Sexual dimorphism of dynamics of concentration of endothelium alteration factors in blood in surgical treatment of chronic generalized periodontitis.

Aim: to study the sexual dimorphism of the concentration in the blood of endothelial alteration factors in the dynamics of the surgical treatment of moderate chronic generalized periodontitis (CGP) in comparison with clinically healthy volunteers. Material and Methods. A total of 20 clinically healthy volunteers (average age is 30 (24; 37), 50% are men) and 31 patients with moderate chronic generalized periodontitis (average age is 31 (27; 38), 40% are men) were examined. Serum concentrations of homocysteine and C-reactive protein were determined. Patients with chronic generalized periodontitis were treated following the surgical scheme. Results. In patients with chronic generalized periodontitis, prior to treatment, an increased level of homocysteine and C-reactive protein (CRP) was detected in the serum. Conservative treatment in the preoperative period caused a decrease in the level of homocysteine in patients, while there was no significant change in the rate of C-reactive protein. 10 days after the surgery, an increase in the concentration of homocysteine and C-reactive protein in serum was observed in patients of both sexes, indicating a reactive change. At the same time, reactive changes were more pronounced in women. Long-term results of surgical treatment of chronic generalized periodontitis indicate a decrease in C-reactive protein and homocysteine levels in patients of both sexes. Sexual dimorphism was manifested by the fact that women had lower homocysteine content than men: 9.4 (8.9; 9.7) versus 13.3 (10.8; 14.1) umol/l (p=0,004). Conclusion. Patients of both sexes with moderate chronic generalized periodontitis have elevated C-reactive protein and homocysteine levels. Sexual dimorphism is manifested by higher levels of homocysteine, but not C- reactive protein in men. The acute period of surgical treatment of chronic generalized periodontitis is characterized by an increase in the concentration of factors affecting the endothelium in the blood, which are more pronounced in women. Long-term surgical treatment results of chronic generalized periodontitis demonstrate a decrease of homocysteine and C-reactive protein levels in blood with homocysteine levels being lower in women than in men.</p

A Homolog of FHM2 Is Involved in Modulation of Excitatory Neurotransmission by Serotonin in C. elegans

The C. elegans eat-6 gene encodes a Na+, K+-ATPase α subunit and is a homolog of the familial hemiplegic migraine candidate gene FHM2. Migraine is the most common neurological disorder linked to serotonergic dysfunction. We sought to study the pathophysiological mechanisms of migraine and their relation to serotonin (5-HT) signaling using C. elegans as a genetic model. In C. elegans, exogenous 5-HT inhibits paralysis induced by the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor aldicarb. We found that the eat-6(ad467) mutation or RNAi of eat-6 increases aldicarb sensitivity and causes complete resistance to 5-HT treatment, indicating that EAT-6 is a component of the pathway that couples 5-HT signaling and ACh neurotransmission. While a postsynaptic role of EAT-6 at the bodywall NMJs has been well established, we found that EAT-6 may in addition regulate presynaptic ACh neurotransmission. We show that eat-6 is expressed in ventral cord ACh motor neurons, and that cell-specific RNAi of eat-6 in the ACh neurons leads to hypersensitivity to aldicarb. Electron microscopy showed an increased number of synaptic vesicles in the ACh neurons in the eat-6(ad467) mutant. Genetic analyses suggest that EAT-6 interacts with EGL-30 Gαq, EGL-8 phospholipase C and SLO-1 BK channel signaling to modulate ACh neurotransmission and that either reduced or excessive EAT-6 function may lead to increased ACh neurotransmission. Study of the interaction between eat-6 and 5-HT receptors revealed both stimulatory and inhibitory 5-HT inputs to the NMJs. We show that the inhibitory and stimulatory 5-HT signals arise from distinct 5-HT neurons. The role of eat-6 in modulation of excitatory neurotransmission by 5-HT may provide a genetic explanation for the therapeutic effects of the drugs targeting 5-HT receptors in the treatment of migraine patients

Investigation of Ethidium Bromide Interaction with <i>Yersinia</i> Bacterial Cells in Lyophilized/Rehydrated Preparations

Investigated was ethidium bromide interaction with the cells of avirulent Y. pestis and Y. pseudotuberculosis strains in lyophilized/rehydrated preparations. The population heterogeneity regarding particle size and concentration of nucleic acid was identified by flow cytofluorimetry and registration of total fluorescence intensity. Shown was the correlation between concentration of colony-forming units (CFU) and fluorescence increase after supplementing suspension with cetyltrimethylammoniumbromide. This approach was suggested as the express method to estimate viable cell count in lyophilized/rehydrated preparations and to control the process of preparing and storage of collection strains, dry live vaccine and probiotic preparations of gramnegative bacteria

Diagnostic Nutrient Media for Isolation and Identification of Anthrax Agent

Designed is a differential-diagnostic solid nutrient media for isolation and identification of anthrax agent. This media contains: nutrient base (enzymic hydrolysate of fishbone powder), agar-agar, D (+)-sorbite, pH indicator bromthymol blue, and broad-spectrum antibiotic (polymyxin). The media makes it possible to differentiate virulent (capsular) and avirulent (non-capsular) Bacillus anthracis strains, as well as closely related saprophyte microorganisms, depending upon the color and colony morphology

New Channelrhodopsin with a Red-Shifted Spectrum and Rapid Kinetics from Mesostigma viride

Light control of motility behavior (phototaxis and photophobic responses) in green flagellate algae is mediated by sensory rhodopsins homologous to phototaxis receptors and light-driven ion transporters in prokaryotic organisms. In the phototaxis process, excitation of the algal sensory rhodopsins leads to generation of transmembrane photoreceptor currents. When expressed in animal cells, the algal phototaxis receptors function as light-gated cation channels, which has earned them the name “channelrhodopsins.” Channelrhodopsins have become useful molecular tools for light control of cellular activity. Only four channelrhodopsins, identified in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Volvox carteri, have been reported so far. By screening light-induced currents among algal species, we identified that the phylogenetically distant flagellate Mesostigma viride showed photoelectrical responses in vivo with properties suggesting a channelrhodopsin especially promising for optogenetic use. We cloned an M. viride channelrhodopsin, MChR1, and studied its channel activity upon heterologous expression. Action spectra in HEK293 cells match those of the photocurrents observed in M. viride cells. Comparison of the more divergent MChR1 sequence to the previously studied phylogenetically clustered homologs and study of several MChR1 mutants refine our understanding of the sequence determinants of channelrhodopsin function. We found that MChR1 has the most red-shifted and pH-independent spectral sensitivity so far reported, matches or surpasses known channelrhodopsins’ channel kinetics features, and undergoes minimal inactivation upon sustained illumination. This combination of properties makes MChR1 a promising candidate for optogenetic applications

Potassium-selective channelrhodopsins

Since their discovery 21 years ago, channelrhodopsins have come of age and have become indispensable tools for optogenetic control of excitable cells such as neurons and myocytes. Potential therapeutic utility of channelrhodopsins has been proven by partial vision restoration in a human patient. Previously known channelrhodopsins are either proton channels, non-selective cation channels almost equally permeable to Na+ and K+ besides protons, or anion channels. Two years ago, we discovered a group of channelrhodopsins that exhibit over an order of magnitude higher selectivity for K+ than for Na+. These proteins, known as “kalium channelrhodopsins” or KCRs, lack the canonical tetrameric selectivity filter found in voltage- and ligand-gated K+ channels, and use a unique selectivity mechanism intrinsic to their individual protomers. Mutant analysis has revealed that the key residues responsible for K+ selectivity in KCRs are located at both ends of the putative cation conduction pathway, and their role has been confirmed by high-resolution KCR structures. Expression of KCRs in mouse neurons and human cardiomyocytes enabled optical inhibition of these cells’ electrical activity. In this minireview we briefly discuss major results of KCR research obtained during the last two years and suggest some directions of future research