Possible anti-obesity therapeutics from nature – A review

Obesity is associated with many diseases, particularly diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis, and heart disease. The obesity incidence has increased at an alarming rate in recent years, becoming a worldwide health problem, with incalculable social costs. Two different obesity-treatment drugs are currently on the market: orlistat, which reduces intestinal fat absorption via inhibiting pancreatic lipase; and sibutramine, an anorectic or appetite suppressant. Both drugs have hazardous side-effects, including increased blood pressure, dry mouth, constipation, headache, and insomnia. For this reason, a wide variety of natural materials have been explored for their obesity treatment potential. These are mainly complex products having several components with different chemical and pharmacological features. This review aimed to survey the literature covering natural products with anti-obesity activity and to review the scientific data, including experimental methodologies, active components, and mechanisms of action against obesity.     

Polymer optoelectronic structures for retinal prosthesis

This commentary highlights the effectiveness of optoelectronic properties of polymer semiconductors based on recent results emerging from our laboratory, where these materials are explored as artificial receptors for interfacing with the visual systems. Organic semiconductors based polymer layers in contact with physiological media exhibit interesting photophysical features, which mimic certain natural photoreceptors, including those in the retina. The availability of such optoelectronic materials opens up a gateway to utilize these structures as neuronal interfaces for stimulating retinal ganglion cells. In a recently reported work entitled “A polymer optoelectronic interface provides visual cues to a blind retina,” we utilized a specific configuration of a polymer semiconductor device structure to elicit neuronal activity in a blind retina upon photoexcitation. The elicited neuronal signals were found to have several features that followed the optoelectronic response of the polymer film. More importantly, the polymer-induced retinal response resembled the natural response of the retina to photoexcitation. These observations open up a promising material alternative for artificial retina applications.     

Isolation and biochemical characterization of underwater adhesives from diatoms

Many aquatic organisms are able to colonize surfaces through the secretion of underwater adhesives. Diatoms are unicellular algae that have the capability to colonize any natural and man-made submerged surfaces. There is great technological interest in both mimicking and preventing diatom adhesion, yet the biomolecules responsible have so far remained unidentified. A new method for the isolation of diatom adhesive material is described and its amino acid and carbohydrate composition determined. The adhesive materials from two model diatoms show differences in their amino acid and carbohydrate compositions, but also share characteristic features including a high content of uronic acids, the predominance of hydrophilic amino acid residues, and the presence of 3,4-dihydroxyproline, an extremely rare amino acid. Proteins containing dihydroxyphenylalanine, which mediate underwater adhesion of mussels, are absent. The data on the composition of diatom adhesives are consistent with an adhesion mechanism based on complex coacervation of polyelectrolyte-like biomolecules.     

长骨缺损修复用生物医学材料

本文根据天然骨的组织和结构特点,论述了长骨缺损对修复材料的要求,提出了通过材料复合,仿生设计和快速成型制备功能梯度长骨修复材料的方法。     

基于自组织特征映射模型(SOFM)网络的中国自然资源生态安全区划

自然资源生态安全是国家安全的重要组成部分,自然资源生态安全区划对保障区域可持续发展提供了重要途径。基于自然资源数据、生态环境数据和相关区划资料,从生态敏感性与生态服务重要性角度构建了自然资源生态安全评价指标体系,进而揭示了中国自然资源生态安全的空间格局;通过建立区划的原则和指标,按照一级区主要反映自然资源空间分布格局,二级区主要揭示自然资源生态安全水平的差异,采用SOFM网络制订了中国自然资源生态安全区划方案。结果显示：(1)中国自然资源生态安全水平整体偏低,以中警与重警状态区域为主,安全和较安全状态的区域仅占24.22%,其中低安全等级区多分布于400mm等降水量线以西的干旱、半干旱区,高安全等级区则集中分布于水热资源与生物资源较为丰富的东南部地区;(2)中国自然资源生态安全区划方案包括8个一级区与27个二级区,总结归纳各大区自然资源的特征和威胁生态安全的问题,并针对二级区自然资源生态安全状况提出了对策建议。研究结果可为分区、分类推进全国自然资源可持续利用和国土空间优化提供理论支持与决策依据。     

Polymer optoelectronic structures for retinal prosthesis

This commentary highlights the effectiveness of optoelectronic properties of polymer semiconductors based on recent results emerging from our laboratory, where these materials are explored as artificial receptors for interfacing with the visual systems. Organic semiconductors based polymer layers in contact with physiological media exhibit interesting photophysical features, which mimic certain natural photoreceptors, including those in the retina. The availability of such optoelectronic materials opens up a gateway to utilize these structures as neuronal interfaces for stimulating retinal ganglion cells. In a recently reported work entitled “A polymer optoelectronic interface provides visual cues to a blind retina,” we utilized a specific configuration of a polymer semiconductor device structure to elicit neuronal activity in a blind retina upon photoexcitation. The elicited neuronal signals were found to have several features that followed the optoelectronic response of the polymer film. More importantly, the polymer-induced retinal response resembled the natural response of the retina to photoexcitation. These observations open up a promising material alternative for artificial retina applications.     

Natural catalytic antibodies (abzymes) in normalcy and pathology

This review summarizes literature data on natural abzymes. Peculiar features of their functioning and substrate specificity are considered in comparison with traditional enzymes. Working hypotheses on the possible biological roles of natural abzymes in autoimmune processes and diseases accompanied by disorders of immune status are analyzed.     

Artificial humification of lignin architecture: Top-down and bottom-up approaches

Humic substances readily identifiable in the environment are involved in several biotic and abiotic reactions affecting carbon turnover, soil fertility, plant nutrition and stimulation, xenobiotic transformation and microbial respiration. Inspired by natural roles of humic substances, several applications of these substances, including crop stimulants, redox mediators, anti-oxidants, human medicines, environmental remediation and fish feeding, have been developed. The annual market for humic substances has grown rapidly for these reasons and due to eco-conscious features, but there is a limited supply of natural coal-related resources such as lignite and leonardite from which humic substances are extracted in bulk. The structural similarity between humic substances and lignin suggests that lignocellulosic refinery resulting in lignin residues as a by-product could be a potential candidate for a bulk source of humic-like substances, but structural differences between the two polymeric materials indicate that additional transformation procedures allowing lignin architecture to fully mimic commercial humic substances are required. In this review, we introduce the emerging concept of artificial humification of lignin-related materials as a promising strategy for lignin valorization. First, the core structural features of humic substances and the relationship between these features and the physicochemical properties, natural functions and versatile applications of the substances are described. In particular, the mechanism by which humic substances stimulate the growth of plants and hence can improve crop productivity is highlighted. Second, top-down and bottom-up transformation pathways for scalable humification of small lignin-derived phenols, technical lignins and lignin-containing plant residues are described in detail. Finally, future directions are suggested for research and development of artificial lignin humification to achieve alternative ways of producing customized analogues of humic substances.     

核型分析在细胞分类学中的应用

细胞学的核型分析资料作为分类学的证据,结合形态学、解剖学、胚胎学和遗传学等方面的证据,在解决分类上的疑难问题,起过不少的作用,而且是建立生物学种和建立新的自然分类系统所必不可少的资料。     

Hydrological dangerous natural phenomena as cause of aggravation of an epidemiological situation

Materials dealing with the specific features of the territory of Southern Russia, appearing as a consequence of natural, technogenic and some other factors, are presented. These materials indicate that, due to the high flood in summer of 2002, a real danger of a sharp aggravation of the epidemiological situation in acute enteric infections, as well as other infections, arose on a vast territory. As the result of the timely evaluation and analysis of changes in the factors of the natural and social environment, occurring as the consequence of the high flood, prophylactic measures were urgently carried out, thus making it possible to prevent the aggravation of the epidemiological situation.     

中国苹果野生种自然地理分布、多型性及利用价值

中国苹果野生种遗传多样性丰富,具有极大的研究和利用价值。本文综合实地调查数据与文献资料,在苹果野生种的自然地理分布、多型性及利用价值等方面进行了总结与分析,并且对我国苹果野生种的收集、保护与利用进行了讨论,同时提出了自已的建议。     

Radioecological problems in coastal landscapes of the Sea of Azov

The features of the spatial distribution, of the migration, and of the accumulation of natural (232Th) and manmade (137Cs) radioactive nuclides in the coastal landscapes of the Sea of Azov are studied. It was shown, that the specific activity of 232Th in the accumulation of the so-called "black sands" was shown as high as 6000 Bq/kg, that increases the natural geochemical background in 200 times. The impact of aerial transfer of the "black sands" on 232Th migration and accumulation in the soil-plant system was clarified. The 232Th distribution down the soil profile suggests that the "black sands" are likely the product of the erosion of the coastal parent materials enriched by natural radionuclides. In general, the specific activity of 137Cs in the beach sand is not high and it is close to the background (global fallout) value. It was determined that 137Cs content in the coastal ecosystems is connected only by aerial pathway as a part of global and Chernobyl-born fallout.     

From prebiotic chemistry to cellular metabolism--the chemical evolution of metabolism before Darwinian natural selection

It is generally assumed that the complex map of metabolism is a result of natural selection working at the molecular level. However, natural selection can only work on entities that have three basic features: information, metabolism and membrane. Metabolism must include the capability of producing all cellular structures, as well as energy (ATP), from external sources; information must be established on a material that allows its perpetuity, in order to safeguard the goals achieved; and membranes must be able to preserve the internal material, determining a selective exchange with external material in order to ensure that both metabolism and information can be individualized. It is not difficult to understand that protocellular entities that boast these three qualities can evolve through natural selection. The problem is rather to explain the origin of such features under conditions where natural selection could not work. In the present work we propose that these protocells could be built by chemical evolution, starting from the prebiotic primordial soup, by means of chemical selection. This consists of selective increases of the rates of certain specific reactions because of the kinetic or thermodynamic features of the process, such as stoichiometric catalysis or autocatalysis, cooperativity and others, thereby promoting their prevalence among the whole set of chemical possibilities. Our results show that all chemical processes necessary for yielding the basic materials that natural selection needs to work may be achieved through chemical selection, thus suggesting a way for life to begin.     

Evaluation of specific activity of artifical and natural radionuclides in the sink of aerosol matter into forest ecosystems

A new procedure is proposed for the investigation of atmospheric radioactivity in the surface air layer through evaluation of specific activity of artificial and natural radionuclides in the aerosol sink. Dry deposition of aerosol particles is described. The collection of aerosol is carried out using a passive sampler in which chemically inert fibrous and powdered materials are used as a sorption substrate. Analysis of experimental results characterizing the features of radionuclide distribution in the aerosol sink during their introduction into a coniferous tree stand is presented.     

Changes in the forest cover after intense logging in southern taiga of the russian federation

Specific features of the forest cover formation after industrial timber cutting during a period of 50 years in southern taiga spruce forests (Kostroma oblast) are described. The statistical analysis of the forest use intensity, the forested area, and the dynamics of the age and species structure of forests was performed. Plans of forest stands obtained for five inspections and taxation databases of 1954 and 1997 were also used. The potentialities of analyzing the structure of forest mapping units using means of overlay in the geoinformation system are considered. Parameters for distinguishing forest compartments were calculated. The dynamics of these parameters reflect the natural development of forest, effects of adverse environmental factors, economic history of the region, and specific features of individual interpretation of the survey materials in forest management.     

The electron microscopic study of bacterial development in colonies. The heteromorphous growth of bacteria during the natural development of a population

In this work data on the morphological features of the heteromorphous growth of bacteria in the process of the natural development of their population are presented. The authors believe that the heteromorphous growth of cells is inherent in the normal cycle of the development of bacteria in the population and that this process is reversible. It has certain regularities, common for different bacteria, in the variability of morphological manifestations and can be regarded as one of the stages of the natural L-transformation of bacteria.     

基于天然水凝胶的生物材料在骨组织工程中的应用*

天然水凝胶是指原材料来自于天然生物材料的水凝胶。由于这种天然的聚合物含有构成生物体的天然成分,与天然组织具有生物学和化学相似性,而受到特别关注。天然水凝胶由于其与细胞外基质高度的相似性被认为是骨组织工程中优良的仿生基质材料。而针对天然水凝胶机械性能差、成骨诱导性能弱等缺陷,通常需要对天然水凝胶进行改性、引入其他材料或生物活性因子,以此来获得更适用于骨组织工程支架材料。对近年来基于天然水凝胶的生物材料在骨组织工程的应用,与其不同的应用形式(可注射水凝胶、多孔水凝胶支架、3D生物打印水凝胶支架等)进行了概述,以期对这类基于天然水凝胶的生物材料在未来骨组织工程中的应用提供参考。     

Unified classification of European natural forests: the approach of the vegetation map of Europe

With the aim of evaluating the accessible data on vegetation structure and composition for the Vegetation Map of Europe as far as possible, a reasonable classification of natural vegetation has been proposed which facilitates the identification of vegetation units used in different Schools of vegetation science. The proposed universal classification makes full use of several different principles. The highest units are based on physiognomic-ecological features and correspond to formation units of different rank. The European natural forest vegetation (including shrubs) has been divided into 10 formation units. Each formation is further divided into subunits according to the most important features. Ecological and functional interpretation has priority in the hierarchic structure of the system which was used in the legend to the Vegetation Map of Europe. The resulting system shows the most important features of latitudinal (vegetation zones and subzones), longitudinal (oceanic to continental analogues) and altitudinal (vegetation belts) regularities, further azonal vegetation types and their differentiation as well as the edaphic, geographic and florogenetic varieties of the natural plant cover. This arrangement constitutes a framework in which the vegetation units of different Schools can be classed.     

Predictors of survival in a cohort of patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis: effect of corticosteroids, methotrexate and azathioprine

Introduction  

The idiopathic inflammatory myopathies are rare diseases for which data regarding the natural history, response to therapies and factors affecting mortality are needed. We performed this study to examine the effects of treatment and clinical features on survival in polymyositis and dermatomyositis patients.     

Mechanism of induction of cytogenetic damage in plant meristematic cells caused by combined effect of heavy natural radionuclides and heavy and alkaline metals

The analysis of experimental data on the combined effect of 232Th and water from melted snow containing metal ions from industrally loaded territories on Tradescantia (clone 02) and on Allium shoenoprasum meristematic root tip cells treated with heavy natural radionuclides from natural water sources in the area of radioactive wastes storehouse is presented. It was demonstrated that plant meristematic cells response to heavy metals and heavy natural radionuclides, both from two-component model system and from natural water sources, have commom features.