Role of migration processes in shaping the marriage structure of the Moscow population. I. The age, place of birth and nationality of those entering marriage

A genetic-demographic study of the dynamics of the Moscow population marriage structure, with respect to the age of marriage, birthplace and nationality of newlyweds has been carried out by means of sample analysis of 1955 and 1980 marriage records; some other demographic and statistic data obtained during several years were also used. The mean age of marriage being practically constant, the proportion of newlyweds younger than 20 in the reproductive part of the Moscow population was shown to be considerably higher at the beginning of the XX century than at present. The number of couples married at the postreproductive age increased in 1980, as compared with 1955. The process of migration contributing to the genetic structure of subsequent Moscow generations has been characterized quantitatively and from the spatio-geographical point of view. High values (0.57 less than m less than 0.86) of the coefficient of migration to Moscow correspond to the period of non-controlled city population growth. As a result of administrative measures for regulation of the city population growth, the value of the coefficient of migration to Moscow decreased considerably by 1980, though still remained at a rather high level (m=0.40). The mean migration distance increased from 230 km, in the beginning of XIX century to 560 km in 1955 and 1100 in 1980. Especially great was the increase of genetic contribution from Eastern and Southern regions of the USSR. The variability of the national composition also increased. These changes in the geography of migration will cause the increasing reproduction of the entire country gene pool in Moscow as a panmixia center that may result in genetic originality of the Moscow population.     

Differential responsiveness to immunoablative therapy in refractory rheumatoid arthritis is associated with level and avidity of anti-cyclic citrullinated protein autoantibodies: a case study

In order to identify pathogenic correlates of refractory rheumatoid arthritis (RA), antibodies against anti-cyclic citrullinated protein (ACPAs) were investigated in RA patients in whom the dysregulated immune system had been ablated by high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) and autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Six patients with refractory RA were extensively characterized in terms of levels of total immunoglobulins, RA-specific autoantibodies (ACPAs and rheumatoid factor) and antibodies against rubella, tetanus toxoid (TT) and phosphorylcholine before and after HDC plus HSCT. Additionally, the avidity of ACPAs was measured before and after treatment and compared with the avidity of TT antibodies following repeated immunizations. Synovial biopsies were obtained by arthroscopy before HDC plus HSCT, and analyzed by immunohistochemistry. In the three patients with clinically long-lasting responses to HDC plus HSCT (median 423 days), significant reductions in ACPA-IgG levels after therapy were observed (median level dropped from 215 to 34 arbitrary units/ml; P = 0.05). In contrast, stable ACPA-IgG levels were observed in three patients who relapsed shortly after HDC plus HSCT (median of 67 days). Clinical responders had ACPA-IgG of lower avidity (r = 0.75; P = 0.08) and higher degree of inflammation histologically (r = 0.73; P = 0.09). Relapse (after 38 to 530 days) in all patients was preceded by rising levels of low avidity ACPA-IgG (after 30 to 388 days), in contrast to the stable titres of high avidity TT antibodies. In conclusion, humoral autoimmune responses were differentially modulated by immunoablative therapy in patients with synovial inflammation and low avidity ACPA-IgG autoantibodies as compared with patients with high levels of high avidity ACPA-IgG. The distinct clinical disease course after immunoablative therapy based on levels and avidity of ACPA-IgG indicates that refractory RA is not a single disease entity.     

Protective effect of the aerosol immunization of mice with the polycomponent vaccine Immunovac VP-4 after the challenge of the animals with Klebsiella pneumoniae virulent strain

Used four schemes of the administration of the preparation with different time of the exposition of the animals in an aerosol chamber were tested with their subsequent intraperitoneal challenge with K. pneumoniae virulent strain K16. Irrespective of the number of immunization courses, the administration of the preparation made at intervals of 1 day, or daily, did not ensure any protective effect, but only led to an insignificant increase in their survival time in comparison with nonimmunized animals. After intervals between immunizations were increased to 3 days the protective effect of aerosol immumization was obtained (the survival rate was 65-80 % and considerably differed from that of the controls). The protective effect of aerosol immunization thus obtained was comparable with the effectiveness immunization made in a single subcutaneous injection. Aerosol immunization resulted in low antibody titers to the antigens contained in the vaccine, while after a single subcutaneous injection high antibody titers to Klebsiella and Proteus antigens were detected. The antigen-stimulated blast transformation of spleen lymphocytes in mice subjected to aerosol immunizations in 5 exposures was high. After subcutaneous immunization significant changes in such characteristics were detected on day 15. The data thus obtained were indicative of good prospects in the development Immunovac VP-4 as the medicinal form intended for use in aerosols.     

p24 proteins play a role in peroxisome proliferation in yeast

Emp24 is a member of the p24 protein family, which was initially localized to the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi and COP vesicles, but has recently shown to be associated with Saccharomyces cerevisiae peroxisomes as well. Using cell fractionation and electron- and fluorescence microscopy, we show that in the yeast Hansenula polymorpha, Emp24 also associates with peroxisomes. In addition, we show that peroxisome numbers are strongly decreased in H. polymorpha cells lacking two proteins of the p24 complex, Emp24 and Erp3. Detailed fluorescence microscopy analyses suggest that emp24.erp3 cells are disturbed in peroxisome fission and inheritance.     

Transitional cell carcinoma of the ovary: A rare case and review of literature

Goblet cell carcinoid of the large intestine is a rare neoplasm, usually located in ascending colon and rectum. A 60-year-old male patient underwent surgery after the diagnosis of acute abdomen. Exploratory laparotomy revealed perforation with a diameter of 1 cm at the site of the previously performed gastroenterostomy and dilatation of the right colic flexure, secondary to a solid obstructive mass located in the mid-portion of transverse colon. Histopathological investigation of the biopsies, taken from the gastroenterostomy site and the tumor, revealed mixed carcinoid-adenocarcinoma with carcinoid component, predominantly composed of goblet cells. Three cycles of FOLFOX-4 protocol was administered. Following respiratory distress secondary to pulmonary metastasis, the patient's condition deteriorated and subsequently died in the fourth postoperative month. Our aim with this paper is to point out that more cases should be reported for more effective diagnosis, histopathological study, clinical investigation, treatment and prognosis of this specific neoplasm.     

Prospective cohort studies on risk factors for cardiovascular events in systemic lupus erythematosus: a major challenge

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been identified as a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The etiology of premature CVD in SLE is supposed to have many factors, including traditional coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors, antiphospholipid antibodies, and metabolic and inflammatory factors. Despite the overwhelming interest in CVD in SLE research, prospective studies evaluating risk factors for hard endpoints (that is, cardiovascular events) are relatively scarce. The article by Gustafsson and colleagues suggests that prothrombotic factors play an important role in SLE-related CVD and that the influence of traditional CAD risk factors might be limited.     

Use of therapeutic polycomponent vaccine "Immunovac VP-4" for the treatment of chronic bacterial prostatitis

A complex of clinical and laboratory examinations of patients with bacterial chronic prostatitis was carried out. The patients were divided into two groups: 55 patients treated by the method of immunotherapy and 20 patients (controls) undergoing basic therapy. Immunotherapy was carried out with the use of polycomponent vaccine VP-4 containing Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris and Escherichia coli antigens. Vaccinal therapy was indicated in cases with infection focus associated with opportunistic bacteria, a prolonged torpid course of prostatitis and when different schemes of etiotropic therapy proved to be ineffective. The vaccine was introduced in 4 or 5 subcutaneous injections at an interval of 5-7 days. The study revealed that in cases of chronic prostatitis accompanied by microecological and immune disturbances the use of complex therapy allowed to achieve good clinical and laboratory results in 91% of the patients. In the patients undergoing immunotherapy the elimination of opportunistic bacteria from the urogenital tract and the restoration of affected microflora occurred.     

Dynamics of autoantibodies in elderly persons in the process of vaccination with Grippol and multicomponent vaccine VP-4

The dynamics of antibodies to organ specific and organ nonspecific antigens in the process of combined immunization with Grippol, an influenza polymer subunit vaccine and polycomponent vaccine VP-4 used for prophylaxis of acute respiratory infections, was under study. Persons aged 65 years and older were vaccinated. Grippol alone was introduced in a single subcutaneous injection into 92 persons and Grippol in combination with vaccine VP-4--to 103 persons. B[symbol: see text]-4 Vaccine was introduced intranasally and orally (6-8 doses). The administration of vaccine VP-4 was started simultaneously with vaccination with Grippol. Prior to immunization and 1 and 5 months later autoantibodies to the following antigens were detected: DNA (native and denaturated), collagen, elastin, myelin basic protein, microsomal fractions of kidneys, lungs, heart, liver, intestine, pituitary body, thyroid gland, pancreas, adrenal glands, ovaries, mucous and muscular layers of stomach. The number of persons with the level of antibodies at least to one of the antigens under study exceeding the normal values prior to vaccination varied from 19.4 +/- 8.6% to 41.5 +/- 7.7%, the average values of positive sera being 0.26 +/- 0.05 to 0.32 +/- 0.08 delta OD. One and 5 months after vaccination both values varied within the same limits in both groups. Immunization with Grippol as well as with its combination with vaccine VP-4 was found to increased spectrum of antibodies to tissue antigens and their increased content. The data give evidence that Grippol and vaccine Vp-4, introduced according to the immunization schedule used in these experiments, do not induce development of autoimmune processes.     

Polygalacturonase inhibiting protein in plant cell walls

Polygalacturonase inhibiting protein (PGIP) is localized in plant cell walls and plays an important role both in pectic substance metabolism and in prevention of the penetration of phytopathogenic microorganisms. Apparently, PGIP is responsible for the specificity of cell--cell interactions during pollination or inoculation by fungi nonpathogenic for the particular plant. PGIPs from different plants share a basic common structure. They are rather thermostable glycoproteins enriched with leucine and contain about 20% carbohydrates; the molecular weight varies between 37-54 kD. The synthesis of PGIP is encoded by one gene, and its expression is stimulated by injury and fungal infection. The resistance of plant tissues to infection frequently correlates with PGIP expression and with inhibiting action on fungal PG. Thus, PGIP is believed to be useful for gene engineering to obtain transgenic plants resistant to fungal infection or retaining commercial value during storage.     

An attempt at the historical reconstruction of the genetic demographic structure of the Moscow population at the turn of the 20th century]

The genetic demographic structure of the Moscow population at the turn of the 20th century was studied based on the data from parish books and census records. The main sources of population gene pool replenishment were analyzed, and migration coefficients and the main parameters of the model of isolation by distance were estimated. Data on so-called quasigenetic markers (ethnicity and birthplace) were used to reveal intrapopulation heterogeneity, which facilitates the adaptation of migrants to a new ethnic and cultural environment. The spatial subdivision was analyzed with the use of GST statistics. Muscovites exhibited a considerable positive assortative mating with respect to birthplace. The results of this study provide the necessary historical perspective for predicting the current genetic demographic trends in the Moscow population. It was shown that the co-efficients of marriage migration were almost the same (0.7 < m < 0.8) in the late 19th and mid-20th centuries; however, these values were two times greater than in the late 20th century. This decrease in marriage migration was accompanied by a threefold increase in the radius of centripetal migration and a threefold decrease in the level of isolation by distance. It was determined that the increase in the ethnic and genetic diversity of the Moscow population in the 20th century had started in the 1860s.