Chromosomal location and mapping of quantitative trait locus determining technological parameters of grain and flour in strong-flour bread wheat cultivar saratovskaya 29

Bread wheat is the primary bread crop in the majority of countries in the world. The most important product that is manufactured from its grain and flour is yeast bread. In order to obtain an excellent bread, grain with high physical properties is needed for flour and dough. The Russian spring wheat cultivar Saratovskaya 29 is characterized by its exclusively high physical properties of flour and dough. The purpose of this work was to identify the chromosomes carrying the main loci for these traits in Saratovskaya 29 and to map them using recombinant substitution lines genotyped with molecular markers. A set of inter-varietal substitution lines Saratovskaya 29 (Yanetzkis Probat) was used to identify the “critical” chromosomes. The donor of individual chromosomes is a spring cultivar with average dough strength and tenacity. Substitution of 1D and 4D*7A chromosomes in the genetic background of Saratovskaya 29 resulted in a significant decrease in the physical properties of the dough. Such a deterioration in the case of 1D chromosome might be related to the variability of gluten protein composition. With the help of recombinant substitution double haploid lines obtained from a Saratovskaya 29 (Yanetzkis Probat 4D*7A) substitution line the region on the 4D chromosome was revealed in the strong-flour cultivar Saratovskaya 29, with the microsatellite locus Xgwm0165 to be associated with the unique physical properties of flour and dough. The detected locus is not related to the composition gluten proteins. These locus may be recommended to breeders for the selection of strong-flour cultivars. Additionally, a QTL associated with vitreousness of grain was mapped in the short arm of chromosome 7A

EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF IMMUNOMODULATORS APPLICATION IN PREVENTION OF COMPLICATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH PERTUSSIS

Pertussis is an urgent pediatric problem due to its frequency and severity in the first year of life. One of the most threatening complications of pertussis is pneumonia. In a parallel, non-randomized open-label study we have demonstrated clinical efficacy and safety of immunomodulators for the prophylaxis of bacterial complications of pertussis

Inequality of Opportunity in Russian Regions: Objective Estimates and Population Perception

Неравенство доходов, обусловленное неравенством возможностей, может приводить к замедлению экономического развития и социальной нестабильности. В работе проводится анализ неравенства возможностей в трех регионах России (Москва, Ставропольский край, челябинская область). Для каждого региона получены оценки вклада неравенства возможностей в неравенство доходов (объективные оценки), а также проанализировано субъективное восприятие неравенства возможностей населением (субъективные оценки). Проведено сопоставление объективных показателей неравенства возможностей на уровне регионов и на национальном уровне. Важным направлением работы является анализ соответствия субъективного восприятия неравенства возможностей населением региона его объективным оценкам. Эмпирической базой исследования являются данные специализированного социологического обследования населения, проведенного РАНХиГС в 2019 г. В работе используются методы, обеспечивающие сопоставимость наших оценок с результатами, полученными в работах российских и зарубежных ученых. На региональном уровне вклад неравенства возможностей в трудовые доходы составляет 9-12 %, а в среднедушевые - 7-13 % , что заметно ниже общенациональных оценок, полученных в более ранних исследованиях. Мы объясняем это, в частности, наличием в России существенного межрегионального неравенства. Интегральный индекс субъективного восприятия неравенства возможностей, построенный на базе информации о восприятии населением различных факторов достижения успеха, показывает, что 14-20 % населения в регионах оценивают проблему неравенства возможностей как важную или очень важную, а 6-11 % - как очень важную. С помощью регрессионного анализа факторов субъективного неравенства возможностей в работе показано, что высокий уровень образования и самооценки собственного материального положения снижает остроту восприятия неравенства возможностей. Значительных региональных различий выявлено не было - восприятие неравенства в большей степени определяется не местом проживания, а индивидуальными характеристиками респондентов. Объективные и субъективные оценки регионального неравенства возможностей заметно различаются, что согласуется с выводами международных исследований. Например, в Ставропольском крае восприятие неравенства возможностей выше, чем в других регионах, а объективная оценка вклада неравенства возможностей, наоборот, ниже. Для формирования полной картины регионального неравенства возможностей необходимо проведение специализированного обследования, репрезентативного на уровне населения регионов.Income inequality driven by inequality of opportunity can lead to slower economic growth and social instability. The present paper analyses inequality of opportunity in three Russian regions, namely, Moscow, Stavropol krai and Chelyabinsk oblast. For each region, the contribution of unequal opportunities to income inequality (objective estimates), as well as the population perception of inequality of opportunity (subjective estimates) were examined. The existing estimates of inequality of opportunities in Russia at the regional and national levels were compared. Additionally, the correspondence between the subjective perception of inequality of opportunities by the population of the region and its objective estimates was considered. The research is based on the data of а sociological survey conducted by the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration in 2019. Methods ensuring the comparability of the obtained estimates with the results presented in the works of Russian and foreign scientists were utilised. The contribution of inequality of opportunity at the regional level ranges from 9 to 12 % for labour income and from 7 to 13 % for average per capita income; these values are considerably lower than the national estimates reported in earlier studies. This situation can be explained, among other things, by significant interregional inequality in Russia. The composite index of subjective inequality of opportunities, constructed in accordance with people’s perception of various success factors, shows that 1420 % of the population in the above regions consider the problem of inequality of opportunity as important or very important, and 6-11 % as very important. The conducted regression analysis shows that higher levels of education and well-being correspond to less acute perception of inequality of opportunity. No significant regional differences were found, since the perception of inequality mostly depends on individual characteristics of the respondents rather than on their place of residence. The considerable difference between the objective estimates of regional inequality of opportunity and its perception is consistent with the results of international studies. For example, the perception of inequality of opportunity in Stavropol krai is higher than in other regions, while its objective estimate, on the contrary, is lower. To form a complete picture of inequality of opportunity in Russian regions, it is necessary to conduct a survey designed to be representative at the regional level.Статья подготовлена в рамках гранта, предоставленного Министерством науки и высшего образования Российской Федерации (№ соглашения о предоставлении гранта: 075-15-2022-326). Авторы выражают свою искреннюю признательность двум анонимным рецензентам и своим коллегам И. А. Денисовой и А. А. Пересецкому за чрезвычайно полезные замечания и комментарии. Также благодарим участников семинаров и конференций в РАНХиГС, НИУ-ВШЭ, МГУ за ценные комментарии и предложения.The article has been prepared with the support of the research grant funded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (the grant No. 075-15-2022-326). The authors express their sincere gratitude to two anonymous reviewers and their colleagues Irina Denisova and Anatoly Peresetskiy for extremely helpful remarks and comments. The authors also thank the participants of workshops and conferences at RANEPA, HSE University and Moscow State University for their valuable comments and suggestions

Evaluation of the long-term memory T cell in mice after immunization with a live tularemia vaccine

The vaccine strain F. tularensis 15 NIIEG induces long-lived cell-mediated immunity but exhibits a certain reactogenicity and genetic instability. Progress in development of a vaccine against tularemia has been limited by a lack of information regarding the mechanisms required to protect against this disease. The BALB/c mouse is the most commonly used animal to study tularemia due to its relatively low cost, well-characterized genetics, available immunological tools and mouse infection with virulent F. tularensis recapitulates human disease.CD4+ and CD8+T cells are known to be critical for the formation of protective immunity but the relative roles of memory T cell subpopulations in long lived protection against virulent strains of F. tularensis are not well established. We hypothesized that this immunity depends on central (TCM) and effector memory (TEM) T cells and their functional activity. In this study we have dissected the T cell immune response in BALB/c mice 30, 60 and 90 days after subcutaneous vaccination with 15 NIIEG.Multiparametric flow cytometry were used to characterize in vitro recall responses of splenocytes to F. tularensis antigen. TEM cells were identified as CD3+CD4+CD44+CD62L- and CD3+CD8+CD44+CD62L-, TCM cells as CD3+CD4+CD44+CD62L+ and CD3+CD8+CD44+CD62L+, respectively. The functional activity of memory T cells was assessed by the following parameters: the level of expression of the activation marker CD69 and cytokine-producing activity by staining with the intracellular cytokines IFNg and TNFa.Thus, development of a long-lived vaccine directed against F. tularensis is dependent on identifying not only the correlates of immunity present early after vaccination, but also those that persist in the host after the effector phase has ended. The maintenance of long-term protective immunity initiated by vaccination with F. tularensis strain 15 NIIEG has been shown to require the presence of antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ memory T cells producing IFNg and TNFa and expressing the activation marker CD69. A decrease in count and functional activity of CD8+TCM and CD8+TEM was detected in the long term after vaccination. The detected parameters of functional activity of memory T cells can be used as criteria for evaluation of protective immunity against virulent strains of F. tularensis

Динамика распространенности бронхиальной астмы у детей в Новосибирске

Six-year dynamics of epidemiology of bronchial asthma was analyzed in Novosibirsk according to a common standardized protocol of the "International Study of Asthma and Allergic Diseases in Children" (ISAAC) programme. The pathology spread was studied using a total surveying among first-form and eight-form pupils (the survey involved 7291 pupils 1996, 6631 ones in 1999 and 6943 children in 2002). The results showed stable spread of bronchial asthma symptoms among the senior and junior pupils and prevalence of mild asthma with rare exacerbations in both the groups. A progredient growth of severe asthma attack rate was noted in eight-form pupils. An increase in frequency of combined upper and lower airway pathologies was registered with reduction in skin atopy rate. A problem of underestimating of the pathology was discussed.Исследована 6-летняя динамика эпидемиологии бронхиальной астмы по единым стандартизованным протоколам программы "Международное исследование астмы и аллергических заболеваний у детей" (ISAAC) в Новосибирске. Изучение распространенности патологии проводилось при сплошном анкетировании учеников 1-х и 8-х классов (7291 школьник в 1996 г., 6631 — в 1999 г. и 6943 — в 2002 г.). В динамике выявлены стабильная распространенность симптомов бронхиальной астмы у старших и младших школьников, сохранение преобладания легких редко рецидивировавших форм патологии в обеих возрастных группах. Отмечен прогредиентный рост тяжелых приступов удушья у восьмиклассников. В популяции школьников зарегистрировано увеличение сочетанного поражения верхних и нижних отделов респираторного тракта с сокращением частоты кожных форм атопии. Отражена проблема гиподиагностики патологии

Items from Germany-The impact of Rht alleles on cross-pollination efficiency traits with relevance for hybrid breeding in wheat

Hybrid breeding and the ability to exploit heterosis is one of a few high-priority wheat breeding strategies that have the potential to rapidly improve yield and stability. Yield improvements associated with hybrid vigor were demonstrated to be in the order of a 10–25% increase in grain yield as well as improved resistance against biotic/abiotic stresses and grain quality. Faced with these scenarios, the identification of factors affecting the development of hybrid wheats is of fundamental importance in order to accelerate the rate of genetic gain of the crop. Due to the prevalence and usefulness of Rht ‘Green revolution’ dwarfing alleles, it is important to gain a better understanding of how these alleles affect those traits related to the development of hybrid wheat seed production. Up to now, the expected influence of these alleles/ genes on wheat flowering-related traits was evaluated based on mapping populations or genome-wide association studies, without taking into account the actual effect of each Rht allele in particular. In this project, we propose to explore the effect of different Rht alleles using many near-isogenic lines. The experiments were performed at the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK Gatersleben, Germany) and the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Forestry (National University of La Plata, Argentina) during three growing seasons. Four sets of NILs carrying the alleles of Rht genes: Rht1 (Rht-B1b/Rht-D1a), Rht2 (Rht-B1a/Rht-D1b), Rht3 (Rht-B1c/Rht-D1a), Rht 1+2 (Rht-B1b/ Rht-D1b), Rht 2+3 (Rht-B1c/Rht-D1b), and rht (tall; Rht-B1a/Rht-D1a) in the genetic backgrounds of the wheat cultivars April Bearded, Bersee, Maris Huntsman, and Maris Widgeon were evaluated. Traits associated with cross-pollination efficiency (flowering date, plant height, spike length, anther extrusion, anther and filament length, and spikelets/spike) were studied. Preliminary results showed that the extreme dwarf alleles Rht3, Rht1+2, and Rht2+3 presented the greatest effects in all the variables analyzed. Plant height showed reductions from 22–25% (Rht1 and Rht2), 50–57% (Rht3 and Rht1+2), and 66% (Rht2+3) compared to rht (tall). Spike length was increased up to 14% (Rht1+2 vs. rht) and 3–9% for the rest of Rht alleles compared to rht, whereas spikelets/spike were increased up to 6% (Rht2+3 vs. rht). In comparison to rht (tall), the floral organs were negatively influenced by Rht alleles; decreases from 8–13% (Rht 1, Rht2, and Rht3) to 17–25% (Rht1+2 and Rht2+3) in anther length, and reductions from 16–44% in filament length were observed. For their part, anthers extrusion decreased between 15–27% (Rht1, Rht2, and Rht3) to 32–35% for Rht1+2 and Rht2+3 compared with that of rht. No significant differences were detected for flowering time among the alleles evaluated. These preliminary results indicate that Rht alleles combination are involved in multiple traits of interest for hybrid wheat production in breeding programs. Moreover, the magnitude of the negative impact of Rht alleles on floral organs depends on the combination of the alleles involved.Fil: Schierenbeck, Matías. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Leibniz Institute Of Plant Genetics And Crop Plant Research.; AlemaniaFil: Börner, A.. Leibniz Institute Of Plant Genetics And Crop Plant Research.; AlemaniaFil: Aleksandrov, V.. No especifíca;Fil: Alqudah, A. M.. No especifíca;Fil: Chebatareva, M. V.. No especifíca;Fil: Esquisabel, E.. No especifíca;Fil: Golik, S. I.. No especifíca;Fil: Kartseva, T.. No especifíca;Fil: Klykov, A. G.. No especifíca;Fil: Pshenichnikova, M. S.. No especifíca;Fil: Röder, V. P.. No especifíca;Fil: Shamanin, L. V.. No especifíca;Fil: Shchukina, M. R.. No especifíca;Fil: Simón, V. I.. No especifíca;Fil: Yakubovskiy, K.. No especifíca;Fil: Zaynali, Nezhad. No especifíca

QM/MM description of newly selected catalytic bioscavengers against organophosphorus compounds revealed reactivation stimulus mediated by histidine residue in the acyl-binding loop

© 2018 Zlobin, Mokrushina, Terekhov, Zalevsky, Bobik, Stepanova, Aliseychik, Kartseva, Panteleev, Golovin, Belogurov, Gabibov and Smirnov. Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is considered as an efficient stoichiometric antidote against organophosphorus (OP) poisons. Recently we utilized combination of calculations and ultrahigh-throughput screening (uHTS) to select BChE variants capable of catalytic destruction of OP pesticide paraoxon. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying enzymatic hydrolysis of paraoxon by BChE variants using hybrid quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) calculations. Detailed analysis of accomplished QM/MM runs revealed that histidine residues introduced into the acyl-binding loop are always located in close proximity with aspartate residue at position 70. Histidine residue acts as general base thus leading to attacking water molecule activation and subsequent SN2 inline hydrolysis resulting in BChE reactivation. This combination resembles canonical catalytic triad found in active centers of various proteases. Carboxyl group activates histidine residue by altering its pKa, which in turn promotes the activation of water molecule in terms of its nucleophilicity. Observed re-protonation of catalytic serine residue at position 198 from histidine residue at position 438 recovers initial configuration of the enzyme's active center, facilitating next catalytic cycle. We therefore suggest that utilization of uHTS platform in combination with deciphering of molecular mechanisms by QM/MM calculations may significantly improve our knowledge of enzyme function, propose new strategies for enzyme design and open new horizons in generation of catalytic bioscavengers against OP poisons

Изучение продукции некоторых цитокинов при вирусных инфекциях, протекающих с диарейным синдромом у детей

The aim of the study was to study the characteristics of the content of certain cytokines in serum as indicators of the immune response in viral infections accompanied by diarrhea syndrome in children. Materials and research methods. A survey was conducted of 92 children aged 3 months to 15 years with acute respiratory viral infections hospitalized in hospital No. 6 in Novosibirsk in the first 2 days from the onset of the disease. Two groups were formed — group 1 — patients with diarrheal syndrome and signs of respiratory system damage. Group 2 — children with isolated lesions of the respiratory tract. In all children, the genetic material of viruses was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the nose and throat washes. Also, in all children, the determination of serum levels of IL-8, IL-17, IFN-ã by ELISA was performed. Results and discussion. When studying the levels of cytokines (IFN-ã, IL-8, IL-17) in patients with signs of gastrointestinal tract lesions in comparison with isolated respiratory manifestations, no statistically significant differences were found. However, when analyzing the levels of the studied parameters in patients with diarrheal syndrome in different age groups, significant differences in the levels of IFN-ã and IL-8 were revealed.Целью исследования явилось изучение особенностей содержания некоторых цитокинов в сыворотке крови как показателей иммунного реагирования при вирусных инфекциях, сопровождающихся диарейным синдромом у детей. Материалы и методы исследования. Проведено обследование 92 детей в возрасте от 3 месяцев до 15 лет с острыми респираторными вирусными инфекциями, госпитализированных в стационар ДКБ №6 города Новосибирска в первые двое суток от начала заболевания. Сформированы две группы: I группа — пациенты с диарейным синдромом и признаками поражения респираторной системы. Группа II — дети с изолированным поражением респираторного тракта. У всех детей провели определение генетического материала вирусов методом полимеразной цепной реакции (ПЦР) в смывах из носо- и ротоглотки. Также у всех детей было проведено определение содержания в сыворотке крови IL-8, IL-17, IFN-ã методом ИФА. Результаты и обсуждение. При исследовании уровней содержания цитокинов (IFN-ã, IL-8, IL-17) у пациентов с признаками поражения желудочно-кишечного тракта в сравнении с изолированными респираторными проявлениями статистически значимых различий выявлено не было. Однако при анализе уровней исследуемых показателей у пациентов с диарейным синдромом в различных возрастных группах выявлены достоверные различия в уровне содержания IFN-ã и IL-8

Microfluidic droplet platform for ultrahigh-throughput single-cell screening of biodiversity

© 2017, National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.Ultrahigh-throughput screening (uHTS) techniques can identify unique functionality from millions of variants. To mimic the natural selection mechanisms that occur by compartmentalization in vivo, we developed a technique based on single-cell encapsulation in droplets of a monodisperse microfluidic double water-in-oil-in-water emulsion (MDE). Biocompatible MDE enables in-droplet cultivation of different living species. The combination of droplet-generating machinery with FACS followed by next-generation sequencing and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the secretomes of encapsulated organisms yielded detailed genotype/phenotype descriptions. This platform was probed with uHTS for biocatalysts anchored to yeast with enrichment close to the theoretically calculated limit and cell-to-cell interactions. MDE-FACS allowed the identification of human butyrylcholinesterase mutants that undergo self-reactivation after inhibition by the organophosphorus agent paraoxon. The versatility of the platform allowed the identification of bacteria, including slow-growing oral microbiota species that suppress the growth of a common pathogen, Staphylococcus aureus, and predicted which genera were associated with inhibitory activity

THE IMPACT OF THE BOLOGNA PROCESS ON RUSSIAN TERTIARY EDUCATION

The reform of higher education in Russia revealed a number of problems associated with the inclusion of Russia in the Bologna process. Since 2011, the Russian tertiary education has moved to a two-tier system of education: bachelor and master. Such structural changes have affected the entire content of higher education. Along with the revision of study loads, qualification requirements, etc. joining the Bologna process has expanded academic mobility opportunities for students and university educators. Experts and researchers differently evaluate the situation. A problem of the quality of modern higher education is the most urgent and causes many contradictions in the society. The authors discuss issues, opportunities, and prospects for the further integration of Russian universities in the European system of tertiary education. They consider the current situation in a Russian system of higher education using their own experience. The authors analyze the results of Russia's integration into the global educational process, compare the obtained results with the international experience, offer their own solutions to problems, and possible ways for the development of the Bologna process in Russia