[Molecular genetic aspects of endothelial dysfunction in individuals exposed to mercury].

The article deals with frequency data on polymorphism of candidate genes participating in endothelial dysfunction (EDN1 Lys198Asn, NOS3 T786C, AGT Thrl74Met and AGT Met23SThr) in totality with concentrations of their active substances in individuals exposed to mercury. Findings are changes in levels of nitrogen oxide, endothelin-1, angiotensin II metabolites in examinees including those without cardiovascular diseases. The genetic conditionality is connected with unfavorable genotypes of polymorphic variants - Met235Thr of AGT gene and Lys198Asn of EDNI gene. Changes in levels of biochemical markers of endothelial dysfunction in individuals exposed to mercury indicate serious endothelial function disorders and are not genetically determined processes.

THE IMPACT OF ULTRAVIOLET IRRADIATION ON MORPHO-FUNCTIONAL STATE OF SKIN IN GUINEA PIGS.

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of ultraviolet irradiation (UV) on morphological and functional condition of the skin in guinea pigs. The study involved 30 albino guinea pigs weighing 400-500 g subjected to local exposure to UV irradiation. Control group consisted of intact guinea pigs. Histological studies of the skin were carried out at different stages of the trial (2 hours, 4 hours, 3 days, 8 days following the exposure). Microscopic examination showed morphological signs of acute inflammation in the skin of animals within the first three days following the exposure to UV irradiation. Within 2 hours following the exposure to UV irradiation these changes were minimal with signs of mild exudative changes. In 4 hours after the exposure histological changes increased. The specimens were also found to contain altered apoptotic keratinocytes (sunburn cells). Histopathological changes persisted and reached maximum severity by the 3rd day. Within post-erythema period (the 8th day) proliferative, hyperplastic, degenerative and dystrophic changes in the skin persisted. The prolonged nature of the changes in the skin is suggestive of the development of chronic inflammation in the skin of guinea pigs subjected to local exposure to UV irradiation.

[MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES OF THE LIVER IN OBTURATION JAUNDICE, CAUSED BY CHOLEDOCHOLITHIASIS, DEPENDING ON ITS DURATION].

Abstract The results of surgical treatment of 184 patients for obturation jaundice, caused by choledocholithiasis, were analyzed. Morphological changes of the liver were studied in 20 patients. There were three groups of patients delineated, depending on the obturation jaundice duration: up to 7 days, from 8 to 14 days, more than 15 days, and also a group of patients after the bile outflow restoration. The obturation jaundice occurrence in choledocholithiasis is accompanied by significant morphological changes in the liver, severity of which is enhancing while the obturation jaundice persistence increasing. While persistence of obturation jaundice through 8 days and more the connective tissue volume is enhancing, a relative volume of hepatocytes is reducing and a stromal-parenchymatous index is increasing. The bile outflow restoration secures significant reduction of intensity of alterative and inflammatory changes in hepatic parenchyma, as well as activation of reparative processes in the tissue. In cholangitis, caused by P. aeruginosa and E. coli, according to morphological investigations data, in the liver a diffuse purulent cholangitis on background of chronic changes in accordance to duration of the obturation jaundice persists.

[Registration of the protein in the serum with a field-effect nanotransistor biosensor].

A method for detection of cancer-associated protein D-NFATc1 in serum using nanowire (NW) biosensor based on field-effect nanotransistor is developed. Field-effect nanotransistor was fabricated on the basis of «silicon-on-insulator¼ structures. For the biospecific detection of target protein, the NW surface was modified with aptamers against the target protein. Using the 3 um-NW enabled to obtain stable source-drain characteristics and to register D-NFATc1 in serum at concentration of 2.5 x 1014 M in the mode of drain-source current vs. gate voltage characteristics measurements. Data collection in the mode of drain-source current vs. gate voltage characteristics measurements was carried out with the use of high-speed data collection system running TURBO NBS software.

[Clinical, biochemical and allergological indices characterizing occupational diseases of the bronchial and pulmonary system in employees at aluminium production].

There are many harmful factors that possess a damaging impact on the body of employees at aluminum production. It leads to the development of bronchial asthma (BA), chronic nonobstructive bronchitis (CNB) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The pathogenesis of these disorders, as well as sensitizing effect offluorine in the aluminum production is not fully understood. The purpose of this work was to study the characteristics of laboratory indices in patients with occupational diseases of the respiratory system. In workers of aluminum production with the diagnosis of occupational diseases of respiratory system (15 patients with a diagnosis of asthma, 30 CNB cases, 20 COPD patients) we evaluated the content of total protein, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), total calcium, phosphorus, ceruloplasmin, hematological indices and performed emigration of leukocytes braking test (TTEEL). Clinical and biochemical profile ofpersons with occupational asthma was characterized by a low level of total calcium and ceruloplasmin, a high concentration of phosphorus in the blood serum and inhibition of leukocyte emigration in the test with sodium fluoride. For aluminum production CNB workers characteristic active proatherogenic process was pronounced by a decrease in the HDLC level and an increase in atherogenic index; higher hematocrit value and concentration of erythrocytes, and more than 50% of cases of sensitization to the presence of sodium fluoride. COPD cases had occupational lower average concentration of hemoglobin in the erythrocyte, total protein in serum, as well as polymorphic variant response to sodium fluoride in the form of a depression and activation of leucocytes emigration.

IMPACT OF PREPARATIONS OF FETOPLACENTAL ORIGIN ON THE WOUNDS HEALING.

Possibilities of application of preparations, containing biologically active substances (BAS) of fetoplacental origin, in systemic therapy of the wounds, were analyzed. Comparison of morphological characteristics of the cold wounds while application of placental extract (PE) and cryopreserved serum of the cord blood (CPSCB) was done. The pronounced stimulating impact on the wounds healing due to improvement of microcirculation in tissues, bordering upon the cryodestruction zone, the local immune processes stimulation, аctivation of the granulation tissue and epithelial wound defect formation were noted. Therapeutic effect of CPSCB is more significant than that of PE. The data obtained serve as a background for the BAS of fetoplacental origin application in complex treatment of the wounds.

[SOI-nanowire biosensor for the detection of D-NFAT 1 protein].

The nanowire (NW) detection is one of fast-acting and high-sensitive methods allowing to reveal potentially relevant protein molecules. A NW biosensor based on the silicon-on-insulator (SOI)-structures was used for biospecific label-free detection of NFAT 1 (D-NFAT 1) oncomarker in real time. For this purpose, SOI-nanowires (NWs) were modified with aptamers against NFAT 1 used as molecular probes. It was shown that using this biosensor it is possible to reach the sensitivity of ~10(-15) M. This sensitivity was comparable with that of the NW biosensor with immobilized antibodies used as macromolecular probes. The results demonstrate promising approaches used to form the sensor elements for high-sensitive disease diagnostics.

[Mitochondrial DNA variability in populations and ethnic groups of Tatars of the Tobol-Irtysh basin].

The data on mitochondrial DNA diversity in seven local populations (villages) and four territorial groups of Tatars of the Tobol-Irtysh basin are presented. In the Turkic-speaking populations from the Tobol and Irtysh river basins, high levels of intergroup and interpopulation mtDNA variation were observed. It was demonstrated that genetic diversity of the territorial groups of Tatars of the Tobol-Irtysh basin resulted from various interethnic relationships and different ethnic components integrated into these groups.

[Mitochondrial DNA diversity in Kazym Khanty].

New data on mitochondrial DNA polymorphism in the representatives of Kazym territorial group of Northern Khanty are presented. MtDNA diversity observed in Kazym Khanty was compared with that in Khanty from Shuryshkarskii raion of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug.

[Mitochondrial DNA diversity in Siberian Tatars of the Tobol-Irtysh basin].

Data on the variation of the nucleotide sequence of hypervariable segment I (HVSI) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the coding region of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been used to characterize the mitochondrial gene pool of Siberian Tatars of the Tobol-Irtysh basin (N = 218), one of three geographic/linguistic groups of Siberian Tatars. The gene pool of Siberian Tatars has been shown to contain both Asian and European mtDNA lineages at a ratio of 1 : 1.5. The mtDNA diversity of Siberian Tatars is substantially higher than that of other Turkic-speaking populations of North and Central Asia. The position of the mitochondrial gene pool of Tatars of the Tobol-Irtysh basin in the genetic space of northern Eurasia populations has been determined.

Molecular-beam epitaxy-grown Si whisker structures: morphological, optical and electrical properties.

Scanning electron microscopy, spectroscopic ellipsometry, and current-voltage and current-temperature measurements were employed to characterize nanowhisker structures grown by molecular-beam epitaxy on Si(111) substrates. Small clusters of gold deposited on the Si surface were used as the seeds for nanowhisker growth. The diameter of grown nanowhiskers and their length ranged from 70 to 200 nm and from 580 to 890 nm, respectively. The whiskers were found to inherit the (111) orientation of the Si substrate. By means of spectroscopic ellipsometry in the range 1.5-4.77 eV, lateral optical inhomogeneity of the nanowhisker layer was revealed, with optical properties of the layer substantially differing from those of single-crystal Si. Electrical measurements point to the presence of a Schottky barrier with height 0.70 eV in the structure and to the presence of electrically active centers non-uniformly distributed over the nanowhisker length.

[Mitochondrial DNA polymorphism in Russian population form five oblasts of the European part of Russia].

New data on mitochondrial DNA polymorphism among Russian population from five oblasts, located within the main ethnic area of Russians, specifically, Ryazan' oblast, Ivanovo oblast, Vologda oblast, Orel oblast, and Tambov oblast (N = 177) are presented. RFLP analysis of the mtDNA coding region showed that most of the mtDNA diversity in the populations examined could be described by main European haplogroups H, U, T, J, K, I, V, W, and X. Haplogroup frequency distribution patterns in the populations of interest were analyzed in comparison with the European and Uralic populations. Based on the haplogroup frequencies, the indices of intraethnic population diversity, Wright's F(st) statistics, and the values of squared deviation from the mean, as well as genetic distances between Russians and European and Uralic populations were estimated. Analysis of these indices along with the anthropological data provided identification of a number of regional groups within the populations examined, which could either result from the interaction of ancient Slavs with different non-Slavic tribes, or could be caused by the ethnic heterogeneity of the ancient Slavs themselves.

Genetic evidence concerning the origins of South and North Ossetians.

Ossetians are a unique group in the Caucasus, in that they are the only ethnic group found on both the north and south slopes of the Caucasus, and moreover they speak an Indo-European language in contrast to their Caucasian-speaking neighbours. We analyzed mtDNA HV1 sequences, Y chromosome binary genetic markers, and Y chromosome short tandem repeat (Y-STR) variability in three North Ossetian groups and compared these data to published data for two additional North Ossetian groups and for South Ossetians. The mtDNA data suggest a common origin for North and South Ossetians, whereas the Y-haplogroup data indicate that North Ossetians are more similar to other North Caucasian groups, and South Ossetians are more similar to other South Caucasian groups, than to each other. Also, with respect to mtDNA, Ossetians are significantly more similar to Iranian groups than to Caucasian groups. We suggest that a common origin of Ossetians from Iran, followed by subsequent male-mediated migrations from their Caucasian neighbours, is the most likely explanation for these results. Thus, genetic studies of such complex and multiple migrations as the Ossetians can provide additional insights into the circumstances surrounding such migrations.

Mitochondrial DNA and Y-chromosome variation in the caucasus.

We have analyzed mtDNA HVI sequences and Y chromosome haplogroups based on 11 binary markers in 371 individuals, from 11 populations in the Caucasus and the neighbouring countries of Turkey and Iran. Y chromosome haplogroup diversity in the Caucasus was almost as high as in Central Asia and the Near East, and significantly higher than in Europe. More than 27% of the variance in Y-haplogroups can be attributed to differences between populations, whereas mtDNA showed much lower heterogeneity between populations (less then 5%), suggesting a strong influence of patrilocal social structure. Several groups from the highland region of the Caucasus exhibited low diversity and high differentiation for either or both genetic systems, reflecting enhanced genetic drift in these small, isolated populations. Overall, the Caucasus groups showed greater similarity with West Asian than with European groups for both genetic systems, although this similarity was much more pronounced for the Y chromosome than for mtDNA, suggesting that male-mediated migrations from West Asia have influenced the genetic structure of Caucasus populations.

[Radioprotective properties of carnosine]. / Protivoluchevye éffekty karnozina.

In experiments with rats and mice there was shown the ability of carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) to depress accumulation of lipoperoxidative products in blood serum and to increase the yield of spleen endocolonies in irradiated animals. There were investigated duration of the protective action and compared effects of single and prolonged administration of carnosine. Carnozine restores the postradiative decrease in the cytochrome P-450 content in rat liver microsomes. Besides, the ability of carnosine to prevent the postradiative decline in the activity of UDP-glucoronyltransferase. Some possible mechanisms of its radioprotective action are discussed.

Siberian population of the New Stone Age: mtDNA haplotype diversity in the ancient population from the Ust'-Ida I burial ground, dated 4020-3210 BC by 14C.

On the basis of analysis of mtDNA from skeletal remains, dated by 14C 4020-3210 BC, from the Ust'-Ida I Neolithic burial ground in Cis-Baikal area of Siberia, we obtained genetic characteristics of the ancient Mongoloid population. Using the 7 restriction enzymes for the analysis of site's polymorphism in 16,106-16,545 region of mtDNA, we studied the structure of the most frequent DNA haplotypes, and estimated the intrapopulational nucleotide diversity of the Neolithic population. Comparison of the Neolithic and modern indigeneous populations from Siberia, Mongolia and Ural showed, that the ancient Siberian population is one of the ancestors of the modern population of Siberia. From genetic distance, in the assumption of constant nucleotide substitution rate, we estimated the divergence time between the Neolithic and the modern Siberian population. This divergence time (5572 years ago) is conformed to the age of skeletal remains (5542-5652 years). With use of the 14C dates of the skeletal remains, nucleotide substitution rate in mtDNA was estimated as 1% sequence divergence for 8938-9115 years.

[The pathomorphology of the kidneys in the fetuses of mothers suffering from late gestosis, type-1 diabetes mellitus and chronic glomerulonephritis]. / Patomorfologiia pochek plodov ot materei, stradaiushchikh pozdnim gestozom, sakharnym diabetom I tipa i khronicheskim glomerulonefritom.

Fetal kidneys from mothers with late gestosis, diabetes mellitus-1 and chronic glomerulonephritis were studied. There were features of the maturation slowing down and some disturbances in differentiation of rental tissue were revealed. Local degenerative, membranous, proliferative and fibroplastic changes with formation of immune complexes including IgM and C3-complement in late gestosis, IgA, G, C3-complement fractions IgG, M, C3-complement fraction and traces of membranous and proliferative alteration were observed in chronic glomerulonephritis, they were less frequent in diabetes mellitus in mothers, and not so often in late gestosis. Activation of collagen production of types I, III, IV and V was most commonly observed in diabetes mellitus, in chronic glomerulonephritis and late gestosis, it being more rare.

[Molecular genetic characteristics of the neolithic population of the Baikal region: RFLP analysis of the ancient mitochondrial DNA from osseous remains found in the Ust-Ida I burial ground]. / Molekuliarno-geneticheskaia kharakteristika neoliticheskoi populiatsii Pribaikal'ia. Analiz PDRF drevnei mtDNK iz ostankov v Mogil'nike ust'-Ida I.

Nineteen mtDNA samples from osseous remains found in the Ust-Ida I burial ground (middle Angara River) were analyzed. An ancient population dated back to 4020-3210 B.C. by radiocarbon (14C) analysis and archeologically assigned to the Neolithic Isakovo culture of the Baikal region was described in terms of molecular genetics. Data on restriction-site polymorphisms in fragment 16,106-16,545 of the mtDNA D-loop were obtained for seven restriction endonucleases. On the basis of these data, the mitotypic structure and nucleotide diversity of the ancient population were determined. The molecular genetic characteristics of the Neolithic population were compared to the modern populations of Siberia, Mongolia, and Urals. The data obtained indicate that the studied Baikal Neolithic population was ancestral for the modern indigenous Siberian population. The time of divergence of the three regional populations (5572 years ago) was estimated from the genetic distances between the Neolithic and modern Siberian populations, assuming that the average rate of nucleotide substitution was constant. This estimation agrees with the results of the radiocarbon dating (5542-5652 years ago). The fact that the studied samples were 14C-dated allowed the rate of nucleotide substitution in the studied region of mtDNA D-loop to be directly determined.

[A computer-assisted approach to the study of nucleic acid polymorphism]. / Komp'iuternyi podkhod k izucheniiu polimorfizma nukleinovykh kislot.

A computer software package has been created that assists studying restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The software simulates and analyzes the results of amplification by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by restriction of amplification products, as well as the results of nucleic acid electrophoresis.

[Gene pool of residents of northeastern Eurasia in light of data on polymorphism of mitochondrial DNA. I. New data on polymorphism of restriction sites of the D-loop of mtDNA in aboriginal populations of the Caucasus and Siberia]. / Genofond naseleniia severo-vostochnoi evrazii v svete dannykh o polimorfizm mitokhondrial'nom DNA. I. Novye dannye o polimorfizme saitov restriktsii D-petli mtDNK v korennom naselenii Kavkaza i Sibiri.

New data about eleven polymorphic sites of restriction in the D-loop of mtDNA revealed with the Ava II, BamH I, EcoR V, Hae III, Kpn I, Rsa I, and Sau3A I restriction enzymes in native populations of the Caucasus (N = 40) and Siberia (N = 44) are presented. A comparison of these groups with each other and with common data for western and eastern Europe as well as for central and eastern Asia reveals a large similarity of all the population groups of Eurasia in respect to the frequency of each polymorphic site separately. The interpopulation differentiation of frequency of polymorphic restriction sites in Eurasia is low and identical at such different hierarchical levels of population structure as ethnic group and extended regional population group. An analysis of differences between sites in the frequency of the presence of restriction sites for BamH I, EcoR V, Hae III, and Sau3A I and the absence of sites for Ava II, Kpn I, and Rsa I at definite loci of the nucleotide chain allowed determination of the region of equilibrium between direct, site-generating, and reverse mutations to be 0.43q. Among eleven polymorphic restriction sites analyzed here, only polymorphism in the Hae III site at the position 16,517 in the population of Eurasia was characterized with frequencies close to equilibrium that determined the extremely large evolutionary age of this polymorphism.