Genetic variation of the nuclear sequences of mitochondrial origin associated with retrotransposon Tv1 insertions in Drosophila species of the virilis group

Mitochondrial DNA sequences integrated into chromosomes are a promising object for designing genetic markers for studies of phylogenesis and genomic instability. Mitochondrial genomes of D. virilis and other Drosophila species of the virilis group contain (AT)n microsatellites in the spacer region between the atp6 and cox3 genes, and this microsatellite sequence is one of the hallmarks of the virilis group. The nuclear genome of D. virilis contains many extended fragments of mitochondrial DNA, which in total are several times longer than the mitochondrial genome. These nuclear sequences of mitochondrial origin contain all types of mitochondrial sequences, including mitochondrial genes and the aforementioned microsatellite sequence. The presence of the (AT)n microsatellite allows insertion of retrotransposon Tv1, which can transpose into the (AT)n microsatellite in a site-specific manner. The Tv1 insertion into (AT)n, close to the atp6 or cox3 pseudogenes produces a unique sequence. This sequence is formed by retrotransposon Tv1 and pseudogenes atp6 or cox3. This unique sequence can be detected in the genome by a PCR-based method. We applied this method to the detection and analysis of the nucleotide variability of the pseudogenes atp6 and cox3 associated with Tv1 insertions in a D. virilis cell culture and in the genomes of four Drosophila species of the virilis group: D. virilis, D. montana, D. borealis, and D. lacicola. We discovered new events of mitochondrial sequence transfer to the nucleus in the transplanted cell culture of D. virilis, and new Tv1 insertions, having emerged during the passage of this cell line were detected in the genome of the D. virilis transplanted cell culture. We found atp6 and cox3 pseudogenes associated with insertions of retrotransposon Tv1 in the nuclear genomes of four Drosophila species from the virilis group. These chimeric sequences proved to be species-specific. The age of the Tv1 insertion into the atp6 and cox3 pseudogenes is estimated at 1.50 Ma for D. virilis, 1.31 Ma for D. lacicola, and 1.56 Ma for D. borealis. A specific situation was revealed for D. montana, in which Tv1 insertions with nearly identical 5' and 3' long terminal repeats (LTRs) were present in accessions of flies from Europe and Asia. The age of this insertion was about 300 thousand years, and the insertion was absent from the D. montana fly line from North America

Theory of Spike Spiral Waves in a Reaction-Diffusion System

We discovered a new type of spiral wave solutions in reaction-diffusion systems --- spike spiral wave, which significantly differs from spiral waves observed in FitzHugh-Nagumo-type models. We present an asymptotic theory of these waves in Gray-Scott model. We derive the kinematic relations describing the shape of this spiral and find the dependence of its main parameters on the control parameters. The theory does not rely on the specific features of Gray-Scott model and thus is expected to be applicable to a broad range of reaction-diffusion systems.Comment: 4 pages (REVTeX), 2 figures (postscript), submitted to Phys. Rev. Let

Migraine aura: retracting particle-like waves in weakly susceptible cortex

Cortical spreading depression (SD) has been suggested to underlie migraine aura. Despite a precise match in speed, the spatio-temporal patterns of SD and aura symptoms on the cortical surface ordinarily differ in aspects of size and shape. We show that this mismatch is reconciled by utilizing that both pattern types bifurcate from an instability point of generic reaction-diffusion models. To classify these spatio-temporal pattern we suggest a susceptibility scale having the value [sigma]=1 at the instability point. We predict that human cortex is only weakly susceptible to SD ([sigma]<1), and support this prediction by directly matching visual aura symptoms with anatomical landmarks using fMRI retinotopic mapping. We discuss the increased dynamical repertoire of cortical tissue close to [sigma]=1, in particular, the resulting implications on migraine pharmacology that is hitherto tested in the regime ([sigma]>>1), and potentially silent aura occurring below a second bifurcation point at [sigma]=0 on the susceptible scale

Modern approaches to diagnosis and treatment of urethral strictures: literature review and own experience

This article presents a literature review of modern methods of diagnosis and treatment for urethral strictures. In addition, the own results of a pilot study on the use of synthetic tissue-engineering structures as a material for urethroplasty substitution are presented as well

Перспективные направления лечения хронической сердечной недостаточности: совершенствование старых или разработка новых?

Unprecedented advances of recent decades in clinical pharmacology, cardiac surgery, arrhythmology, and cardiac pacing have significantly improved the prognosis in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). However, unfortunately, heart failure continues to be associated with high mortality. The solution to this problem consists in simultaneous comprehensive use in clinical practice of all relevant capabilities of continuously improving methods of heart failure treatment proven to be effective in randomized controlled trials (especially when confirmed by the results of studies in real clinical practice), on the one hand, and in development and implementation of innovative approaches to CHF treatment, on the other hand. This is especially relevant for CHF patients with mildly reduced and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction, as poor evidence base for the possibility of improving the prognosis in such patients cannot justify inaction and leaving them without hope of a clinical improvement in their condition. The lecture consistently covers the general principles of CHF treatment and a set of measures aimed at inotropic stimulation and unloading (neurohormonal, volumetric, hemodynamic, and immune) of the heart and outlines some promising areas of disease-modifying therapy.Беспрецедентные достижения последних десятилетий в области клинической фармакологии, кардиохирургии и имплантационной аритмологии значительно улучшили прогноз у пациентов с хронической сердечной недостаточностью (ХСН), однако, к сожалению, сердечная недостаточность продолжает ассоциироваться с высокой смертностью. Решение этой проблемы видится одновременно в максимально полном применении в клинической практике всех актуальных возможностей непрерывно совершенствующихся методов лечения сердечной недостаточности, доказавших свою эффективность в рандомизированных контролируемых исследованиях (особенно при подтверждении результатами исследований реальной клинической практики), с одной стороны, а также в разработке и оперативном внедрении инновационных подходов к терапии ХСН – с другой. Больше всего в этом нуждаются пациенты с ХСН с умеренно сниженной и сохранной фракцией выброса левого желудочка, бедная доказательная база возможности улучшения прогноза у которых не может обосновывать бездействие и оставление их без надежды хотя бы на клиническое улучшение состояния. В лекции последовательно рассмотрены общие принципы лечения ХСН, комплекс мероприятий, направленный на инотропную стимуляцию и разгрузку (нейрогормональную, объемную, гемодинамическую и иммунную) сердца, а также обозначены некоторые перспективные направления болезнь-модифицирующей терапии

Резистентность к диуретикам у пациентов с хронической сердечной недостаточностью: механизмы, профилактика и преодоление

The authors analyzed the problem of diuretic resistance (DR) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Most of the symptoms and signs of CHF are associated with hypervolemia and vascular congestion in the systemic and pulmonary circulation. The severity of the latter is the main factor which negatively affects the overall assessment of life satisfaction in patients with CHF. Since the patient, even at the incurable stage of CHF, primarily expects a rapid decrease in the severity of manifestations of decompensation from the prescribed therapy, achieving euvolemia is the essence of its short-term objective. Without diuretics, these immediate effects, according to which most CHF patients judge the qualifications of the doctor, are almost impossible to achieve. Unfortunately, apparently, not a single clinician was able to avoid disappointment in the effectiveness of CHF therapy associated with DR in their practice. As a rule, DR reflects the progressive course of CHF and is often associated with a poor prognosis. The review consistently covers the issues of terminology, diagnosis, pathogenesis, and prevention of DR, which aggravates CHF, and discusses measures aimed at restoring sensitivity to diuretics.Проанализирована проблема резистентности к диуретикам (РД) у пациентов с хронической сердечной недостаточностью (ХСН). Большинство симптомов и признаков ХСН связаны с гиперволемией и застоем крови в большом и малом кругах кровообращения. Выраженность последних является основным фактором, негативно влияющим на общую оценку удовлетворенностью жизнью пациентов с ХСН. Так как пациент даже в инкурабельной стадии ХСН в первую очередь ожидает от назначенной врачом терапии быстрого снижения выраженности проявлений декомпенсации, достижение эуволемии представляет собой суть ее краткосрочной задачи. Без диуретиков этих немедленных эффектов, по которым большинство пациентов с ХСН судят о квалификации врача, добиться практически невозможно. К сожалению, по-видимому, ни одному клиницисту не удалось избежать в своей практике разочарования в эффективности терапии сердечной недостаточности, связанного с РД. Как правило, РД отражает прогрессирующее течение ХСН и часто ассоциируется с неблагоприятным прогнозом. В лекции последовательно рассмотрены вопросы терминологии, диагностики, патогенеза и профилактики РД, отягощающей ХСН, а также обсуждается комплекс мероприятий, направленный на восстановление чувствительности к диуретикам

Dopamine acting at D1-like, D2-like and α1-adrenergic receptors differentially modulates theta and gamma oscillatory activity in primary motor cortex

The loss of dopamine (DA) in Parkinson’s is accompanied by the emergence of exaggerated theta and beta frequency neuronal oscillatory activity in the primary motor cortex (M1) and basal ganglia. DA replacement therapy or deep brain stimulation reduces the power of these oscillations and this is coincident with an improvement in motor performance implying a causal relationship. Here we provide in vitro evidence for the differential modulation of theta and gamma activity in M1 by DA acting at receptors exhibiting conventional and non-conventional DA pharmacology. Recording local field potentials in deep layer V of rat M1, co-application of carbachol (CCh, 5 μM) and kainic acid (KA, 150 nM) elicited simultaneous oscillations at a frequency of 6.49 ± 0.18 Hz (theta, n = 84) and 34.97 ± 0.39 Hz (gamma, n = 84). Bath application of DA resulted in a decrease in gamma power with no change in theta power. However, application of either the D1-like receptor agonist SKF38393 or the D2-like agonist quinpirole increased the power of both theta and gamma suggesting that the DA-mediated inhibition of oscillatory power is by action at other sites other than classical DA receptors. Application of amphetamine, which promotes endogenous amine neurotransmitter release, or the adrenergic α1-selective agonist phenylephrine mimicked the action of DA and reduced gamma power, a result unaffected by prior co-application of D1 and D2 receptor antagonists SCH23390 and sulpiride. Finally, application of the α1-adrenergic receptor antagonist prazosin blocked the action of DA on gamma power suggestive of interaction between α1 and DA receptors. These results show that DA mediates complex actions acting at dopamine D1-like and D2-like receptors, α1 adrenergic receptors and possibly DA/α1 heteromultimeric receptors to differentially modulate theta and gamma activity in M1

ROLE OF POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION IN THE COMPLEX DIAGNOSTICS OF UROGENITAL INFECTIONS

Abstract. The present day there is no universally accepted algorithm for the application of PCR for the diagnostics of urogenital infections and interpretation of results. At the same time, the application of PCR for diagnostics of infection by opportunistic such pathogens as M. hominis, U. parvum can make the antibiotictherapy to be unnecessary

Circular copies of mobile dispersed genetic elements in cultured Drosophila melanogaster cells.

Extrachromosomal supercoiled circular copies of mobile dispersed genetic elements mdg1, mdg3 and copia have been isolated from 67J25D and Kc lines of cultured Drosophila melanogaster cells. With the exception of the copia element in the line Kc, all circular molecules contain only one long terminal repeat. Both whole-length circular copies and molecules with deletion from the internal segment of the copia element have been detected in the line 67J25D. Mdg3-specific circular molecules in the line Kc are represented by the deleted molecules only. Similar copies of mdg3 are also present in chromosomal DNA of flies and cultured cells. The analysis of the mdg3 transcription in both cell lines suggests that extrachromosomal molecules of mdg may be created by reverse transcription