Human pericentromeric tandemly repeated DNA is transcribed at the end of oocyte maturation and is associated with membraneless mitochondria-associated structures.

Most of the human genome is non-coding. However, some of the non-coding part is transcriptionally active. In humans, the tandemly repeated (TR) pericentromeric non-coding DNA-human satellites 2 and 3 (HS2, HS3)-are transcribed in somatic cells. These transcripts are also found in pre- and post-implantation embryos. The aim of this study was to analyze HS2/HS3 transcription and cellular localization of transcripts in human maturating oocytes. The maternal HS2/HS3 TR transcripts transcribed from both strands were accumulated in the ooplasm in GV-MI oocytes as shown by DNA-RNA FISH (fluorescence in-situ hybridization). The transcripts' content was higher in GV oocytes than in somatic cumulus cells according to real-time PCR. Using bioinformatics analysis, we demonstrated the presence of polyadenylated HS2 and HS3 RNAs in datasets of GV and MII oocyte transcriptomes. The transcripts shared a high degree of homology with HS2, HS3 transcripts previously observed in cancer cells. The HS2/HS3 transcripts were revealed by a combination of FISH and immunocytochemical staining within membraneless RNP structures that contained DEAD-box helicases DDX5 and DDX4. The RNP structures were closely associated with mitochondria, and are therefore similar to membraneless bodies described previously only in oogonia. These membraneless structures may be a site for spatial sequestration of RNAs and proteins in both maturating oocytes and cancer cells.

A radiation belt of energetic protons located between Saturn and its rings.

Saturn has a sufficiently strong dipole magnetic field to trap high-energy charged particles and form radiation belts, which have been observed outside its rings. Whether stable radiation belts exist near the planet and inward of the rings was previously unknown. The Cassini spacecraft's Magnetosphere Imaging Instrument obtained measurements of a radiation belt that lies just above Saturn's dense atmosphere and is decoupled from the rest of the magnetosphere by the planet's A- to C-rings. The belt extends across the D-ring and comprises protons produced through cosmic ray albedo neutron decay and multiple charge-exchange reactions. These protons are lost to atmospheric neutrals and D-ring dust. Strong proton depletions that map onto features on the D-ring indicate a highly structured and diverse dust environment near Saturn.

[Reason to split the genus Aurelia. Mesoglein from two populations differ].

The medusa, Aurelia aurita (Scyphozoa, Cnidaria), is considered to be a cosmopolitan species with a worldwide distribution in most seas from the poles to the tropics. Cnidarian is thought to possess two tissue layers: endoderm (gastroderm) and ectoderm, which are separated by huge mesoglea in medusa. The basic morphology of medusa is similar in different populations. Previously we have determined a new protein "mesoglein" as one of the main components of mesoglea. Deduced amino acid sequence of mesoglein contains Zona Pellucida (ZP) domain. In this paper, we have comparied of mesoglein and its gene in medusa from three habitats (White Sea (WsA), Black Sea (BsA), Japonic Sea (JsA)). The set of the mesoglea protein bands after SDS-PAGE is similar in all samples. Nevertheless, JsA mesogleins' M(r) is 53-55 kDa, while WsA and BsA mesogleins have M(r) of 47 kDa. Antibodies raised against WsA mesoglein recognize only mesogleins with M(r) of 47 kDa, but not 53-55 kDa, both on immunoblot and immunocytochemistry. Mesogleal cells and elastic fibrils are stained intensively in the mesoglea both from WsA and BsA but not from JsA. The possibility of gene divergency was checked by PCR with primers specific for WsA mesoglein gene. PCR products of expected length obtained on polyA-cDNA template from mesogleal cells of WsA and BsA medusa but not on cDNA of JsA medusa. Our results evidence that there are two different species in genus Aurelia: Aurelia aurita inhabits White and Black Seas while Aurelia sp. inhabits Japonic Sea. This is consistent with findings of other recept molecular biological studies.

MeV proton flux predictions near Saturn's D ring.

Radiation belts of MeV protons have been observed just outward of Saturn's main rings. During the final stages of the mission, the Cassini spacecraft will pass through the gap between the main rings and the planet. Based on how the known radiation belts of Saturn are formed, it is expected that MeV protons will be present in this gap and also bounce through the tenuous D ring right outside the gap. At least one model has suggested that the intensity of MeV protons near the planet could be much larger than in the known belts. We model this inner radiation belt using a technique developed earlier to understand Saturn's known radiation belts. We find that the inner belt is very different from the outer belts in the sense that its intensity is limited by the densities of the D ring and Saturn's upper atmosphere, not by radial diffusion and satellite absorption. The atmospheric density is relatively well constrained by EUV occultations. Based on that we predict an intensity in the gap region that is well below that of the known belts. It is more difficult to do the same for the region magnetically connected to the D ring since its density is poorly constrained. We find that the intensity in this region can be comparable to the known belts. Such intensities pose no hazard to the mission since Cassini would only experience these fluxes on timescales of minutes but might affect scientific measurements by decreasing the signal-to-contamination ratio of instruments.

[Cytokines as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool in patients with myocarditis].

One of the leading causes of autoimmune myocardial lesion in patients with myocarditis is disbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, leading to the loss of functional tolerance to certain myocardial autoantibodies, and activation of autoreactive T-lymphocytes, which are able of myocardial cytotoxicity. The authors have conducted studies, which have shown that malignant myocarditis is characterized by abrupt increase of TNF-alfa and IFN-alfa basal serum levels, while at the same stage of the disease in patients with benign myocarditis only moderate increase of TNF-alfa level is observed, and IFN-alfa concentration is within normal limits. Abrupt increase of the cytotoxic activity of lymphocytes, activated by IL-2 (LAK-cells), is a feature of malignant myocarditis. In this category of patients the studies have found pronounced disbalance between cytokine serum levels, with abruptly increased levels of both cytokines which activate cytotoxic reactions (TNF-alfa, IFN-alfa, IL-1 alfa, IL-1 beta, IL-12), and cytokines which stimulate humoral immunity (IL-4 and IL-6), and increase of antimyocardial autoantibody concentration. Further research into the role of cytokines in myocarditis pathogenesis would allow grounded cytokinotherapy and application of immunomodulators, activating cytokine production.

[Tumor necrosis factor alpha and interferon alpha in patients with myocarditis.]. / Faktor nekroza opukholi a i interferona-a u bol'nykh miokarditom.

AIM: To elucidate the role of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and interferon alpha (INF alpha) in pathogenesis of infectious-immune myocarditis (M) and myocarditic cardiosclerosis (MCS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with infectious-immune myocarditis (n=27) and myocarditic cardiosclerosis with symptoms of heart failure (n=19). Blood levels of TNF alpha and INF alpha were measured by immune enzyme analysis. RESULTS: Mean levels of INF alpha and TNF alpha in patients with M (75+/-47 and 304+/-102 rg/ml respectively) were significantly higher than in patients with MCS and healthy donors (31+/-14 and 83+/-39; 38+/-18 95+/-58 rg/ml, respectively, p<0.05). Levels of INF alpha and TNF alpha significantly differed between patients with benign and malignant course of M (99+/-46 and 354+/-100; 39+/-10 227+/-42 rg/ml, p<0.05). Phytohemagglutinine induced TNF alpha production by leucocytes in patients with malignant M (1432+/-515 rg/ml) was higher (p<0.05) while in patients with benign M (131+/-54 rg/ml) lower (p<0.01) than in healthy donors (255+/-98 rg/ml). Patients with malignant compared with those with benign course of myocarditis had lower ejection fraction (25.9+/-12.1 and 42.5+/-11,2%, respectively, p<0.003) and higher inhospital mortality (16.6 and 0%, respectively). CONCLUSION: It is most probable that factors of regulation of INF alpha and TNF alpha production occupy an import place among mechanisms of malignant transformation of myocarditis.

[Rare serotypes of salmonella circulating in Kazakhstan]. / Redkie serotipy salmonell, tsirkuliruiushchie v Kazakhstane.

The serotypic picture of rare-type salmonellas, isolated in the South region of Kazakhstan, was studied. The circulation of 31 serotypes of 17 groups was established. The circulation of serotypes 0:13, 0:38, 0:44 serogroups, was found among people (patients and bacterium-carriers). Serotypes 0:28, 0:42, 0:62, 0:66 serogroups, were isolated only from the environment. The combined circulation (patients, bacterium-carriers, environment) was registered for seroviruses 0:14, 0:35 and serogroups 0:58. The obtained data suggested that separate rare salmonella types area tied to ecology.

[Biocenotic activity of salmonellae of rare groups]. / Kharakter biotsenoticheskoi aktivnosti sal'monell redkikh grupp.

The symbiotic activity of 69 Salmonella cultures of rare groups, belonging to the strains of different origin, with respect to pathogenic and nonpathogenic bacteria, bacilli, Staphylococcus aureus was studied. The study revealed that salmonellae of rare groups were capable of synergetic activity with respect to all test cultures used in this study. The spectrum and manifestation of this property were found to depend on the origin of the strains. The direction of the synergetic activity of salmonellae of rare groups, isolated from the environment, made it possible to suggest the importance of this sign for their survival under unfavorable environmental conditions. Close relationship between the synergetic activity of microorganisms and the clinical course of infection gave grounds for the conclusion on the pathogenic importance of this property and the necessity of its study in the evaluation of the pathogenic potential of microorganisms.

[Problems of the taxonomy and nomenclature of bacteria of the genus Salmonella]. / Voprosy taksonomii i nomenklatury bakterii roda Salmonella.

The main stages of the development of the nomenclature and classification of salmonellae are analyzed. Modern problems and different points of view of microbiologists on the methods of their solution are presented in detail. The acceptability of some projects is discussed.

[Risk factors and transmission routes of the causative agents of campylobacteriosis in commercial poultry plants]. / Faktory riska i puti peredachi vozbuditelei kampilobakterioza na promyshlennykh ptitsekompleksakh.

The study, carried out in two regions of the USSR and aimed at estimation of the contamination of products supplied by industrial poultry complexes (IPC), revealed that the contamination of these products was closely related to the Campylobacter contamination of the personnel of IPC. The causes of high Campylobacter contamination of the products of IPC at all technological stages of their production are described. The species, serovars and biovars of Campylobacter strains isolated from different sources were determined, which made it possible to carry out the specific and intraspecific differentiation of these strains.

Salmonella carrier state and biological characteristics of the infectious agent.

Salmonella carrier state (42.6%-S. enteritidis and 34.4%-S. dublin) was demonstrated in subjects after acute salmonellosis as well as in healthy persons infected with salmonella as a result of occupational exposure to poultry (8.8% in humans exposed to chickens and 6.1% in those exposed to ducks) and sheep (2.8%). The carrier state was accompanied by intermittent pain in the epigastrium, diminished appetite, diarrhoea etc. Most of the carrier subjects with a history of salmonellosis exhibited, upon rectoromanoscopy, a varying degree of proctosigmoiditsi. The etiological role of S. typhimurium was proved beyond doubt, as well as its ability to cause salmonellosis outbursts, sporadic cases of the disease and the carrier state. When large industrial facilities specializing in poultry processing were investigated, the salmonella carrier state was revealed in practically healthy poultry--in 16% of chickens and 12% of ducks. The salmonella organisms isolated from carrier persons had, with some exceptions, typical properties, being virulent in that they caused death of experimental animals, seeded their internal organs and induced pathogenicity-associated enzymes. Multiple resistance to antibiotics was demonstrated in salmonella isolated from poultry; also determined was its plasmid nature. Pronounced resistance of the above salmonella subtypes to tetracycline-related antibiotics and streptomycin may be due to the fact that these drugs are used in poultry raising.

Changes in lactate and malate dehydrogenase isoenzymes in salmonella under the effect of potassium dichloroisocyanurate.

The method of enzyme-electrophoresis in agar gel according to Wieme (1959) was used for the study of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) isoenzymes of 24-hour and 48-hour Salmonella cultures exposed to a 0.02% solution of potassium dichloroisocyanurate (PDIC). Severe repression of LDH and MDH isoenzymes was observed immediately after the exposure of the culture to the disinfectant solution. A significant decrease in the content of the isoenzyme LDH1 and of the cytoplasmic fraction (C1) of MDH simultaneously with the appearance of the fractions LDH4, LDH1a and LDH1b were established in the strains cultured on MPA in the course of 24 hours following the exposure. A tendency to a decrease in the LDH1 content was preserved in the experimental cultures after 48 hours, but the spectrum of MDH isoenzymes showed almost no differences in comparison with that of MDH isoenzymes in 48-hour cultures of the control strains.