A three dimensional representation of the fracture network of a CO2 reservoir analogue (Latera Caldera, Central Italy)

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Структура и биологическое действие аналогов и производных биогенных полиаминов

Objectives. Biogenic polyamines are widely present in nature. They are characteristic of both protozoan cells and multicellular organisms. These compounds have a wide range of biological functions and are necessary for normal growth and development of cells. Violation of polyamine homeostasis can cause significant abnormalities in cell functioning, provoking various pathological processes, including oncological and neuropsychiatric diseases. The impact on the “polyamine pathway” is an attractive basis for the creation of many pharmacological agents with a diverse spectrum of action. The purpose of this review is to summarize the results of the studies devoted to understanding the biological activity of compounds of the polyamine series, comparing their biological action with action on certain molecular targets. Due to the structural diversity of this group of substances, it is impossible to fully reflect the currently available data in one review. Therefore, in this work, the main attention is paid to the derivatives, acyclic saturated polyamines.Results. The following aspects are considered: biological functionality, biosynthesis and catabolism, cell transport, and localization of biogenic polyamines in the living systems. Structural analogs and derivatives of biogenic polyamines with antitumor, neuroprotective, antiarrhythmic, antiparasitic, antibacterial, and other biological activities are represented; the relationship between biological activity and the target of exposure is reflected. It was found that the nature of the substituent, the number of cationic centers, and the length of the polyamine chain have a great influence on the nature of the effect.Conclusions. At present, the use of polyamine structures is restrained by cytotoxicity and nonspecific toxic effects on the central nervous system. Further research in the field of biochemistry, cell transport, and a deeper understanding of receptor interaction mechanisms will help making polyamines as the basis for potential drug formulation.Цели. Биогенные полиамины широко представлены в живой природе. Они характерны как для клеток простейших, так и для многоклеточных организмов. Данные соединения обладают широким спектром биологической активности и необходимы для нормального роста и развития клеток. Нарушение гомеостаза полиаминов может вызывать существенные отклонения в функционировании клетки, провоцируя протекание патологических процессов различного рода, включая онкологические и психоневрологические заболевания. Воздействие на «полиаминовый путь» является привлекательным базисом для создания ряда фармакологически активных веществ с различным спектром действия. Целью данного обзора является обобщение результатов исследований, посвященных изучению биологической активности соединений полиаминового ряда; сопоставление биологического действия с воздействием на определенные молекулярные мишени. В виду структурного многообразия данной группы веществ невозможно в полной мере отразить имеющиеся на сегодняшний момент данные в одном обзоре. Поэтому в настоящей работе основное внимание уделено производным насыщенных полиаминов ациклического строения.Результаты. В общем виде рассмотрены следующие аспекты: биологическая активность, биосинтез и катаболизм, клеточный транспорт и локализация биогенных полиаминов в живых системах. Представлены структурные аналоги и производные биогенных полиаминов, обладающие противоопухолевой, нейропротекторной, антиаритмической, противопаразитарной, антибактериальной и некоторыми другими видам биологической активности; отражена взаимосвязь между биологической активностью и мишенями воздействия. Установлено, что на характер воздействия большое влияние оказывает природа заместителя, количество катионных центров, а также длина полиаминовой цепи.Выводы. В настоящее время применение структур полиаминового ряда сдерживается наличием цитотоксичности, а также неспецифического токсического воздействия на ЦНС. Дальнейшие исследования в области биохимии, клеточного транспорта, а также более глубокое понимание механизмов рецепторного взаимодействия позволят использовать полиамины в качестве основы для создания потенциальных лекарственных препаратов

Neurofilament light plasma concentration positively associates with age and negatively associates with weight and height in the dog

Plasma neurofilament light chain (pNfL) concentration is a biomarker for neuroaxonal injury and degeneration and can be used to monitor response to treatment. Spontaneous canine neurodegenerative diseases are a valuable comparative resource for understanding similar human conditions and as large animal treatment models. The features of pNfL concentration in healthy dogs is not well established. We present data reporting basic pNfL concentration trends in the Labrador Retriever breed. Fifty-five Labrador Retrievers were enrolled. pNfL concentration was measured and correlated to age, sex, neuter status, height, weight, body mass index, and coat color. We found increased pNfL with age (P < 0.0001), shorter stature (P = 0.009) and decreased body weight (P < 0.001). These are similar to findings reported in humans. pNfL concentration did not correlate with sex, BMI or coat color. This data further supports findings that pNfL increase with age in a canine population but highlights a need to consider weight and height when determining normal pNfL concentration in canine populations

Synthesis of 8-phenyl substituted 3-benzazecines with allene moiety, their thermal rearrangement and evaluation as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors

Various 4′-R-substituted phenyl azacyclic allenes were synthesized in good yields, and their thermal transformations were studied. For the first time, the obtained rearrangement products—new N-bridged cyclopenta[a]indenes, and the corresponding parent allenes were evaluated as potential inhibitors of acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase. Among the tested compounds, the allene derivative 2g proved to competitively inhibit human AChE with inhibition constant value (Ki) in the low micromolar range. Graphic abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.

A comparative study of Epipactis atrorubens in two different forest communities of the Middle Urals, Russia

The objective of this study was to compare eco-physiological and morphological parameters of a regionally endangered orchid species, Epipactis atrorubens (Hoffm. ex Bernh.) Bess., growing in two forest communities (on serpentine and granite outcrops) of the Middle Urals, Russia. Biodiversity, dominance, and phytocoenosis studies showed the colonization of a wide range of plant species on both sites. The physicochemical properties of the soil, chemical composition and morphological features of E. atrorubens, growing under technogenic conditions (asbestos deposits), on serpentine outcrops and in the natural environment of the granite massif were studied for the first time. The serpentine substrate differed from the granite one by its greater stoniness, circumneutral pH and lower contents of available nitrogen and phosphorus. Extremely high concentrations of magnesium were found in the serpentine soil, some 79 times higher than in the granite substrate. High concentrations of nickel (94 times), chromium (59 times), cobalt (17 times), and iron (4 times) were found in the serpentine substrate, higher than in the granite substrate. The differences between the sites for available metal contents and for root and shoot metal contents were significantly less. Concentrations of most of the metals in the roots were higher than in the shoots. Despite higher metal concentrations and lower nitrogen and phosphorus levels in serpentine soils, E. atrorubens had a larger population and greater viability compared to those growing on granite. Plants on serpentine outcrops were characterized by the formation of a larger number of fruits, greater root lengths and thicker leaf blades, compared to plants on granites. The well-developed orchid mycorrhizae contributed to the survival of this species under unfavorable serpentine conditions. Hence, serpentine outcrops formed due to the mining of asbestos could be a suitable substrate for the light-demanding E. atrorubens due to its capacity to adapt to dry, rocky, nutrient-depleted soils and limited competition from other plants. © 2019, The Author(s).The work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation in the framework of the State Task of UrFU No. 6.7696.2017

Spectroscopic determination of hole density in the ferromagnetic semiconductor Ga1−x_{1-x}Mnx_{x}As

The measurement of the hole density in the ferromagnetic semiconductor Ga$_{1-x}$Mn$_{x}$As is notoriously difficult using standard transport techniques due to the dominance of the anomalous Hall effect. Here, we report the first spectroscopic measurement of the hole density in four Ga$_{1-x}$Mn$_{x}$As samples ($x=0, 0.038, 0.061, 0.083$) at room temperature using Raman scattering intensity analysis of the coupled plasmon-LO-phonon mode and the unscreened LO phonon. The unscreened LO phonon frequency linearly decreases as the Mn concentration increases up to 8.3%. The hole density determined from the Raman scattering shows a monotonic increase with increasing $x$ for $x\leq0.083$, exhibiting a direct correlation to the observed $T_c$. The optical technique reported here provides an unambiguous means of determining the hole density in this important new class of ``spintronic'' semiconductor materials.Comment: two-column format 5 pages, 4 figures, to appear in Physical Review

Adaptive morphophysiological features of neottia ovata (Orchidaceae) contributing to its natural colonization on fly ash deposits

In previous decades, some species of the Orchidaceae family have been found growing in man-made habitats. Neottia ovata is one of the most widespread orchids in Europe, however it is quite rare in Russia and is included in several regional Red Data Books. The purpose of this study was to compare the chemical composition and morphophysiological parameters of N. ovata from two forest communities of the Middle Urals, Russia: natural and transformed (fly ash dump of Verkhnetagil’skaya Thermal Power Station) for determining orchid adaptive features. The content of most of the studied metals in the underground parts (rhizome + roots) of N. ovata was considerably higher than in the leaves, which diminished the harmful effect of toxic metals on the aboveground organs. The adaptive changes in the leaf mesostructure of N. ovata such as an increase in epidermis thickness, the number of chloroplasts in the cell, and the internal assimilating surface were found for the first time. The orchids from the fly ash deposits were characterized by a higher content of chlorophyll b and carotenoids than plants from the natural forest community that evidenced the compensatory response on the decrease in chlorophyll a. The ability of N. ovata from the transformed habitat to maintain a relatively favorable water balance and stable assimilation indexes further contribute to its high viability. The study of orchid adaptive responses to unfavorable factors is necessary for their successful naturalization and introduction into a new environment. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.The reported study was partly funded by RFBR and the Government of Sverdlovsk region, project number 20-44-660011 and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation as part of state task of the Ural Federal University, FEUZ-2020-0057

Two-dimensional mathematical modeling of 2013 and 2020 Amur River floods

Predicting river flooding of the territory where people live and engage in economic activities is urgent. The most problematic area in the Russian Far East is the territory through which the Amur River and its tributaries flow. The article considers the calculations of two Amur River floods: 2013 – catastrophic flood and 2020 – low flood. The simulation was carried out using a system of two-dimensional Saint-Venant equations using the Stream 2D CUDA program. The solution of the system of equations by numerical methods is based on the original author’s methodology. Channel depth maps and WordDEMTM (Airbus Defense and Space, Intelligence) data at 24 m resolution were used as a digital elevation model. Calculations of river floods in 2013 and 2020 were performed on a built-in and calibrated mathematical model, which matches the observational data well

Ire1α-Regulated Rate of mRNA Translation is Required for Acquisition of Identity and Polarity in Upper Layer Cortical Neurons

Evolutionary expansion of the neocortex is associated with the increase in upper layer neurons. Here, we present Inositol-Requiring Enzyme 1α, Ire1α, as an essential determinant of upper layer fate, neuronal polarization and cortical lamination. We demonstrate a non-canonical function of Ire1α in the regulation of global translation rates in the developing neocortex through its dynamic interaction with the ribosome and regulation of eIF4A1 and eEF-2 expression. Inactivation of Ire1α engenders lower protein synthesis rates associated with stalled ribosomes and decreased number of translation start sites. We show unique sensitivity of upper layer fate to translation rates. Whereas eEF-2 is required for cortical lamination, eIF4A1 regulates acquisition of upper layer fate downstream of Ire1α in a mechanism of translational control dependent on 5’UTR-embedded structural elements in fate determinant genes. Our data unveil developmental regulation of ribosome dynamics as post-transcriptional mechanisms orchestrating neuronal diversity establishment and assembly of cortical layers