Polymorphism of the CETP gene promoter region and its influence on protein activity in coronary heart disease

The paper shows the lack of association of two polymorphic loci localized in the promoter region of the gene CETP (rs180077S and rs4783961) with the risk of coronary heart disease in the population of the Republic of Tatarstan. Also, there are no differences in the activity of the enzyme among the carriers of different genotypes

The association study of antioxidant status and antioxidant genes polymorphisms in patients with ischemic heart disease in the Republic of Tatarstan

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a multifactorial disease caused by the interplay of environmental risk factors with multiple predisposing genes. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the role of genetic polymorphism, oxidative stress and antioxidant status in IHD patients. IHD patients are characterized by a change of the blood serum's antioxidant status, which is expressed in significant increases/decreases of the total antioxidant activity, lipid hydroperoxides and ceruloplasmin indicators in comparison with normal values and also in significant increases of the malondialdehyde for the patients with acute myocardial infarction. This study also showed that the level of some of the examined antioxidant system indicators depends on polymorphism of the genes, which encode the enzymatic antioxidant system pool (genes of catalase, extracellular and mitochondrial superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase). © IDOSI Publications, 2013

High-Throughput Fingerprinting of Rhizobial Free Fatty Acids by Chemical Thin-Film Deposition and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Fatty acids (FAs) represent an important class of metabolites, impacting on membrane building blocks and signaling compounds in cellular regulatory networks. In nature, prokaryotes are characterized with the most impressing FA structural diversity and the highest relative content of free fatty acids (FFAs). In this context, nitrogen-fixing bacteria (order Rhizobiales), the symbionts of legumes, are particularly interesting. Indeed, the FA profiles influence the structure of rhizobial nodulation factors, required for successful infection of plant root. Although FA patterns can be assessed by gas chromatography—(GC-) and liquid chromatography—mass spectrometry (LC-MS), sample preparation for these methods is time-consuming and quantification suffers from compromised sensitivity, low stability of derivatives and artifacts. In contrast, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) represents an excellent platform for high-efficient metabolite fingerprinting, also applicable to FFAs. Therefore, here we propose a simple and straightforward protocol for high-throughput relative quantification of FFAs in rhizobia by combination of Langmuir technology and MALDI-TOF-MS featuring a high sensitivity, accuracy and precision of quantification. We describe a step-by-step procedure comprising rhizobia culturing, pre-cleaning, extraction, sample preparation, mass spectrometric analysis, data processing and post-processing. As a case study, a comparison of the FFA metabolomes of two rhizobia species—Rhizobium leguminosarum and Sinorhizobium meliloti, demonstrates the analytical potential of the protocol

Characteristics of Adults in the Hepatitis B Research Network in North America Reflect Their Country of Origin and Hepatitis B Virus Genotype

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is an important cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide; populations that migrate to the US and Canada might be disproportionately affected. The Hepatitis B Research Network (HBRN) is a cooperative network of investigators from the United States and Canada, created to facilitate clinical, therapeutic, and translational research in adults and children with hepatitis B. We describe the structure of the network and baseline characteristics of adults with hepatitis B enrolled in the network

ORGANIZATION OF ULTRASOUND EXAMINATION IN GYNECOLOGICAL CANCER PATIENTS IN KURSK REGION

Objective: to analyze organizational aspects in the work of ultrasound diagnostic services of Kursk city and Kursk region in terms of cancer patients’ primary examination, specialized treatment, follow-up and seeking medical care in private clinics by these patients.Materials and methods. The study included 245 patients followed-up in the Kursk Regional Clinical Oncology Dispensary during 2012–2015. We analyzed the reports of ultrasound examination (USE) performed by various healthcare institutions at different stages of diagnostics, treatment and follow-up. We also assessed the quality and completeness of USE as well as the frequency of seeking medical assistance at private clinics.Results and conclusions. We revealed substantial organizational problems in USE of gynecological cancer patients in Kursk region

ANTICOAGULANTS IN ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME

Clinical efficacy of unfractionated and low molecular heparins in acute coronary syndrome is discussed. New synthetic heparin derivative fondaparinux (Arixtra) is focused. Author’s brief experience of fondaparinux clinical implementation is presented.</p

Detecting and overcoming infantilism in students at teachers colleges

Background. One of the obstacles to developing professionals which is encountered among students in higher education is a special form of infantilization. The present study focuses on academic and professional infantilism. While numerous papers by domestic and foreign scientists have analyzed infantilism, there is a clear lack of research on how to overcome this problem in students. Objective. This article deals with the problem of infantilism in the context of the academic and professional activities of students at teachers colleges (known in Russia as pedagogical higher education institutions). We have analyzed domestic and foreign research on problems of infantilism, and have developed a diagnostic system to distinguish the various levels of academic and professional infantilism. Structural components of students’ academic and professional infantilism are described. Design. Four groups of students are identified, presenting different levels of infantilism. We have theoretically clarified and experimentally demonstrated the special conditions that make it possible to overcome infantilism in students in higher educational institutions. Results. Two groups of conditions, external and internal, are distinguished. A special program which contributes to overcoming infantilism in students has been theoretically identified and experimentally substantiated. Conclusions. We describe three stages of the decrease in infantilism as a result of the special program, and present the dynamics of the declining infantilism level as a result of the special program

ANTITHROMBOTIC THERAPY OF ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE: FROM FAST ACTING ANTIAGGREGANTS TO STATINES AND NITRATE OXIDE. IS IT REAL?

Mechanisms of atherothrombosis in atherosclerosis of coronary arteries are described. Mechanism of action and clinical efficiency of antithrombotic and antiplatelet medicines such as acetylsalicylic acid, warfarin, ticlopidine and clopidogrel are discussed. Study data on new antiplatelet drugs are given: selective thromboxane inhibitors, antagonists of thromboxane receptors, blockers of platelet receptors for glycoproteins GPIIb/IIIa. Possibility of clinical use of additional antiplatelet features of statines is discussed, as well as their connection to stimulation of nitrate oxide production, powerful endogenous antiplatelet factor. Examples of other donators of nitrate oxide and activators of its endogenous synthesis are given

ANTICOAGULANTS IN ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME

Clinical efficacy of unfractionated and low molecular heparins in acute coronary syndrome is discussed. New synthetic heparin derivative fondaparinux (Arixtra) is focused. Author’s brief experience of fondaparinux clinical implementation is presented