NO-dependent phototoxicity of Roussin's black salt against cancer cells.

A metal-nitrosyl complex, Roussin's black salt (RBS), releases nitric oxide after illumination. Approximately 3.7 NO molecules were released from one RBS molecule. Both short- and long-term effects of photogenerated NO on the two neoplastic cell lines: human (SK-MEL188) and mouse (S91) have been investigated. Exogenous NO from RBS was toxic to cells in a dose-dependent manner. Apoptotic damage predominates in the response to the injury, as shown by TUNEL assay. NO and its short-lived metabolites, but not other RBS photoproducts, are responsible for cellular death. RBS in dark was toxic to cells at concentrations above 1 microM. This relatively high cytotoxicity of RBS in the dark prevents its application as a systemic anticancer agent in vivo, unless it is applied locally.     

Automatic detection of basal cell carcinoma by hyperspectral imaging

The purpose of this study was to test the ability of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) combined with unsupervised anomaly detectors to automatically differentiate basal cell carcinoma (BCC) from normal skin. Hyperspectral images of the face of a female patient with a BCC of the lower lip were acquired using a visible/near-infrared HSI system and two anomaly detection algorithms (Reed-Xiaoli and Reed-Xiaoli/Uniform Target hybrid anomaly detectors) were used to detect pathological tissue from normal skin. The results revealed that the receiver operating characteristic curve of the Reed-Xiaoli/Uniform Target hybrid detector was higher than that of the Reed-Xiaoli detector in the range of false positive rates between 0 and 0.8. The area under curve values were good (0.7074 and 0.8607, respectively) with Reed-Xiaoli/Uniform Target hybrid detector performing better. In conclusion, HSI combined with either of two anomaly detectors can play a promising role in the automated screening of BCC.     

Conditions of spontaneous gelatinization of sarcoplasmic proteins]

Ca2+ ions at low concentration (10(-4)-10(-5) M) when added to ultracentrifugates of sarcoplasmic proteins with minimal content of sarcoplasmic reticulum fragments completely prevent protein gelatinization or gels, formed in these conditions, quickly dilute. Ca2+ ions at the concentration of 10(-3) M prevented in these conditions gelatinization in all the cases studied. Strong gels of sarcoplasmic proteins are formed afterwards in weak acid (pH 6.1-6.75), neutral (pH 7.0) and weak alkaline (pH 7.25-7.45 and higher) media. It is suggested that gelatinization of sarcoplasmic proteins is closely related with the development of plastic tonus, obturatory muscle function and viscous after-effect.     

Correlation and composition of the plasmalogen and diacyl forms of phosphatidylethanolamine in subcellular brain fractions of the trout Salmo irideus and the frog Rana temporaria

In myelin, nuclear, microsomal, mitochondrial and synaptosomal fractions from the brain of the trout and frog, studies have been made on the composition of fatty acids and fatty aldehydes of the plasmalogen form and fatty acids of the diacylic form of phosphatidylethanolamin. It was shown that alongside with the increase of the relative content of the plasmalogen form of phosphatidylethanolamin in subcellular fractions of the brain in the frog, especially in the myelin, changes also take place in the composition of fatty acids (the increase in the content of polyenic acids, especially of arachidonic one) and fatty aldehydes (the increase in the degree of unsaturation). Brain myelin of coldblooded vertebrates exhibits similarity with myelin from higher vertebrates in its high content of plasmalogens with a high degree of unsaturation of fatty acids and fatty aldehydes.     

Correlation between the Microelement Profile and Essential Oil Composition of Plants from the Filipendula Genus

Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry - We investigate a correlation between the microelement profile and the essential oil composition of a plant by taking the plants from the Filipendula genus...     

Comparative ultrastructural analysis of the in vitro microspore embryoids and in vivo zygotic embryos of wheat as a basis for understanding of cytophysiological aspects of their development

Ultrastructures of in vitro microspore embryoids and in vivo zygotic embryos of spring wheat have been analyzed and compared. Along with the similarity of ultrastructural characteristics of embryoid and embryo cells at the corresponding developmental stages, some differences have been revealed. Unlike embryos, embryoid cells are characterized by lipid inclusions and numerous mitochondria with well-developed internal membranes. According to our hypothesis, lipids represent an alternative energy source required for active cell divisions in the forming embryoids. Unlike embryos, since the earliest developmental stages, embryoid cells accumulate a significant amount of starch and then utilize it during the organogenesis and germination. A conclusion has been made that embryoid cells create their own reserve of carbohydrates, which is then mobilized during their development. The concept of T.B. Batygina (1987, 1997, 2014) about the universal character of the plant morphogenesis in vivo, in situ, and in vitro has been confirmed. The prospects for the use of microspore embryoidogenesis in vitro as a model to study cytophysiological aspects of zygotic embryogenesis in vivo are discussed.     

Concentration and temperature effects in interactions of the dye pyronine G with polynucleotides

The interaction of poly(A) and poly(A).poly(U) with pyronine G dye depending on the concentration of components and temperature was studied spectrophotometrically in the visible and UV ranges at pH (6.86). It was found that the interaction of pyronine G with poly(A) and poly(A).poly(U) results in the formation of two types of complexes. The relation of the equilibrium concentrations of these complexes depends on the initial concentrations of the components in solution. The formation of complex I results in shifting the spectrum towards the short wave range with regard to the monomer band and reflects the aggregation of the dye cations. Complex II is characterized by the shift towards the long wave range. Complex II is formed in considerable amounts for poly(A).pyronine G system at large P/D and for poly(A).poly(U).pyronine G system at P/D = 5-6 and is probably due to the interaction between the dye and polynucleotides of the intercalation type or reflects the interaction between the dye and two negatively charged phosphate groups. Analysis of temperature measurements of spectra confirms the formation of various types of complexes in the system studied.