Localization of glycoconjugates in tissues of mammals revealed by means of labeled lectins

Histochemical peculiarities on binding of castor-oil plant, soybean and lentil lectins with tissues of the mucous membrane in the stomach, small and large intestine have been studied in the human being, rat, mouse, as well as the lectins mentioned and the maize agglutinin with the nervous tissue of the rat cerebral tissue. The reactions are carried out with nonfixed cryostat and deparaffinized histological slices. Lectins labelled with horseradish peroxidase are used. Certain specific peculiarities and differences concerning the lectin binding with tissues of the organs studied are determined. Predominant binding is noted of the soybean lectin with parietal and mucin-producing cells of the stomach, with epitheliocytes of the duodenal glands, with the brush border of the epithelial cells of the intestinal villi. The lentil and castor-oil plant lectins make contours of the basal membrane epithelium in the stomach and intestine. The lentil lectin also reacts with the germinative centers of the stomach lymphatic nodules and the castor-oil plant agglutinin--with the brush border of the small intestine epitheliocytes. The lectins used are predominantly bound with neurons of the subcortical formations of the rat brain and cerebral cortex. By means of labelled lectins of lentil, soybean, and castor-oil plant it is possible to reveal certain modifications of the rat small intestine glycoconjugates produced by means of the immortelle extract.     

Various characteristics of the structure of the cardiac lymphatic bed and the morphofunctional basis of its insufficiency

Structural peculiarities of the cardiac lymphatic bed have been studied, as well as its adaptive and pathological changes under physical load, acute and recurrent coronary insufficiency under conditions of mechanical blockade of the lymph outflow from the organ, which have been modelled in dogs and rabbits. The cardiac lymphatic bed is injected with various staining masses and investigated stereoangioscopically in translucent preparations, in semithin slices and electron microscopically. The rearrangement of lymphatic capillaries and vessels revealed is of stereotypical character. The degree of manifestation and correlation of morphofunctional reactions, characterizing development of insufficiency of the cardiac lymphatic vessels is mainly determined by intensity and exposition of pathological effects, exercised on it, while etiologic factors are of less importance.     

Effects of destruction and activation of limbic structures on formation of convulsive and emotional disorders during picrotoxin kindling

In the experiments on rats it was shown that the picrotoxin kindling, which consists of the progressive increasing of convulsive reactions during daily systemic administration of picrotoxin in subconvulsive dosages results also in the development of the pathologically enhanced defensive reactions. The destruction of hippocampal structures by kainic acid prevented the seizure syndrome, while their activation due to blood injection in hippocampus promoted its development; under these conditions the kindling of pathologically enhanced defensive reactions was not significantly changed. Bilateral amygdalar destruction significantly attenuated the development of pathologically increased defensive behavior; under these conditions the seizure syndrome was not significantly changed. The data are discussed on the theory of generator, and systemic mechanisms of neuropathologic syndromes and show that picrotoxin kindling results in the formation of two different pathologic systems which cause the development of two mentioned syndromes: seizure syndrome and syndrome of pathologically enhanced defensive behavior.     

Ultrastructural organization of the synapses in ganglia of the hen intestinal nerve under various conditions of its activity

The interneuronal connections in ganglia of the caudal part of the hen intestinal nerve of Remak are presented as axodendritic and axosomatic synapses and symmetric axo-axonal, dendro-dendritic and axodendritic contacts, often forming complicated complexes. Under conditions of preliminary decentralization or under certain disturbances of nervous connections with the intestine, a part of synapses remains, and a part of them degenerates, this demonstrates participation of peripheral afferent neurons in formation of the synaptic apparatus of the ganglia mentioned. The axonal terminals differentiate by composition of the synaptic vesicles: some contain mainly light agranular vesicles, others--a large amount of granular ones. The characteristic peculiarities of the hen intestinal nerve ganglia, in contrast to analogous mammalian ganglia, are abundant axosomatic synapses in some neurons, and presynaptic terminals, containing a large number of granular vesicles.     

Ecological and evolutionary aspects of photothermal regulation of diapause in Trichogramma

Facultative winter diapause in species of the genus Trichogramma Westw. (Hymenoptera, Trichogrammatidae) is regulated, like in the majority of other insects, by photoperiod and temperature. In trichograms, prepupae are diapausing, but sensitivity to length of the light day and to temperature as to the cue factors inducing diapause is characteristic of all stages of development from embryo to the egg-laying female. The action of the cue factors affects not only the current, but also the subsequent generations. Under natural conditions the photothermal regulation provides the timely induction of the diapause coordinated both with astronomical year time (the photoperiodic reaction) and with specificity of this season (the temperature reaction). In the course of special experiments in trichograms there are also revealed the "rudimentary" reactions that have lost their adaptive role. Results of these studies prove once more that specificity of photoperiodic and temperature reactions inducing diapause and their relative importance and confinement to certain sensitive stages are determined not only by peculiarities of ecology of different insect taxa, but also by the course of their previous evolution.     

Some peculiarities in the behavioral reactions of the lophophore and the trophic structuring of the colonies of the post-Paleozoic Stenolaemata (bryozoa)

Some peculiarities in the behavioral reactions of the lophophore, a feeding apparatus of the living marine bryozoans, are discussed. In bryozoans of the class Stenolaemata the position of the lophophore is regulated by the autozooidal peristome. In post-Paleozoic Stenolaemata the individual and collective activities of the lophophores are determined by the peculiarities in the trophic structuring of colonies, which are established based on the individual or group arrangement of autozooidal apertures. Two main types of the trophic structuring are distinguished: individual and group structuring. The adaptive significance of the trophic structuring consists in the effective extracting of food particles from water currents. In combination with the peculiarities of the colonial organization of post-Paleozoic Stenolaemata, the types of trophic structuring of colonies can be used when characterizing taxa of different levels.     

Stoichiometric design of metabolic networks: multifunctionality,clusters, optimization,weak and strong robustness

Starting from a limited set of reactions describing changes in the carbon skeleton of biochemical compounds complete sets of metabolic networks are constructed. The networks are characterized by the number and types of participating reactions. Elementary networks are defined by the condition that a specific chemical conversion can be performed by a set of given reactions and that this ability will be lost by elimination of any of these reactions. Groups of networks are identified with respect to their ability to perform a certain number of metabolic conversions in an elementary way which are called the network’s functions. The number of the network functions defines the degree of multifunctionality. Transitions between networks and mutations of networks are defined by exchanges of single reactions. Different mutations exist such as gain or loss of function mutations and neutral mutations. Based on these mutations neighbourhood relations between networks are established which are described in a graph theoretical way. Basic properties of these graphs are determined such as diameter, connectedness, distance distribution of pairs of vertices. A concept is developed to quantify the robustness of networks against changes in their stoichiometry where we distinguish between strong and weak robustness. Evolutionary algorithms are applied to study the development of network populations under constant and time dependent environmental conditions. It is shown that the populations evolve toward clusters of networks performing a common function and which are closely neighboured. Under changing environmental conditions multifunctional networks prove to be optimal and will be selected.     

On true and apparent Michaelis constants in enzymology. II. Is the equation k(m)app = k(s) + k)cat)/k(1) true for enzyme-catalysed reactions with activator participation?

The article is dedicated to analysis of equation which expresses apparent Michaelis constant K(m)app) of enzyme-catalysed reactions with activator participation by means of the substrate constant K(s) and rate constant of enzyme-substrate complex decomposition k(cat). It has been shown that although it is possible to record the mechanisms of such reactions as a scheme similar to Michaelis-Menten model and to derive equation of apparent Michaelis constant as K(m(app) = K(s) + k(cat)/k(1), but this approach cannot be used for investigation of all reactions with activator participation. The equation mentioned above is not obeyed in the general case, it may be true for some mechanisms only or under certain ratio of kinetic parameters of enzyme-catalysed reactions.     

Causes and control of filamentous growth in aerobic granular sludge sequencing batch reactors

Poor long-term stability of aerobic granules developed in sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) remains a limitation to widespread use of aerobic granulation in treating wastewater. Filamentous growth has been commonly reported in aerobic granular sludge SBR. This review attempts to address the instability problem of aerobic granular sludge SBR from the perspective of filamentous growth in the system. The possible causes of filamentous growth are identified, including long retention times of solids, low substrate concentration in the liquid phase, high substrate gradient within the granule, dissolved oxygen deficiency in the granule, nutrient deficiency inside granule, temperature shift and flow patterns. Because of cyclic operation of aerobic granular sludge SBR and peculiarities of aerobic granules, various stresses can be present simultaneously and can result in progressive development of filamentous growth in aerobic granular sludge SBR. Overgrowth of filamentous bacteria under stress conditions appears to be a major cause of instability of aerobic granular sludge SBR. Specific recommendations are made for controlling filamentous growth.     

Indices of the cellular reactions of the immune process in acute stress and its thymopentin correction]

The correlative analysis has determined the peculiarities of the integration of immune cells reactions under the acute stress. They are characterized by an increase in the role of polymorphonuclear leucocytes closely associated with blood superoxide dismutase activity. Thymopentin exerts an adaptive effect on the morphofunctional parameters of immune and antioxidant systems.     

Various metabolic reactions of formate in animal tissues

A new metabolic reaction of the aldolase condensation between formic acid and acetaldehyde proceeding with the formation of milk acid is detected in the liver of rats. Milk acid has been determined by chemical, enzymic and autoradiographic methods. Homogeneous preparations of the enzyme which catalyzes the mentioned reactions and is called lactate synthase are obtained in the crystalline form. The method for obtaining the lactate synthase from the rat liver is described as well as certain properties of the lactate synthase.     

Heterogeneity of the cellular sources of restorative processes in vertebrates

Possible cell sources for restorative processe in adult vertebrates have been considered: (1) differentiated cells undergoing a certain reconstruction after the organ damage; (2) reserve of little-differentiated cells which can be represented by heterogenous populations. Experimental data obtained on a few most studied models of restoration of the damaged organs or their parts have been analyzed. Each particular restorative process can be realized by cell populations which differ from each other by a number of features: origin, potencies, way of formation, localization of cambium, etc. Participation of heterogenous cell populations is most pronounced upon stimulation of restorative processes and in the extreme conditions. Specific involvement of every possible cell source in a particular case of restoration depends on the organism's properties, peculiarities of the damaged organ, as well as on conditions of damage. The existence of diverse cell sources provides for certain reserves of restoration what appears to be indispensable for reliability of restorative processes in varying conditions of damage.     

Isoenzymes of blood serum alkaline phosphatase under experimental cholemia

The activity and isoenzymic spectrum of alkaline phosphatase of the blood serum and liver under cholemia caused by deoxycholic acid were compared in healthy animals and in animals with the affected liver. It is shown, that under conditions of the bile acids higher content in the organism due to deoxycholic acid, the total activity increases considerably and there appears an isoenzyme absent in the blood serum of healthy animals. Changes in the activity and isoenzymic spectrum of alkaline phosphatase under experimental cholemia developing against a background of the healthy and affected liver are characterized by certain peculiarities.     

Peculiarities of Formation and Reversibility of Neurogenic Stress-Related Emotional Disorders in Rats

In experiments on rats, we modeled neurogenic stress-induced emotional disorders (stress was evoked by repetitive nociceptive stimulation) and studied their peculiarities within the stressory and post-stressory periods. In these animals, drastic changes in the brain electrical activity and emotional behavior gradually developed; such changes were manifested over a long time period after cessation of the stressory influences. Our experiments demonstrated that tight and stable interrelations among brain limbic structures and negative hypothalamic emotional centers are formed under conditions of prolonged action of emotional stress. This results in the development of a protracted state of negative emotional excitation. The hippocampus is considered one of the key limbic structures responsible for the development of stable pathological stress-related reactions of the brain. Within the post-stressory period, we observed dramatic worsening of the general functional state of the animals, which developed in a parallel manner with intensification of the activity of the negative emotiogenic brain system. It is probable that the existence of periods of unstable equilibrium between oppositely directed emotional reactions in the dynamics of stress and after cessation of stressory influences is a common rule. Such periods reflect peculiarities of rearrangements in the adaptive brain mechanisms under conditions of a stable change in the mode of brain functioning in one particular situation or another.     

Time-dependent kinetic complexities in cholinesterase-catalyzed reactions

Cholinesterases (ChEs) display a hysteretic behavior with certain substrates and inhibitors. Kinetic cooperativity in hysteresis of ChE-catalyzed reactions is characterized by a lag or burst phase in the approach to steady state. With some substrates damped oscillations are shown to superimpose on hysteretic lags. These time dependent peculiarities are observed for both butyrylcholinesterase and acetylcholinesterase from different sources. Hysteresis in ChE-catalyzed reactions can be interpreted in terms of slow transitions between two enzyme conformers E and E′. Substrate can bind to E and/or E′, both Michaelian complexes ES and E’s can be catalytically competent, or only one of them can make products. The formal reaction pathway depends on both the chemical structure of the substrate and the type of enzyme. In particular, damped oscillations develop when substrate exists in different, slowly interconvertible, conformational, and/or micellar forms, of which only the minor form is capable of binding and reacting with the enzyme. Biphasic pseudo-first-order progressive inhibition of ChEs by certain carbamates and organophosphates also fits with a slow equilibrium between two reactive enzyme forms. Hysteresis can be modulated by medium parameters (pH, chaotropic and kosmotropic salts, organic solvents, temperature, osmotic pressure, and hydrostatic pressure). These studies showed that water structure plays a role in hysteretic behavior of ChEs. Attempts to provide a molecular mechanism for ChE hysteresis from mutagenesis studies or crystallographic studies failed so far. In fact, several lines of evidence suggest that hysteresis is controlled by the conformation of His438, a key residue in the catalytic triad of cholinesterases. Induction time may depend on the probability of His438 to adopt the operative conformation in the catalytic triad. The functional significance of ChE hysteresis is puzzling. However, the accepted view that proteins are in equilibrium between preexisting functional and non-functional conformers, and that binding of a ligand to the functional form shifts equilibrium towards the functional conformation, suggests that slow equilibrium between two conformational states of these enzymes may have a regulatory function in damping out the response to certain ligands and irreversible inhibitors. This is particularly true for immobilized (membrane bound) enzymes where the local substrate and/or inhibitor concentrations depend on influx in crowded organellar systems, e.g. cholinergic synaptic clefts. Therefore, physiological or toxicological relevance of the hysteretic behavior and damped oscillations in ChE-catalyzed reactions and inhibition cannot be ruled out.     

The stability of ecosystems

Stability criteria and phase boundaries for complex ecosystems are obtained and contrasted with previously studied scenarios. The stability of such systems is determined by the behaviour of the largest eigenvalue of matrices governing the response of the system to small perturbations. As a result we show that ecosystems with unstructured cooperative interactions between arbitary species can be less stable than had been previously determined. We also examine hierarchical ecologies, and demonstrate their increased stability under certain conditions.     

Morphological aspects of the science of human ecology

Human ecology is the science on interaction of the man with the environment including the social surrounding. In the human ecological morphology biogenic and sociogenic peculiarities are distinguished; they are formed in the phylo- or ontogenesis. Peculiarities of the body integument, proportions, development of the fat component of the body mass etc. are related with the biogenic signs of the phylogenic origin, since they are connected with life in certain climato-natural conditions. These signs have certain analogues among Mammalia. The sociogenic signs of the phylogenic origin include complexes of bepedality, labour and informative-speech activity. They are characteristic for the human being only. The sociogenic peculiarities of the ontogenic origin include certain changes of the organism connected with professional and sporting activities. According to the human organism state, observed in dynamics, it is possible to judge on biogenic and sociogenic consequences of the environmental influences. For this purpose the data of anthropometric observations in newborn are considered to be important. The role of the biogenic changes is followed in the example of shifts of the body dimensions in time, connected with the solar activity cycles; the sociogenic changes are considered in an example of growth processes under conditions of different gas-pollution of the atmosphere with industrial waste.     

Efferent neural apparatus of the thymus gland, spleen and lymph nodes and its reaction to electric stimulation of the posterior hypothalamic field

At a histochemical investigation of the rabbit lymphoid organs innervation certain peculiarities on histotopography of adrenergic and acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-containing nervous elements have been established. At a chronic experiment by means of a dosed repeated bilateral electrostimulation of the posterior hypothalamic field in the organs mentioned, inhibition of the functional activity has been noticed. It is most specific not for the AChE-containing structures, but for the adrenergic ones, localized to some extent in the parenchyma, as well as along the course of the blood vessels and their adventitium. The results are discussed in terms of modulatory influence of the posterior hypothalamic field on trophic and functions of the lymphoid tissue. This influence is realized both humoraly and via the nervous pathways (either directly using certain ways and connections, or indirectly by means of neurogenic tonus of the intraorganic blood vessels regulation).     

Metabolic system of acid-base homeostasis in the human and animal body

Peculiarities of carbohydrate, lipid, amino acid nucleotide metabolism, of the tricarboxylic acid cycle functioning and of the oxidative phosphorylation have been studied in man and animals under conditions of changes in the acid-base equilibrium (ABE) state in the organism. The results of studies are analyzed and generalized. Strictly defined peculiarities of changes in the mentioned aspects of metabolism depending on the ABE state in the organism are revealed. Basing on a new interpretation of the experimental data and detected regularities in the metabolism, the author has drawn a conclusion on the existence of the previously unknown system of acid-base homeostasis in tissues. The physiological sense of this system functioning is the regulation of the intracellular acid-base equilibrium stability. The regulation mechanisms promoting functioning of this system are discussed. The system is shown to be of great applied significance for improvement of methods to cure a number of human and animal diseases as well as for an increase of the productivity of animals.