Magnetic Properties of Bacterial Magnetosomes Produced by SO-1.

In this study, the magnetic properties of magnetosomes isolated from lyophilized magnetotactic bacteria SO-1 were assessed for the first time. The shape and size of magnetosomes and cell fragments were studied by electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering techniques. Phase and elemental composition were analyzed by X-ray and electron diffraction and Raman spectroscopy.

Raman Spectroscopy of Lattice-Matched Graphene on Strongly Interacting Metal Surfaces.

Regardless of the widely accepted opinion that there is no Raman signal from single-layer graphene when it is strongly bonded to a metal surface, we present Raman spectra of a graphene monolayer on Ni(111) and Co(0001) substrates. The high binding energy of carbon to these surfaces allows formation of lattice-matched (1 × 1) structures where graphene is significantly stretched. This is reflected in a record-breaking shift of the Raman G band by more than 100 cm relative to the case of freestanding graphene.

[Imiquimod: the biochemical mechanisms of immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activity].

Imidazoquinolins represent a new group of compounds that recently entered into clinical practice as anti-tumor and anti-viral immune modulators. They are low molecular weight synthetic guanosine-like molecules. Although imiquimod, the most widely used imidazoquinolin, is recommended for the treatment of several forms of skin cancer and papillomas, the molecular mechanisms of its action are not fully understood.

[The single-stage surgical treatment of the complicated colon cancer].

The results of the single-stage surgical treatment of 54 patients with the complicated forms of colon cancer were analyzed. All patients had radical operations with the formation of primary intestinal anastomosis. For the improvement of the results we have optimized the algorithm of the diagnostics and treatment of such patients, including the endoscopic colon decompression with its recanalization and colic stasis liquidation.

[The videolaparoscopic splenectomy by spleen injuries].

The results of 9 videolaparoscopic splenectomies were analyzed. Indications and contraindications to the procedure were formulated, as well as the operative technique. The videolaparoscopic splenectomy proved to be more safe and effective in comparison with the traditional method.

[Laparoscopy for the diagnostic and treatment of the acute appendicitis].

Results of diagnostics and treatment of patients with acute appendicitis, operated on laparoscopically during 2007-2009, were analyzed. Indications and contraindications for the use of laparoscopic method, as well as indications to conversion to traditional open access, were defined. Operative technique for different forms of appendicitis and clinical situations was described.

[Method SiteGA for the recognition of transcription factor binding sites].

A new approach, SiteGA, for the prediction of functional transcription factor binding sites has been developed. The approach is based on the detection of locally positioned dinucleotides by the genetic algorithm and discriminant analysis. The approach has been applied to recognize transcription factor binding sites involved in the regulation of immune responses and cell growth (AP-1, IRF1, ISGF3, NFkappaB, STAT1), obesity and lipid metabolism (HNF4, PPAR, SREBP), and the expression of steroidogenesis genes (SF-1).

[Statistical analysis of nucleosome formation sites].

The prediction of the DNA capacity to form nucleosome structure based on sequence statistics is of importance in the analysis of gene expression regulation in eukaryotes. A context analysis of nucleotide sequences of experimentally defined sites of nucleosome formation made it possible to determine the sequence preference for nucleosome formation on the basis of statistical information. An improved version of the Markov model was developed to predict the preference of DNA sequences to be within a nucleosome structure.

[Recognition of the potential SF-1 binding sites by SiteGA method, their experimental verification and search for new SF-1 target genes].

The SF-1 (Steroidogenic Factor-1) is a transcription factor known as a key regulator of the steroidogenic gene expression. SF-1 is required for the development and functioning at all levels of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal and adrenal axis. Also it plays an essential role in sex determination.

[Integrated computer system for regulating eukaryotic gene expression].

The review describes several modules of the GeneExpress integrated computer system concerning the regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes. Approaches to the presentation of experimental data in databases are considered. The employment of GeneExpress in computer analysis and modeling of the organization and function of genetic systems is illustrated with examples.

Pathomorphological and immunohistochemical analysis biopsy specimens from large bronchi of patients with pulmonary cancer.

Biopsy specimens from large bronchi of patients with central and peripheral pulmonary cancer were studied. Central cancer was associated with hyperplasia and dysplasia of the epithelium, hyperplasia of glandular compartment, and pronounced immunocompetent cell response. Peripheral cancer was characterized by predominance of atrophic and sclerotic changes, lymph flow disorders, and tendency to lymphoid aggregation.

[Computer analysis and recognition of Drosophila melanogaster gene promoters].

A new method for recognizing eukaryotic gene promoters was based on their partition and on analysis of correlations of dinucleotide frequencies for each individual fragment. The method was used to recognize the TATA-containing and TATA-less promoters of Drosophila melanogaster genes. Dinucleotide context was correlated with conformational and physicochemical DNA properties in promoter fragments.

[Locus-controlling regions: description in the LCR-TRRD data base].

The structural and functional organization of locus control regions (LCR) was analyzed using data of the LCR-TRR Database. The role of several transcription factors in the LCR function was considered. A study was made of the possible nucleosomal packing of enhancer regions in LCR.

Instability of bronchial epithelium in chronic pulmonary diseases.

Pathomorphological examination of large bronchi in patients with occupational diseases, lung cancer, and in subjects exposed to radiation revealed structural and functional heterogeneity of the epithelium: the presence of focal atrophy, metaplasia, hyper- and dysplasia in the same biopsy specimen. This phenomenon was termed as instability of the epithelium. Thickness of the epithelium greatly varied, especially, in neoplastic processes.

[Native, modified, and immobilized chymotrypsin in chaotropic media. Stabilization limits].

To stabilize alpha-chymotrypsin against irreversible thermal inactivation at high temperatures, methods of covalent modification and multi-point immobilization in combination with the addition of salting-in compounds were used. The upper limit of the protein stability proved to be the same for a combination of the modification and salting-in media and for each of these methods separately. The limit of stabilization reached by means of covalent immobilization is higher than the limit of stabilization reached by two other methods.

[The diagnosis and combined treatment of humeral fractures complicated by involvement of the radial nerve].

Diaphysis fractures of the brachium are frequent and rather severe lesions resulting in losses of working capacity for a long term. Diaphysis fractures in association with lesions of the radial nerve of varying severity equal from 3.2 to 17.

[Correlation between the stability of alpha-chymotrypsin at high temperatures and "salting in" of a strong solution].

A correlation was found between the thermal stability of alpha-chymotrypsin and the coefficient Ks of the Sechenov equation as a quantitative measure of the "salting-in" or "salting-out" capacity of solutes. At high temperatures, an increase in the concentration of "salting-in" agents (KSNC, GuHCl, urea, formamide) resulted in thermal stabilization of alpha-chymotrypsin. The maximal (about 100-fold) stabilizing effect in concentrated solutions of salting-in agents was comparable with those induced by covalent modification with hydrophilic reagents or immobilization.

[First experience in the treatment of bronchial asthma by resection of the superior laryngeal nerve].

Operations were conducted on 21 patients for bronchial asthma. Four of them suffered from the hormone-dependent form of the disease. The duration of the disease ranged from 12 months to 18 years.

[A comparative study of the diagnostic value of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to human IgM in immunoenzyme diagnostic agents].

Monoclonal antibodies (McAb) to human IgM, capable of recognizing antigenic determinants of different character, have been obtained. Three type-specific McAb have been used in diagnostic systems for the determination of specific IgM antibodies in the sera of patients with hepatitides A and B. The affinity constant and high specificity of McAb have made it possible to change affinity-purified polyclonal antibodies to heavy chains of IgM for the gamma fraction of hybridoma-induced ascitic fluids without decreasing the sensitivity and specificity of test systems.

[Regulation of thermal stability of enzymes by changing the composition of media. Native and modified alpha-chymotrypsin].

Stabilizing effect of denaturing salts on irreversible thermoinactivation of native and modified alpha-chymotrypsin at elevated temperatures is observed. The effect is caused by a shift of conformational equilibrium, at the primary step of reversible unfolding in the course of thermoinactivation, to a more unfolded form which is not able to refold "incorrectly". The stability of alpha-chymotrypsin is regulated within a wide range by medium alteration: the stabilizing effects are similar to those achieved by multipoint attachment of the enzyme to a support or by hydrophilization of protein by covalent modification.

[Stable-functional osteosynthesis of the femur].

The article deals with experience in the surgical treatment of 405 patients with closed and open fractures of the femur. The method of choice in operative management of fractures was stably-functional osteosynthesis--mechanically secure fixation providing the possibility of excluding immobilization in the postoperative period. Stable fixation and early activity promoted timely consolidation of the fractures with simultaneous restoration of a normal range of movements and reduction of the terms of treatment due to coincidence of the periods of consolidation and rehabilitation.

[Unusual (saw-like) temperature dependence of the rate of irreversible thermoinactivation of enzymes].

An unusual ("zig-zag") temperature dependence of the rate of irreversible thermoinactivation of enzymes was observed for native and covalently modified alpha-chymotrypsin and trypsin. This dependence was characterized by alternation of plots with positive and negative apparent values of activation energy for the thermoinactivation process. A kinetic scheme which reflects the observed regularities in thermoinactivation for which the temperature-dependent conformational transition is an essential feature, is proposed.