A combined Raman lidar for low tropospheric studies

One of the main goals of laser sensing of the atmosphere was the development of techniques and facilities for remote determination of atmospheric meteorological and optical parameters. Of lidar techniques known at present the Raman-lidar technique occupies a specific place. On the one hand Raman lidar returns due to scattering on different molecular species are very simple for interpretation and for extracting the information on the atmospheric parameters sought, but, on the other hand, the performance of these techniques in a lidar facility is overburdened with some serious technical difficulties due to extremely low cross sections of Raman effect. Some results of investigations into this problem is presented which enables the construction of a combined Raman lidar capable of acquiring simultaneously the profiles of atmospheric temperature, humidity, and some optical characteristics in the ground atmospheric layer up to 1 km height. The operation of this system is briefly discussed

Reactive oxygen species in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

Co-author affiliations: - Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry RAS, Saint Petersburg, Russia - Research Institute of Hygiene, Occupational Pathology and Human Ecology, Saint Petersburg, Russia - Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology RAS, Moscow, Russia - Institute of Cell Biophysics RAS, Pushchino, Russia - Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology RAMS, Moscow, RussiaThe volume of publications on the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in biological processes has been increasing exponentially over the last decades. ROS in large amounts clearly have detrimental effects on cell physiology, whereas low concentrations of ROS are permanently produced in cells and play a role as signaling molecules. An imbalance in ROS production and defense mechanisms can lead to pathological vascular remodeling, atherosclerosis being among them. The aim of this review is to examine different sources of ROS from the point of view of their participation in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular risk. Among the possible sources of ROS discussed here are mitochondria, NADPH-oxidases, xanthine oxidase, peroxidases, NO-synthases, cytochrome P450, cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenases, and hemoglobin of red blood cells. A great challenge for future research is to establish interrelations, feedback and feed-forward regulation mechanisms of various sources of ROS in development of atherosclerosis and other vascular pathologies

Responses to environmental enrichment differ with sex and genotype in a transgenic mouse model of Huntington's disease.

BACKGROUND: Environmental enrichment (EE) in laboratory animals improves neurological function and motor/cognitive performance, and is proposed as a strategy for treating neurodegenerative diseases. EE has been investigated in the R6/2 mouse model of Huntington's disease (HD), where increased social interaction, sensory stimulation, exploration, and physical activity improved survival. We have also shown previously that HD patients and R6/2 mice have disrupted circadian rhythms, treatment of which may improve cognition, general health, and survival. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We examined the effects of EE on the behavioral phenotype and circadian activity of R6/2 mice. Our mice are typically housed in an "enriched" environment, so the EE that the mice received was in addition to these enhanced housing conditions. Mice were either kept in their home cages or exposed daily to the EE (a large playground box containing running wheels and other toys). The "home cage" and "playground" groups were subdivided into "handling" (stimulated throughout the experimental period) and "no-handling" groups. All mice were assessed for survival, body weight, and cognitive performance in the Morris water maze (MWM). Mice in the playground groups were more active throughout the enrichment period than home cage mice. Furthermore, R6/2 mice in the EE/no-handling groups had better survival than those in the home cage/no-handling groups. Sex differences were seen in response to EE. Handling was detrimental to R6/2 female mice, but EE increased the body weight of male R6/2 and WT mice in the handling group. EE combined with handling significantly improved MWM performance in female, but not male, R6/2 mice. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: We show that even when mice are living in an enriched home cage, further EE had beneficial effects. However, the improvements in cognition and survival vary with sex and genotype. These results indicate that EE may improve the quality of life of HD patients, but we suggest that EE as a therapy should be tailored to individuals

The structural organization of the liver and kupffer cells in newborn opposed lines mice CBA and C57BL / 6 under effect of chronic intrauterine hypoxia

The aim of the study was to study the structural organization of the liver and the ultrastructure of Kupffer cells in neonatal mice of two opposing lines of CBA and C57BI/6, who underwent chronic intrauterine hypoxia (CIUH). Materials and methods. One-day mice of the lines CBA and C57B1/6 were divided into four groups, 10 animals each: animals 1 (CBA) and 2 (C57B1/6) groups - mice bearing CIUH; animals 3rd (CBA) and 4th (C57B1/6) groups - mice of control groups. The effect of CIUH led to significant destructive changes in the liver parenchyma of one-day mice of both lines (CBA and C57Bl/6), more pronounced in C57B1/6 mice. The processes of reparative regeneration of liver parenchyma in C57Bl/6 mice transplanted with CIUH were less than in CBA mice and control mice and did not correspond to the scale of destructive changes in the liver parenchyma. In the Kupffer cells in C57Bl/6 mice transferred CIUH, a decrease in the protein-synthetic and energy functions of the Kupffer cells was detected, which was manifested by a decrease in the indicators characterizing the endoplasmic retikuluum, mitochondria, and demonstrates the state of desadaptation of the Kupfer cells. In the CBA mice that underwent CIUH, the Kupffer cells energy function was increased in relation to that in the control animals and characterizes the Kupfer cells compensation state in CIUH conditions.Целью исследования было изучение структурной организации печени и ультраструктуры клеток купфера у новорожденных мышей двух оппозитных линий СВа и C57BI/6, перенесших хроническую внутриутробную гипоксию (ХВУГ). Материалы и методы. однодневные мышата линий СВа и С57В1/6 были разделены на четыре группы, по 10 животных в каждой: животные 1-й (СВа) и 2-й (С57В1/6) групп – мышата, перенесшие ХВУГ; животные 3-й (СВа) и 4-й (С57В1/6) групп – мышата контрольных групп. Воздействие ХВУГ привело к значительным деструктивным изменениям в паренхиме печени однодневных мышат обеих линий (CBA и C57Bl/6), более выраженным у мышей линии С57В1/6. Процессы репаративной регенерации паренхимы печени у мышей линии C57Bl/6, перенесших ХВУГ, был меньшими, чем у мышей линии СВа и мышей контрольной группы, и не соответствовали масштабам деструктивных изменений в паренхиме печени. В клетках купфера у мышей линии C57Bl/6, перенесших ХВУГ, выявили снижение белково-синтетической и энергетической функций клеток купфера, что проявилось уменьшением показателей, характеризующих ГЭПС, митохондрии, и демонстрирует состояние дезадаптации клеток купфера. У мышей линии СВа, перенесших ХВУГ, энергетическая функция клеток купфера была увеличенной и характеризует в условиях ХВУГ состояние компенсации клеток купфера

Aerosol Lidar for the Relative Backscatter Amplification Measurements

Backscatter amplification presents only in a turbulent atmosphere, when the laser beam is propagates twice through the same inhomogeneities. We proposed technical solution to detect backscatter amplification. An aerosol micro pulse lidar with a beam expansion via receiving telescope was built to study this effect. Our system allows simultaneous detection of two returns from the same scattering volume: exactly on the axis of the laser beam and off the axis

Analysis of the correctness of retrieving the vertical atmospheric temperature distribution from lidar signals of molecular scattering at the main lidar of the Siberian Lidar Station

The methodological issues of lidar measurements of the vertical distribution of atmospheric temperature up to altitudes of 90 km are considered. The method is based on lidar measurements of the vertical profile of atmospheric molecular density using the Rayleigh scattering effect. The results obtained in the upgraded channel of the Rayleigh scattering of the 2.2-m diameter lidar based on the main mirror of the Siberian Lidar Station (SLS) are discussed. One of problems in carrying out measurements with the use of large-diameter telescopes is the giant dynamic range of lidar responses. The work with this range requires special attention both to the methodology and to the experimental technique. For solving this problem, an improved technique for the retrieval of temperature from molecular backscattering lidar signals is proposed. Numerical experiments have shown that the accuracy of the temperature profile retrieval depends on the choice of the position of the calibration point and the error in setting the temperature in it. The technique of the temperature profile retrieval, when the calibration point is chosen at the top of a sounding path, is sufficiently stable even under conditions of a giant dynamic range of lidar responses at the SLS. The comparison of the results of temperature retrieval from the real lidar responses with the satellite measurement data revealed significant discrepancies associated with the distorting instrumental and atmospheric effects on the lidar signal shape. A correction procedure based on the lidar calibration can significantly reduce measurement errors

Photon counting system with automated detection and selection of photodetector discrimination thresholds

The paper considers a block diagram of a photodetection system based on a new version of the four-channel photon counter "PHCOUNT-4" used for precision lidar measurements of atmospheric temperature. The results of using the new capabilities of the analog part of the photon counting system, which makes it possible to automatically record the amplitude distribution of single-electron pulses of each of the photodetectors installed in the channels and determine the optimal discrimination threshold, are described. It is shown that setting the optimal discrimination thresholds makes it possible to achieve a small spread in the end-to-end quantum efficiency of each of the channel

Studying the Vitality of Students

This article describes the specific questions of overcoming difficulties by students. Students of the Department of Political Science and Sociology of the UrFU were interviewed on the problem of overcoming difficulties in lives of method of sociology. The study revealed an insufficient level of their viability. As a result, it is planned to study the features of resources that can help young people to overcome difficult situations.В статье описаны особенности жизнестойкости студентов и указаны ресурсы, способствующие ее повышению. Проведен анализ компонентов жизнестойкости студентов департамента политологии и социологии УрФУ. Данные пилотного исследования выявили недостаточный уровень жизнестойкости студентов. Отмечена важность исследования особенностей ресурсов жизнестойкости молодежи

«One Small Step for Mouse»: High CO2 Inhalation as a New Therapeutic Strategy for Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a ubiquitous neurodegenerative disorder for which no effective treatment strategies are available. Existing pharmacotherapy is aimed only at correcting symptoms and slowing the progression of the disease, mainly by replenishing dopamine deficiency. It is assumed that mitochondrial dysfunction plays a key role in the pathogenesis of PD. It has been suggested that activation of specific degradation of damaged mitochondria (mitophagy) may prevent cell death. An almost exclusive way to initiate mitophagy is acidification of intracellular pH. We attempted to implement transient brain acidification using two experimental therapy strategies: forced moderate physical activity and high CO2 inhalation. The beneficial effects of CO2 supplementation on behavioral aspects were demonstrated in a rotenone-induced PD model. Mice treated with CO2 restored their exploratory behavior and total locomotor activity lost after rotenone administration. Additionally, this treatment enabled the removal of impaired coordination. We have illustrated this therapeutic strategy using histological studies of brain sections to confirm the survival of nigrostriatal areas. These findings suggest that high CO2 inhalation presumably initiates mitophagy via transient brain acidification, and can treat PD-like symptoms in a rodent rotenone model of PD