Registration of atmospheric neutrinos with the Baikal neutrino telescope

We present first neutrino induced events observed with a deep underwater neutrino telescope. Data from 70 days effective life time of the BAIKAL prototype telescope NT-96 have been analyzed with two different methods. With the standard track reconstruction method, 9 clear upward muon candidates have been identified, in good agreement with 8.7 events expected from Monte Carlo calculations for atmospheric neutrinos. The second analysis is tailored to muons coming from close to the opposite zenith. It yields 4 events, compared to 3.5 from Monte Carlo expectations. From this we derive a 90 % upper flux limit of 1.1 * 10^-13 cm^-2 sec^-1 for muons in excess of those expected from atmospheric neutrinos with zenith angle > 150 degrees and energy > 10GeV.Comment: 20 pages, 11 figure

Identification of New SRF Binding Sites in Genes Modulated by SRF Over-Expression in Mouse Hearts

Background To identify in vivo new cardiac binding sites of serum response factor (SRF) in genes and to study the response of these genes to mild over-expression of SRF, we employed a cardiac-specific, transgenic mouse model, with mild over-expression of SRF (Mild-O SRF Tg). Methodology Microarray experiments were performed on hearts of Mild-O-SRF Tg at 6 months of age. We identified 207 genes that are important for cardiac function that were differentially expressed in vivo. Among them the promoter region of 192 genes had SRF binding motifs, the classic CArG or CArG-like (CArG-L) elements. Fifty-one of the 56 genes with classic SRF binding sites had not been previously reported. These SRF-modulated genes were grouped into 12 categories based on their function. It was observed that genes associated with cardiac energy metabolism shifted toward that of carbohydrate metabolism and away from that of fatty acid metabolism. The expression of genes that are involved in transcription and ion regulation were decreased, but expression of cytoskeletal genes was significantly increased. Using public databases of mouse models of hemodynamic stress (GEO database), we also found that similar altered expression of the SRF-modulated genes occurred in these hearts with cardiac ischemia or aortic constriction as well. Conclusion and significance SRF-modulated genes are actively regulated under various physiological and pathological conditions. We have discovered that a large number of cardiac genes have classic SRF binding sites and were significantly modulated in the Mild-O-SRF Tg mouse hearts. Hence, the mild elevation of SRF protein in the heart that is observed during typical adult aging may have a major impact on many SRF-modulated genes, thereby affecting Cardiac structure and performance. The results from our study could help to enhance our understanding of SRF regulation of cellular processes in the aged heart

PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF ACUTE RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS OF NASAL PHARYNX AMONG THE PATIENTS, SUFFERING FROM JUVENILE ARTHRITIS

The research objective is to appraise the effectiveness of topic lysates in prevention and treatment of respiratory infections of nasal pharynx among the patients with juvenile arthritis. The authors have examined 118 children aged between 12 and 16 years old. The main group comprised 68 children with juvenile arthritis without any implications of the acute respiratory infection or within the decubation (in 5–10 days after the acute respiratory infection), who underwent 14bdays course of the medication from the group of topic lysates according to the prevention scheme. The comparison group comprised 20 children with juvenile arthritis, who did not receive any topic immunomodulators. The control group comprised 30 practically healthy children (AVERAGELY AGED 14,8 Ѓ 2,3 YEARS). Before the prescription of the prevention course of topic lysates and in 1 and 3 months after the treatment children underwent clinical and laboratory examination. The research findings showed that the application of the medication from the group of topic lysates among children with juvenile arthritis ensured the reduction of acute respiratory infection growth frequency by 2,3 times and reduction of entinflammatory change implications by 2,2 times (Р < 0,05). The treatment with the bacterial lysate caused the firm reduction of S. аureus and S. saprophyticus sowing for the period of no less than 3 months (Р < 0,05). The firm reduction of sowing was observed in 50% of cases, whereas the normalization of microflora of nasal pharynx was observed among 41% of the patients. The application of local immunomodulators among children led to normalization of Igg and siga indices in the saliva (p < 0,05) for the period of no less than 3 months, which was accompanied by the reduction of acute respiratory infection frequency by 2,3 times, reduction of ent inflammatory change implications by 2,2 times and necessity in the antibacterial therapy if compared with the pervious year by 2,1 times (P < 0,05).Key words: juvenile arthritis, children, acute respiratory infections, prevention

Clinical genetic determinants of carbohydrate metabolism disturbances in patients with hypertension and excessive weight

Aim. To elucidate associations of polymorphic markers of PPAR, PPARG2, IRS1, IRS2 genes with disturbances of carbohydrate metabolism in patients with hypertension and excessive weight. Material. Patients (n=145, 53 men and 92 women, age 40-75 years) with untreated stage 1 hypertension (systolic BP 140-159 and diastolic BP 27 kg/m(2)) were divided into 2 groups: with (group 1, n=124) and without (group 11, n=21) disturbances of carbohydrate metabolism. Group I comprised patients with insulin resistance, abnormal fasting blood glucose or glucose tolerance, type 2 diabetes. Results of oral glucose tolerance test were normal in 25 and abnormal in 99 of these patients. Results. Carriers of Pro allele compared with carriers of Ala allele of PPARG2 gene had higher frequency of insulin resistance. No association was found between insulin resistance and alleles and genotypes of PPAR, IRS1, and IRS2 genes. There was an association between diastolic BP and polymorphic markers Pro12Ala of PPARG2 gene and C24313G of PPARA gene. Carriers of C allele of PPARA gene and Ala allele of PPARG2 gene had higher diastolic BP. No association was found between systolic BP and alleles and genotypes of polymorphic markers of PPARG2 and PPARA genes

Clinical genetic determinants of carbohydrate metabolism disturbances in patients with hypertension and excessive weight

Aim. To elucidate associations of polymorphic markers of PPAR, PPARG2, IRS1, IRS2 genes with disturbances of carbohydrate metabolism in patients with hypertension and excessive weight. Material. Patients (n=145, 53 men and 92 women, age 40-75 years) with untreated stage 1 hypertension (systolic BP 140-159 and diastolic BP 27 kg/m(2)) were divided into 2 groups: with (group 1, n=124) and without (group 11, n=21) disturbances of carbohydrate metabolism. Group I comprised patients with insulin resistance, abnormal fasting blood glucose or glucose tolerance, type 2 diabetes. Results of oral glucose tolerance test were normal in 25 and abnormal in 99 of these patients. Results. Carriers of Pro allele compared with carriers of Ala allele of PPARG2 gene had higher frequency of insulin resistance. No association was found between insulin resistance and alleles and genotypes of PPAR, IRS1, and IRS2 genes. There was an association between diastolic BP and polymorphic markers Pro12Ala of PPARG2 gene and C24313G of PPARA gene. Carriers of C allele of PPARA gene and Ala allele of PPARG2 gene had higher diastolic BP. No association was found between systolic BP and alleles and genotypes of polymorphic markers of PPARG2 and PPARA genes