Non-conventional toxin WTX and its disulfide-fixed synthetic fragments: Interaction with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and reduction of blood pressure.

Non-conventional snake venom toxins, such as WTX from the cobra Naja kaouthia, are three-finger proteins containing a fifth disulfide bond in the N-terminal polypeptide loop I and inhibiting α7 and muscle-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Because the central polypeptide loop II of non-conventional toxins plays an important role in their biological activity, we synthesized several WTX loop II fragments with two cysteine residues added at the N- and C-termini and oxidized to form a disulfide bond. The inhibition by peptides of several nAChRs subtypes was investigated using different methods and the effects of peptides on the rat arterial pressure and heart rate were analyzed.

Inhibition of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors by oligoarginine peptides and polyamine-related compounds.

Oligoarginine peptides, known mostly for their cell-penetrating properties, are also inhibitors of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Since octa-arginine (R8) inhibits α9α10 nAChR and suppresses neuropathic pain, we checked if other polycationic compounds containing amino and/or guanidino groups could be effective and tested the activity of the disulfide-fixed "cyclo"R8, a series of biogenic polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, and spermine), -methylated spermine analogs, agmatine and its analogs, as well as acylpolyamine argiotoxin-636 from spider venom. Their inhibitory potency on muscle-type, α7 and α9α10 nAChRs was determined using radioligand analysis, electrophysiology, and calcium imaging.

Assessment of the Genetic Characteristics of a Generation Born during a Long-Term Socioeconomic Crisis.

Background: A socioeconomic crisis in Russia lasted from 1991 to 1998 and was accompanied by a sharp drop in the birth rate. The main factor that influenced the refusal to have children during this period is thought to be prolonged social stress.

Methods: comparing frequencies of common gene variants associated with stress-induced diseases among generations born before, after, and during this crisis may show which genes may be preferred under the pressure of natural selection during periods of increased social stress in urban populations.

Prevalence of Common Alleles of Some Stress Resilience Genes among Adolescents Born in Different Periods Relative to the Socioeconomic Crisis of the 1990s in Russia.

Social stress is common among people and is considered one of the causes of the declining birth rate. Predisposition to stress and stress-induced disorders is largely determined genetically. We hypothesized that due to differences in stress resistance, carriers of different genetic variants of genes associated with stress resilience and stress-induced diseases may have dissimilar numbers of offspring under conditions of long-term social stress.

Comparison of Methods for MicroRNA Isolation from Extracellular Vesicles Obtained from Ascitic Fluids.

Secreted extracellular vesicles (EVs) contain active biomolecules, including miRNAs, composition of which reflects epigenetic changes occurring in cells during pathological processes, in particular, malignant transformation. The accumulated pool of data on the role of EVs in carcinogenesis has stimulated investigations of the EV-derived cancer markers. The most important factor limiting development of this scientific direction is lack of "gold standards" both for methods of EV isolation from biological fluids and for analyzing their molecular content, including composition of miRNAs.

Isolation and Characterization of Extracellular Vesicles from Gastric Juice.

EVs are involved in local and distant intercellular communication and play a vital role in cancer development. Since EVs have been found in almost all body fluids, there are currently active attempts for their application in liquid diagnostics. Blood is the most commonly used source of EVs for the screening of cancer markers, although the percentage of tumor-derived EVs in the blood is extremely low.

Association between soft drink, fruit juice consumption and obesity in Eastern Europe: cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis of the HAPIEE study.

Background: Fruit juice and soft drink consumption have been shown to be related to obesity. However, this relationship has not been explored in Eastern Europe. The present study aimed to assess the cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between fruit juice, soft drink consumption and body mass index (BMI) in Eastern European cohorts.

Relationships of arterial hypertension and reduced renal function in a population 25-45 years.

Aim: To study relationships of reduced renal function with hypertension and other cardiometabolic risk factors in persons aged 25-45 years.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional population study of one of the typical district of Novosibirsk (Russia) was performed during 2013-2016 years. The study included 468 men and 606 women aged 25-45 years.

[Blood lipids and angina pectoris (by epidemiological cardiological Rose questionnaire) in the population of 25-45 years of Novosibirsk].

Unlabelled: The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of angina pectoris (AP) according to the standardized epidemiological questionnaire of Rose in the population of 25-45 years of Novosibirsk and to identify its association with some lipid and non-lipid risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD).

Material And Methods: Cross-sectional survey of the population aged 25-45 in Novosibirsk was carried out. The study included 1439 people (656 men and 783 women).

[Central Aortic Pressure: Reference and Diagnostic Values].

Objective: Practical application of central aortic pressure (CAP) parameters is limited by the absence of generally recognized reference and threshold diagnostic indices. The purpose of this work is to establish their values in the general population of Novosibirsk. Materials and Methods.

[Not Available].

Purpose: to study blood pressure levels and the prevalence of hypertension in persons aged 25-45 years in Novosibirsk.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional population study in one of typical areas of Novosibirsk was performed in 2013-2016. The study included 479 men and 612 women aged 25-45 years.

[The prevalence of components of metabolic syndrome in the patients with diabetes melitus type 2 and mody diabetes in young people of Novosibirsk].

Aim: To estimate the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and MODY diabetes as well as the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) components for these types of diabetes in the young population of the city of Novosibirsk.

Materials And Methods: In 2013-2017 years a population survey was conducted of a random representative sample of the population of 25-45 years of both sexes, residents of one of the typical districts of Novosibirsk. WHO criteria (1999-2013) were used for the diagnosis of diabetes: fasting blood glucose ≥7.

[Associations between metabolic syndrome and reduced lung function in young people].

Aim: To reveal possible associations between metabolic syndrome (MS) and reduced lung function.

Subjects And Methods: In 2013-016, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in 908 Novosibirsk dwellers, which included spirometry to evaluate external respiratory function (ERF). For the detection of MS, the investigators used the 2009 All-Russian Research Society of Cardiologists criteria: waist circumference (WC) > 80 cm for women and >94 cm for men in combination with two of the following criteria: blood pressure (BP) ≥130/85 mm Hg, triglycerides (TG) ≥1.

The Relationship between Body Mass Index and 10-Year Trajectories of Physical Functioning in Middle-Aged and Older Russians: Prospective Results of the Russian HAPIEE Study.

Objective: To investigate the associations of overweight and obesity with longitudinal decline in physical functioning (PF) among middle-aged and older Russians.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Four rounds of data collection in the Russian Health, Alcohol and Psychosocial factors In Eastern Europe study with up to 10 years of follow-up.

[Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in 25-45-year-old Novosibirsk dwellers].

Aim: To study the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components in a 25-45-year-old Novosibirsk population.

Subjects And Methods: The Novosibirsk Research Institute of Internal and Preventive Medicine conducted a cross-sectional population-based survey in one of the typical districts of Novosibirsk in 2013-2015. The survey covered 346 men and 408 women.

The association of depressive symptoms with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in Central and Eastern Europe: Prospective results of the HAPIEE study.

Background: Studies in western populations have shown a positive association between depression and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality. The association with depressive symptoms seems to be graded, rather than limited to the presence versus the absence of depression. Evidence from populations with potentially different patterns of confounders helps to address the consistency of these findings.

[The incidence of respiratory symptoms and their associations with serum cotinine levels as a marker of tobacco smoking in 25-45-year-old Novosibirsk dwellers].

Aim: To study the incidence of respiratory symptoms and to reveal their associations with serum cotinine levels (SCL) in 25-45-year-old Novosibirsk dwellers.

Subjects And Methods: The WHO respiratory symptom questionnaire and the ECRHS screening questionnaire were used for a population-based survey conducted in Novosibirsk to identify respiratory symptoms; 545 people replied to the questions available in the questionnaires. SCL was determined by enzyme immunoassay on a random subsample of 182 examinees.

PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF GERD IN ADOLESCENTS IN NOVOSIBIRSK: TEN-YEAR TRENDS.

Unlabelled: The aim of the study was the study of ten-year trends (1999-2009) of GERD symptoms and risk factors in schoolchildren in Novosibirsk from 14 to 17 years.

Materials And Methods: The comparison of the results of the screenings performed at 1999 and 2009 was analyzed. Anthropometry, the survey to identify the symptoms of GERD and eating habits, smoking and alcohol consumption, determination of lgG and CagA antibodies to Helicobacterpylori were included at the program of screenings.

Peculiarities of Anxiety Score Distribution in Adult Cancer Patients.

The goal of the present research is to investigate and analyze possible peculiarities of the psychological state of cancer patients undergoing treatment. Scores characterizing the trait and state anxiety were acquired using the Integrative Anxiety Test from four groups: adults with no appreciable disease, pregnant women, cancer patients examined during the specific antitumor treatment, and cancer patients brought into lasting clinical remission. Statistical analysis of the testing results revealed the bimodal type of the distribution of scores.

[Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease and associated factors in adolescents: population survey].

Objectives: Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is frequent among the general population affecting 10-20% of adults. However, there is a notable lack of epidemiological data describing prevalence of GER in children. The aims of the present study were to assess the prevalence of GER symptoms (GERS) in adolescents and to evaluate factors associated with GERS including markers of H.

Childhood socioeconomic circumstances and adult height and leg length in central and eastern Europe.

Background: Adult height and leg length have been shown to be positively associated with childhood socioeconomic circumstances in several studies in western populations. This study will determine whether similar associations are observable in settings with different social histories, and will assess whether adult leg length is more strongly associated than adult height.

Methods: Random samples of men and women aged 45-69 years were taken from population registers in Novosibirsk (Russia), Krakow (Poland) and six towns of the Czech Republic, recruiting nearly 29,000 people.