The immunostimulating properties of cholecystokinin octapeptide and its fragments]

Immunostimulating properties of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) were evaluated in experiments on adult normal and thymectomized mice, in vitro. It was shown that CCK-8 stimulates IgM-PFC production to SRBC, but does not change the immune response to Vi-antigen. CCK-8 increases the number of Thy-I+ spleen T cells and restores thymus-dependent immune response in thymectomized mice. CCK-8 has no effect on neutrophil phagocytosis activity in vitro. The immunostimulating activity of CCK-8 is related mainly to C-terminal fragment (identical to pentagastrin tetrapeptide) since the N-terminal CCK-8 tetrapeptide displays negligible effect in all tests.     

Dynamics of chemiluminescence response of Syrian hamster blood neutrophils to the growth of 10 different strains of tumor cells]

The production of H2O2 by blood neutrophils of Syrian hamsters, bearing 10 different transplanted tumors was studied at different stages of tumor growth by the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (CL) test. It was demonstrated that during the tumors growth, two types of the blood neutrophils CL reaction can be registered. The first type of reaction represents very early and significant decrease of spontaneous CL of blood neutrophils, already evident before the appearance of palpable tumor nodules in animals, bearing in vivo selected cell strains. Subsequent subcutaneous tumor appearance in the animals was followed by increased CL of neutrophils. The second type of reaction was characteristic for in vitro transformed cells never selected in vivo. In this case the increase of CL of blood neutrophils at early stages of tumor growth was followed with the decrease of this activity at the period of active tumor growth. Possible relation of this reactions to the survival and growth of different tumor cells in vivo is discussed.     

Organization of reflex sympathetic influence on rate and force of cardiac contraction]

In acute experiments on 21 cats it was proved that the change of afferent impulse on vagus nerves by means of either freeze-block or electrostimulation of their central ends results in differential reflex influences on rhythm and force of the cardiac contractions caused by sympathetic nervous system. The cut of the lower cardiac nerves may cause 'break-up' of the observed reflex, removing or inverting its ino- or chronotropy component. The given phenomenon was revealed in the experiments with high arterial pressure and with absence of tonic chronotropy influences of the left lower cardiac nerve.     

Purification of unactivated progesterone receptor and identification of novel receptor-associated proteins

Progesterone receptor complexes were purified from crude cytosol in a rapid, gentle, one-step procedure using anti-receptor monoclonal antibodies covalently attached to an agarose resin. Five nonreceptor proteins specifically co-purified with unactivated avian progesterone receptor; these proteins had molecular masses of approximately 90, 70, 54, 50, and 23 kDa. The 90- and 70-kDa proteins have been previously identified as the 90-kDa heat shock protein and a member of the 70-kDa heat shock protein family, respectively. The 54-, 50-, and 23-kDa proteins have not been previously described as associated with avian progesterone receptor. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis revealed charge heterogeneities for all five proteins. Except for p70, each could be dissociated from receptor by salt, a process inhibited by sodium molybdate. However, molybdate was not required for protein association with receptor in low ionic strength. Following progesterone treatment in vivo p70 still co-purified with cytosolic receptor although the other affiliated proteins were reduced, suggesting hormone-dependent dissociation in conjunction with receptor activation. One of the proteins, p54, displayed in vitro hormone-dependent dissociation which was not prevented by molybdate.     

New data on the range,biology, and abundance of skilfish Erilepis zonifer (Anoplopomatidae)

Data on the occurrence, spatial-bathymetric distribution, and size composition of skilfish Erilepis zonifer are given on the basis of the materials collected at the long-line catches on the Emperor Ridge seamounts. This fish is a large representative of fam. Anoplopomatidae (maximal length 188 cm; weight 88.5 kg). From June to July 2009, the species was found on all five sampled underwater mountains (Nintoku, Jingu, Ojin, Koko, Northern Koko). The fish was found within the depth range 370–1040 m. The initial biomass of skilfish at the studied seamounts calculated by the Leslie method is approximately 203.5 tons. The structure of the range and possible ways of the dispersion of this species in the waters of the continental slope of the North-Pacific rim are discussed.     

Wavelet-synchrony of Brain Evoked Responses during Listening to Naturalistic Stimuli in the Prognosis of Consciousness Recovery (Study 1: Wavelet-synchrony during Listening to Instrumental Music)

The features and prognostic value of wavelet-synchrony of evoked responses during the listening to realistic stimuli (music) were revealed in the study. Musical passages were selected according the patients’ preferences by their relations consultation. Wavelet-connections were calculated for each melody in the range from 0 to 1000 ms from stimuli. Total 22 examinees in 12 patients being in unconsciousness state were carried out. Resting state values of wavelet-connectivity were poorer in vegetative patients in comparison to healthy subjects regardless of consciousness recovery degree in future while wavelet-connections in mutism were higher in comparison to healthy subjects. Absolute value of wavelet-synchrony was lower than in norm. In patients with compete consciousness recovery in the future the maximal values of wavelet-synchrony were revealed in the temporal-occipital area while in patients who in the future have been revealed in the lesser degree the maximal values of wavelet-synchrony are shown in frontal-central areas. In chronic unconsciousness patients during the listening to instrumental music the maximal wavelet-connections values were determined in the right frontal area.     

Low doses of ultraviolet radiation and oxidative damage induce dramatic accumulation of mitochondrial DNA replication intermediates,fork regression,and replication initiation shift

Mitochondrial DNA is prone to damage by various intrinsic as well as environmental stressors. DNA damage can in turn cause problems for replication, resulting in replication stalling and double-strand breaks, which are suspected to be the leading cause of pathological mtDNA rearrangements. In this study, we exposed cells to subtle levels of oxidative stress or UV radiation and followed their effects on mtDNA maintenance. Although the damage did not influence mtDNA copy number, we detected a massive accumulation of RNA:DNA hybrid–containing replication intermediates, followed by an increase in cruciform DNA molecules, as well as in bidirectional replication initiation outside of the main replication origin, O_H. Our results suggest that mitochondria maintain two different types of replication as an adaptation to different cellular environments; the RNA:DNA hybrid–involving replication mode maintains mtDNA integrity in tissues with low oxidative stress, and the potentially more error tolerant conventional strand-coupled replication operates when stress is high.