Chronosequentielle Selbstrestauration post-agraischer Tschernoseme in der Region Kursk (Russland).

In Russland wurden bis vor kurzem viele Ackerflächen aus der Nutzung genommen (Ramankutty, 2006; Lyuri et al. 2006, 2008). Diese Flächen durchlaufen ab diesem Zeitpunkt, die für die Klimazonen typischen pedogenetischen Stadien der Selbstrestauration. Mit diesem Prozess sind Veränderungen der Bodeneigenschaften verbunden, die in dieser Studie chronosequentiell am Beispiel von Schwarzerden untersucht wurden. Die Tschernosem-Chronosequenz besteht aus einem genutzten Acker, vier Flächen, die seit 8, 19, 37 und 59 Jahren nicht mehr ackerbaulich genutzt sind und sich somit in unterschiedlich langen Zeiträumen der Selbstrestaurierung befinden sowie einer nie ackerbaulich genutzten Fläche

Dynamics of carbon pools in post-agrogenic sandy soils of southern taiga of Russia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Until recently, a lot of arable lands were abandoned in many countries of the world and, especially, in Russia, where about half a million square kilometers of arable lands were abandoned in 1961-2007. The soils at these fallows undergo a process of natural restoration (or self-restoration) that changes the balance of soil organic matter (SOM) supply and mineralization.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A soil chronosequence study, covering the ecosystems of 3, 20, 55, 100, and 170 years of self-restoration in southern taiga zone, shows that soil organic content of mineral horizons remains relatively stable during the self-restoration. This does not imply, however, that SOM pools remain steady. The C/N ratio of active SOM reached steady state after 55 years, and increased doubly (from 12.5 - 15.6 to 32.2-33.8). As to the C/N ratio of passive SOM, it has been continuously increasing (from 11.8-12.7 to 19.0-22.8) over the 170 years, and did not reach a steady condition.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results of the study imply that soil recovery at the abandoned arable sandy lands of taiga is incredibly slow process. Not only soil morphological features of a former ploughing remained detectable but also the balance of soil organic matter input and mineralization remained unsteady after 170 years of self-restoration.</p

Mitochondrial physiology

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery

Mitochondrial physiology

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery

First Russian DPP-4 inhibitor Gosogliptin comparing to Vildagliptin in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Introduction. In the early 2000s, in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treatment, a fundamentally new class of drugs appeared—the incretin mimetics. The use of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors allowed the safety of the T2DM therapy to be increased by reducing several parameters, including hypoglycaemia incidences, risks of cardiovascular complications and weight gain. Market approval of a new Russian drug in this group will ensure modern, efficient and affordable care for our patients. Aim. To study the efficacy and safety of a new DPP-4 inhibitor (gosogliptin) in comparison with that of vildagliptin as monotherapy as well as in combination with metformin in patients with T2DM who were not previously treated with drug therapy. Materials and methods. The study SRX-1374-02 involved 299 patients. In total, 149 patients were randomised to the gosogliptin group and 150 were randomised to the vildagliptin group. The groups were comparable with respect to baseline characteristics. In the first 12-week stage, patients received treatment with one of the study drugs as monotherapy. The decision was then made whether to continue the monotherapy regimen or to add metformin during the next 24 weeks. Dose titration of the study drugs and the addition of metformin were performed on the basis of glycaemia levels. The total treatment duration was 36 weeks. Results. After 12 weeks of monotherapy, НbА1с levels significantly decreased by -0.93% and -1.03% in the gosogliptin and vildagliptin groups, respectively. After the administration of combination therapy the decrease in НbА1с continued and was -1.29% in the gosogliptin + metformin group and -1.35% in the vildagliptin + metformin group when compared with baseline values. The difference in НbА1с reduction between the groups during both treatment periods was ≤0.1% (upper level of CI 0.4%), which led to the conclusion about the superior efficacy of gosogliptin over that of vildagliptin as monotherapy and in combination with metformin. By the end of the 36-week treatment period, НbА1с reached the target level of ≤7.0% in 56.4% and 55.4% of patients in the gosogliptin and vildagliptin groups, respectively (statistically significant differences between treatment groups were not found, p = 0.74). Conclusion. The results showed that gosogliptin is an effective hypoglycaemic agent from the group of DPP-4 inhibitors and can be recommended for use in patients with T2DM both as monotherapy and in combination with metformin