Prognostic Significance of Anthropometric and Bioimpedance Parameters of Yakut Women for Birth of Newborns with High Body Weight

The aim of this study was to identify the prognostically significant anthropometric and bioimpedance indicators for the birth of a child with a high body weight in Yakut women. The study included 220 women of Yakut nationality with physiological pregnancy and childbirth who were examined on the third and fourth days after delivery. The parameters of anthropometry and bioimpedancemetry in parturient women and the anthropometric indices of newborns were investigated. Anthropometric measurements were carried out according to the method of V.V. Bunak. Body composition was assessed based on bioimpedance analysis using the ABC-01 MEDASS device (Medass, Russia). The conducted research revealed that the anthropometric and bioimpedance indices of Yakut women in the postpartum period (3-4 days after delivery) were significantly different from general population indicators. The parameters of body weight and body mass index of the puerperal women were significantly higher, and phase angle and Xc50 - significantly lower. Principal component analysis revealed anthropometric and bioimpedance indices predicting a high birth weight. The obtained data in combination with other indicators can be used to predict the birth of a child with a high birth weight in Yakut women

Fluorescent coelenteramide-containing protein as a color bioindicator for low-dose radiation effects

The study addresses the application of fluorescent coelenteramide-containing proteins as color bioindicators for radiotoxicity evaluation. Biological effects of chronic low-dose radiation are under investigation. Tritiated water (200 MBq/L) was used as a model source of low-intensive ionizing radiation of beta type. ‘Discharged obelin,’ product of bioluminescent reaction of marine coelenterate Obelia longissimi, was used as a representative of the coelenteramide-containing proteins. Coelenteramide, fluorophore of discharged obelin, is a photochemically active molecule; it produces fluorescence forms of different color. Contributions of ‘violet’ and ‘blue-green’ forms to the visible fluorescence serve as tested parameters. The contributions depend on the coelenteramide’s microenvironment in the protein, and, hence, evaluate distractive ability and toxicity of radiation. The protein samples were exposed to beta radiation for 18 days, and maximal dose accumulated by the samples was 0.28 Gy, being close to a tentative limit of a low-dose interval. Increase of relative contribution of ‘violet’ fluorescence under exposure to the beta irradiation was revealed. High sensitivity of the protein-based test system to low-dose ionizing radiation (to 0.03 Gy) was demonstrated. The study develops physicochemical understanding of radiotoxic effects

Fluorescent coelenteramide-containing protein as a color bioindicator for low-dose radiation effects

The study addresses the application of fluorescent coelenteramide-containing proteins as color bioindicators for radiotoxicity evaluation. Biological effects of chronic low-dose radiation are under investigation. Tritiated water (200 MBq/L) was used as a model source of low-intensive ionizing radiation of beta type. ‘Discharged obelin,’ product of bioluminescent reaction of marine coelenterate Obelia longissimi, was used as a representative of the coelenteramide-containing proteins. Coelenteramide, fluorophore of discharged obelin, is a photochemically active molecule; it produces fluorescence forms of different color. Contributions of ‘violet’ and ‘blue-green’ forms to the visible fluorescence serve as tested parameters. The contributions depend on the coelenteramide’s microenvironment in the protein, and, hence, evaluate distractive ability and toxicity of radiation. The protein samples were exposed to beta radiation for 18 days, and maximal dose accumulated by the samples was 0.28 Gy, being close to a tentative limit of a low-dose interval. Increase of relative contribution of ‘violet’ fluorescence under exposure to the beta irradiation was revealed. High sensitivity of the protein-based test system to low-dose ionizing radiation (to 0.03 Gy) was demonstrated. The study develops physicochemical understanding of radiotoxic effects

Assessment of the Space Weather Effect on Human Health in the Arctic Zone Using the Example of Tiksi Settlement

In order to assess the space weather effect on the well-being and health of people with cardiovascular pathology in Arctic conditions, we carried out the processing and analysis of space weather parameters and the electronic database of patients with cardiovascular diseases at the Central District Hospital in Tiksi settlement (the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) (RS(Y)). Patients visited the polyclinic or requested an ambulance because their health had deteriorated. As a result of our research, we found some conjunctions of trends in the change in geomagnetic disturbances (Kp-index) and the number of patients' visits to medical institutions for arterial hypertension (AH) in 2015, 2016 and 2017. It can therefore be concluded that geomagnetic disturbances have an impact on the cardiovascular system of a person living at high latitudes

Aza-Michael reaction of 12-<i>N</i>-carboxamide of (–)-cytisine under high pressure conditions

<div><p>The first example of aza-Michael reaction of 12-<i>N</i>-carboxamide of quinolizidine alkaloid (–)-cytisine with α,β-unsaturated ketones, dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate and β-nitrostyrene under high pressure condition has been described. It has been shown that the [4+2]-cycloaddition takes place in the case with <i>N</i>-phenylmaleimide.</p></div

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Engineering: Microcapsules-Assisted Gene Transfection and Magnetic Cell Separation

Stem cell engineeringthe manipulation and functionalization of stem cells involving genetic modificationcan significantly expand their applicability for cell therapy in humans. Toward this aim, reliable, standardized, and cost-effective methods for cell manipulation are required. Here we explore the potential of magnetic multilayer capsules to serve as a universal platform for nonviral gene transfer, stem cell magnetization, and magnetic cell separation to improve gene transfer efficiency. In particular, the following experiments were performed: (i) a study of the process of internalization of magnetic capsules into stem cells, including capsule co-localization with established markers of endo-lysosomal pathway; (ii) characterization and quantification of capsule uptake with confocal microscopy, electron microscopy, and flow cytometry; (iii) intracellular delivery of messenger RNA and separation of gene-modified cells by magnetic cell sorting (MACS); and (iv) analysis of the influence of capsules on cell proliferation potential. Importantly, based on the internalization of magnetic capsules, transfected cells became susceptible to external magnetic fields, which made it easy to enrich gene-modified cells using MACS (purity ∼95%), and also to influence their migration behavior. In summary, our results underline the high potential of magnetic capsules in stem cell functionalization, namely (i) to increase gene-transfer efficiency and (ii) to facilitate enrichment and targeting of transfected cells. Finally, we did not observe a negative impact of the capsules used on the proliferative capacity of stem cells, proving their high biocompatibility

Applications for zoosporic parasites in aquatic systems (ParAqua)

Zoosporic parasites (i.e. fungi and fungi-like aquatic microorganisms) constitute important drivers of natural populations, causing severe host mortality. Economic impacts of parasitic diseases are notable in the microalgae biotech industry, affecting production of food ingredients, biofuels, pharma- and nutraceuticals.While scientific research on this topic is gaining traction by increasing studies elucidating the functional role of zoosporic parasites in natural ecosystems, we are currently lacking integrated and interdisciplinary efforts for effectively detecting and controlling parasites in the microalgae industry. To fill this gap we propose to establish an innovative, dynamic European network connecting scientists, industries and stakeholders to optimize information exchange, equalize access to resources and to develop a joint research agenda. ParAqua aims at compiling and making available all information on the occurrence of zoosporic parasites and their relationship with hosts, elucidate drivers and evaluate impacts of parasitism in natural and man-made aquatic environments. We aim to implement new tools for monitoring and prevention of infections, and to create protocols and a Decision Support Tool for detecting and controlling parasites in the microalgae biotech production. Applied knowledge on zoosporic parasites can feed back from industry to ecology, and we therefore will explore whether the developed tools can be applied for monitoring lakes and reservoirs. Short-Term Scientific Missions and Training Schools will be organised specifically for early stage scientists and managers – with a specific focus on ITC – with the aim to share and integrate both scientific and applied expertise and increase exchange between basic and applied researchers and stakeholders