Influence of Mg2+ and Ca2+ bound to 1,5-IAEDANS-labeled phosphorylated and dephosphorylated heavy meromyosin complexed with F-actin on polarized fluorescence of the fluorophore

Dephosphorylated and phosphorylated heavy meromyosin, fluorescently labeled with 1,5-IAEDANS attached at the SH1 group, was introduced into myosin-free ghost fibres and the polarized fluorescence of the bound label was measured. The results depended on whether the divalent cation binding sites on heavy meromyosin were saturated with Mg2+ or Ca2+. The calculated angles of absorption and emission dipoles and the amount of random fluorophores were significantly changed, indicating that the random mobility and orientation of the fluorophores of phosphorylated and dephosphorylated heavy meromyosin heads complexed with F-actin in the ghost fibre depend on saturation of heavy meromyosin with Ca2+ or Mg2+. The presence of bound Ca2+ has an opposite effect on the polarized fluorescence of phosphorylated and dephosphorylated 1,5-IAEDANS-heavy meromyosin.     

Effect of the innervation on the structural state of F-actin in rat fast muscles

Effect of denervation and damage of the spinal cord on the structural state of F-actin in muscle extensor digitorum longus of a rat was studied by polarized microfluorimetry in the ultraviolet light region. The ability of F-actin to change its conformation at ATP binding was used as a test. The character of the changes in tryptophan polarized fluorescence induced by ATP binding was different at muscle denervation and at the damage of the spinal cord. A suggestion is made that the structural state of F-action in muscle fibres may depend on muscle innervation.     

Effects of herbaceous plant functional groups on the dynamics and structure of an alpine lichen heath: the results of a removal experiment

Alpine lichen heaths are polydominant, low-productive communities where lichens and, at some localities, the dwarf shrub Vaccinium vitis-idaea prevail. To analyse the role of herbaceous dominants in the structure of alpine heaths, we established a removal experiment. We tested (1) whether dominant graminoids and forbs differ in their effects on species richness, phytomass, and abundance of individual species; and (2) which remaining species are able to replace the removed dominants. Permanent plots were established in 1996 in the Teberda Reserve (the Northwestern Caucasus, Russia) at 2750 m a.s.l. with four treatments: (1) control, (2) forb removal, (3) graminoid removal, (4) graminoid and forb removal. Target species were clipped every year to avoid regrowth. We counted the shoot numbers of all vascular plants yearly from 1996 to 2009. In 2010, we harvested the aboveground phytomass. We used mixed-effects models to assess the responses of the remaining species and phytomass fractions to the removal. The biomass of the removed dominants was almost compensated for by the remaining species, but due to diffuse competition none of the subordinate species became a new dominant. Graminoid removal reduced community weighted mean leaf dry matter content and litter accumulation. Species number per plot completely recovered after graminoid, not forb removal. Shoot numbers of Antennaria dioica, Arenaria lychnidea, Campanula tridentata, Ranunculus oreophilus, and Trifolium polyphyllum showed positive responses to graminoid removal. Anemone speciosa shoot numbers decreased after graminoid removal. In alpine heath, graminoid dominants contribute more to community structure than forb dominants.     

Psychophysiological and Some Functional Markers of Mental Workload in Young Men

The emotional state of a person affects both the central level and the peripheral indices of the autonomic nervous system, particularly those of the regulation of the heart rate. Our study showed that boys with a higher level of anxiety had higher values of the latent period of the P300 evoked potential and lower indices of short-term auditory memory. Changes in the temporal and spectral components of heart rate variability under the conditions of mental workload indicate that the neurohumoral regulation of the heart rate is shifted toward the suprasegmental influences, including pituitary–hypothalamic and cortical influences.     

Intercellular transmission of information in the process of immunogenesis. V. Study of the role of low-molecular "immune" nuclear RNA in the synthesis of antibodies by rat transplantable lymphosarcoma cells

The karyotype of the Ararat cochineal has been studied. The cochineal chromosomes are holokinetic, i.e. they have a diffuse centromeric activity; however, in some of them constrictions are detected. The constrictions are seen only in early stages of spiralization and are not detected in late metaphase. Sex determination in the cochineal takes place according to formula XX-X0. The female have two sex chromosomes being the longest pair in the set. The males are heterogametic having the X0-constitution. The meiosis is of a chiasmatic type. In the diakinesis bivalents are detected in the form of crosses or rings. Of different types of meiosis, the coccids possess a so called the Puto type, which s, according to preliminary evidences, very similar to the cochineal meiosis.     

Properties of live antibiotics-resistant anthrax vaccine STI-PR after long-term storage

Study showed that cultural, morphologic, genetic, immunologic characteristics, and resistance to antibiotics of STI-PR anthrax vaccine did not change after storage during 20 years in lyophilized condition. It has been shown that medium for lyophilization plays important role in preservation of vitality of anthrax spores. Optimal preservative properties have been observed for thioureal and sucrose-gelatinous media for lyophilization. Obtained results give reasons for prolongation of shelf live of STI-PR vaccine from 2 - 3 to 5 - 8 years.     

Age-related dynamics of the parameters of somatosensory evoked potentials in healthy children

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the parameters of somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) in healthy children of different age groups (n = 94). The amplitudes of the main cortical peaks and the central sensory conduction time (CSCT) from n. medianus and n. tibialis in children aged under 12 months, 1–12 years, and 12–17 years were estimated and compared. No significant cortical peaks were recorded from the tibial nerve in five children younger than 1 year (5 out of 23, 22%). Significant differences in CSCT were observed between the children younger than 1 year and two other groups. The amplitudes did not significantly differ between the groups. Thus, SSEPs may be used for the evaluation of somatosensory pathways in children aged one month to 17 years. CSCT differs significantly between children younger than 1 year and other age groups. Age-related reduction in CSCT and elevation of the cortical peak amplitudes may reflect the myelination of somatosensory pathways and the improvement in nervous system integration.     

The synthesis of galactopyranosyl-substituted derivatives of pheophorbide

New pheophorbide and pyropheophorbide derivatives containing carbohydrate fragments, derivatives of galactopyranose, were synthesized. Galactopyranosylpheophorbide and galactopyranosylpyropheophorbide with free hydroxyl groups were found to be water-soluble and useful as sensitizers in photodynamic therapy of cancer. This article is dedicated to the 25th Anniversary of the journal Bioorganicheskaya Khimiya