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Programmed cell death (PCD) is a fundamental genetically controlled process in most organisms. PCD is responsible for the selective elimination of damaged or unwanted cells and organs to maintain cellular homeostasis during the organ’s development under normal conditions as well as during defense or adaptation to stressful conditions. PCD pathways have been extensively studied in animals. In plants, studies focusing on understanding the pathways of PCD have advanced significantly. However, the knowledge about the molecular basis of PCD is still very limited. Some PCD pathways that have been discovered in animals are not present in plants or found with a similar form. PCD in plants is developmentally controlled (by endogenous factors) to function in organ development and differentiations as well as environmentally induced (by exogenous stimuli) to help the plant in surviving under stress conditions. Here, we present a review of the role of PCD in plant development and explore different examples of stress-induced PCD as well as highlight the main differences between the plant and animal PCD.

Leaf senescence, one of the developmental phases of the leaf, is a genetically programmed and highly regulated degenerative process controlled by developmental and environmental signals. It is characterized by different physiological, biochemical and molecular changes including the degradation of chlorophyll, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. Leaf senescence is regulated both by environmental and internal factors. One of the important endogenous factors determining leaf senescence is phytohormones. Ethylene is one of the essential phytohormones that promote leaf senescence. Although the discovery of the role of ethylene in senescence dates back to almost a century, the molecular mechanisms underlying ethylene-regulated leaf senescence have been elucidated more recently primarily through genetic and molecular studies. In this chapter, we summarize the current understanding of ethylene signaling, with a primary focus on the perception and transduction of leaf senescence signals along with the different transcriptional factors and the downstream regulatory mechanisms of the signaling pathway.

The chapter analyzes the key factors that may have influenced the course and outcomes of Polish state corporate control policy, its specific combination of the elements of continuity and change. These factors are discussed in the framework of two not fully separable dichotomies. The first one is action of decision makers in good faith (i.e., in the general public interest) vs. realization of specific group interests. The second one is the role of exogenous factors (knowledge transfer and impact of global economic and political processes) vs. the role of endogenous factors (domestic economic challenges, intellectual potential, institutional setup and public attitude).

PhD (Risk Management), North-West University, Vanderbijlpark Campus, 2021 Individual investors expect investment companies to construct, measure and evaluate strategies that will assist them to make successful investment decisions. Financial planners are operating in an environment where it is prudent and legally required to be acquainted with their clients’ financial, attitudinal and emotional circumstances before making recommendations regarding investment decisions. Risk assessment forms, which are constructed based on institutional intellect regarding rational investor behaviour, are utilised by financial planners to measure the risk tolerance of individual investors. However, a lack of regulatory guidance on risk profiling in the financial industry resulted in a diverse approach to risk profiling evaluations. Consequently, existing and conventional risk assessment forms used by practitioners in the financial industry have major shortcomings, as it is not comprehensive enough to consider all the factors that may affect the risk tolerance behaviour of individual investors when making investment decisions. Therefore, existing and conventional risk assessment forms can be improved by recommending a framework that makes provision for client-specific questions by considering a multitude of pre-identified endogenous and exogenous factors that influence investor risk tolerance behaviour. For this reason, the primary objective of this research study was to construct a model to profile investor risk tolerance behaviour based on endogenous and exogenous factors to improve existing and conventional risk assessment forms and accordingly, to profile the risk tolerance behaviour of individual investors more accurately and comprehensively. In order to facilitate the achievement of the primary objective, theoretical and empirical objectives were formulated. The theoretical objectives presented a thorough analysis of the theory of risk tolerance and risk behaviour and contextualised a theoretical framework about individual investment decision-making. The theoretical theories and previous studies relating to the endogenous and exogenous factors that influence the risk tolerance behaviour of individual investors when making investment decisions were also examined. It can be inferred from the theoretical objectives that individual investors, financial planners and investment companies ought to consider and comprehend the factors related to risk tolerance behaviour, as it has a momentous influence on the risk profiling and the investment decision-making of individual investors. Even though previous research studies have examined the factors related to investor risk tolerance behaviour, they have not considered the influence of a multitude of both endogenous and exogenous factors on the risk tolerance behaviour of individual investors when making investment decisions. Also, previous research studies have not addressed the shortcomings of existing and conventional risk assessment forms by considering endogenous and exogenous factors to provide a more accurate and comprehensive model to profile investor risk tolerance behaviour. This research study entailed a descriptive research design, whereby a positivist research paradigm was applied and a quantitative research approach was followed. The target population comprised individual investors from an investment company within the South African context. A non-probability purposive sampling method was used to filter the individual investors from the investment company, who met the inclusion criteria of 18 years and older, a current investor with some form of a formal investment product with the investment company and lives in Gauteng, to obtain the representative sample. The sample size of 463 individual investors was considered adequate for the analysis of the quantitative data, as it sufficiently met all the requirements for the statistical analysis applied to facilitate the attainment of the empirical objectives. The primary quantitative data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire and validated scales were utilised. It can be inferred from the empirical results that the majority of individual investors have a propensity to take average risks when making investment decisions and are in the defensive (cautious) investor phase of the life cycle rather than in the growth investor phase of the life cycle. Corresponding to the investor life cycle theory, younger individual investors with a smaller net worth are in the growth investor phase of the life cycle, while older individual investors with a greater net worth are in the defensive (cautious) investor phase of the life cycle. It was also established that the investment decisions of individual investors are driven to the greatest extent by the self-control bias and to the smallest extent by the anchoring bias. Furthermore, the investment decisions of individual investors in the growth investor phase of the life cycle are only driven by the representativeness bias and the overconfidence bias. However, the investment decisions of individual investors in the defensive (cautious) investor phase of the life cycle are driven by the representativeness bias, the overconfidence bias, the gambler’s fallacy bias, the availability bias, the loss aversion bias, the mental accounting bias and the self-control bias. Moreover, it was also confirmed that all the endogenous factors, except for the demographical factor, namely income variability, and all the exogenous factors had significant effects on individual investor risk tolerance behaviour. The successful findings of the empirical results make a remarkable contribution to the field of study and the financial industry. However, the key contribution of the research study is encompassed in the final empirical objective, the development and validation of a model to profile investor risk tolerance behaviour based on endogenous and exogenous factors, since no other researcher has developed such a model to date. Based on the structural equation modelling results, only the demographical factor, namely education, did not significantly contribute towards explaining individual investor risk tolerance behaviour. Nonetheless, all the other endogenous factors and all the exogenous factors significantly contributed towards explaining individual investor risk tolerance behaviour. This led to the successful development of the multifaceted and sophisticated risk profiling model, which incorporated a multitude of pre-identified endogenous and exogenous factors to profile investor risk tolerance behaviour. Overall, the research study contributed to the enhancement of existing literature regarding the various aspects of the risk tolerance behaviour and investment decision-making of individual investors. It also provides individual investors, financial planners and investment companies with better insights and comprehension regarding the endogenous and exogenous factors that influence the risk tolerance behaviour of individual investors when making investment decisions. The risk profiling model will contribute significantly to the improvement of existing and conventional risk assessment forms by recommending a framework that makes provision for client-specific questions by considering pre-identified endogenous and exogenous factors that influence investor risk tolerance behaviour. Accordingly, the risk profiling model will facilitate the more practical, executable and accurate profiling of the risk tolerance behaviour of individual investors and successful investment decision-making in practice. Considering the limitations and implications of the research study, future research endeavours can engage several investment companies to take part in the research study to analyse the effect of endogenous and exogenous factors on individual investor risk tolerance behaviour from the databases and perspectives of several investment companies. Furthermore, a mixed-methods research approach can be followed, by also incorporating qualitative interviews to examine the rationales for the influence of endogenous and exogenous factors on individual investor risk tolerance behaviour. Given that the risk profiling model is multifaceted and sophisticated, the review and further investigation of the multitude of pre-identified endogenous and exogenous factors incorporated into the model to profile investor risk tolerance behaviour will assist to further refine and simplify the model. Larger sample sizes can also be utilised to review the robustness of the risk profiling model and accordingly, to profile the risk tolerance behaviour of individual investors even more accurately. Doctoral

Skin is the essential barrier of the human body which performs multiple functions. Endogenous factors, in concert with external assaults, continuously affect skin integrity, leading to distinct structural changes that influence not only the skin appearance but also its various physiological functions. Alterations of the barrier functions lead to an increased risk of developing disease and side reactions, thus the importance of maintaining the integrity of the epidermal barrier and slowing down the skin aging process is evident. Salvia haenkei (SH) has been recently identified as a potential anti-senescence agent; its extract is able to decrease the level of senescent cells by affecting the IL1α release and reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. In this study, SH extract was tested on human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) exposed to stress factors related to premature aging of cells such as free radicals and ultraviolet B radiation. We confirmed that SH acts as scavenger of ROS and found its ability to restore the skin barrier integrity by reinforcing the cytoskeleton structure, sealing the tight junctions and increasing the migration rate of cells. Given these results, this work becomes relevant, identifying Salvia haenkei as a compound useful for anti-aging skin treatment in clinical performance.

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease of women of reproductive age. It is often considered as one of the main causes of female infertility. Its development and progression are influenced by several exogenous and endogenous factors. It is a heterogeneous disease and one of the most important tasks is to identify the candidate genes. That will allow us to better understand why and under what circumstances endometriosis develops. Because not all women with endometriosis are infertile, I focused in this thesis at selected candidate genes, their alleles and epigenetic dysregulation that could link endometriosis to infertility. From the available literature WNT4, HOXA gene cluster, ESR1, PGR, FN1, VETZ, GREB1 appear to play a major role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. These genes also play an important role in various biological pathways and their dysregulation leads to low implantation / complete implantation failure, insufficient oogenesis, embryogenesis, and infertility in patients with endometriosis. Identification of genes whose dysregulation induces the development of endometriosis in the population is important, given the increasing incidence of endometriosis and infertility rates in recent years. With further research on pathogenesis of endometriosis it would be possible to make...

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue analizar la relación que guarda la gastronomía tradicional de Santa María Texcalac, Tlaxcala con su soberanía alimentaria (SA) e indagar las causas por las que esta gastronomía ha sido olvidada total o parcialmente y cómo afecta a su soberanía alimentaria. La metodología empleada para este trabajo es eminentemente cualitativa, se realizaron entrevistas a profundidad tanto a personajes clave de la localidad como a las unidades de estudio seleccionadas, definidas éstas, como mujeres mayores de 65 años originarias de la localidad. Para su realización se aplicó la técnica bola de nieve. Los resultados obtenidos nos presenta una lista de los principales guisos de distinta índole que han sido olvidados total o parcialmente y nos muestran claramente que el rescate de esta gastronomía no es posible por diversos factores tanto endógenos como exógenos, principalmente el cambio de actividad económica de la localidad, el cambio de uso de suelo, la desaparición de cultivos, plantas, frutas, animales e insectos entre otros, que formaban parte de su gastronomía, así como utensilios y modos de preparación, la falta de interés de la propia población, la influencia de las ciudades próximas a la localidad, todo ello pone en riesgo también el recate de una verdadera soberanía alimentaria., The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between the traditional gastronomy of Santa María Texcalac, Tlaxcala, and its food sovereignty (FS) and to investigate the reasons why this gastronomy has been totally or partially forgotten and how it affects its food sovereignty. The methodology used for this work is eminently qualitative, in-depth interviews were conducted both with key characters of the locality and the selected study units, defined as women over 65 years of age from the locality. The snowball technique was used for the interviews. The results obtained present us with a list of the main stews of different kinds that have been totally or partially forgotten and clearly show us that the rescue of this gastronomy is not possible due to several endogenous and exogenous factors, mainly the change in economic activity in the locality, the change of land use, the disappearance of crops, plants, fruits, animals and insects, among others, that were part of its gastronomy, as well as utensils and ways of preparation, the lack of interest of the population itself, the influence of the cities near the locality, all this also puts at risk the rescue of true food sovereignty., O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a relação entre a gastronomia tradicional de Santa María Texcalac, Tlaxcala, e sua soberania alimentar (FS), e investigar as razões pelas quais esta gastronomia foi total ou parcialmente esquecida e como ela afeta a soberania alimentar. A metodologia utilizada para este trabalho é eminentemente qualitativa; foram realizadas entrevistas em profundidade com figuras-chave da localidade, bem como com as unidades de estudo selecionadas, definidas como mulheres com mais de 65 anos de idade da localidade. A técnica da bola de neve foi utilizada para as entrevistas. Os resultados obtidos nos apresentam uma lista dos principais guisados de diferentes tipos que foram total ou parcialmente esquecidos e nos mostram claramente que o resgate desta gastronomia não é possível devido a vários fatores endógenos e exógenos, principalmente a mudança da atividade econômica na localidade, a mudança do uso da terra, o desaparecimento de cultivos, plantas, frutas, animais e insetos, entre outros, que faziam parte de sua gastronomia, assim como utensílios e formas de preparação, o desinteresse da própria população, a influência das cidades próximas à localidade, tudo isso também coloca em risco a recuperação de uma verdadeira soberania alimentar.

Event occurrence is not only subject to the environmental changes, but is also facilitated by the events that have occurred in a system. Here, we develop a method for estimating such extrinsic and intrinsic factors from a single series of event-occurrence times. The analysis is performed using a model that combines the inhomogeneous Poisson process and the Hawkes process, which represent exogenous fluctuations and endogenous chain-reaction mechanisms, respectively. The model is fit to a given dataset by minimizing the free energy, for which statistical physics and a path-integral method are utilized. Because the process of event occurrence is stochastic, parameter estimation is inevitably accompanied by errors, and it can ultimately occur that exogenous and endogenous factors cannot be captured even with the best estimator. We obtained four regimes categorized according to whether respective factors are detected. By applying the analytical method to real time series of debate in a social-networking service, we have observed that the estimated exogenous and endogenous factors are close to the first comments and the follow-up comments, respectively. This method is general and applicable to a variety of data, and we have provided an application program, by which anyone can analyze any series of event times., Comment: 17 pages, 7 figures

Cytosolic invertase 1 (CINV1), which converts sucrose into glucose and fructose is a key entry point of carbon into cellar metabolism and Hexokinase 1 (HXK1) functions as a pivotal sensor for glucose. Further, it is well established that sugar signaling can regulate plant gene expression, for example, the Production of Anthocyanin Pigment 1 (PAP1) / MYB75 transcription factor is specifically induced by sucrose accumulation. Exogenous sugars are also thought to trigger the juvenile-to-adult phase transition via a miR156A/SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE (SPL) module. However, the endogenous factors that regulate this process have remained undetermined. Here we show that sucrose induced expression of the PAP1 transcription factor increases CINV1 activity by direct binding to CINV1 promoter. Further, we identify a glucose feed-forward loop (Sucrose-CINV1-Glucose-HXK1-miR156-SPL9-PAP1-CINV1-Glucose) that controls CINV1 activity to convert sucrose into glucose signaling to dynamically control the juvenile-to-adult phase transition. Moreover, PAP1 directly binds to the SPL9 promoter, activating SPL9 expression, triggering sucrose signaling that mediates the juvenile-to-adult phase transition. Therefore, a glucose signaling feed-forward loop and a sucrose signaling pathway synergistically regulate the Arabidopsis juvenile-to-adult phase transition. Collectively, we identify a molecular link between the major photosynthate sucrose, the entry point of carbon into cellar metabolism and a key developmental process, the juvenile-to-adult phase transition.

TRPC1/4/5 channels are non-specific cation channels implicated in a wide variety of diseases, and TRPC1/4/5 inhibitors have recently entered clinical trials. However, fundamental and translational studies require a better understanding of TRPC1/4/5 channel regulation by endogenous and exogenous factors. Although several potent and selective TRPC1/4/5 modulators have been reported, the paucity of mechanistic insights into their modes-of-action remains a barrier to the development of new chemical probes and drug candidates. Xanthine-based modulators include the most potent and selective TRPC1/4/5 inhibitors described to date, as well as TRPC5 activators. Our previous studies suggest that xanthines interact with a, so far, elusive pocket of TRPC1/4/5 channels that is essential to channel gating. Here we report the structure of a small-molecule-bound TRPC1/4/5 channel—human TRPC5 in complex with the xanthine Pico145—to 3.0 Å. We found that Pico145 binds to a conserved lipid binding site of TRPC5, where it displaces a bound phospholipid. Our findings explain the mode-of-action of xanthine-based TRPC1/4/5 modulators, and suggest a structural basis for TRPC1/4/5 modulation by endogenous factors such as (phospho)lipids and Zn2+ ions. These studies lay the foundations for the structure-based design of new generations of TRPC1/4/5 modulators., Wright et al. report the first structure of a human TRPC1/4/5 channel in complex with a xanthine-based TRPC5 inhibitor Pico145. They find that Pico145 binds to a conserved lipid binding site of TRPC5, where it displaces a phospholipid. This study provides insights into the mechanism-of-action of xanthine-based TRPC1/4/5 modulators.

Introduction: Occupational contact dermatitis can be interpreted as a health problem on the skin caused by exogenous and endogenous factors related to work. Electroplating is one of high-risk jobs that caused occupational contact dermatitis because of direct contact with chemicals during working. In addition, contact dermatitis is also affected by individual factors of each worker. This research purpose was to identify the relationship among endogenous factors and the occupational contact dermatitis case in metal coating workers in home industry. Method: The research design used was observational with a cross sectional approach. The total population was used as the sampling technique in this study with a total of 28 workers from two metal coating industries in Durungbanjar Village consisting 13 workers from CV. M and 15 workers from CV. N. The data were obtained from the survey, sighting, and medical record notes. Variables from the study included age, working period, history of illness, and personal hygiene. The data were processed using the coefficient contingency test. Result: There were 64.3% of electroplating workers experienced contact dermatitis. The age aspect has a weak relationship (c = 0.295), the working period element has a weak relationship (c = 0.298), the disease history factor has a weak relationship (c = 0.352) and the individual hygiene factor has a strong relationship (c = 0.547). Conclusion: The endogenous factors including age, working period, history of disease, and personal hygiene affect contact dermatitis case. There is a strong relationship between personal hygiene and contact dermatitis cases in metal coating workers. The worse personal hygiene of the workers, the higher risk of workers experiencing contact dermatitis. Age, working period, and history of disease had weak relationship with contact dermatitis case.Keywords: contact dermatitis, endogenous factors, metal coatings

Aims Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) are sugar modified adducts which arise during non-enzymatic glycoxidative stress. These compounds may become systemically elevated in disease states, and accumulate in tissue, especially on long-lived proteins. AGEs have been implicated in various acute, and chronic diseases, stressing the need for reliable and comprehensive measuring techniques. Measurement of AGEs in tissue such as skin requires skin biopsies, which is an invasive procedure. The AGE Reader has been developed to assess skin autofluorescence (SAF) non-invasively by the fluorescent properties of several AGEs. Results/Conclusion Various studies have shown that SAF is a useful marker of disease processes associated with oxidative stress. It is prospectively associated with development of cardiovascular events in patients with diabetes, renal or cardiovascular disease, and it predicts diabetes, cardiovascular disease and mortality in the general population. However, when measuring SAF in individual subjects, several factors may limit the reliability of the measurement, and hamper its use as a systemic biomarker for AGEs. These include endogenous factors present in the skin that absorb emission light such as melanin in dark-skinned subjects, but also factors that lead to temporal changes in SAF such as acute diseases and strenuous physical exercise associated with glycoxidative stress. Also, exogenous factors could potentially influence SAF levels inadvertently such as nutrition, and for example the application of skin care products. This review will give an overview of the AGE Reader functionality and the intrinsic, and exogenous factors which potentially influence the SAF assessment in individual subjects.

This study looks at the educational experiences, from the preschool years to advanced professional training in STEM fields, of a targeted sample of 10 (7 male, 3 female) early college entrants in China who later became professors at prestigious USA research universities. The purpose of the study was to find out (1) what some identifiable endogenous factors were about these individuals that facilitated the success of their accelerated learning and development, (2) what kinds of exogenous factors (e.g., environmental opportunities, resources, support) they experienced from childhood to adulthood that enhanced the successful acceleration experience, and (3) how these endogenous and exogenous factors facilitated their developmental transitions every step of the way, especially from the role of a student to that of an aspiring scientist. These questions are addressed in light of evolving complexity theory. Retrospective interviews were used for data collection. Thematic analysis of the codes from interview data yielded a conceptual map. A distinct set of endogenous and exogenous factors at different developmental junctures were identified, and their dynamic interplay was delineated to account for accelerated trajectories toward a scientific research career. The theoretical significance and practical implications of the study for talent development in science are discussed.

peer-reviewed Research has been consistently showing the role of zinc (Zn) in prostate function. In this article, we review the current literature on the anatomy and main functions of the prostate, highlighting the role of zinc. In particular, we will review the etiology of benign prostate enlargement (BPH), its prevalence in men over 50, the likelihood of BPH becoming prostate cancer (PCa), and explain the relationship of zinc and apoptosis in the prostate cells and the implications for BPH and PCa. We present a model that explains how endogenous factors provoke excretion of zinc or limit zinc absorption, and how exogenous factors like nutrition and drugs regularly used in men over 50 can significantly decrease zinc status and thereby increase the risk of BPH. Finally, we explain how Zn amino acid (AA) complexes may be capable of avoiding antagonists and inhibitors of zinc absorption, thereby increasing the bioavailability of zinc for the necessary biological processes in the prostate.

The article discusses the structure and levels of factors that affect the viability of an enterprise in terms of a systematic approach. The study of the influence of external and internal environmental factors on the viability of enterprises in the transport and logistics sphere is important both in theory and in practical terms. The purpose of the study is to improve the theoretical foundations of the formation of a system of exogenous and endogenous factors of influence on the viability of the enterprise from the standpoint of their specific impact. The main sub-environments that form the external business environment of the enterprise based on field theory are identified. The structure of the interacting fields of the enterprise and the types of environments surrounding the enterprise are proposed. The external environment is also divided into micro- and macro-environments, which form the fields of interaction of conditions and factors of influence on the enterprise. The main groups of exogenous factors are identified according to each field. Exogenous factors are divided by levels of formation: international, national and regional. On this basis, a six-level model of the influence of exogenous factors on the viability of the enterprise is proposed. This model can be used to identify key factors in managing the viability of an enterprise. The article identifies the groups of endogenous factors. According to the directional influence of the factors of the external and internal environment, it is proposed to divide all factors into three main types: favorable, unfavorable, indifferent. On this basis, a system of factors of the external and internal environment that influence ensuring the viability of the enterprise is formed. The results of the interaction of exogenous and endogenous factors of the enterprise with the generalized formular algorithms that allow to describe the conditions under which the enterprise is destroyed, survives and develops are presented. A multilevel model of the enterprise viability factor system can be applied to any enterprise or organization. The proposed theoretical frameworks allow us to reconcile the influence of external and internal environmental factors on the viability of the enterprise and to create their structure, determine the levels of influence., В статье рассматриваются структура и уровни факторов, влияющих на жизнеспособность предприятия. Предложена структура взаимодействующих полей предприятия и типы сред, окружающих предприятие на основе теории полей. Внешняя среда также разделена на микро- и макросреду, формирующие поля взаимодействия условий и факторов влияния на предприятие. Выделены основные группы экзогенных и эндогенных факторов. Сформирована система факторов внешней и внутренней среды, влияющих на обеспечение жизнеспособности предприятия. Представлены результаты взаимодействия всех факторов внешней и внутренней среды формульными алгоритмами, которые позволяют описать условия, при которых предприятие разрушается, выживает и развивается., В статті розглядаються структура та рівні факторів, що впливають на життєздатність підприємства з точки зору системного підходу. Дослідження впливу чинників зовнішнього і внутрішнього середовища на життєздатність підприємств транспортно-логістичної сфери має важливість як в теоретичному, так і в практичному відношенні. Метою дослідження є удосконалення теоретичних засад формування системи екзогенних та ендогенних факторів впливу на життєздатність підприємства з позиції специфіки їх впливу. На основі теорії полів запропоновано структуру взаємодіючих полів підприємства та типи середовищ, що оточують підприємство. Зовнішнє середовище також поділене на мікро- та макросередовище, які формують поля взаємодії умов та чинників впливу на підприємство. Відповідно до кожного поля виділено основні групи екзогенних факторів. Екзогенні фактори поділено по рівнях формування: міжнародний, національний та регіональний. На цій основі запропоновано шести рівневу модель впливу екзогенних чинників на життєздатність підприємства. Дана модель може бути використана для виявлення ключових чинників при управлінні життєздатністю підприємства. В статті було виділено основні групи ендогенних факторів. Відповідно до спрямованості впливу факторів зовнішнього та внутрішнього середовища, запропоновано поділяти всі чинники на три основних типи: сприятливі, несприятливі, індиферентні. На цій основі сформована система чинників зовнішнього та внутрішнього середовища, що впливають на забезпечення життєздатності підприємства. Представлено результати взаємодії екзогенних та ендогенних факторів підприємства узагальненими формульними алгоритмами, які дозволяють описати умови при яких підприємство руйнується, виживає та розвивається. Багаторівнева модель системи чинників впливу на життєздатність підприємства може застосовуватися для будь-яких підприємств і організацій. Запропоновані теоретичні основи дозволяють узгоджувати вплив факторів зовнішнього і внутрішнього середовищ на життєздатність підприємства та створювати їх певну структуру, визначати рівні впливу

REV-ERB is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily of transcription factors involved in the regulation of many physiological processes, from circadian rhythm, to immune function and metabolism. Accordingly, REV-ERB has been considered as a promising, but difficult drug target for the treatment of numerous diseases. Here, we concisely review current understanding of the function of REV-ERB, modulation by endogenous factors and synthetic ligands, and the involvement of REV-ERB in select human diseases. Particular focus is placed on the medicinal chemistry of synthetic REV-ERB ligands, which demonstrates the need for higher quality ligands to aid in robust validation of this exciting target.

W literaturze przedmiotu relatywnie dużo jest opracowań na temat intencji i zachowań przedsiębiorczych oraz charakterystyk wybranych czynników indywidualnych, a zwłaszcza postaw przedsiębiorczych. Stosunkowo mało miejsca natomiast poświęca się na analizę wszystkich czynników indywidualnych, które pozostają ze sobą w interakcji. Chodzi o wzajemne oddziaływanie na siebie subiektywnych norm, postrzeganej kontroli zachowania oraz postaw przedsiębiorczych. W teorii planowanego zachowania I. Ajzena (1991) stanowią one bazę, a może również granicę intencji przedsiębiorczych, przy czym pozostają jednocześnie pod wpływem uwarunkowań wewnętrznych i zewnętrznych procesu przedsiębiorczego, których zasadnicze zróżnicowanie dotyczy krajowych układów przestrzennych, ale czasem także regionalnych i lokalnych. W świetle powyższego celem artykułu jest identyfikacja czynników indywidualnych kształtujących intencje i zachowania przedsiębiorcze Ukraińców. Za szczególnie istotną przyjęto próbę eksplikacji postaw przedsiębiorczych w kontekście obowiązujących norm społeczno-kulturowych w Ukrainie na tle wybranych państw europejskich. Prezentowane wyniki w różnych układach przestrzennych odzwierciedlają trudną i złożoną sytuację społeczno-gospodarczą i polityczną panującą w Ukrainie, co można tłumaczyć szeregiem czynników egzo- i endogenicznych, w tym silnym zróżnicowaniem kulturowym kraju, kondycją ekonomiczną ukraińskich rodzin oraz stosunkiem obywateli do procesu przedsiębiorczego.

It is known that human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) constitute almost 8% of the human genome. Although the expression of HERVs from the human genome is tightly regulated, different exogenous and endogenous factors could trigger HERV activation. Aberrant expression of different HERVs may potentially cause a variety of diseases such as neurological and autoimmune diseases as well as cancer. It is suggested that HERV-K can induce cancer through different mechanisms that are discussed. The interplay between some tumor viruses and HERV-K seems to be a key player in progression of viral-associated cancers because elevated levels of Rec and Np9 proteins are observed in several cancers. The frequent over expression of HERV proteins and some specific antibodies in cancer cells could be considered as suitable prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers in diagnosis and treatment of cancers. The expression of HERV proteins in cancers and development of immune responses against them may also be used as targets for cancer immunotherapy. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the role of HERVs in cancer formation and use of different HERV proteins in developing new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for cancer treatments.

В обзоре анализируется влияние климатогеографических факторов Севера на адаптивные реакции организма человека с позиций патологической физиологии. Основа адаптационных перестроек организма на Севере заключается в расширении физиологической нормы реакций и референсных пределов отдельных эндокринных и метаболических показателей. При выходе за пределы видовой нормы происходит снижение резервных возможностей организма, что приводит к патологии. Важную роль при этом играют внутригодовые колебания уровня гормонов, связанные с фотопериодикой. Ритмическая организация физиологических процессов имеет приспособительный характер, так как способствует подготовке и адаптации организма к условиям внешней среды в целях сохранения гомеостаза. Сезонные ритмы влияют на структуру и функцию всех систем организма человека. Многие патологические процессы в организме сопровождаются развитием десинхронозов. Рассогласование ритмов функционирования организма сопровождается нарушением исходной хроноструктурной организации физиологических реакций, что приводит не только к изменениям показателей функции эндокринной системы, но и к структурным изменениям в органах. Вопросы, рассмотренные в обзоре, отражают важность учета особенностей климатогеографических факторов Севера, приводящих к возникновению выраженных сдвигов в функционировании и структуре органов. Подтверждением вышесказанному является выявленный нами дисбаланс, в виде парциальной гипоплазии внешнесекреторного аппарата поджелудочной железы на фоне выраженного развития эндокринного компонента железы и стромы, это рассматривается как предпосылка для развития патологии. Анализ литературы показал также, что длительно действующий стрессовый фактор приводит к морфологической перестройке органов с адаптивными модификациями структуры.The review analyzes effects of climatic and geographic factors of the North on adaptive reactions of the human body in terms of pathological physiology and morphology. The aim was to study adaptive reactions of the human body in the north to external factors, which include severe light and cold conditions. Methods. Analysis of current literature on the issue under study. Results. The adaptive rearrangement of the body in the North involves expanding physiological boundaries of individual endocrine and metabolic parameters. Beyond the normal limits of a species, the capacity of body reserve decreases, which may lead to a pathology. Of a great importance are intra-annual fluctuations of hormones associated with the photoperiodism. The rhythmic organization of physiological processes has an adaptive nature as it helps preparing and adapting the body to environmental conditions to maintain its homeostasis. Adaptive changes are known to occur not only at the level of physiological systems but also at the ultrastructural level. Seasonal rhythms affect the structure and function of all systems in the human body. Many pathological processes are associated with development of desynchronosis. Mismatching biorhythms under the action of exogenous or endogenous factors is accompanied by disorders in the original chronostructural organization of physiological functions, which may leads not only to endocrine shifts but also to structural changes in organs. The review addresses the importance of taking into account the features of climatic and geographical factors of the North, which may induce pronounced changes in the structure and function of organs. The above-said is supported by the established imbalance evident as partial hypoplasia of the pancreatic exocrine apparatus associated with a pronounced endocrine component of the gland and stroma. These disorders are considered a prerequisite for development of abnormalities and may underlie congenital pancreatic pathology, such as fibrosis and diabetes. Conclusion. Long-acting stress factors lead to morphological rearrangements of organs and adaptive modifications of their structure.

There has long been anecdotal evidence of early labor and delivery in severe weather events leading to preterm birth. In particular, significant barometric pressure changes are associated with hurricanes and bomb cyclones. Some authors have related these low pressure weather events to premature rupture of fetal membranes, hypothesizing that the membranes act as an inflated balloon and respond directly to pressure changes. In this article, the key literature including data supporting this hypothesis is reviewed. A simple numerical model, based on a competition between the driving and resisting forces for fetal membrane rupture, is presented. This model provides a quantitative mechanism for membrane failure in the context of storms with low atmospheric pressure. Other sequelae of severe storms that are unrelated to fetal membrane rupture are also discussed. Labor and delivery in the context of major weather events should be understood in a holistic framework that includes both exogenous and endogenous factors relevant to the pregnant patient.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a sexually dimorphic disease that for unknown reasons affects women more than men. The role of estrogens, both endogenous and exogenous, and reproductive factors in this female susceptibility is still poorly understood. It has been strongly suggested that sex hormones may influence the development and progression of the disease. We sought to determine whether sex hormone exposures and reproductive factors associate with PAH patients compared to control subjects, using a questionnaire and interview to obtain information regarding these potential risk factors. We conducted a single-center unmatched case-control study. Six hundred and thirty-four women and men with PAH, as well as 27 subjects with BMPR2 mutations but no PAH and 132 healthy population controls were enrolled from the Vanderbilt Pulmonary Hypertension Research Cohort and researchmatch.org. Questionnaires and nurse-led interviews were conducted to obtain information regarding sex hormone exposures and reproductive factors. Additional history was obtained on enrolled patients including disease severity variables and comorbidities. Responses to the questionnaires were analyzed to describe these exposures in this population as well as assess the association between disease severity variables and sex hormone exposures. Reproductive and endogenous factors that determine lifelong estrogen exposure were similar between PAH cases and controls. Patients with associated PAH were significantly more likely to be postmenopausal compared to controls. There were similar rates of "ever-use" and duration of use of oral contraceptive pills and hormone replacement therapy in patients when compared to controls. Disease severity variables were not significantly affected by any exposure after adjusting for PAH sub-group. In contrast to our hypothesis, that a greater exposure to exogenous sources of female sex hormones associates with PAH case status, we found similar rates of endogenous and exogenous sex hormone exposure between PAH patients and unmatched controls.

Objectives Assess all risk factors of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in pregnancy and puerperium. Methods Different guidelines for VTE prevention have been analyzed. Results Various recommendations have appeared for practitioners during the last 10–15 years on the basis of the risk factors analysis in order to prevent VTE in pregnant women more effectively. Nevertheless, none of these recommendations can yet take into account all risk factors, although convenient scoring systems have emerged for risk assessment and clear recommendations on anti-thrombotic prophylaxis regimens in risk groups in recent years. Conclusions VTE is the third most common cause of death on Earth after myocardial infarctions and strokes, according to the World Health Organization. Pregnancy is a unique condition of woman, when enormous changes occur in functioning of the most important systems of homeostasis in a relatively short time. These are physiological hypercoagulation, slowing of blood flow, increase in circulating blood volume, etc. However, while being physiological, these changes increase the risks of venous thromboembolism by almost six times. In some cases, there appears an imbalance or dissociation between the functioning of natural antithrombotic systems and the activation of coagulation as a consequence of genetically or acquired determined causes (genetic thrombophilia, antiphospholipid syndrome, comorbidities, obstetric complications and other exogenous and endogenous factors). Accordingly, identification of risk factors, their systematization, and determination of VTE risks in pregnancy and puerperium is one of the most important tasks of clinical medicine. This article will review historical understanding of thrombosis in pregnant women, progress in understanding VTE risk factors in pregnant women, and available reserves in identifying new risk factors during pregnancy and puerperium in order to stratify risks more efficiently.

Animal behaviour can affect individual fitness and is influenced by exogenous and endogenous factors. Here, we investigated how light (daylight length and moonlight), weather (precipitation and temperature), age, sex and social status affected activity and movement of a semiaquatic mammal, the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber), using GPS relocation data from 47 individuals in south-eastern Norway. Independent of daylight length, beavers had a mean daily activity time of 9:42 h and reduced their activity periods when they were older, most likely due to senescence. In line with this, older individuals also spent less time in water and moved shorter distances. Furthermore, beavers reduced their activity periods in drier weather conditions and spent less time on land during brighter nights and drier conditions, indicating a predation risk avoidance strategy. Individuals spent less time in the water during the colder parts of the year and moved shorter distances with decreasing temperature, suggesting thermal constraints. Our study adds to the increasing amount of evidence that animal behaviour is modulated by various endogenous and exogenous factors, and that weather conditions can affect their behaviour. It remains to be tested, however, how climate variability together with hunting and predation pressure affect space use and demography in species such as the Eurasian beaver.

Gut microbiota are known to impact multiple organs including the lung. The cross talk between gut microbes and lungs, termed as the “gut–lung axis,” is vital for immune response and homeostasis in the airways. In this chapter, we summarized the coordinated development of microorganisms in the gut and lung, exogenous and endogenous factors related to the cross talk, the mechanisms of the gut–lung axis and their dysbiosis in lung diseases. Although the current understanding of the gut–lung axis is in its infancy, several gut microbiota-associated strategies have been designed to treat and prevent lung diseases.

International audience; The spatial and temporal distributions of plant hormones during tree-ring formation are beginning to be elucidated. Plant hormones play specific roles in tree-ring formation depending on the developmental zone in which they operate. Tree rings are the result of the seasonal activity of the vascular cambium, the secondary meristem of woody angiosperms and gymnosperms. During tree-ring formation, a combination of endogenous and environmental factors affects cambial division, cell differentiation and maturation; this, in turn, affects wood quantity and quality. Among the endogenous factors affecting tree-ring formation, plant hormones are recognized as determinant players in regulating many aspects of the features and fate of each xylem cell. Most of our knowledge regarding the roles of plant hormones on tree-ring formation comes from herbaceous plants, although an increasing interest involves the analysis of the hormonal patterns in tree-species. This paper reviews the state of knowledge of the role of plant hormones during tree-ring formation by focusing on experiments performed on woody species. An overview of the main plant hormones and their main activities during radial tree growth will be followed by discussion of their role in each tree-ring developmental stage and in the overall tree-ring seasonal pattern.

В статье освещается прогноз социально-экономического и устойчивого развития сферы услуг в Хорезмской области. Для этого, используются модели многомерных временных рядов, такие как ARIMA и VAR. Результаты показали что Модель VAR более адекватна, чем ARIMA, при анализе и прогнозировании социально-экономического и устойчивого развития сферы услуг в Хорезмской области., The article highlights to forecast socio-economic and sustainable development of service sphere in Khorezm region. For it, multivariate time series models such as ARIMA and VAR are used. Results showed that VAR model is more adequate than ARIMA in analyzing and forecasting of socio-economic and sustainabledevelopment of services sphere in Khorezm region., Экономика и предпринимательство, Выпуск 6 (119) 2020

Skin aging is determined by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. In the first case, the skin exhibits progressive, time-dependent deterioration signs, determined by endogenous factors. This process may also be induced or intensified by environmental factors, such as pollution, smoking, and sun exposure, which are extrinsic factors. Over time, molecular changes trigger organic alterations that, ultimately, lead to aging. With the increased life expectancy, the study of organic processes has been stimulated, with the purpose of minimizing aging effects.

Seasonal breeding in buffalo is influenced by exogenous (photoperiod, climate, nutrition, management) and endogenous (hormones, genotype) factors. Buffalo are negatively photoperiodic and show a natural increase in fertility during decreasing day length. The hormone melatonin is produced by the pineal gland and has a fundamental role in photoperiodic time measurement within the brain. This drives annual cycles of gonadotropin secretion and gonadal function in buffaloes. Some melatonin is released into the systemic circulation and, together with peripherally produced melatonin, acts at somatic tissues. In the ovaries and testes of buffalo, melatonin acts as an antioxidant and scavenges oxygen free radicals to reduce both oxidative stress and apoptosis. This has beneficial effects on gametogenesis and steroidogenesis. Female buffalo treated with melatonin show an improved response to estrus synchronization protocols in out-of-season breeding. Melatonin acts through melatonin receptors MT1 and MT2 and the gene for MT1 (MTNR1A) is polymorphic in buffaloes. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in gene MTNR1A have been associated with fertility in female buffalo. The knowledge and tools are available to lift the reproductive performance of buffalo. This is highly important as the global demand for nutritious buffalo food products has undergone a sharp rise, and continues to grow. Buffalo can make an important contribution to affordable, nutritious animal protein. This will help address global nutritional security.

Предприятия малого и среднего предпринимательства являются драйвером экономического развития любой макросистемы, а в условиях смены парадигмы технологического развития именно инновации становятся основным фактором успешного функционирования субъектов малого и среднего бизнеса. Таким образом, проблема анализа инновационного поведения предприятий малого и среднего бизнеса становится актуальнейшей экономической задачей. Целями данного исследования являются анализ инновационного поведения субъектов малого и среднего предпринимательства старопромышленного региона, оценка уровня финансирования инновационной деятельности, выявление факторов, определяющих инновационную политику малого и среднего предпринимательства, и предложение возможных мер по стимулированию инновационного развития субъектов малого и среднего предпринимательства со стороны государственных и муниципальных органов власти. Исходными данными явились результаты опроса представителей субъектов малого и среднего предпринимательства проводился с мая по сентябрь 2019 г. в Российской Федерации на территории одного из старопромышленных регионов РФ - Свердловской области. Было проинтервьюировано 157 руководителей предприятий, относящихся к малому и среднему предпринимательству старопромышленного региона, представляющих различные отрасли экономической деятельности. В ходе исследования использовались следующие методы: углубленные интервью руководителей, экономико-статистический метод исследования и формально-логический системный подход. В результате проведенных исследований автором были выделены характерные черты инновационного поведения малых и средних фирм Свердловской области. Определены причины низкой инновационной активности предприятий, на основе анализа которых автором разработаны рекомендации фирмам малого и среднего бизнеса старопромышленного региона по повышению активности своего инновационного поведения. С целью решения проблемы низкой инновационности малого и среднего бизнеса старопромышленного региона автор предложил ряд мер по стимулированию инновационной активности предприятий малого и среднего бизнеса органами государственного и муниципального управления. Результаты проведенного исследования могут использоваться руководителями малых и средних предприятий при разработке планов повышения активности возглавляемых ими предприятий, а органами государственной и муниципальной власти - при разработке программ по стимулированию инновационного поведения предприятий малого и среднего бизнеса. В дальнейших исследованиях автор предполагает построение институциональной прогнозной модели развития инновационной активности предприятий малого и среднего предпринимательства. Small and medium-sized enterprises are the drivers of economic development of any macro-system. In the context of technological paradigm shift, successful operation of small and medium-sized enterprises largely depends on innovations. Therefore, it is advisable to examine innovative behaviour of these firms. The study aims to analyse the innovative behaviour of small and medium-sized enterprises of an industrial region, assess the funding of innovation activities, and identify factors that determine the innovation policy of small and medium-sized firms. Additionally, the paper suggests how state and municipal authorities can stimulate the innovative development of small and medium-sized enterprises. The initial data were the results of a survey of representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises in a Russian industrial region, which was conducted from May to September 2019 in the Sverdlovsk region. I interviewed 157 small and medium-sized enterprise managers in the Sverdlovsk region from various sectors of economic activity. The applied methods include in-depth interviews with managers, the statistical analysis method, and the logical systematic approach. The conducted research allowed identifying the features of the innovative behaviour of small and medium-sized firms in the Sverdlovsk region. Based on the analysis of the reasons for the low innovation activity of small and medium-sized enterprises, I developed recommendations for its improvement in the Sverdlovsk region. To solve the problem of low innovation activity in an industrial region, it is necessary for state and municipal authorities to stimulate innovative behaviour of small and medium-sized firms. Managers of small and medium-sized enterprises can use the obtained results to increase their activity. State and municipal authorities can apply the findings to develop programmes stimulating innovative behaviour of small and medium-sized enterprises. Исследование выполнено в соответствии с Планом НИР Института экономики УрО РАН на 2020 год. The article has been prepared in accordance with the plan of Institute of Economics of the Ural Branch of RAS for 2020.

Productivity and economic growth are key factors to maintain and improve the competitiveness of nations in the global market. The paper analyzes the impact of changes in labour productivity and its effect on the nation’s global competitiveness. The research focuses on the European Union countries and Ukraine that experienced the most severe crisis and afterwards the most rapid recovery in the post-crisis period. At the national level, sufficient productivity dynamics are supported by high levels of market competition, broad investment opportunities, and investment promotion. At the same time, the constant acceleration of the action and volatility of exogenous factors of economic development, qualitative transformations of endogenous factors determine the relevance of constant monitoring of the state of productivity and forecasting it for the medium and long-term periods.

В представленной статье автор рассматривает развитие медицины в двадцатом веке как фактор, который существенным образом изменил заболеваемость, а с ней и смертность населения Среднего Поволжья. Появление пенициллина и стрептомицина, массовые прививочные кампании и пропаганда здорового труда и быта, борьба с переносчиками заболеваний и успехи медицинской науки, рост числа врачей и больничных коек на душу населения и доступная бесплатная медицинская помощь – все это привело к значительному уменьшению числа опасных эпидемий в стране. Не обошли данные процессы и городское население Среднего Поволжья. До единичных случаев снижается заболеваемость полиомиелитом и малярией, сибирской язвой и туляремией, чумой и дифтерией, натуральной оспой и холерой, в разы уменьшилась заболеваемость тифом и дизентерией, что привело к сдвигу в структуре смертности населения региона, экзогенные факторы смертности уступают место эндогенным. Смещение заболеваемости в сторону новообразований и сердечно-сосудистых заболеваний – это тоже тенденция времени. И именно произошедший во второй половине XX века процесс «эпидемического перехода» как части перехода демографического определяет современные тенденции заболеваемости и смертности населения региона., In the paper the author considers the development of medicine in the twentieth century as a factor that significantly changed the morbidity and mortality of the population of the Middle Volga region. The emergence of penicillin and streptomycin, mass vaccination campaigns and promotion of healthy work and life, vector control and advances in medical science, an increase in the number of doctors and hospital beds per capita and affordable free medical care led to a significant reduction in the number of dangerous epidemics in the country. The urban population of the Middle Volga region faced these processes, too. Cases of polio and malaria, anthrax and tularemia, plague and diphtheria, smallpox and cholera were reduced to a few ones, cases of typhus and dysentery decreased significantly, which inevitably led to a shift in the structure of mortality in the region, exogenous mortality factors gave way to endogenous ones. The shift of morbidity towards neoplasm’s and cardiovascular diseases was also a trend of the time. And it was the process of «epidemic transition» that occurred in the second half of the last century, as part of the demographic transition, that determined the current trends in morbidity and mortality of the region’s population.

Contact dermatitis cannot develop without exposure to substances in the environment. Conversely, only a part of individuals exposed to the same exogenous stimulus develop contact dermatitis, allergic or irritant. In addition, several cofactors are involved. Hence, the notion of a complex disease, with probably many genes and many environmental factors contributing to the observed phenotypes. There has been a lack of conclusive results in the study of the genetics of allergic and irritant contact dermatitis, and even more, a complete ignorance of the interplay between endogenous factors of individual susceptibility and exposure to noxious agents. In some instances, the environmental factor may override any genetic predisposition. In others, the genetic factor may prevail, with the consequence that the disease is confined to a specific subpopulation, the “noxious agent” doing no harm to the vast majority of people. The endogenous aspects of contact dermatitis and genetics and predisposition related to certain phenotypes are the focus of this chapter.

The most relevant aspects related to flowering, fruit set, and fruit development are reviewed in this chapter. In relation to flowering, special attention has been paid to the genetic, environmental aspects, particularly temperature and water stress, and to the endogenous factors, such as the nutritional status of the plant and the influence of the fruit as a decisive factor in alternate bearing. The main cultural practices to both reduce and increase flowering intensity are also reviewed. Fertilization and parthenocarpy are studied from an environmental, hormonal, and nutritional point of view, paying special attention to the competition phenomena between developing fruits, as a decisive factor in fruit setting and final fruit size. We also review the endogenous factors related to these processes and the most effective cultural practices to increase fruit set (the application of GA3 and girdling branches) and the final fruit size (the application of synthetic auxins). This chapter ends with the study of seed development.

Despite the important role of the thyroid gland in regulating the functions of the body, the gland is quite sensitive to the adverse effects of various factors on the body. The purpose of the work is to analyze modern sources of scientific literature devoted to the study of the influence of exo- and endogenous factors on the morpho-functional properties of the thyroid gland. Literary data on the influence on the thyroid gland of various environmental chemicals, insufficient or excessive consumption of iodine and selenium, vitamin D deficiency, exposure to pharmaceuticals, smoking, environmental temperature, irradiation, infections, stress, as well as factors of the internal environment, such as atherosclerosis and pregnancy. There are a small number of modern scientific studies concerning the influence on the structure and function of the thyroid gland consequences of thermal injury of the skin.

Flowering is an important stage in the life cycle of plants and also a turning point from vegetative growth to reproductive growth. This process is affected by many exogenous and endogenous factors. Some examples of the latter are endogenous hormones, plant growth status, nutrient composition, and flowering regulatory genes. Many gymnosperms have a long juvenile period. Previous studies attempted to shorten this period using traditional asexual propagation methods, but significant results have not been achieved. In recent years, molecular biology is used to study the flowering regulatory gene to obtain transgenic plants with early flowering trait. Thus, the production of gymnosperms is hastened, and economic efficiency is improved. Studies have shown that the flowering genes of plants act synergistically to form a complex network. In this paper, we reviewed the recent development in the study of the regulation of the flowering genes of gymnosperms, that is, from the floral meristem-specific gene, floral organ-specific gene, genes that inhibit plant flowering, and microRNA regulation of flowering. We provide a reference for the in-depth study on the genetic improvement of the flowering gene.

Reports of the increasing incidence of male infertility paired with decreasing semen quality have triggered studies on the effects of lifestyle and environmental factors on the male reproductive potential. There are numerous exogenous and endogenous factors that are able to induce excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) beyond that of cellular antioxidant capacity, thus causing oxidative stress. In turn, oxidative stress negatively affects male reproductive functions and may induce infertility either directly or indirectly by affecting the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and/or disrupting its crosstalk with other hormonal axes. This review discusses the important exogenous and endogenous factors leading to the generation of ROS in different parts of the male reproductive tract. It also highlights the negative impact of oxidative stress on the regulation and cross-talk between the reproductive hormones. It further describes the mechanism of ROS-induced derangement of male reproductive hormonal profiles that could ultimately lead to male infertility. An understanding of the disruptive effects of ROS on male reproductive hormones would encourage further investigations directed towards the prevention of ROS-mediated hormonal imbalances, which in turn could help in the management of male infertility.

Understanding the determinants of price volatility is a key step to prevent potential negative consequences of to the uncertainty faced by farmers. Our critical provides a novel categorization of grain price volatility drivers. We distinguish endogenous and exogenous causes and conclude on the potential effects that each of identified factors may generate on price dynamics. In particular, we deepen on the contribution of endogenous factors such as spatial and temporal arbitrage, as well as drivers of shocks of demand and supply.

The positive effect of the functioning of credit rating agencies (CRAs) increases only if they are focused on maximizing information quality of ratings. Instead, CRAs’ reorientation to the maximization of profits in the short term can generate significant negative externalities. One of the key reasons for shifting of outlined focus could be conflicts of interest, generated by the influence of exogenous and endogenous factors. Given that the possibility of rapid and effective reduction of exogenous factors’ influence is significantly limited, the study of endogenous sources of conflicts of interest becomes relevant for their further localization and elimination. The paper identifies that the main endogenous sources of conflicts of interest could be localized both at the corporate, and operational levels of CRAs’ functioning. At the corporate level conflicts of interest are usually generated due to the existence of significant pitfalls in the models of ownership, business and financial activities, transparency, corporate governance and organizational structures of CRAs. In turn, at the operational (analyst) level the main sources of conflicts of interest are the violation of the principle of the independence of analysts and other employees of CRAs, as well as their personal interest in the manipulation with ratings. Taking into account the specifics of outlined endogenous sources in their interconnection will contribute to designing of a comprehensive system of preventive and reactive tools to manage conflicts of interest by the owners, managers, and regulators of CRAs.

The epidemiological studies have shown an increase of congenital heart diseases in the industrial regions of the Russian Federation. The etiology and pathogenesis of most congenital heart defects are still unknown despite high achievements in cardiology and cardiac surgery. The purpose of this review is to analyze the literature data devoted to the influence of a complex of exogenous and endogenous factors, including the genetic ones, upon the development of the sporadic congenital heart diseases, which are not associated with the chromosomal abnormalities. It isshown that the sporadic congenital heart diseases associate with the women's social factors such as a low social status and level of education, smoking, and alcohol. The air pollution with nanoparticles smaller than 10 µm is a risk factor for the development of the congenital heart diseases and other pathological conditions of the cardiovascular system. It has been proven that the alleles and genotypes of polymorphic variants of genes GATA6, NPPB (rs198388 and rs198389), CYP1A1, CYP1B1, and NAT2 have the associative links with the congenital heart disease in the children.

The constant interplay between environment (including both exogenous and endogenous factors) and epigenome (defined as the combination of chromatin, its covalent modifications and noncoding RNAs) triggers epigenetic events that, by modulating gene expression, capture information about changes in the environment. In this mini review, we will focus on the neurodevelopmental implications of exposure to adverse prenatal milieu with emphasis on mechanistic and functional aspects. Several neurotoxic insults have been shown to affect epigenetics with negative consequences on the development of the nervous system; among them are methylmercury, lead, arsenic and cadmium, as well as excess of glucocorticoids. Further investigations on the individual susceptibility to epigenetic changes are needed to propose and validate such modifications as possible biomarkers for early identification of neurological/neurodevelopmental disorders and for predicting/monitoring response to treatment.

A psoríase é uma dermatose inflamatória crónica frequente com elevado impacto na qualidade de vida dos doentes. Diversos fatores exógenos e endógenos têm sido implicados na sua etiopatogénese, nomeadamente determinados distúrbios endócrinos. Estudos prévios têm demonstrado que as hormonas tiroideias podem estar implicadas na fisiopatologia da psoríase. Neste artigo será feita uma revisão do papel das hormonas tiroideias na psoríase assim como da evidência científica atual sobre uma possível associação entre psoríase e disfunção tiroideia.

Late arrival on the breeding grounds has been associated with reduced fitness in migratory birds. Because migratory stopover accounts for the majority of time spent on migration, how individuals respond to both exogenous and endogenous factors associated with stopover will influence the pace of migration and arrival timing on the breeding grounds. Among the most important endogenous factors, body condition (i.e. fat stores) is expected to influence both movement behavior and departure decisions of individual migrants during stopover. In a novel experiment, we manipulated the condition of after-second-year (adult) male American Redstarts (Setophaga ruticilla) captured during spring migratory stopover and radio-tracked all individuals after release using a passive automated telemetry array and conventional hand tracking. After accounting for the positive effect of tailwind and capture date on departure probability, we demonstrated that body condition influenced both the movement behavior of individ...