Evaluation of the functions of human neutrophils by their reaction to a bacterial stimulus

The principle of functional loading, i.e. stimulation of the neutrophiles with enterobacterial inactivated vaccine in vitro or with bacterial polysaccharides in vivo followed by the NBT-test is recommended for adequate estimation of the neutrophile link in the system of the host defense from infections. 97 practically healthy persons were examined in Novosibirsk and Norilsk and it was shown that in the regions of the Far North there were differences among the population with respect to the initial functional activity of the neutrophiles and especially with respect to their reaction to the stimulation. The effect of neutrophile stimulation in vitro with an inactivated vaccine of Serratia marcescens was higher and more stable than that with a single inhalation of prodigiosan. The prevalence of the least pathway providing increased resistance of the phagocytosing cells to infection in the population of the Far North might be the cause of a significant risk of infectious diseases in them.     

Effect of hyperalphalipoproteinemia on structural characteristics of plasma lipoproteins according to electron paramagnetic resonance spin probe findings

Spin probe, a stearic acid derivative, was used to study the structural features of different lipoproteins (LP) from plasma of subjects with different plasma level of high density LP (HDLP). Access of spin probe located in the internal nonpolar regions of HDLP for the reducer, ascorbic acid, was higher in hyperalphalipoproteinemia than in mean values of HDLP cholesterol concentration. An analogous effect was seen in subjects with LP of very low density. Possible causes of such differences as well as their role in biochemical reactions that proceed with LP participation are discussed.     

Morphology of Halprowia (Chlamydia) isolated in Reiter's syndrome]

Morphology and ultrastructure of Halprowia arthritidis, strain SR-1 (HSR), isolated from the synovial fluid of a patient with Reiter's syndrome, was studied in the membranes of the yolk sacs of the developing chick embryos and the L-cell culture. In acridine orange staining for light and fluorescent microscopy there was revealed intracellular cytoplasmic inclusions containing HSR structures at various stages of its reproduction characteristic of halprowia (chlamydia). The direct immunofluorescent method demonstrated the presence of a characteristic HSR antigen not only in the developed inclusions, but also at the early stages of infection, when the morphological HSR structures could not be found by light microscopy. The ultrastructure of the HSR inclusions and forms in the cycle of development (of the initial and elementary bodies) of the SR-1 strain was typical of other halprowia. A peculiar structure of a complex of cell wall and cytoplasmic membrane of the elementary body was described. Taking into consideration the biological characteristics of HSR revealed earlier it can be considered to be a typical representative of Halprowiales s. Chlamydiales. The data obtained on other halprowia, pointing out the fact that criteria of compactness and diffuseness of inclusions, the presence of absence of glycogen in the inclusions could not serve as taxonomic signs in classification of halrpowia, were confirmed on a model of the SR-1 studied.     

Complex action of tyramine,tryptamine and histamine on native and recombinant ASICs

Proton-gated channels of the ASIC family are widely distributed in the mammalian brain, and, according to the recent data, participate in synaptic transmission. However, ASIC-mediated currents are small, and special efforts are required to detect them. This prompts the search for endogenous ASIC ligands, which can activate or potentiate these channels. A recent finding of the potentiating action of histamine on recombinant homomeric ASIC1a has directed attention to amine-containing compounds. In the present study, we have analyzed the action of histamine, tyramine, and tryptamine on native and recombinant ASICs. None of the compounds caused potentiation of native ASICs in hippocampal interneurons. Furthermore, when applied simultaneously with channel activation, they produced voltage-dependent inhibition. Experiments on recombinant ASIC1a and ASIC2a allowed for an interpretation of these findings. Histamine and tyramine were found to be inactive on the ASIC2a, while tryptamine demonstrated weak inhibition. However, they induce both voltage-dependent inhibition of open channels and voltage-independent potentiation of closed/desensitized channels on the ASIC1a. We suggest that the presence of an ASIC2a subunit in heteromeric native ASICs prevents potentiation but not inhibition. As a result, the inhibitory action of histamine, which is masked by a strong potentiating effect on the ASIC1a homomers, becomes pronounced in experiments with native ASICs.     

The absence of chlorophyll b affects lateral mobility of photosynthetic complexes and lipids in grana membranes of Arabidopsis and barley chlorina mutants

Photosynthesis Research - The lateral mobility of integral components of thylakoid membranes, such as plastoquinone, xanthophylls, and pigment–protein complexes, is critical for the...     

Molecular genetic study of the changes in the incompatibility and regulation of the transfer of the F-like pAP18-1 plasmid induced by nitrosoguanidine and the Tn5 and Tn9 transposons

Relation between induced mutations of plasmid pAP18-1 (Tc, Col) and alterations in it's restriction map was studied. Nitrosoguanidine induced mutations of transfer regulation system and incompatibility of this plasmid related with alteration in the situation of recognition sites for restrictases EcoR1 and Sal1 in map positions 42.2-4.3 and 12.9-17.9 MD. Insertions of transposons Tn5 and Tn9 into the plasmid DNA resulted in a decrease of incompatibility level.