Singlet molecular oxygen-quenching activity of carotenoids: relevance to protection of the skin from photoaging

Carotenoids are known to be potent quenchers of singlet molecular oxygen [O2 (1Δg)]. Solar light-induced photooxidative stress causes skin photoaging by accelerating the generation of reactive oxygen species via photodynamic actions in which O2 (1Δg) can be generated by energy transfer from excited sensitizers. Thus, dietary carotenoids seem to participate in the prevention of photooxidative stress by accumulating as antioxidants in the skin. An in vivo study using hairless mice clarified that a O2 (1Δg) oxygenation-specific peroxidation product of cholesterol, cholesterol 5α-hydroperoxide, accumulates in skin lipids due to ultraviolet-A exposure. Matrix metalloproteinase-9, a metalloproteinase family enzyme responsible for the formation of wrinkles and sagging, was enhanced in the skin of ultraviolet-A -irradiated hairless mice. The activation of metalloproteinase-9 and the accumulation of 5α-hydroperoxide, as well as formation of wrinkles and sagging, were lowered in mice fed a β-carotene diet. These results strongly suggest that dietary β-carotene prevents the expression of metalloproteinase-9 (at least in part), by inhibiting the photodynamic action involving the formation of 5α-hydroperoxide in the skin. Intake of β-Carotene therefore appears to be helpful in slowing down ultraviolet-A -induced photoaging in human skin by acting as a O2 (1Δg) quencher

A sugar beet chlorophyll a/b binding protein promoter void of G-box like elements confers strong and leaf specific reporter gene expression in transgenic sugar beet

BACKGROUND: Modification of leaf traits in sugar beet requires a strong leaf specific promoter. With such a promoter, expression in taproots can be avoided which may otherwise take away available energy resources for sugar accumulation. RESULTS: Suppression Subtractive Hybridization (SSH) was utilized to generate an enriched and equalized cDNA library for leaf expressed genes from sugar beet. Fourteen cDNA fragments corresponding to thirteen different genes were isolated. Northern blot analysis indicates the desired tissue specificity of these genes. The promoters for two chlorophyll a/b binding protein genes (Bvcab11 and Bvcab12) were isolated, linked to reporter genes, and transformed into sugar beet using promoter reporter gene fusions. Transient and transgenic analysis indicate that both promoters direct leaf specific gene expression. A bioinformatic analysis revealed that the Bvcab11 promoter is void of G-box like regulatory elements with a palindromic ACGT core sequence. The data indicate that the presence of a G-box element is not a prerequisite for leaf specific and light induced gene expression in sugar beet. CONCLUSIONS: This work shows that SSH can be successfully employed for the identification and subsequent isolation of tissue specific sugar beet promoters. These promoters are shown to drive strong leaf specific gene expression in transgenic sugar beet. The application of these promoters for expressing resistance improving genes against foliar diseases is discussed

Rankings as a comprehensive model to assess innovation and investment development of mesolevel economic systems (case of Tomsk region)

Актуальность определяется растущим интересом зарубежных и отечественных исследователей и практиков к рейтингам как комплексному методу оценки инновационно‐инвестиционого развития регионов. При этом нет единства мнений по методикам формирования рейтингов, отбора показателей и методов расчета. Цель работы: исследование и анализ рейтингов как модели комплексной оценки инновационного и инвестиционного развития экономических систем мезоуровня. Методы исследования: методы сравнительного, логического анализа, анализ и синтез, системный подход. Результаты. Представлен сравни‐ тельный анализ российских инновационно‐инвестиционных рейтингов; рассмотрены методики их составления и используемые системы показателей. Сформулированы ограничения рейтинга как модели комплексной оценки в целом, дана характеристика каждого отдельного рейтинга. В качестве примеров приведены позиции регионов Сибирского федерального округа в пяти российских рейтингах.The relevance of the topic is determined by the growing interest of foreign and domestic researchers and practitioners in ratings as a comprehensive method for assessing the innovative and investment development of the regions. At the same time there is no unity of opinion on the methods of rating formation, selection of indicators and calculation methods. The aim of the study is to research and analyze ratings as a model for integrated assessment of innovation and investment development of meso‐level economic systems. Methods of research: methods of comparative, logical analysis, analysis and synthesis, systematic approach. Results. The paper introduces the comparative analysis of Russian innovation and investment ratings, considers the methods of their compilation and the system of indicators. The rating constraints are formulated as a model of integrated assessment in general, and the characteristics of each individual rating are given. The authors give the positions of the regions of the Siberian Federal District in five Russian rankings as an example

Directions of myth research in video games

This article is devoted to the identification of the main trends of myth research in video games. We have considered various approaches to defining the essence of myth. We suggest understanding myth as an inherent feature of the human consciousness that allows creating primary life meanings of an individual that are not questioned. There are two types of mythological reality construction that we distinguish here: mythmaking and mythodesign. We also suggest the following directions of myth research in video games: the study of mythodesign in video games; the analysis of archetypes usage, mythologems, mythological images, symbols and plots in video games; the study of mythological narrative construction features in video games; identification and analysis of mythological ideas shared by gaming communities and subcultures