A model of second language learning by means of developing the prognostic component of thinking

© Medwell Journals, 2015. The study discusses the development of students' prognostic component of thinking in foreign language learning and the issue of bilingualism and multilingualism in multicultural education. The researcher suggests a model of foreign language learning based on the development of prognostic abilities by identifying its structural and processional characteristics. The model can be used in university education to improve the effectiveness of learning. According to the analysis of speech and thinking activities conducted in bilingual environment, successful foreign language learning of undergraduates depends on the level of the development of their thinking prognostic component. A comparison of prognostic abilities in students with different levels of foreign language skills demonstrates that errors of probabilistic prognosis in speech are manifested in the course of constructing speech utterances and may cause inadequacy of a communicative situation. A high level of communicative anticipation development involves the ability to understand and evaluate the behavior of other people, predict their utterances and be ready to respond multi-variably, choosing the most productive way of interaction. A comparative analysis shows that successful second language learning requires a high level of prognostic abilities

Peculiarities of person's speech and thought activity in the context of multicultural education

The article discusses the necessity to develop organizational and pedagogical conditions of optimizing speech and thought activity taking into account individual speech experience of students. It also displays the problem of bilingualism and multilingualism in the context of multicultural education. The aim of the research is to identify peculiarities of the person's speech and thought activity in the context of bilingualism. The analysis of students' speech and thought activity demonstrates that the level of the speech and thought activity is connected with the bilingualism type and prediction component of thought. The latest is peeped in the ability to make a lingual guess, assess the linguistic probability of the word appearance and is based on the full analysis of cause-and-effect relations and the flexibility of thought while making speech assumptions. It has been determined that high level of prediction abilities is necessary for successful development of the person's speech activity. The necessity to develop students' speech and thought activity in the context of bilingualism within the educational process of higher school has been proved. © IDOSI Publications, 2014

MENTAL DEVELOPMENT OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN IN GAMING ACTIVITY IN THE CONDITIONS OF VARIABILITY OF EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENTS

The conditions for the formation and development of play activities in the system of preschool education are analyzed, the degree of popularity and features of play activity in preschool institutions are determined. The purpose of the study is to study the developing potential of educational environments and the impact of the game on the mental development of a child in the modern educational space. The results of dispersion and correlation analysis are presented, according to which the quality of education of preschoolers depends on certain indicators of the professional skills of teachers that affect the development of the child’s play activity.Анализируются условия формирования и развития игровой деятельности в системе дошкольного образования, определяется степень популярности и особенности игровой деятельности в детских дошкольных учреждениях. Цель исследования — изучить развивающий потенциал образовательных сред и влияние игры на психическое развитие ребенка в современном образовательном пространстве. Представлены результаты дисперсионного и корреляционного анализа, согласно которым качество образования дошкольников зависит от определенных показателей профессионального мастерства педагогов, влияющих на развитие игровой деятельности ребенка

Small-molecule inhibitors of phosphatidylcholine transfer protein/StarD2 identified by high-throughput screening

Phosphatidylcholine transfer protein (PC–TP, also referred to as StarD2) is a highly specific intracellular lipid-binding protein that catalyzes the transfer of phosphatidylcholines between membranes in vitro. Recent studies have suggested that PC–TP in vivo functions to regulate fatty acid and glucose metabolism, possibly via interactions with selected other proteins. To begin to address the relationship between activity in vitro and biological function, we undertook a high-throughput screen to identify small-molecule inhibitors of the phosphatidylcholine transfer activity of PC–TP. After adapting a fluorescence quench assay to measure phosphatidylcholine transfer activity, we screened 114,752 compounds of a small-molecule library. The high-throughput screen identified 14 potential PC–TP inhibitors. Of these, 6 compounds exhibited characteristics consistent with specific inhibition of PC–TP activity, with IC50 values that ranged from 4.1 to 95.0 ?M under conditions of the in vitro assay. These compounds should serve as valuable reagents to elucidate the biological function of PC–TP. Because mice with homozygous disruption of the PC–TP gene (Pctp) are sensitized to insulin action and relatively resistant to the development of atherosclerosis, these inhibitors may also prove to be of value in the management of diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases

Genetic ablation or chemical inhibition of phosphatidylcholine transfer protein attenuates diet?induced hepatic glucose production†‡

 Phosphatidylcholine transfer protein (PC?TP, synonym StARD2) is a highly specific intracellular lipid binding protein that is enriched in liver. Coding region polymorphisms in both humans and mice appear to confer protection against measures of insulin resistance. The current study was designed to test the hypotheses that Pctp?/? mice are protected against diet?induced increases in hepatic glucose production and that small molecule inhibition of PC?TP recapitulates this phenotype. Pctp?/? and wildtype mice were subjected to high?fat feeding and rates of hepatic glucose production and glucose clearance were quantified by hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp studies and pyruvate tolerance tests. These studies revealed that high?fat diet?induced increases in hepatic glucose production were markedly attenuated in Pctp?/? mice. Small molecule inhibitors of PC?TP were synthesized and their potencies, as well as mechanism of inhibition, were characterized in vitro. An optimized inhibitor was administered to high?fat?fed mice and used to explore effects on insulin signaling in cell culture systems. Small molecule inhibitors bound PC?TP, displaced phosphatidylcholines from the lipid binding site, and increased the thermal stability of the protein. Administration of the optimized inhibitor to wildtype mice attenuated hepatic glucose production associated with high?fat feeding, but had no activity in Pctp?/? mice. Indicative of a mechanism for reducing glucose intolerance that is distinct from commonly utilized insulin?sensitizing agents, the inhibitor promoted insulin?independent phosphorylation of key insulin signaling molecules. Conclusion: These findings suggest PC?TP inhibition as a novel therapeutic strategy in the management of hepatic insulin resistance

Structural Elucidation of Cisoid and Transoid Cyclization Pathways of a Sesquiterpene Synthase Using 2-Fluorofarnesyl Diphosphates

Sesquiterpene skeletal complexity in nature originates from the enzyme-catalyzed ionization of (trans,trans)-farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) (1a) and subsequent cyclization along either 2,3-transoid or 2,3-cisoid farnesyl cation pathways. Tobacco 5-epi-aristolochene synthase (TEAS), a transoid synthase, produces cisoid products as a component of its minor product spectrum. To investigate the cryptic cisoid cyclization pathway in TEAS, we employed (cis,trans)-FPP (1b) as an alternative substrate. Strikingly, TEAS was catalytically robust in the enzymatic conversion of (cis,trans)-FPP (1b) to exclusively (≥99.5%) cisoid products. Further, crystallographic characterization of wild-type TEAS and a catalytically promiscuous mutant (M4 TEAS) with 2-fluoro analogues of both all-trans FPP (1a) and (cis,trans)-FPP (1b) revealed binding modes consistent with preorganization of the farnesyl chain. These results provide a structural glimpse into both cisoid and transoid cyclization pathways efficiently templated by a single enzyme active site, consistent with the recently elucidated stereochemistry of the cisoid products. Further, computational studies using density functional theory calculations reveal concerted, highly asynchronous cyclization pathways leading to the major cisoid cyclization products. The implications of these discoveries for expanded sesquiterpene diversity in nature are discussed

Expression, Purification and Characterization of Arginase from Helicobacter pylori in Its Apo Form

Arginase, a manganese-dependent enzyme that widely distributed in almost all creatures, is a urea cycle enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of L-arginine to generate L-ornithine and urea. Compared with the well-studied arginases from animals and yeast, only a few eubacterial arginases have been characterized, such as those from H. pylori and B. anthracis. However, these enzymes used for arginase activity assay were all expressed with LB medium, as low concentration of Mn2+ was detectable in the medium, protein obtained were partially Mn2+ bonded, which may affect the results of arginase activity assay. In the present study, H. pylori arginase (RocF) was expressed in a Mn2+ and Co2+ free minimal medium, the resulting protein was purified through affinity and gel filtration chromatography and the apo-form of RocF was confirmed by flame photometry analysis. Gel filtration indicates that the enzyme exists as monomer in solution, which was unique as compared with homologous enzymes. Arginase activity assay revealed that apo-RocF had an acidic pH optimum of 6.4 and exhibited metal preference of Co2+>Ni2+>Mn2+. We also confirmed that heat-activation and reducing regents have significant impact on arginase activity of RocF, and inhibits S-(2-boronoethyl)-L-Cysteine (BEC) and Nω-hydroxy-nor-Arginine (nor-NOHA) inhibit the activity of RocF in a dose-dependent manner

Fusicoccin Counteracts the Toxic Effect of Cadmium on the Growth of Maize Coleoptile Segments

The effects of cadmium (Cd; 0.1–1000 μM) and fusicoccin (FC) on growth, Cd2+ content, and membrane potential (Em) in maize coleoptile segments were studied. In addition, the Em changes and accumulation of Cd and calcium (Ca) in coleoptile segments treated with Cd2+ combined with 1 μM FC or 30 mM tetraethylammonium (TEA) chloride (K+-channel blocker) were also determined. In this study, the effects of Ca2+-channel blockers [lanthanum (La) and verapamil (Ver)] on growth and content of Cd2+ and Ca2+ in coleoptile segments were also investigated. It was found that Cd at high concentrations (100 and 1000 μM) significantly inhibited endogenous growth of coleoptile segments and simultaneously measured proton extrusion. FC combined with Cd2+ counteracted the toxic effect of Cd2+ on endogenous growth and significantly decreased Cd2+ content (not the case for Cd2+ at the highest concentration) in coleoptile segments. Addition of Cd to the control medium caused depolarization of Em, the extent of which was dependent on Cd concentration and time of treatment with Cd2+. Hyperpolarization of Em induced by FC was suppressed in the presence of Cd2+ at 1000 μM but not Cd2+ at 100 μM. It was also found that treatment of maize coleoptile segments with 30 mM TEA chloride caused hyperpolarization of Em and decreased Cd2+ content in coleoptile segments, suggesting that, in the same way as for FC, accumulation of Cd2+ was dependent on plasma membrane (PM) hyperpolarization. Similar to FC, TEA chloride also decreased Ca2+ content in coleoptile segments. La and Ver combined with Cd2+ (100 μM) significantly decreased Cd content in maize coleoptile segments, but only La completely abolished the toxic effect of Cd2+ on endogenous growth and growth in the presence of FC. Taken together, these results suggest that the mechanism by which FC counteracts the toxic effect of Cd2+ (except at 1000 μM Cd2+) on the growth of maize coleoptile segments involves both stimulation of PM H+-ATPase activity by FC as well as Cd2+-permeable, voltage-dependent Ca channels, which are blocked by FC and TEA chloride-induced PM hyperpolarization

Эффективность мультипараметрического ультразвукового исследования с применением компрессионной эласто-графии в ранней диагностике образований молочной железы

Modern ultrasound examination (US), unlike other modalities, allows to assess the stiffness of the lesions, with the help of a new technology named sonoelastography (SEG). According to many scientific studies, with the addition of SEG to the B-mode, the diagnostic efficiency of ultrasound of breast lesions significantly increases. According to Thomas et al. B-mode has a sensitivity of 91,8% and a specificity of 78%. When a compression SEG is added to a diagnostic study, the specificity increases to 91,5%.The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic effectiveness of SEG and compare it with the effectiveness of B-mode and color Doppler mapping (CDC) in the primary diagnosis of breast tumors, as well as to identify diagnostically and statistically significant SEG signs of breast cancer (ВС).Materials and methods. The study was performed from 2017 to 2019 on the basis of the «NMRC Oncology. named after N. N. Petrov» Ministry of Health of Russia. 277 women with complaints of lump or pain in the breast were included in the study, for all of them there was performed the multiparametric ultrasound examination with application of CDM and SEG. According to our own results, SEG is more effective at detection of malignant and benign lesions, than ultrasoumd examination in B and CDM modes.Results: 0, 1, 2, 3 elastotypes are the highly significant diagnostic signs of benign process, and the elastotype 5 is a reliable diagnostic marker of malignant process. The effectiveness of CDM and SEG in the differential diagnosis of breast lesions showed: sensitivity — 77,6% vs. 85,5%; specificity — 51,7% vs. 84,6%; accuracy — 58,8% vs. 84,8%.Conclusions: according to our own research results, SEG is more effective in detecting malignant and benign tumors than ultrasound in B and CDM modes.Введение. Современное ультразвуковое исследование (УЗИ) в отличие от других модальностей позволяет оценивать жесткость патологического очага с помощью новой технологии — соноэластографии (СЭГ). Согласно многим научным исследованиям при добавлении СЭГ к серошкальному В-режиму значимо повышается диагностическая эффективность УЗИ образований молочной железы. По данным А. Thomas и соавт. В-режим имеет чувствительность 91,8% и специфичность 78%. При добавлении к диагностическому исследованию компрессионной СЭГ специфичность увеличивается до 91,5%.Целью и задачей данного исследования явилось определение диагностической эффективности СЭГ и сравнение с эффективностью В-режима и цветового допплеровского картирования (ЦДК) в первичной диагностике образований молочной железы, а также выявление диагностически и статистически значимых СЭГ признаков рака молочной железы (РМЖ).Материалы и методы. Исследование проводилось с 2017 по 2019 г. на базе ФГБУ «НМИЦ онкологии им. Н. Н. Петрова» МЗ РФ. В исследование были включены 277 женщин с жалобами на образование или болезненные ощущения в молочных железах, всем им выполнялось мультипараметрическое УЗИ с применением ЦДК и СЭГ.Результаты исследования: к высокозначимым диагностическим признакам доброкачественного процесса относятся 0, 1, 2, 3 эластотипы, а 5 эластотип является достоверным диагностическим маркером злокачественного. Эффективность ЦДК и СЭГ в дифференциальной диагностике образований молочной железы показала: чувствительность — 77,6% против 85,5%; специфичность — 51,7% против 84,6%; точность — 58,8% против 84,8%.Выводы: согласно собственным результатам исследования, СЭГ более эффективна в диагностике злокачественных и доброкачественных образований, чем ультразвуковые В- и ЦДК-режимы