The present study aimed to (a) assess normal-weight obesity (NWO) and general obesity prevalence among women of different ages residing in urban areas, (b) evaluate subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT) in women with NWO, (c) establish SFT cutoff points for distinguishing NWO, and (d) explore eating habits linked to NWO. This cross-sectional study with 184 women aged 18–65 with NWO, normal weight without obesity (NWNO), overweight and general obesity included evaluation of body composition, SFT assessment using 2.5 MHz A-mode ultrasound (ISAK protocol, 7 sites) and lifestyle inquiries. The curvilinear relationship between body fat and BMI rendered BMI an unreliable indicator of adiposity in women with normal weight (BMI < 25 kg/m²). Almost 30% of women with a high body fat percentage (BFP ≥ 30%) were misclassified when BMI was used to measure adiposity. The overall obesity prevalence defined by BFP was almost four times higher than that defined by BMI (56.0 vs. 18.0%, p = 1 × 10⁻⁴). Women with NWO, overweight and general obesity shared a similar SFT profile and eating habits, setting them apart from those with NWNO. The mean SFT was the most reliable NWO predictor, with a threshold set at 12 mm equal to the 66th percentile. Mean SFT accurately classified 85% of women with NWO. While age did not significantly affect subcutaneous fat accumulation, total fat levels increased with age (R² = 0.07 and R² = 0.19, p_adj = 0.1 and p_adj = 9 × 10⁻⁴). Higher NWO prevalence in middle-aged women was linked to age-related increase in fat mass and decrease in fat-free mass. Engaging in regular physical activity and reducing snack consumption effectively countered age-related changes in body composition (p_adj < 0.05). Women under 45 years who consumed sweet bakery items, fast food, and snacks more frequently showed higher BFP and NWO status (p_adj < 0.05). Prevention strategies should focus on monitoring body composition and promoting healthy behaviors, particularly among young women transitioning into adulthood and women over 45 years.

Neural precursor cells contain two types of intermediate filaments (IFs): neurofilaments consisting of three IV type proteins and vimentin belonging to the type III IF proteins that disappear at the later stages of differentiation. The involvement of vimentin in neurogenesis was demonstrated earlier; however, the role of its temporary expression in neurons is not clear. We showed that the vimentin IFs that interacted with mitochondria maintained their membrane potential at the appropriate level, and thus, ensured their proper function. We examined the dependence of the mitochondrial membrane potential on the expression of vimentin in a CAD catecholaminergic neuronal cell line that was actively dividing in full culture media but stopped growing and started developing neurites when the serum was removed. Using the CRISPR Cas9 system to knock out the vimentin gene in these cells, we investigated the impact of this on the mitochondrial membrane potential. Our data show that the deletion of the vimentin IFs led to a decrease in the level of the mitochondrial potential. When the vimentin network in these cells was reconstituted by transfection with a plasmid that encoded human protein, the level of the potential was restored. Interestingly, mutated vimentin with a disrupted mitochondria-binding site had no such effect. Our data point to vimentin as a possible target in some neurological pathologies.

Introduction: Body composition assessment is essential in studies in medical, anthropological and sports science. The most commonly used methods are indirect (field) methods including bio-electrical impedance analysis (BIA), caliperometry, and ultrasound scans (US). Aim: To study reliability of body composition estimates using ultrasound scanner and Russian bioimpedance equipment in adults. Methods: A total of 191 adults living in Moscow, aged 18-74 years, were recruited. Among them were 135 women, aged 18-67 years, and 56 men, aged 18-74 years. The examination program included measurement of height and weight, waist and hips circumferences, determination of body composition using the BodyMetrix™ ultrasound scanner (IntelaMetrix, USA) and bioimpedance analyzer (ABC-02 Medass, NTC Medass, Russia). Reliability analysis was performed using Bland-Altman method. Results: More than 37 % of the individuals were overweight and obese. In the group of females, no significant differences in the amount of body fat mass (BIA 19,7 kg, US 18,7 kg) and fat-free mass (BIA 43,9 kg, US 43,6 kg) as well as the percentage of body fat (BIA 30,1 %, US 30,2 %) estimated by these methods were found. Similarly in the group of males, body fat mass (BIA 12,1 kg, US 12,5 kg) and fat-free mass (BIA 61,2 kg, US 61,6 kg) as well as the percentage of body fat (BIA 16,5 %, US 17,3 %). We however revealed a systematic bias, which increases with an increase in the value of the estimated parameters. Conclusion: Our findings suggest moderate reliability of the absolute fat mass in the group of females. For all other estimates the reliability was low suggesting that ABC-02 "Medass" equipment does not seem to produce systematically valid results. Therefore, ultrasound scanners should be preferred in studies requiring high quality assessment of body composition.

In the present study, we identified the factors affected central obesity prevalence in the adult Altains, Russians and Tuvans permanently residing in the Altai and the Tuva Republics. The data was collected in 2018–2020. The examination program included anthropometrical examination and the genetic testing of females and males, aged 18–35 years. Anthropometrical examination was carried out in accordance with the guidelines accepted in the Research Institute and Museum of Anthropology. Body composition was analyzed by bioelectrical impedance analyzer. The SNPs rs1800592 UCP1, rs660339 UCP2 and rs1800849 UCP3 were assessed. The prevalence analyses of underweight, overweight and general obesity in the groups of female and males were conducted. The anthropometric indices were used to estimate the prevalence of central obesity. General obesity occurred more often in the group of Altai people, whereas in the Tuva people the central obesity is more pronounced. The Altai and Tuva people are alike in the total body measurements, whereas Russians were significantly higher. All studied groups demonstrated the sexual dimorphism of the body composition and waist to hip ratio. No significant differences in waist to height ratio between males and females were identified in the studied groups. No association between genetic variants and the obesity-related traits, which reflect the body fat and its distribution, was revealed. All factors included in the model are able to predict 8 % of the variability of the central obesity-related traits. Ethnic background contributes the most to the variability of the central obesity index.

Introduction. Several studies have demonstrated a correlation between variations in genes regulating human uncoupling proteins (UCP) and environmental factors. However, information on the intra- and interpopulation diversity of allele and genotype frequencies of UCP1 and UCP3 within the territory of Russia remains insufficient. This study aims to investigate the intra- and inter-ethnic variability of genetic determinants of activity of uncoupling proteins UCP1 and UCP3, and to evaluate genotype-environment associations in the populations residing in the northeastern region of Russia. Materials and methods. Genotyping was conducted on a total of 1,698 biological specimens collected from individuals representing 22 population groups of European Russia, Siberia, and the Russian Far East. Geographical and climatic data spanning from 1940 to 2023 were gathered for each sample collection locality. Results and discussion. The spatial distribution of genetic determinants affecting the activity of UCP1 and UCP3 uncoupling proteins demonstrates a correlation with the severity of natural conditions. Three regression models of allele frequencies were constructed using climatic characteristics as predictors. All models are statistically significant (p<0.05 in all cases) and explain 39%, 36%, and 64% of the variability in UCP1 (rs6536991, rs1800592) and UCP3 (rs1800849) allele frequencies, respectively. These correlations revealed by the models confirm the adaptability of UCP genes in the indigenous population groups of Northern Eurasia. Conclusion. The results of this study are consistent with the assumptions reported in scientific literature and significantly enhance existing knowledge. We observed correlations between allele and genotype frequencies of UCP1 (rs6536991, rs1800592) and UCP3 (rs1800849) genes and geographic latitude, elevation above sea level, as well as climatic indicators such as annual average rainfall, range of surface air temperatures, and the Bodman “weather severity” index. Further investigation involving a larger number of ethnic and territorial groups is necessary to better understand the factors influencing UCP gene variability formation.

Влияние экологических факторов на распространенность