Search

In the present study, a systematic literature review was conducted to examine the prevalence of homo- and heterozygous forms of Familial hypercholesterolemia among different racial and ethnic groups. Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited disorder characterised by elevated blood levels of cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Databases PubMed, Web of Science, and Elsiever were searched and only peer-reviewed articles with a large number of contributors and sufficient prevalence and ethnicity data were included. Diagnosis of FH was based on genetic testing or clinical criteria. The results of the study indicate inadequate and untimely diagnosis of FH, resulting in inadequate treatment. To date, only 9% of countries have statistical data on the prevalence of FH in the general population. In order to develop effective prevention strategies for cardiovascular diseases associated with FH, further research is needed to obtain accurate epidemiological data, including the race and ethnicity of patients. This will allow optimisation of strategies to reduce the burden of preventable cardiovascular disease associated with FH.

IntroductionThere is no consensus on the optimal concentration of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) for the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD) and aortic valve stenosis. In various clinical guidelines and agreed documents, the threshold level of Lp (a) is 30 mg/dl or 50 mg/dl. We estimated the cut-off value of Lp (a) associated with the risk of developing various localizations of atherosclerosis for the Central Asia, including Kazakhstani population.MethodsThis study was conducted at National Research Cardiac Surgery Center, Kazakhstan. 487 patients were included, of which 61.3% were men. The mean age of all participants was 57.3 ± 12.6 years. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to study the relationship between risk factors and plasma lipoprotein (a) levels. The threshold value of lipoprotein (a) was predicted using the Youden index.ResultsFor Kazakhstani population the lipoprotein (a) cut offs for the risk of developing atherosclerotic CVD and aortic valve calcification was 21.1 mg/dl (p

AbstractImmune cells in the tumour microenvironment (TME) interact with each other and with tumour cells to promote tumour development. IL-6/STAT3 pathway induces and maintains mainly pro-tumour TME. Macrophages and lymphocytes are positive for IL-6, STAT3 and IL-17, while FoxP3 cells are mainly regulatory cells. IL-17+ and FoxP3+ immune cells have impact on gut inflammation and tumourigenesis. The aim of this study was to determine IL-6+, STAT3+, IL-17+ and FoxP3+ immune cells in colorectal cancer (CRC) TME and explore their association with clinicopathological parameters and mismatch repair (MMR) status. The investigated samples were collected from 104 CRC patients. Immunohistochemistry for the aforementioned markers and microsatellite instability (MSI) markers was performed. MSI testing was used. The investigated immune cells were significantly more in the invasive front (IF) as compared to tumour stroma (TS). IL-6+ and STAT3+ immune cells were more in the early tumour stages as compared to advanced stages. IL-17+ and IL-6+ immune cells were more in well and moderately differentiated cancers. IL-6+, STAT3+ and IL-17+ immune cells prevailed in the TME in microsatellite stable patients and only FoxP3+ cells were fewer there. Higher numbers of STAT3+ cells correlated with longer survival. These results support the suggestion that the transition of normal colonic mucosa to CRC is marked by a shift of Th programme, leading to accumulation of Th17 cells and Tregs that sustain tumour cell growth through the IL-6/STAT3 signalling pathway.

TiO2 and TiO2-NiO films were successfully derived by a sol–gel dip coating technology. The impact of the thermal treatments (300–600 °C) on the structural, optical and electrochromic properties was investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that TiO2 films were polycrystalline and evolved in the anatase phase. The composite TiO2-NiO films, treated at annealing temperatures below 500 °C, contained anatase titania, a small inclusion of cubic NiO and an amorphous fraction. The formation of NiTiO3 was exposed after the highest annealing at 600 °C. The presence of Ti-O-Ni bonds was determined in the composite films by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The optical properties and the optical band gap of TiO2-NiO films were investigated and discussed. The transparency of the electrochromic TiO2-NiO films was 76.8 and 78.3% in the 380–700 nm spectral range after film thermal treatments at 300 and 500 °C. NiO incorporation led to the narrowing of the optical band gap. The electrochromic (EC) properties of the composite films were improved compared to TiO2 films. They had higher diffusion coefficients. Their color efficiencies are 37.6 (550 nm) and 52.2 cm2/C (600 nm).

A sol–gel deposition approach was applied for obtaining nanostructured Li-doped ZnO thin films. ZnO:Li films were successfully spin-coated on quartz and silicon substrates. The evolution of their structural, vibrational, and optical properties with annealing temperature (300–600 °C) was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), UV-VIS spectroscopic, and field emission scanning electron microscopic (FESEM) characterization techniques. It was found that lithium doping maintains the wurtzite arrangement of ZnO, with increasing crystallite sizes when increasing the annealing temperature. Analysis of the FTIR spectra revealed a broad main absorption band (around 404 cm−1) for Li-doped films, implying the inclusion of Li into the ZnO lattice. The ZnO:Li films were transparent, with slightly decreased transmittance after the use of higher annealing temperatures. The porous network of undoped ZnO films was transformed to a denser, grained, packed structure, induced by lithium doping.

The article develops a methodological approach to the assessment of socio-economic development of the Chuvash Republic, which allows to consider the factors with heterogeneous metrics. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the combination of methods used and the sequence of stages implemented: (1) index analysis of thirty-two indicators divided into seven macro-regional blocks (income, labor, business, ecology, social, prospects, finance); (2) development of formulas for each of them and calculation of integral indicators characterizing their dynamics; (3) development of a formula to determine the rate of socio-economic development; (4) one hundred graphs for forecasting socio-economic development were constructed; (5) thirty-one legal and regulatory acts were analyzed and the dependence by year between the indicator of the rate of socio-economic development developed by the authors and the number of legal and regulatory acts implemented in the country and the region was revealed; (6) a refined classification of the rate of socio-economic development was proposed. Having determined the current situation (2020 is a state close to sustainable—the rate of 99.5%, respectively), and based on the calculated forecast values of the rate of socio-economic development of the Chuvash Republic, it is possible to influence this process depending on the objectives for the medium term, taking the necessary regulatory legal acts, aimed at financing specific macroeconomic blocks. This methodical approach is a universal calculation tool and has great potential for further research. It can be used to assess not only the impact of certain indicators on socio-economic development, it is also applicable to other sectors and spheres of activity.

In this work light and matter have been coupled in a strong interaction between exciton resonances and topological photonic bands. The authors herein demonstrate a Z2 spin-Hall topological polaritonic phase enabling new coupling schemes in valleytronics and spintronics.

Buffaloes from intensive (farm 1 - Fm1; 438 normal, 115 short lactations) and pasture (farm 2 - Fm2; 330 + 58 lactations) system were assigned to study lactation curve via ANOVA (LSMLMW and MIXMDL) per each 10-day period (“tenday”), as well as overall (PI1) and post-peak (PIP) persistency. Greatest is the effect of parity and season, also of year on 2nd-12th tenday. Persistency is affected by parity, year and season of calving, and especially by peak month and DIM (P≤0.001). The curves showed peak averagely at 2nd tenday in both herds. Compared to the buffaloes on pasture, Fm1 has significantly lower milk in initial two and in 15th to 21st tendays, defining slower decline to mid-lactation and faster after that. These differences in the curves predetermine a non-significant difference in PI1 between Fm1 and Fm2 (0.932 and 0.940) and a significant but still small superiority in PIP of Fm2 (0.893) over Fm1 (0.880). The lactations below 210 days are 17.8%, persistency being 0.859 to 0.742, and peak by 17 to 32% worse than normal lactation. Long and very long lactations’ persistency is 0.923 and 0.950. Only very long lactations have а typical curve – 4th tenday peak, by 10% lower than normal lactation.

The relevance of this study is tied to the fact, that more effective application of export potential represents a major step towards the integration of Latvia’s economy into a unified economic framework with other European Union countries. In addition, the lack of a generally accepted methodology for assessing export potential increases the significance of these studies from a methodological point of view. The purpose of this study is to analyse the trends in Latvian exports and assess the possibilities of increasing the volume of exports of goods to the EU countries. This study applied quantitative and qualitative methods of analysis, analysis of statistical data, methods for assessing the intensity, complementarity of trade between two countries and the potential for exporting Latvian goods to EU countries. The study identifies the countries and categories of goods where Latvian trade potential to EU can be increased. The authors of the article propose criteria for determining possibility of increasing the export of various groups of goods. The paper may be of interest to all export transaction participants, including manufacturers, merchants, and professional associations. The export expansion assessment method applied by the authors may be adopted by exporting companies to identify groups of goods that have export growth reserves.

This work presents a facile sol–gel method for the deposition of ZnO and ZnO:Mg films. The films are spin coated on silicon and quartz substrates. The impact of magnesium concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 wt%) and post-annealing treatments (300–600 °C) on the film’s structural, vibrational and optical properties is investigated. Undoped ZnO films crystallize in the wurtzite phase, with crystallite sizes ranging from 9.1 nm (300 °C) to 29.7 nm (600 °C). Mg doping deteriorates the film crystallization and shifting of 002 peak towards higher diffraction angles is observed, indicating the successful incorporation of Mg into the ZnO matrix. ZnO:Mg films (2 wt%) possess the smallest crystallite size, ranging from 6.2 nm (300 °C) to 25.2 nm (600 °C). The highest Mg concentration (3 wt%) results into a segregation of the MgO phase. Lattice constants, texture coefficients and Zn–O bond lengths are discussed. The diminution of the c lattice parameter is related to the replacement of Zn2+ by Mg2+ in the ZnO host lattice. The vibrational properties are studied by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. IR lines related to Mg–O bonds are found for ZnO:Mg films with dopant concentrations of 2 and 3 wt%. The optical characterization showed that the transmittance of ZnO:Mg thin films increased from 74.5% (undoped ZnO) to about 89.1% and the optical band gap energy from 3.24 to 3.56 eV. Mg doping leads to a higher refractive index compared to undoped ZnO films. The FESEM (field emission scanning electron microscopy) technique is used for observation of the surface morphology modification of ZnO:Mg films. The doped ZnO films possess a smoother grained surface structure, opposite to the wrinkle-type morphology of undoped sol–gel ZnO films. The smoother surface leads to improved transparency of ZnO:Mg films.

The article develops the author’s methodology for assessing the rates of socio-economic development and their forecasting in the Russian Federation, which makes it possible to consider factors with heterogeneous metrics. For this, an index analysis of thirty-two indicators divided into seven macro-regional blocks (income, labor, business, ecology, society, prospects, finance) was carried out, integral indicators were calculated that characterize their changes and the pace of socio-economic development of the Russian Federation was determined. Further, using the means of mathematical modeling, a multifactorial mathematical model was built and tested in real-time, which makes it possible to obtain a high-quality predicted result. Based on the forecasts obtained, it can be stated that it is necessary to adjust certain indicators that actively influence the pace of development, which is a mathematical justification for making managerial decisions when developing strategies and programs related to socio-economic progress in the Russian Federation.

In our study, transparent and conductive films of NiOx were successfully deposited by sol-gel technology. NiOx films were obtained by spin coating on glass and Si substrates. The vibrational, optical, and electrical properties were studied as a function of the annealing temperatures from 200 to 500 °C. X-ray Photoelectron (XPS) spectroscopy revealed that NiO was formed at the annealing temperature of 400 °C and showed the presence of Ni+ states. The optical transparency of the films reached 90% in the visible range for 200 °C treated samples, and it was reduced to 76–78% after high-temperature annealing at 500 °C. The optical band gap of NiOx films was decreased with thermal treatments and the values were in the range of 3.92–3.68 eV. NiOx thin films have good p-type electrical conductivity with a specific resistivity of about 4.8 × 10−3 Ω·cm. This makes these layers suitable for use as wideband semiconductors and as a hole transport layer (HTL) in transparent solar cells.

The analysis of dynamic ranks on development of infrastructure of credit relations of a small and average entrepreneurship (MSP) as a component of a regional strategic development is carried out. The potential of upgrade of the specified relations pledged in «The strategy of development for a small and average entrepreneurship in the Russian Federation for the period till 2030» is analysed. Need in case of development of the directions of impact planned in it on MSP is proved to consider specifics of functioning of the entities of various stages of lifecycle. It is shown that increase in effectiveness of implementation of impact of infrastructure of credit relations on activization of activities of MSP is mainly connected with creation from the state and local government bodies of system of support in case of deterioration in a financial condition of the entities. It can be based on the analysis of opportunities of recovery of demand for the made products, works, services, participations in the cooperative communications created with the participation of economy regulators.

The results of a study on the spawning-period activity of lysosomal proteases (cathepsins B and D) in the organs (muscles, liver, gills, gonads) of threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus L.) from hydrologically and ecologically different White Sea habitats are presented. At the beginning of the spawning run, the highest activity of cathepsin B in the muscles and liver was revealed in female fish from Seldyanaya Bay, indicating a relatively high autophagy-type proteolytic potential in these fish. By the end of the spawning period, muscular and hepatic cathepsin В activity rises in stickleback from Sukhaya Lagoon and Sukhaya Salma Strait, but declines in fish from Seldyanaya Bay. The increased activity of cathepsin D in the muscles of stickleback from Seldyanaya Bay and especially from Sukhaya Salma Strait alongside its slight reduction in fish from Sukhaya Lagoon in the end of the spawning season leads to the assumption about a synergetic although differently directed pattern of change in the activity of cathepsins D and B in intracellular proteolysis in female stickleback from different habitats during spawning. The study results indicate there is a correlation between the activity of the studied enzymes in stickleback, the spawning time (May and July), and habitat conditions. The leading factor for the activity of lysosomal proteases and, accordingly, for protein hydrolysis in stickleback in this period apparently are the physiological changes the body of the fish undergoes to be able to complete the spawning and prepare for the following fertilization.

The comparative dynamics of lipids and some fatty acids in the muscles of mature females and males of threespine stickleback from the White Sea kept in aquariums under the conditions of experimental short-term fasting and subsequent renewal of nutrition under different feeding regimens was studied. The most significant differences and the selectivity of lipid utilization are demonstrated between females and males in the process of an aquarium experiment, including their fasting and various dietary regimens. The results indicate the ability of the metabolic systems of male stickleback muscles to rapidly recover and store the requisite level of lipids after the termination of fasting. The relatively constant level of total lipids during fasting in the muscles of females can be explained by its maintenance due to the priority, up to the full, use of energy lipids, as well as individual structural lipids. The increase of the cholesterol level in the muscles of males and females during fasting and after the resumption of nutrition is most likely due to increased gluconeogenesis and increased resistance of the organism. A specificity of the expenditure of certain physiologically significant polyunsaturated fatty acids was observed – docosahexaenoic in males and eicosapentaenoic in females, most probably due to their special physiological roles in the fish organism. The temporal changes in the content of different lipids and fatty acids during fasting and the investigated feeding resumption regimens differ, reflecting the physiological and biochemical status of the organism, as well as the functional role and significance of individual lipid groups in the organism.

The paper is devoted to the analysis of seismic input characteristics from the point of view of their importance for engineers. It is noted that the design input does not need to have an external resemblance to the real one but it must provide for some properties of real actions. The paper considers three groups of seismic input characteristics: kinematic, spectral and energy ones. The stability of the characteristics under consideration is analyzed within the seismic intensity on the MSK scale. Among all characteristics, peak acceleration, peak velocity, harmonicity coefficient, Arias intensity, and absolute cumulative velocity are highlighted. It is noted that the kinematic characteristics significantly depend on the prevailing accelerogram period, and many energy characteristics are stable within the seismic intensity under consideration and can describe it. It is noted that for calculating structures under the design earthquake action, the kinematic characteristics should be fundamental for the engineer, and for calculating structures under the destructive (maximum design) earthquake action, the energy characteristics are fundamental. Two new seismic input characteristics are introduced, which are based on the response spectrum of the work of plastic deformation forces and on the structure damage spectrum.

Two layer system from sputtered indium tin oxide (ITO) and gallium doped zinc oxide (Ga:ZnO, GZO) were studied for transparency in the visible electromagnetic range, reflectivity in the near infrared range, conductivity and valent band for a solar cells with quantum dots. The bi-layer coatings produced at optimized oxygen partial pressure, films thickness and surface roughness exhibit improved optical properties without worsening the electrical parameters, even if additional oxygen introduction during the reactive sputtering of the GZO. With an average optical transmittance of 91.3% in the visible range, average reflection and resistivity lower than 0.4 × 10−2 Ω.cm, these coatings are suitable for top electrode in the solar cells. The obtained results reveal that multilayered stacks of transparent ITO/Ga-doped ZnO coatings possess relatively low surface roughness (7–9 nm) and appropriate refractive index. The additional oxidation of GZO films induces modification of the film thickness and respectively of their optical performances.

The adaptation of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) to an array of physiologic niches is advantaged by the plasticity of the viral genome, encoded proteins, and promoter. CXCR4-utilizing (X4) viruses preferentially, but not universally, infect CD4+ T cells, generating high levels of virus within activated HIV-1-infected T cells that can be detected in regional lymph nodes and peripheral blood. By comparison, the CCR5-utilizing (R5) viruses have a greater preference for cells of the monocyte-macrophage lineage; however, while R5 viruses also display a propensity to enter and replicate in T cells, they infect a smaller percentage of CD4+ T cells in comparison to X4 viruses. Additionally, R5 viruses have been associated with viral transmission and CNS disease and are also more prevalent during HIV-1 disease. Specific adaptive changes associated with X4 and R5 viruses were identified in co-linear viral sequences beyond the Env-V3. The in silico position-specific scoring matrix (PSSM) algorithm was used to define distinct groups of X4 and R5 sequences based solely on sequences in Env-V3. Bioinformatic tools were used to identify genetic signatures involving specific protein domains or long terminal repeat (LTR) transcription factor sites within co-linear viral protein R (Vpr), trans-activator of transcription (Tat), or LTR sequences that were preferentially associated with X4 or R5 Env-V3 sequences. A number of differential amino acid and nucleotide changes were identified across the co-linear Vpr, Tat, and LTR sequences, suggesting the presence of specific genetic signatures that preferentially associate with X4 or R5 viruses. Investigation of the genetic relatedness between X4 and R5 viruses utilizing phylogenetic analyses of complete sequences could not be used to definitively and uniquely identify groups of R5 or X4 sequences; in contrast, differences in the genetic diversities between X4 and R5 were readily identified within these co-linear sequences in HIV-1-infected patients.

Implementation of agricultural countermeasures is one of the principal methods that allow to decrease irradiation doses. Summarizing available information about countermeasures and taking into account the experience in the elimination of the nuclear accident consequences, it is demonstrated that the most widespread countermeasures after the Chernobyl accident were soil ameliorations. These methods are simple, inexpensive and effective in reducing radionuclide transfer from the soil to agricultural crops. Among the above mentioned methods, agrotechnical countermeasures were the most applicable, decreasing the contamination of plant products up to 20 times. Radical and surface improvements of natural and semi‐natural meadows were carried out on a large scale on contaminated lands. The biggest decrease of vegetation contamination was observed after the radical improvement of meadows, with and without drainage, 43 and 16 times, respectively. Other effective measures are agrochemical methods. In fact the application of various fertilizers permitted to decrease the radioactive contamination of production averagely 2–3 times. Potassium fertilizers were the most effective for the decrease of 137Cs transfer to harvested crops. Application of sorbing minerals decreased 137Cs transfer to crops from a peaty soil up to 11 times, and from a sod‐podzolic soil up to 3 times. Moreover, these countermeasures increased the yield and improved the quality of products. Agrokultūrinių atsakomųjų priemonių taikymo radioaktyviąja tarša užterštuose laukuose radiologinis efektyvumas Santrauka Agrokultūrinių atsakomųjų priemonių įgyvendinimas yra vienas iš pagrindinių metodų, leidžiančių sumažinti spinduliavimo dozes. Apibendrinus informaciją apie atsakomąsias priemones ir įvertinus turimą branduolinių nelaimių padarinių šalinimo patirtį, parodoma, kad po Černobylio avarijos plačiausiai taikomos atsakomosios priemonės buvo dirvožemio gerinimas. Šie metodai, padedantys sumažinti radionuklidų pernašą iš dirvožemio į pasėlius, yra paprasti, nebrangūs ir efektyvūs. Agrotechninės atsakomosios priemonės buvo tinkamiausios siekiant sumažinti augalinės produkcijos užterštumą iki 20 kartų. Natūralių ir pusiau natūralių pievų šakninių ir paviršinių dalių pagerinimas buvo atliekamas plačiu mastu užterštose dirvose. Didžiausias augalijos užterštumo sumažėjimas buvo nustatytas pagerinus pievą su ir be drenažo (atitinkamai 43 ir 16 kartų). Kitos efektyvios priemonės yra agrocheminiai metodai. Naudojant įvairias trąšas galima sumažinti produkcijos užterštumą radioaktyviosiomis medžiagomis vidutiniškai 2–3 kartus. Kalio trąšos buvo efektyviausios mažinant 137C pernašą į javų derlių. Naudojant sorbcinius mineralus 137C pernaša į javus iš durpingos dirvos sumažėjo 11 kartų, o iš velėninio dirvožemio – iki 3 kartų. Be to, šios atsakomosios priemonės padidino derlių ir pagerino produktų kokybę. Reikšminiai žodžiai: radioaktyvusis užterštumas, 137C, 90Sr, pasėliai, atsakomosios priemonės, efektyvumas. Радиоэкологическая эффективность контрмер, применяемых на радиоактивно загрязненных территориях Резюме Применение контрмер в сельском хозяйстве является одним из основных методов, позволяющих снизить дозу облучения населения на радиоактивно загрязненных территориях. Обобщив накопленную информацию о контрмерах и учтя опыт ликвидации последствий ядерных аварий, можно заключить, что наиболее широко применяются почвенные мелиорации. Эти методы достаточно просты, дешевы и эффективны в снижении перехода радионуклидов из почвы в сельскохозяйственные растения. Наиболее доступными являются агротехнические меры, снижающие загрязнение растительной продукции до 20 раз. Корневое и поверхностное улучшение природных и полуприродных лугов было проведено на огромной территории, загрязненной после Чернобыльской аварии. Наибольшее уменьшение загрязнения вегетационной массы лугов и пастбищ наблюдалось после корневого улучшения: в 43 раза с осушением и 16 раз без него. Эффективны также агрохимические меры. Применение различных удобрений позволяет снизить загрязнение продукции в среднем в 2–3 раза. Калийные удобрения наиболее эффективны для снижения перехода 137Cs в урожай культур. Применение сорбирующих минералов также снижает переход 137Cs из торфяных почв до 11 раз и из дерново-подзолистых почв – до 3 раз. Более того, эти контрмеры повышают урожай и улучшают его качество. Ключевые слова: радиоактивное загрязнение, 137Cs, 90Sr, сельскохозяйственные культуры, контрмеры, эффективность. First Published Online: 14 Oct 2010