[Effects of smoking and alcohol consumptionon reproductive and metabolic indicators in young men in western siberia]

INTRODUCTION

Smoking and alcohol consumption remain widespread throughout the world, including Russia. Recently, due to the increase in male infertility and subfertility, special attention has been paid to the effects of smoking and alcohol on the reproductive health of young men. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of smoking and moderate alcohol consumption on spermatogenesis, reproductive hormone levels and metabolic status in young men living in Western Siberia (Novosibirsk).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred thirty-three volunteers (mean age 21.1+/-0.3 years) were tested for the sperm concentration, the proportion of mobile and morphologically normal spermatozoa in the ejaculate, blood serum levels of follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones, prolactin, testosterone, estradiol, inhibin B, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose and uric acid.

RESULTS

and conclusions The studied lifestyle factors were found to have no effects on spermatogenesis. Smoking more than 10 cigarettes per day and a moderate frequency of alcohol consumption (up to 1 time per week) was associated with higher blood serum testosterone levels and engaging in more frequent sexual contacts compared to non-smoking and non-drinking men. Drinking alcohol more than once a week and smoking more than 8 cigarettes per day was associated, along with the increase in testosterone levels and the frequency of sexual contacts, with lower levels of follicle-stimulating hormone and higher serum triglyceride levels. Thus, in young men, frequent drinking and smoking can alter the hormonal and metabolic balance, which, as the duration of the exposure and the strength of the factors increase, will increase the risk of reproductive disorders.

Structure and Gene Cluster of the K93 Capsular Polysaccharide of Acinetobacter baumannii B11911 Containing 5-N-Acetyl-7-N-[(R)-3-hydroxybutanoyl]pseudaminic Acid

Capsular polysaccharide (CPS) assigned to the K93 type was isolated from the bacterium Acinetobacter baumannii B11911 and studied by sugar analysis along with one- and two-dimensional ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The CPS was found to contain a derivative of pseudaminic acid, and the structure of the branched tetrasaccharide repeating unit was established. Genes in the KL93 capsule biosynthesis locus were annotated and found to be consistent with the CPS structure established. The K93 CPS has the α-d-Galp-(1→6)-β-d-Galp-(1→3)-d-GalpNAc trisaccharide fragment in common with the K14 CPS of Acinetobacter nosocomialis LUH 5541 and A. baumannii D46. It also shares the β-d-Galp-(1→3)-d-GalpNAc disaccharide fragment and the corresponding predicted Gal transferase Gtr5, as well as the initiating GalNAc-1-P transferase ItrA2, with a number of A. baumannii strains.

Effects of flavonol glycosides on liposome stability during freezing and drying

Flavonoids are a large and diverse group of plant secondary metabolites that are mainly present as glycosides. They are often accumulated in response to abiotic stresses such as UV radiation, drought, cold and freezing. The most extensively studied function of flavonoids is their antioxidant activity although their importance as antioxidants in plants has been questioned. We therefore aim to study effects of flavonols on cellular stress tolerance that are independent of their antioxidant function. Here we investigate the effects of the glycosylated flavonols kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, kaempferol-7-O-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-glucoside and quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside on liposome stability after freezing and drying. Insertion of flavonols in lipid bilayers destabilized egg phosphatidylcholine (EPC) liposomes and to a lesser extent vesicles made from equal proportions of EPC and egg phosphatidylethanolamine (EPE) during a freeze-thaw cycle, while liposomes containing the unsaturated non-bilayer lipid 18:2 PE were either unaffected or slightly stabilized. In general, the kaempferol derivatives were more destabilizing for liposomes during freezing than the quercetin derivatives. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that all flavonols were localized in the interfacial region of the lipid bilayers, forming H-bonds with the lipid phosphate and carbonyl groups. The phase transition temperature of dry 16:0/18:1 PC (POPC) and POPC/EPE liposomes was decreased by 75°C and 55°C, respectively. Changes in the vibration bands attributed to the phenolic ring structures of the flavonols in the presence of liposomes provided further evidence of interactions of these molecules in particular with the interfacial region of the bilayers.

Tomato plants acclimate better to elevated temperature and high light than to treatment with each factor separately

The influence of two factors - high temperature and high light intensity, acting separately or simultaneously on the pigment composition, fluorescent characteristics, membrane integrity and synthesis of protective substances was investigated in tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum cv. M 82). Moderate elevated temperatures (38/29 °C) were applied under optimum or high light intensity for 2 and 6 days and after that the plants are allowed to recover for 5 days at optimum conditions. Parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence were used to evaluate the alterations of photosystem I and photosystem II activity and malondialdehyde content was determined as a measure of stress-induced peroxidation of membrane lipids. The response of treated plants to high light and elevated temperature was estimated by analyzing the accumulation of anthocyanins. Both stress factors exhibit different impact on studied parameters - high light intensity influences considerably quantum yield of photosystem II and photochemical quenching that is compensated to some extent when applied at elevated temperature. High temperature reduces strongly non-photochemical quenching. Data obtained show that after two days under particular conditions, the plants tend to acclimate, but this is achieved after longer treatment - 6 days. During the recovery period the activity of photosystem I and the quantum yield of photosystem II recover almost completely, while the values of non-photochemical quenching although slightly higher, did not reach the levels at the beginning of treatment.

The Lack of Lutein Accelerates the Extent of Light-induced Bleaching of Photosynthetic Pigments in Thylakoid Membranes of Arabidopsis thaliana

The high light-induced bleaching of photosynthetic pigments and the degradation of proteins of light-harvesting complexes of PSI and PSII were investigated in isolated thylakoid membranes of Arabidopsis thaliana, wt and lutein-deficient mutant lut2, with the aim of unraveling the role of lutein for the degree of bleaching and degradation. By the means of absorption spectroscopy and western blot analysis, we show that the lack of lutein leads to a higher extent of pigment photobleaching and protein degradation in mutant thylakoid membranes in comparison with wt. The highest extent of bleaching is suffered by chlorophyll a and carotenoids, while chlorophyll b is bleached in lut2 thylakoids during long periods at high illumination. The high light-induced degradation of Lhca1, Lhcb2 proteins and PsbS was followed and it is shown that Lhca1 is more damaged than Lhcb2. The degradation of analyzed proteins is more pronounced in lut2 mutant thylakoid membranes. The lack of lutein influences the high light-induced alterations in organization of pigment-protein complexes as revealed by 77 K fluorescence.

[EMG functional changes in masticatory muscles by elastopositioner use in patients with TMJ dysfunction]

The analysis of the results of EMG studies in patients with TMJ dysfunction was carried out before and after use of elastpositioner "Corrector". The study revealed significant functional disturbances of the masticatory muscles, which were corrected after applying elastpositioner: there was a trend to decreased activity of masseter and temporal muscles, especially in the stagе of rest.

A small-scale experiment of using phage-based probiotic dietary supplement for prevention of E. coli traveler's diarrhea

Traveler's diarrhea (TD) is caused by Escherichia coli in 30% of cases. We have developed a phage cocktail for prophylaxis of TD caused by E.coli, Shigella flexneri, Shigella sonnei, Salmonella enterica, Listeria monocytogenes or Staphylococcus aureus, and investigated its effectiveness against infection caused by the non-pathogenic Lac (-) strain of E.coli K12 C600 in animal and human trials. On the 6th day of both animal and human trials E. coli K12 C600 strain was detected in titer of 10⁴ CFU/g of mice feces and 10⁶ CFU/g of human feces in the control (untreated) groups, while it was not detected in the samples of either of the study (phage-treated) groups. These results have great significance because the original coliphages included in the cocktail have a broad host-range including ETEC, EAEC and EHEC strains which cause severe cases of TD.

The intrinsically disordered protein LEA7 from Arabidopsis thaliana protects the isolated enzyme lactate dehydrogenase and enzymes in a soluble leaf proteome during freezing and drying

The accumulation of Late Embryogenesis Abundant (LEA) proteins in plants is associated with tolerance against stresses such as freezing and desiccation. Two main functions have been attributed to LEA proteins: membrane stabilization and enzyme protection. We have hypothesized previously that LEA7 from Arabidopsis thaliana may stabilize membranes because it interacts with liposomes in the dry state. Here we show that LEA7, contrary to this expectation, did not stabilize liposomes during drying and rehydration. Instead, it partially preserved the activity of the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) during drying and freezing. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy showed no evidence of aggregation of LDH in the dry or rehydrated state under conditions that lead to complete loss of activity. To approximate the complex influence of intracellular conditions on the protective effects of a LEA protein in a convenient in-vitro assay, we measured the activity of two Arabidopsis enzymes (glucose-6-P dehydrogenase and ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase) in total soluble leaf protein extract (Arabidopsis soluble proteome, ASP) after drying and rehydration or freezing and thawing. LEA7 partially preserved the activity of both enzymes under these conditions, suggesting its role as an enzyme protectant in vivo. Further FTIR analyses indicated the partial reversibility of protein aggregation in the dry ASP during rehydration. Similarly, aggregation in the dry ASP was strongly reduced by LEA7. In addition, mixtures of LEA7 with sucrose or verbascose reduced aggregation more than the single additives, presumably through the effects of the protein on the H-bonding network of the sugar glasses.

[Early orthodontic treatment of children with dentofacial anomalies in the mixed dentition with the use of fixed appliances]

The article summarizes the authors experience in the treatment of patients with dentofacial anomalies in mixed dentition with fixed orthodontic appliances ("system 2×4") and combined treatment type with the use of extraoral device. Indications and contraindications, advantages and disadvantages, special conditions of the treatment, the mechanism of a face-bow action with extraoral traction, the sequence of events during the treatment are described in the article. Clinical cases of early treatment with "system 2×4" and in combination with the face-bow and extraoral traction demonstrate the effectiveness of the methods.

[The effect of orthodontic treatment on the change of oropharynx features in patients with dentoalveolar anomalies and nasopharyngeal tonsil hypertrophy]

The paper presents the results of comprehensive survey and orthodontic treatment of 40 children with dentoalveolar anomalies and nasopharyngeal tonsil hypertrophy aged 7-9 years. The linear parameters obtained by cone beam CT and TWH in the lateral projection were analyzed. The study revealed changes, indicating that the presence of nasopharyngeal tonsil hypertrophy, leads to pathology of the dental system and estimated the efficiency of muscle training and combined use of functional devices and elastopositioner «Corrector» for the treatment of anomalies of dentition and the formation of physiological occlusion in the process of permanent teeth eruption.

[Use of elastopositioner for treatment of masticator muscles discoordination in patients with TMJ dysfunction]

The paper presents the analysis of functional changes in patients with TMJ-dysfunction before and after the use of elastopositioner. Analysis has shown that at the initial stages the device provide relief from pain and masticatory muscles hypertension, reduced the bioelectric activity of the muscles. Normalization of the lower jaw movements when opening and closing the mouth and reduction of noise events in TMJ were also noted.

[The role of occlusal disorders in development of temporomandibular joint dysfunction]

Currently Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction is a very highly discussed topic by both researchers and clinicians. the incidence of the of TMJ is dysfunctions still not very well established because of heterogeneity of the diagnostic criteria used by different authors. This article is dedicated to the analysis of basic theories of the etiology of the aforementioned pathology, including overview of main pathophysiological mechanisms of the TMJ, dysfunctions occlusive disorders in particular. The main problem being analyzed is the use and efficacy of the electronic axiography in successful diagnostic and therapy of the TMJ dysfunction.

[Effect of mouth breathing on the severity of morphological and functional changes of dental system in patients with otolaryngologic pathology]

The study included 282 patients aged 5 to 14 years with pathology of the pharyngeal tonsil. Diagnostic algorithm is presented. The study results allowed elaboration of complex rehabilitation of nasal breathing and miodynamic equilibrium in the maxillofacial region by means of elastopositioner.

Interactions of the amphiphiles arbutin and tryptophan with phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine bilayers in the dry state

BACKGROUND

Water is essential for life, but some organisms can survive complete desiccation, while many more survive partial dehydration during drying or freezing. The function of some protective molecules, such as sugars, has been extensively studied, but much less is known about the effects of amphiphiles such as flavonoids and other aromatic compounds. Amphiphiles may be largely soluble under fully hydrated conditions, but will partition into membranes upon removal of water. Little is known about the effects of amphiphiles on membrane stability and how amphiphile structure and function are related. Here, we have used two of the most intensively studied amphiphiles, tryptophan (Trp) and arbutin (Arb), along with their isolated hydrophilic moieties glycine (Gly) and glucose (Glc) to better understand structure-function relationships in amphiphile-membrane interactions in the dry state.

RESULTS

Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to measure gel-to-liquid crystalline phase transition temperatures (Tm) of liposomes formed from phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine in the presence of the different additives. In anhydrous samples, both Glc and Arb strongly depressed Tm, independent of lipid composition, while Gly had no measurable effect. Trp, on the other hand, either depressed or increased Tm, depending on lipid composition. We found no evidence for strong interactions of any of the compounds with the lipid carbonyl or choline groups, while all additives except Gly seemed to interact with the phosphate groups. In the case of Arb and Glc, this also had a strong effect on the sugar OH vibrations in the FTIR spectra. In addition, vibrations from the hydrophobic indole and phenol moieties of Trp and Arb, respectively, provided evidence for interactions with the lipid bilayers.

CONCLUSIONS

The two amphiphiles Arb and Trp interact differently with dry bilayers. The interactions of Arb are dominated by contributions of the Glc moiety, while the indole governs the effects of Trp. In addition, only Trp-membrane interactions showed a strong influence of lipid composition. Further investigations, using the large structural diversity of plant amphiphiles will help to understand how their structure determines the interaction with membranes and how that influences their biological functions, for example under freezing or dehydration conditions.

[Adaptive dentoalveolar changes by insufficient sizes of the jaws]

The study is based on analysis of 1800 CT scans performed in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment in Samara dental clinic "Orthodont" from 2007 to 2012. Various adaptive dentoalveolar changes by insufficient sizes of the jaws were identified and classified in 4 groups: (1) adaptation of teeth position associated with jaw size insufficiency; (2) adaptation of alveolar bone associated with jaw size insufficiency; (3) adaptation of teeth position associated with muscle balance; (4) adaptation of teeth associated with space deficiency by their development. Hence adaptive changes involve all dentoalveolar structures influencing orthodontic treatment planning. Some of the changes may not be corrected.

[Specific clinical and functional features in the patients presenting with neurologic manifestations of deforming dorsopathies and concomitant osteoarthrosis]

The present study has revealed some specific clinical and functional features in the patients presenting with neurologic manifestations of deforming dorsopathies and concomitant osteoarthrosis. The negative influence of the latter condition on the pain intensity, microcirculation, and duration of the exacerbation of neurologic syndrome has been demonstrated based on the analysis of correlational relationships between the severity of referred projectional nerve root pain and articular pain syndrome. Special emphasis is laid on the interrelation between the duration of pain syndrome and characteristics of microcirculation.

[Molecular characterization of the multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii strains and assessment of their sensitivity to the phage AP22]

The molecular analysis of 130 multidrug-resistant nosocomial Acinetobacter baumannii strains was performed. The strains were obtained from patients admitted to different Russian hospitals (Chelyabinsk, Moscow, Nizhni Novgorod, and St. Petersburg) in 2005-2010. Species identification was performed using the amplified 16S rRNA gene restriction analysis and by determining intrinsic for A. baumannii blaQXA-51-like genes using PCR. The genetic typing of the strains was performed by RAPD-PCR. All strains fell into two clusters: A and B with dominant RAPD-groups A1 and B1, respectively, including 82% (107 of 130) of all studied strains. The susceptibility to the bacteriophage AP22 of the strains was determined. The phage was found to infect specifically and to constitute 69% of 130 strains and 82% (88 of 107) of the A. baumannii strains from the dominant RAPD groups. The ability of the bacteriophage AP22 to constitute a broad range of the clinically relevant A. baumannii strains makes it an attractive candidate for designing the phage cocktails intended to control the A. baumannii-associated nosocomial infections. Moreover, the phage can be used for the identification of A. baumannii in bacteriological analysis of clinical materials.

Influence of drying on the secondary structure of intrinsically disordered and globular proteins

Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy of five Arabidopsis late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins constituting the plant specific families LEA_5 and LEA_6 showed that they are intrinsically disordered in solution and partially fold during drying. Structural predictions were comparable to these results for hydrated LEA_6, but not for LEA_5 proteins. FTIR spectroscopy showed that verbascose, but not sucrose, strongly affected the structure of the dry proteins. The four investigated globular proteins were only mildly affected by drying in the absence, but strongly in the presence of sugars. These data highlight the larger structural flexibility of disordered compared to globular proteins and the impact of sugars on the structure of both disordered and globular proteins during drying.

Thermotropic phase behavior and headgroup interactions of the nonbilayer lipids phosphatidylethanolamine and monogalactosyldiacylglycerol in the dry state

BACKGROUND

Although biological membranes are organized as lipid bilayers, they contain a substantial fraction of lipids that have a strong tendency to adopt a nonlamellar, most often inverted hexagonal (HII) phase. The polymorphic phase behavior of such nonbilayer lipids has been studied previously with a variety of methods in the fully hydrated state or at different degrees of dehydration. Here, we present a study of the thermotropic phase behavior of the nonbilayer lipids egg phosphatidylethanolamine (EPE) and monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) with a focus on interactions between the lipid molecules in the interfacial and headgroup regions.

RESULTS

Liposomes were investigated in the dry state by Fourier-transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Dry EPE showed a gel to liquid-crystalline phase transition below 0°C and a liquid-crystalline to HII transition at 100°C. MGDG, on the other hand, was in the liquid-crystalline phase down to -30°C and showed a nonbilayer transition at about 85°C. Mixtures (1:1 by mass) with two different phosphatidylcholines (PC) formed bilayers with no evidence for nonbilayer transitions up to 120°C. FTIR spectroscopy revealed complex interactions between the nonbilayer lipids and PC. Strong H-bonding interactions occurred between the sugar headgroup of MGDG and the phosphate, carbonyl and choline groups of PC. Similarly, the ethanolamine moiety of EPE was H-bonded to the carbonyl and choline groups of PC and probably interacted through charge pairing with the phosphate group.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides a comprehensive characterization of dry membranes containing the two most important nonbilayer lipids (PE and MGDG) in living cells. These data will be of particular relevance for the analysis of interactions between membranes and low molecular weight solutes or soluble proteins that are presumably involved in cellular protection during anhydrobiosis.

Structural transitions in the intrinsically disordered plant dehydration stress protein LEA7 upon drying are modulated by the presence of membranes

Dehydration stress-related late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins have been found in plants, invertebrates and bacteria. Most LEA proteins are unstructured in solution, but some fold into amphipathic α-helices during drying. The Pfam LEA_4 (Group 3) protein LEA7 from the higher plant Arabidopsis thaliana was predicted to be 87% α-helical, while CD spectroscopy showed it to be largely unstructured in solution and only 35% α-helical in the dry state. However, the dry protein contained 15% β-sheets. FTIR spectroscopy revealed the β-sheets to be largely due to aggregation. β-Sheet content was reduced and α-helix content increased when LEA7 was dried in the presence of liposomes with secondary structure apparently influenced by lipid composition. Secondary structure was also affected by the presence of membranes in the fully hydrated state. A temperature-induced increase in the flexibility of the dry protein was also only observed in the presence of membranes. Functional interactions of LEA7 with membranes in the dry state were indicated by its influence on the thermotropic phase transitions of the lipids and interactions with the lipid headgroup phosphates.

[Combined physiotherapy of patients with dorsopathies and concomitant osteoarthrosis]

The combined treatment of patients presenting with dorsopathies and concomitant osteoarthrosis using magnetic stimulation, ultrasonic and peloidotherapy was shown to promote the recovery of the locomotor function of the vertebral column and the affected limb joints, alleviate pain sensation, and exert anti-inflammatory effect. Moreover, it contributed to the improvement of the overall orthopedic situation in the region. The inclusion of vibrotraction in the combined treatment of patients presenting with dorsopathies and concomitant osteoarthrosis resulted in a marked decrease of the severity of static and dynamic disturbances of the spine, increase in the activity of spinal muscles, extension of the range of locomotor movements, and improvement of working ability of the patients.

Interaction of two intrinsically disordered plant stress proteins (COR15A and COR15B) with lipid membranes in the dry state

COR15A and COR15B form a tandem repeat of highly homologous genes in Arabidopsis thaliana. Both genes are highly cold induced and the encoded proteins belong to the Pfam LEA_4 group (group 3) of the late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins. Both proteins were predicted to be intrinsically disordered in solution. Only COR15A has previously been characterized and it was shown to be localized in the soluble stroma fraction of chloroplasts. Ectopic expression of COR15A in Arabidopsis resulted in increased freezing tolerance of both chloroplasts after freezing and thawing of intact leaves and of isolated protoplasts frozen and thawed in vitro. In the present study we have generated recombinant mature COR15A and COR15B for a comparative study of their structure and possible function as membrane protectants. CD spectroscopy showed that both proteins are predominantly unstructured in solution and mainly alpha-helical after drying. Both proteins showed similar effects on the thermotropic phase behavior of dry liposomes. A decrease in the gel to liquid-crystalline phase transition temperature depended on both the unsaturation of the fatty acyl chains and lipid headgroup structure. FTIR spectroscopy indicated no strong interactions between the proteins and the lipid phosphate and carbonyl groups, but significant interactions with the galactose headgroup of the chloroplast lipid monogalactosyldiacylglycerol. These findings were rationalized by modeling the secondary structure of COR15A and COR15B. Helical wheel projection indicated the presence of amphipathic alpha-helices in both proteins. The helices lacked a clear separation of positive and negative charges on the hydrophilic face, but contained several hydroxylated amino acids.

[Biodegradable polymer microparticles with entraped herbal extracts: preparation with supercritical carbon dioxide and use for tissue repair]

Biodegradable microparticles based on poly-D,L-lactide with entrapped mixture of herbal water-soluble extracts of Plantago major and Calendula officinalis were prepared. For preparation of these microparticles the previously developed method based on the usage of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) was proposed. Microparticles were obtained by two techniques: 1) by preparing porous polymer monolith containing entrapped mixture of herbal extracts, which was then reduced to fine microparticles (ca. 0.1 mm) by dry ice grinding (called here as "monolithisation technique") and 2) by spraying of this polymer/extracts mixture through a jet (spray technique). In vitro release kinetic profile of herbal extract mixture was found to depend on the microparticle preparation technique, on the microparticle structure as well as on the initial ratio polymer/extracts (w/w). The microparticles were used for gastric ulcer treatment in a rat model. The extracts released from microparticles were found to accelerate tissue repair.

Functional divergence of former alleles in an ancient asexual invertebrate

Theory suggests it should be difficult for asexual organisms to adapt to a changing environment because genetic diversity can only arise from mutations accumulating within direct antecedents and not through sexual exchange. In an asexual microinvertebrate, the bdelloid rotifer, we have observed a mechanism by which such organisms could acquire the diversity needed for adaptation. Gene copies most likely representing former alleles have diverged in function so that the proteins they encode play complementary roles in survival of dry conditions. One protein prevents desiccation-sensitive enzymes from aggregating during drying, whereas its counterpart does not have this activity, but is able to associate with phospholipid bilayers and is potentially involved in maintenance of membrane integrity. The functional divergence of former alleles observed here suggests that adoption of asexual reproduction could itself be an evolutionary mechanism for the generation of diversity.