[Overactive bladder in the structure of somatized depression].

In everyday practice, urologists often encounter clinical manifestations of overactive bladder (OAB), without of organic or infectious disease. In such cases, OAB may appears in the structure of a somatized (more often depressive) disorder, and therefore an integrated psychosomatic approach to such patient management is becoming increasingly relevant. The relevance of studying the topic is due to the high prevalence of OAB symptoms, its recurrent course, insufficient effectiveness of urological treatment, a significant decrease in the quality of life and working capacity of the socially active part of the adult population. Our clinical observation illustrates the development of symptoms of OAB with massive "pseudo-urological" symptoms within the framework of recurrent somatized depression in a woman of involutional age.

[The comparison of tests for qualitative evaluation of Ureaplasma parvum, Mycoplasma hominis: "Mycoplasma duo", "Ureaplasma microtest", "Mycoplasma microtest" and "AmpliSens-Florocenosis-mycoplasma-FL"].

The genital mycoplasma is an opportunistic bacteria and its detection is to be implemented in qualitative format. The study was organized to compare reagents kits "Mycoplasma Duo", "Ureaplasma Microtest", "Mycoplasma microtest" and "AmpliSens-Florocenosis-Mycoplasma-FL". The study resulted in high indicators of diagnostic sensitivity and diagnostic specificity for all kits. At that, the lowest indicators were registered under application of "Mycoplasma Duo" kit. The study reveled correlation of qualitative values detected by using cultural analysis and polymerase chain reaction. The reproducibility of qualitative values of cultural method occurred significantly lower in comparison with "AmpliSens-Florocenosis-Mycoplasma-FL " kit.

[Effects of relic microorganism B. sp. on development, gaseous exchange, spontaneous motor activity, stress resistance and survival of Drosophila melanogaster].

The effect of relic microorganism B. sp., living in severe environment of Siberian permafrost during thousands and millions of years, on development and stress resistance of Drosophila melanogaster has been studied. In manipulating with such objects with practically "eternal life span", molecular carriers of the unprecedented longevity potential and possibilities of their transmission to other biological objects should primarily be addressed. Here we discuss for the first time the influence of B. sp. application on development, survival, stress resistance and the gross physiological predictors of aging rate in D. melanogaster. To establish optimal and toxic doses, wide range of B. sp. concentrations were tested (1-500 million cells of B. sp. per 1 ml of the flies feeding medium). Surprisingly, no toxic effects of B. sp. could be registered even on such a "sensitive" model as the developing larvae. In fact, the rate of development, survival and body mass gradually increased with elevation of B. sp. concentration. The gain of higher body mass within shorter periods of development could indicate enhanced anabolic and/ or declined catabolic effects of B. sp. Higher motor activity and gaseous exchange rates were observed in imagoes developed on the mediums with B. sp. application. Survival of these flies at the heat shock (30 min at 38 degrees C) and ultraviolet irradiation (60 min, 50W UV lamp) was increased, indicating elevated stress resistance, apparently due to stimulation of DNA-repair and chaperone-mediated protection of macromolecules. Further research is clearly warranted to identify more efficient anti-stress and antiaging preparations and schemes of B. sp. application on models of laboratory mammals and human cell cultures.

[The dynamics of chromosomal instability of welsh onion (Allium fistulosum L.): the influence of seed storage temperature].

The age-related dynamics of chromosomal instability and germination capacity of welsh onion (Allium fistulosum L.) seeds have been studied under two different storage temperatures during six years after harvesting. Seeds that were kept at the room temperature (14-28 degrees C) during 6 years of storage have lost their germination capacity. The frequencies of aberrant anaphases grew from 2% on the first month of storage up to 80% on the 75th month of storage. The germination capacity of seeds kept at the lower temperature (4-9 degrees C) was 73-77% on the 6th year of storage and the frequency of aberrant anaphases remained within the limits of 2-4%. Thus, storage of welsh onion seeds during 6 years at the lower temperature allows to retain germination capacity and restrains the augmentation of chromosomal instability in root meristem cells of seedlings during this period.

[The micronuclei frequencies in the buccal cell epithelium of young people of different age and gender in Ukraine].

The results of study of micronuclei (MN) frequencies among the participants of Ukrainian school biological olympiads are presented. Totally 266 persons have been inspected. The distribution of MN frequencies correspond to the Poisson's distribution with lambda = 2.5. The average frequency of micronuclei in males was 2.4 +/- 0.15%, in females it was 2.7 +/- 0.14%. The difference of the average MN frequencies for these two groups was statistically insignificant. The individual micronuclei frequencies varied from 0 to 8.3%, the average MN frequency in the general group was 2.5 +/- 0.11%, (limits 2-5%). The micronuclei frequencies in different age groups of males and females were compared. Significantly higher MN frequencies in females than in males at the age of sixteen were detected. The age-related changes of micronuclei frequencies (14-18 age) were different for females compared to males.

[Dynamics of the induced chromosomal instability in welsh onion (Allium fistulosum L.): gamma irradiation of the seeds of different storage periods].

The chromosome aberrations in root meristem cells of welsh onion (Allium fistulosum L.) seeds after gamma-irradiation (5 and 10 Gy) of different-aged seeds (7, 19, 31, 43 and 55 months of storage) were studied. The irradiation dose of 5 Gy significantly increased the frequency of aberrant anaphases (FAA) for 31- and 43-months seeds; the dose of 10 Gy significantly increased the FAA in seeds of all age groups. The irradiation of young (7 months) seeds resulted in decreasing of the fraction of bridges to the control level of the old (55-months) seeds for the dose of 5 Gy and below the control level of the old seeds--for the dose of 10 Gy. Some peculiarities of cytogenetic parameters of genome instability and the germinating capacity of the seeds made it possible to suppose that the third year of storage is a critical period for the welsh onion seeds.

Genetic diversity in populations of Gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua).

RAPD analysis was used to examine the extent of genetic polymorphism in two populations of Gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua) from Antarctic Islands (Petermann and Livingston). The chosen two of three 10 mer oligonucleotide primers accordingly to preliminary results showed different levels of polymorphism in Gentoo penguins at Petermann Island (from 23.53 to 42.86%) and Livingston Island (from 52.94 to 57.14%). Nei's similarity coefficients were in range from 0.5606 (when Gentoo genome profiles were compared with RAPD profiles of two related penguin species: Pygoscelis adeliae (Adelie) and Pygoscelis antarctica (Chinstrep)) to 0.9281 among observed Gentoo penguin populations. Nei's distances values ranged from 0.0746 to 0.5787 among the populations and species. The obtained results will be used for further estimation of genetic diversity of Gentoo penguins and determination of their taxonomic status.

Glucocorticoid regulation of phospholipid turnover and protein kinase C activity in mouse hepatoma 22 cells.

Glucocorticoids induce growth inhibition in certain sensitive hepatoma cells. To investigate how glucocorticoids interact with growth-factor-dependent pathways, we studied the effects of dexamethasone (Dex) on the DNA synthesis, protein kinase C (PKC) activity and phospholipid turnover in mouse hepatoma 22 cells. Dex was found to reduce DNA synthesis in slowly growing hepatoma cells, whereas exponentially growing cells were Dex-insensitive. Direct measurements of PKC activity in the hormone-sensitive hepatoma 22 cells showed a rapid inhibition (within 30 min) when treated with Dex. Dex addition to hormone-sensitive but not to hormone-insensitive hepatoma 22 cells for 30 min caused a significant decrease of 32P-incorporation into the major cellular phospholipids: phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphoinositides. At the same time, the analysis of the correlation between changes in PKC activity and phospholipid turnover showed that synthesis of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol was under positive control of PKC activity. The data suggest that suppression of phospholipid turnover in hormone-sensitive hepatoma 22 cells is one of the early events caused by glucocorticoids, whereas the decrease of PKC activity induced by the hormone is mediated, probably, via changes in phospholipid metabolism.

[The evaluation of the diagnostic value of PCR test systems according to the results of state trials].

The method for the diagnostic value evaluation of preparations, based on the calculation of the accuracy of test results and taking into account the spread of the diagnosed disease (the comparison of the PCR test systems for the diagnostics of hepatitis B and ureaplasmosis) is proposed. As shown in this work, evaluations obtained with the use of this method coincide with those obtained on the basis of prognostic value, but are more convenient in use and provide additional information.

Basic gerontology research in Ukraine: main trends.

The main trends of basic research in gerontology in Ukraine are presented in this paper. The greatest attention is paid to the directions of research which have been traditionally followed in Ukrainian gerontology, such as neurohumoral regulation of the activities of different organs and systems and mechanisms of its age-related changes, metabolism in ageing, age-related immunology, elaboration of the ways and approaches to life-span prolongation. In recent years, more attention has been paid to research into the molecular--genetic mechanisms of ageing, the development of genetic and gene-regulatory therapy methods, the study of the mechanisms of accelerated and, above all, radiation-induced ageing and the elaboration of prophylactic methods against it.

[Correlative variability of quantitative and qualitative characters in a single-locus diallelic model]. / Sopriazhennaia izmenchivost' kachestvennogo i kolichestvennogo priznakov v odnolokusnoi diallel'noi modeli.

The aim of the work was to analyse some regularities of correlative variability of qualitative and quantitative characters. The simplest classical model of quantitative character was used for study of the dependence of mean (X) and variance (V) of quantitative character on the genotypic composition of the group, on peculiarities of alleles relations with quantitative character and on the allele frequencies (q). Two types of the genotypic groups were discriminated: homogeneous and heterogeneous ones. In homogeneous groups V = 0; X and V are independent of the q. In heterogeneous ones V > 0 and both of X and V depend of the q. Specific contribution of additive and dominant allelic effect on the group genotypic composition and also on the q. It is possible to determine the expected value of X and V for any group of known genotypic composition on the base of data calculated from direct measures of individuals in the sample. The expected differences of variances in homogeneous group of heterozygotes and heterogeneous ones of homozygotes (1/1 + 2/2) become significant since expected genotypic variance of last group is equal or more than 0.4VE, where VE--nongenotypic variance. The need of taking into consideration expected X and V under comparing quantitative character in groups with different genotypic compositions is discussed.

[Algebraic regularities of the ratio of heterozygosity with a mean and variance of quantitative character]. / Algebraicheskie zakonomernosti sootnosheniia geterozigotnosti so srednim znacheniem i dispersiei kolichestvennogo priznaka.

The relationships of heterozygosity with the mean and variance of quantitative character were considered under neutrality, additivity and overdominance of polymorphic loci. Attention was drawn to dependence of the patterns of relationships on the number of polymorphic loci (which varied from 1 to 10) and on the type of polymorphic loci, both homogeneous (polymorphic loci are of the same type) and heterogeneous (polymorphic loci are of the two types) samples of 10 polymorphic loci and their combination. It is shown that increase in the number of polymorphic loci is accompanied with extension of the limits of corresponding relations, whereas the patterns of these relations depend on the type of connection of separate polymorphic locus with the quantitative character and on the ratio of different loci in the set of polymorphic loci. It is assumed that the relationship of heterozygosity with quantitative characters, displayed in the number of experimental works, may contain a component mediated by similar statistical effects. It is inferred that the discrepancy between different authors' experimental data on existence or lack of some relationships between multiplicative heterozygosity and morphological variability of quantitative characters can be explained by different types of relations of polymorphic loci to quantitative characters encountered in their works.

[Electrophoretic pseudopolymorphism: the role of modifications illustrated by proteolysis]. / Elektroforeticheskii psevdopolimorfizm: rol' modifikatsii na primere proteoliza.

The term "pseudopolymorphism" refers to a situation, where there is no simple correspondence between genotype and phenotype: a single genotype may be moulded into several phenotypes. It is known that broad substrate specificity of enzymes may be one of the causes for pseudopolymorphism. This article deals with the other cause for this phenomenon--a consequence of post-translation modifications, such as limited proteolysis. Variability of some enzymes of grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella Val. (Pisces, Cyprinidae) was studied by gel electrophoresis. It was found that variability of isozyme patterns of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH), malic enzyme (ME) and esterase (EST) is connected with the differences in protease activity of grass carp liver homogenates. The fish isozyme patterns of high (and, partially, intermediate) proteinase activity had some anomalies: displacement of fractions, one or several additional fractions, decreased activity of single fractions or the whole spectrum. In some cases, this variability looked like a classical polymorphic system specified by two alleles of one locus. The effect of enzymes' and proteins' modifications on electrophoretical pseudopolymorphism is discussed.

[Dominant monogenic markers of quantitative characters]. / Dominantnye monogennye markery kolichestvennykh priznakov.

Peculiarities of interdependent variation of monogenic and polygenic traits were analyzed using a one-locus diallelic model of a monogenic, dominantly inherited trait. The possibility of determining the mean genotypic value of the trait (m) and also the additive (a) and nonadditive (d) effects of the interaction between alleles of a monogenic trait on a quantitative trait is considered. It is shown that a and d can differ from zero even if the mean values in the groups with dominant and recessive phenotypes are equal. Equations are presented that allow the direct use of data obtained in population studies for determining m, a, and d, as well as corresponding standard errors under the conditions of codominance and dominance of the monogenic trait. Another group of equations allows determination of the sample size necessary for calculating m, a, and d. The problem concerning the ambiguity of m, a, and d values calculated using the proposed equations is discussed. This ambiguity depends on the fact that identification of genotypes in the case of a dominantly inherited monogenic trait is impossible.

[Cloning and analysis of genetic determinants determining the production of microcin B2 and B27]. / Klonirovanie i analiz geneticheskikh determinantov, opredeliaiushchikh produktsiiu mikrotsinov B2 i B27.

Cloning of plasmid genes for the synthesis of two peptide broad-spectrum antibiotics-microcins B2 and B27- and for host cell immunity to their action was performed. Recombinant plasmids containing these genes were designated pBE108 and pVB27, respectively. Deletional derivatives of plasmid pBE108 and mutant plasmids were obtained via transposon Tn5 insertions, which did not determine production of microcin B2 and immunity to it. Phenotypic study and physical mapping of these plasmids demonstrated that a 4.2-kb DNA fragment is responsible for B2 microcin production; immunity is provided by a 1.4-kb DNA fragment. A 5-kb DNA fragment is necessary for microcin B27 synthesis and expression of immunity to its action. Homology between these fragments and with plasmid DNA for the synthesis of microcin B17 and immunity to it was found. Homology between plasmid genes determining synthesis of type B and C microcins and host cell immunity to them was not observed. The production of B27 microcin is controlled by the product of the ompR gene; B2 microcin synthesis does not depend on this product. The mutations recA and lexA increase the susceptibility of Escherichia coli cells to the action of microcins B2 and B27 but not microcin C51.

[Identification and expression of plasmid genes participating in the synthesis of microcin C51]. / Identifikatsiia i ékspressiia plazmidnykh genov, uchastvuiushchikh v sinteze mikrotsina C51.

A structural gene of heptapeptide, which is a component of the microcin C51 molecule, was identified by hybridization of plasmid DNA fragments and a mixture of synthesized oligonucleotides with the sequence corresponding to that of amino acids in the peptide. Sequence analysis of the structural gene of microcin peptide and its promoter region was performed. The data obtained indicate that the peptide of microcin C51 is synthesized on ribosomes. Four polypeptides of 67, 39, 16, and 14 kDa were identified using the system of minicells. These polypeptides are specified by a DNA fragment responsible for microcin synthesis and immunity in a producer cell. Apparently, three of these polypeptides with molecular masses of 67, 39, and 16 kDa are responsible for microcin production and immunity. The 67 kDa polypeptide is involved in the expression of immunity to microcin and, probably, in microcin production.

[Comparative evaluation of diagnostic preparations]. / Sravnitel'naia otsenka diagnosticheskikh preparatov.

The diagnostic value of preparations is commonly characterized by sensitivity and specificity. But not all these characteristics make it possible to decide unequivocally which of the preparations to be compared is superior to the other one with respect to its diagnostic value. It is proposed that in the choice of a diagnostic preparation its capacity to provide data for exact diagnosis should be considered, i.e. the additional characteristic indicating the spread of the disease under study. As an example, the comparison of the diagnostic value of conventional methods and the polymerase chain reaction in the diagnostics of helicobacteriosis is presented. The described method for the evaluation of the diagnostic value of the preparation is well-grounded, simple and obvious.

[Age-related properties of inductive synthesis of glucose-6-phosphatase, fructose-1,6-diphosphatase, tyrosine aminotransferase and tryptophan pyrrolase in hypothalamus stimulation]. / Vozrastnye osobennosti induktivnogo sinteza gliukozo-6-fosfatazy, fruktozo-1,6-difosfatazy, tirozin-aminotransferazy i triptofan-pirrolazy pri stimuliatsii gipotalamusa

In aged rats electrostimulation of hypothalamus caused less distinct induction of the enzymes in liver tissue, kidney and spleen as compared with the adult animals. The activation of the total RNA synthesis (actinomycin D and olivomycin) eliminated the alterations in the enzymatic activities, caused by the stimulation of hypothalamus. Effect of adrenalectomy and administration of ACTH suggested that the influence of the hypothalamus stimulation on induction of the enzymes studied was realized through the system hypophysis -- adrenal cortex. In the aged animals activation of adrenal cortex was less distinct when the stimulation of hypothalamus was carried out. The alterations in hypothalamic regulation of the enzyme induction could be an important mechanism in regulation of adaptive reactions in aged organisms.

[Synthesis of RNA fractions in rat liver during single and multiple stimulation of the hypothalamus]. / Sintez fraktsii RNK pecheni krys pri odnokratnom i mnogokratnom razdrazhenii gipotalamusa.

Specific radioactivity of RNA from rat liver tissue, labelled with 14C-orotic acid and fractionated using thermic phenol method, was altered dissimilarly. In single stimulation of hypothalamus the specific radioactivity of nuclear RNA was increased in RNA-40 degrees fraction than in RNA-55 degrees and RNA-63 degrees ones. A decrease in synthesis of nuclear RNA fractions followed the phase of activation in repeated stimulation of hypothalamus. The distinct increase in specific radioactivity was observed in cytoplasmic RNA (RNA-4 degrees) both in single and repeated stimulation of hypothalamus. The stimulating effect of the prolonged hypothalamus irritation on synthesis of the RNA fractions and on activity of glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1,6-diphosphatase disappeared more rapidly than this effect in long-term administration of hydrocortisone. The data obtained suggest that sensitivity of tissue-targets to prolonged hormonal stimulation is distinctly higher than the ability of hypothalamus to activate the synthesis of RNA and enzymatic proteins.

[The ABO blood group system as genetic markers of quantitative traits in man]. / Gruppy krovi sistemy ABO kak geneticheskie markery kolichestvennykh priznakov u cheloveka.

A model of correlative variability of AB0 blood groups and a quantitative trait (mad-model) was analysed. Statistics for evaluation of additive and non-additive effects of alleles IA, IB and i on quantitative trait were developed. Restrictions of the model application are discussed. The obtained results may be used in genetic epidemiology for study of sensitivity or resistance to different diseases.