Chemical composition and cardiotropic activity of Ziziphora clinopodioides subsp. bungeana (Juz.) Rech.f.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ziziphora clinopodioides subsp. bungeana (Juz.) Rech.f. is a subshrub that is widely distributed in China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The species is used in traditional medicine for the relief of symptoms connected to cardiovascular diseases like coronary heart disease or hypertension. AIM OF THE STUDY: was to validate traditional use of Z. clinopodioides subsp. bungeana for the treatment of coronary hearth diseases using in vivo models and to find active compounds responsible for the activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multiple extracts were obtained from the aerial parts of Z. clinopodioides subsp. bungeana using maceration, liquid-liquid extraction, CO2 extraction and ultrasound-assisted extraction. Preliminary screening studies for the evaluation of the efficacy of Z. clinopodioides subsp. bungeana extracts on the model of hemic hypoxia were performed. The most effective samples were selected and included in the main study. Stage 2 of the study evaluated the cardiotropic activity of the selected extracts on a model of chronic heart failure. Preparations were administered to animals intragastrically once a day for 28 days. For the isolation of individual compounds plant material was extracted with 96% ethanol. The obtained crude extract was sequentially extracted with n-hexane and dichloromethane and separated by chromatography on a Diaion HP-20 column. The obtained fractions were further subjected to Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography and eluted isocratically with 96% ethanol (EtOH) to yield subfractions, which were further separated by preparative HPLC to obtain 13 individual compounds. RESULTS: Extracts obtained from Ziziphora clinopodioides subsp. bungeana (Juz.) Rech.f. herb were subjected to pharmacological screening for the evaluation of their efficacy on hemic hypoxia. Based on the obtained results, out of the sixteen tested extracts two (AR and US 60%) were selected for further evaluation of their cardiotropic activity. Modeling of chronic heart failure was carried out in accordance with the following stages: 1) anesthesia with chloral hydrate at a dose of 450 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, 2) artificial ventilation of the lungs, 3) thoracotomy, 4) modeling of permanent ischemic or ischemic-reperfusion damage. Both extracts effected the indicators of contraction and output, comparable to the reference drug - Monopril. Based on the extraction methods used to obtain RAF and US60 and data from the literature, it can be assumed that they contain compounds with medium polarity, including polyphenols and terpenoids. At the next stage three previously undescribed monoterpenoid derivatives - Ziziphoric acid (1), Ziziphoroside D (2) and 6'-malonylziziphoroside A (3), along with two previously described megastigmane glucosides - blumenol C glucoside (4), blumenol C 9-O-(6'-O-malonyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5) and two previously described monoterpenoids 7a-hydroxymintlactone (6), 7-hydroxypiperitone (7) together with six polyphenols - pinocembrine-7-O-rutinoside (8), chrysine-7-O-rutinoside (9), acacetin-7-O-rutinoside (10), luteolin-7-O-rutinoside (11), rutin (12) and rosmarinic acid (13) were isolated from Z. clinopodioides subsp. bungeana extracts. CONCLUSION: Our results support the traditional use of Z. clinopodioides subsp. bungeana for the treatment of coronary diseases. As a result of Z. clinopodioides subsp. bungeana extracts screening in vivo, two extracts were selected as potential cardiotropic agents. Phytochemical analysis of the plant material led to the isolation of five terpenoid derivatives, two megastigmane glycosides, five flavonoids and one cinnamic acid derivative, which could be responsible for the reported biological activity. Future experiments are required to understand the mechanisms of action for the isolated compounds.

Soliton based χ(2) combs in high-Q optical microresonators.

Investigations of the frequency combs in χ(3) microresonators have passed a critical point when the soliton based regimes are well established and realized on different platforms. For χ(2) microresonators, where the first harmonic (FH) and second harmonic (SH) envelopes are coupled via the SH generation and optical parametric oscillation, the comb-soliton studies are just starting. Here we report on a vast accessible dual χ(2) soliton-comb family in high-Q microresonators with the SH and FH combs centered at the pump frequency ωp and its half ωp/2. Vicinity of the point of equal FH and SH group velocities λc, available via proper radial poling, is found to be the most advantageous for the generation of spectrally broad dual FH-SH combs. Our predictions as applied to lithium niobate resonators include the dependence of comb and dissipative soliton parameters on the pump power, the deviation λp - λc, the modal quality factors and frequency detunings, and the necessary parameters of radial poling of the resonator. These predictions form a solid basis for the realization of χ(2) frequency combs.

[Selenium content in gluten-free products].

Special diets are used for the treatment and prevention of diseases of the digestive system, taking into account individual food intolerance and possible allergic reactions. The monotony of the diet due to the limited range of recommended foods and dishes negatively affects both the effectiveness of the treatment of gluten intolerance, and the provision of the body with essential and replaceable nutrients. The aim of this study was to determine the selenium content in the flour of gluten-free crops (rice, corn, buckwheat and amaranth), their mixtures, as well as in dishes (pancakes) from a mixture of amaranth and buckwheat flours. Material and methods. The following raw materials were used in the study: amaranth flour, unboiled buckwheat groats, whole grain rice flour and corn flour. By mixing the components in a laboratory mixer, dry gluten-free compositions were obtained: a mixture of amaranth flour and flour from native buckwheat; a mixture of amaranth and rice flour and a mixture of amaranth and corn flour in the ratio of 1:2 and 1:1; and a mixture of amaranth, buckwheat and corn flour in equal proportions. In laboratory baking of pancakes, mixtures of amaranth flour and flour from native buckwheat were used. The selenium content was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy with electrothermal atomization after wet mineralization of the samples. Results. The results of the study showed that amaranth, buckwheat and corn are rich sources of selenium. The most valuable source of selenium was amaranth flour (515 µg/kg). Selenium content in native buckwheat flour and corn flour was 405 and 458 µg/kg, respectively. The lowest selenium content among the studied crops was found in rice flour (135 µg/kg). Selenium content in flour mixtures of the studied cultures ranged from 258 to 522 µg/kg. The highest values of selenium content were observed in mixtures of amaranth with corn flour (516-522 µg/kg). The lowest content of this trace element was found in mixtures containing rice flour (from 258 to 325 µg/kg). Selenium content in pancakes made from mixtures of amaranth flour and native buckwheat flour varied from 290 to 326 µg/kg. The calculation showed that the consumption of a portion of pancakes (50 g) by school-age children will satisfy their daily requirement for selenium by 7.3-8.1%. Conclusion. Regular inclusion of amaranth-based foods in the diet of children with gluten intolerance can positively affect the elimination of selenium deficiency.

Walk-off controlled self-starting frequency combs in χ(2) optical microresonators.

Investigations of frequency combs in χ(3) optical microresonators are burgeoning nowadays. Changeover to χ(2) resonators promises further advances and brings new challenges. Here, the comb generation entails not only coupled first and second harmonics (FHs and SHs) and two dispersion coefficients but also a substantial difference in the group velocities - the temporal walk-off. We predict walk-off controlled highly stable comb generation, which is drastically different from that known in the χ(3) case. This includes the general notion of antiperiodic states; formation of localized coherent antiperiodic steady states (solitons), where the FH and SH envelopes move with a common velocity without shape changes; characterization of a new vast family of antiperiodic solitons; and the dependence of comb spectra on the pump power and the group velocity difference.

[THE CELLULAR COMPOSITION OF THE EPITHELIUM OF THE VILLUS OF THE MUCOUS MEMBRANE OF THE DUODENUM OF RATS IN THE CONDITIONS OF EPICHLOROHYDRIN AND DRUG INFLUENCE].

Purpose of the research is to study the nature of the disorders of the villi of the duodenal mucous membrane (MM) in conditions of long-acting ECH as well as to substantiate experimentally the effectiveness of the use of the extract of Echinacea purpurea (EP) and thiotriazoline for the purpose of these disorders correction. The withdrawal of the rats from the experiment was carried out on the 1st, 7th, 15th, 30th and 60th day after the completion of the administration of ECH, EP extract and thiotriazoline. Histological processing of duodenum fragments was performed according to the standard method. The cell composition of the villus epithelium of duodenal MM was evaluated using a laboratory microscope of the MC 100 (Micros, Austria) and the Microvisible software (version 1.11.10). The determination of the significance of differences was carried out according to the Mann-Whitney U criterion. Differences were considered significant at p<0.05. Prolonged action of ECH led to a decrease in the number of cells in one villus of duodenal MM. This decrease persisted after the end of the administration of this chemical. There was a decrease in the number of columnar epithelial cells, goblet exocrinocytes and argyrophil endocrinocytes. In rats that did not receive ECH, administration of an EP extract was accompanied by a short-term increase in the number of columnar epithelial cells in one villus of duodenal MM. The administration of thiotriazolin to rats that did not receive ECH caused a short-term increase in the number of cells in one villus of duodenal MM and the number of columnar epithelial cells in the one villus of duodenal MM. The use of EP extract on the background of inhalations of ECH reduced the degree of decrease in the number of cells in one villus of duodenal MM and the number of columnar epitheliocytes in one villus of duodenal MM, reduced the degree and duration of reduction in the number of goblet exocrinocytes in one villus of duodenal MM, reduced the duration of reduction in the number of argyrophil endocrinocytes in one villus of duodenal MM. The use of thiotriazolin during the administration of ECH led to a decrease in the degree and duration of a decrease in the number of cells in one villus of duodenal MM and the number of columnar epithelial cells in one villus of duodenal MM, and also prevented the occurrence of a decrease in the number of goblet exocrinocytes and argyrophil endocrinocytes in one villus of duodenal MM.

Log-log growth of channel capacity for nondispersive nonlinear optical fiber channel in intermediate power range: Extension of the model.

In our previous paper [Terekhov et al., Phys. Rev. E 95, 062133 (2017)2470-004510.1103/PhysRevE.95.062133] we considered the optical channel modeled by the nonlinear Schrödinger equation with zero dispersion and additive Gaussian noise. We found per-sample channel capacity for this model. In the present paper we extend the per-sample channel model by introducing the initial signal dependence on time and the output signal detection procedure. The proposed model is a closer approximation of the realistic communications link than the per-sample model where there is no dependence of the initial signal on time. For the proposed model we found the correlators of the output signal both analytically and numerically. Using these correlators we built the conditional probability density function. Then we calculated an entropy of the output signal, a conditional entropy, and the mutual information. Maximizing the mutual information we found the optimal input signal distribution, channel capacity, and their dependence on the shape of the initial signal in the time domain for the intermediate power range.

Causes of volcanic unrest at Mt. Spurr in 2004-2005 inferred from repeated tomography.

Mt. Spurr is the largest active volcano in Alaska of high explosive potential. The most recent activity, including two recent magmatic eruptions in 1953 and 1992, has occurred via the flanking Crater Peak. From 2004 to 2006, strong seismicity, gas flux, and heating were observed in the summit area, which had remained inactive for more than 5 Ka. To understand the cause of this reactivation, we performed repeated tomography inversions that clearly imaged the magma reservoir beneath Mt. Spurr and showed temporal changes in its shape and intensity. During the two years preceding the unrest, we observed ascension of the upper limit of the reservoir-related anomaly from a depth of 5 to 3 km below the surface, accompanied by strong seismicity. During the following years, the shape of the anomaly remained unchanged, but its intensity weakened. These observations may indicate the release of fluids from the ductile reservoir and fast upward ascent through the brittle cover that caused intensive seismicity and gas flux during the unrest from 2004 to 2006. The origin of this zone will possibly cause a resumption of explosive eruptions in the summit area of Mt. Spurr.

Self-Induced Faraday Instability Laser.

We predict the onset of self-induced parametric or Faraday instabilities in a laser, spontaneously caused by the presence of pump depletion, which leads to a periodic gain landscape for light propagating in the cavity. As a result of the instability, continuous wave oscillation becomes unstable even in the normal dispersion regime of the cavity, and a periodic train of pulses with ultrahigh repetition rate is generated. Application to the case of Raman fiber lasers is described, in good quantitative agreement between our conceptual analysis and numerical modeling.

Generation of spatio-temporal extreme events in noise-like pulses NPE mode-locked fibre laser.

We experimentally study spatio-temporal generation of extreme events in the radiation of NPE mode-locked fibre laser generating noise-like pulses. We show that new pulses starts from high-intensity spatio-temporal structure which consist of mainly 3 subsequent pulses which are both separated over fast and slow evolution time. Statistical analysis of the noise-like pulse evolution over round-trips shows that the pulse width and intensity varies with a period of around 85 round-trips which does not change from pulse to pulse. The intensity probability density function has a heavy tail originated only from events of pulse formation.

Bacteriolytic Activity Of Human Interleukin-2, Chicken Egg Lysozyme In The Presence Of Potential Effectors.

The bacteriolytic activity of interleukin-2 and chicken egg lysozyme in the presence of various substances has been studied. Glycine and lysine do not affect the activity of interleukin-2 but increase that of lysozyme, showing a bell-shape concentration dependence peaking at 1.5 mM glycine and 18 mM lysine. Arginine and glutamate activate both interleukin-2 and lysozyme with a concentration dependence of the saturation type. Aromatic amino acids have almost no effect on the activity of both interleukin-2 and lysozyme. Aromatic amines, tryptamine, and tyramine activate interleukin-2 but inhibit lysozyme. Peptide antibiotics affect interleukin and lysozyme similarly and exhibit maximum activity in the micromolar range of antibiotics. Taurine has no effect on the activity of interleukin-2 and lysozyme. Mildronate showed no influence on lysozyme, but it activated interleukin-2 with the activity maximum at 3 mM. EDTA activates both interleukin-2 and lysozyme at concentrations above 0.15 mM.

Diminished electron density in the Vaska-type rhodium(I) complex trans-[Rh(NCBH3)(CO)(PPh3)2].

Vaska-type complexes, i.e. trans-[RhX(CO)(PPh3)2] (X is a halogen or pseudohalogen), undergo a range of reactions and exhibit considerable catalytic activity. The electron density on the Rh(I) atom in these complexes plays an important role in their reactivity. Many cyanotrihydridoborate (BH3CN(-)) complexes of Group 6-8 transition metals have been synthesized and structurally characterized, an exception being the rhodium(I) complex. Carbonyl(cyanotrihydridoborato-κN)bis(triphenylphosphine-κP)rhodium(I), [Rh(NCBH3)(CO)(C18H15P)2], was prepared by the metathesis reaction of sodium cyanotrihydridoborate with trans-[RhCl(CO)(PPh3)2], and was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and IR, (1)H, (13)C and (11)B NMR spectroscopy. The X-ray diffraction data indicate that the cyanotrihydridoborate ligand coordinates to the Rh(I) atom through the N atom in a trans position with respect to the carbonyl ligand; this was also confirmed by the IR and NMR data. The carbonyl stretching frequency ν(CO) and the carbonyl carbon (1)JC-Rh and (1)JC-P coupling constants of the Cipso atoms of the triphenylphosphine groups reflect the diminished electron density on the central Rh(I) atom compared to the parent trans-[RhCl(CO)(PPh3)2] complex.

Human Interleukin-2 and Hen Egg White Lysozyme: Screening for Bacteriolytic Activity against Various Bacterial Cells.

The bacteriolytic activity of interleukin-2 and hen egg white lysozyme against 34 different species of microorganisms has been studied. It was found that 6 species of microorganisms are lysed in the presence of interleukin-2. All interleukin-2-sensitive microorganisms belong either to the Enterobacteriaceae, Bacillaceae, or the Lactobacillaceae family. It was also found that 12 species of microorganisms are lysed in the presence of lysozyme, and 16 species of microorganisms are lysed in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The bacteriolytic activity of interleukin-2 and lysozyme was studied at various pH values.

Raman and nuclear magnetic resonance investigation of alkali metal vapor interaction with alkene-based anti-relaxation coating.

The use of anti-relaxation coatings in alkali vapor cells yields substantial performance improvements compared to a bare glass surface by reducing the probability of spin relaxation in wall collisions by several orders of magnitude. Some of the most effective anti-relaxation coating materials are alpha-olefins, which (as in the case of more traditional paraffin coatings) must undergo a curing period after cell manufacturing in order to achieve the desired behavior. Until now, however, it has been unclear what physicochemical processes occur during cell curing, and how they may affect relevant cell properties. We present the results of nondestructive Raman-spectroscopy and magnetic-resonance investigations of the influence of alkali metal vapor (Cs or K) on an alpha-olefin, 1-nonadecene coating the inner surface of a glass cell. It was found that during the curing process, the alkali metal catalyzes migration of the carbon-carbon double bond, yielding a mixture of cis- and trans-2-nonadecene.

Secure polarization-independent subcarrier quantum key distribution in optical fiber channel using BB84 protocol with a strong reference.

A quantum key distribution system based on the subcarrier wave modulation method has been demonstrated which employs the BB84 protocol with a strong reference to generate secure bits at a rate of 16.5 kbit/s with an error of 0.5% over an optical channel of 10 dB loss, and 18 bits/s with an error of 0.75% over 25 dB of channel loss. To the best of our knowledge, these results represent the highest channel loss reported for secure quantum key distribution using the subcarrier wave approach. A passive unidirectional scheme has been used to compensate for the polarization dependence of the phase modulators in the receiver module, which resulted in a high visibility of 98.8%. The system is thus fully insensitive to polarization fluctuations and robust to environmental changes, making the approach promising for use in optical telecommunication networks. Further improvements in secure key rate and transmission distance can be achieved by implementing the decoy states protocol or by optimizing the mean photon number used in line with experimental parameters.

INFLUENCE OF INFLUENZA A VIRUS AND BACTERIAL LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE ON PROLIFERATION AND GENE EXPRESSION OF CYTOKINES AND OTHER CELLULAR FACTORS IN CELLS OF ESTABLISHED ENDOTHELIAL CELL LINE ECV-304.

Change of state of endothelial cells occurs under the action of viral infection and bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) that leads to cell dysfunction. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of LPS from Escherichia coli and influenza A virus on proliferative activity of human endothelial cells (ECV-304) and gene expression of several cytokines and cellular factors: TNFá, TGFâ, IFN-ã, MMP-9, NF-êB, Rho A, eNOS and iNOS. It was found that ECV-304 cells once infected with very low infectious doses of influenza virus acquire the ability to long-term active proliferation (over 8 passages). Addition of LPS E. coli reduced the virus-stimulated cell proliferation. It was shown that influenza virus and LPS can affect on gene expression of cytokine and other cellular factors. When endothelial cells had been infected with influenza A virus in the presence of LPS, there was a significant increase in the expression of several genes and replacement of some genes expression on the expression of other genes. Expression of MMP-9 gene was inhibited in the case of separate exposure to the virus and LPS, but it was significantly increased during the first day under the adding of the virus and LPS together, as well as the activity of the IFN-ã gene; gene of TNFá was active for only 1­3 days whereas genes expression of other factors (TGFâ, eNOS, iNOS, NF-êB and Rho A) increased significantly at the 5th day as in the case of adding only LPS. Thus, the change of physiological state of endothelial cells occurs in the presence of influenza A virus and LPS and it can be caused during different time periods (as well as by varying degrees of virus infection of cells) by different cellular factors and possibly with involvement of different signaling pathways.

[Ontogenetic Mechanisms of Explosive Morphological Divergence in the Lake Tana (Ethiopia) Species Flock of Large African Barbs (Labeobarbus; Cyprinidae; Teleostei)].

Species flock of Lake Tana (Ethiopia) large African barbs (Labeobarbus; Cyprinidae; Teleostei) was studied as a model system for investigating ontogenetic mechanisms of the explosive morphological divergence often accompanying sympatric speciation in bony fishes. Comparative morphological analysis carried out with the use ofgeometric morphometric techniques revealed quantitative differences in the head shapes of species under study. Comparative analysis of skull development revealed significant interspecies differences in the temporal characteristics of craniogenesis in these species. These two lines of evidence suggest that heterochronies in craniogenesis underlie divergence in the head shapes of adult Tana barbs. This prediction was verified via experimental changes of temporal characteristics of craniogenesis in L. intermedius, a putative ancestor for the Lake Tana species flock. For this aim, timing and rate of skull development were changed by artificial manipulation of thyroid hormone levels. In sum, it was shown that it is heterochronies that underlie an explosive morphological divergence of the Lake Tana barbs species flock. Our findings together with those reported in the literature suggest variability in the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis to contribute to these heterochronies.

[Influence of Different Type of Surfactant on Bacteriolytic Activity of Lysozyme].

The influence ofvarious surfactants (anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS, cationic dodecyltrimethylarnmonium bromide, DTAB, and zwitterionic cocoamidopropylbetaine, CAPB) on the activity of the chicken egg lysozyme is investigated. Lysis of Gram-positive bacteria by the enzyme was carried out at pH 7.2 and ionic strength of 0.15 M. It was found that at low SDS and DTAB concentrations (less than 1 x 10(-5) M) the bacteriolytic activity increases by 30-140%. At higher concentrations (1 x 10(-5) - 1 x 10(4) M) the activity returns to the level observed in the absence of the surfactants. The elevated activity correlated with the formation of hydrophobic lysozyme-surfactant complexes. Introduction of CAPB at concentrations above 1 x 10(-5) M sig, nificantly diminished the bacteriolytic activity due to CAPB induced aggregation of lysozyme.

Discovery of Novel Isatin-Based p53 Inducers.

A series of isatin Schiff base derivatives were identified during in silico screening of the small molecule library for novel activators of p53. The compounds selected based on molecular docking results were further validated by a high-content screening assay using U2OS human osteosarcoma cells with an integrated EGFP-expressing p53-dependent reporter. The hit compounds activated and stabilized p53, as shown by Western blotting, at higher rates than the well-known positive control Nutlin-3. Thus, the p53-activating compounds identified by this approach represent useful molecular probes for various cancer studies.

[Correlation between biochemical parameters of oxidative stress, endogenous intoxication and regulation of vascular tone in patients with burn injury].

Burn injury is accompanied by the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Excessive production of ROS results in oxidative stress. Peroxidation damage of proteins causes their degradation and the formation of toxic fragments con- tributing to the development of endogenous intoxication. Furthermore, burns cause pronounced inflammatory reaction in the lesion site leading to poor circulation. The purpose of this study was an investigation of relationship between disturbances in the prooxidant/antioxidant system, severity of endogenous intoxication and disturbances of endogenous vascular regulation to assess the severity and prognosis of complications in patients with burn injury. 26 patients with- burn injury were investigated; they were divided into 2 groups according to the severity of injury on the basis of Frank index (FI): group 1--FI < 60 CU and group 2--FI ≥ 60 CU. The investigation of blood serum was performed on 1-3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 day after burn injury. Malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant status (TAS), the level of middle weight molecules, stable metabolites of nitric oxide (NOx) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity were determined in the serum. Significant increase of MDA level, decrease of TAS and NOx level were found in two groups of patients throughout the observation period. We also found a disturbance in coupled interaction of NO and ACE. These data point to the development of oxidative stress and imbalance in endogenous regulation of vascular tone. There was a trend toward more pronounced oxidative stress in group 2. Significant correlations between parameters of oxidative stress, endogenous intoxication, endogenous factors of vascular regulation, depth of burn injury and FI were obtained in two groups. MDA, TAS can serve as one of the prognostic markers of condition severity of burned patients and therapy adequacy.

Stochasticity, periodicity and localized light structures in partially mode-locked fibre lasers.

Physical systems with co-existence and interplay of processes featuring distinct spatio-temporal scales are found in various research areas ranging from studies of brain activity to astrophysics. The complexity of such systems makes their theoretical and experimental analysis technically and conceptually challenging. Here, we discovered that while radiation of partially mode-locked fibre lasers is stochastic and intermittent on a short time scale, it exhibits non-trivial periodicity and long-scale correlations over slow evolution from one round-trip to another. A new technique for evolution mapping of intensity autocorrelation function has enabled us to reveal a variety of localized spatio-temporal structures and to experimentally study their symbiotic co-existence with stochastic radiation. Real-time characterization of dynamical spatio-temporal regimes of laser operation is set to bring new insights into rich underlying nonlinear physics of practical active- and passive-cavity photonic systems.