Characterization of chromoshadow domain-mediated binding of heterochromatin protein 1α (HP1α) to histone H3.

The chromoshadow domain (CSD) of heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) was recently shown to contribute to chromatin binding and transcriptional regulation through interaction with histone H3. Here, we demonstrate the structural basis of this interaction for the CSD of HP1α. This mode of H3 binding is dependent on dimerization of the CSD and recognition of a PxVxL-like motif, as for other CSD partners. NMR chemical shift mapping showed that the H3 residues that mediate the CSD interaction occur in and adjacent to the αN helix just within the nucleosome core. Access to the binding region would require some degree of unwrapping of the DNA near the nucleosomal DNA entry/exit site

Model for determining the competitive identity of cities in a digital economy

The term competitive identity of cities was introduced by Enholt [1] when considering the notion of territory marketing. Such an indicator is significant for determining the investment attractiveness of the territorial entity, and as a consequence of the opportunities for the development of the Territory and its directions. The assessment and prospects for the development of territories are determined by a set of indicators that are quite stable in time, then it is necessary to determine how to predict the directions for improving the efficiency of investment policy, including in the transition to the digital economy. © 2020 American Institute of Physics Inc.. All rights reserved

Into the deep: New data on the lipid and fatty acid profile of redfish Sebastes mentella inhabiting different depths in the Irminger Sea

New data on lipid and fatty acid profiles are presented, and the dynamics of the studied components in muscles in the males and females of the beaked redfish, Sebastes mentella, in the depth gradient of the Irminger Sea (North Atlantic) is discussed. The contents of the total lipids (TLs), total phospholipids (PLs), monoacylglycerols (MAGs), diacylglycerols (DAGs), triacylglycerols (TAGs), cholesterol (Chol), Chol esters, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), and wax esters were determined by HPTLC; the phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylcholine (PC), and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) were determined by HPLC; and fatty acids of total lipids were determined using GC. The Chol esters prevailed in muscles over the storage TAGs, and the wax ester content was high, which is a characteristic trait of vertically migrating species. Specific dynamics in certain PL in redfish were found to be depended on depth, suggesting that PLs are involved in the re-arrangement of the membrane physicochemical state and the maintenance of motor activity under high hydrostatic pressure. The high contents of DHA and EPA were observed in beaked redfish muscles is the species’ characteristic trait. The MUFAs in muscles include dietary markers of zooplankton (copepods)—20:1(n-9) and 22:1(n-11), whose content was found to be lower in fish sampled from greater depth

Estimation of antimicrobial activities and fatty acid composition of actinobacteria isolated from water surface of underground lakes from Badzheyskaya and Okhotnichya caves in Siberia

Extreme and unusual ecosystems such as isolated ancient caves are considered as potential tools for the discovery of novel natural products with biological activities. Actinobacteria that inhabit these unusual ecosystems are examined as a promising source for the development of new drugs. In this study we focused on the preliminary estimation of fatty acid composition and antibacterial properties of culturable actinobacteria isolated from water surface of underground lakes located in Badzheyskaya and Okhotnichya caves in Siberia. Here we present isolation of 17 strains of actinobacteria that belong to the Streptomyces, Nocardia and Nocardiopsis genera. Using assays for antibacterial and antifungal activities, we found that a number of strains belonging to the genus Streptomyces isolated from Badzheyskaya cave demonstrated inhibition activity against bacteria and fungi. It was shown that representatives of the genera Nocardia and Nocardiopsis isolated from Okhotnichya cave did not demonstrate any tested antibiotic properties. However, despite the lack of antimicrobial and fungicidal activity of Nocardia extracts, those strains are specific in terms of their fatty acid spectrum. When assessing fatty acid profile, we found that polyunsaturated fatty acids were quantitatively dominant in extracts of Nocardia sp. and Streptomyces sp. grown in different media. Saturated fatty acids were the second most abundant type in the fatty acid profile. It was due to palmitic acid. Also, a few monounsaturated fatty acids were detected. The obtained materials can become a basis for development of approaches to use bacteria isolated from caves as a biological sources of bioactive compounds to create medical and veterinary drugs

Assessment of humoral immunity to SARS-CoV-2 by a sample examination of medical workers in a large specialized multidisciplinary hospital

Introduction. The assessment of specific IgG antibodies to RBD Spike SARS-CoV-2 and their quantitation permit to calculate the intensity of immunity to COVID-19, i.e. to determine the level of immunity to infection, the risk of infection, the severity of the disease, as well as the ability to prevent death. Meanwhile, the protective level of antibodies is not determined. Therefore, determining the nature of immunity and quantitation of IgG antibodies to RBD Spike SARS-CoV-2 make it possible to assess the effectiveness of preventive measures and correct them in a timely manner. The aim is to determine the presence of IgG antibodies to RBD Spike SARS-CoV-2, their concentrations, and the nature of humoral immunity in different age and occupational groups of employees in a closed-type hospital after the completed vaccination with "Gam-Covid-Vac" vaccine. Materials and methods. The blood sera of 310 members of medical staff who received a full course of immunization with the "Gam-Covid-Vac" vaccine were tested using "SARS-CoV-2-ELISA-IgG" kit according to instructions provided in 21.20.23-004-28597318-2020, RU No. RZN 2021/15898. IgG antibodies to RBD Spike SARS-CoV-2 were quantitated against WHO standard NIBSC 20/136. Results. Specific IgG antibodies to RBD Spike SARS-CoV-2 were found in 92.9% of the examined individuals, including 67.4% having hybrid immunity (both vaccine- and infection- induced), and 25.5% having post-vaccination immunity after immunization with the "Gam-Covid-Vac" vaccine; 7.1% participants were nonimmune. A higher level of IgG antibodies to RBD Spike SARS-CoV-2 was detected in the group of individuals with hybrid immunity (p 0.01). Only 11.6% of employees had a protective antibody level of more than 300 BAU/ml. Discussion. Most employees with hybrid immunity were identified in the older age groups and in the junior medical staff. The results of this serological study, taking into account the age and professional aspects, can serve as the basis for adjusting preventive measures in medical institutions

Исследование сорбции лекарственных веществ перфтораном

Objective: to estimate the perfluorane adsorption capacity of the drugs belonging to different pharmacological groups. Materials and methods. The binding of perfluorane to 50 drugs at concentrations of 12.5 to 100 ^M was studied in vitro using equilibrium dialysis. Results. Interactions of ligands with the particles of perfluorane emulsion were found to be of three types. Type 1 substances were characterized by negative affinity to perfluorane; type 2 ligands acted indifferently with the emulsion; type 3 compounds were reversibly adsorbed with the particles of the blood substitute by the affinity constants ( Kaff) of 104 M-1. Conclusion. The perfluorane adsorption capacity is ambiguous and seems to depend on the properties of ligands. Type 3 interactions, which may lead to an increase in blood adsorption capacity and change in the pharmacokinet-ics of drugs used in combination with perfluorane, appear to be the most important. Key words: perfluorane, binding, drugs, drug interactions.Цель исследования — оценка сорбционной способности перфторана в отношении лекарственных веществ, принадлежащих к различным фармакологическим группам. Материалы и методы. В экспериментах in vitro с помощью метода равновесного диализа исследована степень связывания с перфтораном 50 лекарственных веществ, взятых в концентрациях от 12,5 до 100 мкМ. Результаты. Выявлены три типа взаимодействия лигандов с частицами эмульсии перфторана. Вещества первого типа характеризовались негативной тропностью к перфторану; ли-ганды второго типа вели себя индифферентно по отношению к эмульсии; соединения третьего типа обратимо сорбировались частицами кровезаменителя с константами взаимодействия Kag порядка 104 М-1. Заключение. Сорбционная активность перфторана в отношении лекарственных веществ проявляется неоднозначно и, по-видимому, зависит от свойств лигандов. Наиболее значимыми представляются взаимодействия третьего типа, результатом которых может стать увеличение сорбционной емкости крови и изменение фармакокинетики лекарств, используемых совместно с перфтораном. Ключевые слова: перфторан, связывание, лекарственные вещества, лекарственные взаимодействия

Факторы риска и математическая модель осложненного течения беременности на основании интегративного анализа

Objective: To identify additional  risk factors  of   complicated  pregnancy  and to  develop  a mathematical model for prognosing   the course  of gestation  using integrative  analysis.Materials  and  methods.  We  carried   out  a  prospective   parallel  group  study  of  240 women  with  low perinatal risk in the  first and second trimesters  of pregnancy.  To  study  the  psycho-emotional state  and personality characteristics of pregnant  women, we used the SF-36 questionnaire, Osgood’s Semantic differential,  G.  Eysenck’s   self-assessment  personality test  and  the  Big five questionnaire proposed   by R. McCrae  and P. Costa. To assess the impact  of the environment  on pregnancy,  a questionnaire “Degree of satisfaction  with the urban  environment”  composed  by   Yu.Kataeva was used.Results. We established  additional  criteria for  predicting  the  course  of gestation.  In  the  first  trimester they were restrictions of everyday functions due to painful manifestations  and signs of early toxicosis, poor health,  bad mood,  high levels of anxiety,  difficulty in being flexible in new life conditions  and a tendency to react  aggressively. In the second trimester they experienced  painful conditions,  mood swings, preferring seclusion to  relationships  and lack of satisfaction  with the  quality  of the  urban  environment.  During the interpretation of the  study  results  we identified  additional  prognostic  factors  of the  unfavorable  course of pregnancy,  which allow us to develop targeted programs  for medical and psychological  support  during pregnancy. Conclusion. We investigated  the  interrelations between  the  most  important factors  affecting  the  normal course  of pregnancy,  childbirth and the condition  of the newborn.  This study will allow us to predict  the course  of pregnancy  and elicit  additional  criteria to  form  groups  with  increased  obstetric and perinatal risks.  We  also  designed  a  mathematical model  for  prognosing  the  course  of  gestation  that  takes  into account  the identified additional  criteria.Цель работы: выявить дополнительные  факторы  риска  осложненного течения  беременности  и разработать  математическую  модель  прогнозирования течения  гестационного процесса  на основании комплексного  подхода.Материалы и  методы. Проведено   простое  проспективное  исследование   в  параллельных   группах 240 женщин низкой степени перинатального риска в I и II триместрах  беременности.  Для исследования психоэмоционального состояния и личностных особенностей  беременных женщин использовали опросник  «Качество  жизни»  SF-36, Семантический  дифференциал Ч. Осгуд, методику «Самооценка психических  состояний»  Г. Айзенка,  Пятифакторный личностный  опросник  (Big five) Р. МакКрае и П. Коста.  Для оценки влияния  окружающей  среды   использовали  анкету  изучения  степени  удовлетворенности городской  средой Ю.В. Катаевой.Результаты. Установлены  дополнительные   критерии  для  прогнозирования течения  гестационного процесса. Для I триместра такими факторами оказались:  наличие ограничений в выполнении повседневных ролевых функций  вследствие болезненных  проявлений  и признаков  раннего токсикоза, плохое самочувствие,  пониженное  настроение,  высокая  тревожность, трудность  к гибкому  поведению в новых  жизненных  условиях  и тенденция  к использованию  агрессивных  способов  реагирования. Для II триместра:  наличие ощущений болезненного состояния, склонность  к быстрой смене настроения,  предпочтение  уединения  близким  отношениям  и неудовлетворенность качеством  городской среды. Заключение. Изучение  взаимосвязи и установление  наиболее  важных  факторов, влияющих на процессы  нормального  течения  беременности,  родов  и состояние  новорожденного, позволяет   разрабатывать  дополнительные   критерии  для  формирования групп  повышенного  акушерского   и перинатального  риска и прогнозировать течение беременности.  Разработана математическая модель прогнозирования течения  гестационного процесса,  учитывающая выявленные дополнительные  критерии

Control of Flowering and Cell Fate by LIF2, an RNA Binding Partner of the Polycomb Complex Component LHP1

Polycomb Repressive Complexes (PRC) modulate the epigenetic status of key cell fate and developmental regulators in eukaryotes. The chromo domain protein LIKE HETEROCHROMATIN PROTEIN1 (LHP1) is a subunit of a plant PRC1-like complex in Arabidopsis thaliana and recognizes histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation, a silencing epigenetic mark deposited by the PRC2 complex. We have identified and studied an LHP1-Interacting Factor2 (LIF2). LIF2 protein has RNA recognition motifs and belongs to the large hnRNP protein family, which is involved in RNA processing. LIF2 interacts in vivo, in the cell nucleus, with the LHP1 chromo shadow domain. Expression of LIF2 was detected predominantly in vascular and meristematic tissues. Loss-of-function of LIF2 modifies flowering time, floral developmental homeostasis and gynoecium growth determination. lif2 ovaries have indeterminate growth and produce ectopic inflorescences with severely affected flowers showing proliferation of ectopic stigmatic papillae and ovules in short-day conditions. To look at how LIF2 acts relative to LHP1, we conducted transcriptome analyses in lif2 and lhp1 and identified a common set of deregulated genes, which showed significant enrichment in stress-response genes. By comparing expression of LHP1 targets in lif2, lhp1 and lif2 lhp1 mutants we showed that LIF2 can either antagonize or act with LHP1. Interestingly, repression of the FLC floral transcriptional regulator in lif2 mutant is accompanied by an increase in H3K27 trimethylation at the locus, without any change in LHP1 binding, suggesting that LHP1 is targeted independently from LIF2 and that LHP1 binding does not strictly correlate with gene expression. LIF2, involved in cell identity and cell fate decision, may modulate the activity of LHP1 at specific loci, during specific developmental windows or in response to environmental cues that control cell fate determination. These results highlight a novel link between plant RNA processing and Polycomb regulation