Anti-tumor Effect of High Doses of Carbon Ions and X-Rays during Irradiation of Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma Cells Ex Vivo.

The effect of carbon ions (12C) with the energy of 400 MeV/nucleon on the dynamics of induction and growth rate of solid tumors in mice under irradiation of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells (EAC) ex vivo at doses of 5-30 Gy relative to the action of equally effective doses of X-ray radiation was studied. The dynamics of tumor induction under the action of 12C and X-rays had a similar character and depended on the dose during 3 months of observation. The value of the latent period, both when irradiating cells with 12C and X-ray, increased with increasing dose, and the interval for tumor induction decreased. The rate of tumor growth after ex vivo irradiation of EAC cells was independent of either dose or type of radiation. The dose at which EAC tumors are not induced within 90 days was 30 Gy for carbon ions and 60 Gy for X-rays. The value of the relative biological effectiveness of carbon ions, calculated from an equally effective dose of 50% probability of tumors, was 2.59.

Diastereoselective intramolecular cyclization/Povarov reaction cascade for the one-pot synthesis of polycyclic quinolines.

The method for the synthesis of complex alkaloid-like aza-heterocycles has been developed through the Povarov reaction of in situ generated 2-oxoimidazolium cations. The reaction lead to the formation of 2 C-N, 2 C-C bonds and three stereocentres, and features excellent regio- and diastereoselectivity. Based on the controlled experiments and quantum chemistry data, the mechanism of the reaction cyclization was proposed and diastereoselectivity origins were rationalized. Additionally, a straightforward synthesis of hardly accessible 4,4'-bi(imidazol-2-one) derivatives has been achieved using the same methodology.

Combined Effect of Low-Intensity Helium-Neon Laser and X-Ray Radiation on in Vivo Cellular Response of the Whole Blood and Lymphoid Organs in Mice.

We studied the effect of exposure to helium-neon laser (dose range 0.16-50 mJ/cm2) on activation of natural protection reserve in mice using the adaptive response test. DNA comets method revealed a protective response manifested in DNA damage level in whole blood leukocytes of mice and in lymphoid organs by the thymus and spleen weight index; preexposure to laser did not induce the adaptive response. ROS level in the whole blood was assessed by the level of zymosan-induced luminol chemiluminescence. In mice subjected to adaptive laser irradiation in doses of 0.16-5 mJ/cm2 followed by X-ray irradiation in a dose of 1.5 Gy, the activation index calculated as the ratio of induced to spontaneous area of luminescence was by 1.4 times lower than that in non-irradiated animals, which attested to reduced ROSgeneration reserve capacity of neutrophils.

[Induction of DNA damage in blood leucocytes and of cytogenetic injuries in bone marrow polychromatic erythrocytes in mice exposed to low-LET and high-LET radiation and in their progeny].

The present work was aimed at studying the molecular and cellular levels of the response of the hematopoietic system in mice and their progeny to the action of low-LET and high-LET radiation at different times after exposure. The damage to the genome at the molecular level was assessed by the comet assay in peripheral blood leucocytes, whereas at the cellular level it was estimated by means of the micronuclear test in the marrow cells, after exposure of mice to X-radiation of 1, 3 and 5 Gy and to a high-LET low-intensity radiation at thedoses of 0.14 and 0.35 Gy, as well as to a combined effect of these types of radiation. When accessing the level of the DNA damage to individual cells by the comet assay, we also used, apart from a commonly accepted parameter %TDNA, additional characteristics: the proportions of leucocytes with an intact and highly fragmented DNA. Using these parameters, we detected the changes characterizing the dynamics of the leukocyte population in mouse blood at different times after the action of X-ray and high-LET radiation. It was found that: (1) the DNA damage increases with the dose of high-LET radiation; (2) the level of damage in the progeny of the animals exposed to high-LET radiation does not differ from that in unirradiated animals both at the molecular and cytogenetic levels; and (3) a decrease in the radiosensitivity of the progeny of the mice exposed to high-LET radiation at a dose of 0.35 Gy makes itself evident only at the molecular level, which may point to the possible transgeneration transmission of genomic lesions.

[Experimental detection of integration of mTDNA in the nuclear genome induced by ionizing radiation].

Transfer of mtDNA in the nuclear genome is usually regarded as a continued and dynamic process of forming numt-pseudogenes or numt-insertions. They can be regarded not only as a neutral polymorphism, but may be involved in oncogenesis, aging and genetic diseases. Experimental identification of numt-insertions arising de novo is limited due to the presence of numerous homology mtDNA constitutively existing in the nuclear genomes of eukaryotes. It is known that the chick nuclear DNA (nDNA) constitutively contains 12 numt-pseudogenes. We attempted to experimentally detect the formation of numt-insertions de novo in the nDNA of chick embryos (Gallus gallus) from the eggs exposed to X-rays. Free mtDNAs were removed from preparations of nDNA of liver embryos through double gel electrophoresis. Numt-inserts in nDNA of control and survival embryos (from irradiated eggs) were revealed by PCR using 11 pairs of primers flanking the region of mtDNA of about 300-400 bp. PCR analysis with nDNA of control group showed no presence of homology mtDNA amplified with selected primers. PCR assays of nDNA of eight embryos from irradiated eggs showed that nDNA of two embryos contained new sites of mtDNA. PCR amplification of 3 loci of mtDNA is stably detected in nDNA from one embryo and 4 loci of mtDNA in nDNA from another embryo. Sequencing of PCR amplicons synthesized on templates of these nDNA showed that their sequences are identical to mtDNA and accurately cover the sites of several genes and the site of mtDNA D-loop. Thus, the experimental results indicate that ionizing radiation can induce integration of mtDNA fragments in the nuclear genome, apparently, through the mechanism of nonhomologous end-joining repair of double-strand breaks of nDNA.

A method of low-temperature storing of agarose slides with lysed cells.

A method has been developed for a long-term low-temperature storage (-10 to -15°C) of the agarose slides with nucleoids (lysed eukaryotic cells). After lysis of agarose-immobilized cells, the slides were incubated for 30 min in phosphate buffer with 50% glycerol and 100 mM EDTA, thereupon they were stored in a freezer at -10 to -15°C. After long-term storage, the slides were re-incubated for 30 min in lysing solution. The measurements of the baseline and in vitro induced DNA damage in nucleoids of the human and mouse leukocytes, which had been stored in agarose slides at low temperature, showed that DNA damage level determined after a 40-day storage did not significantly differ from that of the fresh slides. The advanced storage method is simple and reliable; it opens the way to avoid cryopreservation of the biological samples and to process little by little a great number of the identically prepared slides.

Coping Strategies During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Self-Determination: A Review of Russian Studies.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a multifaceted stressor. Its impact suggests long-term psychological effects. Self-determination promotes flexibility of goals and actions and helps to overcome the difficulties caused by stress. Objective: To analyze coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic presented in Russian scientific studies (RQ1), and their relationship with self-determination (RQ2). Design: Relevant studies (2020-2022) were selected from the Russian citation index (RSCI) database. Strict selection criteria were used. Twenty-four articles were selected for the final review. For dynamic analysis, four stages of the pandemic were identified. Results: Prevailing coping strategies have changed over time. At the beginning of the pandemic, respondents used familiar coping mechanisms. Six months later, active coping strategies were more often used, but deprivation and avoidance strategies increased. A year later, there was an increase in denial and avoidance strategies. Using non-constructive coping strategies may indicate that, due to the long course of the pandemic, meeting basic psychological needs became increasingly frustrated, leading to helplessness, alienation, and lack of control. Later dynamics reflect the growth of effective coping strategies and confirm that when basic needs are blocked for a long time, people seek alternative ways to satisfy them. Conclusion: The dynamics of coping strategies during the pandemic reflected their close relationship with basic psychological needs, as described in the theory of self-determination. The results confirmed the importance of self-determination as a dispositional variable in predicting coping mechanisms.

Changes in the level of spontaneous DNA damage in whole blood leukocytes during storage.

We evaluated structural damage to DNA (%TDNA) in blood leukocytes from healthy donors of different age at different periods (0-6 days) of blood storage at 4-8°C. It was found that the basal level of DNA damage increased and intracellular antioxidant level decreased during storage. Mean %TDNA was 6.8±3.3% in the fresh blood and 19.2±8.1% after 5-day storage. The experiments with exposure to reactive oxygen species induced by irradiation suggest that depletion of low-molecular-weight endogenous antioxidants occurs as soon as after 5-h storage. Our results suggest that storage time should be taken into account when assessing the basal and induced levels of leukocyte DNA damage by the comet assay.

Effects of neurotensin dipeptide analog dilept on dopamine metabolism and synthesis in the nucleus accumbens of Wistar rats.

We studied the effects of neurotensin dipeptide analog Dilept (N-caproyl-L-prolyl-L-tyrosine methyl ester) on dopamine metabolism and synthesis in the nucleus accumbens of Wistar rats. Dilept increased the levels of dopamine and its metabolites (homovanillic acid and dioxyphenylalanine) and stimulated dopamine turnover in this structure. Dilept accelerated dopamine synthesis under conditions of pulsed activity blockade in dopaminergic neuron by injection of γ-butyrolactone combined with inhibition of aromatic acid decarboxylase with 3-hydroxybenzylhydrazine. The spectrum of pharmacological activities of Dilept towards the dopaminergic system of the nucleus accumbens was similar to that of atypical neuroleptics and neurotensin (endogenous antipsychotic).

[Role of various risk factors in the development and diagnosis of recurrent pain in adolescents--students of cadet corps].

Randomized single-blind case--control study is performed. In total, the cadet corp students with recurrent functional abdominal pain and headaches are examined. The paper shows the role of various risk factors in the occurrence of these states. Diagnostic validity is evaluated. Multifactorial genesis of the studied pathology is proved. The essential role in the formation of the psychological characteristics of personality, neurotic states and autonomic dysfunction is shown. Several constitutional characteristics of the organism were not diagnostically significant.

[The comet assay application in radiobiological investigations].

The analysis of the literature data on application of the gel electrophoresis of individual cells ("comet assay") in radiobiological investigations was carried out. The descriptions of various variants of the method are presented; its alkaline version is in more detail considered. The works concerning to induction and DNA damage repair of single stranded and double stranded DNA breaks, DNA alkali labile sites, crosslinks, DNA bases damage, cellular radiosensitivity and revealing of apoptotic cells were analyzed. The application of the method at biomonitoring of DNA damage level in cells of the person and the animals exposed to genotoxic agents, including ionizing radiation is described. The analysis of the literary data testifies to perceptivity of development and further uses of this method in radiobiological researches.

[Neurochemical study of effects of the new anxiolytic drugs afobazol and ladasten on the synthesis and metabolism of monoamines and their metabolites in the brain structures of Wistar rat on the model of monoamine synthesis blockade induced by aromatic amino acid decarboxylase inhibitor NSD-1015].

Results of a neurochemical study of the effects of the new anxiolytic drugs afobazole and ladasten on the synthesis and metabolism of monoamines and their metabolites determined by HPLC on the model of monoamine synthesis blockade induced by NSD-1015 (aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase) in the brain structures of Wistar rats are reported. A decrease in the levels of DOPAC in hypothalamus and HVA in striatum after afobazole injection may be evidence of an inhibitory action of this drug on the activity of monoamine oxidase (MAO-A), which is the main enzyme involved in dopamine biodegradation. Afobazole was also found to increase the content of serotonin (5-HT) as well as its precursor (5-OTP) and its main metabolite (5-HIAA) in hypothalamus by up to 50, 60 and 50%, respectively, which confirms a hypothesis that this anxiolytic drug can modulate the activity of tryptophan hydroxylase (5-OTP synthesis enzyme). In contrast to afobazole, ladasten demonstrated the ability to increase the level of L-DOPA (a dopamine precursor) in virtually all functional structures of the brain (except for hippocamp), which may support the hypothesis suggestion concerning a predominant action of this drug on the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase. Ladasten exhibited selectivity with respect to the dopaminergic system and affected only parameters of the dopamine metabolism, in particular, by increasing the HVA content in nucleus accumbens and decreasing it in the hypothalamus. The drug also affected the dopamine turnover parameters, producing an increase in both HVA/dopamine ratio in nucleus accumbens and DOPAC/dopamine ratio in hippocamp.

[Information-wave technologies: rationale and guidelines for their use in pediatrics].

The mechanisms of action of information-wave technologies on human beings are analyzed in detail and their use in pediatrics is substantiated. The approach using a now-frequency pulse electromagnetic field as an information factor is optimal due to the synchronization of an oscillatory process of a low-frequency pulse electromagnetic field and the rhythm of functioning of different systems of the body, which causes the bioresonance actions the function of an organ or a system.

Development of genetic instability in mice in response to chronic irradiation simulating high-altitude flight conditions.

The purpose of this work was to study the chronic influence of the high-energy radiation field formed in the atmosphere at an altitude of 10 to 30 km on the level of DNA damage in leukocytes of peripheral blood in mice. The external radiation field (behind the concrete shield) of the U-70 accelerator (Serpukhov, Russia) was used for these studies. This radiation field simulates the components and spectral composition of the high-energy radiation field formed in the atmosphere at an altitude of 10 to 30 km. Two groups of SHK line mice were chronically irradiated with a total dose equivalent to 21.5 and 31.5 cGy. The state of the genome of nucleated blood cells was assessed by the Comet assay (alkaline version) 72 h after completion of chronic irradiation. The level of genome damage in individual peripheral blood leukocytes of irradiated animals was compared with the basal level of DNA lesions in peripheral blood leukocytes of unirradiated control mice. The damage was expressed in %TDNA (the amount of DNA found in the "comet tail" in percent of total DNA in the "comet"). It was found that in mice exposed to the radiation field of the accelerator, the mean value of DNA damage was: %TDNA = 3.88 +/- 0.35% for a dose of 21.5 cGy and % TDNA = 6.00 +/- 0.82% for a dose of 31.5 cGy. In mice irradiated at an X-ray therapeutic device with a dose of 150 cGy 24 h before the examination, %TDNA was 2.27 +/- 0.34% and this did not differ from %TDNA in unirradiated mice, 2.68 +/- 0.56%. We suggest that the increased level of DNA damage observed in mice irradiated with 31.5 cGy from the mixed radiation field at the Serpukhov accelerator points to the development of genetic instability in their leukocytes as a result of chronic exposure of animals to this particular radiation field.

[Accumulation of heavy metals in cereal crops and ways of reducing their levels].

The study deals with the levels of heavy metals in the raw grain grown in the agricultural lands of the Oryol Region and provides the results of a trial of a complex enzymatic agent based on phitase and succinic acid used to reduce the levels of heavy levels in the wheat and rye grains during manufacture of grain bread. The use of the complex-acting enzymatic agent based on phitase obtained from the fungus Penicillium canescens in combination with 0.1% succinic acid of the mass of wheat and rye grains when the latter is prepared for the manufacture of grain bread has been established to reduce the concentrations of nickel, lead, cadmium, and chromium, by lowering the levels of MAFAM, spore-forming bacteria, moulds, and yeasts in the raw materials.

[Proteins associated with mitochondrial DNA protect it against the action of X-rays and hydrogen peroxide].

It has been suggested in a number of investigations that the high vulnerability of mitochondrial DNA to reactive oxygen species and other damaging agents is due to the absence in mitochondria of histones complexed with DNA. In the present study it was shown that DNA-binding proteins of mitochondrial nucleoids were able to shield mitochondrial DNA from X-ray radiation and hydrogen peroxide, as nuclear histones did. Mitochondria, mitochondrial nucleoid proteins, and histones were isolated from mouse liver cells. The degree of damage to or protection of mitochondrial DNA was assessed from the yield of its PCR amplification product. The in vitro experiments demonstrated that mouse mitochondrial DNA, when in complex with mitochondrial nucleoids or nuclear histones, was damaged much less by radiation and/or hydrogen peroxide than in the absence of these proteins and histones. No significant difference between mitochondrial nucleoid proteins and nuclear histones was revealed in their efficiency to protect mitochondrial DNA from the damaging effect of radiation and hydrogen peroxide. It is likely that the nucleoid proteins in the mitochondria shield mitochondrial DNA against the attack of reactive oxygen species, thus significantly decreasing the level of the oxidative damage to mitochondrial DNA.

[Study of DNA-binding proteins in mitochondria of rat liver gamma-irradiation].

Acid-soluble proteins were isolated from the liver mitochondria of control and irradiated (8 Gy) rats. By means of electrophoresis in 15% polyacrylamide gel, these proteins were separated into more than 20 polypeptides of molecular masses between 10 and 120 kDa. The irradiation of rats with a dose of 8 Gy led to changes in the polypeptide content of mitochondrial acid-soluble proteins in the postradiation period. It was found that the liver acid-soluble proteins of control and irradiated rats were able to form nucleoproteid complexes with DNA at the physiological NaCl concentration. It was shown that along with mitochondrial acid-soluble proteins, proteases were also released, their activity increased in the presence of DNA. Twenty four hours after irradiation of rats with 8 Gy, the activity of proteases cleaving mitochondrial acid-soluble proteins decreased. Probably, the acid-soluble proteins and DNA-activated proteases of mitochondria are involved in the regulation of the structural organization and functional activity of mitochondrial DNA.

[The individual differences in responses of cancer patient blood cells on radiation treatment during the chemotherapy].

A comparative comet-assay study of X-ray influence on DNA of leukocytes of peripheral blood from both cancer patients in the course of chemotherapy and on healthy donors was carried out. The amount of DNA registered in comet tails of blood samples from 18 healthy donors was between 0.8-3.6%. The mean value was 2.9 +/- 0.5%. In the preparations of cancer patients, an increase in comet tail DNA was observed for each chemotherapy course and in each subsequent course compared to the previous one. The individual variations were found in the level of DNA damage in the response to the administration of cyclophosphane, of methotrexate, of 5-fluorourocil (CMF protocol). The X-ray radiation (4 Gy) challenge test of blood cells showed an increase in comet tail DNA, the dynamics of radiation-induced lesions varying between individuals. The combined use of X-ray radiation and of the comet-assay in evaluating the capacity of the defence systems of the whole blood cells during chemotherapy let us to hold the monitoring of the state of genome of leukocytes without their isolation. This approach enables additional information on leukocyte genome to be rapidly obtained.

[Study of DNA-binding proteins of rat liver mitochondria].

Acid-soluble proteins able to form DNA-protein complexes in the presence of physiological concentration of NaCl were isolated from rat liver mitochondria. Electrophoretic analysis of these proteins in 15% polyacrylamide gel showed that mitochondrial acid-soluble proteins include of approximately 20 polypeptides with molecular weight of 10-120 kDa. The fraction of acid-soluble proteins can be separated into basic and acidic proteins by chromatography on DEAE cellulose. Some of acidic proteins are tightly bound to the basic proteins and can be separated from them in the presence of 5 mM dithiothreitol. It is discovered that the fraction of acidic proteins contains proteases (including DNA-activated ones), which cleave different polypeptides of the basic proteins with different efficiency. Possibly, mitochondrial DNA-binding proteins and DNA-activated proteases are involved in the regulation of structural organization and functional activity of mitochondrial DNA.

Characterization of a urinary bufodienolide Na+,K+-ATPase inhibitor in patients after acute myocardial infarction.

Recent evidence suggests the existence of several endogenous Na+,K+-ATPase inhibitors in mammals. Previously, we have shown that the amphibian Na+,K+-ATPase inhibitor marinobufagenin (3,5-dihydroxy-14,15-epoxy bufodienolide) acts as a vasoconstrictor in isolated rat and human arteries. Mammalian plasma was shown to contain marinobufagenin-like immunoreactive material, which is responsive to saline volume expansion. The present study describes purification of a bufodienolide, which is similar to marinobufagenin, from the urine of patients after acute myocardial infarction with the use of thin-layer chromatography and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The purified substance cross-reacted with marinobufagenin antibody, demonstrated maximal UV absorbance at 300 nm characteristic of bufodienolides, and eluted from HPLC columns with the same retention time as marinobufagenin. Mass spectrometry of purified material revealed the presence of a substance indistinguishable from amphibian marinobufagenin and having molecular mass of 400 D. The present studies show that one of the human digitalis-like factors may have a bufodienolide structure and is likely to represent marinobufagenin or its isomer, and they suggest a role for this substance in the pathogenesis of myocardial ischemia.