Neurospecific proteins in human malignant brain tumors

The content of neurospecific proteins S-100, GFA and D2 was measured in malignant cerebral tumors by electrophoresis with the use of monospecific antisera. Concomitant measurement of proteins S-100 and GFA is a more reliable diagnostic criterion as to the tumor histogenesis than study of each protein alone. D2 protein appeared to be the most stable specific marker.     

Role of membrane-bound calcium in changes in the ATPase activity, permeability and structural state of human erythrocyte membranes]

A study was conducted on the reconstituted erythrocytes obtained by the method of fast reversible hemolysis. The concentration of free Ca2+ ions in the reconstituted erythrocytes was supported by Ca-EGTA and Ca-nitrate buffers. Oubain-uninhibited ATPase component with a high affinity for Ca2+ (K0.5=4 micron) and alteration of passive and active K+-permeability in the region of free Ca2+ concentration up to 10 micron could be determined only when the content of membrane-bound Ca+ varied. Depletion of the inner side of the membrane of reconstituted erythrocyte is accompanied by alteration of hydrophobic character of the hydrocarbon region of the membrane. It is suggested that Ca+-induced alterations in the structure of the erythrocyte membrane may be a direct cause of the alterations in ATPase activity with a high Ca2+ affinity and permeability for univalent cations.     

Influence of transition metals on Streptomyces coelicolor and S. sioyaensis and generation of chromate-reducing mutants

Bacteria-assisted bioremediation is widely recognized as a low-cost method to minimize the consequences of soil pollution with toxic metals originating from industrial sites. Strains used in bioremediation have to deal with high metal load via biosorption, reduction, bioprecipitation, metal sequestration, and/or chelation. Actinobacteria, and streptomycetes in particular, are considered a perspective group for bioremediation as natural soil inhabitants with extensive secondary metabolism. Nevertheless, there is no reference information on survival of the model streptomycetes in the presence of the most abundant metal pollutants. Also, there are no reports describing the selection approaches towards improvement of bioremediation properties. In this work, the resistance of Streptomyces coelicolor M145 and Streptomyces sioyaensis Lv81 to certain transition metals and their growth under different pH values are described for the first time. Spontaneous chromate-resistant S. sioyaensis Lv81-138 strain was selected in the course of this work. Strain Lv81-138 is the most efficient actinobacterial Cr(VI) reducer reported so far, capable of converting 12 mmol/L of Cr(VI) into Cr(III) in a medium supplemented with 50 mmol/L K₂CrO₄.     

Behavioral specialization of cortical and hypothalamic neurons in the rabbit

Behavioural specialization was analyzed of hypothalamic and limbic neurones, with their activity recorded in rabbits during food-acquisition behaviour. The neurones with activity changed during staying of the animal in a definite place of the cage or during behavioural acts, characteristic of a specific behaviour in the cage, are considered as specialized in relation to the most "new" systems, acquired by the rabbit directly during learning of the given behaviour. Neurones with the activity changed with rabbit's turns, i.e. connected with behavioural acts, which the rabbit has not specially learnt, are considered specialized in relation to more "old" inborn systems. Neurones, in which no constant connection with any part of the studied behaviour was observed, are related to the most "ancient" systems. Comparison of the number of hypothalamic and limbic neurones of different groups showed that in the cortex there were some more neurones specialized in relation to behavioural acts, which were formed directly during learning of the rabbit in the experimental cage.     

Ultrastructure of mesenteric lymphatic postcapillaries of the small intestine of the human fetus

Lymphatic vessels of the small intestine mesentery have been investigated in 36 human fetuses 3-6-month-old. Lymphatic postcapillaries are the predominant link in the lymphomicrocirculatory bed studied. They differ from the capillaries only by presence of valves. Intersegmentary valves and velves at the places where the lymphatic capillaries get into the postcapillaries are described; they are situated along the whole length of the postcapillary. Both types of the valves can be uni- and besinusoid, and according to the number of endotheliocytes, covering the sinuses, uni- and multicellular. Cells of fibroblastic line and developing collagenous fibers are inevitable structural components and situate in their base. Ultrastructural peculiarities of the lymphatic postcapillary wall are described. Structural mechanisms responsible for dilatation and narrowing of the vascular lumen (formation of the pulse wave) are discussed. The data obtained support the conception successively elaborated by V. V. Kuprianov on the lymphatic postcapillary as an inevitable link of the lymphomicrocirculatory bed.     

Patterns in the development of the ultrastructure of elements of the microcirculatory system in the early stages of human embryogenesis

By means of transmissive electron microscopy methods, general regularities in development of the microcirculatory system have been studied at early stages of the human prenatal ontogenesis in functionally different organs. Ultrastructure of two cell types has been described in the mesenchyme of human embryos. Formation mechanisms of the primary blood vessels belonging to the protocapillary type are revealed. Structural peculiarities of the primary protocapillary network differentiating into various links of the secondary organospecific hemomicrocirculatory bed are distinguished. Certain stageness in development of the microcirculatory system is stated, its blood circulatory compartment including. Two stages are determined in development of the microcirculatory system: prevascular and vascular microcirculation. The latter includes the precirculatory and circulatory phases.     

Capacitive and ionic currents in BLM from phosphatidic acid in Ca2+-induced phase transition

The development of electric current with time in a bilayer lipid membrane (BLM) formed from dipalmitoylphosphatidic acid on introducing Ca2+ ions into the medium was studied at constant temperature and pH. The phase transition in the Ca2+-induced BLM is accompanied by the initial capacitive current followed by the occurrence of single ionic channels. The amount of transported charges in the capacitive current is 5 C/ microF. The conductivity of the single ionic channels ranges from 50 to 100 pSm.     

Ca2+ ions induce successive capacity and ion currents in BLM from phosphatidic acid as a result of phase transition

Time dependence of Ca2+-induced electric current in BLM formed from DPPA was studied at constant temperature and pH. The phase transition in BLM is accompanied by capacity current and following appearance of single ionic channels. It was shown that transferred charge was 5 nC/F, conductivity of single ionic channels--500-100 pSm.     

Cloning of the Bacillus subtilis DNA fragment containing the genes for lysine and riboflavin biosynthesis

The SalI fragment of chromosomal DNA of Bacillus subtilis carrying the gene for lysine biosynthesis and the regulatory operator region (ribO) from the riboflavin gene was cloned into Escherichia coli cells. This fragment was shown to contain the gene coding for lysine synthesizing enzyme. Localization of this gene in Bac. subtili was determined. New plasmids pLRS33 and pLRB4 were constructed using pBR322; they carry a fragment homologous to pLP102 plasmid containing the operon for riboflavin biosynthesis.