The significance of the genotype and individual behavioral characteristics for the manifestation of the dominant phenotype in mouse micropopulations]

Influence of genotype and such individual characteristics as locomotor and exploratory activity, aggressiveness and emotionality, was studied in male mice. Males F1 and males of the parent line PT had high level of social dominance. F1 had high level of aggressiveness, and low emotionality, medium level of locomotor and exploratory activity. Significance of these individual behavioural characteristics for dominant behaviour is discussed.     

Influence of opioid peptides on nerve tissue in vitro

The influence of opioid peptides (gamma- and beta-endorphins, leu- and met-enkephalins, as well as certain synthetic analogs of enkephalin) was investigated on organotypic cultures of rat spinal and sympathetic ganglia. The cellular composition and size of the zone of growth were evaluated on the basis of intravital observations and an analysis of the specimen obtained using the method of impregnation, according to Holmes and the detection of catecholamines with glyoxylic acid. It was established that under the action of all the investigated substances that possess high affinity for opiate receptors, growth of the neurites from an explant was enhanced, and the number of glial and fibroblastoid cells in the growth zone was increased. The effect was observed most distinctly on a model of sympathetic ganglia. The tested compounds exhibited a significant growth-stimulating effect in the range of concentrations 10^–8–10^–14 M. The maximum size of the growth zone of the explants of the sympathetic ganglia in the case of a mean effective concentration of the peptides 10^–10 M by the third to fifth day of culturing was approximately 2–2.5 times this value in the control. The reaction was similar to the response of the nerve cells to nerve growth factor, used as a standard. Thus, the opioid peptides exhibit a pronounced growth effect on the structures of the nerve tissue under conditions of culture. It is suggested that this group of compounds, together with its currently well-known functions, may play a definite role in processes of the development and regenera-of nerve tissue.Institute of Experimental Cardiology, All-Union Cardiologic Science Center, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 17, No. 4, pp. 550–557, July–August, 1985.     

Hereditary syndrome of ectrodactyly, congenital heart defect and cleft lip and palate

A case of a family of he proband suffering from ektrodaktyly, together with heart defect, cleft lip and palate is reported. The parents came to the genetic counselling center to get the genetic prognosis for a next child. All together 3 cases demonstrating different types of radial defects were registered in this pedigree. The authors discuss possible causes of clinical polymorphism and accent the complications of giving genetic prognosis in such cases.     

How to predict product yield in kinetically controlled enzymatic peptide synthesis

The published theory of kinetically controlled enzymatic peptide synthesis needed experimental verification. We carried out the measurement of the peptide yield and estimation of the key parameters alpha and beta for papain-catalyzed synthesis of Mal-L-Phe-L-Ala-LLeuNH(2) from Mal-L-Phe-L-AlaOMe and L-LeuNH(2). The experimental results demonstrate that this theory adequately describes the real process. (c) 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The effect of the synthetic leu-enkephalin analog dalargin on the proliferative activity of glioma C6 cells and on the intensity of their DNA synthesis]

Effect of dalargin, an opioid peptide (a synthetic analogue of Leu-enkephalin), on proliferation and intensity of DNA synthesis of C6 glioma cells was studied. Specific conditions of cultivation were selected, with a low control value of proliferation, which permitted to assess growth-stimulating effect of the peptide. Growth curves were plotted to assess peptide activity, which demonstrated that reaction was a many-phase process: a significant increase in cell number under peptide effect was observed only at the beginning of the logarithm phase and at the beginning of the prestationary phase of the growth curve. Cell number increased on average by 25-27% in the presence of dalargin as compared to control. Reaction of glioma DNA synthesis to dalargin also demonstrates complexity of the process: the peptide changes DNA synthesis, but as a rule, this process has a three-phase character and is not directly associated with the duration of cultivation in the presence of dalargin. Effect of naloxone, an opiate receptor blocker, was analysed to assess the receptor mechanism. It was found that reaction for naloxone and for combined effect of naloxone and dalargin was not the same.     

Experimental and clinical study test of capreomycin]

Data on the experimental and clinical study of capreomycin in the treatment of tuberculosis are presented. It was shown that capreomycin had low activity with respect to the sensitive strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37 Rv in vitro and the respective infection caused by it in mice. The activity of capreomycin in vitro with respect to streptomycin resistant strains was the same as that with respect to the sensitive strains, while in vivo it increased 3 times. Capreomycin showed a tendency to decreasing its activity with respect to strains highely resistant to canamycin only in vitro. The effect of capreomycin on tuberculosis infection caused by strains resistant to different concentrations of canamycin was the same as that on tuberculosis infection caused by sensitive strains. Cross resistance between florimycin (viomycin) and capreomycin was shown. Clinical trails of capreomycin revealed its moderate therapeutic efficiency, relatively low toxicity and an allergenizing effect on the host. Transient ventibulopatia without pronounced signs of ototoxic action was observed. The nephrotoxic effect was moderate and transient. It was observed predominantly at the peak of the allergic reactions to the antitubercle drugs. The data obtained during the study allow recommendation of capreomycin use in clinics as reserve drug when the causative agent is not resistant to florimycin. The drug should be used under regular control of the blood picture, electrolyte metabolism, state of the kidneys, auditory and vestibular apparatus.     

Age variations in ethylmorphine demethylase and benzopyrene hydroxylase activities in rat liver microsomes

The ethylmorphine demethylase activity of the rat liver microsomes was higher in three-month animals (as compared to one-month), remained at a high level in the 12-month and decreased in old rats. The benzopyrene hydrolase activity increased in three-month animals, decreased in 12-month rats and remained the same with subsequent ageing of the organism. Asynchronicity of variations in the oxidation rate of different xenobiotics with ageing is considered as a result of changes in substrate specificity of the monooxygenase system due to metabolic peculiarities which reflect the age development of the organism and extinction of the reproduction function.     

Procedure for isolating nisin from Streptococcus lactis

The paper describes a method for obtaining the antibiotic nisine from Streptococcus lactis str. MSU via 50% acetic acid extraction. The concentrate is dried in the Anhydro spray drier (Denmark). The preparation is inactivated during a one-year storage in the refrigerator by 20-25%.     

Evaluation of Genetic Consultations in the public health service

Summary Work of the Genetic Consultation Group at the Institute of Medical Genetics, USSR Academy of Medical Sciences is analyzed and evaluated from the viewpoint of working out organizational principles for counseling. During three years (from July 1973 to June 1976) 1145 families were referred to us, of which 76% were referred by physicians and 24% were self-referrals.Reasons for referral were progeny prognosis (75.7%), health prognosis (1.5%), more precise diagnosis (18.1%), treatment (2.7%), and other reasons (2%). The main cause of referral was birth of a sick child (75%). People seeking advice were divided according to disease group as follows: chromosome diseases and congenital malformations (45.4%), monogenic diseases (15.4%), diseases with hereditary predisposition (14.6%), repeated miscarriages and infertility (11.5%), and others (13.1%).For counseling, 1145 families required additional cytogenetic (987) and biochemical (138) investigations. At evaluation of genetic risk, 16 types of genetic problems were encountered.It was concluded that genetic counseling should be organized firstly in pediatric and obstetric-gynecologic services, both in general and specialized hospitals. To facilitate referrals to the consultation center, spread of genetic knowledge among physicians and the population is necessary. The most effective form of propaganda among physicians is distribution of special literature with a list of indications for referral to consultation centers; most effective among the population are articles in newspapers and magazines.