Chemical composition of natural waters at Broknes Peninsula, Larsemann Hills, Antarctica

The article contributes to the study of the content of major and trace elements in various types of natural waters of the Broknes Peninsula,Larsemann Hills,Antarctica collected in January–February 2014 and 2020 during the 7th and 12th Belarusian Antarctic Expeditions.Samples of old(13 samples)and newly fallen snow(5),lakes(23)and groundwater(8)were analyzed.The content of 25 major and trace elements was determined using ICP-MS method,main anions was determined by titrimetric and turbidimetric methods.Good similarity chemical composition of snow,groundwater and lake waters in spite of differences in the content of major ions and trace elements has been obtained.The influence of marine salts on natural waters are analyzed,and their accumulation in lake waters especially in the endorheic small and shallow lakes in spite of ultra-oligotrophic atmospheric precipitates are shown.The spatial heterogeneity of groundwater and temporal and spatial heterogeneity of lake waters have been demonstrated.The results are important for understanding the variabilities of major and trace elements content in snow,groundwater and lake waters,and their relationship,as well as for identifying trends in their change,taking into account anthropogenic loads in the region and climate change.

Biotechnological Assessment of Suaeda arcuate under in Vitro Conditions

This article presents data on the introduction of in vitro culture and microclonal propagation of plants identified in the group of hyperhalophytes belonging to the species Suaeda arcuata Bunge. This study was carried out to optimize the composition of nutrient media for the main stages of reproduction in vitro, as well as studies on the rooting and adaptation of regenerants for species of the genus Suaeda obtained from axillary or apical buds, but more often from stem segments with a node. In this work, hormones of the cytokinin and auxin series, or a combination of them, were added to the nutrient environment for growth activation. The analyzing of microplants for the content of soluble in water B vitamins was carried out. As a result of the research, it was found that intact Suaeda arcuata plants in their natural habitats produce a large amount of soluble in water vitamins: riboflavin—0.062% and thiamine up to 0.006%. And in regenerated plants obtained on media without hormones, the content of vitamins was: B2 0.053%, B1 0%, respectively, and with a combination of 1/2 MS + 1 mg/l 6-BAP + 0.3 mg/l IAA + 2, 4-D, the content of vitamins varied as follows: riboflavin—0.059%, folic acid—0.030%, and thiamine was not detected. The cultivation of regenerates on the environment 1/2 MS + 1 mg/l 6-BAP + 0.3 mg/l IAA + 2,4-D showed the best effect on the growth of regenerants, created the possibility of obtaining the maximum amount of biomass and accumulation of B vitamins.

Polyphenols of the Hyperhalophyte Halocnemum strobilaceum (Pall.) M. Bieb. and Antioxidant Activity

The use of plant resources in obtaining medicines and locally useful species is an important step in the creation of a sustainable raw material base. The promising use of species of the Chenopodiaceae family, as a medicinal and food raw material, makes it relevant to investigate new promising sources of polyphenols to identify the chemical structure of compounds and their biological activity. Because the extract from Halocnemum strobilaceum has high antiradical activity, it seems important to study the possibility of correction of disturbances in oncological, diabetic and other non-infectious patients and consider them as promising drugs. In the first identified 5 polyphenols from Halocnemum strobilaceum, the obtained analyses show that this desert plant will allow creating in the future of a new range of promising biologically active substances, as well as using effectively the plant cover around the Aral.

Pheromone Monitoring in the Granaries of Uzbekistan

The pheromonitoring of pest insects population was carried out in the granary conditions. The results of pheromonitoring let us detect the pest insect’s location at lowest abundance, while visual inspections are not effective, and to determine the data of effective location in granary, proportions traps and pheromone preparative dose. The aggregation pheromone of the synthetic analogue Sitophilus weevils had been carried out, according to the general procedure for preparation of aldol product. Especially for increasing attractiveness of pheromone traps, different types of food baits were tested. The results were observed with using of germinated wheat grains moisten by wheat germ oil. The corn oil was more attractive and effective for attractiveness of whole pest insects in granary. The wheat germ oil and burdock oil was preferred, as food bait, especially for weevils. The special perforated construction of the pheromone trap for pest insects usage has been developed and recommended for storage areas. In a condition of granary, successful testing of pheromone monitoring makes it possible to establish the timing and necessity of quantitative chemical treatments.

The Study of Allelochemicals of the Melon Fly (Myiopardalis pardalina Bigot.)

This study describes the isolation, identification of allelochemicals of the melon fly (Myiopardalis pardalina Bigot.), using the GC-MS method. A food attractant has been identified and a method for the synthesis of its synthetic analogue has been developed. Also, a route for the synthesis of para pheromone, raspberry ketone, has been proposed.

Anticancer therapeutic strategies for targeting mutant p53-Y220C

The tumor suppressor p53 is a transcription factor with a powerful antitumor activity that is controlled by its negative regulator murine double minute 2(MDM2,also termed HDM2 in humans)through a feedback mechanism.At the same time,TP53 is the most frequently mutated gene in human cancers.Mutant p53 proteins lose wild-type p53 tumor suppression functions but acquire new oncogenic properties,among which are deregulating cell proliferation,increasing chemoresistance,disrupting tissue architecture,and promoting migration,invasion and metastasis as well as several other pro-oncogenic activities.The oncogenic p53 mutation Y220C creates an extended surface crevice in the DNA-binding domain destabilizing p53 and causing its denaturation and aggregation.This cavity accommodates stabilizing small molecules that have therapeutic values.The development of suitable small-molecule stabilizers is one of the therapeutic strategies for reactivating the Y220C mutant protein.In this review,we summarize approaches that target p53-Y220C,including reactivating this mutation with small molecules that bind Y220C to the hydrophobic pocket and developing immunotherapies as the goal for the near future,which target tumor cells that express the p53-Y220C neoantigen.

Innate IgM antibodies to mannose in patients with gastric cancer

Gastric cancer(GC) remains one of the most common lethal diseases. Every year, about 1 million people fall ill and almost 800 thousand people die worldwide~1. Surgical treatment has reached its limit. The current advances in immunology and detection of epidermal growth factor molecules(EGFR) in gastric cancer cells allowed to improve the treatment results;however, the metastatic form of this disease is still incurable.

Extracellular vesicles in the diagnosis and treatment of central nervous system diseases

Extracellular vesicles,including exosomes and microvesicles,play a fundamental role in the activity of the nervous system,participating in signal transmission between neurons and providing the interaction of central nervous system with all body systems.In many neurodegenerative diseases,neurons pack toxic substances into vesicles and release them into the extracellular space,which leads to the spread of misfolded neurotoxic proteins.The contents of neuron-derived extracellular vesicles may indicate pathological changes in the central nervous system,and the analysis of extracellular vesicle molecular content contributes to the development of non-invasive methods for the diagnosis of many central nervous system diseases.Extracellular vesicles of neuronal origin can be isolated from various biological fluids due to their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier.Today,the diagnostic potential of almost all toxic proteins involved in nervous system disease pathogenesis,specificallyα-synuclein,tau protein,superoxide dismutase 1,FUS,leucine-rich repeat kinase 2,as well as some synaptic proteins,has been well evidenced.Special attention is paid to extracellular RNAs mostly associated with extracellular vesicles,which are important in the onset and development of many neurodegenerative diseases.Depending on parental cell type,extracellular vesicles may have different therapeutic properties,including neuroprotective,regenerative,and anti-inflammatory.Due to nano size,biosafety,ability to cross the blood-brain barrier,possibility of targeted delivery and the lack of an immune response,extracellular vesicles are a promising vehicle for the delivery of therapeutic substances for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and drug delivery to the brain.This review describes modern approaches of diagnosis and treatment of central nervous system diseases using extracellular vesicles.

Labeling of influenza viruses with synthetic fluorescent and biotin-labeled lipids

Direct labeling of virus particles is a powerful tool for the visualization of virus–cell interaction events. However, this technique involves the chemical modification of viral proteins that affects viral biological properties. Here we describe an alternative approach of influenza virus labeling that utilizes Function-Spacer-Lipid(FSL) constructs that can be gently inserted into the virus membrane. We assessed whether labeling with fluorescent(fluo-Ad-DOPE) or biotin-labeled(biot-CMG2-DOPE) probes has any deleterious effect on influenza virus hemagglutinin(HA) receptor specificity, neuraminidase(NA) activity, or replicative ability in vitro. Our data clearly show that neither construct significantly affected influenza virus infectivity or viral affinity to sialyl receptors. Neither construct influenced the NA activities of the influenza viruses tested, except the A/Puerto Rico/8/34(H1N1) strain. Our data indicate that lipid labeling provides a powerful tool to analyze influenza virus infection in vitro.

Diversity, novelty, antimicrobial activity, and new antibiotics of cultivable endophytic actinobacteria isolated from psammophytes collected from Taklamakan Desert

Three hundred and twenty endophytic actinobacterial strains were isolated from psammophytes collected from Taklamakan Desert and identified. Among them, three strains already had been identified as new species of two genera and sixteen isolates showed relatively low 16 S rRNA similarities < 98.6% to validly described species. Seventy-five of the isolates were selected as representative strains to screen antibacterial activity and mechanism. Forty-seven strains showed antagonistic activity against at least one of the indicator bacteria. Two Streptomyces strains produced bioactive compounds inducing DNA damage, and two Streptomyces strains produced bioactive compounds with inhibitory activity on protein biosynthesis. Notably, the strain Streptomyces sp. 8P21H-1 that demonstrated both strong antibacterial activity and inhibitory activity on protein biosynthesis was prioritized for exploring new antibiotics.Under the strategy of integrating genetics-based discovery program and MS/MS-based molecular networking, two new streptogramin-type antibiotics, i.e., acetyl-griseoviridin and desulphurizing griseoviridin, along with known griseoviridin, were isolated from the culture broth of strain 8P21H-1. Their chemical structures were determined by HR-MS, and 1D and 2D NMR. Desulphurizing griseoviridin and griseoviridin exhibited antibacterial activities by inhibiting translation.

Effect of chitosan on tobacco mosaic virus(TMV) accumulation, hydrolase activity, and morphological abnormalities of the viral particles in leaves of N. tabacum L. cv. Samsun

The effect of chitosan on the development of infection caused by Tobacco mosaic virus(TMV) in leaves of Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Samsun has been studied. It was shown that the infectivity and viral coat protein content in leaves inoculated with a mixture of TMV(2 μg/mL) and chitosan(1 mg/mL) were lower in the early period of infection(3 days after inoculation), by 63% and 66% respectively, than in leaves inoculated with TMV only. Treatment of leaves with chitosan 24 h before inoculation with TMV also caused the antiviral effects, but these were less apparent than when the virus and polysaccharide were applied simultaneously. The inhibitory effects of the agent decreased as the infection progressed. Inoculation of leaves with TMV together with chitosan considerably enhanced the activity of hydrolases(proteases, RNases) in the leaves, in comparison with leaves inoculated with TMV alone. Electron microscope assays of phosphotungstic acid(PTA)-stained suspensions from infected tobacco leaves showed that, in addition to the normal TMV particles(18 nm in diameter, 300 nm long), these suspensions contained abnormal(swollen, "thin" and "short") virions. The highest number of abnormal virions was found in suspensions from leaves inoculated with a mixture of TMV and chitosan. Immuno-electron microscopy showed that "thin" virus particles, in contrast to the particles of normal diameter, lost the ability to bind to specific antiserum. It seems that the chitosan-induced activation of hydrolases stimulates the intracellular degradation of TMV particles and hence hydrolase activation may be considered to be one of the polysaccharide-mediated cellular defense mechanisms that limit virus accumulation in cells.

Protective effects of polar lipids and redox-active compounds from marine organisms at modeling of hyperlipidemia and diabetes

Cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus are leading causes of mortality in modern society. The search for a novel effective remedy represents an important task for modern medicine. A total mixture of phospho- and glycolipids from sea macrophytes Sargassum pallidum, Ulva fenestrata, Zostera marina was separated and the fatty acid composition was determined. The biological activity of the mixtures of polar lipids and natural redox-active compounds (echinochrome A from the flat sea urchin Scaphechinus mirabilis and a polyphenolic complex from the sea grass Zostera marina) was studied under conditions of impairments of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Doses and compositions of mixtures of pola lipids and redox-active compounds possessing high corrective activity were optimized in mice with the experimental model of hyperlipidemia and diabetes. Based on these results possible mechanisms of the effects of polar lipids containing various polyunsaturated fatty acids and the investigated redox-active compounds (echinochrome A, rosmarinic acid, luteolin and its sulphate conjugates) have been proposed. The developed compositions may be used for creation of new biologically active additives and remedies.

Anti-apoptotic effect of retinoic acid on retinal progenitor cells mediated by a protein kinase A-dependent mechanism

网膜的祖先房间(RPC ) 是能区分进任何正常成年网膜的房间类型的神经干细胞，除了颜料上皮的房间。Retinoic 酸(RA ) 是通常引起生长抑制的一个强大的生长 / 区别因素， differentiationand/or apoptosis。在这研究，我们表明那 RA 不仅影响老鼠 RPC 区别而且由没有影响 RPCproliferation，减少自发的 apoptotic 率改进房间幸存。提高的房间幸存被伴随由一在蛋白激酶 A (PKA ) 和几蛋白激酶 C (PKC ) 的表示的规定上面重要 isoforms。与 8-bromoadenosine3'',5''-cyclic 在 RA 免费的媒介种的房间的处理单音的磷酸盐， PKA 的已知的使活跃之物，导致了类似于由 RA 引起了那的 anti-apoptotic 效果；而 PKA inhibitorN-[2-(p-bromocinnamylamino ) 乙醇] 导致的 -5-isoquinolinesulfonamide dihydrochloride 一重要(约 32%) 在 apoptosis 增加。相反，有任何二个 PKCselective 禁止者的 RPC 的处理， 2,2'',3,3'',4,4''-hexahydroxy-1,1''-biphenyl-6,6''-dimethanol 暗淡乙基醚 andbisindolylmaleimide XI，导致了减少的 apoptosis；当时 PKC 使活跃之物， phorbol 12-myristate13-acetate，增加的 apoptosis。这些和另外的数据建议 RPC 幸存上的 RA 的效果主要由于 PKA 得到的增加的 anti-apoptotic 活动，它可能被 PKC 接着反对。如此的机制是 RA 触发的重要生物学过程的紧密的规定的一个新例子。尽管详细机制尚待被阐明，我们提供 RPC 上的 RA 的支持幸存的效果没被 p53 orbcl-2 的改变的表示调停，并且看起来独立于的证据贝它淀粉，船边交货 ligand， TNF-alpha， ganglioside GM1 andceramide 导致 C16 的 apoptotic 小径。

Seasonal Composition of Lipids, Fatty Acids Pigments in the Brown Alga Sargassum pallidum: The Potential for Health

The present study describes the content of total lipids (TL), the main components of polar and neutral lipids (NL) and photosynthetic pigments (PSP) in edible seaweed Sargassum pallidum (Ochrophyta) from the Sea of Japan, Russia, in different months of the year, taking into account life cycle. Special attention was paid to the fatty acids (FAs) of total lipids as well as the accumulation of important polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in glyceroglycolipids (GL) and reserve lipids in the seasonal cycles of growth. The content of TL strongly varied in the course of a year. The major lipid components were GL (20.3% - 36.4%) and NL (19.8% - 30.6%), while phospholipids (PL) were present in negligible amounts (3.2% - 6.9%). Significant seasonal variations were observed in content all classes of lipids. The PUFAs prevailed in total lipids and the content of n-6 PUFAs was higher than n-3 PUFAs on all stages of life with the exception of vegetation period. Monogalactosyldiacylglycerols (MGDG) and digalactosyldiacylglecerols (DGDG) were rich in PUFAs and n-3 PUFAs were dominated among them independently of stages of growth. Saturated fatty acids (SFA) were dominated in sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerols (SQDG). Triacylglycerols (TAG) and diacylglycerols (DAG) contained many PUFAs, especially n-6 PUFAs. Significant concentration 20:3 n-6 was in the triacylglycerols. The concentration of chlorophylls and carotenoids was increased with the growth and maturation of S. pallidum and reached maximum in period of highest day length and water temperature. The content of pigments decreased with the onset of short days and decreasing water temperatures. Nutritional value and benefit for health of human this alga were evaluated. The n-6/n-3 PUFAs ratio, nutritional quality index (atherogenic and thrombogenic indices, and ratio between hypocholesterolemic and hypercholesterolemic fatty acids) were low, suggesting a high nutritional value of S. pallidum throughout the year.

Application of Glyceroglycolipids, Photosynthetic Pigments and Extracts of Brown Algae for Suppression ROS

Lipid-rich extracts were obtained from brown algae Saccharina cichorioides, Costaria costata, Chorda filum, Eularia fistulosa, Dictyopteris divaricata, Dictyosiphon chordaria, Silvetia babingtonii, and Fucus evanescens that were collected in Peter the Great Gulf of the Sea of Japan. The ability of algalextracts and glyceroglycolipids (GLs) monogalactosyldiacylglycerols (MGDG), digalactosyldiacylglycerols (DGDG), and sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerols (SQDG) and carotenoid fucoxanthin to suppression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells, studied. The results showed that algae extracts could suppress ROS. However, extracts of D. divaricata, D. chordaria, C. filum, S. babingtonii, and F. evanescens had a higher degree of suppression of ROS. Extracts of S. cichorioides and D. divaricata showed the dependence of their activity from the month of collecting these algae. The GLs and fucoxanthin were isolated from extracts of using column chromatography with silica gel and their ROS-inhibitory activity was investigated too. The fatty acids (FAs) composition of lipids was determined byGC and GC/MS. It has been found that MGDG and DGDG stronger than SGDG inhibited the ROS and the degree of their activity depended on the species of algae, the month of collection, the amount of PUFA, the ratio of n - 3 and n - 6 PUFA in GLs. Fucoxanthin has shown a high degree of suppression of ROS. This preliminary study has shown the prospect of a deeper study of the suppression of ROS with the help of lipids from algae the Sea of Japan.

Form confers function:Case of the 3'X region of the hepatitis C virus genome

At the 3' end of genomic hepatitis C virus(HCV) RNA there is a highly conserved untranslated region,the 3'X-tail,which forms part of the 3'UTR.This region plays key functions in regulation of critical processes of the viral life cycle.The 3'X region is essential for viral replication and infectivity.It is also responsible for regulation of switching between translation and transcription of the viral RNA.There is some evidence indicating the contribution of the 3'X region to the translation efficiency of the viral polyprotein and to the encapsidation process.Several different secondary structure models of the 3'X region,based on computer predictions and experimental structure probing,have been proposed.It is likely that the 3'X region adopts more than one structural form in infected cells and that a specific equilibrium between the various forms regulates several aspects of the viral life cycle.The most intriguing explanations of the structural heterogeneity problem of the 3'X region came with the discovery of its involvement in long-range RNA-RNA interactions and the potential for homodimer formation.This article summarizes current knowledge on the structure and function of the 3'X region of hepatitis C genomic RNA,reviews previous opinions,presents new hypotheses and summarizes the questions that still remain unanswered.

Efficient Technique for Long-Term <i>in Vitro</i>Storage of Transgenic Aspen Genotypes

In vitro culture of isolated cells from tissues and organs is sometimes used to preserve and reproduce unique genotypes of woody plants. The technique, however, requires regular subculturing which raises storage costs and creates risks for contamination and accumulation of somaclonal variations. We examined the effects of sugar composition of culture medium, the length of photoperiod, light intensity, and ambient temperature on the survival of plant material in vitro. The study was performed on 49 genotypes of Populus tremula (46 transgenic genotypes carrying GFP-, Xeg- and Gus-genes, and 3 control (wild-type) genotypes). It was shown that effective storage of plants was achieved through optimization of the combined effects of all storage parameters under study. Based on the experimental data, we developed a protocol for long-term in vitro storage of desirable genotypes without subculture and with a survival rate of up to 98%. The best results were obtained when the plant material was pre-cultured on a WPM medium containing 15 g/L sucrose, 7.5 g/L sorbitol and 7.5 g/L mannitol, and then stored at +4°C under a 24-hour light day cycle with only 8 hours of light per day and maximum light intensity of 2000 lux. Post-storage recovery was done by culturing on a medium containing 1 mg/L gibberellic acid. The developed method can be used for effective in vitro storage of the studied genotypes for up to 24 months without subculture.

The Distribution and Substrate Specificity of Extracellular Nuclease Activity in Marine Fungi

The distribution and specificity of extracellular nucleases produced by marine fungi belonging to eleven genera, namely: Alternaria, Aspergillus, Aureobasidium, Chaetomium, Fusarium, Gliomastix, Humicola, Penicillium, Scopulariopsis, Wardomyces, Periconia, have implied its important function in the organic phosphorus and nitrogen circle in the Ocean. The fungal nucleases of 64 isolates tested were more or less specific for single-stranded DNA with a high preferential specificity towards poly-U substrate with forming of 5’-phosphate mononucleotides. A couple of the nucleases were capable of RNA digesting. The highest level of extracellular nucleolytic ability was observed in Penicillium spp. isolates. The tight correlation found between extracellular nuclease activity and the rate of thymidine uptake by actively growing and sporulating marine fungus Penicillium melinii suggests that this nuclease is required for fulfilling the nucleotide pool of precursors of DNA biosynthesis during transformation of hyphae into the aerial mycelium and conidia in stressful environmental conditions.

Glial decline and loss of homeostatic support rather than inflammation defines cognitive aging

The preservation of cognitive longevity and arresting the pandemic of senile dementia engulfing the modern world is arguably the major challenge faced by biomedical research in the 21st century.Age is the leading risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases and vascular dementia,and yet there is a clear distinction between physiological and pathological brain aging.