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A novel hybrid protein composed of a superoxide dismutase-active Cu(II) complex (CuST) and lysozyme (CuST@lysozyme) was prepared. The results of the spectroscopic and electrochemical analyses confirmed that CuST binds to lysozyme. We determined the crystal structure of CuST@lysozyme at 0.92 Å resolution, which revealed that the His15 imidazole group of lysozyme binds to the Cu(II) center of CuST in the equatorial position. In addition, CuST was fixed in position by the weak axial coordination of the Thr89 hydroxyl group and the hydrogen bond between the guanidinium group of the Arg14 residue and the hydroxyl group of CuST. Furthermore, the combination of CuST with lysozyme did not decrease the superoxide dismutase activity of CuST. Based on the spectral, electrochemical, structural studies, and quantum chemical calculations, an O2– disproportionation mechanism catalyzed by CuST@lysozyme is proposed.

Divergently selected chicken breeds are of great interest not only from an economic point of view, but also in terms of sustaining diversity of the global poultry gene pool. In this regard, it is essential to evaluate the classification (clustering) of varied chicken breeds using methods and models based on phenotypic and genotypic breed differences. It is also important to implement new mathematical indicators and approaches. Accordingly, we set the objectives to test and improve clustering algorithms and models to discriminate between various chicken breeds. A representative portion of the global chicken gene pool including 39 different breeds was examined in terms of an integral performance index, i.e., specific egg mass yield relative to body weight of females. The generated dataset was evaluated within the traditional, phenotypic and genotypic classification/clustering models using the k-means method, inflection points clustering, and admixture analysis. The latter embraced SNP genotype datasets including a specific one focused on the performance-associated NCAPG-LCORL locus. The k-means and inflection points analyses showed certain discrepancies between the tested models/submodels and flaws in the produced cluster configurations. On the other hand, 11 core breeds were identified that were shared between the examined models and demonstrated more adequate clustering and admixture patterns. These findings will lay the foundation for future research to improve methods for clustering as well as genome- and phenome-wide association/mediation analyses.

A number of nonsymmetrically 2,7-disubstituted 1,3-diazapyrenes were synthesized by the Sonogashira cross coupling of 2-substituted 7-bromobenzo[gh]perimidines with phenyl- and pentylacetylenes. A method of direct one-pot synthesis from 2-substituted 6-(5-bromo-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-4-yl)-1H-perimidines was developed. The proposed method for functionalization of 1,3-diazapyrenes can find application in supramolecular chemistry.

The waters adjacent to the northeastern coast of Sakhalin Island, Russia, are an important feeding ground for the endangered western gray whale. Data on the energy available to foraging whales from their prey resources is required for researchers interested in modeling the bioenergetics of whale foraging, but little energy content information is available for the benthic prey communities of gray whales in this region. In this study, we describe the energy density (ED), biomass, and total energy availability (ED × biomass) of benthic prey sampled from two gray whale foraging areas adjacent to Sakhalin Island: the nearshore and offshore feeding areas. ED varied almost seven-fold among benthic taxa, ranging from 1.11 to 7.62 kJ/g wet mass. Although there was considerable variation within most prey groups, amphipods had the highest mean ED of all of groups examined (5.58 ± 1.44 kJ/g wet mass). Small sample sizes precluded us from detecting any seasonal or spatial differences in mean ED within or among taxa; however, mean biomass in the offshore feeding area was, in some cases, an order of magnitude higher than mean estimates in the nearshore feeding area, resulting in higher mean total energy available to foraging gray whales offshore (958–3313 kJ/m2) compared to nearshore (223–495 kJ/m2). While the proportion of total energy accounted for by amphipods was variable, this prey group generally made up a higher proportion of the total energy available in the benthos of the offshore feeding area than in the benthos of the nearshore feeding area. Data presented here will be used to inform bioenergetics modeling of the vital rates of mature females in an effort to improve understanding of population growth limits for western gray whales.

Light-emitting electronic devices are ubiquitous in key areas of current technology, such as data communications, solid-state lighting, displays, and optical interconnects. Controlling the spectrum of the emitted light electrically, by simply acting on the device bias conditions, is an important goal with potential technological repercussions. However, identifying a material platform enabling broad electrical tuning of the spectrum of electroluminescent devices remains challenging. Here, we propose light-emitting field-effect transistors based on van der Waals interfaces of atomically thin semiconductors as a promising class of devices to achieve this goal. We demonstrate that large spectral changes in room-temperature electroluminescence can be controlled both at the device assembly stage –by suitably selecting the material forming the interfaces– and on-chip, by changing the bias to modify the device operation point. Even though the precise relation between device bias and kinetics of the radiative transitions remains to be understood, our experiments show that the physical mechanism responsible for light emission is robust, making these devices compatible with simple large areas device production methods.

Alkylation of the primary amino group of hydrazones of (+)-camphor and (–)-fenchone with dihaloalkanes leading to the production of novel nitrogen-containing heterocyclic derivatives was investigated. It was shown that the reaction of hydrazones with 1,2-ethanedithiol in the presence of formaldehyde with the addition of 5% Sm(NO3)3·6H2O leads to the formation of compounds containing the 1,5,3-dithiazepane fragment. The method developed by us offers the advantage of the use of commercially available reagents and good yields in the synthesis of hydrazone heterocyclic derivatives. Studies of antiviral activity have shown that camphor-based N-heterocyclic compounds can be considered promising agents with activity against influenza A.

To determine the frequency of the key psychopathological syndromes, the dynamics and comorbidity of schizophrenia and other psychoses in Russian veterans of local wars receiving hospital treatment.The study included 685 patients of a psychiatric department of a military hospital, including 264 veterans of the local wars (the main group), 296 people (career military servicemen and retirees), who do not take part in combat actions (the first comparison group) and 125 people matched for the middle age and the age distribution curve with the main group (the second comparison group).The frequency of psychoses appeared to be slightly less in veterans (7.2%) compared to patients of comparison groups (14.5% and 8.8%, respectively). In all groups, most patients were diagnosed with schizophrenia (ICD-10 F20): 3.8% in the main group, 4.4% in the first comparison group and 4.0% in the second comparison group. Other acute and chronic psychotic disorders (F22-F23) were diagnosed in 0.8, 5.4 and 3.2% patients, respectively. Organic delusion disorders were diagnosed in 1.5% patients of the main group, 3.7% patients of the first comparison group and were not detected in the second comparison group. Comorbidity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psychosis was about 2% in the main group in whole and 26.3% in those with schizophrenia and other delusional disorders. The degree of incidence of symptoms of PTSD in veterans diagnosed with psychosis was significantly less than their frequency among all veterans (20% and 46.9%, respectively). Military stress factors do not influence the development of hallucinations and delusions in the main group. In the majority of veterans, psychotic symptoms manifested for the first time after stopping combat stress, the subsequent development and recurrence of psychotic symptoms happened regardless of the influence of combat stress factors.Определение частоты, ведущих психопатологических синдромов, динамики и коморбидности шизофрении и других эндогенных психозов у российских ветеранов локальных войн, находящихся на стационарном лечении.Обследовали 685 пациентов, которые проходили лечение в психиатрических отделениях военного госпиталя: 264 ветеранов локальных войн (основная группа); 296 военнослужащих (кадровые и запаса), не принимавших участия в боевых действиях (1-я группа сравнения), которые отличались по среднему возрасту от основной группы; 125 военнослужащих (кадровые и запаса), которые не принимали участия в боевых действиях и соответствовали по среднему возрасту и кривой распределения возраста пациентам основной группы (2-я группа сравнения).Среди ветеранов (пациенты основной группы) частота бредовых (шизофреноподобных) психозов оказалась несколько меньше (7,2%), чем среди пациентов, не принимавших участия в боевых действиях (14,5 и 8,8%, соответственно). У пациентов всех трех групп чаще всего диагностировалась шизофрения (F20 по МКБ-10): в основной группе у 3,8% пациентов, в 1-й группе сравнения у 4,4%, во 2-й группе сравнения у 4,0%. Другие острые и хронические психотические расстройства (F22—F23) отмечались реже: у 0,8, 5,4 и 3,2% пациентов соответственно. Органические бредовые расстройства диагностировались в 1,5% случаев у ветеранов, в 3,7% — у пациентов 1-й группы и не были выявлены во 2-й группе сравнения. Коморбидность посттравматического стрессового расстройства (ПТСР) и психотических симптомов у ветеранов не достигала 2% в целом по группе, однако встречалась у 26,3% пациентов с диагностированной шизофренией и другими бредовыми расстройствами. Частота симптомов ПТСР у ветеранов с диагностированной шизофренией и другими бредовыми расстройствами оказалась значимо меньше их частоты среди всех ветеранов (20 и 46,9% соответственно). Связи галлюцинаторных и бредовых переживаний с воздействием военных стресс-факторов в основной группе не прослеживалось. У большинства пациентов основной группы психотическая симптоматика манифестировала после прекращения влияния боевого стресса, последующее развитие и рецидивы психотической симптоматики происходили вне связи с влиянием факторов военного времени.

The preparation and study of the biological properties of the pVAKS-GPVM DNA immunogen containing a gene encoding Marburgvirus glycoprotein are described. The specificity of blood serum antibodies of guinea pigs immunized with DNA immunogen was analyzed by ELISA. Inactivated viral preparation, recombinant glycoprotein (GP) obtained in the prokaryotic system and virus-like particles based on the recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus exhibiting Marburgvirus GP were used as the antigens. The neutralizing activity of antibodies of immunized animals was tested in vitro using a pseudovirus system. It was demonstrated that the developed immunogen administered to guinea pigs induced the production of specific antibodies that neutralize virus-like particles and Marburgvirus in cultured Vero cells.

Ongoing climate change can shift organism phenology in ways that vary depending on species, habitats and climate factors studied. To probe for large-scale patterns in associated phenological change, we use 70,709 observations from six decades of systematic monitoring across the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Among 110 phenological events related to plants, birds, insects, amphibians and fungi, we find a mosaic of change, defying simple predictions of earlier springs, later autumns and stronger changes at higher latitudes and elevations. Site mean temperature emerged as a strong predictor of local phenology, but the magnitude and direction of change varied with trophic level and the relative timing of an event. Beyond temperature-associated variation, we uncover high variation among both sites and years, with some sites being characterized by disproportionately long seasons and others by short ones. Our findings emphasize concerns regarding ecosystem integrity and highlight the difficulty of predicting climate change outcomes., The work was financially supported by the Academy of Finland, grants 250243 (O.O.), 284601 (O.O.), 309581 (O.O.); the European Research Council, ERC Starting Grant 205905 (O.O.) and Synergy Grant 856506 – LIFEPLAN (to O.O. and T.R.); Nordic Environment Finance Corporation Grant (O.O.); Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation Grant (O.O., T.R., M.H., L.A.); University of Helsinki HiLIFE Fellow Grant 2017–2020 (O.O.); and the Research Council of Norway through its Centres of Excellence Funding Scheme (223257) to O.O. via Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics; the Kone Foundation 44-6977 (M.D.) and 55-14839 (G.T.); a Spanish Ramon y Cajal grant RYC-2014-16263 (M.D.); the Federal Budget for the Forest Research Institute of Karelian Research Centre Russian Academy of Sciences 220-2017-0003, 0220-2017-0005 (L.V., S.S. and J.K.); the Russian Foundation for Basic Research Grant 16-08-00510 (L.K.), and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation 0017-2019-0009 (Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics, Russian Academy of Sciences) (N.I., M. Shashkov).

In the present study, an easily accessible method for obtaining copper-containing tribological nanomaterials by thermolysis of copper(II) laurate at 300 °C was developed. The obtained nanoparticles were studied using X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and sedimentation analysis. The composition of nanoparticles and the size of crystallites are shown to depend on the thermolysis time. The tribological characteristics of copper-containing nanomaterials derived from copper(II) laurate were analyzed as additives to liquid paraffin using a pin-on-disc tribometer (additive concentration 0.025–0.2%, normal loads 49 and 96 N, rotation speed 200 rpm). The optimal concentration of nanomaterials at which the coefficient of friction is the lowest is determined. An increase in load to 98 N leads to a decrease in the coefficient of friction. The mechanism of friction in the presence of the studied nanolubricants is discussed.