Volume 9, Nº 2 (2019)

Abstract—The effects of space radiation on the central nervous system, which are the most relevant to the assessment of radiation risk in interplanetary flights, can only be addressed in model ground-based experiments on animals. The article substantiates the methodology and presents the results of such experiments: long-term exposure to radiation was simulated using fractionated gamma irradiation of animals combined with exposure to hypogravity (antiorthostatic suspension of rats), and the specific effects of irradiation with ¹²C carbon ions and protons were simulated in accelerator experiments. Exposure to ¹²C ions has been shown to evoke significant changes in the brain monoamine metabolism, with the prefrontal cortex, the nucleus accumbens, and the hippocampus characterized as the most sensitive structures. However, the effects of exposure to high-energy protons in similar doses were almost similar to the effects of gamma radiation and could be characterized as minor.

Abstract—The results of recent phylogenetic studies of the main groups of squamate reptiles are summarized. The contributions of various methodological approaches to modern patterns in the analysis of these vertebrates, including the positions of different groups on the phylogenetic tree of reptiles, are considered. Modern patterns in the integrated analysis of the structure of phylogenetic and taxonomic diversity and ecogeographical patterns in its formation are discussed.

Abstract—Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is a heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative disorders predominantly characterized by damage to the pyramidal tract. The major, single symptom of HSP is progressive weakness and spasticity of lower extremities, which ultimately leads to difficulties in walking. HSP has various types of inheritance and clinical characteristics. The development of molecular genetics and the emergence of high-throughput sequencing techniques, such as New Generation Sequencing (NGS) in particular, revealed a pronounced genetic heterogeneity of HSP. Currently, about 80 genetic loci for HSP are designated as spastic paraplegia genes (SPGs) (with numbering according to the mapping history), and the vast majority of causative genes within loci have been identified. The most frequent autosomal dominant forms of HSP are SPG4 and SPG3; SPG11, SPG15, SPG7 are common autosomal recessive HSPs. The mechanisms of HSP molecular pathogenesis are variable and encompassing defects of neuronal membrane transport and the disturbance of myelination processes, lipid metabolism, mitochondrial dysfunctions, etc. The differential diagnosis for HSPs is difficult due to the existence of many geno- and phenocopies within the other neuropathologies that can be partially distinguished by neuroimaging methods. The only method for the precise diagnostics of HSP and the number of genomic copies is DNA diagnostics—the search for mutations in individual genes and/or the analysis of many genes simultaneously by NGS methods (gene panel, whole-exome sequencing, and whole-genome sequencing). Such DNA diagnostics opens up the opportunity to perform prenatal or preimplantation analysis of the fetus for families carrying HSP mutations to predict the risk of HSP inheritance. Currently, HSP treatment is directed against individual symptoms (antispastic drugs, etc.), and the discovery of the pathogenic action of different genes requires the development of new therapeutic approaches.

Abstract—We analyze the literature data and our own results from a survey of more than 3000 patients suffering from a wide range of diseases of differentiated genesis who were subjected to multivariant immunotherapy. Using formalized analytical approaches, we discuss the formation of natural and targeted regulation of immunopathological conditions. A new concept of the mechanisms of the regulation and targeted correction of immunopathology is formulated.