Systematic and Evolutionary Insights Derived from mtDNA COI Barcode Diversity in the Decapoda (Crustacea: Malacostraca)

Background: Decapods are the most recognizable of all crustaceans and comprise a dominant group of benthic invertebrates of the continental shelf and slope, including many species of economic importance. Of the 17635 morphologically described Decapoda species, only 5.4% are represented by COI barcode region sequences. It therefore remains a challenge to compile regional databases that identify and analyse the extent and patterns of decapod diversity throughout the world. Methodology/Principal Findings: We contributed 101 decapod species from the North East Atlantic, the Gulf of Cadiz and the Mediterranean Sea, of which 81 species represent novel COI records. Within the newly-generated dataset, 3.6% of the species barcodes conflicted with the assigned morphological taxonomic identification, highlighting both the apparent taxonomic ambiguity among certain groups, and the need for an accelerated and independent taxonomic approach. Using the combined COI barcode projects from the Barcode of Life Database, we provide the most comprehensive COI data set so far examined for the Order (1572 sequences of 528 species, 213 genera, and 67 families). Patterns within families show a general predicted molecular hierarchy, but the scale of divergence at each taxonomic level appears to vary extensively between families. The range values of mean K2P distance observed were: within species 0.285% to 1.375%, within genus 6.376% to 20.924% and within family 11.392% to 25.617%. Nucleotide composition varied greatly across decapods, ranging from 30.8 % to 49.4 % GC content. Conclusions/Significance: Decapod biological diversity was quantified by identifying putative cryptic species allowing a rapid assessment of taxon diversity in groups that have until now received limited morphological and systematic examination. We highlight taxonomic groups or species with unusual nucleotide composition or evolutionary rates. Such data are relevant to strategies for conservation of existing decapod biodiversity, as well as elucidating the mechanisms and constraints shaping the patterns observed.FCT - SFRH/BD/25568/ 2006EC FP6 - GOCE-CT-2005-511234 HERMESFCT - PTDC/MAR/69892/2006 LusomarBo

Involvement of Oxidative Stress and the Innate Immune System in SARS-CoV-2 Infection

The emergence of the novel coronavirus in December 2019 in China marked the beginning of a pandemic that impacted healthcare systems and economic life all over the world. The virus primarily targets the respiratory system causing severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in some patients, and therefore received the name of SARS-CoV-2. The pathogen stands out among other coronaviruses by its rapid transmission from human to human, with the majority of infected individuals being asymptomatic or presenting with only minor illness, therefore facilitating the pathogen spread. At the same time, people from the risk groups, such as the elderly, patients suffering from chronic diseases, or obese individuals, have increased chances of developing a severe or even fatal disease. The search for risk factors explaining this phenomenon continues. In this review, we focus on the known mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection affecting the functioning of the immune system and discuss potential risk factors responsible for the severe disease course. Oxidative stress is one of such factors, which plays a prominent role in innate immunity activity, and recent research has revealed its tight involvement in SARS-CoV-2 infection. We discuss these recent findings and the development of excessive inflammation and cytokine storm observed during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Finally, we consider potential use of antioxidant drugs for alleviating the severe symptoms in affected patients

Disturbance of Mitochondrial Dynamics and Mitochondrial Therapies in Atherosclerosis

Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with a wide range of chronic human disorders, including atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus. Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that undergo constant turnover in living cells. Through the processes of mitochondrial fission and fusion, a functional population of mitochondria is maintained, that responds to the energy needs of the cell. Damaged or excessive mitochondria are degraded by mitophagy, a specialized type of autophagy. These processes are orchestrated by a number of proteins and genes, and are tightly regulated. When one or several of these processes are affected, it can lead to the accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria, deficient energy production, increased oxidative stress and cell death—features that are described in many human disorders. While severe mitochondrial dysfunction is known to cause specific and mitochondrial disorders in humans, progressing damage of the mitochondria is also observed in a wide range of other chronic diseases, including cancer and atherosclerosis, and appears to play an important role in disease development. Therefore, correction of mitochondrial dynamics can help in developing new therapies for the treatment of these conditions. In this review, we summarize the recent knowledge on the processes of mitochondrial turnover and the proteins and genes involved in it. We provide a list of known mutations that affect mitochondrial function, and discuss the emerging therapeutic approaches

Heat-Resistant Concrete for Collector Bars of Aluminum Reduction Сells Insulation

In aluminium reduction technology it’s possible to reduce energy consumption and increase current efficiency by decreasing anode-cathode distance and horizontal currents in molten aluminium. Horizontal currents can be decreased by replacing insulation between cathode carbon block and collector bar in area of “ledge border – anode periphery projection on lining”. As an insulator it’s technologically and economically preferable to use refractory concrete which have good adhesion to steel, and chemical resistance against cryolite-alumina melt, sufficiently low compressive strength, which prevents cathode carbon block destruction in case of insulator volume expansion due to electrolyte attack. Results of the refractory concrete properties studies results in order to select the optimal bar’s insulator material composition are presentedПри производстве алюминия снизить удельный расход электроэнергии и повысить выход по току возможно за счет уменьшения расстояния между анодом и катодом МПР с одновременным снижением горизонтальных токов в расплавленном алюминии. Снижение горизонтальных токов может быть достигнуто размещением электроизоляции между катодным угольным блоком и блюмсом на участке «граница настыли – проекция периферии анода на подину». В качестве электроизоляционного материала наиболее технологично и экономично использовать жаростойкий бетон, имеющий хорошую адгезию к стали и химическую стойкость к воздействию криолит-глиноземного расплава, достаточно малую прочность на сжатие, что исключит разрушение катодного угольного блока в случае увеличения объема электроизоляционной вставки под воздействием электролита. В статье приводятся результаты исследований свойств некоторых жаростойких бетонов с целью выбора оптимального состава материала для электроизоляции блюмсов алюминиевого электролизер

Global energy efficiency governance in the context of climate politics

This paper argues that energy efficiency and conservation is a noncontroversial, critical, and equitable option for rich and poor alike. Although there is growing scientific and political consensus on its significance as an important option at global and national level, the political momentum for taking action is not commensurate with the potential in the sector or the urgency with which measures need to be taken to deal with climate change. The current global energy (efficiency) governance framework is diffuse. This paper submits that there are four substantive reasons why global governance should play a complementary role in promoting energy efficiency worldwide. Furthermore, given that market mechanisms are unable to rapidly mobilize energy efficiency projects and that there are no clear vested interests in this field which involves a large number of actors, there is need for a dedicated agency to promote energy efficiency and conservation. This paper provides an overview of energy efficiency options presented by IPCC, the current energy efficiency governance structure at global level, and efforts taken at supranational and national levels, and makes suggestions for a governance framework. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2008

Heat-Resistant Concrete for Collector Bars of Aluminum Reduction Сells Insulation

In aluminium reduction technology it’s possible to reduce energy consumption and increase current efficiency by decreasing anode-cathode distance and horizontal currents in molten aluminium. Horizontal currents can be decreased by replacing insulation between cathode carbon block and collector bar in area of “ledge border – anode periphery projection on lining”. As an insulator it’s technologically and economically preferable to use refractory concrete which have good adhesion to steel, and chemical resistance against cryolite-alumina melt, sufficiently low compressive strength, which prevents cathode carbon block destruction in case of insulator volume expansion due to electrolyte attack. Results of the refractory concrete properties studies results in order to select the optimal bar’s insulator material composition are presentedПри производстве алюминия снизить удельный расход электроэнергии и повысить выход по току возможно за счет уменьшения расстояния между анодом и катодом МПР с одновременным снижением горизонтальных токов в расплавленном алюминии. Снижение горизонтальных токов может быть достигнуто размещением электроизоляции между катодным угольным блоком и блюмсом на участке «граница настыли – проекция периферии анода на подину». В качестве электроизоляционного материала наиболее технологично и экономично использовать жаростойкий бетон, имеющий хорошую адгезию к стали и химическую стойкость к воздействию криолит-глиноземного расплава, достаточно малую прочность на сжатие, что исключит разрушение катодного угольного блока в случае увеличения объема электроизоляционной вставки под воздействием электролита. В статье приводятся результаты исследований свойств некоторых жаростойких бетонов с целью выбора оптимального состава материала для электроизоляции блюмсов алюминиевого электролизер