Variations in the Intragene Methylation Profiles Hallmark Induced Pluripotency

We demonstrate the potential of differentiating embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells by the regularized linear and decision tree machine learning classification algorithms, based on a number of intragene methylation measures. The resulting average accuracy of classification has been proven to be above 95%, which overcomes the earlier achievements. We propose a constructive and transparent method of feature selection based on classifier accuracy. Enrichment analysis reveals statistically meaningful presence of stemness group and cancer discriminating genes among the selected best classifying features. These findings stimulate the further research on the functional consequences of these differences in methylation patterns. The presented approach can be broadly used to discriminate the cells of different phenotype or in different state by their methylation profiles, identify groups of genes constituting multifeature classifiers, and assess enrichment of these groups by the sets of genes with a functionality of interest

Monitoring the wear of the refractory lining in the blast-furnace hearth

The Razgar Gorna computer program is developed for calculating two-dimensional temperature fields in any vertical and horizontal cross section of the blast-furnace hearth. In the calculations, the heat-conduction equations are solved by means of readings from many temperature sensors (up to 1000, depending on the volume) installed within the furnace lining between the refractory modules. Continuous temperature monitoring at each point permits the determination of the remaining lining thickness and prediction of the onset of lining wear, as necessary. A mathematical model is employed in continuous temperature monitoring of the lining. The database of the Razgar Gorna program relies on the collection, analysis, and transmission of information from the temperature or heat-flux sensors. The program is in use at blast furnaces in Chinese steelworks at Jinan (two furnaces), Jiyuan, and Liuzhou. © 2013 Allerton Press, Inc

Conceptual Design of Experimental Facility for Large-Diameter NTD-Si at the IRT-T Reactor

The IRT-T reactor has been conducting research in the field of irradiation of ingots of single-crystal semiconductor materials since 1987. The article describes the existing silicon doping facility. The results of studies on the possibility of creating an additional irradiation channel for neutron-transmutation doping of silicon are presented. It is shown that the use of a graphite reflector and a thermal neutron filter based on boron makes it possible to achieve non-uniformity of irradiation up to 5 %. The principal possibility of irradiating single-crystal silicon ingots with a diameter of up to 203 mm and a length of up to 500 mm is shown. The questions of optimizing the configuration of the core and the regime of reactors operation for increasing the neutron flux in the irradiation channels are discussed. In addition, applying the facility to produce base materials for neutron dosimeter in neutron capture therapy studies is proposed

The effect of a single administration of streptozotocin on hippocampus metabolites in NODSCID mice

The significant increase in the number of people diagnosed with diabetes mellitus in recent years makes studies of this problem topical. The persistent hyperglycemia accompanying the development and course of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) can affect the func-tional and structural levels of the organization of the central nervous system. These changes may be medi­ated by metabolic aberrations. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a common method of intravital detection of metabolic reactions. In this study, MRS of the hippocampus of NOD.CB17-Prkdcscid/NcrCrl mice (NODSCID) was performed 4 days after the administration of streptozotocin (STZ) to assess the effect of STZ itself, and 60 days after the administration of STZ to another group of animals to assess the effect of chronic hyperglycemia caused by the delayed ef­fect of STZ, involving the death of pancreatic β-cells. The simulation of T1DM by STZ administration is used worldwide. Nevertheless, the question remains whether there is a short-term effect of the introduc­tion of STZ at the level of hippocampal metabolites recorded by MRS. The comparison of experimental and control animal groups revealed no effect of STZ on metabolites in the hippocampus of NODSCID mice on day 4 after its administration. In contrast, another comparison of the experimental and control animals on day 60 after STZ administration showed elevated contents of alanine and taurine, and a reduced lactate content. Thus, the introduction of STZ itself does not affect the metabolism of the hippocampus, and MRS is a promising method for assessing the effect of T1DM on brain metabolism in animals

The determination optimum sampling interval of thermo-couple's signal in condition monitoring system of the blast furnace

It is noted, that the sampling interval of the temperature sensors is determined by a process of "accumulation-output melting products. Because of the irregularity of this process, it is advisable to uneven sampling of the signal. An algorithm for non-uniform sampling based on the estimation of the instantaneous errors of the prediction signal of the temperature sensor is offered. Carried out processing real data of blast furnace No. 3 plant of JiNan Iron & Steel Group Co.Ltd (China) has confirmed the effectiveness of this algorithm.Отмечено, что интервал дискретизации температурных датчиков определяется, в первую очередь, процессом "накопление-выпуск" продуктов плавки. В силу нерегулярности этого процесса целесообразно проводить неравномерную дискретизацию сигнала. Предложен алгоритм неравномерной дискретизации, основанный на оценке мгновенной ошибки интерполяции сигнала термодатчика. Проведена обработка реальных данных доменной печи №3 комбината JiNan Iron & Steel Group Co.Ltd (Китай), подтвердившая эффективность данного алгоритма

Monitoring System of Firebrick Lining Erosion of Blast Furnace Hearth

It is possible to increase the efficiency of the computer-based system of diagnostics of the elements state of the firebrick lining by means of use in their structure of the module, in real time revealing the structural changes of non-stationary controlled signals These changes as a rule testify the occurred deviations in the technical condition of the controlled object The received information about the revealed structural features in analyzed signals it is expedient to use for forecasting of further dynamics of controlled parameters The mathematical description and the computer program Hearth Erosion of calculation the two-dimensional temperature fields in any vertical and horizontal section of the blast furnace hearth are developed Calculation is carry out the decision of the equations of heat conductivity with use of indications of the big number of sensing transducers of temperature (to 1000), built in the furnaces firebrick lining between the firebrick blocks The continuous control of the temperature change in each point allows to define the remained thickness the firebrick lining and to warn, in case of need, the furnace personnel about the beginning of the firebrick lining erosion The continuous control of change of temperature in the firebrick lining is made on the basis of mathematical model The system of collecting, processing and transfer information from sensing transducers of temperature or thermal streams in a program database Hearth Erosion is used Programs are installed on blast furnaces of Chinese National Republic: Jinan, Jiyuan and Liuzhou Iron and Steel Works together with Russian- Chinese company SKKONT Copyright © 2013 IFAC.Work is carried out with supp ort and direct participation of Russian firm SKKONT (Limited liability co mpany “Research-and-production e nterprise "Northern c ompany of the completing equipment and new technologies ”)

Reproductive effects of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) deficiency in mice

TNF is a multifunctional cytokine that, at physiological concentrations, maintains the balance between apoptosis and survival of male germ cells and, at higher concentrations, has adverse effects on various stages of the reproductive process. Although ant-cytokine therapies have been used in millions of patients, the consequences of cytokine deficiency for reproductive functions are poorly understood and need attention. In this work, we have studied behavioral interactions between males and females, spermatogenesis, male fertility, and embryonic developmental characteristics of the progeny in TNFα knockout mice (TNF-/-). We have demonstrated that TNF is involved in the regulation of sexual behavior, spermatogenesis, pre- and postimplantation development. Complete TNF deficiency led to decreased reproductive efficiency: a lower number of viable embryos were observed in TNF-/- mice than in wild-type mice. The decrease in fertility was caused by preimplantation embryo loss in TNF-/- mice. Preimplantation loss in females might be caused by asospermia in TNF-/- males. Additionally, the sensitivity of reproductive functions to female stimuli was different between TNF-/- mice and wild-type mice, while interactions with females increased the concentrations of sper­matozoids in both TNF-/- and wild-type mice. Still higher levels were observed in knockout animals, which led to increase in the number of immature spermatozoids in epididymides

Influence of silicone mammoplasty on the immunoendocrine status of female recipients

The article concerns a study of early influence of silicone breast implants on the development of autoimmune reactions and dynamics of prolactin and thyroid hormone levels in women after mammoplasty. At the present time, this issue remains relevant for several reasons: more than 20 million pairs of implants have been installed in the world and the number of their implantations is constantly growing. Despite relative safety of the silicone implants, some of them are periodically banned by regulatory bodies in various countries. At the same time, there is a growing number of controversial publications in the scientific literature, about potential adverse consequences of their use. Some authors suggest an association between the silicone implants and risk of developing autoimmune conditions, connective tissue disorders, and occasional malignancies. On the other hand, the journals are full of publications about the overall safe tolerance of such medical devices by the patients. These considerations served as a pre-requisite to our research. As part of this project, we have assayed serum levels of autoantibodies to ten antigens, as well as contents of prolactin and thyroid hormones by means of ELISA technique in 27 patients before, 3 and 6 months after aesthetic and reconstructive mammoplastics performed within a period of September 2018 to November 2019. As a result, it was found that 5 out of 27 patients exhibited changes in the autoimmunity spectrum and intensity after mammoplasty. In particular, the concentrations of autoantibodies to modified citrullinated vimentin and IgM autoantibodies to cardiolipin exceeded the normal level at 3 and 6 months. In addition, the initially high prolactin concentration in mammoplasty recipients dropped to normal ranges by 3 months after breast surgery, even after several-fold increased initial levels. As for thyroid hormones, there were no statistically significant changes in their dynamics. The increase of autoantibodies to various target antigens after mammoplasty was statistically significant and positively correlated with each other. This can be explained, for example, by dependence on the adjuvant effect of silicone, which is not associated with antigen specificity. However, it may generally stimulate the immune responses

Influenza (H5N1) Viruses in Poultry, Russian Federation, 2005–2006

Migrating waterfowl may be the primary source of influenza (H5N1) in western Siberia and the European part of the Russian Federation