A new method for mammalian cell transformation is proposed which is based on incorporation of plasmids into interpolyelectrolyte complexes (IPECs) with carbon chain polycations. The method is illustrated by examples of pRSV CAT and p beta-Gal plasmid IPECs with poly(N-ethyl-4-vinylpyridinium bromide) (C2PVP) and poly(N-ethyl-4-vinylpyridinium)-poly(N-cetyl-4-vinylpyridinium+ ++) bromides random copolymer (C16PVP). These IPECs are produced spontaneously due to formation of a cooperative system of interchain electrostatic bonds after mixing DNA and polycation solutions. The interaction of IPEC with normal mouse fibroblasts NIH 3T3, human T-lymphoma "Jurkat", and Mardin Darby canine kidney cells has been studied. The data obtained has revealed that plasmid incorporation into IPECs significantly enhances both DNA adsorption on the plasma membrane and DNA uptake into a cell. The in vitro transformation of NIH 3T3 cells was monitored by a standard cloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) assay (pRSV CAT plasmid) and by detection of beta-galactosidase (beta-Gal) expression using 4-methylumbeliferril beta-D-galactopyranoside as a substrate (p beta-Gal plasmid). In both cases it has been proved that IPEC-incorporated plasmids possess an ability for efficient cell transformation. The transforming activity of IPECs depends on their composition and polycation chemical structure. Under optimal conditions the efficiency of cell transformation with IPECs is several fold higher than that observed during standard calcium phosphate precipitation. The mechanism of the phenomenon observed is discussed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Polyelectrolyte complexes formed between DNA and poly(N-ethyl-4-vinylpyridinium) cations were shown to effectively transfect mammalian ceils [7]. This work suggests that the polycation-mediated uptake of the plasmid DNA and cell transfection are significantly enhanced when these complexes are administered simultaneously with a poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(propylene oxide)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) copolymer, Pluronic P85. The uptake studies were performed using radioactively labeled pRSV CAT plasmid on NIH 3T3, MDCK, and Jurkat cell lines. The transfection was investigated by ehloramphenicol acetyltransferase assay using 3T3 cells as a model. The effects reported may be useful for the enhancement of the polycation-mediated cell transfection.cytic compartments in the cytoplasm and nucleus of cells [1 3]. Further, due to charge neutralization these complexes are often unstable in aqueous solutions and precipitate, thereby hindering their application in gene delivery [3 8]. One approach recently advanced for drug delivery of water insoluble compounds involves the use of micelles of Pluronic block copolymers [9,10]. Recent work on these systems suggests that they enhance the transport of charged molecules across cell membranes [11,12]. This paper reports a significant increase in cell uptake and transfection of mammalian cells using a combination of DNA-PEVP complexes and micelles of Pluronic P85 block copolymer.

BackgroundAssessing the role of oxytocin (OT) in the regulation of social interaction is a promising area that opens up new opportunities for studying the mechanisms of developing autism spectrum disorders (ASD).AimTo assess the correlation between the salivary OT level and age-related and psychopathological symptoms of children with intellectual disability (ID) and ASD.MethodsWe used the clinical and psychopathological method to assess the signs of ASD based on International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), the severity of ASD was specified by the selected Russian type version “Childhood Autism Rating Scale” (CARS). Patients of both groups had an IQ score below 70 points.ResultsThe median and interquartile range of salivary OT levels in patients with ID and ASD were 23.897 [14.260–59.643] pg/mL, and in the group ID without ASD - Me = 50.896 [33.502–83.774] pg/mL (p = 0.001). The severity of ASD on the CARS scale Me = 51.5 [40.75–56.0] score in the group ID with ASD, and in the group ID without ASD—at the level of Me = 32 [27.0–38.0] points (p < 0.001). According to the results of correlation-regression analysis in the main group, a direct correlation was established between salivary OT level and a high degree of severity of ASD Rho = 0.435 (p = 0.005). There was no correlation between the salivary OT level and intellectual development in the group ID with ASD, Rho = 0.013 (p = 0.941) and we have found a relationship between oxytocin and intellectual development in the group ID without ASD, Rho = 0.297 (p = 0.005). There was no correlation between salivary OT and age, ASD and age.ConclusionThe results of this study indicate that patients in the group ID with ASD demonstrated a lower level of salivary OT concentration and a direct relationship between the maximum values of this indicator and the severity of autistic disorders, in contrast to patients in the group ID without ASD.

Abstract. The goal of the study is to test the hypothesis on the practicality of using the Cobb-Douglas function in the information support of state planning as a method of numerical analysis at the regional management of government. The first part of the article explains the rationale for the development of digital models in public administration, the results of the analysis of modern publications on the study of factors of growth and constraint of economic development and the methods used for these studies. The second part of the article contains the goal and tasks of the study, the basic hypothesis of the study. The third part of the article presents the results of the research carried out on the influ-ence of the main factors of production, labour and capital on the volume of turnover of enterprises using the Cobb-Douglas production function on the example of five branches of economy of Volgograd oblast. The last part of the article summarizes the results of the study. In particular, it is noted that the growth of the turnover of enterprises in the region was positively influenced by both the increase in the value of fixed production assets and wage growth. However, the pattern of declining average efficiency of fixed production assets in all sectors and the fact that turnover rates are higher than the value of fixed production assets may indicate inefficiencies in their use. In two sectors of the region, the extractive industry and construction, there is a decrease in the average effi-ciency of wages, which may indicate ineffective management material incentives to work in the sectors. Based on the results of the research conducted it is concluded that it is appropriate to use the Cobb-Douglas function as a numerical method of analysis in in-forming state planning, including in the management of state programmes at the regional management level to validate the methods and instruments of economic regulation.

The article deals with an important issue in macroeconomic analysis concerning the saving behaviour of households. The authors use the synthesis of Keynesian and neoclassical theory in the study of the saving behaviour of the population of Russia. Within the framework of the study, the authors analyse classical indicators of income rate, consumption rate, savings rate, marginal propensity to consume, marginal propensity to save, as well as indicators of external factors influencing the financial behaviour of households. The study showed that, in general, household saving behaviour is consistent with the classical theory of the role of income in saving behaviour. Saving behaviour is an established norm of household financial behaviour in the Russian Federation. The authors identify the Covid-19 pandemic as one of the most important external factors influencing the saving behaviour of households other than income during the period under review. The influence of other factors, such as: deposit rate, life cycle, level of development of the region, was not revealed during the research process. The authors conclude that the standard of living of the Russian population is stable and that commercial banks need to develop credit products for individuals and new forms of relations with businesses.