Teaching of Asian languages

The article presents the main stages and directions of East education and science establishment and development in Kazan during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. They showed the role of the Kazan Gymnasium in the environment development for the training of experts in Eastern languages and their relevance in the academic environment of Russia during the 18th - 19th centuries. An important reason for the authority of the Kazan school on Oriental studies was the attention to the classical component and the priority of Oriental language practical study. The activities of the First Kazan Men's Gymnasium, opened in 1758, became the most important for the training of oriental personnel for the needs of the Ministry of Education, the Asian Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other Russian educational and scientific centers of the empire. The origins of Russian oriental studies were represented by the educational programs of the First Kazan Gymnasium associated with the Eastern languages, which became the basis for the research and humanistic traditions of Russian Oriental studies.peer-reviewe

An improved gene expression system to generate transgenic arabidopsis thaliana plants harboring a Bacillus ginsengihumi phytase gene

We constructed a new vector system for heterologous gene expression in Arabidopsis thaliana. The construct contains a codon-optimized sequence encoding Bacillus ginsengihumi phytase behind an inducible plant-specific promoter for expression in root epithelial cells. The new vector introduced into the plant A. thaliana by Agrobacterium mediated transformation. We obtained several generations of transgenic A. thaliana plants with integrated Bacillus ginsengihumi phytase gene, as well as with an empty vector as a negative control. We tested several transgenic plants harboring the phyCg construct under the control of phosphate-starvation inducible Pht1;2 promoter and show that the phyCg gene is expressed at the mRNA level. Further characterization of these lines of plants will help us to design an improved transgenic strategy for the development of a root-specific heterologous system for the expression of bacterial phytases in plants

Structural characteristics and catalytic mechanism of Bacillus β-propeller phytases

© 2016, Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.ß-Propeller phytases of Bacillus are unique highly conservative and highly specific enzymes capable of cleaving insoluble phytate compounds. In this review, we analyzed data on the properties of these enzymes, their differences from other phytases, and their unique spatial structures and substrate specificities. We considered influences of different factors on the catalytic activity and thermostability of these enzymes. There are few data on the hydrolysis mechanism of these enzymes, which makes it difficult to analyze their mechanism of action and their final products. We analyzed the available data on hydrolysis by ß-propeller phytases of calcium complexes with myo-inositol hexakisphosphate

Diagnostics of endowments of students of higher education institutionin the field of art and creative activityby means of the Internet resource

The relevance of the problem considered in article is caused by need of tool ensuring identification, development, diagnostics and escort of the gifted youth studying in higher education institution, in various areas of creative activity at different educational steps and stages of personal development.Актуальность проблемы, рассматриваемой в статье, обусловлена необходимостью инструментального обеспечения выявления, развития, диагностики и сопровождения одаренной молодежи, обучающейся в вузе, в различных областях творческой деятельности, на разных образовательных ступенях и этапах личностного развития

Complexes of 1-hexadecyl-4-aza-1-azoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane bromide with transition metal nitrates. Micelle-forming, solubilizing, and adsorption properties

© 2017, Pleiades Publishing, Ltd. Amphiphilic complexes of 1-hexadecyl-4-aza-1-azoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane bromide (D-16) with nitrates of transition metals (La 3+ , Cu 2+ , Ni 2+ , and Co 2+ ) have been synthesized and characterized. Absorption spectrophotometry in the UV, visible, and IR regions, as well as 1 Н NMR spectroscopy, have been employed to study their spectral properties in water and organic media. Adsorption properties and micelleforming and solubilizing abilities of the amphiphilic complexes have been investigated in aqueous solutions by the methods of tensiometry and conductometry, as well as by solubilization of a water-insoluble dye (Orange OT). The values of the critical micelle concentration, adsorption parameters at a water/air interface, and solubilization capacity S of complex micelles have been determined. It has been shown that the most pronounced decrease in the critical micelle concentration (as large as two to three times) and differences in the adsorption characteristics and the S values as compared with those of ligand D-16 are observed for complexes of copper and lanthanum. The S values for these complexes are 1.3−2.5 and 3−6.5 times higher than those for D-16 and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, respectively

Volatile profiling reveals intracellular metabolic changes in Aspergillus parasticus: veA regulates branched chain amino acid and ethanol metabolism

Background: Filamentous fungi in the genus Aspergillus produce a variety of natural products, including aflatoxin, the most potent naturally occurring carcinogen known. Aflatoxin biosynthesis, one of the most highly characterized secondary metabolic pathways, offers a model system to study secondary metabolism in eukaryotes. To control or customize biosynthesis of natural products we must understand how secondary metabolism integrates into the overall cellular metabolic network. By applying a metabolomics approach we analyzed volatile compounds synthesized by Aspergillus parasiticus in an attempt to define the association of secondary metabolism with other metabolic and cellular processes. Results: Volatile compounds were examined using solid phase microextraction - gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. In the wild type strain Aspergillus parasiticus SU-1, the largest group of volatiles included compounds derived from catabolism of branched chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, and valine); we also identified alcohols, esters, aldehydes, and lipid-derived volatiles. The number and quantity of the volatiles produced depended on media composition, time of incubation, and light-dark status. A block in aflatoxin biosynthesis or disruption of the global regulator veA affected the volatile profile. In addition to its multiple functions in secondary metabolism and development, VeA negatively regulated catabolism of branched chain amino acids and synthesis of ethanol at the transcriptional level thus playing a role in controlling carbon flow within the cell. Finally, we demonstrated that volatiles generated by a veA disruption mutant are part of the complex regulatory machinery that mediates the effects of VeA on asexual conidiation and sclerotia formation. Conclusions: 1) Volatile profiling provides a rapid, effective, and powerful approach to identify changes in intracellular metabolic networks in filamentous fungi. 2) VeA coordinates the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites with catabolism of branched chain amino acids, alcohol biosynthesis, and b-oxidation of fatty acids. 3) Intracellular chemical development in A. parasiticus is linked to morphological development. 4) Understanding carbon flow through secondary metabolic pathways and catabolism of branched chain amino acids is essential for controlling and customizing production of natural products

Volatile profiling reveals intracellular metabolic changes in Aspergillus parasiticus: veA regulates branched chain amino acid and ethanol metabolism

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Filamentous fungi in the genus <it>Aspergillus </it>produce a variety of natural products, including aflatoxin, the most potent naturally occurring carcinogen known. Aflatoxin biosynthesis, one of the most highly characterized secondary metabolic pathways, offers a model system to study secondary metabolism in eukaryotes. To control or customize biosynthesis of natural products we must understand how secondary metabolism integrates into the overall cellular metabolic network. By applying a metabolomics approach we analyzed volatile compounds synthesized by <it>Aspergillus parasiticus </it>in an attempt to define the association of secondary metabolism with other metabolic and cellular processes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Volatile compounds were examined using solid phase microextraction - gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. In the wild type strain <it>Aspergillus parasiticus </it>SU-1, the largest group of volatiles included compounds derived from catabolism of branched chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, and valine); we also identified alcohols, esters, aldehydes, and lipid-derived volatiles. The number and quantity of the volatiles produced depended on media composition, time of incubation, and light-dark status. A block in aflatoxin biosynthesis or disruption of the global regulator <it>veA </it>affected the volatile profile. In addition to its multiple functions in secondary metabolism and development, VeA negatively regulated catabolism of branched chain amino acids and synthesis of ethanol at the transcriptional level thus playing a role in controlling carbon flow within the cell. Finally, we demonstrated that volatiles generated by a <it>veA </it>disruption mutant are part of the complex regulatory machinery that mediates the effects of VeA on asexual conidiation and sclerotia formation.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>1) Volatile profiling provides a rapid, effective, and powerful approach to identify changes in intracellular metabolic networks in filamentous fungi. 2) VeA coordinates the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites with catabolism of branched chain amino acids, alcohol biosynthesis, and β-oxidation of fatty acids. 3) Intracellular chemical development in <it>A. parasiticus </it>is linked to morphological development. 4) Understanding carbon flow through secondary metabolic pathways and catabolism of branched chain amino acids is essential for controlling and customizing production of natural products.</p

Novel glucose-1-phosphatase with high phytase activity and unusual metal ion activation from soil bacterium Pantoea sp. strain 3.5.1

© 2015, American Society for Microbiology. Phosphorus is an important macronutrient, but its availability in soil is limited. Many soil microorganisms improve the bioavailability of phosphate by releasing it from various organic compounds, including phytate. To investigate the diversity of phytate-hydrolyzing bacteria in soil, we sampled soils of various ecological habitats, including forest, private homesteads, large agricultural complexes, and urban landscapes. Bacterial isolate Pantoea sp. strain 3.5.1 with the highest level of phytase activity was isolated from forest soil and investigated further. The Pantoea sp. 3.5.1 agpP gene encoding a novel glucose-1-phosphatase with high phytase activity was identified, and the corresponding protein was purified to apparent homogeneity, sequenced by mass spectroscopy, and biochemically characterized. The AgpP enzyme exhibits maximum activity and stability at pH 4.5 and at 37°C. The enzyme belongs to a group of histidine acid phosphatases and has the lowest Km values toward phytate, glucose-6- phosphate, and glucose-1-phosphate. Unexpectedly, stimulation of enzymatic activity by several divalent metal ions was observed for the AgpP enzyme. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and high-performance ion chromatography (HPIC) analyses of phytate hydrolysis products identify DL-myo-inositol 1,2,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate as the final product of the reaction, indicating that the Pantoea sp. AgpP glucose-1-phosphatase can be classified as a 3-phytase. The identification of the Pantoea sp. AgpP phytase and its unusual regulation by metal ions highlight the remarkable diversity of phosphorus metabolism regulation in soil bacteria. Furthermore, our data indicate that natural forest soils harbor rich reservoirs of novel phytate-hydrolyzing enzymes with unique biochemical features

Age-dependent action of reactive oxygen species on transmitter release in mammalian neuromuscular junctions

© 2016 Elsevier Inc.Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are implicated in aging, but the neurobiological mechanisms of ROS action are not fully understood. Using electrophysiological techniques and biochemical assays, we studied the age-dependent effect of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on acetylcholine release in rat diaphragm neuromuscular junctions. H2O2 significantly inhibited both spontaneous (measured as frequency of miniature end-plate potentials) and evoked (amplitude of end-plate potentials) transmitter release in adult rats. The inhibitory effect of H2O2 was much stronger in old rats, whereas in newborns tested during the first postnatal week, H2O2 did not affect spontaneous release from nerve endings and potentiated end-plate potentials. Proteinkinase C activation or intracellular Ca2+ elevation restored redox sensitivity of miniature end-plate potentials in newborns. The resistance of neonates to H2O2 inhibition was associated with higher catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities in skeletal muscle. In contrast, the activities of these enzymes were downregulated in old rats. Our data indicate that the vulnerability of transmitter release to oxidative damage strongly correlates with aging and might be used as an early indicator of senescence

Rationale and design of the open-label, prospective, randomized study of the efficacy of intravenous versus oral iron deficiency therapy in improving left ventricular systolic function in patients with myocardial infarction (OPERA-MI)

Aim. Iron has a protective effect on cardiomyocytes during hypoxia, while iron deficiency (ID) directly affects its function, disrupting mitochondrial respiration, reducing their contractility and relaxation. Some studies have shown that ID is a predictor of adverse outcomes  in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).  However, the impact of ID and its treatment, quality of life and prognosis of patients with ID and myocardial infarction (MI) has not been fully established. The study aim is to determine the effectiveness of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose  (FCM) compared  with oral iron (ferrous sulfate) in relation to left ventricular (LV) systolic function, assessed by echocardiography.Material and methods. This open-label, prospective, randomized study includes 360 patients  with or without ID who were  hospitalized  with acute  myocardial infarction (MI).  Patients with ID will be randomized (1:1) to intravenous FCM and oral ferrous sulfate therapy. Treatment in groups will be started at the time of hospitalization. Patients without ID will form the control group.  The follow-up period for patients will be 1 year. The primary endpoint was a reduction  in LV wall motion score  index (WMSI) in the FCM group compared  to the ferrous sulfate group. The key secondary endpoint is a composite endpoint of cardiovascular death, non-fatal MI and stroke, and hospitalization for decompensated heart failure.Conclusion. The OPERA-MI study will determine the effect  of ID treatment with intravenous FCM compared  with oral ferrous sulfate on WMSI, which reflects LV systolic function