Effect of Peptide AEDG on Telomere Length and Mitotic Index of PHA-Stimulated Human Blood Lymphocytes.

We studied the effect of peptide AEDG on telomere length and mitotic index of PHA-stimulated blood lymphocytes from young (18-22 years, N=5) and middle-aged (49-54 years, N=6) men. In the younger age group, no significant changes in the mitotic index were detected, while in the middle-aged group, a decrease in this parameter was found in one case. The relative length of telomeric regions of metaphase chromosomes was evaluated by in situ fluorescence hybridization with DNA probes specific to telomeres. After incubation with peptide AEDG, significant changes in the relative telomere length were found in 7 of 11 individuals (3 cases in the younger age group and 4 cases in the middle age group). Significant increase in telomere length after exposure to peptide AEDG was revealed in 5 cases, including two individuals of the younger age group (by 41 and 55%) and three individuals of the middle age group (by 156, 18, and 76%). In one individual of the younger age group and in one of the middle-age group, a significant decrease in telomere length (by 37 and 15%, respectively) was found. A tendency to normalization of telomere lengths was noted: this parameter increased in individuals with initially lower telomere length relative to the group mean value and decreased in individuals with initially longer telomeres compared to the mean length in the group.

Differential DNA Hydroxymethylation in Human Uterine Leiomyoma Cells Depending on the Phase of Menstrual Cycle and Presence of MED12 Gene Mutations.

Using immunofluorescence with specific antibodies, we analyzed DNA hydroxymethylation in uncultured cells from 25 human uterine leiomyomas considering the menstrual cycle phase during surgery and the presence of MED12 gene mutations. It was found that each tumor node had specific DNA hydroxymethylation level that did not depend on the presence of mutations in MED12 gene, but depended on the phase of menstrual cycle. The degree of DNA hydroxymethylation was significantly lower in cells of leiomyomas excised during the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase (p=0.0431). Hormonal status changing at various phases of menstrual cycle is a factor affecting DNA hydroxymethylation in leiomyoma cells.

Structural study of the X-ray-induced enzymatic reaction of octahaem cytochrome C nitrite reductase.

Octahaem cytochrome c nitrite reductase from the bacterium Thioalkalivibrio nitratireducens catalyzes the reduction of nitrite to ammonium and of sulfite to sulfide. The reducing properties of X-ray radiation and the high quality of the enzyme crystals allow study of the catalytic reaction of cytochrome c nitrite reductase directly in a crystal of the enzyme, with the reaction being induced by X-rays. Series of diffraction data sets with increasing absorbed dose were collected from crystals of the free form of the enzyme and its complexes with nitrite and sulfite. The corresponding structures revealed gradual changes associated with the reduction of the catalytic haems by X-rays. In the case of the nitrite complex the conversion of the nitrite ions bound in the active sites to NO species was observed, which is the beginning of the catalytic reaction. For the free form, an increase in the distance between the oxygen ligand bound to the catalytic haem and the iron ion of the haem took place. In the case of the sulfite complex no enzymatic reaction was detected, but there were changes in the arrangement of the active-site water molecules that were presumably associated with a change in the protonation state of the sulfite ions.

[Improvement of the system of medical equipment rationing for military units in peacetime].

We present characteristics of a new regulatory act issued by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation - Medical equipment supply rate for large units, military units and facilities of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in peacetime, prepared in the course of modernization of the system of medical equipment rationing. New system of medical equipment rationing answers modern requirements of the Armed Forces. Introduction of modern norms of medical supply into practical activities of military regulatory bodies, medical units, military units and organizations will increase the effectiveness and quality of medical service, will help to maintain servicemen's health and will facilitate the combat readiness of medical units.

[Modern approaches to the planning of the medical material support in conditions of daily activities].

There are requirements producing to the planning in modem social and economic conditions: solidarity, participation, continuity, flexibility, accuracy. The authors made a conclusion that the main target of the planning of the medical material support is creating of conditions for highly effective function of the system of medical material support on the basis of long-time forecast of status and development of inner and outer factors.

Oxidation and endothelial dysfunction biomarkers of atherosclerotic plaque instability. Studies of the vascular wall and blood.

The concentrations of LPO products (including those present in LDL), oxidative modification of proteins, paraoxonase activity, concentrations of antioxidants, lipid values and biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction were studied in the blood and coronary artery intima/media of male patients with coronary atherosclerosis without acute coronary syndrome. Blood levels of LDL oxidized apolipoproteins and lipoprotein (a) were higher, while the content of NO metabolites, sVCAM endothelial adhesion molecules, and LDL oxidation resistance were lower in men with mainly unstable atherosclerotic plaques in the coronary arteries in comparison with men with mainly stable plaques in the coronary arteries. Of these blood biomarkers, only NO metabolites, oxidized proteins, and sVCAM correlated with the presence of unstable atherosclerotic plaques. A significant correlation between the levels of biomarkers in the vascular wall and blood was detected only for LPO parameters.

[Study of interaction of wild soybean subpopulations (Glycine soja) in the valley of the Tsukanovka river in the south of Far East of Russia].

A comparative study of the genetic structure of natural and anthropogenic populations of G. soja gives significant information about formation of different populations, and allows developing measures for preservation of unique natural gene bank of wild soybean, the species closely related to cultivated soybean. In this study, ISSR markers were used to carry out a comparative analysis of genetic structure of natural and anthropogenic subpopulations of G. soja for studying possible mutual influence of subpopulations of anthropogenic and natural phytocenosis on the formation of their genetic diversity and to study genetic structure of natural subpopulations of wild soybean in the contact places between the two types ofcenoses. As a result, the characteristics that describe the genetic diversity of studied populations have been identified and the important role of an interaction between subpopulations of different phytocenoses on formation of the spatial genetic structure of population in the valley of Tsukanovka river has been demonstrated.

[Study of genetic diversity and spatial structure of the wild soybean (Glycine soja Sieb. & Zucc.) population from the Ekaterinovka in the south of Primorskii krai].

Data are presented on the genetic diversity and spatial structure of the natural wild soybean population from the neighborhood of the settlement of Ekaterinovka in Primorskii krai and on the relationship between the genetic structure of this population and its spatial organization. These data are discussed in comparison with the results of studies of wild soybean populations in the Far East region of the Russian Federation and China. Recommendations are given concerning the collection of genetic wild soybean resources.

[Genetic aspects of digestive diseases. Part 1].

The paper presents the data available in the literature on mutations in known genes in pancreatitis, such as cationic trypsinogen (PRSS1), pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor (PSTI/SPINK1), cystic fibrosis (CFTR), and apolipoprotein E (APOE) genes, as well as the new candidate gene--chymotrypsinogen (CTRC). It also gives the results of the authors studies estimating the spread of the mutations in the PRSS1 (2.5%), PSTI/SPINK1 (3.3%), and CFTR (0.8%) genes, as well as APOE polymorphism in patients with pancreatitis. It is shown that the E4 allele of the APOE gene was more frequently identified in patients with acute pancreatitis than in those with chronic pancreatitis (0.143 +/- 0.05 and 0.026 +/- 0.02, respectively; p < 0.05). An overview is given of 7 major classes of candidate genes implicated in the pathogenesis of cholesterol cholelithiasis (CL): hepatic enzymes regulating blood lipid composition; receptors of lipoproteins, hepatic and intestinal membrane and intracellular transport proteins; factors regulating the transcription of lipids and bile salts, cholecystokinin and its receptors, and mucin. In the authors' epidemiological study, the spread of APOE alleles and genotypes did not differ in women with and without CL; low molecular-weight apolipoprotein(a) isoforms (B, S2) were significantly found in patients with CL than in those without CL; the spread of the CG genotype in the TRPM8 gene was significantly lower in women with cholesterol CL than that in the Novosibirsk population. These polymorphisms have been proved to be associated with bile cholesterol concentrations in women with cholesterol CL. The opposite effect of the APOE4 allele on gallbladder stone formation processes is demonstrated, by using the APOE polymorphism as an example, which shows it necessary to examine each specific population to elicit a possible association between the polymorphism of different genes and gastrointestinal tract diseases.

[Lithogenicity of bile and serum lipoproteins (A) in cholelitiasis in women].

Blood serum Lp (a) level's increasing accompanied significant rising of gallbladder bile lithogenicity in the women with gallstone disease (GSD) with verified cholesterol gallstones. Apolipoprotein (a) (Apo (a)) isoforms B, S1 (most atherogenic) frequency in the women with GSD was significantly higher, and isoforms Apo (a) 0, S4 - significantly lower than in the women in control group without GSD. Gallbladder bile was significantly more lithogenic in the women with GSD who had Apo (a) B and S1 isoforms than in women with GSD with isoforms Apo (a) 0 and S4.

[Lipoprotein(a)--a new independent cholelithiasis risk factor?].

AIM: To study the level of lipoprotein(a)--Lp(a) in the blood serum and incidence of isoforms of apolipoprotein(a)--apo(a) in males and females with cholelithiasis and free of it in population of Novosibirsk; to assess possible correlations between Lp(a) level in the blood, apo(a) isoforms and bile lithogenicity in females with cholesterol cholelithiasis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Examination of the representative samples of 870 females aged 25-64 years and 405 males aged 35-54 years has detected cholelithiasis in 91 females and 19 males. RESULTS: Serum levels of Lp(a) are associated with cholelithiasis. Risk of the latter in males (Lp(a) > 28 mg/dl) and females (Lp(a) > 24 mg/dl) is estimated. It is confirmed that isoforms of apo(a) B, S1 and S2 in females and isoforms of apo(a) B, S2 in males with cholelithiasis occur much more frequently than in individuals free of cholelithiasis while isoform apo(a) S4 is rare. Females with cholesterol cholelithiasis have positive correlation between blood Lp(a) levels, the presence of isoforms apo(a) B, S1 and bile lithogenicity. CONCLUSION: Males and females with cholelithiasis have more frequent high concentrations of Lp(a) (> 30 mg.dl) while low levels (0-5 mg/dl) are rare. There is a correlation between blood levels of Lp(a), apo(a) isoforms, bile lithogenicity in females with cholesterol cholelithiasis.

[Molecular genetic analysis of wild soybean (Glycine soja Sieb. & Zucc.) population structure in anthropogenic and natural landscapes of Primorskii krai].

The data are presented on genetic population structure of wild soybean growing in natural and anthropogenically disturbed landscapes of Primorskii krai of the Russian Federation. Comparative analysis showed that wild soybean populations exposed to anthropogenic influence exhibited lower genetic diversity than natural populations. Recommendations on conservation of the wild plant gene pools using comparative data on population genetic structures are made.

[Ontogenetic and phylogenetic analysis of myosin light chain proteins from skeletal muscles of loach Misgurnus fossilis].

mRNAs of all three types of myosin light chain proteins are expressed in skeletal muscles of both larval and adult stages of loach Misgurnus fossilis (Cobitidae) and these proteins are encoded by different genes (mlc1, mlc2, and mlc3). No difference was revealed between transcripts from larval stage and adult fish for all three mlc proteins. Our approach (RT-PCR with fish-specific mlc1, mlc2, and mlc3 primers) failed to reveal the larval form of myosin light chain protein found previously by protein electrophoresis of loach fry muscle extract. Comparative analysis of the protein structure shows high homology of MLC1 and MLC3 proteins sharing a large EF-hand calcium-binding domain. Phylogenetic analysis of MLC1 from skeletal muscles of fish and other vertebrate species is concordant with the traditional phylogeny of the group. Within the Teleostei, loach MLC1 had the highest homology with other Cyprinidae, and least with Salmonidae fishes.

[Remote effects of occupational and non-occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields of power-line frequency. Epidemiological studies]. / Otdalennye éffekty proizvodstvennykh i vneproizvodstvennykh vozdeistvii élektromagnitnykh polei promyshlennoi chastoty. Epidemiologicheskie issledovaniia.

A retrospective cohort study of mortality in the personnel of power-supply plants in the European regions of Russia was carried out. The exposure of the personnel to electromagnetic fields of power-line frequency (PF) was taken into account. Statistically non-significant raise of mortality from leukemia was found, compared to low mortality rates due to all other causes including cancer of any type. Standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was equal to 2.03 (95% CI = 0.23-7.31). In the retrospective case-control study the haemoblastosis development risk under occupational PF EMF exposure was evaluated. The data of 571 "cases" and 1208 "controls" interview showed that odd ratio (OR) was 1.64 (95% CI = 0.8-3.1). In another retrospective case-control study the risk of the haemoblastosis development in children due to parents PF EMF occupational exposure was evaluated. The data of 208 "cases" and 319 "controls" interview showed that the odd ratio (OR) was 1.69 (95% CI = 0.7-3.3). A retrospective cohort study of mortality in a settlement situated near a high-voltage (500 kV) substation, which took into account PF EMF levels in residential areas, revealed low mortality rates, except leukemia mortality (SMR 1.3; 95% CI = 0.2-7.0). The obtained data do not allow excluding a possibility of PF EMF leukogenic effect.

Plasma lipoprotein (a) levels and Apo(a) isoforms in native population of Chukotka with and without arterial hypertension.

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) levels and Apolipoprotien(a) (Apo(a)) isoforms in blood plasma were determined among the native population of Chukotka (Chukchee, Eskimo) in 32 persons with and 148 persons without Arterial Hypertension (AH). Plasma Lp(a) levels were determined by radial immunodiffusion using polyclonal antibodies raised against purified Lp(a) human plasma. The range of fluctuations of Lp(a) levels was wide: 0-77 mg/dl (Chukchee), 0-48 mg/dl (Eskimo). The distribution in the total population was also highly skewed, yielding a curve similar to a negative exponential function. Insignificant differences were found in the levels of Lp(a) between persons with and without AH: 22.9 +/- 2.6 vs. 20.6 +/- 0.8 mg/dl. Apo(a) isoform S4 as homozygous appears to be more frequent in patients with AH (8.1%), than in persons without AH (15.3%), isoform S2 in 30.2% and 19.2%, isoform S1 in 3.9% and 2.9%, respectively (in all cases p > 0.05). In conclusion, plasma Lp(a) levels in native population of Chukotka (Chukchee, Eskimo) did not differ between persons with AH and without AH. Apo(a) isoform distribution differed slightly between Chukchee and Eskimo with AH and without AH.

[Galstena efficacy in patients with biliary dyskinesia, chronic cholecystitis and cholelithiasis]. / "Galstena" u patsientov s diskineziei zhelchnovyvodiashchikh putei, khronicheskim kholetsistitom i zhelchno-kamennoi bolezn'iu.

The response of inflammation, bile secretion, lipid metabolism, LDL sensitivity to oxidation was studied in patients with bile duct dyskinesia (BDD), chronic cholecystitis (CC) and cholelithiasis (CL) before and after a course of therapy with galstena. The treatment improved general condition in 90% of the patients, dyspeptic symptoms relieved or stopped. Galstena relieved general or local inflammation, reduced mean levels of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, raised HDL cholesterol. In patients with BDD and cholelithiasis galstena did not change normal sensitivity of LDL to oxidation. A galstena course in BDD and CC patients significantly diminished bile lithogenicity and improved gall bladder contractility.

[The characteristics of the action of low-frequency magnetic fields with different parameters in experimental endotoxemia]. / Osobennosti deistviia nizkochastotnykh magnitnykh polei razlichnykh parametrov pri éksperimental'noi éndotoksemii.

Rat experiments were made to study effects of magnetic fields varying in parameters on the course of endotoxemia and relevant changes. Dynamics of temperature and pain reactions, some biochemical indices depends much on frequency and impulse characteristics of low-frequency magnetic field.

[Anti-edematous action of EDTA, its effect on lipid peroxidation intensity and various components of the antioxidant system of the lungs in rats exposed to NO2]. / Protivootechnoe deistvie EDTA i ee vliianie na intensivnost' perekisnogo okisleniia lipidov i nekotorye komponenty antioksidantnoi sistemy legkikh krys pri vozdeistvii NO2.

It has been studied how preventive administration of EDTA influences toxic NO2- induced pulmonary edema and disturbances in antioxidant systems. The compound in question, being preventively administered, has exerted a significant antiedematic effect as a result of a decrease in lipid peroxidation intensity and protection of the most important substrate components of the nonenzymatic antioxidant system from the oxidation effect.