Association of chromosome 8q24 variants with prostate cancer risk in the Siberian region of Russia and meta-analysis

Compelling evidence demonstrates the importance of chromosome 8q24 as a locus of susceptibility to prostate cancer. In this work, the association of common 8q24 variants, rs6983267 and rs1447295, with a sporadic risk of prostate cancer was analyzed in the Russian population of Siberia. For this purpose, the above polymorphisms were genotyped in 393 cases and 384 control individuals. The A allele of rs1447295 was significantly associated with prostate cancer risk (OR[CI 95%] = 1.74 [1.26–2.4], p = 7.8 × 10⁻⁴). The common G-A haplotype of rs6983267-rs1447295 also showed association with prostate cancer risk in Russians (OR[CI 95%] = 2.03 [1.1–3.75], p = 0.02). A meta-analysis combining our data with previously published results was performed to better evaluate the association between the SNPs studied and prostate cancer risk; its results strongly supported the association for both loci (p < 10⁻⁶). Thus, our study has confirmed the association of chromosome 8q24 with a risk of prostate cancer.     

Substrate specificity and reaction kinetics of an X-motif ribozyme

The X-motif is an in vitro-selected ribozyme that catalyzes RNA cleavage by an internal phosphoester transfer reaction. This ribozyme class is distinguished by the fact that it emerged as the dominant clone among at least 12 different classes of ribozymes when in vitro selection was conducted to favor the isolation of high-speed catalysts. We have examined the structural and kinetic properties of the X-motif in order to provide a framework for its application as an RNA-cleaving agent and to explore how this ribozyme catalyzes phosphoester transfer with a predicted rate constant that is similar to those exhibited by the four natural self-cleaving ribozymes. The secondary structure of the X-motif includes four stem elements that form a central unpaired junction. In a bimolecular format, two of these base-paired arms define the substrate specificity of the ribozyme and can be changed to target different RNAs for cleavage. The requirements for nucleotide identity at the cleavage site are GD, where D = G, A, or U and cleavage occurs between the two nucleotides. The ribozyme has an absolute requirement for a divalent cation cofactor and exhibits kinetic behavior that is consistent with the obligate binding of at least two metal ions.     

Flora Europaea Notulae Systematicae ad Floram Europaeam spectantes No. 20 Corrigenda et Addenda

Following the publication of the last of the series of Flora Europaea Notulae, No. 20 in the Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 76: 297–384 (1978), a number of additions or alterations have been drawn to our attention. These are published in continuation.     

Infrared spectra and structure of synthetic polytripeptides

A number of polytripeptides related to collagen, namely, (Gly-Pro-Pro)_n, (Gly-Pro-Hyp)_n, (Gly-Hyp-Hyp)_n, (Gly-Pro-Ala)_n, (Gly-Pro-Leu)_n, (Gly-Pro-Gly)_n,(Gly-Ala-Pro)_n, (Gly-Ala-Hyp)_n, (Ala-Pro-Pro)_n, and (Ala-Hyp-Hyp)_n were investigated by the method of ir spectroscopy and hydrogen-deuterium kinetics. Strength and order of interpeptide hydrogen bonds of the polytripeptides in a triple-helical conformation were found to depend on the amino acid composition and residue sequence in the triplets. Correlation of X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic data for (Gly-Pro-Hyp)_n showed that the increase of the helix parameter in the process of dehydration is accompanied with the weakening of interpeptide hydrogen bonds. Influences of bound water on the length and order of interchain hydrogen bonding was also examined. It was shown that the incorporation of water molecules into the triple helix depends on the amino acid composition and residue sequence. Synthetic models and native collagens were compared.     

Structural and functional state of the renal transplant after spontaneous and surgical restoration of the lymph outflow pathways

In 62 dogs, presenting a model of the renal autotransplantation into the pelvis on the iliac vessels, a comparative estimation of morpho-functional state of the transplanted organ has been performed at a spontaneous (control) and surgical (experiment) restoration of the lymphatic outflow pathways during the postoperative period from 1 day up to 6 years. Three periods of morpho-functional restoration of the transplant renal tissue have been revealed: I (period of decreased functional activity) lasts in the control from 1 up to 14 days, in the experiment--up to 7 days after the operation; II (period of restoration of the functional activity) lasts in the control from 14 up to 90 days, in the experiment--from 7 up to 30 days after the operation; III (steady functioning of the renal transplant) begins in the control on the 90th day, in the experiment--on the 30th day after the operation and lasts up to the end of the observations. Such signs as lymphostasis and certain disturbances of oxidation-reduction and physical-chemical processes in the renal tissue are specific features. Time of normalization of the processes mentioned and degree of their manifestation depend on spontaneous or surgical restoration of the lymphatic outflow pathways. The surgical relymphatization of the renal transplant contributes to a more rapid and complete restoration of its morphofunctional state in comparison to a traditional method of the kidney transplantation.     

The Hiroshima thermal-neutron discrepancy for 36Cl at large distances. Part I: New 36Cl measurements in granite samples exposed to A-bomb neutrons

The long-lived radioisotope (36)Cl (half-life: 301,000 years) was measured in granite samples exposed to A-bomb neutrons at distances from 94 to 1,591 m from the hypocenter in Hiroshima, by means of accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). Measured (36)Cl/Cl ratios decrease from 1.6 x 10(-10) close to the hypocenter to about 1-2 x 10(-13), at a distance of 1,300 m from the hypocenter. At this distance and beyond the measured (36)Cl/Cl ratios do not change significantly and scatter around values of 1-2 x 10(-13). These findings suggest that the (36)Cl had been predominantly produced by thermalized neutrons from the A-bomb via neutron capture on stable (35)Cl, at distances from the hypocenter smaller than about 1,200 m. At larger distances, however, confounding processes induced by cosmic rays or neutrons from the decay of uranium and thorium become important. This hypothesis is theoretically and experimentally supported in a consecutive paper. The results are compared to calculations that are based on the most recent dosimetry system DS02. Close to the hypocenter, measured (36)Cl/Cl ratios are lower than those calculated, while they are significantly higher at large distances from the hypocenter. If the contribution of the cosmic rays and of the neutrons from the decay of uranium and thorium in the sample was subtracted, however, no significant deviation from the DS02 calculations was observed, at those distances. Thus, the Hiroshima neutron discrepancy reported in the literature for (36)Cl for samples from large distances from the hypocenter, i.e., higher measured (36)Cl/Cl ratios than predicted by the previous dosimetry system DS86, was not confirmed.     

Physiological reactions of primates to 9-D immersion and head-down tilt

Purpose of the investigation was to compare physiological reactions of primates (Macaca mulatta) to microgravity simulated by immersion and head-down tilt (HDT). In immersion experiments, primates in waterproof suits were put into motion-restraining chairs and immersed into water (t=35.4 degrees C) breast-deep for 9 days. In 9-d HDT experiments, prone primates were motor restrained in dedicated tilt beds at -5 degrees. It was found that the CNS functioning was significantly affected, the plasma volume reduced and the marrow erythropoietic function declined. Atrophy developed in leg muscles on a backdrop of iliopectineal spongy osteopenia. Loss in hydration, inhibition of erythropoietic hemopoiesis and iliopectineal spongy osteopenia were more pronounced following immersion than HDT.     

Antimicrobial peptides and their use in medicine

The review presents the current classification of antimicrobial peptides (AMP), which are the main component of innate immunity. The mechanism of their action and the molecular basis of the formation of resistance towards these peptides are described. Data on the use of AMP for the treatment of various infectious diseases, as well as the state of the art in genetic therapy using AMP, are given.