Peculiar Composition Research Articles

COMPOSITION AND ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF EXTRACTS FROM SHEETS OF THE BLUEBERRY HIGH (VACCINIUM CORYMBOSUM L.)

The paper presents new data related to the qualitative and quantitative content of phenolic compounds in crop highbush blueberry leaf extracts, as well as to the antioxidant capacity of these extracts. Tall bilberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) is a deciduous berry shrub that has become an extremely popular crop whose fruits contain a unique complex of biologically active substances – antioxidants, phytoestrogens and vitamins. As a rule, the leaves of this plant contain, in more or less degree, the same set of phenolic compounds. However, there is currently a lack of scientific information about the peculiarities of the chemical composition and properties of these plants grown in a specific region, which could be of interest for the development of an untapped source of food additives, functional products, nutraceuticals and ingredients for organic cosmetics. The objects of this study were water- and water-alcohol extracts obtained from highbush blueberry leaves of the varieties “Reka”, “Legacy”, “Bluecrop” and “Chantecler” as well as from the mixed sample of these varieties. For comparison, extracts of leaves of crop cowberry, crop cranberry and pharmacy cowberry ("PharmaCvet", 10118) and bearberry("PharmaCvet", 161117) were investigated. The electro-oxidative and antioxidant properties of all extracts were evaluated by using the methods of cyclic voltammetry and spectrophotometry based on a liquid phase reaction with a 2.2ꞌ-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical. The results of the studies showed that the leaves of highbush blueberry grown under conditions of ecological farming on the territory of Russia are very promising for use in prophylactic purposes.

STRATIGRAPHIC LEVELS OF GOLD-CONTAINING SEDIMENTARY AND PYROCLASTIC FORMATIONS OF THE VOLYN-PODILSKA PLATE

The information on lithofacial composition, stratigraphic position of gold-bearing sedimentary and pyroclastic formations of Volyn-Podіlsky plate and typomorphic features of native gold contained in them is presented. It is established that the gold content of sedimentary formation units is represented in a wide age range - from the reef to modern alluvial deposits of surface watercourses. It was found that regional specifics of gold bearing in sedimentary and pyroclastic formations of the Volyn-Podilsky plate is the presence of copper-, mercury-containing gold, electrum, two- (Au, Cu) and three-component (Au, Cu, Ag) solid solutions, golden copper, spherical grains, as well as gold (lamellar, spherical, lumpy) porous-segregation, myrmecite-like structure. Peculiarities of gold morphology and chemical composition and geological position of the region allow to predict within the territory of Volyn-Podilsky plate different age (from reef to Quaternary) and different genetic (placer, dia-, catagenetic, hydrothermal) ore occurrences of gold in different genetic sedimentary (continental and continental). ) and pyroclastic formations.

Peculiarities of the subject composition of information relations in the conditions of Іndustry 4.0

The article is devoted to the study of the current state of scientific ideas and concepts of information relations in the conditions of the fourth industrial revolution. Given the potential expansion of artificial intelligence, modern theories of the subject of law and features of the subject composition of information relations are considered.

Problems of legal regulation of divorce proceedings in the special proceedings

The article is devoted to the study of the peculiarities of applying the norms of national civil procedural and family law when courts of civil jurisdiction consider the application on divorce from the spouses in special proceedings. Attention is drawn to the problems in determining the content of the application, the subject composition, jurisdiction and the particularities of considering this category of cases. The analysis of one of the court rulings allowed the author to draw attention to inconsistencies in the civil procedural law.The work stresses on the consolidation of the possibility of considering such a case in the special proceedings by the court, but the absence of norms on the peculiarities of considering this category of cases gives rise to an ambiguity in the interpretation of certain norms of the civil procedural legislation. The analysis of literary sources also indicates a lack of studies of these issues.When considering the peculiarities of the subject composition, the author draws attention to the absence in the content of the civil procedural legislation of such an entity as the “spouses” with a legislatively fixed provision in the Civil Procedural Code of Ukraine of the need to participate in special proceedings of an applicant as a person applying to the court and, on the other hand, interested parties. The impossibility of applying the rules of jurisdiction in this case is proved by analogy with the rules of jurisdiction in cases of legal action. When considering the issues related to the peculiarities of the consideration of these categories of cases by courts, attention is drawn to the uncertainty of the civil procedural legislation on the timing of a decision by a court in such cases, on the procedural and legal consequences of withdrawal of a divorce application by spouses and on the procedural fixation of the consequences of this event by the court.Taking an account of the given factors, it is concluded that it is more expedient and transparent to consider the issue of divorce process according to the rules of ordinary legal proceedings, and not a special one.

Thermoelasticity, cation exchange, and deprotonation in Fe-rich holmquistite: Toward a crystal-chemical model for the high-temperature behavior of orthorhombic amphiboles

Abstract The thermoelastic behavior of a crystal of Fe-rich holmquistite with crystal-chemical formula A(K0.01Na0.01)B(Li1.88Mg0.10Na0.02)C(Mg1.68Fe1.422+Mn0.022+Al1.88)TSi8.00O22W[(OH)1.97F0.03] was studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction at temperatures up to 1023 K, where isothermal annealing in air for 160 h yielded the loss of 0.85 H apfu coupled with oxidation of M1Fe. A complex pattern of cation exchanges was deciphered by comparing structure refinements done before and after annealing. Li migration from the M4 to M3 site is responsible for nonlinearity of the c parameter around 600 K during the first annealing. Cooling of the partially deprotonated crystal to room temperature (RT) showed discontinuities in trends of the b and c parameters around 820–800 K, which cannot be ascribed to a phase transition and can be explained by a rearrangement of the structural units affecting the geometry of the M4 polyhedron. Such discontinuities have never been observed in amphiboles before and must be related to dimensional constraints deriving from the peculiar composition of this amphibole, which contains the smallest possible homovalent constituents, i.e., BLi, CAl, and TSi. The calculated thermo-elastic parameters are: Fe-rich holmquistite: αa = 1.36(2)×10–5; αb = 0.55(1)×10–5; αc = 1.5(1)×10–5 – 6.7(9)×10–9; αV = 3.5(3)×10–5 – 0.8(3)×10–8 (polynomial); 2.58(6)×10–5 (linear); partially deprotonated Fe-rich holmquistite: αa = 1.324(9)×10–5 (RT-1023 K); αb = 0.60(1)×10–5 (RT-773 K); αc = 0.68(2)×10–5 (RT-773 K); αV = 2.59(2)×10–5 (RT-773 K). Fe-rich holmquistite is much stiffer than all the previously studied orthorhombic Pnma and Pnmn amphiboles. The results of this work allow progress toward a general model that may explain how the amphibole structure responds to non-ambient conditions, and allows the release of water in diverse geological environments.

GEO-TOURISM ROADS ON THE RIGHT BANK OF THE OPIR-STRYI

Тhe attractive geological and geomorphological objects of the right bank of the Opir-Stryi arehighlights in the article. Their morphometric parameters, peculiarities of geomorphological structure and lithological composition of rocks have been investigated. Various forms of formations which are reflecting the geological structure and history of the relief development of this region have been studied. А lot of objects are associated with historical and cultural events therefore, tourist attraction is increasing.The new geological and geomorphological objects which are proposed to be included in the geo-tourist routes have been researched, identified and described. These include: unique gorges on the Kliuch Range of tectonic, gravity and erosion genesis, which are also associated with the history of Ukrainian Sich's Archtrs; placers and clusters of equal rock blocks on the ridge slopes of m. Kliuch, which have unique shapes; vertical caves in exposed sandstone cracks; huge landslides in the Kamianka's village, that cover the entire length of the slope of the mountain range; interesting river beds that reflect the dynamics of the powerful stream of the river Stryi. For some well-known attraction sites, detailed morphometric measurements (rocks in Rozgirche and Tyshivnytsia) are presented for the first time by the authors.Two geo-tourist routes have been developed on the basis of the conducted researches: 1) deflection of sandstones of the profitable world near the Mezhybrody's village – Kniazi's Rocks (Tyshivnytsiya's village) – terrace and river processes of the Stryi's river – rock-cave complex Rozgirche (one-day); 2): Lopata's mountain – landslides in the Kamianka's village – gorge («canyon») in Kliuch – rocks «Paski's Island» on Kliuch – Zcuravlyne's Lake – gorge and waterfall on Kamianka River (two-day route). The places of stops are described, the distances and the duration of the lifts during the course of the slopes are given.It should be emphasized that recommendations for tourists and nature conservation activities are provided.

Tectonic setting of the middle-late cambrian deposits of isl. Bolshevik and isl. Troynoy (Russian Arctic): a case of clastic rocks from metaterrigeneous complexes

Abstract The new data on the tectonic settings and sedimentational circumstances of the Middle-Late Cambrian deposits of the southern part of the North Kara terrane, presented in our research, the data induced from the studies of clastic rocks in the basement metaterrigeneous complexes of Troynoy island (archipelago Izvestia CEC) and the northern part of Bolshevik island (archipelago Severnaya Zemlya). The sandstones of both regions are similar in the lithic wacke composition and contain the same groups of rocks fragments. Clastic zircons and Cr-spinels from sandstones of both regions have the same Zr/Hf and TiO2/Al2O3 ratios, respectively.
 The similarity of even-aged sediments from both regions can be explained by their accumulation due to the demolition of detrital material from a single source eroded area, which is a segment of the accretionary uplift of the Timan‒Severnaya Zemlya orogenic belt, with the newly formed continental Neoproterozoic-Cambrian crust. The low and medium-grade metamorphosed terrigeneous complexes dominated in the structure of the source area. Presence of volcanic and intrusive complexes in the source area is marked by clastic Cr-spinels with geochemical signatures of volcanic arc and suprasubductional ophiolites origin. By the beginning of the Ordovician, the Middle Late Cambrian sediments were also crushed, metamorphosed, and included in the structure of the Timan‒ Severnaya Zemlya orogenic belt.
 Peculiarities of petrographic and grain-size composition and sorting of the sandstones from the north of Bolshevik island are more typical for the sediments of gravity turbidite flows, in deep or relatively deep water conditions. The deposits of Troynoy island could be formed at shallow and coastal-marine environments.

Tectonic Setting of the Middle–Upper Cambrian Sediments of Bolshevik Island and Troynoy Island (Russian Arctic): a Case of Clastic Rocks from Metaterrigenous Complexes

The new data on the tectonic setting and conditions for the Middle‒Late Cambrian deposits formation in the southern part of the North Kara terrane, presented in our research, the data induced from the studies of clastic rocks in the metaterrigenous basement complexes of Troynoy Island (Izvestia CEC archipelago) and the northern part of Bolshevik Island (Severnaya Zemlya archipelago). The sandstones of both regions are similar in the lithic wacke composition and contain the same groups of rocks fragments. Detrital zircons and Cr-spinels from sandstones of both regions have the same Zr/Hf and TiO2/Al2O3 ratios, respectively. The similarity of even-aged sediments from both regions can be explained by their accumulation due to the demolition of detrital material from a single source eroded area, which is a segment of the accretionary uplift of the Timan‒Severnaya Zemlya orogenic belt, with the newly formed continental Neoproterozoic‒Cambrian crust. Low- and medium-grade metamorphosed terrigeneous complexes dominated in the structure of the source area. Presence of volcanic and intrusive complexes in the source area is marked by clastic Cr-spinels with geochemical signatures of volcanic arc and suprasubductional ophiolites origin. By the beginning of the Ordovician, the Middle‒Late Cambrian sediments were also crushed, metamorphosed and included in the structure of the Timan‒Severnaya Zemlya orogenic belt. Peculiarities of petrographic and grain-size composition and sorting of the sandstones from the north of Bolshevik Island are more typical for the sediments of gravity turbidite flows, in deep or relatively deep water conditions. The deposits of Troynoy Island could be formed at the shallow and coastal-marine environments.

Lower Airway Microbiota

During the last several years, the interest in the role of microbiota in human health has grown significantly. For many years, the lung was considered a sterile environment, and only recently, with the use of more sophisticated techniques, has it been demonstrated that colonization by a complex population of microorganisms in lower airways also occurs in healthy subjects; a predominance of some species of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes phyla and with a peculiar composition in some disease conditions, such as asthma, have been noted. Lung microbiota derives mainly from the higher airways microbiota. Although we have some information about the role of gut microbiota in modulation of immune system, less it is known about the connection between lung microbiota and local and systemic immunity. There is a correlation between altered microbiota composition and some diseases or chronic states; however, despite this correlation, it has not been clearly demonstrated whether the lung microbiota dysbiosis could be a consequence or a cause of these diseases. We are far from a scientific approach to the therapeutic use of probiotics in airway diseases, but we are only at the starting point of a knowledge process in this fascinating field that could reveal important surprises, and randomized prospective studies in future could reveal more about the clinical possibilities for controlling lung microbiota. This review was aimed at updating the current knowledge in the field of airway microbiota.

The distinctive characteristics of the nutrient composition of reindeer meat from the Vorkuta district determined by the conditions of the region of origin

Reindeer meat is an important source of crucial nutrients (protein, fat, minerals) in nutrition of Arctic indigenous people. The authentic meat properties are formed under the influence of many factors, the main of which are the lifetime factors including the region of production and peculiarities of keeping. The regional peculiarities of the reindeer meat composition are quite poorly reflected in the reference books on the chemical composition of food products and in the scientific publications. The aim of the work was to evaluate nutritional value, the level of amino acids, fatty acids, minerals and trace elements of reindeer meat from the Vorkuta district. Material and methods. The objects of the research were the samples of reindeer meat (m. longissimus dorsi) from the Vorkuta district obtained from the highly productive semi-domesticated young reindeers of the Nenets breed. The samples were taken from free-ranging male animals at the age of 8-10 month. The amino acid composition was analyzed by the chromatographic method, the mass fraction of tryptophan by the spectrofluorometrically method, oxyproline by the spectrophotometric method. The content of minerals and trace elements was detected by the flame atomic absorption method. The lipid extraction from the average sample was carried out by the extraction with chloroform/ methanol by the Folch method, the purity of the extracted lipids was controlled by the method of thin layer chromatography. The fatty acid composition was determined the gas chromatographic method. Results and discussions. The indicators of the chemical composition of reindeer meat from the Vorkuta district were established. The content of protein was 23.0%, the content of fat 1.2%. The high content of tryptophan (0.628 g/100 g of the product) was characteristic for this prodact. The ratio of tryptophan to oxyproline was 11.8, which exceeded the values in pork and chicken. The low level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (17.8% of total lipids), in particular linoleic acid (6.9%), was assigned to the special features of the composition of meat under investigation. With that, quite high content of saturated fatty acids (48.6% of total lipids) was observed, which explained increased meat stability to oxidative spoilage during long-term storage and processing. The content of calcium in the reindeer meat from the Vorkuta district was 72.25 mg/kg, potassium - 33.3 g/kg, magnesium - 310.25 mg/kg, iron - 55.54 mg/kg, zinc - 41.89 mg/kg, copper - 4.0 mg/kg. The level of iron, magnesium and copper in this type of meat was significantly higher than the data on reindeer meat presented in the reference literature. Conclusion. The obtained data on the chemical composition of reindeer meat from the Vorkuta district can be a basis for the development of the indicators of its authenticity and in the future can be used for identification in case of the need to confirm species and a region of origin of meat, as well as for solving tasks of formation and promotion of regional brands.

Characteristics of Economic Appraisal of Associated Petroleum Gas Use for GTL Technology

Associated petroleum gas (APG) is of considerable interest and is one of the priority directions of development of the oil and gas industry. In this context, the problem of environmental safety of hydrocarbon gas extraction processes is being solved simultaneously. Burning of petroleum gas at the field in flaring stacks affects the ecosystem adversely and leads to economic losses. Special projects implemented by large oil and gas companies are aimed at reducing environmental and economic losses in the APG extraction process. This article discusses the mechanisms of economic and environmental assessment of the main modern trends of APG utilization. The measures that take account of the peculiarities of the chemical composition of APG when choosing the method of its utilization are presented. An integrated approach to assessment and determination of the effective methods of beneficial utilization of APG and production of high-value-added products is used to solve this problem.

Essential Oil and Ethanol Extract of Oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) from Armenian Flora as a Natural Source of Terpenes, Flavonoids and other Phytochemicals with Antiradical, Antioxidant, Metal Chelating, Tyrosinase Inhibitory and Antibacterial Activity.

Origanum vulgare is used in Armenian cuisine as well as in folk medicine. The aim of this investigation was to determine the peculiarities of the chemical composition of Armenian flora's oregano essential oil (EO) and ethanol extract (EE) and to characterize mainly antioxidant and antibacterial properties in vitro. EO of plant aerial parts was extracted by the hydro-distillation method, and the composition was analyzed by gas-chromatography (GC). EE was prepared using ethanol as a solvent. Antioxidant, antibacterial and other biological activity of EO and EE was determined using appropriate methods. The terpenes were found to be the greatest part of oregano EO (β-caryophyllene epoxide - 13.3 %; β- caryophyllene -8.2 %; ο-cymene - 5.2 %). The flavonoid content of EE was 3.9±0.7 mg g-1 catechin equivalents. Antiradical activities of EO and EE expressed with half-maximum inhibitory concentrations were 1057 µg mL-1 and 19.97 µg mL-1. The antioxidant index in the case of using extract (1000 µg mL-1) was 77.3±1.5 %. The metal chelating activity of EE was 74.5±0.2 %. The tyrosinase inhibitory activities of EO, EE and arbutin were 26.5±0.3 %, 6.5±0.2 % and 50±0.1 %, respectively. Both EO and EE of oregano were able to suppress the growth of testmicroorganisms including clinical pathogen isolates, but have moderate antimicrobial activity. EO antibacterial activity against ampicillin-resistant Escherichia coli was similar to the activity against non-resistant strain. EE was not active against ampicillin-resistant E. coli in contrast to non-resistant one. The results indicate high antioxidant and moderate antibacterial as well as high antiradical, metal chelating, tyrosinase inhibitory activity of oregano EO and EE, which can be used as a natural source of terpenes, flavonoids and other phytochemicals in medicine, pharmaceutics, cosmetics and food industry. EO has antibacterial activity also against ampicillin-resistant E. coli.

Comparative study of historical woods from XIX century by thermogravimetry coupled with FTIR spectroscopy

Thermal and structural properties of historical woods from apparatuses of the Historical Collection of the Physics Instruments of the University of Palermo have been investigated by FTIR spectroscopy coupled with thermogravimetric analysis. Specifically, the wooden portions of apparatuses from XIX century have been studied. The investigated woods belong to different taxa (Swietenia mahagoni, Picea abies and Juglans regia). The thermal behavior of the wooden materials has been successfully interpreted on the basis of specific indexes determined by the quantitative analysis of the FTIR spectra. The kinetics of the wood pyrolysis have been investigated by using a non-isothermal approach based on model-free isoconversional procedures, such as Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS) and Friedman methods. Interestingly, the activation energy of the pyrolysis process reflects both the peculiar composition (related to the specific wooden taxon) and the conservation state of the historical woods. In this regards, we estimated that the average activation energies obtained from KAS analysis are 203, 156 and 43 kJ mol−1 for Swietenia mahagoni, Picea abies and Juglans regia woods, respectively. The thermogravimetric parameters have been correlated to the lignin index of the woods by proper experimental equations, which can be considered as a novel protocol to estimate the preservation conditions of historical woods from different taxon.

The content of triacylglycerol and cholesterol in milk of different species

Today, dairy products are a significant part of falsified food. Of all types of falsifications, it is most difficult to establish intermodal substitution. There are cases of dilution of sheep and goat milk to cow. The most accurate test for the species of milk and dairy products is the polymerase chain reaction. However, this method is expensive and time-consuming. Proceeding from this, the aim of this work was to determine the concentration of total cholesterol and triacylglycerol in milk of cows, sheep and goats, which in the future can be used as the theoretical basis for the creation of informative diagnostic tests for interspecific milk falsification. For research, 7 samples of milk from cows, sheep and goats were selected. In the test samples, the content of triacylglycerol and total cholesterol was determined. The test system “Philitis-Diagnostics” was used. The obtained digital material indicates that the highest level of triacylglycerol is recorded in the milk of sheep, and the lowest – cows. Thus, in sheep's milk, the level of triacylglycerol was 3.4 times higher (P < 0.01), compared with milk of cows, and 1.5 times as compared with milk of goats. In milk of cows, this indicator was 2.2 times lower than that of goat meat. The level of total cholesterol in sheep's milk was higher by 5.7 times (P < 0.01), compared with milk of goats and 4.5 times (P < 0.01) with milk of cows. Its level in milk of cows was higher by 1.2 times, compared with the content of goats milk. The statistical analysis of the results showed a strong negative correlation between the total cholesterol and triacylglycerol content in goat's milk (r = -0.7) and sheep (r = -0.8). In milk of cows such correlation dependence is not established (r = 0.4). It should be noted that significant individual variations of the studied parameters within a single species of animals. This may be due to the season of the year, feeding, the period of lactation, the age of the animal, the state of the health of the mammary gland, as indicated by other researchers. It has been established that the level of total cholesterol and triacylglycerol in animal milk is unstable. However, the level of triacylglycerol in sheep's milk is significantly higher than in milk of cows and goats, and the level of total cholesterol is lower in milk of goats compared with milk from cows and sheep. Such results suggest the promising use of triacylglycerol and total cholesterol in animal milk as an informative complement to existing interspecific falsification tests. In further studies, attention will be focused on the peculiarities of the fractional composition of milk lipids and the study of the level of triacylglycerol and total cholesterol in products made from falsified and unfertilized milk.

On the ultra-compact nature of the neutron star system 1RXS J170854.4−321857: insights from X-ray spectroscopy

ABSTRACT The relatively small family of ultra-compact X-ray binary systems is of great interest for many areas of astrophysics. We report on a detailed X-ray spectral study of the persistent neutron star low-mass X-ray binary 1RXS J170854.4−321857. We analysed two XMM–Newton observations obtained in late 2004 and early 2005 when, in agreement with previous studies, the system displayed an X-ray luminosity (0.5–10 keV) of ${\sim} 1\times 10^{36}\, \mathrm{erg~s}^{-1}$. The spectrum can be described by a Comptonized emission component with Γ ∼ 1.9 and a distribution of seed photons with a temperature of ∼0.23 keV. A prominent residual feature is present at soft energies, which is reproduced by the absorption model if overabundances of Ne and Fe are allowed. We discuss how similar observables, which might be attributed to the peculiar (non-solar) composition of the plasma donated by the companion star, are a common feature in confirmed and candidate ultra-compact systems. Although this interpretation is still under debate, we conclude that the detection of these features along with the persistent nature of the source at such low luminosity and the intermediate–long burst that it displayed in the past confirms 1RXS J170854.4−321857 as a solid ultra-compact X-ray binary candidate.

PECULIARITIES OF FATTY ACID PROFILE OF ERYTHROCYTE MEMBRANES IN PATIENTS WITH RESISTANT ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION

Objective: This study aims to evaluate peculiarities of composition and level of fatty acids (FAs) in erythrocyte membranes (EM) of patients with resistant arterial hypertension (RAH) which could be applied in diagnosis of pathogenic aspects of the disease, development of new therapeutic targets. Design and method: 24 males with controlled arterial hypertension (CAH) (stage 1–2), 20 subjects with RAH (53 ± 5.7years), 22 healthy males were included into the study. The Agilent 7000B (USA) GC system was applied to study FAs composition. Results: The patients with CAH demonstrated increase in ratio of saturated, monoenoic FAs as well as decrease of polyenoic ones. Significant increase was registered in levels of C14:0, C17:0, C18:0, C20:0, C18:1 n9 (p = 0.01–0.05). We registered decrease in ratio of n6 unsaturated FAs: (C18:2, C20:4, C22:4) n6, (p = 0.01–0.05). Patients with RAH displayed increase in levels of C15:0, 16:0 FAs, oleic, midic ones (p = 0.03–0.05). The registered increased level of C20:3n9 would compensate synthesis which would take place in cases of deficit of n6, n3 polyunsaturated FAs (PUFA). Increase in ratio (C20:3/C18:1) n9 tends to evoke active synthesis of substrates for formation of prostacyclins, thromboxanes which are known to possess vasoconstrictive properties. Changes in PUFA tended to be most highly pronounced, especially in cases of n3 (C22:5, C22:6; p < 0.01). Patients with RAH demonstrated 2.1-time decrease of total n3 PUFA as compared to subjects with CAH. Increase of arachidonic acid level by up to 37.8% served as an outstanding finding in patients with RAH. That was the sign of deficit of n-3 PUFA. Disbalance in structure of n3, n6 was seen in decreased n3/n6 ratio (p < 0.01). Patients with RAH demonstrated accumulation of saturated, polyunsaturated n6 FA with deficit of n3 PUFA in EM. This speaks in favor of decrease in fluidity of cellular lipid bilayer, inhibition of binding ligands with the receptor, activity of enzymes bound with membrane, including PIEZO1,2 proteins (responsible for sensitivity to pressure). Conclusions: Increase in disorganization of lipid components of cellular membrane causes progression of hypertension with further development of resistant forms, what should be considered an important link in pathogenesis and target for therapy.

Hafnium isotope composition of zircon from the Kondyor clinopyroxenite-dunite massif (Khabarovsk territory, Russia)

This study evaluates for the first time Hf-isotope characteristics of zircon from dunite of the Kondyor massif, which is closely related to an economic platinum placer deposit. The significant range in εHf(t) values (from -8.4 ± 0.8 to 10.5 ± 1.3) in Mesozoic zircons indicates the interaction of a ‘juvenile’ mantle source with distinct magma sources, equivalent to a subcontinental lithospheric mantle and/or a continental crust. The peculiarities of the Hf-isotopic composition of Precambrian zircons (εHf(t) from -2.3 to +0.3) is consistent with their xenogenic origin and inheritance from basement rocks of the Siberian Craton.

Capturing Commitment in Informal, Soft Law Instruments: A Case Study on the Basel Committee

ABSTRACT The present article investigates the legal nature of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and seeks to identify the legal effects of the acts produced by the committee under public international law. It reassesses the most influential contemporary theories that have endeavoured to describe and capture the increasing trend towards ‘de-formalization’ of international law, of which the Basel Committee, with its peculiar composition and standard-setting activities, is generally considered as one of the most significant examples. The articles comes to the conclusion that the Basel Committee’s normative outputs cannot be qualified as legal acts or legal facts under international law as they are best described as the results of flexible and informal standard-setting activities developed by domestic regulators at the international level, with a view to inducing compliance by national legislators and stakeholders. The lack of a formal ‘pedigree’ under international law has not undermined their effectiveness; on the contrary, it can be considered a peculiar feature of a successful model of transnational cooperation where soft law standards have been translated into domestic legislation.

Hafnium Isotope Composition of Zircon from the Kondyor Clinopyroxenite-Dunite Massif (Khabarovsk Territory, Russia)

This study evaluates for the first time Hf-isotope characteristics of zircon from dunite of the Kondyor massif, which is closely related to an economic platinum placer deposit. The significant range in eHf(t) values (from –8.4 ± 0.8 to 10.5 ± 1.3) in Mesozoic zircons indicates the interaction of a “juvenile” mantle source (eHf(t) = +15) with distinct magma sources, equivalent to a subcontinental lithospheric mantle and/or a continental crust. The peculiarities of the Hf-isotopic composition of Precambrian zircons (eHf(t) from –2.3 to +0.3) is consistent with their xenogenic origin and inheritance from basement rocks of the Siberian Craton.

Lysosomal Acid Lipase as a Molecular Target of the Very Low Carbohydrate Ketogenic Diet in Morbidly Obese Patients: The Potential Effects on Liver Steatosis and Cardiovascular Risk Factors.

A very low carbohydrate ketogenic diet (VLCKD) is an emerging technique to induce a significant, well-tolerated, and rapid loss of body weight in morbidly obese patients. The low activity of lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) could be involved in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is a common feature in morbidly obese patients. Fifty-two obese patients suitable for a bariatric surgery intervention underwent a 25-day-long VLCKD. The biochemical markers of glucose and lipid metabolism, and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery were measured before and after VLCKD. LAL activity was measured using the dried blood spot technique in 20 obese patients and in a control group of 20 healthy, normal-weight subjects. After VLCKD, we observed a significant reduction in body mass index, fasting glucose, insulinemia, and lipid profile parameters. No significant variation in FMD was observed. The number of patients with severe liver steatosis significantly decreased. LAL activity significantly increased, although the levels were not significantly different as compared to the control group. In conclusion, VLCKD induces the activity of LAL in morbidly obese subjects and reduces the secretion of all circulating lipoproteins. These effects could be attributed to the peculiar composition of the diet, which is particularly poor in carbohydrates and relatively rich in proteins.