Stimulated Raman Adiabatic Passage (STIRAP) as a Route to Achieving Optical Control in Plasmonics

Optical properties of ensembles of three-level quantum emitters coupled to plasmonic systems are investigated employing a self-consistent model. It is shown that stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP) technique can be successfully adopted to control optical properties of hybrid materials with collective effects present and playing an important role in light-matter interactions. We consider a core-shell nanowire comprised of a silver core and a shell of coupled quantum emitters and utilize STIRAP scheme to control scattering efficiency of such a system in a frequency and spatial dependent manner. After the STIRAP induced population transfer to the final state takes place, the core-shell nanowire exhibits two sets of Rabi splittings with Fano lineshapes indicating strong interactions between two different atomic transitions driven by plasmon near-fields.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figures, accepted, Physical Review

Germline-restricted chromosome (GRC) is widespread among songbirds

An unusual supernumerary chromosome has been reported for two related avian species, the zebra and Bengalese finches. This large, germline-restricted chromosome (GRC) is eliminated from somatic cells and spermatids and transmitted via oocytes only. Its origin, distribution among avian lineages, and function were mostly unknown so far. Using immunolocalization of key meiotic proteins, we found that GRCs of varying size and genetic content are present in all 16 songbird species investigated and absent from germline genomes of all eight examined bird species from other avian orders. Results of fluorescent in situ hybridization of microdissected GRC probes and their sequencing indicate that GRCs show little homology between songbird species and contain a variety of repetitive elements and unique sequences with paralogs in the somatic genome. Our data suggest that the GRC evolved in the common ancestor of all songbirds and underwent significant changes in the extant descendant lineages

The study of the sorghum genetic diversity using the mul¬tiplex microsatellite analysis

This study is focused on evaluation of the genetic structure and diversity of the national sorghum collection. Analyzing the genetic diversity of crop species is of great importance for genetic resources management and food security of any country. Huge genetic diversity of sorghum provides a great opportunity to improve the agronomic characteristics of this crop. The efficiency of microsatellite  analysis has been demonstrated in many studies on the genetic diversity of different races and geographical groups of sorghum plants. Development of multiplex PCR analysis systems based on a set of polymorphic microsatellite loci will facilitate genetic tests on a large number of plant samples, thus making the research on sorghum diversity more efficient and comprehensive. A system of multiplex PCR analysis based on 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci was developed to perform single-stage high-throughput screening of cultivated and wild forms preserved in the sorghum germplasm collection. As a result of the microsatellite analysis of 200 sorghum plants, 229 alleles were detected. The studied loci showed high polymorphism. More than 17 alleles were identified in most loci, their polymorphic index content (PIC) ranging from 0.694 to 0.954. The value of the effective multiplex ratio (EMR) in the developed system was estimated at 0.833. The microsatellite analysis of sorghum accessions resulted in obtaining quantized gene expressions profiles, with a DNA profile for each accession, and revealed significant polymorphism among the plants of different sorghum varieties (races). The developed multiplex PCR system was shown to be efficient for evaluation of the genetic diversity and genetic relationships of sorghum plants from different races. The analysis of the obtained data using three bioinformatic techniques, NJ cluster analysis, PCoA, and the Bayesian model-based clustering, helped to classify the analyzed sorghum accessions into cluster groups according to their morphological and agronomic traits

Аберрантный ангиогенез в ткани головного мозга при экспериментальной болезни Альцгеймера

The aim was to study the molecular mechanisms of the violation of the structural and functional integrity ofthe blood-brain barrier in chronic neurodegeneration of the Alzheimer’s type associated with the development of cerebral angiopathy.Materials and methods. The transgenic model of Alzheimer’s disease is the B6SLJ-Tg line mice (APPSwFlLon,PSEN1 * M146L * L286V) 6799Vas group which includes 9 months aged males. The control group included C57BL / 6 x SJL mice, males aged 9 months.Results. The total length of the vessels in the area of the dentate gyrus is 2.5 times greater in transgenic animal models of Alzheimer’s disease than in animals of the control group (p < 0.01). The average diameter of blood vessels in all areas of the hippocampus is smaller compared with the control (p < 0.05). Transgenic modeling of neurodegeneration in the CA2 zone of the hippocampus increases the relative area of tissue with increased permeability of blood-brain barrier (BBB) (17.80 [9.15; 36.75]) compared to control (1.38 [0.04; 7.60]) at p < 0.05. A similar difference (p < 0.05) is also observed in the hippocampal area CA1. A tendency (p > 0.05) to decrease the number of CD31+ endothelial cells in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus (21.52 [17.56; 24.50]) in animals of the experimental group compared with the control group (23.08[21.18; 29.84]) was detected. A similar situation is observed in the CA2 and CA3 areas of the hippocampus.Conclusion. Neurodegenerative changes in the hippocampus of animals with a transgenic AD model are associated with impaired microcirculation in the brain tissue as a result of a reduction in the diameter and branching of blood vessels, and damage and increased permeability of BBB.Цель – изучение молекулярных механизмов нарушения структурно-функциональной целостности гематоэнцефалического барьера (ГЭБ) при хронической нейродегенерации  альцгеймеровского типа, ассоциированной с развитием церебральной ангипопатии. Материалы и методы. Опытная группа – генетическая модель болезни Альцгеймера (БА) – мыши линии B6SLJ -Tg(APPSwFlLon,PSEN1*M146L*L286V)6799Vas, самцы в возрасте 9 мес. Контрольная группа – мыши линии C57BL/6 x SJL, самцы в возрасте 9 мес.Результаты. У животных с генетической моделью БА в зубчатой извилине гиппокампа  общая длина сосудов в 2,5 раза больше, чем у контрольной группы (p < 0,01), при этом  средний диаметр сосудов во всех областях гиппокампа меньше по сравнению с контролем (p < 0,05). Выявлено, что при генетическом моделировании  нейродегенерации в СА2 зоне гиппокампа наблюдается увеличение относительной  площади ткани с повышенной проницаемостью ГЭБ (17,80 [9,15;36,75]) по сравнению с контролем (1,38 [0,04;7,60]) при p < 0,05. Подобное различие (p < 0,05) наблюдается и в зоне СА1 гиппокампа. У животных опытной группы выявлена тенденция (p > 0,05) к снижению количества CD31+ эндотелиальных клеток в зубчатой извилине гиппокампа (21,52 [17,56; 24,50]) по сравнению с контролем (23,08 [21,18; 29,84]). Аналогичная ситуация наблюдается в зонах СА2 и СА3 гиппокампа.Заключение. Нейродегенеративные изменения в гиппокампе животных с генетической  моделью БА ассоциированы с нарушением микроциркуляции в ткани головного мозга в  результате сокращения диаметра и разветвленности сосудов, повреждения и повышения проницаемости ГЭБ

Plasticity of Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells and Regulation of Angiogenesis

Adipose tissue is recognized as an important organ with metabolic, regulatory, and plastic roles. Adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) with self-renewal properties localize in the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) being present in a vascular niche, thereby, contributing to local regulation of angiogenesis and vessel remodeling. In the past decades, ASCs have attracted much attention from biologists and bioengineers, particularly, because of their multilineage differentiation potential, strong proliferation, and migration abilities in vitro and high resistance to oxidative stress and senescence. Current data suggest that the SVF serves as an important source of endothelial progenitors, endothelial cells, and pericytes, thereby, contributing to vessel remodeling and growth. In addition, ASCs demonstrate intriguing metabolic and interlineage plasticity, which makes them good candidates for creating regenerative therapeutic protocols, in vitro tissue models and microphysiological systems, and tissue-on-chip devices for diagnostic and regeneration-supporting purposes. This review covers recent achievements in understanding the metabolic activity within the SVF niches (lactate and NAD+ metabolism), which is critical for maintaining the pool of ASCs, and discloses their pro-angiogenic potential, particularly, in the complex therapy of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases

Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation Affects Mesenchymal Stem Cells via Extracellular Oxidized Cell-Free DNA: A Possible Mediator of Bystander Effect and Adaptive Response

We have hypothesized that the adaptive response to low doses of ionizing radiation (IR) is mediated by oxidized cell-free DNA (cfDNA) fragments. Here, we summarize our experimental evidence for this model. Studies involving measurements of ROS, expression of the NOX (superoxide radical production), induction of apoptosis and DNA double-strand breaks, antiapoptotic gene expression and cell cycle inhibition confirm this hypothesis. We have demonstrated that treatment of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with low doses of IR (10 cGy) leads to cell death of part of cell population and release of oxidized cfDNA. cfDNA has the ability to penetrate into the cytoplasm of other cells. Oxidized cfDNA, like low doses of IR, induces oxidative stress, ROS production, ROS-induced oxidative modifications of nuclear DNA, DNA breaks, arrest of the cell cycle, activation of DNA reparation and antioxidant response, and inhibition of apoptosis. The MSCs pretreated with low dose of irradiation or oxidized cfDNA were equally effective in induction of adaptive response to challenge further dose of radiation. Our studies suggest that oxidized cfDNA is a signaling molecule in the stress signaling that mediates radiation-induced bystander effects and that it is an important component of the development of radioadaptive responses to low doses of IR

Наружные формы рекомбинантного интерферона альфа-2b — мазь и гель в комплексной терапии ОРВИ и гриппа у детей

The review article presents the results of numerous studies on the effectiveness and safety of the newly developed forms of the human recombinant interferon alpha- 2b drug, ointment and gel, intended for the treatment and prevention of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza in children. Еxternal forms of the drug retain immunomodulatory, antiviral and antiproliferative effects. The dosage form of the preparation of interferon alpha-2b VIFERON® in the form of a gel or ointment allows to achieve a prolonged action due to good absorption, especially the gel, which increases its effectiveness, and also has a moisturizing effect and rarely causes allergies. All of the above properties justify the inclusion of the drug interferon alpha-2b VIFERON® in the form of a gel or ointment in the complex treatment of influenza and acute respiratory viral infections in children.В обзорной статье представлены результаты многочисленных исследований по изучению эффективности и безопасности новых разработанных форм препарата интерферона альфа-2b человеческого рекомбинантного — мази и геля, предназначенных для терапии и профилактики ОРВИ и гриппа у детей. Наружные формы лекарственного средства сохраняют иммуномодулирующий, противовирусный и антипролиферативный эффекты. Лекарственная форма препарата интерферона альфа-2b ВИФЕРОН® в виде геля или мази позволяет достичь пролонгированного действия за счет хорошего всасывания, особенно геля, что повышает его эффективность, а также оказывает увлажняющее действие и редко вызывает аллергию. Все вышеперечисленные свойства обосновывают включение препарата интерферона альфа-2b ВИФЕРОН® в форме геля или мази в комплексную терапию гриппа и ОРВИ у детей

Organic chemistry. History and mutual relations of universities of Russia

© 2017, Pleiades Publishing, Ltd. The review describes the history of development of organic chemistry in higher schools of Russia over a period of 170 years, since the emergence of organic chemistry in our country till now