Genome Analysis of the Probiotic Strain Enterococcus faecium Ef79OSAU.

We report here the draft genome sequence of Enterococcus faecium strain Ef79OSAU, which was isolated from swine feces. The characteristics of strain Ef79OSAU reveal the absence of pathogenicity factors, a wide range of antimicrobial activity in vitro, and antilisteriosis activity in vivo. Analysis of the E. faecium Ef79OSAU genome revealed a cluster of genes encoding enterocin A without genetic determinants of pathogenicity.

Regulation of the radionuclide content in commodities produced in areas affected by the Chornobyl accident. / Reguljuvannja vmistu radionuklidiv u tovarah, vyroblenyh na terytorijah, shho postrazhdaly vnaslidok avarii' na ChAES.

This paper discusses the approaches to regulation of the content of radionuclides in commodities and compares the international and Ukrainian standards, which establish permissible levels of the content of radionuclides in food-stuffs produced in the Chornobyl-affected areas. The paper gives the actual monitoring data and discusses the main causes of differences between Ukrainian, European and international standards. The need for improvement of current approaches to the regulation of the content of radionuclides in commodities is highlighted.

[Medical and psychological prediction of professional readiness of graduates of military school].

The authors propose a method for assessing the professional readiness of graduates of military educational institution, taking into account academic performance, the results of sociometric surveys, data on the professional fitness and health. The high efficiency of the developed method for predicting successful adaptation of graduates to serve in the armed forces is showed.

Comment on "Equivalence of two approaches for quantum-classical hybrid systems" [J. Chem. Phys. 128, 204104 (2008)].

We discuss the links between consistent and approximate descriptions of the quantum-classical systems, i.e., systems composed of two interacting subsystems, one of which behaves almost classically while the other requires a quantum description.

[Gene pool of pig breeds in southern region of Ukraine as determined from immunogenetic parameters]. / Genofond porod svinei iuzhnogo regiona Ukrainy po immunogeneticheskim pokazateliam.

On the basis of the long-term observations of 22 334 pedigree animals, the level of genetic polymorphism and basic breed-specific immunogenetic parameters were determined in eight major pig breeds from southern Ukraine. The high level of gene diversity was revealed and the degree of genetic similarity between the studied breeds was estimated.

[Immunogenetic structure of the Ukrainian White Steppe species pig herd by frequency of complex genotypes in connection with some parameters of productivity]. / Immunogeneticheskaia struktura stada svinei ukrainskoi stepnoi beloi porody po chastote kompleksnykh genotipov v sviazi s nekotorymi parametrami produktivnosti.

Studying of the structural organization of the gene pool considering frequencies of occurrence of complex genotypes in animals simultaneously by many loci of blood groups allows to better characterize immunogenetic parameters of populations and peculiarities of selection acting upon animals of different genetic classes. The data on presence of the optimum level of gene diversity and peculiarities of selection acting upon polymorphic systems of blood groups in the pig herd of Ukrainian Steppe White breed have been obtained. The results can be used for increasing efficiency of breeding.

[Structural organization of the gene pool of the Ukrainian steppe white pig breed from immunogenetic markers]. / Strukturnaia organizatsiia genofonda ukrainskoi stepnoi beloi porody svinei po immunogeneticheskim markeram.

The study of structural organization of gene pool was conducted for eight blood-group genetic systems (transferrin, haptoglobin, and amilase) in three stock herds of pigs of the Ukrainskaya Stepnaya Belaya breed that were bred under the conditions of southern Ukraine. Typical gene combinations (complex genotypes) of this breed were detected, and the main breed-specific parameters of distribution of genetic markers were described.

[Comparative study of the role of cytokines in various eye diseases. 2. Diabetic retinopathy]. / Sravnitel'noe issledovanie roli tsitokinov pri raznykh formakh glaznykh zabolevanii.Soobshchenie 2. Diabeticheskaia retinopatiia.

The role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy and mechanism of action of laser coagulation of the retina were investigated. A total of 110 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus without clinical signs of diabetic retinopathy and at various stages of its development (subclinical, manifest preproliferative, and proliferative) were observed. Twenty-four of them were subjected to laser coagulation of the retina and/or vitrectomy. Control group consisted of 30 healthy donors. Ten cytokines (alpha-IFN, gamma-IFN, GM-CSF, TGF-beta 1, Il-1, Il-4, Il-6, Il-6sR, TNF alpha) were measured in the serum, lacrimal fluid, and vitreous and subretinal fluid collected during operations. The data indicate that excessive or insufficient local and/or systemic production of at least seven cytokines (TNF alpha, gamma-IFN, Il-6, Il-pR, alpha-IFN, Il-8, and RGF-beta 1) can affect the retinal involvement in the pathological process and development of proliferative retinopathy in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The authors defined the criteria which can be used in clinical practice for predicting the manifestation of diabetic retinopathy, progress of the pathological process with formation of proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and the results of treatment by laser coagulation of the retina. The authors consider early immunorehabilitations of diabetics with the aim of preventing the development and progress of diabetic retinopathy a promising approach to treatment.

[Comparative study of the role of cytokines in different forms of eye diseases. 1. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha]. / Sravnitel'noe issledovanie roli tsitokinov pri raznykh formakh glaznykh zabolevanii. Soobshchenie 1. Faktor nekroza opukholi al'fa.

Local and total-systems production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) is studied in 214 patients with different clinical forms of inflammatory and other than inflammatory diseases of the eyes. Healthy donors were controls. A total of 265 blood sera, 335 lacrimal fluid samples, and 9 specimens of subretinal fluid were examined. The pathogenetic role of TNF was most persuasively confirmed for corneoscleral injuries, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and total detachment of the retina. Local and systemic cytokine hyperproduction observed in these patients was associated with a grave course and unfavorable outcomes. One more manifestation of immunopathology was pronounced imbalance between the cytokine content in the lacrimal fluid and serum, which was observed in patients with active bilateral uveitis, extensive detachments of the retina, and complicated cataracts. The unfavorable impact of TNF deficiency during the development of a pathological process in the eye (early stages of diabetic retinopathy, burns, and contusions of the eye) is discussed. Clinical and immunological data validate the efficacy of TNF test for predicting the course of an eye disease, monitoring its treatment, and assessing the desirability of immunocorrection.

[One-stage reconstruction of the breast after mastectomy with skin preservation]. / Odnomomentnaia rekonstruktsiia molochnoi zhelezy posle mastéktomii s sokhraneniem kozhi.

Our experience points to the advantages of preserving a cutaneous flap remaining after mastectomy followed by one-stage reconstruction using a recto-abdominal flap of silicone expanders and endoprostheses. The procedures used provided for removal of the halo-papillary complex, skin scarred by biopsy, the entire mammary gland tissue with the subaxillary, subclavicular and subscapular lymph nodes. The epithelium was removed from the recto-abdominal flap which was placed into a cutaneous pouch after mastectomy. A small round piece of the flap skin replaced the defect caused by halo removal. As a result, both breasts were practically symmetrical and identical in volume. When silicone implants are used, the skin pouch is filled with an expander installed under musculus pectoralis major. Since October, 1995, 26 such operations have been carried out.

[Interleukin-6 in patients with uveal melanoma]. / Interleukin-6 u bol'nykh s uveal'noí melanomoí.

Studies of the blood serum and tears of patients with uveal melanoma revealed local (14.3%) and total-systems (11.1%) production of interleukin-6 (IL-6). Surgery stimulates IL-6 production in the serum (22.2%) and more so in tears (57.1%). The rate of IL-6 detection in the serum and the iridociliary localization of the tumor correlated with tumor development from stage T3 to stage T4. However, we failed to find out precisely the role of this cytokine.

Radiation-induced chromosome damage in astronauts' lymphocytes.

The increased number of manned space missions has made it important to estimate the biological risks encountered by astronauts. As they are exposed to cosmic rays, especially ions with high linear energy transfer (LET), it is necessary to estimate the doses they receive. The most sensitive biological dosimetry used is based on the quantification of radiation-induced chromosome damage to human lymphocytes. After the space missions ANTARES (1992) and ALTAIR (1993), we performed cytogenetic analysis of blood samples from seven astronauts who had spent from 2 weeks to 6 months in space. After 2 or 3 weeks, the X-ray equivalent dose was found to be below the cytogenetic detection level of 20 mGy. After 6 months, the biological dose greatly varied among the astronauts, from 95 to 455 mGy equivalent dose. These doses are in the same range as those estimated by physical dosimetry (90 mGy absorbed dose and 180 mSv equivalent dose). Some blood cells exhibited the same cytogenetic pattern as the 'rogue cells' occasionally observed in controls, but with a higher frequency. We suggest that rogue cells might result from irradiation with high-LET particles of cosmic origin. However, the responsibility of such cells for the long-term effects of cosmic irradiation remains unknown and must be investigated.

[Chromosome aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes of cosmonauts after long-term space flight]. / Khromosomnye narusheniia v limfotsitakh perifericheskoi krovi kosmonavtov posle dlitel'nogo kosmicheskogo poleta.

The incidence and the types of chromosome aberrations in lymphocytes of the peripheral blood in culture in vivo were studied in a cosmonaut following 14-day space flight (SF) and in three cosmonauts on completion of 177- and 194-day SF. After prolonged SF each cosmonaut displayed an increase in the number of aberrant cells and the incidence of chromosome damages. The rise in the number of aberrant cells was 2-3-fold comparing with the preflight level and 3-8-fold comparing with the number of aberrant mitoses in young subjects. Emergence of dicentric and centric rings was characteristic for two cosmonauts and their increased number in a third cosmonaut. These defects in the chromosome apparatus in cells are similar to the damages in chromosomes resulting from the exposure of lymphocyte culture in vitro to accelerated charged particles and are assumed to predominantly originate in the exposure to GCR heavy nuclei.

Effects of sublethal irradiation with helium ions (300 MeV/nucleon) on basic hematological parameters of mice.

The aim of the experiment was to obtain new knowledge on the biological effectiveness of high-energy (300 MeV/nucleon) helium ions, which represent a part of the spectrum of cosmic rays. Male (CBA x C57BL)F1 mice, 4 months old, were exposed to a dose of 4 Gy helium ions (exposure rate 0.05 Gy/min). As a comparative standard irradiation the same dose of 4 Gy of 137Cs gamma-rays (exposure rate 0.07 Gy/min) was used. Material sampling was performed 6-8 h, 4 days and 9 days after irradiation for both experimental groups mentioned above. There were 7 animals in each group including the control group of non-irradiated mice. Eight basic hematological parameters of peripheral blood, bone marrow, spleen and thymus were studied. On day 4 after the irradiation with helium ions, the values of leukocyte counts in peripheral blood, bone marrow cellularity and spleen cellularity were reduced to about 10% of the respective control values while the decline after irradiation with gamma-rays amounted to about 50%. These and other results presented reflect a high relative biological effectiveness of 300 MeV/nucleon helium ions.

[The comparative characteristics of the reproductive capacities of swine in 3 breeds of different immunogenetic classes]. / Sravnitel'naia kharakteristika vosproizvoditel'nykh sposobnostei svinei trekh porod raznykh immunogeneticheskikh klassov.

The comparative characterization of the level of development of some reproductive qualities of sows of three breeds from five breeding herds of the southern regions of Ukraine was performed in relation to peculiarities of genotypes with respect to some genetic systems of blood groups and serum proteins. Its results favor the complex approach for predicting animal productivity on the basis of data of immunogenetic analysis.

[Effect of carbacholine and serotonin on the ATPase activity in synaptosomes of the projection and association areas of the feline cerebral cortex]. / Vliianie karbakholina i serotonina na ATP-aznuiu aktivnost' sinaptosom proektsionnoi i assotsiativnoi zon kory golovnogo mozga koshki.

Na, K-ATPase and Mg-ATPase activities were measured in the synaptosomes of the temporal auditory projection area and the frontal association area. Moreover, the effects of carbacholine and serotonin on those activities were investigated. Na, K-ATPase activity in the synaptosomes of the association area was shown to be reliably higher that in the synaptosomes of the projection area (11.02 +/- 0.45 vs 8.40 +/- 0.55 microM Pi/mg of protein hr; P less than 0.05). Mg-ATPase activity was higher in the second case as compared to the first one (11.40 +/- 0.38 vs 9.04 +/- 0.35; p less than 0.05). Carbacholine and serotonin (10(-8)-10(-3) M) were found to induce equal inhibition of Na, K-ATPase activity in the synaptosomes of both cortices (1 max = 25-30%, 1C50 = 0.2-0.3 microM) which is blocked respectively with atropine (10(-6) M) and methysergide (10(-6) M) and enhanced in presence of GTP (5.10(-5) M). The enzyme activity is also inhibited by the non-hydrolysable guanine nucleotide, GTP gamma S (10(-8)-10(-4) M), in the absence of the antagonists (1 max = 35-40%, 1 C50 = 0.02 microM). In the methysergide-containing medium serotonin exerts a dose-dependent stimulatory effect on Na, K-ATPase which is more pronounced in the synaptosomes of the association area (A max = 25%, A C50 = 0.05 microM). Mg-ATPase activity of membrane preparations is liable to be stimulated by both serotonin and carbacholine, stimulation being more pronounced in the synaptosomes of the association cortex as well (A max = 35%, A C50 = 0.2-0.3 microM). This effect is insensitive either to the antagonists of the corresponding receptors or to GTP. GTP gamma S does not cause alterations in the enzymatic activity. Na, K-ATPase is suggested to be coupled to muscarine and serotonin receptors in the synaptic membranes of both projection and association cortical areas via a GTP-binding protein. At the same time, the agonists of receptors mentioned above are presumably also capable to effect Mg-ATPase activity by the receptor-independent way.

[Reconstructive treatment of patients after radical surgery of gastric cancer]. / Vosstanovitel'noe lechenie bol'nykh, radikal'no operirovannykh po povodu raka zheludka.

Reconstructive treatment was given to patients radically operated on for gastric cancer in the USSR (147) and Korean People's Democratic Republic (8). At the All-Union Center for Oncology Research of the USSR Academy of Medical Sciences, complex reconstructive treatment for postresection disorders included substitution and correction whereas at the Research Institute of Oncology of Pyongyang, traditional Korean herb decoctions were administered. In patients radically operated on for gastric cancer, postresection disorders were ameliorated or subsided altogether after treatment.

[A complex of conservative rehabilitation measures in postmastectomy edema]. / Kompleks konservativnykh vosstanovitel'nykh meropriiatii pri postmastéktomicheskom oteke.

An effective complex of rehabilitative procedures was developed on the basis of the data on 440 tumor-free patients suffering postmastectomy edema as a result of radical treatment for primary breast cancer. The complex included pneumatic compression for edema of the arm, low-frequency electric and magnetic therapy, massage, calisthenics and drug treatment.