The evaluation of association between polymorphisms of DNA excision repair enzyme genes and risk of malignant tumors development in Siberian Group of Chemical Enterprises workers

There was analyzed single nucleotide polymorphisms of DNA excision repair enzyme genes hOGG, XPD, XPG, XRCC1 in 98 Siberian Group of Chemical Enterprises cancer patients and 148 healthy donors. No association was observed between the analyzed polymorphisms and malignant tumors in both control and subgroup (under study) of persons exposed to occupational ionizing radiation. Heterozygosis for the genes hOGG and XPD was found to be a protective factor to malignant tumors in exposed persons: the odds ratio = 0.42 (95% CI 0.18-0.98; p = 0.044) for the 326Ser/Cys genotype of the hOGG gene and 0.48 (95% CI 0.23-0.99; p = = 0.047) the 751Lys/Gln genotype of the XPD gene. The data obtained show a possible modifying role of the hOGG and XPD gene polymorphisms for malignant tumors risk in exposed persons.     

Risk factors prevalence for cardiovascular diseases among atomic power industry enterprises personnel

A selective cross-sectional study based on Regional Medico-Dosimetric Register was carried out in some Siberian Group of Chemical Enterprises (SGCE) workers (aged 40-50) with the aim of studying the most important risk factors prevalence for cardiovascular diseases development. 2010 persons examined with the use of standardized epidemiological methods made up 32.6% of total SGCE personnel aged 40-50. Purpose: the study of risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, their prevalence, intensity and significance in atomic power plants workers exposed to occupational long-term ionizing radiation in a "low" dose range (cumulative doses in the range up to 1 Sv). The study of prevalence of risk factors for CVDs development in men occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation revealed frequent changes in the type of work performed, higher levels of psychoemotional tension, as well as high prevalence of low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol) and obesity. Women workers of the main production were found to have hypercholesterolaemia more often than those of the auxiliary production. Annual health checks of nuclear workers should be extended to include waist and hips measurement, body mass index (BMI) calculation, lipid factors evaluation, as well as stress tests (bicycle and/or stress echocardiography) in case there are three or more risk factors for CVDs for workers of the main production.     

Hemoblastosis and leukemia morbidity in the townsfolk of Seversk and of Siberian group of chemical enterprises personnel

Hemoblastosis and leukemia morbidity has been analyzed in the townsfolk of Seversk (in particular, Seversk residents and Siberian Group of Chemical Enterprises (SGCE) personnel). The standardized relative risk ratios for hemoblastosis morbidity in menes and womens of Seversk were found to be significantly higher in comparison with the regional standard ratios (in 1.8 and 1.5 times correspondingly). Hemoblastosis and leukemia morbidity rate in SGCE males is significantly higher in comparison with the similar regional standard ratios. Leukemia morbidity dependence due to cumulative external gamma-radiation in a dose range up to 1 Sv has not been found in SGCE personnel, without regard to chronic lymphatic leukemia.     

Regional medico-dosimetric register (RMDR) is a model for evaluation of long-term "low" dose ionizing radiation effects on Siberian group of chemical enterprises main production personnel

Medico-dosimetric register is an optimal model of epidemiological studies on evaluation of ionizing radiation effects. Regional medico-dosimetric register (RMDR) is a system of interrelating information blocks including data on Siberian Group of Chemical Enterprises (SGCE) personnel. At present SGCE personnel and Seversk residents RMDR database includes information on 138496 persons, 65538 of which are SGCE workers. SGCE personnel and Seversk residents RMDR is a scientific base for researches with the aim of evaluating long-term ionizing radiation effects in a "low" dose range. Information on mortality and morbidity rate as well as "thematic" registers of the main diseases potentiates in evaluating the spectrum of somatic stochastic effects and radiogenic risks in SGCE workers and Seversk residents as well as their offsprings. A practical significance of RMDR database is the formation of the main diseases "risk" groups depending on definite risk factors in certain groups that provides targeted diagnostic and preventive therapy both among high-dose establishments' workers and residents living near-by.     

Protein kinase KIN10 from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabidopsis thaliana</Emphasis> as a potential regulator of primary microtubule nucleation centers in plants

The nearest plant homologues of animal protein kinase BRSK were identified using the methods of classical and structural bioinformatics. The selection was performed based on the sequence comparison, results of phylogenetic clustering, and analysis of domain architecture. Spatial structures of human BRSK1 and KIN10 from A. thaliana were compared. The relationship between KIN10 and the regulation of primary microtubule nucleation centers in A. thaliana was revealed. Obvious homology of plant KIN10 and mammalian BRSK1 evidence to suggest that this plant protein kinase is associated with the regulation of the structure and function of primary microtubule nucleation centers and is able to phosphorylate γ-tubulin from Arabidopsis (TUBG1 and TUBG2) at Ser131, affecting the γTuSC monomer structure as well as the γTuRC complex assembly. The effect of the modification on the TUBG1-GACP3 interaction was suggested.     

Can the outcomes of mesenchymal stem cell‐based therapy for myocardial infarction be improved? Providing weapons and armour to cells

Use of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation after myocardial infarction (MI) has been found to have infarct‐limiting effects in numerous experimental and clinical studies. However, recent meta‐analyses of randomized clinical trials on MSC‐based MI therapy have highlighted the need for improving its efficacy. There are two principal approaches for increasing therapeutic effect of MSCs: (i) preventing massive MSC death in ischaemic tissue and (ii) increasing production of cardioreparative growth factors and cytokines with transplanted MSCs. In this review, we aim to integrate our current understanding of genetic approaches that are used for modification of MSCs to enable their improved survival, engraftment, integration, proliferation and differentiation in the ischaemic heart. Genetic modification of MSCs resulting in increased secretion of paracrine factors has also been discussed. In addition, data on MSC preconditioning with physical, chemical and pharmacological factors prior to transplantation are summarized. MSC seeding on three‐dimensional polymeric scaffolds facilitates formation of both intercellular connections and contacts between cells and the extracellular matrix, thereby enhancing cell viability and function. Use of genetic and non‐genetic approaches to modify MSC function holds great promise for regenerative therapy of myocardial ischaemic injury.     

Molecular Phylogeny of Paraphelidium letcheri sp. nov. (Aphelida,Opisthosporidia)

Aphelids remain poorly known parasitoids of algae and have recently raised considerable interest due to their phylogenetic position at the base of Holomycota. Together with Cryptomycota (Rozellosporidia) and Microsporidia, they have been recently re‐classified as the Opisthosporidia, which constitutes the sister group to the fungi within the Holomycota. Molecular environmental studies have revealed a huge diversity of aphelids, but only four genera have been described: Aphelidium, Amoeboaphelidium, Paraphelidium, and Pseudaphelidium. Here, we describe the life cycle of a new representative of Aphelida, Paraphelidium letcheri sp. nov., and provide the 18S rRNA gene sequence for this species. Molecular phylogenetic analysis indicates that P. letcheri is sister to Paraphelidium tribonemae and together they form a monophyletic cluster which is distantly related to both, Aphelidium, with flagellated zoospores, and Amoebaphelidium, with amoeboid zoospores.     

High-current plasma channel produced with a narrow gas column

A new method for creating high-current plasma channels is developed. The method uses a narrow gas column formed by the leading particles of a nonsteady gas jet outflowing into a vacuum. An electric discharge device with a system for the formation of a narrow gas column is experimentally studied. The parameters of emission from the plasma channel are measured.