Radioactive elements in the environment

Indicated role of natural radioactive elements (U, Th) in geospherical layers and various environmental components is discussed. Induced radionuclide problems are examine

FEATURES DIAGNOSTIC FINDING IN DERMATOMYOSITIS (CLINICAL OBSERVATION)

In connection with the polymorphism of clinical manifestations of dermatomyositis, patients in the onset of the disease can apply to doctors of any specialty. However, the statement of this diagnosis causes considerable difficulties for practical doctors who do not work in the field of rheumatology. To a large extent this is due to the fact that inflammation of the muscle tissue can have not only an autoimmune origin, but also be observed with a variety of infections and intoxications. Diagnosis of dermatomyositis is associated with the need to eliminate tumor processes in the body, accompanying it in 20% of cases. The article presents a clinical case of subacute dermatomyositis, which occurred in a man 49 years after massive insolation against the background of photosensitization with fluoroquinolones in the treatment of prostatitis. After detecting a significant increase in the level of serum “muscle” enzymes and electromyographic signs of inflammatory myopathy, a patient with characteristic progressive symmetrical muscle weakness of the proximal limb and skin changes was diagnosed with primary idiopathic dermatomyositis with the activity of III degree. Diagnostic search required the exclusion of infectious and neoplastic diseases. Timely formulation of the diagnosis made it possible in time to prescribe immunosuppressive therapy with glucocorticosteroids, achieving a decrease in the activity of the disease and improving the prognosis

The Russian Arctic by 2050: Developing Integrated Scenarios

Scenarios of future development pathways in the Arctic created by groups of experts and stakeholders are an effective way to identify and illustrate possible alternatives and options for this region based on anticipated environmental and socioeconomic changes. Although scenarios that assess development trajectories for the Arctic are becoming increasingly popular, there is a relative lack of regional perspective in foresight exercises devoted to the Russian Arctic. This article presents and discusses development scenarios for the Russian Arctic until 2050 that were built by a diverse group of academics, local officials, Indigenous leaders, and business representatives at a scenario workshop in Naryan-Mar, Russia. The scenarios focus on Russia’s Arctic zone and incorporate future visioning of economic development, international cooperation with the West and China, shipping, human and social capital, and Indigenous peoples’ livelihoods in the context of climate change. We apply a novel circular-axial technique to synthesize and combine the 12 initially created thematic scenarios into four final cross-cutting integrated scenarios that describe alternative futures for the Russian Arctic by 2050: Harmonious Arctic, Self-Reliant Arctic, Resource-Dependent Arctic, and Forgotten Arctic. Les scénarios de trajectoires de développement futur dans l’Arctique créés par des groupes d’experts et de parties prenantes constituent une manière efficace de déterminer et d’illustrer des solutions de rechange et des options possibles pour cette région, en fonction des changements environnementaux et socioéconomiques attendus. Même si les scénarios évaluant les trajectoires de développement dans l’Arctique gagnent en popularité, les exercices de prévision sont caractérisés par le manque relatif de perspective régionale axée sur l’Arctique russe. Cet article présente et aborde des scénarios de développement pour l’Arctique russe. Ces scénarios s’étendent jusqu’en 2050 et sont le fruit du travail de divers groupes d’universitaires, d’autorités locales, de chefs autochtones et de représentants du monde des affaires ayant participé à un atelier de scénarios qui s’est déroulé à Naryan-Mar, en Russie. Les scénarios se concentrent sur la zone arctique russe et intègrent la vision future du développement économique, de la coopération internationale avec l’Ouest et la Chine, du transport, du capital humain et social et de la subsistance des peuples autochtones dans le contexte du changement climatique. Nous appliquons une technique circulaire-axiale nouvelle pour synthétiser et combiner les 12 scénarios thématiques initialement créés afin d’aboutir à quatre scénarios intersectoriels intégrés décrivant les solutions de rechange futures pour l’Arctique russe d’ici 2050, soit un Arctique harmonieux, un Arctique autonome, un Arctique dépendant des ressources, et un Arctique oublié.&nbsp

Development of αGlcN(1 <-> 1)αMan-based Lipid A mimetics as a novel class of potent Toll-like Receptor 4 agonists

The endotoxic portion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a glycophospholipid Lipid A, initiates the activation of the Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4)myeloid differentiation factor 2 (MD-2) complex, which results in pro-inflammatory immune signaling. To unveil the structural requirements for TLR4 center dot MD-2-specific ligands, we have developed conformationally restricted Lipid A mimetics wherein the flexible beta GlcN(1 -> 6)GlcN backbone of Lipid A is exchanged for a rigid trehalose-like alpha GlcN(1 1)alpha Man scaffold resembling the molecular shape of TLR4 center dot MD-2-bound E. coli Lipid A disclosed in the X-ray structure. A convergent synthetic route toward orthogonally protected alpha GlcN(1 1)alpha Man disaccharide has been elaborated. The alpha,alpha-(1 1) linkage was attained by the glycosylation of 2-N-carbamate-protected alpha-GlcN-lactol with N-phenyl-trifluoroacetimidate of 2-O-methylated mannose. Regioselective acylation with (R)-3-acyloxyacyl fatty acids and successive phosphorylation followed by global deprotection afforded bis- and monophosphorylated hexaacylated Lipid A mimetics. alpha GlcN(1 1)alpha Man-based Lipid A mimetics (alpha,alpha-GM-LAM) induced potent activation of NF-kappa B signaling in hTLR4/hMD-2/CD14-transfected HEK293 cells and robust LPS-like cytokines expression in macrophages and dendritic cells. Thus, restricting the conformational flexibility of Lipid A by fixing the molecular shape of its carbohydrate backbone in the agonistic conformation attained by a rigid alpha GlcN(1 1)alpha Man scaffold represents an efficient approach toward powerful and adjustable TLR4 activation