The Electron Density of States in Graphene on a Substrate with a Local Structural Disorder

In this paper we have obtained expression for the contribution to DOS with the help of the method of the temperature Green functions. Multiple elastic electron scattering by impurities and structural inhomogeneities in graphene on a substrate, has been taken into account. The resulting expression for the contribution to DOS depends on temperature, concentration of impurities and the type of short-range order (structural heterogeneity). When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/3521

Serotonin limits generation of chromaffin cells during adrenal organ development

Adrenal glands are the major organs releasing catecholamines and regulating our stress response. The mechanisms balancing generation of adrenergic chromaffin cells and protecting against neuroblastoma tumors are still enigmatic. Here we revealed that serotonin (5HT) controls the numbers of chromaffin cells by acting upon their immediate progenitor "bridge" cells via 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 3A (HTR3A), and the aggressive HTR3A(high) human neuroblastoma cell lines reduce proliferation in response to HTR3A-specific agonists. In embryos (in vivo), the physiological increase of 5HT caused a prolongation of the cell cycle in "bridge" progenitors leading to a smaller chromaffin population and changing the balance of hormones and behavioral patterns in adulthood. These behavioral effects and smaller adrenals were mirrored in the progeny of pregnant female mice subjected to experimental stress, suggesting a maternal-fetal link that controls developmental adaptations. Finally, these results corresponded to a size-distribution of adrenals found in wild rodents with different coping strategies

Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside of flaxseed and its metabolites: Biosynthesis and potential for nutraceuticals

Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), found mainly in flaxseed, is one of the essential lignans. SDG, as well as the beneficial fatty acid composition and high fiber content, has made flaxseed an important source of functional food or nutraceutical ingredients. Various studies have shown that SDG offers several health benefits, including protective effects against cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and mental stress. These health benefits have been attributed to the antioxidant properties of SDG. Additionally, SDG metabolites, namely mammalian lignans, enterodiol and enterolactone, have shown promising effects against cancer. Therefore, understanding the biosynthetic pathway of SDG and its molecular mechanisms is a key to enable the production of new flaxseed cultivars rich in nutraceutical content. The present review highlights studies on the different health benefits of SDG, as well as lignan biosynthesis in flaxseed and genes involved in the biosynthetic pathway. Since SDG, the predominant lignan in flaxseed, is a glycosylated lignan, we also focus on studies investigating the genes involved in secoisolariciresinol glycosylation. These genes can be used to produce new cultivars with a novel level of glycosylation or lignan composition to maximize the yields of lignans with a therapeutic or protective potential. Copyright © 2018 Kezimana, Dmitriev, Kudryavtseva, Romanova and Melnikova

Oxygen functionalization and electronic band gap control in the disordered multi walled carbon nanotubes

Functionalization by oxygen-containing groups, electronic band gap, and conductivity produced by the functionalization in the disordered metallic nitrogen-containing multi-wall carbon nanotubes (N-MWCNTs), are investigated experimentally and theoretically. Oxygen in the carboxyl groups is located in top sites at the nanotube surface and produces the bang gap. The energy gap is found to have a width of approximately 1.3 eV which does not depend on diameter, oxygen concentration, and structure of the groups. Oxygen localized in the bridge position in the hydroxyl group promotes the appearance of charge carriers in a gap. The charge carrier’s concentration and conductivity produced by oxygen groups are shown to be determined by the features of electron scattering. Theory connecting the functionalization, bang gap, and electronic properties of the nanotubes, is developed