Program information center support concept design objects marine engineering

Рабочей группой проведены проектирование и разработка программного информационного комплекса поддержки концептуального проектирования объектов морской техники.Working Group held design and development of software-onnogo complex information support conceptual design objects of Marine nicknames

Anatomy, Chloroplast Structure and Compartmentation of Enzymes Relative to Photosynthetic Mechanisms in Leaves and Cotyledons of Species in the Tribe Salsoleae (Chenopodiaceae)

Certain members of the family Chenopodiaceae are the dominant species of the deserts of Central Asia; many of them are succulent halophytes which exhibit C4-type CO2 fixation of the NAD- or NADP-ME (malic enzyme) subgroup. In four C4 species of the tribe Salsoleae, the Salsoloid-type Kranz anatomy in leaves or stems was studied in relation to the diversity in anatomy which was found in cotyledons. Halocharis gossypina, has C4 NAD-ME Salsoloid-type photosynthesis in leaves and C3 photosynthesis in dorsoventral non-Kranz cotyledons; Salsola laricina has C4 NAD-ME Salsoloid-type leaves and C4 NAD-ME Atriplicoid-type cotyledons; Haloxylon persicum, has C4 NADP-ME Salsoloid-type green stems and C3 isopalisade non-Kranz cotyledons; and S. richteri has C4 NADP-ME Salsoloid-type leaves and cotyledons. Immunolocalization studies on Rubisco showed strong labelling in bundle sheath cells of leaves and cotyledons of organs having Kranz anatomy. The C4 pathway enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase was localized in mesophyll cells, while the malic enzymes were localized in bundle sheath cells of Kranz-type tissue. Immunolocalization by electron microscopy showed NAD-ME is in mitochondria while NADP-ME is in chloroplasts of bundle sheath cells in the respective C4 types. In some C4 organs, it was apparent that subepidermal cells and water storage cells also contain some chloroplasts which have Rubisco, store starch, and thus perform C3 photosynthesis. In non-Kranz cotyledons of Halocharis gossypina and Haloxylon persicum, Rubisco was found in chloroplasts of both palisade and spongy mesophyll cells with the heaviest labelling in the layers of palisade cells, whereas C4 pathway proteins were low or undetectable. The pattern of starch accumulation correlated with the localization of Rubisco, being highest in the bundle sheath cells and lowest in the mesophyll cells of organs having Kranz anatomy. In NAD-ME-type Kranz organs (leaves and cotyledons of S. laricina and leaves of H. gossypina) the granal index (length of appressed membranes as a percentage of total length of all membranes) of bundle sheath chloroplasts is 1.5 to 2.5 times higher than that of mesophyll chloroplasts. In contrast, in the NADP-ME-type Kranz organs (S. richteri leaves and cotyledons and H. persicum stems) the granal index of mesophyll chloroplasts is 1.5 to 2.2 times that of the bundle sheath chloroplasts. The mechanism of photosynthesis in these species is discussed in relation to structural differences.This work was partly supported by Civilian Research and Development Foundation Grant RB1–264 and NSF Grant IBN-9807916. EV Voznesenskaya would like to thank CIES, Washington DC for a Fulbright Scholar Research Fellowship. We also thank the Electron Microscope Center of Washington State University for use of their facilities and staff assistance

SNP-Based Chromosomal Microarray Analysis for Detecting DNA Copy Number Variations in Fetuses with a Thickened Nuchal Fold

The aim of the study was to assess the diagnostic potential of SNP-based chromosomal microarray analysis for detecting pathogenic copies number variations (CNVs) in fetuses with a normal karyotype, in which an increase in the nuchal translucence of >2.5 mm was detected by ultrasound at a gestational age of 11 weeks to 13 weeks 6 days. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 225 pregnant women who underwent invasive prenatal diagnostic procedures following the detection of an isolated thickening of the fetal nuchal fold. The fetal material obtained was examined using a cytogenetic test; if a normal karyotype was confirmed, chromosomal microarray analysis was performed as a second-line test. RESULTS: Pathogenic CNVs were detected in 22 of 225 fetuses (9.8%) with a normal karyotype. Of these 22 fetuses, pathogenic CNVs not classified as syndromes were detected in 14 cases (63.6%), and those previously described as syndromes — in 8 cases (36.4%). In 9 fetuses (41%), CNVs in two non-homologous chromosomes were determined; these findings indicated a high likelihood of carrying balanced translocations in the parents. Indeed, when analyzing the parent’s karyotype, in 8 out of 9 couples, balanced translocations were found in one of the parents. CONCLUSION: Using chromosomal microarray analysis in fetuses with a thickened nuchal fold makes it possible to increase the ability to detect chromosomal imbalances, including those caused by pathological meiotic segregation of parental reciprocal translocation

Features of Photosynthesis in Haloxylon Species of Chenopodiaceae that are Dominant Plants in Central Asian deserts

Haloxylon aphyllum and H. persicum of Chenopodiaceae are dominant plants in the continental deserts of the Asian Irano-Turanian region. The photosynthetic organs, assimilating shoots and leaf-like cotyledons of these two species were studied to characterize their photosynthetic types. 13C/12C isotope ratios, the cellular anatomy of assimilating organs, primary photosynthetic products, and activities of carbon metabolism enzymes, RUBP carboxylase, PEP carboxylase, malic enzymes, and aspartate aminotransferase, indicate different pathways of CO~2 fixation in the photosynthetic organs. Assimilating shoots had attributes of the C4 photosynthesis entirely, while cotyledons lack Kranz-anatomy and incorporated CO2 via C3 photosynthesis. Cotyledons and seeds had lower δ13C values compared to shoots, consistent with the contribution of C3-like CO2 assimilation. Two pathways of carbon donation to the C3 cycle via decarboxylation of C4 acids in bundle sheath cells are suggested to occur in shoots of Haloxylon. The primary photosynthetic product malate can be utilized through NADP+-malic enzyme which occurs in high activity. NAD+-malic enzyme may contribute to C4 photosynthesis (some aspartate is formed as an initial product, the bundle sheath chloroplasts have some grana, and NAD+-malic enzyme is found in bundle sheath cells of shoots, all criteria for NAD+-malic enzyme type photosynthesis). We propose that organ diversity of CO2 fixation pathway in Haloxylon species is an important factor for their growth, survival and reproduction in continental climate deserts.The study was supported in part by a Civilian Research and Development Foundation Grant RB1-264 to V.P., E.A., E.V., G.E., and M.K., a NATO Collaborative Research Grant 970588 to C.C.B., and National Science Foundation Grant IBN 9317756 to G.E.E. V.I. Pyankov would like to thank CIES, Washington for a Fulbright Scholar Research Fellowship and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens for provision of facilities during part of the work

A single blind, placebo-controlled randomized study of the safety, reactogenicity and immunogenicity of the “EpiVacCorona” Vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19, in volunteers aged 18–60 years (phase I–II)

Vaccination of the population is one of the most effective countermeasures in responding to the pandemic caused by novel coronavirus infection. Therefore, scientists all over the world have been working to develop effective and safe vaccines. We have developed a synthetic peptide vaccine, EpiVacCorona, against novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which is a suspension for intramuscular administration containing a composition of chemically synthesized peptide immunogens of the S protein of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus conjugated to a carrier protein and adsorbed on aluminum hydroxide. Phase I–II clinical trials of the vaccine have started that consist of two stages: Stage 1 is an open study of the safety, reactogenicity, and immunological activity of the vaccine with the involvement of 14 volunteers aged 18–30 years; Stage 2 is a single blind, comparative, randomized placebo-controlled study with the involvement of 86 volunteers. The study involved volunteers aged 18–60 years; the vaccine was injected intramuscularly twice, spaced 21 days apart between injections. All local reactions in response to vaccine administration were mild, such as a short-term pain at the injection site. There were no signs of development of local or systemic adverse reactions. The two-dose vaccination scheme induced the production of antibodies, specific to the antigens that make up the vaccine, in 100% of the volunteers. Seroconversion with a neutralizing antibody titer ≥ 1:20 was reported in 100% of the volunteers 21 days following the second immunization dose. No seroconversion was reported in the groups of volunteers vaccinated with a placebo. The peptide-based EpiVacCorona Vaccine has low reactogenicity and is a safe, immunogenic product. Clinical Trials Identifier: NCT04527575

Comparative review of methods for diagnosing chromosomal abnormalities in fetuses with malformations and / or echographic markers of chromosomal pathology

The article presents a comparative analysis of methods used for the diagnosis of genetic pathology in fetuses with malformations and / or developmental abnormalities. The standard cytogenetic analysis of the karyotype is most widely implemented and used, however, the low resolution of this method in 8Mb does not allow for the detection of microdeletions and microduplications, which in turn in 5-6% of cases are the causes of malformations and / or developmental abnormalities in the fetus. When using chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) it increases the diagnostic efficacy of prenatal diagnosis, which allows making a diagnosis in a timely manner, determining the prognosis for the life of the child after birth. The choice of method for diagnosing genetic pathology in fetuses with congenital malformations and / or developmental abnormalities is currently not regulated and is often based on the technical capabilities of the laboratory. At the moment, a large amount of data has been accumulated confirming the effectiveness of the use of SNP microarrays compared to classical cytogenetic methods.В статье представлен сравнительный анализ методов, применяемых для диагностики хромосомных аномалий у плодов, имеющих пороки развития и/или эхографические маркеры хромосомной патологии. Наиболее широко внедрен и используется стандартный цитогенетический анализ кариотипа, однако небольшая разрешающая способность данного метода в 8Мb не позволяет выявлять микроделеции, микродупликации, которые в свою очередь в 5-6% случаев являются причинами пороков и/или аномалий развития у плода. Применение хромосомного микроматричного анализа (ХМА) увеличивает диагностическую эффективность пренатальной диагностики, и позволяет своевременно поставить диагноз, определив прогноз для жизни ребенка после рождения. Выбор метода диагностики генетической патологии у плодов с ВПР и/или аномалиями развития на данный момент ничем не регламентирован и зачастую основан на технических возможностях лаборатории. На данный момент, накоплен большой массив данных, подтверждающих эффективность применения SNP-микроматриц по сравнению с классическими цитогенетическими методами