Population analysis of minor hemoglobin fractions. I. Hemoglobin A2]

The inhabitants of 7 isolated villages (of different nationalities) and of 5 panmictic populations were studied. Populational and segregation analyses of Hb A2 in 3036 normal and 150 heterozygous individuals for beta- and delta beta-thalassemia were carried out. The Hb A2 levels in some populations are established to deviate from the normal distribution. Bimodal dependency of the levels of Hb A2 distribution is demonstrated, which suggests the existance of heterogenous subpopulations by the Hb A2 level. The segregation analysis has revealed distinct genetic determination of Hb A2 levels. There was a good correlation between Hb A2 and Hb F values (r=-0.82).     

Hyperbaric oxygenation in the comprehensive therapy of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (clinico-immunologic study)

For 35 of 50 patients with rheumatoid arthritis traditional drug therapy was a minor success for a long time. Without any modifications of the drug therapy every patient went through a course of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO): 21 sessions under 1.7 ata for 40 min. Good clinical results both immediate and remote have been obtained. The effect of HBO on the immune system of the patients has intensified the suppressive function of T-lymphocytes (especially with systemic symptoms of the disease), normalized cell-bound immunity and decreased the serum concentration in immune complexes.     

Activity of glycolysis enzymes in cyclosporine-producing Tolypocladium sp.]

Enzymes of various glycolysis stages, i.e. hexokinase, phosphofructokinase, pyruvate kinase and lactate dehydrogenase, were detected in cyclosporine-producing organisms belonging to Tolypocladium. The initial activity of the enzymes in the highly active strain was much higher than that in the starting low active strain. During the fermentation the activity of the glycolysis enzymes per 1 mg of mycelium protein in the both strains increased. This was accompanied by a decrease in respiration activity. Therefore, there was a direct correlation between cyclosporine biosynthesis and glycolytic activity of the mycelium in Tolypocladium sp.     

Sequence variation in the outer-surface-protein genes of Borrelia burgdorferi

Borrelia burgdorferi is a spirochete pathogen transmitted among warm- blooded hosts by ixodid ticks. Frequency-dependent selection for variant outer-surface proteins might be expected to arise in this species, since rare variants are more likely to avoid immune surveillance in previously infected hosts. We sequenced the OspA and OspB genes of nine North American strains and compared them with nine strains previously described. For each gene, the mean number of synonymous substitutions per synonymous site and the mean number of nonsynonymous substitutions per nonsynonymous site show only a twofold excess of silent mutations. Synonymous rates vary widely along the OspB protein. Some regions show a significant excess of silent substitutions, while divergence in other regions is constrained by biased base composition or selection. The presence, in antigenically important regions of the protein, of significant variation among strains, as well as evidence for recombination among strains, should be considered in attempts to develop vaccines against this disease.      

Influence of changes in glutathione concentration on body temperature and tolerance to cerebral ischemia

Two compounds that deplete glutathione (buthionine sulfoximine and diethyl maleate) with different mechanisms of action decrease body temperature and increase tolerance to complete global cerebral ischemia, both correlating closely with the glutathione concentration decrease. Glutathione apparently participates in the regulations of these functional parameters. GSH diethyl ester does not influence the latter, though it increases moderately the GSH concentration. Injection of GSH ester into the cerebral ventricles or subcutaneously selectively increases the GSH level in the brain and liver. An influence of the brain on the glutathione system in the liver was revealed. Diethyl maleate and GSH ester increase the activity of glutathione metabolizing enzymes under certain conditions.     

Dopamine-independent locomotor actions of amphetamines in a novel acute mouse model of Parkinson disease

Brain dopamine is critically involved in movement control, and its deficiency is the primary cause of motor symptoms in Parkinson disease. Here we report development of an animal model of acute severe dopamine deficiency by using mice lacking the dopamine transporter. In the absence of transporter-mediated recycling mechanisms, dopamine levels become entirely dependent on de novo synthesis. Acute pharmacological inhibition of dopamine synthesis in these mice induces transient elimination of striatal dopamine accompanied by the development of a striking behavioral phenotype manifested as severe akinesia, rigidity, tremor, and ptosis. This phenotype can be reversed by administration of the dopamine precursor, L-DOPA, or by nonselective dopamine agonists. Surprisingly, several amphetamine derivatives were also effective in reversing these behavioral abnormalities in a dopamine-independent manner. Identification of dopamine transporter- and dopamine-independent locomotor actions of amphetamines suggests a novel paradigm in the search for prospective anti-Parkinsonian drugs.     

A Mass Burial of Fossil Lions (Carnivora,Felidae, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Panthera</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Leo</Emphasis>) <Emphasis Type="Italic">ex gr. fossilis-spelaea</Emphasis>) from Eurasia

The vertebrate fauna from the cave deposits in Imanai Cave in the Southern Urals (53°02′ N, 56°26′E) has been studied. It contains 715 bones that belonged to at least 11 individuals of fossil lion (Panthera (Leo) ex gr. fossilis-spelaea). It has been established that this is one of the largest Eurasian burial sites of fossil lions. The bones were accumulated due to the natural death of animals inside the cave. The age and sex estimations have shown that at least six adult males and five adult females died there. According to the accompanying fauna, radiocarbon, geochemical, and mineralogical analyses and archaeological finds, the interval of the lion bone accumulation is determined as the first half to middle of Late Pleistocene (OIS 5–3).     

The ecological integrity of the lower Olifants River,Limpopo province,South Africa: 2009–2015 – Part B: Tributaries of the Olifants River

Monitoring on the Lowveld reaches of the Olifants River, Limpopo River System, and its Steelpoort, Blyde, Klaserie and Selati tributaries was initiated in 2009. Analysis of the 2009–2015 data from four Olifants River sites showed deterioration in the river’s ecological condition between where it enters the Lowveld and where it enters the Kruger National Park, with a slight recovery within the Kruger National Park. Physico-chemical, aquatic macroinvertebrate and fish data collected in 2009–2015 at six sites on the Steelpoort, Blyde, Klaserie and Selati tributaries of the Olifants River corroborated the ecological condition of these tributaries. The Selati was the most polluted and was in a critically modified condition, whereas the Klaserie and Steelpoort were in fair condition and the Blyde was in good condition. The Selati appeared to have a significant negative impact on the water quality, macroinvertebrates and fish of the Olifants River within the Kruger National Park.