Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking in Two-Channel Asymmetric Exclusion Processes with Narrow Entrances

Multi-particle non-equilibrium dynamics in two-channel asymmetric exclusion processes with narrow entrances is investigated theoretically. Particles move on two parallel lattices in opposite directions without changing them, while the channels are coupled only at the boundaries. A particle cannot enter the corresponding lane if the exit site of the other lane is occupied. Stationary phase diagrams, particle currents and densities are calculated in a mean-field approximation. It is shown that there are four stationary phases in the system, with two of them exhibiting spontaneous symmetry breaking phenomena. Extensive Monte Carlo computer simulations confirm qualitatively our predictions, although the phase boundaries and stationary properties deviate from the mean-field results. Computer simulations indicate that several dynamic and phase properties of the system have a strong size dependency, and one of the stationary phases predicted by the mean-field theory disappears in the thermodynamic limit.Comment: 13 page

Preanalytical features of the determination of circulating microRNAs as new specific biomarkers of the body’s response to physical activity

MicroRNAs are small non-coding single-stranded RNAs, 18 to 25 nucleotides long, they regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level through specific binding to the target mRNA, leading to its degradation. In recent decades, the development of technologies for determining the expression profiles of miRNAs has become an important part of research projects, and the role of miRNAs as potential highly informative molecular biomarkers of various physiological and pathological processes in the body is actively explored by the scientific community. In particular, physical activity is an important modifying factor for circulating miRNAs. Unlike classical blood biochemical parameters, which can change over time depending on the temperature and storage conditions of the sample, microRNAs remain stable during storage and even after multiple freeze-thaw cycles, which makes them an attractive and easily accessible target for detection. However, the determination of the microRNA expression profile in clinical practice is still difficult due to the high heterogeneity of analytical procedures used for testing. In sports medicine, the preanalytical stage is especially important, since often the conditions for sampling are not standardized and can affect the analysis result. This review shows the role of miRNAs as new sensitive biomarkers of the effectiveness of the training process and regulators of the body’s response to physical activity, and also discusses some preanalytical aspects of the analysis of miRNA expression profiles

The development of blockchain technology in Russia : outlook and trends

Purpose: The article addresses the issue of new scientific decisions shaping with respect to the study of problems, current trends and perspectives of blockchain technology usage in the Russian Federation. Design/methodology/approach: To achieve the objectives of this study the increasing interest to blockchain technology in Russia was discussed. Findings: The article determined main problems in blockchain technology which includes gaps in legislative regulation; the existence of a considerable number of projects that are undergoing the development stage and that have not proved own economic feasibility yet; incomplete understanding of the blockchain spheres’ implementation by state officials, society and business representatives as well as expected outcomes according to the amount and time of their receiving; disputes on cryptocurrencies turnover in the country’s territory and their influence in the national economy. Practical implications: The study has demonstrated the interest growth mainly by businesses to the usage of blockchain technology in order to improve own competitiveness and to obtain additional benefits, including the form of their profits. Originality/value: The research has also determined the area of further key studies in blockchain technology usage in Russia and the world.peer-reviewe

The thylakoid carbonic anhydrase associated with photosystem II is the component of inorganic carbon accumulating system in cells of halo- and alkaliphilic cyanobacterium Rhabdoderma lineare

AbstractThe organization of carbonic anhydrase (CA) system in halo- and alkaliphilic cyanobacterium Rhabdoderma lineare was studied by Western blot analysis and immunocytochemical electron microscopy. The presence of putative extracellular α-CA of 60 kDa in the glycocalyx, forming a tight sheath around the cell, and of two intracellular β-CA is reported. We show for the first time that the β-CA of 60 kDa is expressed constitutively and associated with polypeptides of photosystem II (β-CA-PS II). Another soluble β-CA of 25 kDa was induced in low-bicarbonate medium. Induction of synthesis of the latter β-CA was accompanied by an increase in the intracellular pool of inorganic carbon, which suggests an important role of this enzyme in the functioning of a CO2-concentrating mechanism

Comparison of microRNA expression profiles of athletes involved in endurance sports and non-athletic volunteers using a hypoxia signaling pathway panel

In recent years, interest in the search for new potential molecular biomarkers to assess the effectiveness of the training process in elite sports, various pathologies caused by overload, and abuse of prohibited substances has reached an unprecedented level. MicroRNAs that regulate the processes of metabolism, differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis of cells at the post-transcriptional level are the most valuable candidates for use in this regard. They are found in all biological fluids of the human body, are stable during long-term storage and resistant to changes in environmental conditions. It is known that changes in the miRNA expression profile are closely associated with physical activity, as well as with the administration of recombinant hormones, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, and other substances and methods that improve sports performance, which are prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).Objective: In this study, plasma samples from athletes involved in endurance sports (race walking) and non-athletic volunteers were analyzed using a hypoxia signaling pathway panel to identify hypoxia candidate markers.Materials and methods: Expression profiles of plasma circulating miRNAs were assessed by reverse transcription followed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT Q-PCR). The obtained data were subjected to statistical processing using the CFX Manager Software v3.1 program.Results: Three potential microRNA markers were identified: hsa-miR-210-3p, hsa-miR-320a and hsa-miR-935 (increased in athletes by 61.6 times, 51.8 and 41.0 times, respectively) — of physiological response to the training, load, which may be associated with the emergence of hypoxia during endurance training.Conclusion: We have obtained preliminary data on differences in the expression profiles of circulating miRNAs in healthy non-athletic volunteers and professional athletes in the out-of-competition period. In the future, it is planned to expand the sample of studied blood plasma samples and compare the expression profiles of circulating microRNAs in athletes in competition and out-of-competition periods, as well as to compare the expression profiles of circulating microRNAs during aerobic and anaerobic loads. In addition, it is of interest to analyze changes in the expression levels of circulating miRNAs when using hypoxia mimetics applied to improve sports performance

Population Size, Sex and Purifying Selection: Comparative Genomics of Two Sister Taxa of the Wild Yeast Saccharomyces paradoxus

This study uses population genomic data to estimate demographic and selection parameters in two sister lineages of the wild yeast Saccharomyces paradoxus and compare their evolution. We first estimate nucleotide and recombinational diversities in each of the two lineages to infer their population size and frequency of sex and then analyze the rate of mutation accumulation since divergence from their inferred common ancestor to estimate the generation time and efficacy of selection. We find that one of the lineages has significantly higher silent nucleotide diversity and lower linkage disequilibrium, indicating a larger population with more frequent sexual generations. The same lineage also shows shorter generation time and higher efficacy of purifying selection, the latter consistent with the finding of larger population size and more frequent sex. Similar analyses are also performed on the ancestries of individual strains within lineages and we find significant differences between strains implying variation in rates of mitotic cell divisions. Our sample includes some strains originating in the Chernobyl nuclear-accident exclusion zone, which has been subjected to high levels of radiation for nearly 30 years now. We find no evidence, however, for increased rates of mutation. Finally, there is a positive correlation between rates of mutation accumulation and length of growing period, as measured by latitude of the place of origin of strains. Our study illustrates the power of genomic analyses in estimating population and life history parameters and testing predictions based on population genetic theory

Определение возможных микроРНК-маркеров злоупотребления препаратами кобальта методом ПЦР в реальном времени с использованием панелей сигнального пути гипоксии

Objectives. Cobalt mimics the state of hypoxia to prevent degradation of the alpha subunit of hypoxia-inducible factor, resulting in an increase in blood oxygen capacity and endurance. Athletes can use this property to gain competitive advantage. Nowadays, direct methods of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry are used to determine total cobalt levels in the body. However, the World Anti-Doping Agency is yet to establish a maximum allowable threshold concentration of this element in biofluids. The lack of clear identification criteria complicates the interpretation of the obtained results for the purposes of doping control. In this regard, the present work proposes a new approach for the indirect determination of possible cobalt abuse based on changes in the expression levels of miRNAs involved in the regulation of hypoxia signaling pathways. Here, the aim is to identify possible microRNA markers whose expression does not depend on exercise-induced hypoxia, but changes markedly when taking cobalt preparations.Methods. MicroRNA isolation was performed from blood plasma samples using the PAXgene Blood miRNA Kit. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed on CFX96 Bio-Rad (USA) analyzer using miScript® SYBR® Green PCR Kits and panels for studying the expression profiles of mature microRNAs of the hypoxia signaling pathway miScript® miRNA PCR Array.Results. Based on the statistical analysis of the data, it was found that the expression of hsa-miR-15b-5p in the blood plasma of the subjects does not depend on physical activity, but increases when taking cobalt preparations.Conclusions. The difference in expression levels during anaerobic exercise-induced hypoxia and cobalt-induced hypoxia makes hsa-miR-15b-5p a potential candidate to be a marker of erythropoiesis-stimulating agent abuse.Цели. Кобальт имитирует состояние гипоксии, препятствуя деградации альфасубъединицы гипоксия-индуцируемого фактора, что приводит к увеличению кислородной емкости крови и может использоваться спортсменами в качестве допинга для получения конкурентных преимуществ. На сегодняшний момент для определения общего кобальта в организме используют прямые методы масс-спектрометрии с индуктивно связанной плазмой, жидкостной хроматографиитандемной масс-спектрометрии, однако Всемирным антидопинговым агентством не установлена максимально допустимая пороговая концентрация этого элемента в биожидкостях. Отсутствие четких критериев идентификации осложняет интерпретацию полученных результатов. В связи с этим, в данной статье впервые предлагается подход по косвенному определению возможных злоупотреблений кобальтом для целей допинг-контроля, основанный на изменении уровней экспрессии микроРНК, задействованных в регуляции сигнального пути гипоксии. Цель исследования заключалась в поиске возможных микроРНК-маркеров, экспрессия которых не зависит от гипоксии, вызванной физическими нагрузками, но заметно изменяется при приеме препаратов кобальта.Методы. Выделение микроРНК из образцов плазмы крови проводили при помощи набора PAXgene Blood miRNA Kit. Количественную полимеразную цепную реакцию в реальном времени проводили на амплификаторе CFX96 Bio-Rad (США) с помощью наборов miScript® SYBR® Green PCR Kit и панелей для исследования профилей экспрессии зрелых микроРНК сигнального пути гипоксии Hypoxia Signaling Pathway miScript® miRNA PCR Array.Результаты. На основании статистического анализа данных было установлено, что экспрессия hsa-miR-15b-5p в плазме крови испытуемых не зависит от физической нагрузки, но возрастает при приеме препаратов кобальта.Выводы. Разница в уровнях экспрессии при гипоксии, вызванной анаэробной физической нагрузкой, и имитацией гипоксии за счет применения кобальта делает hsa-miR-15b-5p потенциальным претендентом на роль маркера злоупотребления данным эритропоэзстимулирующим агентом