynamic stagnation of the water drive system (iii). Under the control of these conditions, paleo-drive objects and intra-basin carbonate structures near contact with oil and gas source rocks act as high-capacity reservoirs for the products of catagenic fluid generation and the segregation of a single-phase fluid with phase separation of hydrocarbons during periods of a sharp decrease in reservoir pressure completes the formation of unique and large hydrocarbon fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In plants, genes from the ARGOS family play an important role in control over organ size and participate in regulation of plant growth upon exposure to stress factors. Mechanisms of stress resistance in plants with constitutive expression of ARGOS genes remain obscure. Plant hairy roots may be used as a model object suitable for investigation of genes' functions since these roots preserve many morphophysiological features characteristic of native roots. Hairy roots of tobacco Nicotiana tabacum L. with constitutive expression of ARGOS-LIKE gene of Arabidopsis thaliana L. were produced. Genetically transformed roots accumulated greater fresh and dry weight than control material under standard conditions and upon exposure to salinization, high temperatures, and cadmium acetate. In the examined cultures of transgenic hairy roots (both under normal and stress conditions), we observed an elevated activity of ascorbate peroxidases, abundant glutathione pool, and high content of proline. Thus, ARGOS-LIKE gene product positively influences plant productivity and stress resistance not only via stimulation of growth but also owing to impact on the antioxidant system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A zeolite-based catalyst modified with an active catalytic chloroferrate additive has been developed to serve as a weakly acidic regulator of catalyst activity. This catalyst displays high activity in the catalytic cracking of fuel oil leading to the formation of light gaseous hydrocarbons and a broad range of liquid isomeric and aromatic hydrocarbons. The cracking process is accompanied by low coke formation. The use of this catalyst under relatively mild temperature conditions permits an increase in the extraction of light oil products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer’s disease has a higher incidence in older women, with a spike in cognitive decline that tracks with visceral adiposity, dysregulated energy homeostasis and bone loss during the menopausal transition1,2. Inhibiting the action of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) reduces body fat, enhances thermogenesis, increases bone mass and lowers serum cholesterol in mice3–7. Here we show that FSH acts directly on hippocampal and cortical neurons to accelerate amyloid-β and Tau deposition and impair cognition in mice displaying features of Alzheimer’s disease. Blocking FSH action in these mice abrogates the Alzheimer’s disease-like phenotype by inhibiting the neuronal C/EBPβ–δ-secretase pathway. These data not only suggest a causal role for rising serum FSH levels in the exaggerated Alzheimer’s disease pathophysiology during menopause, but also reveal an opportunity for treating Alzheimer’s disease, obesity, osteoporosis and dyslipidaemia with a single FSH-blocking agent.Follicle-stimulating hormone acts directly on hippocampal and cortical neurons to accelerate amyloid-β and Tau deposition and impair cognition in mice displaying features of Alzheimer’s disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Successful domestication and introduction into culture of new forms of rubber-bearing dandelions require not only determination of the content and quality of rubber in them, but also accurate species identification and genetic certification of valuable lines and forms. The objects of our study were three samples of Taraxacum kok-saghyz Rodin KAZ08-023, L2, Sary Jaz, brown-seeded and pink-seeded forms of Taraxacum hybernum Stev., as well as along one sample of Taraxacum brevicorniculatum Korol., Taraxacum glaucanthum (Ledeb.) DC., and Taraxacum officinale L. The aim of our work was to search of RAPD, ISSR, and SSR markers for the unambiguous identification of all studied dandelion forms. The RAPD primers OPD-07 and FS-10 are best suited for the detection of interspecific polymorphism, while the RAPD primers FS-10, OPC-05 and OPC-08 can be used for the detection of intraspecific dandelion polymorphism. The ISSR primers HB10, ISSR17, and ISSR36 were most effective for detecting interspecific polymorphism. For identification of the brown-seeded and pink-seeded forms of T. hybernum, primers HB10 and ISSR38 can be used. Primers HB10 and ISSR14 are best suited for identifying the three studied kok-saghyz samples. SSR primers TKS0091, TKS0097, TKS0107, and TKS0110 are suitable for SSR identification of pink-seeded and brown-seeded forms of T. hybernum. Only locus TKS0111 is suitable for unambiguous SSR identification of all three studied kok-saghyz samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to elucidate the active polyoxotungstate (POT) species that inhibit fungal polyphenol oxidase (AbPPO4) in sodium citrate buffer at pH 6.8, four Wells–Dawson phosphotungstates [α/β-PV2WVI18O62]6− (intact form), [α2-PV2WVI17O61]10− (monolacunary), [PV2WVI15O56]12− (trilacunary) and [H2PV2WVI12O48]12− (hexalacunary) were investigated. The speciation of the POT solutions under the dopachrome assay (50 mM Na-citrate buffer, pH 6.8; L-3,4−dihydroxyphenylalanine as a substrate) conditions were determined by 183W-NMR, 31P-NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The intact Wells–Dawson POT [α/β-PV2WVI18O62]6− shows partial (~ 69%) disintegration into the monolacunary [α2-PV2WVI17O61]10− anion with moderate activity (Ki = 9.7 mM). The monolacunary [α2-PV2WVI17O61]10− retains its structural integrity and exhibits the strongest inhibition of AbPPO4 (Ki = 6.5 mM). The trilacunary POT [PV2WVI15O56]12− rearranges to the more stable monolacunary [α2-PV2WVI17O61]10− (~ 62%) accompanied by release of free phosphates and shows the weakest inhibition (Ki = 13.6 mM). The hexalacunary anion [H2PV2WVI12O48]12− undergoes time-dependent hydrolysis resulting in a mixture of [H2PV2WVI12O48]12−, [PV8WVI48O184]40−, [PV2WVI19O69(H2O)]14− and [α2-PV2WVI17O61]10− which together leads to comparable inhibitory activity (Ki = 7.5 mM) after 48 h. For the solutions of [α/β-PV2WVI18O62]6−, [α2-PV2WVI17O61]10− and [PV2WVI15O56]12− the inhibitory activity is correlated to the degree of their rearrangement to [α2-PV2WVI17O61]10−. The rearrangement of hexalacunary [H2PV2WVI12O48]12− into at least four POTs with a negligible amount of monolacunary anion interferes with the correlation of activity to the degree of their rearrangement to [α2-PV2WVI17O61]10−. The good inhibitory effect of the Wells–Dawson [α2-PV2WVI17O61]10− anion is explained by the low charge density of its protonated forms Hx[α2-PV2WVI17O61](10−x)− (x = 3 or 4) at pH 6.8. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hairy root cultures are widely used both for fundamental and practical purposes as a source of valuable secondary metabolites. Hairy roots require frequent passages to fresh nutrient medium due to their rapid growth. Cryopreservation of the most productive hairy root lines for a long time (some years) is a resource-consuming task. In this regard, it is especially important to develop alternative methods for short-term (few months) storage of hairy roots without the loss of their properties and viability. In this study hairy roots of Withania somnifera L. were used as an experimental object to test different stressful conditions for short-term preservation. Effects of increased content of mannitol and NaCl in the medium, oxygen and sucrose deficiency and cold stress on the root growth parameters were evaluated. Nutrient medium with high content of NaCl and reduced concentration of sucrose was the most suitable for the short-term preservation of hairy roots. All cultures survived in the presence of either 300 mM NaCl or 1.875 g/L sucrose for three months. Standard activity of catalases and peroxidases, malondialdehyde content and total antioxidant capacities were completely restored in the cultures after they were returned to normal conditions. Moreover, these hairy roots maintained the same growth rate they had before the treatment. According to these results, we propose new, simple and inexpensive methods for long-term storage of hairy roots at room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hairy root cultures are often used to produce valuable metabolites. They are grown on sucrose-rich medium, which is highly susceptible to contamination. Trapa natans is a unique plant with photosynthesizing roots. It is a promising object to obtain photoautotrophic hairy root culture. Protocols for transformation of this species are yet unknown. We report that hairy roots can be induced in aquarium and in vitro cultures of T. natans by agrobacterium-mediated and biolistic transformation. 64 roots were induced by Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain 15834, two roots were obtained using strain K599. Strain A4 was not effective. Biolistics with either amplicons of rol genes and 1301 pCAMBIA plasmid carrying rol genes resulted in the formation of six roots. All these roots contained chloroplasts. This achievement opens a prospect for genetic transformation of T. natans and use of its green photosynthesizing hairy root cultures in production of bioactive substances and in phytoremediation. Key message: Protocols for the Agrobacterium-mediated and biolistic transformation of Trapa natans to induce hairy roots have been developed for the first time. All induced roots contained chloroplasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CRISPR/Cas technology of genome editing is a powerful tool for making targeted changes in the DNA of various organisms, including plants. The choice of the precise nucleotide sequence (protospacer) in the gene to be edited is important in the design of guide RNA, which can be carried out by specialized software. We review and compare all the known on-line and off-line resources for guide RNA design, with special attention paid to tools capable of searching for off-target edits sites in plant genomes. The use of Cas12a may be preferable to Cas9. Techniques allowing C→T and G→A base editing without DNA cleavage are discussed along with the basic requirements for the design of effective and highly specific guide RNAs. Ways for improving guide RNA design software are presented. We also discuss the lesser risks of off-target editing in plant genomes as opposed to animal genomes. Examples of edited plant genomes including those that do not lead to the creation of transgenic plants are reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CRISPR/Cas genome editing of plants is realized in three basic variants, including knockout mutations as indels, insertion of alien DNA fragments, and base editing via deamination of nitrogenous bases. The most important stages of the CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing are the choice of a target site, design of guide RNAs, creation of genetically engineered constructions, and delivery of CRISPR/Cas components into a plant cell. Rapid developments in the field of plant genome editing with the use of CRISPR/Cas systems requires more detailed consideration of the last stage, so this review is dedicated to the description of the main ways to deliver CRISPR/Cas components into cells of higher plants. In the first studies on the genome editing of different plant species, these components were delivered to the target site mainly by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. This approach supposes integration of T-DNA into a genome and a stable expression of CRISPR/Cas components or their transient expression in the case of agroinfiltration. Another widespread approach included the use of plant viruses as delivery platforms; in this case, viruses were used mainly for production of an increased amount of guide RNAs that significantly improved the efficiency of genome editing. Another approach provides for the use of another bacterium, A. rhizogenes, as a platform for delivery of CRISPR/Cas components. This bacterium induces hairy root formation that may be an indirect confirmation of successful genome editing and assist in the selection of genetically modified forms. Other common ways to obtain genetically edited plants are the biolistic delivery of genetically engineered constructions into explants and various protoplast transformation technologies. The review also considers some issues transgenic and GM status of CRISPR/Cas-edited plants to transgenic and GM plants. There are a number of cases in which new organisms created by a CRISPR/Cas genome editing without any introduction of alien DNA were not considered as transgenic ones; it is quite possible that such plants will not fall under Russian legislation prohibiting GMO cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant infection with Agrobacterium rhizogenes leads to the development of a hairy root disease notable for the rapid agravitropic growth of roots on hormone-free nutrient media. In order to look into the interaction of A. rhizogenes with plants and assess opportunities of practical application of hairy root culture, new approaches to their production are elaborated. A method of bacterium-free and plasmid-free production of genetically modified roots (hairy roots) by means of biolistic transformation of leaf explants with a DNA fragment (size of 5461 bp) consisting of genes rolA, rolB, rolC, and rolD are proposed. In most cases, such transformation resulted in the emergence of only adventitious roots with transient expression of rol-genes, and the growth of such roots on hormone-free media ceased in 2-3 months in contrast to genuine hairy roots capable of unrestricted growth. Molecular analysis of different systems of target genes’ expression showed an important role of transgene rolC and host gene of cyclin-dependent protein kinase CDKB1-1 in the maintenance of rapid growth of hairy roots in vitro (in isolated cultures). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the 1990s, when it was demonstrated by Hammel and others that liver fibrosis is reversible, researchers and physicians actively search for new antifibrotic therapies. In recent years, knowledge of liver fibrosis pathophysiology has greatly advanced and new cellular and molecular mechanisms were described. The cells that determine extracellular matrix components distribution are myofibroblasts, but their origin is diverse. They can be activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), portal fibroblasts (PF), or circulating mesenchymal stem cells of the bone marrow. Among large number of substrates to inhibit activation, to inhibit proliferation of myofibroblasts, and to induce their apoptosis we, chose curcumin and gliotoxin. Primarily, in the current work, we optimized the explantation culture method for isolation of hepatic myofibroblasts and received two different cultures—myofibroblasts of HSC and PF origin. Exposition of 50 μM curcumin and 0.1 μM gliotoxin was the most optimal; we observed suppression of hepatic myofibroblast activation and inhibition of their proliferation. These results extend the current knowledge of the cells within the liver fibrogenic populations and prove inhibitory influence of biologically active substances (curcumin and gliotoxin) on portal myofibroblasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this work was to analyze the situation of the readiness of Russian medical schools to develop and implement new technologies such as bionanotechnology and technologies born as the result of the genome and the fourth industrial revolutions, which are at the intersection of various sciences and can become a breakthrough in the development of future medicine. The development of medical schools in Russia, special features of Russian medical education, types of medical schools, and their effectiveness at the present time are considered in the paper. However, the most interesting development of new technologies is that of the “fundamental specialties” of training in higher education—medical biochemistry, medical biophysics, and medical cybernetics. We assert that Russian medical schools attached to large, traditional universities, thanks to multidisciplinarity and convergence in scientific research and in education, are the most prepared to solve the tasks posed by the global challenges of our time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcoholic liver disease is a huge medical and social problem that leads to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Unfortunately, the last stages of the disease do not have efficient treatment, except liver transplantation, and require development of new therapeutical approaches. Transplantation of stem cells might be the most promising approach. In our research, we studied transplantation of autologous hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) into the celiac trunk of patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis. In this article, we pay particular attention to proliferation and apoptosis-two fundamental processes, which determine the fate of regeneration. Liver biopsy specimens before treatment, 3 and 12 months after transplantation of HSC, were stained immunohistochemically with antibodies against PCNA and Bcl-2. The results showed that treatment was safe and effective, hepatocytes increased proliferation, and inflammatory cells decreased antiapoptotic activity, signifying improvement in liver regeneration. However, effect of treatment after 12 months decreases and requires repeated HSC transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diverse transcription factors influencing cell differentiation are often chosen as markers of β cell progenitors. One of these transcription factors is MafA, which according to data in literature activates the expression of insulin gene in β cells. Other data support the hypothesis that MafA is required solely for the regulation of insulin secretion by β cells of adult islets and is not involved in the development of islet cells. In this paper, we study the role of MafA through both examination of human pancreas ontogeny and comparison of these data with dynamic changes in the population of insulin-positive and glucagon-positive cells. The aim of this research was the immunohistochemical analysis of MafA, insulin, and glucagon expression during human pancreas ontogeny. The research was conducted on whole embryos and isolated human fetal organs, obtained as a result of either miscarriage or legal medical abortion with voluntary consent of patients, and also on autopsy material from infant and adult human pancreas. As a result of this study, it was found that, during the ontogeny of human pancreas, the first MafA-positive cells appear in the islets at 12.5 weeks of gestation, that is, later than both insulin-positive cells (11.5 weeks of gestation) and glucagon-positive cells (8.5 weeks of gestation). No MafA-positive cells were found in the epithelium of pancreatic ducts. The number of MafA-positive cells in the islets increases during pancreatic organogenesis. The results of our research do not allow us to regard MafA as a marker of undifferentiated progenitors of islet cells. Based on this, we believe that the results obtained in this study are a supplementary contribution to the hypothesis that relates MafA to the markers of adult β cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adenovirus is a promising gene delivery vector that has a high efficiency and relative simplicity of construction. These advantages make this system attractive for diverse research applications. In this project we transduced hepatics stellatecells (HSC) with adenoviral vector containing genes of hepatocytes growth factor (HGF) and red fluorescent protein (RFP) as a reporter (Adv5-optHGF-RFP), which let us to visualize the transduced cells. Further changes of phenotype were studied by real-time PCR and immunocytochemical staining. According to our results, most of the cells were transduced and demonstrated stable expression of RFP. Effectiveness of the transduction was also confirmed by a high expression of HGF (1200 times higher than in control HSC culture). Adenoviral transduction of HSC with HGF gene did not change their morphology, but stimulated expression of HSC marker desmin, leading to HSC activation (α-smooth muscle actin) and appearance of α-fetoprotein, one of the hepatoblasts markers. During the entire experiment, there were Ki-67+ cells, meaning that proliferation of transduced HSC was not affected. Thus, adenoviral transduction of HSC with Adv5-optHGF-RFP is a good gene delivery system with a stimulating effect on HSC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One the current challenges of modern hepatology is to find new approaches to stimulate liver regeneration and to find new methods for liver disease treatment. Cell therapies, which are based on using regional stem cells for disease treatment, are under active development. However, studies, devoted to their transplantation, are currently scarce. In recent years, hepatic stellate cells are considered to be hepatic stem cells. It is known that activated hepatic stellate cells can transdifferentiate into myofibroblasts and lead to liver fibrosis. The aim of our work was to study the influence of native and activated hepatic stellate cells in vivo by lead nitrate injection after transplantation into partial hepatectomized rats, which is considered to be a classical model to study liver regeneration. Injection of 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF), which selectively eliminates hepatocyte proliferation, was used to understand the hepatic stellate cells role in liver regeneration process better. Our results suggest that transplanted native and activated hepatic stellate cells can differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells and positively influence liver regeneration without inducing liver fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effect of poly(succinimide) (PSI) and poly(aspartic acid) (PASP) on free radical reactions and cell viability was assessed. Molecular weight (MW) of PASPs was determined by static light scattering technique and found as 3.9 and 8.3 kDa. Among PSIs and PASPs, only poly(aspartic acid) with higher MW was found to inhibit formation of hydroxyl-radical in Fenton's reaction, although each polymers studied were not able to eliminate diphenylpicrylhydrazyl radical. PASPs were almost non-toxic for 3 T3 fibroblasts and PC-3 cells (IC ≫ 3 mg/mL), whereas PSIs diminished cell viability with different IC values depending on cell type and polymer MW. Our preliminary data indicate the MW dependence of bioactivity of l-aspartic acid-derived polymers designed as drug carriers and biocompatible materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

pH-potentiometry and mathematical modeling were used to study interactions in the system $$ {\text{Ni}}^{2 +}{-}{\text{MoO}}_{4}^{2 -}{-}{\text{H}}^{ + } {-}{\text{H}}_{ 2} {\text{O}} $$ acidified to mole ratio $$ Z = \nu ({\text{H}}^{ + } )/\nu \left( {{\text{MoO}}_{4}^{2 - } } \right) = 1.00 $$ , within the acidity interval Z = 0.6-2.5 at 298 ± 0.1 K, with background electrolyte NaNO ( I = 0.1-0.5 mol·dm). Previously unknown thermodynamic constants and Gibbs energies for the formation reactions of Anderson type heteropoly anions H[Ni(OH)MO] (M = Mo, W) from $$ {\text{MoO}}_{4}^{2 - } $$ and H, as well as their standard Gibbs energies of formation $$ \Delta G_{\text{f}}^{0} $$ , were calculated. For the first time, the speciation schemes of the ions in Ni- $$ {\text{MoO}}_{4}^{2 - } $$ -H-HO (M = Mo, W) solutions are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C-kit—a stem cell receptor, or CD117, is one of the markers of human pancreatic endocrinocyte progenitor cells. Its important role in the proliferation and differentiation of pancreatic endocrine cells during human prenatal development has already been proven. However, the presence and role of c-kit-positive cells in adult pancreatic islets remains unclear. The purpose of our study was to establish the presence of c-kit-positive cells in the adult pancreatic islets and to assess whether they retain the ability to proliferate during a lifetime. We studied pancreatic autopsies of adults aged 50 to 70 years, which were obtained in pathology departments of Kazan hospitals. Samples of the pancreas were embedded in paraffin using standard techniques. Paraffin sections of the pancreas were stained immunohistochemically with commercial antibodies against c-kit, insulin, glucagon, and Ki-67. Few c-kit-positive cells simultaneously secreting insulin or glucagon were detected in all samples studied. These data suggest that such cells are in a state of differentiation into endocrinocytes, but no proliferation of c-kit-positive cells was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conditions are determined for the formation of sodium heteropolyhexamolybdenumnickelate(II) Na[Ni(OH)MoO]•16HO ( I) in a Ni(NO)-NaМоO-HNO-HO solution acidified to Z = = ν(H)/ν(МоO) = 1.00. Synthesized salt I is investigated by chemical analysis, single crystal XRD, powder XRD, thermal analysis, and IR spectroscopy. The heteropolyanion is shown to belong to the Anderson type. Compound I is analyzed by single crystal XRD ( M = 1404.61, triclinic, space group $$P\bar 1$$, a = 8.0586(4) Å, b = 10.5445(6) Å, c = 12.1374(5) Å, α = 69.557(5)°, β = 70.604(4)°, γ = 84.123(4)°, V = 911.45(8) Å) to find that it is isostructural to Na[Ni(OH)MoO]•16HO. All metal atoms in the structure of I are in an octahedral environment: the coordination sphere of the Ni heteroatom consists of OH groups; that of Mo consists of O atoms and OH groups; Na atoms are linked to the heteropolyanion via the terminal O atoms of the polyanion and surrounded by water molecules. In the crystal packing, the [Ni(OH)MoO] anions lie in planes parallel to $$(1\bar 10)$$ and the polyanion layers alternate with those formed by the paired octahedra [Na(μ-HO)(HO)(O)] in the direction of the y axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conditions necessary for the formation of potassium-nickel paratungstate B KNi[WO(OH)]·22HO ( 1) and potassium-nickel heteropoly hexatungstonickelate (II) with Anderson type anion KNi[Ni(OH)WO]·12HO ( 2) in Ni(NO)-KWO-HNO-HO solution, acidified up to Z = ν(H)/ν(WO) = 1,00, were established. The synthesized salts 1 and 2 were examined using chemical analysis, X-ray single crystal analysis and FTIR spectroscopy. The compound 1 crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group $$ \bar{P} $$ , M = 3,628.59, a = 10.617(3) Å, b = 11.818(2) Å, c = 13.454(3) Å, α = 68.034(18)°, β = 76.96(2)°, γ = 63.53(2)°, V = 1,398.0(5); the compound 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2 /n, M = 1,914.71, a = 11.2586(3) Å, b = 11.4933(6) Å, c = 26.1158(15) Å, α = 100.938(4)°, V = 3,318.0(3) Å. In the structure 1 paratungstate B anion [WO(OH)] is centrosymmetric and occupies the center [[1/2,0,1/2]], while 2D layers consist of isopolyanion and potassium polyhedra KO (n = 8, 10), forming the 3D structure through NiO octahedra. The structure 2 comprises Anderson type anions [Ni(OH)WO], cationic polyhedra NiO, KO and uncoordinated HO molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peripheral arterial diseases are characterized by a progressing tissue ischemia which results in the invalidization of patients. The aim of our research was to study the morphological effects of autologous peripheral blood stem cells intramuscular injection into patients with peripheral arterial disease. Peripheral blood stem cells were transplanted intramuscularly into a 48-year-old male patient with peripheral arterial disease stage IIb by Fontaine. The biopsies of his gastrocnemius muscle were taken before the stem cells were transplanted and 3 months after transplantation. These biopsies were stained with H&E and also with antibodies against CD34, myogenin, caspase 3, and bcl-2. Immunohistochemical study results showed an increase of capillary density of 32.7 % ( P = 0.005). In muscular biopsies obtained before therapy, we identified single myogenin+ myosatellite cells, while 3 months after transplantation we detected the presence of cells with myogenin-positive nuclei and multinucleated myotubes. We also observed the formation of young myogenin+ muscle fibers with central nuclei. There was no significant difference in the expression of caspase-3 before transplantation and 3 months after transplantation. An increased number of bcl-2+ myosatellite cells, myotubes, and muscle fibers were detected after transplantation. The patient's ankle-brachial index increased by 13.56 % (0.59 before and 0.67 3 months post transplantation). The patient's pain-free walking distance by 89.97 % (from 59.56 to 113.77 m). Control arteriograms showed the formation of new collaterals. Transplanted autologous peripheral blood stem cells stimulated the formation of new capillaries, the activation of myosatellite cells and bcl-2 expression in muscle fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heteronuclear coordination compounds capable of catalyzing the low-temperature dissociation of urethane groups were synthesized on the basis of copper and cobalt chlorides. The study was performed with an urethane prepolymer produced from oligoester diol and 2,4-toluylene diisocyanate. It was found that the dissociation of urethane groups in the prepolymer is accompanied by formation of carbodiimides and release of 2,4-toluylene diisocyanate. As a result of the subsequent redox interaction, Cu(II) ions are mostly converted to Cu(I), and the involvement of isocyanate groups in the para-position into the reaction processes leads to formation of azoaromatic derivatives. It is shown that their coordination binding by Co(II) ions strongly affects both the supramolecular organization of polyurethanes and a set of their physicomechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bryozoan assemblages from the lower part of the Middle Devonian of the western Altai-Sayan Folded Area are studied because of the recent discovery of Eifelian ammonoids (Cabrieroceras crispiforme Zone) in the Safonovo Formation, which had been previously dated as Givetian. The bryozoan collection (21 species) was sampled from six sections of the Mamontovo Regional Substage ('Horizon') of the Eifelian Stage, seven sections of the Safonovo formation of Salair, and one section of the upper part of the Melnichnaya Formation of Rudnyi Altai. Two groups of bryozoans with different species composition are recognized, one of which occurs in the Malaya Salairka Beds of the Mamontovo Horizon, whereas the other occurs in the Safonovo Formation immediately below the Cabrieroceras crispiforme Zone. Two local biostratigraphic zones are recognized on the basis of these groups (Eridotrypella distributa and Leptotrypa spinosa zones), characterizing the lower and upper parts of the Eifelian Stage of the western Altai-Sayan Folded Area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results obtained during the laboratory remediation modeling of oil-containing waste (652 g/kg) and natural radionuclides (Ra, Th, and K) using the methods of landfarming, biostimulation, and bioaugmentation are given in the article. It is found that landfarming and biostimulation decrease the content of oil products and phytotoxicity of the waste. Landfarming is the most rapid process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the acidified solution of the NaWO-HNO-Sr(NO)-HO system, the white crystals of sodiumstrontium paratungstate B NaSr[WO(OH)]·24HO ( I) are isolated. By FTIR spectroscopy, the isopoly anion is shown to belong to the structural type of paratungstate B. Using single crystal X-ray analysis the structure of I is solved: monoclinic, space group P2/ n, a = 12.5435(3) Å, b = 12.1544(3) Å, c = 18.8080(4) Å, β = 93.440(2)°, V = 2862.28(12) Å at T = 293 K, Z = 2, ρ = 4.207 g/cm. Found that [WO(OH)] paratungstate B anions are cross-linked in a layer via the SrO and NaO polyhedra, and cross-linking in a three-dimensional structure occurs via the NaO and NaO polyhedra. By DTA, the thermal properties of the salt are studied. By FTIR spectroscopy, it is found that under annealing of I the [WO(OH)] paratungstate B anion exists in the structure up to 200 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a numerical study of the vortex motion around an ellipse using the conformal mapping of the circle exterior on the ellipse exterior. The vortex motion velocity and the stream function were obtained taking into account Routh's correction. The trajectories of the vortex filament motion were constructed by integrating the vortex velocity differential equation and according to the condition of the stream function equality to a constant magnitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is shown that the inhibitor of catalase 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (AT) at the concentration of 2 mM affected differently growth of tartary buckwheat ( Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn.) callus lines differing in the morphogenecity. In some cases, AT induced the death of a great fraction of non-morphogenic callus cells; in other cases, it inhibited growth and reduced viability of morphogenic callus. The death of non-morphogenic callus cells may be related to the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide and the development of oxidative stress. After morphogenic callus treatment with AT, we obtained a modified line 1-8 AT tolerant to AT and differing from the original line in morphology, cell sizes, proliferative activity, and some biochemical characteristics. In the 1-8 AT line, catalase was sensitive to this inhibitor action. In this case, catalase inactivation with AT did not increase the content of hydrogen peroxide in the cells, which may indicate the compensatory functioning of another/others mechanism(s) destroying hydrogen peroxide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The characteristics of the supramolecular organization of polyetherisocyanatesiloxanes are inferred from measurements of the temperature dependence of the dielectric loss tangent. It is shown that the mutual influence of macromolecular components on the formation of interpenetrating polymer network depends on the prescription and temperature conditions of synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipids of ten Shewanella frigidimarina strains isolated from sea ice samples of coastal areas of the Sea of Japan and of the type strains of psychrophilic bacteria S. frigidimarina ACAM 591 and S. hanedai JCM 20706 were analyzed. Most of the new isolates contained isoprenoid quinones typical of the genus Shewanella (Q-7, Q-8, MK-7, and MMK-7), a high level of branched acids ( i-13:0 and i-15:0), and polyunsaturated fatty acid (20:5 ω3). Phospholipid fractions of marine isolates and the type strain S. frigidimarina ACAM 591 contained not only the main phospholipids (phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, and diphosphatidylglycerol), but also an unknown phosphoaminolipid, which is probably typical of this bacterial species. The isolates exhibited a high level of phylogenetic similarity but were phenotypically heterogeneous. Two strains distinguished by their phenotypic characteristics differed also in the composition of fatty acids, isoprenoid quinones, and phospholipids. The use of chemotaxonomic markers for primary species identification of psychrophilic bacteria of the genus Shewanella is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conditions for formation of individual isopolytungstates in solutions of the Sr(NO3)2-Na2WO4-HNO3-H2O system acidified to Z = ν(H+)/ν(WO) = 1.29 were studied. The conditions of formation of strontium paratungstate B, strontium hydroheptatungstate, and hydrogen strontium paratungstate were determined. An X-ray diffraction study of single crystals of Sr4.5H[W12O40(OH)2] · 30H2O was carried out. Selected crystallographic data for H63O72Sr4.50W12 are: M r = 3815.99, monoclinic, space group P21/ c, a = 11.41270(10) Å, b = 23.7575(3) Å, c = 12.4392(2) Å, β = 110.476(2)°, V = 3159.64(7) Å3 at T = 293 K, Z = 2, ρ = 4.011 g/cm3, F000 = 3396, μ(Mo Kα) = 25.635 mm−1, −14 ≤ h ≤ 14, −30 ≤ k ≤ 30, −16 ≤ l ≤ 16, RF = 0.0430, wR2 = 0.1067 ( RF = 0.0506, wR2 = 0.1129), and S = 1.043. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of natural antimutagens and antioxidants, particularly those derived from higher plants has been seen as a promising approach to the protection of human health. In this work, we studied methanolic extracts from Sansevieria cylindrica, Sansevieria trifasciata, and Polianthes tuberosa plants focusing on their antioxidative and antimutagenic capacities based on the following parameters: inhibitory activity on lipid peroxidation, suppressing ability on direct-acting mutagen sodium azide-induced mutagenesis in Salmonella typhimurium cells. A clear dose-dependent decrease in lipid peroxidation was observed with all the extracts tested. Extracts from leaves of P. tuberosa and rhizomes of S. cylindrica and S. trifasciata (1 mg/mL) displayed the highest antioxidant effect. At the same time, extracts from rhizomes of S. cylindrica and S. trifasciata significantly reduced the sodium azide-induced mutations. The highest antimutagenic activity (76 %) in the S. typhimurium TA100 strain was obtained for the S. cylindrica rhizomes extract (1 mg/plate). We propose that the observed protective effects of plant extracts tested may correspond to a synergic participation of several secondary metabolites and mainly to polyphenolic compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The green crystals of Ni1.5H[Ni(OH)6W6O18]·12.5H2O and blue crystals of Na4[Ni(OH)6W6O18]·16H2O were isolated from the acidified (to Z = ν(H+)/ν(WO) = 1.00) solutions of Ni(NO3)2-Na2WO4-HNO3-H2O systems. The synthesized salts were identified by chemical analysis, XRPA, and IR spectroscopy. It was shown that the heteropolyanions belonged to the Anderson-Evans type of structure. An X-ray diffraction study of Na4[Ni(OH)6W6O18]·16H2O was carried out ( Mr = 1932.07, triclinic, space group P-1, a = 8.0089(11) Å, b = 10.5758(14) Å, c = 12.1987(16) Å; α = 69.268(13)°, β = 71.069(12)°, γ = 83.816(11)°; V = 914.0(2) Å3 at T = 293 K, Z = 1, ρcal = 3.510 g/cm3, F000 = 874, μ = 19.470 mm−1, −16 ≤ h ≤ 16, −21 ≤ k ≤ 21, −24 ≤ l ≤ 24; the final R factors are RF = 0.0277, wR2 = 0.0469 for the observed reflections ( RF = 0.0606, wR2 = 0.0523 for all independent reflections); S = 0.953; CSD-419883). The structure was solved by direct methods and refined in an anisotropic approximation. Hydrogen atoms were found in a difference synthesis and refined in an isotropic approximation with geometrical limitations. The nature of water in Na4[Ni(OH)6W6O18]·16H2O was characterized by DTA. XRPA was used to identify the thermolysis products of heteropoly compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expression of the liver cell markers, vimentin, desmin, cytokeratins 7, 18, 19, and stem cell markers CD34 and Bcl-2 in the early stages of the human prenatal development was studied. Desmin was revealed in sinusoidal liver cells between 3.5 and 12 weeks of gestation; in mesenchymal cells of ventral mesentery and hepatoblasts it was detected at the 4–7th weeks of gestation. During the hepatic period of hemopoiesis, desmin-positive sinusoidal cells were located close to blood cells. So-called “cholangio-” cytokeratins 7 and 19 displayed different expression patterns. Cytokeratin 7 was found only in cholangiocytes, and cytokeratin 19 in hepatoblasts until 15–16 weeks of prenatal development. Mesenchymal cells of the ventral mesentery expressed cytokeratins 18 and 19 more than hepatoblasts at the 4–7th weeks of gestation. Bcl-2 was seen in the same period in most sinusoidal and mesenchymal cells of the ventral mesentery. CD34 positive cells were detected in liver sinusoids between the 4th and 9th weeks of gestation but probably they are not progenitors of hepatocytes during embryonic development. Ventral mesentery mesenchyma was negative for CD34. These results let us hypothesize that hepatocytes and cholangiocytes may arise from different embryonic sources: cholangyocytes derive only from duodenal epithelial cells, while hepatoblasts develop most likely with the participation of mesenchymal cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultured pure population of Ito cells isolated from adult rat liver expressed epithelial markers cytokeratin-8, α-fetoprotein, and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase after forming a dense monolayer. Mesenchymal-epithelial transformation of these cells is possible, which suggests them as candidates of hepatic stem cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nature of an inert additive ( n-pentane) that is expediently used at the step of distillation separation of a diluted ethylene oxide solution in supercritical carbon dioxide is determined. An experimental study is performed to find the characteristics of the extraction step of separation of ethylene oxide from its aqueous solution using supercritical carbon dioxide in the presence of n-pentane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An indirect somatic embryogenesis via the development of proembryogenic cell complexes (PECC) was observed in the in vitro cultured hypocotyl explants of 4–5-day-old buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.) seedlings. PECC development was shown to depend on culturing conditions, including 2,4-D concentration and the period of explant exposure to 2,4-D, sucrose concentration, and explant density. The culturing protocol was designed to ensure the development of buckwheat somatic embryos in two-month period. The cytogenetic analysis demonstrated that this protocol did not affect the chromosome numbers in the regenerated plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of acoustic waves that propagate in cylindrical channels containing permeable regions and surrounded with a porous medium is studied. The quantitative and qualitative features of the wave dynamics are determined in relation to the condition of the inhomogeneous porous medium. In particular, cases when the channel is surrounded with radial fractures or with a low-permeability mudcake are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The kinetic parameters of liquid-phase oxidation of dioxane alcohol formals were determined. The inhibiting activity of a number of phenol and organophosphorus antioxidants is evaluated and methods are proposed for decelerating the destruction of dioxane alcohol formals, occurring via thermal oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The regulatory and adaptive status was determined in 202 healthy subjects by the parameters of the cardiorespiratory synchronism probe. We performed molecular-genetic analysis of polymorphic variants of the main gene of serotonin biosynthesis, tryptophan hydroxylase TPH1 (A218C polymorphism) and TPH2 (G703T polymorphism), and serotonin receptors (HTR2C and HTR2A genes). The association of the regulatory and adaptive status of a subject with the polymorphism of serotonergic mediator system genes was revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The kinetics of the reaction of 3-aroyl-2,4-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzoxazine-1,2,4-triones with aliphatic alcohols in toluene at 25°C were studied by spectrophotometry. The effects of electronic and steric factors in the nucleophile and substrate were estimated by treatment of the kinetic results by the Hammett and Taft equations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated the relationship between pathological changes in the liver and the state of intestinal microflora in rats with experimental dysbiosis. Changes in the intestinal microflora were accompanied by alteration of the morphological structure in the liver. Enhanced proliferation of Ito cells served as an indirect evidence of damage to the liver. Ito cells did not undergo transformation into myofibroblasts that excluded the possibility of fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The kinetic parameters of autooxidation of DL-0.2 diesel oil in the presence of copper were determined in the range 120-140°C. The possibility of using Ionol for stabilization of diesel oil under these conditions was studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]