The Nuclear Envelope as a Regulator of Immune Cell Function

The traditional view of the nuclear envelope (NE) was that it represented a relatively inert physical barrier within the cell, whose main purpose was to separate the nucleoplasm from the cytoplasm. However, recent research suggests that this is far from the case, with new and important cellular functions being attributed to this organelle. In this review we describe research suggesting an important contribution of the NE and its constituents in regulating the functions of cells of the innate and adaptive immune system. One of the standout properties of immune cells is their ability to migrate around the body, allowing them to carry out their physiological/pathophysiology cellular role at the appropriate location. This together with the physiological role of the tissue, changes in tissue matrix composition due to disease and aging, and the activation status of the immune cell, all result in immune cells being subjected to different mechanical forces. We report research which suggests that the NE may be an important sensor/transducer of these mechanical signals and propose that the NE is an integrator of both mechanical and chemical signals, allowing the cells of the innate immune system to precisely regulate gene transcription and functionality. By presenting this overview we hope to stimulate the interests of researchers into this often-overlooked organelle and propose it should join the ranks of mitochondria and phagosome, which are important organelles contributing to immune cell function

The contribution of ion channels to shaping macrophage behaviour

The expanding roles of macrophages in physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms now include normal tissue homeostasis, tissue repair and regeneration, including neuronal tissue; initiation, progression, and resolution of the inflammatory response and a diverse array of anti-microbial activities. Two hallmarks of macrophage activity which appear to be fundamental to their diverse cellular functionalities are cellular plasticity and phenotypic heterogeneity. Macrophage plasticity allows these cells to take on a broad spectrum of differing cellular phenotypes in response to local and possibly previous encountered environmental signals. Cellular plasticity also contributes to tissue- and stimulus-dependent macrophage heterogeneity, which manifests itself as different macrophage phenotypes being found at different tissue locations and/or after different cell stimuli. Together, plasticity and heterogeneity align macrophage phenotypes to their required local cellular functions and prevent inappropriate activation of the cell, which could lead to pathology. To execute the appropriate function, which must be regulated at the qualitative, quantitative, spatial and temporal levels, macrophages constantly monitor intracellular and extracellular parameters to initiate and control the appropriate cell signaling cascades. The sensors and signaling mechanisms which control macrophages are the focus of a considerable amount of research. Ion channels regulate the flow of ions between cellular membranes and are critical to cell signaling mechanisms in a variety of cellular functions. It is therefore surprising that the role of ion channels in the macrophage biology has been relatively overlooked. In this review we provide a summary of ion channel research in macrophages. We begin by giving a narrative-based explanation of the membrane potential and its importance in cell biology. We then report on research implicating different ion channel families in macrophage functions. Finally, we highlight some areas of ion channel research in macrophages which need to be addressed, future possible developments in this field and therapeutic potential

Innovation-Driven Evolution of the Sharing Economy in a Russian Region: The Case of Sverdlovsk Region

Relevance. The sharing economy, an emerging sector, encounters obstacles such as intricate regulations, insufficient funding, constraints in data collection infrastructure, and uncertainties in evaluation methodologies. For the best results, it is crucial to thoroughly examine risks and find effective ways for the sharing economy to grow in the region.Research objective. This study aims to examine trends in sharing economy development in a major Russian area, using the case of Sverdlovsk region as an example.Data and Methods. The study relies on scientific publications from Scopus, EBSCO, and RSCI databases, alongside proprietary indicators and websites of 19 representative companies. It introduces a methodology utilizing SimilarWeb and Yandex WordStat services to collect consumer behavior metrics from online sharing economy platforms in Russia and Sverdlovsk region.Results. Results reveal escalating interest in sharing economy transportation services, suggesting potential funding reallocations in the public sector. Additionally, the popularity of freelance exchanges in Sverdlovsk region indicates a substantial remote work talent pool. Although the labor market's sharing economy is in its nascent stage, it demonstrates future growth potential. Notably, the rental of goods and equipment holds considerable promise for growth in Russia's industrial regions.Conclusion. The study identifies a research challenge centered on the formulation of methodological principles for evaluating essential parameters within innovative sharing economy economic models at the regional level. Methodological guidelines are outlined, encompassing empirical assessments via SimilarWeb and Yandex WordStat services, with proposed indicators for analysis. Recommendations to support shared economy companies are also provided, serving as a potential blueprint for the government of Sverdlovsk region in their future planning endeavors

DEVELOPMENT OF A METHOD TO DIGITIZE CLOTHING PATTERNS

The study aims to develop a method to digitize a clothing pattern without a digitizer. For this study, we address the following objectives: formulate a hypothesis of the method, describe the method’s algorithm, and perform testing and evaluation of the developed method. The idea of the developed method is as follows: digitizing the clothing patterns might be achieved without digitizer by applying modification tools of the pattern design systems to the digital simple geometrical forms constructed directly in the graphical environment of the system. Testing and evaluation of the developed method confirmed the initial hypothesis. The achieved result of the current study is the alternative method to digitize clothing patterns when it is necessary to avoid additional costs

Molecular mechanism of MLL PHD3 and RNA recognition by the Cyp33 RRM domain

The nuclear protein cyclophilin 33 (Cyp33) is a peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase that catalyzes cis-trans isomerization of the peptide bond preceding a proline and promotes folding and conformational changes in folded and unfolded proteins. The N-terminal RNA-recognition motif (RRM) domain of Cyp33 has been found to associate with the third plant homeodomain (PHD3) finger of the mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) proto-oncoprotein and a poly(A) RNA sequence. Here, we report a 1.9 A resolution crystal structure of the RRM domain of Cyp33 and describe the molecular mechanism of PHD3 and RNA recognition. The Cyp33 RRM domain folds into a five-stranded antiparallel beta-sheet and two alpha-helices. The RRM domain, but not the catalytic module of Cyp33, binds strongly to PHD3, exhibiting a 2 muM affinity as measured by isothermal titration calorimetry. NMR chemical shift perturbation (CSP) analysis and dynamics data reveal that the beta strands and the beta2-beta3 loop of the RRM domain are involved in the interaction with PHD3. Mutations in the PHD3-binding site or deletions in the beta2-beta3 loop lead to a significantly reduced affinity or abrogation of the interaction. The RNA-binding pocket of the Cyp33 RRM domain, mapped on the basis of NMR CSP and mutagenesis, partially overlaps with the PHD3-binding site, and RNA association is abolished in the presence of MLL PHD3. Full-length Cyp33 acts as a negative regulator of MLL-induced transcription and reduces the expression levels of MLL target genes MEIS1 and HOXA9. Together, these in vitro and in vivo data provide insight into the multiple functions of Cyp33 RRM and suggest a Cyp33-dependent mechanism for regulating the transcriptional activity of MLL

Microbiome Responses to an Uncontrolled Short-Term Diet Intervention in the Frame of the Citizen Science Project

Personalized nutrition is of increasing interest to individuals actively monitoring their health. The relations between the duration of diet intervention and the effects on gut microbiota have yet to be elucidated. Here we examined the associations of short-term dietary changes, long-term dietary habits and lifestyle with gut microbiota. Stool samples from 248 citizen-science volunteers were collected before and after a self-reported 2-week personalized diet intervention, then analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing. Considerable correlations between long-term dietary habits and gut community structure were detected. A higher intake of vegetables and fruits was associated with increased levels of butyrate-producing Clostridiales and higher community richness. A paired comparison of the metagenomes before and after the 2-week intervention showed that even a brief, uncontrolled intervention produced profound changes in community structure: resulting in decreased levels of Bacteroidaceae, Porphyromonadaceae and Rikenellaceae families and decreased alpha-diversity coupled with an increase of Methanobrevibacter, Bifidobacterium, Clostridium and butyrate-producing Lachnospiraceae- as well as the prevalence of a permatype (a bootstrapping-based variation of enterotype) associated with a higher diversity of diet. The response of microbiota to the intervention was dependent on the initial microbiota state. These findings pave the way for the development of an individualized diet.</p

Psychological effects of business trainings in Tanzania

This master thesis, as a part of a project on business trainings in Tanzania, investigates the effects of these trainings on change in mindset and soft skills of microentrepreneurs in Dar es Salaam. It focuses on following dimensions: Creativity, Individualism, Locus of Control, Need for Achievement, Dispositional Optimism and Trust/Relationship. The significant differences are found on the number of dimensions. Entrepreneurs who took part in the training have more internal locus of control, are more creative and have greater need for achievement. There are also significant differences in some psychological variables between genders. All dimensions except for individualism show predicted direction of relation between groups with and without training

Comparison of Thermal Stability of Dry High-strength Concrete and Wet High-strength Concrete

High-strength concrete is a modern material, which occupies it`s own niche on the construction material market. It is applicable in a large-scale high-rise construction, particularly an underground construction is a frequently used solution for a space saving. Usually underground structure is related to a wet usage environment. Though not all properties of the high-strength concrete are investigated to the full extent. Under adverse climatic conditions of the Russian Federation one of the most important properties for constructional materials is a thermal capacity. Therefore, the main purpose of the paper is to compare a thermal capacity of the high-strength concrete in humid conditions and a thermal capacity of the high-strength concrete in dry operational condition. During the study dependency between thermal capacity and design wall thickness and ambient humidity has to be proven with two experiments. As a result the theoretical relation between thermal capacity characteristic – thermal inertia and wall thickness and ambient humidity was confirmed by the experimental data. The thermal capacity of a building is in direct ratio to the construction thickness. It follows from the experiments and calculations that wet high-strength concrete has less thermal stability

Thermal Properties of Conventional and High-strength Concrete

Important characteristics for the Nordic countries: a freeze-thaw resistance and an ability of a material to keep heat inside the building. This paper aims to define the thermophysical properties of a high-strength concrete, compare the discovered performance with the conventional concrete properties. With this object in mind two experiments in cold chamber “CHALLENGE 250” have been conducted and followed by analysis. In these experiments, the insulation of facades is beyond the framework of the investigation. Only the thermophysical properties of concrete are taken into account. The samples were affected by temperature fluctuations. Results from the experiments show that strength characteristics of a material are in indirect ratio to accumulation properties of a structure. This conclusion is directly related to porosity of material and additives. During 70 minutes, with outside temperature being below zero, the temperature inside the concrete dropped to an average. As the outside temperature increases significantly to more than zero, the temperature inside the concrete has become below average (continued to decline) in 70 minutes. The more strength of material, the better thermophysical properties. High-strength concrete is less susceptible to temperature fluctuations, therefore more heat-resistant. As mentioned in the paper below, the material has one disadvantage: this is a large cost per cubic meter

Comparison of Thermal Stability of Dry High-strength Concrete and Wet High-strength Concrete

High-strength concrete is a modern material, which occupies it`s own niche on the construction material market. It is applicable in a large-scale high-rise construction, particularly an underground construction is a frequently used solution for a space saving. Usually underground structure is related to a wet usage environment. Though not all properties of the high-strength concrete are investigated to the full extent. Under adverse climatic conditions of the Russian Federation one of the most important properties for constructional materials is a thermal capacity. Therefore, the main purpose of the paper is to compare a thermal capacity of the high-strength concrete in humid conditions and a thermal capacity of the high-strength concrete in dry operational condition. During the study dependency between thermal capacity and design wall thickness and ambient humidity has to be proven with two experiments. As a result the theoretical relation between thermal capacity characteristic – thermal inertia and wall thickness and ambient humidity was confirmed by the experimental data. The thermal capacity of a building is in direct ratio to the construction thickness. It follows from the experiments and calculations that wet high-strength concrete has less thermal stability