Opera Medica et Physiologica

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Full-length research paper
Printed December 28, 2023;
Published ahead of print December 27, 2023; Printed December 28, 2023; OM&P 2023 Volume 10 Issue 4, pages 24-35; doi:10.24412/2500-2295-2023-4-24-35
Abstract Full Text

Colloidal solutions of cerium and selenium nanoparticles were synthesized using the laser ablation method in deionized water. The resulting nanoparticle samples had a monomodal size distribution. The studied nanoparticles at a concentration of 1011 NPs/ml inhibit the peroxidase activity of neutrophil myeloperoxidase by approximately 10–15%. At the same time, the average fluorescence intensity of neutrophils, which exhibit both CD11b and CD66b on their surface, increases, which is a sign of degranulation of specific and gelatinase granules, as well as secretory vesicles. The studied particles of cerium and selenium have the ability to initiate secretory degranulation of neutrophils in a dose-dependent manner. After the addition of cerium nanoparticles to neutrophils, an increase in the production of hydrogen peroxide by neutrophils was recorded. At the same time, the assembly of NADPH oxidase was probably activated in neutrophils after they absorbed the nanoparticles. It has been shown that cerium and selenium nanoparticles are capable of initiating the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps. In general, the data obtained suggest that cerium nanoparticles in the considered range of concentrations contribute to a more pronounced activation of neutrophils under in vitro conditions compared to selenium nanoparticles.


Full-length research paper
Printed December 28, 2023;
Published ahead of print December 27, 2023; Printed December 28, 2023; OM&P 2023 Volume 10 Issue 4, pages 13-23; doi:10.24412/2500-2295-2023-4-13-23
Abstract Full Text

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease of an unknown etiology and, according to recent studies, vitamin D, vitamin C, and uric acid may all play an important role in the pathophysiology of RA. This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the correlation between the levels of vitamin C and uric acid with vitamin D level in 110 patients with RA who were divided into three groups depending on their serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level. The results revealed that only 27.27% of our RA patients had sufficient serum 25(OH)D (≥ 30 ng/mL), whereas 72.73% of RA patients had deficient or insufficient vitamin D levels (< 30 ng/mL). In females, the percentage of those with vitamin D level < 30 ng/mL was higher (63.75%) than that in males (36.25%). According to different levels of vitamin D in RA patients’ groups, a significant decrease in the level of vitamin C (p = 0.0001) was observed while a non-significant difference was found in the level of serum uric acid (p = 0.527). Meanwhile, no significant correlations were observed (P > 0.05) between levels of vitamin C and uric acid with vitamin D level in patients with RA. On the other hand, a negative correlation between serum vitamin C level and uric acid level was found (P = 0.0001), which indicates RA patients suffered from vitamin C deficiency regardless of the level of vitamin D and they had hyperuricemia which had a negative correlation with vitamin C.


Full-length research paper
Printed December 28, 2023;
Published ahead of print December 27, 2023; Printed December 28, 2023; OM&P 2023 Volume 10 Issue 4, pages 5-12; doi:10.24412/2500-2295-2023-4-5-12
Abstract Full Text

Globally, chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB) infection causes chronic liver disease, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Furthermore, many CHB patients have comorbid medical problems and varying degrees of renal impairment. The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of CHI3L1 in diagnosing liver fibrosis in the studied cases and assess the clinical and physiological factors during disease cases. 90 blood samples were collected from patients in the Dialysis Unit at Tikrit Teaching Hospital, Yathrib township, Aldhuluiya city, Al-Shuhada Health Center in the period from September 1, 2022, to February 28, 2023. 60 of these samples were obtained from patients with chronic hepatitis B virus diagnosed by doctors and divided into two groups: group one: 30 chronic hepatitis B patients (19 males, 11 females) aged 20-67; group two: 30 chronic hepatitis B patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) (18 males, 12 females) aged 24-68. The control group consisted of 30 healthy individuals (19 males, 11 females) aged 20-55. Results indicated a substantial increase in CHI3L1 levels (174.41 ± 38.45a) in CHB patients compared to CKD patients (137.30 ± 37.8b) and controls (126.10 ± 30.0b) at P ≤ 0.05. A substantial rise in creatinine levels was observed in patients with chronic hepatitis B due to CKD (group 2) compared to CHB (group 1) and controls with a p-value ≤0.05. The mean ± SD of B.urea was 151.40 ± 24.2a in CKD patients (group 2), 31.26 ± 7.55b in CHB patients (group 1), and 27.54 ± 6.24b in controls (p-value ≤ 0.05). At p-value <0.05, CRP mean ± SD were 23.860 ± 4.220a in CKD patients (group 2), 4.040 ± 0.422b in CHB patients (group 1), and 4.200 ± 0.436b in controls. In chronic hepatitis B patients, CHI3L1 levels increase significantly. Chronic renal illness increases B.urea, creatinine, and CRP in chronic hepatitis B.


Full-length research paper
Printed September 28, 2023;
Published ahead of print September 27, 2023; Printed September 28, 2023; OM&P 2023 Volume 10 Issue 3, pages 167-173; doi:10.24412/2500-2295-2023-3-167-173
Abstract Full Text

Over the past 20 years, significant advances have been made in the understanding of cell and tissue culture in the fields of bioengineering, cell biology, and genetics; however, these achievements have largely focused on mammalian systems. In vitro studies on fish cells and tissues have been relatively limited, but the use of fish cell lines as in vitro models for environmental toxicology, particularly cytotoxicity analysis, has been significant. In addition, cultured cells have been used to study fish parasites and as in vitro models for screening immunostimulants. Skeletal muscle is the most important edible tissue in fish and rapid muscle growth determines the advantages of in vivo aquaculture. The generation of fish muscle cell lines can help to provide a reliable platform for deciphering the mechanism of fish skeletal muscle growth both in vivo and in vitro. In addition, cultured fish meat is a promising technology for animal protein-based foods and the concept of cell biomass meat from fish needs to be further developed. Our data demonstrated the feasibility of obtaining and culturing sterlet muscle cells in vitro. This study highlights the potential advantages of cell aquaculture over traditional fishing and aquaculture, and the potential applications of fish muscle cell lines in the study of fish skeletal muscle growth and the production of edible cultured fish meat products.


Full-length research paper
Printed September 28, 2023;
Published ahead of print September 27, 2023; Printed September 28, 2023; OM&P 2023 Volume 10 Issue 3, pages 152-166; doi:10.24412/2500-2295-2023-3-152-166
Abstract Full Text

This study evaluated the effect of different diets on the probiotic (lacto-, bifidobacteria) and opportunistic (yeast, Escherichia coli) intestinal microflora of CD1 mice. The high-fat diet contained 40% animal fat (lard) and the high-fiber diet contained 40% freeze-dried fiber. The intestinal microflora was determined by the standard method of seeding the contents of the intestine on selective culture media (MPС, Blaurock, Sabouraud, Endo). The results showed that on the 50th day of the experiment in the group of mice with a high fat content, the population of probiotic cultures of lacto- and bifidobacteria decreased, while the population of yeast and enterobacteria increased, compared with the starting point of the experiment and the control group of mice. The weight of mice in this group by the end of the experiment increased by 16%. In the group of mice with a high content of insoluble fiber, a decrease in the populations of probiotic cultures, yeasts and enterobacteria was observed. At the same time, the weight of mice increased by 13.6%. Thus, high fat intake in the diet entails possible disturbances in the intestinal microbiota, an increase in opportunistic microflora, which can lead to intestinal diseases. When using a large amount of insoluble fiber, on the contrary, it leads to a decrease in microflora in general. This is most likely due to a lack of nutrients and enough nutrients (proteins and fats) in the diet, which are still necessary for the microflora.


Full-length research paper
Printed September 28, 2023;
Published ahead of print September 27, 2023; Printed September 28, 2023; OM&P 2023 Volume 10 Issue 3, pages 140-151; doi:10.24412/2500-2295-2023-3-140-151
Abstract Full Text

Norovirus infection is a leading cause of non-bacterial acute gastroenteritis. This study aimed to analyze the antigenic properties of the VP1 protein of norovirus GII.4 Sydney [P16] circulating in Russia. The analysis was conducted using in silico methods. VP1 amino acid sequence data was used to identify T-helper and T-killer epitopes, linear and conformational B-cell epitopes to assess the conservation of epitopes, and allergenicity of VP1. T cell epitopes with the highest estimated immunogenicity were identified at positions 207-223 and 378-394 in the S- and P-domains of the protein. The tertiary structure of VP1 was modeled, and 2 linear and 47 conformational B-cell epitopes were identified. In addition to the previously described epitopes, a new putative B-cell epitope was identified at position 307-316 of the P2 subdomain. In silico analysis of the primary and tertiary structure of the norovirus VP1 protein showed that it is not allergenic and has various immunogenic epitopes, potentially capable of inducing T- and B-cell immune responses.


Full-length research paper
Printed September 28, 2023;
Published ahead of print September 27, 2023; Printed September 28, 2023; OM&P 2023 Volume 10 Issue 3, pages 133-139; doi:10.24412/2500-2295-2023-3-133-139
Abstract Full Text

The purpose of the study was to study the fronto-occipital organization of cerebral circulation during short-term mental stress, as well as to study the relationship between the spatial organization of cerebral circulation during mental stress and the effectiveness of behavior control. In this work, attention was paid to potential typological characteristic – fronto-occipital asymmetry of cerebral circulation. Known data suggest a relationship between changes in the spatial distribution of cerebral circulation and the productivity of mental activity and the effectiveness of behavior control. Using the method of rheoencephalography, 40 students (aged 19–23 years) studied the parameters of cerebral circulation during mental stress (GO/NOGO test). The stimulus material was presented on a monitor using the PsychoPy program. The number of errors was estimated. The rheoencephalogram was recorded using the “Reo-Spectrum” device. The spatial organization of pulse blood supply in the basin of the internal carotid and vertebral arteries in the initial state and during mental stress was assessed by the fronto-occipital gradient. With a short-term mental load, students showed an increase in both general and particular fronto-occipital gradients. A negative correlation was established between the increase in the right-diagonal fronto-occipital gradient (reactive control axis) in the first minute of the mental load and the number of errors in the GO/NOGO test. The prospects of using the fronto-occipital organization of cerebral circulation to predict the effectiveness of mental activity are discussed.


Full-length research paper
Printed September 28, 2023;
Published ahead of print September 27, 2023; Printed September 28, 2023; OM&P 2023 Volume 10 Issue 3, pages 118-129; doi:10.24412/2500-2295-2023-3-118-129
Abstract Full Text

Depression is a significant global medico-societal concern. The serotonin system plays a pivotal role in modulating responses to acute stress and is implicated in the development of depressive and anxiety disorders. Recent research has increasingly focused on the potentially beneficial impacts of activating previously less-studied 5-HT4R and 5-HT7R subtypes on cognitive functions in the context of anxiety and depression. Additionally, intercellular adhesion molecules have been associated with the structural remodeling of neurons related to stress and mood disorders, potentially establishing functional connections with serotonin receptors. Furthermore, it is established that the exogenous administration of the neurotrophic factor BDNF can ameliorate the functioning of serotonergic neurons in the brains of rodents. This study aimed to investigate the influence of exogenously administered BDNF on the expression of 5-HT4R, 5-HT7R, and CD44 during a depressive-like state induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) in C57Bl/6 mice. The findings demonstrated that intranasal BDNF administration at a dose of 0.4 μg/kg for seven days sustained normal sucrose preference levels in animals following 21 days of CUMS exposure. While BDNF treatment did not impact the CUMS-induced reduction in mRNA expression of 5-HT4R and 5-HT7R across examined brain regions (cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum), it did prevent the decrease in CD44 and TrkB receptor expression levels in the hippocampus. Additionally, it maintained BDNF expression levels in the cortex, although not in other brain regions. These results suggest that the application of BDNF in CUMS models has an antidepressant effect without directly affecting serotonin receptors, but probably by modulating 5-HT7R-CD44 interactions.


Invited review
Printed September 28, 2023;
Published ahead of print September 27, 2023; Printed September 28, 2023; OM&P 2023 Volume 10 Issue 3, pages 95-117; doi:10.24412/2500-2295-2023-3-95-117
Abstract Full Text

In 2010, the first scientific study was published on genome-wide data on ancient DNA belonging to a male of the Paleo-Eskimo culture, who lived about 4000 years ago. Since then, advances in DNA techniques have made it possible to sequence hundreds and thousands of ancient genomes. Today, 13 years later, scientists have obtained genome data from more than 10,000 ancient humans, and data accumulation continues at an exponential rate. The vast majority of the studied ancient genomes were obtained from various places in the territory of Eurasia, which is distinguished by the huge diversity of its genes, cultures, and languages. Here we give an overview of the migration, mixing and continuity of the human population across the territory of Eurasia, starting from the period of its settlement by modern people and ending with the most mobile period in the history of mankind - the Iron Age.


Full-length research paper
Printed September 28, 2023;
Published ahead of print September 27, 2023; Printed September 28, 2023; OM&P 2023 Volume 10 Issue 3, pages 83-94; doi:10.24412/2500-2295-2023-3-83-94
Abstract Full Text

Antisocial behavior (ASB) is a complex phenotype caused by the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. In past decades several genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and their meta-analyses identified up to 500 SNPs linked to externalizing pathology in Western Europeans. However, a question on their relevance to ASB in Eastern Europeans (i.e., Russians) remains open. Therefore, the present study aimed to replicate the effect of SNPs obtained from externalizing behavior GWAS meta-analysis on homicide behavior considering a possible modulating effect of social/lifestyle factors. We have selected top six SNPs (p < 10–21) from recent GWAS meta-analysis of ASB (Karlsson Linnér et al., 2021) including CADM2 rs993137, ZIC4 rs2279829, REV3L rs458806, XKR6 rs4240671, SORCS3 rs11596214, and BDNF rs6265. Subsequent genotyping was performed in the sample of homicide offenders (N = 227, 7% women) and corresponding control group (N = 254). A series of logistic regression (PLINK v.1.09) confirmed the association of REV3L rs458806 in the total sample (p = 0.044, OR = 1.346), while SORCS3 rs11596214, ZIC4 rs2279829, XKR6 rs4240671 demonstrated their association with criminal behavior in the subgroups including smoking, low-educated offenders, individuals with psychopathologies and conflicts in families. Our findings replicated the effect of REV3L, SORCS3, ZIC4, and XKR6 genetic variants on ASB in the Russian cohort under a moderating impact of social/lifestyle factors. However, the effect of social/lifestyle factors including sex, somatic diseases, and smoking on escalating antisocial behavior exceeded that of examined genetic variants.


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