Amaranth nutritional properties assessment based on potassium and nitrate concentration in tissues

The chemical composition of plants of amaranth belonging to various species is determined genetically to a great extent. The concentration of mineral nutrients in amaranth tissues may influence the quality of food and fodder raw stuff. We studied the potassium and nitrate concentration in the tissues of the plants of four amaranth species grown in Western Siberia in similar rainfed conditions. We suggest using the ratio "potassium concentration/nitrate concentration" in the biomass of the plants under study as an additional indicator of their nutritional properties. The content of potassium in A. Hypochondriacus and A. tricolor dry weight was about 900 mEq/kg, in the tissues of A. Retroflexus-600 mEq/kg, in the tissues of A. Cruentus-455 mEq/kg. The maximal value of the mean nitrate content in dry matter for A. Cruentus was 105.9 mEq/kg. The content of nitrates in A. tricolor tissues was 80 mEq/kg, and in A. Retroflexus tissues-40 mEq/kg. The minimal content of nitrates was registered in the sample of the dry matter of the plants of A. Hypochondriacus-about 24 mEq/kg. The ratio "potassium concentration/nitrate concentration" in the plants of A. Hypochondriacus ran up to a multiple of 45, in A. Retroflexsus-16.4, in A. tricolor-10.8, and in A. Cruentus-4.5. A. Hypochondriacus has the highest feeding value compared to other amaranth species, with soil conditions being similar, without watering and fertilizers. The indicator "potassium/nitrate" can be used for express assessment of amaranth nutritional properties

Weed plants of oilseed rape agrocoenoses in Tomsk Oblast

The species composition of weed plants in the oilseed rape agrocoenoses in the south part of Western Siberia (Tomsk region) have been studied. There are more than 80 species of weed plants occupied oilseed rape fields on this territory. Euphorbia virgata, Convolvulus arvensis, Stachys palustris, Cirsium setosum and Sonchus arvensis belongs to the most common and widely distributed species of perennial weeds. In the seed lots of Brassica napus L. Metzg. Cultivated in Tomsk Oblast the fruit and seeds of more than 40 weed seeds have been founded

Effect of platinum nanoparticles on morphological parameters of spring wheat seedlings in a substrate-plant system

When wheat is cultivated in the media contaminated with platinum nanoparticles, the change in the morphological and physiological indexes of wheat seedlings depends on the physico-chemical parameters of the germination substrate. The changes become less pronounced with the decreasing bioaccessability of the nanomaterial in the following order: water suspension – luvisols – phaeozems. Contamination with nanoparticles affects the height parameters and activates the mechanisms protecting the plant from stress. When using wheat seedlings as test organisms for biotesting the environmental safety of NPs, it is advisable to use the following parameters: weight of roots, weight of aerial part, leaf area, and flavonoid content

Cytokinesproduction by blood immune cells in patients of different age groups with invasive ductal carcinoma of no special type and lymphatic metastases

The aim of this study was to evaluate production of cytokines by the blood immune cells in patients of different age groups with invasive non-specified type mammary ductal carcinoma, with or without metastases. Production of cytokines by periphery blood immunocompetent cells, either spontaneous and stimulated with polyclonal activators, was assessed in 82 patients with invasive mammary ductal carcinoma. The concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, IL-18, IL-1p, IL-1ra, TNFa, IFNy, G-CSF, GM-CSF, VEGF и MCP-1 were determined by solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The patients were divided into 2 age groups: the first group consisted of 48 patients from 45 to 60 years old; the second group consisted of 34 older patients (61 to 75 years old). Metastases in local lymph nodes were documented in twenty patients from the first group and nine patients from the second group. The younger patients (45-60 years old) with metastases in local lymph nodes showed higher polyclonal activation index of IL-4 and IL-1ra production, when compared to the patients without lymphatic metastases. As for the older patients (61 to 75 years old), their polyclonal activation index of IL-6, IL-8, IL-1ra, G-CFS, GM-CSF production was significantly lower in cases of local lymph nodes metastases. The latter was due to higher level of spontaneous production, which suppressed the influence of polyclonal activators. The index of polyclonal activation upon production of cytokines in patients with lymphatic metastases was shown to be significantly higher for the age group of 45 to 60 years than in the age group of 61 to 75 years old. This fact suggested a highly stimulating effect of polyclonal activators in patients younger than 60 years. It was found that correlation between the index of polyclonal activation of cytokine production, and the indexes of ER, PR, HER2/NEU and Ki-67 receptor expression, which are used for the determination of molecular genetic subtype of the tumor, differ significantly for the distinct age groups

Conservation implications of misidentification and killing of protected species

This is the final version. Available on open access from Wiley via the DOI in this recordData availability: All data supporting the results in this paper are available from Zenodo (digital repository).Killing protected species mistaken for morphologically similar quarry species, or species with weaker protection, can hinder their conservation. Despite policy aims to reduce threats from illegal killing, information is lacking on susceptible species, conservation impacts and the identification accuracy of hunters. We examined the ability of hunters (n = 232) in Arctic Russia to identify the endangered Northwest European Bewick's swan Cygnus columbianus bewickii using photographs. Only 14% (n = 33) identified this species correctly and distinguished it from sympatric and congeneric whooper swans C. cygnus and mute swans C. olor , with 15% of individuals admitting to accidentally hunting a Bewick's swan in the previous 3 years. We conclude that there is a risk of Bewick's swans being shot accidentally when mistaken for similar species with less legal protection. Improving hunters' skills in discerning protected from legitimate quarry species is likely to be an effective tool for conservation of morphologically similar species.Peter Smith Charitable Trust for NatureOlive Herbert Charitable Trus

STUDYING OF INTRACELLULAR PROCESSES BY RECORDING THE DYNAMIC SPECKLE

The objective of this work was to use a method of dynamic speckle interferometry for studying the cellular metabolism by averaging the data obtained from a small number of cells, as well as inside individual cells. The design of the experimental technique is presented. The technique allows assessing the activity of biological processes in various parts of the cell

ДЕВИТАЛИЗИРОВАННЫЕ СОСУДИСТЫЕ ПРОТЕЗЫ: ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ IN VIVO

Porcine intrathoracic arteries were devitalized by application of low temperatures and electron beam irradiati- on. The resulted connective tissues vascular scaffolds could be used as the prosthesis of small diameter arteries (≤6 mm). Biocompatibility, immunogenicity degree and thrombogenicity were estimated in the study. Results of electron microscopy are presented. Described treatment reduces an immunogenicity of xenoarteries, their ade- quate functioning during 6 months was shown by means of experimental surgeries. Для девитализации внутренних грудных артерий свиней использовали низкие температуры и облучение потоком электронов. Полученные соединительнотканные сосудистые скаффолды в данном исследовании были использованы в качестве протезов артерий малого диаметра (≤6 мм). В работе изучали биосовме- стимость, степень иммуногенности, тромбогенность девитализированных артерий. Приведены результа- ты электронной микроскопии. Показано снижение иммуногенности девитализированных ксеноартерий. Экспериментальные операции продемонстрировали их адекватное функционирование в течение 6 мес.

ДИАГНОСТИКА И ЛЕЧЕНИЕ ГЕРМИНОГЕННЫХ ОПУХОЛЕЙ ЯИЧКА У ДЕТЕЙ: 19-ЛЕТНИЙ ОПЫТ

From 1990 to 2009, at the Research Institute for OBCs were examined and treated 62 children with testicular germ cell tumors. The average age of our patients was 3.7 years (range 3 months to 15 years). All children performed a study of tumor markers titer, ultrasound. In 14 children identified metastases. Surgical treatment is the first stage in the volume orhifunikulektomii conducted all 62 children. Retroperitoneal limfoadenektomiya made in   4 children and 5 children underwent thoracotomy with removal of metastases in the lung. Drug treatment was performed in 47 children with malignant germ cell tumor. Using a combined method in the treatment of malignant testicular tumors led to 100 % relapse-free and overall survival. С 1990 по 2009 г. в НИИ детской онкологии и гематологии (НИИ ДОГ) на обследовании и лечении находились 62 ребенка с герминогенной опухолью яичка. Средний возраст наших пациентов составил 3,7 года (от 3 мес до 15 лет). У всех детей проводили исследование титра онкомаркеров, ультразвуковое исследование. У 14 детей выявлены метастазы. Оперативное лечение на первом этапе в объеме орхифуникулэктомии проводили всем 62 детям. Забрюшинная лимфаденэктомия выполнена 4 детям и торакотомия с удалением метастазов в легком – 5. Лекарственное лечение проведено 47 детям со злокачественной герминогенной опухолью. Использование комбинированного метода в лечении злокачественной опухоли яичка позволило добиться 100 % безрецидивной и общей выживаемости.

Use of facile mechanochemical method to functionalize carbon nanofibers with nanostructured polyaniline and their electrochemical capacitance

A facile approach to functionalize carbon nanofibers [CNFs] with nanostructured polyaniline was developed via in situ mechanochemical polymerization of polyaniline in the presence of chemically treated CNFs. The nanostructured polyaniline grafting on the CNF was mainly in a form of branched nanofibers as well as rough nanolayers. The good dispersibility and processability of the hybrid nanocomposite could be attributed to its overall nanostructure which enhanced its accessibility to the electrolyte. The mechanochemical oxidation polymerization was believed to be related to the strong Lewis acid characteristic of FeCl3 and the Lewis base characteristic of aniline. The growth mechanism of the hierarchical structured nanofibers was also discussed. After functionalization with the nanostructured polyaniline, the hybrid polyaniline/CNF composite showed an enhanced specific capacitance, which might be related to its hierarchical nanostructure and the interaction between the aromatic polyaniline molecules and the CNFs