Mesenchymal stem cells and the neuronal microenvironment in the area of spinal cord injury

Cell-based technologies are used as a therapeutic strategy in spinal cord injury(SCI). Mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs), which secrete various neurotrophic factors and cytokines, have immunomodulatory, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects, modulate reactivity/phenotype of astrocytes and the microglia, thereby promoting neuroregeneration seem to be the most promising. The therapeutic effect of MSCs is due to a paracrine mechanism of their action, therefore the survival of MSCs and their secretory phenotype is of particular importance. Nevertheless, these data are not always reported in efficacy studies of MSC therapy in SCI. Here, we provide a review with summaries of preclinical trials data evaluating the efficacy of MSCs in animal models of SCI. Based on the data collected, we have tried(1) to establish the behavior of MSCs after transplantation in SCI with an evaluation of cell survival, migration potential, distribution in the area of injured and intact tissue and possible differentiation;(2) to determine the effects MSCs on neuronal microenvironment and correlate them with the efficacy of functional recovery in SCI;(3) to ascertain the conditions under which MSCs demonstrate their best survival and greatest efficacy.

Genetically modified human umbilical cord blood cells as a promising strategy for treatment of spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury （SCI） continues to be a pressing health and social problem. The injury leads to neuronal and glial cell death accompanied by degeneration of nerve fibers. There are currently no particularly effective treatments. SCI causes profound disabil- ity of people affected and has attracted increased attention in the international field of neuroregeneration. For the past two decades, much hope has been placed in cell therapies for the restoration of both structure and function of the injured spinal cord. Embryonic and neural stem cells, olfactory ensheathing cells, microglia-like cells, Schwann cells, mesenchymal stem cells.

Petrology of ultramafic to mafic cumulate rocks from the G?ksun(Kahramanmaras) ophiolite,southeast Turkey

The G?ksun(Kahramanmaras)ophiolite(GKO),cropping out in a tectonic window bounded by the Malatya metamorphic unit on both the north and south,is located in the EW-trending lower nappe zone of the southeast Anatolian orogenic belt(Turkey).It exhibits a complete oceanic lithospheric section and overlies the Middle Eocene Maden Group/Complex with a tectonic contact at its base.The ophiolitic rocks and the tectonically overlying Malatya metamorphic(continental)unit were intruded by I-type calc-alkaline Late Cretaceous granitoid(~81-84 Ma).The ultramafic to cumulates in the GKO are represented by wehrlite,plagioclase wehrlite,olivine gabbro and gabbro.The crystallization order for the cumulate rocks is as follows:olivine±chromian spinel→clinopyroxene→plagioclase.The major and trace element geochemistry as well as the mineral chemistry of the ultramafic to mafic cumulate rocks suggest that the primary magma generating the GKO is compositionally similar to that observed in the modern island-arc tholeiitic sequences.The mineral chemistry of the ultramafic to mafic cumulates indicates that they were derived from a mantle source that was previously depleted by earlier partial melting events.The highly magnesian olivine(Fo77-83),clinopyroxene(Mg#of 82-90)and the highly Ca-plagioclase(An81-89)exhibit a close similarity to those,which formed in a supra-subduction zone(SSZ)setting.The field and the geochemical evidence suggest that the GKO formed as part of a much larger sheet of oceanic lithosphere,which accreted to the base of the Tauride active continental margin,including the ispendere,K?mürhan and the Guleman ophiolites.The latter were contemporaneous and genetically/tectonically related within the same SSZ setting during the closure of the Neotethyan oceanic basin(Berit Ocean)between the Taurides to the north and the Bitlis-Pütürge massif to the south during the Late Cretaceous.

Microbial Phytases and Phytate: Exploring Opportunities for Sustainable Phosphorus Management in Agriculture

Myo-inositol phosphates (phytates) are important biological molecules produced largely by plants to store phosphorus. Phytate is very abundant in many different soils making up a large portion of all soil phosphorus. This review assesses current phytase science from the perspective of its substrate, phytate, by examining the intricate relationship between the phytate-hydrolyzing enzymes and phytate as their substrate. Specifically, we examine available data on phytate’s structural features, distribution in nature and functional roles. The role of phytases and their localization in soil and plant tissues are evaluated. We provide a summary of the current biotechnological advances in using industrial or recombinant phytases to improve plant growth and animal nutrition. The prospects of future discovery of novel phytases with improved biochemical properties and bioengineering of existing enzymes are also discussed. Two alternative but complementary directions to increase phosphorus bioavailability through the more efficient utilization of soil phytate are currently being developed. These approaches take advantage of microbial phytases secreted into rhizosphere either by phytase-producing microbes (biofertilizers) or by genetically engineered plants. More research on phytate metabolism in soils and plants is needed to promote environmentally friendly, more productive and sustainable agriculture.

Waxes in asphaltenes of crude oils and wax deposits

Composition and molecular mass distribution of n-alkanes in asphaltenes of crude oils of different ages and in wax deposits formed in the borehole equipment were studied. In asphaltenes, n-alkanes from C12 to C60 were detected. The high molecular weight paraffins in asphaltenes would form a crystalline phase with a melting point of 80–90 ℃. The peculiarities of the redistribution of high molecular paraffin hydrocarbons between oil and the corresponding wax deposit were detected. In the oils, the high molecular weight paraffinic hydrocarbons C50–C60were found, which were not practically detected in the corresponding wax deposits.

The determination of white dwarf parameters in dwarf novae by optical spectral modeling

This paper presents the results of a model analysis of optical spectra and determination of the parameters of three individual SU UMa and WZ Sge type dwarf novae.The moderate resolution spectra of TY Psc,FL Psc and V455 And were obtained at the 6-m BTA of the SAO RAS in the low state of these systems with the determination of white dwarf radiation.The theoretical spectra were calculated using the grid models of hydrogen dwarf atmospheres of white dwarfs by varying the parameters(T_(eff) and log g) to reach the best agreement with the observed ones.We highlight different effects of the parameters on the shape and intensity of the HI lines.Therefore,it is possible to unambiguously determine T_(eff) and log g from the analysis of observations.The fundamental parameters of white dwarfs(M and R) were found by comparing the parameters of atmospheres with theoretical models of the internal structure.The obtained parameters of the primaries of TY Psc,FL Psc and V455 And are consistent with the average values for SU UMa and WZ Sge systems.As a result,we demonstrate the efficiency of the method for determining the parameters of such systems based on the analysis of a limited set of observed optical spectra.

Antiviral Effect of Ribonuclease from <i>Bacillus pumilus</i>against Phytopathogenic Rna-Viruses

Background: Viruses can cause different diseases in plants. To prevent viral infections, plants are treated with chemical compounds and antiviral agents. Chemical antiviral agents usually have narrow specificity, which limits their wide application. Alternative antiviral strategy is associated with the use of microbial enzymes, which are less toxic and are readily decomposed without accumulation of harmful substances. The aim of this work is to study the effect of Bacillus pumilus ribonuclease on various phytopathogenic viruses with specific focus on the ability of enzyme to eliminate them from plant explants in vitro. Materials and methods: Extracellular ribonuclease of B. pumilus is tested as an antiviral agent. To study the antiviral effect of RNase, depending on concentration and the time of application several plant-virus model systems are used. Virus detection is conducted by serological testing and RT-PCR. Results: Bacillus pumilus ribonuclease possesses antiviral activity against plant Rna-viruses RCMV (red clover mottle virus), PVX (Potato Virus X) and AMV (Alfalfa Mosaic Virus). The maximum inhibitory effect against actively replicating viruses is observed when plants are treated with the enzyme in the concentration of 100 ug/ml prior to infection. In case of local necrosis ribonuclease in the concentration of 1 ug/ml completely inhibits the development of RCMV virus on bean plants. The enzyme is able to penetrate plants and inhibit the development of viral infection, inhibiting effect for untreated surfaces decreased on average for 20%. It is also found that B. pumilus ribonuclease protects apical explants of sprouts of potato tubers from PVM and PVS viruses. Conclusion: B. pumilus ribonuclease possesses antiviral activity against plant Rna-viruses and produces viruses-free plants in the apical meristem culture.

Economic Benefit Estimating of Polydimensional Efficiency Measurement Model Implementation

This paper is a revised and expanded version of a paper entitled “The static and dynamic criteria of building an investment asset portfolio” presented at International Conference on Applied Economics (ICOAE, 2014), Chania, 3-5 July 2014 and published at Procedia Economics and Finance, Volume 14, Pages 575-584 (2014) [1]. At the previous research, it showed the significance to go beyond the scope of selecting one or another metric of static efficiency. And the attention was paid to the dynamic efficiency criteria. The ICOAE 2015 research gives brief results of that work, which is only one of applied areas of polydimensional efficiency measurement model (PEMM). Research work on PEMM conceptual and methodical elaboration has been started in the author’s dissertation study [2] and continued in the practical activity and materialized in Innovative LLC (limited liability company) creating project. The research is concentrating on the real economic benefit of 3D PEMM (thee criterial PEMM version) implementation. In the first part of ICOAE 2015 empirical study, the dynamic component of 3D PEMM on the industrial level was tested. Next, the company economic profit changes and dynamic-market 3D PEMM components correlation was estimated. Finally, the economic benefit of 3D PEMM functional operationalization in the framework of management systems development was calculated.

The theoretical study of the efficiency of diffusion deposition of nanoaerosols in the extended range of the Peclet numbers

The efficiencies of the diffusion deposition of nanoaerosols for a single fiber for the models of aerosol filter and wire mesh screen are studied numerically in the extended range of the Peclet number Pe.The rectangular periodic cell model for fluid flow and convective-diffusive transport of small aerosol particles is used.Most of the previous theoretical and experimental studies of single fiber diffusion deposition efficiency were for the case of Pe>1.The array with uniform square or chess grid of fibers and of a row of circular cylindrical fibers are considered as the filter and wire mesh screen models.The flow and particles transport equations are solved numerically using the Boundary Element Method.The obtained numerical data are used to derive the approximate formulas for the deposition efficiency in the entire range of the Peclet number for the various porosities of the filter medium or distances between fibers in a wire mesh screen.The derived dependencies take into account nonlinearity of the deposition efficiency at the low Peclet numbers.The obtained analytical dependencies compare well with the numerical and experimental data.

Silica-based nanoarchitecture for an optimal combination of photothermal and chemodynamic therapy functions of Cu2–xS cores with red emitting carbon dots

This study introduces multifunctional silica nanoparticles that exhibit both high photothermal and chemodynamic therapeutic activities,in addition to luminescence.The activity of the silica nanoparticles is derived from their plasmonic properties,which are a result of infusing the silica nanoparticles with multiple Cu2-xS cores.This infusion process is facilitated by a recoating of the silica nanoparticles with a cationic surfactant.The key factors that enable the internal incorporation of the Cu2-xS cores and the external deposition of red-emitting carbon dots are identified.The Cu2-xS cores within the silica nanoparticles exhibit both self-boosting generation of reactive oxygen species and high photothermal conversion efficacy,which are essential for photothermal and chemodynamic activities.The silica nanoparticles’small size(no more than 70 nm)and high colloidal stability are prerequisites for their cell internalization.The internalization of the red-emitting silica nanoparticles within cells is visualized using fluorescence microscopy techniques.The chemodynamic activity of the silica nanoparticles is associated with their dark cytotoxicity,and the mechanisms of cell death are evaluated using an apoptotic assay.The photothermal activity of the silica nanoparticles is demonstrated by significant cell death under near-infrared(1064 nm)irradiation.

The oscillations in ESR spectra of Hg_(0.76)Cd_(0.24)Te implanted by Ag^+ at the X and Q-bands

The objects of the investigation were uniformly Ag~＋ doped Hg_（0.76）Cd_（0.24） Te mercury chalcogenide monocrystals obtained by ion implantation with subsequent thermal annealing over 20 days. After implantation and annealing the conductivity was inverted from n-type with carrier concentration of 10^（16） cm^（-3） to p-type with carrier concentration of ≈ 3.9 × 10^（15） cm^（-3）. The investigations of microwave absorption derivative（d P/d H） showed the existence of strong oscillations in the magnetic field for Ag：Hg_（0.76）Cd_（0.24） Te in the temperature range 4.2–12 K. The concentration and effective mass of charge carrier were determined from oscillation period and temperature dependency of oscillation amplitude. We suppose that this phenomenon is similar to the de Haas–van Alphen effect in weakly correlated electron system with imperfect nesting vector.