Search

Robinia pseudoacacia L. is one of the most common and environmentally adaptable introduced tree species which has become an important element of artificial afforestation and landscaping in Ukraine over the past 150 years. Throughout the history of its introduction on the territory of Ukraine, this species was considered resistant because of the absence of dangerous phytophages. At the beginning of the XXI century, the phytosanitary situation changed as the result of the penetration and rapid spread of a number of North American invasive phytophages. The appearance and distribution of the miner Parectopa robiniella (Clemens, 1863) (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae) feeding on R. pseudoacacia was recognized as the largest invasion in Ukraine. This paper considers the issues of studying the effect of P. robiniella caterpillars feeding on R. pseudoacacia in various forest-growing conditions in the steppe zone of Ukraine. The process of photosynthesis, as the most important physiological parameter, was chosen as indicator of condition. The study was conducted using biosensor technology which made it possible to measure the effect of caterpillar feeding on critical parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence (the Kautsky curve). The research has shown that the initial value of fluorescence induction was within the range of 196–284 RFU, and the maximum value of the background fluorescence parameter was recorded in undamaged leaves and under shading conditions. Both the effect of phytophages and the shading factor caused a significant decrease in the values of fluorescence induction of the “plateau” both in the conditions of an artificially washed sandbar, on the watershed area of a watershed-gully landscape, as well as on natural sandy-loam soil. The maximum values of photosynthetic fluorescence induction under the simultaneous influence of the studied factors had rather high variability. In contrast to the fluorescence induction parameter, the “plateau” of the highest maximum fluorescence induction was reached in the absence of pest damage under conditions of total shading. As revealed by dispersion and regression analyses, the maximum fluorescence index was most dependent on the amount of solar radiation and on the degree of the leaf surface damage by phytophages. Significantly higher values of the steady-state fluorescence induction parameter were determined in the absence of insect damage in both shading and lighting conditions. A statistically significant combined influence of abiotic and biotic factors on the “plateau” fluorescence induction parameter was determined in comparison with the mono-influence of individual factors. A highly significant dependence of the maximum efficiency indicator of primary photosynthesis processes on individual factors of exogenous influence was established, while the combined effect of these factors did not affect this parameter. The obtained data allow one to apply in practice the methods of analyzing chlorophyll fluorescence induction to establish the physiological state of tree flora in forest and garden farms.

We studied characteristics of invasion by Parectopa robiniella Clemens, 1863 the black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia Linnaeus, 1753) plantations used for field protection and anti-erosion purposes on the example of an artificial forest belt in Mayorka village in Dnipropetrovsk district, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast (Mykilsky Forestry of the Dnipro Forest Enterprise). Monitoring surveys were conducted during the growing seasons of 2014–2021. The invasion of field-protective forest belts does not appear evenly; we found that the tree age is the main factor in this process. Because black locust plantings occupy the most significant area among artificial field-protective plantings in Ukraine, we studied the characteristics of their invasion by the insect species. It was found that R. pseudoacacia manifests itself relatively actively in almost all natural zones in Ukraine, mainly due to its spread by root growth. The forest belt surveys allowed us to distinguish three age-related variants of R. pseudoacacia trees (initial trees planted in composition of a forest belt (50–70 years), sprouting trees (15–25 years), and young trees (up to 15 years)). Monitoring surveys have shown varying degrees of P. robiniella invasion of three age groups of trees. It was discovered that the invader mainly develops mines on the leaves of young trees (up to 15 years old). According to the results of calculating the average number of mines on a simple leaf, it turned out that P. robiniella most often formed the mine on the lower (near the petiole) leaf segment in all three age tree groups. Determination of the characteristics of the relative invasion of simple leaflets from the total number of damaged leaflets showed that the invasion of the leaf blade was highest within the location of the middle leaflets on Robinia complex leaf. Such characteristics of invasion can be explained by the different growth rates of R. pseudoacacia leaf blade and the quality characterization of leaf tissues. Thus, our survey confirmed the assumption of O. V. Sinchuk (2016) that the topical specificity of invasion derived from the peculiarities of divergent leaf development and acropetal leaf development of the feeding plant.

Mining industry is the one of the powerful factors leading to the degradation of native ecosystems. Disturbed ecosystems developed instead the native may be remediated using certain reclamation techniques. The purpose of this work was assessment of the remediation quality within Ordzhonikidze Ore Mining and Processing Integrated Plant on the possibility of their economic use and suitability for the existence of soil biota, as well as providing recommendations for further rational economic use. Technical remediation of the surveyed area included such stages as removal of topsoil with gross method, followed by its storage in piles; reformation and levelling of overburden above-ore dump disposed in the exhaust space of career by gross way; keeping of levelled rocks up to 3 years with the purpose of their subsidence; surface repair after subsidence; application of humic layer; ploughing of reclaimed lands. Assessment of soil quality was carried out by comparing a quality score of reclaimed soils with a quality score of zonal soil. Data collection and processing were carried out on values of humus layer thickness; humus content in filling top layer; content of physical clay in topsoil and subsoil; granulometric composition of one-meter thick fill layer; topsoil and subsoil salinity; composition and properties of underlying rocks. As a result of mining operations, topsoil of remediated soil is depleted in chemical elements necessary for plant growth; as a result, the soil becomes more calcareous, and contains humus 1,5–2 times less than that in topsoil of undisturbed soil. Topsoil thickness is on average 58 cm. Humus content in the filled layer on average is 2.2%. Mechanical composition of the arable layer is middle loamy. The soil is compacted below the plow pan. Mechanical composition of the underlying rock is fine-textured. Salinization with water-soluble salts above the toxicity threshold in the arable layer of the studied soils was not found. Before agricultural use of reclaimed lands, it is essential to repair it with the techniques of biological reclamation. This is achieved through cultivation of salt-resistant perennial grasses for 3–5 years.

Introduction Despite being widely used as a screening tool, a rigorous scientific evaluation of infrared thermography for the diagnosis of minimally symptomatic patients suspected of having COVID‐19 infection has not been performed. Methods A consecutive sample of 60 adult individuals with a history of close contact with COVID‐19 infected individuals and mild respiratory symptoms for less than 7 days and 20 confirmed COVID‐19 negative healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. Infrared thermograms of the face were obtained with a mobile camera, and RT‐PCR was used as the reference standard test to diagnose COVID‐19 infection. Temperature values and distribution of the face of healthy volunteers and patients with and without COVID‐19 infection were then compared. Results Thirty‐four patients had an RT‐PCR confirmed diagnosis of COVID‐19 and 26 had negative test results. The temperature asymmetry between the lacrimal caruncles and the forehead was significantly higher in COVID‐19 positive individuals. Through a random forest analysis, a cut‐off value of 0.55°C was found to discriminate with an 82% accuracy between patients with and without COVID‐19 confirmed infection. Conclusions Among adults with a history of COVID‐19 exposure and mild respiratory symptoms, a temperature asymmetry of ≥ 0.55°C between the lacrimal caruncle and the forehead is highly suggestive of COVID‐19 infection. This finding questions the widespread use of the measurement of absolute temperature values of the forehead as a COVID‐19 screening tool.

The article deals with the analysis of existing intelligence and signaling devices (ISD) using principles based on the use of modern seismic acoustic sensors to detect the coordinates of moving and immobile objects. The advantages and disadvantages of the seismic and acoustic detection principle, as separate and independent methods, as well as the advantages of using the combined detection method, are revealed. Complex combined use of acoustic, seismic or seismic acoustic sensors instead of just one typical element significantly extends the areas of use of complex groups of these devices, which accordingly reduces the influence of natural properties on processes for qualitative and accurate measurement results. The results of automatic processing of real seismic acoustic records from the «Little Girls» site were obtained using the method of mathematical processing of a seismic, acoustic, or seismic acoustic signal based on the well-known method for allocating primary wave inputs based on the use of the LTA/STA method (Long Time Amplitude/Short Time Amplitude method). According to the results of these studies, it has been shown that this automated approach to data flow processing using the LTA/STA method allows accurately determining the time of the arrival of waves of a seismic acoustic signal of different origins. The preliminary statistical estimation of the difference between the values of the calculated coordinates of the source of the seismic acoustic signal and its real coordinates has been carried out. This basic part of the research shows that there is a possible choice of optimal value of the rate of propagation of the seismic acoustic signal, the value of which can be used in conducting further research at landfills, quarries or mines. Preliminary conclusions from the conducted research, which show that the simultaneous use of general principles for seismic and acoustic signals to detect the origin of these signals greatly improves the efficiency of these methods and tools for detecting the coordinates of moving objects or man-caused phenomena, and also improves the accuracy of the determination of dynamics changes in the values of the coordinates of military objects and other dangerous processes that they generate.

Background Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic, progressive and disabling disease with a complex pathology of unknown aetiology influenced by genetic, environmental and microbiota factors that lead to an immunological and inflammatory response in the colon. Janus Activated Kinase (JAK) family plays a key role in modulating the adaptive and innate inflammatory response. The JAK/STAT pathway involvement in UC has been demonstrated in both animal models and human studies. Thus, overexpressed JAK-3 has been detected in the intestine of patients with UC, suggesting a key role in their pathophysiology and the inhibition of TYK-2 in animal models resulted in an improvement of the disease, which would explain its implication in the inflammatory process. We hypothesise here that there could be an activation of JAK-3 and TYK-2 signalling pathways in UC patients. Thus, we aimed to detect the activation of both signalling pathways by means of western-blot studies in UC patient samples Methods A prospective, observational single-centre study was designed. Inclusion criteria were adult patients with endoscopic active UC (more than Mayo-0) confirmed in a programmed colonoscopy. All patients signed informed consent. Samples were obtained from overstock of routine biopsies in the more severe segment affected of the large bowel. Tissues were homogenised and processed in order to obtain cell lysates by employing RIPA buffer and ultrasounds. The degree of activation of the JAK-3 and TYK-2 pathways was measured by detecting the phosphorylation of both targets as well as of STAT1, STAT3, STAT4, STAT5 and STAT6 through western blot by employing specific antibodies for total and phosphorylated proteins. Results 19 UC patients were consecutively included. Mean age was 46 years old. 53% were female, 47% were extensive colitis (E3) and 53% left-side colitis (E2). Regarding endoscopic activity, 26% had Mayo-1, 53% Mayo-2, and 21% Mayo-3. Immunoreactive bands for both phosphorylated JAK-3 and TYK-2 were detected in the biopsies from UC patients, evidencing that colonic inflammation leads to an activation of both targets. The study of STATs phosphorylation showed immunoreactive bands for phosphorylated forms of STAT1, STAT3, STAT4, STAT5 and STAT6 confirming the activation of both signalling-pathways in these patients (Figure 1). Conclusion The developed translational workflows involving basic/clinical research confirm the activation of both JAK-3 and TYK-2-dependent signalling pathways in UC patients, validating both kinases as targets for treating UC. The developed methodology allows studying the target engagement for future JAK-3/ TYK-2 inhibitors employed in clinical trials.

ObjectivesTo identify predictors of remission and disease activity patterns in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using individual participant data (IPD) from clinical trials.MethodsPhase II and III clinical trials completed between 2002 and 2012 were identified by systematic literature review and contact with UK market authorisation holders. Anonymised baseline and follow-up IPD from non-biological arms were amalgamated. Multiple imputation was used to handle missing outcome and covariate information. Random effects logistic regression was used to identify predictors of remission, measured by the Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28) at 6 months. Novel latent class mixed models characterised DAS28 over time.ResultsIPD of 3290 participants from 18 trials were included. Of these participants, 92% received methotrexate (MTX). Remission rates were estimated at 8.4%(95%CI 7.4%to9.5%) overall, 17%(95%CI 14.8%to19.4%) for MTX-naïve patients with early RA and 3.2% (95% CI 2.4% to 4.3%) for those with prior MTX exposure at entry. In prior MTX-exposed patients, lower baseline DAS28 and MTX reinitiation were associated with remission. In MTX-naïve patients, being young, white, male, with better functional and mental health, lower baseline DAS28 and receiving concomitant glucocorticoids were associated with remission. Three DAS28 trajectory subpopulations were identified in MTX-naïve and MTX-exposed patients. A number of variables were associated with subpopulation membership and DAS28 levels within subpopulations.Conclusions Predictors of remission differed between MTX-naïve and prior MTX-exposed patients at entry. Latent class mixed models supported differential non-biological therapy response, with three distinct trajectories observed in both MTX-naïve and MTX-exposed patients. Findings should be useful when designing future RA trials and interpreting results of biomarker studies.

Bacteria attached to the surfaces of biomedical devices can form biofilms, which are highly resistant to antimicrobial treatment. Therefore, it is important to develop reliable sampling techniques and methods for early and accurate detection of bacterial adherence to aid appropriate diagnosis and patient treatment. There are no “gold standard” diagnostic methods in biofilm-associated diseases. Traditional technologies for biofilm sampling of medical surfaces include microbiological, microscopic, immunological, and molecular biological techniques. However, there are reports of up to 30% false-negative results for samples collected in clinical settings using these traditional methods. State-of-the-art methodology for biofilm detection in biomedical devices has been developed since mid-1990s including noninvasive imaging techniques and the use of biosensors. These novel approaches are aimed at enhancing bacterial detection in biofilm-associated infections involving indwelling medical devices.

Soil contamination by heavy metals, first of all, influences biological and ecological conditions, and it is able to change the conservative soil features, such as humus content, aggregation, acidity and others, leading to partial or total diminishing of soil fertility and decrease in soil economic value. Zoogenic issues of soil protective capacity formation in conditions of heavy metal content rise under technogenesis have been studied. The article discusses the features of earthworm trophic-metabolic activity in the afforested remediated site (Western Donbass, Ukraine) with different options of mixed soil bulk. Western Donbass is the large center of coal mining located in South-Western part of Ukraine. High rates of technical development in this region lead to surface subsidence, rising and outbreak of high-mineralized groundwater, and formation of dump pits of mine wastes. Remediated area is represented by the basement of mine wastes covered by 5 options of artificial mixed soil with different depth of horizons. The following tree species were planted on top of artificial soil: Acer platanoides L., Robinia pseudoacacia L., and Juniperus virginiana L. The main practical tasks were to define on the quantitative basis the buffer capacity of artificial mixed soil and earthworm excreta in relation to copper contamination and to compare its immobilization capacity in conditions of artificial forest plants in the territory of Western Donbass. It was proved that earthworm excreta had a great influence on soil immobilization capacity (particularly, on soil buffering to copper) which increased for excreta in the following range: humus-free loess loam – top humus layer of ordinary chernozem. Immobilization efficiency of copper by earthworm excreta from ordinary chernozem bulk compared with baseline (ordinary chernozem) was significantly higher. It should be noted that trophic-metabolic activity of earthworms plays very important role as a zoogenic factor which restricts movement of excess chemicals, maintains stability and increases resistance to soil contamination, in particular, with copper. Besides, it is possible to accelerate the artificial forest edaphotop naturalization on reclaimed land, and to increase its ecological value

Conducted analysis of forest vegetation has allowed selecting and specifying classification and typological units of the aspen-and-birch separated small woods, which have statistically significant difference of ecotopic and coenotic parameters. Those parameters of studied forest ecosystems are characterised. Existence of the lines of hygrogenic and edaphogenic substitution, and succession rows are described. Phytoindication description of ecological factors’ pivotal conditions is presented. Driving factors determining parameters, structure and composition of the aspen-and-birch forest ecosystems are diminishing soil moisture, increasing annual temperatures amplitude and soil acidity.

Conducted analysis of forest vegetation has allowed selecting and specifying classification and typological units of the aspen-and-birch separated small woods, which have statistically significant difference of ecotopic and coenotic parameters. Those parameters of studied forest ecosystems are characterised. Existence of the lines of hygrogenic and edaphogenic substitution, and succession rows are described. Phytoindication description of ecological factors’ pivotal conditions is presented. Driving factors determining parameters, structure and composition of the aspen-and-birch forest ecosystems are diminishing soil moisture, increasing annual temperatures amplitude and soil acidity.

Results on phytoindication research of native and anthropogenically transformed small insular aspen-birch woods (koloks) are under consideration. Parameters of the ground moisture, saline, acidity and nitrogen regimes, humus content for different types of koloks are presented. The directions of hydrogenic and trophogenic changes for intrazonal ecosystems in dependence of forming condition are given.

Охарактеризовано горизонтальну структуру нижніх ярусів березово-осикових колків Присамар’я Дніпровського з використанням комбінованого методу блоків і головних компонент. Статистично достовірно визначені багатовидові мозаїки для різних масштабів – мікро зональні, парцелярні та ценотичні.

The spatial pattern of herbage and underwood in birch-aspen small woods of Samara River basin has been estimated by combined method of blocks and main components. The significant multi-species spatial mosaics have been determined upon different scales: micro-zone, parcel and coenotic levels.

Asthma History Questionnaire. (DOCX 29 kb)

The example of complex approach to research of ecological peculiarities of island forests in the steppe zone of Ukraine is presented. Main ways of pedogenesis, plant species composition and forming of the litter invertebrate complex in mesohygrophilous and hygrophilous sandy biogeocenoses of the second terrace of Samara river valley are characterized.

The example of complex approach to research of ecological peculiarities of island forests in the steppe zone of Ukraine is presented. Main ways of pedogenesis, plant species composition and forming of the litter invertebrate complex in mesohygrophilous and hygrophilous sandy biogeocenoses of the second terrace of Samara river valley are characterized.

The influence of reservation regime on agrochemical properties of chernozem and meadow soils of “Mikhailovska Tselina” Reserve was investigated. According to data of exchange capacity analysis these soils belong to non-salted category. The reservation regime influences on total humus in chernozem and meadow soils.

Clinical studies suggest that triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-expressing tumors could benefit from therapy with Cetuximab, which targets EGFR. NK cells are the primary effectors of antibody (Ab)-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and thus play a role in Ab-based therapies. We have previously described diminished levels of Cetuximab-mediated ADCC in vitro in patients with advanced breast cancer. Here, we investigated the potential causes of this NK-cell functional deficiency. We characterized NK-cell activating/inhibitory receptors in the peripheral blood of breast cancer patients and found CD85j inhibitory receptor overexpression. The capacity of NK cells to perform Cetuximab-triggered ADCC against TNBC cells correlated inversely with CD85j expression, even in the presence of the stimulatory cytokines IL-2 or IL-15. Hence, patients expressing high levels of CD85j had an impaired ability to lyse TNBC cells in the presence of Cetuximab. We also found that CD85j overexpression was associated with HLA-I and soluble HLA-G expression by tumors. A CD85j functional blockade with a CD85j antagonist Ab restored ADCC levels in breast cancer patients and reverted this negative effect. Our data suggest that strategies that overcome the hurdles of immune activation could improve Cetuximab clinical efficacy.

A method is proposed for describing the rheological properties of polyamide 66@mdash;polyethylene terephthalate during extrusion; it allows obtaining results based on theoretical models which are equal to the experimental data. Refinement of the results of the calculation makes it necessary to consider the nonadditivity of the change in parameters B and n, determined by the disperse structure of the material, on the rheological and thermophysical properties of the blend.