Analysis of the Frequency of Mutations at Diagnostic Oligonucleotide Sites and Their Impact on the Efficiency of PCR for HIV-1.

The development of effective diagnostic kits for HIV-1 remains a pressing concern. We designed diagnostic oligonucleotides for HIV-1 real-time PCR to target the most conserved region of the HIV-1 genome and assessed the mutation frequency at annealing sites. Two databases of nucleotide sequences, Los Alamos and NCBI, were analyzed, revealing that more than 99% of the sequences either lack mutations or contain 1-2 mutations at the binding site of the forward and reverse primers.

Assessment of experimental OpenCV tracking algorithms for ultrasound videos.

This study aims to compare the tracking algorithms provided by the OpenCV library to use on ultrasound video. Despite the widespread application of this computer vision library, few works describe the attempts to use it to track the movement of liver tumors on ultrasound video. Movements of the neoplasms caused by the patient`s breath interfere with the positioning of the instruments during the process of biopsy and radio-frequency ablation.

Data on bulk rock compositions, geochemical and textural contrasts between central and marginal parts of dykes, and MELTS modeling of lamprophyre dykes in the Kola Alkaline Carbonatite Province (N Europe).

This publication is a series of datasets that accompany a manuscript on petrology of lamprophyre dykes in the Kola Alkaline Carbonatite Province (N Europe) [1]. The datasets served as the basis for interpretation of melt crystallization for lamprophyric and carbonatitic dykes in the crust, to supplement many papers devoted to mantle sources and melting parameters of these rocks based on radiogenic isotopes and trace elements. The first dataset contains bulk major and trace element compositions of the dykes in three areas, Kandalaksha, Kandaguba and Turiy Mys, along with supplementary information on sampling locations and dyke characteristics.

Diversity of PEGylation methods of liposomes and their influence on RNA delivery.

Gene therapy is a promising approach for personalized medicine, but its application in humans requires development of efficient and safe vehicles. PEGylated liposomes are some of the most suitable delivery systems for nucleic acids because of their stability under physiological conditions and prolonged circulation time, compared to conventional and other types of "stealth" liposomes. / activity of PEGylated liposomes is highly dependent on PEG motif abundance.

[Physicochemical properties of lipopeptide-based liposomes and their complexes with siRNA].

siRNA/cationic liposome complexes are efficient systems for transmembrane delivery. The aim of this study was to prepare a novel complex consisted of lipotripeptide OrnOrnGlu(C16H33)2 and siRNA molecule and examined their physicochemical properties. Electron microscopy study has shown that the siRNA/liposome complex (m/m 1/10) tends to form sandwich-like structures that may protect nucleic acid from nuclease degradation.

[Lactose-based glycoconjugates with variable spacers for design of liver-targeted liposomes].

Asialoglycoprotein receptors are highly abundant on the hepatocyte surface and have specific binding sites for blood serum glycoproteins. Such discovery resulted in development of liver-targeted drug delivery systems because modification of the liposomal surface by carbohydrate derivatives results in an increase of endocytosis, which facilitates selective uptake of such systems by hepatocytes. In this study we have synthesized novel lactose derivatives containing a palmitic hydrophobic domain.

[The role of oxidative protein modification and the gluthatione system in modulation of the redox status of breast epithelial cells].

The effects of the SH-group blocker N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) and thiol group protector 1,4-dithioerythritol (DTE) on the redox status of cells HBL-100 cells, oxidative modification of their proteins and the state of glutathione and thioredoxin systems have been investigated. Breast epithelial cells cultivated in the presence of NEM were characterized by decreased redox status, increased glutathione reductase activity, and increased concentrations of products of irreversible oxidative modification of protein and amino acids. Cultivation of HBL-100 cells in the presence of DTE resulted in a shift of the redox status towards reduction processes and increased reversible protein modification by glutathionylation.

[Effect of combined hormonal oral contraception on the somatic and psychic status of women of reproductive age].

The paper is devoted to the topical problem of maintaining somatic and psychic health of the women of reproductive age by rational pregnancy planning and prevention of abortions by modern methods of contraception including combined oral hormonal contraception. Unfortunately, this approach is rarely employed in this country (5-6%). Results of retrospective analysis of medical documentation, clinical efficacy and safety of modern combined oral hormonal contraception are presented.

[Features of lipoxygenase from cells of Mortierella species mushrooms].

The specific activity of lipoxygenase from several strains of the zygomycete Mortierella varied from 1.02 to 2.02 microMol diene per min per mg protein).

[Regulation of expression of adrenergic receptors by steroid hormones].

Steroid hormones regulate density of adrenergic receptors in peripheral tissues and in the brain. The hormones affect transcription of the adrenergic receptors genes, the receptor protein synthesis and modifications. Steroid-induced changes in adrenergic receptors densities may be an important link for the effects of steroid hormones on hormone-dependent functions and behaviour.

[THe development of systems for the early rehabilitation of patients with ischemic heart disease following aortocoronary bypass].

Two rehabilitation complexes are described for coronary heart disease patients early after aortocoronary shunting. The first complex includes "dry" effervescent baths, magnetolaser therapy applied to the heart area, cryomassage of the abdomen. The second complex consisted of the above modalities plus dry air baths.

[The antihypertensive activity of benazepril in the long-term treatment of hypertension patients and its effect on adrenal cortical function].

Changes in arterial hypertension, heart rate and adrenocortical hormones (11-OCS, aldosteron, progestins) in the blood and 24-h urine were followed up in the course of 24-week use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor benazepril (10-20 mg once a day) in 24 patients with mild and moderate essential hypertension (EH) included in a placebo-controlled randomized study. A 2 and 24-week antihypertensive response was achieved in 75 and 71% of patients, respectively. 24-h urinary excretion of corticosteroids before the treatment was increased.

[Pathospermia in patients with glomerulonephritis and rheumatoid arthritis treated by immunodepressants: the possibilities of its correction with zinc and parlodel].

Two groups of patients aged 16.5-31 years with pathospermia given immunodepressants (IDS) for glomerulonephritis (group I) or rheumatoid arthritis (group II) before and/or at the moment of examination were examined. Five out of 6 patients of group I and all the patients of group II showed azoospermia.

[The effect of acute ACTH1-24 loading on the steroid hormone and prolactin content of the blood serum in women with hyperprolactinemia and hyperandrogenism].

Adrenocortical and ovarian function in women with hyperprolactinemia and hyperandrogenism was evaluated using the functional ACTH1-24-test (with syncorpin--25 U/ml), a radioimmunoassay was used to estimate the levels of II-OCS, androgens, progestins, estrogens and prolactin in the blood serum of 29 women with primary prolactinemic hypogonadism (HG), in 15--with hyperandrogenic ovarian dysfunction, in 27--with the hypothalamic syndrome of neuro-endocrine type, and in 13 healthy women. Marked interference of a clinical picture was found in patients with disturbed menstrual and reproductive function with relation to the presence of galactorrhea and hirsutism. All the examinees retained glucocorticoid function.

[Zinc in the treatment of hypogonadism in patients with renal pathology].

The relationship of the symptoms of hypogonadism (HG) with the serum level (SL) of zinc was investigated in 31 uremic male patients: 16 on hemodialysis (I group), 10 on a low-protein diet (II group), and 5 kidney graft recipients (III group). A conclusion has been made that in renal pathology a zinc SL does not always reflect the content of zinc in the body however zinc acetate therapy is effective in the treatment of HG patients as well as in the treatment of retarded physical and sexual development in adolescents with nephropathies.

[Correlation of hydrocortisone and corticosterone content in assessing the functional state of the adrenal cortex in varying forms of hypercorticism].

Separate determination of hydrocortisone and corticosterone in the blood of patients with the hypercorticism symptom-complex showed that elevation of the corticosteroid concentration could occur on account of similar elevation of the concentration of both hormones, or one of the hormones alone. Analogous data were observed in patients after ACTH administration. Dexamethasone administration caused a reduction of the hydrocortisone and corticosterone concentration in patients with Itsenko-Cushing's disease, but to a lesser degree than in healthy individuals.