Monte Carlo simulation of signals in digital diaphanoscopy of the maxillary sinuses

Digital diaphanoscopy method has potential to separate normal and pathological conditions of the maxillary sinuses. The entirety of all the features of the investigated area (the presence or absence of pathology, its etiology and morphological features) affects the resulting images of the maxillary sinuses by the digital diaphanoscopy. In this work, the MonteCarlo numerical simulation method was used to determine the patterns of propagation of light radiation in biological tissue. A biologically heterogeneous environment, represented by structures of the skull and maxillary sinuses, as well as pathological changes in them was modelled in the TracePro software

An integrated method for taxonomic identif ication of microorganisms

For accurate species-level identification of microorganisms, researchers today increasingly use a combination of standard microbiological cultivation and visual observation methods with molecular biological and genetic techniques that help distinguish between species and strains of microorganisms at the level of DNA or RNA molecules. The aim of this work was to identify microorganisms from the ICG SB RAS Collection using an integrated approach that involves a combination of various phenotypic and genotypic characteristics. Key molecular-genetic and phenotypic characteristics were determined for 93 microbial strains from the ICG SB RAS Collection. The strains were characterized by means of morphological, physiological, moleculargenetic, and mass-spectrometric parameters. Specific features of the growth of the strains on different media were determined, and cell morphology was evaluated. The strains were tested for the ability to utilize various substrates. The strains studied were found to significantly differ in their biochemical characteristics. Physiological characteristics of the strains from the collection were identified too, e. g., the relationship with oxygen, type of nutrition, suitable temperature and pH ranges, and NaCl tolerance. In this work, the microorganisms analyzed were combined into separate groups based on the similarities of their phenotypic characteristics. This categorization, after further refinement and expansion of the spectrum of taxa and their metabolic maps, may serve as the basis for the creation of an “artificial” classification that can be used as a key for simplified and quicker identification and recognition of microorganisms within both the ICG SB RAS Collection and other collections

Collection of microorganisms of ICG SB RAS as a genetic resource for biotechnology

Genetic knowledge of microorganisms plays a critical role in the creation of new biotechnologies, since the effectiveness of any biotechnology is determined by the particular qualities of the structurally functional organization of molecular-genetic systems and their components used for the production of targeted products. Collections of microbial cultures play a decisive role in mobilizing biological resources and make it possible to form a solid base for genetic, molecular biological and biotechnological research. The aim of this work was to assess the key molecular-genetic and phenotypic characteristics of strains of the collection of microorganisms created in the “FRC Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences” as a genetic resource for biotechnology. Thirty strains of microorganisms of the collection were isolated by employees of the FRC ICG SB RAS from extreme natural ecosystems, the key molecular-genetic and phenotypic characteristics were described using modern methods of molecular biology and mass-spectrometry. DNA isolation and the sequencing of 16S rRNA gene sequences were performed. The strains of the collection were characterized by morphological, physiological, moleculargenetic and mass-spectrometric characteristics. The particular qualities of growing of strains on different substrates have been established, the study of cell morphology has been carried out. The physiological characteristics of the strains of the collection have been established: the attitude to oxygen, the type of nutrition, the range of temperature and pH, the attitude to NaCl and others. Different resistance of strains to antibiotics has been established. The creation of personal mass spectra of protein profiles of the studied strains of the collection was carried out. The resulting DNA sequences of the strains are deposited in the GenBank. The chemotaxonomic characteristics of strains have been determined. The biotechnological properties of the strains were assessed, the amount of metabolites (ethanol, lactic and acetic acids) in the culture liquid was determined. The value of the collection of microorganisms of the FRC ICG SB RAS as a genetic resource for biotechnology and bioengineering is determined not only by the species diversity of its strains, but also by a wide range of their area isolation and by the depth of their characterization using the widest arsenal of both classical and modern methods (including methods of genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics and bioinformatics)

Optical Diagnostics of the Maxillary Sinuses by Digital Diaphanoscopy Technology

The work is devoted to the development of a scientific and technical basis for instrument implementation of a digital diaphanoscopy technology for the diagnosis of maxillary sinus inflammatory diseases taking into account the anatomical features of patients (differences in skin structure, skull bone thickness, and sinus size), the optical properties of exercised tissues, and the age and gender characteristics of patients. The technology is based on visualization and analysis of scattering patterns of low-intensity radiation as it passes through the maxillary sinuses. The article presents the experimental data obtained using the digital diaphanoscopy method and the results of numerical simulation of the optical radiation passage through the study area. The experimental setup has been modernized through the installation of a a device for controlling the LED applicator brightness. The approach proposed may have considerable promise for creating diagnostic criteria for various pathological changes and can be used to assess the differences in the optical and anatomical features of males and females

The impact of terahertz radiation on an extremophilic archaean Halorubrum saccharovorum proteome

Nonthermal effects of terahertz radiation on living objects are currently intensely studied, as more sources of this radiation type and devices employing it are being constructed. Terahertz radiation is increasingly used in security and inspection systems, medical and scientific appliances due to its low quant energy, which does not cause severe effects on organisms as other radiation types with higher quant energies do. The aim of this study was the identification of protein complexes participating in the response of the archaea Halorubrum saccharovorum H3 isolated from an extreme natural environment to terahertz radiation. We developed a microfluidic system for irradiation of bacterial and archaeal cultures with terahertz radiation and performed a 5-hour-long exposure of H. saccharovorum to terahertz radiation at a wavelength of 130 μm and a power density of 0.8 Wt per cm2 for 5 h. We identified under- or overexpressed proteins in response to terahertz radiation using 2D electrophoresis with subsequent MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. A total of 16 differentially expressed protein fractions with at least 1.5-fold changes in expression level were detected. The obtained data suggest that Halorubrum cells respond to exposure to terahertz radiation by expression changes in gene products involved in translation regulation

Cyanobacteria of the thermal spring at Pancharevo, Sofia, Bulgaria

Eight taxa of cyanobacteria were identified in the thermal spring at Pancharevo (in the Sofia basin, Bulgaria). As well as the widespread Lyngbya thermalis, Phormidesmis molle (syn. Phormidium molle), Phormidium papyraceum, Phormidium corium and Mastigocladus laminosus, four species were identified for the first time in Bulgaria: Calothrix thermalis, Gloeocapsa gelatinosa, Leibleinia epiphytica and Symploca thermalis

TREATMENT OF LOCAL DEEP DEFECT OF A KNEE JOINT CARTILAGE COMBINED WITH I STAGE MEDIAL GONARTHROSIS AND VARUS DEFORMATION OF THE LOWER EXTREMITY

The authors presented one case of combination high tibia osteotomy with mosaic osteochondral autoplasty for the treatmentof the patients suffering from local full thickness cartilage defects of femur condyle and early degenerative changes in the same knee compartment. The positive intermediate results were achieved in this case. The correction of mechanical overload of the damaged knee compartment creates favorable conditions for cartilage restoration and slows down osteoarthrosis progression

REPRODUCIBILITY OF THE RESULTS OF MICROBE IDENTIFICATION BY MALDI-TOF MASS SPECTROMETRY DEPENDING ON GROWTH CONDITIONS BY THE EXAMPLE OF Geobacillus stearothermоphilus

Rapid and accurate methods of microorganism identification are essential in various human activities. They include primarily clinical diagnostics. In addition, they are in demand in environment monitoring, harmacology, food industry, research, etc. There are diverse approaches to microbe identification: phenotyping, genotyping, chemotaxonomy, direct protein profiling, etc. In this work, the effects of various growth conditions, such as temperature, growth time, and nutrition medium, on the reproducibility of microbe identification by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry are considered by the example of three Geobacillus stearothermоphilus strains

ISOLATION AND INVESTIGATION OF BACTERIA WITH LIPOLYTIC ACTIVITY FROM HOT SPRINGS IN THE NORTHERN BAIKAL REGION

We have studied properties of bacterial strains isolated from hot springs in the Northern Baikal region, Baikal Rift Zone, known to have a wide range of growth conditions (pH, temperature, and carbon sources). The phylogenetic analysis and microbiological studies show that thermophilic strains belonging to the Geobacillus stearothermophilus,Anoxybacillus flavithermus, and Thermoactinomyces vulgaris species express lipolytic activity. The isolated Geobacillus stearothermophilus strains grow at up to 70 °С in a wide pH range (5–10). The isolates of the Anoxybacillus genus can grow at 60–70 °С and рН ≤ 11. Thermoactinomyces vulgaris Gus-2-1 has a narrower growth condition range: 50–60 °С and рН 7–10. Of the strains with lipolytic activity isolated in this study, Geobacillus stearothermophilus is the most promising for further studies of secreted lipases

THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL ISSUES OF BIOLOGICAL OXIDATION OF HYDROCARBONS BY MICROORGANISMS

The paper deals with the theoretical issues of biological oxidation of oil hydrocarbons from alkanes to polycyclic aromatics. We analyze the mechanisms of biochemical processes of decomposition of oil components and provide an overview of data from common databases. Studies of microbial communities of natural oil seeps in the Uzon caldera are described in detail. It is the first study of ecophysiological characteristics of oil-degrading microorganisms isolated from thermal oil seeps of the caldera