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Asthma is a common chronic multifactorial respiratory disease. Genes involved in the metabolism of drugs used for asthma management play an important role in asthma development. The aim of the study was to analyze the methylation of the promoter regions of AOC1, GLCCI1 and ARG2 genes involved in the metabolism of drugs used for asthma treatment in asthma patients and controls from the Republic of Bashkortostan. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples of 157 asthma patients and 155 control subjects. Methylation-Sensitive High Resolution Melting analysis and sequencing of bisulfite-treated genomic DNA were applied to estimate the degree of methylation. Analysis of the methylation status of promoter region of the AOC1 gene revealed a higher frequency of full methylation (100%) of the studied region in patients with severe and moderate asthma than in controls (38.61%; p=0.002; OR=2.58; 95%CI 1.4-4.75). A significantly higher level of promoter methylation of the GLCCI1 gene was found in patients with severe and moderate asthma compared to control group (p=0.01; OR=3.1; 95%CI 1.22-7.88). A low level of promoter methylation of the ARG2 gene was determined in both analyzed groups of patients and controls. The results of MS-HRM analysis were confirmed by bisulfite sequencing of analyzed samples. Thus, this study revealed differences in the level of methylation of promoter regions of AOC1 and GLCCI1 genes between samples of asthma patients and controls. The results of the study expand general understanding of the possible contribution of DNA methylation to asthma development.

The liver is a vital organ involved in a wide range of processes such as detoxification, protein synthesis, metabolism, and hormone production. Liver diseases, both inherited and viral hepatitis, liver cancer and fatty degeneration are among the leading causes of death in the world. Recent advances in 3D cell culture technology include the use of pluripotent stem cells and adult stem cells that are cultured in vitro to form self-organizing systems. Organoids are self-organizing multicellular structures that reproduce the structure and function of organs and can be used to model the development, maintenance and repair of organs ex vivo. That is why the search for new methods for the formation of hepatic organoids seen as an urgent task. For the fabrication of 3D organoids we isolated hepatic duct cells from rat liver. The obtained cellular structures were analyzed using atomic force microscopy to estimate their mechanical properties and demonstrated increasing of Young Modulus in comparison with normal liver sections. Morphometric evaluation showed that extracellular matrix fibers occupy up to 60% of the organoid, while cell agglomerations up to 40% of it. We observed the spontaneously formed fibrotic liver tissue-like constructs within 21 days. So, obtained hepatic organoids characterized by a tissue-like structure with a predominance of extracellular matrix fibers in its composition similar to liver tissue affected by fibrosis. 

During cardiac surgery, as well as on-pump CABG, it is crucial to monitor arterial blood parameters in order to assess the condition of patients and risks that might occur in the operating room. In some cases, the cardiac activity of patients undergoing on-pump CABG cannot be self-restored and resuscitation measures are required. Thus, the aim of the study was to analyze the differences between the two groups of patients (self-restoration of cardiac activity vs additional resuscitation measures were required) and identify arterial blood parameters potentially indicating that the patient is at risk. The data of 21 patients were analyzed with Python packages. Statistically significant differences were found between the control group (self-restoration of cardiac activity) and the test group (additional resuscitation measures were required) in the following arterial blood parameters: the levels of sodium, chloride, glucose and blood osmolality. We believe that hyponatremia and blood hypoosmolality might be a reason for cell edema which creates a greater load on the heart and leads to inability of self-restoration of cardiac activity.

The effect of molecular hydrogen (H₂) on the functional state of spermatozoa through signaling pathways was studied. In the work, drugs that affect elements of intracellular signaling cascades were used to study the mechanisms of action of H₂. We used the adenylatecyclase stimulator – forskolin, the Ca²⁺-channel blocker – verapamil, and the proteinkinase C inhibitor – staurosporine. We studied concentrations of MDA, ATP, the percentage of total motility and the average speed of spermatozoa under the action of H₂ against the background of the action of drugs and without the action of drugs. It was shown that the concentration of MDA in all series did not change. Forskolin causes an increase in sperm motility and velocity. The use of H₂ increased the effects stimulated by forskolin: sperm motility and average velocity increased. The concentration of ATP, the percentage of motility and the velocity of sperm decreased under the action of staurosporine and verapamil. The combined action of H₂ and verapamil as well as the combined action of H₂ and staurosporine determined an increase in sperm motility and velocity. Thus, H₂ had a modulating effect through signaling pathways and caused an increase in the functional indices of sperm.