Influence of exogenous melatonin on the oxidative status and the state of peroxidation of proteins in a rat model of alimentary obesity

Not only lipids, but also proteins are exposed to the action of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Oxidative modification of proteins (PBS) leads to a change in their native conformation with the formation of large aggregates, it causes inactivation of enzymes, disrupts the metabolism and functioning of cells. In addition, there is a growing interest in studying the hormone of the pineal gland called melatonin, as well as its synthetic analogues as the leading protection factors in the oxidative stress conditioned by disturbed physiological rhythms, including obesity. The peculiarities of protein peroxidation in the case of alimentary obesity, as well as the conditions affecting to this process, in contrast to lipid peroxidation (LPO), have not been studied sufficiently, that has determined the purpose of this study. Aim. To evaluate the effect of exogenous melatonin on the oxidative status and features of PBS in rats with alimentary obesity. Methods. The study was conducted on 27 white Wistar male rats with body weight 160–180 grams. Animals were divided into 3 series of 9 rats in each: 1 series – intact animals; 2 series – animals with alimentary obesity, followed by the introduction of 0,9% sodium chloride solution in a volume of 2 ml for 12 days; 3 series – animals with alimentary obesity followed by melatonin administration at a dose of 2 mg / kg rats for 12 days. Alimentary obesity was reproduced by feeding animals with high-calorie carbohydrate-fatty food, consisting of a laboratory feed "Assortment Agro" (42.5%), butter (25%) and sweet condensed milk (32.5%) for seven weeks. The maximum physical working capacity and resistance of rats to severe hypobaric hypoxia were determined. PBS was determined by the method of R. Levine in the modification of E.E. Dubinina. In addition, the lipid peroxidation marker – TBA-reactive products (malonic dialdehyde MDA) was determined. Results. It has been established that the PBS in alimentary obesity is not specific, it is reflected in the increase in the areas of absorption of light from both the visible and ultraviolet of aldehyde and ketondinitrophenylhydrazones. In parallel with this, there was a marked increase in the concentration of TBA-reactive products in the blood serum in this pathology, as well as a significant decrease in the resistance of rats to hypobaric hypoxic hypoxia and maximum physical activity. The daily administration of a 2 mg/kg melatonin suspension to rats with alimentary obesity for 12 days leads to a significant decrease in the concentration of TBA-reactive products, however, the PBS is not significantly affected. Conclusion. Alimentary obesity in rats, simulated by the maintenance of animals on a high-calorie carbohydrate-fat diet, leads to an increase in the proportion of visceral fat in the body, an increase in the activity of PBS in the form of an increase in the level of carbonyl derivatives, a significant increase in the concentration of MDA, and a significant decrease in the stability of rats to hypobaric hypoxic hypoxia and maximum physical activity. When a melatonin suspension was administered at a dose of 2 mg/kg for 12 days, a stable high level of carbonyl derivatives was observed, in comparison with the intact series, which was explained by the need to use a greater concentration of the drug to increase its exposure time, which requires further study

Computational pan-genomics: Status, promises and challenges

Many disciplines, from human genetics and oncology to plant breeding, microbiology and virology, commonly face the challenge of analyzing rapidly increasing numbers of genomes. In case of Homo sapiens, the number of sequenced genomes will approach hundreds of thousands in the next few years. Simply scaling up established bioinformatics pipelines will not be sufficient for leveraging the full potential of such rich genomic data sets. Instead, novel, qualitatively different Computational methods and paradigms are needed.We will witness the rapid extension of Computational pan-genomics, a new sub-area of research in Computational biology. In this article, we generalize existing definitions and understand a pangenome as any collection of genomic sequences to be analyzed jointly or to be used as a reference. We examine already available approaches to construct and use pan-genomes, discuss the potential benefits of future technologies and methodologies and review open challenges from the vantage point of the above-mentioned biological disciplines. As a prominent example for a Computational paradigm shift, we particularly highlight the transition from the representation of reference genomes as strings to representations

Transition metals in the process of complexation with organic ligands containing heteroatoms in the structure

The synthesis and research of copper subgroup metal complexes with organic ligands, which have several heteroatoms in their structure, is highly perceptive. Since the resulting complex compounds differ in physical and chemical properties from the original organic compounds they will have a set of new characteristics of practical significance. In this study, 2-mercaptonicotinic acid and 2-mercapto-4(3H)-quinazolinone were used. During the research, complex compounds of metals of the copper subgroup were obtained from aqueous and wateralcohol solutions. The resulting compounds represent colored powder-like materials. The coordination of the organic reagent to metal ions was established by instrumental methods of analysis. The effect of the introduced reagent (alkali, ammonia) on the coordination of the organic reagent was investigated

p-Donors microstructuring on surface of polymer film by their noncovalent interactions with iodine

Noncovalent (charge transfer) interaction between perylene and iodine in polycarbonate film provides formation of microstructured perylene layer on the polymer surface upon exposure of polymer film which contains dissolved perylene to solvent þ iodine vapors. The prepared bilayer film possesses a sensing effect to iodine vapors which can be observed by both fluorescence and electrical conductivity changes. Similar bilayer films have been prepared also with anthracene and phenothiazine as p-donors with use of different polymer matrixes. Interaction of iodine with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) has also been studied by the M06-2x DFT calculations for better understanding of phenomenon of p-donors microstructuring on surface of polymer film.This work was funded by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR), grant N 11-03-93984-INIS_ as well as the Spanish Direccion General de Investigacion (DGI) (project POMAs, CTQ2010-19501/BQU), the Generalitat de Catalunya(2009SGR00516). Authors thank CIBER-BBN, an initiative funded by the VI National R&D&i Plan 2008e2011, Iniciativa Ingenio 2010, Consolider Program, CIBER Actions and financed by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III with assistance from the European Regional Development Fund.Peer reviewe

Development of a Criteria­based Approach to Agroecological Assessment of Slope Agrolandscapes

For the forecast and management of erosion processes in order to protect the environment, information is needed on the state of its components and impact factors as well as the results of this impact. The existing methods for assessing the catchment area are mainly descriptive and cannot be used in mathematical prediction problems. The most accurate formulation of the problem of quantitative assessment of the catchment area is carried out during hydrological calculations. It seems expedient to develop theoretical prerequisites for agroecological assessment of slope agrolandscapes on the stability of a network of temporary watercourses by using the Lokhtin criterion.Slope agrolandscapes are erosive dangerous objects. The existence of a continuously changing system of microstreams generated by precipitation on slopes greatly complicates the situation. Criteria are proposed to determine the main trends in the development of watercourses of river systems by washing away or depositing soil. Conclusions about the catchment area as a whole can be obtained by examining a certain area of a microstream flow for a long time and comparing field observations with laboratory experiments. To determine the sustainability of a watercourse, a theoretically reasonable value has been proposed, which allows quantifying the network of temporary streams. When conducting research, data on the catchment area of the Tsivil river (Chuvash Republic, Russia) from 1950 to 2010 were used.A quantitative assessment of the erosion resistance of the microstream system was carried out both for periods of snowmelt and for rains, conventionally divided into summer and autumn. The theoretical background considered is confirmed by the data of long­term observations on the Great Tsivil river for sixty years. The dependences obtained make it possible to compile an adequate forecast of the direction of evolution of the catchment area in relation to the processes of soil deposition or its washing out. The criteria developed are applicable both to a specific catchment area of microstreams and to the catchment area of a river system as a whol