[DNA Phenotyping of Remains from Elite Burials of the Khazar Period of Southern Russia].

Ancient DNA analyses help to solve the problems related to the genogeographic origin and migration patterns of populations. The Khazar Khaganate is a subject of controversy among researchers. Its complex historical development, lack of a sufficient number of artistic and written sources, the disappearance of representatives of Khazar culture leaves open the question of the appearance of the Khazars. DNA phenotyping of bone remains from elite burials of the Khazar period of Southern Russia was carried out with respect to eye color, hair color, skin color, and AB0 blood groups. Eight out of 10 individuals had brown eyes, dark hair (to varying degrees), and a predominantly dark skin during their lifetime. Individuals from two burials had gray-blue eyes, and one individual had blond hair. The most probable AB0 blood group was identified in eight people, of which five blood group 0 (I) group, four had blood group A (II), and one had blood group B (III). The allele frequency distribution was assessed for ten population-specific autosomal markers and suggested high heterogeneity for the ethnogeographic origin of the Khazars examined. The results are evidence for ethnocultural, genetic, and phenotypic diversity of the Khazar Khaganate.

[Universal Panel of Insertion/Deletion Polymorphisms and Biochip-Based Kit ChipID106 for Genetic Personal Identification].

A panel of 106 insertion/deletion (InDel) polymorphisms and a method of their genotyping on biochips were proposed as a new approach to genetic personal identification. Short lengths and low mutation rates are basic properties of InDel markers, which thus have significant advantages over short tandem repeats (STRs) widely used in forensics. The allele frequency distributions of all known InDel polymorphisms were studied in the five largest world populations (European, East Asian, South Asian, African, and American). Markers were selected to meet the following criteria: the minor allele frequency (MAF) is higher than 0.30; the physical distance between markers is greater than 3 Mb; there are no polymorphisms, tandem repeats, and palindromes in the flanking sequences; the AT/GC ratio is close to 1. A panel of 106 polymorphisms was thus formed; the average MAF was estimated at 0.396 in the five populations. The method developed for panel genotyping included one-step multiplex PCR and subsequent hybridization on a biological microarray. The average amplicon length was 72 bp. A sample of 201 residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg was tested to determine the main characteristics of the panel: the random matching probability (MP) was 1.89x 10^(-43) and the combined probability of paternity exclusion (CPE) was 0.99999999063. The method provides an alternative to molecular genetic personal identification based on the STR length variations.

[Review of the possible impact of 100% juices on nutritional quality, risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus].

Studies show that fruit juices are a source of macro- and micronutrients. Despite the fact that modern technologies for the industrial processing of fruits into juice are aimed at preserving the bioactive compounds of the original raw materials, juices are the subject of controversy due to the presence of free sugars and less dietary fiber than in fresh fruits. The purpose of the work was to systematize the available studies on the effect of 100% juices on nutrition quality, obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Material and methods. Systematic search in PubMed, Google Scholar, eLIBRARY databases in accordance with the inclusion criteria: the study examined 100% fruit or vegetable juices, the article was in Russian or English in a peer-reviewed journal, the subjects (in the case of clinical studies) were people aged 1 to 18 years and older. 98 sources were analyzed based on the title of the article, of which 35 did not relate to juices. 63 sources were analyzed based on their abstracts, of which 28 were included in the main study. Results. According to the results of the literature analysis, it follows that moderate consumption of 100% juices not only does not have negative effects on human health, but, on the contrary improve the health of the organism. In particular, its intake helps lower blood pressure and the content of highly sensitive C-reactive protein, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Juices enrich the daily diet due to the macro- and micronutrients they contain, which improves the quality of nutrition in general. Researches prove that there is no correlation between moderate juice consumption and type 2 diabetes onset. The glycemic index of the juices is low or medium, which distinguishes them from standard soft drinks containing sugar. The consumption of juices (100-500 ml/day) does not increase the risk of obesity in adults and children. Conclusion. Negative effects, such as weight gain and an increased risk of diabetic diseases, can only be observed with excessive consumption of juices.

[Comparative analysis of the total content of polyphenols in some types of industrial juice products].

Fruits are the most important source of polyphenols, substances that have a positive effect on human health. Modern technologies for the industrial processing of fruits into juice are aimed at preserving the useful components of the raw material in it. The issue of the content of polyphenols in industrial juice products, and, especially, changes in their concentration over time, is important for understanding the nutritional value of juice products and requires further study. The purpose of the work is to study the total content of polyphenols depending on the type of juice products and the time elapsed since the product was manufactured. Material and methods. The total content of polyphenols in terms of gallic acid was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method in four popular types of juice products (orange, grapefruit and apple juice, cherry nectar), various brands and with different production dates. The results of the determination in 60 product samples selected from Russian retail chains were analyzed. Results. Polyphenols are found in all types of products in significant amounts: in orange juices from 678 to 870 mg/kg, in grapefruit juices from 447 to 798 mg/kg, in apple juices from 264 to 1320 mg/kg, in cherry nectars from 696 to 1090 mg/kg. The highest average content was found in cherry nectars (859±106 mg/kg), followed by orange (781±54 mg/kg) and grapefruit juices (634±91 mg/kg). In apple juices, there is a significant variation in the content of polyphenols depending on the method of juice production - the highest content of polyphenols was found in straight-pressed apple juices (1119±124 mg/kg). The content of polyphenols in products stored for six months or more does not show any significant differences from the content in fresher products, which suggests a consistently high content of polyphenols in juice products throughout the entire shelf life. Conclusion. The study showed the presence of high concentrations of common polyphenols in juice products. The dependence of total polyphenol content on the time elapsed since the production of juice product was not found. Juice products of industrial production can make a significant contribution to the intake of polyphenols in the human body.

[A Biochip for Genotyping Polymorphisms Associated with Eye, Hair, Skin Color, AB0 Blood Group, Sex, Y Chromosome Core Haplogroup, and Its Application to Study the Slavic Population].

This paper presents a method for genotyping a panel of 60 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using single-stage PCR followed by hybridization on a hydrogel biochip. The pool of analyzed polymorphisms consists of 41 SNPs included in the HIrisPlex-S panel, 4 SNPs of the AB0 gene (261G>Del, 297A>G, 657C>T, 681G>A), markers of the AMELX and AMELY genes, and 14 SNP markers of the Y chromosome haplogroups: B (M60), C (M130), D (CTS3946), E (M5388), G (P257), H (M2920), I (U179), J (M304), L (M185), N (M231), O (M175), Q (M1105), R (P224) and T (M272). These genetic data allow one to predict the phenotype of the desired person according to the characteristics of eye, hair, skin color, AB0 blood group, sex, and genogeographic origin in the male line. The setting protocol is simplified as much as possible to facilitate the introduction of the method into practice. The distribution of allele frequencies of the studied polymorphisms, as well as AB0 blood groups among the Slavs (N = 482), originating mainly from central Russia, was established.

Comparative Study of Novel Fluorescent Cyanine Nucleotides: Hybridization Analysis of Labeled PCR Products Using a Biochip.

This study investigated the synthesis and substrate properties of Cy5-labeled dUTP derivatives with different substituents, linkers between the dye unit and pyrimidine heterocycle and fluorophore charges. Fluorescently labeled nucleoside triphosphates were studied as substrates using multiplex PCR with Taq and Vent (exo-) DNA polymerases, the typical representatives of the A and B polymerase families. The efficiency of nucleotide incorporation during PCR was assessed with a multi-parameter hybridization analysis using a diagnostic DNA microarray. The hybridization analysis indirectly estimates the incorporation efficiency of dye-labeled nucleotides in multiplex PCR. Our results demonstrated higher efficiencies of substrates with electrically neutral dyes than electropositive and electronegative Cy5 residues.