Search

Abstract: We present the measurement of Baryon Acoustic Oscillations (BAO) from the Lyman-α (Lyα) forest of high-redshift quasars with the first-year dataset of the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI). Our analysis uses over 420 000 Lyα forest spectra and their correlation with the spatial distribution of more than 700 000 quasars. An essential facet of this work is the development of a new analysis methodology on a blinded dataset. We conducted rigorous tests using synthetic data to ensure the reliability of our methodology and findings before unblinding. Additionally, we conducted multiple data splits to assess the consistency of the results and scrutinized various analysis approaches to confirm their robustness. For a given value of the sound horizon (rd ), we measure the expansion at z eff = 2.33 with 2% precision, H(z eff) = ( 239.2 ± 4.8 ) (147.09 Mpc /rd ) km/s/Mpc. Similarly, we present a 2.4% measurement of the transverse comoving distance to the same redshift, DM (z eff) = ( 5.84 ± 0.14 ) (rd /147.09 Mpc) Gpc. Together with other DESI BAO measurements at lower redshifts, these results are used in a companion paper to constrain cosmological parameters.

The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) completed its 5 month Survey Validation in 2021 May. Spectra of stellar and extragalactic targets from Survey Validation constitute the first major data sample from the DESI survey. This paper describes the public release of those spectra, the catalogs of derived properties, and the intermediate data products. In total, the public release includes good-quality spectral information from 466,447 objects targeted as part of the Milky Way Survey, 428,758 as part of the Bright Galaxy Survey, 227,318 as part of the Luminous Red Galaxy sample, 437,664 as part of the Emission Line Galaxy sample, and 76,079 as part of the Quasar sample. In addition, the release includes spectral information from 137,148 objects that expand the scope beyond the primary samples as part of a series of secondary programs. Here, we describe the spectral data, data quality, data products, Large-Scale Structure science catalogs, access to the data, and references that provide relevant background to using these spectra.

Broad absorption line (BAL) quasars are characterized by gas clouds that absorb flux at the wavelength of common quasar spectral features, although blueshifted by velocities that can exceed 0.1c. BAL features are interesting as signatures of significant feedback, yet they can also compromise cosmological studies with quasars by distorting the shape of the most prominent quasar emission lines, impacting redshift accuracy and measurements of the matter density distribution traced by the Lyman α forest. We present a catalogue of BAL quasars discovered in the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) survey Early Data Release, which were observed as part of DESI Survey Validation, as well as the first two months of the main survey. We describe our method to automatically identify BAL quasars in DESI data, the quantities we measure for each BAL, and investigate the completeness and purity of this method with mock DESI observations. We mask the wavelengths of the BAL features and re-evaluate each BAL quasar redshift, finding new redshifts which are 243 km s−1 smaller on average for the BAL quasar sample. These new, more accurate redshifts are important to obtain the best measurements of quasar clustering, especially at small scales. Finally, we present some spectra of rarer classes of BALs that illustrate the potential of DESI data to identify such populations for further study.

The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) was designed to conduct a survey covering 14,000 deg2 over 5 yr to constrain the cosmic expansion history through precise measurements of baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO). The scientific program for DESI was evaluated during a 5 month survey validation (SV) campaign before beginning full operations. This program produced deep spectra of tens of thousands of objects from each of the stellar Milky Way Survey (MWS), Bright Galaxy Survey (BGS), luminous red galaxy (LRG), emission line galaxy (ELG), and quasar target classes. These SV spectra were used to optimize redshift distributions, characterize exposure times, determine calibration procedures, and assess observational overheads for the 5 yr program. In this paper, we present the final target selection algorithms, redshift distributions, and projected cosmology constraints resulting from those studies. We also present a One-Percent Survey conducted at the conclusion of SV covering 140 deg2 using the final target selection algorithms with exposures of a depth typical of the main survey. The SV indicates that DESI will be able to complete the full 14,000 deg2 program with spectroscopically confirmed targets from the MWS, BGS, LRG, ELG, and quasar programs with total sample sizes of 7.2, 13.8, 7.46, 15.7, and 2.87 million, respectively. These samples will allow exploration of the Milky Way halo, clustering on all scales, and BAO measurements with a statistical precision of 0.28% over the redshift interval z < 1.1, 0.39% over the redshift interval 1.1 < z < 1.9, and 0.46% over the redshift interval 1.9 < z < 3.5.

We present the first eight months of data from our secondary target programme within the ongoing Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) survey. Our programme uses a mid-infrared and optical colour selection to preferentially target dust-reddened quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) that would have otherwise been missed by the nominal DESI QSO selection. So far, we have obtained optical spectra for 3038 candidates, of which ∼70 per cent of the high-quality objects (those with robust redshifts) are visually confirmed to be Type 1 QSOs, consistent with the expected fraction from the main DESI QSO survey. By fitting a dust-reddened blue QSO composite to the QSO spectra, we find they are well-fitted by a normal QSO with up to AV ∼4 mag of line-of-sight dust extinction. Utilizing radio data from the LOFAR Two-metre Sky Survey (LoTSS) DR2, we identify a striking positive relationship between the amount of line-of-sight dust extinction towards a QSO and the radio detection fraction, that is not driven by radio-loud systems, redshift and/or luminosity effects. This demonstrates an intrinsic connection between dust reddening and the production of radio emission in QSOs, whereby the radio emission is most likely due to low-powered jets or winds/outflows causing shocks in a dusty environment. On the basis of this evidence, we suggest that red QSOs may represent a transitional 'blow-out' phase in the evolution of QSOs, where winds and outflows evacuate the dust and gas to reveal an unobscured blue QSO.

We describe the spectroscopic data processing pipeline of the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), which is conducting a redshift survey of about 40 million galaxies and quasars using a purpose-built instrument on the 4 m Mayall Telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory. The main goal of DESI is to measure with unprecedented precision the expansion history of the universe with the baryon acoustic oscillation technique and the growth rate of structure with redshift space distortions. Ten spectrographs with three cameras each disperse the light from 5000 fibers onto 30 CCDs, covering the near-UV to near-infrared (3600-9800 Å) with a spectral resolution ranging from 2000 to 5000. The DESI data pipeline generates wavelength- and flux-calibrated spectra of all the targets, along with spectroscopic classifications and redshift measurements. Fully processed data from each night are typically available to the DESI collaboration the following morning. We give details about the pipeline's algorithms, and provide performance results on the stability of the optics, the quality of the sky background subtraction, and the precision and accuracy of the instrumental calibration. This pipeline has been used to process the DESI Survey Validation data set, and has exceeded the project's requirements for redshift performance, with high efficiency and a purity greater than 99% for all target classes.

IntroductionPharmacoresistant epilepsy is a multicomponent disease that can be successfully treated surgically if the surgical tactics are properly defined. We present the first case of stimulation of anterior thalamic nuclei in pharmacoresistant epilepsy in Kazakhstan. This will be a new opportunity for Kazakhstanis diagnosed with epilepsy to achieve stable epilepsy remission.MaterialsThe patient was born in 2000. The first episode of tonic clonic seizures with loss of consciousness occurred in 2014. Repeatedly underwent therapeutic and diagnostic measures in the neurological department. The frequency of seizures increased in dynamics. The results of instrumental examination revealed the following morphological changes: Morphological changes: Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) in the left cingulate gyrus, hypometabolism in the left thalamus and forehead, signs of hippocampal sclerosis on both sides. Electroencephalogram (EEG) shows activity in frontal areas on both sides, more on the right. Based on clinical and instrumental data according to the 2017 ILAE classification, the diagnosis was Structural focal frontal lobe epilepsy with bilateral tonic-clonic seizures. FCD of the left cingulate gyrus. Resistance to antiepileptic therapy.MethodsThe patient was hospitalized in the department of neurosurgery. In light of the evidence indicating structural changes in the brain substance and ambiguous EEG findings, the indications for deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the anterior nucleus (ANT) were made. Electrode implantation was performed under general anesthesia, and preoperative computer tomography (CT) scans were performed using the CRW® stereotactic system in combination with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans using Brainlab Neuronavigation with 3D Atlas to identify the anterior thalamic nuclei.ConclusionThe observed structural changes in the brain substance and the ambiguous EEG results call into question the efficacy of surgical procedures aimed at removing existing foci or destroying them. Based on the above, as well as the experience of foreign colleagues, the choice of neurosurgeons was DBS ANT. Although the selection of ideal candidates for thalamic stimulation is still controversial, in the described case we were able to achieve control of seizure activity. The patient was seizure free for 2 months after surgery. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 7.

Despite great advances in the treatment of oncological diseases, the development of medical technologies to prevent or reduce complications of therapy, in particular, those associated with surgery and the introduction of antibiotics, remains relevant. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of autoprobiotics based on indigenous non-pathogenic strains of Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus hirae as a personalized functional food product (PFFP) in the complex therapy of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the early postoperative period. A total of 36 patients diagnosed with CRC were enrolled in the study. Study group A comprised 24 CRC patients who received autoprobiotic therapy in the early postoperative period, while the control group C included 12 CRC patients without autoprobiotic therapy. Prior to surgery and between days 14 and 16 post-surgery, comprehensive evaluations were conducted on all patients, encompassing the following: stool and gastroenterological complaints analysis, examination of the gut microbiota (bacteriological study, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, metagenome analysis), and analysis of interleukins in the serum. Results: The use of autoprobiotics led to a decrease in dyspeptic complaints after surgery. It was also associated with the absence of postoperative complications, did not cause any side effects, and led to a decrease in the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-18) in the blood serum. The use of autoprobiotics led to positive changes in the structure of escherichia and enterococci populations, the elimination of Parvomonas micra and Fusobacterium nucleatum, and a decrease in the quantitative content of Clostridium perfringens and Akkermansia muciniphila. Metagenomic analysis (16S rRNA) revealed an increase in alpha diversity. Conclusion: The introduction of autoprobiotics in the postoperative period is a highly effective and safe approach in the complex treatment of CRC. Future studies will allow the discovery of additional fine mechanisms of autoprobiotic therapy and its impact on the digestive, immune, endocrine, and neural systems.

There is an association between sleep quality and glioma-specific outcomes, including survival. The critical role of sleep in survival among subjects with glioma may be due to sleep-induced activation of brain drainage (BD), that is dramatically suppressed in subjects with glioma. Emerging evidence demonstrates that photobiomodulation (PBM) is an effective technology for both the stimulation of BD and as an add-on therapy for glioma. Emerging evidence suggests that PBM during sleep stimulates BD more strongly than when awake. In this study on male Wistar rats, we clearly demonstrate that the PBM course during sleep vs. when awake more effectively suppresses glioma growth and increases survival compared with the control. The study of the mechanisms of this phenomenon revealed stronger effects of the PBM course in sleeping vs. awake rats on the stimulation of BD and an immune response against glioma, including an increase in the number of CD8+ in glioma cells, activation of apoptosis, and blockage of the proliferation of glioma cells. Our new technology for sleep-phototherapy opens a new strategy to improve the quality of medical care for patients with brain cancer, using promising smart-sleep and non-invasive approaches of glioma treatment.

The article defines the place and role of youth public associations in the socio-political processes of modern Russia, analyzes the political activity of Russian youth. The study was conducted among young people in the Krasnodar region using the questionnaire developed by the author, as well as methods for determining the level of activity and motivation of the population. The data obtained allow us to determine the degree of involvement of young people in the activities of NGOs and political processes in the Krasnodar territory. The conducted research has shown the strengthening of the influence of youth public associations on socio-political processes, personnel policy, activation of their activities in the field of public diplomacy, volunteer movement, articulation of the interests of young people as a special social group of the population. Youth public associations are able to structure and regulate the activity of young Russian citizens, directing it in a constructive direction, while reducing the degree of protest moods if it is present. They do this work more effectively than the authorized state authorities, because they act on the ground, i.e. they work directly with representatives of the youth community, understand their needs, catch the mood and are able to change the current agenda without resorting to radical methods.

Anesthesia enables the painless performance of complex surgical procedures. However, the effects of anesthesia on the brain may not be limited only by its duration. Also, anesthetic agents may cause long-lasting changes in the brain. There is growing evidence that anesthesia can disrupt the integrity of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), leading to neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity. However, there are no widely used methods for real-time BBB monitoring during surgery. The development of technologies for an express diagnosis of the opening of the BBB (OBBB) is a challenge for reducing post-surgical/anesthesia consequences. In this study on male rats, we demonstrate a successful application of machine learning technology, such as artificial neural networks (ANNs), to recognize the OBBB induced by isoflurane, which is widely used in surgery. The ANNs were trained on our previously presented data obtained on the sound-induced OBBB with an 85% testing accuracy. Using an optical and nonlinear analysis of the OBBB, we found that 1% isoflurane does not induce any changes in the BBB, while 4% isoflurane caused significant BBB leakage in all tested rats. Both 1% and 4% isoflurane stimulate the brain’s drainage system (BDS) in a dose-related manner. We show that ANNs can recognize the OBBB induced by 4% isoflurane in 57% of rats and BDS activation induced by 1% isoflurane in 81% of rats. These results open new perspectives for the development of clinically significant bedside technologies for EEG-monitoring of OBBB and BDS.

The article is devoted to a comparative analysis of the suitability of artificial leathers for shaping the upper of a shoe according to the proposed method for assessing deformation properties. The object of research is natural and artificial leather used for the production of shoes by the internal molding method. Results of the work – a comparative analysis of the suitability of artificial leathers for forming the upper of a shoe is presented according to the developed method for assessing deformation properties. The field of application of the results is the shoe industry. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the fact that the list of indicators that should be taken into account when obtaining a comprehensive assessment of the deformation properties of materials is substantiated, namely: tensile strength, elongation at a stress of 10 MPa, tensile coefficient and uniformity coefficient. The latter will make it possible to determine the degree of suitability of materials for molding, as well as the acquisition and preservation of the shape of the shoe in the process of its exploitation. Статья посвящена проведению сравнительного анализа пригодности искусственных кож к формованию верха обуви по разработанной методике получения комплексной оценки деформационных свойств. Объект исследований – импортные искусственные кожи, применяемые в заготовках верха обуви внутреннего способа формования. Результаты работы – получена оценка степени пригодности искусственных кож с различным видом основы к формованию верха обуви по значению комплексного оценочного показателя их деформационных свойств. Область применения результатов – обувная промышленность. Научная новизна работы заключается в том, что на основе перечня показателей деформационных и формовочных свойств получены значения комплексного показателя деформационных свойств двухслойных искусственных кож с различной основой, что позволяет на этапе подготовки производства оценить степень их пригодности к формованию верха обуви внутренним способом.

Chinese Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Africa are part of the Belt and Road Initiative. They account for a fledgling research area in International Relations, with not much research on the topic. The authors regard traditional approaches in research of SEZs as incapable of grasping the difference between domestic (designed by the state on its own territory) and foreign (designed by a foreign state) SEZs. The concept of territoriality, though applicable only to foreign SEZs, has little to offer in terms of generating new knowledge. The research paper endeavours to offer new theoretical and conceptual frameworks for the study of foreign SEZs. The research is based on concepts of hegemony by different schools of thought, including Hegemonic Stability Theory, the three types of hegemony by Yan Xuetong and Neo-Gramscianism. The authors introduce the concept of “local hegemony”. The authors also highlight the fact that most foreign SEZs emerge in territories of limited statehood (or create them). In order to prove vitality of the concept, comparative research of China’s SEZs in Mauritius and Zambia is conducted. The authors point out relatively poor institutional development of Zambia and the existence of stable democratic institutions in Mauritius. The success of the Chinese SEZ in Zambia is also partially attributed to copper mining. Deriving from economic and institutional empirical data the authors try to detect success conditions of SEZs and analyze the related spillover effects that contribute to the development of African nations. The reasons behind the failure of the Chinese SEZ in Mauritius are traced. Authors conclude that the concept of local hegemony is suitable for studying foreign SEZs and suggest that zones of local hegemony could be sustainable and effective in terms of development.

Belarusian-Azerbaijani relations are characterized by quite gradual development. Initially both republics were not seriously interested in each other. As a result, diplomatic relations were not immediately established. This state of practical affairs determined the lack of research interest in the Belarusian-Azerbaijani dialog. Nevertheless, from time to time the BelarusianAzerbaijani relations influence the economic confrontation between Belarus and Russia. Therefore, the study of this issue becomes relevant, as it helps identifying the real state of cooperation, prospects for its development and problems that Belarus and Azerbaijan may face while developing bilateral relations. The key research focus is on studying different areas of Belarusian-Azerbaijani cooperation and on analyzing the way how the practical results of this area cooperation contribute to solving specific problems faced by the Belarusian and Azerbaijani authorities. Analysis and synthesis are the main methods used for achieving the research goals. The study of specific areas of bilateral cooperation - energy, military, economic, political and others will make it possible to understand the crucial importance of each of the areas. Consideration of the problem as a whole on the basis of the analyzed material will allow finding out the reasons of the specific political decisions and actions. As a conclusion, the author assumes that Azerbaijan’s interest in cooperation with Belarus is mostly based on economic and military considerations. Belarus has helped Azerbaijan in establishing a licensed assembly of civilian equipment, and also sells it military equipment, including the most modern, which the Republic possesses. In its turn, Belarus’ interest in Azerbaijan primarily lies on energy and ideological components, which are tightly interlinked. With Azerbaijani energy carriers, Minsk tried to demonstrate to Moscow that the option of replacement for Russian oil was real. In addition, Belarus could get a loan from Azerbaijan to repay its debt to Russia. This gave the Belarusian President a reason to put relations with Azerbaijan higher than with closer allies in the Collective Security Treaty Organization, which caused distrust of Belarus on the part of some of its members.

Reliable estimation of the electro physical parameters of surfaces using radiometric equipment is an actual area of remote environmental monitoring. The disadvantage of the procedures developed today for assessing the indicated properties of surfaces according to their own thermal radiation, prevents their practical use.In the framework of the statistical theory of detection-measurement based on the results of processing radiometric signals during multichannel reception, an identification method is developed and a decision-making rule were synthesized in favor of any of the hypotheses put forward about the values of the parameters of the observed surface.The methodology for solving the problem and the inherited identification rule meet the criterion of maximum likelihood. A distinctive feature of the synthesized decision-making rule: critical statistics based on the eigenvalues of the covariance observation matrix under multichannel reception conditions. The implementation uses standard computing operations.Moreover, a distribution density of critical statistics obtained because tabulated solving the problem. This circumstance makes it possible to set the required value of the significance level “apriori”, therefore, the value of the comparison threshold.Certification of the synthesized test is the rules for deciding in favor of the hypothesis about a given value of the components of the Fresnel reflection coefficient. It was carried out at the level of digital statistical modeling. The significance level was set equal to 0.05 and 0.1. Based on the simulation results, there were analyzed the dependence of the number of correct decisions (the fulfillment of the corresponding hypothesis) on the signal-to-noise power ratio for a given angular parameter of the signal.The performance characteristics obtained at the level of digital statistical modeling of the developed test confirmed, firstly, the conclusions of theoretical studies. Secondly, they give specialists in the field of development of radiometric systems the opportunity to evaluate both the effectiveness of synthesized tests at various numerical values of the probability of an error of the first kind and the complexity of their practical implementation.

Human cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) are heme-containing monooxygenases. This superfamily of drug-metabolizing enzymes is responsible for the metabolism of most drugs and other xenobiotics. The inhibition of CYPs may lead to drug–drug interactions and impair the biotransformation of drugs. CYP inducers may decrease the bioavailability and increase the clearance of drugs. Based on the freely available databases ChEMBL and PubChem, we have collected over 70,000 records containing the structures of inhibitors and inducers together with the IC50 values for the inhibitors of the five major human CYPs: 1A2, 3A4, 2D6, 2C9, and 2C19. Based on the collected data, we developed (Q)SAR models for predicting inhibitors and inducers of these CYPs using GUSAR and PASS software. The developed (Q)SAR models could be applied for assessment of the interaction of novel drug-like substances with the major human CYPs. The created (Q)SAR models demonstrated reasonable accuracy of prediction. They have been implemented in the web application P450-Analyzer that is freely available via the Internet.

This article deals with the problem of the digital revolution, which in recent decades has led to the rapid pace of innovation not only in the global industrial sector, but also in science, medicine, education and other areas of human activity, providing them with a significant increase in productivity, profitability, labor productivity, and safety for the environment. However, this has hardly affected the construction industry, which has not undergone significant changes over the past 50 years. This article reveals the content of the main reason for the extremely slow pace of innovative processes in construction, due to its global scale and decentralized nature. The construction industry accounts for approximately 6 % of global GDP (and for developing countries it reaches 8 % of GDP) and continues to grow. Special attention is paid to the fact that construction is the largest consumer of resources, which annually uses about 50 % of the total volume of steel produced and more than 3 billion tons of raw materials. Therefore, any innovation that leads, for example, to increased productivity in construction, on a global scale could save $100 billion a year. Also, this paper shows the factors that make construction a difficult business, which is not amenable to the necessary transformations. The article presents the basic principles of building an automated information support system.

Рассмотрены проблемы недостаточного развития в России нормативно-технической документации по стадиям жизненного цикла объекта капитального строительства в свете требований Технического регламента о безопасности зданий и сооружений, утверждённого Федеральным законом № 384. Проведён анализ действующих в этой сфере нормативных документов и показан дефицит норм для эксплуатационной стадии, стадии демонтажа и нормативных сроков эксплуатации и их отсутствие для стадии утилизации, оценки состояния, долговечности. Выполнен об­зор и анализ аварий различных видов строительных объектов в России и за рубежом, который подтвердил необходимость совершенствования и развития нормативной базы в области механической безопасности на протяжении жизненного цикла зданий. Приведены сведения по объёму и составу существую­щего жилого фонда России с разбивкой на работоспособное, аварийное и ветхое жилье, видам конструктивных систем, по годам - с 2010-го по 2018-ый год. На основе результатов об­следования массовых серий первого периода индустриального крупнопанельного домостроения в Москве даны рекомендации для принятия решений по их модернизации. Основное внимание уделено требованиям новых базовых сводов правил в области механической безопасности и требованиям экологичности и энергоэффектиности зданий при эксплуатации. Рассмотрен опыт создания зарубежных и отечественных нормативов для цифрового моделирования эксплуатации, включая исполь­зование цифровых моделей объектов. Даны предложения по концепции развития нормативной базы на основе обеспечения комплексной безопасности объектов на протяжении их пол­ного жизненного цикла с выделением первоочередных работ.

The features of gut microbiota in metabolic syndrome (MS) and ways to correct it using autoprobiotics, based on indigenous bacteria obtained from fecal samples of the host, remain unexplored. The aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of an indigenous consortium (IC) of fecal bacteria in treatment of patients with MS. The study was carried out on 36 patients with MS, manifested with abdominal obesity, eating disorders, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. The control group was formed by 20 healthy volunteers. Samples of IC and gut microbiota content were examined by qPCR and metagenome (16S rRNA) analysis before and after therapy. The decrease in anthropometric parameters of obesity, liver enzyme level correction, reduction in C reactive protein and triglyceride concentrations were revealed after IC usage. The decrease in genera Bifidobacterium, Enterobacter, Paraprevotella, and Prevotella, as well as an increase in Bacteroides fragilis and Oscillospira spp. populations were shown after consumption of IC. A negative correlation between the quantity of B. fragilis and the anthropometric parameters of obesity (r = −0.48) and C reactive protein level (r = −0.36) in serum was established. Thus, IC can be considered as a potential functional personified product for the therapy of MS.

Point-of-care testing (POCT) devices are becoming increasingly popular in the medical community as an alternative to conventional laboratory testing, especially for home treatments or other forms of outpatient care. Multiple-use chemical sensors with minimal requirements for disposables are among the most practical and cost-effective POC diagnostic instruments, especially in managing chronic conditions. An affordable, simple, and easy-to-use optical sensor based on fast protein liquid chromatography with direct UV absorption detection was developed for the rapid determination of the total protein concentration in effluent peritoneal dialysate and for the assessment of protein losses in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on constant ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The sensor employs non-disposable PD-10 desalting columns for the separation of molecules with different molecular weights and a deep UV LED (maximum at 285 nm) as a light source for optical detection. The analytic procedure is relatively simple, takes 10–15 min, and potentially can be performed by patients themselves or nursing staff without laboratory training. Preliminary clinical trials on a group of 23 patients on CAPD revealed a good concordance between the protein concentrations in dialysate samples measured with the sensor and an automated biochemical analyzer; the mean relative error was about 10%, which is comparable with routine clinical laboratory methods.

Human iPSC lines were generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patient carrying LMNA mutation associated with Emery–Dreifuss muscular dystrophy accompanied by atrioventricular block and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Reprogramming factors OCT4, KLF4, SOX2, CMYC were delivered using Sendai virus transduction. iPSCs were characterized in order to prove the pluripotency markers expression, normal karyotype, ability to differentiate into three embryonic germ layers. Generated iPSC lines would be useful model to investigate disease development associated with genetic variants in LMNA gene.

Proteins in biological fluids (blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid) are important biomarkers of various pathological conditions. Protein biomarkers detection and quantification have been proven to be an indispensable diagnostic tool in clinical practice. There is a growing tendency towards using portable diagnostic biosensor devices for point-of-care (POC) analysis based on microfluidic technology as an alternative to conventional laboratory protein assays. In contrast to universally accepted analytical methods involving protein labeling, label-free approaches often allow the development of biosensors with minimal requirements for sample preparation by omitting expensive labelling reagents. The aim of the present work is to review the variety of physical label-free techniques of protein detection and characterization which are suitable for application in micro-fluidic structures and analyze the technological and material aspects of label-free biosensors that implement these methods. The most widely used optical and impedance spectroscopy techniques: absorption, fluorescence, surface plasmon resonance, Raman scattering, and interferometry, as well as new trends in photonics are reviewed. The challenges of materials selection, surfaces tailoring in microfluidic structures, and enhancement of the sensitivity and miniaturization of biosensor systems are discussed. The review provides an overview for current advances and future trends in microfluidics integrated technologies for label-free protein biomarkers detection and discusses existing challenges and a way towards novel solutions.

Diagnostic devices for point-of-care (POC) urine analysis (urinalysis) based on microfluidic technology have been actively developing for several decades as an alternative to laboratory based biochemical assays. Urine proteins (albumin, immunoglobulins, uromodulin, haemoglobin etc.) are important biomarkers of various pathological conditions and should be selectively detected by urinalysis sensors. The challenge is a determination of different oligomeric forms of the same protein, e.g., uromodulin, which have similar bio-chemical affinity but different physical properties. For the selective detection of different types of proteins, we propose to use a shear bulk acoustic resonator sensor with an additional electrode on the upper part of the bioliquid-filled channel for protein electric field manipulation. It causes modulation of the protein concentration over time in the near-surface region of the acoustic sensor, that allows to distinguish proteins based on their differences in diffusion coefficients (or sizes) and zeta-potentials. Moreover, in order to improve the sensitivity to density, we propose to use structured sensor interface. A numerical study of this approach for the detection of proteins was carried out using the example of albumin, immunoglobulin, and oligomeric forms of uromodulin in model urine solutions. In this contribution we prove the proposed concept with numerical studies for the detection of albumin, immunoglobulin, and oligomeric forms of uromodulin in urine models.

The main components of metabolic syndrome include insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia and arterial hypertension. Obesity is the cause of metabolic syndrome, mainly as a consequence of the endocrine function of adipose tissue. The volume of adipose tissue depends on the size of individual adipocytes and on their number. The number of adipocytes increases as a result of enhanced adipocyte differentiation. The transcriptional cascade that regulates this differentiation has been well studied. The major adipogenic transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma is a ligand-activated nuclear receptor with essential roles in adipogenesis. Its ligands are used to treat metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus. . The present article describes the basic molecular and cellular mechanisms of adipogenesis and discusses the impact of insulin, glucocorticoids, cyclic adenosine monophosphate-activating agents, nuclear receptors and transcription factors on the process of adipogenesis. New regulatory regions of the genome that are capable of binding multiple transcription factors are described, and the most promising drug targets for the treatment of metabolic syndrome and obesity, including the homeodomain proteins Pbx1 and Prep1, are discussed..

A production facility model to be used und er the deep - hole drilling of large - diameter tube plates with a heterogen eous structure made of hard - to - machine materials is presented. Dynamic properties of the object as a composite membrane with several anchorage points are analyzed. Modes of the workpie ce vibrations with account for its i nternal heterogeneous structural features are defined. The object structure transformation in the cou rse of pr ocessing (the formation of a large number of holes) effects on its elastic and dynamic properties. Su ch effect fe atures are considered. To simplify the practical application of the model, some recommendations for t he global stif fness matrix transformation, and the production facility dissipation to the local points correspondin g to the applic ation places under the hole making are given. The research results are focused on the creation of an automatic co ntrol system for the deep - hole drilling of hard - to - machine and heterogeneous materials.

Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) severity assessment is a crucial problem because polypharmacy is increasingly common in modern medical practice. Many DDIs are caused by alterations of the plasma concentrations of one drug due to another drug inhibiting and/or inducing the metabolism or transporter-mediated disposition of the victim drug. Accurate assessment of clinically relevant DDIs for novel drug candidates represents one of the significant tasks of contemporary drug research and development and is important for practicing physicians. This work is a development of our previous investigations and aimed to create a model for the severity of DDIs prediction. PASS program and PoSMNA descriptors were implemented for prediction of all five classes of DDIs severity according to OpeRational ClassificAtion (ORCA) system: contraindicated (class 1), provisionally contraindicated (class 2), conditional (class 3), minimal risk (class 4), no interaction (class 5). Prediction can be carried out both for known drugs and for new, not yet synthesized substances using only their structural formulas. Created model provides an assessment of DDIs severity by prediction of different ORCA classes from the first most dangerous class to the fifth class when DDIs do not take place in the human organism. The average accuracy of DDIs class prediction is about 0.75.