Vital Class Research Articles

Searching for Double-line Spectroscopic Binaries in the LAMOST Medium-resolution Spectroscopic Survey with Deep Learning

Double-line spectroscopic binaries (SB2s) are a vital class of spectroscopic binaries for studying star formation and evolution. Searching for SB2s has been a hot topic in astronomy. Although considerable efforts have been made with fruitful outcomes, limitations in automation and accuracy still persist. In this study, we developed a convolutional neural network model to search for SB2 candidates in LAMOST medium-resolution survey (MRS) data release (DR) 9 v1.0 by detecting double peaks in the cross-correlation function (CCF). We first generated a large number of spectra of single stars and binaries using the iSpec spectral synthesis software. The CCFs of these synthesized spectra were then calculated to form our training set. To efficiently detect the peaks of the CCFs, we applied a Softmax function-based noise reduction method. After testing and validation, the model achieved an accuracy of 97.76% in the testing set and was validated for more than 90% of the sample in several published SB2 catalogs. Finally, by applying the model to examine approximately 1.59 million LAMOST-MRS DR9 spectra, we identified 728 candidate SB2s, including 281 newly discovered ones.

Synthesis, characterization and fungicidal activity of novel 2-aminopyrimidine Schiff bases

2-Aminopyrimidines represents vital class of bioactive molecules where its structural changes would lead to its peculiar properties. N -heterocyclic compound i.e. 2-aminopyrimidine had wide range of applications in pharmacological, material chemistry and agriculture as antifungal, antimicrobial and antibacterial agents. 2-Aminopyrimidine and its derivatives are good candidates for antimicrobial, antifungal and anticorrosion activity. In the present study, a series of substituted N -benzylidine-2-aminopyrimidine compounds have been synthesized by condensation reaction of 2-aminopyrimidine with substituted benzaldehydes ( o -chloro , m -hydroxybenzaldehyde, p -hydroxybenzaldehyde, 2,5-dimethoxybenzaldehyde, p -dimethylaminobenzaldehye, syringaldehyde, o -phthaldehyde, isovanillin benzaldehyde, veratraldehyde and thiophene-2-carboxyaldehyde) using glacial acetic acid or NaOH (40%). The synthesised Schiff bases have been characterized using UV, IR, 1 H NMR and 13 C spectral studies. 2-Aminopyrimidine Schiff bases ( 1-10 ) have been examined for fungitoxicity on the growth of Fusarium verticillioides , Rhizoctonia solani and Macrophomina phaseolina using poisoned food technique.

Rational design of MoS2-based catalysts toward lignin hydrodeoxygenation: Interplay of structure, catalysis, and stability

The MoS2-based materials are a vital class of heterogeneous catalysts for the hydrodeoxygenation of lignin and its model compounds to produce value-added chemicals especially because of their unique selectivity to aromatics. The rational design of MoS2-based catalyst greatly depends on the comprehensive understanding of its structure-activity relationship. However, an intensive summary and critical analysis are still scarce to date. In this review, we attempt to provide an in-depth understanding of the interplay of structure, catalysis, and stability of MoS2-based catalysts for lignin hydrodeoxygenation. The recognition of intrinsic active sites on MoS2 structure was firstly discussed, followed by the illustration of MoS2-catalyzed hydrodeoxygenation structural models. Afterward, based on the studies on the MoS2-catalyzed lignin model compounds hydrodeoxygenation, the current active site modification strategies including structural modification of monometallic MoS2 catalysts and collaborative modification were summarized and emphatically discussed, which aims to elucidate the structure-activity relationship at the atomic-level. The deactivation mechanism and stabilization strategies were also illustrated to provide instructive suggestion for the rational design of efficient and stable MoS2-based catalysts. Finally, the real lignin depolymerization over MoS2-based catalysts was summarized to point out the advantages and difficulties. This review attempts to highlight the remaining challenges and provide some perspectives for the future development of MoS2-based catalysts for lignin hydrodeoxygenation.

Vitality of alasic cenopopulations of Hordeum brevisubulatum (Trin.) Link

The vital structure of cenopopulations (CP) is one of the main indicators of the state of the CP, which really reflects vitality and resistance to stress. In 2020-2021, the vital structure of the CP of polycarpic, rhizomatous-friable grass Hordeum brevisubulatum (Trin.) Link, one of the dominants and important resource components of the alasny meadows in the Churapchinsky district of Yakutia, was studied. 32 morphological parameters of generative individuals were studied. The repetition by individuals in each CP is 30-fold. The assessment of the vitality of individuals and the CP as a whole was carried out according to the method of Yu. A. Zlobin, supplemented by A. R. Ishbirdin and M. M. Ishmuratov. Individuals of the CP of the аЫ middle belt have parameter values lower than those of the CP of the lower belt, but higher than in the CP of the upper belt of the аЫ. Studies established that in the CP of the species there are individuals of all three classes of vitality: a-higher, b-middle and c-lower. In general, over the years of research, the vital structure of the аЫ CP of the Churapchinsky district has undergone some changes. The middle class of vitality and a thriving type of cenopopulation prevail. The species is adapted to the limited soil and climatic resources of the alas, but is most viable in the lower belts of the alas. The vital state of the CP is affected by the position of the CP in a certain zone of alas and the moisture content of the year.

A calcium-dependent protein kinase gene SpCPK33 from Solanum pennellii associated with increased cold tolerance in tomato

Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs, CPKs) represent a vital class of calcium sensors, which play a crucial role in plant growth, development and adaption to complex environmental stresses. Wild species tend to exhibit greater tolerance than cultivated species under environmental stress. Here, we isolated a calcium-dependent protein kinase gene SpCPK33 located primarily on the plasma membrane of abiotic-resistant species (Solanum pennellii LA0716). It was highly expressed in stems and leaves and was also induced by cold stress. Compared with WT plants, the overexpression of SpCPK33 in cultivated tomato (cv M82) enhanced its tolerance to cold stress. Transgenic lines demonstrated strong vitality under low temperature treatment. Moreover, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were decreased in SpCPK33-overexpressing plants. The activities of antioxidant enzymes and the levels of osmotic regulatory substances were higher. The transcript levels of cold stress-related genes were up-regulated. In summary, the results indicate that SpCPK33-overexpressing transgenic plants experience less severe chilling injury under cold stress, and improved tomato cold tolerance by scavenging ROS accumulation and modulating the expression of stress-related genes.

Cavitation–Silt Erosion Behavior and Failure Mechanism of an HVOF-Sprayed WC-Cr3C2-Ni Coating for Offshore Hydraulic Machinery

WC-Cr3C2-Ni coatings are a vital class of hard ceramic/cermet coatings with potential applications as wear-resistant materials. However, their erosion wear behavior in 3.5 wt.% sodium chloride medium (SCM) remains largely unexplored. The present study investigated the cavitation–silt erosion (CSE) behavior in 3.5 wt.% SCM of WC-Cr3C2-Ni coatings sprayed with high-velocity oxygen–fuel (HVOF) under different flow velocities (FVs) and sand concentrations (SCs). Comparing the WC-Cr3C2-Ni coating with the 1Cr18Ni9Ti stainless steel, the first possessed superior CSE resistance in 3.5 wt.% SCM in a full range of FV and SC. Meanwhile, the coating appeared more influenced by FV and less influenced by SC, which was indicated by the fact that the amplification of VLR value (377.1%) when the FV ranged from 23.4 to 41.9 m·s−1 was larger than that (129.8%) when the SC increased from 10 kg·m−3 to 35 kg·m−3. With increasing FV and SC, the CSE process of the WC-Cr3C2-Ni coating in 3.5 wt.% SCM mainly included the discontinuous corrosion product films, erosion pits, fracturing of hard-phase grains, and micro-cutting of soft binder matrix, as well as crater formation and coating spalling.

Determination of the drug utilization patterns of antimicrobial agents used in the department of ear, nose and throat at a tertiary care teaching hospital

Background: Pharmacoepidemiology deals with the epidemiological aspects of clinical use of and effects of drugs over a large population with intentions to have a rationalised prescription practices while using various drugs preferably anti-microbial agents. Objective of the research was to study the prescribing patterns of drugs in ear, nose and throat (ENT) department and to evaluate prescriptions according to World Health Organization (WHO) drug use indicators.Methods: A cross sectional, observational study was conducted in the department of ENT. Data was collected from the prescriptions of patients in outpatient (OPD) and inpatient department (IPD) both.Results: Total number of 250 prescriptions were analysed in which 1038 drugs were prescribed, with average number of drugs prescribed per prescription were 3.6 and 4.6 drugs among OPD and IPD group respectively. Anti-histaminic class of drugs were most prescribed drugs in OPD while in IPD, all anti-microbial agents were most prescribed class of drugs. There was a statistically significant difference between drugs prescribed by generic and branded names. When compared statistically, it was found that 1%, 59% and 40% prescribed drugs in OPD were from desirable, essential and vital class respectively. While 3%, 62% and 36% of prescribed drugs in IPD were from desirable, essential and vital class respectively.Conclusions: It is vital to aware prescribers about the importance of rationalised prescribing and avoid polypharmacy. A need for the development of prescribing guidelines and educational initiatives to encourage the rational and appropriate use of drugs, in order to give the inputs to the prescribing doctors.

Long-term growth decline precedes sudden crown dieback of European beech

European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) has strongly suffered from the exceptional 2018 drought and subsequent dry years that hit Central Europe. While many trees showed severe signs of crown dieback or died following the 2018 extreme drought, other co-occurring and neighboring trees showed no sign of dieback or only minor damage. The reasons why some trees were more severely impacted than others and which predisposing factors make some trees more vulnerable than others are still poorly understood. Here, we analyzed differences in long-term growth trends, neighborhood composition (competition and species diversity), early-warning signals, and growth responses to past severe droughts of co-occurring vital and severely declining beech trees at six sites in Switzerland. We aimed to connect tree vitality after 2018 with past long-term growth trajectories and investigated whether declining trees had already been more susceptible to drought than vital trees before dieback occurred.Overall, trees that showed severe crown dieback had a stronger growth decline than vital trees in the last 50 years. Declining trees exhibited stagnating and then decreasing growth trajectories even before signs of crown dieback occurred. Interestingly, we did not find significant differences in growth response to past severe droughts between the vitality classes, with the exception that vital trees recovered faster from past more severe droughts. Further, we could neither detect any difference in the effect of competition and neighborhood species composition on growth response, nor predict crown dieback based on early-warning signals which try to predict regime shifts by sudden changes in the autoregressive coefficient with lag 1, standard deviation and skewness. Our results indicate that unlike vital trees, declining beech trees showed predisposing signs for crown dieback by having lower growth rates during the last 50 years.

Plasma-Derived Exosomal SncRNA as a Promising Diagnostic Biomarker for Early Detection of HBV-Related Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure.

ObjectivesThe small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs) including microRNAs and the noncanonical sncRNAs [i.e., tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) and rRNA-derived small RNAs (rsRNAs)] are a vital class of gene regulators in response to a variety of diseases. We focus on an sncRNA signature enriched in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) to develop a plasma exosome-based noninvasive biomarker for human ACLF.MethodsIn this work, sncRNAs related to HBV-ACLF were identified by small RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) in plasma exosomes collected from 3 normal subjects, 4 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with flare, and 6 HBV-ACLF patients in the discovery cohort. Thereafter, the differentially expressed sncRNAs were further verified in a validation cohort (n = 313) using the newly developed molecular signature incorporating different mi/ts/rsRNAs (named as MTR-RNAs) through qRT-PCR assays. Subsequently, using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression (LR) model analysis, we developed an MTR-RNA classifier for early detection of ACLF.ResultsThe identified sncRNAs (hsa-miR-23b-3p, hsa-miR-223-3p, hsa-miR-339-5p, tsRNA-20, tsRNA-46, and rsRNA-249) were specifically differentially expressed in plasma exosomes of HBV-ACLF. The MTR-RNA signature (AUC = 0.787) containing the above sncRNAs distinguished HBV-ACLF cases among normal subjects with 71.67% specificity and 74.29% sensitivity, CHB patients with flare (AUC = 0.694, 85.71% sensitivity/59.5% specificity), and patients with CHB/cirrhosis (AUC = 0.785, 57.14% sensitivity/94.59% specificity). Notably, it revealed 100% specificity/94.80% sensitivity in detecting patients or normal people.ConclusionsOur as-constructed plasma-derived exosomal sncRNA signature can serve as a reliable biomarker for ACLF detection and also be adopted to be the pre−triage biomarker for selecting cases that can gain benefits from adjuvant treatment.

Assessing Forest Vitality and Forest Structure Using 3D Data: A Case Study From the Hainich National Park, Germany

The adaptation of forest management to changing environmental conditions due to climate change relies on information on the current forest and tree vitality. In common practice, the percentage of crown defoliation is used as a proxy for tree vitality, an approach that has several drawbacks. By performing laser scanning on a forest plot in the Hainich National Park, we tested a new approach to quantifying tree vitality. Based on the difference in structural complexity measured between summer and winter, assessed via the box-dimension, the new approach provides an objective and reproducible method that does not only allow the quantification of the defoliation, but also includes the effects of branch diebacks. In addition, we assessed the change in box-dimension and branch lengths between 2013 and 2021 and studied the overall structural development of the trees to analyze the alteration of their vitality. On average, we found a decrease in overall structural complexity, as well as in branch lengths for most trees in the investigated forest. Further, the mean difference in box-dimension (summer minus winter) decreased with ascending vitality class. We conclude that the vitality of the trees was negatively affected over the period of 8 years, and we argue the newly proposed method based on the box-dimension holds potential to be used as a measure for tree vitality in deciduous forests.

High temperature tribological performance of molybdenum reinforced zirconia toughened alumina composites prepared by pressure-less sintering

Molybdenum (Mo) reinforced zirconia-toughened alumina (ZTA) composites are a vital class of self-lubricating ceramics with potential applications as seals, dies and cutting tools. However, their tribological behaviours under elevated temperatures remain largely unexplored. The present study investigates the tribological performances of pressure-less sintered ZTA ceramics containing various weight percentages (0, 5, 10 and 15 wt %) of Mo at elevated temperatures (500 °C and 750 °C). Formation of self-lubricating Mo oxides at tribo-interfaces was observed when the temperature increases from 500 °C to 750 °C. The least friction coefficient (0.34) and specific wear rate of (1.057 × 10−4 mm3/N-m) were observed at 750 °C for 15 wt % Mo – ZTA and 10 wt % Mo – ZTA composites respectively. Phase analysis, and morphological and elemental studies on the wear tracks confirmed the presence of molybdenum-oxide-rich thin lubricating tribo-films on the worn surface, and suggest adhesion as the dominant wear mechanism.

Synthetic Methods and Pharmacological Potential of Different Oxazine Analogs

: Oxazine analog is a vital class of heterocyclic compounds and has attracted synthetic interest owing to their wide range of biological activities. Oxazine analogs are valuable in medicinal organic chemistry and exhibit different varieties of biological activities such as antimicrobial, anticancer, antimalarial, antitubercular, sedative, anticonvulsant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, etc. Oxazine can be derived from benzene by appropriate substitution of carbon atoms of the ring by nitrogen and oxygen atoms. Nowadays, the development of drug resistance is a key problem, and to defeat this problem, it is crucial to synthesize novel compounds. So, novel oxazine analogs may play a crucial role to overcome these problems. Oxazine analogs are prepared by reaction of chalcone derivatives with thiourea in the presence of alcohol and sodium hydroxide. The present aims of this review are to give an outline of some different synthetic methods and different types of biological activities of oxazine analogs. We hope that this review will be motivating for researchers concerned with oxazine analogs.

Introduction

The importance of refractory materials to the world has always been prevalent as they support the production of materials and the processes that sustain our way of life. These materials may be called upon to act as insulation and/or containment as they form vessel linings in high temperature and corrosive environments and, thus, must possess properties suitable for exposure to extreme environments. Indeed, it would be difficult to identify an industrial process that does not use refractory materials in one aspect or another. These materials must not only be capable of performing these tasks at elevated temperatures, but may also be called upon to bear mechanical loads and transfer heat. As such, refractories are a vital class of materials for the sustainability of the world industrial economy related to the manufacturing of the products that we rely on in our modern world. As stated in its mission statement, the 17th Unified International Technical Conference on Refractories (UNITECR 2021) was organized to contribute to the progress and exchange of industrial knowledge and technologies concerning refractories with the participation of refractory organizations from around the world collaborating in this biennial conference. The theme of the conference is “Refractories as a Global Industry.” The articles included in this focused issue on refractories come from the wider collection of articles presented at the conference and included in the conference proceedings. This year's conference, like those of the past, aimed to address many of the aspects prevalent in refractory technology today and to bring together industrial and academic interests related to refractory production, testing, characterization, application, and education. These themes were covered in the various symposia of the conference with some of those themes being covered by the articles to follow. Finally, I would like to thank the US and International UNITECR Advisory Committees and the technical program committee for the 17th UNITECR without whose efforts this collection of articles would not have been possible. The individuals from these groups were instrumental in the organizing and recruiting of articles for the various symposia and in the technical editing of the articles found to follow.

Analysis of growth and vitality class of Ulin (Eusideroxylon zwageri T. et B.) on Sempaja Arboretum East Kalimantan

The purpose of this study was to determine the growth and vitality class of Ulin stands after the age of 17 years at Sempaja Arboretum, Samarinda East Kalimantan. Collecting data by measuring all species of Ulin which were planted in the arboretum area of 2.5 ha covering diameter/circumference, tree height, and trunk condition in 2020. The growth analysis approach used individual tree increment calculations, while the vitality class and social dynamic assessment were based on the IUFRO classification. The results showed that in the arboretum Sempaja found 82 stems of Ulin which planted as a result of ex-situ conservation activities. The tree’s growth distribution after 17 years was wide both based on the diameter, namely 1.5-11.72 cm, and height, namely 2.4-16.21 m. Based on the mean annual diameter increment (MAId) is 0.09-0.69 cm. yr-1, the height increment (MAIh) is 0.14-0.95 m. yr-1 and volume increment (MAIvol) is 0.00002-0.006 m3.yr-1. The vitality value of Ulin was classified into three classes, meanwhile, the dynamic social was divided into two classes. Based on this assessment, the stand is dominated by trees with average growth and trees requiring maintenance in their development. These results provide input for the need for silvicultural maintenance for the Ulin stand, especially in the management of Sempaja arboretum.

EVALUATION OF MARE FAMILIES OF ORLOV’S TROTTER OF UKRAINIAN POPULATION HORSES

It was found that the domestic population of horses of the Orlov’s Trotter breed is 465 individuals, including mares of reproductive age - only 193, which indicates a significant limitation of this breed. The most numerous uterine families by number of successors: Vorozheyka and Fatma (8.3% in the uterine composition), Rumba (7.8% in the uterine composition) and Cadetka (7.3% in the uterine composition). Only 12 mares (6.2%) belong to a small number of uterine families, numbering 1-2 mares (Aristocratka, Kaluga, Pusti, Damochka, Zib, Lelya, Levitsa, Panika, Pika). The analyzed uterine families number from 3 to 10 generations from the ancestor to the representatives of the modern uterine composition. Evaluation of mare families on a set of breeding traits found that the highest liveliness at a classical distance of 1600 m on average characterized mares belonging to the uterine families of Lena (2.11,4 ± 0,65 min), Uh-Kakaya (2.12.2±0,28 min), Dosujaya (2.13,4±0,18 min), Barvikha (2.15,3±0,41 min), Vorojeyka (2.15,7±0,15 min), Cadetka (2.15,8± 0,22 min). The quietest mares belong to the parent families of Povest, Evil, Molodytsa, Kaleria. Mares from the mare families of Lena, Vorojeyka and Molodytsa differ in terms of measurement indicators. They are characterized by high stature, elongated body shape, typical of the harness type of horses, bulky chest. In terms of wrist circumference, all assessed mares do not exceed 20.8 cm, which indicates an insufficient level of skeletal development and, accordingly, is not negatively affected by agility. By dividing into gradations by liveliness classes, it was established that mares of the Orlov’s Trotter breed of the Ukrainian population of liveliness class 2.05 min and more vigorous were not detected. Of all tested mares (76.2 %), only 12.2 % have a high liveliness class of 2.10 min or more. However, mares of low liveliness class (2.30,1 min and quieter) are few - 10.9 %. The predominant number of mares have an average liveliness class of 2.10,1-2.20 min (55.1 %) and 2.20,1-2,30 min (21.8 %). Almost a quarter of mares (23.8 %) remain untested, which negatively affects the selection process. Most mares of high vitality class belong to the parent families: Barvikha, Dan’, Dosuzhaya, Rumba, Uh-Kakaya.

Vitality Analysis Algorithm in the Study of Plant Individuals and Populations

Background: The article presents an algorithm of the vitality analysis of plant individuals in the populations that enables the assessment of the prospects for the existence of species within certain phytocenoses and provides important information on the conditions of their growth. There are three basic stages of the algorithm: the first stage is the selection of qualitative characters, which characterize the viability of individuals; the second stage is the assessment of the vitality of specific plant individuals included in the sampling; the third stage is an integral assessment of the population vitality structure. Objective: The goal of the study is to develop the basic algorithm for vitality analysis of populations based on the assessment of the vitality of plant individuals, as well as the authors’ algorithms for vitality analysis, considering the characteristic features of species, in particular, their different life strategies (C-type and R-type). The algorithm of the vitality analysis is demonstrated on the example of populations of the annual weed Persicaria scabra Moench (Polygonaceae), which grows in the pea crop planting (Sumy Region, Ukraine). Methods: The algorithm of vitality analysis is based on the method of Yu. A. Zlobin, which includes 3 main stages. The vitality analysis of populations is carried out on the basis of the assessment of the vitality of certain individuals. The assessment of the vitality structure of populations is the third stage of vitality analysis, where the population belonging to the prosperous, equilibrium, or depressive types is determined depending on the ratio of individuals of different vitality classes (a, b, c). The calculation of the vitality analysis provides for the transformation of absolute values into unit fractions. It ensures the equivalence of the contribution of each of the features used in the assessment of the vitality of individuals and populations as a whole. Results: The article presents a basic algorithm for vitality analysis of plant populations. It also shows the algorithm for vitality analysis considering some biological and ecological characters of the studied species, which may be used in special and relatively rare cases. Some examples of analyses with a well-defined primary strategy ‒ competitors (C-type) or explerents (R-type) have been presented in the article. To calculate the morphoparameters of plant individuals and populations, the most convenient is the statistical package “Statistics”, which provides for the possibility of calculation automation via the command line. The division of populations into three types according to vitality is of general nature. The method of assessing the population vitality is inherently comparative, and this feature is considered to be its advantage. Conclusion: Vitality analysis is useful in assessing the populations of rare plant species, meadow grasses, chemical contamination on the population of plants, identifying any changes in the status populations of forest herbs in the change of forest growth conditions, as well as a number of species of forest-forming tree species. The proposed variants of the algorithm to calculate the vitality of plant species and local populations are characterized by the high biological informative value and flexibility. The incorporated information on the vitality structure of populations in quantitative PVA models to predict their dynamics will significantly increase the reliability of forecasts regarding the prospects for the existence of phytopopulations of species in various plant communities.

Status and life strategy of Orchis punctulata Steven ex Lindl. (Orchidaceae) in the South-Eastern Crimea 

This article presents the results of the population studies of rare protected species Orchis punctulata (Orchidaceae). Based on analysis of local floras in eastern and southeastern Crimea and personal observations, we identified the three most numerous populations of O. punctulata: two in the steppe (on the Tepe-Oba mountain ridge) and one in forest communities (on the Kiziltash mountain ridge). The ontogenetic, demographic, and vitality structures of the populations were studied. We also assessed the life strategies of the species in different habitats. The populations in steppe communities were characterized by high number and density parameters. O. punctulate often formed large clusters and was dominated here. A small number and low density characterized the population in the forest community; the distribution of individuals within the population was scattered. The age spectra were also different. The populations in steppe communities had a left-sided spectrum with a maximum in immature individuals, while in forest communities, it had a bimodal spectrum with maximums in generative (with a predominance of mature and old generative) and immature individuals. Specimens from forest communities were more extensive than those of steppe communities, they had longer leaves and inflorescences, and their inflorescences had a more significant number of flowers. As a result, the population in the forest community had a higher vitality index. It included individuals of the highest and middle class of vitality. The populations in the steppe community consisted of all classes of vitality or only of middle and lower classes. Thus, optimal environmental conditions for the growth of species are in forests. At the same time, a low level of regeneration and competition from other plants hinder its wide distribution. As a result, the species exserts as a phytocenotic patient (S-strategy). In steppe communities, the species is characterized by a mixed patient-explerant-violant strategy (SRC strategy).

Computational and in vitro validation of cardiogenic induction of quercetin on adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells through the inhibition of Wnt and non-Smad-dependent TGF-β pathways.

Exploiting human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) was proposed as a promising therapeutic approach for cardiovascular disease due to their capacity to differentiate into cardiac cells. Though modulation of the intracellular signaling pathways dominantly WNT/β catenin and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) have been reported to promote differentiation of hMSCs into cardiomyocytes in the prevailing literature, a safe and reproducible system for their clinical application has not yet turned into reality. In the present study, the molecular docking-based strategy was first applied for evaluating the potency of some natural phenolic compounds in the modulation of Wnt and TGF-β signaling pathways using a vital class of crystallographic protein structures of WNT signaling regulators such as Frizzled, Disheveled, GSK3-β, β-catenin, LRP 5/6 extracellular domain, Tankyrase and their variety of active pockets. Then, the impacts of plant-derived chemical compounds on the regulation of the relevant signals for the differentiation of hMSCs into the definitive mesoderm lineage and cardiac progenitors were assessed in vitro. Data obtained revealed the synergistic activity of Wnt and TGF-β superfamily to direct cardiac differentiation in human cardiogenesis by comparing cardiac gene expression in the presence and absence of the TGF-β inhibitors. We found that the inhibitory effect of canonical Wnt/β-catenin is sufficient to cause proper cardiomyocyte differentiation, but the TGF-β pathway plays a vital role in enhancing the expression of the cardiomyocyte-specific marker (cTnT). It was found that quercetin, a p38MAPK inhibitor with the high energy dock to the active pocket of Wnt receptors, promotes cardiac differentiation via the inhibition of both Wnt and non-Smad TGF-β pathways. Altogether, data presented here can contribute to the development of a feasible and efficient cardiac differentiation protocol as an "off-the-shelf" therapeutic source using novel natural agents for cardiac repair or regeneration.

A Narrative Review of Circular RNAs in Brain Development and Diseases of Preterm Infants.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) generated by back-splicing are the vital class of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). Circular RNAs are highly abundant and stable in eukaryotes, and many of them are evolutionarily conserved. They are blessed with higher expression in mammalian brains and could take part in the regulation of physiological and pathophysiological processes. In addition, premature birth is important in neurodevelopmental diseases. Brain damage in preterm infants may represent the main cause of long-term neurodevelopmental disorders in surviving babies. Until recently, more and more researches have been evidenced that circRNAs are involved in the pathogenesis of encephalopathy of premature. We aim at explaining neuroinflammation promoting the brain damage. In this review, we summarize the current findings of circRNAs properties, expression, and functions, as well as their significances in the neurodevelopmental impairments, white matter damage (WMD) and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). So we think that circRNAs have a direct impact on neurodevelopment and brain injury, and will be a powerful tool in the repair of the injured immature brain. Even though their exact roles and mechanisms of gene regulation remain elusive, circRNAs have potential applications as diagnostic biomarkers for brain damage and the target for neuroprotective intervention.

On the Development of a Cutaneous Flavonoid Delivery System: Advances and Limitations.

Flavonoids are one of the vital classes of natural polyphenolic compounds abundantly found in plants. Due to their wide range of therapeutic properties, which include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, photoprotective, and depigmentation effects, flavonoids have been demonstrated to be promising agents in the treatment of several skin disorders. However, their lipophilic nature and poor water solubility invariably lead to limited oral bioavailability. In addition, they are rapidly degraded and metabolized in the human body, hindering their potential contribution to the prevention and treatment of many disorders. Thus, to overcome these challenges, several cutaneous delivery systems have been extensively studied. Topical drug delivery besides offering an alternative administration route also ensures a sustained release of the active compound at the desired site of action. Incorporation into lipid or polymer-based nanoparticles appears to be a highly effective approach for cutaneous delivery of flavonoids with good encapsulation potential and reduced toxicity. This review focuses on currently available formulations used to administer either topically or systemically different classes of flavonoids in the skin, highlighting their potential application as therapeutic and preventive agents.