The role of plastid genes in a heterosis effect and the formation of morphophysiological traits in sunflower plants

Background. The problem of nucleus-plastid interactions is obviously of theoretical and practical importance. However, the lack of knowledge in this area of plant research is, for the most part, caused by difficulties in isolating the contribution of the plastome to the formation of complex morphophysiological traits from the total genotypic variability. The current study employed a convenient model for studying the fundamental problem of interaction between the nucleus and plastid genomes.Materials and methods. The genetic model incorporated chlorophylldeficient sunflower mutant lines with extranuclear inheritance, developed on the genetic basis of a single inbred line. Various traits were measured in hybrids and parents, such as growth rate, plant height, inflorescence width, 1000 seed weight, chlorophyll content, seed oil content, etc.Results and conclusion. While crossing extranuclear mutant lines with wild sunflower, a heterosis effect was observed for such traits as plant height and leaf size, regardless of the low chlorophyll content in F1 hybrids. The growth rates of hybrids depended on the crossing combination: from an 86% excess (en:chlorina-7 maternal line) to complete absence of the heterosis effect (en:chlorina-6 maternal line). The results obtained witness to a significant contribution of cytogenes to the control over the trait. The inflorescence width and 1000 seed weight in all hybrid combinations (except en:chlorina-3) had similar quantitative characteristics as in the maternal mutant lines, and significantly exceeded the paternal form (wild sunflower). Consequently, plastid genes, along with nuclear ones, participate in the expression of these phenotypic traits. As for the oil content in seeds, no heterosis effect was observed in the hybrids

Оптимизация угла конусности конфузора струйного аппарата, используемого для реверсивно-струйной очистки гребных винтов от коррозии

It is shown that it is very effective to remove corrosion products from various surfaces, including the metal surface of the propeller, using the new technology of reverse-jet cleaning (RJC) developed by the authors. The RJS technology is based on the physical principle that the jet of the working fluid (pulp based on river sand or bentonite clay), upon impact with the surface to be cleaned, turns 180°, which leads to an increase in the jet effect on the surface to be cleaned by 1.5–2 times due to the occurrence of the reactive component. To ensure the marked turn of the jet, an original design of the body was developed, which is distinguished by a patent novelty. One of the main elements in this design is a jet-forming device in the form of a confuser. The presented theoretical studies of the pressure loss of the working fluid in the confuser channel, based on the study of the pressure loss function to the extremum, which made it possible to obtain a dependence for calculating the optimal taper angle in a wide range of Reynolds numbers characterizing the turbulent mode of motion taking into account the influence of the working fluid density and its dynamic viscosity, the average speed of movement of the working fluid, the radius of the confuser, as well as the coefficient of equivalent roughness, i.e. from gradual wear of the confuser channel. The resulting dependence can be recommended for calculation in the design of jet cleaning devices and other installations of jet technology.Приведена новая технология реверсивно-струйной очистки (РСО), разработанная авторами, с помощью которой можно весьма эффективно удалять продукты коррозии с различных поверхностей, в том числе и с металлической поверхности гребного винта. В основу данной технологии положен физический принцип, заключающийся в том, что струя рабочей жидкости (пульпа на основе речного песка либо бентонитовой глины) при соударении с очищаемой поверхностью разворачивается на 180°, что приводит к усилению струйного воздействия на очищаемую поверхность в 1,5–2 раза за счет возникновения реактивной составляющей. Для обеспечения отмеченного разворота струи была разработана оригинальная конструкция корпуса. Одним из основных элементов в этой конструкции является струеформирующее устройство, имеющее форму конфузора. Приведенные теоретические исследования потерь напора рабочей жидкости в канале конфузора основаны на исследовании функции потерь напора на экстремум. Это позволило получить зависимость для расчета оптимального угла конусности в широком диапазоне чисел Рейнольдса, характеризующих турбулентный режим движения с учетом влияния плотности рабочей жидкости, ее динамической вязкости, средней скорости движения рабочей жидкости, радиуса конфузора. Также определена зависимость от коэффициента эквивалентной шероховатости, то есть от постепенного износа канала конфузора. Полученное авторами выражение для расчета оптимального угла конусности конфузора может быть рекомендовано при проектировании аппаратов струйной очистки и других установок струйной техники

ЛИПОПОЛИСАХАРИД-СВЯЗЫВАЮЩИЙ БЕЛОК, НЕОПТЕРИН И ИНТЕРФЕРОН-Г КАК ПОКАЗАТЕЛИ АКТИВНОСТИ ВОСПАЛЕНИЯ У БОЛЬНЫХ ОСТРЫМ БРУЦЕЛЛЁЗОМ

Brucellosis is characterized by nonspecific clinical manifestations, the possibility of subclinical flow, the development of relapses and chronic course. Currently, there are no laboratory criteria to assess the activity of inflammation in brucellosis, the effectiveness of the therapy, predict the outcome of the disease and the risks of recurrence. Available in clinical practice, laboratory tests to assess inflammation, in particular, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, leukocyte level, with brucellosis infection are almost not informative. An important role in the development of the cellular immune response against brucella is played by interferon-γ, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein and neopterin. The aim of the study was to determine the level of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, neopterin and interferon-γ, in the serum of patients with acute form of brucellosis before and after antibacterial treatment. When studying the blood of patients with acute brucellosis before and after therapy, the indices of neopterin, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein and interferon-γ were significantly higher than normal values. The obtained results testify to the persisting active inflammation and the formation of a chronic brucellosis. Determination of the level of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, neopterin and interferon-γ in the blood of patients with brucellosis can be used as markers of inflammation and in monitoring the effectiveness of antibacterial therapy.Цель: определение уровня ЛПС-белка, неоптерина и ИФН- γ в сыворотке крови больных с острой формой бруцеллеза до и после лечения антибактериальными препаратами. Материалы и методы: в исследование включены 65 больных острым бруцеллезом. Для определения уровня ЛПС-белка в сыворотке крови использовали тестсистемы «Hycultbiotech, Netherlands», ELISA. Уровень неоптерина в сыворотке крови определяли с помощью тест-систем Neopterin ELISA «IBL, Hamburg». Определение уровня ИФН- γ в сыворотке крови проводили тестсистемами Вектор Бест А-8752 гамма-ИнтерферонИФА-БЕСТ производства «Вектор-БЕСТ», Россия. Группу сравнения составили 32 здоровых донора, сопоставимые по полу и возрасту с больными бруцеллезом, не болевшие этой инфекцией, не вакцинированные против этой инфекции. Специфические лабораторные исследования крови, определение уровня ЛПС-белка, уровня ИФН-γ и неоптерина в образцах сыворотки крови проводились в лабораториях Ставропольского научно-исследовательского противочумного института Роспотребнадзора Результаты: при исследовании крови больных острым бруцеллезом до и после лечения определены показатели неоптерина, липополисахарид-связывающего белка и интерферона- γ, значительно превышающие нормальные значения. Полученные результаты свидетельствуют о сохраняющемся активном воспалении и формировании хронического бруцеллеза. Заключение: патогенетической основой практически закономерной трансформации острой стадии инфекции в хроническую является несостоятельность врожденного и адаптивного иммунитета в отношении бруцелл с созданием условий для незавершенного фагоцитоза и долгосрочного внутриклеточного паразитирования. ИФН- γ, неоптерин и ЛПС-белок относятся к иммуномодулирующим факторам реакции иммунитета на возбудителя, и определение их уровня в крови больных бруцеллезом возможно использовать в качестве маркеров воспаления и в мониторинге эффективности антибактериальной терапии

Острая окклюзия аорты у пациента с вирусной пневмонией SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)

One of the rare and life-threatening conditions is acute aortic thrombosis. We have described a case of thrombosis of the aorta and iliac arteries in a patient against the background of viral pneumonia COVID-19, with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension.Одним из редких состояний, представляющих серьезную опасность для жизни, является острая окклюзия аорты. В статье описано наблюдение острой окклюзии просвета аорты и подвздошных артерий у пациента на фоне вирусной пневмонии COVID-19, с впервые выявленным сахарным диабетом и артериальной гипертензией

Синдром фон Гиппеля–Линдау: клинический случай

The study of the genetic aspects of endocrine diseases is based on the aspiration to develop the methods of early diagnosis, treatment and observation of patients. Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome is genetically determined disease characterized by damage of various organs and systems. The article presents a clinical case of treatment of a patient with retinal detachment who was first admitted to the surgical department of the Federal State Budgetary Institution «NMIC of Endocrinology» of the Ministry of Health of Russia with complaints of dry mouth, general weakness. Further examination, revealed pathological changes in the adrenal glands, kidneys, brain, pancreas, spleen, spinal cord. The presented clinical case demonstrates the need for a multidisciplinary approach to the management of patients with von Hippel-Lindau syndrome.В основе изучения генетических аспектов заболеваний органов эндокринной системы лежит стремление разработать методы ранней диагностики, лечения и наблюдения пациентов. Синдром фон Гиппеля–Линдау является генетически детерминированным заболеванием, характеризующимся поражением различных органов и систем. В статье приведен клинический случай лечения пациента с отслойкой сетчатки, который впервые поступил в хирургическое отделение ФГБУ «НМИЦ эндокринологии» Минздрава России с жалобами на сухость во рту, общую слабость. При дальнейшем обследовании обнаружены патологические изменения надпочечников, почек, головного мозга, поджелудочной железы, селезенки, спинного мозга. Представленный клинический случай демонстрирует необходимость мультидисциплинарного подхода к ведению пациентов с синдромом фон Гиппеля–Линдау

Soluble CD14 in cerebrospinal fluid is associated with markers of inflammation and axonal damage in untreated HIV-infected patients: a retrospective cross-sectional study

Background: HIV-associated cognitive impairment has declined since the introduction of combination antiretroviral treatment (cART). However, milder forms of cognitive impairment persist. Inflammation in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has been associated with cognitive impairment, and CSF neurofilament light chain protein (NFL) and CSF neopterin concentrations are increased in those patients. Microbial translocation in HIV infection has been suggested to contribute to chronic inflammation, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and soluble CD14 (sCD14) are markers of microbial translocation and the resulting monocyte activation, respectively. We hypothesised that microbial translocation contributes to inflammation and axonal damage in the central nervous system (CNS) in untreated HIV infection. / Methods: We analyzed paired samples of plasma and CSF from 62 HIV-infected, untreated patients without cognitive symptoms from Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden. Measurements of neopterin and NFL in CSF were available from previous studies. Plasma and CSF sCD14 was measured using ELISA (R&D, Minneapolis, MN), and plasma and CSF LPS was measured using LAL colorimetric assay (Lonza, Walkersville, MD, USA). Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed. / Results: LPS in plasma was associated with plasma sCD14 (r = 0.31, P = 0.015), and plasma sCD14 was associated with CSF sCD14 (r = 0.32, P = 0.012). Furthermore, CSF sCD14 was associated with NFL (r = 0.32, P = 0.031) and neopterin (r = 0.32, P = 0.012) in CSF. LPS was not detectable in CSF. In a multivariate regression model CSF sCD14 remained associated with NFL and neopterin after adjusting for age, CD4+ cell count, and HIV RNA in CSF. / Conclusions: In a group of untreated, HIV-infected patients LPS was associated with sCD14 in plasma, and plasma sCD14 was associated CSF sCD14. CSF sCD14 were associated with markers of CNS inflammation and axonal damage. This suggest that microbial translocation might be a driver of systemic and CNS inflammation. However, LPS was not detectable in the CSF, and since sCD14 is a marker of monocyte activation sCD14 may be increased due to other causes than microbial translocation. Further studies regarding cognitive impairment and biomarkers are warranted to fully understand causality

The Diversification of the LIM Superclass at the Base of the Metazoa Increased Subcellular Complexity and Promoted Multicellular Specialization

Background: Throughout evolution, the LIM domain has been deployed in many different domain configurations, which has led to the formation of a large and distinct group of proteins. LIM proteins are involved in relaying stimuli received at the cell surface to the nucleus in order to regulate cell structure, motility, and division. Despite their fundamental roles in cellular processes and human disease, little is known about the evolution of the LIM superclass. Results: We have identified and characterized all known LIM domain-containing proteins in six metazoans and three nonmetazoans. In addition, we performed a phylogenetic analysis on all LIM domains and, in the process, have identified a number of novel non-LIM domains and motifs in each of these proteins. Based on these results, we have formalized a classification system for LIM proteins, provided reasonable timing for class and family origin events; and identified lineagespecific loss events. Our analysis is the first detailed description of the full set of LIM proteins from the non-bilaterian species examined in this study. Conclusion: Six of the 14 LIM classes originated in the stem lineage of the Metazoa. The expansion of the LIM superclass at the base of the Metazoa undoubtedly contributed to the increase in subcellular complexity required for the transition from a unicellular to multicellular lifestyle and, as such, was a critically important event in the history of animal multicellularity