Isotope labeled internal standards (ILIS) as a basis for quality control in clinical studies using plasma samples

For clinical proteomic studies, the quality of the biofluid samples such as human blood plasma is extremely important. In this study we have investigated the stability of human plasma samples by spiking stable isotope-labeled peptides into the plasma and monitoring their degradation under different storage conditions. FPA-1, C4A and C3f were synthesized with isotopically labeled amino acids, and used as reference peptides. The mixture of internal calibrants was spiked into plasma at the starting point of investigation, mimicking the time of collection for future biobanking efforts, and their qualitative and quantitative changes were analyzed over time by using both MALDI-MS (LTQ Orbitrap XL) and nanoLC-ESI-MS (LTQ XL ETD).We have found that all three synthetic peptides were stable in plasma at ? 20 and ? 80 °C during the examined 2-month period. However, different proteolytic degradation profiles of the peptides were observed at room temperature. We anticipate that the use of these isotope-labeled peptides as internal standards (ILIS) provides a quality control for long-term storage and proteomic plasma analysis.     

Reliability of the serological method of examination as a basis for diagnosis of associated respiratory virus infections.

The reliability of the results of serological examination in diagnostics of associated infections was studied on a model of artificially provoked vaccinal infections in humans and in laboratory animals. The effect of administered monopreparations on changes in the level of both homologous and heterologous antibodies was tested. The character of immunological changes following simultaneous administration of two or more respiratory viruses was analysed and the effect of these viruses in diseases of divers etiology was studied. According to the results of experiments on laboratory animals, repeated administration of any of the earlier used respiratory viruses stimulated the accumulation of only homologous antibodies while heterologous antibodies did not increase at all. The results revealed the possibility of simultaneous immunological reorganization of a child's organism in response to the influence of several different antigens from the group of respiratory viruses acting synchronously or in succession. Results of the analysis demonstrated the reliability of the employed serological methods of diagnosis of respiratory virus infections.     

Scientific basis for the Soviet and Russian radiofrequency standards for the general public

The former Soviet Union (USSR) and the USA were the first countries to introduce standards limiting exposure to radiofrequency (RF) fields. However, the exposure limits in the USSR standards were always much lower than those in the USA and other countries. The objective of this article is to provide a history of the development of the Soviet and Russian RF standards. In addition, we summarize the scientific evidence used to develop the original USSR RF and subsequent Russian public health standards, as well as the mobile telecommunications standard published in 2003, but we do not critique them. We also describe the protective approaches used by the Soviet and Russian scientists for setting their limits. A translation of the papers of the key studies used to develop their standards is available in the online version of this publication. Bioelectromagnetics 33:623–633, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Molecular basis for potentiation of bleomycin-mediated degradation of DNA by polyamines. Experimental and molecular mechanical studies

The bleomycin-mediated degradation of DNA is stimulated (amplified) by certain DNA binding compounds, such as polyamines, that distort the double helix. Computer modelling studies suggest that putrescine (1), spermidine (2), and spermine (3) bind preferentially on the floor of the major groove of (dGdC)5.(dGdC)5. This interaction results in a bend of the oligomer helix toward the major groove and enlargement of the minor groove, both effects being in the order 1 less than 2 less than 3. These polyamine-induced distortions, as obtained from theoretical studies, parallel the experimental values of the amplification activities of 1-3 in the bleomycin-mediated degradation of poly(dGdC).poly(dGdC). The amplification mechanism of non-competitive binding of amplifier molecules in the major groove, and bleomycin in the minor groove, is proposed. It is suggested that the amplifier-induced conformational changes of the DNA helix increase affinity of the activated bleomycin complex toward the DNA minor groove and, consequently, result in an increased efficiency of the bleomycin-mediated degradation of the helix.     

Analysis of the scientific-methodologic basis for vaccine standardization using cholerogen-toxoid as a model]

The author discusses methodical principles of the vaccine standardization on the basis of experience in the standardization of the cholerogen-toxoid, a principally new vaccine preparation for the immunoprophylaxis of cholera. The author substantiated the statement according to which the following should serve as the task of primary importance in the program of investigations: elaboration of a system laboratory-immunological methods for the measurement of properties and quality of preparation, and primarily of its efficacy, strictly adequate to the biological nature of the vaccine (correct), highly-reproducable and of a high informative value. Data are presented proving the fact that without solving the problem of standardization of the vaccine it is practically impossible to lay scientific foundation under the choice of the optimal vaccination doses, under the immunization scheme, and introduction into the association with other preparations etc. At the same time it is emphasized that the absence of the system of measurement of the properties responsible for the biological activity of the vaccine also excludes a possibility of successive improvement of the technology of its production.     

Experimental studies and kinetic modeling for removal of methyl ethyl ketone using biofiltration

The removal of toxic methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) is studied in a lab scale biofilter packed with mixture of coal and matured compost. The biofiltration operation is divided into 5 phases for a period of 60 days followed by shock loading conditions for three weeks. The maximum removal efficiency of 95% is achieved during phase II for an inlet concentration of 0.59 g m⁻³, and 82–91% for the inlet concentration in the range of 0.45–1.23 g m⁻³ of MEK during shock loads. The Michaelis–Menten kinetic constants obtained are 0.086 g m⁻³ h⁻¹ and 0.577 g m⁻³. The obtained experimental results are validated using Ottengraf–van den Oever model for zero-order diffusion-controlled region to understand the mechanism of biofiltration. The critical inlet concentration of MEK, critical inlet load of MEK and biofilm thickness are estimated using the results obtained from model predictions.     

Admixture as the basis for genetic mapping

Genetic mapping in natural populations is increasing rapidly in feasibility and accessibility. As with many areas in genetics, advances in molecular techniques and statistics are drastically altering how we can investigate inheritance in wild organisms. For ecology and evolution, this is particularly significant and promising, because many of the organisms of interest are not amenable to conventional genetic approaches. Admixture mapping falls within a family of statistical approaches that use natural recombination and linkage disequilibrium between genetic markers and phenotypes as the basis for mapping. Our aim in this review is to provide a snapshot of previous and ongoing research, existing methods and challenges, the nature of questions that can be investigated and prospects for the future of admixture mapping.     

Staphylococcal DNA as a basis for classification

The genome characterization of the typing strains for all 13 species of the genus Staphylococcus, included into the Approval List of the Names of Bacterial (1980), is presented. The nucleotide composition of DNA (28-33% of GC) did not permit the differentiation between staphylococcal species, but some of the groups of these species could be differentiated by the size of their genome (0.6-1.6 X 10(9) daltons). Differences in the degree of similarity between the nucleotide sequences of the DNA of all species (5-6% of DNA homology) made it possible to suggest raising the genus Staphylococcus to the rank of the family Staphylococcaceae fam. nov. The hypothetical classification scheme of this family is presented for discussion.     

Reorganization of cytoskeleton as basis for morphogenesis

A brief review of the cytoskeleton dynamic structure in cells of two types: fibroblasts and epitheliocytes. Differences have been described between the functions of y-actin filaments and beta-actomyosin bundles. Tubulogenesis and angiogenesis have been considered as consequences of partial epitheliomesenchymal transformation and neoplastic transformation as a consequence of gamma-actomyosin bundles disturbance.