[Improvement of Crops Using the CRISPR/Cas System: New Target Genes].

The success of genome editing of crops using the CRISPR/Cas system largely depends on the correct choice of target genes, for which directed changes will increase yield and improve the quality of plant raw materials and resistance to biotic and abiotic stress factors. This work systematizes and catalogs data on target genes used to improve cultivated plants. The latest systematic review examined articles indexed in the Scopus database and published before August 17, 2019. Our work covers the period from August 18, 2019 to March 15, 2022. A search according to the given algorithm allowed us to identify 2090 articles, among which only 685 contain the results of gene editing of 28 species of cultivated plants (the search was carried out for 56 crops). A significant part of these papers considered either editing of target genes, which was previously carried out in similar works, or studies related to the field of reverse genetics, and only 136 articles contain data on editing of new target genes, whose modification is aimed at improving plant traits important for breeding. In total, 287 target genes of cultivated plants were subjected to editing in order to improve properties significant for breeding over the entire period of the CRISPR/Cas system application. This review presents a detailed analysis of the editing of new target genes. The studies were most often aimed at increasing productivity and disease resistance, as well as improving the properties of plant materials. It was noted whether it was possible to obtain stable transformants at the time of publication and whether editing was applied to non-model cultivars. The range of modified cultivars of a number of crops has been significantly expanded, in particular, for wheat, rice, soybean, tomato, potato, rapeseed, grape, and maize. In the vast majority of cases, editing constructs were delivered using agrobacterium-mediated transformation, less commonly, using biolistics, protoplast transfection, and haploinducers. The desired change in traits was most often achieved by gene knockout. In some cases, knockdown and nucleotide substitutions in the target gene were carried out. To obtain nucleotide substitutions in the genes of cultivated plants, base-editing and prime-editing technologies are increasingly used. The emergence of a convenient CRISPR/Cas editing system has contributed to the development of specific molecular genetics of many crop species.

[Quantitative determination of strychnine in blood and urine by gas chromatography with mass-selective detector].

A method for the quantitative determination of strychnine in biological fluids by gas chromatography--mass spectrometry is proposed. The preparation of samples for the analysis included extraction of strychnine from blood and urine with the use of AccuBond(II) EVIDEX cartridges for solid-phase extraction and SPEC MP3 disks respectively. The efficiency of extraction was estimated at 0.05 mg/l for blood and 0.02 mg/l for urine. The detection limit was 0.10 mg/l in blood and 0.05 mg/l in urine.

Porous materials from titanium-cobalt alloys for hybrid implants.

We proposed a new method to increase the biocompatibility of porous materials that were synthesized from titanium and cobalt allows by the method of self-propagating high-temperature synthesis. This method suggested the introduction of calcium hydroxyapatite into the reaction mixture. Administration of calcium hydroxyapatite into the reaction mixture had a modifying effect on the structure and surface of the pore space and biocompatibility of composite materials. Administration of calcium hydroxyapatite crystals was followed by a significant decrease in the size of pores and appearance of water-soluble fractions, which inhibited the activity of cells. However, treatment with amorphous nanodispersed calcium hydroxyapatite increased the biocompatibility and adhesiveness of materials for mesenchymal stem cells. The pore space and mechanical characteristics of materials obtained with amorphous nanodispersed calcium hydroxyapatite were similar to the properties of natural bone. Moreover, these materials surpassed titanium-cobalt allows in biocompatibility. Our results indicate that the introduction of amorphous nanodispersed calcium hydroxyapatite into the reaction mixture during self-propagating high-temperature synthesis has a modifying effect on the pore space of composite materials and increases their biocompatibility and adhesiveness for cells. We conclude that these materials may be used as a carrier of stem cells and progenitor cells in hybrid implants.

[Clinical, radiologic and morphologic characteristics of localized forms of pulmonary tuberculosis. Tuberculosis and hypoplasia]. / Kliniko-rentgeno-morfologicheskaia kharakteristika ogranichennykh form tuberkulëza lëgkikh. Tuberkulëz i gipoplaziia.

Clinical and x-ray examinations and study of operation material from 555 patients with local forms of tuberculosis permitted the authors to distinguish three form of the condition: tuberculoma (77% of cases), cavitary (cavernous) tuberculosis (16%), and tuberculosis of the bronchi (5%). Morphologic investigations showed the local tuberculosis develops at small sites of pulmonary tissue hypoplasia. Sites of hypoplasia are usually concentrated in the pulmonary segments which are formed in the postnatal period, thus explaining the typical localization of a postprimary tuberculous focus. Tissue decomposition with development of destruction cavities is not characteristic of local tuberculosis. Cavitary (cavernous) form is a morphologic reflection of a tuberculous inflammation in the zone of cestous hypoplasia. Morphonesis of local forms of tuberculosis reflects its social dependence.

[Characteristics of lipoprotein metabolism impairments in nephrotic syndrome]. / Kharakteristika narushenii obmena lipoproteidov pri nefroticheskom sindrome.

Hyperlipoproteinemia corresponding to the IIb type was developed in the most patients with diffuse chronic glomerulonephritis and nephrotic syndrome. In blood concentration of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) was increased with simultaneous accumulation of cholesterol in the fraction. Under conditions of nephrotic syndrome most distinct increase of the Sf 20-12 fraction and content of triglycerides, as compared with the Sf 12-0 fraction, was found in lipoproteins of low density (LDL) Content of cholesterol in high density lipoproteins (HDL) was decreased as compared with donor blood. Activity of postheparin lipoprotein lipase decreased in the most patients. Inspite of cholesterol accumulation in VLDL, triglycerides containing in the Sf 400-100 fraction of the patients were hydrolyzed by rat lipoprotein lipase at the high rate; hence, alteration of VLDL composition should be considered as a factor responsible for impairment of lipoprotein metabolism in blood. Content of VLDL was increased in blood of the patients within the first week of dexamethasone treatment. Within the subsequent period the hormone exhibited distinct hypolipidemic effect. In presence of the hormone heparin-dependent lipoprotein lipase was activated. Increase of lipolytic activity was observed in urine of patients simultaneously with distinct proteinuria.

[Comparative evaluation of the treatment of radiation skin injuries with oxycort ointment and Peruvian balsam]. / Sravnitel'naia otsenka lecheniia luchevykh povrezhdenii kozhi oksikortovoi ma'iu i peruanskim bal'zamom.

The regenerating action of Peruvian balm and oxycort was compared in experiments on rats with experimental radiation skin injuries. Radiation skin ulcers entailed severe morphological and biochemical abnormalities, there was also observed an unstable healing provided the treatment was not applied. Oxycort ointment slightly reduced the period of healing. However, formation of secondary microdefects was conducive to recurrent ulcer in the future. Peruvian balm exerted a pronounced bactericidal action, strongly intensified the reparative processes, and, therefore, reduced the period of healing and favoured the differentiation of the cicatricial tissues that led to a stable healing of the ulcers.