[Psychosocial pathomorphosis of depressions]. / Psikhosotsial'nyi patomorfoz depressii.

OBJECTIVE: The aim is to determine the changes in phenomenology of depressions (mostly of melancholic type with pronounced affect of sadness, chronobiological shift, neurovegetative changes and typical affect-congruent depressive ideas) over the past decades. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We've compared the archival data of one of the authors (V.N.K.) obtained in the study of depression within 1980-1086 years (1st group, 103 patients, 47 with recurrent depression and 56 with bipolar depression) and the data of the study of depression during 2015-2021 years with registration of symptoms with the same psychopathological scale at the same clinic for affective disorders (2nd group, 109 patients, 52 with recurrent depression and 57 with bipolar depression). The groups are age-comparable (21-59 y.o.). The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17) has been used to assess the severity of depression (score of 21-32 in both groups). Statistics included frequency analysis with use of χ2 criterion. RESULTS: Biologically mediated symptoms (shortened sleep with early awakening, typical diurnal variations with vitalization of depressive affect and loss of energy mostly first half of day, decreased appetite, libido and motivation for any activity) were not statistically different in the study groups. Whereas symptoms associated with emotional reactivity and congruent depressive ideations like worthlessness, guilt, suicidal thoughts, as well as anaesthesia psychica dolorosa - were statistically rare in 2nd group, except anhedonia. The same time the facts which have been obvious amongst patients of 2nd group were the difficulties to verbalize their feelings, shortage of vocabular for reflections about their suffering, especially amongst young patients. CONCLUSION: The results of the study can indicate some changes in the phenomenology of depression over the past decades. Basically, the same underlying disorders can produce different clinical presentation, particularly concerning an awareness and verbalization of moral feelings and other emotions. One of the possible psycholinguistic assumption may be limited vocabulary for feelings because of spreading social networks with very poor and formal language instead of live direct communication.

[Steadfastly increased level of the ciliary neurotrophic factor in the blood serum within the positive therapeutic dynamics of depression as possible prognostic marker of depressive relapse]. / Ustoichivoe povyshenie urovnya tsiliarnogo neirotroficheskogo faktora v syvorotke krovi pri polozhitel'noi terapevticheskoi dinamike depressii kak veroyatnyi prognosticheskii marker retsidiva depressivnogo epizoda.

OBJECTIVE: To study a role of the ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) in the pathogenesis of depression and its prognostic significance in dynamics of the antidepressant therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: CNTF level was investigated in the blood serum of patients with melancholic depression (n=32) before the start of therapy and after 30 days, when improvement was achieved by at least 75% of baseline scores on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. RESULTS: Steadfastly increased level of CNTF in the blood serum of patients with melancholic depression compared with the control, remaining practically unchanged with an obvious improvement in the condition - 732.2±126.5 and 679.1±63.1 pg/ml of serum, respectively (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The initially elevated level of CNTP indicates its probable significance in the pathogenesis of depression; persistently high serum CNTP level, despite clinical improvement during therapy, can serve as a predictor of the stability of the biological mechanisms of recurrent depressive disorder with a continuing risk of another relapse of a depressive episode.

Mercury content in the Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica Temminck, 1844) from the coastal and inland areas of the Russia.

Being a global pollutant, mercury can originate from both natural as well as anthropogenic sources. Coastal marine atmospheric fog is considered a potential source of ocean-derived monomethylmercury (MMHg) to coastal terrestrial ecosystems. However, the ratio between mercury appearing through natural processes and that from the results of human activity is unclear. We assumed that the total mercury content in the fur of tigers would differ depending on the distance from the sea. Here we show that the average mercury content in tigers from the coast (0.435 ± 0.062 mg kg-1) is significantly different from tigers from the inland area (0.239 ± 0.075 mg kg-1), (p = 0.02). We found that the content of mercury in the fur of tigers is largely dependent of natural processes rather than human activity. We assume that the levels of mercury in coastal ecosystems in the south of the Russian Far East reflect the position of the region relative to the deep faults of the East Pacific Platform. Obtained data indicate that environmental risks associated with mercury pollution currently exist, but do not pose a serious threat to Siberian tigers.

A Neurotoxic Insecticide Promotes Fungal Infection in Aedes aegypti Larvae by Altering the Bacterial Community.

Symbiotic bacteria have a significant impact on the formation of defensive mechanisms against fungal pathogens and insecticides. The microbiome of the mosquito Aedes aegypti has been well studied; however, there are no data on the influence of insecticides and pathogenic fungi on its structure. The fungus Metarhizium robertsii and a neurotoxic insecticide (avermectin complex) interact synergistically, and the colonization of larvae with hyphal bodies is observed after fungal and combined (conidia + avermectins) treatments. The changes in the bacterial communities (16S rRNA) of Ae. aegypti larvae under the influence of fungal infection, avermectin toxicosis, and their combination were studied. In addition, we studied the interactions between the fungus and the predominant cultivable bacteria in vitro and in vivo after the coinfection of the larvae. Avermectins increased the total bacterial load and diversity. The fungus decreased the diversity and insignificantly increased the bacterial load. Importantly, avermectins reduced the relative abundance of Microbacterium (Actinobacteria), which exhibited a strong antagonistic effect towards the fungus in in vitro and in vivo assays. The avermectin treatment led to an increased abundance of Chryseobacterium (Flavobacteria), which exerted a neutral effect on mycosis development. In addition, avermectin treatment led to an elevation of some subdominant bacteria (Pseudomonas) that interacted synergistically with the fungus. We suggest that avermectins change the bacterial community to favor the development of fungal infection.

Siberian Development Vector: Based on Cooperation and Interaction.

The article reflects the position held by the Institute of Economics and Industrial Engineering, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences regarding the problems and prospects of the socio-economic, scientific, and technological development of Siberia and the directions of strengthening its positions in the world and Russian space. The main development problems of Siberia and the Siberian Federal District are identified, taking into account modern challenges and threats. It is shown that the recovery of the Siberian economy as a whole and the regions of the Siberian Federal District, in particular, should be based on a significant increase in investment activity at all levels: macroregional, regional, and municipal. Proposals are made on a package of new Siberian investment projects with a focus on "embedding" Siberia in high-tech niches of the Russian and world economies, as well as on a system of priority measures that should be taken at the national, interregional, and regional levels.

[Phenotypic and genetic changes of entomopathogenic ascomycete Beauveria Bassiana under passaging through various hosts].

Phenotypic and genetic estimations of entomopathogenic ascomycete B.bassiana (strain Sar-31) after 6-passaging through four hosts were shown. Increasing of virulence, changes in morpho-cultural characteristics and variations in Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) assay between initial and reisolated cultures were registered. Six passages of entomopathogenic ascomycete Beauveria bassiana (strain Sar-31) through four hosts (Galleria mellonella, Tenebrio molitor, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Locusta migratoria) and following estimation of phenotypic and genetic differences of the initial strain and reisolated cultures were conducted. The passaging of strain through certain host led to increasing of virulence for both this host and other test-insects. Unidirectional changes of morpho-cultural characteristics: colonies pigmentation and relief strengthening, increasing of conidia production and lipolytic activity were registered in all passaged cultures. Genetic analysis with 6 ISSR markers revealed variations between initial and reisolated cultures in 3 markers. Taken together, the results of this study help us understand potential ways of fungi strains changes during epizootic process and possibilities of ISSR assay applying for investigation of pathogen transmission.

[COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE IMMUNE REACTIONS IN COLORADO POTATO BEETLE LARVAE UNDER DEVELOPMENT OF MYCOSES CAUSED BY METARHIZIUM ROBERTSII, M. BRUNNEUM AND M. PEMPHIGI].

A comparative investigation of humoral and cellular immune response in larvae of Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata was conducted under development of mycoses caused by entomopatho- genic fungi Metarhizium robertsii, M. brunneum and M. pemphigi. The larvae were found highly suscep- tible to M. robertsii, M. brunneum and less susceptible to M. pemphigi. The susceptibility to the fungi was not correlated with the rate of conidia germination in epicuticular extracts of larvae. A non-specific for Colorado beetle pathogen M. pemphigi did not cause significant changes in the immune response and did not result in colonization of larvae hemocoel. Infection with M. robertsi and M. brunneum led to an increase in total hemocyte count at the initial stages of mycoses (day 2) followed by a sharp decrease on day 3. The strongest decrease was observed for the immunocompetent cells - plasmatocytes and granu- locytes. Enhanced phenoloxidase activity in hemolymph and cuticle was found on days 2 and 3 after in- fection. These changes in immune reactions correlated with the level of virulence of the strains. Thus, the immune response in Colorado potato beetle larvae is an important factor determining differences in the development of mycoses caused by different Metarhizium species.

Early aging in Chernobyl clean-up workers: long-term study.

This paper represents data of long-term open prospective study. 312 male clean-up workers, who participated in elimination of the Chernobyl disaster consequences in 1986-87, were observed and examined in Moscow Research Institute of Psychiatry. The average age of patients was 57,0 ± 6,8 years. All patients were diagnosed with psychoorganic syndrome, caused by combination of different factors, which led to early cerebrovascular pathology, which was confirmed by clinical, neuropsychological, and instrumental examination. Anamnesis and the level of social adaptation were also assayed. Clinical estimation was done with the use of specially developed Clinical Psychopathological Chart. All the symptoms were divided into 4 groups (asthenic, psychovegetative, dysthymic, and cognitive symptom-complexes). No pronounced signs of dementia were observed. The control group included 44 clean-up workers without mental disorders. Predomination of various exogenous factors before and after accident was noted. Therapy included different vasotropic remedies, as well as family therapy, art therapy, and cognitive training. The possibilities of the reverse development of symptoms were statistically proved. The results allow making a conclusion that these disorders could not be explained either by radiation effects or by PTSD but connected with cerebrovascular pathology.

More than a colour change: insect melanism, disease resistance and fecundity.

A 'dark morph' melanic strain of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella, was studied for its atypical, heightened resistance to infection with the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana. We show that these insects exhibit multiple intraspecific immunity and physiological traits that distinguish them from a non-melanic, fungus-susceptible morph. The melanic and non-melanic morphs were geographical variants that had evolved different, independent defence strategies. Melanic morphs exhibit a thickened cuticle, higher basal expression of immunity- and stress-management-related genes, higher numbers of circulating haemocytes, upregulated cuticle phenoloxidase (PO) activity concomitant with conidial invasion, and an enhanced capacity to encapsulate fungal particles. These insects prioritize specific augmentations to those frontline defences that are most likely to encounter invading pathogens or to sustain damage. Other immune responses that target late-stage infection, such as haemolymph lysozyme and PO activities, do not contribute to fungal tolerance. The net effect is increased larval survival times, retarded cuticular fungal penetration and a lower propensity to develop haemolymph infections when challenged naturally (topically) and by injection. In the absence of fungal infection, however, the heavy defence investments made by melanic insects result in a lower biomass, decreased longevity and lower fecundity in comparison with their non-melanic counterparts. Although melanism is clearly correlated with increased fungal resistance, the costly mechanisms enabling this protective trait constitute more than just a colour change.

[An increase in the immune system activity of the wax moth Galleria mellonella and of the Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata under effect of organophosphorus insecticide].

There has been performed evaluation of the effect of the organophosphorus insecticide (pirimifos-methyl) on some components of the insect immune response. The cellular (a change of the number of hemocytes and of intensity of incapsulation) and the humoral (a change of phenoloxidase activity) components of the immune response were studied in larvae of representatives of two orders--the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Chrysomelidae, Coleoptera) and the wax moth (Galeriia mellonella, Pyralidae, Lepidoptera). The action of the insecticide has been found to lead to stimulation of immune reactions (an increase of phenoloxidase activities and of intensity of incapsulation, a rise of the number of hemocytes) at the contact treatment of both sublethal and the half-lethal doses of pirimifos-methyl.

Towards a unified model of pavlovian conditioning: short review of trace conditioning models.

There are three basic paradigms of classical conditioning: delay, trace and context conditioning where presentation of a conditioned stimulus (CS) or a context typically predicts an unconditioned stimulus (US). In delay conditioning CS and US normally coterminate, whereas in trace conditioning an interval of time exists between CS termination and US onset. The modeling of trace conditioning is a rather difficult computational problem and is a challenge to the behavior and connectionist approaches mainly due to a time gap between CS and US. To account for trace conditioning, Pavlov (Conditioned reflexes: an investigation of the physiological activity of the cerebral cortex, Oxford University Press, London, 1927) postulated the existence of a stimulus "trace" in the nervous system. Meanwhile, there exist many other options for solving this association problem. There are several excellent reviews of computational models of classical conditioning but none has thus far been devoted to trace conditioning. Eight representative models of trace conditioning aimed at building a prospective model are being reviewed below in a brief form. As a result, one of them, comprising the most important features of its predecessors, can be suggested as a real candidate for a unified model of trace conditioning.

The role of the hippocampus in long-term memory: is it memory store or comparator?

Several attempts have been made to reconcile a number of rival theories on the role of the hippocampus in long-term memory. Those attempts fail to explain the basic effects of the theories from the same point of view. We are reviewing the four major theories, and shall demonstrate, with the use of mathematical models of attention and memory, that only one theory is capable of reconciling all of them by explaining the basic effects of each theory in a unified fashion, without altogether sacrificing their individual contributions. The key issue here is whether or not a memory trace is ever stored in the hippocampus itself, and there is no reconciliation unless the answer to that question is that there is not. As a result of the reconciliation that we are proposing, there is a simple solution to several outstanding problems concerning the neurobiology of memory such as: consolidation and reconsolidation, persistency of long term memory, novelty detection, habituation, long-term potentiation, and the multifrequency oscillatory self-organization of the brain.

A model of attention and memory based on the principle of the dominant and the comparator function of the hippocampus.

The six major questions of attention are described in terms of the dominant, as defined by Ukhtomskii. The dominant was in turn simulated as a systems manifestation of phase transitions in the brain. The theoretical and experimental bases for the existence of metastable states in the brain are reviewed, these states having lifetimes of 1 sec and more. This approach simultaneously provides solutions for all the major questions of attention and the "central controller." A neurobiological model of attention and memory is proposed, based on the systems properties of Ukhtomskii's dominant and the comparator function of the hippocampus as described by Vinogradova. New published data are presented to support the existence of an information processing system in the brain in which the hippocampus plays the central role.

Identification and characterization of a new mammalian glutaredoxin (thioltransferase), Grx2.

A thiol/disulfide oxidoreductase component of the GSH system, glutaredoxin (Grx), is involved in the reduction of GSH-based mixed disulfides and participates in a variety of cellular redox pathways. A single cytosolic Grx (Grx1) was previously described in mammals. We now report identification and characterization of a second mammalian Grx, designated Grx2. Grx2 exhibited 36% identity with Grx1 and had a disulfide active center containing the Cys-Ser-Tyr-Cys motif. Grx2 was encoded in the genomes of mammals and birds and expressed in a variety of cell types. The gene for human Grx2 consisted of four exons and three introns, spanned 10 kilobase pairs, and localized to chromosome 1q31.2-31.3. The coding sequence was present in all exons, with the first exon encoding a mitochondrial signal peptide. The mitochondrial leader sequence was also present in mouse and rat Grx2 sequences and was shown to direct either Grx2 or green fluorescent protein to mitochondria. Alternative splicing forms of mammalian Grx2 mRNAs were identified that differed in sequences upstream of exon 2. To functionally characterize the new protein, human and mouse Grx2 proteins were expressed in Escherichia coli, and the purified proteins were shown to reduce mixed disulfides formed between GSH and S-sulfocysteine, hydroxyethyldisulfide, or cystine. Grx1 and Grx2 were sensitive to inactivation by iodoacetamide and H(2)O(2) and exhibited similar pH dependence of catalytic activity. However, H(2)O(2)-inactivated Grx2 could only be reactivated with 5 mm GSH, whereas Grx1 could also be reactivated with dithiothreitol or thioredoxin/thioredoxin reductase. The Grx2 structural model suggested a common reaction mechanism for this class of proteins. The data provide the first example of a mitochondrial Grx and also indicate the occurrence of a second functional Grx in mammals.

New mammalian selenocysteine-containing proteins identified with an algorithm that searches for selenocysteine insertion sequence elements.

Mammalian selenium-containing proteins identified thus far contain selenium in the form of a selenocysteine residue encoded by UGA. These proteins lack common amino acid sequence motifs, but 3'-untranslated regions of selenoprotein genes contain a common stem-loop structure, selenocysteine insertion sequence (SECIS) element, that is necessary for decoding UGA as selenocysteine rather than a stop signal. We describe here a computer program, SECISearch, that identifies mammalian selenoprotein genes by recognizing SECIS elements on the basis of their primary and secondary structures and free energy requirements. When SECISearch was applied to search human dbEST, two new mammalian selenoproteins, designated SelT and SelR, were identified. We determined their cDNA sequences and expressed them in a monkey cell line as fusion proteins with a green fluorescent protein. Incorporation of selenium into new proteins was confirmed by metabolic labeling with (75)Se, and expression of SelT was additionally documented in immunoblot assays. SelT and SelR did not have homology to previously characterized proteins, but their putative homologs were detected in various organisms. SelR homologs were present in every organism characterized by complete genome sequencing. The data suggest applicability of SECISearch for identification of new selenoprotein genes in nucleotide data bases.

A phage T4 site-specific endonuclease, SegE, is responsible for a non-reciprocal genetic exchange between T-even-related phages.

The bacteriophage T4 segE gene encoding site-specific endonuclease lies between the hoc.1 and uvsW genes. The similar region of T-even-related phage RB30 lacks the segE gene. Here we demonstrate that the phage T4 segE gene is inherited preferably by progeny of mixed infection with RB30. The preferred inheritance of the segE gene depends on its own expression and is based on a non-reciprocal homologous recombination event providing the transfer of the gene from the segE-containing to the segE-lacking allele. The SegE endonuclease cleaves DNA in a site located at the 5' end of the uvsW gene in the RB30 genome. The T4 DNA is also cleaved by the enzyme, but less efficiently. The cleavage at the RB30 site appears to initiate the observed conversion, which is stimulated by DNA homology and accompanied by co-conversion of flanking markers. Our findings provide a novel example of endonuclease-dependent generation of genetic variation in prokaryotes.

The HsdR subunit of R.EcoR124II: cloning and over-expression of the gene and unexpected properties of the subunit.

Type I restriction endonucleases are composed of three subunits, HsdR, HsdM and HsdS. The HsdR subunit is absolutely required for restriction activity; while an independent methylase is composed of HsdM and HsdS subunits. DNA cleavage is associated with a powerful ATPase activity during which DNA is translocated by the enzyme prior to cleavage. The presence of a Walker type I ATP-binding site within the HsdR subunit suggested that the subunit may be capable of independent enzymatic activity. Therefore, we have, for the first time, cloned and over-expressed the hsdRgene of the type IC restriction endonuclease EcoR124II. The purified HsdR subunit was found to be a soluble monomeric protein capable of DNA- and Mg2+-dependent ATP hydrolysis. The subunit was found to have a weak nuclease activity both in vivo and in vitro, and to bind plasmid DNA; although was not capable of binding a DNA oligoduplex. We were also able to reconstitute the fully active endonuclease from purified M. EcoR124I and HsdR. This is the first clear demonstration that the HsdR subunit of a type I restriction endonuclease is capable of independent enzyme activity, and suggests a mechanism for the evolution of the endonuclease from the independent methylase.

The nucleotide sequence of the bacteriophage T5 ltf gene.

The nucleotide sequence of the bacteriophage T5 Bg/II-BamHI fragment (4,835 bp in length) known to carry a gene encoding the LTF protein which forms the phage L-shaped tail fibers was determined. It was shown to contain an open reading frame for 1,396 amino acid residues that corresponds to a protein of 147.8 kDa. The coding region of ltf gene is preceded by a typical Shine-Dalgarno sequence. Downstream from the ltf gene there is a strong transcription terminator. Data bank analysis of the LTF protein sequence reveals 55.1% identity to the hypothetical protein ORF 401 of bacteriophage lambda in a segment of 118 amino acids overlap.