bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interstitial collagenase, gelatinases A and B and their endogenous inhibitors in squamous cell cervical carcinomas
Authors: Ryzhakova O.S. , Zavalishina L.E. , Andreeva Ju.Ju. , Solovyeva N.I.
Published: April 2015

Interstitial collagenase and gelatinases are matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), which play the key role in tumor invasion and metastasis. The aim of this study was to elucidate the peculiarities of expression of interstitial collagenase (MMP-1), gelatinases A and B (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and their endogenous tissue inhibitors TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 as invasive factors of squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of human cervical cancer. The study was carried out using 24 specimens of SCC and 11 specimens of adjacent to tumor morphologically normal tissue. All carcinoma specimens expressed E7 HPV-16 gene. It was shown that the increase of MMP-1 and MMP-9 expression and low of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 expression makes the main contribution to the destructive (invasive) potential of SCC. The change of MMP-2 expression is not so significant and it is less influenced to the destructive potential. Moreover, substantial expression of MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 was registered in the specimens of morphologically normal adjoining to tumor tissue. This expression was found to make an additional contribution to the destructive potential of cervical tumor.
Oxidised dextrans influence on reactive oxygen species generation by murine peritoneal exudate phagocytic cells
Authors: Tkachev V.O. , Zaikovskaya M.V. , Troitsky A.V. , Luzgina N.G. , Shkurupy V.A.
Published: April 2015

The effects of oxidized dextrans of different molecular weight on reactive oxygen species production and transmembrane mitochondrial potential of macrophages and neutrophils have been studied in vivo and in vitro . Oxidised dextrans demonstrated moderate direct antioxidant ability but induced intracellular oxidative stress through the increase of oxygen radical generation. This effect of the investigated compounds amplifies the cytotoxic and bactericidal potential of phagocytes and can influence isoniazid metabolism, thus increasing its efficiency in therapy of infectious diseases.
Intensive protein synthesis in neurons and phosphorylation of beta-amyloid precursor protein and tau-protein are triggering factors of neuronal amyloidosis and Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Maltsev A.V. , Dovidchenko N.V. , Uteshev V.K. , Sokolik V.V. , Shtang O.M. , Yakushin M.A. , Sokolova N.M. , Surin A.K. , Galzitskaya O.V.
Published: April 2015

Recently the studies of Alzheimer’s disease have become particularly actual and have attracted scientists from all over the world to this problem as a result of dissemination of this dangerous disorder. The reason for such pathogenesis is not known, but the final image, for the first time obtained on microscopic brain sections from patients with this disease more than a hundred years ago, is well known to clinicists. This is the deposition of Ab amyloid in the brain tissue of senile plaques and fibrils. Many authors suppose that the deposition of beta-amyloid provokes secondary neuronal changes which are the reason of neuron death. Other authors associate the death of neurons with hyperphosphorylation of tau-proteins which form neurofibrillar coils inside nerve cells and lead to their death. For creation of methods of preclinical diagnostics and effective treatment of Alzheimer’s disease novel knowledge is required on the nature of triggering factors of sporadic isoforms of Alzheimer’s disease, on cause-effect relationships of phosphorylation of amyloid precursor protein with formation of pathogenic beta-amyloids, on the relationship with these factors of hyperphosphorylation of tau-protein and neuron death. In this review we analyze the papers describing the increasing of intensity of biosynthesis in neurons in normal conditions and under the stress, the possibility of development of energetic unbalanced neurons and activation of their protective systems. Phosphorylation and hyperphosphorylation of tau-proteins is also tightly connected with protective mechanisms of cells and with processes of evacuation of phosphates, adenosine mono-phosphates and pyrophosphates from the region of protein synthesis. Upon long and high intensity of protein synthesis the protective mechanisms are overloaded and the complementarity of metabolitic processes is disturbed. This results in dysfunction of neurons, transport collapse, and neuron death.
Potentiation of NO-dependent activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase by 5-nitroisatin and antiviral preparatation arbidol
Authors: Severina I.S. , Schegolev A.Yu. , Medvedev A.E.
Published: April 2015

Isatin (indole-dione) is an endogenous indole that exibits a wide range of biological and physiological activity. The influence of isatin derivatives 5-nitroisatin and arbidol (an antiviral preparatation) on spermine NONO-induced activation of human platelet soluble guanylyl cyclase was investigated. 5-nitroistnin and arbidol had no effect on basal activity, but synergistically increased in a concentration-dependent manner the spermine NONO-induced activation of this enzyme. 5-Nitroisatin and arbidol, like YC-1, sensitized guanylyl cyclase towards nitric oxide (NO) and produced a leftward shift of the spermine NONO concentration response curve. At the same time both compounds used did not influence the activation of guanylyl cyclase by YC-1 and did not change the synergistic increase of spermine NONO-induced activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase in the presence of YC-1. This suggests that 5-nitroisanin and arbidol did not compete with YC-1. Addition of isatin did not change the synergistic increase in the spermine NONO-induced guanylyl cyclase activation by 5-nitroisatin and arbidol and did not influence a leftward shift of spermine NONO concentration response curve produced by these compounds. These data suggest lack of competitive interaction between isatin and both its derivatives used.
Molecular modeling of interaction of 17(20) and 17(20) E-pregna-5,17(20)-dien-21-oyl amides with the nuclear receptor LXRb
Authors: Fedyushkina I.V. , Stulov S.V. , Dugin N.O. , Misharin A.Yu. , Mehtiev A.R. , Morozevich G.E. , Veselovsky A.V.
Published: April 2015

Aiming the search of novel regulators of lipid metabolism and their potential targets, in this study we performed molecular modeling of eight isomeric 17(20) Z - and 17(20) Е -pregna-5,17(20)-dien-21-oyl amides differing in structure of the amide moiety. Analysis of the low energy сonformers revealed that all 17(20) E -isomers had three main energy minima (corresponding to values of the dihedral angle q (С17=C20-C21=O) ~ 0°, ~ 120° and ~ 240°), the most occupied minimum was found to correspond to q ~ 0°; while 17(20) Z -isomers had either one or two pools of low energy conformations. Molecular docking of these compounds to the ligand-binding site of the nuclear receptor LXRb (a potential target) indicates high probability of binding for Е -isomers and the absence of that for Z -isomers. Results of the molecular modeling were confirmed by an experiment in which stimulation of triglyceride biosynthesis in Hep G2 cells in the presence of 17(20) Е -3b-hydroxypregna-5,17(20)-dien-21-оyl (hydroxyethyl)amide was demonstrated.
Prooxidant and antioxidant activity of blood plasma and histology of internal organs of rats after intravenous administration of magnetite nanoparticles
Authors: Milto I.V. , Klimenteva T.K. , Suhodolo I.V. , Krivova N.A.
Published: April 2015

The effect of a single and multiple intravenous injections of a nanosized magnetite suspension on total prooxidant and antioxidant activity of blood plasma has been investigated by the method of luminol-dependent chemoluminescence. Magnetite nanoparticles possess dose-dependent prooxidant properties due to their iron atoms and at the same time their trigger compensatory activation of antioxidant systems in the rat blood plasma. After a single intravenous administration of magnetite the studied parameters of blood plasma returned to the normal level by the end of the experiment as due to removal of nanoparticles from the body. In the case of multiple administration of the magnetite suspension dose-dependent changes in the pro- and antioxidant plasma activity persist during the whole experiment. Accumulation of magnetite particles in the cells of the mononuclear phagocytic system in the rats’ liver, lungs and kidneys is associated with hemodynamic damages, local dystrophic and necrotic changes of parenchyma in these organs. After a single intravenous injection magnetite nanoparticles are identified in the rat organs for 40 days, but their number decreases by the end of the experiment.
Identification of "side population" associated with cancer stem cells by flow cytometry with violet laser
Authors: Lupatov A.Yu. , Gisina A.M. , Karalkin P.A. , Yarygin K.N.
Published: April 2015

The possibility of identification of cancer stem cells "side population" in solid tumors by using the flow cytometer equipped with 405 nm violet laser was investigated. Ovarian cancer (Skov-3) and colon cancer (Colo 320) cell lines formed the "side population" after vital staining with Hoechst 33342. Analysis of cells isolated from tumor tissue of malignant melanoma and colorectal cancer, also revealed "side population" that was a result of the fluorescent dye exclusion. The percentage of melanoma cells included in the "side population" was the same as that of cells co-expressing cancer stem cells markers - CD34 and CD44. In contrast, the colon cancer "side population" was significantly smaller than the minor populations of colon cancer cells identified by either CD133 expression or exclusion of Rhodamine 123.
The value of low-molecular-weight DNA of blood plasma in the diagnostic of the patological processes of different genesis
Authors: Vasilyeva I.N. , Zinkin V.N.
Published: April 2015

The low-molecular-weight DNA appears in blood plasma of irradiated rats, and its content correlates directly with the irradiation dose. Cloning has shown, that enrichment of low-molecular-weight DNA with G+C content and features of its nucleotide sequences point to its ability to form rather stable nucleosomes. DNA obtained after irradiation of rats with principally different doses 8 and 100 Gy differed not only quantitatively, but also by content of the dinucleotides CpG and CpT; this suggests their origin from different sites of genome. For the first time it has been shown that exposure to low-frequency noise results in an increase of the contents of blood plasma low-molecular-weight DNA. In stroke patients blood concentrations of this DNA increased 3 days after the beginning of the acute period, and dynamics of its excretion differs in ischemic and hemorrhagic forms; in the case of ischemia low-molecular-weight DNA appears in cerebrospinal fluid. The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the state of remission is characterized by the decline of the level of low-molecular-weight DNA in the blood plasma unlike in the case of the chronic nonobstructive bronchitis. The clear dependence between formation and special features of the low-molecular-weight DNA fraction in blood plasma makes it possible to consider the low-molecular fraction as an universal index of apoptosis, which allows to distinguish basically different conditions of the body.
Antioxidants in erythrocytes in aging and dementia
Authors: Kosenko E.A. , Tikhonova L.A. , Poghosyan A.C. , Kaminsky Y.G.
Published: April 2015

Age of patients and brain oxidative stress may contribute to pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Erythrocytes (red blood cells, RBC) are considered as passive “reporter cells” for the oxidative status of the whole organism and are not well studied in AD. The aim of this work was to assess whether the antioxidant status of RBC changes in aging and AD. Blood was taken from AD and non-Alzheimer's dementia patients, aged-matched and younger controls. In vivo antioxidant status was assessed in each of the study subjects by measuring RBC levels of Н О , organic hydroperoxides, glutathione (GSH) and glutathione disulfide (GSSG), activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. In both aging and dementia, oxidative stress in RBC was shown to increase and to be expressed in elevated concentrations of H O and organic hydroperoxides, decreased the GSH/GSSG ratio and glutathione S-transferase activity. Decreased glutathione peroxidase activity in RBC may be considered as a new peripheral marker for Alzheimer’s disease while alterations of other parameters of oxidative stress reflect age-related events.
The dependence of the inflammatory reaction on the properties of mycobacterium tuberculosis and the course of specific pulmonary process
Authors: Titarenko O.T. , Dyakova M.E. , Esmedlyaeva D.S. , Manicheva O.A. , Alekseeva N.P. , Dogonadze M.Z. , Perova T.L.
Published: April 2015

The systemic analysis of the inflammatory process in untreated patients with newly diagnosed infiltrative-destructive tuberculosis has been performed in the context of host mycobacterium interaction. Variability of acute phase proteins (APP) reflecting mobilization of nonspecific protective systems of the body did not depend on cytotoxicity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MBT). In 87.5% of patients the dependence between effectiveness of antitubercular chemotherapy (for three months) and combination of MBT characteristics and initial APP levels was found. Patients with effectiveness of therapy, which was inadequate to MBT cytotoxicity, were characterized by its dependence on the APP level and MBT sensitivity to antitubercular agents. Results of multifactorial analysis of parameters reflecting intensity of the inflammatory response, pathological process in the lungs, and characteristics of MBT suggest that the overall result of the host-pathogen interactions primarily depend on adequateness of protective systems of the body
Modified hplc method of determination of the valproic acid in biological fluids
Authors: Dutov A.A. , Nikitin D.A. , Letunov V.I. , Tereshkov P.P. , Konovalova O.N.
Published: April 2015

Proposed modified HPLC method for determination of valproic acid in biological fluids. Created solid-phase extraction of valproic and heptanoic acids (internal standard, IS) on the cartridges packed hyper cross-linked polystyrene which maintain some tens extractions without losses of efficiency. Carboxylic acids are derivative with 1-(bromoacetyl)pyrene in acetone at presence of triethylamine. Chromatographic separation of derivatives is performed on Chromolith Performance RP-18e columns, which packed unique monolithic sorbent. UV detection at 360 nm. Mobile phase acetonitrile – water (90:10, v/v) plus 1% isopropanol, speed flow 2000 microL/min, pressure 21 bar. Complete chromatographic cycle less than 3 minutes. Yield of IS and valproic acid (extraction plus derivatization) was 101-106%. Sensitivity (limit detection) was near 1 ng for valproic and near 0.6 ng for heptanoic acid during signal/noise ratio = 3.
The activity of glutathione antioxidant system at melaksen and valdoxan action under experimental hyperthyroidism in rats
Authors: Gorbenko M.V. , Popova T.N. , Shulgin K.K. , Popov S.S.
Published: April 2015

Investigation of glutathione antioxidant system activity and diene conjugates content in rats liver and blood serum at the influence of melaksen and valdoxan under experimental hyperthyroidism (EG) has been revealed. It has been established that the activities of glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GP) and glutathione transferase (GT), growing at pathological conditions, change to the side of control value at these substunces introduction. Reduced glutathione content (GSH) at melaxen and valdoxan action increased compared with values under the pathology, that, obviously, could be associated with a reduction of its spending on the detoxication of free radical oxidation (FRO) toxic products. Diene conjugates level in rats liver and blood serum, increasing at experimental hyperthyroidism conditions, under introduction of melatonin level correcting drugs, also approached to the control meaning. Results of the study indicate on positive effect of melaxen and valdoxan on free radical homeostasis, that appears to be accompanied by decrease of load on the glutathione antioxidant system in comparison with the pathology.
The proinsulin level in the blood of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus of various duration
Authors: Lotosh N.Y. , Selishcheva A.A. , Nadorov S.A. , Badyshtov B.A. , Volkov I.E. , Saveljev S.V.
Published: April 2015

Proinsulin content was measured in the serum of 82 children (aged from 3 to 14 years) with type 1 diabetes mellitus of various duration. Three groups of patients characterized by low (54%), normal (42%) and high (4%) levels of this prohormone were recognized. No dependence the proinsulin level on the disease term was found. The serum proinsulin level may be used as a parameter specifying the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus.
The dose-dependent influence of 3,5-dicarbometoxyphenilbiguanide on activity of the glutathione antioxidant system in heart and blood serum of rats with the experimental myocardial infarction
Authors: Tanygina E.S. , Popova T.N. , Semenikhina A.V. , Matasova L.V. , Kryl'skiy E.D.
Published: April 2015

Administration of a synthetic compound with predicted anti-ischemic and cardioprotective activity, 3,5-dicarbometoxyphenilbiguanidе, - to rats with experimental myocardial infarction led to a decrease in the lipid peroxidation level, glutathione peroxidase activity, the level of reduced glutathione, activity of NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase in the heart and blood serum, and also activity of glucoso-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in heart in comparison with their levels in untreated animals with myocardial infarction. This may be attributed to a decrease of free radical processes and reduction of antioxidant system loading. At the same time the increase glutathione reductase activity observed under these conditions in the heart and and blood serum probably associated with specific influence of 3,5-dicarbometoxyphenilbiguanidе on this enzyme.
The effect of exogenous antioxidants on the antioxiidant status of erythrocytes and hepcidin content in blood of patients with disorders of iron metabolism regulation
Authors: Scherbinina S.P. , Levina A.A. , Lisovskaya I.L. , Ataullakhanov F.I.
Published: April 2015

In many diseases associated with impairments in iron metabolism, erythrocytes exhibit an increased sensitivity to oxidative stress induced in vitro. In this study, we have examined the antioxidant status of erythrocytes from healthy donors and from 12 patients with disorders of iron homeostasis by measuring the extent of t-BHP-induced hemolysis in vitro. The extent of hemolysis observed with patient erythrocytes was significantly higher than that observed in experiment with normal cells. After therapeutic infusions of the antioxidants mexidol or emoxypin, oxidative hemolysis in patients was restored to normal values and blood hepcidin content increased significantly. A significant correlation was observed between hepcidin concentration after treatment and t-BHP-induced hemolysis before treatment. These data suggest that antioxidants may exert a favorable effect under pathological conditions associated with iron overload disease.
Peculiarities of vanadium determination in whole blood by icp-ms
Authors: Ulanova T.S. , Gileva O.V. , Stenno E.V. , Veikhman G.A.
Published: April 2015

The parameters of vanadium determination by ICP-MS in whole blood are presented. Conditions for blood sample preparation to reduce measure errors and to determine vanadium at the reference concentration level were optimized. The accuracy of the results is confirmed by analysis of standard blood samples Seronorm L1, L2 and L3. Vanadium mean in whole blood for the group of children from the town of Chusovoy (n=80) was 1.29±0.45 µg/L, and vanadium mean for grown – ups from the town of Chusovoy was 1.63±0.25 µg/L.
Perspectives of disodium salt 2.4-di(1-metoxyethyl)-deuteroporphyrin – IX (“dimegin”) application for photodynamic therapy in non-oncologic cases
Authors: Bondarenko V.M. , Alexeev Yu.V. , Mislavsky O.V. , Ponomarev G.V.
Published: April 2015

Effects of disodium salt 2,4-di(1-metoxyethyl)-deuteroporphyrine-IX (Dimegin) and the light from Soret band (»395-405 nm) at the viability of microbial cells and at their potential to form microbial biofilms have been compared with traditional antiseptics. Irradiation of microbial cells of S. aureus, E. coli, C. albicans and others with diode light (power density 0.05 Wt/cm2) caused a bactericidial effect similar to that obtained with standard anticeptics (chlorhexidine and dioxidine). A comparative study of the effectiveness of Dimegin and Photoditazine (a soluble salt of chlorine e6) as photosensitizers have been performed using the test system of erythrocyte hemolysis in vitro under irradiation with light from the Sore band. Results have shown insignificant difference in the photodynamic effect with similar doses of absorbed light and preparation concentration.
Study into molecular targets of a neuroprotective compound dimebon using a transgenic mice line
Authors: Shelkovnikova T.A. , Ustyugov A.A. , Kokhan V.S. , Tarasova T.V. , Medvedeva V.K. , Khrytankova I.V. , Bachurin S.O. , Ninkina N.N.
Published: April 2015

In the present study we have used a transgenic mice overexpressing an amyloidogenic protein, gamma-synuclein, in the nervous system to address the effect of dimebon on proteinopathy progression. Neuroprotective effect of chronic dimebon administration in these mice at organismal level was confirmed by the increased lifespan. Using histological and biochemical approaches we have demonstrated that dimebon reduced the number of amyloid inclusions in spinal cord of transgenic animals and decreased the content of ubiquitinated proteins in detergent-insoluble fractions. These effects are likely to occur at the level of aggregated protein species, since transgene expression was not altered. Thus, pathological protein aggregation serves as one of dimebon targets in neurodegeneration.
Protective properties of recombinant igA1 protease from meningococcus
Authors: Kotel’nikova O.V. , Alliluev A.P. , Drozhzhina E.Yu. , Koroleva I.S. , Sitnikova E.A. , Zinchenko A.A. , Gordeeva E.A. , Melikhova T.D. , Nokel E.A. , Zhigis L.S. , Zueva V.S. , Razgulyaeva O.A. , Serova O.V. , Yagudaeva E.Yu. , Rumsh L.D.
Published: April 2015

The study of enzymatic and protective properties of recombinant IgA1 protease in active and mutant form showed that active form of IgA1 protease exhibited species – and type-specificity for mouse and human immunoglobulins. Mutant form, which did not exhibit enzymatic activity, had protective properties against meningococcal infection, induced by meningococcus serogroup A, B and C protecting the mice from lethal infection by living virulent culture of heterologous serogroups of meningococcus. Obtained results make it possible to consider IgA1 protease as a perspective preparation at the stages of development of polyvalent vaccine for protection the people from meningococcal infection of various etiology
Influence of temperature on spatial fibrin clot formation process in thrombodynamics
Authors: Shcherbina I.A. , Lipets E.N. , Abaeva A.A. , Balandina A.N. , Ataullakhanov F.I.
Published: April 2015

In this study we have investigated the process of spatial fibrin clot formation in non-steered platelet-free plasma at the temperatures from 20°C to 43°C using thrombodynamics – the novel in vitro hemostasis assay, which imitates the process of hemostatic clot growth in vivo. During data processing the following parameters were calculated: initial (V i ) and stationary (V st ) rates of clot growth which characterize initiation and propagation phases of clotting process, and clot size on the 30 th minute. The temperature dependence of extrinsic and intrinsic tenase activities, which determine values of the initial and stationary clot growth rates, respectively, have been also measured. It was established that the temperature lowering from 37°C to 24°C extends mainly on the initiation phase of clot growth, while the stationary rate of clot growth changes insignificantly. Meanwhile none of the thrombodynamics parameters shows the dramatic change of plasma coagulation system condition at the temperature of 24°C (acute hypothermia). Using the thrombodynamics assay an assumption, that the temperature lowering does not change the state of plasma hemostasis system significantly has been confirmed.
Search of potential gastric cancer biomarkers using low molecular weight blood plasma proteome profiling by mass spectrometry
Authors: Shevchenko V.E. , Arnotskaya N.E. , Ogorodnikova E.V. , Davidov M.M. , Ibraev M.A. , Turkin I.N. , Davidov M.I.
Published: April 2015

Gastric cancer, one of the most widespread malignant tumors, still lacks reliable serum/plasma biomarkers of its early detection. In this study we have developed, unified, and tested a new methodology for search of gastric cancer biomarkers based on profiling of low molecular weight proteome (LMWP) (1-17 kDa). This approach included three main components: sample pre-fractionation, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), data analysis by a bioinformatics software package. Applicability and perspectives of the developed approach for detection of potential gastric cancer markers during LMWP analysis have been demonstrated using 69 plasma samples from patients with gastric cancer (stages I-IV) and 238 control samples. The study revealed peptides/polypeptides, which may be potentially used for detection of this pathology.
Conjugates of streptavidin with gold nanoparticles for the visualization of dna single interactions on the silicon surface
Authors: Presnova G.V. , Rubtsova M.Yu. , Presnov D.E. , Grigorenko V.G. , Yaminsky I.V. , Egorov A.M.
Published: April 2015

The potential of the method of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to visualize the results of individual acts of DNA and oligonucleotides hybridization using gold nanoparticles as label was investigated. Molecule of biotin was introduced into DNA or oligonucleotide, and then it was detected in DNA duplex using a conjugate of streptavidin with gold nanoparticles. Effective imaging of DNA duplexes was possible using a conjugate prepared by covalent binding.. The detection limit of the model oligonucleotide of 19 bases was 20 pg.
Implementation of scanning probe microscopy for the solution of molecular diagnostics tasks
Authors: Dubrovin E.V. , Presnova G.V. , Rubtsova M.Yu. , Grigorenko V.G. , Ivanin A.I. , Egorov A.M. , Yaminsky I.V.
Published: April 2015

We present new approaches to improve the efficiency of DNA by scanning probe microscopy using a highly specific hybridization on affine surfaces and nanostructures of gold as a labels. Scanning probe microscopy allows to register of individual acts of hybridization by the detection of gold labels on the surface affinity followed by automatic calculation of the total.
The role of vitamin D3 in the regulation of the mineral metabolism in experimental type 1 diabetes
Authors: Labudzynskyi D.O. , Lisakovska O.A. , Shymanskyy I.A. , Riasnyi V.M. , Veliky N.N.
Published: April 2015

Diabetes was shown to be associated with a considerable lowering of 25(OH)D3 in blood serum of mice. Vitamin D3 deficiency was correlated with impaired mineral metabolism in bone tissue, indicating the development of secondary osteoporosis. A decrease in weight, length and diameter (diaphysis, proximal metaepiphysis) of tibia in diabetic animals was observed as compared with control. Diabetes caused hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia and increased enzymatic activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and its isoenzymes in serum. This changes were accompanied by the impairments of vitamin D3 25-hydroxylase isoforms (CYP27A1 and CYP2R1) expression, which are the main enzymes of cholecalciferol biotransformation to 25(OH)D3 – precursor of hormonally active form of vitamin D3. A decrease in bone resorption processes was established after vitamin D3 administration as it is evident from normalization of bone morphometrical parameters and mineral metabolism in diabetic mice. Vitamin D3 ability to counter diabetes-induced alterations in bone tissue can be ascribed, at least in part, to its positive effects on the formation of vitamin D3 hormonally active forms.
Blood acid-base balance of sportsmen during physical activity
Authors: Petrushova O.P. , Mikulyak N.I.
Published: April 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate the acid-base balance parameters in blood of sportsmen by physical activity. Before exercise lactate concentration in blood was normal. Carbon dioxide pressure (рСО2), bicarbonate concentration (НСО3 -), base excess (BE), were increased immediately after physical activity lactate concentration increased, while pH, BE, НСО3 -, рСО2 decreased in capillary blood of sportsmen. These changes show the development of lactate-acidosis which is partly compensated with bicarbonate buffering system and respiratory alkalosis. During postexercise recovery lactate concentration decreased, while рСО2, НСО3 -, BE increased. The results of this study can be used for diagnostics of acid-base disorders and their medical treatment for preservation of sportsmen physical capacity.
Extracting and study of biochemical properties of thiamine pyrophosphokinase from non-malignant and tumor tissue of myometrium
Authors: Orishaka O.V. , Vovchuk I.L. , Petrov S.A.
Published: April 2015

The method of extraction and purification of thiamine pyrophosphokinase from non-malignant and tumor tissue of myometrium has been elaborated. Kinetic characteristics of T-kinase from non-malignant and tumor tissue of women myometrium have been studied. It has been shown, that malignization of myometrium is accompanied by a decrease in affinity of thiamine pyrophosphokinase from tumor to thiamine and by an increase in sensitivity of the enzyme from tumor to thiochrome.
Century‐scale effects of invasive deer and rodents on the dynamics of forests growing on soils of contrasting fertility
Authors: Forsyth David M. , Wilson Deborah J. , Easdale Tomás A. , Kunstler Georges , Canham Charles D. , Ruscoe Wendy A. , Wright Elaine F. , Murphy Lora , Gormley Andrew M. , Gaxiola Aurora , Coomes David A.
Published: April 2015

Understanding the long‐term impacts of invasive mammalian browsers and granivores in mixed forests is difficult due to the many processes potentially affecting the demography of long‐lived trees. We constructed individual‐based spatially explicit simulation models of two mixed conifer–angiosperm forests, growing on soils of contrasting phosphorus (P) availability, to investigate how browsing by invasive red deer (Cervus elaphus scoticus) and granivory by invasive rodents (primarily house mouse Mus musculus) might alter forest dynamics. Models were parameterized with field data. Seedling growth and survival rates were estimated inside and outside deer exclosures. Seed predation rates were estimated at high and low rodent densities in mast and non‐mast seeding years. For the alluvial terrace forest, which grew on P‐rich soil, our model contained 15 tree species dominated by angiosperms; our model of the P‐poor marine terrace forest contained seven species dominated by conifers. The two forest models were used to explore four 500‐year scenarios: deer and rodents present, deer present and rodents absent, deer absent and rodents present, and deer and rodents absent.

Our field studies revealed that the highest probabilities of seed predation by rodents occurred for two canopy species in mast years and in neighborhoods of high species‐specific basal area, and that deer browsing had the greatest negative effects on the growth and survival rates of angiosperm seedlings. Our simulation models predicted that the presence of deer and rodents would reduce the abundances of canopy codominants, and hence total basal area, in the alluvial terrace forest. The presence of deer increased the dominance of conifers in both forests, but effects of deer and rodents were much stronger in the alluvial terrace forest. Our study revealed two emergent properties. First, rodent‐ and deer‐induced reductions in seedling abundances did not always translate into reduced sapling and adult tree abundances. Second, when deer changed the abundance of a canopy dominant, other species were affected by altered interspecific competition.

We conclude that the effects of invasive deer and rodents will be greatest in forests growing on P‐rich soils. Exclusion of deer is predicted to have greater long‐term effects on forest dynamics than exclusion of rodents.
Legacy of logging roads in the Congo Basin: How persistent are the scars in forest cover?
Authors: Kleinschroth Fritz , Gourlet-Fleury Sylvie , Sist Plinio , Mortier Fréderic , Healey John R.
Published: April 2015

Logging roads in the Congo Basin are often associated with forest degradation through fragmentation and access for other land uses. However, in concessions managed for timber production, secondary roads are usually closed after exploitation and are expected to disappear subsequently. Little is known about the effectiveness of this prescription and the factors affecting vegetation recovery rate on abandoned logging roads. In a novel approach we assessed logging roads as temporary elements in the forest landscape that vary in persistence depending on environmental conditions. We analyzed road persistence during the period 1986–2013 in adjacent parts of Cameroon, Central African Republic and Republic of Congo. Three successive phases of road recovery were identified on LANDSAT images: open roads with bare soil, roads in the process of revegetation after abandonment and disappeared roads no longer distinguishable from the surrounding forest. Field based inventories confirmed significant differences between all three categories in density and richness of woody species and cover of dominant herbs. We used dead‐end road segments, built for timber exploitation, as sampling units. Only 6% of them were identified as being re‐opened. Survival analyses showed median persistence of four years for open roads before changing to the revegetating state and 20 years for revegetating roads before disappearance. Persistence of revegetating roads was 25% longer on geologically poor substrates which might result from slower forest recovery in areas with lower levels of soil nutrient content. We highlight the contrast amongst forests growing on different types of substrate in their potential for ecosystem recovery over time after roads have been abandoned. Forest management plans need to take these constraints into account. Logging activities should be concentrated on the existing road network and sites of low soil resource levels should be spared from business‐as‐usual exploitation.
Effect of long-term oral administration of a low dosage of clenbuterol on body fat percentage in working and nonworking adult horses
Authors: Nolen-Walston Rose D. , Moore Caitlin M. , Barr Ciara A. , Tomlinson Joy E. , Boston Raymond C. , Soma Lawrence R.
Published: April 2015

OBJECTIVE To determine the anabolic and lipolytic effects of a low dosage of clenbuterol administered orally in working and nonworking equids.

ANIMALS 8 nonworking horses and 47 polo ponies in active training.

PROCEDURES Each polo pony continued training and received either clenbuterol (0.8 μg/kg) or an equal volume of corn syrup (placebo) orally twice daily for 21 days, and then was evaluated for another 21-day period. Nonworking horses received clenbuterol or placebo at the same dosage for 21 days in a crossover trial (2 treatments/horse). For working and nonworking horses, percentage body fat (PBF) was estimated before treatment and then 2 and 3 times/wk, respectively. Body weight was measured at intervals.

RESULTS Full data sets were not available for 8 working horses. For working horses, a significant treatment effect of clenbuterol was detected by day 3 and continued through the last day of treatment; at day 21, the mean change in PBF from baseline following clenbuterol or placebo treatment was −0.80% (representing a 12% decrease in PBF) and −0.32%, respectively. By day 32 through 42 (without treatment), PBF change did not differ between groups. When treated with clenbuterol, the nonworking horses had a similar mean change in PBF from baseline from day 6 onward, which peaked at −0.75% on day 18 (an 8% decrease in PBF). Time and treatment had no significant effect on body weight in either experiment.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Among the study equids, long-term low-dose clenbuterol administration resulted in significant decreases in body fat with no loss in body weight.
In vitro evaluation of bursting pressure and intestinal luminal area of three jejunostomy tube placement techniques in dogs
Authors: Risselada Marije , Ellison Gary W. , Winter Matthew D. , Giglio Robson F. , Shih Andre , Hernandez Jorge A. , Griffith Emily
Published: April 2015

OBJECTIVE To compare pursestring, Witzel (seromuscular inversion), and seromuscular incision jejunostomy tube placement techniques in vitro.

SAMPLE Jejunal specimens from 10 dogs.

PROCEDURES Jejunal segments (50 cm) were harvested immediately prior to euthanasia from 10 mixed-breed dogs Specimens were harvested with the orad and aborad ends clamped and stored in saline (0.9% NaCl) solution–soaked towels during instrumentation. Three jejunostomy tubes were placed via 3 techniques (pursestring, Witzel, and seromuscular incision), and 2 double lumen central venous catheters were placed at each intestinal end for luminal filling and leak testing. Intestinal luminal area was measured ultrasonographically with specimens suspended in a warm undyed saline solution bath with the intestinal lumen filled with dyed saline solution (intraluminal pressure, 6 mm Hg). Leak testing was performed by means of infusion of dyed saline solution (4 mL/min) until each jejunostomy site failed. Intestinal luminal area and leakage pressure were compared between the 3 tube placement techniques.

RESULTS The Witzel and seromuscular incision techniques decreased the intestinal luminal area measured at the tube insertion site, albeit nonsignificantly. For the seromuscular incision technique, a significant decrease in intestinal luminal area at the intraluminal site of measurement was found. For 2/30 specimens (1/10 pursestring and 1/10 seromuscular incision), failure occurred at pressures within the range of previously reported peak peristaltic pressure for dogs. Failure occurred at supraphysiologic peristaltic pressures for the remaining 28 specimens, including all 10 specimens for the Witzel technique.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE In this in vitro study, all specimens for the Witzel technique withstood physiologic peristaltic pressures during leak testing. Both tunneling techniques (Witzel and seromuscular incision) created a decrease in intestinal luminal area. Further investigation, including in vivo testing, is indicated to evaluate the clinical relevance of these findings.
Shamir Secret Sharing Scheme with Dynamic Access Structure (SSSDAS): case study on nuclear power plant
Authors: Thiyagarajan P. , Thandra Prasanth Kumar , Rajan J. , Satyamurthy S. A. V. , Aghila G.
Published: April 2015

In recent years, due to the sophistication offered by the Internet, strategic organizations like nuclear power plants are linked to the outside world communication through the Internet. The entry of outside world communication into strategic organization (nuclear power plant) increases the hacker's attempts to crack its security and to trace any information which is being sent among the top level officials. Information security system in nuclear power plant is very crucial as even small loophole in the security system will lead to a major disaster. Recent cyber attacks in nuclear power plant provoked information security professionals to look deeply into the information security aspects of strategic organizations (nuclear power plant). In these lines, Shamir secret sharing scheme with dynamic access structure (SSSDAS) is proposed in the paper which provides enhanced security by providing dynamic access structure for each node in different hierarchies. The SSSDAS algorithm can be applied to any strategic organizations with hierarchical structures. In this paper the possible scenarios where SSSDAS algorithm can be applied to nuclear power plant is explained as a case study. The proposed SSSDAS scheme identifies the wrong shares, if any, used for reconstruction of the secret. The SSSDAS scheme also address the three major security parameters namely confidentiality, authentication and integrity.
Endoscopic hematoma evacuation for acute and subacute subdural hematoma in elderly patients
Authors: Yokosuka Kimihiko , Uno Masaaki , Matsumura Kohei , Takai Hiroki , Hagino Hirotaka , Matsushita Nobuhisa , Toi Hiroyuki , Matsubara Shunji
Published: April 2015

OBJECT

Endoscopic surgery was performed for acute or subacute subdural hematoma (SDH), and its effectiveness and safety in elderly patients were evaluated.

METHODS

Between September 2007 and November 2013, endoscopic surgery was performed in 11 elderly patients with acute SDH (8 patients) and subacute SDH (3 patients). The criteria for surgery were as follows: 1) the presence of clinical symptoms; 2) age older than 70 years; 3) no brain injury (intracerebral hematoma, brain contusion); 4) absence of an enlarging SDH; and 5) no high risk of bleeding. Hematoma evacuation was performed with a 4-mm rigid endoscope with a 0° lens and a malleable irrigation suction cannula.

RESULTS

Endoscopic surgery was performed under local anesthesia. The mean age of the patients was 82.6 years (range 73–91 years). There were 5 female and 6 male patients. The mean preoperative Glasgow Coma Scale score was 12, and 5 patients had been receiving antithrombotic drug therapy. The mean operation time was 85 minutes. Only 1 patient had rebleeding, and reoperation with the same technique was performed uneventfully in this individual. A total of 7 patients had a good recovery (modified Rankin Scale Score 0–2) at discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic hematoma evacuation of acute and subacute SDH is a safe and effective method of clot removal that minimizes operative complications. This technique may be a less invasive method for treating elderly patients with acute and subacute SDHs.
Giant pseudomeningocele causing urinary obstruction in a patient with Marfan syndrome
Authors: Stone Jeremy G. , Bergmann Liisa L. , Takamori Ryan , Donovan Daniel J.
Published: April 2015

Defective collagen biosynthesis in Marfan syndrome predisposes to dural defects such as dural ectasia, meningocele, and pseudomeningocele; thus, an increased index of suspicion for these conditions should be present in the clinical setting of Marfan syndrome. The authors describe a young woman with Marfan syndrome who was being treated with anticoagulants for a prosthetic heart valve and who presented with a spontaneous retroperitoneal hemorrhage requiring surgical evacuation. No CSF leak was encountered at surgery, but she developed progressively more severe positional headaches over the following year. She then experienced the sudden onset of acute urinary obstruction, at which time CT revealed a 17 × 15 × 13–cm presacral pseudomeningocele communicating with the thecal sac through a sacral bone defect. An anterior surgical approach was used for drainage of the pseudomeningocele as well as for primary closure of the dural defect with a bovine pericardial patch and autologous subcutaneous fat graft. After a short period of lumbar subarachnoid drainage of the CSF, the patient was able to resume normal activity without recurrent symptoms. To the authors' knowledge, such a pseudomeningocele in a patient with Marfan syndrome has been reported only twice, and this case features the largest pseudomeningocele to date. They also review the pertinent literature regarding presentation, diagnosis, and management of these lesions.
Recurrence Plot Based Damage Detection Method by Integrating Control Chart
Authors: Zhou Cheng , Zhang Weidong
Published: April 2015

Because of the importance of damage detection in manufacturing systems and other areas, many fault detection methods have been developed that are based on a vibration signal. Little work, however, has been reported in the literature on using a recurrence plot method to analyze the vibration signal for damage detection. In this paper, we develop a recurrence plot based fault detection method by integrating the statistical process control technique. The recurrence plots of the vibration signals are derived by using the recurrence plot (RP) method. Five types of features are extracted from the recurrence plots to quantify the vibration signals’ characteristic. Then, the control chart, a multivariate statistical process control technique, is used to monitor these features. The control chart technique, however, has the assumption that all the data should follow a normal distribution. The RP based bootstrap control chart is proposed to estimate the control chart parameters. The performance of the proposed RP based bootstrap control chart is evaluated by a simulation study and compared with other univariate bootstrap control charts based on recurrence plot features. A real case study of rolling element bearing fault detection demonstrates that the proposed fault detection method achieves a very good performance.
Comprehensive Characterization of Napier Grass as a Feedstock for Thermochemical Conversion
Authors: Mohammed Isah , Abakr Yousif , Kazi Feroz , Yusup Suzana , Alshareef Ibraheem , Chin Soh
Published: April 2015

Study on Napier grass leaf (NGL), stem (NGS) and leaf and stem (NGT) was carried out. Proximate, ultimate and structural analyses were evaluated. Functional groups and crystalline components in the biomass were examined. Pyrolysis study was conducted in a thermogravimetric analyzer under nitrogen atmosphere of 20 mL/min at constant heating rate of 10 K/min. The results reveal that Napier grass biomass has high volatile matter, higher heating value, high carbon content and lower ash, nitrogen and sulfur contents. Structural analysis shows that the biomass has considerable cellulose and lignin contents which are good candidates for good quality bio-oil production. From the pyrolysis study, degradation of extractives, hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin occurred at temperature around 478, 543, 600 and above 600 K, respectively. Kinetics of the process was evaluated using reaction order model. New equations that described the process were developed using the kinetic parameters and data compared with experimental data. The results of the models fit well to the experimental data. The proposed models may be a reliable means for describing thermal decomposition of lignocellulosic biomass under nitrogen atmosphere at constant heating rate.