Demographic and spatial structure at the stage of expansion in the populations of some alien land snails in Belgorod city (Central Russian Upland)

Field studies of alien terrestrial gastropods Xeropicta derbentina (Gastropoda, Stylommatophora, Hygromiidae), Brephulopsis cylindrica (Gastropoda, Stylommatophora, Enidae) and Harmozica ravergiensis (Gastropoda, Stylommatophora, Hygromiidae) were carried out in the south of the Central Russian Upland in Belgorod (Russia). An analysis of the dynamics of population density, their demographic structure and spatial organization was performed on the basis of data for three years of observations (2017, 2019, 2020)

Regional manifestations of changes in atmospheric circulation in the Central Black Earth region : by the example of Belgorod region

The aim of this work is the estimation of the reasons of occurrence of the area of dangerous hydrometeorological phenomena and the analysis of the circulation processes, leading to the establishment of extreme weather conditions in the region. Using the calendar of the consistent changes of elementary circulation mechanisms and daily observations of the weather in the south of Central Black Earth region (by the example of Belgorod region).yesBelgorod State National Research Universit

Correlation Between the Resistance to Stress Corrosion Cracking of Steel Tubes of Gas Pipelines with Their Layerwise Texture Inhomogeneity

In the present work, the influence of the tubes texture layering on their resistance to stress-corrosion cracking (SCC) is demonstrated by the example of several main gas pipelines (MGP) constructed of X70 steel tubes of different manufactures and operated under various exploitation conditions. X-ray studies of crystallographic texture and structural characteristics were implemented for external and internal layers of various tubes sections, which were cut out from MGP zones with fixed SCC defects and without them. Correlation between the depth of corrosion cracks and the thickness of the surface layer with sharply differing texture parameters is established. The system data analysis also shows that the presence of the texture component {110} <001> in the tubes surface layers can increase their resistance to the SCC. Keywords: crystallographic texture, structure, texture layering, electron backscattered diffraction, stress corrosion cracking, main gas pipeline, hot rolling

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a key determinant of the rare disease lymphangioleiomyomatosis and provides a novel therapeutic target

Acknowledgements The authors are grateful to Prof. Dr. Laszlo Seress, Professor Emeritus, Central Electron Microscope Laboratory, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary for his invaluable assistance with electron microscopic studies using the Jeol 1200 TEM and Jeol 1400 TEM electron microscopes. Jeol TEM was funded by the GINOP-2.3.3-15-2016-0002 (New generation electron microscope: 3D ultrastructure). We would also like to thank Dr. Veronika Csongei, PhD, Senior Lecturer, Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Janos Szentagothai Research Centre, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary for assistance with statistical analysis. Funding JEP was supported by the European Union and the State of Hungary, co-financed by the European Social Fund in the framework of TÁMOP-4.2.4.A/2-11/1-2012-0001 “National Excellence Program”.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

На пути к эффективному библиотечно-информационному образованию: взгляд российских исследователей

The article aims to analyze the white paper prepared by an IFLA BSLISE Working Group in August 2018 — “Building Strong Library and Information Science Education: A Call to Global and Local Action”. The white paper was based on an international online survey, conducted in the spring of 2017, which had examined LIS qualification and certification requirements; the definition and meaning of a library and information science (LIS) “professional”; and agencies tasked with determining professional entry requirements.The article consistently reviews sections of the white paper, describes most important issues related to the current state of LIS education worldwide, quality assurance and internationalization of LIS programs, the impact of professional development and continuing education on LIS professionals. The action plan developed by the IFLA Working Group identifies most critical areas that require increased attention of the international professional community. It includes actions for the IFLA Working Group to undertake in 2018—2021.Findings of the international online survey and the white paper are of interest to the Russian professional community, especially to higher education institutions of culture that offer LIS programs (in Russia — “Library and Information Science activity”) at undergraduate and graduate levels.Having studied the white paper, the authors come to the conclusion that Russian experience in LIS education and training is unknown to foreign specialists. In order to solve this problem, the article offers recommendations: to develop a database gathering information about Russian LIS schools for posting it on the Russian Library Association website, to collect information about Russian LIS programs for posting it on the international resource “LIS Education Map”, etc.Доклад «Формирование системы сильного библиотечно-информационного образования: призыв к глобальному и локальному действию» (Building Strong Library and Information Science Education: a Call to Global and Local Action), подготовленный Рабочей группой Международной федерации библиотечных ассоциаций и учреждений (ИФЛА) BSLISE, опубликован в августе 2018 года. Его основой послужил проведенный весной 2017 г. международный онлайн-опрос, задачами которого являлись выявление квалификационных и сертификационных требований к специалистам в области библиотечно-информационной деятельности, анализ содержательного наполнения понятия «библиотечно-информационный специалист» в разных странах и выявление полномочных организаций, устанавливающих профессиональные требования при поступлении на соответствующую должность.Цель настоящей статьи — анализ доклада и последовательное рассмотрение его разделов: «Международный контекст качества библиотечно-информационного образования», «Методология», «Выводы и обсуждение», «Основные выводы и призыв к действию». Охарактеризованы наиболее важные вопросы, связанные с современным состоянием библиотечно-информационного образования в мире, обеспечением качества и интернационализацией библиотечно-информационных программ, влиянием профессионального развития и непрерывного образования на становление библиотечно-информационных специалистов. План действий, разработанный Рабочей группой ИФЛА, демонстрирует наиболее важные сферы, требующие усиленного внимания международного профессионального сообщества. Он содержит первостепенные задачи для Рабочей группы ИФЛА на 2018—2021 годы.Результаты проведенного международного анкетирования и аналитического исследования представляют интерес для российского профессионального сообщества, особенно для вузов культуры, реализующих образовательные программы по направлению «библиотечно-информационная деятельность» (бакалавриат, магистратура).Изучение аналитического доклада позволило авторам статьи прийти к заключению, что российский опыт подготовки библиотечно-информационных кадров незнаком зарубежным специалистам. С целью решения этой проблемы предложены рекомендации: создание в соответствии с критериями Рабочей группы ИФЛА базы данных о российских вузах, ведущих подготовку кадров по направлению «Библиотечно-информационная деятельность», для размещения ее на сайте Российской библиотечной ассоциации; подготовка информации о российских образовательных программах для размещения на зарубежном ресурсе «LIS Education Map» («Карта библиотечно-информационного образования») и др

An RGS4-Mediated Phenotypic Switch of Bronchial Smooth Muscle Cells Promotes Fixed Airway Obstruction in Asthma

Abstract In severe asthma, bronchodilator-and steroid-insensitive airflow obstruction develops through unknown mechanisms characterized by increased lung airway smooth muscle (ASM) mass and stiffness. We explored the role of a Regulator of Gprotein Signaling protein (RGS4) in the ASM hyperplasia and reduced contractile capacity characteristic of advanced asthma. Using immunocytochemical staining, ASM expression of RGS4 was determined in endobronchial biopsies from healthy subjects and those from subjects with mild, moderate and severe asthma. Cell proliferation assays, agonist-induced calcium mobilization and bronchoconstriction were determined in cultured human ASM cells and in human precision cut lung slices. Using gain-and loss-of-function approaches, the precise role of RGS proteins was determined in stimulating human ASM proliferation and inhibiting bronchoconstriction. RGS4 expression was restricted to a subpopulation of ASM and was specifically upregulated by mitogens, which induced a hyperproliferative and hypocontractile ASM phenotype similar to that observed in recalcitrant asthma. RGS4 expression was markedly increased in bronchial smooth muscle of patients with severe asthma, and expression correlated significantly with reduced pulmonary function. Whereas RGS4 inhibited G proteincoupled receptor (GPCR)-mediated bronchoconstriction, unexpectedly RGS4 was required for PDGF-induced proliferation and sustained activation of PI3K, a mitogenic signaling molecule that regulates ASM proliferation. These studies indicate that increased RGS4 expression promotes a phenotypic switch of ASM, evoking irreversible airway obstruction in subjects with severe asthma

Real-Time Monitoring of Tumorigenesis, Dissemination, & Drug Response in a Preclinical Model of Lymphangioleiomyomatosis/Tuberous Sclerosis Complex

Background: TSC2-deficient cells can proliferate in the lungs, kidneys, and other organs causing devastating progressive multisystem disorders such as lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) and tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Preclinical models utilizing LAM patient-derived cells have been difficult to establish. We developed a novel animal model system to study the molecular mechanisms of TSC/LAM pathogenesis and tumorigenesis and provide a platform for drug testing. Methods and Findings: TSC2-deficient human cells, derived from the angiomyolipoma of a LAM patient, were engineered to co-express both sodium-iodide symporter (NIS) and green fluorescent protein (GFP). Cells were inoculated intraparenchymally, intravenously, or intratracheally into athymic NCr nu/nu mice and cells were tracked and quantified using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and computed tomography (CT). Surprisingly, TSC2-deficient cells administered intratracheally resulted in rapid dissemination to lymph node basins throughout the body, and histopathological changes in the lung consistent with LAM. Estrogen was found to be permissive for tumor growth and dissemination. Rapamycin inhibited tumor growth, but tumors regrew after the drug treatment was withdrawn. Conclusions: We generated homogeneous NIS/GFP co-expressing TSC2-deficient, patient-derived cells that can proliferate and migrate in vivo after intratracheal instillation. Although the animal model we describe has some limitations, we demonstrate that systemic tumors formed from TSC2-deficient cells can be monitored and quantified noninvasively over time using SPECT/CT, thus providing a much needed model system for in vivo drug testing and mechanistic studies of TSC2-deficient cells and their related clinical syndromes