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Chirality has an important role in the drug design because enantiomers may exhibit different bioactivity when interacting with macromolecules of a living organism. In our previous work, based on the analysis of a set of 100 chiral drugs, a relationship was established between the sign of chirality of enantiomers and their bioactivity. To understand the reasons for the observed patterns of chiral specificity of drug enantiomers, the interaction of 10 enantiomeric pairs of chiral drugs with the corresponding target proteins has been considered using molecular docking and further postprocessing by quantum chemistry methods. The data obtained confirm that the energetic aspect of the interaction between opposite enantiomers and target protein affects the enantiomer biological activity. In addition, the results show that molecular docking is able to distinguish between bioactive and inactive/less active enantiomers, although many docking programs are not accurate enough to distinguish a weak inhibitor from a strong one., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Despite more than 50 years of primary immunization against diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus in Russia, complicated illnesses, including fatal ones, still occur. The goal of this preliminary cross-sectional study is to see how well pregnant women and healthcare workers are protected against diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus. The required sample size (pregnant women and healthcare professionals, as well as pregnant women of two age categories) for this preliminary cross-sectional study was calculated using a confidence value of 0.95 and a probability of 0.05. The required number of participants in each group calculated sample size must be at least 59 people. In the Moscow region (Solnechnogorsk city, Russia), a cross-sectional study of pregnant patients and healthcare professionals interacting with children regularly as part of their job from numerous medical organizations was conducted in the year 2021 ( n  = 655). Antibodies to diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis toxoids and microorganisms were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The STATISTICA and IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0 were used to process the study results statistically. Descriptive statistics methods, the Mann-Whitney U -test, discriminant analysis with the stepwise selection and analysis of ROC-curves were applied. IgG against diphtheria was found in 99.5% of pregnant women, tetanus in 91.5%, and pertussis in only 36.5%. According to the results of the discriminant analysis, the value of IgG to pertussis is linked to the value of IgA to pertussis and the gestational periods. Immunity to diphtheria was discovered in 99.1% of medical personnel, tetanus in 96.9%, and pertussis in 43.9%, no significant variations with age. When comparing the levels of immunity of pregnant women and healthcare professionals, it was shown that healthcare workers have greater levels of immunity against diphtheria and tetanus. The novel contribution of this study is that it will reveal the proportion of those vulnerable to pertussis, diphtheria, and tetanus among health workers and pregnant women in all age groups under the current national immunization program in Russia. Considering the data obtained from the preliminary cross-sectional study, we believe that it is necessary to conduct a full-scale study on a larger sample and, based on that, make certain changes to the national immunization program in Russia., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (© 2023 Basov, Zhernov, Kashutina, Kashkovskaya, Kombarova, Enilenis, Severova, Fadeeva, Vysochanskaya, Belova, Shashina, Makarova, Shcherbakov, Skopin and Mitrokhin.)

Micro ribonucleic acids (microRNAs or miRNAs) form a distinct subtype of non-coding RNA and are widely recognized as one of the most significant gene expression regulators in mammalian cells. Mechanistically, the regulation occurs through microRNA binding with its response elements in the 3'-untranslated region of target messenger RNAs (mRNAs), resulting in the post-transcriptional silencing of genes, expressing target mRNAs. Compared to small interfering RNAs, microRNAs have more complex regulatory patterns, making them suitable for fine-tuning gene expressions in different tissues. Dysregulation of microRNAs is well known as one of the causative factors in malignant cell growth. Today, there are numerous data points regarding microRNAs in different cancer transcriptomes, the specificity of microRNA expression changes in various tissues, and the predictive value of specific microRNAs as cancer biomarkers. Breast cancer (BCa) is the most common cancer in women worldwide and seriously impairs patients' physical health. Its incidence has been predicted to rise further. Mounting evidence indicates that microRNAs play key roles in tumorigenesis and development. Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in men. Different microRNAs play an important role in PCa. Early diagnosis of BCa and PCa using microRNAs is very useful for improving individual outcomes in the framework of predictive, preventive, and personalized (3P) medicine, thereby reducing the economic burden. This article reviews the roles of different types of microRNA in BCa and PCa progression.

99 Tc is one of the predominant fission products of 235 U and an important component of nuclear industry wastes. The long half-life and specific activity of 99 Tc (212,000 y, 0.63 GBq g -1 ) makes Tc a hazardous material. Two principal ways were proposed for its disposal, namely, long-term storage and transmutation. Conversion to metal-like technetium matrices is highly desirable for both cases and for the second one the reasonably high Tc purity was important too. Tetramethylammonium pertechnetate (TMAP) was proposed here as a prospective precursor for matrix manufacture. It provided with very high decontamination factors from actinides (that is imperative for transmutation) by means of recrystallisation and it was based on the precise data on TMAP solubility and thermodynamics accomplished in the temperature range of 3-68 °C. The structure of solid pertechnetates were re-estimated with precise X-ray structure solution and compared to its Re and Cl analogues and tetrabutylammonium analogue as well. Differential thermal and evolved gas analysis in a flow of Ar-5% H 2 gas mixture showed that the major products of thermolysis were pure metallic technetium in solid matrix, trimethylammonium, carbon dioxide, and water in gas phase. High decontamination factors have been achieved when TMAP was used as an intermediate precursor for Tc.

Scombroid food poisoning (SFP) is a foodborne disease that develops after consumption of fresh fish and, rarely, seafood that has fine organoleptic characteristics but contains a large amount of exogenous histamine. SFP, like other food pseudo-allergic reactions (FPA), is a disorder that is clinically identical to allergic reactions type I, but there are many differences in their pathogenesis. To date, SFP has been widespread throughout the world and is an urgent problem, although exact epidemiological data on incidence varies greatly. The need to distinguish SFP from true IgE-associated allergy to fish and seafood is one of the most difficult examples of the differential diagnosis of allergic conditions. The most important difference is the absence of an IgE response in SFP. The pathogenesis of SFP includes a complex system of interactions between the body and chemical triggers such as exogenous histamine, other biogenic amines, cis-urocanic acid, salicylates, and other histamine liberators. Because of the wide range of molecular pathways involved in this process, it is critical to understand their differences. This may help predict and prevent poor outcomes in patients and contribute to the development of adequate hygienic rules and regulations for seafood product safety. Despite the vast and lengthy history of research on SFP mechanisms, there are still many blank spots in our understanding of this condition. The goals of this review are to differentiate various molecular mechanisms of SFP and describe methods of hygienic regulation of some biogenic amines that influence the concentration of histamine in the human body and play an important role in the mechanism of SFP.

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a huge impact on all areas of human life. Since the risk of biological threats will persist in the future, it is very important to ensure mobilization readiness for a prompt response to the possible emergence of epidemics of infectious diseases. Therefore, from both a theoretical and practical standpoint, it is currently necessary to conduct a thorough examination of the COVID-19 epidemic. The goal of this research is to investigate the underlying processes that led to the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia and to identify ways to improve preventive measures and ensure mobilization readiness for a quick response to potential COVID-19-like pandemics. This research will analyze the daily dynamics of the number of infection cases and the number of new lethal cases of COVID-19. We analyzed the daily number of new cases of COVID-19 infection N(d), the daily number of new lethal cases L(d), their percentage ratio L(d)/N(d) 100% in Russia for 2 years of the pandemic (from the beginning of the pandemic to 23 March 2022), the rate of increase and decrease of these indicators (dN(d)/dd and dL(d)/dd), as well as their spectra created on the basis of wavelet analysis. Wavelet analysis of the deep structure of the N(d) and L(d) wavelet spectra made it possible to identify the presence of internal cycles, the study of which makes it possible to predict the presence of days with the maximum number of infections and new deaths in a pandemic similar to COVID-19 and outline ways and methods for improving preventive measures and measures to ensure mobilization readiness for a rapid response to the potential emergence of pandemics similar to COVID-19.

(1) Background: The use of face masks and gloves in public places directly shows the commitment of the population to the established regulations. Public transport is one of the most-at-risk places of contamination. The aim of the study was to analyze the face mask use by public transport passengers and workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. (2) Methods: Public transport passengers and workers were surveyed. Periodic intermittent selective observation was used to gauge the level of adherence to the established regulations among public transport passengers. Factor analysis was used to identify factors determining the face-mask-wearing comfort. (3) Results: The majority of passengers (87.5%) and all transport workers (100%) used face masks and gloves. Most of the users wore only face masks. Only 41.6% of passengers and 74.7% of transport workers wore face masks correctly. Motivational attitudes at the implementation of preventive measures were determined: established regulations in the public place (55.8%) and the protection of one's own health and the health of family members (44.2%). Only 22.5% of those wearing face masks believed that doing so will have any effect on the spread of an infectious disease, and 10.8% wore masks to maintain the health of people around themselves. A low level of social responsibility was demonstrated. For 53.4% of workers, face mask wearing was uncomfortable. The majority of workers had adverse reactions to mask wearing: feeling short of breath (52.8%), hyperemia of face skin (33.8%), and facial hyperhidrosis (67.4%). (4) Conclusions: The comfort of wearing a mask is determined by adverse reactions occurrence, the properties of the mask, working conditions, and the duration of wearing the face mask. It is necessary to develop recommendations to reduce wearing discomfort. These recommendations, along with methods of raising the social responsibility of the population, can contribute to a greater commitment of the population to non-specific prevention measures.

To date, tuberculosis (TB) remains the primary cause of mortality in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients in Russia. Since the beginning of 2000, a sharp change in the HIV patients' structure, to the main known risk factors for HIV infection has taken place in Russia. The transmission of HIV through injectable drug use has begun to decline significantly, giving way to the prevalence of sexual HIV transmission today. These changes may require adjustments to organizational approaches to anti-TB care and the treatment of HIV-positive patients. Our study is aimed at identifying changes in TB-HIV coinfection patients' structures in 2019 compared to 2000. Based on the results obtained, our goal was to point out the parameters that need to be taken into account when developing approaches to improve the organization of TB control care for people with HIV infection. We have carried out a cross-sectional, retrospective, epidemiological study using government TB registry data from four regions in two federal districts of Russia in 2019. The case histories of 2265 patients from two regions with high HIV prevalence, which are part of the Siberian Federal District of Russia, and 89 patient histories from two regions of low HIV prevalence, which are part of the Central Federal District of Russia, were analyzed. We found that parenteral transmission (69.4%) remains the primary route of HIV transmission among the TB-HIV coinfected. The unemployed of working age without disability account for 80.2% of all coinfected people, while the formerly incarcerated account for 53.7% and the homeless account for 4.1%. Those with primary multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) comprise 56.2% of HIV-TB patients. When comparing the incidence of coinfection with HIV among TB patients, statistically significant differences were obtained. Thus, the chances of coinfection increased by 4.33 times among people with active TB (95% CI: 2.31; 8.12), by 2.97 times among people with MDR-TB (95% CI: 1.66; 5.32), by 5.2 times in people with advanced processes in the lungs, including destruction, (95% CI: 2.78; 9.7), as well as by 10.3 times in the case of death within the first year after the TB diagnosis (95% CI: 2.99; 35.5). The absence of data for the presence of TB during preventive examination was accompanied by a decrease in the chances of detecting coinfection (OR 0.36; 95% CI: 0.2; 0.64). We have identified the probable causes of the high incidence of TB among HIV-infected: HIV-patient social maladaptation usually results in delayed medical care, leading to TB treatment regimen violations. Furthermore, self-administration of drugs triggers MDR-TB within this group. Healthcare providers should clearly explain to patients the critical importance of immediately seeking medical care when initial TB symptoms appear.

Using ferrocenecarboxylic acid (FcCO 2 H) and triethanolamine (H 3 tea) as ligands, the isostructural heterotrimetallic complexes [LnIII2CrIII2(OH) 2 (FcCO 2 ) 4 (NO 3 ) 2 (Htea) 2 ]·2MePh·2THF (Ln = Tb (1), Dy (2), Ho (3), Er (4), and Y (5); Fc = (η 5 -C 5 H 4 )(η 5 -C 5 H 5 )Fe; H 3 tea = N(CH 2 CH 2 OH) 3 ) were obtained. In all of the complexes which possess a defective dicubane structure, two doubly deprotonated triethanolamine ligands chelate the chromium ions. However, during the synthesis of 1, an isomeric complex 1a in which Tb 3+ is chelated by triethanolamine as a tetradentate ligand, was also isolated as a few single crystals. Magnetic susceptibility measurements revealed dominant antiferromagnetic interactions in the {LnIII2CrIII2} cores of 1-4 leading to the formation of complexes with an uncompensated magnetic moment, while weak Cr-Cr ferromagnetic interactions were detected in the Y analogue. Complexes 1, 2, and 3 exhibit single-molecule magnet properties dominated by an Orbach-type relaxation mechanism with magnetization reversal barriers ( Δ / k B ) estimated around 54, 75, and 47 K, respectively. The Dy complex exhibits a magnetization hysteresis in an applied magnetic field at temperatures below 4 K. Thermolysis of the complexes was studied by TGA and DSC techniques; the final products obtained under an air atmosphere contain mixed oxide Cr 0.75 Fe 1.25 O 3 and heterotrimetallic oxide LnCr 1- x Fe x O 3 (with x ≈ 0.75) phases.

The article presents a study of various mechanisms of hypolimnion technetium behavior which occur at different stages of waterbodies eutrophication. Eutrophication stage was found to be positively correlated with the rate of 99 Tc removal from water phase. The study identified a complex biogeochemical mechanism of technetium behavior. Planktonic phototrophic community plays a pivotal role in such a mechanism by ensuring fast oxygen consumption in hypolimnion. This creates favorable conditions for the active development of anaerobic bottom bacteria of sulfur and iron cycles given nutrients inflow. Sulfates and nitrates were discovered to have inhibitory effect on 99 Tc biosorption by bottom sediments due to oxidizing conditions. Apart from the shift of redox potential of the medium to reducing values, the 99 Tc removal and partial immobilization are also promoted by the presence of inorganic mineral phases of reduced sulfur and iron. These phases form a reducing barrier in the silt, thus preventing the oxidation and migration of technetium. We suggest the ways of stimulating in situ waterbody remediation by means of various additives, which will allow irreversible immobilization of technetium in silt once several growth periods have passed., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Fast-ion driven Alfvén waves with frequency close to the ion cyclotron frequency (f=0.58f_{ci}) excited by energetic ions from a neutral beam are stabilized via a controlled energetic ion density ramp for the first time in a fusion research plasma. The scaling of wave amplitude with injection rate is consistent with theory for single mode collisional saturation near marginal stability. The wave is identified as a shear-polarized global Alfvén eigenmode excited by Doppler-shifted cyclotron resonance with fast ions with sub-Alfvénic energetic ions, a first in fusion research plasmas.

In mammals, most of the boundaries of topologically associating domains and all well-studied insulators are rich in binding sites for the CTCF protein. According to existing experimental data, CTCF is a key factor in the organization of the architecture of mammalian chromosomes. A characteristic feature of the CTCF is that the central part of the protein contains a cluster consisting of eleven domains of C2H2-type zinc fingers, five of which specifically bind to a long DNA sequence conserved in most animals. The class of transcription factors that carry a cluster of C2H2-type zinc fingers consisting of five or more domains (C2H2 proteins) is widely represented in all groups of animals. The functions of most C2H2 proteins still remain unknown. This review presents data on the structure and possible functions of these proteins, using the example of the vertebrate CTCF protein and several well- characterized C2H2 proteins in Drosophila and mammals., (Copyright ® 2021 National Research University Higher School of Economics.)

We prepared and studied two similar series of Er and Yb thiocyanates, involving [Ln(H 2 O) 5 (NCS) 3 ]·H 2 O (1Er, 1Yb) as well as the molecular and ionic complexes with 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) and 1,10-phenantroline (phen), [Ln(H 2 O)(bpy) 2 (NCS) 3 ]·0.5(bpy)·H 2 O (2Er, 2Yb), [Ln(H 2 O)(phen) 2 (NCS) 3 ]·phen·0.5H 2 O (3Er, 3Yb), [Hbpy][Ln(bpy) 2 (NCS) 4 ]·H 2 O (4Er, 4Yb) and [Hphen][Ln(phen) 2 (NCS) 4 ] (5Er, 5Yb). All the complexes were found to exhibit the properties of field-induced single-molecule magnets. For 1Yb, the effective value of the energy barrier for magnetization reversal, Δ eff /k B , equals to 50 K, which is among the highest ones currently known for molecular SMMs based on Yb 3+ . The obtained data are discussed involving essential structural features of the complexes, namely the configuration of the Ln environment, i.e. its composition and geometry as well as mutual distribution of different donating centers. To the best of our knowledge, this work also involves experimental investigation of the largest and thus sufficiently representative series of similar mononuclear SMMs based on Er and Yb within one study.

The experimental study in vivo was aimed at evaluation of hypolipidemic action of the original natural microbial enzyme preparation of cholesterol oxidase (CHO). In preliminary chronic experiments in rats, rabbits, dogs, low toxicity, good tolerability, and anti-atherosclerotic activity of the CHO preparation were established. To assess the effect of CHO under conditions of moderate, nutritional, atherogenic dyslipoproteinemia, experiments were carried out in rats, guinea pigs, and rabbits. It was shown that administration of CHO had the pronounced lipid-lowering effect in models of atherogenic dyslipoproteinemia induced in these animals.

A new phosphine oxide ligand demonstrates high selectivity for the Am-Cm pair with SF = 2.9-3.5 and the Am-Eu pair with SF = 7.3-8.5 in a range of 0.1-3 M nitric acid. Thermodynamic measurements show that the entropy factor is responsible for selectivity observed in the extraction experiment. The most prevalent complexes of all three metal ions were (Ph2PyPO)2M(NO3)3. According to their DFT modelling, the M-N distances for the Cm ion were larger than those for Am, so the last ion enters deeper into the pseudo-cavity of the ligand, which causes the observed selectivity.

Aim: To study the characteristics of health state in family-members of ENT-patients with identified Chlamydia infection., Methods: We have examined 245 members of 87 families of otorhinolaryngological patients with verified (44 families) and without (44 families) Chlamydia infection. Laboratory methods of the research included the identification of the following types: Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydophila pneumoniae. Chlamydia diagnostics involved both direct immune fluorescence and immune enzyme analyses as well as polymerase chain reaction. Health state in ENT-patient family-members has been evaluated by the complex method based on the special questionnaire for every family-member aimed at determining the health category, the calculation of health average coefficient for each family member followed by the determination of family identity with some definite health category., Results: in the families of otorhinolaryngological patients with verified Chlamydia infection there have been revealed considerably more family-members with acute and chronic pathology of different organs and systems associated with functional disorders. The health status of family members of ENT patients with respiratory Chlamydia was significantly worse than in families of patients with negative laboratory results for Chlamydia, which was manifested by a much smaller number of healthy family members and a large number of people with risk factors for health.

The interaction of the Drosophila ENY2 protein with the ORC complex subunits was investigated. It is found that ORC4 and ORC6 subunits directly interact with ENY2.

The role of the gypsy insulator in the replication origin (RO) activity in the presence and absence of one and two copies of this insulator in several genomic sites was studied. Due to the fact that the prepared model system makes it possible to study the activity of this element in a given genomic site, it was shown that the RO stabilization, indeed, is determined by the activity of the insulator rather than by the construct integration site into the genome. The role of the Su(Hw) protein in this process was also studied in detail.

In this Letter we present data from experiments on the National Spherical Torus Experiment Upgrade, where it is shown for the first time that small amounts of high pitch-angle beam ions can strongly suppress the counterpropagating global Alfvén eigenmodes (GAE). GAE have been implicated in the redistribution of fast ions and modification of the electron power balance in previous experiments on NSTX. The ability to predict the stability of Alfvén modes, and developing methods to control them, is important for fusion reactors like the International Tokamak Experimental Reactor, which are heated by a large population of nonthermal, super-Alfvénic ions consisting of fusion generated α's and beam ions injected for current profile control. We present a qualitative interpretation of these observations using an analytic model of the Doppler-shifted ion-cyclotron resonance drive responsible for GAE instability which has an important dependence on k_{⊥}ρ_{L}. A quantitative analysis of this data with the hym stability code predicts both the frequencies and instability of the GAE prior to, and suppression of the GAE after the injection of high pitch-angle beam ions.

New phosphinoyl-containing tetradentate heterocycles preorganised for metal ion binding were designed and prepared in high yields. The X-ray structures of two allied phosphinoyl-bearing 2,2'-bipyridyl and phenanthroline ligands, as well as closely related structures of 2,6-bis(diphenylphosphinoyl)pyridine and 9-(diphenylphosphinoyl)-1,10-phenanthroline-2-one, are reported. Complexes of nitrates of several lanthanides and trifluoroacetate of Eu(iii) with two phosphinoyl-bearing 2,2'-bipyridyl and phenanthroline ligands were isolated and characterised. The first structures of lanthanide complexes with phosphinoyl-bearing 2,2'-bipyridyl and phenanthroline ligands are reported. The nature of the counter-ion is crucial for the coordination environment of the metal ion. The photophysical properties of the complexes differring in both the nature of the ligand and counter-ion were investigated. The photophysical properties of the complexes are strongly ligand- and counter-ion-dependent. Absorbance and luminescence excitation spectra of complexes showed main peaks in the UV range which correspond to the absorption of light by the ligand and these are ligand-dependent. Luminescence spectra of complexes show typical europium emission in the red region with a high quantum yield, which corresponds to the transitions 5 D 0 → 7 F J (J = 0-6). The value of deviation of the components of 5 D 0 → 7 F 2 and 5 D 0 → 7 F 1 transitions from the inversion centre shows a larger dependence on the counter-ion than on the nature of the ligand. The value of the luminescence quantum yield is larger for europium complexes with 2,2'-bipyridyl-based ligands and NO 3 counter-ions than for complexes with phenanthroline-based ligands and NO 3 counter-ions. A low dependence of the luminescence lifetime of Eu complexes on the nature of the ligand has been demonstrated: values in the solid state were in the range 1.1-2.0 ms.

Medical and social state of health in family persons was assessed on the basis of a questionnaire. Developed by the author's questionnaire included two sections, reflecting the state of health, health risk factors and social characteristics of the family members of ENT patients. In the article there is presented an analysis of the medical and social state of 44 families of patients with diseases of the upper respiratory tract associated with chlamydial infection. The comparison was performed with 43 families of ENT patients with unconfirmed respiratory chlamydia. Diagnosis of Chlamydia infection complex was carried out with the use of laboratory methods (direct immunofluorescence and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, polymerase chain reaction). The health and social status of families with hearth respiratory chlamydia were shown to be significantly worse compared with families with the lack of the latter

An energy-channeling mechanism is proposed to explain flattening of the electron temperature profiles at a high beam power in the beam-heated National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX). Results of self-consistent simulations of neutral-beam-driven compressional Alfvén eigenmodes (CAEs) in NSTX are presented that demonstrate strong coupling of CAEs to kinetic Alfvén waves at the Alfvén resonance location. It is suggested that CAEs can channel energy from the beam ions to the location of the resonant mode conversion at the edge of the beam density profile, modifying the energy deposition profile.

We compared synthetic and proliferative activity of brain cells in rats exposed hypoxia, hypercapnia, or both prior to experimental focal stroke. The mean number of nucleolus organizer regions in penumbra neurons did not change after normobaric hypoxia, but increased after permissive hypercapnia or hypercapnic hypoxia. These data attest to activation of proliferative and synthetic functions in nerve cells, which plays an important role in the neuroprotective mechanisms under conditions of combined exposure to hypoxia and hypercapnia.

The objective of the present study was to develop a system of laboratory diagnostics ofchlamydial infection in the mucous membrane of the nose and paranasal sinuses in the patients presenting with chronic sinusitis. A total of 168 subjects at the age varying from 18 to 65 years were available for the examination based at the Department of Otorhinolaryngologyduring the period of exacerbation of chronic sinusitis. Chlamydia were identified by simultaneously using two direct (polymerase chain reaction and direct immunofluorescence) and one indirect (immunoenzymatic assay) methods. The study has demonstrated the high degree of probability of the detection of chlamydial infection based on the above complex of the laboratory methods. It is concluded that the use of the proposed algorithm in practical medicine makes it possible to improve the quality of laboratory verification of chlamydial infection and thereby to choose the adequate diagnostic strategy for the patients suspected of having chlamydial infection and to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapeutic measures being taken.

The methylation status of the genes of telomerase reverse transcriptase (tert) and telomerase RNA (terc) was determined in brain tissues of Danio rerio of different age. It is found that, regardless of the age of fish, the regulatory region of the tert gene was completely methylated, whereas the coding region remained unmethylated in all cases. The level of methylation of the region located downstream of the coding region of the terc gene changes with age. This region was analyzed in the samples of other tissues, and its methylation status was also nonuniform. The alteration of the methylation status in the 3'-untranslated region of the terc gene suggests the possibility of transcription of the antisense strand in this region.

The non-coding and repetitive sequences constitute a great amount of higher eukaryotes genomes, but the elucidation of its role and mechanisms of action is now at the very beginning. Here we found, that internal telomeric repeats in Danio rerio are colocalized with some repetitive elements, namely, hAT and EnSpm repeats, which are highly represented in vertebrate genome. While investigating one of genome regions, containing two pairs of such repeats in close proximity we found, that it is transcribed. RNA-dependent structures, containing this sequence, were revealed in D. rerio fibroblast nuclei, which may serve as evidence of functional relevance of repetitive elements in genomes or of their transcripts.

An enzyme immunoassay-based test system for Y. pestis V antigen detection was developed. The specificity and sensitivity of this system met the requirements for medical immunobiological preparations for the identification of causative agents of highly fatal diseases. The sensitivity of the test system was assessed, and its high specificity was also demonstrated: the test system did not detect bacterial cells of closely related (four Y. pseudotuberculosis strains) and heterologous microorganism strains. The test system developed was able to detect the V antigen at concentrations as low as 2.0 ng/mL in cells of nine experimental Y. pestis cultures. The obtained preparation can be recommended for use in laboratory diagnostics of plaque.

The objective of the present study was to estimate the prevalence and specific features of chlamydial infection within an organized group of children of pre-school age. The data concerning the frequency of chlamydial infection of the upper respiratory tract in the children attending pre-school facilities are reported. The species composition of identified Chlamydia depending on the sex of the children is described. It is shown that acute and chronic ENT pathology in the patients presenting with chlamydial infection occurs much more frequently than in the unaffected children. These results were obtained during the examination of 121 children. Chlamydia was identified by means of the direct immunofluorescence technique.

Aim: To explore the detection rate of chlamydia infection and immunological features of children with acute maxillary sinusitis., Patients and Methods: Clinical epidemiologic characteristics of the course of acute maxillary sinusitis were studied in the way of medical examination provided for 58 children in the ages from 3 to 15 years, patients of ENT department. In order to identify Chlamydia structures and specific antibodies we used direct (polymerase-chain reaction, direct immune fluorescence) and indirect (immune enzyme analysis) methods. The research for cellular link of immunity was carried out by indirect immune fluorescence technique, using monoclonal antibodies., Results: The authors report on high level of Chlamydia infection in epithelium of nasal mucosa, and also type structure of verified Chlamydia, clinical signs and peculiarities of immune response in children with acute maxillary sinusitis associated with this infection., Conclusions: Chlamydia was detected in 48% of children with acute maxillary sinusitis infection with prevalence of Chlamydophila pneumoniae. Optimal for detection of chlamydia infection is a disease duration not exceeding 2 weeks. The special features of clinical and immunological manifestations in children with acute sinusitis, paired with Chlamydia infection are the more frequent complaints of pain in the affected sinuses, expressed symptoms of intoxication, and the presence of an imbalance in cellular immunity, manifested a relative lymphopenia and activation of T-lymphocytes CD8+.

It is shown, that in patients with erosive and ulcer defects of gastroduodenal zone at settling Helicobacter pylori (Hp) in an oral cavity in 100% of cases caries develops at intensity 13.6 +/- 1.4 teeth. Produced Hp protease and ammonia cause disintegration connected to protein silica acids and reduce activity lysocim, worsening, thus, fluid and protective properties of a saliva. In the subsequent infringement of autopurification of a teeth results in accumulation of a dental strike where protease activity conditionally pathogenic microflora conducts to depolymerization and demineralization enamels of a teeth.

The optimal parameters of the Alamar Blue test have been determined to detect the antituberculous activity of the chemical compounds under study. The duration of mycobacterial cell incubation before addition of Alamar Blue is 24 hours; that is 17 hours for both H37Ra and H37Rv M. tuberculosis. A method has been devised to evaluate the bactericidal/bacteriostatic activity of the chemical compounds. A thoroughly characterized collection of clinical M. tuberculosis strains that differ in drug sensitivity has been created. A procedure has been developed to reveal the activity of the chemical compounds, by applying mono and multiresistant M. tuberculosis strains. Variability in the growth rate for the clinical strains of mycobacterial cultures is shown. A method has been devised to evaluate the toxicity of the chemical compounds for eukaryotic cells.

We and other authors have recently shown that the pattern of the immune response to components of anthrax, the Bacillus anthracis lethal toxin, is complex. In addition to neutralizing antibodies, the antitoxin antibody pool contains antibodies enhancing the toxin lethal action. We mapped the epitopes in the protective antigen that are responsible for the induction of both antibody types. In this study, we obtained new data on the cytotoxicity of the B. anthracis lethal toxin toward the J774 A.1 cell line in the presence of monoclonal antibodies to various domains of the protective antigen and the lethal factor. The role of the Fc fragment of immunoglobulins in enhancing the lethal toxin action was shown. These results may serve as a basis for the development of a new generation vaccine for anthrax.

Comparative analysis of results of clinical and laboratory evaluation of patients with chronic nasal or nasal sinuses' diseases (chronic rhinitis or maxillary sinusitis) associated or not associated with Chlamydia infection was performed. It was shown that in patients infected with Chlamydia, along with unidirectional changes typical for all patients irrespective from presence or absence of Chlamydia, the features of immune response against these infectious agents take place.

The examination of 169 children aged 3-15 years admitted to ENT department for exacerbation of chronic adenoiditis has shown high chlamydial contamination of the pharyngeal mucosa. Identification of chlamydial structures and specific antibodies was performed with application of direct (polymerase chain reaction, immunofluorescence) and indirect (EIA) methods. Specific structure of the verified pathogens as well as clinical manifestations of adenoiditis associated with chlamydial infection and characteristics of immune response of the child to chlamydia are described.

Oblate field-reversed configuration (FRC) plasmas are sustained for up to 350 micros, or approximately 15 poloidal flux-confinement times, in the magnetic reconnection experiment. The diamagnetic equilibrium is maintained in argon plasmas as a balance of an inward pinch and outward diffusion. Numerical and analytic models show that the observed stability is provided by a combination of plasma shaping, magnetic diffusion, and finite-Larmor radius effects. FRCs formed with lighter ions, which benefit less from these stabilizing effects, succumb to rapid instability and cannot be sustained.

The dynamics of assimilation of chitin by soil microorganisms (primarily prokaryotes) as a source of carbon and nitrogen has been determined by gas chromatography and fluorescence microscopy. The highest rates of chitin decomposition in chernozem were detected at humidity levels corresponding to the pressure of soil moisture (P) of -1.4 atm. The rate of microbial consumption of chitin is three times higher than that of the carbon of soil organic matter. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that an increase in the pressure of soil moisture from P = -10 atm to P = -0.7 atm resulted in a considerable increase in the proportion of the specific surface of mycelial bacteria (actinomycetes).

Sulpirid was used in the treatment of 71 patients with erosive gastric and duodenal lesions. Sulpirid, as a part of eradication therapy, was shown to have a positive effect on the clinical picture, to improve the psychological status and vegetative tone, as well as to normalize the acid-producing, motile, and mucus-producing gastric functions. The data allow recommending the use of sulpirid as a part of complex treatment of patients with erosive gastritis or duodenitis.

The chitinolytic prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbial complex of chernozem soil has been investigated in the course of a succession initiated by the introduction of chitin and humidification. The dynamics of the cell numbers of chitinolytic microorganisms and of their biomass was assessed by fluorescent microscopy and by inoculation of selective media. Emission of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, as well as dinitrogen fixation, was assessed by gas chromatography. It was found that, when the succession was initiated by the introduction of both chitin and humidification, it resulted in greater cell numbers and biomass of chitinolytic microorganisms and higher levels of CO2 and N2O emission and of nitrogen fixation than when the succession was initiated by humidification alone. As compared to the control samples, a significant (twofold) increase in the prokaryote cell number and biomass was found on the fourth day of the succession initiated by humidification and introduction of chitin. One week after the initiation of succession, the fungal biomass and length of mycelium were twice as high as those in the control samples. These results led to the conclusion that chitin utilization in chernozem soil starts during the initial stages of succession and is performed by both prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms.

The goal of our research was to study the short-term and long-term effects of the Dirol chewing gum on the oral cavity state and acid-forming stomach function in patients with hyperchlorhydria. It was revealed that the rational use of this chewing gum by patients with increased gastric secretion can normalize the gastric acidity. Another result of the use of this chewing gum is the improvement of the oral cavity hygienic state and reduced growth of dental caries.

The objective of this research was a study of the condition of parodentium tissues in patients with ulcer. 51 ulcer patients were studied. As a result of complex studies (hemorrhage coefficient, crevicular liquid, papilloalveolar marginal index, complex periodontal index and thermometry), apparent inflammatory processes were discovered in parodentium tissues. Inflammatory parodentium changes do not disappear completely with the complex anti-ulcer therapy that forms a basis for the simultaneous application of local therapeutic measures to eliminate inflammatory processes in parodentium tissues.

As a result of a complex survey of 120 patients with erosive gastroduodenal affections, significant abnormalities of the aggressive-protective balance of the mucous coat of the stomach were discovered. In addition to affections of local protection factors, the change of the hormonal status characterized by hypercortisolemia, hyperinsulinemia, hypergastrinemia and increased level of such cyclic nucleotides as cAMP and cGMP was revealed. The dependence of the mucus-producing function, lysozyme activity and acid production on the level of blood hormones was discovered. Alternate dependencies of cortisol, insulin and gastrin levels on cAMP and cGMP levels as well as alternate impact of cAMP and cGMP on acid-producing gastric cells were established.

A chitinolytic actinomycete complex in chernozem soil has a specific taxonomic composition, which differs from that of the actinomycete complex which is typically isolated on standard nutrient media containing sugars and organic acids as carbon sources. The actinomycete complex that was isolated by using nutrient media with chitin as the source of carbon and nitrogen was dominated by representatives of the genus Streptosporangium, and the actinomycete complex that was isolated by using nutrient media with sugars and organic acids as the carbon sources was dominated by representatives of the genus Streptomyces. The confirmation to the ability of actinomycetes to utilize chitin as a sole source of carbon and nitrogen came from the augmented length and biomass of the mycelium, the increased number and biomass of the actinomycete spores, the production of carbon dioxide, and the accumulation of NH4+ ions in the culture liquid of the actinomycetes that are grown in the nutrient media with chitin.

Anthrax belongs to highly dangerous infections of man and animals. No effective treatment methods for pulmonary types of the disease have been yet developed. The existing anthrax vaccines were designed decades ago and need improvement to fit the large-scale vaccination of population. At the same time, the immunological properties of the anthrax vaccine main component, i.e. of the protective agent, have been poorly studied. We obtained, within the present case study, a panel of mouse monoclonal antibodies to the protective agent and investigated the properties of the highest-affine panel representatives. An unusual phenomenon was detected, which is related with enhancement of the anthrax toxin action on the mouse macrophage-like cell-line in presence of the 1F2 monoclonal antibody. The remaining analyzed antibodies, i.e. 6G8 and 6G7, were found to neutralize effectively the toxin action. The enhancing and neutralizing antibodies were proven to be specific to different domains of the protective antigen and to recognize epitopes in its composition. The antibody-mediated enhancement of the anthrax lethal action is a convincing argument for further development of a new-generation anthrax vaccine. Definition of the linear antigen determinants for neutralizing antibodies in the protective antigens is an important step in the development of the next-generation anthrax vaccine.

Aim: To study pathogenetic factors underlying development of ulcer disease and its course in different age periods., Material and Methods: Clinical, psychoemotional, endoscopic device, biochemical and radioimmunological examinations were used in the study of 283 patients with gastroduodenal ulcer. By age, the patients were divided into four groups: 15-18, 19-35, 36-60 and 61 and older., Results: Some age-specific clinical and endoscopic characteristics were found in the examinees. Risk factors (hereditary predisposition, high gastric juice acidity, the presence of Helicobacter pylori, etc.) occurred almost with the same frequency at different ages. Older patients had deficient defense-protection properties of gastric mucus. Most of the examinees's psycho-emotional state was characterized by moderate reactive and high personality anxiety. In all the age groups reactions of the hormonal system were of the same type--hypophyseo-adrenal hyperfunction and hypophyseo-thyroid hypofunction., Conclusion: The above findings may help in design of differentiated by age therapeutic and diagnostic measures for ulcer patients of different age.

Nebivolol was given for 8 weeks to 34 menopausal women with grade 1 and 2 hypertension. Monotherapy was effective in 66,7% of patients, while in other patients combination with hydrochlorothiazide (12.5 mg) was required. The use of nebivolol was associated with decreased rate and severity of vasomotion reactions and thus with positive effect on menopausal syndrome. Nebivolol appeared to be safe and metabolically neutral.

We studied the dynamics of morbidity of the digestive apparatus including peptic ulcer, gastritis, duodenitis and mortality in the Udmurt Republic from 1992 to 2002. We revealed the decrease of morbidity of the digestive apparatus and stable data for peptic ulcer but the increase of mortality from the digestive apparatus pathologies on the whole and from complications of peptic ulcer. The mortality from the digestive apparatus diseases and peptic ulcer is forecasted to increase in the next years if the same social and economic conditions are preserved and there are no changes in the health-care system.

We examined 215 patients, 98 of them being with gastric and duodenal erosions, 52 being with erosions of the gastroduodenal zone combined with duodenal ulcers, and 65 being with duodenal ulcers. Endoscopic, radiological, biochemical, pH measurement studies and abdominal gastroduodenal manometry were used for the evaluation of the functional state of the gastroduodenal system. It was established that impaired pyloric and cardiac functions, duodenogastric reflux, dyskinesia of the stomach and duodenum, stomach deformation and gastroduodenoptosis are observed more frequently in cases of erosive lesions as compared to ulcers. The obtained data allow us to assume that gastric and duodenal erosions are an independent nosological form with their own pathogenic mechanisms, clinical presentation and complications including ulcers.

Aim: To investigate aggressive-protective factors in patients with erosive lesions of gastroduodenal mucosa., Material and Methods: Intragastric pH-metry, tests for Helicobacter pylori, lysozyme activity, content of bile acid in gastric juice, components of gastric mucous gel were made in 106 patients., Results: It is shown that there are two alternative paths of erosions development in the gastroduodenal zone: infectious and non-infectious., Conclusion: In patients infected with Helicobacter pylori, lowering of a protective ability of the mucous gel is caused by prevalence of synthesis of immature mucous components while in non-infected patients this happens as a result of high catabolism of mucous components.

To study the transfer of oxidized phospholipids from cell membranes to high-density lipoproteins (HDL), human Cu2+-oxidized erythrocyte membranes were incubated with HDL3 subfraction for 17 h at 37 degrees C followed by isolation of the supernatant, precipitation from it of HDL3, and determination of lipid peroxide products (LPP) in them. The incubation increased the content of lipid hydroperoxides in HDL3 significantly (by 32 and 40% calculated per ml of sample or mg of protein) and of malondialdehyde (by 27 and 34%, respectively) compared to control (incubation of HDL3 alone). The content of conjugated dienes did not change significantly. Fluorescence analyses of isolated HDL3 particles showed that the content of fluorescent products (lambdaex = 365 nm, lambdaem = 430 nm) in them was 2.5 times higher than in control, and the number of binding sites for the 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonic acid probe decreased by 22%. This also confirms accumulation of LPP in the lipoprotein subfraction. It seems likely that an increase in LPP (at least hydroperoxides) in HDL3 after their incubation with oxidized membranes occurs via transport of phospholipids containing LPP from erythrocyte membranes to lipoproteins. The data on the ability of HDL3 to accept LPP from erythrocyte membranes in vitro suggest that HDL3 may have a protective action on cell membranes undergoing oxidation in vivo as well.