Investigation of Structural Peculiarities of Smooth Muscle Titin Aggregates, Formed under Different In Vitro Conditions, by Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy.

Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were used to investigate structural peculiarities of two types of amyloid aggregates of smooth muscle titin, which differed in their morphology and ability to disaggregate, and differently bound thioflavin T dye. SAXS showed that the structure/shape of the two titin aggregate types was close to a flat shape. FTIR spectroscopy revealed no differences in the secondary structure of the two types. These data suggest that both types of "flat-shape" titin aggregates are identical in their secondary structure and, as shown previously, have a quaternary cross-ß structure. An assumption was made that the most stable supramolecular complexes of a cross-ß structure, which do not differ in their secondary structure, formed first during the aggregation of smooth muscle titin. Then, depending on ambient conditions, these supramolecular structures could form titin aggregates of different morphology and properties.

[PERSONAL GROWTH AND PERCEIVED ABILITY TO WORK OF HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS OF MEDICAL ORGANIZATIONS].

INTRODUCTION: Despite the need for the heads of departments to implement the labor functions of a clinician and manager, the study of personal growth and perceived ability to work in this category of medical workers was not carried out. THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: determining the relationship of personal growth and perceived ability to work of heads of departments of medical organizations, as well as the impact on self-esteem of various characteristics of this category of respondents. METHODS: A correspondence survey was conducted of 216 heads of clinical departments in the section «personal growth¼ of the questionnaire «psychological well-being of Riff¼ and the questionnaire «perceived ability to work¼ of the Institute of Social Research of the University of Michigan. The personal growth index is the average score according to the statements of the 1st questionnaire. The index of ability to work is the sum of points for each of the statements of the 2nd questionnaire. The average length of service is 23.1 ± 8.60 years, the average age is 47.9 ± 8.08 years. 123 (56.9%) men, 117 (54.2%) worked in a hospital, 114 (52.8%) worked in the «red zone¼, 111 (51.4%) have a second higher education, 138 (63.89%) have a qualification category, 63 (29.1%) have an academic degree. The Spearman correlation coefficients and the Student's criterion are calculated to assess the relationship and significance of differences between indices and characteristics. RESULTS: The personal growth index is 4.89 ± 0.818, the work ability index is 33.60 ± 4.564 points. Respondents aged 41-50 have significantly (p < 0.001) lower indices. There was no significant difference between the index of personal growth and the index of ability to work in respondents of different sexes (р = 0.864 and р = 0.951), those who worked in inpatient and outpatient settings (р = 0.834 and р = 0.848); those who worked in the «red zone¼ (р = 0.727 and р = 0.775), respondents with a qualification category (р = 0.543 and р = 0.404), with an academic degree (р = 0.871 and р = 0.898), with the second highest education (р = 0.443 and р = 0.588). There is an average direct correlation of personal growth indices and perceived ability to work (r = 0.6; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The relationship between personal growth indices and perceived ability to work, significantly lower indices in the group of 41-50 years and over 60 years must be taken into account to ensure the professional development of department heads.

Development of a PCR assay for the detection of human herpes virus type 7.

A PCR assay has been developed to identify the DNA of the human herpes virus type 7. The search and selection of conserved regions was carried out by comparing the whole genome nucleotide sequences of HHV-7. A fragment duplicated in the HHV-7 genomes was chosen as a target for amplification. The performance of the assay was tested on a synthetic matrix and clinical samples. The developed assay has high sensitivity and specificity and showed good efficiency in detecting HHV-7 DNA in clinical samples.

[Rational treatment of patients with functional dyspepsia].

Functional dyspepsia is one of the most common functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, which resulted from impaired motor skills, visceral hypersensitivity, increased mucosal permeability, disorders of the autonomic nervous system, etc. There is no specific therapy for this disease, which often leads to the irrational use of various groups of drugs. Drug therapy is recommended only during periods of symptoms. The main options of pharmacotherapy include the use of proton pump inhibitors, phytotherapeutic drugs, eradication therapy of Helicobacter pylori. Against the background of possible motor disorders, prokinetics are also one of the possible treatment options, but cisapride has long been withdrawn from sale due to cardiotoxicity, the use of domperidone and metoclopramide is limited due to side effects, especially with long-term therapy, so currently the only prokinetic that can be used in everyday clinical practice is itopride. In refractory cases, tricyclic antidepressants and psychotherapeutic approaches are another effective treatment option.

Scenarios of hyperchaos occurrence in 4D Rössler system.

The generalized four-dimensional Rössler system is studied. Main bifurcation scenarios leading to a hyperchaos are described phenomenologically and their implementation in the model is demonstrated. In particular, we show that the formation of hyperchaotic invariant sets is related mainly to cascades (finite or infinite) of nondegenerate bifurcations of two types: period-doubling bifurcations of saddle cycles with a one-dimensional unstable invariant manifold and Neimark-Sacker bifurcations of stable cycles. The onset of the discrete hyperchaotic Shilnikov attractors containing a saddle-focus cycle with a two-dimensional unstable invariant manifold is confirmed numerically in a Poincaré map of the model. A new phenomenon, "jump of hyperchaoticity," when the attractor under consideration becomes hyperchaotic due to the boundary crisis of some other attractor, is discovered.

A new family of transcriptional regulators of tungstoenzymes and molybdate/tungstate transport.

Bacterial genes for molybdenum-containing and tungsten-containing enzymes are often differentially regulated depending on the metal availability in the environment. Here, we describe a new family of transcription factors with an unusual DNA-binding domain related to excisionases of bacteriophages. These transcription factors are associated with genes for various molybdate and tungstate-specific transporting systems as well as molybdo/tungsto-enzymes in a wide range of bacterial genomes. We used a combination of computational and experimental techniques to study a member of the TF family, named TaoR (for tungsten-containing aldehyde oxidoreductase regulator). In Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough, a model bacterium for sulfate reduction studies, TaoR activates expression of aldehyde oxidoreductase aor and represses tungsten-specific ABC-type transporter tupABC genes under tungsten-replete conditions. TaoR binding sites at aor promoter were identified by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and DNase I footprinting. We also reconstructed TaoR regulons in 45 Deltaproteobacteria by comparative genomics approach and predicted target genes for TaoR family members in other Proteobacteria and Firmicutes.

The binding of monomeric amyloid ß peptide to serum albumin is affected by major plasma unsaturated fatty acids.

Human serum albumin (HSA) serves as a natural depot of amyloid ß peptide (Aß). Improvement of Aß binding to HSA should impede Alzheimer's disease (AD). We developed a method for quantitation of the interaction between monomeric Aß40/42 and HSA using surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. The dissociation constant of HSA complex with recombinant Aß40/42 is 0.2-0.3 µM. Flemish variant of Aß40 has 2.5-10-fold higher affinity to HSA. The parameters of the HSA-Aß interaction are selectively sensitive to HSA binding of major plasma unsaturated fatty acids and Cu2+. Linoleic and arachidonic acids promote the HSA-Aß42 interaction. The developed methodology for quantitation of HSA-Aß interaction may serve as a tool for search of compounds favoring HSA-Aß interaction, thereby preventing AD progression.

Potential of a superconducting photon counter for heterodyne detection at the telecommunication wavelength.

Here, we report on the successful operation of a NbN thin film superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SNSPD) in a coherent mode (as a mixer) at the telecommunication wavelength of 1550 nm. Providing the local oscillator power of the order of a few picowatts, we were practically able to reach the quantum noise limited sensitivity. The intermediate frequency gain bandwidth (also referred to as response or conversion bandwidth) was limited by the spectral band of a single-photon response pulse of the detector, which is proportional to the detector size. We observed a gain bandwidth of 65 MHz and 140 MHz for 7 × 7 µm2 and 3 × 3 µm2 devices, respectively. A tiny amount of the required local oscillator power and wide gain and noise bandwidths, along with unnecessary low noise amplification, make this technology prominent for various applications, with the possibility for future development of a photon counting heterodyne-born large-scale array.

[COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF THE TRANSGENE EXPRESSION EFFICIENCY PROVIDED BY THE MODEL GENETIC CONSTRUCTS OF DIFFERENT STRUCTURE.]

Comparative evaluation of the transgene expression efficiency provided by the model genetic constructs of different structure is an important stage in the development of new expression methods and optimization of the existing expression vectors. However, presently there is no versatile approach to this problem. The goal of this work was to suggest an experimental system for comparative evaluation of the expression efficiency provided by nonviral genetic vectors of various size and topology in human cell cultures. Such system is based on the gene of the green fluorescence protein used as a reporter as well as flow cytofluorometry for evaluation of the expression level and quantitative PCR for adequate selection of the transfection conditions. This system was tested in two model constructs: linear molecule of DNA and plasmid.

Rex (encoded by DVU_0916) in Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough is a repressor of sulfate adenylyl transferase and is regulated by NADH.

Although the enzymes for dissimilatory sulfate reduction by microbes have been studied, the mechanisms for transcriptional regulation of the encoding genes remain unknown. In a number of bacteria the transcriptional regulator Rex has been shown to play a key role as a repressor of genes producing proteins involved in energy conversion. In the model sulfate-reducing microbe Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough, the gene DVU_0916 was observed to resemble other known Rex proteins. Therefore, the DVU_0916 protein has been predicted to be a transcriptional repressor of genes encoding proteins that function in the process of sulfate reduction in D. vulgaris Hildenborough. Examination of the deduced DVU_0916 protein identified two domains, one a winged helix DNA-binding domain common for transcription factors, and the other a Rossman fold that could potentially interact with pyridine nucleotides. A deletion of the putative rex gene was made in D. vulgaris Hildenborough, and transcript expression studies of sat, encoding sulfate adenylyl transferase, showed increased levels in the D. vulgaris Hildenborough Rex (RexDvH) mutant relative to the parental strain. The RexDvH-binding site upstream of sat was identified, confirming RexDvH to be a repressor of sat. We established in vitro that the presence of elevated NADH disrupted the interaction between RexDvH and DNA. Examination of the 5' transcriptional start site for the sat mRNA revealed two unique start sites, one for respiring cells that correlated with the RexDvH-binding site and a second for fermenting cells. Collectively, these data support the role of RexDvH as a transcription repressor for sat that senses the redox status of the cell.

Supramolecular organization of Hfq-like proteins.

Bacterial Hfq proteins are structural homologs of archaeal and eukaryotic Sm/Lsm proteins, which are characterized by a 5-stranded ß-sheet and an N-terminal α-helix. Previously, it was shown that archaeal Lsm proteins (SmAP) could produce long fibrils spontaneously, in contrast to the Hfq from Escherichia coli that could form similar fibrils only after special treatment. The organization of these fibrils is significantly different, but the reason for the dissimilarity has not been found. In the present work, we studied the process of fibril formation by bacterial protein Hfq from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and archaeal protein SmAP from Methanococcus jannaschii. Both proteins have high homology with E. coli Hfq. We found that Hfq from P. aeruginosa could form fibrils after substitutions in the conserved Sm2 motif only. SmAP from M. jannaschii, like other archaeal Lsm proteins, form fibrils spontaneously. Despite differences in the fibril formation conditions, the architecture of both was similar to that described for E. coli Hfq. Therefore, universal nature of fibril architecture formed by Hfq proteins is suggested.

[New Oral Anticoagulants During Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation. Experience With Rivaroxaban].

Until recently, anticoagulant therapy after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation, were connected with vitamin K antagonists and drugs of heparin series. New era of novel anticoagulants--dabigatran, rivaroxaban and apixaban is coming up. Our own experience of use in clinical practice of rivoroxaban for patient undergoing catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation will be discussed in this article.

[New ral nticoagulants During Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation. Experience With Rivaroxaban].

Until recently, anticoagulant therapy after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation, were connected with vitamin K antagonists and drugs of heparin series. New era of novel anticoagulants - dabigatran, rivaroxaban and apixaban is coming up. Our own experience of use in clinical practice of rivoroxaban for patient undergoing catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation will be discussed in this article.

[Anesthetic management of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy].

The authors have an experience in performing of 700 radical prostatectomies by using of daVinci-robot. The main factors determining parameters of operation and anesthesia are presented in the article. The authors give recommendations for optimization of anesthetic management. The main features of patient preparation for robot-assisted radical prostatectomy, parameters of anesthesia and postoperative management of patients are presented in the article.

[Choosing the method of reconstruction for lower-limb critical ischemia].

Presented herein are long-term outcomes of surgical treatment of 74 patients with atherosclerotic occlusive-stenotic lesions of the femoral-popliteal-tibial segment and critical ischaemia. 51 (68.92%) patients underwent femoropopliteal shunting into the isolated segment of the reversed great saphenous vein. Of these, three patients were subjected to a hybrid operation consisting of femoropopliteal bypass grafting and balloon angioplasty of the popliteal and one tibial artery. 23 (31.08%) patients endured percutaneous balloon angioplasty with stenting of the superficial femoral artery and balloon angioplasty of one tibial artery. Two-year patency of the zone of reconstruction of the femoropopliteal segment in these groups was identical, amounting to 64.71 and 56.52%, respectively. However, the group of patients with endovascular intervention demonstrated rather a high rate of intraoperative complications--21.74%, technical success in balloon angioplasty of arteries of the crus amounted to 65.22%. Once the method of operative treatment is chosen, preference is given to shunting in the isolated popliteal artery with sufficient collateral blood flow. Further studies are required to determine angiographic indications for endovascular intervention on tibial arteries.

[A MODERN APPROACH TO THE TREATMENT OF DIABETIC POLYNEUROPATHY].

In this paper, the authors conducted research on the application of a new drug for the treatment of diabetic polyneuropathy in patients with diabetes mellitus type 1 and 2. Established an effective influence on the hemodynamic, metabolic, biochemical parameters, improved sensory-motor conduction in nerve fibers. Recommended for widespread use in patients with diabetes mellitus.

[B vitamins and diseases of the peripheral nervous system]. / Vitaminy gruppy B i zabolevaniya perifericheskoi nervnoi sistemy.

Various diseases of the peripheral nervous system are associated with metabolic disorders of B vitamins. A lack of neurotropic vitamins, which began in the early stages of the development of a bacterial disease, led to its more rapid development. The article analyzes data on B vitamin deficiency in the pathogenesis of the most dangerous diseases of the peripheral nervous system. Information is provided about the dangers of the clinical use of the drug Combilipen for the treatment of such patients.

Delocalized nonlinear vibrational modes and discrete breathers in ß-FPUT simple cubic lattice.

The problem of finding various discrete breathers (DBs) in the ß-Fermi-Pasta-Ulam-Tsingou simple cubic lattice is addressed. DBs are obtained by imposing localizing functions on delocalized nonlinear vibrational modes (DNVMs) having frequencies above the phonon spectrum of the lattice. Among 27 DNVMs with the wave vector at the boundary of the first Brillouin zone there are three satisfying this condition. Seven robust DBs of different symmetries are found using this approach.

[Immediate implantation after extraction of teeth with chronic apical periodontitis].

The authors introduced an original method of intraoperative ozone and postoperative millimeter wave therapy which the short-term and long-term results of clinical, radiological, microbiological and immunological studies proved to enhance efficiency of immediate implantation in preliminary infected areas.