Coexistence of multiple sclerosis and brain tumours: Case report and review

In the present report, a review of the literature on the combination of multiple sclerosis and brain tumours is performed. Additionally, the frequency of such combination, possible etiopathogenetic mechanisms, current diagnostic criteria and treatment approaches are reviewed. Furthermore, the case of a 30-year-old man with multiple sclerosis and anaplastic astrocytoma of the right temporal lobe is described in detail. Specifically, the patient underwent a series of tests, including laboratory analyses of blood and cerebrospinal fluid, brain MRI in various modes, MR spectroscopy and excised tumour’s pathohistological and immunohistochemical examination. Results of the tests are reported here. A staged examination and treatment of the patient allowed the researchers to perform a correct diagnosis and obtain a satisfactory functional outcome

High folic acid consumption leads to pseudo-MTHFR deficiency, altered lipid metabolism, and liver injury in mice.

Increased consumption of folic acid is prevalent, leading to concerns about negative consequences. The effects of folic acid on the liver, the primary organ for folate metabolism, are largely unknown. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) provides methyl donors for S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) synthesis and methylation reactions

An analysis of the Medicago falcata s.l. alfalfas collected in the ex-USSR territories for the fullness of their coverage

Background. The collection of wild yellow alfalfas from the Medicago falcata s.l. complex maintained at the N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR) is a unique genetic stock collected while exploring the ex-USSR territories from 1924 to 2018. It includes Medicago falcata L. proper, M. borealis Grossh., M. romanica Prod., M. quasifalcata Sinsk., M. difalcata Sinsk., and M. glandulosa David. Gap analysis makes it possible to assess the sufficiency of VIR’s collecting efforts in a certain locality or administrative unit and plan further collecting activities to ensure comprehensive conservation of sickle alfalfa genetic diversity.Material and methods. Databases of the Perennial Forage Crop Genetic Resources Department at VIR, and digital maps of administrative subdivisions of Russia and neighboring countries served as the research material. The ex-USSR administrative subdivisions were accepted as operational units. For each of them, the number of ser. Falcatae Vass. species and the number of accessions per administrative subdivision were taken into account. Statistical data processing included construction of frequency tables and differentiated mapping.Results. The coordinates of collection sites were identified for 446 accessions. Collections of six wild species within the studied complex were analyzed across the ex-USSR space, and in more detail in Krasnodar Territory.Conclusion. The target areas were identified for further collecting activities. For Russia, the prioritized regions where the collection could be replenished are the northern frontier of the area of sickle alfalfa distribution in the European part and its eastern borderline in Siberia, both characterized by extreme environmental conditions. To increase the geographic diversity of the collection, additional collecting efforts are required, along with mobilization of accessions from the neighboring countries

Design of Pre-Dumping Ring Spin Rotator with a Possibility of Helicity Switching for Polarized Positrons at the ILC

The use of polarized beams enhance the possibility of the precision measurements at the International Linear Collider (ILC). In order to preserve the degree of polarization during beam transport spin rotators are included in the current TDR ILC Lattice. In this report some advantages of using a combined spin rotator/spin flipper are discussed. A few possible lattice designs of spin flipper developed at DESY in 2012 are presented.Comment: Talk presented at the International Workshop on Future Linear Colliders (LCWS15), Whistler, Canada, 2-6 November 201

Hydrogel Nanocomposites with Silver Nanoparticles

Copolymer hydrogels based on acrylic monomers (primarily acrylamide and acrylonitrile) are synthesized and their physicochemical properties are investigated. Methods of incorporation of nanoparticles of gold and silver into hydrogel pores and methods of their stabilization using reagents of different nature are developed. Our studies showed pronounced bactericidal properties of the nanocomposites regarding gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and, at the same time, their biocompatibility to stem cells

Association between Arg753Gln (rs574308) polymorphism of the Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) gene and the risk of pulmonary sarcoidosis among the residents of Karelia”

Genetic factors play an important role in the development and progression of many disorders including lung sarcoidosis which is a systemic inflammatory granulomatous disease of unknown etiology, characterized by the formation of epithelioid cell granules in affected tissues. Intensity of the developing inflammation may partially depend on genetic factors which may influence both susceptibility to lung sarcoidosis, and also clinical course of the disease and the degree of inflammatory response from the immune system. Allelic polymorphism of distinct genes is therefore worth of study. In the carriers of certain allele variants, one may observe either increase, or a decreased production of pro-inflammatory factors. Among the candidate factors involved in higher susceptibility of humans, one may consider Toll-like receptors (TLRS) which may contribute to formation of granulomas. Relevant data concerning association between the allele variants of these genes and susceptibility to lung sarcoidosis, and its clinical course are still quite limited and contradictory. The aim of the present study was to analyze the association between the Arg753Gln (rs574308) polymorphism of the Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) gene and the risk of developing pulmonary sarcoidosis.A total of 253 persons were under study including 122 patients diagnosed with morphologically verified sarcoidosis with lung involvement (average age, 41.00±12.56 years), and 131 healthy donors comprising a control group (average age, 44.00±14.23 years). The distribution of alleles and genotypes for the Arg753Gln (rs574308) polymorphic TLR2 gene marker was studied in the groups of patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis and healthy donors. The test alleles of this polymorphic marker were typed by means of PCR technique followed by length analysis restriction fragments (PCR-RFLP method).There were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of allele and genotype frequencies for the polymorphic marker Arg753Gln (rs574308) of the TLR2 gene between the control group and the group of patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis: χ2 = 2.0, df = 1, p = 0.158 and χ2 = 2.19, df = 2, p = 0.140, respectively.The polymorphic marker Arg753Gln (rs574308) of Toll-like receptor 2 gene is not associated with the risk of developing pulmonary sarcoidosis among ethnic Russians of the Republic of Karelia