A novel tool for directionality assessment in medical images

Modern medicine relies on visual data. Until recently, manual inspection was the only method available, although it introduced a large amount of subjectiveness into the final diagnosis. Computer-aided medical data processing aims to increase diagnosis accuracy. This thesis covers one method to use computers for determining image directionality, which can be applied in nerve and vessel disease detection. In particular, a number of directionality evaluation methods for 2-dimensional (2D) images are examined. For one of the methods, a 3-dimensional (3D) extension is proposed. This method is based on the Fourier Transform. The relationship between the spacial domain lines and their frequency domain counterparts and the way it can be used to define the directionality is covered in the ‘Materials and methods’ part of this thesis. The proposed extension was implemented using MATLAB and supplied with a graphical user interface (GUI). It was tested against both test images, such as lines and volumetric spheres, and real optic nerve MicroCT images. Results of these tests were analyzed and suggestions were given on the potential usage of the method

Gene Polymorphism and Total Genetic Score in Martial Arts Athletes with Different Athletic Qualifications

The personalized approach in sports genetics implies considering the allelic variants of genes in polymorphic loci when adjusting the training process of athletes. The personalized approach is used both in sports genetics and in medicine to identify the influence of genotype on the manifestations of human physical qualities that allow to achieve high sports results or to assess the impact of genotype on the development and course of diseases. The impact of genes of the renin-angiotensin and kinin-bradykinin systems in the development of cardiovascular disease in athletes has not been defined. This study aims to determine the polymorphisms of four genes (ACE, BDKRB2, PPARGC1A and NOS3) and the total genetic score to reveal the predisposition to the formation of physical qualities in martial arts athletes with different athletic abilities. The products of these four genes are involved in the control of blood pressure. The allelic variants of these genes are associated with the development of the physical quality “endurance” and have an indirect influence on the formation of speed and power qualities. The total genetic score (TGS: from 0 to 100 arbitrary units) was calculated from the genotype score in each polymorphism. The athletes were divided into Group I with high and Group II with low qualifications depending on their sports success. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are identified through restriction endonucleases cleavage for PCR amplicons for discriminating between alleles of the target genes ACE (rs4646994), BDKRB2 (rs5810761), PPARGC1A (rs8192673) and NOS3 (rs1799983). Significant differences between the allelic variants of target genes and athletic ability were found between Group I and Group II for genotype G/G of NOS3 gene and genotypes Gly/Gly and Gly/Ser of PPARGC1A gene. The data obtained confirm that athletes with unfavourable genotypes are excluded in the screening phase because their endurance is not fully developed to the required level in martial arts. Martial arts athletes with the highest TGS have the highest skill level. Polymorphic loci of four genes whose products are involved in blood pressure control (ACE, BDKRB2, NOS3 and PPARGC1A) can be used in martial arts not only to determine predisposition to cardiovascular disease but also to predispose to the development of speed and power qualities and endurance. The total genetic score can serve as a tool for predicting athletic success

Gene Polymorphism and Total Genetic Score in Martial Arts Athletes with Different Athletic Qualifications

The personalized approach in sports genetics implies considering the allelic variants of genes in polymorphic loci when adjusting the training process of athletes. The personalized approach is used both in sports genetics and in medicine to identify the influence of genotype on the manifestations of human physical qualities that allow to achieve high sports results or to assess the impact of genotype on the development and course of diseases. The impact of genes of the renin-angiotensin and kinin-bradykinin systems in the development of cardiovascular disease in athletes has not been defined. This study aims to determine the polymorphisms of four genes (ACE, BDKRB2, PPARGC1A and NOS3) and the total genetic score to reveal the predisposition to the formation of physical qualities in martial arts athletes with different athletic abilities. The products of these four genes are involved in the control of blood pressure. The allelic variants of these genes are associated with the development of the physical quality “endurance” and have an indirect influence on the formation of speed and power qualities. The total genetic score (TGS: from 0 to 100 arbitrary units) was calculated from the genotype score in each polymorphism. The athletes were divided into Group I with high and Group II with low qualifications depending on their sports success. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are identified through restriction endonucleases cleavage for PCR amplicons for discriminating between alleles of the target genes ACE (rs4646994), BDKRB2 (rs5810761), PPARGC1A (rs8192673) and NOS3 (rs1799983). Significant differences between the allelic variants of target genes and athletic ability were found between Group I and Group II for genotype G/G of NOS3 gene and genotypes Gly/Gly and Gly/Ser of PPARGC1A gene. The data obtained confirm that athletes with unfavourable genotypes are excluded in the screening phase because their endurance is not fully developed to the required level in martial arts. Martial arts athletes with the highest TGS have the highest skill level. Polymorphic loci of four genes whose products are involved in blood pressure control (ACE, BDKRB2, NOS3 and PPARGC1A) can be used in martial arts not only to determine predisposition to cardiovascular disease but also to predispose to the development of speed and power qualities and endurance. The total genetic score can serve as a tool for predicting athletic success

Floating Riverine Litter Flux to the White Sea: Seasonal Changes in Abundance and Composition

Arctic rivers bring litter from their basins to the sea, but accurate data for the Arctic do not exist yet. This study presents the first assessment of floating macro litter input (>2.5 cm) from the Northern Dvina and Onega rivers to the White Sea. The observations were performed based on the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) methodology and using the mobile application of the Joint Research Centre (Ispra, Italy). The results of observations from May 2021 to November 2021 show that 77% of floating objects were of natural origin (mainly leaves, wood and bird feathers). Of the particles of anthropogenic origin, 59.6% were represented by various types of plastics, 27.7% were processed wood, 8.5% paper/cardboard, 2.7% metal, 1.1% were rubber and <1% textiles. The average monthly input of anthropogenic macro litter by the Northern Dvina varies from 250 to 1700 items/hour, and by Onega from 520 to 2350 items/hour. The level of pollution of the studied rivers was found to be higher than in some Europeans rivers but lower than in China. The mass discharge of macroplastics in the Northern Dvina River was compared with the estimates of the discharge of meso- and microplastics; that allowed us to show that the discharge of macroplastics in mass units is much higher than of micro- and mesoplastics.publishedVersio

Genetic Structure of Pinus Populations in the Urals

The sustainable use and conservation of forest resources must be carried out with a detailed study of the main forest-forming plant species. Coniferous forests form the basis of boreal forest ecosystems and are of great economic importance. Representatives of forest-forming boreal coniferous species are species of the genus Pinus, including Siberian pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), which are valuable and widely used woody plant species. The purpose of this research was to conduct an extended study of genetic diversity, genetic structure, and differentiation of P. sibirica and P. sylvestris populations under the conditions of their habitat in the Middle and Northern Urals. We studied twelve populations of two Pinus species using the inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR)-based DNA polymorphism detection PCR method. Populations are characterized by relatively high levels of genetic diversity (P. sylvestris: He = 0.163; ne = 1.270; I = 0.249; P. sibirica: He = 0.148; ne = 1.248; I = 0.225). Analysis of the intrapopulation genetic structure reveals that the studied populations are highly differentiated (P. sylvestris: GST = 0.362; P. sibirica: GST = 0.460). The interpopulation component comprised 36% and 46% of the total genetic diversity for P. sylvestris and P. sibirica, respectively. Using various algorithms to determine the spatial genetic structure, it was determined that P. sylvestris populations form two groups according to their location at a certain altitude above sea level. P. sibirica populations form two clusters, with an additional subdivision of the two populations into subclusters identified. The data obtained during the study may be useful for further research as well as for conservation management planning and related forestry practices aimed at preserving the genetic resources of valuable forest plant species

MANF is Required for the Postnatal Expansion and Maintenance of the Pancreatic β-Cell Mass in Mice

Global lack of mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotropic factor (MANF) leads to progressive postnatal loss of β-cells mass and insulin-dependent diabetes in mice. Similarly to Manf -/- mice, embryonic ablation of MANF specifically from the pancreas results in diabetes. In this study, we assessed the importance of MANF for the postnatal expansion of the pancreatic β-cell mass and for adult β-cell maintenance in mice. Detailed analysis of Pdx-1Cre +/- ::Manf fl/fl mice revealed mosaic MANF expression in postnatal pancreases and significant correlation between the number of MANF-positive β-cells and β-cell mass in individual mice. In vitro, recombinant MANF induced β-cell proliferation in islets from aged mice and protected from hyperglycemia-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Consequently, excision of MANF from β-cells of adult MIP-1Cre ERT ::Manf fl/fl mice resulted in reduced β-cell mass and diabetes caused largely by β-cell ER stress and apoptosis, possibly accompanied by β-cell de-differentiation and reduced rates of β-cell proliferation. Thus, MANF expression in adult mouse β-cells is needed for their maintenance in vivo. We also revealed a mechanistic link between ER stress, and inflammatory signaling pathways leading to β-cell death in the absence of MANF. Hence, MANF might be a potential target for regenerative therapy in diabetes.Peer reviewe

Genetic Structure of Pinus Populations in the Urals

The sustainable use and conservation of forest resources must be carried out with a detailed study of the main forest-forming plant species. Coniferous forests form the basis of boreal forest ecosystems and are of great economic importance. Representatives of forest-forming boreal coniferous species are species of the genus Pinus, including Siberian pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), which are valuable and widely used woody plant species. The purpose of this research was to conduct an extended study of genetic diversity, genetic structure, and differentiation of P. sibirica and P. sylvestris populations under the conditions of their habitat in the Middle and Northern Urals. We studied twelve populations of two Pinus species using the inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR)-based DNA polymorphism detection PCR method. Populations are characterized by relatively high levels of genetic diversity (P. sylvestris: He = 0.163; ne = 1.270; I = 0.249; P. sibirica: He = 0.148; ne = 1.248; I = 0.225). Analysis of the intrapopulation genetic structure reveals that the studied populations are highly differentiated (P. sylvestris: GST = 0.362; P. sibirica: GST = 0.460). The interpopulation component comprised 36% and 46% of the total genetic diversity for P. sylvestris and P. sibirica, respectively. Using various algorithms to determine the spatial genetic structure, it was determined that P. sylvestris populations form two groups according to their location at a certain altitude above sea level. P. sibirica populations form two clusters, with an additional subdivision of the two populations into subclusters identified. The data obtained during the study may be useful for further research as well as for conservation management planning and related forestry practices aimed at preserving the genetic resources of valuable forest plant species

Mesencephalic Astrocyte-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (MANF) Is Highly Expressed in Mouse Tissues With Metabolic Function

Peer reviewe

MANF ablation causes prolonged activation of the UPR without neurodegeneration in the mouse midbrain dopamine system

Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) localized protein that regulates ER homeostasis and unfolded protein response (UPR). The biology of endogenous MANF in the mammalian brain is unknown and therefore we studied the brain phenotype of MANF-deficient female and male mice at different ages focusing on the midbrain dopamine system and cortical neurons. We show that a lack of MANF from the brain led to the chronic activation of UPR by upregulation of the endoribonuclease activity of the inositol-requiring enzyme 1 alpha (IRE1 alpha) pathway. Furthermore, in the aged MANF-deficient mouse brain in addition the protein kinase-like ER kinase (PERK) and activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) branches of the UPR pathways were activated. Neuronal loss in neurodegenerative diseases has been associated with chronic ER stress. In our mouse model, increased UPR activation did not lead to neuronal cell loss in the substantia nigra (SN), decrease of striatal dopamine or behavioral changes of MANF-deficient mice. However, cortical neurons lacking MANF were more vulnerable to chemical induction of additional ER stress in vitro. We conclude that embryonic neuronal deletion of MANF does not cause the loss of midbrain dopamine neurons in mice. However, endogenous MANF is needed for maintenance of neuronal ER homeostasis both in vivo and in vitro.Peer reviewe

DESCRIPTION OF ATTENTION FUNCTION FEATURES IN ARCTIC POPULATION

Abstract. The states of the Cold area similarly unfavorably influence the condition of higher types of willfulconsideration among all inhabitants, leveling the factor of individual contrasts. An individual's stay in the Ice locale is joined by change of the utilitarian asymmetry of the cerebrum and a lessening in the ordinary capacity of the overwhelming side of the equator. The got discoveries recommend a particular right asymmetry of consideration among agents of indigenous populace of the Cold district. The agents of the non-indigenous populace with age and an expansion in the term of their stay in the Ice locale altogether increment the extent of individuals with a fractional kind of consideration asymmetry, which additionally mirrors the difference in hemispheric collaboration, because of the expanded impact of the correct half of the globe. The got information are reliable with the suppositions about the insecurity of practical asymmetry and the likelihood of its change affected by distressing occasions, which incorporatethe general population's stay in the Ice locale.Keywords: attention function, the Arctic Region, encephalic asymmetry, aborigines of the North