D. L. Spivak

Bio: D. L. Spivak is an academic researcher from Russian Academy of Sciences. The author has contributed to research in topics: Population & Polymorphism (computer science). The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 8 publications receiving 21 citations.

[Telomere length, telomerase activity, stress and aging].

Abstract: The review is dedicated to analysis of data available at present time concerning possible influence of stress upon telomere lengths and telomerase activity, as well as various ways of counteracting it. Present-day telomerase theory of aging gains a new impetus, shedding light upon the influence of psychological state of humans and their ability to counteract stress, upon the process of aging. It also tends to regard telomere shortening and the decrease in the activity of telomerase as a marker of level of the ability to adapt to both inner and outer influences. Both aging and age-dependent diseases are proved to be substantially retarded not only by the administration of drugs, but also by psychological means, which forms a good way towards healthy longevity. With complete understanding of the impossibility to prevent or even to slow down natural senescence itself, these methods allow to remove causes, which accelerate senescence, and to increase the average human longevity.

Telomere length in a population of long-lived people of the northwestern region of Russia

Abstract: An interdisciplinary study was carried out of the telomere length and polymorphism of genes of the renin-angiotensin (ACE) and serotonin (5HTR2A and 5HTTLPR) systems in a population of old and very old inhabitants of northwestern Russia, as well as on their relationships to data from clinical and geriatric anamneses and psychological characteristics. By the method of factor analysis, a firm association was revealed between the telomere length and respondents’ age in subgroups of old and long-living respondents.

Distribution of structural polymorphisms of angiotensin converting enzyme and serotonin receptor (5-HT2A) genes among long-living individuals from northwestern Russia

Abstract: The I/D polymorphism of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene and C102T polymorphism of the serotonin receptor gene (5-HT2A) were studied in a group of long-living individuals from northwestern Russia. No significant differences in allele frequencies of these genes were detected between long-living individuals and young people. At the same time, strongly pronounced differences in the 5-HT2A gene A1 and A2 alleles in populations of the northwestern region of the Russian Federation and the United States (0.397 (A1) and 0.603 (A2), and 0.615 (A1) and 0.385 (A2), respectively) were detected. These significant population differences deserve serious attention and a detailed analysis of polymorphism in other serotonin system genes in different populations of Russian Federation.

Influence of music therapy on the telomere length: a brief review and a pilot study

Abstract: Relation between music perception and telomere length is discussed. Telomeres are now considered as markers of general health and as possible predictor of life expectancy, while their length correlates with either the risk of age-related pathologies or with higher adaptive performance. The ability to withstand agerelated telomere shortening by means of practicing psychological training is discussed. Problems and prospects of present-day music therapy are reviewed, as well as absence of studies of alteration of telomere length, related to music perception. Sixty-three practically healthy young (aged 24 ± 5 years) randomly selected Russian-speaking students were divided into three subgroups, each of which listened to music of a specific type for 14 days, 90 minutes each day. Before and after the two-week course, the telomere length and telomerase activity in blood samples were measured. A limited but statistically reliable increase in the telomere length and in telomerase activity is demonstrated to have occurred as a result of completing the music course. Classical music tends to bring about less stress, positively affect one’s mood, and physiology, and, finally, such essential aging markers as telomerase activity and the telomere length. Non-classical music conditioned manifestation of some stress, which tended to affect the telomere length in a negative way. In order to cope with this difficulty, telomerase was activated.

Creativity and Its Genetic Foundations

Abstract: Present-day state of the theory of genetic foundations of creative performance, primarily at the level of the dopaminergic, serotoninergic, and noradrenergic systems, as well as neuregulin 1 gene, arginine vasopressin receptor, and angiotensinogene, is briefly reviewed. Basic results of a pilot experiment, focused upon four candidate genes for inclusion into creativity studies, namely neurotrophic factor gene (BDNF), α-actinin-3 protein encoding gene (ACTN3), angiotensin-converting enzyme 1 (ACE1), and serotonin-2A receptor gene (5HTR2A), are presented. Strong correlations between high level of creativity, both verbal and figural, and both Val/Val BDNF genotype, and RR ACTN3 genotype, are demonstrated, along with its somewhat weaker correlation with II ACE genotype. Taking into account levels of activation of basic psychological defense mechanisms and stress coping strategies, proper for 22 practically normal Arctic dwellers, who were examined in the framework of our experiment, allowed to link these correlations to optimal adaptation abilities, and to prolonged life expectancy. Basing upon this result, plausibility of discerning between two facets of creativity, one being adaptive, another being non-adaptive, is discussed, the former concerned with primarily coping with life stress, the latter providing self-actualization. Interrelation between the inherited abilities and the acquired ones, forming subject matter of correspondingly genetic and creativity studies, is regarded as a representation of basic dichotomy between nature and culture.

Dyskeratosis congenita

Abstract: 先天性角化不良是一种少见的先天遗传性皮肤病,其临床三联征包括:甲板营养不良,口腔或阴道等可出现白斑,皮肤异色症样的色素沉着.先天性角化不良是与编码角化不良蛋白基因、编码端粒酶的RNA组份基因、编码端粒酶的逆转录酶基因突变及其他未确认的致病基因突变引起的基因病,其遗传方式有:X-性联隐性遗传、常染色体显性遗传及常染色体隐性遗传.治疗上还缺乏有效的治疗方法.文中从先天性角化不良的发病机制、突变类型、临床表型以及治疗方面综述先天性角化不良的研究进展。

Deletion Allele of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Gene Increases Risk of Essential Hypertension in Japanese Men

Abstract: Background—The Framingham Study recently revealed that the homozygous deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene (ACE DD) is associated with increased risk for essential hypertension in a male-specific manner. However, this association has not been confirmed in races other than whites. Methods and Results—Using a large number of Japanese subjects (n=5014) that were randomly selected from the general population (the Suita Study), we examined the association between ACE DD and hypertension. The frequency of DD (17.1%) in hypertensive men was significantly higher (P<0.0015) than that (11.8%) in other mildly hypertensive or normotensive men, and the estimated odds prevalence for hypertension (DD vs II) was 1.75 (95% CI 1.21 to 2.53). In contrast, no significant association was confirmed in women (OR 1.17, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.72). Conclusions—Despite the lower frequency of the DD genotype in Japanese than in whites, the ACE gene polymorphism was associated with increased risk for hypertension...

Short telomeres are associated with inferior outcome, genomic complexity, and clonal evolution in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Abstract: Telomere length in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has been shown to be of prognostic importance, but the analyses have largely been executed on heterogeneous patient cohorts outside of clinical trials. In the present study, we performed a comprehensive analysis of telomere length associations in the well characterized CLL8 trial (n = 620) of the German CLL study group, with validation in a representative cohort of the CLL4 trial (n = 293). Absolute telomere length was analyzed using quantitative-PCR. Apart from identifying associations of short telomere length with adverse prognostic factors and survival, the study identified cases with 17p- and 11q- associated with TP53 and ATM loss, respectively, to have the shortest telomeres, even when these aberrations were present in small subclones. Thus, telomere shortening may precede acquisition of the high-risk aberrations, contributing to disease evolution. In line with this, telomere shortening was associated with an increase in genomic complexity as well as clonal evolution, highlighting its importance as a biomarker especially in monitoring disease progression in non-high-risk CLL.

[Telomere length, telomerase activity, stress and aging].

Abstract: The review is dedicated to analysis of data available at present time concerning possible influence of stress upon telomere lengths and telomerase activity, as well as various ways of counteracting it. Present-day telomerase theory of aging gains a new impetus, shedding light upon the influence of psychological state of humans and their ability to counteract stress, upon the process of aging. It also tends to regard telomere shortening and the decrease in the activity of telomerase as a marker of level of the ability to adapt to both inner and outer influences. Both aging and age-dependent diseases are proved to be substantially retarded not only by the administration of drugs, but also by psychological means, which forms a good way towards healthy longevity. With complete understanding of the impossibility to prevent or even to slow down natural senescence itself, these methods allow to remove causes, which accelerate senescence, and to increase the average human longevity.

Leukocyte telomere length as an aging marker and risk factor for human age-related diseases

Abstract: Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) associations with age, sex, and risk factors for age-related diseases have been studied in Russian people of preretirement and retirement age. This parameter has been determined by quantitative real-time PCR in 398 men (56.3 ± 7.2 years) and 365 women (56.6 ± 7.1 years) selected from a population sample of 45 to 69-year-old residents of the Oktyabrskii and Kirovskii raions of Novosibirsk (9400 people). The sample was formed in the course of the international project HAPIEE. Telomere length has been found to correlate with age (r =–0.159, p < 0.001) and the waist: hip ratio (WHR) (r =–0.107, p = 0.003). The average LTL in women is significantly greater than in men, p = 0.031. In men, LTL correlates with body mass (r = 0.140, p = 0.005) and waist size (r = 0.111, p = 0.027). In women, there are inverse correlations of LTL with waist size (r =–0.127, p = 0.015) and WHR (r =–0.141, p = 0.007). Leukocyte telomere length inversely correlates with the amount smoked (r =–0.121, р = 0.024). It directly correlates with age, smoking, and a variety of phenotypical traits. In men with family histories of malignancies, LTL is greater than in men without such histories.