USE OF SEDIMENT QUALITY GUIDELINES FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF CONTAMINATED SEDIMENTS OF UKRAINIAN ESTUARIES

The article describes that many countries throughout the world share similar concerns about sediment management. Scientists in several countries have developed a variety of methods for evaluating the de-gree to which sediment-associated chemicals might adversely affect aquatic organisms. The results of ex-periment where consensus approach was used for sediments assessment of Dnieper and Buh estuary and Danube estuary in Ukraine are presented in article

Testing Genes Implicated in the Novel Case of Familial Hemiplegic Migraine

© 2016, Springer Science+Business Media New York.Familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM) is a rare monogenetic form of migraine associated with aura and motor dysfunctions. Molecular mechanisms of FHM still remain unknown; however, genetic predisposition to the disease has been suggested. We report several cases of FHM diagnosed in three generations of ethnic Tatars, Russian Federation. Apart from clear family character, patients presented with typical features of FHM including aura and ataxia. In order to determine disease genetic markers in these cases, we sequenced several genes (CACNA1A, ATP1A2, and SCN1A) previously reported in FHM. Sequence analysis demonstrated absence of the previously identified mutations in genes studied. This is the first genetic study of FHM in the Tatar population. The lack of known FHM associated mutation in these patients suggests presence of yet unidentified mutations in some other genes. Further studies including full genome sequencing are needed to clarify the genetic background of FHM cases in the Tatar population

Systemic and local cytokine profile following spinal cord injury in rats: A multiplex analysis

© 2017 Mukhamedshina, Akhmetzyanova, Martynova, Khaiboullina, Galieva and Rizvanov. Our study of the changes in cytokine profile in blood serum and in the spinal cord after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) has shown that an inflammatory reaction and immunological response are not limited to the CNS, but widespread. This fact was confirmed by changes detected in a cytokine profile in blood serum samples [MIP-1α, interleukin 1 (IL-1) α, IL-2, IL-5, IL-1β, MCP-1, RANTES]. There were also changes in the levels of MIP-1α, IL-1α, IL-2, IL-5, IL-18, GM-colony-stimulating factor, IL-17α, IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-13, MCP-1, and GRO KC CINC-1 in samples of the rat injured spinal cord. The results underscore the complex cytokine network imbalance exhibited after SCI and show significant changes in the concentrations of 14 cytokines/chemokines with different inflammatory and immunological activities

CO oxidation over ZnO films on Pt(1 1 1) at near-atmospheric pressures

Well-ordered ultrathin ZnO(0 0 0 1) films were grown on Pt(1 1 1) in a layer-by-layer mode. The reactivity of the films as a function of the film thickness and coverage was examined by the CO oxidation reaction at near-atmospheric pressures. At low temperatures (∼450 K), CO2 production is found to be much higher on the films of partial coverage than on dense ZnO(0 0 0 1) films and bare Pt(1 1 1). Under reaction conditions, monolayer islands and an entire monolayer film transform into two-monolayers-thick islands, which dominate the surface of the active catalysts. The results provide an adequate structural model for elucidating the reaction mechanism on the oxide/metal boundary at technologically relevant conditions

Thin silica films on Ru(0001): monolayer, bilayer and three-dimensional networks of [SiO₄] tetrahedra

The atomic structure of thin silica films grown over a Ru(0001) substrate was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy, low energy electron diffraction, helium ion scattering spectroscopy, CO temperature programmed desorption, and scanning tunneling microscopy in combination with density functional theory calculations. The films were prepared by Si vapor deposition and subsequent oxidation at high temperatures. The silica film first grows as a monolayer of corner-sharing [SiO4] tetrahedra strongly bonded to the Ru(0001) surface through the Si–O–Ru linkages. At increasing amounts of Si, the film forms a bilayer of corner-sharing [SiO4] tetrahedra which is weakly bonded to Ru(0001). The bilayer film can be grown in either the crystalline or vitreous state, or both coexisting. Further increasing the film thickness leads to the formation of vitreous silica exhibiting a three-dimensional network of [SiO4]. The principal structure of the films can be monitored by infrared spectroscopy, as each structure shows a characteristic vibrational band, i.e., [similar]1135 cm-1 for a monolayer film, [similar]1300 cm⁻-1 for the bilayer structures, and [similar]1250 cm⁻-1 for the bulk-like vitreous silica

Serum cytokine signature that discriminates Helicobacter pylori positive and negative juvenile gastroduodenitis

© 2016 Khaiboullina, Abdulkhakov, Khalikova, Safina, Martynova, Davidyuk, Khuzin, Faizullina, Lombardi, Cherepnev and Rizvanov.Gastroduodenitis caused by H. pylori, often acquired in early childhood, is found in about 50% of the adult population. Although H. pylori infections can remain asymptomatic, its virulence factors usually trigger epithelial vacuolization and degeneration, loss of microvilli, disintegration of cytoplasm, and leukocyte accumulation. It is believed that leukocyte infiltration is driven by cytokines produced locally in infected tissue. However, so far little is known about changes in serum cytokines in juvenile patients infected with H. pylori. Serum cytokine profiles were analyzed in 62 juvenile patients diagnosed with gastroduodenitis using the Bio-Plex multiplex assay. H. pylori infection was confirmed in 32 patients, while 30 patients were H. pylori-free. Cytokines CXCL5 and CXCL6, potent neutrophil chemoattractants, were upregulated in all patients diagnosed with gastroduodenitis. Serum levels of IL8, a prototype neutrophil attractant, remained unchanged in subjects with gastroduodenitis relative to controls. Therefore, our data suggest that CXCL5 and CXCL6 play a role in directing neutrophil trafficking into inflamed gastroduodenal tissue. In addition, the CCL25/GM-CSF ratio differed significantly between H. pylori-positive and -negative juveniles. Further, study is needed to evaluate the role of CCL25 and GM-CSF in the pathogenesis of the different etiologies of gastroduodenitis

High Triglycerides Are Associated with Low Thrombocyte Counts and High VEGF in Nephropathia Epidemica

© 2016 Ekaterina V. Martynova et al.Nephropathia epidemica (NE) is a mild form of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. Several reports have demonstrated a severe alteration in lipoprotein metabolism. However, little is known about changes in circulating lipids in NE. The objectives of this study were to evaluate changes in serum total cholesterol, high density cholesterol (HDCL), and triglycerides. In addition to evaluation of serum cytokine activation associations, changes in lipid profile and cytokine activation were determined for gender, thrombocyte counts, and VEGF. Elevated levels of triglycerides and decreased HDCL were observed in NE, while total cholesterol did not differ from controls. High triglycerides were associated with both the lowest thrombocyte counts and high serum VEGF, as well as a high severity score. Additionally, there were higher levels of triglycerides in male than female NE patients. Low triglycerides were associated with upregulation of IFN-γ and IL-12, suggesting activation of Th1 helper cells. Furthermore, levels of IFN-γ and IL-12 were increased in patients with lower severity scores, suggesting that a Th1 type immune response is playing protective role in NE. These combined data advance the understanding of NE pathogenesis and indicate a role for high triglycerides in disease severity

FROM PERSONALIZED TO PRECISION MEDICINE

The need to maintain a high quality of life against a backdrop of its inevitably increasing duration is one of the main problems of modern health care. The concept of "right drug to the right patient at the right time", which at first was bearing the name "personalized", is currently unanimously approved by international scientific community as "precision medicine". Precision medicine takes all the individual characteristics into account: genes diversity, environment, lifestyles, and even bacterial microflora and also involves the use of the latest technological developments, which serves to ensure that each patient gets assistance fitting his state best. In the United States, Canada and France national precision medicine programs have already been submitted and implemented. The aim of this review is to describe the dynamic integration of precision medicine methods into routine medical practice and life of modern society. The new paradigm prospects description are complemented by figures, proving the already achieved success in the application of precise methods for example, the targeted therapy of cancer. All in all, the presence of real-life examples, proving the regularity of transition to a new paradigm, and a wide range  of technical and diagnostic capabilities available and constantly evolving make the all-round transition to precision medicine almost inevitable

Cerebellar atrophy and changes in cytokines associated with the CACNA1A R583Q mutation in a Russian familial hemiplegic migraine type 1 family

© 2017 Khaiboullina, Mendelevich, Shigapova, Shagimardanova, Gazizova, Nikitin, Martynova, Davidyuk, Bogdanov, Gusev, van den Maagdenberg, Giniatullin and Rizvanov. Background: Immune mechanisms recently emerged as important contributors to migraine pathology with cytokines affecting neuronal excitation. Therefore, elucidating the profile of cytokines activated in various forms of migraine, including those with a known genetic cause, can help in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Methods: Here we (i) performed exome sequencing to identify the causal gene mutation and (ii) measured, using Bio-Plex technology, 22 cytokines in serum of patients with familial migraine (two with hemiplegic migraine and two with migraine with aura) from a Russian family that ethnically belongs to the Tatar population. MRI scanning was used to assess cerebellar atrophy associated with migraine in mutation carriers. Results: Whole-exome sequencing revealed the R583Q missense mutation in the CACNA1A gene in the two patients with hemiplegic migraine and cerebellar ataxia with atrophy, confirming a FHM1 disorder. Two further patients did not have the mutation and suffered from migraine with aura. Elevated serum levels of pro-inflammatory and pro-nociceptive IL-6 and IL-18 were found in all four patients (compared to a reference panel), whereas pro-apoptotic SCGF-β and TRAIL were higher only in the patients with the FHM1 mutation. Also, cytokines CXCL1, HGF, LIF, and MIF were found particularly high in the two mutation carriers, suggesting a possible role of vascular impairment and neuroinflammation in disease pathogenesis. Notably, some “algesic” cytokines, such as β-NGF and TNFβ, remained unchanged or even were down-regulated. Conclusion: We present a detailed genetic, neurological, and biochemical characterization of a small Russian FHM1 family and revealed evidence for higher levels of specific cytokines in migraine patients that support migraine-associated neuroinflammation in the pathology of migraine

Divergent immunomodulation capacity of individual myelin peptides-components of liposomal therapeutic against multiple sclerosis

© 2017 Ivanova, Khaiboullina, Gomzikova, Martynova, Ferreira, Garanina, Sakhapov, Lomakin, Khaibullin, Granatov, Khabirov, Rizvanov, Gabibov and Belogurov. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by demyelination and consequent neuron injury. Although the pathogenesis of MS is largely unknown, a breach in immune self-tolerance to myelin followed by development of autoreactive encephalitogenic T cells is suggested to play the central role. The myelin basic protein (MBP) is believed to be one of the main targets for autoreactive lymphocytes. Recently, immunodominant MBP peptides encapsulated into the mannosylated liposomes, referred as Xemys, were shown to suppress development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, a rodent model of MS, and furthermore passed the initial stage of clinical trials. Here, we investigated the role of individual polypeptide components [MBP peptides 46-62 (GH17), 124-139 (GK16), and 147-170 (QR24)] of this liposomal peptide therapeutic in cytokine release and activation of immune cells from MS patients and healthy donors. The overall effects were assessed using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), whereas alterations in antigen-presenting capacities were studied utilizing plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs). Among three MBP-immunodominant peptides, QR24 and GK16 activated leukocytes, while GH17 was characterized by an immunosuppressive effect. Peptides QR24 and GK16 upregulated CD4 over CD8 T cells and induced proliferation of CD25 + cells, whereas GH17 decreased the CD4/CD8 T cell ratio and had limited effects on CD25 + T cells. Accordingly, components of liposomal peptide therapeutic differed in upregulation of cytokines upon addition to PBMCs and pDCs. Peptide QR24 was evidently more effective in upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, whereas GH17 significantly increased production of IL-10 through treated cells. Altogether, these data suggest a complexity of action of the liposomal peptide therapeutic that does not seem to involve simple helper T cells (Th)-shift but rather the rebalancing of the immune system