Investigation of the mechanism of temperature sensitivity of the electroreceptors of ampullae of lorenzini

In experiments on Black Sea skates (Raja clavata), the potential of the receptor epithelium of the ampullae of Lorenzini and spike activity of single nerve fibers connected to them were investigated during electrical and temperature stimulation. Usually the potential within the canal was between 0 and –2 mV, and the input resistance of the ampulla 250–400 k. Heating of the region of the receptor epithelium was accompanied by a negative wave of potential, an increase in input resistance, and inhibition of spike activity. With worsening of the animal's condition the transepithelial potential became positive (up to +10 mV) but the input resistance of the ampulla during stimulation with a positive current was nonlinear in some cases: a regenerative spike of positive polarity appeared in the channel. During heating, the spike response was sometimes reversed in sign. It is suggested that fluctuations of the transepithelial potential and spike responses to temperature stimulation reflect changes in the potential difference on the basal membrane of the receptor cells, which is described by a relationship of the Nernst's or Goldman's equation type.I. P. Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. I. M. Sechenov, Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad. Pacific Institute of Oceanology, Far Eastern Scientific Center, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Vladivostok. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 12, No. 1, pp. 67–74, January–February, 1980.     

Possible mechanisms of implementation of toxic potential of lipopolysaccharides of pathogenic bacteria

The significance of variability of biological properties of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) is discussed in the paper within the pathogenesis of infectious process. On the basis of an analysis of published data and of results of independent research of two microorganisms (Yersinia pestis and Francisella tularensis) a conclusion is made on that a biologically inert LPS form (with a weak cytokine-inducing ability, apirogenicity and non-toxicity etc.) is typical of highly pathogenic bacteria. It is suggested that the above phenomenon is biologically expedient. Presumably, the inert LPS transforms to the active form inside a sensitive host and, according to an infection stage, each of them being functionally significant. It is the inert status of LPS that enables the pathogens, at the initial stages, to surmount freely the humoral and cell barriers of host. As the infection progressively aggravates and the proliferation of bacteria modifies itself due to LPS micro- and macroorganisms, its chemical structure and biopolymer conformation change. Both modification mechanisms enhance the LPS toxic potential. In case of a sensitive host, such variations transform the biologically inert LPS into a toxically active form with its function of endotoxin being realized. There is no LPS modification in a host insensitive to such infection, which entails either recovery or prolonged persistence of the pathogen inside the microorganism.     

Overview of mechanisms of action of lycopene

Dietary intakes of tomatoes and tomato products containing lycopene have been shown to be associated with decreased risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases in numerous studies. Serum and tissue lycopene levels have also been inversely related to the risk of lung and prostate cancers. Lycopene functions as a very potent antioxidant, and this is clearly a major important mechanism of lycopene action. In this regard, lycopene can trap singlet oxygen and reduce mutagenesis in the Ames test. However, evidence is accumulating for other mechanisms as well. Lycopene at physiological concentrations can inhibit human cancer cell growth by interfering with growth factor receptor signaling and cell cycle progression specifically in prostate cancer cells without evidence of toxic effects or apoptosis of cells. Studies using human and animal cells have identified a gene, connexin 43, whose expression is upregulated by lycopene and which allows direct intercellular gap junctional communication (GJC). GJC is deficient in many human tumors and its restoration or upregulation is associated with decreased proliferation. The combination of low concentrations of lycopene with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 exhibits a synergistic effect on cell proliferation and differentiation and an additive effect on cell cycle progression in the HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cell line, suggesting some interaction at a nuclear or subcellular level. The combination of lycopene and lutein synergistically interact as antioxidants, and this may relate to specific positioning of different carotenoids in membranes. This review will focus on the growing body of evidence that carotenoids have unexpected biologic effects in experimental systems, some of which may contribute to their cancer preventive properties in models of carcinogenesis. Consideration of solubility in vitro, comparison with doses achieved in humans by dietary means, interactions with other phytochemicals, and other potential mechanisms such as stimulation of xenobiotic metabolism, inhibition of cholesterogenesis, modulation of cyclooxygenase pathways, and inhibition of inflammation will be considered. This review will point out areas for future research where more evidence is needed on the effects of lycopene on the etiology of chronic disease.     

Principles of classification of life forms of plants

For classifying life forms of plants a proposal was made to use the principle of parallel divergence based on the hypothesis that life forms diverging to any degree preserve further the potential of evolving in a similar way, that is, in parallel series. Life forms of plants are divided into thirteen types corresponding to the nature of their basic metameres. Further, every type is divided into subtypes and sections according to the character of these metameres and then into smaller grades (classification units of the system of living forms corresponding to one trait and its evolutionary level) according to categories of traits: ramification, vegetative flexibility, rate of changes of metameres, types of habitat and environment. On the basis of the principle of parallel divergence scales of traits were constructed for each category. Corresponding to 26 paires of alternative traits 26 degrees of hierarchic classification were devised and within the limits of every type of life form there were 2(26) grades at the lowest rank. Separate systems were developed for single-celled and colonial forms.     

Comparative characteristics of the ichthyoplankton of lagoon lakes of the south-eastern part of Sakhalin

Ichthyoplankton surveys are made in lagoon water bodies of the south-eastern part of Sakhalin (the Vavai-Chibisan system of lakes, Lake Tunaicha, Lake Izmenchivoe) from April until November 2002–2007. Comparative characteristics of ichthyoplankton complexes in the ice-free period is given. In the investigated lagoon lakes, differences in the species composition of the ichthyoplankton by the number and time of appearance of the maxima of abundance of eggs and larvae are noted, and also related to morphological structure and hydrological conditions of water bodies. In lagoon lake Izmenchivoe with a salinity not less than 26‰, the eggs and larvae of marine fishes only takes place while, in Vavai-Chibisan lakes, that of freshwater fishes only takes place. In brackish lake Tunaicha, the lowest number of fish species reproduce. In the Vavai-Chibisan system and in Lake Izmenchivoe, one maximum of abundance of ichthyoplankton in June is recorded and, in Lake Tunaicha, two maxima (the highest in June and less expressed in August) are recorded. Irrespective of the species composition, the ichthyoplankton complexes of lagoon lakes have general traits determined by hydrological conditions of water bodies and by their general origin and geographic situation: prevalence of eggs and larvae of low boreal fish species, the maximum species diversity in the late spring-early summer, and decrease of abundance in cooler years.     

Effect of composition of cellular lipids of formation of nonspecific antibiotic resistance of alkanotrophic rhodocoocci

The antibiotic resistance and lipid composition of rhodococci grown in rich organic media with gaseous or liquid n-alkanes were studied. Hydrocarbon-grown rhodococci exhibited an increased resistance to a wide range of antibiotics (aminoglycosides, linkosamides, macrolides, beta-lactams, and aromatic compounds). The enhanced antibiotic resistance of rhodococci grown on n-alkanes correlated with an increased content of total cell lipids (up to 14-28%) and saturated straight-chain fatty acids (C16:0, C18:0, C21:0) and was accompanied by the appearance of cardiolipin and phosphatidylglycerol in cells. These lipid compounds were supposed to promote the formation of nonspecific antibiotic resistance in rhodococci by decreasing the permeability of their cell envelope to antibiotics.     

Effect of colour of drugs: systematic review of perceived effect of drugs and of their effectiveness.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of the colour of a drug''s formulation on its perceived effect and its effectiveness and to examine whether antidepressant drugs available in the Netherlands are different in colour from hypnotic, sedative, and anxiolytic drugs. DESIGN: Systematic review of 12 published studies. Six studies examined the perceived action of different coloured drugs and six the influence of the colour of a drug on its effectiveness. The colours of samples of 49 drugs affecting the central nervous system were assessed using a colour atlas. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Perceived stimulant action versus perceived depressant action of colour of drugs; the trials that assessed the effect of drugs in different colours were done in patients with different diseases and had different outcome measures. RESULTS: The studies on perceived action of coloured drugs showed that red, yellow, and orange are associated with a stimulant effect, while blue and green are related to a tranquillising effect. The trials that assessed the impact of the colour of drugs on their effectiveness showed inconsistent differences between colours. The quality of the methods of these trials was variable. Hypnotic, sedative, and anxiolytic drugs were more likely than antidepressants to be green, blue, or purple. CONCLUSIONS: Colours affect the perceived action of a drug and seem to influence the effectiveness of a drug. Moreover, a relation exists between the colouring of drugs that affect the central nervous system and the indications for which they are used. Research contributing to a better understanding of the effect of the colour of drugs is warranted.     

Non-Productive Binding of Substrates as One of Aspects of Substrate Specificity of Cholinesterases of Different Origin

Taking into account the phenomenon of non-productive binding of substrate, kinetic parameters of hydrolysis of acetylcholine (ACh) and its 13 derivatives with different structures of ammonium group by cholinesterase (ChE) of human erythrocytes, ChE of horse blood serum, and ChE of optic ganglia of the Pacific squid Todarodes pacificus are determined. A dependence is revealed of values of parameters of their enzymatic hydrolysis and parameters of the non-productive binding on the substrate structure and ChE nature. Effects of salts, LiCl, NaCl, KCl, MgCl₂, CaCl₂ and BaCl₂, on various kinetic parameters, including parameters of the non-productive binding of substrate, of enzymatic hydrolysis of iodides of ACh and N-acetoxyethylene-N-ethylpiperidinium under action of horse blood serum ChE are studied. Addition of the salts to the reaction mixture produced different effects on values of the catalytic center activity (a _c) and the Michaelis constant (K _M), depending on the cation nature and the substrate structure. At the same time, values of the a _c/K _M ratio that characterize to a degree the substrate affinity to the enzyme are equal to each other for two substrates differing in structure, regardless of the presence and nature of the studied cations. Parameters of the non-productive binding of N-acetoxyethylene-N-ethylpiperidinium iodide also depended on the salt nature; however, in that case, a question arises as to the correctness of the comparative analysis, when at determinations of the parameters the non-productive binding of ACh is ignored.     

青蒿素生物合成机理研究现状

本文总结了目前有关青蒿素生物合成机理方面的研究,主要包括青蒿素生物合成中生理因子的影响,青蒿素生物合成中间体及前体,青蒿素生物合成细胞定位等。指出了存在的一些问题及今后的研究发展前景。     

Shapes of curves of pH-dependence of reactions

A simple case is considered in which the rate of a two-step reaction depends on pH because the intermediate formed in the first step has to gain (or lose) a proton before it can react in the second step, and in which the rate-determining step therefore changes with pH. The curves of reaction rate against pH are shown to be symmetrical, and the sharpest peak possible has a width at half its height of 1.53pH units, i.e. of 2log(3+2 radical2). Any particular curve for this situation proves to be identical with a curve that could be generated for the pH-dependence of a single-step reaction in which the rate is proportional to the concentration of a particular ionic form of a reactant. Curves for the latter situation, however, can have forms impossible for the former case in which the rate-determining step changes, but only if the protonations that activate and deactivate the reactant are co-operative. The peak can then become even sharper, and its width at half its height can fall to 1.14pH units, i.e. to 2log(2+ radical3).     

Histochemical studies of monoamine oxidase of the brain of rodents

Summary MAO of the brain was investigated histochemically in mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits. Fresh frozen sections were subjected to the tryptamine-tetrazolium method by Glenner, Burtner and Brown (1957).MAO activity of the brain of 4 animal species is generally similar with respect to its pattern of distribution. However, the intensity of enzyme action of the brain as a whole differs somewhat in animal species, being highest in guinea pigs, intermediate in rats and lowest in mice and rabbits. The enzyme action occurs mainly in the neuropil of the cerebral grey matter, while weak or negative activity is generally observed in the white matter excepting the tractus retroflexus of Meynert.The marked activity is encountered in the interpeduncular nucleus, locus coeruleus, area postrema, dorsal nucleus of the vagus nerve, hypothalamus, habenular nuclei and midline nuclear group of the thalamus, nucleus of the brachium conjunctivum, and central grey matter. The enzyme activity is weak or negative in the neocortex, striatum, mamillary body, thalamic nuclei (excepting the habenula and midline nuclear group), subthalamic nucleus, substantia nigra, red nucleus and nuclei of the somatic cranial nerves.The possible function and significance of MAO in the brain were discussed particularly by comparing the sites of this enzyme with those of succinic dehydrogenase and cytochrome oxidase, and the inverse relation between these enzymes was suggested.     

A quantitative estimation of degree of purity of preparations of subcellular structures

A method of mathematical treatment of the results of the analysis of enzymic activity of fractions has been suggested, allowing a quantitative estimation of both the degree of purity of fractions and the yield. Using this method the preparation of mitochondria, microsomes and lysosomes have been characterized. The method may also be used to elucidate the localization of some, not strictly organelle-specific enzymes of different subcellular structures.     

Analysis of evolution of exon-intron structure of eukaryotic genes

The availability of multiple, complete eukaryotic genome sequences allows one to address many fundamental evolutionary questions on genome scale. One such important, long-standing problem is evolution of exon-intron structure of eukaryotic genes. Analysis of orthologous genes from completely sequenced genomes revealed numerous shared intron positions in orthologous genes from animals and plants and even between animals, plants and protists. The data on shared and lineage-specific intron positions were used as the starting point for evolutionary reconstruction with parsimony and maximum-likelihood approaches. Parsimony methods produce reconstructions with intron-rich ancestors but also infer lineage-specific, in many cases, high levels of intron loss and gain. Different probabilistic models gave opposite results, apparently depending on model parameters and assumptions, from domination of intron loss, with extremely intron-rich ancestors, to dramatic excess of gains, to the point of denying any true conservation of intron positions among deep eukaryotic lineages. Development of models with adequate, realistic parameters and assumptions seems to be crucial for obtaining more definitive estimates of intron gain and loss in different eukaryotic lineages. Many shared intron positions were detected in ancestral eukaryotic paralogues which evolved by duplication prior to the divergence of extant eukaryotic lineages. These findings indicate that numerous introns were present in eukaryotic genes already at the earliest stages of evolution of eukaryotes and are compatible with the hypothesis that the original, catastrophic intron invasion accompanied the emergence of the eukaryotic cells. Comparison of various features of old and younger introns starts shedding light on probable mechanisms of intron insertion, indicating that propagation of old introns is unlikely to be a major mechanism for origin of new ones. The existence and structure of ancestral protosplice sites were addressed by examining the context of introns inserted within codons that encode amino acids conserved in all eukaryotes and, accordingly, are not subject to selection for splicing efficiency. It was shown that introns indeed predominantly insert into or are fixed in specific protosplice sites which have the consensus sequence (A/C)AG|Gt.     

Features of reproduction of whitefishes

Based on features of reproduction, whitefishes (Coregonidae) differ from salmonids (Salmonidae) and graylings (Thymallidae). They differ from other salmonid fishes (Salmoniformes) in the following characteristics: they spawn, as a rule, during fall and winter; they do not construct spawning redds; their eggs are not protected; and substantial egg mortality is compensated by a high fecundity. The eggs of several whitefish species can develop in the conditions of “pagon” (within the ice). The main reasons for egg mortality at riverine spawning grounds are as follows: abnormalities during fertilization and development of the embryo, predation on the eggs, parasitic deceases, freezing of spawning grounds, and drift of the eggs from the spawning grounds. In addition (in the lakes), egg mortality can be caused by a deficit of oxygen, siltation, acidulation, and pollution of water. The survival of eggs of whitefishes in the Ural tributaries of the Lower Ob River in different years ranges from 0 to 93%. At a stable environment, the age of sexual maturation is connected with a certain body size of the fish. In the northern water bodies, the cycle of gonadal development can reach more than 1 year. Pollution of water by heavy metals, oil, and toxicants leads to serious anomalies of the reproductive system and to decreasing reproductive potential of the stocks.     

The mechanism of stabilization of the structure of nuclease-T by binding of ligands.

The rate of unfolding of Nuclease-T at pH 8,20 degrees was determined as a function of concentration of the ligands deoxythymidine 3',5'-diphosphate (pdTp) and Ca2+ on the basis of the rate of exchange between free fragment, Nuclease-T(50-149) and labeled fragment, Nuclease-T-(50-149) incorporated in the structure of nuclease-T (Taniuchi, H. (1973) J. Biol. Chem. 248, 5164-5174). The rate constant of unfolding of unliganded Nuclease-T' was 4.6 times 10-4s-1. Those of Nuclease-T' bound with pdTp, with Ca2+, and with both pdtp and Ca2+ were 9.0 times 10-5, 1.6 times 10-4, and 2.2 times 10-5s-1, respectively. The association constants of pdTp and Ca2+ with Nuclease-T' were found to be 1.0 times 10-4 and 2.0 times 10-2 m-1, respectively. Those of pdTp with Nuclease-T' plus Ca2+ and of Ca2+ with Nuclease-T' plus pdTp were 4 times 10-5 and 1.4 times 10-4M-1, respectively. The calculation of free energy change on the basis of the association constants shows that the magnitude of negative free energy change involved in the binding of either of the two ligands increases by approximately 2 kcal when the other ligand is already bound. There is a correlation between the free energy change and the specifically coupled with the cooperative interacions operating throught the three-dimensional structure resulting in strengthening of the interactions throughtout the structure, including those with the ligands, without a large change in conformation.     

六种藓类植物茎的比较解剖学研究

通过对6种藓类植物,即褶叶青藓(Brachythecium salebrosum(Web.et Mohr.)B.S.G.)、湿地匐灯藓(Plagiomnium acutum(Lindb.)Kop.)、侧枝匐灯藓(Plagiomnium maximoviczii(Lindb.)Kop.)、大凤尾藓(Fissidensnobilis Griff.)、大羽藓(Thuidium cymbifolium(Doz.et Molk.)B.S.G.)和大灰藓(Hypnum plumaeforme Wils.)嫩茎和老茎的石蜡切片和显微观察发现,同一藓类植株的嫩茎和老茎,茎结构稳定,不同种藓类植物茎横切面具有不同特征.植物体茎横切面形状、表层细胞的层数、细胞大小和细胞壁厚薄、皮层细胞大小和形状、中轴的有无以及比例等特征可以作为藓类植物的分科分类依据之一.     

Testing of one of the hypotheses of the inheritance of human fingerprints

A hypothesis claiming that the total phenotypes of finger patterns are controlled by three independent two-allele loci A, L and W with the complete dominance in each was analysed in this work. By means of the population genetics methods, non-accordance of the hypothesis examined to the observed distributions of total phenotypes A, L, W, AL, LW, ALW was revealed on the material of five populations (3060 men). On the basis of the segregation analysis method applied to 210 complete families (the total number of children-532), the hypothesis of one-locus heredity with the complete dominance of total phenotypes A and W was rejected, the reliability of this conclusion being 0.999 and 0.95, respectively. The hypothesis of the L pattern being genetically controlled by one locus with the complete dominance gave, when examined, the contradictory results, due to monomorphism of the character.     

细菌鉴定方法

细菌的分类鉴定与细菌的研究和应用有着同等重要的地位。准确地鉴定细菌类别,根据其菌种种类不同,分别针对肠杆菌、阳性球菌、非发酵菌等菌种设计不同药敏板条的抗生素组合,可以指导临床应用用药。目前,细菌分类鉴定方法主要包括表型鉴定法和分子遗传学鉴定法两大类,针对这两大类鉴定方法,汇总其生理生化分类特征,简述各方法采用的关键技术,针对各技术讨论其优缺点。同时详细研究了表型鉴定法下数值分类法中自动化鉴定涉及的算法,结合目前细菌鉴定方法,对细菌分类鉴定的发展趋势进行了总结和展望。     

Identification of the site of sulfation of the fourth component of human complement

The alpha-chain of the fourth component of complement (C4) contains tyrosine sulfate (Karp, D.R. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 12745-12748). Here we have determined the site and stoichiometry of sulfation of C4 secreted by the human hepatoma-derived cell line Hep G2. C4 was labeled with [35S]sulfate and isolated from culture medium by immunoprecipitation. C4 digested with trypsin and chymotrypsin and analyzed by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography contained a single sulfate-labeled peptide. Digestion of C4 with trypsin alone yielded two major sulfate-labeled peptides, suggesting that there may be some sequence variability in C4 near the site of sulfation. Sequential Edman degradation of tryptic peptides labeled with [3H]tyrosine and [35S]sulfate detected tyrosine residues at positions 5, 13, 16, and 18. Chymotrypsin cleaved 5 residues off the NH2-terminal end of tryptic peptides, yielding a peptide with tyrosine at positions 8, 11, and 13. Comparison of the position of tyrosine residues with the reported sequence of C4 identified the sites of sulfation as tyrosine residues at positions 738, 741, and 743 in the alpha-chain of C4. All 3 of these tyrosine residues appeared to be sulfated. When sulfation of C4 was partially inhibited by addition of catechol to culture medium, three different forms of the peptide were resolved by high-performance liquid chromatography, consistent with peptides containing 1, 2, or 3 sulfates. Comparison of the quantities of tyrosine and tyrosine sulfate in C4 which had been labeled with [3H]tyrosine and digested with Pronase also indicated that C4 contained an average of 2-3 residues of tyrosine sulfate/molecule. These results suggest that the biologically active form of the protein is sulfated.