Wigner crystal model of counterion induced bundle formation of rod-like polyelectrolytes

A simple electrostatic theory of condensation of rod-like polyelectrolytes under influence of polyvalent ions is proposed. It is based on the idea that Manning condensation of ions results in formation of the Wigner crystal on a background of a bundle of rods. It is shown that, depending on a single dimensionless parameter, this can be the densely packed three-dimensional Wigner crystal or the two-dimensional crystal on the rod surfaces. For DNA the location of charge on the spiral results in a model of the one-dimensional Wigner crystal. It is also argued that the Wigner crystal idea can be applied to self-assembly of other polyelectrolytes, for example, colloids and DNA-lipid complexes.Comment: 4 pages; typos corrected, references adde

Circulating microparticles: square the circle

Background: The present review summarizes current knowledge about microparticles (MPs) and provides a systematic overview of last 20 years of research on circulating MPs, with particular focus on their clinical relevance. Results: MPs are a heterogeneous population of cell-derived vesicles, with sizes ranging between 50 and 1000 nm. MPs are capable of transferring peptides, proteins, lipid components, microRNA, mRNA, and DNA from one cell to another without direct cell-to-cell contact. Growing evidence suggests that MPs present in peripheral blood and body fluids contribute to the development and progression of cancer, and are of pathophysiological relevance for autoimmune, inflammatory, infectious, cardiovascular, hematological, and other diseases. MPs have large diagnostic potential as biomarkers; however, due to current technological limitations in purification of MPs and an absence of standardized methods of MP detection, challenges remain in validating the potential of MPs as a non-invasive and early diagnostic platform. Conclusions: Improvements in the effective deciphering of MP molecular signatures will be critical not only for diagnostics, but also for the evaluation of treatment regimens and predicting disease outcomes

Lipid (per) oxidation in mitochondria:an emerging target in the ageing process?

Lipids are essential for physiological processes such as maintaining membrane integrity, providing a source of energy and acting as signalling molecules to control processes including cell proliferation, metabolism, inflammation and apoptosis. Disruption of lipid homeostasis can promote pathological changes that contribute towards biological ageing and age-related diseases. Several age-related diseases have been associated with altered lipid metabolism and an elevation in highly damaging lipid peroxidation products; the latter has been ascribed, at least in part, to mitochondrial dysfunction and elevated ROS formation. In addition, senescent cells, which are known to contribute significantly to age-related pathologies, are also associated with impaired mitochondrial function and changes in lipid metabolism. Therapeutic targeting of dysfunctional mitochondrial and pathological lipid metabolism is an emerging strategy for alleviating their negative impact during ageing and the progression to age-related diseases. Such therapies could include the use of drugs that prevent mitochondrial uncoupling, inhibit inflammatory lipid synthesis, modulate lipid transport or storage, reduce mitochondrial oxidative stress and eliminate senescent cells from tissues. In this review, we provide an overview of lipid structure and function, with emphasis on mitochondrial lipids and their potential for therapeutic targeting during ageing and age-related disease

FREE RADICAL MODIFICATION OF PROTEINS AND LIPID IN ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

At 105 patients with paroxysmal and permanent form of atrial fibrillation against the background of coronary heart disease (CHD) and without CHD were studied concerning the levels of peroxidation products and protein-Lipid rows. The control group included 42 somatically healthy persons of Astrakhan region. In the course of studies there have been shown that the processes of peroxidation metabolism proteins and lipids in the blood of patients with paroxysmal and constant-atrial fibrillation characterized by a high frequency imbalance. The comparing of levels of products peroxidation proteins and lipids in patients with paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation on a background of CHD and without CHD were detected with significant differences

Epidemiology and characteristics of urinary tract dysfunction in multiple sclerosis patients

Introduction. Data on the epidemiology and nature of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) in multiple sclerosis (MS) are contradictory: the prevalence rate ranges from 50 to 90% according to different authors.Purpose of the study. To assess the frequency and nature of urination disorders in patients with various forms of multiple sclerosis.Materials and methods. We analyzed the data of patients observed in the Regional Centre of Multiple sclerosis at Sverdlovsk Regional Clinical Hospital No. 1. The study included 160 patients aged 42.6±12.3 years, of which 64% were men and 36% were women. The primary progressive course of the disease occurred in 5% of patients, the secondary progressive course in 39%, and remitting in 56%. The average score according to the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was 3.94±2.10. The nature of neurogenic dysfunction of the lower urinary tract was evaluated using questionnaires (NBSS, SF-Qualiveen) and urodynamic studies.Results. NLUTD were detected in 65% of MS patients. The average score according to the Neurogenic Bladder Symptom Scale (NBSS) in patients with NLUTD was 26.93±13.12, which was significantly (p < 0.001) exceed than the value of this indicator among patients without pelvic disorders (6.43±2.34). Symptoms of emptying were noted in more than half of patients with a neurogenic bladder in the presence of multiple sclerosis: poor urine flow (63%), abdominal straining during urination (76%). Complaints of storage symptoms, such as urgency and frequency, were presented by 98% of patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction. Urinary incontinence was diagnosed in 84% of cases. The values of the «incontinence», «storage and voiding» and «complications» domains of NBSS were 8.66±7.17, 12.18±3.7 and 3.48±4.21, respectively. The total score of SF-Qaliveen questionnaire in patients with MS with urinary disorders was 2.93±1.13, in patients without NLUTD, 1.03±0.91 (р < 0,001).Conclusions. Neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction occurs in patients with multiple sclerosis with a frequency of 65%. These urinary disorders have a significant impact on the patients` quality of life