Calculation of thermal fluxes of plasma torch reradiation under the action of laser radiation on a condensed target

The problem of laser deposition with allowance for thermal radiation transport inside and outside the laser torch is considered in a multigroup approximation. The energy fluxes of laser torch thermal radiation onto a target in the far and near zones are calculated as functions of time and the character of the exposure. It is shown that absorption of thermal fluxes in the substrate and target in the course of laser deposition results in their substantial heating. The possibility of diagnosing thermal radiation fluxes from the laser torch by using photodetectors is demonstrated.     

Improved method of detection and molecular typing ofBorrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in clinical samples by polymerase chain reaction without DNA purification

A simple assay by polymerase chain reaction was used for the of detection of Borrelia burgdorferi, causative agent of Lyme borreliosis (LB). It involves no DNA purification and is based on the amplification of a specific region of ospA gene of B. burgdorferi, followed by direct detection of the PCR product with SYBR Green I by agarose gel electrophoresis. The method was used to analyze samples from patients with LB diagnosis, with presumable infection with the LB spirochete, those with unclear clinical symptoms and after the course of an antibiotic treatment. Spirochetal DNA was detected by PCR even in contaminated samples in which B. burgdorferi was overgrown by fungi and other bacteria. Spirochetal DNA was detected and borrelia species was identified in cerebrospinal fluid of two patients hospitalized with the diagnosis "fever of unknown origin". Western blot and ELISA were negative in both cases. Total analysis of 94 samples from the hospital in Ceské Budejovice (South Bohemia, Czechia) showed infection with B. burgdorferi sensu stricto in 11% and B. garinii in 15% of cases. The highest prevalence was found for B. afzelii (43%). Co-infection was confirmed in 24 % of the analyzed symplex; 7% of samples that were B. burgdorferi sensu lato positive gave no results in DNA amplification with B. burgdorferi sensu stricto-, B. garinii- and B. afzelii-specific primers. The proposed reliable, rapid, unexpensive and specific technique could form the basis of laboratory tests for routine detection and identification of Lyme-disease spirochete in different samples.     

Peculiarities of the influence of chemical and physical factors on cytogenetic indices of root meristem in Pisum sativum L

The results of comparative analysis of cytogenetic effects of various chemical and physical factors on meristemic cells of field pea (Pisum sativum L.) are presented. Cytogenetic effects of aluminum, cadmium and selenium compounds as well as X-ray irradiation were studied. Cytogenetic indices were investigated for different doses of the above factors and peculiarities of their influence on the ratio of mitotic phases were analyzed. The increasing in the proportion of cells at the specific mitotic stage was revealed. There were anaphase stage for aluminum chloride, prophase stage for cadmium chloride, meta- and anaphase stages for sodium selenate, and telophase stage for X-rays. Investigated chemical elements may be ranged according to their ability to induce the aberrant anaphase frequency in the row: Se (from 3.75 x 10(-6) M) > A1 (from 3.86 x 10(-5) M) > Cd (from 8.44 x 10(-5) M). Maximal experimental dose of X-ray irradiation (9.03 x 10(-3) C/kg) induces the frequency of chromosome aberration similar to those induced by maximal experimental doses of aluminum and selenium (3.86 x 10(-4) M and 8.34 x 10(-6) M).     

Contacts of ribosomal proteins with tRNAPhe and 16S RNA in analogs of the 30S initiation complex

Direct RNA-protein contacts have been studied by means of ultraviolet-induced (254 nm) cross-links inside complexes of NAcPhe-tRNAPhe, Phe-tRNAPhe and deacylated tRNAPhe with poly(U)-charged 30S subunit of Escherichia coli ribosome. In the first two complexes tRNA directly contacts with the similar sets of proteins (S4, S5, S7, S9/S11; S6 and S8 are found only in the second complex). These sets are similar to that in the fMet-tRNAfMet X 30S X mRNA complex, evidencing similar disposition of tRNAs in these three complexes. 16S RNA contacts in free 30S subunit mainly with proteins S4, S7 and S9/S11. In both complexes, containing NAcPhe-tRNAPhe and Phe-tRNAPhe, 16S RNA contacts with essentially the same proteins (S4, S5, S7, S8, S9/S11, S10, S15, S16 and S17) and in the same ratio, evidencing similar conformation of 30S subunit in these two complexes. In the third complex deacylated tRNAPhe contacts with proteins S4, S5, S6, S8, S9/S11 and S15, 16S RNA-protein interaction differs from those in the first two complexes by a remarkable decrease of cross-linked proteins S8, and S9/S11 and by the appearance of a large amount of cross-linked proteins(s) S13/S14. Hence, this complex differs from the first two by conformation of 30S subunit and, probably, by disposition and/or conformation of tRNA.     

The G2385R variant of leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 associated with Parkinson's disease is a partial loss-of-function mutation

Autosomal-dominant missense mutations in LRRK2 (leucine-rich repeat kinase 2) are a common genetic cause of PD (Parkinson's disease). LRRK2 is a multidomain protein with kinase and GTPase activities. Dominant mutations are found in the domains that have these two enzyme activities, including the common G2019S mutation that increases kinase activity 2-3-fold. However, there is also a genetic variant in some populations, G2385R, that lies in a C-terminal WD40 domain of LRRK2 and acts as a risk factor for PD. In the present study we show that the G2385R mutation causes a partial loss of the kinase function of LRRK2 and deletion of the C-terminus completely abolishes kinase activity. This effect is strong enough to overcome the kinase-activating effects of the G2019S mutation in the kinase domain. Hsp90 (heat-shock protein of 90 kDa) has an increased affinity for the G2385R variant compared with WT (wild-type) LRRK2, and inhibition of the chaperone binding combined with proteasome inhibition leads to association of mutant LRRK2 with high molecular mass native fractions that probably represent proteasome degradation pathways. The loss-of-function of G2385R correlates with several cellular phenotypes that have been proposed to be kinase-dependent. These results suggest that the C-terminus of LRRK2 plays an important role in maintaining enzymatic function of the protein and that G2385R may be associated with PD in a way that is different from kinase-activating mutations. These results may be important in understanding the differing mechanism(s) by which mutations in LRRK2 act and may also have implications for therapeutic strategies for PD.     

Comparison of the radiosensitizing action of metronidazole administered orally and locally

A local injection of metronidazole dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide reinforces the damaging effect of ionizing radiation on RL-67 adenocarcinoma cells to the same degree as was observed after oral administration thereof. However, with local administration, the dose of the preparation may be 12.5 times reduced.