Leaf Mesophyll Structure and Photosynthetic Activity in Calla palustris L. from Natural Habitats with Different Level of Technogenic Pollution

A study of leaf structure and CO2 assimilation rate was conducted on the emergent plant Calla palustris L. from natural habitats with different levels of technogenic pollution (the Sak-Elga River, upstream and downstream of the Karabash copper smelter, Chelyabinsk region, Russia). It was found that both chlorophyll a content andthe rate of CO2 assimilation decreased twofold in plants from the downstream site. No significant changes were observed in leaf mesophyll structure and the volume of aerenchyma in the leaf. It was shown that in plants from strongly contaminated site, the decrease in spongy mesophyll cell volume was compensated by the increase in their number, whereas the decrease in the number of chloroplasts per cell was accompanied by a growth in volume. It is concluded that the changes in the numerical and dimensional characteristics of mesophyll cells and chloroplasts provide for the viability of C. palustris under prolonged technogenic impact and demonstrate the plasticity of the photosynthetic apparatus. Keywords: emergent plant, heavy metals, adaptation, leaf structure, CO2 uptak

Effect of biochar on the growth of Ricinus communis grown on copper smelter waste: A pot scale study

The authors acknowledge the work support by RFBR, Russia (Project № 19-516-45006) and DST, India (INT/RUS/RFBR/363) and the Ural Federal University Competitiveness Enhancement Program, Act 211 Government of the Russian Federation (сontract № 02.A03.21.0006)

Copper Stress Enhances the Lignification of Axial Organs in Zinnia elegans

Zinnia elegans Jacq. is an ornamental plant, widely used in landscaping. Heavy-metal pollution in urban and rural areas is still increasing, which determines the actuality of studying plants’ reactions to pollutants. Zinnia was not sufficiently studied in this regard, so the aim of our research was to identify morphophysiological changes in this species under excess copper concentration in the soil. For this, we treated a growth substrate with 200 µM CuSO4 solution for 20 days. At the end of the treatment, several morphological, biochemical, and molecular genetic traits were evaluated: the root and the shoot size; the concentration of H2O2 and malondialdehyde (MDA), as indicators of stress; the amount of the phenolic compounds and lignin; and the level of the expression of genes, which encoded their biosynthesis. The Cu amount in the substrate and zinnia organs was quantified using atomic-absorption spectroscopy; hydrogen peroxide, MDA, and phenolic compounds were determined spectrophotometrically, while the amount of lignin was determined according to Klason. Real-time PCR was used for estimation of the gene-transcription level. Lignin in tissues was visualized by fluorescent microscopy. In experimental plants, Cu accumulation was higher in the root than in the stem. This caused an increase in stress markers and a decrease in the root and stem lengths. For the first time for zinnia, it was shown that for several genes—4-coumarate-CoA ligase (4CL), cinnamoyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD), and class III peroxidase (PRX)—the level of expression increased under copper treatment. The rise of the transcripts’ amount of these genes was accompanied by a thickening and lignification of the cell walls in the metaxylem vessels. Thus, the adaptation of zinnia to the excess Cu in the growth medium was associated with the metabolic changes in the phenylpropanoid pathway. As a result, the lignification increased in the root, which led to the accumulation of Cu in this organ and limited its translocation through the xylem to the stem, which provided plant growth. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Russian Science Foundation, RSF: 22-24-00817Funding: This research was supported by the Russian Science Foundation, project no. 22-24-00817, https://rscf.ru/project/22-24-00817/, accessed date: 17 July 2022

THE EFFECT OF MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT ON EEG TOPOGRAPHIC CHANGES AFTER ON-PUMP CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFTING

The purpose. Previously it was shown that on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) induced cerebral ischemia and cognitive decline. The patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) could be a high-risk group of CABG-associated cognitive decline. Non-invasive neuromonitoring can provide information regarding subclinical symptoms and topography of cerebral ischemia. The aim of this study was to investigate the topographic changes in electroencephalogram (EEG) spectral power in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with or without MCI before and after on-pump CABG.Methods: 62 males with CAD were divided into two groups according to their Mini-Mental State Examination: without MCI (n = 37) and with MCI (n = 25). Clinical factors were assessed, including the severity of coronary lesions (SYNTAX score), the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Eyes-closed rest EEG was recorded from 62 channels positioned according to the International 10–20 system. Spectral EEG power was calculated for frequencies from 0.1 to 50 Hz.Results: The patients with MCI had theta-1 (4–6 Hz) power increase 7-10 days after on-pump CABG only in frontal and fronto-central clusters of right and left hemispheres as compared to the preoperative values, whereas in the groups without MCI this effect was widespread over the brain. In the beta-1 band (13–20 Hz), CABG patients with MCI had power increase in the frontal, fronto-central and fronto-temporal regions of the brain cortex. Similar power changes in patients without MCI were observed only for occipital brain clusters.Conclusions: CAD patients with MCI have demonstrated EEG signs of cortical dysfunction focused on the frontal brain areas. Cortical dysfunction in this localization can be associated with the progression of cognitive deficits, causing loss social integration in CAD patients with MCI.The purpose. Previously it was shown that on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) induced cerebral ischemia and cognitive decline. The patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) could be a high-risk group of CABG-associated cognitive decline. Non-invasive neuromonitoring can provide information regarding subclinical symptoms and topography of cerebral ischemia. The aim of this study was to investigate the topographic changes in electroencephalogram (EEG) spectral power in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with or without MCI before and after on-pump CABG.Methods: 62 males with CAD were divided into two groups according to their Mini-Mental State Examination: without MCI (n = 37) and with MCI (n = 25). Clinical factors were assessed, including the severity of coronary lesions (SYNTAX score), the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Eyes-closed rest EEG was recorded from 62 channels positioned according to the International 10–20 system. Spectral EEG power was calculated for frequencies from 0.1 to 50 Hz.Results: The patients with MCI had theta-1 (4–6 Hz) power increase 7-10 days after on-pump CABG only in frontal and fronto-central clusters of right and left hemispheres as compared to the preoperative values, whereas in the groups without MCI this effect was widespread over the brain. In the beta-1 band (13–20 Hz), CABG patients with MCI had power increase in the frontal, fronto-central and fronto-temporal regions of the brain cortex. Similar power changes in patients without MCI were observed only for occipital brain clusters. Conclusions: CAD patients with MCI have demonstrated EEG signs of cortical dysfunction focused on the frontal brain areas. Cortical dysfunction in this localization can be associated with the progression of cognitive deficits, causing loss social integration in CAD patients with MCI

Impact of preoperative mild cognitive impairment on cerebrovascular events and cognitive status in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting: data from 5-year follow-up

Aim. To assess the incidence of cerebrovascular events and cognitive status in the long-term period after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with and without preoperative mild cognitive impairment (MCI).Material and methods. This prospective study involved 115 patients aged 45 to 69 years, who were admitted to the hospital for elective on-pump CABG. All patients underwent clinical, laboratory, ultrasound, neuroimaging and neuropsychological examination 3-5 days before and 5-7 years after CABG. Cognitive functioning was assessed using screening neuropsychological scales and neuropsychological testing with an assessment of neurodynamics, attention and short-term memory. Pre-CABG MCI was diagnosed based on the criteria by R. Petersen et al. Therefore, the patients were divided into two groups: with (n=51) and without MCI (n=64).Results. It was found that strokes and dementia during the long-term postoperative period of CABG were observed only in the group of patients with preoperative MCI (7,84%). Five-seven years after CABG, a decrease in cognitive status according to neuropsychological scales was found in all patients (p≤0,05). A decrease in neurodynamics, attention and short-term memory compared to the preoperative level was found in 47,92% of patients with preoperative MCI, without MCI — in 40,63%. Neurodynamic disorders occurred equally frequently in both groups (63,8% and 57,8% of patients, respectively). Memory impairments were more often observed in patients with MCI (55,3%) compared to those without MCI (34,4%) (OR=2,36, 95% CI, 1,09-5,12, p=0,03). According to brain multislice computed tomography in the group with preoperative MCI, the number of patients with cysts and leukoaraiosis 5-7 years after CABG was higher than in those without MCI (p≤0,05).Conclusion. In the long-term (5-7 years) postoperative period of CABG, more than 40% of patients demonstrate a decrease in cognitive status, regardless of preoperative data. At the same time, preoperative MCI is associated with adverse cerebrovascular events and dementia, accompanied by morphological brain abnormalities. Due to the revealed facts, it is necessary to optimize approaches to drug treatment and secondary prevention of cognitive decline after cardiac surgery

Редокс-реакции у Hydrocharis morsus-ranae L. в условиях техногенной нагрузки

Aquatic ecosystems are very sensitive to industrial impacts, and, therefore, it is increasingly important to study the mechanisms underlying the tolerance of aquatic organisms to water pollution. Heavy metals (HMs) are among the most common and toxic pollutants of aquatic ecosystems. They have a particularly strong effect on macrophytes, which are in close contact with the aquatic environment and can accumulate metals in considerable quantities. Hydrocharis morsus-ranae L. is a floating macrophyte (pleistophyte) with a high capacity for accumulation of HMs. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of industrial pollution on the redox reactions in H. morsus-ranae and to identify the role of low molecular weight antioxidants in adaptation of this macrophyte to unfavorable conditions. A comparative analysis of the physiological and biochemical characteristics of H. morsus-ranae from two (reference and impacted) water bodies was carried out. The study revealed an increased level of lipid peroxidation products in the leaves of H. morsus-ranae under industrial impact, which indicates oxidative stress. Nevertheless, this floating plant demonstrated fairly high resistance to adverse conditions, due to the synthesis of non-enzymatic antioxidants such as proline and soluble protein thiols. Revealing the response of macrophytes to pollution of water bodies will help predict the state of aquatic ecosystems with an increase in anthropogenic pressure. © Siberian Federal University. All rights reserved.Acknowledgements. The reported study was partly funded by RFBR and the Government of the Sverdlovsk Region, project number 20–45–660014. The authors are grateful to the reviewer, Prof., D. Sc. Golovko T. K. (Institute of Biology of Komi Scientific Centre of the Ural Branch of RAS, Syktyvkar) for valuable comments that helped improve this paper and to Dr. Tripti (Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia) for editing the English language

Содержание фенольных соединений в листьях Platanthera bifolia из естественной и трансформированных экосистем на разных стадиях развития орхидеи

The representatives of the family Orchidaceae Juss. are often used as a source of natural antioxidants, including phenolic compounds, which play an important role in plant resistance under stressful conditions. This study investigates the content of lipid peroxidation products and soluble phenolic compounds in flowering plants of Platanthera bifolia (L.) Rich. growing in natural (forest park) and transformed (fly ash dumps of Thermal Power Stations) ecosystems of the Middle Urals, Russia, as well as the content of flavonoids at different stages of orchid development. Research has shown that in disturbed habitats, P. bifolia is capable of forming abundant populations containing a significant portion of the flowering plants. Additionally, flowering orchids from fly ash dumps contained an average 20 % more lipid peroxidation products, which indicated a shift in the redox balance towards oxidative processes. An increase by 2.4 times on average in the content of phenolic compounds, particularly flavonoids, was observed at all developmental stages of the plants growing in the transformed ecosystems. Regardless of the growing conditions, the non-flowering mature individuals were characterized by a minimum content of flavonoids, probably due to pre-generative metabolic restructuring. Yet, in the period of orchid blooming, the flavonoid content in their leaves increased again in all study sites. At the same time, the flavonoid proportion of the total soluble phenolic compounds was 42 % in the natural habitat, increasing to 66 % on average in the transformed ecosystems. Thus, flavonoids are involved in the protective adaptive responses of P. bifolia, not only ensuring the survival of this orchid but also contributing to the implementation of its ontogenetic program. © Siberian Federal University. All rights reserved.Acknowledgments. The reported study was partly funded by RFBR and the Government of the Sverdlovsk Region, project number 20-44-660011 and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation as part of State Task of the Ural Federal University, FEUZ-2020-0057. The authors are grateful to the reviewers, DSc Pozolotina V.N. (Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology Ural Branch of the RAS, Ekaterinburg) and DSc Dymova O.V. (Institute of Biology of Komi Scientific Centre of the Ural Branch of RAS, Syktyvkar) for valuable comments that helped improve this paper and to Dr. Tripti (Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia) for editing of the English language

Ранние неврологические исходы второго типа при симультанном и гибридном вмешательствах у пациентов с мультифокальным атеросклерозом коронарных и брахиоцефальных артерий

Aim. To compare secondary neurological outcomes in patients with brachiocephalic and coronary artery disease in the early postoperative period after different surgical treatment strategies (simultaneous and hybrid).Methods. Secondary neurological outcomes were evaluated in 43 patients with coronary and brachiocephalic artery disease in the early postoperative period after (1) carotid endarterectomy and on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery; (2) percutaneous coronary intervention and carotid endarterectomy. Demographic, clinical, instrumental data were collected. Neuropsychological assessment was performed using the Mini-Mental State Examination and Frontal Assessment Battery. Memory, attention and neurodynamics were measured using the “Status-PF” software at days 2–3 before the surgery and at days 5–7 after it. The presence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction was estimated on the basis of criteria defined as a 20% decline on 20% of the tests. Statistical analysis was performed using the software package “Statistica 10.0”.Results. Patients who underwent hybrid intervention demonstrated improved attention and memory in the early postoperative period. Complex visual-motor reaction significantly increased in patients after simultaneous surgery. Attention differed significantly in both groups. Thus, patients from the hybrid group processed more characters per 1 and 4 minutes while completing the Bourdon proof reading test. The total number of processed characters prevailed in the hybrid group. Cognitive processing speed was higher in the hybrid group according to the brain performance test. The incidence of early postoperative cognitive dysfunction was 60% in patients after simultaneous surgery and 11% in patients after hybrid surgery (p = 0.006, OR±SE 12.5±3.2).Conclusion. Hybrid intervention has shown its superiority over simultaneous intervention in terms of low rate of early cognitive impairment, thereby confirming the necessity to take into account the obtained results while selecting the optimal surgical treatment in patients with coronary and brachiocephalic artery disease present with cognitive deficits at baseline.Цель. Сравнить ранние неврологические исходы второго типа при различных стратегиях хирургического вмешательства (симультанном и гибридном) у пациентов с мультифокальным атеросклерозом коронарных и брахиоцефальных артерий.Материалы и методы. Оценены ранние неврологические исходы второго типа у 43 пациентов, подвергшихся сочетанной операции в объеме каротидной эндартерэктомии и коронарного шунтирования при использовании искусственного кровообращения и гибридному вмешательству в объеме чрескожного коронарного вмешательства со стентированием коронарных артерий и каротидной эндартерэктомии. Использованы демографические, клинические, инструментальные методы исследования. Нейропсихологическое исследование включало Краткую шкалу оценки когнитивного статуса (Mini-Mental State Examination), Батарею лобной дисфункции (Frontal Assеssment Battery). Оценку памяти, внимания и нейродинамики проводили на программно-аппаратном комплексе Status-PF за 2–3 дня и через 5–7 дней после вмешательства. Послеоперационную когнитивную дисфункцию диагностировали при снижении исходных показателей памяти, внимания и нейродинамики на 20% в 20% пройденных тестов.Результаты. У пациентов, перенесших гибридное вмешательство, в раннем послеоперационном периоде улучшались показатели внимания и памяти. У больных группы симультанного лечения достоверно увеличивалась скорость сложной зрительно-моторной реакции. Выявлены значимые межгрупповые различия по показателям внимания. Так, пациенты после гибридной хирургии прорабатывали большее количество знаков на первой и четвертой минутах теста корректурной пробы Бурдона, также в данной группе общее количество переработанных знаков указанного теста. Скорость выполнения теста работоспособности головного мозга также была выше у больных после гибридного вмешательства. Частота развития ранней послеоперационной когнитивной дисфункции в группе симультанной операции составила 60%, в группе гибридного вмешательства – 11% (p = 0,006), при оценке шансов (ОR±SE) 12,5±3,2.Заключение. Гибридное вмешательство показало преимущество с позиции ранних когнитивных расстройств по сравнению с симультанной операцией, что позволяет учитывать данное обстоятельство при выборе хирургической тактики у пациентов с мультифокальным атеросклерозе коронарных и брахиоцефальных артерий при исходном дефиците когнитивных функций

ПОВЕДЕНЧЕСКИЕ ОСОБЕННОСТИ ПАЦИЕНТОВ, ПЛАНИРУЕМЫХ НА КОРОНАРНОЕ ШУНТИРОВАНИЕ

Aim. To assess attitude of patients to coronary arthe in-hospital settings and determining coping stratetery disease (CAD) for evaluating their adaptation to gies used to overcome surgery-related stress.Materials and methods. 132 male patients (the mean age 61 years) with stable coronary artery disease were included in the study. All patients underwent the assessmentof psychological status performed by clinical psychologists in the preoperative period. The subjective assessment of patients’ psychological state and attitude to the disease was evaluated using the A.E. Lichko questionnaire. The Lazarus “Ways of Coping” questionnaire was used to determine behavioral strategies for coping with stress. Patients’ responsibility for their somatic symptoms was assessed using the health scale “Level of Subjective Control”. Psychological testing was performed on days 5-7 before CABG.Results. Harmonious, ergopathicand anosognostic types of attitude to the diseaseprevailed in the study group. 114 (80%) patients had a combination of two or more types of attitude to the disease. Harmonious and ergopathic types of attitude were commonly com bined with other types of attitude to the disease (n=96, 73%). The assessment of the subjective level of control reported that internal locus of control was found in 36 patients (27%) and externallocus of control in96 patients (73%). The assessment of coping-strategies showed that 79 (60%) patientsrarely used stress-coping strategies. Moreover, 6 patients (5%) did not use any coping strategies.Conclusion. Harmonious, ergopathic and anosognostic types of attitude to the disease prevailed in patients with coronary artery disease in the preoperative period. Moreover, external locus of control and the rare use of stress-coping strategies in these patients suggested the need for comprehensive medical and psychological support that should be intriduced in the in-hospital setting.Цель. Изучение типа отношения к болезни у па-циентов с ишемической болезнью сердца (ИБС) для определения особенностей адаптации к стационарным условиям и выявления способов преодоления такой стрессовой ситуации, как предстоящее оперативное вмешательство.Материалы и методы. В исследование включены 132 пациента-мужчин со стабильной формой ИБС, (средний возраст 61 год).Оценка психологического статуса пациентов осуществлялась клиническим психологом на предварительном этапе подготовки к КШ. Для диагностики субъективной оценки пациентом своего психологического состояния и отношения к заболеванию использовался опросник «Тип отношения к болезни по А.Е. Личко», для определения стратегий поведения в стрессовых ситуациях и способов их преодоления опросник «Способы совладающего поведения» Лазаруса, для определения ответственности пациента за свое соматическое состояние использовалась шкала здоровья теста «Уровень субъективного контроля». Психологическое тестирование проводилось за 5-7 дней до предстоящей операции.Результаты. В исследуемой группе пациентов было выявлено преобладание гармоничного, эргопатического и анозогностического типов отношения к болезни. Преобладающее количество пациентов имели сочетание двух и более типов отношения к болезни, что наблюдается у 114 (80%) пациентов. Больше всего комбинаций наблюдается у гармоничного и эргопатического типа с другими типами отношения к болезни 96 (73%). При исследовании уровня субъ-ективного контроля в отношении здоровья интернальный локус контроля наблюдался у 36 пациентов (27 %) и экстернальный локус контроля наблюдался у 96 пациентов (73%). Исследование копинг-стратегий выявило, что 79 (60%) пациентов относились к группе с редким использованием стратегий преодоления стрессовых ситуаций. Редкое использование всех копинг-стратегий наблюдалось у 6 пациентов (5%).Заключение. Поведенческие особенности пациентов с ИБС на этапе подготовки к КШ характеризуются гармоничным, эргопатическим и анозогнозическим типами отношения к болезни, преимущественно экстернальным локусом контроля и преобладанием редкого использования копинг-стратегий, что требует комплексного медико-психологического сопровождения

НЕЙРОПСИХОЛОГИЧЕСКИЙ СТАТУС ПАЦИЕНТОВ СО СТАБИЛЬНОЙ ИШЕМИЧЕСКОЙ БОЛЕЗНЬЮ СЕРДЦА И ФАКТОРЫ, НА НЕГО ВЛИЯЮЩИЕ

The purpose. To assess neuropsychological status of patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and to determine the factors affecting it.Material and methods. 272 male patients aged 45-69 years were included in the study. Neuropsychological status of patients with coronary artery disease was assessed and presented as an integrated index.Results. The integrated index of neuropsychological status was reported to be 2 times less than those in healthy subjects matched for age (0.47 [0.35; 0.59] vs. 0.8 [0.72; 0.87, (p <0.0001)). The most significant factors affecting neuropsychological status of patients with coronary artery disease were as follows: age (p = 0.00271), number of years of education (p = 0.033), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (p = 0.018), as well as plasma triglyceride levels (TG) (p = 0.003). Conclusion. The integrated approach to the assessment of neuropsychological status in patients with CAD allows not only presenting it as a single index, but also determining the extent to which the index deviate from neuropsychological status of healthy subjects. The factors affecting neuropsychological status in patients with coronary artery disease were as follows: age, number of years of education, LVEF and plasma triglyceride levels.Цель. Оценить состояние нейропсихологического статуса пациентов со стабильной ишемической болезнью сердца (ИБС) и определить факторы, на него влияющие.Материал и методы. Обследовано 272 мужчины в возрасте 45-69 лет. Нейропсихологический статус пациента с ИБС комплексным способом был представлен в виде его интегрального показателя.Результаты. Выявлено, что интегральный показатель нейропсихологического статуса почти в 2 раза ниже данного показателя здоровых лиц того же возраста (0,47 [0,35; 0,59] и 0,8 [0,72; 0,87, (p<0,0001)). Установлено, что наиболее значимыми факторами, влияющими на нейропсихологический статус пациента с ИБС, являются возраст (p=0,00271), количество лет обучения (p=0,033), фракции выброса левого желудочка (p=0,018), а также концентрация в плазме триглицеридов (ТГ) (p=0,003).Выводы. Комплексный способ оценки нейропсихологического статуса у пациентов с ИБС позволяет оценить и представить его в виде единого показателя, а также определить степень его отклонения от статуса здоровых лиц. Факторами, негативно влияющими на состояние нейропсихологического статуса у пациентов с ИБС, являются возраст, количество лет образования, ФВ ЛЖ и концентрация в плазме крови ТГ