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When solving several research problems, the need arises for reactor testing of non-standard objects. The IVV-2M reactor is a pool, heterogeneous, light-water reactor. The 500 mm-high reactor core comprises six sections of six fuel assemblies (FA) with central water traps and a water trap in the center of the core. The personnel of INM JSC were tasked with testing an object whose length exceeded the height of the IVV-2M reactor core. A non-standard core layout was developed with six sections of seven fuel assemblies to accomplish this task.. The test object is located in the center of the core, surrounded by special aluminum blocks. Several fuel assemblies are installed on special supports, which allow the fuel assemblies to be installed 200 mm higher. Shim rods have been moved to the center of the sections. The safety of the developed arrangement was confirmed by neutron-physical calculations using the certified MCU-PTR software tool. Calculations have shown that the maximum maximum power in the fuel assembly is 236 kW, which is 50% less than the permissible value. To confirm the safety of the layout and ensure the required test conditions, tests of a mock-up of the object were carried out. The efficiency of the control members was experimentally determined. The overall efficiency of the control members was 4.85% ∆k/k, the physical weight of the object was 1.46% ∆k/k. Based on the requirements of the Nuclear Safety Rules for Research Reactors, the test duration is no more than three days. The distribution of neutron flux density over the height of the core was determined using indium neutron activation detectors. The developed design solutions made it possible to form a unique IVV-2M reactor core layout for testing objects exceeding its height.. Neutron-physical calculations and tests of the irradiated device mock-up confirmed the safety and performance of this core arrangement.

In the present paper, the research of the processes of mixture formation is carried out using the method of transportation of light petroleum products — sequential pumping by direct contact. Modeling of the processes of mixture formation is carried out taking into account the influence of parametric factors. This paper is based on a previously published work on non-isothermal pumping of petroleum products in a pipeline. It is also worth noting that in this work, a mathematical model has been finalized to consider the increase in accuracy, namely, accounting in a telescopic pipeline. To perform numerical simulation, a software package was developed that is capable of not only modeling and calculating the parameters of the petroleum product pipeline operation in real time, followed by graphical visualization, but also comparing the obtained data with the real data processed by operators at industrial facilities.

Nutritional supplements are often used by athletes to support their performance. However, if there is no nutrient deficiency, supplementation may not improve performance and may even have a detrimental effect on both performance and health. The aim of this study was to review the influence of sodium nitrite (NaNO2) and zinc (Zn) on the hemorheological status of different types of blood cells with application in sports. Sodium nitrite, known as food preservative E250, and zinc are proven modulators of the biomechanical properties of blood, influencing its hematometric and hemorheological properties. Our previous experimental results demonstrated that intraperitoneal injection of NaNO2 in mature rats had a diverse effect on the leukocyte and platelet populations. After the treatment, the number of monocytes and granulocytes decreased significantly, thus increasing the susceptibility to infections. The number of platelets increased, altering the coagulation status of blood. Scientific research data show that the proper intake of NaNO2 and Zn improves glucose metabolism, a key factor in maintaining energy levels during physical activity, muscle strength, and endurance. Zn also exhibits protective effects against bone loss. Excessive intake of zinc for long periods may interfere with other essential elements of metabolism. This review proves that hemorheological parameters such as whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, as well as the main hematometric indices are suitable quantitative biological markers for monitoring nitrite and/or zinc supplementation.

Background:. Tranexamic acid has been increasingly used in facial plastic surgery to improve perioperative hemostasis. While subcutaneous tranexamic acid has been found to not significantly decrease postoperative ecchymoses following upper blepharoplasty, systemic administration has not previously been studied. Methods:. A total of 325 patients undergoing upper blepharoplasty were randomly assigned to either receive intravenous tranexamic acid or serve as a control. Patients in the experimental group were administered 1 g of tranexamic acid intravenously 10 minutes before surgical incision. A similar upper blepharoplasty technique was performed by two American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery-trained surgeons. Follow-up was conducted at a median of 8 days postsurgery. Patient photographs were evaluated by two independent graders to rate ecchymoses on a scale of 0 (least) to 10 (most). Results:. Of the 325 included patients, 138 patients received intravenous tranexamic acid and 187 patients did not. The average ecchymosis rating for the control group at day 8 was 5.8 ± 1.7, while the average rating for the tranexamic acid group at the same time point was 4.1 ± 1.6 (P < 0.0001). There was a trend toward decreased ecchymoses in the tranexamic acid group at earlier and later postoperative timepoints that did not reach statistical significance. No hemorrhagic or systemic embolic complications occurred. Conclusions:. Systemic tranexamic acid may reduce postoperative ecchymoses after upper blepharoplasty surgery, reaching significance at the eighth postoperative day, which may lead to improved patient satisfaction and decreased occupational downtime.

Abstract The mosquito species Aedes aegypti (L.) is known to act as a vector in the transmission of various diseases, including dengue fever and yellow fever. The use of insect repellents is one of precautionary measures used to mitigate the risk of these diseases in humans by reducing mosquito biting. Nepetalactone, a potent natural insect repellent primarily found in catnip (Nepeta cataria) essential oil, has emerged as a promising candidate for mosquito repellence. Here, we evaluated the potential of catnip essential oil (> 95% nepetalactone) for use as a mosquito repellent. Using a Y-tube olfactometer and human hands as an attractant, we analysed the effectiveness of catnip oil at repelling the mosquito species Aedes aegypti. We tested a range of dilutions of catnip essential oil and found that concentrations as low as 2% were effective at repelling > 70% of mosquitoes for between one and four hours after repellent application. These findings suggest that nepetalactone could potentially be used as a natural, effective alternative to synthetic mosquito repellents, thereby offering protection against vector-borne diseases.

Tribological properties of TiN and CrN coatings deposited by cathodic arc method at three different bias potentials -50, -150 and -300V on Ti-6Al-4V alloy in pair with alumina have been investigated. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that single-phase textured cubic nitrides of TiN and CrN were formed in these coatings. It is shown that the friction coefficient of the coatings is practically equal to that established for the Ti6Al4V alloy, but the wear rate is more than an order of magnitude lower than for the titanium alloy substrate. Coatings deposited at a potential of -50 V show optimal tribological properties at temperatures 20 and 500°C. Friction coefficients for TiN coatings are 0.4-0.8 at 20°C and 0,75 at 500°C; for CrN coatings they are 0.5 at 20°C and 0,7 at 500°C. Wear rates for TiN coatings are 0.86·10-5 мм3/Нм at 20°C and 3.56·10-5 мм3/Нм at 500°C; for CrN coatings they are 1.43·10-5 мм3/Нм at 20°C and 7.13·10-5 мм3/Нм at 500°C.

The suburban area of St. Petersburg stands out as Russia’s most complex in terms of spatial structure, encompassing districts ranging from the suburban imperial residences of the 18th century to low-rise residential zones and modern multi-storey developments of the 21st century. This study concluded that extensive stretches of the administrative border between St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region divide homogeneous territories. Therefore, it makes little academic or practical sense to confine scholarly efforts solely to suburbs situated on one side of this border. The principal factor in delineating the St. Petersburg urban area is the transport accessibility of territories surrounding the city. It was empirically determined that the inner boundary of the suburban area is located approximately within the 40—45-minute isochrone from the city centre, while the outer boundary extends to the 2-hour isochrone. In the conditions of today’s St. Petersburg, a two-hour isochrone corresponds to a 60 km distance. Along with isochrones, the actual boundary of the suburban area is determined by several natural and anthropogenic factors. In terms of the natural environment, a significant part of the St. Petersburg suburban area is anthropogenic forest-steppe, whose landscapes are radically different from those of the area’s natural southern taiga subzone. The features of the ‘forest steppe’ reach their peak to the southwest and south of St. Petersburg. To the north of the city, the suburban zone is defined by both ‘anthropogenic forest-steppe’ and secondary small-leaved forests that have replaced agricultural lands. Another prominent feature is parks found on the premises of former estates where introduced woody species account for a substantial portion of vegetation. The spatial structure of the suburban area north of St. Petersburg is complicated by large extents of unpopulated areas. Since the 19th century, they have divided the area into two virtually disconnected parts.

Abstract Background As of 2020, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a form of liver cancer, stood as the third most prominent contributor to global cancer-related mortality. Combining immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) with other therapies has shown promising results for treating unresectable HCC, offering new opportunities. Recombinant adeno-associated viral type 2 (AAV2) virotherapy has been approved for clinical use but it efficacy is stifled through systemic administration. On the other hand, iron oxide nanoparticles (ION) can be cleared via the liver and enhance macrophage polarization, promoting infiltration of CD8+ T cells and creating a more favorable tumor microenvironment for immunotherapy. Methods To enhance the efficacy of virotherapy and promote macrophage polarization towards the M1-type in the liver, ION-AAV2 were prepared through the coupling of ION-carboxyl and AAV2-amine using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC)/N-hydroxysulfosuccinimide (Sulfo-NHS). Efficacy after systemic delivery of ION-AAV2 in an orthotopic HCC model was evaluated. Results After 28 days, the tumor weight in mice treated with ION-AAV2 was significantly reduced by 0.56-fold compared to the control group. The ION-AAV2 treatment led to an approximate 1.80-fold increase in the level of tumor associated M1-type macrophages, while the number of M2-type macrophages was reduced by 0.88-fold. Moreover, a proinflammatory response increased the population of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells in the ION-AAV2 group. This transformation converted cold tumors into hot tumors. Conclusions Our findings suggest that the conjugation of ION with AAV2 could be utilized in virotherapy while simultaneously exploiting macrophage-modulating cancer immunotherapies to effectively suppress HCC growth.

In the continuum from ‘farm to fork’, the proficiency of food handlers in terms of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) is essential for ensuring improved food safety outcomes. This study evaluated the KAP of fresh Nile perch fish handlers regarding food safety requirements within Uganda. A cross-sectional survey involving fish handlers (n = 466) engaged in handling fresh Nile perch and fisheries products in both local and export market chains. The study was conducted at 30 gazetted fish landing sites on Lake Victoria, 15 licensed fish export factories, and 9 local markets authorized to sell fisheries products. Data on demographic, knowledge, attitude, and practices was collected using structured questionnaire. Demographic data was analysed using frequencies and percentages. Ordinary least squares bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to determine factors associated with knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding food safety requirements. Fish handlers (49.8 %) demonstrated good knowledge with the majority (74.6 %) from the export market chain. Majority (81.3 %) of market stall handlers had poor knowledge of food safety requirements. Most (68.2 %) fresh Nile perch fish handlers had limited awareness of food-borne pathogens. Only 31.8 % had knowledge about E. coli, Salmonella spp, and Staphylococcus spp. Furthermore, over 63 % believed that consuming contaminated fish could transmit HIV, Covid-19, and Ebola. Male gender, higher income, and advanced education were positively correlated with fish handlers' knowledge of food safety requirements. Fish handlers (57 %) in the local market chain exhibited poor attitudes. Being a male fish handler was significantly (β = 3.43, 95 % CI: 1.65–5.21, P = 0.001) associated with positive attitudes compared to being female. Education at different levels was significantly (Primary (β = 3.19, 95 % CI: 1.05–5.33, P = 0.004); Secondary level (β = 5.883, 95 % CI: 3.52–8.23, P = 0.001); Tertiary (β = 6.09, 95 % CI: 3.03–9.15, P = 0.001)) associated with positive attitudes compared to no education.Practices ensuring food safety were common in the factories and the export market. The study suggests the need for interventions that promote knowledge transfer and food safety culture, particularly in the local market chain.

The aim. To analyze the experience of surgical treatment of postcoarctation aneurysms and to propose an optimal strategy in choosing a correction method. Materials and methods. An analysis of 91 cases of postcoarctation aneurysm over a 25-year period was carried out. Eighty-five people (93.4%) were operated on, 6 patients (6.6%) were not operated on for various reasons. The patients were divided into clinical groups depending on the method: group I included 69 patients (75.8%) who underwent open correction of postcoarctation aneurysm. Group II consisted of 16 patients (17.6%) after endovascular or hybrid treatment. Results. The obtained results demonstrated significant achievements and pronounced clinical effect of the performed surgical correction of postcoarctation aneurysms. We identified indications and contraindications for the correction of postcoarctation aneurysms by various methods: open, endovascular, and hybrid. It was found that the advantages of the endovascular technique are: minimally invasive approach, absence of a large surgical wound, shorter duration of the operation, faster activation of the patient after the intervention, shorter length of hospital stay in the postoperative period, faster return to a full active life. When studying the long-term results, based on the SF-36 questionnaire scores, it was established that the quality of life was higher among patients who underwent endovascular and hybrid correction of postcoarctation aneurysms. Conclusion. Clear indications for surgical correction of postcoarctation aneurysm and the choice between open surgery, endovascular or hybrid intervention should be determined based on detailed analysis and with the participation of the entire heart team with mandatory consideration of: patient age, comorbidities, expected duration and quality of life of each patient after surgery.

Introduction. Implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery protocol (ERAS) is becoming more and more widespread due to their effectiveness and safety. At the same time, there is a rather limited number of studies focusing on the opportunities of ERAS in the context of its association with metabolic syndrome in patients with colorectal cancer. This study represents the results of our early experience implementing elements of the ERAS program in the perioperative management of patients with colorectal cancer associated with metabolic syndrome. The aim. To conduct a comparative analysis and evaluate the results of surgical treatment using the enhanced recovery after surgery protocol in patients with colorectal cancer and accompanying metabolic syndrome. Materials and methods. This study included 106 patients with colorectal cancer and accompanying metabolic syndrome, divided into two groups: the first group with the use of elements of the ERAS protocol in colorectal surgery from 2018 – 56 patients, and the second group in which the principles of ERAS were not used (50 patients). Results. In the first group, with a statistically significant difference, a less severe pain syndrome was observed according to VAS (p

Introduction. Medical information systems have become an important tool in the complex of providing medical care. They allow storing the patient's medical data, analyzing information at many levels, and using modern electronic and telemedicine technologies. The glossary of the concept of health care informatization defines a medical information system as a type of system characterized by a complex of methodological principles, technical means, management algorithms designed for the collection, storage, analysis, forecasting and transmission of medical information in health care institutions. The aim: To analyze the level of satisfaction of medical workers regarding the functioning of the electronic health care system and medical information systems in all areas of medical activity, by evaluating the data of the electronic questionnaire. Materials and methods: A group of 213 user experts from 11 regions of Ukraine and the city of Kyiv was formed to assess the overall quality of the electronic health care system. Informational, analytical-statistical, graphic, and system analysis methods were applied. Results. The information entered into the medical information systems is subsequently widely used by doctors, other medical personnel, patients, and the administration of the health care facility. However, numerous functional deficiencies, and user wishes were identified. Assessing them will contribute to the improvement of e-Health. Conclusions: Medical information systems (MIS) have become an integral attribute of the practical activity of all doctors. The development of MIS in Ukraine continues in intensive and extensive ways. The first MIS were autonomous and responded to local clinical and administrative needs. The problems of the country's health care management can be corrected through the wide and rational use of MIS, their integration into a single electronic system. This will make it possible to analyze medical data at the level of the country, region, institution and thus be able to apply the correct management decisions. Informatization of health care is a global trend, and in Ukraine it is developing at an unusually fast pace. Therefore, the assessment of convenience, efficiency, and interoperability of MIS should become a permanent tool for monitoring and prompt response by both doctors and health care managers. Medical workers are quite satisfied with the functioning of medical information systems in Ukraine, but the issues between technical solutions and practical use of the application remain unresolved.

Ease-of-access to efficient and simple modelling software is fundamental for a broader adoption of these tools in academic, R&D or even industrial contexts. Here, we describe a user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI) termed SCATMM that effectively utilizes the well-known Scattering Matrix Method to determine the reflection, transmission, and absorption of arbitrarily thick stacks of planar layers. This capability connects with a wide range of applications, such as determining layer(s) thickness(es) by fitting with experimentally acquired spectra. This article describes the core development of the mathematical model, followed by a description of the main elements of the GUI. The model is validated through comparison with well-established FDTD simulations of a basic solar cell configuration, yielding a precise match between the resulting absorption spectra. For experimental comparison, the SCATMM tool was used to determine the thickness of a planar layer on a glass substrate, offering an additional example of the method’s application. Here, the determined thickness was paired to profilometry and SEM measurements, providing congruent values with less than 8% of discrepancy.

This study aimed to develop a fast procedure for caffeine extraction from roasted coffee beans. The microwave-assisted extraction was carried out in the microwave oven with an operating frequency of 2450 MHz. The response surface methodology based on a Box–Behnken design was used to model and optimize the extraction process. Among the analyzed extraction parameters (factors), the influence of extraction time (2–6 min), liquid-to-solid ratio (5–15 mL/g), and microwave power (336–595 W) were considered, while the yield of extracted caffeine was observed as the response of the system. Water was used as the solvent of choice for the extraction of caffeine. The optimum conditions were as follows: extraction time, 2 min; liquid-to-solid ratio, 15 mL/g; and microwave power, 500 W. In this optimized condition, the expected extraction yield of caffeine was 1.01 g/100 g dry weight (value confirmed by experimental assays). The total energy consumed of 1.7 kWh/100 g of purified caffeine indicated a more energy-efficient procedure by about 1200–15,000 times than the reported procedures. This study showed that caffeine can be quantitatively extracted from roasted coffee beans through a green approach and that the isolated caffeine has a high purity degree, which was confirmed by the UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS method. With this quality, isolated caffeine could be further used as an active ingredient in the food industry, while for pharmaceutical purposes, it must be further purified.

This paper explores using the LearningApps.org online resource and information devices such as computers, interactive whiteboards, tablets, smartphones, and websites in teaching Biology in secondary school. An experimental methodology involving LearningApps.org exercises, smartphone apps, interactive whiteboards, and websites was developed and tested. The methodology aims to increase the effectiveness of biology education by leveraging educational technology. Experiments conducted in secondary schools demonstrated increased learning outcomes in plant morphology, anatomy, physiology and systematics topics. The use of multimedia and interactive exercises facilitated the learning process. Results highlight the benefits of integrating online learning tools with traditional classroom teaching. The methodology provides a model for modernising biology instruction through technology.

An assessment was made of the possibilities of using burial complexes to study social and cultural dynamics in the Neolithic of Baikal-Yenisey Siberia (~8.6–5 ka cal BP). The cultural-chronological scheme developed for the Middle Holocene of the Cis-Baikal as a result of the implementation of the Baikal Archaeological Project (BAP) is analyzed. It is concluded that the selective geographical coverage and insufficient attention to the materials of the campsites limited the possibilities of interpreting the BAP results and led to the creation of not quite correct periodization and the artificial phenomenon of hiatus, characterized by the absence of formal burials in the Middle Neolithic. The evolutionist approach of the BAP determined the nature of the concept, which implies a predominantly endogenous development of the Cis-Baikal cultures and does not take into account external factors. Based upon the correlation data of materials from burials and campsites of Baikal-Yenisey Siberia (which in the Neolithic was a single cultural area), the authors propose an alternative view of the dynamics of societies and cultures of local hunter-gatherers. According to it, there are four events that led to significant changes and three transitions, during which one or another cultural pattern was formed, have been identified. At the same time, the authors call for abandoning the use of the concept of “Late Mesolithic” for the beginning of Middle Holocene and propose to combine it with the Early Neolithic and we also make our proposals for filling the Middle Neolithic hiatus.

This study aimed to improve the conventional procedure of alginate isolation from the brown seaweed (Laminaria digitata L.) biomass and investigate the possibility of further valorization of the ethanolic fraction representing the byproduct after the degreasing and depigmentation of biomass. The acid treatment of biomass supported by ultrasound was modeled and optimized regarding the alginate yield using a response surface methodology based on the Box–Behnken design. A treatment time of 30 min, a liquid-to-solid ratio of 30 mL/g, and a treatment temperature of 47 °C were proposed as optimal conditions under which the alginate yield related to the mass of dry biomass was 30.9%. The use of ultrasonic radiation significantly reduced the time required for the acid treatment of biomass by about 4 to 24 times compared to other available conventional procedures. The isolated alginate had an M/G ratio of 1.08, which indicates a greater presence of M-blocks in its structure and the possibility of forming a soft and elastic hydrogel with its use. The chemical composition of the ethanolic fraction including total antioxidant content (293 mg gallic acid equivalent/g dry weight), total flavonoid content (14.9 mg rutin equivalent/g dry weight), contents of macroelements (the highest content of sodium, 106.59 mg/g dry weight), and microelement content (the highest content of boron, 198.84 mg/g dry weight) was determined, and the identification of bioactive compounds was carried out. The results of ultra high-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry analysis confirmed the presence of 48 compounds, of which 41 compounds were identified as sugar alcohol, phenolic compounds, and lipids. According to the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay, the radical scavenging activity of the ethanolic fraction (the half-maximal inhibitory concentration of 42.84 ± 0.81 μg/mL) indicated its strong activity, which was almost the same as in the case of the positive control, synthetic antioxidant butylhydroxytoluene (the half-maximal inhibitory concentration of 36.61 ± 0.79 μg/mL). Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Bacillus cereus) were more sensitive to the ethanolic fraction compared to Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Shigella sonnei). The obtained results indicated the possibility of the further use of the ethanolic fraction as a fertilizer for plant growth in different species and antifouling agents, applicable in aquaculture.

Pathogenic variants in the FKBP10 gene lead to a spectrum of rare autosomal recessive phenotypes, including osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) Type XI, Bruck syndrome Type I (BS I), and the congenital arthrogryposis-like phenotype (AG), each with variable clinical manifestations that are crucial for diagnosis. This study analyzed the clinical-genetic characteristics of patients with these conditions, focusing on both known and newly identified FKBP10 variants. We examined data from 15 patients, presenting symptoms of OI and joint contractures. Diagnostic methods included genealogical analysis, clinical assessments, radiography, whole exome sequencing, and direct automated Sanger sequencing. We diagnosed 15 patients with phenotypes due to biallelic FKBP10 variants—4 with OI Type XI, 10 with BS I, and 1 with the AG-like phenotype—demonstrating polymorphism in disease severity. Ten pathogenic FKBP10 variants were identified, including three novel ones, c.1373C>T (p.Pro458Leu), c.21del (p.Pro7fs), and c.831_832insCG (p.Gly278Argfs), and a recurrent variant, c.831dup (p.Gly278Argfs). Variant c.1490G>A (p.Trp497Ter) was found in two unrelated patients, causing OI XI in one and BS I in the other. Additionally, two unrelated patients with BS I and epidermolysis bullosa shared identical homozygous FKBP10 and KRT14 variants. This observation illustrates the diversity of FKBP10-related pathology and the importance of considering the full spectrum of phenotypes in clinical diagnostics.

Glycans of MVs are proposed to be candidates for mediating targeting specificity or at least promoting it. In contrast to exosomes, glycomic studies of MVs are largely absent. We studied the glycoprofile of endothelial cell-derived MVs using 21 plant lectins, and the results show the dominance of oligolactosamines and their α2-6-sialylated forms as N-glycans and low levels of α2-3-sialylated glycans. The low levels of α2-3-sialosides could not be explained by the action of extracellular glycosidases. Additionally, the level of some Man-containing glycans was also decreased in MVs. Spatial masking as the causative relationship between these low level glycans (as glycosphingolipids) by integral proteins or proteoglycans (thus, their lack of interaction with lectins) seems unlikely. The results suggest that integral proteins do not pass randomly into MVs, but instead only some types, differing in terms of their specific glycosylation, are integrated into MVs.

Background/Objectives: The intranasal delivery of various neurotropic substances is considered a new attractive therapeutic approach for treating neuropathologies associated with neuroinflammation and altered regeneration. Specific language impairment (SLI) that arises as a result of damage to the cortical speech zones during the developmental period is one of the most common problems in preschool children, and it is characterized by persistent difficulties in the acquisition, understanding, and use of language. This study’s objective is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intranasal immunotherapy using the M2 macrophage secretome as a rich source of immunoregulatory and neurotrophic factors for the treatment of severe language impairment in children. Methods: Seventy-one children (54 boys and 17 girls, aged 3 to 13 years) were recruited to participate in a clinical trial (NCT04689282) in two medical centers. The children were examined before, 1 month after, and 6 months after the start of therapy. In the vast majority of children (55/71), language impairment was associated with autistic-like symptoms and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Results: Daily intranasal inhalations of M2 macrophage-conditioned medium (for 30 days) were well tolerated and led to a decrease in the severity of language impairments, autistic-like behavior, and ADHD symptoms. The clinical effect appeared within a month after the first procedure and persisted or intensified during a 6-month follow-up. Two-thirds of the children showed a clear clinical improvement, while the rest had less pronounced improvement. Conclusions: Thus, the use of the M2 macrophage secretome and its intranasal delivery is safe, well tolerated, and clinically effective in children with severe language impairments.

Kallopterolides A–I (1–9), a family of nine diterpenoids possessing either a cleaved pseudopterane or a severed cembrane skeleton, along with several known compounds were isolated from the Caribbean Sea plume Antillogorgia kallos. The structures and relative configurations of 1–9 were characterized by analysis of HR-MS, IR, UV, and NMR spectroscopic data in addition to computational methods and side-by-side comparisons with published NMR data of related congeners. An investigation was conducted as to the potential of the kallopterolides as plausible in vitro anti-inflammatory, antiprotozoal, and antituberculosis agents.

Macrophytes and cladocerans represent the main antagonistic groups that regulate phytoplankton biomass; however, the mechanism behind this interaction is unclear. In laboratory conditions, we separately evaluated the effects of three submerged macrophytes (Ceratophyllum demersum, Myriophyllum aquaticum, and Stuckenia pectinata), as well as their exudates, and plant-associated microbiota (POM < 25 µm) + exudates on the population growth of Daphnia cf. pulex and Simocephalus cf. mixtus. Living Ceratophyllum, exudates, and POM < 25 µm + exudates exhibited the most robust positive effects on Simocephalus density and the rate of population increase (r). Subsequently, we examined the effects of Ceratophyllum on the filtration and feeding rates of Simocephalus and Daphnia, revealing significant (p < 0.001) promotion of filtration and feeding in Simocephalus but not in Daphnia. To elucidate the specific effects of this macrophyte on Simocephalus demography, we assessed selected life table variables across the same treatments. The treatments involving exudates and living Ceratophyllum resulted in approximately 40% longer survivorship and significantly (p < 0.01) enhanced fecundity. Our findings indicate that exudates from submerged macrophytes positively influence Simocephalus demography by increasing filtration rates, survivorship, and fecundity. This synergy suggests a substantial impact on phytoplankton abundance.

In this study, the idea of using a fully symmetric U-Net deep learning model for forecasting a segmented image of high global aerosol concentrations is implemented. As the forecast relies on historical data, the model used a sequence of the last eight segmented images to make the prediction. For this, the classic U-Net model was modified to use ConvLSTM2D layers with MaxPooling3D and UpSampling3D layers. In order to achieve complete symmetry, the output data are given in the form of a series of eight segmented images shifted by one image in the time sequence so that the last image actually represents the forecast of the next image of high aerosol concentrations. The proposed model structure was tuned by the new FOX metaheuristic algorithm. Based on our analysis, we found that this algorithm is suitable for tuning deep learning models considering their stochastic nature. It was also found that this algorithm spends the most time in areas close to the optimal value where there is a weaker linear correlation with the required metric and vice versa. Taking into account the characteristics of the used database, we concluded that the model is capable of generating adequate data and finding patterns in the time domain based on the ddc and dtc criteria. By comparing the achieved results of this model using the AUC-PR metric with the previous results of the ResNet3D-101 model with transfer learning, we concluded that the proposed symmetric U-Net model generates data better and is more capable of finding patterns in the time domain.

Chip size distribution is important in kraft pulping, as it affects chemical use, quality, and yield in pulp production. Pinus taeda logs with two storage periods (0 and 2 weeks) and two log lengths (2.4 and 7.0 m) were processed with a disc chipper. Logs stored for two weeks produced chips with 7% less moisture than logs with no storage period. The storage period significantly influenced the quantities of overthick, accept, pin, and fines classes. Logs stored for two weeks produced 1.7% more overthick, 3.8% more pin, and 1.1% fines than logs with no stocking period. Consequently, the amount of accept produced was 6.2% higher for chips from processing freshly harvested logs. Log length influenced the produced quantities of oversize, overthick, and accept. Logs with a length of 2.4 m produced chips with 1.4% more oversize, 2.5% more overthick, and 4.6% less accept, compared to 7.0 m logs. Thus, it was concluded that Pinus taeda logs with shorter storage periods and longer lengths generate more chips in the “accept" class.

Background Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) remain the standard method of treating acetabular fractures. Many authors report poor results in quadrilateral plate fractures of the acetabulum with the use of ORIF. The objective was to evaluate outcomes of quadrilateral plate fractures of the acetabulum. Material and methods Surgical outcomes of 55 patients with quadrilateral plate fractures of the acetabulum were retrospectively reviewed between 2009 and 2019. Early postoperative results were followed up in 55 patients. Surgical treatment was provided for 32 (58.2 %) control patients with acetabular fractures and 23 patients (41.8 %) with quadrilateral plate fractures of the acetabulum in the main group. Long-term results were explored in 45 patients aged 18 to 60 years with acetabular fractures (control group, n = 24) and in combination with quadrilateral plate involvement (main group, n = 21). Results Surgical interventions were performed by one team consisting of the same specialists. Surgical outcomes in oth clinical groups were evaluated according to 11 criteria. Discussion The results of surgical treatment of acetabular fractures and quadrilateral plate involvement were associated with the negative impact of quadrilateral plate involvement on the duration and volume of blood loss, intraoperative and late complications and dynamics in the development of post-traumatic hip arthrosis. The results obtained were comparable with the data of the itation sources. Conclusion A comparative analysis of the outcomes suggested a negative impact of quadrilateral plate involvement on the results of surgical treatment and an objective necessity to rank quadrilateral plate fractures of the acetabulum as a risk factor for adverse outcomes with ORIF.

Abstract Achieving optically controlled nanomachine engineering can satisfy the touch-free and non-invasive demands of optoelectronics, nanotechnology, and biology. Traditional optical manipulations are mainly based on optical and photophoresis forces, and they usually drive particles in gas or liquid environments. However, the development of an optical drive in a non-fluidic environment, such as on a strong van der Waals interface, remains difficult. Herein, we describe an efficient 2D nanosheet actuator directed by an orthogonal femtosecond laser, where 2D VSe2 and TiSe2 nanosheets deposited on sapphire substrates can overcome the interface van der Waals forces (tens and hundreds of megapascals of surface density) and move on the horizontal surfaces. We attribute the observed optical actuation to the momentum generated by the laser-induced asymmetric thermal stress and surface acoustic waves inside the nanosheets. 2D semimetals with high absorption coefficient can enrich the family of materials suitable to implement optically controlled nanomachines on flat surfaces.

Background. The problem of bone defects replacement is relevant nowadays, that is why many scientists create new synthetic bone substitutes, but the ideal material has not been found so far. The aims of the study: 1) to determine the suitability of the monocortical defect model in the rat femur diaphysis with additional prophylactic reinforcement with a bone plate for assessing the biological properties of implanted materials using the commercially available ChronOS material as an example; 2) to assess of the osteoconductive properties of composite materials based on poly(ethylene glycol)diacrylate and octacalcium phosphate with architecture Kelvin and gyroid types on the developed model. Methods. A prospective study, level of evidence II. A monocortical defect of the rat femoral diaphysis (length 7 mm) was produced under anaesthesia in aseptic conditions and fixed with a polyetheretherketone plate and six titanium screws. In the control group, the defect was left empty. In other groups, blocks of one of three materials were implanted сhronOS and composites of poly(ethylene glycol)diacrylate and octacalcium phosphate with 3D-printed Kelvin and gyroid architectures. After 3 and 6 weeks, the rats were sacrificed, and histological examination of the defect zone was performed. The amount of newly formed bone tissue was histometricly assessed, followed by statistical processing of the results. Results. All rats have reached the planned endpoint, and there were no infectious complications or loss of fixation. Histological examination of the defect zone revealed minimal bone growth in the Control group, rather slow bone formation in the Gyroid group, and statistically significantly more pronounced bone formation in the pores of the materials in the Kelvin and Chronos groups. Conclusions. Bone defect in this model was not spontaneously filled with bone tissue and allowed us to study the biological properties of bone substitutes (the ability to biodegrade and osteoconductive properties). The osteoconductive properties of a composite material based on poly(ethylene glycol)diacrylate and octacalcium phosphate with a Kelvin architecture are higher than with a gyroid architecture and are comparable to that of the сhronOS.

Abstract The expression of plant resistance traits against arthropod herbivores often comes with costs to other essential plant functions such as growth and fitness. These trade‐offs are shaped by the allocation of limited resources. However, plants might also possess the capability to allocate resources to both resistance and growth, thereby ensuring their survival when under herbivore attacks. Additionally, the extent of damage caused by herbivores could vary across different years or seasons, subsequently impacting plant performance. In this study, we aimed to investigate how the annual variations in herbivore abundance and damage levels affect plant performance. We generated F2 progeny through a cross between two populations of the annual herb Datura stramonium (Solanaceae). These populations are known to have differing levels of chemical defense and herbivory. These F2 plants were cultivated in a common natural environment for two consecutive years (2017 and 2018). Our findings reveal that plants with higher resistance, attained higher seed production but this trend was evident only during 2018. This relationship coincided with a five‐fold increase in the abundance of Lema daturaphila (Chrysomelidae) larvae in 2018. Indeed, the plants experienced a 13‐fold increase in damage during this second year of study. Furthermore, our results indicated that there was no trade‐off between resistance, growth, and fitness in either of the 2 years. In contrast, during 2018, when plants faced stronger herbivore pressure, they allocated all available nutritional resources to enhance both resistance and growth. Our study highlights how the selection for plant resistance is dependent upon the inter‐annual variation in herbivore abundance.

The aim. To evaluate the rate of long-term complications on ascending aorta after bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) replacement depending on the type of defect (stenosis or insufficiency) and to determine the indications to certain type of surgery in this category of patients. Materials and methods. One hundred five patients underwent BAV replacement between 2007 and 2014. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 included 63 patients with stenosis prevalence, group 2 included 42 patients with insufficiency. Aortic diameter at the level of the sinuses of Valsalva and at the level of the ascending aorta was assessed preoperatively and in the long-term postoperative period. Results. Long-term results were studied in 86 (81.9%) patients during 6.8 ± 2.2 years at the average. Sixteen (18.6%) patients developed aortic complications: 6 (6.9%) of them had progressive dilatation (10% from initial diameter), aneurysm formation was detected in 8 cases (9.3%) with 6 cases (6.9%) of dissection, 1 patient (1.3%) had aortic rupture. Freedom from ascending aorta dilatation within 13 years after BAV replacement was 95.1% in group 1 and 62.3% in group 2. Freedom from aortic dissection within 13 years after BAV replacement was 90.1% at the average (97% in group 1 and 80.6% in group 2). Conclusion. The tactics of aortic aneurysm correction in BAV depends on its diameter and, to a lesser extent, on the presence of stenosis or insufficiency of the valve. With existing stenosis and a diameter of the ascending aorta up to 4.5 cm, it is possible to consider correction without intervention on the ascending aorta. The presence of valve insufficiency in such a situation often requires additional manipulations on the ascending aorta.

In this study, the energy-efficient advanced procedure for the production of oil from plum seeds was proposed. The optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of oil was carried out using the response surface methodology with the Box-Behnken design. The microwave pretreatment (MWP) of 460 W for 3 min was also applied to reduce the total extraction time. The extraction time (15 – 45 min), liquid-to-solid ratio (4 – 10 mL g−1), and extraction temperature (40 – 60 °C) were defined as the factors. The oil yield was considered a response in this optimization study. The ultrasonic bath of 150 W and 40 kHz was used for the production of cavitation energy during the extraction. The optimal conditions were the extraction time of 42 min, the liquid-to-solid ratio of 10 mL g−1, and the extraction temperature of 50 °C. Based on quality analysis, it was concluded that the oil obtained by MWP-UAE had adequate physico-chemical properties. The MWP-UAE was an efficient extraction technique in terms of extraction time and energy consumption.

Aim. The purpose of the work was to study the nutritional value of siberian sturgeon caviar Acipenser baerii, grown in aquaculture conditions in the Dnieper reservoirs of Ukraine, and to compare its quality indicators with this product produced abroad. Methods: There are identified organoleptic properties of siberian sturgeon caviar, and its energetic value, composition of amino acids in albumens and content of fatty acids in lipids of the product. The data obtained in the research were compared with the same indices of quality of caviar of sturgeons bred abroad. Results. The organoleptic properties of siberian sturgeon caviar bred in Ukraine (appearance, color, consistency, taste and aroma) conformed to its standardized indices of quality. The caviar contained all eight essential amino acids and belonged to category of products rich by albumen (21.54±2.13%), and fats eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic ω-3 acids (3.46 % and 11.2 %, respectively) (13.20±0.93%). The big content of fat, especially of polyunsaturated fatty acids and ω-3 acids (the eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic ones — 3.46 % and 11.2 %, respectively) is one more factor, which enables to identify the siberian sturgeon caviar as the product of high biological value. It was shown that the caviar of siberian sturgeon produced in Ukraine is in close coincidence with those that were produced in other countries. Conclusions. The totality of studied characteristics of caviar of siberian sturgeon produced in Ukraine witnesses its high nutritional value. Therefore, this product may be recommended in prophylactics of numerous illnesses and strengthening of state of health.

Introduction/purpose: The paper presents a new state-of-the-art method that involves NASA satellite imagery with the latest deep learning model for a spatiotemporal sequence forecasting problem. Satellite-retrieved aerosol information is very useful in many fields such as PM prediction or COVID-19 transmission. The input data set was MODAL2_E_AER_OD which presents global AOT for every 8 days from Terra/MODIS. The implemented machine learning algorithm was built with ConvLSTM2D layers in Keras. The obtained results were compared with the new CNN LSTM model. Methods: Computational methods of Machine Learning, Artificial Neural Networks, Deep Learning. Results: The results show global AOT prediction obtained using satellite digital imagery as an input. Conclusion: The results show that the ConvLSTM developed model could be used for global AOT prediction, as well as for PM and COVID-19 transmission.

Given that oxidative stress represents an important etiological factor in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of different therapeutic approaches, methotrexate, secukinumab, and ustekinumab on systemic oxidative stress biomarkers in psoriatic patients. This study involved 78 psoriatic patients, divided into the group treated with methotrexate (23 patients), secukinumab (28 patients), and ustekinumab (27 patients), and 15 healthy controls. Oxidative stress biomarkers (index of lipid peroxidation measured as TBARS, nitrites (NO2−), superoxide anion radical (O2−), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)) and antioxidative defense system (superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, catalase (CAT) activity, and reduced glutathione (GSH)) were determined spectrophotometrically from the blood before the initiation of therapy in 16th, 28th, and 52nd week. O2− and SOD showed the most prominent changes comparing the psoriatic patients and healthy controls. CAT activity was significantly lower in psoriatic patients, and methotrexate induced a further decline in CAT activity. Ustekinumab induced a significant increase in GSH level after 52 weeks of treatment, while methotrexate reduced GSH. All applied therapeutic options induced a reduction in PASI, BSA, DLQI, and EARP. Biological drugs exert more pronounced antioxidant effects compared to methotrexate, which is most clearly observed in the values of O2− and SOD.

In order to better predict the high aerosol concentrations associated with air pollution and climate change, a machine learning model was developed using transfer learning and the segmentation process of global satellite images. The main concept of transfer learning lies on convolutional neural networks and works by initializing the already trained model weights to better adapt the weights when the network is trained on a different dataset. The transfer learning technique was tested with the ResNet3D-101 model pre-trained from a 2D ImageNet dataset. This model has performed well for contrail detection to assess climate impact. Aerosol distributions can be monitored via satellite remote sensing. Satellites can monitor some aerosol optical properties like aerosol optical thickness. Aerosol optical thickness snapshots were the input dataset for the model and were obtained from NASA’s Terra-Modis satellite; the output images were segmented by comparing the pixel values with a threshold value of 0.8 for aerosol optical thickness. Hyperparameter optimization finds a tuple of hyperparameters that yields an optimal model that minimizes a predefined loss function on given independent data. The model structure was adjusted in order to improve the performance of the model by applying methods and hyperparameter optimization techniques such as grid search, batch size, threshold, and input length. According to the criteria defined by the authors, the distance domain criterion and time domain criterion, the developed model is capable of generating adequate data and finding patterns in the time domain. As observed from the comparison of relative coefficients for the criteria metrics proposed by the authors, ddc and dtc, the deep learning model based on ConvLSTM layers developed in our previous studies has better performance than the model developed in this study with transfer learning.

In this work, electrospun polylactide fibers with new photostabilizing additives, 4-methyl-2,6-diisobornylphenol (DIBP) and N-isocamphylaniline (NICA), have been tested under the influence of UV-C radiation (254 nm). The changes in the polymers’ chemical structure under UV-C radiation were revealed through the increase in absorption in the 3600–3100 cm−1 region in regard to the FTIR spectra. In the samples that were irradiated for 1 h, the stabilizing effect of the photoprotectors became most noticeable as the difference in the content of the hydroxyl groups in stabilized and the pure PLA reached a maximum. The TG–DSC method revealed that the most sensitive indicator of the irradiation effect was the glass transition temperature (Tg), which persisted after 2 h of irradiation when using photostabilizers and their combinations. The PLA/DIBP(1) and PLA/NICA(1) samples showed the best results in protecting PLA from UV-C radiation based on the Tg values; although, the mixture of DIBP and NICA was not as effective. The chemical structure of the photostabilized PLA samples was studied using NMR, GPC, and Py–GC/MS analysis. The electrospun polylactide fibers were mechanically tested and the effects of the electrospun samples on cell viability were studied.

Black locust flower extract contains various polyphenols and their glucosides contribute to the potential health benefits. After intake of these bioactive compounds and passage through the gastrointestinal tract, their degradation can occur and lead to a loss of biological activity. To overcome this problem, the bioactive compounds should be protected from environmental conditions. This study aimed to encapsulate the black flower extract in the microparticles based on biodegradable polysaccharides, alginate, and chitosan. In the extract, the total antioxidant content was found to be 3.18 ± 0.01 g gallic acid equivalent per 100 g of dry weight. Also, the presence of lipids (16), phenolics (27), organic acids (4), L-aspartic acid derivative, questinol, gibberellic acid, sterol, and saponins (2) was confirmed using the UHPLC–ESI–MS analysis. In vitro assays showed that the extract has weak anti-α-glucosidase activity and moderate antioxidant and cytotoxic activity against the HeLa cell line. The extrusion method with secondary air flow enabled the preparation of microparticles (about 270 μm) encapsulated with extract. An encapsulation efficiency of over 92% was achieved in the alginate and alginate–chitosan microparticles. The swelling study confirmed a lower permeability of alginate–chitosan microparticles compared with alginate microparticles. For both types of microparticles, the release profile of antioxidants in the simulated gastrointestinal fluids at 37 °C followed the Korsmeyer–Peppas model. A lower diffusion coefficient than 0.5 indicated the simple Fick diffusion of antioxidants. The alginate–chitosan microparticles enabled a more sustained release of antioxidants from extract compared to the alginate microparticles. The obtained results indicated an improvement in the antioxidant activity of bioactive compounds from the extract and their protection from degradation in the simulated gastric conditions via encapsulation in the polymer matrixes. Alginate–chitosan showed slightly slower cumulative antioxidant release from microparticles and better antioxidant activity of the extract compared to the alginate system. According to these results, alginate–chitosan microparticles are more suitable for further application in the encapsulation of black locust flower extract. Also, the proposed polymer matrix as a drug delivery system is safe for human use due to its biodegradability and non-toxicity.

Since Agostino Bassi first isolated the fungal pathogenic agent of the white muscardine in insects (later named Beauveria bassiana in his honor), and Ilya Mechnikov cultivated Metarhizium anisopliae as a first approach to use fungi as pest control agents, many other entomopathogenic fungi have been studied over the last two centuries [...]

The article considers a mathematical model of the hydrolithospheric process taking into account the skin effect. A methodology for using the results of groundwater inflow testing to determine the parameters of approximating models that take into account skin effects is presented. In addition, the problems of modeling hydrodynamic processes taking into account random factors are considered. A statistical analysis of well monitoring data was carried out and an algorithm for studying processes was developed. Using the obtained approximating models, a procedure for solving the problem of selecting the optimal number of production wells has been developed. Based on the results of the groundwater inflow testing, the prospects for the development and use of new aquifers can be determined.

When colonizing new ranges, plant populations may benefit from the absence of the checks imposed by the enemies, herbivores, and pathogens that regulated their numbers in their original range. Therefore, rates of plant damage or infestation by natural enemies are expected to be lower in the new range. Exposing both non-native and native plant populations in the native range, where native herbivores are present, can be used to test whether resistance mechanisms have diverged between populations. Datura stramonium is native to the Americas but widely distributed in Spain, where populations show lower herbivore damage than populations in the native range. We established experiments in two localities in the native range (Mexico), exposing two native and two non-native D. stramonium populations to natural herbivores. Plant performance differed between the localities, as did the abundance of the main specialist herbivore, Lema daturaphila. In Teotihuacán, where L. daturaphila is common, native plants had significantly more adult beetles and herbivore damage than non-native plants. The degree of infestation by the specialist seed predator Trichobaris soror differed among populations and between sites, but the native Ticumán population always had the lowest level of infestation. The Ticumán population also had the highest concentration of the alkaloid scopolamine. Scopolamine was negatively related to the number of eggs deposited by L. daturaphila in Teotihuacán. There was among-family variation in herbivore damage (resistance), alkaloid content (scopolamine), and infestation by L. daturaphila and T. soror, indicating genetic variation and potential for further evolution. Although native and non-native D. stramonium populations have not yet diverged in plant resistance/constitutive defense, the differences between ranges (and the two experimental sites) in the type and abundance of herbivores suggest that further research is needed on the role of resource availability and adaptive plasticity, specialized metabolites (induced, constitutive), and the relationship between genealogical origin and plant defense in both ranges.

Link for citation: Vanchugov I.M., Rezanov K.S., Shestakov R.A. On the issue of transportation of liquefied carbon dioxide. Bulletin of the Tomsk Polytechnic University. Geo Аssets Engineering, 2023, vol. 334, no. 8, рр. 190-209. In Rus. The relevance of the study is caused by the need to capture and utilize one of the main types of greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide (CO2). This need is primarily related to the ever-increasing CO2 emissions, three quarters of which are accounted for by the combustion of various fuels. The main aim is to analyze and systematize international methods for calculating the pipeline transport of liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO2) to determine differences in numerical results, including factors taken into account and not taken into account in the methods under consideration, as well as to analyze water transport type as an alternative to pipeline transport. Objects: liquefied carbon dioxide, a pipeline for transporting LCO2. Methods: numerical modeling of LCO2 pipeline transport according to international methods to estimate the required diameter capable of providing a given pumping flow rate, analysis of the results obtained. Results. The authors have carried out a review of existing methods for calculating LCO2 pipelines, carried out numerical modeling and analysis of the results were, during which it was revealed that most models ignore the influence of impurities, which, however, affect the technological parameters of operation and modeling of LCO2 pipelines, which will lead to inaccuracies in their design and operation. In addition, it was found that the fluid velocity in the pipeline is calculated according to the parameters in the initial section, which corresponds to its minimum value in the pipeline, and is assumed to be equal to it throughout the pipeline without taking into account the expansion of LCO2 from changes in temperature and pressure along its length and, consequently, without taking into account additional pressure losses and changes in other technological parameters that they can directly affect the operational safety and economic efficiency of the designed or operated LCO2 pipeline. It should also be noted that the diameter determination equations depending on the length of the pipeline are not suitable for estimating the optimal diameter of the pipeline. As for alternatives to pipeline transport, first of all, it is worth noting the possibility of transportation by tankers over long distances or the possibility of using LCO2 to increase the flow rate of deposits on the shelf and in hard-to-reach places of the coastal zone.

Haloalkaliphilic microorganisms are double extremophiles functioning optimally at high salinity and pH. Their typical habitats are soda lakes, geologically ancient yet widespread ecosystems supposed to harbor relict microbial communities. We compared metabolic features and their determinants in two strains of the natronophilic species Dethiobacter alkaliphilus, the only cultured representative of the class “Dethiobacteria” (Bacillota). The strains of D. alkaliphilus were previously isolated from geographically remote Mongolian and Kenyan soda lakes. The type strain AHT1T was described as a facultative chemolithoautotrophic sulfidogen reducing or disproportionating sulfur or thiosulfate, while strain Z-1002 was isolated as a chemolithoautotrophic iron reducer. Here, we uncovered the iron reducing ability of strain AHT1T and the ability of strain Z-1002 for thiosulfate reduction and anaerobic Fe(II) oxidation. Key catabolic processes sustaining the growth of both D. alkaliphilus strains appeared to fit the geochemical settings of two contrasting natural alkaline environments, sulfur-enriched soda lakes and iron-enriched serpentinites. This hypothesis was supported by a meta-analysis of Dethiobacterial genomes and by the enrichment of a novel phylotype from a subsurface alkaline aquifer under Fe(III)-reducing conditions. Genome analysis revealed multiheme c-type cytochromes to be the most probable determinants of iron and sulfur redox transformations in D. alkaliphilus. Phylogeny reconstruction showed that all the respiratory processes in this organism are likely provided by evolutionarily related early forms of unconventional octaheme tetrathionate and sulfite reductases and their structural analogs, OmhA/OcwA Fe(III)-reductases. Several phylogenetically related determinants of anaerobic Fe(II) oxidation were identified in the Z-1002 genome, and the oxidation process was experimentally demonstrated. Proteomic profiling revealed two distinct sets of multiheme cytochromes upregulated in iron(III)- or thiosulfate-respiring cells and the cytochromes peculiar for Fe(II) oxidizing cells. We suggest that maintaining high variation in multiheme cytochromes is an effective adaptive strategy to occupy geochemically contrasting alkaline environments. We propose that sulfur-enriched soda lakes could be secondary habitats for D. alkaliphilus compared to Fe-rich serpentinites, and that the ongoing evolution of Dethiobacterales could retrace the evolutionary path that may have occurred in prokaryotes at a turning point in the biosphere’s history, when the intensification of the sulfur cycle outweighed the global significance of the iron cycle.

Aim Study of mechanical and biological properties of five variants of alloys of the Ti-Nb-Ta system. Materials and methods Five alloys were obtained from the system: Ti-(15-20)Nb-(5-10)Ta (at. %). Their mechanical tests were carried out by stretching on the INSTRON 3382 universal testing machine in accordance with GOST 1497-84. The biological properties of the resulting alloys were evaluated in in vivo experiments (implantation surgery) on white outbred male JCR mice. Histological study of the tissues of the limb with an implant, kidneys and liver was carried out at three time points: at 1, 4, 12 weeks after surgery, which corresponds to the early, middle and late phases after implantation. Results The samples showed ductility from 11.5 % to 14.6 %, strength from 549 to 673 MPa and Young's modulus from 42 to 50 GPa. The yield strength also varied depending on the composition of the alloy within 188 – 572 MPa. The inflammatory reaction was the least pronounced in the groups with Ti-20Nb-5Ta and Ti-15Nb-10Ta alloys implanted. Discussion Compared to the widely used TiAl6V4 alloy, the obtained alloys approximately correspond in terms of plasticity and have approximately 2 times lower Young's modulus, which should lead to better biomechanical compatibility between the implant and the surrounding biological tissues, preventing the effect of protection against stress and, accordingly, bone resorption. The relatively low tensile strength of the obtained alloys does not reduce the above-mentioned advantage over TiAl6V4, since this strength is quite sufficient for the proposed application. Histological study after 1, 4 and 12 weeks showed that the intensity of the local inflammatory reaction due to new alloys is higher than with the use of TiAl6V4, which requires further study and could be associated with a small sample size. Conclusions The way to create titanium alloys with a low Young's modulus may solve the problem of biomechanical compatibility of the implant with the surrounding tissues. The obtained and described alloys of the Ti-Nb-Ta system showed the neceary mechanical and, according to the initial assessment, acceptable biological properties that require further broader research.

Abstract We hypothesize that serum irisin can have additional discriminative potency for heart failure (HF) in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The study group comprised 226 consecutive T2DM patients (153 patients with any HF phenotypes and 30 patients without HF) aged 41 to 65 years. The plasma levels N-terminal brain natriuretic pro-peptide (NT-proBNP) and irisin were detected by ELISA at the baseline of the study. We found that the most appropriate cut-off value of irisin (HF versus non-HF) were 10.4 ng/mL (area under curve [AUC] = 0.96, sensitivity = 81.0%, specificity = 88.0%; P = 0.0001). Cutoff point of NT-proBNP that distinguished patients with HF and without it was 750 pmol/L (AUC = 0.78; sensitivity = 72.7%, specificity 76.5%, p = 0.0001). Using multivariate comparative analysis we established that concentrations of irisin 750 pmol/mL (OR = 1.17; P = 0.042), left atrial volume index (LAVI) > 34 mL/m2 (OR = 1.06; P = 0.042) independently predicted HF. Irisin being added to NT-proBNP improved predictive modality for HF, whereas combination of NT-proBNP and LAVI > 34 mL/m2 did not. In conclusion, we established that irisin had independent predicted potency for HF in patients with established T2DM.

Introduction. The lack of known Middle Neolithic burial complexes in Baikal-Yenisei Siberia makes pottery finds from archaeological sites a key source to explore the cultural and historical situation in the region. According to AMS 14C-dates in the range of ~6,8–6,3 ka cal BP in the territory of Baikal-Yenisei Siberia, two types of ceramics are widespread — Posolsk and Ust-Belaya types. Goals. The study seeks to identify technological and cultural traditions of Middle Neolithic pottery. Materials and methods. The work examines Ust-Belaya and Posolsk type pottery samples from fifteen excavated sites of Baikal-Yenisei Siberia. The paper describes morphological and decorative patterns inherent thereto, provides technical and technological analyses following the methodology of A. Bobrinsky. The molding masses of eighteen Ust-Belaya type vessels and sixteen Posolsk type vessels have been studied with the aid of a binocular microscope. Results. In all cases, ferruginous sandy clay containing quartz sand had served as initial plastic raw material. Molding masses are characterized mainly by an unmixed one-component composition without artificial additives. In two cases, quartz grus has been identified, in another there are traces of organic matter (possibly added intentionally). Vessels of the Posolsk type have closed paraboloid forms with a weak profiling of the upper part and a sharpened bottom. The ornament is localized in the upper part of the vessel and is represented by horizontal ‘receding stick’ rows or drawn lines. The composition below ends with separate shapes, such as triangles or short vertical lines. The rim is decorated with prints of a comb stamp and has a line of round holes which is located over the line made by stick through drawing or receding techniques. The study of molding masses of sixteen Posolsk vessels demonstrates an unmixed one-component composition. In all cases, ferruginous sandy clay had been used as initial plastic raw material. The analysis of the modeling features of Middle Neolithic ceramics makes it possible to formulate hypothetical production programs of theirs. To check the latter, experiments were carried out to model the Ust-Belaya and Posolsk types of vessels. Technical and technological analyses, experiments conducted, and comparisons of models with archaeological vessels reveal technological traditions generally characteristic of Middle Neolithic pottery, such as the method of zonal patchwork modeling in combination with walls knocking out techniques, as well as the use of other vessels as base forms. So, Ust-Belaya vessels could have been completely made on such base forms, while upper parts of Posolsk vessels were profiled after removal from such forms. Knocking out tools for Posolsk ceramics included cord and carved shovels, and for Ust-Belaya type — smooth shovels sometimes wrapped with a woven net. Design patterns of the rim are also different. Conclusions. For the preparatory stage of Middle Neolithic ceramics production, there was a stable tradition of using local sandy clays without additives. The modeling principles common for the two types, along with the absence of flat-bottomed forms, reflect the same level of technological development and similar ideas about the making and functions of vessels, which does not necessarily indicate any ethnocultural closeness of culture bearers. Different traditions of morphology, techniques and decoration indicate that the pottery types belong to different populations. In Posolsk ceramics, there are autochthonous features bringing it closer to the Early Neolithic Khaita pottery. Ceramics of the Ust-Belaya type has no visible origins in the Early Neolithic of the region, which indicates its non-local origin. In addition, the materials of the campsites indicate that the bearers of these traditions had tended to choose different habitats.

По завршетку Великог рата, подручје Краљевине Србије у привредном погледу било је готово у потпуности девастирано. Потребе за обновом земље захтевале су велика улагања тако да је несташица капитала била хронична. Из тих разлога, као и пар деценија раније, дошло је до оснивања новчаних завода са циљем да се не само обезбеди новац за привреду, већ и да се путем банака управља индустријским предузећима. Како су улагања у индустрију дугорочна и захтевају велика обртна средства, многи новчани заводи нису успели да их обезбеде и падали су у стечај. У раду је, првенствено на основу архивске грађе, представљен случај једног таквог новчаног завода, који је у недостатку обртних средстава и нестручног вођења пао у стечај, оставивши повериоце и улагаче без највећег дела њиховог новца.

Abstract We classify all non-invertible Kramers-Wannier duality defects in the E 8 lattice Vertex Operator Algebra (i.e. the chiral (E 8)1 WZW model) coming from ℤ m symmetries. We illustrate how these defects are systematically obtainable as ℤ2 twists of invariant sub-VOAs, compute defect partition functions for small m, and verify our results against other techniques. Throughout, we focus on taking a physical perspective and highlight the important moving pieces involved in the calculations. Kac’s theorem for finite automorphisms of Lie algebras and contemporary results on holomorphic VOAs play a role. We also provide a perspective from the point of view of (2+1)d Topological Field Theory and provide a rigorous proof that all corresponding Tambara-Yamagami actions on holomorphic VOAs can be obtained in this manner. We include a list of directions for future studies.

Fibrocytes are monocyte-derived cells implicated in wound healing. Here, the authors utilise single cell RNA-seq, genetic ablation and multiplexed imaging to identify a fibrocyte population in lung cancer models, and use human lung cancer coculture systems to highlight their potential to modulate microenvironmental niche and sensitivity to endothelin blockade.

Background. The ongoing pandemic of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) draws attention to the significance of molecular and genetic monitoring of the SARS-CoV-2 spread among the population of the Russian Federation. The aim of the study was to analyze the dynamics of circulation of SARS-CoV-2 genetic variants in Russia. Materials and methods. The analysis of the circulation dynamics for SARS-CoV-2 genetic variants in Russia was carried out, covering the period from 28/12/2020 to 26/6/2022. The analysis included the data from Rospotrebnadzor Report No. 970 "Information about Infectious Diseases in Individuals with Suspected Novel Coronavirus Infection" and the Virus Genome Aggregator of Russia (VGARus). The presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was confirmed by the real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The primer panels developed at the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology were used for amplification of genomic fragments and the subsequent sequencing. Results and discussion. Using the Russian VGARus platform developed by the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, we received the data on mutational variability of SARS-CoV-2. By monitoring the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 genetic variants in Russia from 28/12/2020 to 26/6/2022, we found that Delta and Omicron genetic variants prevailed at different stages of the epidemic. Conclusion. The data of molecular and genetic studies are an essential component of epidemiological surveillance, being critically important for making executive decisions aimed at prevention of further spread of SARS-CoV-2 and laying the groundwork for creating new vaccines.

Background. The use of classical and modified surgical approaches to acetabulum is accompanied by serious intra- and postoperative complications associated with tissues, vessels, nerves, and lymphatic structures injury. The choice of approach to acetabulum affects the surgical time and the blood loss volume. The aim of the review was to compare the surgical time and blood loss volume using different surgical approaches to the acetabulum based on the relevant literature analysis. Methods. The search was carried out in PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus databases from 1964 to 2022. When conducting a search for the phrases acetabular fractures, surgical approach to the acetabulum, 4368 articles were found. As a result of the selection, 12 publications containing the most complete information on the studied indicators were included in the quantitative analysis. Results. The data of surgical treatment of 540 patients with acetabulum fractures were analyzed. The average age of the patients was 45.211.6 years. Among the causes of pelvic and acetabulum fractures, road accident (70.4%) and falls from height (21.3%) largely prevailed. The blood loss depended on the use of specific approaches or their combination, and the surgical time. The shortest surgical time (101.027.0 min.) was required using pararectal approach, the longest (26456.4 min.) with the use of ilio-inguinal approach. The largest volume of blood loss was observed with Pfannenstiel approach 1057.1377.9 ml. No statistically significant differences were found when comparing the Kocher-Langenbeck (793328 ml), ilio-inguinal (82864 ml) and pararectal (798322 ml) approach. Performing the Kocher-Langenbeck approach in the patients lateral position reduces the surgical time by 16.8% and reduces blood loss by 12.4% compared to the patients prone position. Conclusion. Comparative clinical studies are required to determine the safest surgical approaches to the acetabulum, depending on the type of fracture, the mechanism of injury and the age of the patient.