Vsevolod V. Polevoi (1931–2001)

Russian Journal of Developmental Biology -     

Author Index Volume 27 (2001)

Authors Index

Author Index Volume 27 (2001)     

Marine sterols. V. Isolation and structure of occelasterol, a new 27-norergostane-type sterol, from an annelida, Pseudopotamilla occelata

Occelasterol, a new marine C₂₇ sterol, has been isolated from an annelida, $\text{Pseudopotamilla occelata}$ and its structure was confirmed as 22-$\text{trans}$-27-nor-(24S)-24-methylcholesta-5, 22-dien-3β-ol (IIa) from the spectral data and by synthesis. Thissterol, the second member of a class of sterols having 27-norergostane-type side chain, had been formerly regarded as 22-$\text{cis}$-cholesta-5, 22-dien-3β-ol (Va). Gas-liquid Chromatographic studies have shown that occelasterol is distributed in various amounts in most of marine invertebrates.     

A Book Review of E.P. Ivanova,L.A. Romanenko,and V.V. Mikhailov “Marine Proteobacteria of the Family Alteromonadaceae” (Vladivostok: Dalnauka, 2001, 125 p.)

Russian Journal of Marine Biology -     

Vasopressin V1a, V1b and V2 receptors mRNA in the kidney and heart of the renin transgenic TGR(mRen2)27 and Sprague Dawley rats.

Vasopressin plays significant role in regulation of blood pressure by means of V1 and V2 receptors, however regulation of synthesis of these receptors in hypertension is only poorly recognized. The purpose of the present study was to compare expression of V1a, V1b and V2 vasopressin (R) mRNA in the renal cortex, renal medulla and the heart of hypertensive renin transgenic TGR(mRen2)27 rats (TGR) and of their parent normotensive Sprague Dawley (SD) strain. The study was performed on 12 weeks old TGR and SD rats. Competitive PCR method was used for quantitative analysis of V1a, V1b and V2 receptors mRNA in fragments of renal cortex, renal medulla and apex of the left ventricle of the heart. In both strains expression of V1aR and V2R mRNA was significantly greater in the renal medulla than in the renal cortex. In the renal medulla but not in the cortex expression of V1aR mRNA was significantly greater in TGR than in SD rats. V2R mRNA expression was similar in the renal cortex and renal medulla of both strains. V1aR mRNA was well expressed in the heart of SD and TGR rats, however there was no significant difference between these two strains. V2R mRNA was not present in the heart. V1bR mRNa could not be detected either in the kidney or in the heart. The results provide evidence for specific increase of expression of V1a receptors mRNA in the renal medulla of TGR rats.     

CYTOGEOGRAPHIC STUDIES ON NORTH AMERICAN ASTERS. I. RANGE SURVEYS OF VIRGULUS ADNATUS,V. CONCOLOR,V. GEORGIANUS,V. GRANDIFLORUS,V. NOVAE-ANGLIAE,V. OBLONGIFOLIUS,V. PATENS,AND V. WALTERI

Chromosome number determinations from 118 populations of eight species of the aster genus Virgulus are reported for the first time. Based on these counts and literature reports the geographic distributions of diploids and tetraploids in V. concolor, V. novae-angliae, V. oblongifolius, and V. patens have been determined. In the first three species, diploids were widely distributed, while tetraploids were more restricted. In V. patens, diploids were restricted to the southwestern portion of the species’ range, while tetraploids were found throughout the range. Both V. adnatus and V. walteri were found only at the tetraploid level throughout their ranges. Two other species with restricted distributions were consistently found to be high level polyploids: V. georgianus with 2n = 50, V. grandiflorus with 2n = 60. The following new combinations are listed: Virgulus georgianus (Alexander ex Small) Semple; Virgulus subsect. Brachyphylli (Torr. & Gray) Semple; and Virgulus sect. Polyliguli (Semple & Brouillet) Semple.     

Advances in Targeted Therapies III, Nassau, Bahamas, 27 April-1 May 2001

This conference was the third in a series focusing on developments in the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other rheumatic conditions with biologicals; in many ways, it was perhaps the best one so far. One strength of the meeting was the mix of scientists from academia and from industry, and of workers in basic science as well as clinical investigators. The risks of inhibition of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) were covered in depth for the first time. A number of putative and actual new targets were presented. An updated consensus document on the use of TNF inhibitors will appear in the near future in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases, authored by Dan Furst et al.