Thymosin β4 as basis for creation of a reparation preparation of new generation

On the basis of its multipurpose activities during regeneration of fabrics in various experiments on animals, Thymosin β4 has the potential for new researches, in kidneys and a liver, and also recovery of a spinal cord, bones and injury of ligaments. Besides, it can be useful in case of treatment of a wide range of other diseases, including concerning consequences of old bacterial damages and viral infection

The birth of a healthy child in a married couple with a history of multiple unsuccessful attempts at ART by selecting sperm on oocyte-cumulus complexes. Case report

In male infertility, couples must use assisted reproductive technologies with the intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) technique. A significant disadvantage of ICSI is bypassing natural selection barriers since selective processes in the female reproductive tract are replaced by the choice of an embryologist based on sperm motility and morphological criteria. Various selection methods are being actively studied, bringing fertilization by ICSI closer to physiological, ensuring the selection of sperm with high DNA quality and good potential for fertilization. The article presents a clinical case of the birth of a healthy child in a married couple with severe male infertility and many ineffective attempts at assisted reproductive technologies using the method of sperm selection on oocyte-cumulus complexes. The child is physically healthy and develops according to age

Effect of COVID-19 vaccination on the immune status and autoantibody profile in women of reproductive age

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, scientific interest is growing in studying the impact of the proposed vaccination on women’s reproductive health. As is known, alterations in the state of the immune system and activation of an autoimmune response can lead to reproductive failure in women and potential complications of subsequent pregnancy. Objective: to evaluate the effect of the “Gam-COVID-Vac” on the immune status parameters, the relationship of their changes and the specific immune response to vaccination with the dynamics of the level of autoantibodies in women of reproductive age.The prospective study included 120 women who were vaccinated against COVID-19 with the “Gam-COVIDVac”. The criteria for inclusion in the study were: the age from 18 to 49 years, the absence of COVID-19 in the anamnesis, a negative result of a study on SARS-CoV-2 by PCR and negative results of tests for antibodies of classes G and M to SARS-CoV-2 before vaccination, the absence of pregnancy and serious somatic diseases. The patients were examined twice: immediately before vaccination and 90-100 days after the introduction of the 1st component of the vaccine. The level of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 after vaccination was assessed using ELISA. Before and after vaccination, the levels of antiphospholipid, anti-nuclear, organ-specific and antihormonal autoantibodies were determined, peripheral blood lymphocytes were immunophenotyped to determine the main subpopulations (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD5, CD16, CD56), as well as the expression of activation markers of lymphocytes (HLA-DR, CD25, CD147) using monoclonal antibodies.The effectiveness and safety of the combined vector vaccine against COVID-19 were high. Specific IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were produced in 98.3% of vaccinated women, no serious adverse reactions were observed. After vaccination, there was an increase in the level of some autoantibodies within the reference ranges, only IgM antibodies to phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and IgG antibodies to DNA increased above the reference values. However, this increase was transient. After vaccination, the following changes in the parameters of the immunogram were observed: an increase in the content of cells with CD3+CD25+, CD19+ phenotype in peripheral blood and a decrease in the content of cells with CD56+CD16+ phenotype within the reference ranges, a decrease in CD147+/CD3+. Weak correlations were noted between these changes in immunogram parameters and the levels of some autoantibodies. The specific antiviral immune response to vaccination did not correlate with the autoimmune response.Vaccination with “Gam-COVID-Vac” is effective and safe and does not lead to disorders in the immune system. The observed increase in the level of autoantibodies to PE and DNA is transient. Changes in the parameters of the immune status within the reference ranges may be due to vaccination and the development of a specific antiviral immune response

Development of cadets’ physical qualities during various sports activities

The results of the comparative analysis of the physical qualities development level of the cadets of higher military educational institution (HMEI), who were engaged in different kinds of sports during studying, are presented in the article. 219 cadets, who were the members of the HMEI sports teams in 15 kinds of sport, took part in the investigation. The level of the cadets’ physical qualities development was evaluated according to the results in 100 m race, pull-ups, overcoming the obstacle course, and 3 km race. The cadets who were engaged in multisport events were determined to have the highest level of the physical qualities development. It proves the necessity to wide use multisport events in the physical training at HMEI.El artículo presenta resultados del análisis comparativo del nivel de desarrollo de las cualidades físicas de los cadetes de la Institución de Educación Militar Superior (IEMS), que se dedicaron a diferentes tipos de deportes durante el estudio. 219 cadetes, que eran miembros de los equipos deportivos de IEMS en 15 tipos de deportes, participaron en la investigación. El nivel de desarrollo de las cualidades físicas de los cadetes se evaluó de acuerdo con los resultados en carrera de 100 m, dominadas, superación de la carrera de obstáculos y carrera de 3 km. Se determinó que los cadetes que participaban en eventos multideportivos tenían el nivel más alto de desarrollo de las cualidades físicas. Esto demuestra la necesidad de utilizar ampliamente eventos multideportivos en el entrenamiento físico en IEMS

Ancient origin of the biosynthesis of lignin precursors

BACKGROUND: Lignin plays an important role in plant structural support and water transport, and is considered one of the hallmarks of land plants. The recent discovery of lignin or its precursors in various algae has raised questions on the evolution of its biosynthetic pathway, which could be much more ancient than previously thought. To determine the taxonomic distribution of the lignin biosynthesis genes, we screened all publicly available genomes of algae and their closest non-photosynthetic relatives, as well as representative land plants. We also performed phylogenetic analysis of these genes to decipher the evolution and origin(s) of lignin biosynthesis. RESULTS: Enzymes involved in making p-coumaryl alcohol, the simplest lignin monomer, are found in a variety of photosynthetic eukaryotes, including diatoms, dinoflagellates, haptophytes, cryptophytes as well as green and red algae. Phylogenetic analysis of these enzymes suggests that they are ancient and spread to some secondarily photosynthetic lineages when they acquired red and/or green algal endosymbionts. In some cases, one or more of these enzymes was likely acquired through lateral gene transfer (LGT) from bacteria. CONCLUSIONS: Genes associated with p-coumaryl alcohol biosynthesis are likely to have evolved long before the transition of photosynthetic eukaryotes to land. The original function of this lignin precursor is therefore unlikely to have been related to water transport. We suggest that it participates in the biological defense of some unicellular and multicellular algae. REVIEWERS: This article was reviewed by Mark Ragan, Uri Gophna, Philippe Deschamps

Prevention of metabolic syndrome in pregnant women based on study of body composition

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a higly significant public health problem. Its prevalence throughout the world is growing steadily every year, and in some countries, it reaches a third of the adult population. Obesity is a major component of MS and a significant independent risk factor for developing many gestational complications. The study included 46 women aged 22 to 41 years. Studies began at 2–4 weeks of gestation and continued until delivery. The bioimpedance method using a body composition monitor “Omron BF-512”, Japan, was used to study the body’s composition to determine of muscle and fat components, and the level of visceral fat. Biochemical studies included the determination of blood glucose, glucose tolerance, insulin, triglycerides, high and low-density lipoproteins by standard methods. A close relationship was found between the initial value of the fat component and the amount of weight gain during pregnancy. Of prime importance is the amount of weight gain during pregnancy

Heart damage in mucopolysaccharidosis

The paper gives the data available in the literature on the current classification, genealogy, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mucopolysaccharidosis, one of the most common nosological entities of lysosomal storage diseases. Particular emphasis is laid on cardiovascular pathology in this group of diseases. Heart damage is ascertained to be one of the cardinal signs of mucopolysaccharides frequently leading to rather early fatal outcomes. Cardiac pathology is notified in all types of muco-polysaccharidoses; however, it is most important for patients with three clinical variants of Hurler syndrome, Hunter syndrome, and Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome. According to the data available in the literature, the characteristic signs of cardiovascular system damage in mucopolysaccharides should be considered to be: thickening of the valves with the development of their dysfunction (the severity of left-sided valve lesion being more pronounced), myocardial hypertrophy, conduction disturbance, coronary artery lesion, and arterial hypertension. Many investigators emphasize difficulties in clinically and functionally examining the cardiovascular system in patients with mucopolysaccharides, which is due to physical and intellectual limitations in the patients and to a gradual progression of symptoms. Medical and surgical methods were used to treat cardiovascular disease in mucopolysaccharides. Enzyme replacement therapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation have become much more topical in the past years. These methods may stop disease progression and favor regression of ventricular hypertrophy and stabilization of left ventricular function