Structural and magnetic dimers in the spin-gapped system CuTe2O5

We investigated the magnetic properties of the system CuTe2O5 by susceptibility and electron spin resonance measurements. The anisotropy of the effective g-factors and the ESR linewidth indicates that the anticipated structural dimer does not correspond to the singlet-forming magnetic dimer. Moreover, the spin susceptibility of CuTe2O5 can only be described by taking into account interdimer interactions of the same order of magnitude than the intradimer coupling. Analyzing the exchange couplings in the system we identify the strongest magnetic coupling between two Cu ions to be mediated by super-super exchange interaction via a bridging Te ligand, while the superexchange coupling between the Cu ions of the structural dimer only results in the second strongest coupling

The influence of brood chickens by-products processing with probiotic culture starter on change of their functional and technological parameters.

By-products are the potential source of animal protein obtained from brood chickens and egg-laying hens. Certain by-products like gizzards and combs are quite tough and possess low nutritional and biological value due to their high content of connective tissue. Biotechnological processing improves the quality parameters of collagen-containing by-products. In this article a probiotic starter culture of propionic acid bacteria, which have high proteolytic activity, was used to treat the gizzards and combs of brood chickens. Before processing of by-products with starter culture, physical and chemical parameters and the yield of by-products in relation to poultry live weight were analyzed and recorded. 5%, 10% and 15% starter culture were added to the tested samples of chopped by-products, the samples were kept at a temperature of 30 °C, and every 4 hours the following functional and technological parameters were monitored: moisture binding capacity, water holding capacity (MBC and WHC) and yield of the product after heat treatment. The results proved that increase of starter culture amount and longer exposure of by-products to hydrolysis led to decrease of functional and technological parameters values, but for the combs those parameters remained at a sufficiently high level compared to the gizzards, as the gizzards were exposed to more intense hydrolysis than combs. The decrease in the pH value correlated with the dynamics of MBC and WHC changes; and dynamics of the product yield after the heat treatment. Also the stained histological preparations were studied in order to assess the influence of biotechnological processing on by-products microstructure, where significant differences were found in the morphological structure of muscle and collagen fibers of hydrolysates of combs and gizzards exposed to action of bacterial concentrate. The results of rheological studies showed that hydrolyzed chicken combs differed from gizzards; the combs were denser and featured more elastic structure due to a lower degree of hydrolysis by bacterial enzymes. In general, the properties of collagen-containing by-products (muscular gizzards and combs) change significantly after being exposed to enzymes of propionic acid bacteria

Cold-induced changes in gene expression in brown adipose tissue, white adipose tissue and liver

Cold exposure imposes a metabolic challenge to mammals that is met by a coordinated response in different tissues to prevent hypothermia. This study reports a transcriptomic analysis in brown adipose tissue (BAT), white adipose (WAT) and liver of mice in response to 24 h cold exposure at 8°C. Expression of 1895 genes were significantly (P<0.05) up- or down-regulated more than two fold by cold exposure in all tissues but only 5 of these genes were shared by all three tissues, and only 19, 14 and 134 genes were common between WAT and BAT, WAT and liver, and BAT and liver, respectively. We confirmed using qRT-PCR, the increased expression of a number of characteristic BAT genes during cold exposure. In both BAT and the liver, the most common direction of change in gene expression was suppression (496 genes in BAT and 590 genes in liver). Gene ontology analysis revealed for the first time significant (P<0.05) down regulation in response to cold, of genes involved in oxidoreductase activity, lipid metabolic processes and protease inhibitor activity, in both BAT and liver, but not WAT. The results reveal an unexpected importance of down regulation of cytochrome P450 gene expression and apolipoprotein, in both BAT and liver, but not WAT, in response to cold exposure. Pathway analysis suggests a model in which down regulation of the nuclear transcription factors HNF4α and PPARα in both BAT and liver may orchestrate the down regulation of genes involved in lipoprotein and steroid metabolism as well as Phase I enzymes belonging to the cytochrome P450 group in response to cold stress in mice. We propose that the response to cold stress involves decreased gene expression in a range of cellular processes in order to maximise pathways involved in heat production

The Role of the Danish Church in the Fight against the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Significance of This Experience for the Russian Federation

The social responsibility of religious organizations in modern conditions is reflected in a variety of activities carried out by religious institutions and differ depending on both the confessional affiliation of these institutions and the specific structural territorial unit where they take place. The presented work is devoted to a detailed analysis of the peculiarities of the manifestation of one of the directions of social responsibility of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark (ELCD), associated with minimizing the consequences of COVID-19 on the example of its individual dioceses. The dioceses characterized by the highest proportion of adherents in the population structure (Diocese of Viborg, Ribe, Aalborg and Lolland-Faster) were selected to clearly reflect the trends taking place. The subject of the study is the social activities of the ELCD to mitigate the consequences of COVID-19 for parishioners, the features of the implementation of which are considered on the example of structural units at the regional level. The article substantiates the increased importance of the ELCD in the development of the region, since the designated institution largely assumes the social obligations of the state (duplicates several functions) in connection with the risks of the spread of coronavirus infection. To achieve the goal, methods of analysis of factual and economic-statistical information, comparative comparison were used. The experience of a religious organization in dealing with the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic is of interest to the public, government bodies and authorities, as well as religious organizations in other countries. The results of the study can be useful in developing a strategy for the development of state-religious relations in Russia, where there are trends of strengthening the social and economic role of religious organizations

Magnetization and specific heat of the dimer system CuTe2O5

We report on magnetization and specific heat measurements on single-crystalline CuTe2O5. The experimental data are directly compared to theoretical results for two different spin structures, namely an alternating spin-chain and a two-dimensional (2D) coupled dimer model, obtained by Das et al. [Phys. Rev. B 77, 224437 (2008)]. While the analysis of the specific heat does not allow to distinguish between the two models, the magnetization data is in good agreement with the 2D coupled dimer model.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Transcription factors MhyFIL1 and MhyFIL3 <i>(Monotropa hypopitys)</i> determine the asymmetric development of above-ground lateral organs in plants

It is believed that the complete mycoheterotroph pinesap Monotropa hypopitys adaptively evolved from a photosynthetic mycorrhizal ancestor, which had lost its photosynthetic apparatus and vegetative organs (stem and leaves). The aerial part of the plant is a reproductive axis with sterile bracts and inflorescence with a flower type canonical for higher plants. The origin of leaves and leaf-like lateral organs is associated, among other factors, with the evolution of the YABBY genes, which are divided into“vegetative” and evolutionarily recent“reproductive” genes, with regard to their expression profiles. The study of the vegetative YABBY genes in pinesap will determine whether their functions (identification of cell identity on the abaxial surface of the lateral organs) are preserved in the leafless plant. In this study, the structural and phylogenetic analysis of the pinesap vegetative genes MhyFIL1 and MhyFIL3 is performed, the main conserved domains and motifs of the encoded proteins are characterized, and it is confirmed that the genes belong to the vegetative clade YABBY3/FIL. The effect of heterologous ectopic expression of the MhyFIL1 and MhyFIL3 genes on the phenotype of transgenic tobacco Nicotiana tabacum is evaluated. The leaves formed by both types of plants, 35S::MhyFIL1 and 35S::MhyFIL3, were narrower than in control plants and were twisted due to the changed identity of adaxial surface cells. Also, changes in the architecture of the aerial part and the root system of transgenic plants, including aberrant phyllotaxis and arrest of the shoot and root apical meristem development, were noted. Some of the 35S::MhyFIL1 and 35S::MhyFIL3 plants died as early as the stage of the formation of the first leaves, others did not bloom, and still others had a greatly prolonged vegetation period and formed fewer flowers than normal ones. The flowers had no visible differences from the control except for fragile pedicles. Thus, the absence of structural changes from the M. hypopitys flower in comparison to autotrophic species and the effect of MhyFIL1/3 heterologous expression on the development of tobacco plants indicate the preservation of the functions of the vegetative YABBY genes by the MhyFIL1/3 genes in pinesap. Moreover, the activity of YABBY transcription factors of the FIL clade in M. hypopitys is not directly related to the loss of the ability of pinesap to form leaves during the evolutionary transition from autotrophic nutrition to heterotrophy

Activation of Human Stearoyl-Coenzyme A Desaturase 1 Contributes to the Lipogenic Effect of PXR in HepG2 Cells

The pregnane X receptor (PXR) was previously known as a xenobiotic receptor. Several recent studies suggested that PXR also played an important role in lipid homeostasis but the underlying mechanism remains to be clearly defined. In this study, we found that rifampicin, an agonist of human PXR, induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells. Lipid analysis showed the total cholesterol level increased. However, the free cholesterol and triglyceride levels were not changed. Treatment of HepG2 cells with rifampicin induced the expression of the free fatty acid transporter CD36 and ABCG1, as well as several lipogenic enzymes, including stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1), long chain free fatty acid elongase (FAE), and lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), while the expression of acyl:cholesterol acetyltransferase(ACAT1) was not affected. Moreover, in PXR over-expressing HepG2 cells (HepG2-PXR), the SCD1 expression was significantly higher than in HepG2-Vector cells, even in the absence of rifampicin. Down-regulation of PXR by shRNA abolished the rifampicin-induced SCD1 gene expression in HepG2 cells. Promoter analysis showed that the human SCD1 gene promoter is activated by PXR and a novel DR-7 type PXR response element (PXRE) response element was located at -338 bp of the SCD1 gene promoter. Taken together, these results indicated that PXR activation promoted lipid synthesis in HepG2 cells and SCD1 is a novel PXR target gene. © 2013 Zhang et al

Особенности возделывания нового сорта картофеля Смоляночка

Relevance For the successful introduction of a new variety of potatoes into production, it is important to know the technological parameters of its cultivation, both for seed and food purposes. Methods Studies on the timing, planting schemes and doses of mineral fertilizers, providing maximum yield of seed and food tubers of a new potato variety Smolyanochka breeding Smolensk GOSHOS, were conducted in 2017-2018. Experience, observations and accounting were carried out according to generally accepted methods. The studies were conducted in the field short-term experience of the Smolensk Institute of agriculture (ex. Smolensk GOSHOS) on sod-podzolic medium-loamy soil with low humus content, weak acid reaction of the soil environment, high content of mobile phosphorus and high potassium content. Results Observations of the growth and development of potato plants of the Smolyanochka variety showed that the length of the growing season decreased from early planting to later. Planting schemes and fertilizer doses did not have a significant impact on the duration of development phases in all variants of the experiment. The density of the stem per unit area decreased by 5-18% from earlier planting dates to later and increased with an increase in the dose of mineral fertilizers to N60P72K90 by 12-28%, compared with the background of N32P32K32. The highest percentage of plant viral diseases during the growing season was observed with a more thickened planting scheme (70x25 cm) and increased with later planting dates. The maximum yield of potato tubers when grown for both seed and food purposes was noted against the background of mineral fertilizers at a dose of N60P72K90 when planted earlier. Post-harvest tuberous analysis of potatoes showed that all the studied variants of the experiment did not have a significant impact on the affection of potato tubers with fungal diseases.Актуальность Для успешного внедрения нового сорта картофеля в производство важно знать технологические параметры его возделывания, как на семенные, так и на продовольственные цели. Методика Исследования по изучению сроков, схем посадки и доз минеральных удобрений, обеспечивающих максимальный выход семенных и продовольственных клубней нового сорта картофеля Смоляночка селекции Смоленской ГОСХОС, проводили в 2017–2018 годах. Закладку опыта, наблюдения и учеты осуществляли согласно общепринятым методикам. Исследования проводили в полевом краткосрочном опыте Смоленского института сельского хозяйства (бывш. Смоленская ГОСХОС) на дерново-подзолистой среднесуглинистой почве с низким содержанием гумуса, слабокислой реакцией почвенной среды, высоким содержанием подвижного фосфора и повышенным содержанием калия. Результаты Наблюдения за ростом и развитием растений картофеля сорта Смоляночка показали, что длина вегетационного периода снижалась от ранних сроков посадки картофеля к более поздним. Схемы посадки и дозы удобрения не оказали существенного влияния на продолжительность фаз развития во всех вариантах опыта. Густота стеблестоя на единице площади снижалась на 5-18% от более ранних сроков посадки к более поздним и повышалась при увеличении дозы минеральных удобрений до N60Р72К90 на 12-28%, по сравнению с фоном N32P32K32. Наибольший процент поражения растений вирусными болезнями в период вегетации отмечался при более загущенной схеме посадки (70х25 см) и увеличивался при более поздних сроках посадки. Максимальная урожайность клубней картофеля при выращивании как на семенные, так и на продовольственные цели, отмечена на фоне внесения минеральных удобрений в дозе N60Р72К90 при посадке в более ранние сроки. Послеуборочный клубневой анализ картофеля показал, что все изучаемые варианты опыта не оказали существенного влияния на пораженность клубней картофеля грибными болезнями

Влияние уровня минерального питания и комплекса агротехнических приемов на семенную продуктивность и качество новых сортов картофеля разных групп спелости в конкретных почвенно-климатических условиях

Relevance. The aim was to study the reaction of new potato varieties early ripening group Zabava and middle-ripening group Smolyanochka on the timing of planting and doses of mineral fertilizers for obtaining maximum yield of seed potatoes. As mineral fertilizers used azophoska, superphosphate and potassium chloride.Results. It was found that the variety Zabava compared to the variety Smolyanochka, had a higher stem-forming ability and exceeded the parameters of the stem in all variants of the experiment. This is due to the biological characteristics of the studied varieties, since the Zabava variety, unlike the Smolyanochka variety, had more multiple eyes on the surface of the tuber. Against the background of applying mineral fertilizers N60P72K90, the density of the stem was higher, compared with the background of applying N32P32K32 in both the Zabava variety and the Smolyanochka variety. It should also be noted that there was a tendency to reduce the stem at a later date of planting in all variants of the experiment. The percentage of viral diseases affected increased with later planting dates and was highest with the planting dates of 14 and 20 may. The highest yield of tubers of the seed fraction was obtained in the variant with a planting date of may 14 against the background of balanced doses of mineral fertilizers (N60P72K90) and amounted to 13.3 t/ha in the Zabava variety, 13.0 t/ha in the Smolyanochka variety. It should be noted that different backgrounds of mineral fertilizers did not have a significant impact on the percentage of potato tubers affected by diseases. At the same time, the incidence of tubers with diseases did not exceed the regulatory requirements of GOST R 53136 – 2008 "Seed potatoes. Technical conditions».Актуальность. В статье изложен экспериментальный материал по реакции новых сортов картофеля разных групп спелости Забава и Смоляночка на уровни минерального питания, сроки посадки, урожайность и качество продукции.Материал и методы. Цель исследований – изучить реакцию новых сортов картофеля ранней группы спелости Забава и среднеранней группы спелости Смоляночка на сроки посадки и дозы минеральных удобрений для получения максимального урожая семенного картофеля. В качестве минеральных удобрений использовали азофоску, суперфосфат и калий хлористый.Результаты. Установлено, что сорт Забава по сравнению с сортом Смоляночка, обладал более высокой стеблеобразующей способностью и превышал параметры стеблестоя во всех вариантах опыта, что связано с биологическими особенностями изучаемых сортов. Так сорт Забава, в отличие от сорта Смоляночка, обладал более множественными глазками на поверхности клубня. На фоне внесения минеральных удобрений N60P72K90 густота стеблестоя была выше, по сравнению с фоном внесения N32P32K32 как у сорта Забава, так и у сорта Смоляночка. Наблюдалась тенденция снижения стеблестоя при более поздних сроках посадки во всех вариантах опыта. Процент поражения вирусными болезнями также увеличивался при более поздних сроках посадки и наибольшим был при посадке 14 и 20 мая. Наибольший выход клубней семенной фракции был получен в варианте со сроком посадки 14 мая на фоне сбалансированных доз минеральных удобрений (N60Р72К90) и составил у сорта Забава 13,3 т/га, у сорта Смоляночка – 13,0 т/га. Разные фоны внесения минеральных удобрений не оказали существенного влияния на процент поражения клубней картофеля болезнями. При этом пораженность клубней болезнями не превышала нормативных требований ГОСТа Р 53136 – 2008 «Картофель семенной. Технические условия»

Transduction of rat pancreatic islets with pseudotyped adeno-associated virus vectors

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Pancreatic islet transplantation is a promising treatment for type I diabetes mellitus, but current immunosuppressive strategies do not consistently provide long-term survival of transplanted islets. We are therefore investigating the use of adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) as gene therapy vectors to transduce rat islets with immunosuppressive genes prior to transplantation into diabetic mice.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We compared the transduction efficiency of AAV2 vectors with an AAV2 capsid (AAV2/2) to AAV2 vectors pseudotyped with AAV5 (AAV2/5), AAV8 (AAV2/8) or bovine adeno-associated virus (BAAV) capsids, or an AAV2 capsid with an insertion of the low density lipoprotein receptor ligand from apolipoprotein E (AAV2apoE), on cultured islets, in the presence of helper adenovirus infection to speed expression of a GFP transgene. Confocal microscopy and flow cytometry were used. The AAV2/5 vector was superior to AAV2/2 and AAV2/8 in rat islets. Flow cytometry indicated AAV2/5-mediated gene expression in approximately 9% of rat islet cells and almost 12% of insulin-positive cells. The AAV2/8 vector had a higher dependence on the helper virus multiplicity of infection than the AAV 2/5 vector. In addition, the BAAV and AAV2apoE vectors were superior to AAV2/2 for transducing rat islets. Rat islets (300 per mouse) transduced with an AAV2/5 vector harboring the immunosuppressive transgene, <it>tgfβ1</it>, retain the ability to correct hyperglycemia when transplanted into immune-deficient diabetic mice.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>AAV2/5 vectors may therefore be useful for pre-treating donor islets prior to transplantation.</p