Close Negative Correlation Research Articles

Close negative correlation of local and circulating Dickkopf-1 and Sclerostin levels during human fracture healing

Wnt signaling is critically involved in fracture healing. Existing data predominantly relies on rodent models. Here, we explored local and circulating Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) levels in patients with respect to fracture healing and explore its association to sclerostin (SOST). 69 patients after surgical stabilization of long bone fractures of which six patients had impaired fracture healing were included in this study. Life-style and patient related factors with a known effect on DKK1 and SOST were recorded. DKK1 and SOST concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at the fracture site and in circulation. DKK1 and SOST showed a close inverse correlation. In fracture hematoma and immediately after trauma DKK1 levels were significantly reduced while SOST levels were significantly increased, compared to healthy control. Postoperatively, DKK1 peaked at week 2 and SOST at week 8, again demonstrating a close negative correlation. Age and smoking status affected the balance of DKK1 and SOST, while type 2 diabetes and sex did not demonstrate a significant influence. Early postoperative elevation of SOST without compensatory DKK1 decrease was associated with fracture non-union in younger patients (< 50a). The close inverse correlation and very rapid dynamics of DKK1 and SOST locally as well as systemically suggest their critical involvement during human fracture healing. Importantly, as immediate compensatory feedback mechanism are apparent, we provide evidence that dual-blockade of DKK1 and SOST could be critical to allow for therapeutic efficiency of Wnt targeted therapies for fracture healing.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BIOCHEMICAL INDICATORS AND PHENOTYPICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THYME (THYMUS VULGARIS L.)

Introduction. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) is a sought-after medicinal crop, the raw materials of which are included in the Pharmacopoeias of several countries and are widely used in scientific medicine. Due to the presence of strong intraspecific diversity in thyme, it seems interesting to identify phenotypic characteristics that most likely indicate the presence of certain pharmacologically significant compounds. The presence of such information will allow targeted selection both in natural populations and during the hybridization of cultivars and the development of new varieties. The purpose of the work was to identify phenotypic traits indicating a high content of essential oil and thymol in thyme, the amount of phenolic compounds, flavonoids and tannins. Material and methods. Samples and varieties of thyme from different geographical origins were selected as objects. Biometric, anatomical indicators and yield were determined in the flowering phase. The essential oil content was determined by Clevenger hydrodistillation method. Component composition was determined by gas chromatography. The amount of phenolic compounds and tannins according to the Folin-Ciocalteu method in aqueous-alcoholic extract calculated as gallic acid. The determination of flavonoids in the aqueous-alcoholic extract was carried out using the spectrophotometryс method calculated as rutin. Results. As a result of the research, no signs were found indicating a high content of essential oil. Flavonoid content calculated as rutin had a negative correlation (−0.72) with stomatal density. A negative relationship was noted between the intensity of coloring of the pistil and anthers and the content of the total phenolic compounds calculated as gallic acid (0.71 and 0.72, respectively). Large stomata on both the underside and upper side of the leaf may indicate a high tannin content (0.8 and 0.88). All studied components of common thyme belonged to the thymol type, and the content of this component ranged from 37.6 to 80.8%. An increased content of thymol in essential oil is observed such signs as an elongated leaf shape (leaf index R = 0.78), lack of downward curling of the edges of the leaf blade (R = –0.78) and pronounced veins on the underside of the leaf (R = 0.92). Large stomata on the lower epidermis also indicate an increased proportion of thymol in the essential oil (R = 0.78). When analyzing the interdependence between the content of the main components of essential oil, it was noted that there is a close negative correlation between the content of p-cymene and thymol (R = –0.91) and carvacrol (R = –0.88). Conclusion. As a result of the research, phenotypic and anatomical characteristics were identified that make it possible to diagnose promising samples of common thyme, which will help speed up the selection process.

Liquid-Phase Cyclic Chemiluminescence for the Identification of Cobalt Speciation.

Accurate discrimination of metal species is a significant analytical challenge. Herein, we propose a novel methodology based on liquid-phase cyclic chemiluminescence (CCL) for the identification of cobalt speciation. The CCL multistage signals (In) of the luminol-H2O2 reaction catalyzed by different cobalt species have different decay coefficients k. Thereby, we can facilely identify various cobalt species according to the distinguishable k values, including the complicated and structurally similar cobalt complexes, such as analogues of [Co(NH3)5X]n+ (X = Cl-, H2O, and NH3), Co(II) porphyrins, and bis(2,4-pentanedione) cobalt(II) derivatives. Especially, the number of substituent atoms also influences the k value greatly, which allows excellent discrimination between complexes that only have a subtle difference in the substituent group. In addition, linear discriminant analysis based on In provides a complementary solution to improve the differentiating ability. We performed density functional theory calculations to investigate the interaction mode of H2O2 over cobalt species. A close negative correlation between the adsorption energy and the k value is observed. Moreover, the calculation of energy evolutions of H2O2 decomposition into a double hydroxide radical shows that a high level of consistency exists between the activation energy barrier and the k value. The results further demonstrate that the decay coefficient of the CCL multistage signal is associated with the catalytic reactivity of the cobalt species. Our work not only broadens the application of chemiluminescence but also provides a complementary technology for speciation analysis.

MAOA suppresses the growth of gastric cancer by interacting with NDRG1 and regulating the Warburg effect through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Previous studies have indicated that neurotransmitters play important roles in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer. MAOA is an important catecholamine neurotransmitter-degrading enzyme involved in the degradation of norepinephrine, epinephrine and serotonin. To find a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of gastric cancer, the biological functions of MAOA and the underlying mechanism in gastric cancer need to be explored. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets, Kaplan‒Meier (KM) plotter were used to identify the differentially expressed genes, which mainly involved the degradation and synthesis enzymes of neurotransmitters in gastric cancer. We also investigated the expression pattern of MAOA in human and mouse tissues and cell lines by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting analysis. Western blotting, quantitative real-time PCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a Seahorse experiment were used to identify the molecular mechanism of cancer cell glycolysis. MAOA expression and patient survival were analysed in the Ren Ji cohort, and univariate and multivariate analyses were performed based on the clinicopathological characteristics of the above samples. MAOA expression was significantly downregulated in gastric cancer tissue and associated with poor patient prognosis. Moreover, the expression level of MAOA in gastric cancer tissue had a close negative correlation with the SUXmax value of PET-CT in patients. MAOA suppressed tumour growth and glycolysis and promoted cancer cell apoptosis. We also reported that MAOA can interact with NDRG1 and regulate glycolysis through suppression of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. MAOA expression may serve as an independent prognostic factor in gastric cancer patients. MAOA attenuated glycolysis and inhibited the progression of gastric cancer through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Loss of function or downregulation of MAOA can facilitate gastric cancer progression. Overexpression of MAOA and inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway may provide a potential method for gastric cancer treatment in clinical therapeutic regimens.

The distribution law and coupling factors of debris flows in the G318 Linzhi–Lhasa section of the Sichuan–Tibet traffic corridor

In recent years, debris flow disasters have occurred frequently along the highway, causing river blockages and road interruptions, which seriously threaten the safety of people's lives and property. Highway G318 is an important throat project linking Sichuan and Tibet; at the same time, it is an important channel for the economic development of Sichuan and Tibet and the transportation of national defense materials. Taking the Linzhi–Lhasa Section of Highway G318 as an example, this study analyses the distribution law and characteristics of coupling factors of debris flows in the study area (under its topographical, hydrometeorological, geological, and structural conditions) using remote sensing interpretation, field surveys, and mathematical statistics. The research shows that: (1) The types and quantity of debris flows in the region show statistical laws under the factors of the slope, slope aspect, drainage area, and gradient of the gully. The vegetation coverage in the upper reaches of the Nyang River valley gradually decreases, and the average debris flow disaster density is 0.529/km, which is the most densely distributed area of debris flow. (2) The distribution density of regional debris flows in narrow valleys is greater than that in wide valleys, and those in the Nyang River basin are greater than those in the Lhasa River basin. (3) By comparing the tectonic geological map and the debris flow distribution map, it was found that the debris flow distribution is controlled by faults, and 71% of the debris flow basins have faults. (4) There is a significant positive correlation between the gradient of the material source area and the gradient of the debris flow gully, as well as a close positive correlation between the rainfall and the fault density, and a close negative correlation between the average gradient and the drainage area. Due to the unique topography and geomorphology of different regions, a difference in meteorology and hydrology occurred. This further affected the topography, geomorphology, and distribution of debris flow disasters. Based on the study of the distribution law of regional debris flow and geological environmental factors, this study provides strong support for regional debris flow prevention and related research.

Analysis of Water Heat Flux and Drought based on Wetland Classification in the Yellow River Delta

To provide scientific basis for utilizing wetland resources, the drought conditions of different wetland types were evaluated in the Yellow River Delta. Based on the wetlands classification map, the difference in water and heat flux was studied, as well as the drought conditions in different wetlands. The relationship between the retrieved land surface temperature (LST) and evapotranspiration (ET) was analyzed through two section profiles in different directions using Geographic Information System (GIS) tools. The LST is relatively lower and the ET is relatively higher in areas mostly covered by wetlands of bush swamp, water body, saltern, and waterlogged lowland. On the whole, the ET values increase from inland to coastal areas, and the corresponding drought index decreases. There is a close negative correlation between ET and the regional water index (RWSI). The coefficients of the regression equations presented by different land use types such as swamp, built area, bush swamp, dry farmland, cultural pond, and other wetland types have slight differences. Generally, the non-wetland areas still show a large RWSI value, though the ET is relatively small. On the contrary, the artificial wetland is subjected to lower drought risk as indicated by its lower RWSI in spite of the high ET level. The RWSI of some natural wetland areas is larger than that of artificial ones, which indicates that proper utilization can reduce the drought risk to a certain extent in natural wetlands. Results showed that reasonable development of wetland resources may alleviate regional drought conditions.

Research on the Ecological and Economic Impacts of Rising Sea Levels on Mangroves in Southern Florida in the Context of Climate Change

The decline in mangrove ecosystems is a major contributor to the loss of biodiversity, extra carbon release, and local economic instability, particularly in tropical coastal regions that are constantly influenced by climate changes. Despite the importance of the mangroves, there is limited research investigating the consequences. Under the context, this research examines the correlation between mangrove density, sea level rise, and economic impacts in Southern Florida. The work aims to address three main questions: (i) what are the ecological impacts of sea level rising on mangroves density; (ii) what are the economic implications of mangrove loss; (iii) what extent of government intervention should be imposed on the environmental problem. The research presents a two-variable graph that examines the relationship between mangrove density in Southern Florida and sea level rise, analyzing its overall correlation in the Caribbean region. Another correlation study of the impacts of mangrove loss on local tourism is created and set as the focus. The conventional hedonic method is applied as the tool of evaluating mangroves value. The results demonstrate a close negative correlation between sea level and mangrove density, and a positive correlation of mangroves density and local tourism.

Relationship between Complex Integration Indices and Inflation Indicators and Their Impact on the Development of Regional Cooperation between Countries to Reduce the Level of Inflationary Risks: Case of the SCO Member Countries

In this study, we focused on the development of cooperation between partner countries, which may affect the reduction of inflationary risks for partnership participants in the context of global and urgent changes in the world. This article aims to identify the relationship between inflation indicators and various types of globalization (complex integration indices) of each of the member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in order to develop measures to contain inflation risks in these countries. The authors used the methods of pairwise linear regression, correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression. As variables, the authors used complex indicators that characterize six types of globalization: Economic, financial, demographic, industrial, information, and political indices. The authors concluded that China and India more effectively curb inflation and are less prone to inflation risks. The inflation rate and the independent variables have a close negative correlation, which indicates a strong degree of mutual influence and has a downward effect on the consumer price index. The most significant variables that have a strong influence on the inflation rate are the factors of financial and information integration. The impact of other types of integration considered in this study is not significant. In order to reduce the level of inflationary risks, the SCO member countries most vulnerable to the price volatility of raw materials (Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan) are encouraged to develop trade cooperation more actively, for example, by reducing or eliminating import duties on raw materials from the SCO countries.

Ground warming and permafrost degradation in various terrestrial ecosystems in northcentral Mongolia

AbstractTo detect the response of permafrost to climate change in various terrestrial ecosystems, we established a permafrost monitoring network in 2007, which includes eight boreholes to monitor ground temperatures in forest, meadow, steppe, moderately dry steppe, and wetland ecosystems and three Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) to monitor climatic factors, such as wind speed (Ws), air temperature (Ta), relative humidity (RH), precipitation (P), solar radiation (Rs), net radiation (Rn), soil heat flux (SHF), soil temperature (Ts), and soil water content (SWC), in forest, meadow, and steppe ecosystems in north‐central Mongolia. Major indicators, including mean annual ground temperature (MAGT), active layer thickness (ALT), and depth of zero annual amplitude (DZAA), were estimated to detect permafrost degradation. The results show that MAGT has increased by 0.00–0.02°C per year (almost no change) in the ice‐poor permafrost areas and by 0.03–0.06°C per year in the ice‐rich permafrost on pingos and wetlands. ALT showed an annual increase of −0.78 to 0.36 cm (almost no change) in the forest and meadow ecosystems and 2.3–7.2 cm in wetland ecosystems, whereas it increased by 23.0–28.9 cm per year in the steppe ecosystems over the last decade. This implies that the permafrost has degraded more rapidly in the steppe ecosystems than in other ecosystems. Based on correlation analysis, ALT is correlated to P in the meadow ecosystems and to SWC in the forest ecosystem, and MAGT is correlated to RH. However, both ALT and MAGT show a close correlation with major climatic factors, such as Ta, RH, SHF, and SWC in the steppe ecosystem. DZAA shows a close negative correlation with Ta in all ecosystems. These results provide evidence for permafrost degradation and its different responses to climate change in various terrestrial ecosystems.

Forage productivity and morphogenesis of Axonopus aureus under defoliation levels

The effect of defoliation levels (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 cm above soil level) on dry matter (DM) yield and morphogenetic and structural characteristics of Axonopus aureus was evaluated under field conditions in Roraima´s savannas. The effects of defoliation levels on the DM yields, absolute growth rate, number of leaves/plant, medium blade length, leaf area, leaf appearance and elongation rates were quadratics and maximum values recorded with cutting at 19.2; 17.5; 20.7; 27.2; 24.3; 20.5 e 25.9 cm above soil level. The population tiller density was directly proportional to the level of defoliation, while the opposite occurred for to leaf senescence rate. Apical meristem removing percentage was higher with increasing defoliation level. Aftermath regrowth showed close negative correlation with defoliation level. Pastures of A. aureus managed under residues between 15 and 25 cm above the ground provide greater productivity and efficiency of forage use, greater tissue renewal and a more favorable canopy structure for grazing.

Relationship between the East Atlantic teleconnection pattern and the spring dust storm in northern China. Part‐I: Impacts of components of the atmospheric circulation over Eurasia on dust storm dynamic power—Spring gales

AbstractSpring gale is a dynamic power for DSs (DSs), which presents a close connection with the DSs of northern China. Both display declining trends during the past 68 years (1954–2021). In this study, the influencing factors of spring gales and DSs around northern China and possible adjustment functions of the East Atlantic (EA) teleconnection pattern have been investigated. It was found that the major systems controlling spring gales include the North Polar vortex (NPV), mid–high‐latitude blocking highs (BHs), air pressure status of the Tibetan Plateau (TP) over the Eurasian continent, India–Burma trough (IBT) and western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH). Under synthetic atmospheric circulation conditions of an enlarged NPV, lower air pressure over the TP, a strong IBT, and a southeastward‐retreated WPSH, spring gales increase, and the frequency of DS occurrence is increased, and vice versa. Additionally, spring gales are also negatively affected by BHs. The most important is the Baikal BH, which has influence not only in previous seasons but also in the contemporary spring. Furthermore, the NPV and IBT have close negative correlation with the EA pattern, whereas the TP and WPSH have positive correlation with the EA pattern both in previous seasons and in the contemporary spring. A high‐pitched EA pattern results in a strong western current north of Lake Baikal, which may prohibit the expansion of the NPV in the sector of northern China. A shrunk NPV means infrequent cold air attacks and decreased gales and DSs.

Gas and water distribution in the tight gas sands of the northwestern daniudi gas field, ordos basin, China: Impact of the shale barrier

The production of gas from the Upper Paleozoic tight sands in the Daniudi gas field, Ordos Basin, China, is hindered by a lack of knowledge of the factors controlling water distribution. This study aims to clarify the origin of the water, reduce unwanted water production, and detect probable locations of “sweet spots”. A geological study during field development was conducted in the northwestern region of the gas field by integrating production data with other core, well log, mud log, and geological data. The results showed that the gas and water distribution was apparently related to gas charge, with a close negative correlation identified between the thickness of shale barrier and the cumulative gas production on a per well basis. Therefore, the shale barrier has the significant influence on the fluid distribution in the study area. In addition, the shale barrier was found to play a dual role in hindering gas charge toward the upper reservoir and in sealing trapped gas in the lower reservoir, given the configuration of “gas generation below and gas storage above”. This implies the wax and wane relationship. Insights on the shale barrier’s effect contribute to an alternative strategy of “sweet spot” prediction for resource development in unconventional gas reservoirs, i.e., if improved technologies are currently lacking to discriminate between gas-bearing and water-bearing zones in tight gas sands, the spatial distribution of continuous shale can be predicted with 3D seismic data as an initial step, which is thought to be less difficult. The attempts to detect “sweet spots” should subsequently focus on the local area where the thinner shale barrier exists below the producing zone. This work not only can enrich the theory of hydrocarbon accumulation in the Ordos Basin, but also presents an analogue to tight sand gas for worldwide sedimentary basins.

T4-like Phages Reveal the Potential Role of Viruses in Soil Organic Matter Mineralization.

Viruses are the most abundant biological entities in the world, but their ecological functions in soil are virtually unknown. We hypothesized that greater abundance of T4-like phages will increase bacterial death and thereby suppress soil organic carbon (SOC) mineralization. A range of phage and bacterial abundances were established in sterilized soil by reinoculation with 10-3 and 10-6 dilutions of suspensions of unsterilized soil. The total and viable 16S rRNA gene abundance (a universal marker for bacteria) was measured by qPCR to determine bacterial abundance, with propidium monoazide (PMA) preapplication to eliminate DNA from non-viable cells. Abundance of the g23 marker gene was used to quantify T4-like phages. A close negative correlation between g23 abundance and viable 16S rRNA gene abundance was observed. High abundance of g23 led to lower viable ratios for bacteria, which suggested that phages drove microbial necromass production. The CO2 efflux from soil increased with bacterial abundance but decreased with higher abundance of T4-like phages. Elimination of extracellular DNA by PMA strengthened the relationship between CO2 efflux and bacterial abundance, suggesting that SOC mineralization by bacteria is strongly reduced by the T4-like phages. A random forest model revealed that abundance of T4-like phages and the abundance ratio of T4-like phages to bacteria are better predictors of SOC mineralization (measured as CO2 efflux) than bacterial abundance. Our study provides experimental evidence of phages' role in organic matter turnover in soil: they can retard SOC decomposition but accelerate bacterial turnover.

KORELASI AKTIFITAS FISIK DAN KOMPOSISI TUBUH DENGAN DAYA TAHAN JANTUNG PARU

Pencak silat refers to performance sport requiring good physical condition. This study objective was to investigate the correlation between the physical activities and the body composition (fat percentage) to the cardiopulmonary endurance in female and male player-categorized athletes of pencak silat at Pelatda PON XVII Jawa Barat. The subjects of the study consisted of 20 pelatda athletes. The athletes conducted test of cardiopulmonary endurance using Astrand’s bench, daily intake was measured by food records 7x24 hours, physical activity was measured by activity records 7x24 hours, body composition was measured by skinfold calliper. The data was analyzed using Pearson’s correlation test. The conclusion, there were a close positive correlation of the physical activity to the cardiopulmonary endurance of all subjects, there was also a close negative correlation of the body composition (fat percentage) to the cardiopulmonary endurance of male athletes, while a weak positive correlation of female athletes.

Influence of biologization and chemicalization factors on the phytosanitary state of barley in the forest-steppe of Western Siberia

The research was carried out to study the influence of biologization and chemicalization factors on the phytosanitary state of barley in the chain of the six-field fodder crop rotation of the second rotation in the forest-steppe of Western Siberia. The biologization factor was considered sowing peas to barley. The chemicalization factor was considered as the introduction of mineral fertilizers according to the results of agrochemical analysis at a dose of N60P20. It was found that the highest development of root rot was found in the variant with sowing barley without fertilizers, where the disease development index reached an average of 14.4% for the plant. The lowest one is in the variant “barley + peas + fertilizers’ (4.6%). In the variants “barley + peas’ and “barley + fertilizer”, the intensity of the disease was approximately the same and within the limits of the severity threshold – from 6.6 to 6.9 %. Similar data were obtained for the prevalence of the disease. Among the analyzed organs, the primary roots had the greatest damage, which was due to significant infection with Bipolaris sorokiniana Sacc. Damage by leaf-stem infections was almost 2 times lower in the variant with the use of the legume component and the application of fertilizers (16.8%) versus the control variant (31.8%). It was found that the correlation coefficient of the root rot development index on average for a plant with productive tillering was r = –0.63, and with plant height r = –0.99. Confirmation of the harmfulness of root rot is a close negative correlation between the yield and the indicators of the development of the disease on average for the plant: r = –0.74. It was found that the most favorable phytosanitary situation developed in the variant of sowing barley with the use of fertilizers and a legume component, which is associated with the healing effect of fertilizers and legumes, which is reflected, on the one hand, in increasing the endurance of the plant itself, and on the other, in an inhibitory effect on causative agents of the disease.

Effect of Age and Life Characteristics on Variations of the Heart Rate Variability Parameters among Active Manual Workers

Objectives: Due to innovation developments new methods can be applied also in the field of occupational health. Results of physiological measurements carried out in the workplace during work support the observation that age and life characteristics of the examined persons, work environment, working system, the working process significantly influence the changes of heart rate variability (HRV) parameters. These sources of information may be useful in developing health-oriented prevention programs. Methods: The physiological measurements were performed in the workplace in lying (resting) position, during the working process their results (HR, TP, VLF, LH, HF) were processed by correlation and regression analysis and statistically evaluated as a function of age and life characteristics (hypertension, smoking, body mass) and metabolism-syndrome parameters. Results: Evaluation of the results of nearly 4000 physiological measurements carried out in the workplace of more than 1000 participants showed that age had a close positive correlation with heart rate and close negative correlation with the HRV parameters (TP, VLF, LF, and HF). Considering also life characteristics (hypertension, smoking, body mass index, cholesterol, and triglyceride) beside age, can provide useful information which can be beneficial to develop health-oriented prevention programs. Conclusions: The results call attention to the possibilities of applying new methods (like HRV analysis) in the field of occupational health and work safety which can be used in the future in education, research, or organization of work, and for interest the health and safety of workers. The developments are multidisciplinary, complex and require the collaboration of physicians, engineers, computer scientists, and mathematicians.

MicroRNA -196b is related to the overall survival of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and facilitates tumor progression by regulating SOCS2 (Suppressor Of Cytokine Signaling 2)

ABSTRACT Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is common cancer in China. At the same time, microRNA-196b (miR-196b) has different promotion/inhibition effects in different cancers. The study aims to reveal the role of miR-196b in ESCC and explore its prognostic value. The expression of miR-196b in ESCC samples and cell lines was detected to explore the expression pattern of miR-196b in ESCC. Kaplan-Meier method was conducted for survival rate and Multivariate Cox analysis was used to explore the clinical significance of miR-196b in ESCC. The Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, transwell migration and invasion tests were used to determine the biological function of miR-196b in ESCC. The relationship of miR-196b and SOCS2 in ESCC was detected by luciferase activity assay and RIP assay. Both in ESCC tissues and cell lines, miR-196b expression was up-regulated. miR-196b expression is related to TNM stage and lymph node metastasis. Combining with the results of Multivariate Cox regression analysis, miR-196b may be a potential independent prognostic marker for ESCC patients. The results of the functional analysis showed that miR-196b inhibitor can reduce cell proliferation, migration and invasion in ESCC cells. Besides, the suppressor of cytokine signaling 2 (SOCS2) is the target of miR-196b in ESCC. miR-196b may exist as a tumor-promoting factor in ESCC and enhance the proliferation abilities, migration capacities, and invasion potential of ESCC cells by targeting SOCS2. miR-196b and SOCS2 have a close negative correlation in ESCC, which may be used as a clinically poor prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for ESCC.

ДИАГНОСТИКА АЗОТНОГО ПИТАНИЯ И ПРОГНОЗИРОВАНИЕ КАЧЕСТВА ЗЕРНА ЗЛАКОВЫХ КУЛЬТУР ПО КОНЦЕНТРАЦИИ АМИНОКИСЛОТ В СОКЕ ЛИСТЬЕВ

Field experiments with soft wheat and malting barley, conducted on sod-podzolic medium loamy soil showed that under the influence of increasing rates of nitrogen nutrition in the leaf juice in the first stem node phase, the concentration of amino acids decreases. This fact is confirmed by high correlation coefficients. There is also a close correlation between the concentration of amino acids in the leaf juice, plant productivity and grain quality indicators. Wheat showed a close negative correlation of the concentration of amino acids in the leaf juice with the weight of 1000 grains, the total content of proteins and gluten in the grain, as well as gliadin and glutenin proteins, and a close positive correlation with the content of water-soluble, non-extractable proteins in the grain and the activity of proteases. The concentration of amino acids in the malting barley leaf juice was negatively correlated with the total content of proteins in the grain, the amount of gordeins, the total activity of amylases, and positively correlated with the test value indicators, grain extractivity, and the content of water-soluble proteins in the grain. The research results indicate that the concentration of amino acids in the leaf juice in the first stem node phase provides for a fairly accurate diagnoctics of nitrogen nutrition and prediction of the quality of soft wheat and malting barley grains.

ВЛИЯНИЕ ТЕМПЕРАТУРНОГО ФАКТОРА НА ПРОДОЛЖИТЕЛЬНОСТЬ МЕЖФАЗНЫХ ПЕРИОДОВ ДЫНИ

One of the valuable traits of any variety is its degree of adaptability to stressful environmental factors. The purpose of the research is to determine the degree of influence of average daily temperatures on the duration of interphase periods of some melon varieties in the first half of growing season to assess their ecological plasticity under conditions of the foothill zone of the Crimea. The studies were conducted in 2016–2019 on the experimental fields of FSBSI “Research Institute of Agriculture of Crimea” (village of Ukromnoye, Simferopol suburbs). All the research studies were carried out according to the existing guidelines for melon crops breeding. Fifty-six melon samples varying in reaching maturity were the objects of the study. Soil – chernozem southern calcareous heavy loamy; its texture is clayey, structure – lumpy. Weather conditions during the years of research varied. The most favourable temperature regime for the melon growing was in 2019 (2269.6 °С); unfavourable – in 2016 (1738.0 °С); 2017 and 2018 occupied an intermediate position. It allowed obtaining objective results in assessing ecological plasticity of the studied varieties. Planting scheme – standard; feeding area – 1.0×1.5 m2 per one plant. The study was carried out in a collection nursery; four-fold replication. We compared melons of three groups of ripeness: early (I) – varieties mature in 55–75 days, mid-early (II) – ripen in 76–90 days, mid-late (III) – require 90 days until harvest. During the years of research, the duration of interphase periods varied from 18 to 59 days. An increase in the relative average daily air temperature by 1 °C reduced the phenophases duration on average by 1.02–4.43 days. The most pronounced changes were revealed in the third interphase period (seedlings – fruit formation beginning): the average value of the ecological variation corresponded to 27.5 %; maximum it was in the mid-late samples (25.3 %). We established a close negative correlation (from –0.72 to –0.99) between an increase in the relative average daily air temperature and duration of the phenophases of the first half of the melon plants growing season. Each genotype reacted individually to changes in external influences. The group of mid-late samples had the highest degree of variability. An increase in the relative average daily temperatures by 1 °C reduces the length of the interphase periods of plants of this group from 1.99 to 3.75 days. Among others, varieties ‘Idyllia’, ‘Gulnara’, ‘Ethiopka’ were the most stable.

Linking wood anatomy with growth vigour and susceptibility to alternate bearing in composite apple and pear trees.

Excess vegetative growth and irregular fruit-bearing are often undesirable in horticultural practice. However, the biological mechanisms underlying these traits in fruit trees are not fully understood. Here, we tested if growth vigour and susceptibility of apple and pear trees to alternate fruit-bearing are associated with vascular anatomy. We examined anatomical traits related to water transport and nutrient storage in young woody shoots and roots of 15 different scion/rootstock cultivars of apple and pear trees. In addition, soil and leaf water potentials were measured across a drought period. We found a positive correlation between the mean vessel diameter of roots and the annual shoot length. Vigorously growing trees also maintained less negative midday leaf water potential during drought. Furthermore, we observed a close negative correlation between the proportions of total parenchyma in the shoots and the alternate bearing index. Based on anatomical proxies, our results suggest that xylem transport efficiency of rootstocks is linked to growth vigour of both apple and pear trees, while limited carbohydrate storage capacity of scions may be associated with increased susceptibility to alternate bearing. These findings can be useful for the breeding of new cultivars of commercially important fruit trees.