[Transgenerational epigenetic effects: The influence of heightened temperature on Drosophila melanogaster life span].

Epigenetic phenomena are defined as morpho-physiological changes not related to impairments of DNA sequence. The results of our study indicate that a pulsed non-mutagenic thermal stress inflicted on developing ova (pro-embryos) gives rise to positive transgenerational epigenetic changes in the life span of offspring. At that, this effect depends on heterozygosity by lgl-mutation inherited from mothers. In generation Fl, determination of higher survival trait occurs even at early stages of oogenesis. The most pronounced effect is observed when heating is applied to the cells at the earliest stages of pro-embryo development. This study is the first experimental work on modeling the transgenerational aftereffects of pre-zygotic (pro-embryo) stress on offspring survivability and longevity when tumor suppressor lgl is operating. The significance of the results with regard to human epigenetics is discussed.

[Life Span of F1 Progeny of Female Drosophila Exposed to Low Intensity Terahertz Irradiation].

Virgin female fruit flies were stressed by placement into a confined space without food for 3 hours. Some flies were subjected to terahertz irradiation (0,1-2,2 THz) for the last 30 min. Irradiated and nonirradiated females were then copulated with males. We investigated the F1 progeny of fruit flies with mature and immature oocytes at the moment of irradiation (days of oviposition: 1-2 and 9-10 after irradiation). Life span of individual flies was evaluated. It was demonstrated that terahertz radiation does not influence the absolute and average lifespan of the F1 progeny in both sexes. In response to terahertz irradiation the sexual dimorphism was detected. Survival curves of males, developed from mature and immature oocytes at the time of irradiation, differ significantly from the appropriate control, whereas in the case of females the survival curves are similar to the control. It is concluded that terahertz radiation has a remote effect on a survival of the F1 male progeny.

[VARIOUS ALLELES OF HSF HEAT-SHOCK TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR OF DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER INCREASE VIABILITY OF ITS CARRIERS IN UNFAVORABLE ENVIRONMENTS].

We found increased viability in heterozygous carriers of hsf heat shock transcription factor n comparison with wild type. The effect depends on temperature, sex and direction of crosses. Viability effect is more evident in conditions of soft temperature stress. The males are more sensitive. The maternal effect is observed: if hsf*allele came from mother, the viability effect is stronger. The survival curves of heterozygotes on hsf-1 and hsf-4 alleles are similar in spite of HSF-4 protein is slightly active on normal temperature.

[Terahertz radiation influence on number and development dynamics of offspring F1 of fruit fly females under stress].

Virgin fruit fly females were stressed by placement into a confined space without food for 2.5 hours. Some flies were subjected to terahertz radiation (0.1-2.2 THz) for the last 30 min. Then females were copulated with males. Offspring F1 from oocytes which were mature or immature at exposure (oviposition in 1-2 or 9-10 days after irradiation) was studied. Stress induces a rejection of the offspring maturation dynamics to imago from external control (offspring of flies which was maintained in standard conditions). In offsping from mature oocytes of irradiated flies the dynamics of male maturation to imago was different from internal control (offspring of stressed unirradiated flies). The number of imago males decreased. The dynamics of female maturation to imago coincides with laboratory control. In offsping from immature oocytes of irradiated flies the dynamics of female and male maturation and the number of flies were not significantly different from the internal control. It was concluded that only mature oocytes are sensitive to THz radiation influence.

Effect of phenol inducing the antioxidant responsive element on Drosophila melanogaster lifespan.

The effect of hydrophilic synthetic antioxidant TC-13 (3-(3'-tert-butyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl)propylthiosulfonate sodium) inducing the antioxidant-responsive element on the lifespan of Drosophila melanogaster was studied. Addition of 1% TC-13 to diets prolonged the lifespan of long-lived D. melanogaster Canton S strain females and males, but not of short-lived Oregon R insects and reduced the mean lifespan of D. melanogaster males of the lgl558OR/Cy strain containing a recessive lethal mutation of tumor suppressor in the heterozygotic state. The geroprotective effects of TC-13 synthetic phenol antioxidant depended on D. melanogaster genotype and gender.

Prevalence and predictors of osteoporosis treatment in nursing home residents with known osteoporosis or recent fracture.

SUMMARY: We studied nursing home residents with osteoporosis or recent fracture to determine the frequency and predictors of osteoporosis treatment. There was wide variation in performance, and both clinical and systems variables predicted use. This study shows that improvement in osteoporosis care is possible and important for many nursing homes. INTRODUCTION: We determined the prevalence and predictors of osteoporosis evaluation and treatment in high-risk nursing home residents. METHODS: We identified 67 nursing facilities in North Carolina and Arizona with > 10 residents with osteoporosis or recent hip fracture. Medical records (n=895) were abstracted for osteoporosis evaluation [dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), vitamin D level, serum calcium), treatment (calcium, vitamin D, osteoporosis medication, hip protectors), clinical, and systems covariates. Data were analyzed at the facility level using mixed models to account for the complex nesting of residents within providers and nursing facilities. RESULTS: Calcium and vitamin D was prescribed for 69% of residents, bisphosphonates for 19%, calcitonin for 14%, other pharmacologic therapies for 6%, and hip protectors for 2%. Overall, 36% received any bone protection (medication or hip protectors), with wide variation among facilities (0-85%). Factors significantly associated with any bone protection included female gender [odds ratio (OR) 2.4, (1.5-3.7)] and nonurban/suburban location [1.5, (1.1-2.2)]. Residents with esophagitis, peptic ulcer disease (PUD), or dysphagia [0.6, (0.4-0.9)] and alcohol abuse [0.2, (0.0-0.9)] were less likely to receive treatment. CONCLUSIONS: There is substantial variation in the quality of osteoporosis treatment across nursing homes. Interventions that improve osteoporosis quality of care are needed.

Studies of hydration and swelling pressure in normal and osteoarthritic cartilage.

An experimental study was carried out which involved comparing cartilage from normal and osteoarthritic joints with respect to (a) swelling pressure and (b) variation of hydration with applied pressure. The main conclusion was that whilst osteoarthritic cartilage is undoubtedly less able to resist water loss under a given applied pressure than normal cartilage, this is not due to a change in the "quality" of the proteoglycans, resulting in a change in the osmotic pressure of the latter, but simply to a decreased fixed charge density. The latter decrease is either caused by an increase in the water content - and this we attribute to a weakened collagen network - and/or to a loss of part of the proteoglycans from the tissue.

A population genetic analysis of self- and cross-incompatibility in sugar beet (Beta Vulgaris L.).

A population genetic model is proposed for the reproduction of self-incompatible inbred lines in which incompatibility is controlled by 1-4 loci. From theoretical considerations it was expected that: a) with the random matings of lines In, (obtained by self-pollination of n generations), some lines would be cross-incompatible (all the plants within these lines would be homozygous for S-genes) and the rest would be cross-compatible (retain heterozygosity for one or more S-genes); b) in the case of random matings of Unes InGm (obtained by self-pollination of n generations and by random pollination for m generations), some lines would be cross-incompatible (heterozygous for one S-gene) and the rest would be cross-compatible (retain heterozygosity for two or more S-genes); c) the relative proportion of sterile plants, obtained by random pollination of cross-compatible lines, would be related to the number of segregating S-loci and to the generation in which the lines are studied.Forty-four inbred lines of sugar beet derived from self-incompatible plants of a population were analysed. Comparisons of the observed values with the theoretically expected ones demonstrated that: a) of 18 In (I1-I4) lines, 6 were cross-incompatible (homozygous for S-genes) and 12 were cross-compatible having one S-locus segregating in 7 lines and two S-loci segregating in 5 lines; b) of 22 InG1 (I2G1 and I3G1) lines, one line was self-fertile, 7 lines were cross-incompatible (heterozygous for one S-loci) and 14 lines were cross-compatible (heterozygous for two S-loci).No line was found to have three or more segregating S-loci. The results of this population genetics analysis of self- and cross-incompatibility in sugar beet comply with diallel analysis data on sugar beet incompatibility and indicates that it is under the gametophytic control of two basic S-loci.