
At present, when the whole world is intensively switching to organic farming, the refusal or minimization of the usage of chemical plant protection products and synthesized fertilizers is a very urgent issue for the agro-industrial complex (AIC). Accordingly, the solution to the problems of increasing yields and ensuring the fight against pathogenic components should be carried out in accordance with the principles of “green” chemistry. In this regard, the usage of heteroleptic complexes based on carboxylic and amino acids with biogenic metals is dictated not only by their availability, low cost, and ability to increase crop yields but also by fungicidal activity, lower toxicity, and easy biodegradability, which lists them among the “green” and cost-effective plant biostimulants. In the present work, for the first time, a heteroleptic complex based on succinic acid and glycine, with the formula [Cu(succ)(gly)], was developed for usage as a fungicidal biostimulant, which has the ability to significantly reduce the number of pathogens. We found that this compound has a layered structure and was able to increase soybean germination up to 100%. © 2023 by the authors.

Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) germicidal light can effectively inactivate airborne pathogens and mitigate the transmission of infectious diseases. As the application of UV-C for disinfection gains popularity, practical estimation of UV irradiance is essential in determining the UV fluence (dose) and designing tubular UV lamp configurations for indoor air treatment. It is generally understood that the inverse square (∼1/d2) law (i.e., irradiance is proportional to the inverse square of the distance) applies well to point light sources. However, there has been a recognition that the ∼1/d2 law does not work well for tubular light sources in the commonly defined near-field applications where the UV source is relatively close to the treated air. Therefore, practical near-field irradiation estimation is needed for designing portable air cleaners and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) ducts with built-in UV light bulbs. This research investigated UV-C light irradiance from tubular (L = 0.9 m) light bulbs at near distances inside an air cleaner prototype duct under three power output (1-, 4-, and 8-bulb) scenarios and conducted theoretical estimation based on a line-source irradiation model. Similarly sized visible fluorescent bulbs were used as a reference. The data were fitted on both ∼1/d2 and ∼1/d correlation of irradiance with distance. Both measured and line source estimated data fit better (i.e., evaluated by R-square, standard errors, root mean squared errors) with the ∼1/d than the ∼1/d2 relationship in the near distance. Although the differences between the measured and the modeled were observed, the pattern of light distribution generally follows an inverse relationship (∼1/d) with distances (d) shorter than two tubular bulb lengths (d < 2L). The pattern applies to both UV and visible light tested in this study. It is recommended that the inverse (∼1/d) correlation be used for near-distance estimation of light distribution, especially for disinfection purposes in air ducting for indoor air quality improvement and airborne disease mitigation. Copyright © 2024 Li, Koziel, Yedilbayev, Paris, Walz and Ramirez.

Camel milk has demonstrated robust immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties in various clinical and experimental studies. However, no previous studies have characterized the cellular immunological effects of camel milk in the context of allergic asthma. Therefore, the present work aimed to evaluate the protective effects of camel milk in house dust mite induced asthma in mice, which emulate human pulmonary inflammation. Female BALB/c mice aged 8- to 10-week-old were intranasally sensitized with vehicle or HDM in 2.5 µl (5 µg) per nostril, 5 days a week for 3 weeks. On day 22, mice received an HDM challenge by a large volume but low dose into the lung (5 µg in 50µl) using intranasal inoculation. Using oral gavage technique, CM/ HDM group mice received 0.5 ml of camel milk or vehicle five times a week, starting a day prior to sensitization. On day 23 following HDM challenge, mice were exposed to serial challenges with 10, 20, 40 and 100 mg/ml aerosolized methacholine to measure lung dynamics. Furthermore, BALF and whole lung samples were harvested to examine pulmonary inflammation. Camel milk effectively inhibited both HDM-induced infiltration of eosinophils and AHR. In addition to this, camel milk downregulates the number of pulmonary Th2 and Th17 cells and suppressed CCL17 expression in whole lung homogenates. Furthermore, camel milk reduced HDM-induced IL-4 and IL-13 expression following in vitro restimulation of pulmonary T cell subsets. Additionally, camel milk suppressed total concentrations of IL-5 and IL-13 in the lung. These results corroborate the asthma-preventive potential of camel milk and highlight the significance of diminished local concentrations of Th2- associated cytokines. In the present study, the observed downregulation of asthma progression by camel milk suggests its potential health benefits; however, further experimental and controlled clinical trials are needed before it can be considered a supplementary approach for allergic asthma management. © 2025 Rakhmatulina et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Slow sand filtration (SSF) is one of the traditional methods of water treatment yet gaining attention as a promising method. The rising demand is owing to its simplicity, environmental friendliness and effectiveness, which can reach 90- 95%. This chapter reviews the principles and mechanisms underlying SSF, particularly addressing the physical, biological, and chemical processes that contribute to its effectiveness. Furthermore, the chapter delves into the design and construction of SSF systems, with a particular emphasis on the critical components and factors that facilitate the attainment of optimal performance. The efficacy of the method in enhancing water quality is assessed through a variety of analytical methods, including the removal of turbidity, the reduction of pathogens, and the removal of organic matter. The chapter also encompasses the environmental impact assessment of SSF to guarantee its long- term sustainability. © 2025 by IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved.

The study focuses on the use of the Earth Remote Sensing (ERS) data to calculate mineral indices using the example of the Tokrau River. In the modern era, as issues of climate change and human impact on the environment become increasingly prominent, monitoring natural resources has become imperative. In this regard, remote sensing technologies provide valuable data for the study and control of Earth’s resources. The aim of this research is to investigate changes in the mineral composition in the Tokrau River valley using information obtained during Landsat and Sentinel-2A missions from 1998 to 2021 to assess human impact on the ecosystem and to find potential mineral deposits. This work is important both scientifically and practically as it demonstrates that spectral mapping can effectively detect mineral changes. This finding is significant for geological research and environmental monitoring. The research approach included the examination of satellite data, calculation of mineral indices, and comparison of the results obtained in different time periods. The collected data allowed for conclusions to be drawn regarding fluctuations in mineral transformations in the Tokrau River valley. The study complements existing knowledge about the use of remote sensing in geological research and environmental monitoring. It also contributes to international experience in this field. The practical significance of the research lies in utilizing the collected data to develop methods for the protection and responsible use of natural resources in the Tokrau River region and other comparable regions. © 2024, Ore and Metals Publishing house. All rights reserved

Introduction: Gastric and colorectal adenocarcinomas are prevalent malignancies characterized by mutations in genes such as p53, RAS, and MDM2, which play crucial roles in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Understanding the specific mutational patterns and their implications in these cancers was essential for identifying potential therapeutic targets. Aim: To identify the nature of mutational disorders in the p53, p21Waf1, RAS and MDM2 genes, depending on the degree of cell differentiation by adenocarcinomas of the gastrointestinal tract. Methods: Genomic DNA was isolated from 200 samples of stomach tissue and 233 samples of colon and rectum adenocarcinomas. A total of 433 samples, including gastric adenocarcinomas, colon and rectum adenocarcinomas and adjacent tissues, were collected. Results: Genomic DNA was isolated, and mutational analysis of p53, RAS (HRAS, KRAS, NRAS), and MDM2 genes was performed using polymerase chain reaction, gel electrophoresis, and restriction enzyme analysis. The deletion of p53 exon-intron 5–6, as well as HRAS 12 and HRAS 61 mutations, were detected in 78% of poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas. The deletions of p53 exon-intron 7–9 – in 100% of moderately differentiated adenocarcinomas and 50–60% of adjacent tissues. The loss of WAF1 gene expression was registered in almost 90% of poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas and 20% of adjacent tissue samples. The KRAS and NRAS mutations in almost 63.9% of studied colon and rectal samples indicated autonomous cell growth. This explains the aggressive and metastatic growth of tumours and the ineffectiveness of growth factor inhibitors in colorectal cancer. Finding ways to influence specific substitutions in RAS genes could prevent and eliminate uncontrolled invasive tumour growth. Conclusion: By identifying specific gene mutations and differences in genetic markers, the study provided insights for the development of targeted diagnostic methods and personalised treatment strategies, ultimately improving the clinical outcomes in the field of oncology. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial 4.0 International License.

The current study examines the hydrochemistry and ion flow dynamics of the transboundary Syr Darya River within Kazakhstan, focusing on long-term changes in chemical composition under increasing anthropogenic pressure. These transformations pose challenges for water resource management and aquatic ecosystem stability in arid regions. The research covers the period from 1910 to 2020, analyzing shifts in the river’s hydrochemical characteristics. The findings indicate a transition from a bicarbonate-calcium type, typical of natural waters, to a sodium-sulfate type, reflecting significant anthropogenic influence. This shift is driven by intensive irrigation, industrial discharge, and climatic variability. A persistent trend of declining water quality and rising mineralization levels is observed, underscoring the cumulative impact of human activities. The study employs hydrochemical data analysis, ion composition assessment, and statistical modeling to identify key transformation processes in transboundary water chemistry. These methods enable the quantification of anthropogenic effects and the prediction of future changes. The results contribute to a deeper understanding of hydrochemical dynamics in transboundary waters, with direct applications in environmental monitoring, water resource management, and ecosystem conservation. The methodology is applicable for forecasting hydrochemical trends in other transboundary basins affected by similar climatic and anthropogenic pressures, supporting the development of sustainable water management strategies. © 2025, National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan. All rights reserved.

On the way to Energy Transition, the Geothermal Energy Production (GEP) has accelerated in the regions of elevated subsurface temperatures recently. With groundwater temperatures reaching 1030C at 3000 m and natural hot springs, the Ily Basin in south-east Kazakhstan can become a good candidate for GEP if a sustainable approach is applied. The current study summarizes knowledge and showcases new data on Upper Cretaceous formation water in the eastern Ily Basin that is currently used mostly for greenhouse and fishfarm heating, and balneology. Water chemistry and tritium data show that recent meteoric waters are probably not the main source of recharge as it has been assumed for many years. If an average of 40 l/s of water production per well is assumed, a heat power of up to 1.5 MWel. can be harvested during cold time if a 10% efficient Binary Organic Rankine cycle is applied. © EAGE Global Energy Transition, GET 2022.All rights reserved

The article presents the results of studies of the assessment of multi year dynamics of the volume of transboundary inflow of toxic compounds to the territory of Kazakhstan along the Zhaiyk River: synthetic surfactants, petroleum products, phenols, boron and a number of heavy metals. On the basis of analysis of long-term material of the State monitoring of “Kazhydromet” RSE, the volume of transboundary inflow and peculiarities of transformation of toxic compounds runoff along the river flow are considered, also taking into account natural and anthropogenic factors influence. A study of the environmental contaminants present in the territory of Kazakhstan reveals the presence of priority pollutants, including phenols, petroleum products, iron, and hexavalent chromium. The significant level of river water contamination by these toxic compounds is attributable to two primary factors: transboundary runoff and the entry of industrial and other wastewater into the river system within the Republic’s territory. The maximum runoff of toxic compounds in the country is observed during the spring season. This phenomenon is attributed to the occurrence of spring floods, which serve to exacerbate denudation processes within the catchment area of the river. The elevated levels of hexavalent chromium in the water of the Zhaiyk river are associated with the presence of tailing ponds and other facilities of industrial enterprises, both in Kazakhstan and Russia. The data with references to the works of leading scientists of the Russian Federation are given. This data includes information about determining influence of numerous objects of mining and metallurgical industry of the Russian Federation and also the technogenic metamorphization of chemical composition of water in the upper reaches of the Zhaiyk River. The article shows the role of transboundary f low of the Zhaiyk River as the main factor in the formation of the regime of toxic substances on the territory of Kazakhstan. The work quantifies the volume of transboundary inflow of these compounds and its seasonal dynamics. © 2025, National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan. All rights reserved.

In Kazakhstan, more than 70 engineering anti-sedimentation protective structures are operated, most of which were put into operation in the period 1974–1985. During the same time, more than 30 mudflows were registered in the basins of mudflows, many of which were accompanied by the removal of a large amount of solid material to the protective structures, and the issues of cleaning mudflows by excavators are annual planned work of the operational divisions of Kazselezashchita. The main type of engineering protection is the construction of capital dams with village storages capable of accommodating from 100 thousand m3 to 15 million m3 of mudflow. The types of structures are different: Dams of settling tanks and sections of stabilized channels within cities and settlements, for safe passage of post-mudflows and nanowater flows. In connection with their long-term operation, the issue of frequency, methods and means of mechanization of cleaning of silos, settling tanks, selesbass paths, and the amount of annual costs for work becomes more and more urgent. However, the issues of operating dams in the conditions of annual nanowater floods, the development of modern technologies and means of mechanization of cleaning silos from coarse clastic soils are very relevant. The value of the work consists in the development of the design and manufacture of a prototype, methods for calculating and selecting the parameters of the bucket of an excavator with a hydraulically controlled jaw for excavation during the development of large-fragment inclusions of mudslides. © 2023, National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan. All rights reserved.