Replication of KCNJ11 (p.E23K) and ABCC8 (p.S1369A) association in Russian diabetes mellitus 2 type cohort and meta-analysis

© 2015 Sokolova et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. The genes ABCC8 and KCNJ11 have received intense focus in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) research over the past two decades. It has been hypothesized that the p.E23K (KCNJ11) mutation in the 11p15.1 region may play an important role in the development of T2DM. In 2009, Hamming et al. found that the p.1369A (ABCC8) variant may be a causal factor in the disease; therefore, in this study we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the association between these single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including our original data on the Siberian population (1384 T2DM and 414 controls). We found rs5219 and rs757110 were not associated with T2DM in this population, and that there was linkage disequilibrium in Siberians (D'=0.766, r2= 0.5633). In addition, the haplotype rs757110[T]- rs5219[C] (p.23K/p.S1369) was associated with T2DM (OR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.04-2.24). We included 44 original studies published by June 2014 in a meta-analysis of the p.E23K association with T2DM. The total OR was 1.14 (95% CI: 1.11-1.17) for p.E23K for a total sample size of 137,298. For p.S1369A, a meta-analysis was conducted on a total of 10 studies with a total sample size of 14,136 and pooled OR of 1.14 [95% CI (1.08-1.19); p = 2 × 10-6]. Our calculations identified causal genetic variation within the ABCC8/KCNJ11region for T2DM with an OR of approximately 1.15 in Caucasians and Asians. Moreover, the OR value was not dependent on the frequency of p.E23K or p.S1369A in the populations

Врахування змін клімату та інтенсивності посух при плануванні зрошення в зоні Південного Степу України

As a result of our research, climate change on regional and local level in the Southern Steppe zone of Ukraine during the vegetation period has been established. Processes of increasing effects of extreme weather events such as droughts, dry winds etc. were observed. During the growing seasons in the period 1992 to 2017, the average daily air temperature increased by 0.8 °C and rainfall by 55 mm as compared to the long-term norm; in the years 2007 and 2012, the increase was even higher (2.5 ° C). During the observation period, the largest increase in precipitation was observed at the beginning and in the middle of the growing season (11-18 mm per month) with the exception of August. As a consequence of the heavy rainfalls (increase by 15%), the proportion surface run-off increased significantly as well. Besides, the duration of dry periods often extended by more than a month. The calculation ​​of the coefficient of natural humidification showed that there is an expansion of the territory with high aridity; there the coefficient decreased by 0.08-0.02, which is 5-20% less than the figures at the end of the last century. The coefficient of natural humidification in the coastal zone of the Southern Steppe declined to 0.35 and below, indicating the threat of desertification. An additional impact is the destruction of forest belts leading to increased wind erosion. Taking all these facts into account, irrigation rates for major crops had to be re-calculated. Accordingly the irrigation rates were augmented to 5-28% in comparison with previous rates. When designing reconstruction and modernization projects for irrigation systems, in the annual planning of water use and in determining the tariffs for irrigation water supply, it is necessary to continuously adjust the norms of irrigation water consumption, taking into account probable climate scenarios. If the current climate change trend persists over the next 20-50 years, water requirements can increase by another 10-20% compared with rational norms, when developing plans for upgrading irrigation systems. It is also important to take into account the peculiarities of the intra-season distribution of crop water consumption deficit and the irrigation module of water supply under typical crop rotation. In the context of global warming over the last 6 years, there have been strong and very severe droughts during the period of critical development and at the end of the crops growing time, which lasted 47 days. During these periods, plants are most vulnerable to high daytime temperatures (30-35 °С and more) and to a decrease in air humidity up to 30 %; the duration of dry periods in some years reached 75 days. Under conditions of extreme droughts, even in case of optimal irrigation, reduction of water consumption of agricultural crops and reduced biomass development took place. When planning irrigation regimes under such conditions, it is necessary to adjust the parameters of water consumption models based on data from field research and Remote Sensing. According to our research results, dependencies between biomass growth and evapotranspiration have been obtained. These studies indicate a significant reduction in soy evapotranspiration in years of severe and very strong droughts. The obtained correlations allow correcting crop coefficients for drought conditions. This ensures an adequate determination of the required irrigation water volumes, considering the actual state of biomass and reduction of evapotranspiration. It has been established that influencing the microclimate of crops is important for optimal maintenance of water use and prevention of negative influence of drought. This is due to lowering the temperature and increasing the humidity of the air in the surface layer of the soil. This can be achieved by irrigation using small norms in dry periods being possible only by using of modern sprinkler technology. It is further necessary to implement additional measures that can provide a similar microclimatic effect as optimization of crops density, planting and saving of forest belts, application of minimal soil treatment, use of chemical agents etc.Виконано оцінку змін теплового режиму та природної вологозабезпеченості на півдні України, визначено зміну середньодекадної температури повітря, суми опадів та збільшення частоти і інтенсивності посушливих явищ. На основі аналізу даних наземних спостережень та обробітку даних дистанційного зондування Землі запропоновано методи адаптації режимів зрошення до посушливих явищ

ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ ПРОЯВУ ПОСУХИ ТА ЇЇ ВПЛИВУ НА ТЕПЛОВИЙ РЕЖИМ ВЕГЕТАЦІЙНОЇ ПОВЕРХНІ СІЛЬСЬКОГОСПОДАРСЬКИХ КУЛЬТУР ПРИ ЗРОШЕННІ

 Relevance of the topic. In recent years, irrigation management practices have faced new challenges related to climate change and the increase in the frequency and intensity of droughts in the southern regions. In addition, the latest technical and technological capabilities have emerged in irrigated agriculture to more effectively manage technological processes. All these processes occurring in real production and in the market of scientific and technical products, have determined the possibility and necessity of studying the influence of natural and agricultural conditions on the processes of energymass transfer in the "soil-plant-atmosphere" environment to improve management methods in modern irrigation conditions. Purpose of research is to investigate the features of formation of crop thermal regime in the conditions of air and soil drought manifestation under irrigation during 2018-2019. Research object. The research was carried out at the production fields of the farm  “Freedom Farm International” in the Kakhovsky district of Kherson region during 2018-2019. Two experimental sites were equipped to carry out experimental studies on the crop rotation of "Gornostayevske -2". Methodology and Research methods. The methodology for the conduct of thermal water balance and phenological observations on the growth and development of crops at the experimental sites was applied. Standard field research techniques were used. Analytical, field, simulation modeling, mathematical statistics, geoinformation technologies (GIS), remote sensing of the Earth (RS) methods were used. Research results. As a result of the research in 2018-2019 a database of farm fields (crops, sowing dates, soil conditions, initial moisture reserves, irrigation machines and their characteristics) was created; phenological observations of plant growth and development were performed, heat and water balance calculations were made. It was established that to ensure optimal conditions for the use of thermal energy in different drought conditions, it is necessary to improve models and algorithms for operational planning of crop irrigation. Thus, to mitigate the influence of atmospheric drought, it is recommended to conduct refreshing irrigation, the timing of which can be determined on the basis of monitoring the temperature of the vegetation surface, using the data from the space images or ground-based observations. In addition, under drought conditions, in the case of applying water-balance methods used in irrigation management, it is necessary to adjust the biological coefficients of water consumption by crops, based on modeling the production process using the WOFOST model and identifying its parameters with the help of space images. The obtained new knowledge is aimed at improving irrigation management methods in modern conditions.Представлено результати експериментальних досліджень, проведених протягом 2018-2019 років на дослідних полях господарства Каховського району Херсонської області з визначення особливостей формування теплового режиму посівів в умовах прояву атмосферної та ґрунтової посух при зрошенні. Обґрунтовано параметри моделей волого-теплопереносу в приземному шарі повітря та в ґрунті, визначено параметри моделі продукційного процесу з метою уточнення розрахунків водоспоживання сільськогосподарських культур та відповідно удосконалення управління поливами для забезпечення більшої продуктивності сільськогосподарських культур. Розрахунки та аналіз енергетичного балансу дослідних полів показав суттєвий вплив посухи на продуктивність використання сонячної енергії. Результатами проведених досліджень у 2018-2019 рр. підтверджено найсильніше цей вплив проявляється при сумісній дії атмосферної та ґрунтової посух. Встановлено, що за таких умов основними факторами, що впливають на процеси  в середовищі «ґрунт-рослина–атмосфера» та уповільнюють продукційний процес рослин є: дефіцит активних вологозапасів у ґрунті при відхиленні термінів поливів більше ніж на три дні від рекомендованих; тривалі періоди з високими денними температурами повітря (більше 30 °С), що збільшують температуру підстилаючої поверхні та відповідно збільшують відношення між непродуктивною частиною теплової енергії, що йде на турбулентний обмін повітря у посівах, та продуктивною її складовою, що йде на випаровування та продукційний процес (число Боуена). Кількісна  характеристика даних впливів залежить від інтенсивності та тривалості атмосферної посухи та якості оперативного управління поливами. Тому для планування поливів в умовах атмосферної посухи важливо зменшити тривалість періодів перевищення максимально допустимих температур підстилаючої поверхні ґрунту, при яких число Боуена коливається в межах 1,2–1,5, за рахунок проведення освіжаючих поливів. Якщо внаслідок різних причин при управлінні поливами все ж таки не вдається повністю уникнути прояву посухи, необхідним є коригування біокліматичних коефіцієнтів сумарного випаровування для врахування редукції випаровування в цих умовах

МОДЕЛИРОВАНИЕ ЗАВИСИМОСТИ ОТРАЖАЮЩЕЙ СПОСОБНОСТИ МИКРОЗЕРКАЛ ОПТОВОЛОКОННЫХ КОМПОНЕНТОВ ОТ ИХ ГЕОМЕТРИЧЕСКИХ ПАРАМЕТРОВ

The main goal of investigation is defining dependency of geometrical parameters of MEMS-mirrors components in opto-electro-mechanical switches to losses appeared in such systems. Geometrical parameters of mirrors such as roughness and curvature, which had appeared on stage of development, have influence on losses in fiber-optic communication lines. The modeling dependency of reflection possibility of micro-mirrors to values of roughness and curvature has been conducted.Целью исследования является определение зависимости геометрических параметров компонентов МЭМС-зеркал в оптоэлектромеханических переключателях к оптическим потерям, возникающим в этих системах. Показано, что геометрические параметры: шероховатость и кривизна зеркал, возникающие на этапах их технологического производства, непосредственно влияют на потери в оптических линиях связи. Проведено моделирование зависимости отражательной способности микрозеркал от величин шероховатости и кривизны

ЗАКОНОМІРНОСТІ ЕНЕРГОМАСООБМІНУ В СЕРЕДОВИЩІ «ГРУНТ- РОСЛИНА-АТМОСФЕРА» В СУЧАСНИХ КЛІМАТИЧНИХ ТА ГОСПОДАРСЬКИХ УМОВАХ ВИКОРИСТАННЯ ЗРОШЕННЯ

Under climate change it is necessary to review existing approaches to irrigation planning based on the criterion of humidity in the active soil layer in the optimal range and to take into account the regularities of energy-mass exchange processes both in soil and in crops for controlling the microclimate. In order to achieve this goal, special integrated research was conducted. Two study polygons with a total area of 1012.5 hectares were arranged in the farm in the Kakhovka district of the Kherson region. Polygon №1 - traditional irrigation planning with soil moisture regulation in the range of 75-80-75% FC and 13 waterings with the rate 200-400 m3/ha. Polygon №2 - intensive irrigation with 36 waterings at a rate of 100-200 m3/ha with soil moisture keeping at the level of 80-90% FC. As a result of research, the following indicators were assessed: weather conditions; microclimatic effect of irrigation; the effect of irrigation on the components of the thermal balance (radiation of the earth's surface, radiation balance of the earth's surface); the dynamics of total evaporation; the dynamics of soil moisture, the state of development of agricultural crops; efficiency of irrigation water use. The following results were obtained: - in conditions of prolonged drought at maximum daily air temperatures of 28-36 ° C, the use of an intensive irrigation management scenario provides a more  favorable microclimatic effect on crops; - under intensive irrigation, the humidity  of the active soil layer decreases and fluctuates in the range of 82-100% FC. The plant roots absorb moisture mainly to a depth up to 50-centimeter soil; - regardless of the irrigation management scenario an increase is observed  in the absorption of solar energy by the earth's surface and vegetation. It can be explained by the decrease of the soil albedo and the increase in the heat capacity of the soil after watering; - as a result of irrigation, additional heat flux reaches the earth's surface in the form of effective atmosphere radiation  - at the first study polygon up to 13%, at the second – up  to 14% of incoming radiation; - frequent irrigation with small watering rates under intensive irrigation management scenarios contributes to increase the productivity of irrigation water, which is due to the creation of optimal conditions for water use and heat resources.У статті наведено результати експериментальних досліджень зміни мікроклімату, розрахунків теплового та радіаційного балансу на зрошуваних полях при  вирощуванні сої пізньостиглої. Для проведення досліджень було облаштовано два експериментальні полігони загальною площею 1012,5 га, на яких встановлено автоматизовані метеостанції та виконували спостереження за станом та розвитком сільськогосподарських культур  на фоні двох сценаріїв планування зрошення – традиційного з регулюванням  вологості ґрунту у діапазоні 75-80-75%НВ та інтенсивного з підтриманням вологості  активного шару ґрунту в діапазоні 80-90%НВ. Встановлено, що інтенсивне зрошення (часті поливи невеликими нормами) сприяє покращенню мікроклімату у посівах  за рахунок більш ефективного поглинання теплової енергії та забезпечує більш високу продуктивність використання зрошувальної води

Genotoxic agents promote the nuclear accumulation of annexin A2: role of annexin A2 in mitigating DNA damage

Annexin A2 is an abundant cellular protein that is mainly localized in the cytoplasm and plasma membrane, however a small population has been found in the nucleus, suggesting a nuclear function for the protein. Annexin A2 possesses a nuclear export sequence (NES) and inhibition of the NES is sufficient to cause nuclear accumulation. Here we show that annexin A2 accumulates in the nucleus in response to genotoxic agents including gamma-radiation, UV radiation, etoposide and chromium VI and that this event is mediated by the nuclear export sequence of annexin A2. Nuclear accumulation of annexin A2 is blocked by the antioxidant agent N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and stimulated by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), suggesting that this is a reactive oxygen species dependent event. In response to genotoxic agents, cells depleted of annexin A2 show enhanced phospho-histone H2AX and p53 levels, increased numbers of p53-binding protein 1 nuclear foci and increased levels of nuclear 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanine, suggesting that annexin A2 plays a role in protecting DNA from damage. This is the first report showing the nuclear translocation of annexin A2 in response to genotoxic agents and its role in mitigating DNA damage.Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC); European Union [PCOFUND-GA-2009-246542]; Foundation for Science and Technology of Portugal; Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute; Terry Fox Foundationinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Association of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the IL-18 Gene with Production of IL-18 Protein by Mononuclear Cells from Healthy Donors

IL-18 has proinflammatory effects and participates in both innate and adaptive cellular and humoral immunity. A number of SNPs that influence IL-18 production are found in the gene promoter region. We investigated the association of SNPs in the IL-18 promoter at −607 and −137 with the level of IL-18 protein production by PBMC from healthy donors from Southwestern Siberia. The genetic distribution of these SNPs in the promoter site was established by PCR. IL-18 protein production was determined by ELISA. Our results showed that PBMC from donors carrying allele 137C have lower levels of both spontaneous and LPS-stimulated IL-18 production. In contrast, PBMC from donors carrying allele 607A showed significant increases in spontaneous and stimulated IL-18 production compared to wild type. Our study suggests that the SNPs −607 and −137 in the promoter region of the IL-18 gene influence the level of IL-18 protein production by PBMC from healthy donors in Southwestern Siberia

Polymorphisms in the MTHFR and MTR genes and the risk of varicose veins in ethnical Russians

© 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.Objectives: The objective of this study was to study the association of polymorphisms MTHFR C677T (rs1801133) and MTR A2756G (rs1805087) with the risk of varicose veins in ethnical Russians. Methods: We genotyped 475 patients with varicose veins, 168 individual without chronic venous disease, and the population-based group of 896 subjects. Association was studied using logistic regression analysis adopting co-dominant, additive, recessive, and dominant models of inheritance. Results: None of the polymorphisms showed a statistically significant association with the risk of varicose veins. Conclusions: Our results provide evidence that the studied polymorphisms do not contribute to genetic susceptibility to varicose veins in ethnical Russians

Polymorphisms in the MTHFR and MTR genes and the risk of varicose veins in ethnical Russians

© 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis GroupObjectives: The objective of this study was to study the association of polymorphisms MTHFR C677T (rs1801133) and MTR A2756G (rs1805087) with the risk of varicose veins in ethnical Russians. Methods: We genotyped 475 patients with varicose veins, 168 individual without chronic venous disease, and the population-based group of 896 subjects. Association was studied using logistic regression analysis adopting co-dominant, additive, recessive, and dominant models of inheritance. Results: None of the polymorphisms showed a statistically significant association with the risk of varicose veins. Conclusions: Our results provide evidence that the studied polymorphisms do not contribute to genetic susceptibility to varicose veins in ethnical Russians

Association of polymorphisms near the FOXC2 gene with the risk of varicose veins in ethnic Russians

© The Author(s) 2015.Objective: To investigate the association of polymorphisms located near the FOXC2 gene with the risk of varicose veins in ethnic Russians. Methods: Allele, genotype, and haplotype frequencies were determined in the sample of 474 patients with primary varicose veins and in the control group of 478 individuals without a history of chronic venous disease. Results: Polymorphisms rs7189489, rs4633732, and rs1035550 showed the association with the increased risk of varicose veins, but none of the observed associations remained significant after correction for multiple testing. Haplotype analysis revealed the association of haplotype rs7189489 C–rs4633732 T–rs34221221 C–rs1035550 C–rs34152738 T–rs12711457 G with the increased risk of varicose veins (OR = 2.67, P = 0.01). Conclusions: Our results provide evidence that the studied polymorphisms do not play a major role in susceptibility to varicose veins development in the Russian population