The Karakul depression in Pamirs: The first impact structure in Central Asia

The Karakul depression was picked out as the possible impact structure by the study of space images of Tadjikistan. Its striking similarity with some complex impact craters such as Dellen and Gosses Bluff is evident. Our investigations of the Karakul depression in 1987 and 1989-1991 years allowed to determine it as the impact crater with the central uplift. The target of the crater is presented by slightly metamorphosed sedimentary rocks of Paleozoic, intensively folded and intruded with granites during the Gercynian orogeny. The modern structure of north-eastern Pamirs was formed by Alpinian orogeny; the raise of the area in Neogene was about 4000-7000 m

Light-induced sulfur transport inside single-walled carbon nanotubes

Filling of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and extraction of the encapsulated species from their cavities are perspective treatments for tuning the functional properties of SWCNT-based materials. Here, we have investigated sulfur-modified SWCNTs synthesized by the ampoule method. The morphology and chemical states of carbon and sulfur were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy, Raman scattering, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray photoelectron and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopies. Successful encapsulation of sulfur inside SWCNTs cavities was demonstrated. The peculiarities of interactions of SWCNTs with encapsulated and external sulfur species were analyzed in details. In particular, the donor-acceptor interaction between encapsulated sulfur and host SWCNT is experimentally demonstrated. The sulfur-filled SWCNTs were continuously irradiated in situ with polychromatic photon beam of high intensity. Comparison of X-ray spectra of the samples before and after the treatment revealed sulfur transport from the interior to the surface of SWCNTs bundles, in particular extraction of sulfur from the SWCNT cavity. These results show that the moderate heating of filled nanotubes could be used to de-encapsulate the guest species tuning the local composition, and hence, the functional properties of SWCNT-based materials

Facilitates Chromatin Transcription Complex Is an “Accelerator” of Tumor Transformation and Potential Marker and Target of Aggressive Cancers

SummaryThe facilitates chromatin transcription (FACT) complex is involved in chromatin remodeling during transcription, replication, and DNA repair. FACT was previously considered to be ubiquitously expressed and not associated with any disease. However, we discovered that FACT is the target of a class of anticancer compounds and is not expressed in normal cells of adult mammalian tissues, except for undifferentiated and stem-like cells. Here, we show that FACT expression is strongly associated with poorly differentiated aggressive cancers with low overall survival. In addition, FACT was found to be upregulated during in vitro transformation and to be necessary, but not sufficient, for driving transformation. FACT also promoted survival and growth of established tumor cells. Genome-wide mapping of chromatin-bound FACT indicated that FACT’s role in cancer most likely involves selective chromatin remodeling of genes that stimulate proliferation, inhibit cell death and differentiation, and regulate cellular stress responses

Dual targeting of the epigenome via FACT complex and histone deacetylase is a potent treatment strategy for DIPG

Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is an aggressive and incurable childhood brain tumor for which new treatments are needed. CBL0137 is an anti-cancer compound developed from quinacrine that targets facilitates chromatin transcription (FACT), a chromatin remodeling complex involved in transcription, replication, and DNA repair. We show that CBL0137 displays profound cytotoxic activity against a panel of patient-derived DIPG cultures by restoring tumor suppressor TP53 and Rb activity. Moreover, in an orthotopic model of DIPG, treatment with CBL0137 significantly extends animal survival. The FACT subunit SPT16 is found to directly interact with H3.3K27M, and treatment with CBL0137 restores both histone H3 acetylation and trimethylation. Combined treatment of CBL0137 with the histone deacetylase inhibitor panobinostat leads to inhibition of the Rb/E2F1 pathway and induction of apoptosis. The combination of CBL0137 and panobinostat significantly prolongs the survival of mice bearing DIPG orthografts, suggesting a potential treatment strategy for DIPG

Antisense oligonucleotides and all-trans retinoic acid have a synergistic anti-tumor effect on oral squamous cell carcinoma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Antisense oligonucleotides against hTR (As-ODN-hTR) have shown promising results as treatment strategies for various human malignancies. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is a signalling molecule with important roles in differentiation and apoptosis. Biological responses to ATRA are currently used therapeutically in various human cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-tumor effects of As-ODN-hTR combined with ATRA in vivo.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In situ human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) models were established by subcutaneous injection of Tca8113 cells. Mice were treated with sense oligonucleotides against hTR(S-ODN-hTR) alone, As-ODN-hTR alone, ATRA alone, As-ODN-hTR plus ATRA, or S-ODN-hTR plus ATRA. Tumor size and weight were assessed in the mice. Telomerase activity was detected by a TRAP assay, apoptotic cells were evaluated with a Tunel assay, the expression of apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2 and Bax) was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and ultrastructural morphological changes in the tumor specimen were examined.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Both As-ODN-hTR and ATRA can significantly inhibit tumor growth in this OSCC xenograft solid-tumor model, and the combination of the two agents had a synergistic anti-tumorogenic effect. We also demonstrated that this anti-tumor effect correlated with inhibition of telomerase activity. Furthermore, significant increases in the number of apoptotic cells, typical apoptotic morphology and a downregulation of the anti-apoptotic protein, bcl-2 were observed in the treated tissues.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The combination of As-ODN-hTR and ATRA has a synergistic anti-tumor effect. This anti-tumor effect can be mainly attributed to apoptosis induced by a decrease in telomerase activity. Bcl-2 plays an important role in this process. Therefore, combining As-ODN-hTR and ATRA may be an approach for the treatment of human oral squamous cell carcinoma.</p

МАГМАТИЧЕСКИЕ ПОРОДЫ ТЕКТУРМАССКОГО АККРЕЦИОННОГО КОМПЛЕКСА, ЦЕНТРАЛЬНЫЙ КАЗАХСТАН: ГЕОЛОГИЧЕСКАЯ ПОЗИЦИЯ И ГЕОДИНАМИЧЕСКИЕ ОБСТАНОВКИ ФОРМИРОВАНИЯ

The paper provides an overview of the geological structure and presents new data on petrography and geochemistry of igneous rocks of the Tekturmas accretionary complex (TAC). Consideration is being given to the age, petrogenesis and probable tectonic settings of formation of igneous rocks. It is shown that the TAC and adjacent ophiolite belt are parts of the Late Cambrian – Ordovician Pacific-type orogenic belt formed at an active margin of the Paleo-Asian Ocean. The TAC is dominated mainly by tholeiitic mafic igneous rocks (basalt, dolerite, gabbro). There are recognized three groups of rocks: high-Ti, medium-Ti and low-Ti. Geological and geochemical features of TAC igneous rocks suggest their formation in three tectonic settings: mid-ocean ridge (medium-Ti), oceanic island/seamount (high-Ti) and over subduction zones (low-Ti).В статье представлен обзор геологического строения и новые данные по петрографии и химическому составу вулканических пород Тектурмасского аккреционного комплекса (ТАК). Обсуждается их возраст, условия петрогенезиса и вероятные тектонические обстановки формирования. Показано, что ТАК и связанный с ним офиолитовый пояс являются частью орогена тихоокеанского типа позднекембрийско-ордовикского возраста, образованного на активной окраине Палеоазиатского океана. Выделены магматические комплексы преимущественно основного состава (базальты, долериты, габбро) преимущественно толеитовой серии. По содержанию TiO2 базальты и андезибазальты можно разделить на три группы: высоко-Ti, средне-Ti и низкo-Ti. Геологическая позиция и геохимические характеристики магматических пород ТАК предполагают образование cредне-Ti базальтов в обстановке срединно-океанического хребта, высоко-Ti и щелочных андезитов – в обстановке океанического острова/симаунта, а низко-Ti вулканитов – в надсубдукционной обстановке

From Barbie to the oligarchs wife: Reading fantasy femininity and globalisation in post-Soviet Russian womens magazines

This article shows how an analysis of fantasy femininity sheds light on how norms of gender, class and national identity reflect global and local cross-cultural currents in post-Soviet Russia. Drawing on a discourse analysis of women’s magazines and in-depth interviews with readers, it shows how, in the globalized post-Soviet cultural landscape, fantasy femininity represents both change and continuity. Feminine archetypes in women’s magazines, from fairytale princesses to Barbie dolls, reflect a wider post-Soviet cultural hybridisation, and show how Western women’s magazines have adapted to the Russian context. Furthermore, the article highlights readers’ ambiguous attitudes towards post-Soviet cultural trends linked to perceived Westernisation or globalisation, such as individualism, conspicuous consumption, and glamour

The ART-XC telescope on board the SRG observatory

ART-XC (Astronomical Roentgen Telescope - X-ray Concentrator) is the hard X-ray instrument with grazing incidence imaging optics on board the Spektr-Roentgen-Gamma (SRG) observatory. The SRG observatory is the flagship astrophysical mission of the Russian Federal Space Program, which was successively launched into orbit around the second Lagrangian point (L2) of the Earth-Sun system with a Proton rocket from the Baikonur cosmodrome on 13 July 2019. The ART-XC telescope will provide the first ever true imaging all-sky survey performed with grazing incidence optics in the 4-30 keV energy band and will obtain the deepest and sharpest map of the sky in the energy range of 4-12 keV. Observations performed during the early calibration and performance verification phase as well as during the on-going all-sky survey that started on 12 Dec. 2019 have demonstrated that the in-flight characteristics of the ART-XC telescope are very close to expectations based on the results of ground calibrations. Upon completion of its 4-year all-sky survey, ART-XC is expected to detect ~5000 sources (~3000 active galactic nuclei, including heavily obscured ones, several hundred clusters of galaxies, ~1000 cataclysmic variables and other Galactic sources), and to provide a high-quality map of the Galactic background emission in the 4-12 keV energy band. ART-XC is also well suited for discovering transient X-ray sources. In this paper, we describe the telescope, results of its ground calibrations, major aspects of the mission, the in-flight performance of ART-XC and first scientific results.Comment: 19 pages, 30 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic

Сравнение слабительных препаратов для подготовки к КТ-колонографии при использовании схемы с полным очищением толстой кишки

Purpose. Our study aimed to identify an optimal full-cleanse bowel preparation scheme for patients undergoing CT colonography.Material and methods. The final sample included 118 patients: 81 females (68.6%), with the median age being 75 years (IQR 675-80 years). For bowel preparation 39 (33.1%) patients used PM/Ca, 36 (30.5%) – 2 L PEG + Asc, 19 (16.1%) – 3 L PEG, 24 (20.3%) – 4 L PEG. Otherwise, the preparation did not differ in all four groups. Visual assessment of residual stool, residual fluid, and distension degree was performed using a 4-point Likert scale. The patient’s subjective tolerance assessment was executed according to the survey results using a 5-point Likert scale.Results. There were no statistically significant differences in quality of bowel preparation in all four groups. Mean value of the total residual stool score in groups was 46.2 ± 2.87 for PM/Ca; 46.9 ± 2.34 for 2 L PEG + Asc; 46.5 ± 1.98 for 3 L PEG; 45.9 ± 3.18 for 4 L PEG (p &gt; 0.05). The median of the total residual fluid score in groups was 36 (33–38) for PM/Ca; 36.5 (34–39) for 2 L PEG + Asc; 37 (36–39) for 3 L PEG; 36 (34–40) for 4 L PEG (p &gt; 0.05). Mean value of the total distention degree score in groups was 43 ± 4.34 for PM/Ca; 44.6 ± 3.13 for 2 L PEG + Asc; 44.2 ± 3.98 for 3 L PEG; 43.5 ± 4.9 for 4 L PEG (p &gt; 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the patient tolerance total score, depending on the laxative (p = 0.001). The total preparation score was significantly lower for PM/Ca when compared with 2 L PEG + Asc. (p = 0.021), 3 L PEG (p = 0.001), and 4 L PEG (p = 0.043).Conclusion. Use of PM/Ca in CTC preparation lowers the burden of full cleanse exam preparation and can be recommended as a safe laxative choice, including senior age patients. Цель исследования: выявить оптимальную схему подготовки слабительным препаратом с полным очищением кишки для пациентов, проходящих КТ-колонографию (КТК).Материал и методы. В финальную выборку включено 118 пациентов: женщин – 81 (68,6%); медиана возраста составила 75 лет (Q1–Q3: 67,5–80 лет). 39 (33,1%) проходили подготовку слабительным препаратом натрия пикосульфатом, магния оксидом, лимонной кислотой (НП+МО+ЛК), 36 (30,5%) пациентов – 2 л полиэтиленгликоля в сочетании с аскорбиновой кислотой (2 л ПЭГ+АК), 19 (16,1%) – 3 л ПЭГ, 24 (20,3%) – 4 л ПЭГ. В остальном подготовка не отличалась во всех четырех группах. Визуальная оценка остаточного содержимого, остаточной жидкости и степени растяжения проводилась с использованием 4-балльной шкалы Лайкерта. Оценка субъективной переносимости подготовки осуществлялась по 5-балльной шкале Лайкерта.Результаты. Статистически значимой разницы качества подготовки выявлено не было при всех вариантах подготовки. Среднее значение суммарного балла остаточного кишечного содержимого составило 46,2 ± 2,87 для группы НП+МО+ЛК; 46,9 ± 2,34 для группы ПЭГ+АК; 46,5 ± 1,98 для группы 3 л ПЭГ; 45,9 ± 3,18 для группы 4 л ПЭГ (р &gt; 0,05). Медиана суммарного балла остаточной жидкости составила 36 (33–38) для группы НП+МО+ЛК; 36,5 (34–39) для группы ПЭГ+АК; 37 (36–39) для группы 3 л ПЭГ; 36 (34–40) для группы 4 л ПЭГ (р &gt; 0,05). Среднее значение суммарного балла степени растяжения составила 43 ± 4,34 для группы НП+МО+ЛК; 44,6 ± 3,13 для группы ПЭГ+АК; 44,2 ± 3,98 для группы 3 л ПЭГ; 43,5 ± 4,9 для группы 4 л ПЭГ (р &gt; 0,05). Была выявлена статистически значимая разница в суммарном балле переносимости подготовки у исследуемых в зависимости от вида слабительного препарата (p = 0,001). Суммарный балл подготовки был значительно ниже при подготовке НП+МО+ЛК при сравнении с ПЭГ+АК (p = 0,021), 3 л ПЭГ (p = 0,001) и 4 л ПЭГ (p = 0,043).Заключение. Использование НП+МО+ЛК повышает переносимость подготовки к КТК с полным очищением толстой кишки и может быть рекомендовано в качестве безопасного препарата выбора, в том числе у пациентов старшей возрастной группы.