Surface Charge Mapping on Virions and Virus-Like Particles of Helical Plant Viruses.

Currently, the assembly of helical plant viruses is poorly understood. The viral assembly and infection may be affected by the charge distribution on the virion surface. However, only the total virion charge (isoelectric point) has been determined for most plant viruses. Here, we report on the first application of positively charged magnetic nanoparticles for mapping the surface charge distribution of helical plant viruses. The charge was demonstrated to be unevenly distributed on the surface of viruses belonging to different taxonomic groups, with the negative charge being predominantly located at one end of the virions. This charge distribution is mainly controlled by viral RNA.

Oxygen plasmas: a sharp chisel and handy trowel for nanofabrication.

Although extremely chemically reactive, oxygen plasmas feature certain properties that make them attractive not only for material removal via etching and sputtering, but also for driving and sustaining nucleation and growth of various nanostructures in plasma bulk and on plasma-exposed surfaces. In this minireview, a number of representative examples is used to demonstrate key mechanisms and unique capabilities of oxygen plasmas and how these can be used in present-day nano-fabrication. In addition to modification and functionalisation processes typical for oxygen plasmas, their ability to catalyse the growth of complex nanoarchitectures is emphasized. Two types of technologies based on oxygen plasmas, namely surface treatment without a change in the size and shape of surface features, as well as direct growth of oxide structures, are used to better illustrate the capabilities of oxygen plasmas as a powerful process environment. Future applications and possible challenges for the use of oxygen plasmas in nanofabrication are discussed.

Searching for active mobile genetic elements in dsRNA fraction of Pinus sylvestris having witches broom abnormalities.

The most common type of coniferous mobile genetic elements are retrotransposons. Despite of their early positive impact on evolution of modern coniferous species they can have a significant negative impact for Forestry and breeding. Breaking genomic structural integrity mobile elements can cause phenotypic defects of plants. In this regard, the study of the diversity of coniferous mobile genetic elements is particularly interesting. In the present paper, we describe mobile genetic elements in dsRNA fraction of Pinus sylvestris having witches broom abnormalities. In result of assembled contigs analysis by RepeatMasker 70 mobile genetic elements were identified. A 68 of that were retroelements. Most of elements represented by Gypsy (16 contigs) and Copia (48 contigs). In 4 cases retroelements specific to Pinus taeda were identified. In most cases fragments of integrase (24), reverse transcriptase (22) and RNaseH (15) were identified. Results of the study may be of interest for coniferous breeding and genetic specialists. The raw data of these experiments have been deposited at NCBI under the accession number SAMN06185845.

[Clinical significance of interleukin-28B and RNAse L gene polymorphism determination in patients with chronic viral hepatitis C].

AIM: Determination of frequency of occurrence and clinical significance ofinterleukin-28B (IL28B) and RNAse L gene polymorphism in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 104 hospital patients with CHC (65% male; 63% with genotype 1 hepatitis C virus - HCV) were examined. 70 patients received therapy with interferon (IFN) and ribavirin (RBV). Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of IL28B gene 39743165T>G (rs8099917), SNP 39738787C>T (rs12979860) and RNAse Lgene (1385G>A) were determined by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The frequency of detection of "favorable," SNP allele variants of IL28B gene in patients with CHC was lower than in population of the European region. In patients with genotype 1 HCV, mutant alleles in SNP 39743165T>G (p=0.045) and 39738787C>T (p=0.005) occurred more frequently than in patients with other virus genotypes. Highervalues of alanine aminotransferase in patients with genotype CC 39738787C>T were detected. Frequencies of SNP variants of IL28B and RNAse L gene did not differ depending on the speed of disease progression (p>0.5). Response to IFN/RBV therapy was higher in "favorable" TT (SNP 39743165T>G) and CC (SNP 39738787C>T) variants. CONCLUSION: Examination for IL28B gene SNP 39738787C>T is recommended before the start of IFN/RBV therapy in all the patients with genotype 1 HCV as a prognostic factor on the therapy response. RNAse L gene SNP 1385G>A does not have a clear clinical significance in CHC.

Do current incretin mimetics exploit the full therapeutic potential inherent in GLP-1 receptor stimulation?

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (RAs) are incretin-derived glucose-lowering agents that have been used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes since 2007. Agents such as exenatide (short-acting and once weekly preparations), liraglutide, taspoglutide, albiglutide and lixisenatide lower fasting glucose and HbA1c upon subcutaneous injection, leading to glycaemic control that is equivalent to, or better than, that observed with other oral glucose-lowering agents or bedtime insulin. However, varying proportions of patients report nausea and vomiting, adverse events that typically narrow the therapeutic dose range. Furthermore, GLP-1 RAs reduce fasting glucose to a clinically meaningful extent, but not into the normal range. In contrast, where GLP-1 is administered as a short-term intravenous infusion, a full normalisation of glucose concentrations (approximately 5 mmol/l) has been observed without any risk of gastrointestinal side effects. Subcutaneous infusions or injections of GLP-1 are much less effective. The present analysis relates the proportion of patients who report nausea following treatment with GLP-1 and GLP-1 RAs to the clinical effectiveness of the treatment (represented by the fasting glucose concentration achieved with treatment). The results suggest that GLP-1 RAs injected into the subcutaneous compartment do not exploit the full potential inherent in GLP-1 receptor activation. Reasons for this may include modifications of the peptide molecules in the subcutaneous environment or high local concentrations triggering side effects through GLP-1 receptors on autonomic nerves in subcutaneous adipose tissue. Elucidation of the mechanisms underlying differential responses to GLP-1/GLP-1 RAs administered intravenously vs subcutaneously may help to develop improved agents or modes of administration that are more effective and have fewer side effects.

[The prevalence of traumatism in population of rural industrial region].

The rate of traumas and accidents in population of the Altai kray demonstrates the trend to insignificant increase. The prevalence of this occurrence among urban citizen is statistically much higher in comparison with rural dwellers (p < 0.05). The medical care appealability among male patients is higher than among female patients both in urban and rural territories. The maximum number of visits is conditioned by superficial traumas, open wounds, traumas of blood vessels, dislocations and strains, fractures of bones of upper and lower extremities. Among male patients as compared with female patients both in urban and rural areas, the percentage of open wounds, traumas of blood vessels and intra cerebral traumas was higher. In turn, in female patients the percentage of fractures of upper extremities, thermal and chemical burns were higher.

[Aneurysm of posterior lateral choroid artery].

Rare clinical observation of a patient with spontaneous rupture of posterior lateral choroid artery aneurysm is described. The patient was surgically treated--clipping of aneurismal neck with preservation of arterial lumen was performed. The authors illustrated the paper with angiographic data and morphological view confirming genuine structure of aneurysm.

[Spontaneous anterior meningeal arterial aneurysmal rupture].

The paper describes a rare case of a patient with spontaneous rupture of nontraumatic anterior meningeal arterial aneurysmal rupture. The patient underwent clipping of the neck of the aneurysm and its excision. A detailed account of intraoperative signs of this aneurysm is given. Angiographic and morphological data and the morphological pattern confirming the true pattern of the aneurysm are presented.

[The use of propofol (Diprivan) for inducing anesthesia in neurosurgical patients. II. Its effect on intracranial pressure and on cerebral perfusion pressure]. / Primenenie propofola (diprivana) dlia induktsii anestezii u neirokhirurgicheskikh bol'nykh. II. Vliianie na vnutricherepnoe davlenie i tserebral'noe perfuzionnoe davlenie.

Clinical study of the effect of propofol (diprivan) on intracranial and cerebral perfusion pressure (ICP and CPP, respectively) in 30 patients with neurosurgical diseases of the brain showed that propofol without narcotic analgesics did not block ICP increase in response to tracheal intubation. If it was combined with narcotic analgesics, the optimal combination was with pyritramide in a dose of 0.4 mg/kg, because this combination blocked ICP increase in response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation and did not appreciably decrease CPP. Propofol for decreasing acute intracranial hypertension (like bolus injection of thiopental) during surgery is unjustified, because during anesthesia, bolus injection of propofol just negligibly decreases ICP.

[Use of propofol (diprivan) for induction of anesthesia in neurosurgical patients. I. Pressor reaction to laryngoscopy and intubation of the trachea]. / Primenenie propofola (diprivana) dlia induktsii anestezii u neirokhirurgicheskikh bol'nykh. I. Pressornaia reaktsiia na laringoskopiiu i intubatsiiu trakhei.

Pressor reaction to laryngoscopy and intubation of the trachea was studied in 32 patients with neurosurgical diseases of the brain (supratentorial tumors and arterial aneurysms) under conditions of induction anesthesia with propofol (diprivan) in the mean dose of 2.85 mg/kg. Diprivan alone did not block the development of pronounced pressor reaction to intubation. Combination of diprivan in the same dose with dipidolor (0.4 mg/kg) ensured complete blocking of the pressor reaction in neurosurgical patients. Combination of diprivan and fentanyl (2.85 mg/kg) blocked the development of a pressor reaction not so effectively and not in all the examinees.

[Prevention of pressor reaction to tracheal intubation in patients with cerebral aneurysms: fentanyl and nitroglycerin combination]. / Profilaktika pressornoi reaktsii na intubatsiiu trakhei u bol'nykh s anevrizmami sosudov mozga: kombinatsiia fentanila i nitroglitserina.

The authors analyze the clinical efficacy of a combined method for the prevention of pressor reaction to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation, based on the combination of common clinical doses of fentanyl (4 micrograms/kg b. m.) and intravenous infusion of nitroglycerin solution in 26 patients with brain vessel aneurysms. This method effectively prevented the dangerous rise of arterial pressure during laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation.

[The prevention of a pressor reaction to tracheal intubation in patients with aneurysms of the cerebral vessels. A comparative study of 7 methods]. / Profilaktika pressornoi reaktsii na intubatsiiu trakhei u bol'nykh s anevrizmami sosudov mozga. Sravnitel'noe izuchenie semi metodik.

A comparative study of seven techniques preventing pressor reactions to tracheal intubation (profound barbiturate anesthesia, conventional clinical doses of fentanyl, intravenous lidocaine, pentamine, glycerol trinitrate, sodium nitroprusside and magnesium sulfate) has been conducted in 75 patients with arterial aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations in brain vessels. The best preventive effect was observed with the use of glycerol trinitrate and conventional clinical doses of fentanyl. However, none of the above techniques could completely prevent pressor reactions to intubation.

The mink gene for the lambda light immunoglobulin chain: characterization of cDNA and chromosomal localization.

A cDNA library from mink spleen was constructed by use of the phage lambda gt11. The library was screened using polyvalent serum raised against the mink immunoglobulin lambda chain. As a result, several clones expressing mink immunoglobulin lambda light chains were identified. Sequencing of one of the clones with an 803 bp insert was performed. The insert comprised nearly the entire coding region for the mature lambda light immunoglobulin gene with the exception of the leader polypeptide and several amino acids of the FR1 region of the V segment. Compared with the rabbit, mouse and human lambda light immunoglobulin genes, the homology of the cloned sequence was found to be highest relative to the rabbit gene. With the cloned mink cDNA containing the C-region only as a probe, the DNAs from mink-Chinese hamster hybrid clones were studied. The results of segregation analysis of this mink cDNA sequence and mink chromosomes in the mink-Chinese hamster clone panel allowed us to assign the gene for the lambda light immunoglobulin constant polypeptide (IGLC) to mink Chromosome (Chr) 4.

[Intraoperative monitoring of the EEG in patients with arterial aneurysms of the cerebral vessels]. / Intraoperatsionnyi monitoring EEG u bol'nykh s arterial'nymi anevrizmami sosudiv mozga.

Visual EEG monitoring and EEG monitoring using a special "Neuro-2" monitor controlling the changes in quantitative EEG parameters (power range and coherence) have been used during surgery in 42 patients with arterial aneurysms of brain vessels performed in conditions of profound controlled arterial hypotension. Computer processing facilitates EEG analysis and reveals the most early signs of the developing cerebral ischemia on the basis of specific changes in power ranges and coherence.

[Monitoring somatosensory evoked potentials during surgery of cerebral vessels]. / Monitoring somatosensornykh vyzvannykh potentsialov vo vremia operatsii na sosudakh golovnogo mozga.

In 43 patients serial SSER recordings were made during operations for the clipping of arterial aneurysms of cerebral vessels performed under controlled arterial hypotension. SSER recordings during the preliminary phase of the operation showed an average decrease in the response amplitude of 20% during trepanation and a reduction (by 23% of the initial value) during the phase of arterial hypotension. The response recovered to 84% of its initial level by the moment of the beginning of the operation. There was no statistically significant relationship between serial SSER parameter values during arterial pressure reduction and the duration or degree of hypotension. The results testify to the higher information content of such SSER parameters as the amplitude of the first positive complex, as compared with latency criteria and in particular the CCT. It has also been found that a significant increase in the information value of the SSER for the evaluation of ischemia effect on the brain function may be obtained by synchronous stimulation of both arms and registration of cortical responses from both hemispheres.

[Endoscopic polypectomy in the surgical treatment of diffuse polyposis of the large intestine]. / Endoskopicheskaia polipéktomiia pri khirurgicheskom lechenii diffuznogo polipoza tolstoi kishki.

The article analyses experience in the treatment of 81 patients with diffuse polyposis who underwent subtotal resection of the colon with abdominoanal resection of the rectum and downward displacement of the right parts into the anal canal. It is shown that growth of the remaining occasional polyps and appearance of new polyps are encountered in the maintained parts of the colon and upper parts of the gastrointestinal tract in the postoperative period. The authors found that endoscopic polypectomy allows the right colon to be preserved in 92.6% of cases and the upper digestive tract in 97.5% of cases at a minimum risk of a surgical intervention.

[Comparative evaluation of the anal sphincter function after sphincter-sparing operations in diffuse polyposis]. / Sravnitel'naia otsenka funktsii zapiratel'nogo apparata priamoi kishki posle sfinkterosokhraniaiushchikh operatsi'i po povodu diffuznogo polipoza.

Experience in treating 76 patients who were subjected to various sphincter-preserving operations is analysed. It is shown that after subtotal resection of the large intestine with ++abdomino-anal resection of the rectum and pull-through of the right parts of the colon into the anal canal as well as after pull-through of the segment of the transverse colon into the anal canal, the neuro-reflex activity of the musculus sphincter ani internus is destroyed in 55% and reduces in 25% of patients while the reflex activity of the musculus sphincter ani externus is disturbed in 45% of patients and is not restored later. The results bear evidence that the condition of the rectal obturation apparatus does not depend on the segment of the colon subjected to the pull-through operation (cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon). Experience has shown that the results of sphicterometry, electromyography, and electromanometry in various periods after colectomy, mucosectomy of the rectum, and formation of ileorectal anastomosis are much better than those after pull-through operations on various parts of the colon, and return to normal values in 18 months.

[Cloning and sequencing of immunoglobin lambda-chain cDNA in american mink (Mustela vison]. / Klonirovanie i analiz pervichnoi struktury kDNK lambda-tsepi immunoglobulinov amerikanskoi norki (Mustela vison).

cDNA library in the lambda gt11 phage was constructed using poly (A+)-mRNA from mink spleen as a template. Immunoscreening of the library allowed the identification of 2 lambda-related clones containing 370 and 803 bp insertion (lambda IGL-1 and lambda IGL-2). Analysis of the primary structure of lambda IGL-2 demonstrated that it contains a large portion of V lambda-segment, J lambda-segment, C lambda-gene and its 3'-untranslated part. The nucleotide sequences known for the immunoglobulin genes were compared to the sequence of the lambda IGL-2 clone. The highest degree of homology was established for the rabbit lambda-genes, this being 63, 94 and 72% for the RF3 region of V lambda-segment, J lambda-segment and C lambda-region, respectively.

[The results of international comparative testing of reagents to swine serum protein allotypes conducted in 1987-1988]. / O rezul'tatakh mezhdunarodnogo sravnitel'nogo ispytaniia reagentov k allotipam syvorotochnykh belkov svin'i, provedennogo v 1987-1988 godakh.

Antisera to 15 allotypes of pig serum protein were raised and compared with those prepared elsewhere, within the framework of International Comparison Test of pig blood groups and polymorphic proteins and enzymes in 1987-1988. Of 15 allotypes tested 8 were found to coincide with the known GpB, GpD, GpA, Gpa, IGH3 C1, Lpb3, Lpb12, Lbr1. For 7 allotypes left, no analogues were found out. They seem very likely to be new allotypes of pig serum proteins.