Phase Of Formation Research Articles

Abstract C099: Take CARE: An implementation science initiative to reduce the cervical cancer burden in Appalachia

Abstract Appalachia has a higher burden of cervical cancer than other regions of the United States. Cervical cancer risk factors and causes are largely known, so evidence-based interventions in health systems addressing those factors and causes can improve cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates. Take CARE (Clinical Avenues to Reach Health Equity) is designed to address three factors strongly associated with cervical cancer and is made up of three evidence-based complementary initiatives focused on HPV vaccination, smoking cessation, and cervical cancer screening: I Vaccinate, Break Free, and The HOME Initiative, respectively. The overall goal is to use implementation science designs to provide an integrated approach to reduce cervical cancer risk among patients of 39 health centers from ten participating systems. The project was implemented in two phases: formative and trial. In the formative phase, community profiles were developed to better understand the cancer burden and resources available. Community members and clinic staff were interviewed about barriers to cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination and norms about screening, vaccination, and tobacco cessation. Findings informed study materials. Clinic champions were identified, and implementation teams were formed to support the champion role. Details were gathered about facility processes, staffing, patient load, and existing cervical cancer-related activities. Waiting room seating, availability of digital displays, number of exam rooms, and locations for promotional materials and staff trainings were documented through environmental scans. The trial phase was introduced as a delayed group implementation design in ten health systems located in Appalachian counties of Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia from October 2020 to June 2022. Five systems were assigned to an Early Group and five to a Late Group that would receive the intervention 12 months after Early systems. I Vaccinate was first to be implemented, promoting HPV vaccination in 9–45-year-olds. Health systems receive education materials and providers select strategies and set goals to improve vaccination rates. Break Free was introduced six to eight weeks later and identifies eligible smokers who want to quit in the next six months, providing free smoking cessation counseling and medication to patients. Systems received education on the Ask, Advise, Refer model and could select staff to be trained as Tobacco Treatment Specialists. HOME was the final initiative introduced and focuses on improving cervical cancer screening in underscreened female patients via a mail-based HPV self-sampling program. One year after the first initiative launched, health systems were taught to bundle the initiatives as one program, Take CARE. After this, the Early systems entered a sustainability phase for two years. The process will occur similarly for Delayed health systems but with only one year of sustainability. Analyses will focus on changes in HPV vaccination, smoking cessation, and cervical cancer screening over time. Citation Format: Ryan D. Baltic, Roger Anderson, Mark B. Dignan, Amy K. Ferketich, Mira L. Katz, Stephenie Kennedy, Paul L. Reiter, Electra D. Paskett. Take CARE: An implementation science initiative to reduce the cervical cancer burden in Appalachia [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr C099.

Upper Jurassic Source Rock Evaluation and Thermal Maturity Evolution of the NW Sab’Atayn Basin, Yemen

Of Yemen’s Mesozoic basins, the Sab’atayn Basin offers the most significant potential for oil and gas exploration. The key consideration in the evaluation of source rocks to hydrocarbon exploration is the quantity and nature of the organic materials in sedimentations. Using organic geochemistry and total organic carbon content, organic-rich sediments from the Meem (Lower) and Lam (Upper) members from four wells in the NW Sab’atayn Basin were evaluated. The information gained reveals that the Meem source rocks have a total organic carbon content (TOC) value between 0.2–1.68 wt%, therefore suggests fair to very good source rocks. Only two samples in the Kamaran-01 well had values greater than 3 wt%, compared to the Lam source rocks’ values, which range from 0.2 to 3.81 wt%, which suggest excellent source rocks. The majority of the samples are made up of reworked organic debris, with no possibility for interesting source rocks, according to the Rock-Eval pyrolysis data. The majority of the Meem and Lam source rocks samples under study have Tmax values below 440 °C, placing them in the immature to marginally mature and on the main periphery of main phases of hydrocarbon formation. Based on the results of the Meem source rocks’ generative potential (GP), it may be inferred that non-generative rocks status of Meem source rocks due to GP values less than 2 mg HC/gm rock. Additionally, if the burial depth is sufficient to generate the necessary temperature and pressure, source rocks with extraordinarily high GP values of more than 10 mg Hc/g rock may serve as an efficient source rock for the Dahamr Ali-01 well. On the other hand Lam source rock is classified as moderate source rocks. Non-generative potential has been reported from Lam source rock in Himyar-01 well where the GP is less than 1 mg HC/g rock. The cross-plots of pyrolysis characteristics, such as HI versus Tmax (modified van Krevelen diagram) and TOC vs S2, which are most likely the result of deposition of more terrigenous type III organic materials derived from terrestrial in the study area, can be used to determine the kerogen type for Lam and Meem source units. The analysis of Meem source rocks demonstrated that they are typically plotted in the mature zone; however samples of Lam source rocks proved that they have been still immature, merely marginally mature in the Dahamr Ali-01 and Saba-01 wells.

FiMAP: A fast identity-by-descent mapping test for biobank-scale cohorts.

Although genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified tens of thousands of genetic loci, the genetic architecture is still not fully understood for many complex traits. Most GWAS and sequencing association studies have focused on single nucleotide polymorphisms or copy number variations, including common and rare genetic variants. However, phased haplotype information is often ignored in GWAS or variant set tests for rare variants. Here we leverage the identity-by-descent (IBD) segments inferred from a random projection-based IBD detection algorithm in the mapping of genetic associations with complex traits, to develop a computationally efficient statistical test for IBD mapping in biobank-scale cohorts. We used sparse linear algebra and random matrix algorithms to speed up the computation, and a genome-wide IBD mapping scan of more than 400,000 samples finished within a few hours. Simulation studies showed that our new method had well-controlled type I error rates under the null hypothesis of no genetic association in large biobank-scale cohorts, and outperformed traditional GWAS single-variant tests when the causal variants were untyped and rare, or in the presence of haplotype effects. We also applied our method to IBD mapping of six anthropometric traits using the UK Biobank data and identified a total of 3,442 associations, 2,131 (62%) of which remained significant after conditioning on suggestive tag variants in the ± 3 centimorgan flanking regions from GWAS.

Урожайность и качество урожая сортов сои разных групп спелости при припосевном внесении минеральных удобрений в условиях центральной природно-климатической зоны Краснодарского края

Yield and quality of soybean seeds depend largely on the weather conditions during a growing season and mineral nutrition. Biological features of the cultivars influenced nutrients consumption by plants. The purpose of the research is to determine impact of presowing fertilizer application in doses N30P30 and N30P30S21 under seeds inoculation on yield and yield quality of the cultivars of the different maturity groups bred in the V.S. Pustovoit All-Russian Research Institute of Oil Crops (Vita, Slaviya, Irbis, and Vilana beta) in the central natural-climatic zone of the Krasnodar region. In 2020–2022, on leached chernozem in field two-factor experiment, the presowing application of mineral fertilizers promoted the yield increase of the middle maturing cultivar Slaviya 0.17–0.21 t/ha and the middle-early maturing cultivar Vilana beta by 0.12 t/hа. The fertilizers did not effect reliably the yield increase of the early maturing cultivar Vita and the early maturing highly protein cultivar Irbis. A share of impact of the presowing 41 fertilizers on seed yield was 1.8–14.1% depending on the year of the research and a share of the cultivar impact – 59.7–94.9%. The positive correlation between yield of the studied cultivars and precipitation amount during a period flowering – seed formation was revealed. The presowing application of fertilizers did not influenced significantly protein content and oil in soybean seeds. The protein content and oil in seeds depended on the cultivar and precipitation amount in a phase of seeds formation: under increasing of the precipitations oil raised and protein content lowered in the seeds of the very early maturing cultivar Vita, at the same conditions, on the contrary, protein content increased and oil decreased in the seeds of the early maturing cultivars Slaviya, Irbis, and the middle-early maturing cultivar Vilana beta.

The influence of fungicidal protection on the formation of photosynthetic parameters of soybean crops

The purpose of the research was to determine the effect of fungicidal protection on the formation of the leaf surface area and photosynthetic indicators of soybean crops. The research was conducted in 2021– 2023 in the conditions of LLC «Savarske» Obukhiv district Kyiv region. The scheme of the experiment: Factor A. Varieties «Amadea», «Aurelina». Factor B. Fungicides. Control (treatment of seeds and plants with water), «Maxim Advance 195 FS» (1.25 l/t) (treatment of seeds before sowing), «Vibrance RFC» (1 l/t) (seed treatment before sowing), «Selest top 312.5 FS» (1 l/t) (seed treatment before sowing), «Standak Top» (2 l/t) (seed treatment before sowing), «Abacus» (2 l/ha) (during the growing season), «Maxim Advance 195 FS» (1.25 l/t) + «Abacus» (2 l/ha), «Vibrance RFC» (1 l/t) +»Abacus» (2 l/ha), «Selest top 312.5 FS» (1 l/t) + «Abacus» (2 l/ha), «Standak Top» (2 l/t) + «Abacus» (2 l/ha). The maximum indicators of the leaf surface area of soybean plants of the varieties «Aurelina» and «Amadea» were obtained in the phase of grain formation – 44.85 and 45.91 thousand m2 /ha. The smallest assimilation surface of crops was in the budding phase – 15.10 and 15.07 thousand m2 /ha. Under the influence of fungicidal protection the leaf surface area of varieties «Amadea» and «Aurelina» increased by 0.90 and 0.94 thousand m2 /ha in the flowering phase and by 3.11 and 3.46 thousand m2 /ha in the phase of grain formation, compared to control variants. The greatest increase in leaf surface area was noted for the combined use of fungicides «Standak Top» (2 l/t) for pre-sowing seed treatment and «Abacus» (2 l/ha) during the growing season. According to the results of dispersion analysis varietal characteristics (37.7 %) and fungicidal protection (35.4 %) had the greatest influence on the formation of the leaf surface area of soybean plants and the interaction of these factors was 12.3 %. The highest photosynthetic potential of the varieties «Amadea» and «Aurelina» was on the variants of fungicides application «Standak Top» (2 l/t) + «Abacus» (2 l/ha) – 3.09 and 3.16 million m2 × days/ha, «Selest top» (1 l/ t) + «Abacus» (2 l/ha) – 3.08 and 3.14 million m2 × days/ha and «Vibrance» (1 l/t) + «Abacus» (2 l/ha) – 3.06 and 3.13 million m2 × days/ha. The maximum values of the net productivity of photosynthesis in the varieties «Amadea» and «Aurelina» were obtained in the budding phase – 3.88–4.16 and 3.89–4.27 g/m2 × day. The use of fungicidal protection provided an increase of this indicator by 0.07–0.28 and 0.06– 0.38 g/m2 × day, compared to the control options. Depending on the accounting periods, the variety «Aurelina» was superior to the variety «Amadea» in leaf surface area by 1.6–3.8 % in photosynthetic potential by 1.2–2.5 % and in net photosynthetic productivity by 0.8–1.7 %. Key words: soybean, varieties, fungicides, crop protection, leaf surface area, photosynthetic potential, net photosynthetic productivity.

One-Pot Hydrothermal Synthesis of mSiO2-N-CDs with High Solid-State Photoluminescence as a Fluorescent Probe for Detecting Dopamine

An effective fluorescent probe (mSiO2-N-CDs) was prepared by embedding N-CDs into mesoporous silica via a simple one-pot hydrothermal reaction and applied to the detection of dopamine (DA). Mesoporous silica not only provided a skeleton to prevent the aggregation of N-CDs but also a medium for the centrifugal collection of N-CDs, avoiding the need for dialysis and freeze-drying. The formation process, phase composition, morphology, and luminescence properties of the composite were studied in detail. The synthesized mSiO2-N-CDs possessed spherical morphology, a smooth surface, and a diameter of approximately 150 nm. The fluorescence results indicated that mSiO2-N-CDs emitted intense blue color fluorescence at 465 nm under the optimal excitation of 370 nm. Because the mesoporous silica effectively inhibited the self-quenching caused by the aggregation of N-CDs, the quantum yield of solid mSiO2-N-CDs powder reached 32.5%. Furthermore, the emission intensity of the solid mSiO2-N-CDs remained constant for 28 days. The good sensitivity and selectivity of mSiO2-N-CDs for DA enabled the establishment of a rapid, simple, and sensitive DA detection method. The linear range was 0–50 µM and the limit of detection was calculated to be 107 nM. This method was used for the determination of DA in urine, with recovery rates ranging between 98% and 100.8%. In addition, the sensing mechanism was characterized by fluorescence lifetime decay and UV–VIS spectral analysis.

Bio-inspired multi-hop clustering algorithm for FANET

Clustering has received extensive attention in recent years as an important approach to address the poor scalability in flying ad hoc networks (FANETs). However, due to the highly mobile nature of FANETs, frequent changes in cluster topology result in increased control overhead and reduced communication efficiency. To tackle these challenges, a novel heuristic clustering algorithm called the physarum-inspired clustering algorithm (PICA) is proposed in this paper. It leverages the intelligence and adaptability of Physarum polycephalum. The PICA adopts a distributed multi-hop clustering approach. During the cluster formation phase, and inspired by the foraging behavior of Physarum polycephalum, the algorithm incorporates link stability, residual energy, and link communication quality as evaluation metrics, thereby ensuring cluster coverage and stability. By selecting the most stable node within an n-hop range as the cluster head, the cluster stability is significantly enhanced. In the cluster maintenance phase, the PICA improves the backup cluster head selection mechanism and introduces damage detection and cluster merging mechanisms to further enhance the robustness and stability of clusters. Experimental results demonstrate that compared to existing EMASS and OSCA algorithms, the proposed PICA reduces the average end-to-end delay by 31.6 % and 25.27 %, improves the average packet delivery ratio by 27.7 % and 19.12 %, and decreases the average inter-cluster switching times by 14.71 % and 14.38 %, respectively. In conclusion, the PICA effectively addresses the issue of poor scalability in FANETs by leveraging the intelligence of multi-headed myxobacteria and adopting a multi-hop clustering approach. As indicated by experimental results, the proposed algorithm demonstrates significant performance improvements in terms of network metrics.

CHARACTERISTICS OF FOSTERING AN INNOVATIVE MINDSET IN THE PEDAGOGICAL ABILITIES OF A BIOLOGIST

The article explores the potential applications of incorporating elements aimed at fostering an innovative approach within the pedagogical expertise of biologists. This involves honing diverse skills and paying particular attention to seminars, especially when preparing students in the field of biology for pedagogical proficiency. Given the contemporary landscape of digital education, there exists a plethora of opportunities for autonomously addressing developmental needs and requirements. Adhering to modern demands, it becomes significantly crucial to impart the utilization of innovative methodologies during technology-oriented lessons that strive to impart knowledge of superior quality to society. In pursuit of this objective, the article concludes by studying methods devised by students during seminar sessions. Throughout the lesson, students concentrate on exploring and assessing the extent to which filler words are employed, devising strategies to eliminate them, comparing week-to-week outcomes, and presenting these findings according to a set schedule. To substantiate these matters with concrete evidence, the article suggests documenting students’ efforts throughout several sessions. This documentation encompasses scenarios involving collaborative work, the reinforcement of skills within seminar settings through diverse techniques, drawing attention to the development of focus from the outset of experiments, employing a collection of stickers for reflective analysis, and evaluating the teacher’s language during the conceptual formation phase. As the seminar concludes, a comprehensive summary of the lesson is provided, leading to overarching conclusions and recommendations. Keywords: skills, innovation, trajectory, pedagogical methodology, attentiveness, proficiency, reflection.

Additional Insights Into the Role of Osteocalcin in Osteoblast Differentiation and in the Early Steps of Developing Alveolar Process of Rat Molars.

This study investigated whether osteocalcin (OCN) is present in osteoblast precursors and its relationship with initial phases of alveolar process formation. Samples of maxillae of 16-, 18-, and 20-day-old rat embryos (E16, E18, and E20, respectively), and 05-, 10-, and 15-day-old postnatal rats (P05, P10, and P15, respectively) were fixed and embedded in paraffin or araldite. Immunohistochemistry for osterix (Osx), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and OCN detection was performed and the number of immunolabelled cells was computed. Non-decalcified sections were subjected to the von Kossa method combined with immunohistochemistry for Osx or OCN detection. For OCN immunolocalization, samples were fixed in 0.5% glutaraldehyde/2% formaldehyde and embedded in LR White resin. The highest number of ALP- and OCN-immunolabelled cells was observed in dental follicle of E16 specimens, mainly in basal portions of dental alveolus. In corresponding regions, osteoblasts in differentiation adjacent to von Kossa-positive bone matrix exhibited Osx and OCN immunoreactivity. Ultrastructural analysis revealed OCN immunoreactive particles inside osteoblast in differentiation, and in bone matrix associated with collagen fibrils and within matrix vesicles, at early stages of alveolar process formation. Our results indicate that OCN plays a role in osteoblast differentiation and may regulate calcium/phosphate precipitation during early mineralization of the alveolar process.

Dynamics of bioactive substances accumulation during cauliflower maturation as a way to ensure functional crop properties

Background: Cauliflower heads are recognized as a rich sources of proteins, unsaturated fatty acids, numerous mineral elements, vitamins, and a high content of bioactive substances. Some studies report that the dynamics of accumulation of bioactive substances in cauliflower can be influenced by various factors. Objective: To determine the dependence of the content of bioactive components (ascorbic acid, B vitamins, macronutrients) on the stage of maturity of cauliflower heads and on the growing period.Methods: The study investigated the variation in vitamin C, B group vitamins (thiamine, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, nicotinic acid, inositol), and seven macronutrients (silicon, aluminum, calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, potassium) during different stages of head ripening and cultivation periods in medium-ripening hybrids of cauliflower, specifically ‘Rocky F1’ and ‘Unibotra F1’. Ascorbic acid content in cauliflower heads was determined by the titration method. Quantitative analysis of the water-soluble B group vitamins was performed spectrophotometrically. The content of macronutrients was determined by the chemical-spectral method.Results: The maximum content of ascorbic acid in cauliflower Rocky F1 hybrid was observed at the stage of the heads technical ripening in spring cultivation conditions, and in Unibotra F1 hybrid - in the phase of new head formation in summer growing conditions. The content of group B vitamins, with the exception of pantothenic acid, was high in newly formed heads in both studied hybrids. In the conditions of spring cultivation, most of the studied macronutrients were high for Rocky F1 hybrid in the stage of technical ripening of heads, and for Unibotra F1 hybrid in the phase of new head formation (Si, Al, Na, P) and in middle ripening stage (Ca, Mg). Under the conditions of summer cultivation, most of the macronutrients were high for Rocky F1 hybrid in the phase of new head formation, and in Unibotra F1 hybrid - Si, Al, P were high in the phase of new head formation, and Ca, Mg, K - in middle ripening stage. Conclusion: The content of bioactive components (ascorbic acid, B vitamins, macronutrients) in cauliflower heads is influenced by the stage of cauliflower maturity and the cultivation period (spring, summer). This should be taken into account when developing targeting diets and growing cauliflower in semi-desert zones of the Republic of Armenia.Keywords: ascorbic acid, B vitamins, macronutrients, cauliflower head ripening stage

The importance of BMPs and TGF-βs for endochondral bone repair – A longitudinal study in hip arthroplasty patients

IntroductionOsseointegration of hip implants, although a decade-long process, shows striking similarities with the four major phases of endochondral bone repair. In the current study we investigated the spatiotemporal involvement of bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) and transforming growth factor betas (TGF-βs) throughout the process of bone repair leading to successfully osseointegrated hip implants. Materials and methodsTwenty-four patients that had undergone primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) due to one-sided osteoarthritis (OA) were investigated during a period of 18 years (Y) with repeated measurements of plasma biomarkers as well as clinical and radiological variables. All implants were clinically and radiographically well anchored throughout the follow-up. Eighty-one healthy donors divided in three gender- and age-matched groups and twenty OA patients awaiting THA, served as controls. Plasma was analyzed for BMP-1, -2, -3, -4, -6, -7 -9 and TGF-β1, -β2, -β3 by use of a high-sensitivity and wide dynamic range electrochemiluminescence technique allowing for detection of minor changes. ResultsSpatiotemporal changes during the follow-up are presented in the context of the four phases of endochondral bone repair shown in earlier studies and transposed to the current study based on similarities in biomarker responses. Phase 1: Primary proinflammatory phase lasting from surgery until day 7, Phase 2: Chondrogenic phase from day 7 until 18 months postsurgery, Phase 3: Secondary proinflammatory and cartilage remodeling phase lasting from 18 months until 7Y, Phase 4: coupled bone remodeling from 7Y until 18Y postsurgery. BMP-1 increased sharply shortly after surgery and remained significantly above healthy during the chondrocyte recruitment, proliferation, and hypertrophy phases with a subsequent return to control level at 5Y postsurgery. BMP-2 was above healthy controls before surgery and 1 day after surgery before decreasing to control level and remaining there throughout the follow-up. BMP-3 was at control level from presurgery until 6M after surgery when it increased to a peak at 2Y during the cartilage hypertrophy phase followed by a gradual decrease to control level at 10Y during the phase of bone formation. In the following, BMP-3 decreased below controls to a nadir 15Y postsurgery during coupled bone remodeling. BMP-4 was at control level from presurgery until 10Y postsurgery when it increased to a sharp peak at 15Y after surgery followed by a return to the level of healthy at 18Y. BMP-6 did not differ from healthy during the follow-up. BMP-7 was at control level from presurgery until 1Y postsurgery before gradually increasing to a peak at 10Y during the early phase of osteogenesis with a gradual return to control level at 18Y during the phase of coupled bone remodeling. BMP-9 was above OA before surgery followed by a decrease to basal level on day 1 after surgery and a renewed increase to a plateau above controls lasting from 6 W until returning to the level of healthy at 18Y postsurgery, i.e., throughout the phases of cartilage formation, cartilage hypertrophy and remodeling, bone formation and coupled bone remodeling. TGF-β1 was above controls presurgery before decreasing to baseline shortly after surgery followed by a renewed increase at 6 M to a peak at 2Y during cartilage hypertrophy/remodeling followed by a gradual return to baseline at 10Y during early osteoblastogenesis. TGF-β2 was at control level from presurgery until the phase of cartilage remodeling at 5Y when it increased sharply to a peak at 7Y with a gradual return to baseline at 18Y postsurgery. TGF-β3 remained at control level throughout the study. ConclusionThis study shows that the involvement of BMPs and TGF-βs in endochondral bone repair is a process of stepwise recruitment of individual biomarkers characterized by distinct, yet overlaping, spatiotemporal patterns that extend from the early phase of pre-chondrocyte recruitment until the late phase of coupled bone remodeling.

Variability of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus and the Susceptibility of the Population in the Dynamics of the Development of the Epidemic Process

Relevance. It is known that the main trigger for the development of the pandemic was the genomic diversity of viruses. Meanwhile, we did not find any studies on the influence of population susceptibility on the complex process of evolutionary transformations of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and their interdependent variability during the development of the pandemic. Aim. The study of the interdependent variability of two heterogeneous populations interacting in the dynamics of the development of the COVID-19 pandemic - the virus population and the population. Materials and methods. The study was conducted in the city of Perm from 03/01/2021. (Beginning of sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the territory) until 01.01.2023. In weekly dynamics, the following were studied: SARS-CoV-2 genomic diversity (molecular genetic study of 2521 samples of biomaterial from patients), seroprevalence of the population (366,804 blood sera were examined for the presence of IgG), morbidity, disease prevalence rate and mortality (according to official statistics). The interpretation of the results was carried out in accordance with the provisions of the theory of self-regulation of parasitic systems by V.D. Belyakov. Results and discussion. An analysis of the genomic diversity of the virus during the pandemic made it possible to distinguish 5 periods. Three periods were characterized by the homogeneity of the pathogen population, when the variants Alpha, Delta and Omicron circulated. Two periods were characterized by the simultaneous circulation of two variants of viruses due to the adaptation of the virus to the changed habitat. Thus, the circulation of the Alpha variant in a population heterogeneous in terms of susceptibility (the proportion of seropositive ones increased to 52%) caused mutational changes in the virus genome with the formation of high transmission properties and high pathogenicity (according to the theory of V.D. Belyakov, the phase of formation of an epidemic variant). The formation of the epidemic variant of the pathogen (Delta genovariant) occurred within 12 weeks, it dominated for more than 6 months, increasing the incidence by 2.8 times, mortality by 17.3 times (epidemic spread phase). The increase in the incidence and large-scale vaccination increased the seroprevalence of the population to 70% or more. The Delta variant begins to adapt to a new habitat with a high proportion of immune organisms, the formation of the Omicron genovariant with high transmission and evasion of the immune response is underway (the phase of formation of the pathogen reservation variant). The pathogen population is heterogeneous; Delta and Omicron circulate simultaneously. Morbidity increases by 2.9 times, RT by 1.3 times, and mortality decreases by 5.1 times. Omicron replaces the Delta genovariant within 5 weeks, mortality decreases, while maintaining the distribution coefficient (reservation phase). Conclusions. Interdependent variability of the virus and the susceptibility of the population determined the phase development of the pandemic.

ROLE OF ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS IN DEVELOPMENT OF OIL AND GAS GENERATION PROCESSES IN UNCONVENTIONAL RESERVOIR ROCKS

The specifics of the Bazhenov Formation sediments, which are fundamentally different from traditional Green River oil shales, is that the processes of organic matter (kerogen) transformation into hydrocarbons have not yet been completed in them. The achieved paleotemperatures allowed the studied sediments to enter the main phase of oil formation during the regional catagenetic transformation of kerogen, but they failed to realize their oil-maternal potential to the full extent. At present, there are several unsolved problems for these rocks, related both to the genesis of oil and to the search for commercial hydrocarbon deposits in them and the development of technologies for their further development. The processes of «proto-oil» formation in the Bazhenov Formation sediments are still poorly understood. In fact, these processes are a system of equations with many unknowns, the correct solution of which is still impossible at the current stage of study. In our opinion, an important role in the development of oil formation processes in the Earth’s subsurface is played by magnetic fields formed under the action of a number of reasons (in particular, during the development of numerous tectonic disturbances). Our laboratory experiments by gas chromatography showed that in bitumoids of the studied samples there is a progressive shift of the «naphthenic hump» associated with internal transformations in the magnetic field. As a result of these studies, a decrease in the naphthenic fraction of hydrocarbons in samples heated in a magnetic field was recorded compared to samples without exposure to a magnetic field. Significant differences were found in paired samples of most geochemical characteristics - n-C23/24, n-C25/26, n-C26/27, n-C29/30, OEP, CPI, naphthene sum. Taking into account the influence of electromagnetic fields on the development of oil and gas generation processes allows us to create a completely new technology of «maturation» of hydrocarbon compounds (proto-oil) directly in the oil-maternal sediments and the formation of «artificial/technogenic» oil deposits.

P75NTR promotes tooth rhythmic mineralization via upregulation of BMAL1/CLOCK.

The circadian clock plays a critical role in dentomaxillofacial development. Tooth biomineralization is characterized by the circadian clock; however, the mechanisms underlying the coordination of circadian rhythms with tooth development and biomineralization remain unclear. The p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) is a clock factor that regulates the oscillatory components of the circadian rhythm. This study aims to investigate the impact of p75NTR on the rhythmic mineralization of teeth and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms. We generated p75NTR knockout mice to examine the effects of p75NTR deficiency on tooth mineralization. Ectomesenchymal stem cells (EMSCs), derived from mouse tooth germs, were used for in vitro experiments. Results showed a reduction in tooth mineral density and daily mineralization rate in p75NTR knockout mice. Deletion of p75NTR decreased the expression of DMP1, DSPP, RUNX2, and ALP in tooth germ. Odontogenic differentiation and mineralization of EMSCs were activated by p75NTR. Histological results demonstrated predominant detection of p75NTR protein in odontoblasts and stratum intermedium cells during rapid formation phases of dental hard tissue. The mRNA expression of p75NTR exhibited circadian variations in tooth germs and EMSCs, consistent with the expression patterns of the core clock genes Bmal1 and Clock. The upregulation of BMAL1/CLOCK expression by p75NTR positively regulated the mineralization ability of EMSCs, whereas BMAL1 and CLOCK exerted a negative feedback regulation on p75NTR by inhibiting its promoter activity. Our findings suggest that p75NTR is necessary to maintain normal tooth biomineralization. Odontogenic differentiation and mineralization of EMSCs is regulated by the p75NTR-BMAL1/CLOCK signaling axis. These findings offer valuable insights into the associations between circadian rhythms, tooth development, and biomineralization.

Label-Free Quantitative Proteomics Reveal the Mechanisms of Young Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Ears’ Response to Spring Freezing

Late spring frost is an important meteorological factor threatening the safe production of winter wheat in China. The young ear is the most vulnerable organ of the wheat plant to spring frost. To gain an insight into the mechanisms underpinning young wheat ears’ tolerance to freezing, we performed a comparative proteome analysis of wheat varieties Xumai33 (XM33, freezing-sensitive) and Jimai22 (JM22, freezing-tolerant) under normal and freezing conditions using label-free quantitative proteomic techniques during the anther connective tissue formation phase (ACFP). Under freezing stress, 392 and 103 differently expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified in the young ears of XM33 and JM22, respectively, and among these, 30 proteins were common in both varieties. A functional characterization analysis revealed that these DEPs were associated with antioxidant capacity, cell wall modification, protein folding, dehydration response, and plant–pathogen interactions. The young ears of JM22 showed significantly higher expression levels of antioxidant enzymes, heat shock proteins, and dehydrin under normal conditions compared to those of XM33, which might help to prepare the young ears of JM22 for freezing stress. Our results lead to new insights into understanding the mechanisms in young wheat ears’ response to freezing stress and provide pivotal potential candidate proteins required for improving young wheat ears’ tolerance to spring frost.

Understanding the dynamics of chemsex among men who have sex with men, male sex workers and transgender women in Dhaka, Bangladesh: a multiphase sequential mixed-method research protocol

IntroductionChemsex is defined as drug use to enhance sexual pleasure. Global literature illustrated the pervasiveness of chemsex among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (hijra) for...

Spatial Extent of Molecular Gas, Dust, and Stars in Massive Galaxies at z ∼ 2.2–2.5 Determined with ALMA and JWST

We present the results of 0.″6-resolution observations of CO J = 3 − 2 line emission in 10 massive star-forming galaxies at z ∼ 2.2–2.5 with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). We compare the spatial extent of molecular gas with those of dust and stars, traced by the 870 and 4.4 μm continuum emissions, respectively. The average effective radius of the CO emission is 1.75 ± 0.34 kpc, which is about 60% larger than that of the 870 μm emission and is comparable with that of the 4.4 μm emission. Utilizing the best-fit parametric models, we derive the radial gradients of the specific star formation rate (sSFR), gas depletion timescale, and gas-mass fraction within the observed galaxies. We find a more intense star formation activity with a higher sSFR and a shorter depletion timescale in the inner region than in the outer region. The central starburst may be the primary process for massive galaxies to build up a core. Furthermore, the gas-mass fraction is high, independent of the galactocentric radius in the observed galaxies, suggesting that the galaxies have not begun to quench star formation. Given the shorter gas depletion timescale in the center compared to the outer region, quenching is expected to occur in the center first and then propagate outward. We may be witnessing the observed galaxies in the formation phase of a core prior to the forthcoming phase of star formation propagating outward.

ВЛИЯНИЕ КОМПЛЕКСНОГО МИНЕРАЛЬНОГО УДОБРЕНИЯ С МИКРОЭЛЕМЕНТАМИ НА ПРОДУКТИВНОСТЬ ВИНОГРАДНЫХ РАСТЕНИЙ

Information is provided on the positive effect of complex fertilizer (NPK) with microelements in chelated form on the productivity of grape-vine plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon variety. Foliar feeding was carried out 2 times during the growing season − in the phase of inflorescence formation and in the phase of berry growth. Feeding plants with an agrochemical in doses of 4.0 and 6.0 l/ha contributed most to the increase in the number of berries in a bunch and their weight, which led to an increase in yield by 24.0...28.4 % compared to the control. With a significant increase in yield in the 6 l/ha option, a decrease in the content of soluble sugars in the berries and an increase in titratable acids were observed compared to the control. Despite the fact that the berry juice conditions in the variant with a dose of 6.0 l/ha did not go beyond the standard for the Cabernet Sauvignon variety, the recommended dose of fertilizer was − 4.0 l/ha.

STIM-mediated calcium influx regulates maintenance and selection of germinal center B cells.

Positive selection of high-affinity germinal center (GC) B cells is driven by antigen internalization through their B cell receptor (BCR) and presentation to follicular helper T cells. However, the requirements of BCR signaling in GC B cells remain poorly understood. Store-operated Ca2+ entry, mediated by stromal interacting molecule 1 (STIM1) and STIM2, is the main Ca2+ influx pathway triggered by BCR engagement. Here, we showed that STIM-deficient B cells have reduced B cell competitiveness compared with wild-type B cells during GC responses. B cell-specific deletion of STIM proteins decreased the number of high-affinity B cells in the late phase of GC formation. STIM deficiency did not affect GC B cell proliferation and antigen presentation but led to the enhancement of apoptosis due to the impaired upregulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl2a1. STIM-mediated activation of NFAT was required for the expression of Bcl2a1 after BCR stimulation. These findings suggest that STIM-mediated survival signals after antigen capture regulate the optimal selection and maintenance of GC B cells.

Nutrient Diagnostics and Biochemical Indicators of Oat Grain Quality Predicted by Leaf Juice Amino Acid Concentration

In order to find out the relationship between the level of nitrogen nutrition of oat plants of the Yakov variety and the content of amino acids in leaf juice, as well as the possibility of using this indicator to assess the content and composition of proteins, the activity of amylases, catalases and peroxidases in ripe grain and the activity of theseenzymes in germinating grain, a field experiment was carried out at the Field Experimental Station of Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy, on sod-podzolic medium loamy soil. In the field experiment, variants with different levels of nitrogen nutrition of oat plants that had passed post-harvest ripening were tudied. Ammonium nitrate, double superphosphate, and potassium chloride were applied in advance. As a result, it was found that as the level of nitrogen nutrition of plants increased, the concentration of amino acids in the juice of oat leaves at the stage of formation of the first stem node decreased, which was closely correlated with the nitrogen doses. These data indicate the possibility of using this indicator for the diagnosis of nitrogen nutrition in oat plants. The studies also revealed a reliable correlation between the content of amino acids in leaf juice and the concentration of proteins soluble in water and solutions of 10% KCl, 0.2% NaOH, as well as the activity of acid (pH 5.5), neutral (pH 7) and alkaline (pH 8) isoenzymes of α-amylase and acid isoforms of β-amylase in ripe grain. In addition, the amino acid content of leaf juice was found to be significantly correlated with the activity of acidic α-amylase, acidic and neutral β-amylase in germinated grain. The results obtained demonstrate the possibility of predicting the level of protein accumulation in oat grains. It is also possible to predict the protein composition, activity of α- and β-amylase, catalase, and peroxidase isoenzymes from the content of amino acids in leaf juice in the phase of the first stem node formation. A reliable correlation was also found for the activity of acid and neutral isoenzymes of α-amylase, catalase, and peroxidase in ripe and germinated oat grain.