Ethnogenetic Typing of Danube-Dniester Region Settlements

The current stage of development of the Ukrainian state is accompanied by a very unfavorable factor, including. Also started the process of decentralization of power and consolidation of local communities where ethnonational factor not taken into account. We have investigated the peculiarities of the different ethnogenetic type’s settlements between the rivers Danube and the Dniester (modern Ukrainian Danube). We consider the variants of creating joint local communities, taking into account the ethno-national factor, which should minimize the potential for conflict in one of the most multiethnic regions of Ukraine - the south-western part of the Odessa region.&nbsp

The Functional Role of Striatal Cholinergic Interneurons in Reinforcement Learning From Computational Perspective

In this study, we explore the functional role of striatal cholinergic interneurons, hereinafter referred to as tonically active neurons (TANs), via computational modeling; specifically, we investigate the mechanistic relationship between TAN activity and dopamine variations and how changes in this relationship affect reinforcement learning in the striatum. TANs pause their tonic firing activity after excitatory stimuli from thalamic and cortical neurons in response to a sensory event or reward information. During the pause striatal dopamine concentration excursions are observed. However, functional interactions between the TAN pause and striatal dopamine release are poorly understood. Here we propose a TAN activity-dopamine relationship model and demonstrate that the TAN pause is likely a time window to gate phasic dopamine release and dopamine variations reciprocally modulate the TAN pause duration. Furthermore, this model is integrated into our previously published model of reward-based motor adaptation to demonstrate how phasic dopamine release is gated by the TAN pause to deliver reward information for reinforcement learning in a timely manner. We also show how TAN-dopamine interactions are affected by striatal dopamine deficiency to produce poor performance of motor adaptation

The effect of zinc complex of N-isopropenylimidazole on the morphological characteristics of gum tissues in experimental endodontic-periodontal lesions in rats Authors

Introduction: Combined inflammatory and destructive processes affecting the dental pulp and tissues of the periodontal complex are among the most problem diseases of the dental system. Current therapy with use of available pharmacological agents does not always allow achieving the expected positive result. In addition, often the lack of information about morphological processes in the tissues of the dental system, in particular the gums, with endodontic-periodontal lesion (EPL) limits the ability of dentists to carry out targeted pharmacotherapy with both traditional and, in particular, new medications. The aim of the study was to evaluate the morphological characteristics of gum tissues in a therapeutic context of N-isopropenylimidazole zinc complex derivative in experimental endodontic-periodontal lesion in rats. Materials and Methods: A simulation of EPL in rats was performed in two ways: simultaneous induction of acute periodontitis and parodontitis by pulp extraction and natural infection of the pulp cavity, as well as by ligation of the necks of lower incisors. The research protocols included 5 groups of animals: 1st – intact group (control-1); 2nd – animals with simulated EPL (control-2); 3rd – animals with simulated EPL and treated with Metrogyl Denta® gel (M-D); 4th – animals with simulated EPL and treated with N–isopropenylimidazole zinc complex derivative gel under the laboratory code Pilim-1; and 5th – animals with simulated EPL and treated with the combination of M-D + Pilim-1. The gum of the lower incisors was taken for morphological studies. Slides were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Computer morphometry was performed using the ImageJ software. Results and Discussion: The substances M-D, Pilim-1 and, especially, the combination of M-D+Pilim-1 (against the background of chlorhexidine bigluconate used as oral rinse) for 14 days in rats with simulated EPL cause a significant improvement of the morphological structure of the gum with minimal residual dystrophy and sclerosis. The combination M-D + Pilim-1 led to a 1.3-time increase in epithelial thickness, and a 1.5-time decrease in acanthosis depth in comparison with M-D, while the number of capillaries and their diameter had no significant differences. Compared with Pilim-1, the epithelial thickness increased 1.5 times, and the acanthosis depth and the number of capillaries decreased 1.6 and 1.4 times, respectively, whereas the diameter of the capillaries did not change significantly. The pronounced protective effect of the combination M-D + Pilim-1 on the morphological structure of the gingival mucosa of rats with simulated EPL may be associated with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, regenerating, angioprotective and antioxidant properties of both M-D and Pilim-1 separately, and, possibly to a greater extent, of the combination M-D + Pilim-1. Conclusion: The substances M-D, Pilim-1 and, especially, the combination M-D + Pilim-1 (against the background of chlorhexidine bigluconate used as oral rinse) for 14 days in rats with simulated EPL have a protective effect on the epithelial structure and the connective tissue of the proper mucous plate, manifested in active normalization of pathological changes and significant restoration of their organotypic structure

A chemical survey of exoplanets with ARIEL

Thousands of exoplanets have now been discovered with a huge range of masses, sizes and orbits: from rocky Earth-like planets to large gas giants grazing the surface of their host star. However, the essential nature of these exoplanets remains largely mysterious: there is no known, discernible pattern linking the presence, size, or orbital parameters of a planet to the nature of its parent star. We have little idea whether the chemistry of a planet is linked to its formation environment, or whether the type of host star drives the physics and chemistry of the planet’s birth, and evolution. ARIEL was conceived to observe a large number (~1000) of transiting planets for statistical understanding, including gas giants, Neptunes, super-Earths and Earth-size planets around a range of host star types using transit spectroscopy in the 1.25–7.8 μm spectral range and multiple narrow-band photometry in the optical. ARIEL will focus on warm and hot planets to take advantage of their well-mixed atmospheres which should show minimal condensation and sequestration of high-Z materials compared to their colder Solar System siblings. Said warm and hot atmospheres are expected to be more representative of the planetary bulk composition. Observations of these warm/hot exoplanets, and in particular of their elemental composition (especially C, O, N, S, Si), will allow the understanding of the early stages of planetary and atmospheric formation during the nebular phase and the following few million years. ARIEL will thus provide a representative picture of the chemical nature of the exoplanets and relate this directly to the type and chemical environment of the host star. ARIEL is designed as a dedicated survey mission for combined-light spectroscopy, capable of observing a large and well-defined planet sample within its 4-year mission lifetime. Transit, eclipse and phase-curve spectroscopy methods, whereby the signal from the star and planet are differentiated using knowledge of the planetary ephemerides, allow us to measure atmospheric signals from the planet at levels of 10–100 part per million (ppm) relative to the star and, given the bright nature of targets, also allows more sophisticated techniques, such as eclipse mapping, to give a deeper insight into the nature of the atmosphere. These types of observations require a stable payload and satellite platform with broad, instantaneous wavelength coverage to detect many molecular species, probe the thermal structure, identify clouds and monitor the stellar activity. The wavelength range proposed covers all the expected major atmospheric gases from e.g. H2O, CO2, CH4 NH3, HCN, H2S through to the more exotic metallic compounds, such as TiO, VO, and condensed species. Simulations of ARIEL performance in conducting exoplanet surveys have been performed – using conservative estimates of mission performance and a full model of all significant noise sources in the measurement – using a list of potential ARIEL targets that incorporates the latest available exoplanet statistics. The conclusion at the end of the Phase A study, is that ARIEL – in line with the stated mission objectives – will be able to observe about 1000 exoplanets depending on the details of the adopted survey strategy, thus confirming the feasibility of the main science objectives.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

ОСОБЕННОСТИ ПАТОМОРФОЗА ПРИ СОНОДИНАМИЧЕСКОЙ ХИМИОТЕРАПИИ НА ЭТАПАХ ЛУЧЕВОГО ЛЕЧЕНИЯ РАКА СЛИЗИСТОЙ ОБОЛОЧКИ ПОЛОСТИ РТА

Abstract.Morphological response of the tumor was investigated after sonodynamic chemotherapy during distal gamma-therapy (DGT) in patients with cancer of the oral cavity. Sixty-one patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (n=31) received DGT and local ultrasound treatment (0,88 MHz±0,33% and I=1,0Вm/cm2) with 5 mg of platidiam  and group 2 (n=30) received only DGT. Biopsies were investigated by standard morphological and immunohistochemical analysis after achieving total dose of radiation 40 Gy. In the main group the mass of stroma increased 1,9 times after starting of treatment and 1,6 times in comparison with the control group, mitotic activity of the cells decreased 3,9 and 1,9 times respectively, and index of parenchymal damage was 2,4 times higher in the main group than in the control. There was fibrosis and focuses of cells with “cells – shadows” with dystrophic changes of the nucleus and cytoplasma.There was a high index of Ki-67 proliferating activity (60-75%) and high apoptotic index (50-65%) of all cell layers.  The rate of Ki-67 and gene p53 decreased 1,3 and 1,5 times respectively after treatment. In specimens of the main group basal layer cells expressed Ki-67 and p53 in 10-15% of area and didn’t differ from normal values. The rate of KI-67 and expression of p53 gene decreased 7.1 and 6.5 after treatment. Sonodynamic chemotherapy contributes to the suppression of the biological aggressiveness of the tumor, provides a much more pronounced antitumor effect compared to the effect of ionizing radiation alone.Исследовали  морфологический  ответ опухоли на воздействие,  включающее проведение  сонодинамической химиотерапии при дистанционной гамматерапии (ДГТ) рака  слизистой  оболочки  полости  рта (РСПР). 61 больной РПСР были разделены  на основную (31 больному  при ДГТ проводилась   локально  на очаг  опухоли 5 мг платидиама  с помощью  ультразвукового  воздействия  частотой  0,88 МГц±0,33%, и I=1,0Вm/см2) и контрольную (30 больным, сопоставимым по клиническим параметрам,  проводилась  только аналогичная ДГТ) группы. До лечения и после планового перерыва на дозе 40 Гр исследовались  биоптаты опухолей по стандартным морфологическим и иммуногистохимическим методикам. В основной группе доля стромы опухоли увеличилась в 1,9 раз, чем до лечения и в 1,6 раз против контроля, митотическая активность клеток снизилась  в 3,9 и 1,9 раз соответственно, а индекс повреждения паренхимы был выше в 2,4 раза чем в контрольной. Определялся  выраженный фиброз,  наблюдались фокусы клеток, представленные  «клетками — тенями», с выраженными дистрофическими изменениями ядра и цитоплазмыВ контрольной группе было отмечено  сохранение  высокого индекса  пролиферации  Ki-67 (60–75%)  и высокий апоптотический индекс (50–65%)  всех клеточных слоев опухоли. Уровень маркера  Ki-67 и экспрессия мутагенного гена р53 по сравнению с исходными данными снизилась лишь в 1,3 и в 1,5 раз соответственно. В образцах опухоли основной группы клетки базального слоя плоского эпителия вокруг опухоли экспрессировали  Ki-67, p53 в 10–15%  площади и не отличались от нормальных показателей. Уровень маркера  Ki-67 и экспрессия мутагенного гена р53 по сравнению с исходными данными снизились в 7,1 и 6,5 раз соответственно. Таким образом,  сонодинамическая химиотерапия способствует подавлению биологической агрессивности опухоли, обеспечивает существенно более выраженный противоопухолевый эффект по сравнению с действием только ионизирующего излучения

The Memory Politics of Becoming European: The East European Subalterns and the Collective Memory of Europe

The situation in collective memory studies that share a nexus with the discipline of International Relations (IR) is currently reflective of the traditionally West-centric writing of European history. This order of things has become increasingly challenged after the eastern enlargement of the European Union (EU). This article examines Poland’s and the Baltics’ recent attempts to enlarge the mnemonic vision of ‘the united Europe’ by placing their ‘subaltern pasts’ in contest with the conventionally Western European-bent understanding of the consequences of World War II in Europe. I argue that their endeavours to wrench the ‘European mnemonical map’ apart in order to become more congruent with the different historical experiences within the enlarged EU encapsulate the curious trademark of Polish and Baltic post-Cold War politics of becoming European: their combination of simultaneously seeking recognition from and resisting the hegemonic ‘core European’ narrative of what ‘Europe’ is all about

26th Annual Computational Neuroscience Meeting (CNS*2017): Part 3 - Meeting Abstracts - Antwerp, Belgium. 15–20 July 2017

This work was produced as part of the activities of FAPESP Research,\ud Disseminations and Innovation Center for Neuromathematics (grant\ud 2013/07699-0, S. Paulo Research Foundation). NLK is supported by a\ud FAPESP postdoctoral fellowship (grant 2016/03855-5). ACR is partially\ud supported by a CNPq fellowship (grant 306251/2014-0)