Species identification of spider mites (Tetranychidae: Tetranychinae): a review of methods

Spider mites (Acari: Tetranychidae) are dangerous pests of agricultural and ornamental crops, the most economically significant of them belonging to the genera Tetranychus, Eutetranychus, Oligonychus and Panonychus. The expansion of the distribution areas, the increased harmfulness and dangerous status of certain species in the family Tetranychidae and their invasion of new regions pose a serious threat to the phytosanitary status of agroand biocenoses. Various approaches to acarofauna species diagnosis determine a rather diverse range of currently existing methods generally described in this review. Identification of spider mites by morphological traits, which is currently considered the main method, is complicated due to the complexity of preparing biomaterials for diagnosis and a limited number of diagnostic signs. In this regard, biochemical and molecular genetic methods such as allozyme analysis, DNA barcoding, restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), selection of species-specific primers and real-time PCR are becoming important. In the review, close attention is paid to the successful use of these methods for species discrimination in the mites of the subfamily Tetranychinae. For some species, e. g., the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae), a range of identification methods has been developed – from allozyme analysis to loop isothermal amplification (LAMP), while for many other species a much smaller variety of approaches is available. The greatest accuracy in the identification of spider mites can be achieved using a combination of several methods, e. g., examination of morphological features and one of the molecular approaches (DNA barcoding, PCR-RFLP, etc.). This review may be useful to specialists who are in search of an effective system for spider mite species identification as well as when developing new test systems relevant to specific plant crops or a specific region

Specific features of memory consolidation and reconsolidation in older individuals with vision and hearing impairments

This study aimed to specify this issue by analyzing memory consolidation and reconsolidation processes in older people with sensory deficit

Pharmacothera-peutic activity Lomatogonium Carinthiacum extract at experimental hepatitis

Pharmacotherapeutic efficiency of the dry extract from Lomatogonium carinthiacum in toxic hepatitis was studied. Experimental hepatitis was caused by the introduction of tetracycline hydrochloride to Wistar white rats in the dose of 1,0 g/kg of the animal weight once a day during 7 days. The extract from L. carinthiacum was administered per os in the dose of 100 mg/kg during 26 days. It was established that the extract from L. carinthiacum had a marked hepatoprotective effect in the case of tetracycline hepatitis in white rats that is characterized by inhibition of the disturbances in choleretic and cholate-synthetic functions of the liver: the increase of bile secretion rate, preservation of cholate concentration in the bile, the decrease in the content of cholesterol triacylglycerides and alkaline phosphatase activity in the animal blood serum during the whole period of experiments. The tested remedy diminishes dystrophic and necrotic processes in hepatocytes, decreases the intensity of inflammatory infiltration in the liver and stimulates regeneration of liver cells in tetracycline hepatitis. The decrease of MDA content in the liver homogenate and increase in catalase activity against the same indices in control animals testify the marked antioxidant effect of L. carinthiacum

PHARMACOTHERAPY OF EXPERIMENTAL HEPATITIS BY LOMATOGONIUM CARINTHIACUM EXTRACT

Pharmacotherapeutic efficiency of the dry extract from Lomatogonium carinthiacum in toxic hepatitis was studied. Experimental hepatitis was caused by the introduction of tetracycline hydrochloride to Wistar white rats in the dose of 1.0 g/kg of the animal weight once a day for 7 days. The extract from L. carinthiacum was administered per os in the dose of 100 mg/kg for 26 days. 1t has been established that the extract from L. carinthiacum has a marked hepatoprotective effect in the case of tetracycline hepatitis in white rats that is characterized by inhibition of the disturbances in choleretic and cholate-synthetic functions of the liver: the increase of bile secretion rate, preservation of cholate concentration in the bile, the decrease in the content of cholesterol triacylglycerides and alkaline phosphatase activity in the animal blood serum during the whole period of experiments. The tested remedy diminishes dystrophic and necrotic processes in hepatocytes, decreases the intensity of inflammatory infiltration in the liver and stimulates regeneration of liver cells in tetracycline hepatitis. The decrease of MDA content in the liver homogenate and increase in catalase activity against the same indices in control animals testify the marked antioxidant effect of L. carinthiacum

БИОРАЗЛАГАЕМЫЕ ПОЛИМЕРНЫЕ МАТЕРИАЛЫ ДЛЯ МЕДИЦИНЫ: ОТ ИМПЛАНТА К ОРГАНУ

Development of modern medical technologies would be impossible without the application of various materials with special properties. Over the last decade there has been a marked increase in interest in biodegradable materials for use in medicine and other areas of the national economy. In medicine, biodegradable polymers offer great potential for controlled drug delivery and wound management (e.g., adhesives, sutures and surgical meshes), for orthopedic devices (screws, pins and rods), nonwoven materials and scaffolds for tissue engineering. Among the family of biodegradable polyesters the most extensively investigated and the most widely used polymers are poly(α-hydroxyacid)s: polylactide (i.e. PLA), polyglycolide (i.e. PGA), poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL), polydioxanone and their copolymers. Controlling the molecular and supramolecular structure of biodegradable polymers allows tuning the physico-chemical and mechanical characteristics of the materials as well as their degradation kinetics. This enables selecting the optimal composition and structure of the material for the development of a broad range of biomedical products. Introduction of various functional fillers such as calcium phosphates allows creating bioactive composite materials with improved mechanical properties. To manufacture the highly dispersed biomedical materials for regenerative medicine electrospinning and freeze-drying are employed. Varying the technological parameters of the process enables to produce materials and devices with predetermined pore sizes and various mechanical properties. In order to increase the effectiveness of a great number of drugs the perspective approach is their inclusion into nanosized polymer micelles based on amphiphilic block copolymers of lactide and ethylene oxide. Different crystallization behavior of the lactide blocks and controlled regulation of their length allows producing micelles with various sizes and morphology. In this article we have attempted to provide an overview of works that are under way in the area of biodegradable polymers research and development in our group.Развитие современных медицинских технологий было бы невозможно без применения различных материалов со специальными свойствами. В последнее десятилетие наблюдается все возрастающий интерес к биоразлагаемым материалам для использования в медицине и других областях народного хозяйства. Синтетические биоразлагаемые полимеры широко используются в медицине для создания систем контролируемой доставки лекарственных препаратов, шовных хирургических материалов, для изготовления ортопедических изделий (винты, штифты, стержни), а также нетканых материалов и матриксов для тканевой инженерии. Наиболее востребованными полимерами для изготовления изделий биомедицинского назначения являются сложные полиэфиры α-гидроксикислот: полилактид, полигликолид, поли(ε-капролактон), полидиоксанон, а также их сополимеры. Регулирование молекулярной и надмолекулярной структуры биоразлагаемых полимеров позволяет управлять физико-химическими и физико-механическими характеристиками материалов, а также кинетикой их биодеградации. Это дает возможность подбирать оптимальный состав и структуру материала для разработки широкого ассортимента биомедицинских изделий. Введение различных функциональных наполнителей, таких как кальций-фосфаты, в структуру материала позволяет создавать биоактивные композиционные материалы с улучшенными физико-механическими характеристиками. Для получения высокодисперсных биомедицинских материалов для регенеративной медицины применяют такие методы как электроформование и лиофилизация. Варьирование технологических параметров процесса обеспечивает возможность изготовления материалов и изделий с заданным размером пор и различными механическими характеристиками. Повысить эффективность действия многих лекарственных средств можно путем включения их в наноразмерные полимерные мицеллы на основе амфифильных блочных сополимеров лактида и этиленоксида. Различная способность блоков лактида к кристаллизации и направленное изменение длины блоков позволяет получать мицеллы с различным размером и морфологией. В данной статье мы попытались сделать обзор основных работ, проводимых в нашем научном коллективе в области биоразлагаемых полимеров

A centuries-old experience of Buryat branch of the traditional medicine in Russia

The present work reviews the evolution of the traditional medicine in Buryatia; the contribution of Oriental medical schools and the Russian experience of herbal treatment were emphasized. This convergence process was developed in virtue of the geopolitical situation of the Republic. The evolution of the tradition and contribution of ethnic medical schools was schematically presented in the article. The aim of the work was to substantiate the originality of the Buryat traditional medicine. The data elucidating the pervasion of Eastern traditions due to the influence of Buddhism and the experience of the Russian settlers are given in the article. Peculiarity of the traditional medicine in this region involves the use of indigenous plants, original formularies and healing technologies. Approach to health and illness, principles of diagnostics and specific methods of treatment remain common to Eastern medical traditions. The article provides insight into the main findings of the study of this tradition. They include such aspects as the translation of written sources, development of new technologies and methods for the treatment and prevention of some diseases, new medicinal preparations and health-improving means recommended for practical use. Besides, there have been discussed the prospects for integration of rational methods and means from the array of the traditional medicine of Buryatia with modern medical and pharmaceutical technologies

First Measurement of Coherent Elastic Neutrino-Nucleus Scattering on Argon

We report the first measurement of coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (\cevns) on argon using a liquid argon detector at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory Spallation Neutron Source. Two independent analyses prefer \cevns over the background-only null hypothesis with greater than $3\sigma$ significance. The measured cross section, averaged over the incident neutrino flux, is (2.2 $\pm$ 0.7) $\times$10$^{-39}$ cm$^2$ -- consistent with the standard model prediction. The neutron-number dependence of this result, together with that from our previous measurement on CsI, confirms the existence of the \cevns process and provides improved constraints on non-standard neutrino interactions.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures with 2 pages, 6 figures supplementary material V3: fixes to figs 3,4 V4: fix typo in table 1, V5: replaced missing appendix, V6: fix Eq 1, new fig 3, V7 final version, updated with final revision

Хроническое ультрафиолетовое облучение индуцирует развитие устойчивой резистентности клеток меланомы к противоопухолевым препаратам

Introduction. Melanoma belongs to the group of the most malignant tumors characterized by aggressive growth and active metastasis. At the same time, the effectiveness of therapy, primarily targeted therapy, is largely limited by the rapid development of drug resistance.Aim. To study the effect of chronic ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on the formation of a population of radiation-resistant melanoma cells; to study the features of cell signaling and the sensitivity of UV-resistant melanoma cells to the antitumor drugs.Materials and methods. The experiments were carried out on in vitro cultured A375 melanoma cells. Cells were cultured in a standard DMEM + 10 % FBS medium; cell growth rate was analyzed using the MTT assay; cell survival after irradiation was analyzed using a colony-forming test. Determination of the transcriptional activity of the estrogen receptor (ER) was performed by reporter analysis upon transfection into cells of a plasmid containing the luciferase reporter gene controlled by estrogen responsive element. The immunoblotting method was used to analyze the expression of cellular proteins; comparative analysis of ERα and ERβ expression was performed by immunofluorescent method.Results. Long-term UV irradiation leads to the formation of a UV-resistant subpopulation of A375 melanoma cells, which is characterized by decreased sensitivity to targeted (vemurafenib) and hormonal (tamoxifen) drugs, increased expression of Snail, an activator of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and in the absence of noticeable changes in the expression of PI3K / mTOR signaling. Metformin reduces Snail expression in both parental and UV-resistant A375 cells and enhances the cytostatic effect in combination with vemurafenib or tamoxifen.Conclusion. The data obtained demonstrate a decrease in the sensitivity of melanoma cells to targeted drugs under the long-term exposure to UV. The ability of metformin to potentiate the action of targeted drugs and inhibit Snail allows us to consider metformin not only as an antitumor agent, but also as a potential inhibitor of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition.Введение. Меланома относится к группе наиболее злокачественных новообразований, отличающихся агрессивным ростом и активным метастазированием. при этом эффективность терапии, в первую очередь таргетной терапии, во многом ограничена быстрым развитием резистентности к препаратам.Цель исследования – изучить влияние хронического ультрафиолетового (УФ) облучения на формирование субпопуляции устойчивых к УФ клеток меланомы, а также особенности клеточного сигналинга и чувствительность УФрезистентных клеток меланомы к действию противоопухолевых препаратов.Материалы и методы. эксперименты проводились на культивируемых in vitro клетках меланомы А375. клетки культивировали в стандартной среде DMEM + 10 % FBS, анализ скорости роста клеток проводили с помощью МТТ-теста; выживаемость клеток после облучения анализировали с использованием колониеобразующего теста. Транскрипционную активность рецептора эстрогенов (ER) определяли методом репортерного анализа при трансфекции в клетки плазмиды, содержавшей ген-репортер люциферазы под контролем промотора с эстроген-респонсивным элементом. Для анализа экспрессии клеточных белков использовали метод иммуноблоттинга; сравнительный анализ экспрессии ERα и ERβ проводили с помощью иммунофлуоресцентного метода.Результаты. Длительное УФ-облучение приводит к формированию УФ-резистентной субпопуляции клеток меланомы А375, отличающейся пониженной чувствительностью к таргетным (вемурафенибу) и гормональным (тамоксифену) препаратам на фоне повышенной экспрессии Snail – активатора эпителиально-мезенхимального перехода и при отсутствии заметных изменений в экспрессии белков PI3K (фосфоинозитид-3-киназы) / mTOR (мишень рапамицина млекопитающих) сигналинга. Метформин снижает экспрессию Snail как в родительских, так и в УФ-резистентных клетках А375 и усиливает цитостатический эффект в комбинации с вемурафенибом или тамоксифеном.Заключение. полученные данные свидетельствуют о снижении чувствительности к таргетным препаратам клеток меланомы на фоне длительной экспозиции с УФ. Способность метформина потенцировать действие таргетных препаратов и ингибировать Snail позволяет рассматривать это лекарственное стредство не только как противоопухолевый агент, но и как потенциальный ингибитор эпителиально-мезенхимального перехода

Accessing new physics with an undoped, cryogenic CsI CEvNS detector for COHERENT at the SNS

We consider the potential for a 10-kg undoped cryogenic CsI detector operating at the Spallation Neutron Source to measure coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering and its sensitivity to discover new physics beyond the standard model. Through a combination of increased event rate, lower threshold, and good timing resolution, such a detector would significantly improve on past measurements. We considered tests of several beyond-the-standard-model scenarios such as neutrino non-standard interactions and accelerator-produced dark matter. This detector's performance was also studied for relevant questions in nuclear physics and neutrino astronomy, namely the weak charge distribution of CsI nuclei and detection of neutrinos from a core-collapse supernova