NGS sequencing in barley breeding and genetic studies

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is the one of the most important cereal species used as food and feed crops, as well as for malting and alcohol production. At the end of the last century, traditional breeding techniques were complemented by the use of DNA markers. Molecular markers have also been used extensively for molecular genetic mapping and QTL analysis. In 2012, the barley genome sequencing was completed, which provided a broad range of new opportunities – from a more efficient search for candidate genes controlling economically important traits to genomic selection. The review summarizes the results of the studies performed after barley genome sequencing, which discovered new areas of barley genetics and breeding with high throughput screening and genotyping methods. During this period, intensive studies aimed at identification of barley genomic loci associated with economically important traits have been carried out; online databases and tools for working with barley genomic data and their deposition have appeared and are being replenished. In recent years, GWAS analysis has been used for large-scale phenotypegenotype association studies, which has been widely used in barley since 2010 due to the developed SNP-arrays, as well as genotyping methods based on direct NGS sequencing of selected fractions of the genome. To date, more than 80 papers have been published that describe the results of the GWAS analysis in barley. SNP identification associated with economically important traits and their transformation into CAPS or KASP markers convenient for screening selection material significantly expands the possibilities of marker-assisted selection of barley. In addition, the currently available information on potential target genes and the quality of the whole barley genome sequence provides a good base for applying genome editing technologies to create material for the creation of varieties with desired properties

The increase of ultrasound measurements accuracy with the use of two-frequency sounding

In the article the new method for detection of the temporary position of the received echo signal is considered. The method consists in successive emission of sounded impulses on two frequencies and also the current study is concerned with the analysis of ultrasound fluctuation propagation time to and from the deflector on every frequency. The detailed description of the mathematical tool is presented in the article. The math tool used allows the authors to decrease the measurement error with help of calculations needed

Mediation as an alternative dispute resolution: world experience

The present paper is devoted to the application of mediation as an alternative dispute resolution procedure. It defines features of the legal regulation of mediation procedures in different countries and legal systems, such as United States, European Union, China, and Russian Federation. In addition, the main principles of mediation and their implementation in different legal systems are analyzed in this pape

Analysis of Optical Properties of Posterior Surface of Cornea in Patients after Anterior Radial Keratotomy

Taking into account the constant increase in patients with age-related cataracts after radial keratotomy, a careful analysis of both the optical and anatomical properties of the cornea with the examination of the posterior surface is of particular importance.Aim. To analyze the optical properties of the posterior surface of the cornea in patients after anterior radial keratotomy. Materials and methods. An examination of 24 patients (48 eyes) with age-related cataracts of varying degrees of density, myopia and the presence of a previous anterior radial keratotomy or radial-tangential keratotomy in history. The average age of patients was 59.5 years (from 47 to 68), there were 19 women and 5 men.Results. The radius of curvature of the anterior surface in patients after anterior radial keratotomy was 9.45 ± 0.91 mm on average along the meridians, which is significantly more in comparison with these indices in control patients – 7.70 ± 0.19 mm (p = 0.0001). The ratio of the radii of the posterior cornea curvature to the anterior radius on average along the meridians in patients after anterior radial keratotomy was 1.07 ± 0.70, and in control patients – 1.20 ± 0.02 (p = 0.0001). The keratometric index in patients after anterior radial keratotomy was 1.3538 ± 0.0239, and in the control group – 1.3372 ± 0.0003 (p = 0.23).Conclusion. In patients after anterior radial keratotomy, keratometry of the posterior surface of the cornea is significantly higher than in the control. The ratio of the radius of curvature of the posterior cornea to the radius of curvature of the anterior cornea varies significantly after anterior radial keratotomy, which is due to a more pronounced flattening of the posterior cornea. The standard keratometric index (1.3375) is invalid for patients after anterior radial keratotomy and must be calculated individually for each patient when deciding on the operative treatment of cataracts

Nonlinear effects in tunnelling escape in N-body quantum systems

We consider the problem of tunneling escape of particles from a multiparticle system confined within a potential trap. The process is nonlinear due to the interparticle interaction. Using the hydrodynamic representation for the quantum equations of the multiparticle system we find the tunneling rate and time evolutions of the number of trapped particles for different nonlinearity values.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figure

Beneficial impact of human placenta extracts on erythrocyte membrane thermostability

PURPOSE: To study the influence of human placenta extract (HPE) and its individual fractions on the thermal stability of human erythrocyte membrane. METHODS: HPE fractions were isolated by gel chromatography. Thermal hemolysis of erythrocytes, exposed to 55°C was measured spectrophotometrically. Cytosol microvscosity and barrier function of erythrocyte membranes at hyperthermia were investigated by EPR spin probe TEMPON. Thermal denaturation of erythrocyte membrane proteins were studied by differential scanning calorimetry. RESULTS: Pre-treatment of erythrocytes with HPE or its fractions inhibited thermal hemolysis. Low-molecular fractions (below 4 kDa and 12-20 kDa) were the most effective in thermal hemolysis inhibition ((31.7±3.3) % and (31.5±3.2) %, respectively). The latter fractions markedly reduced the hyperthermia (55°C)-induced permeability of erythrocytes for ferricyanide ions and inhibited the thermo-induced structural transitions in erythrocyte membrane between 40 and 50°C, which are associated with cytoskeletal proteins. HPE fractions reversibly increased the denaturation temperatures of erythrocyte membrane proteins, except that of spectrin, and enlarged the enthalpy of denaturation of all membrane proteins. CONCLUSIONS: HPE and its individual fractions increased the thermal stability of erythrocyte membranes and erythrocytes. This effect was attributed to the reversible binding of some low molecular ingredient of HPE to the integral proteins and consequent stabilization of their interaction with under-membrane cytoskeleton

Differential Reorganization of Structural Elements of the Iridociliary and Perenticular Zones in the Hydrodynamic Blocks Formation

Background. The key link in the pathogenesis of angle-closure glaucoma is the formation of structural blocks that initiate a violation of hydrostatic balance. However, if the parameters of the eyeball are equal, the state of the outflow pathways, the level of intraocular pressure and the eye hydrodynamics may be different. It was suggested that the formation of hydrodynamic blocks in patients with hypermetropia may be initiated at a young age by the processes of excessive accommodation, which are aggravated by physiological aging, accompanied by the formation of presbyopia.Aim. To find out the factors that provoke and aggravate the processes of formation of pathological changes in the eye hydrodynamics in patients with older hypermetropia.Materials and methods. A comprehensive study of the anterior segment of the eye was performed in 80 patients aged 45–60 years with hypermetropic refraction. Structural deviations were evaluated using ultrasound biomicroscopy and interactive Scheimpflug registration of the anterior segment of the eye (“Pentacam HR”, Oculus, USA) with the calculation of the parameters of the anterior and posterior chambers of the eye and the Lowe coefficient. Tonometry and tonography were performed on an electronic tonograph “Mentor” (Tecnar Ophthalmic, USA).Results and conclusion. The total results of the study of 80 patients with hypermetropia were processed using cluster analysis, which revealed significant and significant heterogeneity for three clusters. Comparative and regression analysis found that the parameters transformation and intraocular structures position are  initial and under the conditions of the load test in subjects of the first and third clusters was accompanied by a violation of the eye hydrodynamics with the predominant inclusion of the lenticular or iridociliary component, respectively. The changes detected in patients of the second cluster were characterized by balanced moderate changes in structural relationships and the absence of a clinically significant intraocular pressure increase

Assessment of Changes in Cyliary Muscle in Patients with Hypermetropy Using Mathematical Modeling Methods

Background. Age-related decline in accommodation in patients with emmetropia, myopia and hyperopia is characterized by multidirectional changes in the thickness of the ciliary muscle and the configuration of the inner apex of the ciliary body. The structural and functional state of the ciliary muscle and its individual components and the patterns of their change with age in patients with hyperopia remain little studied.Aim: to study the structural and functional state of the ciliary muscle and its components in patients with hyperopia using mathematical modeling methods.Methods. 110 patients (220 eyes) with axial hyperopia were examined. The first group consisted of patients aged 18–30 years – 20 people. The second group consisted of 80 patients aged 45–65 years. The control group consisted of 30 healthy volunteers aged from 18 to 30 years. All patients underwent ultrasound biomicroscopy, on the basis of which a spatial-mathematical model was created using the ImageJ software package.Results and conclusion. In patients with hyperopia, in the aging process there is a transformation of the ciliary body and the restructuring of its muscular components. Structural irido-ciliary relationships in young patients with emmetropia and hyperopia significantly differ in the location and configuration of the inner apex of the ciliary body, the degree of emphasis on the circular portion of the ciliary muscle

Relief-topography of anterior and posterior corneal surfaces in myopic patients in the long-term follow-up period after anterior radial keratotomy

Purpose. To analyze the topographical features of the relief of anterior and posterior corneal surfaces in patients with myopia in the long-term period after anterior r adial keratotomy (ARK).Material and methods. We examined 132 patients with age-related cataracts of varying degrees of density and a history of myopia with previously performed ARK. Mean age of patients was 59.67±6.09 (from 47 to 76). In the control group, 30 patients of the same age group with myopia were examined. A comprehensive examination was performed, including optical biometry, keratotopography on the Pentacam HR device with the determination of the elevation points of the anterior and posterior corneal surfaces.Results. The corneal profile differed from the correct spherical configuration in the control group. The average deviation of the profile of the anterior part of the cornea from the BFS was (–)1.41±5.10 μm, the posterior part was (–)5.12±12.25 μm (p=0.0001). The profile of the posterior corneal surface had a pronounced prolapse in the paracentral area with positive elevation values in the lower-outer segment. Negative values were found in the upper and lower sectors in the peripheral area and positive values were found in the inner and outer sectors. The corneal profile was deformed in patients after ARK. Negative elevation values in the central and paracentral area and positive elevation values in the peripheral segments corresponding to its protrusion were noted. At the same time, the relief of anterior and posterior surfaces of the cornea was not regular. Prolapse from the posterior surface of the cornea in the peripheral area was more pronounced than its anterior surface (p=0.0001).Conclusion. The relief of anterior and posterior corneal surfaces in patients of the control group differs in the degree and topography of elevation. In patients after ARK, obvious topographic deformities of the anterior and posterior corneal pr ofiles were detected