Comparison of lipase-catalysed esterification in supercritical carbon dioxide and in n-hexane

Summary Oleic acid esterification by ethanol has been performed by an immobilized lipase fromMucor miehei in supercritical carbon dioxide and in n-hexane as solvents. In both media, determination of apparent kinetic constants has been achieved and influence of water content has been shown to be different due to various rates of water solubilities. Stability of the lipase has been proved to be correct and similar in both solvents. Inhibition by ethanol excess has been found but is greater in n-hexane. That can explain the higher initial velocities obtained in supercritical carbon dioxide for the highest ethanol concentrations.     

Methods of Therapy in Alcoholism

Although the philosophy of the community mental health center has been applied to alcoholism since the early part of this decade, it has been pursued much more intensively in recent years, and there has been a decentralization in the management of alcoholics in a series of stages from the jail or work-house to the state hospital and to the clinic and the community. The medical practitioner now has opportunity to treat the alcoholic in private practice.Advances have been made in two directions. Advances in medical management have included reinforcement of the importance of hydration and electrolyte balance, particularly magnesium. Psychopharmacology has contributed three drugs particularly important in the management of acute alcoholism and its complications. These drugs are chlordiazepoxide, chlorpromazine, and thioridazine. Another drug, Antabuse, when properly used, has proven extremely valuable as a deterrent.Equally important have been administrative advances. The importance of the environment and its manipulation has been recognized, and a series of institutional and non-institutional resources, such as clinics, half-way houses, foster homes, and Alcoholics Anonymous has made it less likely that a patient will be turned away without help.     

Use of Ranks in Comparisons of Variability in the Non-Normal Populations

A method of analysis for comparing the variability of two samples drawn from two populations has been developed. The method is also suitable for the nonnumeric form of data. A test based on ordered observations for testing the null hypothesis of equality of two variances has been given. The test statistic is a function of the sum of ranks assigned to smaller size sample. Ranking procedure has been modified to depict the variability in the data by the sum of ranks. The null distribution of the test-statistic has been worked out for small samples and it turns out to be chi-square distribution for large samples. The analytical procedure has been explained by a numerical example on the productivity and production of rice and wheat in India from 1950–51 to 1983–84.     

Aging features in functioning of skin microvascular bed in humans

The state of skin microcirculation system has been studied in healthy volunteers aged from 20 to 77, using laser Doppler flowmetry. To reveal the reaction of microvascular bed in response to short-term ischemia, occlusive test has been carried out. During experiment the age-induced reduction of microcirculation index has been observed at rest. In response to stopping occlusion the 3.5--4-aliquot increase of microcirculation index has been revealed during reactive post-occlusive hyperemia in all age groups. The data obtained suggest maintenance of high reserve resources of skin microcirculation in ageing in response to ischemia.     

Dependence of a drop in blood pressure in pulmonary circulation and in the right heart on dosage of isosorbide dinitrate]

An effect of isosorbide dinitrate on blood pressure values in the pulmonary circulation and the right heart has been investigated in 25 patients with a history of the first transmural myocardial infarction. Group I including 12 patients has been given 5 mg isosorbide nitrate in a 60-minute intravenous infusion while group II of 13 patients has been given 10 mg of the drug in the same way. Both groups have been matched in clinical data and blood pressure value in the pulmonary circulation which has been normal. Pulmonary blood pressure has been measured with Swan-Ganz catheter prior to the administration of drug, and 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes following an infusion. Isosorbide dinitrate in a dose of 5 mg did not decrease blood pressure in the pulmonary circulation statistically significantly. The differences in blood pressure falls did exceed 9%. Filling pressure in the right ventricle did not change either while systolic blood pressure decrease by 16.6%. A double dose of isosorbide dinitrate reduced blood pressure in the pulmonary artery by about 1/3 of the baseline value, and blood pressure in the right ventricle (mean right atrial pressure) by 57.2%. Both systolic and diastolic arterial pressures were reduced. Isosorbide dinitrate reduced blood pressure in the pulmonary circulation in patients who underwent myocardial infarction, and hypotensive effect has been dose-related. A reduction in the right ventricular filling pressure has been a one of important mechanisms decreasing pulmonary pressures.     

Shrubs of Vladivostok: Percentage in green plantings and resistance in urban ecosystems

Many years of study were devoted to fructicose flora of plantings in the city of Vladivostok. Species diversity bearing on the type of planting has been studied. Contribution of each species to the city’s landscaping has been assessed quantitatively. The vitality of shrubs has been diagnosed and their stability in the conditions of urban ecosystems has been estimated.     

Testing of G----A mutation in position 110 of a minor intron of beta-globin genes in patients with thalassemia in Azerbaijan

A point mutation G-A in the 110 position of the beta-globin gene small intron has been revealed by cloning and sequencing from the material of a homozygote beta-thalassemia patient in Azerbaijan. In the present study two allele-specific oligonucleotide probes for testing the mutation have been synthesized. Assessment frequency of the mutation among the beta-thalassemia patients in Azerbaijan has been performed with the use of the amplified beta-globin gene fragments obtained by using the thermostable DNA-polymerase from T. thermophilus with the subsequent dot-hybridization in gel of the amplified material with the oligonucleotide probes. The possibility to test the mutation by hybridization of the oligonucleotide probes with the donors and beta-thalassemia patients restricted genomic DNA has been analyzed. Only one of 50 thalassemia alleles of beta-globin genes under study has been shown to possess the mutation mentioned.     

Influence of phospholipids on the respiratory activity of embryonal heart cells cultured in vitro in presence of different ethanol concentrations

The influence of phospholipids on respiratory activity of embryonal heart cells, trated with certainly harmful concentrations of ethanol, has been discussed. It has been concluded that when the cell is deeply impaired the administration of phospholipids does not seem to have positive effects. In this condition an irreversible morphological alteration has been induced.     

Development of ultrastructure and experimental change in carotene composition of the eyespot in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii mutants

Biogenesis of the ultrastructure of the eyespot in chloroplasts of a unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has been studied. It has been ascertained that the development of eyespot structure correlates with the accumulation of carotenoids. Owing to their accumulation, the eyespot may have one to four layers of lipid/carotenoid globuli. It has been shown that only carotenes are accumulated in the eyespot globuli. It has been found for the first time that in mutants, the composition of carotenes in the eyespot may change together with the changes of their composition in chloroplast membranes.     

Role of honey in modern medicine

Use of honey has a very long history. Honey has been used since ancient time due to its nutritional and therapeutic values. There had been varied ways of consumption honey including its use as a sweetener and flavoring agent. Honey is produced all over the world. The most important nutriment of honey is carbohydrates present in the form of monosaccharides, fructose and glucose. Honey plays an important role as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial agent and augments the adherence of skin grafts and wound healing process. The role of honey has been acknowledged in the scientific literature and there is convincing evidence in support of its antioxidant and antibacterial nature, cough prevention, fertility and wound healing properties. However, its use has been controversially discussed and has not been well accepted in the modern medicine. The aim of this review was explore and highlight the role of honey in modern medicine.     

Myosin ATPase activity in somatic muscle fibers in different degree of pH of the pre-incubation medium

The problem on presence of muscle fibers (MF) types is an actual one, since it is a prerequisite to forecasting certain changes in MF under different conditions. The aim of the investigation has been to find out whether independent groups of MF exist or whether they react as a whole population to gradual changes in pH of the preincubational medium, when dynamic changes in m-ATPhase activity are studied. In serial transversal cryostate slices 10 mcm thick m-ATPhase activity has been defined in MF at preincubation of the slices in media having various pH. The experiment has had three series. In the I--the ventral denticulate muscle with universal biomechanical properties has been investigated; preincubation has been carried out in media having pH from 3.0 up to 11.0 with the intervals 0.5 pH. In the II--besides the muscle mentioned the fast brachial muscle and the force triceps muscle have been studied; preincubation has been performed only at pH 9.5, since in the I series two dissociated groups of MF have been distinguished. In the III series, at studying the same three muscles m-ATPhase activity has been detailed with their preincubation at pH from 3.8 up to 4.5 with the interval 0.1. The m-ATPase activity begins to manifest in various MF at pH of the preincubational medium within the limits of 3.8-4.2. A gradual increase in amount of MF that are revealing, as pH is gradually increasing, evidences most likely against independence of separate groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Survival of Coxiella burnetii in soil

For the first time the survival of Coxiella burnetii of five types in soils has been studied. The survival of C. burnetii has been found to depend on the content of organic substances in black earth, as well as soil temperature. The method for the prevention of an epidemic outbreak of Q fever directly under the natural conditions has been proposed.     

Molecular mapping and tagging of genes in crop plants

In India, molecular mapping and tagging of agronomically important genes using RFLP and RAPD markers have been carried out in three different crops: rice, mustard and chickpea. In rice, tagging of genes for resistance to gall midge and blast has been accomplished. Molecular mapping of cooking quality traits in rice is in progress. For fingerpringting rice cultivars, suitable probe enzyme combinations have been identified. In mustard, a partial RFLP linkage map has been constructed and one of the yellow seed-coat colour loci has been mapped. Significant associations of RFLP markers with quantitative traits have also been established. Potential use of RAPD markers to identify heterotic groups among mustard accessions has been demonstrated. In chickpea, the occurrence of considerable interspecific DNA polymorphism as revealed by RAPD analysis has facilitated construction of a partial linkage map.     

The pharmacology of anthelmintics in livestock

The recent development of ivermectin, netobimin, closantel, triclabendazole and clorsulon as well as new ways of using established anthelmintics has significantly improved the potential for parasite control in livestock. It is of interest to note that potential control of F. hepatica has been particularly improved with four of these new anthelmintic drugs being fasciolicidal. In addition to an appreciation of the spectrum of action of the new anthelmintics, a considerable amount of information on the pharmaco-kinetic behaviour, metabolism and mode of action of these drugs has been published. New information on pharmacology of established anthelmintics has provided new insights into the biology of parasites, drug resistance and the options for improved chemotherapy by manipulation of pharmacokinetics and metabolism. Much recent pharmacological research has been concentrated on the BZs and this has been considered here in an attempt to provide a better understanding of this significant group of anthelmintics. The development of new delivery systems, such as intraruminal slow release devices, is potentially useful with most anthelmintics. So far, this new approach to parasite control has been applied most successfully with morantel tartrate.     

Estimation of age-related changes in the regulation of peripheral blood flow in humans

The age-dependent features in the state of skin microvascular bed has been studied with laser Doppler flowmetry in healthy volunteers of different age groups. To reveal the reaction of skin blood flow in response to short-term ischemia, the occlusive test has been carried out. To estimate the contribution of rhythmic components to blood flow signal, continuous wavelet-transform spectral analysis was used. Age-dependent increase of pulse-wave amplitude and decrease of respiratory wave amplitude reflecting age-dependent changes in functioning of arteriolar and venular links of microvascular bed have been observed at rest. In response to short-term ischemia the age-dependent reduction of reserve resources has been revealed in functioning of arteriolar link of microvascular bed. The reduction of activity of myogenic, neurogenic and endothelial regulation systems have been shown at rest in ageing.     

肝再生增强因子超家族研究进展

从断奶大鼠的肝脏中纯化得到了肝刺激物质（ＨＳＳ）的有效成份,即肝再生增强因子（ＡＬＲ）的蛋白质,酶解并对其多肽末端测序,据此推导出简并核苷酸序列,合成探针,对大鼠肝脏来源的ｃＤＮＡ文库进行筛选,首选获得了大鼠ＡＬＲ的ｃＤＮＡ克隆,随后又分别克隆了人和小鼠的ＡＬＲ的ｃＤＮＡ。与此同时,从酵母细胞中克隆了与线粒体氧化－－磷酸化功能密切相关的ＥＲＶ１基因,然后克隆了人的ＥＲＶ１同源基因,从功能上证实人     

Flukes without snails: advances in the in vitro cultivation of intramolluscan stages of trematodes

In vitro cultivation of parasitic helminths, including the digenetic trematodes, has long been a valuable tool in medical and veterinary parasitology, permitting and/or facilitating the development of diagnostic reagents, chemotherapeutic agents, and vaccines and providing insights into naturally complex host-parasite interactions. In vitro cultivation of the intramolluscan stages of trematodes has been particularly challenging, given the ontogenic complexities involved in the production of multiple larval generations from germinal tissues through an asexual "budding" process. Recently, however, advanced larval development has been achieved by incorporating the Biomphalaria glabrata embryonic (Bge) cell line into cocultivation systems. Most notably, the entire intramolluscan cycle (from miracidium to cercaria) has been completed for the human blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni, while significant primary sporocyst development has been attained for several other digeneans including S. japonicum and Fascioloides magna. Here we review recent advances in the cultivation of several larval trematode species and discuss the potential use of this culture system for addressing fundamental questions of host-parasite compatibility.     

Transposition of the pacemaker in the right atrium during stimulation of the vagus nerve in the dog

The heart rate and intraatrial latencies between epicardial electrograms from three sites of the right atrium have been studied during vagal stimulation in open-chest dogs. It has been shown that alterations of latencies started at a certain cardiac cycle length irrespective of pacing frequency. A transitional process of changes from a steady latency value in the control to another steady value during vagal stimulation has been observed. The transitional process has been simulated in experimental procedure in which two sites of the right atrium were paced at close and constant frequencies. To interpret the results obtained one-dimensional model of the sinus node has been constructed. According to the model, pacemaker shift within the sinus node results from a competition between two foci of automaticity with close intrinsic frequencies.     

Inherited disorders of ion transport in the intestine

Within the past year, it has been established that the gene mutated in the human disorder congenital chloride diarrhea encodes a major Cl-/HCO3- exchanger at the apical membrane of gut epithelial cells. A major apical Na+/H+ exchanger has also been identified. New insight into metal ion absorption has been gained, and several new transporters without cognate diseases have been cloned.