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BACKGROUND: Recent research results indicate that inflammatory cellular responses can play a significant role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in humans and experimental animals, with a predominance in infiltrates of lymphocytes and monocytes/macrophages that contribute to destructive processes in the vascular wall. However, no comparative, differentiated morphometric analysis of the content of mononuclear cells in unstable and stable atherosclerotic lesions has been carried out so far. AIM: Carrying out comparative histological and morphometric examination of quantitative content of lymphocytes and macrophages in normal vascular wall, in lipid stain, in unstable and in stable atherosclerotic lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study material was samples taken during 15 autopsies aged 56 to 71 years who died from acute cardiovascular failure of atherosclerotic etiology. A comparative histological and morphometric study of the content of mononuclear cells: lymphocytes and macrophages in normal areas of the vascular wall, in lipid stains, in unstable and stable atherosclerotic lesions was carried out a total of 50 tissue samples stained with hematoxylin and eosin. RESULTS: A sharp increase in the content of studied cells in intima, atheromatous nucleus and adventition in unstable atherosclerotic plaques was revealed. In normal areas of the vascular wall, in initial atherosclerotic lesions and in stable plaques, the number of macrophages and lymphocytes is small. CONCLUSIONS: In general, the results obtained are well consistent with the literature and suggest in favor of the need for lymphocytes and macrophages to form immuno-inflammatory reactions in the formation of unstable atherosclerotic lesions in humans.

Adiponectin is an adipose tissue hormone, participating in energy metabolism and involved in atherogenesis. Previously, it was found that adiponectin increases expression of the APOA1 (apolipoprotein A-1) gene in hepatocytes, but the mechanisms of this effect remained unexplored. Our aim was to investigate the role of adiponectin receptors AdipoR1/R2, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) and liver X receptors (LXRs) in mediating the action of adiponectin on hepatic APOA1 expression in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. The level of APOA1 expression was determined by RT-qPCR and ELISA. We showed that the siRNA-mediated knockdown of genes coding for AdipoR1, AdipoR2, AMPK, PPARα, and LXRα and β prevented adiponectin-induced APOA1 expression in HepG2 cells and demonstrated that interaction of PPARα and LXRs with the APOA1 gene hepatic enhancer is important for the adiponectin-dependent APOA1 transcription. The results of this study point out to the involvement of both types of adiponectin receptors, AMPK, PPARα, and LXRs in the adiponectin-dependent upregulation of the APOA1 expression.

The effect of human mast cells (MC) (HMC-1 line) on transendothelial transport (TET) of albumin and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) was studied using a two-chamber system with pores 1 μm in diameter. Human endothelial cells (EC) (line EA.hy926) were placed in the collagen-coated upper chamber and cultivated for 2–3 days until a visual monolayer was achieved. After that, 200 μg/mL LDL and 200 μg/mL albumin were added to the upper chamber. Intact MC or activated by aggregated human IgG or compound 48/80 were added to the lower chamber. Protein TET (a passage from the upper to the lower chamber through the EC monolayer) was assessed after 5 and 24 h. It turned out that the presence of MC (intact or activated) in the lower chambers retarded LDL and albumin TET after 24 h, but not after 5 h. LDL transport was found to be more sensitive to the inhibitory effect of MC than albumin transport. The suppressive effect of MC depended mainly on histamine and was canceled by histamine H1-receptor antagonist (but not of H2-receptor).

The aim of the study was to find out the mechanisms of the adiponectin effect on apolipoproteins (apo) A-1 and B production by human hepatocytes. Materials and methods. The study was performed on the human hepatoma cell line HepG2. The expression of the apoA-1 gene was evaluated at the mRNA level by quantitative PCR with reverse transcription, and the production of apo B by ELISA method. The activity of lipogenesis was assessed by the inclusion of labeled 14C-acetate in triglycerides, as well as by mRNA expression of lipogenesis genes, and by the estimation of total triglycerides content in cells. To determine the involvement of signaling pathways, the RNA interference method was used. Results. Knockdown of genes, coding the specific receptors, AMP-activated protein kinase, and its regulated transcription factors inhibited adiponectin-dependent stimulation of apoA-1 gene expression in hepatocytes. Adiponectin had no effect on lipogenesis and apo B production under basal conditions, but suppressed these processes induced by the addition of oleate. Conclusion. Adiponectin stimulates the production of apo A-1 in hepatocytes by inducing the transcription of the apoA-1 gene and suppresses the secretion of apo B by affecting lipogenesis. These effects may underlie the effect of adiponectin on lipoproteins metabolism.

Anovel gas-chromatographic method with static headspace extraction was developed and validated for identifying and determining quantitatively residual organic solvents in the drug substance of an innovative dipeptide mimetic of nerve growth factor (GK-2). The developed chromatography conditions allowed effective separation of the chromatographic peaks for all organic solvents used to synthesize and purify the drug substance, i.e., MeOH, toluene, CH2Cl2 , Py, EtOH, Et2O, and trifluoroacetic acid. Validation of the method confirmed its specificity, linearity, accuracy, and precision.

Features of the heart rate variability at patients with acute disorder of cerebral circulation depending on the type of hemodynamics were studied in acute period of disease and in a condition of relative functional rest. Surveyed men and women (121 patients, 3055 years old) were divided into 3 groups according to the type of hemodynamics that was defined at the first day of their disease: the groups of patients with hyper-, hypo- and normodynamic types of hemodynamics were selected. The integral rheography of the body was carried out again on the 7th day of hospitalization of the patients. And according to the received data all examined individuals were divided into subgroups. The evaluation of indicators of the heart rate variability at patients during acute period of disease showed the significant increase of activity of the sympathetic link of regulation among people with hyperdynamic type of hemodynamics: the indices of tension and vegetative balance also as the standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN) were rather law. The sam e patients examined on the 7th day of their disease demonstrated the reduction of the indices of tension and vegetative balance and the increase of the mean square difference between the duration of adjacent R-R intervals (RMSSD). These changes were regarded as gradual weakening of the sympathetic influences on cardio-vascular system in stabilization period. At examination of patients in a week from the moment of their hospitalization transformation of the type of hemodynamics was revealed among many of the surveyed. The indices of tension and vegetative balance were the lowest among patients with acute disorder of cerebral circulation and initially hyperdynamic type of hemodynamics and newly formed hypodynamic type of blood circulation. While patients with acute disorder of cerebral circulation and constantly hyperdynamic type of blood circulation showed the maximal tension in operation of the regulatory systems.

Management of variability of the cardiac rhythm (VCR) is widely applied as a marker of psycho emotional state in educational institutions. This approach is suitable for testing properties of the pupils for the detection of vocal signals. The aim of the study was a comparative analysis of VCR as an objective parameter corresponded with psycho-emotional tension and acoustic perception of the speech in youngsters under sophisticated condition of the competition between vocal signals pronounced by different individuals. Methods. VCR was measured in 44 male and female youngsters 1316 years old with the comparison of identification of competing acoustic signals random sequences of words simultaneously pronounced by male or female voice. VCR analysis provided distinction the prevalence of sympathetic versus parasympathetic tone reflecting high or moderate level of psycho-emotional tension. Results. Identification of target words pronounced by female voice in subjects with prevalence of sympathetic or parasympathetic tone was correct in 96% and 87% respectively. Target words pronounced by the male voice were correctly identified in 88% cases in both groups. It is suggested that in primary schools where women compose majority of teachers, the developing juvenile brain imprints the corresponding acoustic wave band. Under the conditions of psycho-emotional tension these links are realized with maximal effectiveness.

Features of the heart rate variability at patients with acute disorder of cerebral circulation depending on localisation of ischemic damage and type of hemodynamics were studied in acute period of disease and in a condition of relative functional rest. Surveyed men and women (30–55 years old) were divided into 3 groups: patients with ischemic damage to the area of the left average brain artery, right average brain artery and with ischemia in vertebro-basilar department. According to indicators of the integral rheography of the body which was carried out in the acute period of a disease, patients of each group were divided into subgroups depending on hemodynamics type – with hyper dynamic, hypo dynamic and normo dynamic type of blood circulation. It was revealed that the highest activity of sympathetic link of regulation and also higher values of the index of tension and the index of vegetative balance characterized patients with ischemia in the area of right average brain artery and hyper dynamic type of blood circulation. The indicator of activity of regulatory systems characterized “overstrain of regulatory mechanisms” and also “exhaustion of mechanisms of regulation” at patients of this group in the acute period. However upon repeated examination 7 days later revealed the significant reduction of the values of the indicator of activity of regulatory systems. Similar indicators of the heart rate variability were found at patients with ischemic damage in the area of right average brain artery and normo dynamic type of blood circulation. Thus, it was detected that the greatest disorders of regulation of the cardiovascular system were characteristic of patients with ischemia in the area of right average brain artery both hyper dynamic and normo dynamic blood circulation types. Activation of parasympathetic and suppression of sympathetic link of regulation were noted in all patients on the seventh day of hospital stay regardless of localisation of ischemic damage and type of hemodynamics.

arXiv:1911.04645v2, et al., Continuing the project described by Kato et al. (2009, PASJ, 61, S395), we collected times of superhump maxima for 102 SU UMa-type dwarf novae observed mainly during the 2017 season, and characterized these objects. WZ Sge-type stars identified in this study are PT And, ASASSN-17ei, ASASSN-17el, ASASSN-17es, ASASSN-17fn, ASASSN-17fz, ASASSN-17hw, ASASSN-17kd, ASASSN-17la, PNV J20205397 + 2508145, and TCP J00332502 − 3518565. We obtained new mass ratios for seven objects using growing superhumps (stage A). ASASSN-17gf is an EI Psc-type object below the period minimum. CRTS J080941.3 + 171528 and DDE 51 are objects in the period gap, and both showed a long-lasting phase of stage A superhumps. We also summarize the recent advances in understanding of SU UMa-type and WZ Sge-type dwarf novae., This work was also partially supported by Grant VEGA 2/0008/17 (by Shugarov, Chochol) and APVV-15-0458 (by Shugarov, Chochol, Dubovsky, Kudzej, Medulka), RSF14-12-00146 (Golysheva for processing observation data from Slovak Observatory). ASAS-SN is supported by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation through grant GBMF5490 to the Ohio State University and NSF grant AST-1515927.

The review is devoted to discussion the data regarding involvement of the adipocytes’ secreting protein, adiponectin, in atherogenesis. The questions relating the structure of its molecular forms, mechanisms of its production and signaling are also considered. Based on analysis of clinical studies and the results obtained in animals and cell cultures it is thought that adiponectin has both antiatherogenic and proatherogenic properties.

Gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) is one of the most promising methods of adamantane derivatives analysis due to their sufficiently high volatility and resistance to high temperatures. The purpose of this study was validation of a previously developed technique for assay of gimantan injection by gas-liquid chromatography. Defined validation characteristics were specificity, linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, accuracy and precision, also the calculation of technique uncertainty was performed.

Summary. Female rats after the vital stress caused by experience of the circumstances of the death of a partner from the actions of the predator showed long-lasting behavioral disturbances, such as decreased locomotor activity, exploratory activity, increased anxiety and aggression. Indicators of lipid metabolism of rats were altered in comparison with control at different time after exposure. These changes through two months later a single stress and right after second psychogenic trauma were characterized by reduced total cholesterol and cholesterol of high density lipoproteins in serum and increased triglycerides in the liver. The severity of behavioral disorders and deviations from the control values of indicators of lipid metabolism in female rats depended on the phases of the estrous cycle. The revealed deviations are discussed in terms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

The study included 79 patients with coronary artery disease, 25 individuals with preclinical atherosclerosis and 59 healthy controls. Key lipid parameters were examined in all the participants. Levels of antibodies (Abs) against (IgG and IgM) LDL modified by malondialdehyde (MDA), acetic anhydride and hypochlorite, were determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Abs specificity was tested by competitive ELISA. Circulating immune complexes (CIC) were isolated by precipitation in polyethylene glycol. Abs to hypochlorite-modified low density lipoprotein (hypochlorite-LDL) were detected in the serum samples. These Abs did not demonstrate cross-reactivity with MDA-modified LDL (MDA-LDL) and acetylated LDL (acetyl-LDL). Patients with coronary artery disease had increased levels of CIC (p0.0001) and decreased levels of Abs (IgM) to hypochlorite-LDL, compared with healthy controls and patients with preclinical atherosclerosis (p=0.006). A correlation between the levels of Abs (IgG) to the hypochlorite-LDL and Abs to MDA- and acetyl-LDL was found. There was a correlation between the content of the Abs (IgM) to MDA- and acetyl-LDL and the concentration of CIC-cholesterol. Lipid parameters did not correlate with Abs levels.59 prakticheski zdorovykh lits. U vsekh patsientov byli opredeleny kliuchevye lipidnye pokazateli. Urovni antitel (AT) klassov IgG i IgM k LPNP, modifitsirovannym malonovym dial'degidom (MDA), uksusnym angidridom i gipokhloritom, opredeliali metodom immunofermentnogo analiza. Spetsifichnost' AT proveriali metodom konkurentnogo immunofermentnogo analiza. Tsirkuliruiushchie immunnye kompleksy (TsIK) vydeliali metodom osazhdeniia v poliétilenglikole s posleduiushchim opredeleniem v nikh soderzhaniia kholesterina énzimaticheskim metodom. V syvorotke krovi obsledovannykh lits byli obnaruzheny AT k LPNP, modifitsirovannym gipokhloritom (gipokhlorit-LPNP), kotorye perekrestno ne vzaimodeĭstvovali s modifitsirovannymi MDA (MDA-LPNP) i atsetilirovanymi LPNP (atset-LPNP). Po sravneniiu so zdorovymi litsami i patsientami s doklinicheskim aterosklerozom u bol'nykh IBS byl povyshen uroven' kholesterina TsIK (KhS-TsIK) (p0,0001) i snizhen (p=0,006) uroven' AT (IgM) k gipokhlorit-LPNP. Obnaruzhena korreliatsiia mezhdu urovniami AT (IgG) k gipokhlorit-LPNP i urovniami AT k MDA- i atset-LPNP. Takzhe nabliudalas' korreliatsiia mezhdu soderzhaniem AT (IgM) k MDA- i atset-LPNP i kontsentratsieĭ kholesterina TsIK (KhS-TsIK). Sviazi mezhdu urovniami AT i lipidnymi pokazateliami ne vyiavleno.

Copper is an essential micronutrient, because it is a catalytic and structural cofactor of enzymes that control the basic processes in all cells, and moreover it is a participant in signaling pathways. The toxic properties of copper ions, due to their chemical nature, are manifested when the cellular and/or organism systems for copper homeostasis are disturbed. Aim of the work was to study the relationships between the diet caloric and the copper status in the blood serum, the copper metabolism in the liver and white adipose tissue (WAT) of rats.The work was performed on three groups (each n=5) of white outbred rats (average body weight 220±15 g), kept for 75 days on a standard, low-calorie (LCR) or high-calorie (high-fat) (HCR) rations. mRNA concentration was measured by qRT-PCR technology. The сeruloplasmin (CP) content was determined by the method of immune electrophoresis, immune blotting and by oxidase activity. The copper concentration was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry.It has been shown that serum level of triglycerides increased in rats fed LCR. The main indicators of copper status (concentration of atomic copper, the level of holo-CP, and the content of immunoreactive CP) decreased in rats fed HCR. In the liver, none of the diets affected Cp gene expression level. In the cells of the subcutaneous fatty tissue, the concentration of both splice-forms of CP-mRNA significantly increased in rats fed LCR. In visceral adipose tissue the concentration of Cp-mRNA encoding the secretory CP did not change in LCR-rats, but the level of mRNA, encoding CP anchored to plasma membrane, dropped to almost zero as compared to the control group. There was no significant change in the level of both splice-forms of CP-mRNA in HCR-rats. The features of copper metabolism in the cells of the liver and WAT, due to the caloric content of ration, have been discussed.In rats' liver, the link between copper metabolism and calorie intake is manifested in changes in the expression of the CP gene at the translation level, and in white adipose tissue - at the level of transcription and post-transcriptional maturation of the pre-mRNA of this gene.

Peculiarities of hemodynamics in dependence of individual psycho-physiological features are examined among patients with acute disorders of cerebral circulation and healthy volunteers remaining in the situation of emotional stress. It was demonstrated that formation of “negative” emotional balance (prevailing of personal anxiety on reactive anxiety) promoted occurrence of the excessive tension and/ or overstrain of the adaptive mechanisms. It was either revealed that “negative” emotional balance facilitated the appearance of signs of the adaptive systems overexertion regardless of the type of the initial hemodynamics. It was detected that the psycho-physiological parameters, the peculiarities of hemodynamics and the level of tension of adaptive mechanisms in patients with acute disorders of cerebral circulation were comparable with the similar indices of healthy volunteers characterized by “negative” emotional balance in the situation of the emotional stress.

Continuing the project described by Kato et al. (2009, arXiv:0905.1757), we collected times of superhump maxima for 127 SU UMa-type dwarf novae observed mainly during the 2016--2017 season and characterized these objects. We provide updated statistics of relation between the orbital period and the variation of superhumps, the relation between period variations and the rebrightening type in WZ Sge-type objects. We obtained the period minimum of 0.05290(2)d and confirmed the presence of the period gap above the orbital period ~0.09d. We note that four objects (NY Her, 1RXS J161659.5+620014, CRTS J033349.8-282244 and SDSS J153015.04+094946.3) have supercycles shorter than 100d but show infrequent normal outbursts. We consider that these objects are similar to V503 Cyg, whose normal outbursts are likely suppressed by a disk tilt. These four objects are excellent candidates to search for negative superhumps. DDE 48 appears to be a member of ER UMa-type dwarf novae. We identified a new eclipsing SU UMa-type object MASTER OT J220559.40-341434.9. We observed 21 WZ Sge-type dwarf novae during this interval and reported 18 out of them in this paper. Among them, ASASSN-16js is a good candidate for a period bouncer. ASASSN-16ia showed a precursor outburst for the first time in a WZ Sge-type superoutburst. ASASSN-16kg, CRTS J000130.5+050624 and SDSS J113551.09+532246.2 are located in the period gap. We have newly obtained 15 orbital periods, including periods from early superhumps., Comment: 126 pages. 168 figures, accepted for publication in PASJ. For readers' convenience, combined version with Supplementary Information is provided. See Ancillary files for the PASJ version (correction in author list)

Bradykinin B2 receptor is involved in many processes, including the regulation of blood pressure and smooth muscle contraction, vasodilation, inflammation, edema, cell proliferation, and pain. This receptor attracts special attention as one of the factors that have cardioprotective and infarct-limiting effects. Certain genetic variants of the coding and noncoding regions of the bradykinin B2 receptor gene (BDKRB2) may play a role in modulating its expression. The 3′-untranslated region of BDKRB2 exon 3 harbors a minisatellite repeat (B2-VNTR), which affects the mRNA stability. Hence, it is of interest to study a possible association of B2-VNRT alleles with various forms of coronary heart disease (CHD). In our work the allele and genotype frequency distributions of B2-VNTR were compared between healthy individuals and patients with CHD (angina pectoris or myocardial infarction (MI)) of the Russian ethnic group. Based on its length polymorphism, B2-VNTR was classed with low-polymorphic non-hypervariable minisatellites. Three B2-VNTR alleles, which consisted of 43, 38, and 33 repeats, were observed in all investigated cohorts. The alleles with 43 and 33 repeats were the most prevalent. The allele and genotype frequencies of B2-VNTR did not significantly differ between males and females in control group, and also between healthy males and males with angina pectoris or MI. Thus, B2-VNTR length polymorphism was not associated with these clinical forms of CHD in males. However, we do not exclude the possibility of an association of the short B2-VNTR alleles (38 and 33 repeats) with a cardioprotective effect in females with CHD. This hypothesis requires further investigation.

The antiatherogenic role of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) was demonstrated by numerous experimental, clinical and epidemiological studies. The mechanism underlying the antiatherogenic potential of HDL is based on their involvement in reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) from peripheral tissues into the liver. Transmembrane transporter ABCG1 is a key RCT protein. Its function is to remove cholesterol from cells and transfer it to HDL. The role of ABCG1 transporter in the development of atherosclerosis in humans remains unexplored. The goal of our study was to investigate the expression of ABCG1 gene in patients with atherosclerosis. Real-time PCR was applied to study ABCG1 mRNA content in leukocytes, monocytes, and macrophages activated with macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) from patients with atherosclerosis and healthy people. The amount of ABCG1 protein in monocytes and macrophages of patients and healthy donors was assayed by immunoblotting. It was found that the level of ABCG1 mRNA (p < 0.001) and ABCG1 protein (p < 0.05) was lower in macrophages of patients with atherosclerosis. The level of ABCG1 mRNA in monocytes of patients with artery occlusion was lower than in patients with features of lesser stenosis and the control group (p < 0.05). No correlation was found between ABCG1 gene expression and total and HDL cholesterol levels in the blood plasma. It can be concluded that reduced ABCG1 gene expression in monocytes and macrophages may be critical for the atherosclerosis progression.

Aim of the studyThis study is dedicated to evaluation of the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components in patients with schizophrenia in Russia.Subject or material and methods138 patients with schizophrenia who received antipsychotic medication and 138 mental healthy subjects from 1,561 bank employees cohort matched to schizophrenic patients by sex, age and body mass index were enrolled to the study. Fasting blood plasma levels of glucose, lipids, insulin, cortisol, prolactin concentrations were determined.ResultsIn comparison with control group patients had significantly higher frequency of metabolic syndrome and abdominal type of obesity (according to NCEP ATP III and IDF criteria). In spite of lesser level of plasma glucose and total cholesterol, plasma insulin and triglycerides concentrations were higher in patients with schizophrenia. High density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration was lower in patients while arterial blood pressure level didn’t differ between groups. Cortisol and prolactin levels were elevated in the patient group, but these hormones correlated neither with metabolic syndrome nor with any metabolic parameters studied.DiscussionThe study conducted in Russia revealed the increased frequency of metabolic syndrome in schizophrenic patients in comparison with mental healthy cohort. The main disorders found in the patient group were abdominal obesity, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia.ConclusionsResults obtained in this study should be taken into account when developing of medical treatment of patients with schizophrenia.

Interrelationship between total, multimer (MM) and oligomer (OM) adiponectin blood concentrations with some metabolic parameters has been investigated in 49 men and 49 women (mean age of 57.3 ± 10.1 years). We have found negative correlations between total blood adiponectin and its MM form content with body mass index, waist circumference, the insulin resistance index HOMA, with blood concentrations of insulin, glucose, free fatty acids, triglycerides and also positive correlations with high density lipoprotein cholesterol content. There was a poor correlation between OM adiponectin concentration with any parameter studied. According to the regression analysis, concentration of total adiponectin but not its MM form was an independent determinant of the HOMA index in women and free fatty acid concentration in men. In the group of men with the low level of adiponectin its MM form but not total adiponectin reversely correlated with the HOMA index and was its independent determinant. Thus, correlation between blood adiponectin concentration and metabolic parameters is associated with its MM rather than OM form. Study of the role of adiponectin in development of metabolic disorders may be limited to determination of total blood adiponectin concentration except a group of male patients characterized by a low level of this adipokine. In these patients concentrations of the MM form should be determined.

ABCA1 transporter is known to play an important role in cholesterol transport from peripheral tissues. However, its contribution to atherosclerosis development remains obscure. Using Real Time PCR, we detected a significant reduction of ABCA1 mRNA level in leukocytes of patients with atherosclerosis compared to control. Mean ABCA1 expression levels in leukocytes from the group of patients and from the control group were 0.57 ± 0.28 and 0.93 ± 0.14 (p = 0.02). At the same time, we revealed a significant increase of ABCA1 mRNA level in macrophages of patients compared to control. Mean ABCA1 expression levels in macrophages from the group of patients and from the control group were 1.32 ± 0.10 and 0.90 ± 0.14 (p = 0.014). In summary, we suggest that the expression level of ABCA1 gene may regulate atherosclerosis development.

The purpose of the study was to reveal a possible role of adipokines, biologically active adipose tissue proteins (leptin and adiponectin) and nonesterified fatty acids in generating insulin resistance (IR). One hundred and fifty-seven patients (90 females and 67 males) aged 57.5±9.2 years were enrolled in the study. According to the HOMA index for IR, the patients were divided into 3 equal groups. The examinees with a high HOMA index were found to have elevated levels of fatty acids, leptin and decreased concentrations of adiponectin. At the same time according to the linear regression analysis, all these indices are its independent determinants. However, analysis of the data in the groups of patients with different body weight revealed that the increased concentrations of fatty acids and leptin may play a role in the development of IR in subjects with obesity while the higher level of fatty acids and lower adiponectin may be involved in patients without noticeable obesity. Thus, it may be assumed that leptin, adiponectin and nonesterified fatty acids may affect the development of IR; however, their contribution depends on the degree of adiposity.

Examination of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor gene, its promoter, and most of exon-intron boundaries from 74 probands with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) of St. Petersburg revealed 34 mutations and 8 widely spread polymorphisms at this locus. Only four mutations were considered neutral, while the other 30 are likely to cause familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). Mutations in the LDL receptor gene, causing the disease, were identified in 41 (55%) out of 74 families with FH. Mutation R3500Q in apolipoprotein B (APOB) gene was not detected in all probands. Therefore in the families lacking mutations hypercholesterolemia was caused by mutations in the introns of the LDL receptor gene or by other genetic factors. Nineteen mutations causing disease progression were described in St. Petersburg for the first time, while 18 of them are specific for Russia. Among Ashkenazi Jews, predominant mutation G197del was detected in 30% (7 out of 22) of patients with FH. In the Slavic population of St. Petersburg, no predominant mutations were detected. Only five mutations were identified in two Slavic families, while 24 were found in unique families. These data are indicative of the lack of a strong founder effect for FH in the St. Petersburg population.

arXiv:1507.05610v1.-- et al., Continuing the project described by Kato et al. (2009, PASJ, 61, S395), we collected times of superhump maxima for 102 SU UMa-type dwarf novae, observed mainly during the 2014-2015 season, and characterized these objects. Our project has greatly improved the statistics of the distribution of orbital periods, which is a good approximation of the distribution of cataclysmic variables at the terminal evolutionary stage, and has confirmed the presence of a period minimum at a period of 0.053 d and a period spike just above this period. The number density monotonically decreased toward the longer period and there was no strong indication of a period gap. We detected possible negative superhumps in Z Cha. It is possible that normal outbursts are also suppressed by the presence of a disk tilt in this system. There was no indication of enhanced orbital humps just preceding the superoutburst, and this result favors the thermal-tidal disk instability as the origin of superoutbursts. We detected superhumps in three AM CVn-type dwarf novae. Our observations and recent other detections suggest that 8% of objects showing dwarf nova-type outbursts are AM CVn-type objects. AM CVn-type objects and EI Psc-type objects may be more abundant than previously recognized. OT J213806, a WZ Sge-type object, exhibited remarkably different features between the 2010 and 2014 superoutbursts. Although the 2014 superoutburst was much fainter, the plateau phase was shorter than the 2010 one, and the course of the rebrightening phase was similar. This object indicates that the O - C diagrams of superhumps can indeed be variable, at least in WZ Sge-type objects. Four deeply eclipsing SU UMa-type dwarf novae (ASASSN-13cx, ASASSN-14ag, ASASSN-15bu, and NSV 4618) were identified. We studied long-term trends in supercycles in MM Hya and CY UMa and found systematic variations of supercycles of ∼20%., This work was supported by a Grant-in-Aid “Initiative for HighDimensional Data-Driven Science through Deepening of Sparse Modeling” from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan.

Aim The role of adipose tissue hormones, adipokines, in formation of metabolic disorders in schizophrenia is not fully understood. The aim was to investigate the association of leptin and adiponectin plasma levels with metabolic parameters in antipsychotic treated patients with schizophrenia and in the group of age, gender and body mass index matched mental healthy persons. Methods One hundred patients with diagnosis of schizophrenia, who took antipsychotic medication, and equal number of control subjects, were enrolled for cross-sectional evaluation. Fasting blood plasma levels of glucose, lipids, insulin, adiponectin, leptin concentrations and insulin resistance HOMA index were determined. Results In both groups plasma leptin concentration positively correlated with body mass index, insulin plasma level and HOMA index, while adiponectin level had negative correlations with adiposity measures and positive associations with high density lipoprotein cholesterol content. At the same time, in schizophrenia group, but not in control subjects, leptin level positively associated with cholesterol and triglycerides concentrations and adiponectin negatively correlated with plasma insulin content, HOMA index and triglycerides levels. After controlling for confounders significant correlations remained for leptin concentration with HOMA index and plasma triglycerides level in schizophrenic patients and for adiponectin concentration with plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations in both studied groups. Conclusions Both adipokines associate with metabolic parameters in antipsychotic treated patients with schizophrenia. Leptin can play more specific role in pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome in schizophrenic persons than in mental healthy subjects.

Bradykinin B2 receptor is involved in many processes, including the regulation of blood pressure and smooth muscle contraction, vasodilation, inflammation, edema, cell proliferation, pain. It is suggested that this receptor may be one of the factors that have cardioprotective and infarct-limiting effects. It is assumed that certain genetic variants in both coding and non-coding regions ofBDKRB2 gene may influence its expression. In the 3'-untranslated region of BDKRB2 exon 3 the minisatellite repeat B2-VNTR is located. B2-VNTR has previously been shown to affect the BDKRB2 mRNA stability. Therefore, it is important to perform the molecular genetic analysis of this minisatellite in patients with different forms of coronary heart disease in order to reveal possible associations between specific B2-VNTR alleles and certain clinical forms of coronary heart disease. In the present study, a comparative analysis of the allele and genotype frequencies of B2-VNTR was carried out in groups of healthy individuals and patients with two clinical forms of coronary heart disease (angina pectoris and myocardial infarction), ethnically Russian. The results of the B2-VNTR length polymorphism analysis indicate that this tandem repeat may be attributed to a class of low polymorphic and non-hypervariable minisatellite. In all analyzed groups we revealed three B2-VNTR alleles, consisting of 43, 38 and 33 repeat units. Alleles of 43 and 33 repeats were major in all investigated groups. No statistically significant differences were found in the B2-VNTR allele and genotype frequencies between men and women in control group, and also between healthy men and men with angina pectoris and myocardial infarction. Thus, B2-VNTR length polymorphism was not associated with these clinical forms of coronary heart disease in Russian men. However, we do not exclude the possibility of association between the B2-VNTR short alleles (38 and 33 repeats) and cardioprotective effects of bradykinin B2 receptor in women with coronary heart disease. This hypothesis requires further investigation.

Accumulation of cholesterol in arterial wall macrophages is a main hallmark of atherosclerosis. The ABCG1 transporter mediates cholesterol efflux to high density lipoproteins (HDL) and plays an important role in macrophage foam cell formation. The goal of our study was to investigate the potential role of ABCG1 in atherosclerosis development in humans. ABCG1 gene expression has been examined in leukocytes, monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages of patients with atherosclerosis and in the control group. Real time PCR and Western blotting were used to determine ABCG1 mRNA and ABCG1 protein levels. Monocyte ABCG1 mRNA level was inversely correlated with the rate of artery occlusion (r = -0.45, P = 0.016). Patients with 100% artery occlusions had decreased monocyte ABCG1 mRNA levels compared to patients who had smaller plaques and controls (P0.05). ABCG1 mRNA (P0.001) and ABCG1 protein (P0.05) levels in macrophages of patients with coronary artery stenosis were significantly reduced compared to the control group. No significant correlation between the ABCG1 gene expression in mononuclear cells and HDL cholesterol concentration has been found. Our study suggests that decrease in the ABCG1 gene expression in macrophages is associated with atherosclerosis.

We report on a superoutburst of the AM CVn-type object SDSS J090221.35+381941.9 [J0902; orbital period 0.03355(6) d] in 2014 March-April. The entire outburst consisted of a precursor outburst and the main superoutburst, followed by a short rebrightening. During the rising branch of the main superoutburst, we detected growing superhumps (stage A superhumps) with a period of 0.03409(1) d. During the plateau phase of the superoutburst, superhumps with a shorter period (stage B superhumps) were observed. Using the orbital period and the period of the stage A superhumps, we were able to measure the dynamical precession rate of the accretion disk at the 3:1 resonance, and obtained a mass ratio (q) of 0.041(7). This is the first successful measurement of the mass ratio in an AM CVn-type object using the recently developed stage A superhump method. The value is generally in good agreement with the theoretical evolutionary model. The orbital period of J0902 is the longest among the outbursting AM CVn-type objects, and the borderline between the outbursting systems and systems with stable cool disks appears to be longer than had been supposed., Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in PASJ

We present results of optical polarization observations performed with the MASTER robotic net for three types of objects: gamma-ray bursts, supernovae, and blazars. For the Swift gamma-ray bursts GRB100906A, GRB110422A, GRB121011A, polarization observations were obtained during very early stages of optical emission. For GRB100906A it was the first prompt optical polarization observation in the world. Photometry in polarizers is presented for Type Ia Supernova 2012bh during 20 days, starting on March 27, 2012. We find that the linear polarization of SN 2012bh at the early stage of the envelope expansion was less than 3%. Polarization measurements for the blazars OC 457, 3C 454.3, QSO B1215+303, 87GB 165943.2+395846 at single nights are presented. We infer the degree of the linear polarization and polarization angle. The blazars OC 457 and 3C 454.3 were observed during their periods of activity. The results show that MASTER is able to measure substantially polarized light; at the same time it is not suitable for determining weak polarization (less than 5%) of dim objects (fainter than 16$^m$). Polarimetric observations of the optical emission from gamma-ray bursts and supernovae are necessary to investigate the nature of these transient objects., Comment: 31 pages, 12 figures, 4 tables; Exposure times in Table 2 have been corrected

Continuing the project described by Kato et al. (2009, PASJ, 61, S395, arXiv:0905.1757), we collected times of superhump maxima for 56 SU UMa-type dwarf novae mainly observed during the 2013-2014 season and characterized these objects. We detected negative superhumps in VW Hyi and indicated that the low number of normal outbursts in some supercycle can be interpreted as a result of the disk tilt. This finding, combined with the Kepler observation of V1504 Cyg and V344 Lyr, suggests that the disk tilt is responsible for modulating the outburst pattern in SU UMa-type dwarf novae. We also studied the deeply eclipsing WZ Sge-type dwarf nova MASTER OT J005740.99+443101.5 and found evidence of a sharp eclipse during the phase of early superhumps. The profile can be reproduced by a combination of the eclipse of the axisymmetric disk and the uneclipsed light source of early superhumps. This finding confirms the lack of evince of a greatly enhanced hot spot during the early stage of WZ Sge-type outburst. We detected growing (stage A) superhumps in MN Dra and give a suggestion that some of SU UMa-type dwarf novae situated near the critical condition of tidal instability may show long-lasting stage A superhumps. The large negative period derivatives reported in such systems can be understood a result of the combination of stage A and B superhumps. The WZ Sge-type dwarf novae AL Com and ASASSN-13ck showed a long-lasting (plateau-type) rebrightening. In the early phase of the rebrightening, both objects showed a precursor-like outburst, suggesting that the long-lasting rebrightening is triggered by a precursor outburst., Comment: 73 pages, 88 figures, accepted for publication in PASJ

With the goal of developing non-viral techniques for exogenous gene delivery into mammalian cells, we have studied receptor-mediated gene transfer using complexes of plasmid DNA and galactosylated poly-L-lysine, poly(L-Lys)Gal. To evaluate the optimal parameters for efficient gene transfer into human hepatoma HepG2 cells by the DNA–poly(L-Lys)Gal complexes, the bacterial reporter genes lacZ and cat were used. Examination of the reporter gene expression level showed that the efficiency of DNA delivery into the cells depends on the structure of DNA–poly(L-Lys)Gal complexes formed at various ionic strength values. The efficiency of DNA transfer into the cells also depends on DNA/poly(L-Lys)Gal molar ratio in the complexes. Plasmid vector carrying human apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) gene was injected as its complex with poly(L-Lys)Gal into rat tail vein. Some level of ApoA-I was detected in the serum of the injected rats. Also, the human apoA-I-containing plasmid was found to be captured specifically by the rat liver cells and transported into the cell nuclei, where it can persist as an episome-like structure for at least a week. After repeated injections of DNA–poly(L-Lys)Gal complexes, the level of human ApoA-I in rat serum increases, probably, due to accumulation of functional human apoA-I gene in the liver cell nuclei. The data seem to be useful for the development of non-viral approaches to gene therapy of cardiovascular diseases.

Using PCR-single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis, followed by sequencing of the abnormal samples, two novel point mutations in the 5' end of the fourth exon of the low-density lipoprotein receptor gene were found in two Russian families with familial hypercholesterolemia. These missense mutations consist of C127W and C139G transitions and result in a loss of one of three disulfide bonds in the fourth cysteine-rich repeat of the ligand-binding domain of the low-density lipoprotein receptor. Hypercholesterolemia segregated with the identified mutations.

We used polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis to detect LDL receptor gene defects in the St. Petersburg population. We have found a deltaG197 mutation in several patients of Jewish origin. The mutation named is shown to be responsible for one-third (7/23) of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) cases in St. Petersburg Jews and absent in patients of Russian descent. The prevalence of a deltaG197 mutation in St. Petersburg Jews is consistent with its origin in Lithuania or Poland. The deltaG197 mutation can be easily detected in polyacrylamide minigels because of formation of specific heteroduplexes during PCR with DNA of heterozygous patients. Taken together with high prevalence of the mutation in St. Petersburg Jews, this observation provides an opportunity for DNA diagnostics of FH in this ethnic group. Hum Mutat 12:255–258, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

We report on the MASTER Global Robotic Net discovery of an eclipsing binary, MASTER OT J095310.04+335352.8, previously known as unremarkable star TYC 2505-672-1, which displays extreme orbital parameters. The orbital period P=69.1 yr is more than 2.5 times longer than that of epsilon-Aurigae, which is the previous record holder. The light curve is characterized by an extremely deep total eclipse with a depth of more than 4.5 mag, which is symmetrically shaped and has a total duration of 3.5 yrs. The eclipse is essentially gray. The spectra acquired with the Russian 6 m BTA telescope both at minimum and maximum light mainly correspond to an M0-1III--type red giant, but the spectra taken at the bottom of eclipse show small traces of a sufficiently hot source. The observed properties of this system can be better explained as the red giant eclipsed by a large cloud (the disk) of small particles surrounding the invisible secondary companion., 8 figures, 9 pages, Astronomy and astrophysics in print

The Granat observatory was launched into a high apogee orbit on 1989 December 1 by a PROTON launcher. The initial Granat orbit had an apogee close to 200000 km and a perigee of 2000 km with an orbital period of 4 days. The satellite is entering the radiation belts for a few hours every orbit. Due to orbital evolution the perigee increased and the apogee decreased with time. After about 1.5 years of operation the perigee increased up to 20000 km. This has put the satellite completely outside of the proton radiation belts which makes the detector activation during the perigee passage negligible. Moreover, the satellite orbit is outside of the magnetosphere during the most parts of the mission. This makes such an orbit very attractive for high energy astrophysics missions which require low background level in order to achieve high sensitivity, and makes it essential for the investigation of the high energy transient phenomena such as cosmic γ-ray bursts and solar flares.

We have carried out photometric observations of the occultation of the star HIP 97157 by asteroid (41) Daphne on 2013 October 25 with the 40 cm telescope of the Global MASTER Robotic Net, located in the Tunka Valley near Irkutsk. We have obtained the photometric drift-scan of the occultation in broadband visible light. The photometric curve of the occultation of the star by asteroid Daphne was obtained. From analysis of this curve we have determined the length of the "chord" of the asteroid in the direction of its motion corresponding to the time interval during which the asteroid completely "screened" the star's light: a 146.86 ± 0.24 km. Also, assuming that the angular diameter of the star is equal to d 0002, we have determined the angles between the velocity vector of the asteroid and its two opposite edges (considered as straight lines) where the disappearance of the star and its reappearance occurred: for the front edge of the asteroid and for its opposite edge. So these edges of the asteroid are inclined toward each other at an angle of about 8°.

The cytopathogenic effect of various modified lipoproteins on cultured peritoneal macrophages was studied in vitro. After minor peroxide modification lipoproteins induced apoptosis of macrophages. Immune complexes containing oxidized lipoproteins caused cell necrosis.

The human apolipoprotein A-I gene controlled by the promoter of the early cytomegalovirus gene was transferred to cultured HeLa cells. The cytoplasmic RNA of transformed cells was shown to contain apo A-I-specific mRNA. Immunoenzyme and immunohistochemical methods revealed the expression of a protein product of the transferred gene in the transformed cells. The amount of synthesized apo A-I protein attained 0.1–0.7% of the total protein of transformed cells.

ABCA1 transporter is known to play important role in the cholesterol transport from peripheral tissues. However its contribution in atherosclerosis development remains not completely understood. Using Real Time PCR, a significant reduction of ABCA1 mRNA level in leukocytes of patients with atherosclerosis was determined when compared with controls. Mean ABCA1 expression levels in leukocytes for the group of patients and for the control group are 0.57 +/- 0.28 and 0.93 +/- 0.14 (p = 0.02). At the same time we detected a significant increase of ABCA1 mRNA level in macrophages of patients when compared with controls. Mean ABCA1 expression levels in macrophages for the group of patients and for the control group are 1.32 +/- 0.10 and 0.90 +/- 0.14 (p = 0.014). In summary, we suggest that expression level of ABCA1 gene may contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.