Expansion of the human μ-opioid receptor gene architecture: novel functional variants

The μ-opioid receptor (OPRM1) is the principal receptor target for both endogenous and exogenous opioid analgesics. There are substantial individual differences in human responses to painful stimuli and to opiate drugs that are attributed to genetic variations in OPRM1. In searching for new functional variants, we employed comparative genome analysis and obtained evidence for the existence of an expanded human OPRM1 gene locus with new promoters, alternative exons and regulatory elements. Examination of polymorphisms within the human OPRM1 gene locus identified strong association between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs563649 and individual variations in pain perception. SNP rs563649 is located within a structurally conserved internal ribosome entry site (IRES) in the 5′-UTR of a novel exon 13-containing OPRM1 isoforms (MOR-1K) and affects both mRNA levels and translation efficiency of these variants. Furthermore, rs563649 exhibits very strong linkage disequilibrium throughout the entire OPRM1 gene locus and thus affects the functional contribution of the corresponding haplotype that includes other functional OPRM1 SNPs. Our results provide evidence for an essential role for MOR-1K isoforms in nociceptive signaling and suggest that genetic variations in alternative OPRM1 isoforms may contribute to individual differences in opiate responses

Transfer of chemical elements in vapor-gas streams at the dehydration of secondary sulfates

The elemental composition of vapor-gas streams obtained during heating of secondary hydrous sulfates are presented. Samples of abundant sulfate intergrowth were collected at the Belovo waste heaps and heated at 60ºC in experiments to collect condensates of the releasing vapor-gas streams. A wide spectrum of major and trace elements was determined in the condensate. Chemical elements can be absorbed by the water vapor and migrate with this phase during the dehydration of hydrous sulfates. To determine the mechanisms of migration and the sources of elements in vapor-gas streams, a study of the features of certain hydrous sulphates (antlerite, goslarite, starkeyite, gunningite, siderotile, sideronatrite) by stepwise heating up to 60ºC was conducted. Alteration in the phase composition is controlled by powder X-ray diffractometry. It was determined, that antlerite and starkeite remain stable throughout the temperature range. The beginning of the separation of structural water in goslarite and siderotile occurs at 40°C. Goslarite and sideronatrite at 40°C lost water molecules and transformed to gunningite and Na-jarosite, correspondingly. Structure of siderotile was loosened. The modes of occurrence of the chemical elements in sulfates and pore solution determine the concentrations of elements in the condensates

Abstracts of The Second Eurasian RISK-2020 Conference and Symposium

This abstract book contains abstracts of the various research ideas presented at The Second Eurasian RISK-2020 Conference and Symposium.The RISK-2020 Conference and Symposium served as a perfect venue for practitioners, engineers, researchers, scientists, managers and decision-makers from all over the world to exchange ideas and technology about the latest innovation developments dealing with risk minimization