Association of Polymorphisms of Serotonin Transporter (5HTTLPR) and 5-HT2C Receptor Genes with Criminal Behavior in Russian Criminal Offenders

Background: Human aggression is a heterogeneous behavior with biological, psychological, and social backgrounds. As the biological mechanisms that regulate aggression are components of both reward-seeking and adversity-fleeing behavior, these phenomena are difficult to disentangle into separate neurochemical processes. Nevertheless, evidence exists linking some forms of ag

Фенольные соединения этанольных извлечений Lemna minor L., Lemna trisulca L. и Lemna polyrrhiza L. Schleid. и их иммуномодулирующая активность

The purpose of the study is to determine the composition of the phenolic compounds of ethanol extracts isolated from three species of duckweed: Lemna minor L., Lemna trisulca L. and Lemna polyrrhiza L. (the synonym is Spirodella polyrrhiza Schleid.) and to study its effect on immune system activation.Materials and methods. The objects of the study are: air-dried grass samples of Lemna minor L., Lemna trisuica L. and Lemna polyrrhiza L. collected during their growing season in 2010–2011 in low-flow and stagnant ponds of Kozhevnikovsky and Tomsk districts of Tomsk region. Isolation of polyphenolic complexes (PFC) was carried out by extraction of air-dried raw material with ethyl alcohol. In qualitative and quantitative analysis of the samples studied the method of reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography on an Agilent 1100 Series instrument (USA) was used in isocratic mode. In the experiments, 200 male C57BL / 6 and BALB / C mice aged 8–12 weeks were used to determine immunomodulatory activity. Cell proliferation was assessed by a colorimetric method. The absorption of the obtained solutions was measured with a multi-channel spectrophotometer at the wavelength of 540 nm. The determination of antibody-forming cells in the spleen was performed by local hemolysis. The titer of antibodies in serum was evaluated in the hemagglutination reaction. The local hypersensitivity reaction of immediate type was assessed by the author’s modification.Results. For the first time the study of the qualitative composition and quantitative content of PFC of Lemna minor L. (LM) , Lemna trisulca L. (LT) trisulkas, and Lemna polyrrhiza L. (LP) : (4,7 ± 0,4)%, (3,3 ± 0,3)%, (12,8 ± 0,7)% was carried out. The highest content of phenolic acids (10,76%) and the sum of flavonoids, isoflavonoids and coumarins (14,7%) were found in the LP sample. The content of chlorogenic and 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acids was 2–9 times higher in LP than in other species of duckweed. In LM and LT with concentrations of 5 μg/ml and LP in the range of 0,5–160 μg/ml did not have a toxic effect on antigen presenting cells. When incubated with LT (20 μg/ml), the proliferation of macrophages was reduced by 1,2 times, and when incubated with LM and LT (80 μg/ml), by 1,2 and 1,8 times, respectively. PFC duckweed (LP) did not have a similar effect. LM and LP had a stimulating effect on the production of nitrites in the concentrations of 5 and 20 μg/ml, increasing it by 1,3–1,6 times. Course introduction of LT and LP led to a significant decrease in the number of antibody-forming cells by 1,5 and 2,3 times and a decrease in the local hypersensitivity reaction by 1,9 and 1,5 times, respectively.Цель исследования. Определение состава фенольных соединений этанольных извлечений, выделенных из трех видов ряски: ряски малой (Lemna minor L.), ряски тройчатой (Lemna trisulca L.) и ряски многокорневой (Lemna polyrrhiza L., синоним Spirodella polyrrhiza L.) Schleid.), и изучение его влияния на активацию системы иммунитета.Материал и методы. Объект исследования: воздушно-сухие образцы травы ряски малой (Lemna minor L.), ряски тройчатой (Lemna trisuica L.) и ряски многокорневой (Lemna polyrrhiza L.), собранные в период их вегетации в 2010–2011 гг. в малопроточных и стоячих водоемах Кожевниковского и Томского районов Томской области. Выделение полифенольных комплексов (ПФК) проводили экстракцией воздушно-сухого сырья спиртом этиловым. При качественном и количественном анализе исследуемых образцов применяли метод обращенно-фазовой высокоэффективной жидкостной хроматографии на приборе Agilent 1100 Series (США) в изократическом режиме. В экспериментах для определения иммуномодулирующей активности использовали 200 самцов мышей линий С57ВL/6 и BALB/C в возрасте 8–12 нед. Пролиферацию клеток оценивали колориметрическим методом. Абсорбцию полученных растворов замеряли при помощи многоканального спектрофотометра при длине волны 540 нм. Определение антителообразующих клеток в селезенке проводили методом локального гемолиза. Титр антител в сыворотке крови оценивали в реакции гемагглютинации. Локальную реакцию гиперчувствительности немедленного типа оценивали по методике в авторской модификации.Результаты. Впервые проведено исследование качественного состава и количественного содержания ПФК ряски малой Lemna minor L. (LM), ряски трисульки Lemna trisulca L. (LT) и ряски многокорневой Lemna polyrrhiza L.(LP): (4,7 ± 0,4)%, (3,3 ± 0,3)%, (12,8 ± 0,7)% соответственно. Наибольшее содержание фенолокислот (10,76%) и суммы флавоноидов, изофлавоноидов и кумаринов (14,7%) обнаружено в образце LP. Содержание хлорогеновой и 3,5-дигидроксибензойной кислот в 2–9 раз больше в LP, чем других видах ряски. LM, LT в концентрации 5 мкг/мл и LP в диапазоне 0,5–160 мкг/мл не оказывают токсического действия на антигенпрезентирующие клетки. При инкубации с LT (20 мкг/мл) пролиферация макрофагов снижается в 1,2 раза, а при инкубации с LM и LT (80 мкг/мл) в 1,2 и 1,8 раза соответственно. ПФК ряски многокорневой (LP) не оказывают подобного эффекта. LM и LP оказывают стимулирующее действие на продукцию нитритов в концентрациях 5 и 20 мкг/мл, усиливая ее в 1,3–1,6 раза. Курсовое введение LT и LP приводит к достоверному снижению числа антителобразующих клеток в 1,5 и 2,3 раза и уменьшению величины локальной реакции гиперчувствительности в 1,9 и 1,5 раза соответственно

Origin and spread of human mitochondrial DNA haplogroup U7

Human mitochondrial DNA haplogroup U is among the initial maternal founders in Southwest Asia and Europe and one that best indicates matrilineal genetic continuity between late Pleistocene hunter-gatherer groups and present-day populations of Europe. While most haplogroup U subclades are older than 30 thousand years, the comparatively recent coalescence time of the extant variation of haplogroup U7 (~16–19 thousand years ago) suggests that its current distribution is the consequence of more recent dispersal events, despite its wide geographical range across Europe, the Near East and South Asia. Here we report 267 new U7 mitogenomes that – analysed alongside 100 published ones – enable us to discern at least two distinct temporal phases of dispersal, both of which most likely emanated from the Near East. The earlier one began prior to the Holocene (~11.5 thousand years ago) towards South Asia, while the later dispersal took place more recently towards Mediterranean Europe during the Neolithic (~8 thousand years ago). These findings imply that the carriers of haplogroup U7 spread to South Asia and Europe before the suggested Bronze Age expansion of Indo-European languages from the Pontic-Caspian Steppe region

Eco-innovative competencies of mining engineers in the context of environmental management system requirements

The article is devoted to the analysis of mining engineers’ eco-innovation training key components associated with the formation of special knowledge and skills in the field of coal mining enterprises environmental management. The issues of the eco-innovation activities and the objectives of environmental management at coal mining enterprises are consistently considered. The article presents the examination of general and special requirements for the environmental education of mining engineers, which are to become the basis for the sustainable development of engineering projects in coal-mining industry

Bacteriocin-Producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> Q5 and C41 with Potential Probiotic Properties: In Silico, In Vitro, and In Vivo Studies

Commensal bacteriocin-producing Escherichia coli are of interest for possible use as probiotics to selectively control the spread of pathogenic bacteria. Here, we evaluated the biosafety and efficacy of two new bacteriocin-producing E. coli strains, Q5 (VKM B-3706D) and C41 (VKM B-3707D), isolated from healthy farm animals. The genomes of both strains were sequenced, and genes responsible for the antagonistic and colonization abilities of each strain were identified. In vitro studies have shown that both strains were medium-adhesive and demonstrated antagonistic activity against most enteropathogens tested. Oral administration of 5 × 108 to 5 × 1010 colony-forming units of both strains to rats with drinking water did not cause any disease symptoms or side effects. Short-term (5 days) oral administration of both strains protected rats from colonization and pathogenic effects of a toxigenic beta-lactam-resistant strain of E. coli C55 and helped preserve intestinal homeostasis. Taken together, these in silico, in vitro, and in vivo data indicate that both strains (and especially E. coli Q5) can be potentially used for the prevention of colibacillosis in farm animals

Current Status and Prospects of Occupational Medicine in the Russian Federation

An in-depth analysis conducted on the historical background and current status of occupational medicine in Russia is presented. Scientific and practical bases of occupational medicine in the Russian Federation were based on 2 of the most important principles of health service: free medical care and its preventive orientation. Our analysis of the current situation in occupational medicine in modern Russia shows a transition from the vision of zero occupation-related harm to the strategy of recognizing, assessing, and managing occupational exposures. The system of workplace monitoring is developing successfully, with the creation of a federal database for the state of working conditions and the implementation of mechanisms for occupational risk assessment and management. However, at the same time, the system of medical surveillance for workers needs substantial reform. Over the past few years, the professional community of specialists in occupational medicine has taken several steps to improve the quality of its work. Understanding of the need for reforming the system of occupational medicine has continued to grow, which will improve the quality of medical monitoring for workers and extend professional longevity. Current challenges and prospects of occupational medicine in the Russian Federation are discussed

Phenolic compounds of ethanol extracts of Lemna minor L., Lemna trisulca L. and Lemna polyrrhiza L. Schleid and their immunomodulating activity

The purpose of the study is to determine the composition of the phenolic compounds of ethanol extracts isolated from three species of duckweed: Lemna minor L., Lemna trisulca L. and Lemna polyrrhiza L. (the synonym is Spirodella polyrrhiza Schleid.) and to study its effect on immune system activation.Materials and methods. The objects of the study are: air-dried grass samples of Lemna minor L., Lemna trisuica L. and Lemna polyrrhiza L. collected during their growing season in 2010–2011 in low-flow and stagnant ponds of Kozhevnikovsky and Tomsk districts of Tomsk region. Isolation of polyphenolic complexes (PFC) was carried out by extraction of air-dried raw material with ethyl alcohol. In qualitative and quantitative analysis of the samples studied the method of reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography on an Agilent 1100 Series instrument (USA) was used in isocratic mode. In the experiments, 200 male C57BL / 6 and BALB / C mice aged 8–12 weeks were used to determine immunomodulatory activity. Cell proliferation was assessed by a colorimetric method. The absorption of the obtained solutions was measured with a multi-channel spectrophotometer at the wavelength of 540 nm. The determination of antibody-forming cells in the spleen was performed by local hemolysis. The titer of antibodies in serum was evaluated in the hemagglutination reaction. The local hypersensitivity reaction of immediate type was assessed by the author’s modification.Results. For the first time the study of the qualitative composition and quantitative content of PFC of Lemna minor L. (LM) , Lemna trisulca L. (LT) trisulkas, and Lemna polyrrhiza L. (LP) : (4,7 ± 0,4)%, (3,3 ± 0,3)%, (12,8 ± 0,7)% was carried out. The highest content of phenolic acids (10,76%) and the sum of flavonoids, isoflavonoids and coumarins (14,7%) were found in the LP sample. The content of chlorogenic and 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acids was 2–9 times higher in LP than in other species of duckweed. In LM and LT with concentrations of 5 μg/ml and LP in the range of 0,5–160 μg/ml did not have a toxic effect on antigen presenting cells. When incubated with LT (20 μg/ml), the proliferation of macrophages was reduced by 1,2 times, and when incubated with LM and LT (80 μg/ml), by 1,2 and 1,8 times, respectively. PFC duckweed (LP) did not have a similar effect. LM and LP had a stimulating effect on the production of nitrites in the concentrations of 5 and 20 μg/ml, increasing it by 1,3–1,6 times. Course introduction of LT and LP led to a significant decrease in the number of antibody-forming cells by 1,5 and 2,3 times and a decrease in the local hypersensitivity reaction by 1,9 and 1,5 times, respectively

Association of Polymorphisms of Serotonin Transporter (5HTTLPR) and 5-HT2C Receptor Genes with Criminal Behavior in Russian Criminal Offenders

BACKGROUND: Human aggression is a heterogeneous behavior with biological, psychological, and social backgrounds. As the biological mechanisms that regulate aggression are components of both reward-seeking and adversity-fleeing behavior, these phenomena are difficult to disentangle into separate neurochemical processes. Nevertheless, evidence exists linking some forms of aggression to aberrant serotonergic neurotransmission. We determined possible associations between 6 serotonergic neurotransmission-related gene variants and severe criminal offenses. METHODS: Male Russian prisoners who were convicted for murder (n = 117) or theft (n = 77) were genotyped for variants of the serotonin transporter (5HTTLPR), tryptophan hydroxylase, tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase, or type 2C (5-HT2C) receptor genes and compared with general-population male controls (n = 161). Prisoners were psychologically phenotyped using the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory and the Beck Depression Inventory. RESULTS: No differences were found between murderers and thieves either concerning genotypes or concerning psychological measures. Comparison of polymorphism distribution between groups of prisoners and controls revealed highly significant associations of 5HTTLPR and 5-HTR2C (rs6318) gene polymorphisms with being convicted for criminal behavior. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of biological differences between the 2 groups of prisoners indicates that the studied 5HT-related genes do not differentiate between the types of crimes committed