Wildlife population changes across eastern europe after the collapse of socialism

When political regimes fall, economic conditions change and wildlife protection can be undermined. Eastern European countries experienced turmoil following the collapse of socialism in the early 1990s, raising the question of how wildlife was affected. We show that the aftermath of the collapse changed the population growth rates of various wildlife taxa. We analyzed populations of moose (Alces alces), wild boar (Sus scrofa), red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), brown bear (Ursus arctos), Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), and gray wolf (Canis lupus) in nine countries. Population growth rates changed in 32 out of 49 time series. In the countries that reformed slowly, many species exhibited rapid population declines, and population growth rates changed in 83% of the time series. In contrast, in countries with fast post- socialism reforms, many populations increased rapidly, and growth rates changed in only 48% of time series. Our results suggest that the direction and frequency of the changes were associated with socioeconomic conditions, and that wildlife populations can be greatly affected by socioeconomic upheavals

Pararenalfat Tissue: Rate of Pararenal Obesity and Relation with Anthropometric Indices of Obesity

Aim. To study a rate of excessive pararenal fat tissue (PRFT) thickness and its relationship with anthropometric obesity indices.Material and methods. 372 patients (152 men and 220 women) were included in the study, the average age was 63.5±13.3 years. There were measured: height, weight, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), body mass index (BMI), WC/height ratio, sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD), body fat percentage (BFP), body surface area (BSA), body adiposity index (BAI) and visceral obesity index (VAI). All subjects underwent abdominal multispiral computed tomography. PRFT thickness was detected on a single slice at the level of the left renal vein.Results. 27% of the examined group had BMI<25 kg/m2, 28% – excessive body mass, 45% – obesity. The median PRFT thickness was 1.61 (1.03; 2.46) cm. There were correlations between PRFT thickness and glucose (r=0,64, p<0,05) and uric acid (r=0,46, p<0,05) levels. The threshold of referential PRFT thickness was 1,91cm. The rate of pararenal obesity was 9,9% among those with normal body mass, 29,3% in excessive body mass, 66,1% – in 1 class obesity, 67,7% – in 2 class, and 90,1% – in 3 class. The correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between the PRFT thickness and obesity indices with exception of VAI and BAI: with BMI (r=0.43, p<0.05), WC (r=0.57, p<0.05), SAD (r=0.58, p<0.05), BFP (r=0.48, p<0.05), WC/height ratio (r=0.46, p<0.05), and BSA (r=0.58, p<0.05).Conclusion. Excessive PRFT may be detected isolated without any external anthropometric signs of obesity, wherein it is an active component of metabolic disorders typical for obesity. The most significant indices for the detection of pararenal obesity may be WC, SAD, and BSA

Rare coding SNP in DZIP1 gene associated with late-onset sporadic Parkinson's disease

We present the first application of the hypothesis-rich mathematical theory to genome-wide association data. The Hamza et al. late-onset sporadic Parkinson's disease genome-wide association study dataset was analyzed. We found a rare, coding, non-synonymous SNP variant in the gene DZIP1 that confers increased susceptibility to Parkinson's disease. The association of DZIP1 with Parkinson's disease is consistent with a Parkinson's disease stem-cell ageing theory.Comment: 14 page

Geochemistry of Vein Calcites Hosted in the Troodos Pillow Lavas and Their Implications for the Timing and Physicochemical Environment of Fracturing, Fluid Circulation, and Vein Mineral Growth

Calcite veins hosted in pillow lavas of the Late Cretaceous Troodos suprasubduction zone ophiolite provide insights into the timing and physicochemical environment of postmagmatic fracturing and fluid circulation through oceanic crust. This study presents rare earth element and yttrium (REE+Y) concentrations, δ13C, δ18O, 87Sr/86Sr, and clumped isotopic (Δ47) compositions of vein calcites in order to investigate their fluid sources, formation temperatures, and precipitation ages. These geochemical data are combined with microtextural analyses. Intersections of 87Sr/86Sr ratios of vein calcites with the Sr isotope seawater curve suggest two distinct calcite veining phases. Major calcite veining within an interval of ~10 Myr after crust formation is characterized by microtextures that point to extensional fracturing related to crack and sealing, host rock brecciation, and advective fluid flow. These vein calcites show REE+Y characteristics, 87Sr/86Sr ratios, and clumped isotopic compositions indicative of precipitation from seawater at <50 °C. Extended fluid residence times intensified fluid‐rock interactions and lowered Y/Ho ratios of some blocky vein calcites, whereas crack and sealing resulted in pristine seawater signatures. Low 87Sr/86Sr ratios of localized high‐temperature blocky vein calcites point to the involvement of hydrothermal fluids. These calcites show Mn‐controlled oscillatory growth zonations that probably developed in a closed system out of equilibrium. Later calcite veining (<75 Ma) may have coincided with rotation and/or uplift of the Troodos ophiolite. Microtextures of these vein calcites indicate fluid diffusion and fracture‐independent crystallization pressure‐driven veining. Their variably modified seawater signatures resulted from diffusion‐related fluid interaction with hydrothermal sediments

ДИАГНОСТИЧЕСКИЕ РАДИОФАРМАЦЕВТИЧЕСКИЕ ПРЕПАРАТЫ НА ОСНОВЕ ПРОИЗВОДНЫХ ГЛЮКОЗЫ В СОВРЕМЕННОЙ ОНКОЛОГИЧЕСКОЙ ПРАКТИКЕ

The purpose of the study was to review available literature on the efficacy of radiopharmaceuticals based on glucose derivatives labeled with radioactive isotopes for detection of various cancers. Material and methods. A systematic literature review was performed using the Scopus, Web of Science, MedLine, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Global Health databases from 2000 to 2016. Out of 900 papers in the field of nuclear medicine, 58 were included into the review. Results. 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (18F-FDG) has been approved to be a powerful imaging tool for the detection of various cancers as well as for the assessment of tumor extent and therapy response. There is a continuous search for new more specific and effective radiopharmaceuticals for visualization of tumor tissue. Many studies are devoted to the development of radiopharmaceuticals based on technetium-99m labeled glucose derivatives for tumor visualization. Russian researches have made a significant progress in the development of imaging agents for single-photon emission computed tomography. Conclusion. Despite the widespread use of positron emission tomography technologies, which have proved to be effective, the specialists still have a great interest in radiopharmaceuticals based on technetium-99m. The literature review suggests that the emergence of a diagnostic radiopharmaceutical based on technetium-99m labeled glucose derivative will help to improve the availability of nuclear medicine methods and their effectiveness.Цель исследования – анализ имеющихся на сегодняшний день литературных данных об эффективности применения диагностических радиофармацевтических препаратов на основе меченных радиоактивными изотопами производных глюкозы в визуализации злокачественных новообразований различных локализаций. Материал и методы. Поиск соответствующих источников производился в системах Scopus, Web of Science, MedLine, The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Global Health и РИНЦ, включались публикации с 2000 по 2016 г. Из 900 источников в обзор были включены 58 наиболее полных и фундаментальных трудов в области ядерной медицины. Результаты. В настоящее время в онкологии достаточно широко используется диагностический радиофармацевтический препарат на основе меченной фтором-18 производной глюкозы – 18F-дезоксиглюкоза (18F-ФДГ). Применение указанного радиофармпрепарата доказало свою эффективность в визуализации злокачественных новообразований различных локализаций, оценке распространенности опухолевого процесса и оценке эффективности проводимого лечения. При этом в мире идет поиск новых, более специфичных и эффективных радиофармпрепаратов для визуализации опухолевой ткани. Достаточно много трудов посвящено разработке радиофармацевтических препаратов на основе меченных технецием-99m производных глюкозы для визуализации опухолевой ткани. Значительных результатов в этой области достигли отечественные исследователи, разрабатывающие оригинальные препараты для однофотонной эмиссионной компьютерной томографии. Заключение. Несмотря на широкое распространение в мире технологий позитронно-эмиссионной томографии, доказавшей свою эффективность, у специалистов по- прежнему остается большой интерес к радиофармацевтическим препаратам на основе технеция-99m. Анализ литературы свидетельствует о том, что появление диагностического радиофармацевтического препарата на основе меченной технецием-99m производной глюкозы поможет повысить доступность методов ядерной медицины и их эффективность

Организация и методическое обеспечение теоретического обучения аспирантов по специальностям «биоорганическая химия» и «биотехнология»

The organization and methodical support of the theoretical education of the graduate students specializing in the «Bioorganic chemistry» and «Biotechnology» are presented. Experience accumulated upon teaching the graduate students on the Department of Biotechnology and Department of Chemistry and Technology of Biologically Active Compounds of Lomonosov State Academy of Fine Chemical Technology in 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 academic years is discussed.Представлена методическая концепция организации теоретического обучения аспирантов, обеспечивающая качественно новый уровень подготовки специалистов высшей квалификации по специальностям 02.00.10. «Биоорганическая химия» и 03.00.23. «Биотехнология». Обобщен опыт организации теоретического обучения аспирантов на кафедрах Биотехнологии и Химии и технологии биологически активных соединений МИТХТ им. М.В. Ломоносова в 2006/07 и 2007/08 учебных годах

Изменение функционального профиля моноцитов крови при раке молочной железы

The purpose of the study was to identify functional features of circulation monocytes in patients with nonmetastatic breast cancer.Material and Methods. The study cohort consisted of 10 breast cancer patients treated at Tomsk Cancer Research Institute. 7 healthy female volunteers were enrolled as a control group. CD14+16-, CD14+16+ and CD14-16+ monocytes subsets were obtained from blood by sorting. Whole transcriptome profling was provided in monocytes from patients and healthy females. Macrophages were differentiated from the obtained monocytes under in vitro conditions. The ability of conditioned media obtained from macrophages to infuence apoptosis and proliferation of MDA-MB 231 cell line was evaluated.Results. Transcriptomic profling revealed signifcant changes in monocytes of breast cancer patients. CD14+16- subset showed higher expression of transporters ABCA1 and ABCG1; chemokines CCR1, CRRL2, CXCR4; maturation and differentiation factors Mafb and Jun; endocytosis mediating factors CD163 and Siglec1; proteases and tetrasponins ADAM9, CD151, CD82, and growth factor HBEGF in patient group. Macrophages derived from monocytes of breast cancer patients produced factors that supported proliferation of the MDA-MB 231 cell line, which was not observed for monocytes from healthy volunteers.Conclusion. Thus, breast carcinoma has a systemic effect on peripheral blood monocytes, programming them to differentiate into macrophages with tumor supporting capacity. Цель исследования ‒ оценить особенности функционального профиля моноцитов периферической крови у больных неметастатической формой рака молочной железы.Материал и методы. В исследование вошли 10 больных раком молочной железы II–III стадии (T1–3N0–2M0). В качестве контроля была обследована группа из 7 здоровых женщин. Моноциты были получены из периферической крови путем сортировки популяций с фенотипом CD14+16-, CD14+16+ и CD14-16+. Проведено полнотранскриптомное профилирование полученных моноцитов от больных раком молочной железы и здоровых женщин. Из полученных моноцитов in vitro были дифференцированы макрофаги. Проведена оценка способности полученных от макрофагов кондиционных сред влиять на апоптоз и пролиферацию клеток линии MDA-MB 231.Результаты. Показано, что транскриптомный профиль моноцитов больных РЖЖ имеет выраженные отличия по сравнению со здоровыми женщинами. Моноциты пациенток с раком молочной железы отличаются повышенной экспрессией мРНК белков-транспортеров ABCA1, ABCG1; хемокинов CCR1, CRRL2, CXCR4; факторов созревания и дифференцировки моноцитов Mafb и Jun; факторов, опосредующих эндоцитоз CD163, Siglec1; протеаз и тетраспонинов ADAM9, CD151, CD82 и ростового фактора HBEGF. Макрофаги, полученные в результате культивирования моноцитов больных раком молочной железы в условиях in vitro, продуцировали факторы, которые позволили поддерживать пролиферацию клеточной линии опухолевых клеток, чего не наблюдалось для моноцитов здоровых доноров.Заключение. Опухоль молочной железы оказывает системное влияние на моноциты периферической крови, программируя их к дифференцировке в макрофаги с проопухолевой функциональной активностью.

Enhanced tonic GABAA inhibition in typical absence epilepsy

The cellular mechanisms underlying typical absence seizures, which characterize various idiopathic generalized epilepsies, are not fully understood, but impaired GABAergic inhibition remains an attractive hypothesis. In contrast, we show here that extrasynaptic GABAA receptor–dependent ‘tonic’ inhibition is increased in thalamocortical neurons from diverse genetic and pharmacological models of absence seizures. Increased tonic inhibition is due to compromised GABA uptake by the GABA transporter GAT–1 in the genetic models tested, and GAT–1 is critical in governing seizure genesis. Extrasynaptic GABAA receptors are a requirement for seizures in two of the best characterized models of absence epilepsy, and the selective activation of thalamic extrasynaptic GABAA receptors is sufficient to elicit both electrographic and behavioural correlates of seizures in normal animals. These results identify an apparently common cellular pathology in typical absence seizures that may have epileptogenic significance, and highlight novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of absence epilepsy.peer-reviewe

Adult onset asthma and interaction between genes and active tobacco smoking: The GABRIEL consortium.

BACKGROUND: Genome-wide association studies have identified novel genetic associations for asthma, but without taking into account the role of active tobacco smoking. This study aimed to identify novel genes that interact with ever active tobacco smoking in adult onset asthma. METHODS: We performed a genome-wide interaction analysis in six studies participating in the GABRIEL consortium following two meta-analyses approaches based on 1) the overall interaction effect and 2) the genetic effect in subjects with and without smoking exposure. We performed a discovery meta-analysis including 4,057 subjects of European descent and replicated our findings in an independent cohort (LifeLines Cohort Study), including 12,475 subjects. RESULTS: First approach: 50 SNPs were selected based on an overall interaction effect at p<10-4. The most pronounced interaction effect was observed for rs9969775 on chromosome 9 (discovery meta-analysis: ORint = 0.50, p = 7.63*10-5, replication: ORint = 0.65, p = 0.02). Second approach: 35 SNPs were selected based on the overall genetic effect in exposed subjects (p <10-4). The most pronounced genetic effect was observed for rs5011804 on chromosome 12 (discovery meta-analysis ORint = 1.50, p = 1.21*10-4; replication: ORint = 1.40, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Using two genome-wide interaction approaches, we identified novel polymorphisms in non-annotated intergenic regions on chromosomes 9 and 12, that showed suggestive evidence for interaction with active tobacco smoking in the onset of adult asthma