The Effect of Biological Age on Professional Work Capacity: Report II. Biological Age and Physical Work Ability

The possibility of a prognostic estimation of the body's functional state based on comparative analysis of biological age measured by physical work ability parameters in truck drivers was considered. The dependence of the time course of work ability of the people examined on the calendar age and duration of their employment as drivers was studied. It was found that the range of adaptive responses of the cardiovascular system (CVS) to submaximal physical load narrowed in professional drivers earlier than in the control group. A risk group exhibiting signs of premature aging was revealed. It consisted of 40- to 49-year-old persons who had worked as drivers for 15–19 years. It was demonstrated that the approaches proposed are promising for estimating individual aging rates based on the parameters of work ability and for development of prophylactic measures aimed at the prevention of premature and/or accelerated aging of workers.     

Age-related peculiarities of dynamic structure of wave of the human arterial blood pressure

A decrease of elasticity of walls of aorta and large arteries in the process of human natural aging leads to a significant increment of pulse arterial pressure (AP) due to a reflected wave and accordingly to a rise of the load on myocardium and arterial walls. Therefore, an enhancement of the arterial wall stiffness is considered as a possible mechanism and at the same time as a prognostic factor of risk of development of diseases of the cardiovascular system (CVS). For detection and quantitative estimation of this factor, we applied method of arterial piezopulsometry that allows revealing characteristic age-related peculiarities of the dynamic structure of AP pulse waves, which were used at development of the way and algorithm of express-diagnostics of the functional state of the human CVS. The perspective use of this method for detection of signs of the age-related CVS readjustment as a factor of the organism aging is discussed.     

Neuroendocrine and oxidoreductive mechanisms of stress-induced cardiovascular diseases

The review concerns a number of basic molecular pathways that play a crucial role in perception, transmission, and modulation of the stress signals, and mediate the adaptation of the vital processes in the cardiovascular system (CVS). These highly complex systems for intracellular transfer of information include stress hormones and their receptors, stress-activated phosphoprotein kinases, stress-activated heat shock proteins, and antioxidant enzymes maintaining oxidoreductive homeostasis of the CVS. Failure to compensate for the deleterious effects of stress may result in the development of different pathophysiological states of the CVS, such as ischemia, hypertension, atherosclerosis and infarction. Stress-induced dysbalance in each of the CVS molecular signaling systems and their contribution to the CVS malfunctioning is reviewed. The general picture of the molecular mechanisms of the stress-induced pathophysiology in the CVS pointed out the importance of stress duration and intensity as etiological factors, and suggested that future studies should be complemented by the careful insights into the individual factors of susceptibility to stress, prophylactic effects of 'healthy' life styles and beneficial action of antioxidant-rich nutrition.     

Osmotic swelling and residual stress in cardiovascular tissues

Osmotic swelling (OS) and residual stress (RS) significantly affect the function of cardiovascular (CVS) tissues and organs. The physical mechanisms of OS and RS are reviewed and analyzed with focus on the theoretical background and related experimental evidence. It will be shown that swelling of CVS tissues stems from the presence of charged proteoglycan macro-molecules in these tissues, and that this swelling is a key determinant of RS. In view of OS and RS functional significance in mechanical function, modeling attempts which incorporate them in CVS stress analysis will be presented and discussed.     

Vascular pathways in the gill filaments of the flounder, Platichthys flesus L.

This study is concerned with functional organization of some of the blood pathways in the gill filament of the flounder, Platichthys flesus L. The existence of two independent vascular pathways has been confirmed. The blood from the efferent filament artery (EFA) enters the central venous sinus (CVS) through very small blood vessels which are characterized by the presence of sphincter-like structures. The existence of an independent chamber of the CVS mainly full of white blood cells provides evidence of an independent lymphatic system connected to the CVS. Gill rays support the afferent side of a gill filament whereas plasma and an extensive network of nutritive blood vessels in the CVS supports the efferent part.     

Compensatory possibilities of the crayfish cardiovascular system under conditions of progressing hypoxia

Under laboratory conditions, the rate of oxygen consumption and changes of inotropic and chronotropic parameters of work of the crayfish heart were studied under conditions of hypoxia and anoxia. In all studied crayfishes regardless of species and sex there exists regulation of the rate of oxygen consumption until its concentration in water about 1 mg/l at room temperature, the rate of standard metabolism being independent of oxygen concentration above 24% from saturation; below this level the rate of oxygen consumption amounts to 54% of its standard consumption. The ability to regulate metabolism in hypoxia is also presents in small crayfishes; however, their respiration rate is several times higher than in adult animals. Under conditions of severe hypoxia the cardiovascular system (CVS) of crayfish functions in economic regime with use of dependent regimes of initiation of inotropic and chronotropic heart parameters; with increase of severity of the hypoxic factor, a tendency is observed for a decrease of the heart rate (HR) and for an increase of amplitude parameters. Under anoxic conditions the crayfish demonstrated the heart contractile activity for almost 10 h; analysis of the HR by the method of variation pulsometry has shown deterioration of the crayfish functional state, which was due to desynchronization of regulatory processes in the central and peripheral chains of control of CVS.     

Possible approaches to an analysis of the heterogeneous response of the transcription complex to cholinergic actions

The accumulation of tyrosine-aminotransferase (TAT) as a marker of the individual gene activation was studied in the rat tissue after the administration of cholinomimetics and cholinolytics in order to elucidate the relations between cholinoreceptor functional state and the genetic apparatus. The regulation of TAT synthesis was found to be controlled by both cholinomimetic concentration and the density of cholinoreceptors in hepatocytes. Transsynaptic regulation of TAT activity was shown to be different in the brain and liver. It is suggested that the approaches discussed might be useful for the analysis of the relationship between cholinoreceptor state and the regulation of biochemical functions of target cells.     

Biochemical Characterisation and Cloning of α-Kafirin Gene from Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L Moench)

Seed storage proteins from naturally occurring lysine-rich cultivars namely IS 217O₂, CVS 365, G 1058, G 205 and CVS 549 were analyzed biochemically, immunologically and compared with a low-lysine cultivar (White Martin) and a chemically induced high-lysine mutant (P7210). Protein fractionation studies indicated that the high lysine cultivars contained 25% less kafirin and an increased alcohol insoluble reduced glutelin without affecting the total protein content. SDS-PAGE analysis of total kafirin showed the absence of 25.3 kD and 25.9 kD a-kafirin proteins in lysine-rich cultivars IS 217O₂, CVS 365 and G 1058, while in G 205 only the 25.9 kD protein was absent compared to low-lysine cultivar White Martin. A genomic clone λGK5 encoding an a-kafirin has been isolated from cv White Martin genomic library using pSKR3 as hybridizing probe and sequenced. Transient expression studies by particle bombardment of immature seeds of sorghum allowed to detect β-glucuronidase (GUS) activity only in endosperm cells confirming that the α-kafirin gene promoter is functional and tissue specific.     

Improved biomechanical metrics of cerebral vasospasm identified via sensitivity analysis of a 1D cerebral circulation model

Cerebral vasospasm (CVS) is a life-threatening condition that occurs in a large proportion of those affected by subarachnoid haemorrhage and stroke. CVS manifests itself as the progressive narrowing of intracranial arteries. It is usually diagnosed using Doppler ultrasound, which quantifies blood velocity changes in the affected vessels, but has low sensitivity when CVS affects the peripheral vasculature. The aim of this study was to identify alternative biomarkers that could be used to diagnose CVS. We used a 1D modelling approach to describe the properties of pulse waves that propagate through the cardiovascular system, which allowed the effects of different types of vasospasm on waveforms to be characterised at several locations within a simulated cerebral network. A sensitivity analysis empowered by the use of a Gaussian process statistical emulator was used to identify waveform features that may have strong correlations with vasospasm. We showed that the minimum rate of velocity change can be much more effective than blood velocity for stratifying typical manifestations of vasospasm and its progression. The results and methodology of this study have the potential not only to improve the diagnosis and monitoring of vasospasm, but also to be used in the diagnosis of many other cardiovascular diseases where cardiovascular waves can be decoded to provide disease characterisation.     

Fluorescence cytochemistry of nucleic acids. The current status and outlook: on the 35th anniversary of the method

Most important fields of the fluorescence cytochemistry of nucleic acids are reviewed, special attention being paid to the following aspects of the problem: physicochemical basis of different methods of staining; new methods of cell analysis, including flow cytometry; functional studies, i.e. the use of fluorescence approaches to obtain information about the functional state of individual cells and cell aggregates.     

Effect of computer work on the state of physiological functions in children aged 7 to 10 years

We studied the age- and sex-related functional characteristics of the central nervous system (CNS), cardiovascular system (CVS), lability of the visual sensory system, and mental capacity before and after a continuous computer work for 15 min in children aged 7, 8, 9, and 10 years. The results of the research showed that the resistance of the physiological systems of the body to loads associated with computer work increases in primary school children with age. We also observed sex-related differences: many parameters of functional performance during computer work at the age of 8 years were better in girls than in boys, which was due to a higher rate of development; at the age of 10 years, girls had a larger number of adverse changes in the functional state of the body compared with boys, which is possibly due to the onset of puberty.     

Assessment of the functional state of the cerebral cortex in rabbits according to electroencephalographic findings using a computer diagnostic system]

Computer estimation of the current functional state of the cerebral cortex in rabbits by the EEG data permitted to distinguish its peculiarities in dark and light adaptation of different duration under the action of nembutal; individual peculiarities of the cerebral cortex activity were revealed in various rabbits. The automatic converter system and that of recording and analysis of multiprocess information (apromin system) and computer diagnostic system (mds) were used in complex for the multistage processing of the multiprocess information. Final results are presented on the plane as points reflecting multidimentional images of the current functional states of the cerebral cortex in animals.     

Non-Cationic Proteins Are Associated with HIV Neutralizing Activity in Genital Secretions of Female Sex Workers

ObjectiveCationic proteins found in cervicovaginal secretions (CVS) are known to contribute to the early antiviral immune response against HIV-infection in vitro. We here aimed to define additional antiviral factors that are over-expressed in CVS from female sex workers at high risk of infection.MethodsCVS were collected from Kenyan HIV-seronegative (n = 34) and HIV-seropositive (n = 12) female sex workers, and were compared with those from HIV-seronegative low-risk women (n = 12). The highly exposed seronegative (HESN) sex workers were further divided into those with less (n = 22) or more (n = 12) than three years of documented sex work. Cationic protein-depleted CVS were assessed for HIV-neutralizing activity by a PBMC-based HIV-neutralizing assay, and then characterized by proteomics.ResultsHIV neutralizing activity was detected in all unprocessed CVS, however only CVS from the female sex worker groups maintained its HIV neutralizing activity after cationic protein-depletion. Differentially abundant proteins were identified in the cationic protein-depleted secretions including 26, 42, and 11 in the HESN>3yr, HESN<3yr, and HIV-positive groups, respectively. Gene ontology placed these proteins into functional categories including proteolysis, oxidation-reduction, and epidermal development. The proteins identified in this study include proteins previously associated with the HESN phenotype in other cohorts as well as novel proteins not yet associated with anti-HIV activities.ConclusionWhile cationic proteins appear to contribute to the majority of the intrinsic HIV neutralizing activity in the CVS of low-risk women, a broader range of non-cationic proteins were associated with HIV neutralizing activity in HESN and HIV-positive female sex workers. These results indicate that novel protein factors found in CVS of women with high-risk sexual practices may have inherent antiviral activity, or are involved in other aspects of anti-HIV host defense, and warrant further exploration into their mode of action.     

Biological function of the low-pH, fusion-inactive conformation of rabies virus glycoprotein (G): G is transported in a fusion-inactive state-like conformation.

The glycoprotein (G) of rabies virus can assume at least three different conformations: the native (N) state detected at the viral surface above pH 7; the activated (A) hydrophobic state, which is probably involved in the first steps of the fusion process; and the fusion-inactive (I) conformation. There is a pH-dependent equilibrium between these states, the equilibrium being shifted towards the I state at low pH. It has been supposed that the transition from the N to the I state mediates membrane fusion. By using a lipid-mixing assay, we studied the kinetics of fusion and fusion inactivation for two rabies virus strains, PV and CVS. In addition, by using electron microscopy and a trypsin sensitivity assay, we analyzed the kinetics of the conformational change towards the I state for both strains. Although the PV strain fuses faster, inactivation and the conformational change of PV G occur more slowly than for the CVS strain. This suggests that the structural transition towards the I state is irrelevant to the fusion process. Immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation experiments performed with infected cells and two different monoclonal antibodies, one specific for the N form of G and one which recognizes both the N and the I states, suggest that G is transported in an I state-like conformation through the Golgi apparatus and acquires its N structure only near or at the cell surface. We propose that the role of the I state is to avoid unspecific fusion during transport of G in the acidic Golgi vesicles.     

Sorghum lysine-rich cultivar verification by SDS-PAGE and Southern blot

The aim of this study was to assess the genetic variability among lysine-rich cultivars of sorghum (IS 21702; CVS B65, G 1058, G205 and CVS 549) and to compare with low lysine cultivar White Martin and a chemically induced high lysine mutant P721O. The lysine-rich cultivars contain approximately 1.5 to 2 times more lysine when compared to low-lysine cultivar. Sodium-dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis of kafirins showed the absence of both 25.3 kD and 25.9 kD α-kafirins in lysine rich cultivars IS 21702, G 1058 and CV 365 and only the 25.9 kD protein was not present in G 205 compared with a low-lysine cultivar White Martin and with a chemically induced high-lysine mutant P721O. Southern blot analysis with RsaI enzyme gave significantly different banding pattern indicating the absence of 1.0 kb band in lysine-rich cultivars IS 21702, G 1058 and CVS 365 compared to White Martin indicating genetic variability among these cultivars. The detected variability among kafirins both in SDS-PAGE and Southern blot could be effectively used as markers in selection of lysine-rich cultivars for further use in breeding programme.     

Phylogenetic relationship of street rabies virus strains and their antigenic reactivity with antibodies induced by vaccine strains. II. Correlation between genetic distance and antibody reactivity

The aim of these studies was the estimation of the influence of genetic divergence of reactivity with sera of people vaccinated against rabies of Polish rabies strains. Genetic similarity between CVS strain and street rabies strains of genotype 1 is relatively high. However, CVS strain showed the highest reactivity with standard immunoglobulin and sera of antirabies vaccinated people (measured by western blot method). It was completely different from street viruses. Cluster method based on genetic and serologic features indicated high difference between CVS strain and street rabies strains belonging to genotype 1 and genotype 5. On this basis CVS strain was classified as a separate cluster. The genetic divergence of rabies strains circulating in Poland suggests the need of permanent epidemiological and virological surveillance. Strains different in their genotypic and biotypic characteristics should be estimated according to their antigenic similarity to vaccine strain. In practice neutralisation test using mono- and polyclonal sera should be performed. Strains isolated from new or atypical animal species should be studied first of all.     

Prenatal diagnosis of chromosome abnormalities

Prenatal diagnosis of chromosome abnormalities can be performed on three different samples; chorion villi (CVS), amniotic fluid (AFS) and fetal blood (FBS). We are presenting data from our own experience on the chromosome analysis of 957 CVS, 1000 AFS and 927 FBS. A total of 69 chromosome abnormalities have been detected in the CVS, 38 in the AFS and 115 in the FBS. The type of abnormalities and their frequencies are compared between the three sampling methods. Our findings are in agreement with published data, and the higher incidence of chromosomal aberrations in the FBS group reflect the greater efficiency with which aneuploidies associated with more severe congenital malformation can be detected by ultrasound.Finally, we reported 18 cases of mosaicism in CVS, 76 in AFS and 31 in FBS. Of these cases, only 10 represented a true mosaicism of the fetus, 98 cases have been classified as pseudomosaicisms and 7 identified as maternal contamination. We have encountered 9 cases of mosaicism confined to the chorionic villi and 1 case limited to the amniotic fluid cells. There appeared to be a similarity between trisomies involved in chorion confined mosaicisms and pseudomosaicism cases of the AFS.The chromosome complement of the placenta may play an important role in the development of the pregnancy, and although a mosaic result in prenatal diagnosis could present difficulties in the prediction of the ffetal karyotype, it might give important information on the general condition of the fetus.     

Acoustic correlates of individual features of functional and emotional states

General theoretic and applied studies on the effects of emotional and functional states on the acoustic parameters of human speech were analyzed. In most studies, the number of frequency, time, and power characteristics of vocalization were used as the most informative acoustic correlates of emotional and functional states. As a rule, sthenic states lead to the increase, and asthenic states induce the decrease in pitch, formant, and intensity. The relationship between acoustic parameters of speech and emotional and functional states was found, which depended on individual features of the subject and appeared as diverse changes in time and power parameters. For more accurate identification of psychoemotional state of an individual, the study of general tonal phonemes that are common and easily recognizable in different languages may be helpful. The research of acoustic correlates of individual speech parameters is a promising approach to diagnosis of functional and emotional states of a person using the vocalization parameters.     

A Bond Graph Model of the Cardiovascular System

The study of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) function has shown to provide useful indicators for risk stratification and early detection on a variety of cardiovascular pathologies. However, data gathered during different tests of the ANS are difficult to analyse, mainly due to the complex mechanisms involved in the autonomic regulation of the cardiovascular system (CVS). Although model-based analysis of ANS data has been already proposed as a way to cope with this complexity, only a few models coupling the main elements involved have been presented in the literature. In this paper, a new model of the CVS, representing the ventricles, the circulatory system and the regulation of the CVS activity by the ANS, is presented. The models of the vascular system and the ventricular activity have been developed using the Bond Graph formalism, as it proposes a unified representation for all energetic domains, facilitating the integration of mechanic and hydraulic phenomena. In order to take into account the electro-mechanical behaviour of both ventricles, an electrophysiologic model of the cardiac action potential, represented by a set of ordinary differential equations, has been integrated. The short-term ANS regulation of heart rate, cardiac contractility and peripheral vasoconstriction is represented by means of continuous transfer functions. These models, represented in different continuous formalisms, are coupled by using a multi-formalism simulation library. Results are presented for two different autonomic tests, namely the Tilt Test and the Valsalva Manoeuvre, by comparing real and simulated signals.