Evaluation of the reactogenicity and immunogenic potency of combined vaccine "Bubo-Kok" in the immunization of children against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and viral hepatitis B

Combined vaccine "Bubo-Kok" is characterized by safety and high immunological activity. The number of postvaccinal reactions in children aged 1 and 2 years, immunized with vaccine "Bubo-Kok", was not statistically different from those in groups of children immunized with adsorbed DPT vaccine, as well with such vaccine in combination with vaccine against hepatitis B. After the completion of the primary course of immunization 100% of children had protective antibody titers against diphtheria, tetanus and hepatitis B. Antibody titers against pertussis, equal to or exceeding protective titers, were found in more than 70% of immunized children. The immunogenic potency of vaccine "Bubo-Kok" with respect to all its components was not inferior to that of adsorbed DPT vaccine and vaccine against hepatitis B, when introduced simultaneously in different areas of the body. Vaccine "Bubo-Kok" successfully passed state trials and was recommended for registration.     

Etiological structure of respiratory infections in different variants of acute bronchitis

The microbiological and virological examination of 87 acute bronchitis patients (36 patients with the prolonged course and 31 patients with the relapsing course of the disease) was carried out. All forms of bronchitis were characterized by a high degree of infection with respiratory viruses and pneumococci. Haemophilus influenzae (type b) infection was registered rather rarely and only in combination with pneumococcal one. The highest characteristics of viro-bacterial associations were found in patients with acute bronchitis and with prolonged form of acute bronchitis, viral associations--with the prolonged and relapsing forms of the course of acute bronchitis in the presence of the bronchoobstructive syndrome.     

Concentrations and ecological risks of metals in surface sediments of some coastal creeks in the Niger Delta,Nigeria

The concentrations of nine metals were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in surface sediments of three coastal creeks, namely, the Ifie, Egbokodo and Ubeji creeks, in the Niger Delta of Nigeria, from August 2012 to January 2013. The aim of the study was to provide information on the spatial and seasonal distribution patterns, degree of contamination, and ecological risks of metals in these sediments. The mean concentrations of the nine metals in these creek sediments ranged from 0.30 to 3.20?mg kg^?1 Cd; 10.7 to 24.7?mg kg^?1 Pb, 125 to 466?mg kg^?1 Cr; 3.1.10 to 14.9?mg kg^?1 Cu; 4.7 to 14.3?mg kg^?1 Co; 61.1 to 115?mg kg^?1 Ni; 106 to 183?mg kg^?1 Mn; 52.0 to 170?mg kg^?1 Zn and 5 469 to 20 639?mg kg^?1 Fe. In general, the metal concentrations were higher in the dry season than the wet season, except for Cr. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Ni and Zn were above their regulatory control limits in sediment as specified by the Nigerian Regulatory Authority and Cd was identified as the main ecological risk factor. The enrichment factors for the studied metals followed the order: Cd > Cr > Ni > Zn > Pb > Co > Mn > Cu. The average multiple pollution index values indicated that these sediments were severely polluted with significant inputs from Cd, Ni and Cr.     

Biosynthesis of the non-polyene antibiotic imbricin in the medium containing the producer culture filtrate]

Imbricin (macrolide nonpolyen antibiotic) biosynthesis conditions was investigated in the medium containing culture filtrate of its producer--Streptomyces imbricatus. It was demonstrated that filtrate contains some regulator substance affecting the antibiotic biosynthesis and metabolism processes of actinomycetes S. imbricatus. Maximum of regulator accumulation coincides with maximum of antibiotic biosynthesis, and amount of synthesized imbricin is proportional to the amount of the culture filtrate added to the medium. When low active mutant of S. imbricatus was grown in the medium with added regulator its activity achieved the control level. It was shown that stimulating activity of the producer's culture filtrate is not connected with pH changes or with supplement with some additional nutritional substrates.     

Effect of vascular factors and aging on the ultrastructure of neurons of the human cerebral cortex

Neuronal ultrastructure of the frontal and temporal cerebral cortex has been studied in persons 36-, 39-, 50-, 70-year-old, died from the ischemic heart disease and 73-, 83-year-old, whose deaths are not connected with vascular pathology. The neurons can be divided into several groups, depending on osmiophilic degree of their nucleus and cytoplasm: I--electron-light, II--electron-opaque, III--with dark nucleus and light cytoplasm and IV--with light nucleus and dark cytoplasm. The protein-synthesizing apparatus (PSA) is subjected to the earliest and most essential disorders. Its changes in the I group of neurons at the age of 36-50 years are mainly of compensatory-adaptive character, while at the age of 73 and 83 years the dystrophic changes of the PSA result in hollowness of the cell, that evidently makes the base of the cell ageing mechanism. Presence of electron opaque neurons is not a sign of ageing, and depends on various pathology, in the given case on the ischemic heart disease, that causes certain vascular disorders in the brain. Variability of the ultrastructures of the electron opaque neurons and essential changes of some part of them, observed in the brain of the 72-year-old man confirm that the vascular factor is an important one in pathology of neurons. Dependence of lipofuscin appearance in neurons on the manifestation degree of the pathological process and ageing in them is discussed.     

Cytogenetic changes in an explanted mouse rhabdomyosarcoma during prolonged cultivation

Quantitative and qualitative chromosome rearrangements, dynamics of distribution of double-minute chromosomes (DMs), and morphological characteristics of tumor rhabdomyoblasts MH-82 during explantation and following in vitro cultivation are analysed. Cells of the 13th and 27th passages of cultivation were characterized by the epithelial type of growth, although their form and size varied. Chromosome analysis of tumor rhabdomyoblasts was carried out on passages 4, 14, 20, 25 and 30 of in vitro cultivation. The modal class with 53-55 chromosomes was established within 20 passages. Heterogeneity of cell population in concern to the chromosome number and content of hypotetraploid cells (72-78) diminished during cultivation. Chromosome rearrangements (marker chromosomes) in hyperdiploid and hypotetraploid cell subpopulations differed. The number of cells with DMs and the number of DMs per cell decreased till the full disappearance by the 30th passage. It is concluded that the establishment of the MH-82 cell line was completed up to the 30th passage of cultivation.     

Antigenic polysaccharides of bacteria. 27. Structure of the O-specific polysaccharide chain of lipopolysaccharides from Pseudomonas syringae pv. atrofaciens 2399, phaesolica 120a and Pseudomonas holci 8299 belonging to serotype VI

Lipopolysaccharides from Pseudomonas syringae pvs atrofaciens 2399. phaseolicola 120a and Pseudomonas holci 8299, belonging to serogroup VI. possess an identical polysaccharide chain composed of D-rhamnose and D-fucose. On the hasis of methylation, partial acid hydrolysis, 1H- and 13C-NMR data, it was concluded that the backbone of the polysaccharide represents D-rhamnan built up of tetrasaccharide repeating units and alpha-D-fucofuranose residues are attached to the backbone as the monosaccharide branches. The following structure of the repeating unit is established: (Formula: see text).