Search

Background: Wild ginseng, Panax ginseng Meyer, is an endangered species of medicinal plants. In the present study, we analyzed variations within the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) cluster to gain insight into the genetic diversity of the Oriental ginseng, P. ginseng, at artificial plant cultivation. Methods: The roots of wild P. ginseng plants were sampled from a nonprotected natural population of the Russian Far East. The slides were prepared from leaf tissues using the squash technique for cytogenetic analysis. The 18S rDNA sequences were cloned and sequenced. The distribution of nucleotide diversity, recombination events, and interspecific phylogenies for the total 18S rDNA sequence data set was also examined. Results: In mesophyll cells, mononucleolar nuclei were estimated to be dominant (75.7%), while the remaining nuclei contained two to four nucleoli. Among the analyzed 18S rDNA clones, 20% were identical to the 18S rDNA sequence of P. ginseng from Japan, and other clones differed in one to six substitutions. The nucleotide polymorphism was more expressed at the positions 440–640 bp, and distributed in variable regions, expansion segments, and conservative elements of core structure. The phylogenetic analysis confirmed conspecificity of ginseng plants cultivated in different regions, with two fixed mutations between P. ginseng and other species. Conclusion: This study identified the evidences of the intragenomic nucleotide polymorphism in the 18S rDNA sequences of P. ginseng. These data suggest that, in cultivated plants, the observed genome instability may influence the synthesis of biologically active compounds, which are widely used in traditional medicine.

Recent studies suggest both beneficial and detrimental role of increased reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress in heart failure (HF). However, it is not clear at which stage oxidative stress and oxidative modifications occur in the endothelium in relation to cardiomyocytes in non-ischemic HF. Furthermore, most methods used to date to study oxidative stress are either non-specific or require tissue homogenization. In this study, we used immuno-spin trapping (IST) technique with fluorescent microscopy-based detection of DMPO nitrone adducts to localize and quantify oxidative modifications of the hearts from Tgαq*44 mice; a murine model of HF driven by cardiomyocyte-specific overexpression of Gαq* protein. Tgαq*44 mice and age-matched FVB controls at early, transition, and late stages of HF progression were injected with DMPO in vivo and analyzed ex vivo for DMPO nitrone adducts signals. Progressive oxidative modifications in cardiomyocytes, as evidenced by the elevation of DMPO nitrone adducts, were detected in hearts from 10- to 16-month-old, but not in 8-month-old Tgαq*44 mice, as compared with age-matched FVB mice. The DMPO nitrone adducts were detected in left and right ventricle, septum, and papillary muscle. Surprisingly, significant elevation of DMPO nitrone adducts was also present in the coronary endothelium both in large arteries and in microcirculation simultaneously, as in cardiomyocytes, starting from 10-month-old Tgαq*44 mice. On the other hand, superoxide production in heart homogenates was elevated already in 6-month-old Tgαq*44 mice and progressively increased to high levels in 14-month-old Tgαq*44 mice, while the enzymatic activity of catalase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase was all elevated as early as in 4-month-old Tgαq*44 mice and stayed at a similar level in 14-month-old Tgαq*44. In summary, this study demonstrates that IST represents a unique method that allows to quantify oxidative modifications in cardiomyocytes and coronary endothelium in the heart. In Tgαq*44 mice with slowly developing HF, driven by cardiomyocyte-specific overexpression of Gαq* protein, an increase in superoxide production, despite compensatory activation of antioxidative mechanisms, results in the development of oxidative modifications not only in cardiomyocytes but also in coronary endothelium, at the transition phase of HF, before the end-stage disease.

Interspecific competition may occur when resources are limited, and is often most intense between animals in the same ecological guild. Intraguild predation (IGP) is a distinctive form of interference competition, where a dominant predator selectively kills subordinate rivals to gain increased access to resources. However, before IGP can be identified, organisms must be confirmed as members of the same guild and occur together in space and time. The lesser hairy-footed dunnart (Sminthopsis youngsoni, Dasyuridae) is a generalist marsupial insectivore in arid Australia, but consumes wolf spiders (Lycosa spp., Lycosidae) disproportionately often relative to their availability. Here, we test the hypothesis that this disproportionate predation is a product of frequent encounter rates between the interactants due to high overlap in their diets and use of space and time. Diet and prey availability were determined using direct observations and invertebrate pitfall trapping, microhabitat use by tracking individuals of both species-groups, and temporal activity using spotlighting and camera traps. Major overlap (greater than 75% similarity) was found in diet and temporal activity, and weaker overlap in microhabitat use. Taken together, these findings suggest reasonable potential, for the first time, for competition and intraguild predation to occur between taxa as disparate as marsupials and spiders.

The effect of the solvent nature (acetonitrile, ethanol, dimethyl sulfoxide, and dioxane) and its concentration on the fluorescence intensity of pyrene sorbed on the cellulose diacetate (CDA) film from a water-organic solution was studied. Dimethyl sulfoxide and ethanol are shown to be the most effective solvent additives for pyrene solid-surface fluorescence (SSF). The maximum SSF signal of pyrene was found upon sorption of the substance from aqueous media containing 1.2-4.2 vol% DMSO. For the pyrene quantitation the concentration dependence of its SSF intensity at the maximum of the spectrum at λem = 394 nm and λexp = 320 nm was plotted. The dependence has a linear character in the pyrene concentration range 2·10−6 - 2·10-8 g/L, and the limit of pyrene detection is 2·10-11 g/L. The possibility of determining benzo(a)pyrene using SSF technique with the CDA matrix is proved. The proposed method is promising for use in environmental monitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Hydrological and hydrochemical surveys were conducted in the Voevoda Bay in May, August, and October, 2011 and February, 2012, in total 140 stations. Free water exchange of the bay with the Amur Bay is observed, with exception of its inner bights Kruglaya and Melkovodnaya. The water exchange is maintained by anticyclonic circulation with the inflow along the southern coast and outflow along the northern coast of the Voyevoda Bay. However, the opposite cyclonic circulation is observed in the Melkovodanaya Bight because of its coastal line patterns and fresh water discharge by the river. Dissolved oxygen content and partial pressure of CO2 in the bay waters are determined mostly by intensive processes of production and destruction of organic matter. There are three main groups of primary producers there, as diatom algae, sea grass Zostera marina , and periphyton. Specific chemical regime is formed in the Melkovodnaya Bight, in particular in winter when primary production depends on the ice cover and is driven by variations of photosynthetically active radiation passed through the ice. Seasonal variability of production-destruction processes intensity is discussed on the data of chemical parameters changes.

During development, growth cones are essential for axon pathfinding by sensing numerous guidance cues in their environment. Retinoic acid, the metabolite of vitamin A, is important for neurite outgrowth during vertebrate development, but may also play a role in axon guidance, though little is known of the cellular mechanisms involved. Our previous studies showed that retinoid-induced growth cone turning of invertebrate motorneurons requires local protein synthesis and calcium influx. However, the signalling pathways that link calcium influx to cytoskeletal dynamics involved in retinoid-mediated growth cone turning are not currently known. The Rho GTPases, Cdc42 and Rac, are known regulators of the growth cone cytoskeleton. Here, we demonstrated that inhibition of Cdc42 or Rac not only prevented growth cone turning toward retinoic acid but could also induce a switch in growth cone responsiveness to chemorepulsion or growth cone collapse. However, the effects of Cdc42 or Rac inhibition on growth cone responsiveness differed, depending on whether the turning was induced by the all-trans or 9-cis retinoid isomer. The effects also differed depending on whether the growth cones maintained communication with the cell body. These data strongly suggest that Cdc42 and Rac are downstream effectors of retinoic acid during growth cone guidance.

Our study was carried out with potato plants (Solanum tuberosun L.,cv. Désirée) transformed with the yeast invertase gene under the control of the B33 class I patatin promoter and with the proteinase inhibitor II leader peptide sequence providing for the apoplastic enzyme localization (B33-inv plants) and with the plants transformed with the reporter gene encoding bb-glucuronidase under the control of the 35S CaMV promoter (control plants). Exposure to 5°C during 6 days caused an increase in invertase activity and sugar content in B33-inv leaves in comparison with the control plants. Cell membranes of B33-inv plant cells showed greater cold tolerance under low temperature conditions than control plants that was recorded by electrolyte release. We supposed that higher cold tolerance of B33-inv plants was caused by stabilizing effect of sugar on the membranes, because B33-inv plants differ from the control plants in higher invertase activity, induced by expression of yeast invertase gene, and high content of sugars.

The purpose of the article is to develop instrumentarium for determination of the level of food security. In order to achieve the set goal, the authors use method of monitoring and economic & mathematical modeling of manufacture and consumption of agricultural products. In the process of the research, the authors test this method by the example of modern Russia and determine the existence of the problem of food security. In order to solve this problem, the authors develop recommendations for stabilization of agricultural production, as a basis of country’s food security. The authors also conduct analysis of agricultural development of developed countries and determine primary tasks, solution of which will stipulate provision of the required level of food security. As a result of the research, the authors come to the conclusion that the developed recommendations can be directions of unified state approach to solving the problem of achievement of food security and formation of agrarian policy. At that, it should be noted that policy which is aimed at achievement of national-level goal cannot be formed without relevant informational provision. Therefore, agriculture authorities must possess full, high-quality, and actualized information. Elements of state policy in the sphere of achievement of food security can stipulate achieving indicators which are determined by national doctrine and form optimal level of cooperation of national agriculture production and foreign partners.

Competition among invertebrates was studied in mixed culture (the ciliates Paramecium caudatum and Paramecium bursaria and the rotifer Brachionis plicatilis) under laboratory conditions. The invertebrates were fed on various food sources: 1) Chlorella biomass and 2) biomasses of bacteria and yeast. The P.bursaria - Chlorella condutrix endosymbiosis was used a natural model of a simple biotic cycle. P.caudatum was found to be a poor competitor: even when the initial percentage of P.caudatum cells was large and there was no food limitation, this ciliate had been expelled by the end of the experiment. The main reason for the low competitive ability of P.caudatum in the studied system was likely the inhibiting effect of invertebrates metabolites. The outcome of the competition between the ciliate P. bursaria and the rotifer B. plicatilis was different depending upon the food source: 1) Chlorella or 2) bacteria and yeast. When fed on Chlorella, P. bursaria was a better competitor than B. plicatilis. With bacteria and yeast used as food, the opposite outcome of competition was observed: the competitive ability of B. plicatilis was better than that of P. bursaria. It was assumed that due to turbidity of the culture solution in experiments with bacteria and yeast used as food, the zoochlorella photosynthesis rate decreased and, hence, the P. bursaria - zoochlorella symbiosis became less competitive. Analysis of experimental results of P. bursaria and P. caudatum single species cultures in the light and in the dark, with bacteria used as a food source, confirmed that assumption. The results of the experiments confirmed the beneficial role of symbiotic relationships of the ciliate P. bursaria and zoochlorella. The number of symbiotic units in the light reached 220 units/ml, while in the dark it was much smaller. The P. caudatum number remained practically the same in the light and in the dark.

Fibers of cellulose diacetate (CDA) and chitosan (CTS) of polycationic and polybasic forms were tested as matrices for solid-surface fluorescence (SSF) of several fluorescent probes—eosin Y, trypaflavine, and pyrene. The morphology and surface potential of these matrices were examined. The influence of structural and energetic characteristics of the fibrous polysaccharide materials at SSF of the probes was shown. Fluorescence was studied in aqueous solutions of eosin Y and trypaflavine, in water-ethanolic and water-micellar surfactant media of pyrene, before and after dynamic sorption of the dyes on fibers and in the adsorbed state. The surface of CDA fiber was shown to be capable of sorbing trypaflavine from water and pyrene from water-micellar surfactant media of various types, so it can be a promising matrix for SSF of pyrene and trypaflavine and their chemical analogs. The Coulomb interactions were proposed to determine eosin Y and trypaflavine concentration on the surface of CTS matrices and the SSF of these probes. The CTS fibers were permeable to hydrophobic pyrene dissolved in an ethanol-water medium or solubilized in the micelles of ionic surfactants.

У статті розглянуто інтерактивні технології навчання іноземних мов у вищих навчальних закладах як таку організацію іншомовного мовленнєвого спілкування суб’єктів навчання, яка передбачає відповідно до цілей навчання, індивідуальних особливостей тих, хто навчається, найраціональніше комплексне застосування методів, прийомів, засобів і форм навчання з метою досягнення заздалегідь запланованого відповідного рівня іншомовної комунікативної компетенції. Запропоновано визначення поняття інтерактивних технологій навчання іноземних мов. Розглянуто проблеми розробки даних технологій для підтримки іншомовного мовленнєвого спілкування як провідної форми навчально-пізнавальної суб’єктно-суб’єктної та суб’єктно-об’єктної взаємодії з оперативним зворотним зв’язком.

В статті презентовано підхід до «переводу» психотехнологій із тренінгового в дистанційний формат. Виділено ключові мотиваційні аспекти, що впливають на еффективність роботи з дистанційним курсом. Підхід «переводу» розглянутий на прикладі Дистанційного курсу розвитку «Успіх» та відповідної тренінгової програми для розвитку психологічних компетенцій успішності дорослих (автор курсу Ю.Ільіна).

Iron(II)-(1,10-phenanthroline) complex imprinted membrane was prepared by ionic imprinting technology. In the first step, Fe(II) established a coordination linkage with 1,10-phenanthroline and functional monomer 2-vinylpyridine (2-VP). Next, the complex was copolymerized with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as a crosslinker in the presence of benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as an initiator. Potentiometric chemical sensors were designed by dispersing the iron(II)-imprinted polymer particles in 2-nitrophenyloctyl ether (o-NPOE) plasticizer and then embedded in poly vinyl chloride (PVC) matrix. The sensors showed a Nernstian response for [Fe(phen)3]2+ with limit of detection 3.15 ng mL−1 and a Nernstian slope of 35.7 mV per decade.

Hydroxyurea has proven clinical efficacy in patients with sickle cell disease. Potential mechanisms for the beneficial effects include fetal hemoglobin induction and the reduction of cell adhesive properties, inflammation and hypercoagulability. Using a murine model of sickle cell disease in which fetal hemoglobin induction does not occur, we evaluated whether hydroxyurea administration would still yield improvements in hematologic parameters and reduce end-organ damage. Animals given a maximally tolerated dose of hydroxyurea that resulted in significant reductions in the neutrophil and platelet counts showed no improvement in hemolytic anemia and end-organ damage compared to control mice. In contrast, animals having high levels of fetal hemoglobin due to gene transfer with a γ-globin lentiviral vector showed correction of anemia and organ damage. These data suggest that induction of fetal hemoglobin by hydroxyurea is an essential mechanism for its clinical benefits.

Research on the impact of guided investigation, including verbal guidance strategies, has expanded in the recent decade, and the current work contributes to this line of research in a museum context. The current in-depth study examines the impact of verbal guidance strategies on family learning at an open-ended museum exhibit, considering participants' individual characteristics. The experiments and conversations of 104 families were observed at an object motion exhibit. Results show that families, with and without guidance, investigated in a meaningful way by performing control-of-variables strategy experiments, investigating a range of variables, and formulating hypotheses and causal explanations. However, the results also show that the process of learning scientific concepts could be improved. Minimal interventions of museum educators positively affected the families' learning process by reducing the number of scientifically incorrect remarks. Interestingly, in addition to discussing the phenomenon, especially the families with highly educated parents discussed the topic of reliability of their experiments, which is an under-investigated aspect of learning through investigation. Only children's cognitive ability and not parental education was modestly, but consistently related to the families' performance.

ContextAlthough radiation exposure is an important predictor of thyroid cancer on diagnosis of a thyroid nodule, the relationship between childhood radiation exposure and thyroid nodules has not been comprehensively evaluated.ObjectiveTo examine the association between internal I-131 thyroid dose and thyroid nodules in young adults exposed during childhood.Design, setting, and participantsIn this cross-sectional study, we screened residents of Belarus aged ≤18 years at the time of the Chernobyl nuclear accident for thyroid disease (median age, 21 years) with thyroid palpation, ultrasonography, blood/urine analysis, and medical follow-up when appropriate. Eligible participants (N = 11,421) had intact thyroid glands and doses based on direct individual thyroid activity measurements.Main outcome measuresExcess odds ratios per Gray (EOR/Gy, scaled at age 5 years at exposure) for any thyroid nodule and for nodules grouped by cytology/histology, diameter size, and singularity.ResultsRisk of any thyroid nodule increased significantly with I-131 dose and, for a given dose, with younger age at exposure. The EOR/Gy (95% confidence intervals) for neoplastic nodules (3.82; 0.87 to 15.52) was significantly higher than for nonneoplastic nodules (0.32;

The article presents the results of legal monitoring and those of a sociological research on the efficiency of social mechanisms in Russian Federation education policy. The data obtained substantiates: the need for systematic improvement of Russian legislation in the education sector; revised notions and content of social mechanisms in Russian education policy; the significance of social activity ensuring educational security in Russia; education policy implementation issues. The research also focuses on the content and state of control, awareness raising, transparency, traditions and other mechanisms in the areas of law, economy, social responsibility, politics and society.

Os acidentes com agulhas constituem um dos principais riscos de transmissão ocupacional de infecções por via sangüínea (AIDS, hepatite B e C). É prioritário, portanto, discutir estratégias de intervenção baseadas nas fontes de risco. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar os acidentes com agulhas ocorridos em um hospital universitário. A construção de um banco dados dos acidentes notificados, entre 1990 e 1996, permitiu identificar as situações de ocorrência e as tendências ao longo dos anos. Os resultados indicam que a maioria dos acidentes estava relacionada à realização ou auxílio de procedimentos. A implantação das primeiras medidas preventivas (precauções universais) aponta para a redução no total de acidentes com perfurações. Não foram observadas alterações nas taxas de acidentes relacionados à prática de reencapar agulhas. Discute-se o uso de diferentes estratégias de intervenção: introdução de materiais de design seguro; mudança de enfoque no treinamento e reorganização do ambiente e das práticas de trabalho.