In vitro FRAP reveals the ATP-dependent nuclear mobilization of the exon junction complex protein SRm160

We present a new in vitro system for characterizing the binding and mobility of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-labeled nuclear proteins by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching in digitonin-permeabilized cells. This assay reveals that SRm160, a splicing coactivator and component of the exon junction complex (EJC) involved in RNA export, has an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent mobility. Endogenous SRm160, lacking the EGFP moiety, could also be released from sites at splicing speckled domains by an ATP-dependent mechanism. A second EJC protein, RNPS1, also has an ATP-dependent mobility, but SRm300, a protein that binds to SRm160 and participates with it in RNA splicing, remains immobile after ATP supplementation. This finding suggests that SRm160-containing RNA export, but not splicing, complexes have an ATP-dependent mobility. We propose that RNA export complexes have an ATP-regulated mechanism for release from binding sites at splicing speckled domains. In vitro fluorescence recovery after photobleaching is a powerful tool for identifying cofactors required for nuclear binding and mobility

Resistance of <i>Rhodococcus ruber</i> biofilms to CuO nanoparticles depending on exopolymer matrix composition

Background. The widespread use of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) increases their release into the environment, which leads to accumulation in trophic chains. Bacterial biofilms are more resistant to physico-chemical factors compared to planktonic cells due to an exopolymer matrix (EPM) consisting of polysaccharides, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. Rhodococcus actinobacteria are promising for environmental biotechnology due to biodegradation of petroleum products, pesticides and other organic pollutants, as well as bioaccumulation of heavy metals.   The aim. To investigate effects of CuO NPs on the viability of Rhodococcus ruber IEGM 231 cells in biofilms and the dynamics of EPM components.   Methods. R. ruber biofilms were grown on microscopy cover glass with CuO NPs and EPM components were studied using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) by differentiating staining with LIVE/DEAD to determine the number of living and dead cells, Nile Red for lipids, FITC for proteins and Calcofluor White for betapolysaccharides.   Results. It was found that R. ruber biofilms grown in a mineral medium with1.0 vol.% n-hexadecane are more resistant to CuO NPs compared to biofilms growing in a rich culture medium (meat-peptone broth). This was due to more intensive EPM formation, which plays a major role in protecting cells from the bactericidal action of nanometals. A weak stimulating effect of a low (0.001 g/l) concentration of CuO NPs on biofilm formation was registered. Dynamics and localization of main EPM components were monitored during prolonged (24–72 h) biofilm cultivation with CuO NPs. When exposed to high (0.01–0.1 g/l) concentrations of CuO NPs, a consistently high lipid content and an increase in concentrations of polysaccharides and proteins were revealed.   Conclusion. Understanding the complex interaction mechanisms of nanometals and biofilms will contribute to the development of effective biocatalysts based on immobilized bacterial cells. Also, the obtained data can be used to combat unwanted biofilms with the help of metal nanoparticles

Analysis of Students’ Ideas about the Mechanisms of Influence of Sports on the Achievement of Life Success

В статье рассматривается проблема влияния занятий спортом на становление личности человека. Цель исследования — выявить основные механизмы влияния спорта на достижение жизненного успеха в представлении студентов, а также определить ключевые личностные качества, необходимые для его достижения. Было проведено социологическое исследование, участниками которого являлись студенты Уральского федерального университета. Исследование осуществлялось с использованием количественной стратегии. В результате исследования выявлено, что большинство ответивших спортсменов (78,9 %) и неспортсменов (61,9 %) уверены в том, что спорт способствует достижению жизненного успеха. Четверть студентов, не занимающихся спортом, указали на то, что спорт не оказывает никакого влияния на достижение человеком жизненного успеха. На основе анализа данных, полученных в ходе исследования, установлено, что студенты видят значимую роль спорта в формировании личностных качеств и характера, благодаря которым возможно достижение жизненного успеха.The article deals with the problem of the influence of sports on the formation of a person’s personality. The purpose of the study is to identify the main mechanisms of the influence of sports on the achievement of life success in the representation of students, as well as to identify the key personal qualities necessary to achieve it. A sociological study was conducted, the participants of which were students of the Ural federal university. The study was carried out using a quantitative strategy. As a result of the study, it was revealed that the majority of athletes (78,9 %) and non-athletes (61,9 %) are confident that sport contributes to achieving success in life. A fourth of the students who do not engage in sports indicated that sports have no effect on a person’s achievement of success in life. Based on the analysis of the data obtained during the study, it was found that students see a significant role of sports in the formation of personal qualities and character, thanks to which it is possible to achieve success in life

Assessment of Readiness for Sports Activities in Cheer Sports of Student Athletes with Experience in Various Sports

Рукопись поступила в редакцию: 25.05.2023. Принята к публикации: 28.06.2023.Received: 25.05.2023. Accepted: 28.06.2023.Чир спорт стремительно набирает популярность, в том числе в студенческом спорте, что обусловливает актуальность исследования, посвященного проблемам его развития в студенческом спорте. Статья посвящена исследованию готовности студентов-спортсменов, занимавшихся разными сложно-координационными видами спорта к продолжению спортивной карьеры в чир спорте. Цель исследования заключалась в выявлении исходного уровня развития ведущих физических качеств и специальных технических навыков для чирлидеров у спортсменов разных специализаций для определения готовности к спортивному совершенствованию в студенческой команде вуза по чир спорту. Исследование проводилось с помощью метода контрольных испытаний с использованием тестов для оценки ведущих физических качеств и специальных технических навыков чирлидеров. Результаты исследования показали, что уровень готовности к спортивному совершенствованию в студенческих командах по чирлидингу спортсменов, имевших спортивный опыт в разных видах спорта, обусловлен спецификой их предыдущей спортивной деятельности. При этом спортсмены, ранее занимавшиеся видами спорта с акробатической направленностью, имеют навыки выполнения акробатических дорожек, требующихся в соревновательной деятельности в чирлидинге. Хороший уровень развития гибкости у девушек способствует выполнению сложных статических элементов соревновательной деятельности в чирлидинге. Хороший уровень развития силовых способностей, которым обладают юноши, ранее занимавшиеся силовыми видами спорта, может послужить основой для успешного выполнения ими таких элементов чирлидинга, как поддержки и выбросы. Значимость проведенного исследования заключается в установлении необходимости оценки исходного уровня готовности к спортивному совершенствованию в чир спорте спортсменов, ранее занимавшихся разными видами спорта. Полученная информация позволит тренеру индивидуализировать тренировочный процесс, делая акцент на развитие недостающих или слаборазвитых качеств и навыков каждого атлета, что позволит ему определить оптимальную соревновательную программу команды для успешной подготовки команды к соревнованиям.Cheer sport is rapidly gaining popularity including in student sports which determines the relevance of research on the problems of its development in student sports. The article is devoted to the study of the readiness of student-athletes engaged in various difficult-coordination sports to continue a sports career in cheer sports. The purpose of the study was to identify the initial level of development of leading physical qualities and special technical skills for cheerleaders in athletes of different specializations to determine readiness for sports improvement in the university student cheer sports team. The study was conducted using the method of control tests using tests to assess the leading physical qualities and special technical skills of cheerleaders. The results of the study showed that the level of readiness for sports improvement in student cheerleading teams of athletes who had sports experience in various sports is due to the specifics of their previous sports activities. At the same time, athletes who have previously engaged in sports with an acrobatic orientation have the skills to perform acrobatic tracks required in competitive activities in cheerleading. A good level of flexibility development in girls contributes to the implementation of complex static elements of competitive activity in cheerleading. A good level of development of strength abilities possessed by young men who have previously engaged in strength sports can serve as the basis for their successful performance of such elements of cheerleading as support and emissions. The significance of the conducted research lies in the establishment of the need to assess the initial level of readiness for sports improvement in the cheer sport of athletes who previously engaged in various sports. The information obtained will allow the coach to individualize the training process, focusing on the development of missing or underdeveloped qualities and skills of each athlete, which will allow him to determine the optimal competitive program of the team for the successful preparation of the team for the competition

The influence of feature selection methods on accuracy, stability and interpretability of molecular signatures

Motivation: Biomarker discovery from high-dimensional data is a crucial problem with enormous applications in biology and medicine. It is also extremely challenging from a statistical viewpoint, but surprisingly few studies have investigated the relative strengths and weaknesses of the plethora of existing feature selection methods. Methods: We compare 32 feature selection methods on 4 public gene expression datasets for breast cancer prognosis, in terms of predictive performance, stability and functional interpretability of the signatures they produce. Results: We observe that the feature selection method has a significant influence on the accuracy, stability and interpretability of signatures. Simple filter methods generally outperform more complex embedded or wrapper methods, and ensemble feature selection has generally no positive effect. Overall a simple Student's t-test seems to provide the best results. Availability: Code and data are publicly available at http://cbio.ensmp.fr/~ahaury/

Potential risks of antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes in bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated soils

Bioremediation represents a sustainable approach to remediating petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated soils. One aspect of sustainability includes the sourcing of nutrients used to stimulate hydrocarbon-degrading microbial populations. Organic nutrients such as animal manure and sewage sludge may be perceived as more sustainable than conventional inorganic fertilizers. However, organic nutrients often contain antibiotic residues and resistant bacteria (along with resistance genes and mobile genetic elements). This is further exacerbated since antibiotic resistant bacteria may become more abundant in contaminated soils due to co-selection pressures from pollutants such as metals and hydrocarbons. We review the issues surrounding bioremediation of petroleum-hydrocarbon contaminated soils, as an example, and consider the potential human-health risks from antibiotic resistant bacteria. While awareness is coming to light, the relationship between contaminated land and antibiotic resistance remains largely under-explored. The risk of horizontal gene transfer between soil microorganisms, commensal bacteria and/or human pathogens needs to be further elucidated, and the environmental triggers for gene transfer need to be better understood. Findings of antibiotic resistance from animal manures are emerging, but even fewer bioremediation studies using sewage sludge have made any reference to antibiotic resistance. Resistance mechanisms, including those to antibiotics, have been considered by some authors to be a positive trait associated with resilience in strains intended for bioremediation. Nevertheless, recognition of the potential risks associated with antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes in contaminated soils appears to be increasing and requires further investigation. Careful selection of bacterial candidates for bioremediation possessing minimal antibiotic resistance as well as pre-treatment of organic wastes to reduce selective pressures (e.g., antibiotic residues) are suggested to prevent environmental contamination with antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes

DETERMINATION OF SULFUR CONTENT OF VARIOUS OXIDATION STATES BY WD-XRF

Sulfur is an essential component of both natural minerals and various soils. Determination of sulfur content in various oxidation states provides a lot of information about the course of geochemical processes, the ecological state of the natural system and the efficiency of pro-duction processes

Monitoring the Oxygen of Alkali Metal Fluorides by the Carrier Gas Hot Extraction

The influence of technological parameters on the results of determination of low oxygen contents in the eutectic mixture LiF - NaF - KF (FLiNaK) by carrier gas hot extraction was investigated

Determination of Aluminum and Zirconium Chlorides in Potassium Chloraluminate Melt

The possibility of determining aluminum and zirconium chlorides in potassium chloraluminate-based melts was investigated. Extraction with chloroform was used to isolate AlCl3 and ZrCl4 for their titrimetric determination