Artemisia dracunculus L. (tarragon): a critical review of its traditional use, chemical composition, pharmacology, and safety.

Artemisia dracunculus L. (tarragon) has a long history of use as a spice and remedy. Two well-described "cultivars" (Russian and French) are used widely and differ in ploidy level, morphology, and chemistry. Key biologically active secondary metabolites are essential oils (0.15-3.1%), coumarins (>1%), flavonoids, and phenolcarbonic acids. In vivo studies mainly in rodents, particularly from Russian sources, highlight potential anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and antihyperglycemic effects. Despite concerns about the toxic effects of two of its main constituents, estragole (up to 82%) and methyleugenol (up to 39%), no acute toxicity or mutagenic activity has been reported at doses relevant for human consumption. Water extracts of A. dracunculus contain very low amounts of estragole and methyleugenol and, therefore, are considered to pose a very limited risk. Overall, a stronger focus on clinical studies and precise taxonomic and phytochemical definition of the source material will be essential for future research efforts

A review of species of the genus Mocyta (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) in Ukraine

A review of the genus Mocyta Mulsant & Rey, 1874, which is represented in Ukraine; a description of the main morphological features and diagnostic features is made, data on ecological features, seasonal activity of adults, the distribution of representatives of the genus in Ukraine and the world and the keys to identify the species are presented. The information on the distribution of species of the genus Mocyta in the territory of Ukraine has been clarified and significantly supplemented by new findings. The results can be used to address a number of theoretical issues of faunistics, zoogeography, and ecology, as well as in compiling the inventory of the fauna of the Ukrainian Carpathians, for comparative faunal research, in the analysis of species distribution, in biogeographic constructions, studies of faunogenesis, ecological monitoring and prediction of consequences of the influence of human activities on natural ecosystems of the region. The genus Mocyta is a widespread genus, which in terms of the combination of morphological and biological features belongs to the tribe Athetini Casey, 1910 of the subfamily Aleocharinae Fleming, 1821 of the family Staphylinidae Latreille, 1802. There are 26 known species in the fauna of Palearctic, 5 of which (Mocyta clientula, M. fungi fungi, M. fussi, M. orbata, M. orphana) are represented in the fauna of Ukraine. However, it is likely that there are two more species (M. amplicollis and M. negligens), identified for the surrounding areas, for which characteristics and comparative diagnoses have also been provided. This paper is a continuation of the initiated series of reviews of genera and species of the tribe Athetini of the fauna of Ukraine. Taking into account the wide geographical distribution and significant individual variability in size, colour and shape of the spermatheca of representatives of the genus, the identification of the latter presents some significant difficulties

Aseguramiento de protección contra el fuego en complejos industriales de agrupaciones animales

Aquí se presenta el estudio del aseguramiento de la protección contra el fuego en edificios agrupados de un conjunto de ganadería por medio de optimizar las medidas legislativas respectivas y analizar las influencias en la calidad y fiabilidad de los resultados de evaluar riesgos de incendio. Se llevaron a cabo los estudios a través de hacer valoración profesional, calcular riesgos de incendio individuales y simular la evacuación de la gente en el modelo de flujos humanos individual y en cadena. Los aspectos funcionales conceptuales de los edificios del conjunto resultaron en la necesidad de desarrollar soluciones técnicas y estructurales que podrían ayudar a reducir gastos ineficientes y armonizarían los edificios con las exigencias de la protección contra el fuego. El riesgo de incendios individual para los trabajadores del objeto de protección considerado es 2.91x10-7 por año-1 (0.291x10-6 por año), es decir, no sobrepasa el nivel normal establecido por la ley Federal 123-FZ del 22 de Julio de 2008 «Regulaciones Técnicas de las Exigencias a la Protección contra el Fuego". La adopción en el nivel legislativo del sistema de valorar riesgos de incendio creó para los dueños de objetos la oportunidad de optimizar los gastos para asegurar la protección contra el fuego, incluyendo el aseguramiento del nivel exigido de seguridad human

Aseguramiento de protección contra el fuego en complejos industriales de agrupaciones animales

This study deals with ensuring fire safety in buildings of a cluster animal industrial complex by optimizing legislative measures and analyzing factors that affect the quality and reliability of the results of calculating fire risk. The research involved the following methods: expert assessment; calculating individual fire risk; modeling evacuation of people in the form of an individual flow model of human traffic. The conceptual features of the complex's buildings required developing the design and technical solutions that would reduce inefficient costs on the one hand, and, on the other, would ensure meeting fire safety requirements. The individual fire risk for employees of the asset to be protected is 2.91 ×10-7 per year-1 (0.291 ×10-6 per year). That is, it does not exceed the characteristic value established by Federal law No. 123-FZ dated 22.07.2008 'Technical regulations on fire safety'. After the introduction of the fire risk assessment system at the legislative level, the owners of objects have received the opportunity to optimize the cost of fire safety and the required level of human safety.Aquí se presenta el estudio del aseguramiento de la protección contra el fuego en edificios agrupados de un conjunto de ganadería por medio de optimizar las medidas legislativas respectivas y analizar las influencias en la calidad y fiabilidad de los resultados de evaluar riesgos de incendio. Se llevaron a cabo los estudios a través de hacer valoración profesional, calcular riesgos de incendio individuales y simular la evacuación de la gente en el modelo de flujos humanos individual y en cadena. Los aspectos funcionales conceptuales de los edificios del conjunto resultaron en la necesidad de desarrollar soluciones técnicas y estructurales que podrían ayudar a reducir gastos ineficientes y armonizarían los edificios con las exigencias de la protección contra el fuego. El riesgo de incendios indivudual para los trabajadores del objeto de protección considerado es 2.91x10-7 por año-1 (0.291x10-6 por año), es decir, no sobrepasa el nivel normal establecido por la ley Federal 123-FZ del 22 de Julio de 2008 «Regulaciones Técnicas de las Exigencias a la Protección contra el Fuego». La adopción en el nivel legislativo del sistema de valorar riesgos de incendio creó para los dueños de objetos la oportunidad de optimizar los gastos para asegurar la protección contra el fuego, incluyendo el aseguramiento del nivel exigido de seguridad humana

Fluctuating Asymmetry of Measurable Parameters in Rana arvalis : Methodology

72 Fluctuating asymmetry (FA), i.e., undirected deviations from bilateral symmetry, of both measurable and nonmeasurable characteristics reflects ontogenetic instability, which some authors believe increases in response to genomic or environmental stress. This allows FA to be used for estimating the state of anthropogenically affected natural populations (e.g., Rana arvalis young of the year were captured on August 4 and 5, 2003, in the Kalinovskie Razrezy Park Forest in northern Yekaterinburg ( n = 26) and near the Yuzhnaya Bus Terminal ( n = 15), respectively. Ponds existing in the park forest had resulted from flooding desolate quarries. The vegetation was a herb-grass pine forest containing small shrubs. The results of our hydrochemical analyses performed in 2003 indicate that, according to the ecological sanitary classification of the quality of surface waters suggested by We measured the size parameters of the body that are standard for amphibians The results of the measurements shown in the table indicate that storage in the fixative led to a slight decrease in the mean values of most parameters measured in frogs from both populations. This decrease was the largest (and statistically significant) for the lengths of the thigh, crus, and temporal spot, i.e., the measurements at least partly involving soft tissue (F = 11.13-144.32, d.f. = 1/25 or 1/14, P = 0.004-0.0001 for the results of ANOVA with factors individual, body side

Ошибка в дифференциальной диагностике кистозного образования поджелудочной железы при применении ультразвукового контраста (клиническое наблюдение)

The use of the contrast agent SonoVue has been allowed in Russia since June 2014. Since then, russian experts have been accumulating their own experience in the contrast agent application for various diseases. The analysis of the obtained data showed that, besides the typical characteristics of the lesions enhancement, described in the literature, there can be atypical cases due to various causes (longterm course of the disease, co-morbidity). We present a clinical case of pancreas cystic lesion in female patient, that was misunderstood as a cystic tumor preoperatively. Considering the epithelial lining nature, absence of the accurate signs of the presence of an ovarian-like stroma, and also the significant secondary changes in the cystic wall such as hyalinosis, cholesterol deposits and macrophage accumulations, the lesion was interpreted as a long-standing pancreatic retention cyst with secondary changes by a morphological study. The features of the enhancement patterns of this lesion can be explained by the presence of significant secondary changes in the wall of cyst, that was first diagnosed in this patient 10 years ago.В России применение контрастного препарата Соновью разрешено с июня 2014 г., и с тех пор отечественные специалисты накапливают собственный опыт применения данного препарата при различных заболеваниях. Анализ полученных данных показал, что помимо типичных, описанных в литературе характеристик накопления образованиями контрастного вещества возможны нетипичные случаи, обусловленные различными причинами (длительное течение заболевания, сопутствующие патологии). Приводим клиническое наблюдение пациентки с кистозным образованием поджелудочной железы, у которой при предоперационном обследовании был неверно поставлен диагноз кистозной опухоли. Учитывая характер эпителиальной выстилки, отсутствие достоверных признаков наличия овариоподобной стромы, а также выраженные вторичные изменения в стенке кисты в виде гиалиноза, отложений кристаллов холестерина и скоплений макрофагов, образование было расценено при морфологическом исследовании как давняя ретенционная киста поджелудочной железы с вторичными изменениями. Особенности контрастирования данного образования могут быть объяснены наличием выраженных вторичных изменений в стенке кисты, которая впервые была диагностирована 10 лет назад

Secretory phospholipase A2: a biomarker of inflammation in autoimmune, bacterial and viral diseases

Secretory phospholipases A2 (sPLA2) represent a large superfamily of enzymes with a molecular weight of 14-19 kDa, including 15 groups and more than 30 isoforms belonging to four types: secretory (sPLA2), cytosolic (cPLA2), calcium-independent (iPLA2) and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (LP-PLA2, PAF-AH). Eleven species of secretory sPLA2s (IB, IIA, IIC, IID, IIE, IIF, III, V, X, XIIA, and XIIB) have been found in mammals, performing versatile functions and participating in the pathogenesis of a wide range of diseases. On the one hand, sPLA2 may promote elimination of damaged, apoptotic cells by hydrolyzing membrane phospholipids, and exerts a strong bactericidal and antiviral properties, including pronounced effects against antibiotic-resistant strains of microorganisms. In this regard, the use of sPLA2 may represent a new strategy for the treatment of bacterial and viral infections. Moreover, due to the action of sPLA2 on its substrates, a number of biologically active molecules (arachidonic, lysophosphatidic acids, lysophospholipids, fatty acids, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, thromboxanes) are formed, which provide strong inflammatory, detergent, coagulating effects and increase vascular permeability. This pro-inflammatory role of sPLA2 may explain its increase levels and activity in cardiovascular, respiratory, autoimmune, metabolic, oncological, bacterial and viral disorders. The review article presents a classification of sPLA2 isoforms, their substrates, regulatory factors, biological significance, and mechanisms of their strong bactericidal, virucidal, and pro-inflammatory activity in the heart and lung disorders, autoimmune, metabolic, bacterial, and viral diseases. In particular, the mechanisms of the selective action of sPLA2 against Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms are discussed. We consider diagnostic and prognostic significance, correlations between elevated levels and activity of sPLA2 and distinct clinical symptoms, severity and outcome in the patients with coronary heart disease (CAD), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), atherosclerosis, acute inflammatory lung injury (ALI), respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), rheumatoid arthritis, bronchial asthma, bacterial infections, septicemia and viral (COVID-19) infections. The opportunity of using sPLA2 as a biomarker of the severity and outcome of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bacterial infections, sepsis and viral infections, including COVID-19, is also considered

Surgical Treatment of Stenosis of Spinal Canal and Dural Sac at the Craniovertebral Junction

The paper presents the results of surgical treatment of 12 patients with stenosing processes of the vertebral canal at the craniovertebral transition due to chronic, unstable type 2 injuries of the C odontoid process (classification of fractures of odontoid process proposed in 1974 by Anderson and D’Alonzo). Patient examination included clinical-neurologic examination, review spondylograms of the cervical spine in 2 projections, MSCT, MRI. All patients were admitted to the clinic with external fixators (cervical support collar or Philadelphia collar). In the preoperative period, all patients were divided into 2 groups according to indications and contraindications for the application of the HALO-device. The first group consisted of 7 people, with cervical spine still fixed with the cervical support collar or Philadelphia collar, and the second group consisted of 5 patients with CII fracture fixed and corrected in the preoperative period by the HALO-device. All patients underwent surgical intervention – posterior approach decompression of the spinal canal and dural sack in the craniovertebral passage by CI laminectomy, partial resection of the posterior margin of the occipital aperture followed by the implementation of atlanto-axial occipitospondylodesis (a clamp with shape-memory effect for posterior occipitospondylodesis, OOO “MITS SPF”, Novokuznetsk, Russia). A comparative analysis of the results of surgical treatment of posttraumatic stenoses of the vertebral canal with and without the use of the HALO-traction device was performed. The results was better in the second group, which makes it possible to consider the second variant of surgical treatment more pathogenetically justified. Thus, HALO-traction restors anatomo-topographic relationships in the craniovertebral zone creating hard external fixation, helping to avoid intraoperative complications

Effect of low temperature RF plasma treatment on electrical properties of junctionless InGaAs MOSFETs

In this paper, we study the effect of low-temperature RF plasma treatment in forming gas (10%H2+90%N2) on the electrical characteristics of junctionless MOSFETs with n-In0.53Ga0.47As channel and an Al2O3 gate dielectric. The impact of plasma power density on the device parameters is investigated. It is found that RF plasma annealing with a low power density (0.5 W/cm2) at 150°C for 10 min provides substantial improvement of source/drain contacts resistance and the carrier mobility resulting in a considerable increase of the on-state current and transconductance. It also improves the subthreshold slope and reduces the fixed positive charge in Al2O3 under the gate, shifting the threshold voltage toward positive values. It is demonstrated that non-thermal factors play a principle role in modification of electrical properties of the JL MOSFETs under RF plasma treatment. Such treatment may be an efficient tool for the improvement of the performance of the advanced MOSFETs with III-V channel materials

On the results of the Second Scientific Forum “Genetic Resources of Russia”

The Second Scientific Forum “Genetic Resources of Russia” was held in St. Petersburg, June 26-28, 2023. Thе Forum comprised nine associated scientific conferences and conference schools dedicated to the establishment, formation, conservation, development, studying and utilization of biological (bioresource) collections as well as to the activities of bioresource centers, and a round table entitled “Statutory Legal Regulation and Standards for the Work with Bioresource Collections”. More than 700 researchers representing over a hundred scientific institutions and universities from Russia and other countries participated in the Forum. In total, more than 200 oral presentations were made during those events (including 16 talks at the Forum’s Plenary Session). The participants of the Forum events thoroughly discussed the results of the Federal Scientific and Technical Program for the Development of Genetic Technologies for 2019-2030 associated with the establishment and development of bioresource collections for research in the field of genetic technologies, the prospects for the promotion of this sector, and the regulatory legal framework in the sphere of ensuring conservation and development of biological (bioresource) collections, establishment and functioning of bioresource centers, and their sustainable and rational utilization in scientific research and development activities. The outcome of those discussions is presented in this publication in the form of the Forum’s Resolution. Upon reviewing the results of the Federal Scientific and Technical Program for the Development of Genetic Technologies for 2019-2030 pertaining to the establishment and development of bioresource collections for research in the field of genetic technologies, the Forum recognized them as successful. The Forum approved the draft of the legal act “On Bioresource Centers and Biological (Bioresource) Collections”, which is currently under consideration in the State Duma of the Russian Federation and emphasized the need for its soonest adoption