ISSN Print 2500–1094    ISSN Online 2542–1204
BIOMEDICAL JOURNAL OF PIROGOV UNIVERSITY (MOSCOW, RUSSIA)

New articles

Investigation of the mechanisms underlying retinal photodamage occurring during vitreoretinal interventions is a topical issue of ophtalmology. The study aimed to assess the effect of endoillumination of varying intensity and duration on alteration of oxidative processes in rabbit blood. The experiment involved 16 rabbits, with their retinas exposed to endoillumination of different duration (30 and 60 min) and intensity (8 and 16 cd/m2). Blood samples were collected from the rabbits’ ear vein before and after light exposure. Whole blood and serum biochemiluminescence was measured in order to assess oxidative processes. The data were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U-test, and the results were considered significant at p ≤ 0.05. A 30-minute light exposure resulted in a significant increase in whole blood biochemiluminescence: 1.5-fold at the intensity of 8 cd/m2 and 2.5-fold at the intensity of 16 cd/m2 relative to control values (p < 0.05), indicating enhanced reactive oxygen species generation by blood cells. In contrast, a significant decrease in serum biochemiluminescence was revealed: 1.2-fold at the intensity of 8 cd/m2 and 2-fold at the intensity of 16 cd/m2 compared to control (p < 0.05) , which likely indicates a compensatory increase in antioxidant activity in response to hyperactivation of free radical processes. With the 60-minute exposure, the changes in biochemiluminescence were more pronounced: 3- and 7-fold increase in whole blood biochemiluminescence and 2- and 3-fold decrease in serum biochemiluminescence, respectively. Thus, intense light exposure resulted in the oxidative process alterations determined by the intensity and duration of exposure.
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Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent malignant neoplasms that occupies the leading position in terms of cancer mortality. The main problem of CRC is that the disease is diagnosed at the advanced stages (about 50% of cases identified are stage III and IV CRC), which results in high mortality. Dysbiotic gut microbiota alterations represent one of the key risk factors of CRC. Three hypotheses of CRC emergence were formulated in order to explain the relationship between dysbiosis and carcinogenesis: “alpha-bug”, keystone pathogen, and driver–passenger hypotheses. The driver–passenger model is the most promising, it divides bacteria into “drivers” of cancer triggering inflammation and cell damage and the passenger bacteria modeling tumor microenvironment, accelerating tumor growth, and exacerbating dysbiosis. Drivers and passengers can be markers of various carcinogenesis stages. Colonoscopy involving examination of the surface of the rectum and colon is the most effective method to detect CRC, including the early stage disease. However, the wide use of this procedure is limited by the fact that it is associated with discomfort for patients and the risk of possible sequelae. Non-invasive microbiota assessment based on the driver–passenger model can become a safe and affordable alternative to the invasive diagnostics during preventive screening, since it makes it possible to improve survival rate due to involvement of a larger number of patients.
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Human MxA protein induced by type I and III interferons is an important innate immunity mediator, it shows antiviral activity against a broad spectrum of RNA and DNA viruses. According to the latest data, the MxA protein overexpression increases chemotherapy sensitivity and represents one of the favorable prognostic factors in patients with breast cancer. The exogenous mRNA capable of intracellular MxA protein production not only has the potential for treatment of viral respiratory infection, but also can become an important fundamental research tool. The study aimed to construct and produce the exogenous mRNA encoding the functional human cytoplasmic MxA protein by in vitro transcription (IVT); to study its translational properties; to assess and identify the patterns of the expression of some interferon system genes in response to introduction of this exogenous mRNA into cells. As a result of the study, the exogenous mRNAs capable of effective translation (up to 20 ng/mL of protein from 100 ng of mRNA per well of the 96-well plate) in the eukaryotic cell systems were successfully constructed and produced by IVT (in the amount of up to 200 µg); diffuse distribution of the MxA protein in the MDCK cells was confirmed; significant changes in the expression of the interferon-stimulated genes, such as OAS1, PKR (EIF2AK2), MDA5, RIG-I, were revealed. Our further research will be focused on assessing the developed exogenous mRNAs’ therapeutic potential against influenza A and B viruses, respiratory syncytial virus, and coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.
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Popular articles

The lens (lens cristalina) is part of the light conducting and light refracting system of the eye. Transparency and light refraction are the main properties of the lens. Nutrients are supplied to the lens through the capsule by diffusion and active transport. The energy needs of the avascular epithelial structure are 10–20 lower compared to that of other organs and tissues. Such needs are satisfied through anaerobic glycolysis. Currently, there is insufficient information about the fundamental chemical mechanism underlying the existence of the lens in the healthy body, the mechanisms of its functional “survival” against the background of somatic disorder, such as diabetes. The paper reports the authors’ view of certain chemical aspects clarifying pathochemical alterations of the lens with the possible mechanisms underlying its “adaptation”/”protection” associated with the systemic disorder at the molecular level. In particular, the view of the involvement of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase/ transketolase, the enzymes of the oxidative and non-oxidative phases of the pentose phosphate pathway belonging to the native crystalline fraction protein family, in the mechanisms underlying protection of the lens against the oxidative and osmotic stress, involvement of aldo-keto reductases in pathochemical alterations of the lens, as well as the role the NO, NO3-, B6, PQQ small molecules having an antioxidant cytoprotective effect is reported.
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Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of connective tissue and damage to various organs, including joints, skin, kidneys and heart. The disease has a significant gender predisposition and is more common in women. The pathogenesis of SLE is based on a violation of immunological tolerance, accompanied by activation of B lymphocytes and the production of autoantibodies. Recent advances in basic research have significantly deepened the understanding of the immunopathogenetic mechanisms of SLE, which justifies the use of new pharmacotherapeutic approaches. These approaches involve the use of biological drugs aimed at blocking the activity of type I interferon (IFN) or its receptors. The article discusses the molecular mechanisms of activation of the interferon response in SLE, modern methods for diagnosing the interferon signature, and new approaches to treatment aimed at blocking the interferon pathway. The possible role of the interferon signature in the stratification of SLE patients is also discussed. Such stratification will make it possible to more effective select treatment regimens taking into account the individual characteristics of the immune response of each patient. This may increase the effectiveness of treatment, reduce the likelihood of side effects and improve the prognosis for patients with SLE.
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Dear researcher!
At the end of 2015, Bulletin of RSMU saw an important change in its typographic design and content. We formulated new editorial policies and established strict ethical standards for submitted manuscripts in accordance with the guidelines of reputable international bodies. As a result, about a quarter of the submitted works have been rejected, the primary reason being the author trying to submit a previously published article. Sometimes authors believe that by making slight changes to the introduction, excluding a few people from the study, performing a new statistical analysis, and thus obtaining totally new results they will turn their old manuscript into a novel work. That is why we would like to talk about scientific integrity, honesty, plagiarism, and self-plagiarism in our special project “Author’s work”.
Richard FEYNMAN Cargo cult science
American physicist Richard P. Feynman, a Nobel laureate, was always very scrupulous about the quality of a research study. During his commencement address at the California Institute of Technology in 1974, he talked about scientific integrity and honesty and warned young researchers “not to fool” themselves. A must-read for anyone who believes he/she is a true scientist.
Ivan PAVLOV On the Russian mind
In 1918, Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov, a Nobel laureate, delivered two lectures: on the mind in general and the Russian mind in particular; on those mind qualities that determine the success of a research work and on how these qualities are present in the Russian mind. Pavlov's thoughts are an effective vaccine against poor intellectual work.